An Encore: The “Minute Waltz”
Marc-André Hamelin (b. 1961) is a Canadian virtuoso pianist and a composer, born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. No piece is too difficult for him. He has often praised the nun who taught him how to play the piano. His father should also be praised.
He is a graduate of L’École Vincent-d’Indy, in Montreal, and then studied at Temple University in Philadelphia.
He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, a fine location, with his second wife, Katie Fuller, a pianist and WGBH classical music broadcaster.
I need not tell you that Marc-André has a sense of humour.
The Minute Waltz is Frédéric Chopin’s Op 64, No 1.
Love to everyone 💕
Hamelin in 2003 (Wiki2.org)
© Micheline Walker
4 January 2019
WordPress
Oh, how delightfully funny!
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One has to be brilliant to do what Marc-André Hamelin does. He knows the mathematics of music. Happy New Year
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I agree, and so does Howard Gardner, who insists that musical intelligence is always accompanied with mathematical intelligence, and vice versa. Following his theory, a brilliant musician like Hamelin would also be a brilliant mathematician.
Happy New Year to you as well, dear Micheline!
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Sorry, I’m very late. Yes, mathematics and music go together. In harmony and counterpoint, one learns hundreds of facts, but there is a system which some musicians figure out and they go Eureka. But one must also be sensitive. I thank you for writing.
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My pleasure, dear Micheline. Have a wonderful week!
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The same to you. I am glad you did not experience the snow storms we suffered during last weekend. Keep warm and best wishes. The year is young. Keep warm. Micheline
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Thank you, dear Micheline! We are warm all year round here; you keep warm and safe!
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I was born in a very cold country, but it’s my country. We bundle up. Love 💛
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Be well, dear friend! 😻
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Thank you Dolly, you too. 🌹
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Lovely, and very clever.
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It is both lovely and clever. At one point, Marc-André plays a cadenza (B & C, in the key of C major) and the audience starts to applaud. That semitone gives finality to a piece. However, he goes on to end the piece in a more colourful manner. Marc-André’s father was a pharmacist by profession, but otherwise a pianist and music lover. He bought scores of music by seldom performed composers and studied these with his son.
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How lovely to be so encouraged by a parent.
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Marc-André had talent but he also had a marvellous relationship with his father. This he has always acknowledged. He is a happy and normal person. Best.
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Marc-André’s rearrangment is indeed very clever. At one point, he uses a cadence, the semitone that ends a scale: B and C in the key of C major, and the audience begins to applaud. That semitone gives finality to a piece of music. His father, a pharmacist, was a pianist and music lover and shared his passion for music with his son.
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Thank you for this, Micheline
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Marc-André Hamelin really pleased his audience. That is the funniest encore I have ever heard. Chopin would love it.
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