Just a little 'shorty' today...

This is another contribution to our ongoing PS Godowsky Triakontameron project. I have one more to do, but I haven't even looked at it yet, so it will be awhile for that one. Anyway, this "Lullaby" does not sound so much like a typical lullaby to me. I think it is marked a little on the fast side. Unless Godowsky likes to put his babies to sleep as quickly as possible, which I could understand having raised two little ones myself...

Godowsky - Triakontameron No. 24 "Lullaby"

I don't know this set well, so I can only go on first impressions and say you've done well with this: sorry for not giving a more detailed response! It sounds fairly straightforward, but knowing Godowsky, it's probably not. Your melody is clear and I got the rocking aspect from the left hand. I also appreciated the rubati at approx 30 seconds and 1 minute and thought they were tasteful and effective.

Lovely ! It could perhaps flow a little more freely, but apart from that there's nothing to criticize here.

I have not forgotten my part in this project, and am well under steam with no.4 and getting to grips with no.7.

Thanks for listening, Andrew and Chris.

Andrew - Yes, some of these Triakantameron pieces are usually a little trickier than they sound. I'm glad you mentioned the melody because that was a bit hard for me to get out there. But the rubati places are something for which I cannot take credit. They are rallentandos written in the music. That's what I like about Godowsky - he wrote in all the markings; when to apply the soft pedal, ritardandos, dynamics, etc. and also very good fingerings! Sometimes I'm such a dingbat because I inadvertently play his music with my own fingerings, when really his fingerings are better and make everything much easier to play.

Hi Monica,

I don't know this piece, but it sounds as though you play it really well. I agree with you that it definitely sounds faster than a lullaby. Had I not known that, I would have said that it almost has a waltz-like quality to it. Is it written in 3/4 or 6/8?

David

I am very grateful to Godowsky for his excellent and meticulius fingerings. I very seldom deviate from them as they seem eminently practical.

Thank you, David. Maybe Godowsky ran out of names or something... All thirty of the Triakantameron are in 3/4 time.



Yes, his fingerings are always right on!

Hi Monica,

A sweet and charming performance Monica. Very beautiful.You make the harmonices sound lush.

Thanks,

Kaila

Thank you, Kaila.

Ah, I like to fall asleep as quickly as possible!
Seriously, Monica, that is a very nice rendition of a lovely little piece! It was a pleasure to listen to it.

WAKE UP, ANDREAS.....

Seriously, thank you for listening. And you know, you just made me think about how another one of Godowsky's Triakantameron pieces that inspires us to do something...like that one with the title ???? I can't think of it now, but I think it means whirling dervishes. That would make me too dizzy!! (or maybe I'm mixing this up with something else....)

Hi Monica,

I had a listen to your lullaby, nice job! The inner voices really came through in an interesting way and the way you played the piece in terms of the rhythm, to me felt quite lyrical and somewhat swingy (though in the classical style) which I found appealing.

Also at the beginning I liked how you put emphasis on beats 2 and 3 (I am guessing as I do not have a score, I only read that you said all of the pieces in this suite are in 3/4).

For criticism, maybe you could experiment with making the dynamics less flashy to make the performance more sleepy (in the style of a lullaby) or at least whenever I think of lullaby I think of a melody playing to a soft effect.

Enjoyed your performance,

~Riley

Thank you for listening, Riley. I was just following Godowsky's markings.

Hm, do you mean "Das tanzende Vindabona" or similar?

Is there one with a title in this set ? Cool !