Author: huangbeidan

COMPOSER: Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Performed on June 7th, 2023 at Encinitas Library

Chopin’s Waltz in E minor, B. 56, is a posthumous work likely composed around 1830, during his early years in Warsaw. Unlike many of his more elegant and lighthearted waltzes, this piece carries a sense of melancholy and intensity, blending lyrical expressiveness with virtuosic brilliance.

The waltz begins with a delicate, wistful theme, soon developing into more dramatic and sweeping passages, filled with Chopin’s signature rubato and harmonic richness. The music flows between moments of graceful charm and passionate urgency, reflecting the young composer’s deeply expressive style.

Though unpublished during Chopin’s lifetime, this waltz remains a cherished piece in the repertoire, admired for its poetic depth and bittersweet elegance.

COMPOSER: Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Performed on April 26th, 2023 at Encinitas Library

Schubert’s Fantasie in F minor, D. 940, composed in 1828, is one of his greatest works for piano four hands. Written in the final year of his life, it is a deeply expressive and dramatic piece, blending lyrical beauty with haunting intensity.

The piece opens with a poignant, melancholic theme that recurs throughout, giving the work a sense of unity and longing. The second section introduces a lively, dance-like theme, followed by a deeply expressive, almost hymn-like passage. The music develops with rich harmonic colors and intricate interplay between the two pianists, culminating in a powerful fugue before returning to the sorrowful opening theme.

This Fantasie is often regarded as one of Schubert’s most profound piano compositions, embodying his signature mix of lyricism, drama, and longing, making it a favorite in the four-hand repertoire.

COMPOSER: Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Performed on July 25th, 2023 at Friends of Fall Brook Library

Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. posth. 66 is one of his most famous and virtuosic solo piano works. Composed in 1834 but published posthumously, the piece is known for its dramatic contrasts, breathtaking speed, and lyrical middle section.

The piece opens with a stormy, rapid passage in the right hand, accompanied by an agitated left-hand figure, creating an intense and restless energy. The central section shifts into a dreamy, lyrical melody in D-flat major, reminiscent of Chopin’s nocturnes, offering a moment of calm and deep emotion. The fiery opening theme then returns, bringing the piece to a dazzling conclusion.

With its technical brilliance and expressive depth, the Fantaisie-Impromptu remains one of Chopin’s most beloved and frequently performed works.

COMPOSER: César Franck (1822-1890)

Performed on May 29th, 2024 at Encinitas Library

The Second Movement (Allegro) of César Franck’s Violin Sonata in A major is a fiery and dramatic contrast to the sonata’s lyrical first movement. Composed in 1886 as a wedding gift for the violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, this piece is one of the most beloved violin sonatas in the Romantic repertoire.

This movement is marked by restless energy, with rapid arpeggios and cascading piano passages creating an almost orchestral texture. The violin part is equally virtuosic, featuring bold, sweeping phrases and intricate interplay with the piano. The music moves through turbulent modulations and dramatic climaxes, yet retains Franck’s signature lyricism and harmonic warmth.

The Allegro serves as a thrilling centerpiece of the sonata, balancing intensity with moments of soaring beauty, making it a favorite among both performers and audiences.

COMPOSER: Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Performed on July 6th, 2022 at Encinitas Library

Grieg’s Cello Sonata in A minor, Op. 36 is a passionate and lyrical work composed in 1882-1883. It is the only cello sonata written by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and showcases his signature Romantic style, infused with folk-inspired melodies and dramatic contrasts.

The first movement, Allegro agitato, opens with a brooding and stormy theme in the piano, setting a dramatic tone before the cello enters with a deeply expressive melody. The interplay between the instruments is intense, with sweeping phrases and virtuosic passages that highlight both the cello’s singing qualities and the piano’s rich harmonic textures.

This sonata is often praised for its emotional depth and Norwegian folk influences, making it a favorite in the cello repertoire.

COMPOSER: LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (17 DEC 1770 – 26 MAR 1827)

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109, composed in 1820, opens with a lyrical and improvisatory first movement marked Vivace ma non troppo – Adagio espressivo. This movement contrasts playful, light textures with moments of deep introspection, showcasing Beethoven’s late-period style, where emotional depth and innovative form intertwine beautifully.

COMPOSER: LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (17 DEC 1770 – 26 MAR 1827)

Ludwig van Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C Minor, WoO 80 is a striking set of variations for solo piano, composed in 1806. This work showcases Beethoven’s ingenuity, transforming a simple, somber theme into a virtuosic and emotionally dynamic journey, reflecting his unique ability to combine structural clarity with expressive intensity.

COMPOSER: FRANZ LISZT (22 OCTOBER 1811 – 31 JULY 1886)

Franz Liszt’s Rigoletto Paraphrase is a dazzling piano work composed in 1859, based on Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Rigoletto. This virtuosic piece transforms the opera’s famous quartet, “Bella figlia dell’amore,” into a brilliant showpiece, showcasing Liszt’s mastery in blending operatic lyricism with his unparalleled pianistic technique.