Eccentric Pianists: Glenn Gould - Genius and Legend

While researching some performance diploma repertoire, I first heard some fabulous recordings of Bach's Preludes and Fugues, when I suddenly heard a hum, as if someone was singing alongside the music. I began to doubt my MP3 player at the time, was the recording faulty a ghost in the machine, or picking up a radio signal of someone humming? I played the track again, and yes, the humming was still there. It turned out the Bach keyboard concerto recording was Glenn Gould, and his humming during his recordings.

 Gould, legendary interpreter of Bach, is also featured on many great pianists' compilations. His artistry was chosen to represent humankind. Gould's recording of the Prelude and Fugue in C (Book II) of Bach's Well Tempered Clavier featured on the Voyager Golden Record. (which is travelling through space at the moment).



Genius and eccentricity, the two terms go hand in hand it seems.  Think of Einstein, a classic example, he had the same suit in his wardrobe, in fact 7 exact copies (suit, shirt, shoes and tie), so that he wouldn't have spend time deciding what to wear Gould would immerse his arms in hot water to "warm up" before a performance. . The video excerpt below  from the documentary - the Art of the Piano,  how many of Gould's trademark eccentricities can you spot?



You may have picked up at least 3 of the following 4:

1. Humming during playing 
2. Self-Conducting
3. Finger Tapping: a technique from his teacher Alberto Guerrero 
4. Very low posture - with arms level to the keyboard

Just listen to this sublime performance of Bach's F Minor concerto and you'll appreciate the Artistry of Gould:

JS Bach in Concerto number 5 in F Minor 

There's conjecture that Gould had aspergers, autism, where high levels of ability in music or maths are associated, which may account for his eccentric behaviour. As we know Bach's music, Gould's specialty is very mathematical! No matter the eccentricities, Gould's music has been recorded and documented for posterity to inspire future generations.

Further Reading

• Glenn Gould: The Ecstasy and Tragedy of Genius by Peter Ostwald, THe Independent, UK 08/10/97

The Devil made me play it! Piano Pieces inspired by Hell

Happy Halloween everybody.

Triumph of Death Pieter Brueghel the Elder, src: wikipedia

Liszt and Paganini's virtuosic talents astounded so many in the late 18th and 19th centuries that they were thought to be in league with the Devil.

Paganini was said to have made a pact with the devil like Faust.

Interesting fact is that Liszt's whose career thrived on the mystery and mysticism of virtuosic demonic piano playing  was a devout Catholic and even took holy orders.



Pianist Greg Anderson sets the scene perfectly "Imagine you're in Hell, and you want out!" Greg Anderson plays Ligeti Etude 13: "The Devil's Staircase"

 The Second Mephisto Waltz by Liszt, features the Devil's unresolved tritone, which represents the Devil in Music. Here it is performed by the virtuoso Leslie Howard (who has amazingly recorded the entire works of Franz Liszt!)






Here is an inspired version of Liszt's transcription of Saint Saen's Danse Macarbre - which translates to "Dance of Death!" performed by the Florence Piano Duet

David Owen Norris Masterclass on Chopin's Mazurka in B Flat Opus 7 No.1

Srce: David Owen Norris - "National Portrait Gallery"

I had the honour of meeting the great David Owen Norris at a masterclass for the London Piano Circle a few years ago.  David was the first winner of the Gilmore artist award and his album received a double five star rating in BBC Music Magazine. He is currently a Professor of Music Performance at the UK's University of Southampton. Here's a masterclass he did for BBC Radio 3 on Chopin's Mazurka in B Flat Opus 7 No.1.



 

James Bond and the Concert Pianist: Talented Pianists - Emmanuel Vass -

Piano Sage Blog loves virtuosic piano transcriptions, and is pleased to feature rising star Pianist Emmanuel Vass. Vass, a Yamaha Unsigned Artist of the Year recently featured on the BBC, and has transcribed an amazing James Bond Concert Etude, which coincides nicely with this year's 50th Anniversary of James Bond.

Pianist Emmanuel Vass

Let's get to know Manny.

Please introduce us to your readers?
 Hello! My name is Emmanuel Vass, or Manny, I’m a British pianist from Yorkshire, in the North of England, but I was originally born in the Philippines to a Filipino mother and a British father.

Your James bond transcription, I enjoyed it very much, What inspired you to transcribe this? 
I’m really glad you enjoyed my transcription! Growing up, I listened to all sorts of music across a multitude of genres, by a diverse selection of bands and artists. I think one of the most fantastic things about playing the piano is the way in which the versatility of the instrument can easily allow us to perform lots of genres of music, not just classical. As such, I really enjoy creating my own arrangements and transcriptions of popular songs, and I love to add my own creative flare to the pieces so that they combine elements of my training as a classical pianist.

