Whereas the early acoustical recordings (phonograph, gramophone) suffered very greatly from their poor technical quality, the mechanical reproduction methods developed since 1904 (Welte-Mignon, Duo-Art, Ampico) have the advantage of being free of disturbing background noise during playback and of quite accurately reproducing the respective recording. Transferring the playing to perforated strips, the so-called piano rolls, to be played back at will by a suitable, technically-prepared reproducing piano, meant sensational progress in reproducing at that time an original recording. For although the total duration could differ slightly depending on how the reproducing piano was set, the authentic reproduction of tempo change, dynamics and pedalling was assured.
Isaac Albeniz wrote extensively for the piano, and his best-known works use Spanish folk dances as their inspiration. The piece Leyenda below, which appears in two different suites evoking the sounds of Spain, has been arranged and played by Segovia on Guitar but presented here in its original piano form, whereas the Tango comes from the composer's Suite "España".
Erik Satie Early Piano Works Rar File
Best known for his operas, and Carmen in particular, Georges Bizet also composed songs, orchestral and keyboard works. Jeux d'Enfants (Children's Games) is a suite of 12 pieces for piano duet, and we provide two of these here: La Toupie (The Top) - or edit/play midi file
La Poupée (The Doll) - or edit/play midi file
Boccherini, Luigi (1743-1805) :Luigi Boccherini was an Italian-born composer who toured Europe before settling in Spain. He was a contemporary of Haydn and wrote lots of works for String Quartet and String Quintet. His most famous piece is the Minuet from one of his String Quintets. It is available in various arrangements and we have included a version for Violin and Piano, as well as the original movement for String Quintet.
Johannes Brahms extended the classical traditions creating powerful symphonies and concertos. He also composed many shorter works including songs, chamber music for strings and numerous works for his favourite instrument, the piano. Here is his famous Lullaby, a piano waltz, an intermezzo for piano, the 1st movement of his 1st Cello Sonata, and his Variations on the St. Anthony Chorale (previously called the "Haydn Variations"):
Frederic Chopin was born in Poland and moved to Paris in the middle of his short life. Although he wrote for other instruments and orchestral works, he is most famous for his piano writing. The preludes below are from his set of 24 in each key (following the example set by Bach in his Preludes and Fugues).
Claude Debussy is associated with the impressionist movement in music which mirrored that in art and also seemed to centre itself in France. As well as orchestral works and works for various instruments, Debussy wrote extensively for the piano including the following works.
Franz Liszt is best known as a pianist and composer of piano music, but he was very influential as a composer and musician. Among his solo piano works is a set of 3 Liebestraum of which No.3 is the best known and available here in 2 forms:
Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, who like many others established his musical credentials at a young age, and died before reaching old age. Among other forms, he wrote several sets of piano pieces called "Songs without Words". These pieces are literally that, because they have a melodic "song" and an "accompaniment" all played on the piano. But the first item by Mendelssohn is the popular Christmas Carol: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - or edit/play midi file
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream - or edit/play midi file
Song Without Words Op. 19 No. 6 - Venetian Boat Song No. 1 - or edit/play midi file
Song Without Words Op. 53 No. 5 - Folk Song - or edit/play midi file
Song Without Words Op. 67 No. 4 - Spinning Song (or Bee's Wedding) - or edit/play midi file
Song Without Words Op. 85 No. 2 - The Adieu - or edit/play midi file
Song Without Words Op. 102 No. 6 - Faith - or edit/play midi file
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791):Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born into a musical family, and as a child prodigy performed regularly throughout Europe as well as his native Austria. During his short life he was prolific as a composer using many forms, and did much to shape the development of music. While the two minuets below were composed at a very young age, the Sonata in C was composed in a simple style as a piece suitable for a developing player. The Rondo Alla Turca (in the Turkish style) comes from another piano sonata and is also well-known. The Piano Concerto movement below was used in the film "Elvira Madigan".
The Russian born composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff often composed in a lush melodic late romantic style. As might be expected from a virtuoso pianist he wrote many works for piano (either solo or with orchestra) but he also composed a number of orchestral works, songs and some operas. Among his solo piano works are 24 preludes, one in each major and minor key.
