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Sonata Secrets

Sonata Secrets

By Sonata Secrets

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn takes you on a journey through the great piano repertoire. By showing and commenting on what's really going on in the music, this podcast helps unlock the world of classical music for every listener and music lover.
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Stenhammar Nights of Late Summer no. 1: The Swedish Soul

Sonata SecretsSep 19, 2021

00:00
15:45
Scriabin Sonata No. 3, Op. 23, "States of the Soul"

Scriabin Sonata No. 3, Op. 23, "States of the Soul"

Scriabin's epic sonata no. 3 is one of only two with a more classical approach of four movements, before he ventured further into more integrated forms. However, you can already here savour everything that makes Scriabin great - soaring melodies, expansive textures over the whole piano, tightly knit counterpoint with individual voices and ever-unfolding chromaticism to name a few important ones.

Pianist Henrik Kilhamn guides you through the composition with its four movements, with presentations interlaced with musical excerpts, the score and some analytical insights.

Video: https://youtu.be/FEHzUgy5y2o

Mar 23, 202426:19
Rachmaninoff's Slick Suite for two pianos No. 2, Op. 17

Rachmaninoff's Slick Suite for two pianos No. 2, Op. 17

Rachmaninoff's suites for two pianos are quite unique in the classical repertoire - a musical language from the height of the romantic period but breaking new ground by utilizing two separate keyboards and pianists for some extraordinary textures! Pianist Henrik Kilhamn guides you through the composition with its four movements, with presentations interlaced with musical excerpts, the score and some analytical insights.

The recording used in the video is from a performance with Henrik Kilhamn and Svetla Tsvetkova.

Video: https://youtu.be/sLG17eEjkgU

Mar 02, 202421:53
Granados "The Maiden and the Nightingale" from Goyescas, no. 4

Granados "The Maiden and the Nightingale" from Goyescas, no. 4

Enrique Granados is one of the most prominent Spanish composers that used the national cultural heritage in his art music to open up new ways of writing for piano in early 20th century. Here we look at one of his most famous pieces, from the suite "Goyescas", inspired by the great art by Goya.

Video: https://youtu.be/T4IfCvYlzlE

Dec 22, 202322:29
Chopin "Military" Polonaise in A major, Op. 40 no. 1

Chopin "Military" Polonaise in A major, Op. 40 no. 1

The Polonaise provided Chopin a ground for writing grand pieces in dance form. One of the most emblematic, the "Military" Polonaise feels more like a victorious parade rather than conflict and war. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/x-R6flahwqI


Thumbnail image: Fanfare 'Korps Nationale Reserve' - Eksjö (Zweden) 2022

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Dec 07, 202318:07
Chopin Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17 no. 4 - What Makes a Mazurka?

Chopin Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17 no. 4 - What Makes a Mazurka?

Chopin's collection of Mazurkas is an important manifestation of his Polish identity, comprising a range of musical elements from the traditional folk dance. In this video we'll look closer at the somewhat peculiar and haunting Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17 no. 4. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/znXaTwHMvj4

Nov 19, 202321:29
Chopin Prelude no. 20 in C minor: A Perfect Poem

Chopin Prelude no. 20 in C minor: A Perfect Poem

Henrik Kilhamn looks into Chopin's famous Prelude in C minor, a miniature piece just like a poem, that rings with heavy tolls of funeral bells.

Video: https://youtu.be/cgqAH4lig4k

Oct 28, 202314:28
Chopin Nocturne in Bb minor, Op. 9 no. 1: Music of the Night
Oct 20, 202324:46
Philip Glass' Minimalist Piano Music, Glassworks Opening

Philip Glass' Minimalist Piano Music, Glassworks Opening

Alongside Einaudi and Michael Nyman, Glass' music aims to carry the torch of instrumental music into the modern musical world of a steady pulse and coherent harmony. His minimalist style uses repetition of potent musical ideas as a foundational device for setting up hypnotic musical soundscapes. In this video we take a deeper look at the Opening movement of his 1982 album Glassworks, which is a solo piano piece. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/QEadFTZ71aQ

Sep 26, 202317:20
Bach's Glorious Goldberg Variations
Sep 15, 202320:19
Bartók 6 Romanian Folk Dances - Róck it with Bartók!

Bartók 6 Romanian Folk Dances - Róck it with Bartók!

Béla Bartók's six Romanian Folk Dances introduces exciting rhythms, modes and harmonic setups that we are not that used to, coming from a classical perspective. They are very short and make for great intermediate pieces, and this is a long lecture going into details on all six with pianist Henrik Kilhamn. Video: https://youtu.be/GwtCWrx6_SI

Sep 02, 202335:02
Bach Prelude No. 2 in C minor (from WTK1): Different Ways To Play
May 27, 202311:60
Scriabin Valse Op 38: Dancing Diffusion

Scriabin Valse Op 38: Dancing Diffusion

Scriabin takes the standard Waltz form and makes it his own with the help of floating polyrhythms, tender melodies, dramatic surges and exploratory harmony in this marvellous composition. The piece was a request by my Patreon sponsor D. E. Frez. With Henrik Kilhamn, pianist.

Video: https://youtu.be/IYaEsjTmEvo

May 22, 202324:06
Rachmaninoff Prelude in D major, Op. 23 no. 4: Aching Beauty
May 14, 202327:47
Beethoven "Easy" Sonata no. 20 in G major, Op. 49 no. 2, mvt. 1
May 08, 202317:09
Schubert "The Sleepwalker:" Moment Musical in F minor, Op. 94 no. 3
May 01, 202312:18
Mendelssohn's "Spring Song", Lieder Ohne Worte Op. 62 no. 6
Apr 24, 202318:37
Mendelssohn Lieder Ohne Worte Op. 19 no. 1: You Need To Play This Piece

Mendelssohn Lieder Ohne Worte Op. 19 no. 1: You Need To Play This Piece

Felix Mendelssohn wrote songs for piano: Lieder Ohne Worte = Songs Without Words. The very first one of all the volumes (Op. 19 no. 1) is a perfect piece for practicing sound balance in the right hand, and the music is just fabulous.

You need this kind of sound balance/hand weight for playing these works

- Beethoven Moonlight Sonata mvt I

- Schubert Impromptu no. 3 in Gb major

- Chopin Funeral March

- Debussy Claire de lune (fast section)

- Ravel Pavane for a dead princess

...and countless more pieces.

So I can recommend this piece as a study to lay proper technique ground work within real and great musical context!


Video: https://youtu.be/VedGgsxgqTg

Apr 16, 202320:37
Debussy "The Snow Is Dancing" (from Children's Corner)

Debussy "The Snow Is Dancing" (from Children's Corner)

No. 4 of the six movements of "Children's Corner" is the toughest to play, but paints a beautiful winter landscape with exciting energies in the intricate textures. With Henrik Kilhamn, piano.

Video: https://youtu.be/3hQQhjspo24

Mar 13, 202317:36
Dreaming with Debussy: Rêverie
Feb 14, 202322:54
Brahms Intermezzo in Bb minor, Op. 117 no. 2: Residual Unrest
Feb 06, 202326:06
Brahms Intermezzo in Eb major, Op. 117 no. 1: A Lamenting Lullaby
Jan 14, 202322:39
Tchaikovsky Arabian Coffee Dance (from Nutcracker)

Tchaikovsky Arabian Coffee Dance (from Nutcracker)

In this episode we'll see how Tchaikovsky summons the exotic arabian dancers in the Nutcracker ballet, using modal mixture, oriental ornaments and meandering structural segments over a rhythmic ostinato. With your analysis guide Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/9xoCT93XfjY

Jan 06, 202317:54
Debussy Prelude no. 2, book 2: "Dead Leaves"

Debussy Prelude no. 2, book 2: "Dead Leaves"

Debussy paints a musical depiction of dead leaves with dissonant harmonies and eerie and fragmented lines in his "Feuilles mortes," Prelude no. 2 from the second volume of preludes. It shows a lot of his typical features such as sequential rather than functional harmony, block chords, and a maximal use of different piano registers. With Henrik Kilhamn, piano.

The piece was a Patreon request by L. von Geist.

