Godowsky - Walzermasken (Waltz masks, 1912) Part 3

Leopold Godowsky (1870 - 1938) was a Polish-born, American virtuoso pianist, composer and teacher. His legacy of piano literature is priceless for the music world. Due to their extreme technical difficulty, his pieces are rarely played though. The 24 valses in Walzermasken collection are some of the easiest pieces Godowsky wrote (still very challenging though!) To make these pieces more accessible and known to pianists everywhere, I hereby play my personal favourites, showing their intricate beauty. May the pianists who dedicate their time to play these fun, "research" and polyphonic pieces, find joy and fulfillness of the kind that the standard classical repertoire does not provide.

[0:00] Intro (Improv) + No. 16: Perpetuum Mobile
An eternal melody, which in a weird way reminds me of Scriabin's preludes... could it be a tribute to him?
[3:40] No. 18: Schuhplattler
Austrian fold dance piece, short but deep!
[5:47] No. 21: Orientale
This piece must be the most frequently played from the whole waltz collection and for good reason: it's among the easiest without sacrificing character :) A truly beautiful story is being told, one that brings me memories of unlimited sadness.
[7:45] No. 22: Wienerisch
A Viennese valse, very Strauss-y, I always feel like dancing with someone when I play it!

Enjoy! (^-^)

▶ Recordings 2 and 3 were made April 2022 (in Athens, the first in May and the last in June (both in Oslo). And thus the whole project comes to an end \(*-*)/ And the same hoodie always present!!!