Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93 (London 1974)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances

Hungarian Dance No. 1: Allegro molto

Benjamin Capps, cello
David Kaplan, piano

Recorded May 30, 2013 at Vermont Public Radio in Colchester, Vermont, as part of Vermont Public Radio and Burlington Ensemble's Beyond Beethoven collaboration.

Recording engineer: John Billingsley


Johannes Brahms: Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a thrilling journey into the musical world of Charles-Valentin Alkan. In the capable hands of our piano virtuoso Archie Chen, we will explore the enigmatic and captivating world of this once-renowned composer. It was only last year, on November 30th, when the world celebrated Alkan's 200th birthday. Though he may have been somewhat forgotten, we are here to shine a light on his exceptional talent.

Charles-Valentin Alkan was a contemporary, friend, and colleague of the musical greats such as Chopin and Liszt. Despite his early successes, Alkan eventually faded into obscurity, retreating from public life due to a series of personal events. He was known to be an introverted character, with a penchant for both the peculiar and the dramatic. Alkan's untimely demise in 1888 is said to have been caused by a falling bookcase – a tale that, if true, would indeed be one of the most improbable in musical history.

But let us return to the music. Alkan's compositions are notorious for their technical demands and complexity, making them accessible only to the most talented virtuosos. Enter Archie Chen, our fearless pianist, who will masterfully navigate the intricate depths of Alkan's "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12. This lively and engaging piece is a set of 25 variations on an original theme, providing ample opportunity for Archie to showcase his dazzling technical prowess.

The theme of "Le festin d'Ésope" bears a striking resemblance to a Hasidic melody, yet it also contains traces of more familiar tunes. There are those who believe that each variation represents an animal from an Aesop fable, while others argue that the title refers to a feast recounted in an apocryphal life of Aesop. Whichever interpretation you prefer, there is no doubt that the piece is brimming with wit, humor, and virtuosity.

Archie Chen's performance of this intricate work will not only allow us to appreciate Alkan's genius but also demonstrate the pianist's own remarkable talent. As you listen to Archie's interpretation, you will find yourself immersed in a musical narrative that tells of the enchanting, mysterious, and at times mischievous world of Charles-Valentin Alkan.

So sit back, relax, and allow Archie Chen to guide you on this captivating exploration of Alkan's "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12. With his exceptional virtuosity and a healthy dose of humor, Archie will breathe new life into the music of this enigmatic composer, proving once and for all that the legacy of Charles-Valentin Alkan is alive and well.

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

Charles-Valentin Alkan "Le festin d'Ésope" Etude op. 39, no. 12

Johann Sebastian Bach:  St. Matthew Passion
Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Regensburger Domspatzen, Concerto Köln 
Conductor: Peter Dijkstra

Track: 01 Nr. 1 Kommt, Ihr Toechter, Helft Mir Klagen (Chorus)

Available as CD and DVD

Bach: St. Matthew Passion 01 Nr. 1 Kommt, Ihr Toechter, Helft Mir Klagen

Principal cello Carter Brey is the soloist in the Dvořák concerto and we also hear him perform the Suite No. 1 for unaccompanied cello by Bach.  Also on the program: The Fate-obsessed Symphony No. 5 by Piotr Illych Tchaikovsky.  Music Director Alan Gilbert conducts. 

00:00:00-Billboard and intro concerto
00:02:19-Dvořák: Cello Concerto: I
00:18:00-Dvořák: Cello Concerto: II
00:30:38-Dvořák: Cello Concerto: III
00:43:48-back-announcement and intro Tchaikovsky
00:51:55-Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5: I
01:05:40-Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5: II
01:17:32-Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5: III
01:23:42-Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5: IV
01:35:51-back-announcement and intro Bach
01:39:07-Bach: Suite No. 1 for unaccompanied cello
01:53:59-back-announcement and credits
TRT: 01:55:46

Dvořák, Tchaikovsky & Bach

Recorded at a live performance in Smith Recital Hall at the SDSU School of Music and Dance.

Johann Sebastian Bach- Sonata No- 5 In F Minor For Violin And Piano, BWV 1018

"Shadows of Longing Waltz No.79 (Original Composition)" - A melancholic broken heart waltz that captures the essence of longing and nostalgia. Composed with a poignant melody that echoes the depths of my broken heart, this piece invites listeners to immerse themselves in its soothing yet sorrowful beauty. As a composer and countertenor, I’ve poured my emotions into this waltz, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that resonates with the soul.

Detail: G Minor, 6/8-time, 85 BPM

Watch, listen, and feel the emotions.
If you enjoyed my Waltz, please press like, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and share with your friends!

https://www.youtube.com/@VoximusTaulantMurati
https://soundcloud.com/voximustaulantmurati

#Shadowsoflongingwaltzno79originalcomposition #melancholicwaltz #tearswaltz #composerlife #countertenor #instrumentalbeauty #heartfeltmusic #brokenheart #grief #classic #waltz

Midnight Tears (Original Waltzes Compositions Vol.4)

Shadows of Longing Waltz No.79 (Original Composition)

"Tears in the Dark Waltz No.72 (Original Composition)” - A melancholic broken heart waltz that captures the essence of longing and nostalgia. Composed with a poignant melody that echoes the depths of my broken heart, this piece invites listeners to immerse themselves in its soothing yet sorrowful beauty. As a composer and countertenor, I’ve poured my emotions into this waltz, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that resonates with the soul.

Detail: C Major, 3/4-time, 175 BPM

Watch, listen, and feel the emotions.
If you enjoyed my Waltz, please press like, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and share with your friends!

 https://www.youtube.com/@VoximusTaulantMurati
https://soundcloud.com/voximustaulantmurati

#melancholicwaltz #tearswaltz #composerlife #countertenor #instrumentalbeauty #heartfeltmusic #brokenheart #grief #classic #waltz

Midnight Tears (Original Waltzes Composition Vol.4)

Tears in the Dark Waltz No. 72 (Original Composition)

Live in Brazil

Second Waltz (Live in Maastricht)

From Mahler's Symphony n.5 the famous "Adagietto" for String Orchestra.
Conductor: Manfred Giampietro
Audio recording: Michele Gandolfo

Symphony n.5 - Adagietto - Gustav Mahler

From Poverty's depths, I found my voice
A countertenor's cry, a jazz singer's choice
Life's hardships rained, but music was my shield
I poured my pain into every note, every yield

Loss and heartbreak fueled my soul
Struggles and strife, I made them my goal
To create, to share, to touch the heart
Not for fame or fortune, but to never depart

From waltzes to jazz, my songs are my tale
A testament to resilience, my story to hail
Blindness may shroud my eyes, but not my sight
My voice resounds, a melody that ignites

In darkness, I found light, a gift to share
A symphony of emotions, beyond compare
My music speaks loud, a heart that beats strong
A message to the world, where love and pain belong

I'll share my voice, my melody so clear
For those who'll listen, and wipe away a tear
My gift to the world, for generations to come
A legacy of hope, a heart that's been undone

On SoundCloud, just a few tears of my life
But the symphony with volumes, resides for eternity on my YouTube Channel and Bandcamp cutting through time

https://www.youtube.com/@VoximusTaulantMurati
https://soundcloud.com/voximustaulantmurati
https://voximustaulantmurati.bandcamp.com
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/voximus/1822849282
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/voximus/1824365871
https://open.spotify.com/artist/75s7hhGyeMX3GMcM98oycM

Tears in the Dark Waltz No. 72 (Original Composition)

Voximus (Taulant Murati)

Related tracks