Revisits

Robert Schmidli was one of the first classical players I recorded and I always enjoy a revisit.  Today's was Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt, a trio of history.  He introduced the pieces with significant observations, thus we learnt of Beethoven observing that he'd studied with Haydn and leaned nothing from him, although his Sonata op.2 no.2 Amaj showed a large influence, if the later movements were more distinct.  Then more about a line that Beethoven said should be played by one hand and how it's usually played with two and how experts have avoided playing the piece so as not to use other than Beethoven's advice.  But then piano keys were smaller then.  And furth, it was particularly interesting to hear him chatting after with Helen, displaying the flourish that requires one (or two) hands, and how a crochet in one line is sometimes played staccato and the difference it makes.  Thus are the concerns of a pianist of a certain level.  Then on to Chopin, a Tarantella (an Italian dance to cure the bite of a tarantula, it seems) and a Berceuse, a lullaby and set of variations with a repeating bass note (ground bass?) repeating on beat 1 of a slow 6.  Then to finish, a Polonaise by Liszt, his Melancolique, in various parts, mazurka, sentimental middle, building to an end and cadenza, all complex runs of fast fillers and leading lines but with quite clear, simpler melody to my ears.  A lovey event to revisit and again record.

Robert Schmidli (piano) performed Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt at Wesley.