Friedrich Kalkbrenner - "Le Fou" Scène dramatique, Op. 136

Translated from French the footnote in the beginning reads as:
"A young pianist deceived in his first affections becomes mad. He expresses on his pianoforte the various sensations he experiences."
"Kalkbrenner’s piece presents one of the most important composition forms in the Style Brillante epoch. His composition “Le Fou” (The Madman) was a hit in early 1800s (eighteen hundreds). The first association that a modern pianist receives with a piece called The Madman, is a dramatic picture of an artist or a hero, going insane, expressed in sound. In this case this piece does not much sense. The key word for understanding of this piece is the sub-title: Scene dramatique. This is not a description of somebody’s feelings but an operatic scene, with an entrance, long monumental introduction, the artist’s first aria, the actress’s aria, happening, duo, and a final triumphant chorus."
Thomas Tellefsen writes:
“... To demonstrate how annoyed Kalkbrenner is with Liszt, I tell following story: in this soiree Kalkbrenner played his own composition called “Le Fou” (“Madness”) . When he finished, Liszt said: It is nice, but your madness is not mad enough. And Kalkbrenner answered: - You don’t necessarily need to break the strings in order to convey madness”'
nmh.brage.unit...
Despite it being a fairly popular piece of it's time not everyone was impressed, Charles Hallé even expresses his uttermost disappointment:
"Kalkbrenner and Hummel were at that time considered the greatest pianists, and even Chopin had come to Paris a few years before to learn from Kalkbrenner. I therefore approached him with considerable trepidation, and great was my disappointment when he told me that he no longer took pupils. He, however, kindly invited me to play something, to which he listened carefully, and then made some unpleasant remarks and advised me to take lessons from one of his pupils. As I was about to leave him he offered to play for me, saying that it might prove useful to me to hear him. I accepted eagerly and was full of expectation, when he sat down and played a new piece of his composition, entitled ' Le Fou,' one of the most reasonable and dullest pieces ever perpetrated. I admired the elegance and neatness of his scales and legato playing, but was not otherwise struck by his performance, having expected more, and wondering at some wrong notes which I had detected."
www.audacter.it...
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If you've read this far, I'm happy. As it turns out, there are actually two (!) online recordings of this piece.
Listen to (at 01:05:15, it's a long concert but it's HD), a really good pianist: mediathek.mdw....
Also there is a recording with a young lady who plays this piece on a more historically accurate piano and kinda explains a bit about the piano technique of it's time: • Le Fou Friedrich Wilh...
Le Fou, Scène dramatique, Op. 136
Freidrich Kalkbrenner (1784-1849), published 1837.

[@biomuseum6645]

I don’t understand the complaints about the piece Kalkbrenner may not be as famous as Chopin, Liszt and Alkan, but he came before, and pioneers deserve some praise too Kalkbrenner is really good, not mind blowing, but still very enjoyable!

[@stuartmclaren2402]

Musical tastes change over time . Kalkbrenner like Hummel,was extremely popular in his lifetime and that is the best time for any composer. But look at how Hummel has found favour after 150 years of neglect. Perhaps it is kalbrenner’s turn now

[@marcorval]

His piano concerto is worth a listen.

[@dustinlaferney3160]

Kalkbrenner should be more well known. If Chopin thinks highly of him, that ought to tell us something.

[@Whatismusic123]

Chopin thought highly of him *as a pianist.* As a composer, Kalkbrenner is as incompetent as any other amateur of his time.

[@Medtszkowski]

@@Whatismusic123if you hate these composers and their pieces so much, then why do you watch this?

[@Whatismusic123]

@@Medtszkowski recommended

[@MichaelGilman489]

@@Medtszkowski Maybe he didn't realize he hated it until he watched it? Anyway, I don't think this is incompetent. It is competent. The structure, melody, depth of feeling... all very competent. Next, please....

