Coding music

Behold, Archie Chen's superhuman pianistic feats as he tackles Leopold Godowsky's gravity-defying reimaginings of the Chopin Etudes. Archie doesn't merely perform the Godowsky versions; he ups the ante by kicking off with the original Chopin version, leaving your jaw on the floor! The Studies unveil a pianist whose technical prowess is so mind-boggling that one could mistake Chopin's originals for child's play. Don't miss Archie's dazzling interpretation of Frederic Chopin's Etude in C major, Op. 10 No. 1, followed by Leopold Godowsky's Study No. 1 in C major.

Godowsky, a pianistic wizard of his time, shares his magical secrets with ingenious fingerings and enchantingly expressive pedaling. At first glance, some Studies, particularly those for the left hand, seem like Herculean tasks only fit for a Greek god. But fear not! Godowsky, the crafty problem-solver, has provided solutions that mere mortals can attempt. His metronome marks, often seemingly beyond human capabilities, taunt us with lofty aspirations of unattainable virtuosity, invoking the image of a pianist as a finely-tuned, unstoppable machine.

Picture this: you're a budding pianist encountering Carl Czerny's studies, which, let's be honest, are about as exciting as watching paint dry. Yet, they inspired some of the most extraordinary études of the 19th century, like those by Franz Liszt and our beloved Frederick Chopin. These works strike the perfect balance of technique, virtuosity, and refined expressiveness, much like a tightrope walker gracefully balancing between two skyscrapers.

The interwoven relationships between these composers are akin to a love triangle of musical dedications, with Liszt dedicating his 'Transcendental' Études to Czerny, Chopin dedicating his Opus 10 to Liszt, and Opus 25 to Comtesse Marie d'Agoult, Liszt's mistress. While Liszt's Études shattered records for virtuosity, his revisions often tamed the beasts, removing leaps and stretches that would make even an octopus sweat.

Chopin, in contrast, left his Études untouched after publication. Enter the annotated editions: a treasure trove of posthumous wisdom from Chopin's disciples and top interpreters. These editions offer a backstage pass to the artistry of the masters, from Ignaz Friedman to Alfred Cortot, whose notes could rival the length of a Tolstoy novel.

Take, for instance, Chopin's Étude Op. 10, No. 1 in C major, nicknamed the "Waterfall" étude. This thrilling solo piece challenges the right hand to stretch its fingers like a superhero wielding superpowers. The enchanting cascade of notes conjures images of Piranesi's dizzying staircases. Even Vladimir Horowitz, the legendary pianist, wouldn't dare perform this étude in public, dubbing it the most challenging of all.

Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Études, a staggering set of 53 arrangements, are the Mount Everest of piano challenges. As critic Harold C. Schonberg puts it, they're "the most impossibly difficult things ever written for the piano." With several studies featuring right-hand parts shifted to the left hand, and others solely for the left hand, these Herculean tasks are not for the faint-hearted.

Join Archie Chen on this extraordinary adventure as he conquers Godowsky's Everest, scaling the heights of pianistic technique and musical artistry. Witness the impossible become possible!

Live from the Hugh Lane Gallery on August 4th, 2013 as part of the concert series of the Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy. Please comment and share.

My SoundCloud Channel: https://soundcloud.com/archie-chen
Official Website: http://www.archiechen.com
Youtube DIPF https://www.youtube.com/c/PianofestivalIe
Youtube Archie https://www.youtube.com/c/ArchieChenPianist
Festival Website: http://www.pianofestival.ie
Teaching Website: http://www.pianoacademy.ie

Piano: Hamburg Steinway B
Piano Technician: Martin Walsh
Recording Engineer: Joey McDonald
Piano provided by Pianos Plus

Frédéric Chopin Etude in C major, op. 10 no. 1 plus Leopold Godowsky Study no. 1 in C major

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Domenico Scarlatti: Sonatas, Vol. IX

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Frederic Chopin - Nocturne In B-flat minor, Op. 9, No. 1

French Suites 1, 2 & 3

French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812: II. Courante

Alexander Scriabin: Etude Op. 8 No. 2

J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books I & II

The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: Fugue No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 847

Punish, Honey

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Franz Liszt - "Liebestraum"

Simple Science

Chopin may have first dabbled in the world of Impromptus in 1834, but it wasn't until six years after his death that his "Fantaisie Impromptu" hit the streets (and eventually inspired the Tin Pan Alley classic "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows"). His earliest published Impromptu was in A-flat Major, written in 1837, the same year he met the one and only George Sand. Dedicated to Countess de Lobau, one of his fancy-pants pupils, it was published in December.

Fast forward to the summer of 1838, and Chopin's health was in serious decline. In a move that would make anyone question his judgement, he decided to spend the damp Parisian winter on the sunny, fresh-aired island of Majorca (which his friends, who had never been there, assured him was delightful). Spoiler alert: it was not delightful. Terrible weather, shabby accommodations, and a distinct lack of a piano meant that by the time he was diagnosed with TB, things were looking pretty grim. But a piano finally arrived from Paris, and by the end of December, Chopin was well enough to start composing again.

The Impromptu No. 2 in F-sharp Major, which was sketched during his unfortunate stay with George on Majorca and completed at her country house in Nohant, has the chill vibes of a nocturne. The opening section has two contrasting melodies, and the central episode is all about a more assertive theme with a dotted-rhythm ostinato in the bass. The big surprise comes at the end, when the opening phrase returns in the unexpected key of F Major, delaying the reappearance of the second theme with some sweeping figurations in the right hand.

Live from the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland, 11th October, 2010. Please comment and share!

Piano: Hamburg Steinway D
Piano Technician: Paul Wade
Recording Engineer: Darby Carroll

My SoundCloud Channel: https://soundcloud.com/archie-chen
Official Website: http://www.archiechen.com
Youtube DIPF https://www.youtube.com/c/PianofestivalIe
Youtube Archie https://www.youtube.com/c/ArchieChenPianist
Festival Website: http://www.pianofestival.ie
Teaching Website: http://www.pianoacademy.ie

Frédéric Chopin Impromptu no. 2 in F sharp major, op. 36

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Johannes Brahms - III. Poco allegretto from Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
The Miami Symphony Orchestra
Eduardo Marturet - Conductor

This Limited Edition MISO Recording is a small token of gratitude for you. This year we are extremely proud to present a double CD, with a very special collection of your favorite pieces to celebrate our 30th years anniversary Season and pays a well deserved tribute to the talent and dedication of our devoted musicians, composers and solo artists. It offers highlights from the pasts 30th seasons with some of your old favorites, but also includes recordings from our conceptually new concerts at the Miami Design District and our last concert at the Adrienne Arsht Center. With your continued support we have consolidated a unique symphony orchestra which has become a major force in the musical world reflecting the character and personality of the South Florida community.

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Johannes Brahms - III. Poco allegretto from Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90

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The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: Fugue No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 847

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