Do you expect me to talk Mr. Bond? No I expect you to [play]! so here's the
Video: James Bond Concert Etude for Solo Piano  - Barry/Fleming, arr. Vass

 What has the reception been?
So far the reception has been phenomenal, audiences have so far howled, whistled and laughed after hearing me play it within recitals alongside the likes of Mozart and Rachmaninov!

Is there a sheet music version of it for our readers to download?
Thus far, no sheet music version is available – everything I transcribe I keep in my head! That said, I have had a number of requests from listeners and viewers who want to have a copy of the music, so please watch this space as I will first have to seek permission from the publishers before transcribing it onto paper.

 January and February 2012 saw Emmanuel as Yamaha's "Unsigned Artist of the Month". 
Can you tell us more about this honour? How were you discovered for this, and what was the outcome of being an Unsigned Artist of the Month?
This came as a very pleasant surprise, actually! I was invited to perform at the VIP reception of the Royal Variety Show which was taking place in The Lowry Theatre, Manchester back in December 2012. Whilst trying to arrange for a piano to be transported into the VIP reception space, I came across Yamaha who offered to help me. Retrospective of the opportunity, they announced me as their “Unsigned Artist of the Month” from January-February 2012. It was a great way to start 2012, and helped me gain important opportunities at international venues such as the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, and BBC Broadcasting House in London, at which I performed as part of a BBC Radio 3 masterclass available to watch online.

[Video] BBC Masterclass on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, featuring Emmanuel Vass


Can you tell us what you are up to at the moment, any upcoming projects? 
I’ve got a lot of things going on, which I’m really thrilled and lucky to be a part of since graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music in July 2011. Soon after graduating, I performed for the Prince of Monaco, broadcast live on BBC radio and also gave a recital for the French ambassador. Since then, I have been playing regularly in venues all across England: from Chester Cathedral and the Bridgewater Hall in the North, to BBC Broadcasting House and Kensington Palace Gardens in the South. This week just gone, I have given recitals at the Marburae Art Gallery in Macclesfield, Blackburn Cathedral in Lancashire, and Hexham Abbey in Northumberland.

In terms of further upcoming projects, I am planning on producing more videos for my Youtube channel and website, and I hope to debut in London at some point in Spring/Summer 2013.


You can find out more about what Emmanuel Vass' upcoming music projects from his official website. 

Further reading:

Meet the Artist……Emmanuel Vass [Cross Eyed Pianist Blog]

Improve your Grade 1 Aural [ABRSM]: Online Exams, Apps, and Resources:

Aural Book APP trainer is free!

Aural skills are important for musical development. The ability to hear and understand musical features, will improve your playing and your appreciation of music. You will develop according to ABRSM, your "inner ear" and "musical ear".

Grade 1 ABRSM Aural is a component, you can't ignore. If you do well in this element, the better your chances of moving upto the next category of achievement, if that aim is to get a Merit, or a Distinction.

Practice makes perfect, as the old adage goes. So if you're preparing for an exam and haven't even covered the Aural aspect, help is at hand. There are practice simulated exams on the Internet. These are wonderful to supplement your weekly lessons, and with Aural training, the more you practice, the better your score and skill will be.


Terminology
For the non musician parents out there, the ABRSM exams are using standardised terminology, so they will use smooth and detached as synonyms for legato and staccato.

Smooth = Legato (where one note connects seamlessly to another note without a perceived 'break' in the musical line)
Detatched - Staccato (plucky sound, like you would hear on a pizzicato effect on a stringed instrument)


Online Practice Tests

ABRSM (official) Mock Aural Tests
http://www.abrsm.org/en/exams/gradedMusicExams/mockauraltests2.html

E-musicmaestro Practice Tests
http://e-musicmaestro.com/auraltests/grade1/

The UK Music Teachers website has example sound file questions with an answer sheet.
http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/resources/grade1/

APPS


AURALBOOK for ABRSM Grade 1 HD - FREE on Itunes
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/auralbook-for-abrsm-grade-1-hd/id465267146?mt=8

ABRSM (official) - Aural App Trainer £4.99 for Grades 1-5 which works with the Ipod, Ipad and Iphone.
http://www.abrsm.org/en/students/abrsm-aural-trainer

Both apps give feedback after the simulated test, to give you an indication of what needs to be improved.

ABRSM Guide to Aural Exam Requirements
http://www.abrsm.org/regions/fileadmin/user_upload/syllabuses/auralComplete11.pdf