Experience the dynamic and exciting tone of this beautiful historic piano – Pianoteq’s Dohnai 1795

In this video I play the 1st movement of the wonderful Mozart K310 sonata in A minor, full of Sturm und Drang, with its driving rhythmic figures and contrasting dynamics. The 1795 Dohnai piano from Pianoteq’s Kremsegg collection gives even more drama and energy to this exciting, powerful piece.

Bach – Prelude and Fugue in D from Bk 2 on Pianoteq’s Neupert Clavichord

It is said that Bach liked the Clavichord best of all keyboard instruments. Its capacity for expression, despite its delicate sound and small dynamic range makes it a great solo instrument.

Rachmaninov Prelude in D flat op. 32 no. 13

As a fluent pianist, I work to find a proper grasp of the musical language of any piece I play. This prelude can easily sound dense, noisy and inaccessible, even in a solid technical performance with all the notes played accurately. In order to communicate its glorious, soaring, virtuoso, post-romantic story intelligibly, all intricate harmonies and contrapuntal lines must be clear and logical. Rachmaninov did not write atonally – there are no “wrong notes” in his music – but his very rich tonality (and rhythm too sometimes) can be extremely intricate and involved.

Mozart K333 Sonata – Andante. What’s the story in this piece?

Music has groove or metre like poetry. It generates musical sense or syntax. Follow the poetic unfolding of this Mozart slow movement and allow its deep meanings to enter your consciousness. Listen with your body and soul to the story it tells. Allow yourself to go deep inside, so that the hypnotic effect of the musical narrative takes you on a journey.

Rachmaninov Prelude in G op. 32 no. 5

The irregular and cross rhythms of this exquisitely beautiful Prelude sound so natural and uncontrived. The music flows with a gloriously liquid, impressionistic, harmonious quality evoking feelings of sweet sadness and a sense of pastoral beauty.

Rachmaninov Prelude in G sharp minor op. 32 no. 12

The deliciously sparkling texture and beautiful melodies – often in the left hand – fill this Prelude with nervous energy, drive and slightly understated passion.

Pianoteq’s Petrof Mistral – Rachmaninov Prelude in E flat Op 23 No 6

Pianoteq’s wonderful model of the Petrof Mistral – a piano with real beauty and character, warm, thick tones in the bass and sweet, bright, shimmering tones in the treble.

Chopin’s sparkling Valse Brillante

In this video I play Chopin’s sparkling Valse Brillante in A flat Op 34 No 1 on Pianoteq’s New York Steinway.

Rachmaninov Prelude op. 23 no. 4 in D

This is my performance of Rachmaninov’s Prelude op. 23 no. 4 in D on the New York Steinway Model D new to version 7 of Pianoteq.