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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
Yes. I've played it both with and without pedal. It is indeed more taxing but doable without. But for this piece, subjectively, I prefer the use of some pedal, but in moderation for sure.
another thought on your comments - I think you articulated the essence of this piece very well, "contemplative". I'll work to express that better and calm the body movements - I think that word will help me accomplish this since the body movements are quite subconscious at times.
Strange how that works when one's playing music. The feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful feedback. All valid points.
On editions, I'm using an Urtext edition-can't remember off hand which one.
Odd.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
You are tall and handsome. Play with you head high, you back straight, your eyes clear. Your shoulders, arms and hands must dance; you are the weaver of this majestic tapestry, it is you to whom the gods have given this story to tell.
But it is a story to tell, it is not for your private contemplation.
It is my opinion that the Gould recording has too greatly influenced the thinking concerning the Goldberg Variations. It has defined what this music "should" sound like, and presents itself as the answer to all questions about the work.
I like the Gould recording, really a great deal, as much as the next guy. But I think that to undertake to play this music one has to liberate one's mind from Gould.
Excellent! I've often had an image of the aria introducing himself, stretching out in a nice big chair, and then with each variation describing a chapter of his life. The da capo, after divesting so much, seems to be a fuller, more complex character than the one we first met, yet by restating his introduction verbatim, he seems to say, "after all of that, it's still just me."
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
It is my opinion that the Gould recording has too greatly influenced the thinking concerning the Goldberg Variations. It has defined what this music "should" sound like, and presents itself as the answer to all questions about the work.
... to undertake to play this music one has to liberate one's mind from Gould.
YESSSSSSS!!!
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
I've often had an image of the aria introducing himself, stretching out in a nice big chair, and then with each variation describing a chapter of his life. The da capo, after divesting so much, seems to be a fuller, more complex character than the one we first met, yet by restating his introduction verbatim, he seems to say, "after all of that, it's still just me."
I think of the Odyssey. "When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Menelaus rose and dressed himself. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, girded his sword about his shoulders, and left his room looking like an immortal god. "