This is a studio recording from 2012 for the BBC film 'Loving Miss Hatto'. A biopic penned by the British comedian Victoria Wood about pianist Joyce Hatto.

The character piece is like the art song's fun-loving cousin who always shows up to the party with a bottle of emotional perfume. It's perfect for those intimate gatherings or solo rendezvous with your piano. Thanks to the piano's rise to fame in the 1800s, character pieces were popping up everywhere, and composers were flaunting their creations at the hottest recital events of the time. Basically, character pieces were the 19th century's version of a hot new single. If you thought Franz Liszt's music was boring, think again! This guy was all about giving his character pieces creative and whimsical titles, like "Sposalizio" and "Vallée d'Obermann". But don't worry, he didn't forget about those of us who like our music titles to be a little more straightforward - he also composed plenty of works with no-nonsense names like "Album Leaves" and "Klavierstücke". With his "Consolations" (a.k.a. "Six Poetic Thoughts"), Liszt took a page out of Chopin's book and delved into the world of nocturnes. And let me tell you, the third Consolation in D-flat major is pure Chopin - even the key is pianist-friendly, unlike those pesky "easy" keys like C major. Looks like Liszt knew a thing or two about pleasing his audience! If you're a Chopin fan, you're gonna love Liszt's "Consolation No. 3"! I mean, talk about a tribute - this piece is basically a carbon copy of Chopin's Opus 27, no. 1. And while it might not have the same flashy piano solos that Liszt is known for, it more than makes up for it with its dreamy, slow-moving melodies. Plus, it's in the same key as Chopin's original, so you know it's gotta be good.

Despite the unusual title, the Consolations were inspired by both poetry and religious contemplation, just like Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses. Some say the title comes from an 1830 poetry collection by Sainte-Beuve, while others think it's based on a poem by Lamartine called A Tear (or Consolation). Either way, it seems like Liszt was in a pretty contemplative mood when he wrote these pieces. But don't worry, Liszt didn't completely forget his roots - he snuck in a little Hungarian folk song as the primary theme, which he later used in his "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1". So even though this piece might not match the wild, hair-flailing image we have of Liszt, it's still got a little bit of that old-school flavor. Liszt's "Consolation No. 3" wasn't just a musical masterpiece - it was also a major turning point in the composer's life. And let me tell you, Liszt's early life was a doozy - it was basically one big, crazy party. But don't take my word for it, just ask his first mistress (and mother of his three children) Marie d'Agoult, who wrote all about it under the pen name Daniel Stern. And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can even watch the 1975 film "Lisztomania" for all the juicy details. Talk about living the dream! Liszt's life was like something out of a Hollywood movie - seriously, this guy was breaking class barriers and performing like a superstar. But as he got older, he decided to trade in the limelight for a little bit of privacy. He started conducting orchestras and composing more, and even started teaching aspiring pianists from around the world. I guess you could say he was the original piano man!

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Official Website: http://www.archiechen.com
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Festival Website: http://www.pianofestival.ie
Teaching Website: http://www.pianoacademy.ie

Piano: Yamaha C7
Piano Technician: Martin Walsh
Recorded at Cauldron Studios, Dublin
Recording Engineers: Ciarán Byrne & Michael Manning
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An NFT of this track will be available from the artist soon!

Franz Liszt Consolation no. 3 in D flat Major, S. 172

The Sixth Suite Prelude provides a powerful conclusion to the Cello Suites. The Sixth Suite was originally written for the viola pomposa, a five string instrument with added E string above the top A string of the four string cello. Unfortunately, the viola pomposa is not widely produced to play today. Cellists who play the work in the original key on the cello are required to play in the very highest registers of the instrument.

Johann Sebastian Bach Cello Suite No.6 in D Major

From the upcoming 2014 release, The Chopin Variations.

