Thanks, David, for this wise advice. Actually I have a recording of these pieces. Some of them look quite acrobatic. However, it is my experience that as long as one has not tried to play a piece, at the requested tempo, it is not easy to guess the technical difficulty. I found the Variations Sérieuses beautifully pianistic and ergonomic... I guess Mendelssohn composed at the piano, didn't he ?

Hi Francois,

I would guess that Mendelssohn, being a pianist, probably composed piano compositions at the piano, similar to Chopin, Liszt, Schumann and Brahms all of whom were also pianists. Schumann was probably the least proficient at the piano, even more so after his hand injury. Brahms was actually a fine pianist in his younger days, but when he reached middle age and beyond, he didn't practice much, so his playing became sloppy. Wrong notes didn't bother him at all. He'd say that people knew the correct notes in his pieces, so it didn't really matter if he missed or played wrong notes. (Hey, I wonder if I could get away with that here at PS? )

David

I'm sure that any submission, even full of wrong notes, by Mr. Brahms will be more than welcome !

Hi Francois,

The link below is to the only extant recording of Brahms' voice along with a piano arrangement he plays in 1899 at the inception of recording equipment. It plays twice--the first time is the original quality while the second has been enhanced a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZXL3I7GPCY

Maybe one of the German speakers here can translate what Brahms is saying (easier to tell in the second version). Hopefully he's not cursing.

David

If it's the Edison cylinder from November, 1889, it is as follows: “Grüsse an Herrn Doktor Edison. I am Doktor Brahms … Johannes Brahms.” Then comes an abbreviated Hungarian Dance No 1, in G Minor. This was published on a vinyl record called “Landmarks of Recorded Pianism” Volume 1, in 1977 by the International Piano Archives. <now I’ll go check to see if we’re talking about the same thing> Yep. It's the same.

Hi Eddy,

Thanks for that! Brahms was probably there with Edison. An amazing moment in history! It also shows that Brahms could be adventurous and a good sport too in experiencing this new innovation.

David

Hi Eddy and David,
What a wonderful document ! I think I've heard already very old recordings (on cylinders) of Debussy and Ravel, but I did not know that some flavours of Brahms were still available for XXI century ears...
Have a good day,

Haha yes... that is why I like to play the Bach WTC. Everybody knows how that should go so I can muck it up any way I like

I go one step beyond by not playing Bach, as pianistically I'd be "baching" up the wrong tree.

David

Hello Francois,

Regarding the Mendelssohn - Variations Sérieuses Op.54 (12:40)

This is a very well disciplined, logical, and expressive rendition. Thank you so much for posting. It was a pleasure to listen to your playing.

Kaila Rochelle

Thank you Kaila for your kind message. Hence I would like more contrasts (in terms of dynamics and tempi), and of course technical perfection. But I'm glad you liked it in spite of the numerous flaws... When are you submitting something to PS ?
Best regards,

Francois,

I am planning to record some pieces by Bach, Chopin, and Mendelssohn in mid February. during my vacation. Thank you for asking.

Kaila

Excellent ! I'm looking forward to listening this music... Regards,