[@Medtszkowski]

@@MichaelGilman489 Wtf? I’m on your side dude. Whatismusic123 is the enemy here’s he always has been.

[@piano444]

美しい曲ですね😊

[@piano444]

カルクブレンナーは大好きな音楽家の一人です。 こんなに素晴らしいのに、あまり認知されていないのは残念です。

[@Dodecatone]

hidden gem! thanks for performing and posting!

[@Varooooooom]

What an interesting piece. And your performance is nothing short of fantastic!!

[@grindingthegearsofalltides4504]

Thanks for the upload and the Info in the description it was very informative :)

[@MartyHirsch]

I'd say the performance is stronger than the composition. But I agree the form is of interest.

[@williamnelson792]

Beautiful. I'd love to play this one day.

[@vistor5376]

What a beautiful piece played by a beautiful man

[@fruisen9436]

Thank you very much for taking the time to record this most interesting piece! I enjoyed it very thoroughly, as I do with all of your videos. To add another mention of this piece to those included in the description, it was cited in Oscar Bie’s ‘A History of the Pianoforte and Pianoforte Players’, there as evidence in a scathing condemnation of Kalkbrenner. It read: “In Kalkbrenner we see the lowest type of the time [his detestable compositions are] inwardly hollow and vapid. It is hard even to give an idea of this extreme emptiness; but it is well illustrated in [such a piece as] ‘Le Fou’.”

[@sirsamfay99]

I started to learn this piece around 20 years ago for a local piano competition I was going to enter .I played roughly the 1st half which is as far I learnt to a friend from an old Peters Edition book of Kalkbrenner. My friend said something like "Why the hell are you going to play that load of rubbish for a competition ?". I didn't know what to say but his remark was enough for me to change the piece for some Mendelssohn instead. I would say the performance is excellent ,my only remark is I would start the final section slower ,because of the accelerando markings on each repeat of the twice recurring tune there is no sense of the piece speeding up.

[@AEPMUSlC]

There's really nothing remarkable about this piece, it's simply well written and pianistic, and obscure. I can see how you would chose something else if you are entering a competition. Anyway, it's interesting that you noticed the ending and the choice of speed, I spent *a lot* of time deciding approximate speeds with metronome to make the finale as gradual as possible. If you compare 09:09 to 10:13, at least to my ears it's a substantial difference, at least in terms of tempo.

[@Whatismusic123]

What a great friend

[@arthurhogan3047]

I would like to hear more of Kalkbrener's music. Also, Sigismond Thalberg. That guy who was on you tube touting the mistaken tempos adopted by the markings taken during their time; slow, slow and even slower. He's since disappeared. Probably because few viewers (listeners) were interested. But, the afore mentioned two, kalkbrener and Thalberg were the guys who challenged Franz Liszt in those ( virtuoso) competitions. I've looked at just Liszt's " Transcendental Etudes: And - Dental - is the operative word here. I sincerely believe, that absolutely no one alive, then and even now could have out played this cat. Not even Charl Valentin Alkan. Check his monstrous contribution to the piano. If he could play the stuff he composed? Then a challenge by him would have been something to see and hear. But a story is out, that he, Alkan arrived somewhat late at an event where Liszt was playing. And he left abruptly after hearing this dude. I can see why. The Trans...Etudes are mind blowing. Liszt was to have been able to play stuff like this with ease. Other composers music he could and would read right off. Then afterwards play them a second time and even make them more difficult. Transcribing their works on the spot. " what a Man ".

[@AEPMUSlC]

I'm guess you mean he who calls himself "autistic sound" or whatever, 20% of his content is interesting the rest is completely nonsense and worthless. About the Alkan/Liszt anecdotes, Alkan was somewhat (very much) of a loner, but incredibly skilled, Liszt said during his peak as a pianist performer that he regarded Alkan having the most refined technique he've ever seen, I take his word for it judging other similar comments and reviews. Alkan was very reclusive and also got his fair share dose of the everlasting Schumann-review-cancer, but yet many over the world play his pieces to this day which is very much a accomplishment.

