Cliburn blogThis weblog details the Amateur Competition.Treasures of the Repertoire- June 13, 2007 There&8217;s been a lot of commenting in the last blog entry on repertoire. I thought I&8217;d post a new entry. On the subject of Alkan, and programming, I&8217;ll weigh in with care&8230; Van loves to note that &8220;there is music enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is never enough for Music.&8221; More pragmatically: there ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=140 Theyre Back!- June 3, 2007 The jury has filed onto the stage and taken their seats. There are two Steinways, nesting on stage. The only question is, how many people will be playing Four Gold Medalists in a Sousa March or William Tell overture A P.D.Q. Bach arrangement We shall see. Alann is making a few heartfelt remarks ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=139 Any Comments From The Field- June 3, 2007 Please post your thoughts here&8230;http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=138 Some quick reflections.- June 3, 2007 There&8217;s an hour before announcements will be made. For my part, I am eager to go for a walk with Nina and little Tashi. But a few quick thoughts. At the top of the day, for me, were: Henri-Robert Delbeau Mark Fuller Utterly different performers in repertoire that could not have been farther apart. Both extroardinary. I&8217;d vote for ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=137 Mark Fuller plays Rorem and Barber- June 3, 2007 Mark is dropping one of the three etudes, but all else is intact: Rorem: Etudes 2 &038; 5 Barber: Sonata, op26 (1949) Mark takes a long time to relax at the bench, gathering his thoughts. It gives the whole audience pause to wonder what these pieces will sound like, and to be drawn into his focus. ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=136 Drew Mays plays Beethoven and Liszt- June 3, 2007 Drew now takes the stage &8212; in white tie. Beethoven: Sonata 21 in C, op53: Waldstein Liszt: Mephisto Waltz The Waldstein sounds a bit green in Drew&8217;s fingers. I&8217;m sure he&8217;s nervous. He thoughtfully takes quite a bit of time to breathe before the slow micro-movement. From up here in the balcony, the sound is a ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=135 The Last Break- June 3, 2007 On musical grounds, I think the ranking right now is: Delbeau Griffith et al. Everyone&8217;s terrific. Ken wins for sheer enthusiasm and joie de vivre, but the piece was completely bonkers. Slava Levin plays spectacularly well (and the memory of his gorgeous Scriabin isn&8217;t lost for me) but it&8217;s just awfully hard to squeeze much heartfelt music ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=134 Slava Levin plays Schumann and more Schumann- June 3, 2007 Slava has dusted off the old tux from his concertizing days, and he plunges into the Faschingsschwank with aplomb even before the crowd has a chance to settle down. Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, op26 Schumann: Toccata, op7 Slava will do a manly job in this music. I&8217;ve always found this piece to be more obstinate, obsessive and ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=133 Ken Iisaka plays Alkan!- June 3, 2007 As Steve reminds us, Jon Nakamatsu recounted last night that some juror had told him that a Japanese man didn&8217;t have much business playing Chopin. Ken pointed out to Steve that he had no Chopin in his programs. But he did bring the next best thing: a little ditty from Chopin&8217;s next-door neighbor, ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=132 At the break: Alkans Death- June 3, 2007 Doubtless many of you have heard the story. Charles Alkan, aged 74, was reaching for a copy of the torah on a high bookshelf, and was crushed to death then the whole case collapsed on him. See for yourselves: That&8217;s not an actual photograph, of course, but a clever reconstruction attempted at the M.I.T. ...http://www.cliburn.org/blog/?p=131 |