by Barbra L.
Member since:
September 30, 2006

Thierry De Brunhoff & Maurizio Pollini: Masters of Chopin's Handiwork

October 16, 2009 06:57 PM EDT (Updated: October 18, 2009 11:55 AM EDT)
views: 62 | comments: 31



Thierry De Brunhoff & Maurizio Pollini:

Masters of Chopin’s Handiwork

 



Thierry De Brunhoff and Maurizio Pollini, two vigorous classical pianists who strike the keys of the grand with dashing panache and dynamic accuracy, have greatly contributed to my love for the various works of Frédéric François Chopin. Their fluency of style echoes with vibrant clarity when they perform Chopin’s complex compositions.  Their skillful hands make the intimidating complexities of such pieces as Nocturne No. 13 Opus 48 No. 1 with its Doppio Movimento and elegiac distinctness look as simple to me as typing on my computer's keyboard.


Their flawless performances of Chopin's compositions that demand his infamous rubato style have greatly illuminated my appreciation for the genius with which Chopin himself must have exhibited through his skillful performances with his hands.  Their skill further prompts me to take note of the incalculable blessing of having a pair of hands with which to use daily; and pursue as well the mastering of these compositions to the best of my own ability.

 

**********

 

This 10-minute free write was in response to Susan Budig’s prompt for her Friday Daily Write, via email, requesting that her members write on the subject of “Hands”.

“To freewrite, you must write without stopping for a designated period of time.  Don’t think about the perfect word or to get your thoughts in order. Don’t worry about punctuation or spelling.  Just write.”  Susan Budig

Susan:  I expressed my thoughts with regard to your Friday’s prompt in succinctness within your allotted amount of time suggested (10 minutes); however, my expressions above are from a former essay I had written regarding these two masters of performance.  As I re-read the essay, I highlighted lines that were apropos to your prompt and re-edited them.  Also, out of respect for Chopin, Thierry De Brunhoff & Maurizio Pollini and their incredible talents, I did think about, and endeavor to apply, the correct punctuations and spellings.  I feel your and Jan’s free writes offer us the opportunity to create our own ways of using them.  Thank you.  

Barbra L.

 





 

 

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 31

Kushal Poddar Oct 16, 2009, 10:40pm EDT
This is wonderfully written. A classical free write.

trick of swinging
Barbra L. Oct 17, 2009, 6:42pm EDT
Poddar: Your expressions are very kind. Thank you! I'm honored.
Autumn Farrington Oct 17, 2009, 9:28am EDT
I echo Poddar's expressions. Such well polished prose in brevity! Superb use of the prompt regarding "hands".
Barbra L. Oct 17, 2009, 7:14pm EDT
Autumn: Thank you. I appreciate your sentiments. All I could envision when I read Susan's prompt were Brunhoff and Pollini's "hands" soaring across the keyboard, and that is where my mind stopped. I'm always amazed at the miraculousness of talent when it calls for performing with the "hands", and my emphasis was more on their hands than my own. My thoughts consumed with "their inspirational talents. Thank you again for your lovely expressions.
Susan Budig Oct 18, 2009, 2:53am EDT
You truly honor the memories of these masters.
Barbra L. Oct 18, 2009, 11:44am EDT
Thank you, Susan. I appreciate, too, your priceless encouragement via your email.
Curt L. Oct 18, 2009, 2:52pm EDT
"Their skill further prompts me to take note of the incalculable blessing of having a pair of hands with which to use daily; and pursue as well the mastering of these compositions to the best of my own ability."
AMEN!
Barbra L. Oct 18, 2009, 5:41pm EDT
Indeed! ;-)
Granny Janny H. Oct 19, 2009, 4:22pm EDT
Although you didn't mention this post in your email I was compelled by the quality if the message to locate a post and found this in a jiffy.
I agree with the comments and love how you follow your heart and muse in this article.
How I would love to hear your own hands playing Chopin.
Featured in Friday Free Writes Featured.
Barbra L. Oct 19, 2009, 6:28pm EDT
Jan: Thank you so much for the feature in your Friday Free Writes. I am so very honored!

I would love to play Chopin for you. Although we're distanced geographically, who knows but what some day I will be performing in your area, and if [when] that fortunate day arrives, I will contact you. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.
Autumn Farrington Oct 21, 2009, 6:02pm EDT
Barbra: Since I first read this free write, I’ve found myself intrigued by the word “handiwork” (from your title). And although I’m aware of its meaning, I felt compelled to find out more about its etomology; hence I found the following information from the Old English to be of such:

handiwork; handgeweorc , from hand “hand” + geweorc , literally “body of work,” from weorc (see work)…

How apropos your use of the word “handiwork” regarding your content; for
the masters of whom you wrote, excelled in their classical training and exemplify with unique élan with regard to most, if not all, compositions regarding Chopin’s “handiwork”.
Barbra L. Oct 21, 2009, 7:13pm EDT
Thank you, Autumn. I appreciate that. I've often wondered if there were works of Chopin's that had gone unpublished. I'm going to do a bit more research in that area when I have the time.

*And yes, I did receive your email about your misspell of the word "etymology". I know how much you despise misspells; however, consider it corrected! :-)
Charles D. Oct 22, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
Sounds like a tough challenge to do this. I listen to some classical music but have very limited knowledge of this era. Oh well!!!
Barbra L. Oct 23, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Yes, it will be a "tough challenge", but that's what motivates me! It's mastering how to play what appears to be a nightmare that makes it so intriguing. ;-)

Nice to see you, Charles.
Tracey W. Oct 25, 2009, 10:49am EDT
Barbra that was amazing! You did that as a free write? I'm in awe. Even if you had visited the subject before, it is still incredible. And I agree with you about such things making us appreciate hands. I write every day. I truly appreciate my hands and the ability to somewhat agilely use the keyboard.
Barbra L. Oct 25, 2009, 11:20am EDT
Thank you, Tracey! Yes, I'd written an essay some time back with regard to Thierry De Brunhoff and Maurizio Pollini's influence on me as an amateur pianist, and when I saw Susan's prompt, my mind immediately reverted to the essay. I quickly scanned it and used the lines that particularly stood out to me and re-edited them for this free write.

