Many years ago I caught this piece (solo on piano) for the first time, on the radio in the car on my way home from some where, I forget where. I do remember I stopped the car and listened transfixed. This was back in the pre-internet days, and I wrote down the name of the piece and the artist. I then spent many fruitless hours trawling round record shops (remember those anyone?) searching for the recording. Years later it still moves me in the same way. It lifts the spirit and brings a smile on the worst of winter days. Thanks Alessandro for sharing this wonderful performance.
Thank you very much! I’m very glad you enjoyed my performance after so many years you were looking for this piece! The piano solo version is so rarely performed, and that’s a pity, since it is a wonderful piece!
BRAVO!!!!!! Sir you are a MAESTRO. (If only the woman behind you would take a few moments to enjoy your performance instead of playing with her cellphone...sad)
For many years it's been my ambition to learn this piece - and this video proves to me that it's actually humanly possible. Thank you for such a stunning performance.
This is basically the Espadero piano solo version (you can find it on Petrucci Music Library), I only added a few things (just noted with a pencil) in order to be more faithful to the original version
I don‘t know how you managed to play the entire piece, i die after the exposition, its so incredibly tiring for the hands without a second of break time…. 🤯😭
It’s a matter of very small movements you must learn slowly, first. Each chord/octave should be a different hand fall on the keys. Try to connect more falls through a rebound of your hand (think like you are drawing a circle with your wrist!). If you properly fall with your hand in the first part of the movement, and you take advantage from the consequent rebound in the second part of the movement, you should never be “tired”. Try slowly to master these small movements, first. Remember that faster you go, less visible to your eyes the movements will be (but they always exist!)
@@AlessandroMarinoPianist thanks a lot! Other question: i notice you combined the Esposito solo version with the piano/orchestra „original“ version (especially beginning and end). Do you know where to find the original piano score? IMSLP doesnt host it… I once found the entire orchestra score (I think a reorchestration of a lost manuscript) but cant find it again… How long did it take you to learn the entire piece? I MIGHT try to learn an abbreviated version recorded by Jia Wang (one of the only ones here on YT, you might be familiar with it…) Stay awesome!!🤩❤️
@@Lucky_AL yes, I combined the two versions, but I had to proceed by ear, since I couldn’t find the original score! Can’t remember exactly how long I took to learn everything, 2-3 months I think. But in order to master everything like for that show, of course more live performances are needed.
How many different solo piano versions of this are there anyway? At least 4 that I've found on RU-vid and that's not including the orchestral accompanied versions on top of that.
I only know the one of Espadero, a friend of Gottschalk himself. In some cases (like in the end) I added something, because my aim was to emulate the piano and orchestra version :D
@@AlessandroMarinoPianist Yes. I think this piece leaves itself totally open to numerous interpretations. I've seen this performed with piano and theater organ (guess that's where my interest in it came from) and I've heard recordings by others in the same genre, and they're all different to some degree. It's an awesome piece no matter how it's arranged!
