Chopin and Beethoven are filled with hidden meanings (ft. Logan Skelton)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
  • 0:00 Chopin's strange 2nd Scherzo
    2:25 Foreshadowing in Chopin op. 49 & 61
    3:34 Analyzing Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum est'
    8:16 Beethoven's puzzling Sonata op. 110
    Logan Skelton is a concert pianist, composer, and the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music at the University of Michigan: smtd.umich.edu/profiles/logan...
    John Biguenet is an author, playwright, and Professor Emeritus at Loyola University New Orleans: cas.loyno.edu/english/bios/joh...
    Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum est': www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...
    Produced by Ben Laude
    For Sasha
    ---
    tonebase gives you instant access to knowledge from the world's greatest classical musicians, performers, and educators. Learn more by visiting tonebase.co/piano
    Facebook - / tonebasepiano
    Instagram - / tonebasepiano
    Questions? Contact us: team@tonebase.co

КОМЕНТАРІ • 188

  • @radudeATL
    @radudeATL Рік тому +219

    This is the kind of content I would gladly pay for.

    • @benr7882
      @benr7882 Рік тому +7

      They so much content like this. It is all so worth it

    • @beseemescavanger1403
      @beseemescavanger1403 Рік тому +8

      Well you can ...

    • @radudeATL
      @radudeATL Рік тому +5

      @@beseemescavanger1403 You right 🤣

    • @fifibg
      @fifibg Рік тому +1

      @@beseemescavanger1403where and how

    • @supasayajinsongoku4464
      @supasayajinsongoku4464 Рік тому +3

      Slightly unrelated but whats the most beautiful piece youve heard this month or even this year
      And then whats the most relentless, driving piece youve heard this month

  • @nancyandcortaz
    @nancyandcortaz Рік тому +157

    I have no words. This is priceless. The poem and the deeper meaning and revelations... my heart is literally hurting. I want to see my music like this also. Thank you SO much for posting.

  • @tectorgorch8698
    @tectorgorch8698 Рік тому +109

    Sir, this is one of the most brilliant things I have ever heard about poetry or music.

  • @nintendianajones64
    @nintendianajones64 9 місяців тому +3

    Please bring this guy back for more Chopin insights. He's absolutely brilliant.

  • @CommonSwindler
    @CommonSwindler Рік тому +21

    There is an immense profundity to this that’s as embracing as sunshine.

  • @benharmonics
    @benharmonics Рік тому +5

    10:19 Mind. Blown.
    11:21 MIND BLOWN EVEN MORE 😮🤯

  • @pavaomrazek
    @pavaomrazek Рік тому +16

    I once played a Beethoven sonata op. 10 no 3 in D major. The entire first movement is based upon 4 NOTES: descending D-C#-B-A. He was such a genius that he composed 8 pages of sonata with 4 notes of material.

    • @harrylampiris2554
      @harrylampiris2554 Рік тому +6

      Am learning it now. My first Beethoven Sonata was opus 13. At 63 am heading backwards 😂

    • @pavaomrazek
      @pavaomrazek Рік тому +3

      @@harrylampiris2554 That's great! But, I wouldn't call it heading backwards because Beethoven was already very complex on his first sonata :D

  • @OctopusContrapunctus
    @OctopusContrapunctus Рік тому +10

    I was here just for a fun technical analysis of beethoven, but what I got instead was a better and more fulfilling understanding of what means "reading music". Thank you

  • @nancyreese80
    @nancyreese80 Рік тому +53

    This is a stunning presentation. Thank you!

  • @sonetto104delpetrarca8
    @sonetto104delpetrarca8 Рік тому +25

    One of the most profound "lectures" on the interpretation of music through the inner - internal - world of the composer I've had the pleasure to come across in recent memory. Thank you Tonebase for bringing this deeply probing and contemplative sharing by Prof. Skelton.

  • @shawnwilliamson9267
    @shawnwilliamson9267 Рік тому +4

    I had to pause the video at 1:23, it just struck me. How could you make such a statement and revelation in only a minute. This guy is a genius

  • @EnriqueGiliOrtiz
    @EnriqueGiliOrtiz Рік тому +8

    So that is why Chopin said the opening triplets were key in his second scherzo. Great insights, thank you.

  • @arabellazito3134
    @arabellazito3134 Рік тому +24

    I didn't want this to end! This was beautiful and so important to hear.

  • @markbon5146
    @markbon5146 Рік тому +6

    After reading the comments I have found more meaning to life and music. I struggle every day to try and teach myself piano. This has opened my eyes. Thank you for sharing .

  • @noisilence9398
    @noisilence9398 Рік тому +29

    Prof is so cool. If I be serious, tonebase wow, you are taking the level of music theory tutorials so high with great content

    • @supasayajinsongoku4464
      @supasayajinsongoku4464 Рік тому

      Slightly unrelated but whats the most beautiful piece youve heard this month or even this year
      And then whats the most relentless, driving piece youve heard this month

  • @callmeqt1269
    @callmeqt1269 9 місяців тому +3

    I want more of this guy, even more so if he could do something involving Chopin on a deeper level than usual.
    Wonderful, entirely provoking video. Thank you.

  • @joshuakolpak8820
    @joshuakolpak8820 Рік тому +11

    I love Logan. I saw him perform a series of songs he wrote based on poems by his father and it was both gorgeous and moving.

  • @wobblyorbee279
    @wobblyorbee279 11 місяців тому +2

    11:21 im speechless........ i literally have no words... the detail of all in music is just amazing

  • @omrit2
    @omrit2 Рік тому +6

    op. 110 is sublime and my favorite sonata, but now I appreciate it even more.

  • @truegret7778
    @truegret7778 Рік тому +24

    Beautiful words. I believe we do actually feel or understand the beauty of the greatness of works of these great composers, in a subliminal sort of way. In a sort of telepathic sense.
    What you said about the difference in Mozart and Beethoven is fascinating. The solders writings were so very powerful.

  • @eosborne6495
    @eosborne6495 Рік тому +5

    I am often surprised to find that during the times in my life when I face serious moral questions or struggle to become a better person, the really salient lessons that bring me clarity are not from religion or philosophy, but from music. This is the kind of music lesson than can make you a better person.

  • @garygimmestad4272
    @garygimmestad4272 Рік тому +16

    I loved this. I had similar revelations in grad school when I was encouraged by an advisor, Susan McClary, to explore literary criticism as a lens to music. And it took the scales from my eyes.

  • @VallaMusic
    @VallaMusic Рік тому +4

    the final message defines the mature artist

  • @rtreadwell7887
    @rtreadwell7887 Рік тому +1

    Eloquent, absorbing and thought-provoking.

  • @Steve-bc8el
    @Steve-bc8el 11 місяців тому +1

    What a brilliant man. Makes me proud to be a Michigan alumnus.

  • @simondanielssonmusic
    @simondanielssonmusic Рік тому +1

    This is the BEST video you've put out here yet.

  • @carlquestad9096
    @carlquestad9096 Рік тому +7

    logan skelton = 🐐

  • @user-xd2ox5yg5z
    @user-xd2ox5yg5z Рік тому +8

    What a perfect way to describe the "meaning" in music! I always felt it was true, that Beethoven was as much a Philosopher as he was a Musician. I just couldn't understand, how to explain it in words. You know the feeling of the presence of a deep thought in his music, but just can't put your finger on it. Thank you so very much for linking it to poetry! This just makes all the pieces fall into place.

  • @VetsrisAuguste
    @VetsrisAuguste Рік тому +7

    I’m left with so much to express, but no words sufficient to do so.
    That signal you picked up from your professor…you are transmitting its message loud and clear. Now I too have the desire to “study music like that”.

  • @DamaruInochi
    @DamaruInochi Рік тому +16

    Wow!
    I want to learn from that man!
    Once again, tonebase, brilliant job in bringing such awesome material for all of us to learn and to absorb.
    One can listen to all of your material over and over again and learn something new.
    Thank you!

  • @animalsarebeautifulpeople3094
    @animalsarebeautifulpeople3094 Рік тому +5

    I thank yunchan lim again for helping me discover this unique channel! 💚💙💜

  • @jtbasener8740
    @jtbasener8740 Рік тому +14

    Beautifully done! As a poet, composer and amateur pianist, I am deeply inspired by all that he had to say here. My deep thanks to you all for this.

  • @matttondr9282
    @matttondr9282 Рік тому +5

    I just played this sonata and had no idea. This is truly incredible!!

  • @mikesmovingimages
    @mikesmovingimages Рік тому +1

    As I have gown older (amateur pianist here) and s-l-o-w-l-y learned to read my poetry and music with both eyes, I sometimes get wishful, that one of my teachers when I was younger, a teenager or in college, would have said to me, "Mike...stop. Let's learn the music before you start playing it", to have been brought to the point Professor Skelton reached: "What's the purpose in this?" earlier in my life. But then I have to wonder: Would I have listened? Was I ready? I am thankful for all the understanding and insights I have gained so far. I'm sure there is much more - most if it! - yet to be discovered! This essay is deep and moving. Thank you so much for posting it. Things like this redeem the internet.

  • @cadriver2570
    @cadriver2570 Рік тому +3

    More of this guy. Fantastic!

  • @francobonanni3499
    @francobonanni3499 Рік тому +3

    Maestro you made me cry...and I thank you for this. Tears opened my eyes I look at the works of Chopin Beethoven in the same way you doI try to see what and how everything is united. I always asked the same question did the composer a complete consciousness in what and how ha wrote it.? I would like to follow your channel to learn what you teach us. Thank you so much ... Maestro.😊

  • @andre.vaz.pereira
    @andre.vaz.pereira Рік тому +2

    Loved this video!! The engangen always puzzled me and i think i didn't quite appreciate this sonata for that engangen in the beginning... I found it always too cheap for Beethoven. Thank you for opening our eyes to it! Beethoven in fact is never cheap...
    In relation to the Scherzo, if we see the Bbm as an intodutction to the Dd Major section it's very obviouse that the Dd M stands out as the main tonality of the Scherzo and not Bbm. Liszt once said about the openning that the main character enters "La maison des morts" (The house of the death) and that the openning tripets should "tombée" (Drop with a slight riatardando of expectation). Cyprien Katsaris has a great masterclass in french on this Scherzo.
    Logan Skelton's students must be very fortunate to have such a great mind to nurture their love for music.
    Keep up with this videos!!

  • @philipu150
    @philipu150 Рік тому +3

    Well-composed reflections on great composition. Thank you.

  • @lloydlim
    @lloydlim Рік тому +8

    Very helpful video. One of the fun things about a great composer is the little details they put in here and there that an ordinary composer wouldn’t think to do.

  • @alixmartin1978
    @alixmartin1978 Рік тому +11

    Wow this is an incredible amount of knowledge, wisdom and pure reflexion. I aspire deeply to have this aura later in my own life, thank you very much Logan!

    • @supasayajinsongoku4464
      @supasayajinsongoku4464 Рік тому

      Slightly unrelated but whats the most beautiful piece youve heard this month or even this year
      And then whats the most relentless, driving piece youve heard this month

    • @alixmartin1978
      @alixmartin1978 Рік тому

      @@supasayajinsongoku4464 I discovered recently a prelude by rachmaninov in G major, op.32 no 5, really great! And I also discover the works of Chick Corea, this is all great stuff!

  • @lawrencetaylor4101
    @lawrencetaylor4101 11 місяців тому +1

    As a child and even as a young adult, I was told to move my lips and never make a sound in choir class. And a teacher asked if it was too late to get my money back when I tried later on. So it was a sad joke when I told people I was born with two left ears. My life changed when I started to learn the piano last year. I might have two left ears, but I think I was also born with megacardia with a thin protective cover.
    This proved it.
    Merci.

  • @jpage99999
    @jpage99999 Рік тому +11

    Ok now this has just blown me away. No words to express how thankful I am you posted this. Fantastic absolutely fantastic. Thank you 🙏🏻

  • @Dragunov1185
    @Dragunov1185 Рік тому +4

    I’ve never ever heard someone talk about music like this. Absolutely wonderful content

  • @dainpeters6943
    @dainpeters6943 Рік тому +5

    Absolutely beautiful! Wow.

