Week 4: Romantic spirits!

Marilyn Blodget Another wonderful double performance, Marilyn. I have never played Leyenda - maintaining the right hand technique always seemed beyond me, but you have performed it with grace and energy. Great job.

Once again I find the guitar more compelling.  The piano also seems much more challenging than guitar arrangement.

Apparently, Tarrega had transcribed several pieces of Albeniz during his lifetime (Albeniz's... I suppose Tarrega's as well). Stanley Yates has an informative article (http://www.stanleyyates.com/articles/albeniz/leyenda.html) on Leyenda (Yates discourages the use of Asturias as it is not Albeniz's title nor is the music of Asturia).

Sorry I am rambling - TB's Dominic just had a livestream on Spanish / French music and discussed Albeniz.

Jack Stewart Thanks Jack!  The physical experience of playing on both instruments is very different. The distance between the hands on the octave/chord combinations in the piano version is very challenging, especially at tempo.  I just throw my hands at them and pray.  I too prefer Leyenda on guitar.  For me the big challenge was getting the triplets up to speed.  Thanks for the Yates link.  I enjoyed it.

Marilyn Blodget Thanks for sharing your wonderful playing of Leyenda, an old favorite!  It was also fun listening to your excerpt on the piano.  I'm bias as a guitarist, so in this case prefer it on guitar; however, it is always amazing to hear these pieces in its original form on piano, particularly a grand piano ( My son's teacher had a huge Steinway in her apartment, and for some reason , a still remember and feel the sound of the low bass notes which was thrilling).  It is also a treat to listen to Alicia de Larrocha play the full suite in recordings( and way back, live in person in concert). I really enjoyed this, so thanks for posting!

Wai Thank you Wai!  I agree that it sounds more authentic on the guitar, rather than on a piano trying to be a guitar.

Barney Thanks Barney.  It is fun to get lots of deep rich sound out of the piano.  My daughter’s piano teacher had the children crawl underneath the piano for an “in depth” listening experience.  I’ve not yet done that but I think it would be fun.  And thanks for the listening suggestion.

Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Thanks Stephanie!  That brought a smile to my face!  

Marilyn Blodget Wow ive never listened asturias en piano, and sounds great, thats amaizing i love it

Marilyn Blodget Thanks for these pairings.  And, as much as I love Albeniz on the piano, I like the guitar version better, maybe it is because all the great performances of it by Segovia, Carlevaro and others.  BTW, both your performances were beautiful.  

Oscar Leonardo Molina Sierra Thank. You Oscar!

Dale Needles Thanks Dale!

Marilyn Blodget Such a big gift, Marilyn! Thank for sharing both performances, you are really kind, and played in an amazing way! Bravíssime!

Moyses Lopes Thank you Moyses!