tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post1397996598593514899..comments2022-04-09T00:31:22.253-07:00Comments on SongLiedMélodie: Poland: ChopinMilagro Vargashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06214003518842959245noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-46277386126066044802017-04-13T11:11:44.284-07:002017-04-13T11:11:44.284-07:00I haven't been exposed to Polish art song-- I ...I haven't been exposed to Polish art song-- I sang Szymanowski's King Roger in Polish, but I honestly don't know that I've ever heard a Chopin song so hearing these were quite a treat. I understand Poland has a great love for Chopin. Only knowing some of his piano music, I can hear his perspective as a pianist writing for voice, even in the simplicity in chordal textures in the piano--the chords are full and explore different voicings, and then the interludes become more active. It does make me curious, though, to see if his other songs are more virtuosic in the piano part? I love the nuance and sensitivity that comes through in these performances. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09876932994551415352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-48138952516669594742017-04-12T10:47:55.430-07:002017-04-12T10:47:55.430-07:00I am so curious about the rest of Chopin's out...I am so curious about the rest of Chopin's output now! It definitely sounds like these songs stem from dance traditions, however the interaction of the voice and piano sounds much more in the classical style, where the piano acts as a harmonic and rhythmic accompaniment to the voice, rather than as an independent character as in the german romantic tradition. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00065762252228265627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-69351617807279680342017-04-12T00:33:51.319-07:002017-04-12T00:33:51.319-07:00This is the first time I have heard Chopin's s...This is the first time I have heard Chopin's songs, and I must say I love them! In a similar vain to his piano music, there are obvious uses of different dance rhythms; these rhythms give it a strong folk character.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10629281916696406316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-6247430626776090572017-04-11T21:51:03.352-07:002017-04-11T21:51:03.352-07:00Lovely songs. They are obviously based on dance r...Lovely songs. They are obviously based on dance rhythms from Chopin's native Poland. For a pianist, these pieces are quite removed from his later mature style that he developed while living in Paris, but the performances were heartfelt and sincere.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09136176601916939434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-67920321408073343662017-04-11T21:49:24.286-07:002017-04-11T21:49:24.286-07:00I love 'Girl's Wish.' It sounds so eas...I love 'Girl's Wish.' It sounds so easy and innocent. I think that both performers did a wonderful job with the tempos of their pieces. The pulling back during the verses and the speeding through the interludes, felt very youthful. <br /><br />The last piece still has a sort of innocence just like No. 1. I love the elegant way the pianist does the turns in this piece. Both of these are wonderful songs.Ashleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646944849660805571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-12943469267111814792015-04-13T10:54:06.882-07:002015-04-13T10:54:06.882-07:00I grew up loving Chopin's piano music. How del...I grew up loving Chopin's piano music. How delightful to listen to these pieces. There is a lyricism in both and within each piece, an intertwining dance of the piano and voice. This reminds me very much of the wanderer in Nature very present in German Romanticism and both Schubert and Schumann were instantly brought to mind when listening to 'Girl's Wish'. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13312607994439881644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-73279092099769242952015-04-13T00:47:27.710-07:002015-04-13T00:47:27.710-07:00Connie, I love what you wrote about these pieces b...Connie, I love what you wrote about these pieces being heard in a salon setting. I think that is the perfect description for them! I love the way Chopin writes his vocal pieces with so much intimacy between performers and audience. I thought that was really tangible in these performances.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01107936528326630908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-73531324792029040882015-04-13T00:01:55.111-07:002015-04-13T00:01:55.111-07:00For "The Maiden's Wish", I like the ...For "The Maiden's Wish", I like the version Elzbieta Szmytka more because the faster tempo makes the music more joyful and sparkling. There is a transcription on this song by Liszt and it features a few variations. It's also very nice!<br /><br />I remember that Chopin preferred performing in salons than in concerts. I think these songs would work quite well as salon music. When listening to these songs, I could almost imagine Chopin playing the piano and a lady singing (perhaps a bit of dancing). Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02722786123444134873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-67550630356776316222015-04-12T14:30:35.635-07:002015-04-12T14:30:35.635-07:00What strikes me about these settings is that they ...What strikes me about these settings is that they sound like Chopin solo piano pieces with a voice singing the melody that we would often hear in the right hand of the piano. The musical setting also doesn't sound very closely tied to the text. Because of the dance rhythms in the music, this gives these settings a rather nationalistic or folk-like characteristic. Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15671034464686286401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-36364925827904132202015-04-11T21:53:07.656-07:002015-04-11T21:53:07.656-07:00Chopin's songs have a beautiful, intimate qual...Chopin's songs have a beautiful, intimate quality. The recordings brought images of liederabend to my mind. The delicate rubato in "where she love's" piano and vocal line are stunning in this recording.abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04095205161106464027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-53215784184558928652013-04-21T04:50:01.529-07:002013-04-21T04:50:01.529-07:00It is impressive how "the lyrical" seems...It is impressive how "the lyrical" seems to come so naturally for Chopin. It is true that folk dances are present (waltzes, mazurkas, polonaises), but there is always that element of the human voice singing, the natural timing of speech, that seems to permeate this piece (Girl's Wish).<br /><br />And, most strikingly, the same characteristics apply to his piano works! It is not surprising to find that he encouraged his students to learn how to sing, since it is a huge intrinsic part of his compositional style!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11928915607945788740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-51580144219366803732013-04-19T11:10:55.343-07:002013-04-19T11:10:55.343-07:00One of my favorite compositional techniques in Cho...One of my favorite compositional techniques in Chopin's piano music is his use of irregular rhythmic groupings and though the piano writing is more subdued in his song accompaniments, I am glad to see that element still present. "The Girl's Wish" is a lovely, charming piece with a beautiful, naive melody. I enjoyed both of the performances--both sopranos have such lovely voices and wonderful musicality. I did like the ensemble between Szmytka and Martineau better, and loved Martineau's use of rubato in the interludes.Beverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09702466005839384991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-4978113602011595472013-04-15T09:01:45.044-07:002013-04-15T09:01:45.044-07:00Uh, I love "The Wish" so much. What whim...Uh, I love "The Wish" so much. What whimsy! The waltz is ever present in this strophic song. I love that during the interludes, the piano takes over completing the singer's thought. In this recording, I like that the pianist varies weight and time in the turns during the interlude.alysehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00345494536521382478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-46937926650398100922013-04-14T20:50:33.059-07:002013-04-14T20:50:33.059-07:00"Girl's Wish" reminds me of Chopin&#..."Girl's Wish" reminds me of Chopin's waltzes. Though I enjoyed both recordings, I really liked Elzbieta Szmytka's recording. I think she captured the fluidity and charm of Chopin.Vincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15239933636855893060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-13729950767743810462013-04-14T16:35:55.679-07:002013-04-14T16:35:55.679-07:00The similarity in form between the two pieces is v...The similarity in form between the two pieces is very apparent. Like Emily and some others said, there’s a Schubertian feel to Chopin’s style of writing during this time. They are singable, short in length, accessible and not intimidating for singers. The Mazurka rhythms are predominately heard in both pieces and the piano really brings it out between the verses. Brooklynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07198257250052223293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-2350822548159309912013-04-13T21:43:38.994-07:002013-04-13T21:43:38.994-07:00I replaced the second video with another I found a...I replaced the second video with another I found at Youtube of the same performance with Elżbieta Szmytka. Thanks Katie and thanks Emily for letting me know in your comments when a video has been removed.Milagro Vargashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06214003518842959245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-75879618168928469762013-04-13T20:47:44.545-07:002013-04-13T20:47:44.545-07:00I'm so happy to be able to listen to the Chopi...I'm so happy to be able to listen to the Chopin piece again after hearing it in class. I can definitely hear how Chopin's melodies were the focal point of his songs and that the piano parts were surprisingly sparse (as Kimball mentioned). As such a prolific piano composer it's interesting that he did not transfer that into his songs. However, the end result is stunning and I wouldn't change a thing - I'm so sad the other two videos were taken off! I'll have to go explore the rest of the Chopin myself.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04038607953414089701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-75598784322858105162013-04-13T12:45:35.919-07:002013-04-13T12:45:35.919-07:00The vocal line in Op. 74 No. 1 reminds me of Schub...The vocal line in Op. 74 No. 1 reminds me of Schubert in a way - of course it would be that way; how else could it possibly be written? Chopin's lines may be more angular, true, but it fits the character of the piano and the dance feel perfectly. It seems inherently singable, which, given Chopin's vocal influence, makes perfect sense.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108605810950263800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-20168471913054297092009-04-17T13:12:00.000-07:002009-04-17T13:12:00.000-07:00The Swedish polska is very similar to the mazurka,...The Swedish polska is very similar to the mazurka, so theses pieces sound quite familiar to me. The addition of the vocal line to the dance rhythm layers the telling of the story, which makes me think of how folk dancers tell a story as opposed to how singers tell a story.Annikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04717191046929315330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-2782947871482866242009-04-08T16:43:00.000-07:002009-04-08T16:43:00.000-07:00Chopin's lyric line for the voice is elegant yet u...Chopin's lyric line for the voice is elegant yet unpredictable to my ears that are conditioned to expect Western harmonies, patterns, and resolution. Due to this special quality, Chopin's music is at once accessible, beautiful, and full of melodic and harmonic surprises.Sheeryahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13002299414117161772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-23490877164178361092009-04-08T11:25:00.000-07:002009-04-08T11:25:00.000-07:00Ben, thanks for mentioning this. Chopin was deepl...Ben, thanks for mentioning this. Chopin was deeply influenced by the human voice! In fact, in the 1830's when he was in Paris, he was exposed to great performances of opera--Rossini, Bellini, Meryerbeer, etc. He also knew the great singers of the day and the bel canto tradition. It most certainly ended up being a model for his unique style of lyricism.Milagro Vargashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06214003518842959245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-74698704941913153022009-04-08T11:03:00.000-07:002009-04-08T11:03:00.000-07:00Also, without a doubt the most influential thing f...Also, without a doubt the most influential thing for Chopin, was singers. There are countless diary entries where he travelled specifically to concerts to hear singers and how he wrote many of his melodic material (John Field too, in his nocturnes) in the style of a voice. While pianistic, a lot of his embelleshing material (in the nocturnes especially) are based on the way singers do the same.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-51390593315268684812009-04-08T10:55:00.000-07:002009-04-08T10:55:00.000-07:00Another comment about op 74, no. 1. The mazurka pr...Another comment about op 74, no. 1. The mazurka prelude and interludes do not sound as if Chopin had to change anything from composing his almost 60 mazurkas for solo piano to composing a mazurka underneath a vocal line.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-49726647451610840372009-04-08T10:50:00.000-07:002009-04-08T10:50:00.000-07:00(continued) have become more known by their transc...(continued) have become more known by their transcriptions.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3749554298940237935.post-5044638064900347182009-04-08T10:49:00.000-07:002009-04-08T10:49:00.000-07:00Pianists are fortunate to have Chopin's songs pres...Pianists are fortunate to have Chopin's songs preserved through the Liszt transcriptions which are far more performed than in the original version. Just as Liszt's own songs, of which he transcribed for solo piano himself. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Chopin's songsBennoreply@blogger.com