  • @andreajoybelle
    @andreajoybelle Рік тому +1

    What an eloquent teacher -thank you for this

  • @bobbylarge7184
    @bobbylarge7184 Рік тому +7

    Wow. This was so profound to me. It's so amazing that these legendary composers truly created with the deepest of intentions and understanding and that every day there is something new to discover about not only their compositions but the unlimited possibility of music as a whole.

  • @karenellis2098
    @karenellis2098 10 місяців тому +1

    I wish this were longer! Reading paintings is the same. It’s about impossible to describe. This was lovely. Thank you!

  • @westlosangeleschildrenscho2619

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I feel enriched and it is appreciated.

  • @polotrav3439
    @polotrav3439 Рік тому +4

    Absolutely mind blowing. Thank you so much.

  • @sanderspoelstra8961
    @sanderspoelstra8961 11 місяців тому +1

    One of the most profound music lectures I have ever seen. Please, if possible, let him create more videos!

  • @iampracticingpiano
    @iampracticingpiano Рік тому +16

    An interesting question to ponder: How many of these "connections" are planned by the composer and how many come as a natural consequence of musical exploration (and subconscious reflections) during the compositional process?

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  Рік тому +24

      My sense is that, for composers like Chopin, the compositional craft itself leads generates unintended connections between motives and key areas, and that they choose to capitalize on certain ones and develop them. I doubt Chopin set out thinking "okay, I'm going to write a piece based on these 4 notes, and they will also be the main key areas of the piece." It was probably more like - Chopin was noodling around with this B-flat minor triad, sketched some potential themes in related keys, and explored common-tone key relationships (A major shares a "C-sharp" with the D-flat triad), and all this information become considerations for Chopin as he finishes building the piece. And when he comes to pivotal phrases, like the final one, it just doesn't seem random that he keeps leaning on A (B- double-flat) and sinks into an F major chord. Surely he was aware that those chords had roles to play throughout the piece, and maybe he even enjoyed the idea that they were genetically related to the notes of the main theme. But, as Skelton says, even if it was all unconscious on Chopin's part... "it's there."

    • @iampracticingpiano
      @iampracticingpiano Рік тому +4

      ​@@tonebasePiano Well said--this is my sense, as well. The way the subconscious works on our "problems" in the background of our lives is a fascinating topic. It may speak to us in a quiet voice, but we often listen.

    • @tfpp1
      @tfpp1 Рік тому

      @@iampracticingpiano Respectfully disagree. It may speak to us in a quiet voice, but the average person isn’t even aware of it, much less listen to it. The arts (and music in particular in this case), helps us to develop that part of our psyche, however; it helps us become better human beings.

  • @MicheleAngeliniTenor
    @MicheleAngeliniTenor Рік тому +5

    One of the most astounding videos. Thank you for this.

  • @DanielKRui
    @DanielKRui 11 місяців тому +2

    Utterly astounding 13 minute lecture by Logan Skelton! Such insight he shared, about so many different things (different pieces, and even different subjects!). I was totally moved by the emotion in Logan's eyes and voice at the end of his poem recitation and his concluding remarks about his gratefulness towards his old teacher and his quest for deeper meaning. Just watching his eyes and face as his fingers counted down the remaining beats @6:50, I could feel each of those silent iambs like punches to the heart.
    It is such a treasure to hear this man speak and teach. As he was grateful to Biguenet for his lessons 40 years ago, I am grateful to Logan for these precious 13 minutes.

  • @steveharlos4076
    @steveharlos4076 Рік тому +1

    The most enlightening 13 minutes of my day. Thanks for that!

  • @Justin.R.Ferris
    @Justin.R.Ferris Рік тому +2

    So delicate and beautiful. Waterworks at 6:11am

  • @SvetoslavSlavovPiano
    @SvetoslavSlavovPiano Рік тому +1

    Life changine advice. More of this man analyzing pieces!