Video: https://youtu.be/pWmycfBX2zg

Dec 22, 202215:09
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracking Christmas March

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracking Christmas March

Tchaikovsky made the piano arrangement to his "Nutcracker" ballet music himself. The March is one of his most known tunes that immediately summons the Christmas spirit with its high energy marching features. Any ballet production tells the story of toy soldiers coming to life, but in this video we look at the music only. Henrik Kilhamn, piano.

Video: https://youtu.be/PrZ15Lo2s6A

Dec 13, 202211:18
Fauré's Gorgeous Nocturne no. 6 in D flat major, Op. 63

Fauré's Gorgeous Nocturne no. 6 in D flat major, Op. 63

Faurés mature style explores the chromatic depths of counterpoint while retaining a radiant surface, and his 6th Nocturne in D flat major, Op. 63, is a great example that holds together three disparate ideas beautifully. 

This video is on the advanced side of analysis on the channel, e.g. some concepts are used freely in order to get more complex points through. If you don't know them this should still give some good context for getting acquainted with them (things like cadence, sequence, appoggiatura etc.) 

The piece was a Patreon request by S. Lam.

Video: https://youtu.be/K5emh7NdGYE

Dec 06, 202237:35
Fauré's Beautiful Pavane, Op. 50

Fauré's Beautiful Pavane, Op. 50

Gabriel Fauré's Pavane is one of those pieces that just speaks directly to your heart with an air of nobility intact. The composition is a masterclass in coherent melodic structure and the use of coloring notes in harmony.

Video: https://youtu.be/9ucfVYrbCDg

Nov 04, 202219:08
Schumann's Prophetic Bird (from Waldszenen)

Schumann's Prophetic Bird (from Waldszenen)

"Vogel als Prophet" (Bird as prophet) is a peculiar piece in Robert Schumann's Waldszenen suite Op. 82. On closer inspection we find the most prominent feature to be arpeggios leading to quite dissonant appoggiaturas. As often with Schumann, he strikes a balance between the playful and the profound. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/ic7cXHujqA8

Oct 27, 202211:34
Chopin's Unmatched Ballade no. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

Chopin's Unmatched Ballade no. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

Chopin's 1st Ballade in G minor has a special place in the hearts of many pianists and piano lovers. It has many characters who all speak directly and poignantly, and Chopin lets them evolve organically within the Ballade. It's a story without any explicit drama, but with intense dramatic content nevertheless. And it's especially one chord that sets the tone. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/7kfJvpODcXM

Oct 14, 202253:08
Schumann "Eintritt" (from Waldszenen)

Schumann "Eintritt" (from Waldszenen)

The piece that starts Waldszenen (Forest scenes) is "Eintritt", an Entrance into the forest. The pleasant melody shifts between the hands but for some reason Schumann has written most of the piece like it's metrically offset within the 4/4 time signature.

Video: https://youtu.be/s7OI-OcUVko

Sep 16, 202211:40
Schumann's Lonely Flowers (from Waldszenen)

Schumann's Lonely Flowers (from Waldszenen)

Schumann's "Waldszenen" (Forest scenes) op. 82 is a collection from his later period, invoking the forest in nine pastoral, cute and intruiging pieces. No. 3 "Einsame Blumen" or "Lonely Flowers" has all the best Schumann ingredients: rhythmic ambiguity, aching suspensions and creative counterpoint.

Video: https://youtu.be/t3VaGEIGNTI

Sep 07, 202215:34
Sinding Fruhlingsrauschen: The Ultimate Fake-Virtuosic Piano Showpiece

Sinding Fruhlingsrauschen: The Ultimate Fake-Virtuosic Piano Showpiece

Frühlingsrauschen, or Rustle of Spring, has impressed audiences since Christian Sinding composed it in 1896. The lightning-fast arpeggios in the right hand are actually not that difficult, but the piece still requires a high degree of rhythmic precision and position changes later on.  It's a passionate celebration of spring-time energy, wonderfully fitted with exciting harmonic progressions that we take a closer look at here. With Henrik Kilhamn, piano.

Video: https://youtu.be/SYTmEPy_qck

Jun 24, 202219:03
Chopin Nocturne in B major Op. 9 no. 3 - Don't Try This Nocturne At Home!

Chopin Nocturne in B major Op. 9 no. 3 - Don't Try This Nocturne At Home!

