Hermanus_Schmidt_Francis_Poulenc_'Toccata'_from_Trois_Pieces_FP48

Hermanus_Schmidt_Francis_Poulenc_'Toccata'_from_Trois_Pieces_FP48
In this video we have tried to record the 'Toccata' (Poulenc) with a more 'open' sound. We wanted to optimise the sound of our upright Steinway & Sons to achieve a more realistic 'grand piano' sound.
In the end it was much more fun to see the fast action of the hammers, and hear the difference in sound in strings stretching over the bass bridge to the strings (the wound strings) in the lowest range of the piano. For this wonderful piece - 'which exploits the Piano to its full potential' - this added an exciting visual dimension to the actual performance.
"Born in Paris in 1899, Francis Poulenc soon became a notable composer and pianist. His Trois Pièces for Piano were composed in 1928, towards the beginning of his career and paved the way for exceptional Piano works from thecomposer. Poulenc, as a member of Les Six, composed music in a style contrary to that of Richard Wagner and impressionists Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Trois Pièces for Piano is made up of three movements, 1. Pastorale, 2.Hymne and 3. Toccata, all of which exploit the Piano to its full potential. Being an imaginative and evocative composition, Trois Pièces for Piano is a pleasure to play for all pianists."
www.forsyths.co.uk/sheet-musi...

[@andrejoubert1067]

There seems to be nothing this young man cannot master! Obviously hard work. He is still new to the piano and yet so advanced. The greatest talent I have ever witnessed.