  • @DanielKRui
    @DanielKRui 11 місяців тому +2

    Please if possible share more moments with this man!

  • @thraft
    @thraft Рік тому +4

    Very inspiring teacher, it's a treasure to have one like that.

  • @nintendianajones64
    @nintendianajones64 Рік тому +19

    "Chopin is the greatest of them all, for with the piano alone he discovered everything." - Claude Debussy

  • @stefanbernhard2710
    @stefanbernhard2710 Рік тому +2

    This is interesting insight. My family and first teacher were friends with Dr. Skelton when growing up in New Orleans. Very philosophical musician

  • @stevenc5526
    @stevenc5526 Рік тому +1

    I play that scherzo. Tough piece, but so rewarding.

  • @thedesolatemusic
    @thedesolatemusic Рік тому +1

    This is beyond genius. Absolutely brilliant...

  • @sirrobinhood3409
    @sirrobinhood3409 Рік тому +4

    You are a true artist and thinker Sir! The movie description was an awesome metaphor.

  • @chamber1
    @chamber1 Рік тому +1

    this is the best piano channel on youtube

  • @margarethansen7480
    @margarethansen7480 11 місяців тому +1

    Fantastic understanding that music and poetry are walking side by side, explaining our feelings and expressing Life!!
    Thank you very much, I loved that❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏

  • @Hajfena63
    @Hajfena63 Рік тому +5

    Amazing and inspiring video. Thank you so much tonebase and Logan!

  • @Deodar95
    @Deodar95 10 місяців тому +1

    oh wow that was beautiful man, tears just rolling down my face rn, this is why we do what we do 🎹 thank you for sharing this

  • @Daniel_Ilyich
    @Daniel_Ilyich Рік тому +5

    This was so incredibly inspiring!

  • @nathanbugash8394
    @nathanbugash8394 8 місяців тому

    I once got to take a masterclass with Dr. Skelton, and he was just incredible. He was my professor's teacher and I feel a lot of what I know about music is based around Logan's thinking. Thank you for what you bring to this art.

  • @kazukiuchino1873
    @kazukiuchino1873 11 місяців тому +1

    Priceless. In 2023 and later, when it's flooded with both professional and amateur music composers and musicians, how many of them produce / perform music with this kind of mindset?

  • @pianistbrunodelorenzo
    @pianistbrunodelorenzo Рік тому +3

    Que vídeo extraordinário! O melhor que tonebase já postou

  • @dzinypinydoroviny
    @dzinypinydoroviny Рік тому +13

    In a way, you could call the Op. 110 sonata a musical fractal.

    • @tonebasePiano
      @tonebasePiano  Рік тому +10

      In the material this was cut from, Skelton mentions fractals.

    • @DeflatingAtheism
      @DeflatingAtheism Рік тому +3

      The grace notes become the diminution-of-the-diminution!

  • @Lucy-yc4bc
    @Lucy-yc4bc Рік тому +2

    what an absolutely fantastic video

  • @gabatar5961
    @gabatar5961 Рік тому +1

    My God! what a profound interview

  • @composerdoh
    @composerdoh Рік тому

    Having the opening pitches outline the key structure/major tones of the piece to come is very Schenkerian. One gets the same thing in Schubert's "Erlking" to some extent. When I was learning Schenkerian analysis I remember at least one teacher commenting (I don't remember who) that Chopin and Schubert in particular fit very well with Schenker's theories and lent themselves to his system of analysis.

  • @Iluminacion32
    @Iluminacion32 11 місяців тому

    Absolutely divine and enlightening!

  • @timothyhoft
    @timothyhoft Рік тому +3

    The Arioso theme in op. 110 also seems to come from Bach's St. John Passion (Aria no. 58, the one that features the viola da Gamba). This makes sense because Beethoven's sonata sounds a lot like a sacred cantata.

    • @sanderspoelstra8961
      @sanderspoelstra8961 11 місяців тому

      He also used it in one of his cello sonatas

    • @timothyhoft
      @timothyhoft 11 місяців тому

      @@sanderspoelstra8961 That's right. I forgot about that.

