Charles Ives: Piano Sonata No.1, 1st Movement (Eric Xi Xin Liang)

Recorded on June 8th, 2024. This is a piece I learned back in 2021, so I simply spent 1 - 2 hours relearning it up to speed, though I have little recollection of what it sounded like before. What I do know is that, before, I recorded it at home such that I had to play very lightly on the keys so it was flawed mainly in that aspect.
So, it's been a while since my last upload, but I was busy learning pieces nonetheless. I learned two more A-tier piano sonatas by Medtner but didn't have much motivation to record them. I also got to the 80% mark of a large-scale Sorabji piece but I need to write a possibly ML-based program to do some data analysis on the themes and motifs because I cannot trivially deduce them.
It's so much easier to play music by Ives now after playing so much by Sorabji. Both piano sonatas by Ives are among the most unique and outstanding in all of piano repertoire, especially the second piano sonata. The prosaic nature of these pieces by Ives are very fitting of the music I like and play, drawing comparisons with Turandot and Sorabji's music in general. I haven't done a thorough analysis of the thematic composition of this movement yet so it's still a bit mystifying how all these seemingly disparate sections connect together meaningfully, but it's all so attractive. I have done a thorough analysis and read-through of some papers that focus on the thematic analysis of Ives' Piano Sonata No.2 though, so expect another recording in a few hours of "II. Hawthorne". Few of you may know this, but I had recorded "I. Emerson", "III. The Alcotts", and "IV. Thoreau" back in 2021 but they suffered from the same light touch (which is kind of the antithesis of these sonatas). Knowing what I know about the extensive thematic "borrowing" that's present in the second piano sonata, I already know the second piano sonata is actually surprisingly thematically tight, which may surprise a certain percentage of new listeners since a lot of it may sound random. Thus, I have some reasonable assurance that it's similar for this first piano sonata.
I'm not sure really how to describe this music... uncanny and weird, but quite homely? Nevertheless, I love it. Just listen to that rhythmic thrashing and sweeping at 4:05 all the way to 5:49.
[DISCLAIMER] If you're unfamiliar with this style of music, it is suggested that you go through the description of this previous video for the necessary background: • Kaikhosru Sorabji: Gul...
All movements from Opus Clavicembalisticum I've recorded: • Kaikhosru Sorabji: Opu...
All works by Sorabji I've recorded: • Sorabji Piano Recordin...
At time of recording, Eric is a full-time software engineer working in Big Tech and AI, graduated from the University of Waterloo, Computer Science major.
@musicforever60_official on IG: / musicforever60_official
#piano #music #ives

[@KaikhosruShapurjiMedtner]

Nice Ives Drop. I really like your channel.

[@arissoks]

Finally some ives definitely one of my favorite obscure composers

[@composerjalen]

Hugely based Ives posting, hypnotic piece. Is another performance of Sonata No. 2 in its entirety coming in the future? I imagine you'd have a much deeper sound now, definitely interested in how you'll play the full thing.

[@Musicforever60]

Very likely, since all the other movements are very quick and easy to relearn.

[@Lircking]

I want the A tier medtnerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@zekeyeager445]

amazing music as usual! also, by any chance can you upload your recordings to spotify? especially your medtner... listening via youtube takes up a lot of data.

[@Musicforever60]

when I have time

[@lightningbolt4419]

Excellent.

[@DimaDima-sz4tp]

That’s excellent

[@cbroooonze]

perpect

[@peterkovacs9951]

What do the circled notes mean?

[@peterkovacs9951]

oh barely audible I see

[@Musicforever60]

localized dynamics