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  4. Bosendorfer & alto flute demos by Jay Bacal

  • Bosendorfer & alto flute demos by Jay Bacal

    H
    H
    Jay did a great performance of
    Karol Szymanowski's Piano Etude op 4 No3.
    http://www.vsl.co.at/Player2.aspx?Lang=13&DemoId=4984

    This piece shows off nicely the full dynamic range of our Bosendorfer.
    Jay used the distant-mike version, but he also offered the midifile to experiment with the close version or any other mixes if you like.

    The second piece
    Toru Takemitsu's Toward the Sea II-- the Cape Cod
    is featuring the alto flute, harp and sordino strings.
    http://www.vsl.co.at/Player2.aspx?Lang=13&DemoId=4985

    thanks a lot Jay!
    Herb
  • G
    G
    Jay,

    Programing the Szymanowski must of taken you ages?! And on top of that you make it sound so well without playing any of it live, at least that's what I understand.

    Very warm sound the Takemitsu. Nicely done!

    I hope many more people will comment as a LOT of hard work went into these peaces giving the rest of us hope that our time is well spent here. [[;)]]
  • J
    J
    Indeed-- job very well done, Jay. I'm glad that Guy chimed in-- he certainly knows how much work it takes-- and the results!! Very beautiful.

    I must also add that I appreciate so much the choice of music you guys offer as demos. The Takemistu was truly wonderful-- a very "yummy" sound on the mix-- nice and warm, to use Guy's term.

    And I thought that Szymanowski had all but been forgotten these days. All of his Etude's for piano are fantastic, having recalled Rubenstein's days when he played quite a few of them. I've done 2-3 myself, but that was many years ago. Nice to hear #4 again.

    Bravo!
  • M
    M
    I wonder for what string orchestra size Takemitsu wrote for? To me it sounds too thick. In my ear Chamber strings would feel more appropriate to the music, but I don't know the score.
  • JBacalJ
    JBacalJ
    Thanks Guy, JWL and Mathis.

    Mathis– I agree 100% that a chamber size for the strings would have been superior. But Takemitsu specifically called for the strings to be con sordino. I chose to try to capture the intended “color” over the appropriate “size.” Someday we may have muted chamber strings for a no-compromise solution.

    JWL– I’m very glad you enjoyed hearing the Szymanowski. It is such a terrific piece and deserves to be more widely known.

    Guy– God blessed me with a love for fine piano playing but unfortunately I was only given a thimble full of real pianistic ability. I tried to capture the exquisite voicing and expressive and flexible phrasing of one my favorite piantists– Van Cliburn. So this version is the way I wish I could play it– if I only had the chops.

    Best,
    Jay
  • R
    R
    Great work Jay. I have never heard the Takemitsu piece (too bad for me). It was provactive and I must admit a bit of a 'muse' for me for upcoming projects.

    Many thanks.

    Rob
  • J
    J
    Very nice playing in the Szymanowski: never heard the piece before...

    On to the Takemitsu
  • D
    D
    I enjoyed the Takemitsu immensly! A few years ago I went through a period where I was obsessed with Takemitsu and listened to everything of his that I could find. Somehow I missed this piece, though. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

    I'm relatively new to VSL (I only have Chamber Strings so far) but I think it was your demos that finally convinced me to take the plunge.
  • L
    L
    Jay, what a remarquable work you did, especially with the Takemitsu strings !