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10-01-2013, 13:48
Universal Exhibition Concert Erard Grand Piano serial number 16406 - Year 1844  Concert Erard Grand Exhibition Model 1844 Was completed and presented at the Great Exhibition in Paris in 1844 where Erard won the gold medal for his exceptional pianos! We have thus so far uncovered and located all pianos that were exhibited in this year by Erard. Case of sculpted golden oak in gothic style, on three pillars legs sculpted in similar designs! The front Name fall board is thick Ebony inlaid with Name of Erard being in Gold and surrounded by silver inlay... For more photos and info see full Story. 10-01-2013, 11:35
Concert grand pianoforte made by John Broadwood and sons serial number 7076 year 1816.  Beethoven's Grand piano was 7362 making the one you see 286 pianos away from this piano that was made! This piano was privately owned and purchased by the Broadwood family as it was the exact same closest model to the one that was made for Beethoven! The 1816 Broadwood grand, serial number 7076, is the same model as the piano made the following year, number 7362, and given to Beethoven. Thomas Broadwood, son of the original John Broadwood, met Beethoven during a visit to the continent in 1817. As a result of the meeting, he decided to present one of the firm’s pianos to the composer... For more photos and info see full Story. 3-01-2013, 08:41
Before the time of television and the internet, live music performances were a primary form of entertainment. Performances were held in private homes, as well as concert halls. Many rivalries formed among pianists and composers. This created a unique angle for entertainment as individuals could then debate the merits of each musician and choose sides. One of the more famous piano duels was held between Franz Liszt and Sigismond Thalberg.
 The rivalry first began in 1836 when Liszt had written a critical review of Thalberg’s most recent concert held in Paris. Though the rivalry was a friendly one, a few scathing remarks were made to the press from time to time, most often by Liszt. Meetings of the two were frequent and were always cordial. Liszt even spent time as a guest in Thalberg’s family home near Vienna in the spring of 1838.  The Gazette musicale announced the program on March 26. “The greatest interest will be without question the simultaneous appearance of two talents whose rivalry at this time agitates the musical world, and is like the indecisive balance between Rome and Carthage.” On the evening of March 31, 1837, Princess Cristina Belgiojoso held a benefit concert for Italian refugees in her Paris salon. Though many musicians performed, the rivalry between Liszt and Thalberg took center stage that evening. So, which pieces were played? Here opinions and sources differ. Some say Liszt began his portion of the concert with his “Grand Gallop Chromatique” and that Thalberg countered with his fantasy variations on Bellini’s “Norma.” Harold C Schonberg mentions Liszt playing his Niobe Fantasia and Thalberg his Moses Fantasia. American pianist Steven Mayer´s re-creation of the duel on the ASV label (1993) suggests the following works. Thalberg: Divertimento on favourite themes by Rossini, Op. 18 “Les Soirées Musica” Fantasia on “God Save the Queen”, Op. 27 Liszt: Divertissement sur la cavatine “I tuoi frequenti palpiti” by Pacini, S. 419 Transcription of Konzertstück in F minor by Weber Harmonies poétiques et réligieuses, S. 173 no 3, Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude Unbeknownst to the other pianist, each one had prepared a new composition to play as their final piece of the night. Liszt’s “Reminiscences de Roberts le Diable” by Meyerbeer is the more well known of the two compositions played that evening. Thalberg’s new piece was “Fantasy” Op. 33, based on Rossini’s “Moise.” The evening was regarded as a draw. ... For more info and complete Article see Full Story. 17-08-2012, 13:08
Alex Szilasi and Olivier Mallory
Two exceptional pianists like Olivier Mallory and Alex Szilasi started working together to reconquer lost repetoires of romantic pianistic works.  The use of period pianos in todays society of music knowledge, they are showing another side of the sound for the works written and transcribed for the piano of four hands or two pianos. However the arrangements of Symphonic works for piano went being forgotten and left behind! Anyway, geniuses like Kalkbrenner, Schubert, Liszt, Brahms, Ravel, or Tchaikowski, all created masterpieces that deserve to be interpreted by artists with a talent not common, who have the humility and inspiration to revive the music of the Old Salons. In doing so , the great pianists of the times sold their hearts to the ladies from the periods and as well sustained the success and evolutions of the the great Pianoforte makers of the time! Follow them, meet their Salons Spirits with these two young musicians. Meet the Pianists who will turn you heads and your hearts, with their charms, knowledge and their talents! Repertoire for Four Hands and Two pianos interpreted by Alex Szilasi and Olivier Mallory The Symphonies Transcriptions of : L. V. Beethoven P.I. Tschaikowsky J. Brahms Works for Four Hands and two Pianos: W.A. Mozart J Brahms F. Schubert P.I. Tschaikowsky S. Rachmaninov F. Kalkbrenner and other romantique composers Contact Olivier Mallory +33 (0) 6 11207683 or +33 (0) 238558853 or E-mail : concerts@palacepianos.eu For more info and complete Article see Full Story. |
