Pianophilia

We are presumably all aware of Thalberg's contributions to the piano literature in terms of the 'bel canto' style of composition/performing (often referred to as the 'three-hand effect' I believe).

But other than those works by Thalberg, could somebody more qualified suggest pieces by other composers that exploit this method of composition particularly well. I'm sure there are many examples, but the uninitiated usually hears only about Thalberg.

Any suggestions for strong repertoire?

Thanks
4c

Liszt's transcriptions - particularly Mendelssohn's 'On Wings of Song'.

Regards
Fred

I have never heard of Thalberg's three handed effect referred to as bel canto. I think these are separate things. Two non-Thalberg examples would be Mendelssohn's Prelude in E minor and Liszt's Un Sospiro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7yTwaragbI

Thanks for these suggestions. Please keep them coming!

lebowl wrote:I have never heard of Thalberg's three handed effect referred to as bel canto. I think these are separate things.

Just goes to show that I am one of the uninitiated

4c

Liszt's transcriptions on his own songs may fit into this category, particularly
Il m'aimait tant! S533, a really beautiful piece imo.
See EMB Liszt 1/15 for the score and Naxos Liszt Piano Music Vol.44 for the CD.

http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp ... e=8.573557

The Romance sans Paroles Op.56 by Mel Bonis (Mélanie Hélène Bonis) is a good example of how the left and right hands alternate every two notes to play the melody as the fingers of both hands accompany in both treble and bass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Skm2OQ7n50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G4wLP64qA8 slightly slower and from Naxos of America, so not available elsewhere.

http://imslp.org/wiki/Romance_sans_paro ... onis,_Mel)


Bel canto with regard to the piano means to produce a beautiful, singing tone, as a singer from a Bellini or Donizetti opera would and as Chopin taught.

Thalberg composed a collection of 24 transcriptions of mostly arias from operas to practice producing a 'singing touch', L'art du chant appliqué au piano Op.70. IMSLP doesn't seem to have the complete set, but all 24 are here:

https://app.box.com/s/99vut0mapaibptlq357n

And thanks to the generous person who did the original scanning and posting.


jeremy

Many thanks for these responses and for the examples given.

In regards to this 'bel canto' repertoire, my question was prompted by the research and performances of the excellent young Finnish pianist Satu Paavola, who is making a specialty of bel canto and is performing Thalberg and Alkan at this year's Raritäten der Klaviermusik festival in Husum - a festival I would love the privilege to attend one day!

Thanks
4c