Bach and Bling
My niece, @alittlebluer, is holding a Bling Off contest here: https://steemit.com/vlog/@alittlebluer/a-decent-supergirl-follower-thinking-about-thankfulness-wednesday-shiny-bling-contest
And so I played a little "dress up" this morning:
Then I decided that this terrible rainy weather we're having needed some Bach to match, so here's me playing on piano Prelude No. 8 from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, in E-flat minor.
Thus, Bach and Bling. Enjoy!
(I put this in Openmic, but I know it won't count toward the contest because I didn't say the announcement at the beginning of the video - didn't think of it!)
It probably goes without saying that this is costume jewelry my wife is wearing. Please don't rob us. We're poor. And we have vicious cats that will destroy you ... with cat hair and licking.
Absolutely enchanting. I was captivated from the start till the finish.
Thank you for listening! I wasn't sure there would be much interest in Bach here :)
I want to link this on the steemradio-classical page, OK?
Nice dynamics, by the way, with just a light rubato. Far better than I could do without months of practice, these days. That's a good translation from harpsichord to piano.
Yes, please do! Thanks! I'm now following you.
Wow, a lot of upvotes and very few comments.
Bach was probably the greatest classical composer there was. I listen to other forms of music more often, but when I do listen to classical, a lot of what I hear is Bach. I do admit though that my mind often wanders with a lot of his stuff, but when I'm really ready to listen and pay attention to what he's doing with it, I think it's really innovative. Sometimes it almost seems futuristic in a way.
Anyway, I didn't recognize this piece, but I've heard large parts of Books 1 and 2 of The Well Tempered Clavier. You playing here was pretty good. I like your setup too. I upvoted, and I'll follow for the piano stuff.
Thank you for the upvote and the time to comment! I really appreciate the feedback. This Prelude happens to be a bit less commonly played, probably because of the key signature (6 flats!). Bach is so emotional, and sometimes I feel that he gets played more mechanically, which doesn't do his music justice, IMO.
It sounds good but....I am a Bach enthusiast..and have a hard time trying to listen to his piece played in the style you are playing it in. There was no sustain pedal when he wrote that--it hadn't been invented yet. No piano at all in fact. I realize your playing a digital keyboard that was also not invented in Bachs time, however, that is not the point. The point is the style in which the master wrote this piece in is not portrayed in the least. I appreciate your interpretation BUT, it is almost impossible to improve on Bach. Listen to Glen Gould playing this piece. It seems that the masters deserve this attention and...respect really. Upon exploring how Bach intended this piece to be heard and played...one gains incredibly valuable lessons in technique as a pianist. It then may be viable to play around with the interpretation. I just believe that skipping the vital step of doing so takes so much away from the piece. Sorry if this seems overcritical...I am very passionate about it. I tried to be as tactful as possible...I hope you gain something from this comment as apposed to be offended by it. You are technically able to start exploring a true masters works...and not many people are...why not give it a shot? Sincerely....@happy2b.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment, and I respect your opinion. I know what you're saying, and I used to play Bach in the more standard, strict (as I see it) way. I personally think Bach left a lot unsaid in his written scores for the performer to come up with - not just ornamentation and cadenzas, but also other musical choices.
I studied with instrument maker Keith Hill (perhaps you are aware of his brother, Robert Hill, a fine harpsichordist) and his wife, Marianne Ploger who is an excellent pianist who studied with Nadia Boulanger. I am employing the techniques that they have compiled from treatises written by CPE Bach and other composers of the time.
It's different, I know - perhaps an aesthetic that you don't care for or expect from a Bach piece. But I've decided this works best for me and it is a way that seems to reach audiences today. In the end, I must stay true to my own musical convictions, because no one else will do that for me.
After all, we already have a Glenn Gould - whom I totally respect because he stuck to his own musical convictions, sometimes outside of what was considered "the norm" - so why make another?
Again, I want to reiterate that I appreciate what you've said and the manner in which you said it - you are being totally honest with me and I know that is sometimes difficult on a place such as Steemit where people's opinions of you weigh so much. I hope you are still able to listen to my playing (I do many other composers and style periods) and my singing.
Yes I will be listening for more of you. I studied with Ralph Berkowitz. I was groomed to be a concert pianist from the early age of four. This experience is the only reason I feel I have a voice in these matters. I am relieved to hear that you have explored the nuances of Bach's music as he himself most likely expressed them. I have run into a lot of pianist that skip that part and imediatly delve into their own self gratification. The reason I got into composition and singer/songwriter stuff was so that I could express my own interpretations of the universe at my own expense...not at the expense of the masters. Mr. Berkowits helped me with that mind set. The masters before us...had a lot to say that few are able to interpret these days. To have a genius such as Bach get lost in translation is a tragedy.
With that being said, I really appreciate your willingness to discuss this with me in such a delightful way. So many are quick to be self righteous and easily offended. It is a real pleasure meeting you and I look forward to hearing more of you!!!
You, sir, have restored my faith in humanity on the internet. Thanks for being cool about it. :)
I'd love to listen to your music - have you posted any of your original stuff on Steemit?
I put up a song a couple of days ago for open mic 39. @happy2b . a song titled Wanted. It is a long way off from my classical side. I would be honored if you listened to it and commented. Whether you like or dislike, your honest comment is what I truly crave.
You too, have given me hope. I have this internal fear that a platform like this--steemit--that promotes monetary gain for being an active part of its community, could lean towards pretensiousnes and insincerity. But with interactions like this, I see a potential for great sincerity and perhaps more tact. I believe in freedom of expression!!! I love the vast array of difference between people. To be able to discuss those differences without immediately turning to attack is hard to find these days. For this fine example of discussing differences with respect, I admire you.
@morodiene and @happy2b Music is of such a personal nature, if you want to play with the sus pedal, go ahead and do it. Of course there are purists, personally, when I play Bach I never use the pedals, but I enjoyed your playing. You can do whatever you want, that's what makes music and art so brilliant.
Thank you for your perspective - I guess that's how I feel about it too, you do what you want and the variety just adds to the art in general. Whatever touches people. You said it with far less words than I :)
Great playing, enjoyed the video!
Thank you for listening! I am now following you.
Nice!
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great job Morodiene , I'll be glad if you would like to check my musics too, thank you and thanks for sharing your musics with us.
This is absolutely beautiful, I can't wait to hear more from you <3
Also I see you are a singer, I'm a musician and am always looking for vocalists to Collab with if you have an interest in that kind of thing!
Thank you! For sure let me know if there's something you need a singer for, that sounds fun!
Awesome, I'll get in touch when I have an idea :-)
Amazing effort, you look so happy in the top shot and really seem to enjoy the work at the piano, much thanks for sharing. <3