The craft of piano playing

[a.mcmillan50@optusnet.com]

Dear All

I've just bought the latest two CDs from Deutche's new talent Alice Sara Ott. Here is a clip of her playing La Campanella.

I'd be interested in hearing peoples comments about her technique and approach to music. There is a lightness of touch here which is beautiful.

Andrew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7slRnziludY

[seanpm1]

I thought it was a very nice performance, obviously very professional and polished. On the other hand I did not find it to be by any means great. (by concert pianist standards) It sounds like most other professional recordings. On closer inspection of her hands she does not seem to be as internally stable as a top virtuoso will be. That can be hard to see at first glance. I have attached at the bottom a link to a performance that I feel is superior and a cut above the average recording. Kemal's fingers seem to stick to the notes more and visually the stability that I think is lacking in Alice's recording is most definetly not lacking hear. If you listen carefully you hear a far greater range of sonorities which are blended together with much greater subtly, the melody is clearer and shaped much more smoothly/with greater direction, and the light touch that you mentioned is apparent throughout yet the lightness resonates more. Listen to how Kemal shapes the phrases (1:35 to 1:46 - magical). I am going to post a second link here to a recording of Kemal playing the op.25 no.12. This is perhaps an even more extreme example of the difference between very good and great when it comes to tone production and phrasing. I have yet to find another recording of the ocean etude that even comes close by any other pianist. Even more so than the Liszt etude the Chopin etude shows the difference between master interpretation/technique and general professionalism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtS8Yrw12QQ - La Campanella

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOe_VjT-QrU&NR=1 - "Ocean Etude"

[alan fraser]

She's a very highly accomplished pianist but I would have to agree with Sean's perception. Interesting to see how there is a almost not visible, isidious collapse in her hand when she goes to forte, which makes her sound good but slightly ordinary.

She has good musicianship and holds your attention with a certain personal fire. But is it great? Not by a long shot. Excellent perhaps, but not great. Great doesn't just impress you or hold your attention - great keeps you enthralled...

AFF
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[Eric]

A fine pianist she is- very enjoyable performance. To me the Lhevinne recording is still the benchmark (even if it is the Busoni-version) they say that he sounded exactly the same live. No shortcuts there for sure.

Kemal's is probably unsurpassed by today living performers I would guess his interpretation has more colors and orchestration then anybody elses ever.

Surprisingly almost everybody starts out with a tempo they have to cut down big time later on...

Here is Lhevinne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D6VrcW4Sgw

Another interesting is von Sauer which maybe takes the composition back to it's origines not just beeing a show-of piece.

Eric