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Author
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Topic: Chopin's "Tristesse" on Hawaiian steel
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Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 12 March 2006 10:55 AM
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From the album reviewed in this thread - here's a true gem, a recording from 1939 of Chopin's "Tristesse", performed by Mori Totte (pianist unknown). While there are many good and interesting tracks on this compilation of French "Hawaiian" guitar music from the '30s, this one really got under my skin. Tristesse Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
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Roy Thomson
Member From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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posted 12 March 2006 12:44 PM
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Steinar,
Thanks for putting this peice up as I was not aware of it. The player really understands the music as evidenced by his
expression and dynamics.What amazes me most is that I play this too
but on my E9th Pedal Steel. The arrangement
is close to identical but of course it should be as we both used the Chopin music
notation. Beautiful music indeed! Thanks again. ------------------
http://www.clictab.com/RoyT/Roy_Thomson_Steel_Courses.htm |
David Doggett
Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 12 March 2006 01:06 PM
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This is interesting. I have some Chopin and Mozart worked up on my S12 uni, but I don't yet have equipment for digital recording and posting. This piece raises the question of how to approach classical music on a steel guitar. This player does a lot of sliding into and out of notes, and uses glisses between notes, which is all very typical steel playing, but not so typical of classical music. In gypsy style solo violin (Zigurnerweisin [sp.?]), there is a similar style; but mostly in classical music, regardless of the instrument, the notes are hit dead on, and long glisses are not used. So when I play classical music on steel, I try to stick with the classical style mostly, but occassionally cannot resist a nice gliss, even a chord gliss. Any opinions on this dilemma?The other dilemma I have found is: how to use the volume pedal? Without a volume pedal, or by leaving the pedal in the same spot mostly, one can play steel in a percussive style similar to a piano. On the other hand, using the volume for sustain, one can play in a continuous sustain style similar to an organ, or like bowed strings. What should we do? |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 17 March 2006 08:38 AM
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A bump for "Tristesse" - I love the way Totte gives it a slightly "bluesy" (or something) vibe by sliding into the notes as much as he does. It really fits the melody, IMHO... Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights |
Mike Neer
Member From: NJ
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posted 17 March 2006 08:47 AM
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I've always been very intrigued by the earliest recordings of Hawaiian guitar--not the 'hot' stuff, but the waltzes and orchestral pieces. I always gravitated back to it, like I was haunted by it and I've always wanted to a record like that, with some tangos and other dance pieces, as well. Maybe, one day...but again, it would be purely a labor of love.Anyway, thanks for that. If I ever find a spare minute, I'll record some of the 78s that I've accumulated in that vein.[This message was edited by Mike Neer on 17 March 2006 at 08:48 AM.] |
John D. Carter
Member From: Ohio, USA
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posted 17 March 2006 03:39 PM
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David, I think that much of the beauty and uniqueness of the steel guitar sound is the slide, so I would not go to too much trouble to supress it even if I were playing classical music. I wish I had enough courage to attempt Mozart or Chopin on steel. I have enough trouble with it on piano, let alone steel! I hope you can learn to record digitally, because I think we would all enjoy hearing your classical renditions. | |
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