Alfor's Rarities

[alfor]

Dear fleubis, Frank, Timtin,

always good to get some feedback! Thank you!

Of course pianophilia was already an interesting place with lots of interesting scores,
before I became a member!! So just search the archive and you will find
a lot of treasures you may have missed!

All best

alfor

[alfor]

Bernhard SEKLES (German composer, 1872-1934; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhard_Sekles; http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhard_Sekles)
Skizzen op. 10

Sekles Skizzen op.10.pdf

conservative style with some hints of individuality though

[alfor]

Bernhard SEKLES
Erste Suite op. 34

Sekles Erste Suite op.34.pdf

mildly contemporary; easily accessible; well-written; interesting!

[alfor]

Sigfrid Walther MÜLLER (German composer, 1905-1946, died as a soviet prisoner of war; pupil of Karg-Elert, Baresel, Hochkofler, Ramin)
Variationen und Rondo über ein Thema von Haydn op. 22

Müller, S.W. Variationen op.22.pdf

Variations XII to XIV and the Rondo Finale are really good; the beginning is not up to this standard imho.

[fleubis]

An interesting piece, the MÜLLER variations. It starts out like a Clementi sonatina but doesn't take long to let us know that it's a 20th century piece.I think the variations vary considerably in quality, but much fun to play. in addition to the variations Alfor likes, I the 5th.

[tobyjj]

Dear Alfor,

Thank you for your daily pleasures - I do not stand in the same league as Dr. Frank or Fleubis to comment with musicological critique (though I listen [read] with interest their comments). I basically categorise your music as hard, very hard or impossible - this is entirely subjective of course since I have little manual dexterity, almost no time for this important hobby and perhaps consequently, no patience in practicising.

I find, however, that contrary to my expectations (and I must admit I do not print out every piece you post - physical space does not permit it), that the mere fact that I have "what I believed to be impossible pieces" are slowly, (very slowly 'tis true), becoming less and less impossible - and for this I thank you enormously. The belief that these pieces are eventually achievable is assisted greatly by the feedback you get from the likes of Frank and Fleubis. I am - a little late in life, perhaps, just beginning to understand what I could have done if I had been given these opportunities earlier in my life.

The real pleasure for me is that I have a young (3rd time) family - your postings, howver garbled I might make them sound, have given my family the opportunities and enthusiasm to improve on them. That is something I am really grateful for. When a seven year old tells me I've played one of your pieces incorrectly, it delights me to know that he is right - and that he knows!

Regards,
tobyjj

[alfor]

Dear tobyjj,

thank for your extensive post!
My postings are indeed intended to bring you a bit of pleasure - and I hope this goal will be achieved, although todays postings are at least of medium difficulty.

Best regards

alfor

[alfor]

Posted as an example of the piano writing of a little known woman composer:

Grete von ZIERITZ (Austrian-German pianist and composer, 1899-2001;
pupil of Mojsisovics von Mojsvár, Schreker, Krause, Breithaupt)
Präludium und Fuge (c-moll)

Zieritz Präl.&F.pdf

Powerful post-Brahms/Reger style

[alfor]

Gerhard F. (Fürchtegott) WEHLE (forgotten German composer, 1884-1973; composed more than 100 opus numbers, op. 100 being a piano piece on the name "Casadesus"; best known for his 2 books on Improvisation op. 21a&b)
Ballade op. 4 Nr. 1

Wehle Ballade op.4,1.pdf

Should better be called "Elegia funebre" or "Tragic Elegy".
Begins with dramatic "gestures" rather than a flowing melody; middle section with the ostinato "F" shows an affiliation with Suk/Novak; might be played to some effect by a pianist with a vivid musical imagination.

[fleubis]

Indeed, Alfor, the Zieritz is definitely in the Reger tradition with the thick textures and chromaticism, but more pianistic than Reger's piano writing. I did also played through the Wehle piece and although well written, it seems to be a very difficult piece to pull off and definitely not something I would try, not being a fan of dirges or funeral marches. Chopin's and Alkan's funeral marches are quite enough for me.

I am glad to see that folks like Tobijj are willing to give your postings a try, Alfor, as they much to offer pianists at all levels.