"Artistic Expression in Contemporary American Piano Music"; Dr Heidi Lousie Wiliams, TNUA

A highly interesting lecture recital was given by Dr Heidi Louise Williams at the music department of TNUA (Taipei National University of the Arts) on Monday 18 May 2015. Entitled: “Artistic Expression in Contemporary American Piano Music: Insights for the 21st Century Performer”, the lecture recital included extracts from works by Charles Griffes, Ernest Bloch, Samuel Barber, George Walker and Daniel Crozier. Crozier's Aubade was written for Dr Williams.

Right: Prof Mei-Ling Wang, TNUA
Centre: Dr Heidi Louise Williams
Left: your intrepid reviewer MK


Dr Williams had a very warm, open-hearted and engaging spoken manner as she explained some of the recurring general themes in American music. The interest of the audience was piqued further by demonstration of use of the middle pedal in the Barber Sonata. (Afterwards I felt inspired to listen to Horowitz's recording of the Barber Piano Sonata, but - shock warning - Horowitz is definitely out-Horowitzed by pianist Terence Judd in what is an astonishing live recording of the Scherzo and Fugue (click here))

The piano performances by Dr Williams, which interspersed the spoken explanations, were all VERY WELL played on the resident Steinway Grand piano. Many were performed from memory (no easy task, particularly with contemporary music). The acoustic of the Recital Hall was excellent and one could not have a better room for such a lecture recital.
My only criticisms of the event are minor. A free printed handout was supplied, showing extracts of the music performed, together with handwritten comments by the piano teacher of Dr Williams: but these were printed so small they were almost illegible. As for the selection of works, everybody might have their personal preferences for American composers. I cannot help thinking that Alan Hovhaness, say, or George Crumb, both born in the USA may be more deserving of inclusion in this lecture recital than Ernest Bloch, who only took American citizenship aged 44. However this is admittedly a personal opinion. I very much hopes that Dr Williams will be brought back again for “Part 2”!

Very interesting dissertation from Dr Chi Lin about influence of Russian pianism on the Chinese teachers in Beijing. "Specifically, they stressed tone production. The transfer of arm weight to the fingers and the involvement off the wrists were the most important techniques advocated by the Russian teaching system...To produce a singing tone, the pianist must roll this weight from one fingertip to another while keeping the wrist flexible.... Within two years [1955-57], the Chinese pianists reached the highest performance level they ever had." The piano world is indeed a global village these days!

free download piano dissertation Lin

Maurice Emmanuel Piano Sonatines

Many years ago I received a request from the son of the composer Maurice Emmanuel to perform his Piano Sonatines. I duly learnt a couple and performed them, and very pleasant they are (if slightly forgettable, truth to tell). Emmanuel (1862 – 1938) studied at the Paris Conservatoire at the same time as Debussy, and in time became the teacher of music history to the great composers Olivier Messiaen and Henri Dutilleux. Emmanuel's works testify to a wide breadth of interests including folk music and Hindu chants. (French composer Jacques Charpentier's Etudes Karnatiques for piano are very interesting virtuoso piano works incorporating Indian modes – an uncommon interest –  perhaps an interest sparked by his teacher Messiaen, who in turn had been influenced by Emmanuel).

Anyway the purpose of this post is to say a big "Hat's Off!" to French pianist Laurent Wagschal who has recorded the Sonatines for Timpani label. 
I have never heard of Wagschal before, but his playing on YouTube is WONDERFUL! Such good sound. Such good fingers. Such supple technique. Also, Such a good piano, and Such good recording!
What a pleasure.
Whenever I am despairing of finding a living pianist whom I admire, one just pops up.
His playing reminds me of the sonorities and virtuosity of the wonderful blind French pianist Bernard D'Ascoli. 
Here is Wagschal's website
http://www.laurentwagschal.com/index.phpWagschal
You can buy the CD here (does anybody still buy CDs?)  http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Timpani/1C1194buy CD Emmanuel
Keep practising everybody!