[@arthurhogan3047]

@@AEPMUSlC I agree wholeheartedly, on the music of C.V. Alkan. And were he extroverted, only one half of Liszt's personality. We would have history of a challenge between the two of them. I first heard Alkan's music ( and saw sheet music ) back in the early sixties. Raymond Lewnthal playing his " Lefestin de Scope " ( pardon ) ' Aesop's Fables '. And, Quasi Faust. I was astounded, to say the least. I only wish he had composed a concerto ( with orchestra). As well as the one for solo piano. Lengthy as it is. It might have compared to Busoni's concerto with male chorus. Of which I can never get enough of hearing. Both recorded by John Ogdon. As for Thalberg and Kalkbrenner?? I could care less. Very little surfaces of their music that's worth hearing or performing.

[@pawncube2050]

8:00 I never thought I'd see that Czerny-like technic being used into an actual piece. Thats a pretty interesting effect and very well played. Good job

[@AEPMUSlC]

Hmm, I've repeated notes? I'm sure that is and has been pretty universal technique among pianists back then (not credited to Czerny), makes me think of that Hongroise piece by Mereaux....

[@pawncube2050]

@@AEPMUSlC I know its not Czerny, its just that I don't see it very often, most often in etudes like those by Czerny. Mainly when both hands are playing repeated notes. I didn't think it could sound that interesting

[@prammar1951]

Thalberg's theme and etude op. 45

[@AEPMUSlC]

@@pawncube2050 check out Dominico Scarlatti then, he uses the technique in every other piece he wrote haha

[@j.vonhogen9650]

​@@AEPMUSlC- Even Sweelinck and his contempories used repeated notes in their variations.

[@dragicasalamon4911]

Fantastic and impressive performance. Unbelievable technic. Great !!

[@none5020]

Your performance is incredible, the sheet music looks bizarre and stressful.

[@AEPMUSlC]

I'm guessing it's part of the programme 😂

[@sergiucojocari4409]

Very, veeery stressfull

[@Robert-vq4oj]

When I see a sheet like that I just give up before even started !

[@dabendan79]

@@AEPMUSlC you played it?

[@Varooooooom]

@@dabendan79 Yes, he did!

[@НадеждаРачковская-т6щ]

З великим задоволенням слухала ці невідомі для широкого загалу твори мало відомих віртуозів 19 століття. Подяка виконавцям, які відкрили цей незнайомий романтичний пласт піанізма. Браво!

[@Swedi6749]

What can I say more than beautiful, fantastic and wonderful. You are a great pianist Adam. Bravo 👏👏👏👍

[@Swedi6749]

You're really a great pianist and I hope you get more subscribers to you're channel. Far better than most of the pianists here. Keep up the good work. 👍😃

[@4candles]

Very impressive! Some of the figurations remind me of Méreaux. It sounds like a musical depiction of the various stages of grief (albeit not in accepted modern-day order)!

[@calford2001]

i feel some alkan coming through this piece too

[@DemitNWC]

Fantastic performance as always. Several parts of this piece remind me of Mereaux's works, especially his concert fantasies among Op. 40 to 45. Keep up the good work!

[@AEPMUSlC]

Thank you! Regarding Mereaux there with soon be a few pleasant surprises 😁

[@PeterFamiko-lw8ue]

He is extensively underestimated

[@matthewparis1907]

It's an ingenious piece, Kalkbrenner is not negligible for ideas as a composer but it's too long. It should come in at two thirds of the length of it. Thanks for doing it.

[@ronl7131]

Interesting salon encore composition.

[@danielsignorini5845]

Uno de los grandes del piano romántico. Muchos creían que era superior a Liszt. Yo creo que no, pero le pisaba los talones.

[@marcela77777]

Amazing performance!

