Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was born in Ciboure at 500m from my home. His famous “Concerto for the left hand” was written in 1931 for an austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein who had lost his right arm during the First World War.
Dwarken- fascinating image and subject. Gosh…I am listening now to the Youtube of Wittgenstein’s recording from 1937… and reading a little on this subject… quite a strong movement against left-handed playing over time, which is no surprise due to stigmatization of such things… Found this here . To begin with, there is an immediate tendency to want to play louder because we are conditioned to hearing the voluminous sounds of normal two hand piano music. Therefore left hand playing is vulnerable to unfriendly sounds. We pianists must listen to ourselves with a greater degree of attentiveness than ever before. At the same time, left hand playing enables us to be more intimate and personal (almost fragile) without as much physical effort as in normal playing… In contrast to what the layman may think, it is more difficult to play music with one hand than with two. With two hands, one is always subservient to the other. With one hand there are never any silences. You can’t rest for a moment. Everything is more exposed. You can’t use the acoustical range you get with two hands. . Your image is so powerful, with the prosthetic hand and soft focus and details creating such an emotional response. Great work my friend.
Thanks a lot Rosie for your words and for the bright insight you found about this concerto…Once a year there is a Ravel festival in my city… so if ever you pass by, you’ll be welcome !
This is just brilliant. The use of an artifical hand just emphasizes the fact that the piece is written for a one handed pianist. It is a strong image which still shows great empathy.
Merci Andy ! Thanks for your nice comment… I appreciate !
I ‘m glad to meet you again and seee that your art is steel at top level,parailleurs je ne sais pas si on, peut s’exprimer en français sur ce site mais j’en profite pour saluer cette composition de la main gauche qui n’a rien de gauche!
Ah merci Laurent !!! Cela me fait tellement plaisir de te retrouver ici !!! Quand se voit-on ?
Comments
Dwarken- fascinating image and subject. Gosh…I am listening now to the Youtube of Wittgenstein’s recording from 1937… and reading a little on this subject… quite a strong movement against left-handed playing over time, which is no surprise due to stigmatization of such things… Found this here
.
To begin with, there is an immediate tendency to want to play louder because we are conditioned to hearing the voluminous sounds of normal two hand piano music. Therefore left hand playing is vulnerable to unfriendly sounds. We pianists must listen to ourselves with a greater degree of attentiveness than ever before. At the same time, left hand playing enables us to be more intimate and personal (almost fragile) without as much physical effort as in normal playing…
In contrast to what the layman may think, it is more difficult to play music with one hand than with two. With two hands, one is always subservient to the other. With one hand there are never any silences. You can’t rest for a moment. Everything is more exposed. You can’t use the acoustical range you get with two hands.
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Your image is so powerful, with the prosthetic hand and soft focus and details creating such an emotional response. Great work my friend.
Thanks a lot Rosie for your words and for the bright insight you found about this concerto…Once a year there is a Ravel festival in my city… so if ever you pass by, you’ll be welcome !
– Dwarkan
This is just brilliant. The use of an artifical hand just emphasizes the fact that the piece is written for a one handed pianist. It is a strong image which still shows great empathy.
Merci Andy ! Thanks for your nice comment… I appreciate !
– Dwarkan
An intriguing and clever image – a creative tribute to another poignant tale.
(Thank you, you are a gentleman!)
You are very kind Wendi… thanks a lot !
– Dwarkan
I hold on my own peace, close my eyes, concentrate on notes, sees rapturously your view point : I am listening. That gives me some peace
Merci Birgitt !!! Je suis heureux si cette évocation peut t’amener un peu de quiètude….
– Dwarkan
very nice, impressive work
Merci Krysztof !!
– Dwarkan
lovely work! =)
Thanks a lot !!
– Dwarkan
I ‘m glad to meet you again and seee that your art is steel at top level,parailleurs je ne sais pas si on, peut s’exprimer en français sur ce site mais j’en profite pour saluer cette composition de la main gauche qui n’a rien de gauche!
Ah merci Laurent !!!
Cela me fait tellement plaisir de te retrouver ici !!!
Quand se voit-on ?
– Dwarkan
Goodness Me!! I love this image.
Thanks a lot Limerick !!
– Dwarkan
fantastic work
Merci encore !!
– Dwarkan
Amazing !! and so intriguing. I love the articical hand you used !!
You are very creative.!!
Thanks a lot Cabisha !!
– Dwarkan