Impromptu Recital by Krystian Zimerman
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 1
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 2
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 3
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 4
Chopin, Barcarolle, Op. 60
Chopin, Ballad, No. 3
The final work: Chopin, Scherzo Op. 31 in B flat
There is something captivating about the way this man performs music. The power that he imbues the notes with gives the musical line a power that propels it forward, making the act of listening something other than a passive act. We are drawn into the performance rather than being mere spectators.
This is the hallmark of a truly great performer: regardless of whether it is a live recording or something direct to disc, if they are able to create that sense of intimacy through their playing that makes us believe we are being played to as we are listening to the recording, that makes an incredible difference to our experience as listeners.
As a composer, one of the things that we want to see when the music is performed is that our audience is engaged by the performance. There isn’t much point in putting on a performance if the people that come out to hear the music are just going to sit there and feel completely bored and alienated by the works being performed. Performers like Zimerman take what they are playing to that “next level”, which pulls the audience along as well, making them hungry for more.
Another example of a performer like this is Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin, who regularly performs some of the most unfamiliar repertoire for the piano. His success comes from the fact that his ability to perform is the stuff of legends. His technique and musical ability is so complete, it’s simply scary. To hear him perform a live performance of Frederic Rzewski’s “The People United Will Never be Defeated” is something that should not be passed up if you ever get the chance. When I heard him perform this I was amazed that he was actually able to match the superlative quality of the recording he made of the piece.
With performers like these, live classical music is in good hands.
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 1
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 2
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 3
Franz Schubert, Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 4
Chopin, Barcarolle, Op. 60
Chopin, Ballad, No. 3
The final work: Chopin, Scherzo Op. 31 in B flat
There is something captivating about the way this man performs music. The power that he imbues the notes with gives the musical line a power that propels it forward, making the act of listening something other than a passive act. We are drawn into the performance rather than being mere spectators.
This is the hallmark of a truly great performer: regardless of whether it is a live recording or something direct to disc, if they are able to create that sense of intimacy through their playing that makes us believe we are being played to as we are listening to the recording, that makes an incredible difference to our experience as listeners.
As a composer, one of the things that we want to see when the music is performed is that our audience is engaged by the performance. There isn’t much point in putting on a performance if the people that come out to hear the music are just going to sit there and feel completely bored and alienated by the works being performed. Performers like Zimerman take what they are playing to that “next level”, which pulls the audience along as well, making them hungry for more.
Another example of a performer like this is Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin, who regularly performs some of the most unfamiliar repertoire for the piano. His success comes from the fact that his ability to perform is the stuff of legends. His technique and musical ability is so complete, it’s simply scary. To hear him perform a live performance of Frederic Rzewski’s “The People United Will Never be Defeated” is something that should not be passed up if you ever get the chance. When I heard him perform this I was amazed that he was actually able to match the superlative quality of the recording he made of the piece.
With performers like these, live classical music is in good hands.
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