This Nocturne poses some serious technical challenges! Once mastered, they give an impression of something light and playful (scherzando is marked in the score) and with so much elegance typical of the young Chopin. With Henrik Kilhamn, professional pianist.

Video: https://youtu.be/0S5uRET-mzg

Apr 30, 202224:30
Rachmaninoff Prelude in B flat minor, Op. 32 no. 2: Relentless Rhythms

Rachmaninoff Prelude in B flat minor, Op. 32 no. 2: Relentless Rhythms

This is a fascinating example of how Rachmaninoff uses a short motif as a foundation for a composition, and spins an endless amount of colorful variations on it. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/AuJ2ksqjhrY

Apr 01, 202215:50
A Chopin(esque?) Valse Mélancolique

A Chopin(esque?) Valse Mélancolique

This poignant waltz was published in 1986 and attributed posthumously to Chopin, but it was discovered in 2012 to actually have been written by Chopin's contemporary Charles Mayer. However, he did such a good job to imitate a Chopinesque style (for example with chromatic suspensions) that he had the music world fooled for several decades. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn. This episode is dedicated to my Patreon sponsor M. Thurston.

Video: https://youtu.be/PFHgfTVyQ7Y

Mar 12, 202211:36
Scriabin Prelude in D-flat major Op. 11 no. 15: Serenity

Scriabin Prelude in D-flat major Op. 11 no. 15: Serenity

In the middle of the set of 24 preludes in all different keys Op. 11, Scriabin limits himself to use only the diatonic notes of D-flat major in slowly moving melodic lines harmonized in thirds. Needless to say it's a great exercise for legato playing in the left hand, which has to play the thirds before the right hand enters with a soaring but tragic melody.

Video: https://youtu.be/zBdNOsToQbU

Feb 25, 202207:32
Brahms Intermezzo in A major Op. 118 no. 2: All is forgiven

Brahms Intermezzo in A major Op. 118 no. 2: All is forgiven

This is one of my absolute favourite piano pieces. Brahms is such a master of knitting the musical material together tightly, and he does so in this Intermezzo over a nostalgic but forgiving backdrop. The middle section is a reminder of sorrow and pain, but in the end everything is all right. Henrik Kilhamn, piano.

Video: https://youtu.be/bypALczDNMI

Easy arrangement: https://sonatasecrets.gumroad.com/l/brahms-intermezzo-1182

Feb 12, 202227:06
Brahms Waltz in Ab major, Op. 39 no. 15: Ever so Elegant!

Brahms Waltz in Ab major, Op. 39 no. 15: Ever so Elegant!

This is one of Brahms' most famous melodies; it captures perfectly the elegant dancing of the Viennese ballrooms in a piano piece.

Video: https://youtu.be/6sYxmVYHD30

Dec 19, 202105:31
Liszt Liebestraum no. 3: Dreams of Love!

Liszt Liebestraum no. 3: Dreams of Love!

Henrik Kilhamn takes a closer look at Liszt's famous Liebestraum no. 3. It's inspired by a poem by Ferdinand Freiligrath "Oh, love as long as long you may", celebrating love as a strong force in the world, and Liszt makes use of some spectacular things in the musical structure to get the message across.

Video: https://youtu.be/U_AImOWal2Y

Dec 12, 202116:56
Liszt Consolation no. 3: A Musical Prayer

Liszt Consolation no. 3: A Musical Prayer

Liszt's "Consolations" are a kind of musical prayer, and no. 3 is perhaps the most comforting of all with its Lento placido; resonating broken chords over a deep bass and a soaring melody. Playing, analysis and comments by pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/_QoShd8mKz8

Nov 20, 202114:16
Chopin Nocturne in Eb major Op. 55 no. 2: A Dynamic Duet

Chopin Nocturne in Eb major Op. 55 no. 2: A Dynamic Duet

This major Nocturne has all the typical features - long sweeping arpeggios in the left hand and a soaring melody on top - but it is also a duet of two voices that keep the dialogue alive throughout the piece. With pianist Henrik Kilham.

