Lisztonian: Classical Piano Music

This recording was made several years ago. I really need to re-record this piece because I have since gained a much deeper appreciation for the piece and I feel as though my interpretation of it has greatly improved. I also now conclude this piece with Listz's alternate ending which concludes in a whole-tone scale with the left hand and accompanying chords in the right. I prefer this ending over the original because I have a particular affinity towards the whole-tone scale... it reminds me of the eternal nature of life and my deep faith in religion and a Heavenly Father (God) who loves us.

The six consolations by Franz Liszt are deeply emotional and inspiring pieces. Each one has so many different ways of being interpreted. Each performance should be unique and draw on the emotions of the performer and listeners. This recording is from a live performance from January of 2003. It was recorded using a nine-foot concert grand piano.

This piece is a bit deceiving... Liszt actually composed two primary versions of this piece, one that is more simplified, and the other, which is the more commonly performed. This is the more simplified version of the piece. At the time I purchased it (many years ago) I didn't even know what it was, nor did I know that there was a more complex version. I have since heard the "real" version performed live many times, and own several different recordings of it. It is definitely on my "to-do" list of recordings.

I will never forget watching Vladmir Horowitz's performance of this in his famous Moscow concert. Obviously I was not there in person, but I have watched my copy of that performance over and over again. Seeing that performance is what drew me to want to record this piece, which then led me to record several others among the "Scenes from Childhood" of which "Dreaming" is only one segment.

I have been told that this particular piece was a favorite "encore" piece of the great Vladmir Horowitz. My music teacher encouraged me to study this one and it did not take long at all to come to adore this quick-paced etude. Hopefully the "sparks" that give this piece it's common name are portrayed appropriately through this recording.

This is one of Chopin's most popular Etudes. It is great for the left hand and provides some challenging reaches (for small to mid-sized hands). This was the piece I played to win first-place at a local talent competition back in my first year of college. I've always enjoyed playing this one and it seems to be a pretty good crowd-pleaser.

The first time I saw this performed was in a master-class at BYU. I thought it looked fun, and I've always been attracted to the "heavier" sounding music. This one actually has some very fun chord progressions in it that didn't stand out to me until I had been through several hours of practicing. Maybe the more astute listeners will pick up on those much more quickly than I did.

This etude is great for strengthening the technique of octaves for both hands. It is quite simple in form but provides a fun and unique method for practicing octave scales and runs.

My daughter loves to play pretend while I play this one. She pretends that she is chasing butterflies... I think that is a perfect use of imagery for this piece. It is commonly called the "black keys" etude because the right hand plays almost exclusively the black keys of the piano. It is a light, but fast-paced etude that is very enjoyable to listen to and probably even more enjoyable to play.

Chopin: Etude Op 25. No. 1

This is from the "Scenes from Childhood" set of works that Schumann composed. This is one that I always enjoyed playing and experimenting with the pedalling.

Schubert: Impromptu No. 4 in A flat Major

This was the first Bach piece that I ever memorized. I shouldn't admit this, but it actually took me a couple of weeks to commit to memory (sad, but true). The encouraging thing is that memorization definitely comes easier the more you do it :)

This piece was originally part of a larger work but was transcribed to piano and given the title "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." It is often played for weddings and other significant events. This recording was made on a studio upright piano.

This piece I have always lovingly dedicated to my grandmother. During the Great Depression, she used to listen to this song and it would uplift and lighten her spirit. She often requested that I perform this piece at her funeral. Her request was humbly granted at the time of her passing. This piece is one of Liszt's most popular piano pieces and remains a personal favorite of mine.