Post
by Lance » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:42 pm
For those interested, the Lars Vogt (piano) performance of Beethoven's PC #1 with the Glenn Gould cadenzas referred to by Teresa B appears on EMI 56266 and also includes Beethoven's PC #2 (with Beethoven's cadenzas). Sir Simon Rattle conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Personally, I rather enjoyed hearing the Glenn Gould cadenzas. As we all know, the cadenzas could be supplied by the pianist himself, the composer's own cadenzas, or those of someone else. Some pianists even improvise on the spot, such as the fortepianist, Mark Levin [on DGG], and every time he plays the cadenzas, they are never the same! This is the place for the pianist or other instrumentalist to "show off" his virtuosity or own compositional skills.
We've discussed this one before, but the most incredible cadenza writing I've ever heard appeared in the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Gidon Kremer using the Schnittke. While it is way out of balance with the style of the Beethoven's writing, it remains one of the most memorable performances of the work I've ever heard on records.
You surely admit that if the author of the cadenzas isn't indicated on records or in concert performances, it's quite thrilling to hear one you don't know and it's bothersome until you can find out. It gives the piece another dimension. I'm all for it, personally. Beethoven, Mozart, and others provided the "standard" cadenzas for those who wanted to follow the score to the letter.
I can't recall right at the moment [I want to say it's pianist Vasso Devetzi], but I've heard some Haydn and Bach piano concerti with non-conventional cadenzas that I thought were musically quite extraordinary and didn't alter the basic musical thought.
Lance G. Hill
Editor-in-Chief
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When she started to play, Mr. Steinway came down and personally
rubbed his name off the piano. [Speaking about pianist &*$#@+#]
