The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

Our Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival radio series concludes with a wonderful pianist, Yefim Bronfman, in a solo situation and then also in a piano quintet. First, he plays some of Rachmaninov's opus 23 Preludes. Then, he collaborates with William Preucil, Benny Kim, Michael Tree, and Eric Kim to play the Piano Quintet in F Minor by Brahms.

Scroll down to listen to excerpts from Kerry Frumkin and Marc Neikrug's conversation about this week's program. I've also posted some relevant videos, including a performance from the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival from earlier this summer, and as always, a few other things I found along the way.

Thanks for stopping by,
Louise Frank,
Series Producer

SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Four Preludes from Op. 23 No. 1 in F# minor

• No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor (Largo)
• No. 2 in B-Flat Major (Maestoso)
• No. 4 in D Major (Andante cantabile)
• No. 5 in G Minor (Alla marcia)

Yefim Bronfman, piano

Marc describes Yefim "Fima" Bronfman's performance of Rachmaninov Preludes like this: "It's big, huge, massive, commanding, exuberant, exhilarating piano playing."

Marc and Kerry discuss the similarities and differences between Rachmaninov and Chopin.

Yefim Bronfman - Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 - Part 1/5

Yefim Bronfman plays the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Valery Gergiev at Suntory Concert Hall, Tokyo on November the 21st, 2004. See below for links to the rest of the performance.

Here's how to watch the rest of that performance...

• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5

Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov

Rachmaninov plays his famous Prelude on this 1919 Ampico system recording. Ampico was the most advanced version of piano roll's systems which contained also track with recorded dynamics in hexadecimal code. In the 1990's it was transferred to PC and reproduced by Boesendorfer 290SE piano.

Rachmaninov Had Big Hands

A little sampler here from the brilliant duo of musical comedians / comic musicians, Igudesman & Joo and their program, "A Little Nightmare Music." Find more from these talented guys on their website.

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34

William Preucil and Benny Kim, violins; Michael Tree, viola; Eric Kim, cello; Yefim Bronfman, piano

This 13 week series of concerts from the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival concludes with Yefim Bronfman, William Preucil, Benny Kim, Michael Tree, Eric Kim, and music by Brahms... Kerry asks Marc, "What could be better?"

This performance of Brahms' F Minor Piano Quintet was the first time this particular constellation of musicians had performed together. Yefim Bronfman reflects on the percolating life of professional musicians, and the opportunity of a fresh partnership.

Ever wondered what it was like to attend a Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival concert at the St. Francis Auditorium? Here's a recent performance of Brahms G minor Piano Quartet featuring Inon Barnatan, piano; Giora Schmidt, violin; Teng Li, viola; and Nicholas Canellakis, cello.

Here's the rest of that performance...

• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5

This performance was recorded August 14, 2009 by audio engineer extraordinaire, Matthew Snyder. Matt invented a nifty little portable switcher so he can record video during the concerts.

Matt Snyder (click for larger view)

Exterior of the Lensic Performing Arts Center (click for larger view)

Interior of the Lensic Performing Arts Center (click for larger view)

The producer interviews Yuja Wang in the elegant surroundings of the temporary "studio" in the Lensic basement. (click for larger view)