Learning a new Prelude!

For my assessment programme I'm playing three Rachmaninov Preludes. Only now do I know which ones I will play. I already knew I was going to play Op. 32 No. 10, B minor and No. 12 G sharp minor. So the 3rd is No. 5 G major. Gorgeous! It's completely clear melody floats over a rippling accompaniment. It grows in an unsettled manner and then finally comes to a shimmering close.

Mr Rachmaninov composed it in just one day (in the summer of 1910) along with two other preludes from his Op. 32 (No. 7 & 8).

Fortunately we even have a recording of the man himself playing it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFFHZx3SJis

Pascal Rogé

Today I participated in a Masterclass with Pascal Rogé at college. Pascal Rogé is a world renowned concert pianist, specialising in French repertoire. However I played him full on russian music:D Rachmaninov's Prelude in B minor (see 'Piano Lesson' post), but he still gave me excellent tips and ideas of how to take it to the next level. However I've practiced it so much recently I've decided to give it a break for a week, and apply his comments when I come back it to later, like a fine wine it needs time to breathe!

Anyone not familiar with the masterclass format, basically someone plays and then the 'master' teaches that student in front of an audience, sharing his experience and insight on interpretations. It was very exciting but quite scary too!

Check him out playing Arabesque by Mr Debussy:)

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

The mighty Vengerov!

Last night I had the privilege going to see the amazing violinist, Maxim Vengerov! It was the best concert I've been to in a long time! It seemed incredibly easy for him, very safe, totally in control. This sound was gorgeous, I was trying to find words to describe it, but didn't do very well as I came up with 'full but hollow'... He played two Mozart Concerti which were so elegant with crystal clear passage work. 2nd half was all Tchaikovsky, then he came on to play a rather long but awesome encore by Saint-Saens. Then finished with another by Saint-Saens, his brilliant Introduction et Rondo capriccioso.

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_5JcFQ8RFI

Sitting in the stalls!

Rachmaninov's hand

So Rachmaninov had legendarily big hand's. One of his contemporaries noted that his left hand could reach C Eb G C G. Just to emphasise how big that is, in the picture below is my hand (which is big compared to some of my classmates) and Rachmaninov's thumb could go to the note above (G) I can reach! Thats around 2.5 cm more. His compositions exploited this too, check out the opening of his 2nd piano concerto.

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

If you don't read music, basically each dot is a finger. The top line generally being the right hand and the bottom the left hand. So when their all stacked on top of each other that means to play it all at the same time!

Another night at the Barbican

Last night I went to the Barbican again for an all Berlioz concert. Very interesting experience. Berlioz isn't that famous outside his Symphonie Fantastique, this concert conducted my maestro Valery Gergiev showcased Berlioz unique sound and textures. Not sure Berlioz will become one of my favourites but do check him out! Perhaps start with ye old Symphonie Fantastique:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK6iAxe0oEc

Starts about 4:50

My view of the performance

St. Pancras

I had an awesome day today! Played a few pieces with a very good friend of mine who plays the violin and met some cool people, then we went for lunch near King's Cross. However, at this restaurant there were absolutely no vegetarian dishes (and yes I'm a vegetarian! no meat since I was 3... how am I alive your asking? I don't know, haha!). So it was a perfect excuse to have chocolate and banana pancakes! Yum:)

Anyway, on my way back I walk through the opposite to King's Cross entrance to St. Pancras and there is a cool street piano! Better quality than they normally are, I couldn't resist having a little go.

This picture was taken just after I played and you can see the amassed crowds egging me on to play more... :-P

Check it out if your ever there and play a tune:)

Soundcloud!

Set up my first soundcloud account last night. Please do check it out. There not professionally recorded but hope you still enjoy them!

https://soundcloud.com/benjaminwilliamspianist

Two recordings up, nocturne by Chopin (left) and really tricky etude by Scriabin (right) who famously went crazy...!