Henry and I were doing our usual Saturday morning playgroup thing, and after a spot in the sandpit and a little splashing in some buckets full of water, I challenged him to a little duel. Essentially, we had a Liszt off.
If you're not familiar with the term, it involves a little competitive tournament whereby willing contestants demand their opponents deliver their own interpretation of the work of the great Franz Liszt.
Obviously, Henry and I are great fans for Herr Liszt, and often throw witty little Lisztisms (as we like to call them) back and forth when we're shooting the breeze. Yet it is the Liszt off that really counts.
With the sort of temerity that renders most of my chess games brief, I threw Transcendental Etude No.5 ("Feux follets") at the recently turned two year old, figuring that his short wing span and much smaller fingers would render any comeback over before it began.
How wrong I was. Bravely, he announced that it was his intention (the audacity) to play in full Années de Pèlerinage; yes, Suisse, Italie AND Année. To my astonishment, he took a brave detour into honkey tonk territory during Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia Quasi Sonata. Grown men were reduced to tears at the sheer nobilty of his playing. His half pike (with twist) off the stool after completion merely added to my embarrassment.
In the following video, you can see him add his own little flourish to the intro of Marche Funèbre. Enjoy!
If you're not familiar with the term, it involves a little competitive tournament whereby willing contestants demand their opponents deliver their own interpretation of the work of the great Franz Liszt.
Obviously, Henry and I are great fans for Herr Liszt, and often throw witty little Lisztisms (as we like to call them) back and forth when we're shooting the breeze. Yet it is the Liszt off that really counts.
With the sort of temerity that renders most of my chess games brief, I threw Transcendental Etude No.5 ("Feux follets") at the recently turned two year old, figuring that his short wing span and much smaller fingers would render any comeback over before it began.
How wrong I was. Bravely, he announced that it was his intention (the audacity) to play in full Années de Pèlerinage; yes, Suisse, Italie AND Année. To my astonishment, he took a brave detour into honkey tonk territory during Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia Quasi Sonata. Grown men were reduced to tears at the sheer nobilty of his playing. His half pike (with twist) off the stool after completion merely added to my embarrassment.
In the following video, you can see him add his own little flourish to the intro of Marche Funèbre. Enjoy!
Comments
At times he reminds me of Vladimir Horowitz playing Liszt or Schubert...c'est magnifique!
A whole new meaning to PLAY group.
Play on, Henry!!
USelaine, he has the ‘it’ factor.
Sue, I’m thinking of taking him on tours.
-K-, I do like how he keeps an eye on his audience too.
Jill, I should be taking a commission!
Yamini, here’s hoping he can look after me in my old age.
Neva, mine, while technically spot-on, lack the flourish of young Henry’s. I am Salieri to his Mozart.
Thanks to the mystro and to his Dad for adding to the festivities...
Happy Diwali from Delhi.