I think it's grand that you write every day, and I know without question, you would appreciate your ability to use your hands. I wish you the greatest success in your writing ventures. I believe you will really excel !!! God Bless you, Tracey.
William Dotani Oct 27, 2009, 12:32pm EDT
Your love of this music comes through your warm plaudits. Very nice feeling in your writing.
Barbra L. Nov 2, 2009, 10:08am EST
Thank you, William. Very lovely of you to offer these kind expressions.
Hella K. Nov 1, 2009, 7:41pm EST
Dear Barbra ~ I'm in awe of your many talents...I did not know you also play the piano as magnificently as you write :)

I have been listening to Chopin most nights ~ I love the Nocturnes, although I am sure I do not appreciate Chopin as deeply as you do !
Are recordings of Thierry De Brunhoff and Maurizio Pollini available on a CD ??

Love ~ Hella
Barbra L. Nov 2, 2009, 10:30am EST
Hella: Your comments humble me deeply. Thank you beyond words. I would recommend Maurizio Pollini's CD entitled:

CHOPIN-PRELUDES
MAURIZIO POLLINI

This is the CD I have, and favor. On the back of it you'll see the words Deutsche Grammophon at the top. It was printed in West Germany by /Imprime en RFA par Neef, Wittingen. I will email you regarding Thierry De Brunhoff. Thank you again, Hella.
Hella K. Nov 4, 2009, 2:43am EST
Awesome !!! Thank you so much, Barbra !!!

Anything by Deutsche Grammophon is excellent.

I have a number of Violin Concertos by them. Have you heard of Anne-Sophie Mutter...I adore her. Herbert von Karajan was her mentor for over 10 years. He discovered her at the age of 13, and secured her first Stradivari for her.
Barbra L. Nov 4, 2009, 9:30am EST
She is indeed a marvel, isn't she? *You've very good taste in music! ;-)

I hope you will enjoy Pollini's pianistic ability; however, I am going to suggest another CD that I think you might enjoy. It has compositions from Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Schubert, Rubenstein, Grieg, Brahms and Mendelssohn. I would like for you to hear Chopin's Nocturne No. 13 (the one which I'm now attempting to master). It is No. 10 on Side 1 of the CD, and will astound you with the "genius" of his ability. The CD is entitled:

CLASSICAL LIFESTYLE
Serenades for Two
Romantic Evening Music

It is printed in the US and its trademark is Style, a registered trademark of Delta Entertainment Corporation @ 1663 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. On Sides 1 & 2 of the CD, the first compositions listed are:

BEETHOVEN: Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Side 1
SCHUMANN: Of Foreign Countries and People - Side 2
Barbra L. Nov 4, 2009, 9:44am EST
Hella: Their web site address is: - www.deltaentertainment.com, and the design for the CD cover is by Mick Kanjanakaset.
Hella K. Nov 4, 2009, 6:34pm EST
Oh, thank you so much, Barbra. I'm always on the look-out for more classical music. I will look into all your suggestions.

Did you study the Piano from childhood ?? You must have shown musical and artistic talent from a very early age.
I played the recorder for a few years; I have always wanted to play the piano. I introduced my two sons to the piano. One gave up, the younger turned to drums and still plays in a band. He is very talented.
Barbra L. Nov 5, 2009, 11:25am EST
Yes, I have studied piano since childhood (age 10); however, I love the flute and violin and have taken lessons in both genres, but my true love is piano. I'm glad to know of the musical instrument you played. The recorder is a type of flute and is a wonderful foundational instrument to begin piano instruction. I'm sure you would be an excellent candidate for piano, especially with your desire being in that genre. How grand that you introduced your sons to it! Perhaps your older one will return to it one day. I think it's grand, too, that your younger one found what he loved in the drums! Sometimes, the learning of one percussive instrument, such as the piano, can lead to more success and joy in the learning of another percussive instrument, such as the drums. The instruction of piano is the initial instrument of many artists, amateur and professional, who've made this transition. Have a good day!
Hella K. Nov 12, 2009, 4:38pm EST
Dear Barbra ~ thank you so much for responding back to me, I only just found you.
I am not surprised you are so musically gifted. You are an all round artistic person, if I may put it that way.
I love James Galway's recordings; he is quite the master of the flute, would you agree ??
I also enjoy listening to Jim Williams playing classical guitar.
Barbra L. Nov 12, 2009, 7:33pm EST
Oh yes! He is a master flautist [flutist]. You've quite a "refined" taste in music. I like that! ;-)

You've also introduced me to someone new in the classical guitar genre in Jim Williams. I will find his recordings and get back with you about him, for I so love classical guitar music. One winter piece I adore is one I must ask you about. Are you familiar with IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER - from Christina Rosetti's poem? Gustav Holst wrote the music. Ron Harris Publications from Music MarketPlace has a lovely, lovely compostion of it. Thank you so much for your lovely compliments. That's so very kind of you.
Sheila Deeth Nov 9, 2009, 11:54pm EST
Seems like the best freewrite is when you're free to follow your muse. Very nice.
Barbra L. Nov 10, 2009, 10:16am EST
Thank you, Sheila. I agree.
Barbary Chaapel Nov 15, 2009, 10:49pm EST

You are a woman of many talents, Barbra.

Barbra L. Nov 16, 2009, 9:31am EST
I dare say the same of you, Barbary! ;-)

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.