Chad Lawson - Piano
Violin - Judy Kang (Lady Gaga, Ryuichi Sakamoto)
Cello - Rubin Kodheli (Kanye West, Olafur Arnalds)

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4. Mazurka In G Minor– Op. 67, No. 2 (Variation)

Hi All,
This is a bit of an experiment - I've bought a matched pair of Rode NT5 mics and had a go at recording my old Challen upright piano. I'd be really interested to have any feedback on this - I used a simple stereo configuration.
It's pouring with rain outside so I called the piece Rainy Days.
I hope you enjoy this :)

Rainy Days

http://shop.rachelflowersmusic.com/releases

Solo piano, performed by Rachel Flowers.

Images (Book 1), Reflets dans l'eau - Claude Debussy

Deryn Cullen - Cello
Paul Gardner - Piano


Video

Max Bruch - Kol Nidrei

A heated blast across the void. Live studio take.

Solar Wind

Chopin making the piano keys all dirty with awesome.


Performed by James Rhodes (obvs).

Chopin Ballade No. 3 In A - Flat Major, Op. 47

I composed this cinematic song for my participation in the 8Dio standout contest of September 2014.... a composition and music song which is setting a new tone in my musical repertoire, a prelude for my new music in preparation, for my upcoming third album, broadening my musical horizon. At that time of entering the competition I did not had any mixing & mastering skills, which I have acquired afterwards during intense training and ongoing studies. Now, almost one year later, I wanted to remix and master my composition, to bring it to the next level, and I must say I`m happy with this result! If you would compare this new remixed & mastered track with the original one, you would immediately notice a big difference in the overall quality of sound and in the 3-dimensional depth. 

To stay in touch about my music, follow me on Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Vrancken/226754837383811

The picture is coming from this website: http://www.maxisciences.com/phoenix/wallpaper

Used 8Dio instruments:

Piano 1928
Piano 1969 
Adagio Basses
Adagio Cello
Adagio Violas
Forgotten voices: Francesca
Agitato Grandioso Legato Violins Ensemble
Music Box

Follow me on Spotify

"Phénix Rising" (demo verison)

Rosso nell'Ombra

Through the Eyes of the Snake

Violet Moon

Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/y7l5hpua

I never followed an official musical education—as a child I tried; but after two years, I was kind of traumatized by the linear and old-fashioned way of teaching and never thought I'd be able to play any instrument or sing.

From 2002 to 2006, I discovered playing the piano; and, in 2007, I started to take my autodidactic practice more seriously. Since then, I have practiced, performed, sung and played a lot, and attended several intensive workshops, all to discover new ways to express my personal sound. 

All the music performed during my piano concerts is self-composed and improvised in the moment. Every concert is different, although you'll recognize several melodies and musical passages as it is with improvisational jazz music. You'll also find several of the melodies and songs I worked with on the album "Into resonance". Though it's not at all my intention to imitate other musicians, I'll tell you this just to give you an idea: people often tell me that my piano music reminds them, at times, of music from musicians like Ludovico Einaudi, Eric Satie, Keith Jarret (improvisations), Craig Armstrong (piano works) or Michael Nyman (the piano).

And, since I also sing a lot and use several other instruments besides the piano, people tell me that my concerts take them along on a trip through several world cultures. What I'm often told is that people hear a lot of oriental, Arabic, Buddhist, Indian and native influences in my music. It's not my intention to consciously create these sounds; it just happens naturally. I'm just enjoying the moment and sharing music from my heart.

On my site you will exclusive free music downloads & you can purchase my CD`s there as well: http://www.stevenvrancken.com 

"Steven`s solo piano work reminds you to the work of Arvo Pärt and Wim Mertens..." (number one Belgian classical radio station Klara)

“Imagine silence itself were a musician, would it play the piano like Steven does? Well indeed, maybe it would . . ." (Alexander Wolfram, Belgian author)

"Phénix Rising" (demo verison)

Steven Vrancken (peaceful classical crossover)