Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Rob H on Wednesday 07 September 2016, 15:10

Title: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: Rob H on Wednesday 07 September 2016, 15:10
http://www.acteprealable.com/albums/soon_ap0371.html

http://www.acteprealable.com/albums/soon_ap0372.html

Two very interesting CDs of original works and transcriptions (all left hand) by Liszt pupil and one-handed pianist Geza Zichy.

Title: Re: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: thalbergmad on Saturday 10 September 2016, 07:42
   https://youtu.be/n55pEu4YgSI   (https://youtu.be/n55pEu4YgSI)

Artur has posted the Erkonig. Anyone who has tried playing this will no doubt be aware how horridly difficult this is.

Thal
Title: Re: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: Jonathan on Saturday 10 September 2016, 09:45
Splendid stuff - I look forward to hearing the whole disc...
Title: Re: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: Mark Thomas on Saturday 10 September 2016, 10:04
For the left hand alone? Wow! All credit to him.
Title: Re: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: Gareth Vaughan on Saturday 10 September 2016, 20:15
Yes. It is certainly an amazing feat. But musically it sounds ugly and effortful (as well it might) but I don't think that is Cimirro's  fault at all. I think it's Zichy's.  Compare this with one of Godowsky's left hand studies where the writing is altogether better. The effect is to conceal rather than highlight the difficulty.
Title: Re: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: Mark Thomas on Saturday 10 September 2016, 20:23
I do agree that the overall effect, irrespective of the number of hands involved, is far too forceful.
Title: Re: Geza Zichy Piano music
Post by: thalbergmad on Sunday 11 September 2016, 16:56
Yes it is too forceful, but Zichy was perhaps trying to duplicate the Liszt version for 2 hands. It sounds difficult and it is, but Godowsky's left handed study on Chopin's Op.10 No.6 for instance sounds easier and is absurdly difficult. Zichy is more muscular.

Thal