The Erard Experience: Gwendolyn Mok presents Liszt and Ravel's favorite piano
One of the last pupils of Ravel's favorite pianist Vlado Perlemuter, San Jose State University professor Gwendolyn Mok discusses and demonstrates the experience of playing on an Erard piano manufactured in 1875 – the year of Ravel's birth. Ravel himself owned an Erard, and Liszt was influenced by the instrument's new "double escapement" mechanism in his own works. Mok reveals what is special about the piano, how it differs from a modern Steinway, and how it influenced important works from the late-19th and early 20th-century.
Find the start time in your time zone by clicking the photo or following this event link:
https://app.tonebase.co/piano/live/player/gwendolyn-mok-erard-experience
We are going to be using this thread to gather suggestions and questions!
- What questions do you have on this topic?
- Any particular area you would like me to focus on?
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Hello! I was reading about Erard pianos, and I came across this museum that a friend visited and raved about: Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ: https://mim.org/musical-history-of-the-erard-piano/
They have an interesting article "Musical History of the Erard Piano".
Ms. Mok, what features of the Erard Piano do you appreciate the most?
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Since I will not be able to attend tomorrow, I am submitting my questions now. I will enjoy the LIVE stream after I get home from work.
Dr. Mok, I see from your Bio on SJSU, that you studied with Claude Frank, among others. Can you tell us, please, what you learned from him? I met him once, and he was notably gracious and good-natured.
What particular appeal does Ravel's music have for you?
What did Vlado Perlemuter reveal to you about Ravel and his music?
Were there any surprises? Or certain aspects that Perlemuter highlighted or clarified?
What do you want us to remember about Ravel, his music and/or his compositions?
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maurice-Ravel - "...it would be true to say he forged for himself a language of his own that bears the stamp of his personality as unmistakably as any work of Bach or Chopin." Do you agree? Do think this is obvious to everyone? Why or why not?
Thank you in advance for answering these questions. :D
I am sorry I will miss the LIVE stream, but I will enjoy it afterwards!
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Pauline
I am sorry you could not be at the live stream. You can reach me at [email protected] if you have questions.
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Gwendolyn Mok Thank you very much, Gwendolyn! I am watching the lesson now! It is very fascinating, and I am only 20 minutes into it. Such wonderful stories, and the details you are highlighting about the Erard piano are wonderful. What a sound! Crediting the "piano manufacturers with actually inspiring composers to write for the piano" is a very interesting point.
I will pause video and comment as I watch...a sort of LIVE experience. ;D
Great visuals/photos of the inside of the Erard piano!
It IS a gorgeous name plate!
Model "identifier" - the curve on the side of the piano - a female, as you said, Gwen. ;D That is a beautiful aspect!
And the "pull out" ledge for a candelabra - way cool!
Knee pedals!
Very nice to see that illustration of the "double escapement" up close.
You are resilient and strong to recover from the accident. SO happy for you! And all of us who get to hear your playing and learn from you!
Listening to the segment you played on the Steinway compared to the Erard was delightful!
What differences in sound there is between the two pianos! I hear it!
How gracious you are, Gwen, to offer the invitation to visit you at SJSU to try the Erard!
Oh! Brahms's piece of music saying, "Cla - ra...Cla-ra"...Very likely indeed! "Because of the decay of the Erard", you can shape and mold that...Cla-ra...Cla-ra". So interesting, Gwen!
Yes, you can hear the speech/diction of the Erard, Dominic.
Great idea - impressionist paintings and the Erard in the Great Room! Self-proclaimed "Piano nut" and "Museum nut"! Brava! Glorious!
A magical story! Then...New Zealand! Acccckkkkkk! Whew! "Baby Grand" as a result of the two pianos being together on their "journey" ...Hahahahahaha
(By the way, your floral attire is quite beautiful and vibrant!)
I love the book recommendations! I also just ordered the Piano - Photographic history. Thank you!
Very enjoyable listening to the "Toccata..le tombeau de Couperin" by Ravel! Brava! :D
I enjoyed hearing about Barenboim and the straight strung Steinway.
Lovely music, so soothing, sensitive and deep...Thank you!
There IS so much character one can hear in the Erard!
Now a Piano teacher...and a "Psychiatrist and Pediatrician" - Hahahahahaha - yet True! :D
"Soup that's been cooking for many, many years"...great people over the years that were influcencers...
To Dominic and Tonebase - "You know how to bring out the best in your guests"...I agree!
Beethoven stories are wonderful, too!
"Searching for the most ravishing color and sound...pursuit of beauty".
Gorgeous artistic environment in which you were playing!
I like your analogy with cooking! Using the best ingredients, etc.!
Thank you so much!
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Piano: A Photographic History of the World's Most Celebrated Instrument
by David Crombie
Franz Liszt: The Virtuoso Years, 1811–1847 (Volume 1)
Walker, Alan
Franz Liszt: The Weimar Years, 1848–1861 (Volume 2)
Walker, Alan
Franz Liszt: The Final Years, 1861–1886 (Volume 3)
Walker, Alan
by Daniel Mason
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank
by Thad Carhart
I sent a note to Gwen to get the title of the last book she recommended at the 1:43:50 mark. On my computer there was a split second pause and the title was not clear. I'll let you all know once I find out.
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Pauline Thank you for all of this information!!!!
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Dominic Cheli You're welcome, Dominic!
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Thank you Gwendolyn and Dominic ! This was a fantastic presentation! I've been hoping for something like this. I am currently reading 'Interpreting Mozart' by Eva and Paul Badura-Skoda, and there's a chapter on Mozarts world of sound witch is highly interesting. We understand a lot better what inspired the composer, and what their markings in the score really mean.
I hope there'll be more of these! Please bring her back, Dominic ! Maybe talk about some older pianos?
I am fascinated by the sound of the straight strung piano. Here is a a little question and answer video of a modern straight strung piano. Daniel Barenboim and his Barenboim piano is featured in a little clip in video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktL33ZsSjrA