Video: https://youtu.be/tc69rTem_qo

Nov 06, 202126:12
Big My Secret (from The Piano)

Big My Secret (from The Piano)

What is the secret alluded to by this wonderful piece of music by Michael Nyman? "The Piano" character Ada plays this piece in the movie - it shows some classical influence to start with, but then develops into a passionate improvisation with lovely piano textures over lush chords. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/l6QzexGfGZA

Oct 30, 202109:22
Grieg Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op. 65 no. 6

Grieg Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op. 65 no. 6

Edvard Grieg wrote this famous piano piece to celebrate his 25 year wedding anniversary with his wife Nina. Henrik Kilhamn goes through the music to find out how it feels so optimistic and full of energy, and the middle section so nostalgic and sensual.

Video: https://youtu.be/3zknYtbD5MY

Oct 20, 202117:46
Stenhammar Fantasy no. 3: A Folklore Fairy Tale

Stenhammar Fantasy no. 3: A Folklore Fairy Tale

W. Stenhammar's third Fantasy from Op. 11 could just as well have had the title Ballade in my opinion. Folklore melodies, dramatic development and your typical Stenhamamr chromatic thickness. Henrik Kilhamn, piano.

Video: https://youtu.be/BfnaTCyWXsE

Oct 09, 202114:42
The Heart Asks Pleasure First (from The Piano)

The Heart Asks Pleasure First (from The Piano)

There are some piano gems from the film music genre, and this is one of them: Michael Nymans score to the 1993 Jane Campion film The Piano. Rolling 16th notes over lush harmonies - simple but effective, and a manifestation of the main character's emotional life in the film. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/YlW1XhbWHeI

Oct 04, 202111:36
Grieg Notturno Op. 54 no. 4

Grieg Notturno Op. 54 no. 4

In this close look at Grieg's Notturno from Lyric pieces book 5, we explore some of the typcial romantic harmonic tropes, put to effective use by Grieg. Half-diminished chords, extensions and tritone shifts among others. Henrik Kilhamn plays and explains along the way.

Video: https://youtu.be/Q9uzlGRqD8g

Sep 27, 202118:16
Stenhammar Nights of Late Summer no. 1: The Swedish Soul

Stenhammar Nights of Late Summer no. 1: The Swedish Soul

Wilhelm Stenhammar is one of Sweden's greatest composers in the romantic tradition. In this emblematic piece he captures something of the nordic spirit - personal and melancholic but with a deep sense of connection to something that has been around for a very long time. With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/06CB499p0u4

Sep 19, 202115:45
Grieg "Folk Song", Op. 12 no. 5: A Norwegian Mazurka?!

Grieg "Folk Song", Op. 12 no. 5: A Norwegian Mazurka?!

Henrik Kilhamn goes through the 5th piece in Grieg's first volume of Lyric pieces: a Folk Song. A steady beat in triple time, Mazurka-like rhythms and romantic harmony awaits.

Video: https://youtu.be/1HWtsV2CehY

Sep 03, 202107:34
Grieg Arietta, Op. 12 no. 1: A Lyric Lullaby

Grieg Arietta, Op. 12 no. 1: A Lyric Lullaby

The very first of Edvard Grieg's "lyric pieces", Arietta Op. 12 no. 1, is a true piano gem. A singable melody over a rocking accompaniment and cosy romantic harmonies. Presented in an analysis tutorial by pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/CUYrxxWluGU

Aug 28, 202109:15
Ravel Le Gibet (from Gaspard de la nuit) - The Gallows

Ravel Le Gibet (from Gaspard de la nuit) - The Gallows

"Le Gibet" is the haunting second piece in Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit. A repeated B flat in the right hand permeates the whole piece as the bell tolling in the poetic landscape of Aloysius Bertrand, which the piece is set to conjure. Henrik Kilhamn goes through this incredible music.

Video: https://youtu.be/hMbiASv0Udg

Aug 13, 202128:09
Ravel Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit) - Fatal Temptations!

Ravel Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit) - Fatal Temptations!

Maurice Ravel paints a wonderful scene in music after Aloysius Bertrands poem with the same name: Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit. The siren Ondine sings to seduce a young man. Can he resist? With pianist Henrik Kilhamn.

Video: https://youtu.be/cQbZ9JBUuWU

Jul 16, 202139:25