Amber No.8 - Burleske [After Richard Strauss' Burleske in D Minor for piano and orchestra, Op.11]

Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949)

 

Richard Strauss' Burleske in D minor was not known to me until I heard an excerpt of it on the VHS biography on Sviatoslav Richter, "Richter The Enigma". That excerpt contained the formidable coda with machine-gun like repeat notes - a torrent - played with great speed and intensity by Richter.

 

Cast in a single movement, it is not a true concerto but a burleske. There are some elegant waltz-like segments and superb interplay between the soloist and orchestra. Apparently, it was thought to be unplayable at one point.

 

It only contains that brief uninterrupted cadenza at the end and thus has fallen a bit by the wayside compared to some of the other D minor compositions that I adore.

 

Nevertheless, as I have matured, the orchestral portions are able to appeal to me with greater effect and my appreciation of the piece as a whole has increased.

 

The recordings of this work are few and my only version is by Ian Hobson and the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Norman Del Mar.

Today, I had the honour of seeing Argreich play this piece through:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsrUTiy7Jl8

 

and

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcuHODc7Rd4

 

It is truely fantastic!!!!! A must see!!!

 

No wonder it was thought to be unplayable at one point!!! Argerich works really hard in this piece, yet her spontaneous and "impetuous" style is not lost. I love Martha!!!!!

 

She has changed my interpretation of this piece!!!!

Kelvin. you are a musical lover, and it it probably affecting your photography... this is a beautiful example, but not the only one.... many of them are musical photography.;-)) glad to see your work again.

Mastering the beauty of life, I can see the power of those wonderful eyes my friend!

Best regards, Catalin

Creative work.What an amazing Immaculate eyes she has.

 

Well looking to camera.She is looking to tired in my opinion and Its a point for this shot ( Am I right ? ) . Yet I think that you could have richer and stronger colors in your shot.Stronger red colors and also stronger color for hair could made it more attractive in my opinion.Well done with your camera , Man !

 

Best Wishes

Not the best eye contact from Amber. Well, all photos are not created equal (:-))!!! It is different from the others with respect to colour etc... because it was processed by Julia Francisco and not Owen Bruce. Julia is also a fantastic retoucher and leave a bit more skin textures, which I love. Nice hearing from you, Afshin!

... a warm Image, and a beauty.... great light, Kevin.... her hair and eye color are complimented by the hooded jacket.... "crank up the Hendrix and wrap it up with Miles"... Cheers!

Fragrance of Beauty.