Sketch of Jazz

There are not many jazz piano pieces written for left hand alone, besides the Kapustin Seven Polyphonic Pieces for left hand Op. 87. Therefore this album "Sketch of Jazz" by the Japanese composer Kensaku Tanikawa is very precious for jazz lovers. All pieces in this album are written for left hand only and different jazzy styles are well adopted in five stylistic gems. This one, the Lounge Music, is the most beautiful and romantic one from it and has been recorded by the prolific Japanese pianist Izumi Tateno (館野泉), who is famous for his explorations of piano works from Northern Europe, his highly captivating rendition of Piazzolla's and Narareth's works in two pianos and his advocacy of piano literature for left hand alone.

Two other Cantos by Guastavino

In darkness, we tried to jog back the memories of the past - the simplicity, the peacefulness, the contentment.

...which in the end we only brought nothing back to the real world but loneliness and emptiness.




This is the feeling these songs by Guastavino gives me.

 

Cantos Populares No.1

 

Cantos Populares No.9

推介Cyprien Katsaris 的CD PIANO RARITIES Vol. 3

鋼琴大師Cyprien Katsaris 當年以驚人技藝在超技大師Georges Cziffra面前演譯後者所改編的絕難彈奏的Flight of the Bumble Bee, 現今在Youtube回看依然令人瞠目結舌. Katsaris 此後一直大量涉獵鋼琴改編曲這個範疇 (當然其錄音曲目亦不乏Mozart Concertos, Schubert Sonata 等經典), 其中最為人津津樂道的自是其Beethoven-Liszt Symphonies 全集.  這陣子大師剛推出了其全新CD Piano Rarities Vol. 3, 繼Vol. 1後再一次以Transcriptions作主題 (Vol. 2是冷門的法國音樂), 其中除一首Earl Wild 的Tchaikovsky At the Ball外, 全部是世界首錄音, 而專輯的亮點 (當然只是對筆者來說) 是俄羅斯鋼琴學派其中一個Heinrich Neuhaus 的一個晚年弟子Vladimir Leyetchkiss 所改編的Rachmaninoff Suite for 2 pianos no. 2 Op. 17 的鋼琴獨奏版及浪漫得讓人低徊不已的第二交響曲慢版樂章的獨奏版本 (第二交響曲全首皆為Georg Kirkor所改編, Katsaris這次只奏著名的慢版). 不計演譯, 只聽著那些熟悉但從不屬於一台鋼琴的可以演奏的曲子, 便已讓人抗拒不了要多播幾遍.  筆者聽後也禁不住要翻出收藏已久的樂譜 “過其手癮”, 但Katsaris 所收集的樂譜委實罕見, 筆者也只能輕嘆 “吾生也有涯”.  上文提及的Rachmaninoff-Leyetchkiss, 以筆者所及, 也從未見過第一樂章 (Introduction) 和第四樂章 (Tarantella) 的譜, 喜歡此曲的人真的不能錯過.  另筆者亦挑選了現居美國的意大利鋼琴家Sandro Russo 用Horowitz的鋼琴所演奏的Rachmaninoff-Leyetchkiss Waltz (from 2^nd Suite) 的Youtube video, 讓Katsaris CD未及入手的朋友先作淺嚐.

Swinging on the keyboard (photos)

Flickr 上 lespianistes 的所有相片。

Heifetz’s magic – on the piano?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGCO4w6HbgI&feature=youtu.be
(Live performance in Hong Kong - the original vocal version)

有沒有聽過Heifetz彈鋼琴呢? 還要是彈自己既作品? 而且更是一首流行曲? Jim Hoyl 是Heifetz的假名, 當時一些古典音樂家當涉獵流行曲的時候, 一般都會以pseudonym 示人. 據傳Heifetz 曾寫下不少於50首的流行曲調子, 而只有這一首 “When You Make Love To Me” 較為人所熟識.  此樂譜當然絕版多時, 筆者有幸曾live演出此曲, 的確是一個愜意的體驗.  說回Heifetz的演奏, 我們的小提琴之王, 一向是很能彈的, 有些錄像裡便曾經見過其在家裡演奏巴赫的片段. 在這短短一分半鐘, Heifetz秉承了其演奏小提琴時音色多變的特色, 但就沒有如其慣常的冷峻, 倒反是帶著更多溫暖的音色. 畢竟, 這可是一首情歌呢. 淡淡的, 浪漫的曲調, 細訴著戀人若即若離的無奈.

