Symphonic writing on the Piano: Featuring Brahms Rhapsodie Op.119 no.4 (June 16)
Brahms was known for writing for the piano in a very symphonic way, and no piece makes that more clear than the final work for piano he ever composed- the Rhapsodie Op.119 no.4!
Find the start time in your time zone by clicking the photo or following this event link:
https://app.tonebase.co/piano/live/player/brahms-symphonic-writing
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?
Brahms was known for writing for the piano in a very symphonic way, and no piece makes that more clear than the final work for piano he ever composed- the Rhapsodie Op.119 no.4!
-
Dominic Cheli so excited to see you are doing a livestream on Brahms op119/4!! I've been working on this on and off for several years - have always wanted to play it, and it's slowly coming together. A long term project but a very rewarding one as it's fabulous music! I'm not sure if I'll make it to the event but I do have some issues I'm keen to hear your thoughts on, some general and some specific.....
-tone production and articulation in the first theme and it's various iterations - how detached or staccato and technically how to produce a really solid rich sound.
-is it appropriate to go slower when the triplets come in later on page 2 to produce a more mysterious character? I read that Brahms himself was very free with his rubato
-how to manage the implied hemiolas 2 bars after "ben marc" - is the RH in twos and the LH in threes here?
-use of pedal? in the grazioso section - I'm trying to use finger legato in the melody and very little pedal
-how to interpret the 'dolce' on the two minim chords in the grazioso section
-the fast descending semiquaver arpeggios - any fingering or positioning tips to help develop speed here?
- the possible difference in meaning between opening 'hairpins' and 'cresc"
- those accents on the rh octave semis and the jumps on the last page - I think this has been the most difficult passage technically for me - I'd welcome any suggestions on how to gain speed and security here too.
I so enjoyed your presentation on voicing in Brahms! I think his music is glorious, so rich and deep.
Layers upon layers, deeply expressive and redemptive. Greatly looking forward to your take on this magnificent opus. :-)
-
Hi marina since your comments/questions are all about the Brahms, I took the liberty of moving this post to the Brahms Rhapsodie LIVEstream thread! I will definitely address your questions, they are wonderful!
-
that was so helpful! A lot because you affirmed many of my own ideas and interpretations that seemed to discord with so many of the "virtuosic" recordings out there which go so so fast and yet miss so much subtlety in Brahms writing. There is so much to express in this music and I hadn't consciously considered it symphonic before so that was an inspiring new take on it. The fingering suggestions are super helpful. I just wish I'd thought of them a few years ago - arghhh!! it was also great to get some validation that some of the passages are truly challenging and it's not just me who thinks so :) that's encouraging. I feel like I have fuel in the tank to move forward again with this piece. Thank you so much!