[@donkgated8074]

Clearly when this piece grows up, the coda wants to be like Liszt's Don Juan...

[@brooksiefan]

In a word: subscribed!

[@marcosPRATA918]

Um trabalho interessante, especialmente depois dos comentários do site sobre a querela Kalkbrenner Liszt.

[@ValseMelancolique]

I’m trying to learn this and listening to your interpretation again - a lot of little nuances I’m missing!

[@christianwouters6764]

On which piano is this played? It sounds like a historical instrument to me. The finale of this piece is a strange interpretation of a young musician going mad. It is a very cheerful way of accepting his madness. Glad to be Mad !

[@anhducduong0105]

I think it is Pianoteq Steinway D prelude

[@tarikeld11]

The performance is excellent, but unfortunately I have to agree with many comments. Most passages just repeat the same motifs, which sound harmonically and rythmically (to me) rather like dull improvisations without interesting ideas, similar to many Czerny and Hummel pieces. Maybe the F minor episode in the middle is interesting. But this is my personal taste, of course.

[@marcorval]

Maybe his Ange Dechu (forgot the spelling) is more interesting, though I don't think there is a recording of that yet.

[@marcorval]

Ah those octaves are nuts.

[@carlkohweihao9584]

Sounded like what a mad man would say.

[@roger-mj4ey]

roger think adam play very good roger like it

[@qalaphyll]

roger

[@AEPMUSlC]

@@qalaphyll roger likes, adam not question

[@lovethepiano]

roger that

[@RobertOrgRobert]

The least said about it the better !

[@АндрейРомановский-ф7э]

It s like madscenes from Donizetti or Bellini

[@mariaioanadimitrova3005]

Could there be a mistake on the 4th bar (first page)? Just before the A there're F C E and then A (left hand). Shouldn't the E be in fact an E flat?

[@AEPMUSlC]

4th bar where?

[@AEPMUSlC]

Oooh right, it took me a while to understand what you meant xD Yes it most likely is an error there in the sheet music. A major 7th chord there wouldn't make sense at all. I don't think I've even noticed it before. I looked at other editions and they do indeed say flattened 7th.

[@mariaioanadimitrova3005]

Yep, I should have explained it in detail. Anyways, I'm glad you found it haha and understood the question.

[@mariaioanadimitrova3005]

Thank you for the response! By the way, I enjoyed the piece so much, it was completely new to me!

[@MiScusi69]

Did you know that your surname is a chess gambit?

[@AEPMUSlC]

Yes I've heard that before, and it's a weakass opening too

[@MiScusi69]

@@AEPMUSlC Holy hell

[@franz9002]

5:41

[@joshscores3360]

Sounds like Alkan, ending sounds like Funiculi Funicula

[@AEPMUSlC]

Interesting, I guess the spontaneous style reminds a bit of Alkan, also very classic harmony but in a romantic setting. Kalkbrenner was seemingly a very conservative composer and this was one of his pieces where he tried to dip his toes into the programmatic trends back in the 1830s after Berlioz etc. One part of this piece that, to a degree, made me recall Alkan while practicing was the short descending diatonic pattern that occurs at 8:33 in this vid was Alkans Concerto third movement, he does a similar thing fairly early in that movement but it's such a trivial thing I doubt he had Kalkbrenner in mind.

[@marcorval]

​@@AEPMUSlCi wouldn't call kalkbrenner "conservative", he was basically from the same generation as beethoven and hummel.

[@peterfriedrich7094]

Sehr gut gespielt👍‼️Aber die Komposition teils wie ein peinlicher Versuch, dramatische Spannung künstlich aufzubauen😣 Geht im Vergleich mit Chopin ziemlich unter.

[@JamesBower-yj6ew]

Kalkbrenner's version of Liszt's don juan

[@wcsxwcsx]

Is it just me or did everything he write sound like an étude?