French X German

Three pianists of our group will be performing some interesting music on 8th Dec, 2012. Venue: Recital Hall, 8/F, High Block, City Hall, Central. Time: 8:00 pm. Don't miss it!!

Hint: there will be a couple of rarely heard but highly fascinating piano duets you might not be able to encounter again if you don't come.

Sounds from heaven - Carlos Guastavino

常有人問我, 為什麼我們只彈些別人不識的曲目, 為什麼不彈流行的, 例如貝多芬, 莫札特等等. 其實對我而言, 我不是刻意要彈別人不認識的曲目, 只是剛好我喜歡的那類型的曲子, 都不是主流的那一類型.

例如這位我非常非常喜歡的阿根廷作曲家Carlos Guastavino, 他的作品令我覺得有"此曲只應天上有"的感覺. 旋律像詩般優美, 但又夾雜着一種淡然的哀傷. 在悲傷的時候, 聽着他的曲子, 望着世間的一切, 頓時有種世界變得美好了的感覺.

以下這首是一首Guastavino 比較簡單的作品, 是出自Cantos Populares 的第六首. 這套曲子每一首我也非常喜歡.

Playing Rach 2nd on a solo piano?

http://soundcloud.com/scriabinoff/grainger-rachmaninov-piano

Have you ever thought of playing Rach 2^nd on a solo piano?  Percy Grainger (1882 – 1961, Australian born pianist-composer) entertained this idea for all Rach fans by arranging a solo version for the 3^rd movement of this probably most played and loved piano concerto in history.  It is, however, quite mythical that this arrangement has not aroused much attention, recording or performance.  Still, it is quite moving when playing on one’s piano toward the end when the sound of the famous tutti fills up your living room or studio, just by your two hands.  Do give it a try!

More fun with concertos by Grainger: though cliché (sorry, no offence) as they are, still many people would like to play these over-played concertos without the aid of an orchestra or a second piano: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 (what a pity that only the opening episode of the 1^st movement was arranged), Grieg Piano Concerto (1^st movement again, and abridged but enough for gaining some satisfactions) and Schumann Piano Concerto (1^stmovement, quite substantial with less abridgment this time).

A Night of Russican Music (Feb, 2012)

Please click the link below to download the stagebill of our concert "A Night of Russian Music "
~https://www.box.com/s/t8k0ud46jefjkesz62q8

Medtner - Two Fairy Tales Op.51 no.3 and Op.34 no.2

Performed by Eugene Tse
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Rosenblatt - 'Main Theme' from Swan Lake Suite-Fantasy

Performed by Fuk-Yin Koon
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Kapustin - Andante Op.58

Performed by SYMui
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Rosenblatt - Tango for solo piano

Performed by Sandy Ho
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Rachmaninoff-Anderson - Vocalise 4H

Performed by Sandy Ho / SYMui
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Medtner - Fairy Tale Op.42 no.1

Performed by Lawrenza Lau
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Kapustin - Sinfonietta 1st movement, Overture, Op.49

Performed by Lawrenza Lau / Fuk-yin Koon
A Night of Russian Music
25/2/2012
Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.

Piano Music for Twenty Fingers (May,2012)

Please click the link below to download the stagebill of our concert "Swinging on the Keyboard"
~https://www.box.com/s/8ljmeiaz4sipsbf7u9nl

Japanese Fantasy by Alexander Rosenblatt

Venue: Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by:
Piano I Primo: Sandy Ho
Piano I Secondo: Eugene Tse
Piano II Primo: Siuyau Poon
Piano II Secondo: Lawrenza Lau

The camcorder ran out of battery so the recording could not be completed...

Astor Piazzolla - Adios Nonino 2 Pianos transcribed by Kyoko Yamamoto

Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Piano I : Grace Cheng
Piano II : Lawrenza Lau

Variation on a Theme of Paganini for 2 pianos by Witold Lutoslawski

Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Piano I : Grace Cheng
Piano II : Frederic Koon

Rush Hour in Hong Kong by Abram Chasins

Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Piano I : Eugene Tse
Piano II : Frederic Koon

Navarra by Isaac Albeniz, transcribed for 2 pianos by Frank Marshall

Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Piano I : Sandy Ho
Piano II : Siuyau Poon

Histoire du Tango by Astor Piazzolla

II Cafe 1930
III Night Club 1960
Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Primo: Sandy Ho
Secondo: Eugene Tse

Samuel Barber - Souvenirs Op.28 for 4 hands

III Pas de deux
V Hesitation Tango
VI Galop
Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Primo: Grace Cheng
Secondo: Siuyau Poon

