Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaqarbal
I'm curious about technically difficult pieces. 
Flight of the Bumblebee. Piano: Yuja Wang |
Technically difficult pieces certainly are impressive, especially Flight of the Bumblebee. But yikes! Can you say carpal tunnel syndrome? I wonder if great pianists are able to type around 500 words per minute!
I still prefer slower and less frenzied pieces. When I hear fast and technically difficult songs (including showy violin solos), I find myself thinking mostly, "Wow! That is impressive!" rather than actually focusing on the music itself and enjoying it. The technical difficulty becomes a distraction.
While listening to Chopin's Preludes, I have identified the following as my favorites because I like their simplicity and emotion as well as the breathing room among the notes:
Chopin - Prelude Op. 28 No. 7 in A major
Ivo Pogorelich, Pianist
This prelude is short, sweet, and relaxed...like the end of a day when night is falling and all is becoming quiet:
Chopin - Prelude Op. 28, No. 15 in D flat Major
Vladimir Horowitz, pianist
I like how this prelude transitions from serene to intense and troubled then back to serene: