Author Topic: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT  (Read 1423 times)

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Offline Philippe Cordier

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Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« on: May 02, 2009, 05:58:41 AM »
I've just started viewing 1841 for the third time, I believe.

In episode #1203, Melanie Collins is at the piano at Collinwood in a scene shared with Julia. At two intervals, Melanie briefly plays several bars from a lovely rather melancholy piano piece that sounds 19th century. There is a slightly discordant or minor key quality. I don't think it's Chopin, but I can't put my finger on what the piece is. It could even be later than the time period of the storyline.

I've checked all my resources, including the "Dark Shadows Almanac: Millennium Edition," to no avail. Kathleen Resch's 1840 Concordance summaries these episodes, but mistakenly says that Julia is playing the piano and Melanie enters the room.

Do any classical music lovers know what this piece is? I'm certain that VictoriaWinters would be able to identify this piece if she heard it ... are you there, VictoriaWinters? 
 [ghost_smiley]
"Collinwood is not a healthy place to be." -- Collinsport sheriff, 1995

Offline Midnite

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2009, 04:36:36 AM »
Hate 1841 but love Chopin.  You can listen here to Rubinstein (whose Ballades I first heard, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's his recording in the scene) play Ballade No. 4 in F-minor, Op. 52.  You'll recognize the melody that begins at exactly 0:36.  Enjoy!

Offline Taeylor Collins

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2009, 05:17:07 AM »
I love me some Chopin as well.  I do like parts of 1841! I[spoiler] just hate that we never saw the future again![/spoiler]  [ghost_mad]
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Offline Philippe Cordier

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2009, 05:46:10 AM »
Thanks, Midnite!  I should have trusted my first impression that it might be Chopin!

Nice to hear the complete piece as performed by Rubenstein.

This might be only my second viewing of 1841, because I'm not remembering too much of what happens, which is a pleasant surprise. I'm not overly fond of the melodrama aspects, but am spellbound by the whole lottery business and what lies behind the curse.
"Collinwood is not a healthy place to be." -- Collinsport sheriff, 1995

Offline Gothick

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2009, 04:04:45 PM »
Liz played a piece by Chopin in one of the very first episodes--no. 2 or 3, I believe.

In 1968, I believe Carolyn was heard playing Chopin in the drawing room.

In the original Art Wallace script from the 1950s, "The House," the character that eventually became Liz in the Art Wallace DS bible made extra money teaching piano to children in the village. 

G.

Offline dom

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2009, 06:47:42 PM »
Liz played a piece by Chopin in one of the very first episodes--no. 2 or 3, I believe.

And all this time I thought it was a Barry Manilow tune.

I used to fantasize about recreating this scene as a comedy skit to perform at a fest. But that was when I had the figure and the hair to play Liz, lol. Now I'd be lucky to land the part of Prof. Stokes!

(But I'm not bitter...)

Offline Midnite

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2009, 09:39:25 PM »
Aw, dom!

I seem to recall that the skit included some weighty chandelier earrings.   [ghost_cheesy]

Offline dom

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Re: Melanie's Piano Selection in 1841PT
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2009, 10:12:38 PM »
 [a1f5]

You remembered!  [ghost_happy]