  • @nyc88s
    @nyc88s Рік тому +2

    This is so so so illuminating!

  • @maurozanchetta648
    @maurozanchetta648 Рік тому +3

    Wonderful video! I love Owen...

  • @yushen7492
    @yushen7492 Рік тому +1

    now that was amazing, and a pleasure to listen to you, thank you.
    there a few modern artists who compose music at the same level of development and depth,
    but it's often not recognised because they aren't in "classical" or "high" genre so it is not expected they would have it

  • @inotmark
    @inotmark Рік тому +1

    Also true of Bach, Wagner, Mahler etc. It is a consciously known and applied compositional technique.

  • @Awkman1
    @Awkman1 Рік тому +1

    Magnificent. Thank you.

  • @parentteachernight
    @parentteachernight Рік тому +1

    Thank you for this.

  • @viphomeconcerts
    @viphomeconcerts Рік тому +1

    Might be the most useful music lesson I have ever had.

  • @r.i.p.volodya
    @r.i.p.volodya Рік тому +2

    Very interesting thank you. I learned more about that poem in the 13mins of this vid than when we did it at school when I was a kid. My "teacher" knew nothing and taught us nothing. Shame on you Mr. Brown.

  • @davidesguevillas
    @davidesguevillas Рік тому +3

    I really liked this one

  • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807

    That was brilliant.

  • @brandonmacey964
    @brandonmacey964 Рік тому +2

    Beautiful

  • @bradyredding1964
    @bradyredding1964 Рік тому +3

    That was an amazing video. Makes me want to go study with him at umichigan

  • @thebeastisback1996
    @thebeastisback1996 Рік тому +1

    Wow I love this.

  • @cablenelsonbabygrandpiano842
    @cablenelsonbabygrandpiano842 5 місяців тому

    Thank you very much!!!

  • @Archiekunst
    @Archiekunst Рік тому +2

    5:20 Small pedantic correction: The green sea is probably chlorine not mustard gas, which although was also used.

  • @albertodelagarza9163
    @albertodelagarza9163 10 місяців тому +2

    Great vídeo!

  • @sianavassileva403
    @sianavassileva403 Рік тому +1

    Truly profound!

  • @quaver1239
    @quaver1239 Рік тому +2

    Wow. Thank you, thank you.

  • @bobbylovejoy
    @bobbylovejoy Рік тому

    On board - excellent.

  • @michaelbarker6460
    @michaelbarker6460 11 місяців тому

    I would say "hidden meaning" can be interesting and fun to discover but also secondary to the music itself. It's like in the world of jazz where you hear an intricate rhythm and then are tempted to "figure it out" so you can play it properly. You break it down into its parts and make a kind of formula so you have a way of knowing if you're doing it right or wrong. From this vantage point you can compare it to other rhythms you've heard in other places and maybe even find some hidden meanings. However for someone that is fluent in the language of jazz the thing that is there front and center is the music itself. Everything you need to play it yourself is right there the moment its heard. The way you know if you're doing it right is if sounds right.
    This puts the focus on the music and not what can be extracted from the music in a formulaic or even clever way. If the reason for music is in the meaning that can be found within it then what's the point of the music? Words, syntax, symbols and concepts can make us feel things if used in the proper way. Music touches those feelings directly

  • @bifeldman
    @bifeldman Рік тому +3

    Marvelous

  • @DrStabkill
    @DrStabkill 11 місяців тому

    As a student of composition this has always weighed so heavily on me. Once I started to see the way the great composers and the way they use the motivic relationships tying into the greater scheme of the piece I assumed this is what I should be able to do as a composer. This made composing incredible difficult for me for a very long time. As a young composer I simply couldn’t believe that I was unable to do this. And occasionally it worked but most of The compositions I wrote in that period were very un-organic and these elaborate structures never felt natural. Long story short found my own path eventually but realized in the end that I could not write like this and I was humbled most severely realizing that they - the great composers are in fact exceptional and beyond me. Anyways I enjoyed your video thanks.

  • @carlosurbanejasilva1881
    @carlosurbanejasilva1881 10 місяців тому

    Fascinating...