Michiel Demarey plays Rachmaninoff Etude Tableaux op. 39 nr. 6 Little red riding hood
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- Dedicated to my dear friend Arne Perschel
There is quite a story about this etude:
I studied by ear when I was 17 and quasi unable to read notes properly.
My goal was to become a music producer as I was obsessed by synthesizers and thought maybe I could change the world by creating better pop music with influences of post romantic symphonic music.
When I did my entry exam it was a disaster... I had to write down what I heard and that was essential for the music production classes at conservatory. So, I failed the exams, was depressed, not hungry, even suicidal. One day my mother came in my room holding the telephone saying "wait I'll pass you him, he is still in his bed". It was Mr. Ketels on the phone, director of the Kunsthumaniora in Gent. He was in the jury and very impressed with my composing skills and invited me to follow lessons solfeggio in his school for free and retry the entry exam after.
I studied like mad but it was so difficult for me. (Due to an accident I got when I was young I developed dyscalculia along with many other mental and physical problems.)
There was a piano teacher there and the option to follow free lessons with her.
At music school I had studied many great pieces by ear but of course not being able to read she suspected that I would play Michael Jackson or maybe Satie haha. She almost fainted when I played Hutte der Baba Yaga and Great gate of Kiev for her. That time I started studying the op. 39 nr. 6 Rach by ear too.
She said: "Michiel Michiel, I give you a number. Call him, go to him, play for him." So I did, not knowing who it was. "Hallo this is Vitaly Samoshko" -- I didn't know what to reply... I heard that name and started shaking, sweating. Vitaly Samoshko (my idol, winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition 1999) with the most beautiful Rach 3 I ever heard. So I got an appointment with him but in spring. I went to him with train and it was sooo hot. When I rang the doorbell his wife opened and gave me a glass of fresh lemonade. Meanwhile I heard Samoshko practicing and PLEASE GOD NO ... Rach Op. 39. nr. 6: one of the pieces I was about to play for him.
Then moment of truth: playing for The Master. It was a disaster!! His Bechstein had the hardest weight of keyboard I ever experienced. My Forte wasn't even a Mezzo Piano! But still I got the feeling that he believed in me.
Entry exams were close by and I practiced like mad. I felt like on cocaine.
My performance on my exam conservatory was soooo horrible. I drank a little wodka for the nerves because my "piano mentor" Roberto said that it Argerich does it too. My Rachmaninoff sounded like Stockhausen haha, not that bad but you get the point. I was soooo ashamed but still Vitaly believed in me and accepted me in his prestigious piano class. Unfortunately after 3 years I got a nervous breakdown and burnout and had to stop studying piano at the conservatory of Ghent. Years later I felt again the passion and purpose to share my interpretations with the world.
Fantastic rendition!! It sounds so powerful and yet so playful, it was a great pleasure to listen to you, Michiel! 😃👏🏻👏🏻
what a story-teller you are! It's heaven to listen to your stories
As if hell breaks loose in a mighty passionate almost demonical perfectionistical play!
Michiel Demarey
Well done!
🎉
Many would find it rather slow, but I chose a more orchestral interpretation where the harmonies prevail. Happy you like it.
Bravo Michiel!!!!! You always bring something so unique and special to everything you play!!
Wow,,
Maybe the best version I've ever heard of this little Rachmaninoff gem.
Нет слов! Восторг! Браво! С нетерпением ждём новых записей🙏💗🙌🎶
Beautiful playing Michiel!
Caro Michiel,
What could I possibly add to other comments posted here?
🙏 ❤️ 👏 🙏
What could I possibly add to your introductory text?
😢
Grazie, Michiel.
Bacibaci.
Your Rachmaninov still sounds like Stockhausen
Making comments like these already proves that you can't understand what the essence of music is... Listen to my latest recording 4th Ballade of Chopin. Maybe it can inspire you...