Comments on: Rubato from Another Planet; or, Waking Up Early http://jeremydenk.net/blog/2005/06/11/rubato-from-another-planet-or-waking-up-early/ The glamorous life and thoughts of a concert pianist. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:30:09 +0000 hourly 1 By: carl lee http://jeremydenk.net/blog/2005/06/11/rubato-from-another-planet-or-waking-up-early/comment-page-1/#comment-4907 carl lee Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:11:28 +0000 http://jeremydenk.net/blog/?p=269#comment-4907 As one who loves listening to piano music, and Chopin in particular, rubato is what brings music to life. Chopin's music is full of rubato, yet he couldn't teach he it. It isn't technique, style. He said that if one senses the music then the rubato won't be a problem. Iganz Friedman is one of my favorite virtuosos. His rendition of the Moonlight Sonata is dead on. His Chopin mazurkas are a thrill, as are his performances of the Mendelssohn and Mozart scherzos. Back to rubato. His take on Chopin's Waltz in A minor, Op.34-2, redefines the word languid. It's an extreme, but very effective interpretation. Drawn as it is, its mood is quite focused, unlike Horowitz's scattered, but aurally satisfying 70's recording. Chopin's music is many things, but most of all it and its performance is about communicating--as you note in your blog on Chopin's Polonaise Fantasie, Op.61 (IMHO a masterpiece). If you sense the music, the rubato will be right, and the music--not the mere notes, will be heard. Friedman may be a wild man, but he communicates, and the listening is rewarding. As one who loves listening to piano music, and Chopin in particular, rubato is what brings music to life. Chopin’s music is full of rubato, yet he couldn’t teach he it. It isn’t technique, style. He said that if one senses the music then the rubato won’t be a problem.

Iganz Friedman is one of my favorite virtuosos. His rendition of the Moonlight Sonata is dead on. His Chopin mazurkas are a thrill, as are his performances of the Mendelssohn and Mozart scherzos.

Back to rubato. His take on Chopin’s Waltz in A minor, Op.34-2, redefines the word languid. It’s an extreme, but very effective interpretation. Drawn as it is, its mood is quite focused, unlike Horowitz’s scattered, but aurally satisfying 70′s recording.

Chopin’s music is many things, but most of all it and its performance is about communicating–as you note in your blog on Chopin’s Polonaise Fantasie, Op.61 (IMHO a masterpiece). If you sense the music, the rubato will be right, and the music–not the mere notes, will be heard. Friedman may be a wild man, but he communicates, and the listening is rewarding.

]]> By: Anonymous http://jeremydenk.net/blog/2005/06/11/rubato-from-another-planet-or-waking-up-early/comment-page-1/#comment-1459 Anonymous Wed, 15 Jun 2005 18:49:26 +0000 http://jeremydenk.net/blog/?p=269#comment-1459 Who is taking the picture, I want to know.Denk you are cuuuuuuute! And that to lighten up on the analysis a little bit.It is interesting, yes, intentionally rhetorical and overworded, yes, but I forgive you, because your playing is sublime (I have heard you live) and...you're cuuuuuuute. Who is taking the picture, I want to know.Denk you are cuuuuuuute! And that to lighten up on the analysis a little bit.It is interesting, yes, intentionally rhetorical and overworded, yes, but I forgive you, because your playing is sublime (I have heard you live) and…you’re cuuuuuuute.

]]> By: Leon Kirchner http://jeremydenk.net/blog/2005/06/11/rubato-from-another-planet-or-waking-up-early/comment-page-1/#comment-1458 Leon Kirchner Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:42:01 +0000 http://jeremydenk.net/blog/?p=269#comment-1458 from Leon<br/>At last a brillian critic. Who can it be. My God, it's my Jeremy! from Leon
At last a brillian critic. Who can it be. My God, it’s my Jeremy!

]]> By: Davei http://jeremydenk.net/blog/2005/06/11/rubato-from-another-planet-or-waking-up-early/comment-page-1/#comment-1456 Davei Sat, 11 Jun 2005 20:19:55 +0000 http://jeremydenk.net/blog/?p=269#comment-1456 Wiener BLUT! NIce job. Wiener BLUT! NIce job.

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