Erik Satie was a French composer who chose his own path in terms of musical style. In some ways he was revolutionary and in others merely reactionary. However, he showed that it wasn't necessary to use big dramatic orchestral sounds to move an audience, and his output was inspirational to the French impressionists. He composed a number of simple yet unusual piano pieces like the well-known works here.
Schubert's tragically short life was spent largely in Vienna, where is composed many songs, symphonies, and chamber works for small groups or solo instruments including many for piano. In style he follows on from the traditions of Mozart and Beethoven, yet he did introduce some unique features, such as unusual chord and key changes, and a broad sense of time.
Fernando Sor was born in Barcelona and lived much of his life in Paris. He wrote a large number of works for classical guitar, among them a number of different sets of Studies for students of the instrument. The following is just a small sample of his output: Etude Op.31 No.3 in D - or edit/play midi file
Etude Op.31 No.6 in Em - or edit/play midi file
Etude Op.31 No.7 in E - or edit/play midi file
Etude Op.35 No.1 in C - or edit/play midi file
Etude Op.35 No.2 in C - or edit/play midi file
Etude Op.60 No.1 in C - or edit/play midi file
Mazurka Op.32 No.3 - or edit/play midi file
Strauss, Johann (1825-1899):Sometimes known as "The Waltz King", Johann Strauss II composed a number of popular dances and especially Waltzes. His most famous waltz is undoubtedly "The Blue Danube" and here are simple arrangements of the opening theme: The Blue Danube for Violin and Piano - or edit/play midi file
The Blue Danube for Piano Solo - or edit/play midi file
Tallis, Thomas (1505-1585?):Thomas Tallis, like Byrd, was an English composer devoted to writing works for the church. A few of his works are still used as hymn tunes today. The Third Mode Melody below was used by Ralph Vaughan-Williams as a basis for a work of atmospheric variations.
Among the things that Tchaikovsky was famous for, was the creation of music full of emotion and likeable melodies with inventive orchestration. These characteristics were very obvious in his ballet music which included The Sleeping Beauty", "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" from which the "Sugar Plum Fairy" is well-known. Tchaikovsky also composed many short piano works.
Vivaldi created much musical output, and The Four Seasons is one of his most popular works. It consists of 4 Violin Concertos usually played together as a single work, of which the following is one. It was used to good effect in the early 70s BBC production of Cassanova starring Frank Findlay. A common practice in baroque orchestral music was to have a harpsichord accompany the orchestra, though it is not unusual for this instrument to be completely drowned out at times. The harpsichordist has the bass part and indications of suitable chords to play called a "figured bass", thus allowing for a certain degree of interpretation or even mild improvisation within these confines. A harpsichord part has been created for this version which may differ from those you may have heard in recordings.
This selection is, in my view anyway, a genius one. Not only do these works combine to produce a mosaic of light and shade that brilliantly encapsulates the concept of the album, but they also provide listeners with a fabulous introduction to some of the most gorgeous works of all three composers, making this album a very strong recommendation for students and music enthusiasts who are exploring the French piano school for the first time.
The inclusion of the gorgeous Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte proves an equally inspired and effective piece of programming, bringing this fabulous disk to a settled close. Here, as in the opening Debussy works, Alice Sara Ott plays with refined restraint, allowing this most lovely of melodies to speak clearly for itself.
Drukqs contains tracks dating back "seven or eight years", according to James, though most of the album was relatively new.[11] The LP is a double album featuring roughly two styles: rapid, meticulously-programmed tracks utilizing exaggerated drum 'n' bass breakbeats,[3] and classical piano pieces[4] made using computer-controlled instruments such as a modified Yamaha Disklavier and several MIDI-controlled, solenoid-based drum mechanisms made by James.[13] Keymag described it as "switching restlessly from his most acidic drill 'n' bass yet to incredibly lavish prepared piano pieces inspired by John Cage."[1] NME noted that the album moves through techno, drum 'n' bass, and early-90s rave, while the piano interludes were compared to the work of Erik Satie.[4] Pitchfork also noted "several purely electro-acoustic excursions".[14] 2ff7e9595c
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