Russian Round Dance for 2 pianos Op. 58 No.1 by Nikolai Medtner

Performed in Parsons Recital Hall, Times Square Hong Kong, 26.5.2012
Piano I : Eugene Tse
Piano II : Frederic Koon

Rachmaninoff Song – Zdes’ horosho

Rachmaninoff Song – Zdes’ horosho (How nice it is there / How fair this spot / Where beauty dwells), transcriptions for solo piano

                                                                                       Ashkenazy:

                                                                                          Gryaznov:

                                                                                        Earl Wild:

It's quite unexpected that the Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy has written such a piano transcription but we are happy to recommend this to pianophiles.  As far as the writer knows, this is the first time that we see a score written by the Maestro (please correct me if I am wrong). This score was published in a magazine called Piano Today back a few years.  The song is with a very haunting melody, while its length is as precious as a jewel gem, rendering a ethereal and transient poetic beauty.  Besides the Ashkenazy version, there are two more versions which we would like to share: one by the young Russian pianist Vyacheslav Gryaznov and the other by the legendary Earl Wild.  If you play the pianos, do try your hands on each of these transcriptions and we are sure that you will find different flavours and pianisms.  But as a listener, would you like to tell us which one you prefer?

想也想不到大鋼琴家Vladimir Ashkenazy也有寫這一類的鋼琴改編曲, 不妨在這裡推介給樂迷們, 這是就筆者所知第一次出自大師手筆的作品 (如有紕誤, 承蒙諸方指正). 此鋼琴譜曾刊在一期多年前的一本叫 Piano Today 的雜誌上,是一首非常優美的樂曲, 而短少的篇幅更讓音樂有著詩情倏忽而逝之嘆謂. 除了Ashkenazy的版本之外, 筆者還羅列了同一曲的另外兩個改編版本供大家欣賞, 分別是年青俄羅斯鋼琴家 Gryaznov 和經典的 Earl Wild 版本. 懂鋼琴的話, 不妨每一首都試奏一番, 定會發覺不同的風味. 但如果從聆聽觀賞的角度, 大家又喜歡那一個版本呢?

Swinging on the keyboard (Oct, 2012)

     

          Please click the link below to download the stagebill of our concert "Swinging on the Keyboard"
          ~  https://www.box.com/s/1gd19axwg5aczppecs8h

Astor Piazzolla - Primavera Porteña (Arranged for piano 4-hands by Yamamoto Kyoto)

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Ada Wong and Frederic Koon

Federico Ruiz - Elosía

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Sandy Ho

Radamés Gnattali - Vaidosa

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Kobe Ip

Federico Ruiz - Sueño mágico

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Sandy Ho

Adolfo Mejia - Preludio Luminosidad de aguas

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Eugene Tse

Astor Piazzolla - Adíos Nonino (Arranged by Yamamoto Kyoto)

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Siu-Yau Poon

Francisco Mignone - Valsa de Esquina No.10

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Lawrenza Lau

Radamés Gnattali - Noturno

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Siu-Yau Poon
Hong Kong Premiere

Radamés Gnattali - Negaceando

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Kobe Ip

Marcela Fiorillo - Preludio Buenos Aires

Swinging on the Keyboard - A wonderful music journey to South America 
27th-28th Oct 2012
Parsons Music Recital Hall, Times Square, Hong Kong
Performed by Frederic Koon
Hong Kong premiere.

Our Pianist ~ Sandy Ho

Ho Sze Man Sandy is a pianist, choir keyboardist, and music educator. She was born in Hong Kong, where she grew up and had her first piano lessons. Since her first recital in 2011, Sandy has collaborated with many musicians in concerts organized by local music groups.

Sandy learned from numerous pianists in the past, including Frederic Koon, Wendy Lin, Ernest So, and Professor Kim Nan-Hee. Her music credentials include multiple professional diplomas in piano performance, keyboard pedagogy, music theory and history from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong International Institute of Music. She recently returned to school to pursue her passion in music education.

As a music teacher, Sandy has worked with local children choirs and her piano students for over a decade. She was a choir keyboardist and instructor with the Tuen Mun Children Choir for years, and began to work with Yip’s last year. She continues to give private lessons, and provide piano accompaniment for students taking public examination in music.

Outside of music, Sandy enjoys traveling and learning history. She has a passion for learning about the history of the Holocaust. In 2011, she participated in the 12^th International Music Festival in Warsaw, Poland. Most recently, she visited the Oregon Holocaust Memorial in the United States.