GF Handel ‘Ask if yon damask rose be sweet’ (Susanna) – piano transcription by Albert Lavignac
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Cool video about damask, take a look:
This transcription appears in the second volume of Edward MacDowell’s compilation ‘From the 18th Century’ which consists mainly of ‘transcriptions’ for piano of baroque harpsichord pieces. This piece – described as ‘Aria from Haendel’s Susanna’ is, exceptionally, by Albert Lavignac (1846-1916), a leading light at the Paris Conservatoire, and teacher of Vincent d’Indy and Florent Schmitt, and a sufficient musical prodigy to have directed the world premiere performance of Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solonelle’ from the harmonium at the age of 18! This is very much a period piano arrangement of this aria, and is marked ‘Maestoso’. I have played it as indicated in the score and have not attempted to update it to current Baroque performance practice in any way! The aria itselt seems to have had an independent life in the 19th century at least, but Handel’s 1748 oratorio is not not one of his best-known. I recorded this video on 14th April 2009 – the exact 250th anniversary of Handel’s death in London in 1759. —————————————————————————————————————————————— Played by Phillip Sear www.psear.co.uk
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Comments
Thank you. I have to say that it is not a particularly difficult arrangement..
You are amazing you played that very well.
Thanks. I guess the arrangement would have been made in the 1870s or 1880s at which time pianos would have had a ‘plummier’ tone than those of today.
Thank you for that!
Hello Phillip, It has undertones of an earlier English Court period and set for an earlier form of piano. I like the tempo and the changes in colour that you brought to the music. Jannarta.
Thank you. I will send you a message!
A wonderdul Handel’s tribute. Congratulations!!!!
Very beautiful:-)Thank you for posting it can you sent me via an e-mail the music score?
I would probably use one if I were accompanying a singer – but the slower tempo suits this weighty arrangement.
Who needs a sprightly tempo?
I like that! Thank you.
What a lovely anniversary tribute. We can always count on you “To Handel, with care” in your sensitive and thoughtful arrangements.
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed my Handel tribute!
Thanks – that is the spirit in which I played it. The one commercial recording of the oratorio has it at a sprightly tempo that would not work for this arrangement!
wow is very nice song
Even though it is not ‘a la Baroque’ style, thanks for playing it exactly as it is indicated in the score. It has life and right of its own.
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