[@stephenarnold6359]

And to think that this goof offered to give Chopin lessons!

[@LucasPianoSalon]

Why did you call him a goof?

[@LucasPianoSalon]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards Well...Kalkbrenner actually inspired Chopin. He was a businessman as well as a musician. I totally agree that he is inferior compared to Chopin, but perhaps not a goof (like Xenakis, another composer)-

[@LucasPianoSalon]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards Erm...Kalkbrenner, like other late romantic and classical composers enjoyed sticking to their 'old styles'. For example, Steibelt refused to accept Beethoven's novel style. However, this did not lower his standard as a musician. It is just the contrasting styles between old and new. However, other critics like Eduard Hanslick critiscised Chopin, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky, and accused their music of being 'stinky'. This proved that he was even more of a goof than Kalkbrenner as he was not even a true musician.

[@LucasPianoSalon]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards I totally agree. However, why is sticking to the old style goofy? (just curious)

[@Chorizo727]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards high in vanity? Sure. A goof? Not even close. He has quite a lot of very good pieces. His Grand Sonata in A flat, his entire piano concertos, Effusio Musica, etc.

[@michelprezman51]

Esthétique d'un vide sidéral.

[@TempodiPiano]

Ce n'est pas très fou en effet, et cette musique est bien vide.

[@mckernan603]

Sped up at all?

[@vistor5376]

No

[@mckernan603]

I’m very impressed

[@karllieck9064]

The pianist sometimes plays the 8th note runs as triplets. Wth?

[@AEPMUSlC]

Which 8th note runs?

[@karllieck9064]

​@@AEPMUSlCYou figure it out, Mary.

[@AEPMUSlC]

@@karllieck9064 I believe you're mistaken.

[@WEEBLLOM]

​@@karllieck9064kid

[@dorfmanjones]

I think FK is the teacher Chopin refused to study with. Chopin had excellent instincts.

[@milgaru]

what the fuck wrong with that sheet music

[@Pablo-gl9dj]

Perfect example of why Kalkbrenner doesnt deserve to be remotely compared to Chopin and Schumann or even Hummel and Mocheles.

[@Varooooooom]

That’s ridiculous. I would love if people tried to say this about Chopin, citing his fugue as an example.

[@petemcc152]

Amazing masterful piano technique wasted on an awful piece of music.

[@biomuseum6645]

dont be mean, its quite great

[@karllieck9064]

​@@biomuseum6645No, it's bad.

[@anhducduong0105]

Wasted? Nah, he devoted his talent to bring obscure music to light.

[@kimsahl8555]

At this time Chopin made his op.25, music of an angel - also Liszt made great thing. A lot of other music was very bad, so it is still anyway.

[@LucasPianoSalon]

Are you saying that this is bad?????!!!!!!!

[@robertschaaf8606]

@@LucasPianoSalon I would hope so!

[@LucasPianoSalon]

@@robertschaaf8606 Well I guess so.

[@biomuseum6645]

This ain’t bad at all

[@d.o.7784]

Silly, just trying to be like Liszt

[@neo-eclesiastul9386]

He was before Liszt. Actually, Kalkbrenner was an Inspiration for Chopin and Liszt

[@d.o.7784]

@@neo-eclesiastul9386 you mean Hummel ...

[@neo-eclesiastul9386]

@@d.o.7784 no, i meant Kalkbrenner

[@AEPMUSlC]

Hm how do you mean?

[@Swedi6749]

What do you mean by that?

[@marksmith3947]

This makes Anton Rubinstein look like Bach. Incredibly dull music with uninteresting pianist devices

[@Xyriak]

musical banality

[@Whatismusic123]

This is not music Just 8 bar musical ideas, completely randomly swapping constantly with no continuity.

[@GUILLOM]

Ok CEO of music 😢

[@themobiusfunction]

I randomly came across this comment while browsing KZbin

[@Dodecatone]

is Liszt also not music then?