Enescu was one of the most naturally gifted musicians in history. His pupil, Yehudi Menuhin, described him as the "Absolute by which I judge all others... the most extraordinary human being, the greatest musician and the most formative influence I have ever experienced." Famously, when Ravel asked him to play through his new violin sonata in 1927, the two of them ran through the 3 movements, after which Enescu closed his part and said "and now from memory". They then played the entire work again, Enescu playing the virtuosic violin part from memory after a single play-though. The 'Carillon Nocturne' movement (29:10) of the Op. 18 suite is something of a miracle: Enescu seems to have notated actual bell sonorities with such precision that the piano actually transforms into bells! It's an amazing piece.
Very good observation JoshScores. Many pieces e.g. Enescu's Mazurk Mélancolique in this suite share a strong gypsy influence like Brahms' late piano pieces. I noticed strong similarities to the third Intermezzo Reger op. 45 for piano. Similar textures, harmonic freedom, pushing the limits of tonality but especially the influence of Bach and heavy use of counterpoint is present in all three composers.
![[Sviatoslav Richter] Schubert: Wanderer Fantasy for Piano](/img/n.gif)
Enescu was one of the most naturally gifted musicians in history. His pupil, Yehudi Menuhin, described him as the "Absolute by which I judge all others... the most extraordinary human being, the greatest musician and the most formative influence I have ever experienced." Famously, when Ravel asked him to play through his new violin sonata in 1927, the two of them ran through the 3 movements, after which Enescu closed his part and said "and now from memory". They then played the entire work again, Enescu playing the virtuosic violin part from memory after a single play-though. The 'Carillon Nocturne' movement (29:10) of the Op. 18 suite is something of a miracle: Enescu seems to have notated actual bell sonorities with such precision that the piano actually transforms into bells! It's an amazing piece.
What absolutely beautiful pieces.
Not too far from the sound world of Brahms or Reger, actually.
It's miles away from the sound world of either, in fact.
Very good observation JoshScores. Many pieces e.g. Enescu's Mazurk Mélancolique in this suite share a strong gypsy influence like Brahms' late piano pieces. I noticed strong similarities to the third Intermezzo Reger op. 45 for piano. Similar textures, harmonic freedom, pushing the limits of tonality but especially the influence of Bach and heavy use of counterpoint is present in all three composers.
😂😂
😂
The appasionata reminds me a lot of Scriabin etude 12
Echoes of Scriabin 0p.11 number 13 at the beginning, for me anyway.
mf just laughed at the composition :skull: