[chu42]

Here is my performance of Chopin-Godowsky Etude No.1:

Do you think these should be performed more? I find some (not all) of them very interesting.

 

[mbhaub]

Years ago Marco Polo released several disks of Godowsky's music, originals and these arrangements. If we take an etude to be a piece to teach and train a particular skill, I'd say he did a good job. They shouldn't replace the originals, but if a pianist wants to show off, there's hardly better material. Nice playing, by the way.

My favorite Godowsky story: he was being interviewed and asked: who are the greatest living pianists? His answer: "The other one is Franz Schmidt." Schmidt is one of my absolute favorite composers and was well known as a cellist and pianist. For Godowsky to name Schmidt next to himself was something!

 

[Mandryka]

Godowsky also wrote his own versions of the Chopin preludes. Not my cup of tea - either the preludes or the etudes. Too many notes.

 

[hammeredklavier]

Chopin-Godowsky Op.10 No.1 = enjoyable extensions of the original
Chopin-Brahms Op.25 No.2 = Blasphemy

 

[Phil loves classical]

I wouldn't call it blasphemy, but I don't find it an improvement on the original.

 

[chu42]

Chopin-Godowsky Op.10 No.1 = enjoyable extensions of the original
Chopin-Brahms Op.25 No.2 = Blasphemy

What about Reger

 

[hammeredklavier]

What about Reger

"Special"

 

[chu42]

"Special"

I rather like this one.

 

[hammeredklavier]

I rather like this one.

Yeah, I remember seeing it long ago. "The Revolutionary Thirds".

 

[tbhiggins22]

I’ve never thought much of the Godowsky-Chopins. Musically they just don’t do it for me. But imho, Godowsky’s original music is hugely underrated. The Passacaglia and E minor sonata are masterpieces, especially when Hamelin plays them.

 

[lextune]

Godowsky also wrote his own versions of the Chopin preludes.

Is this true?

 

[Mandryka]

Is this true?

No. It was my mistake. I was confusing preludes and waltzes.

Chopin-Godowsky - Arrangements of Select Waltzes - YouTube