Debussy - "Suite Bergamasque" Prelude

[pianohopper]

Recorded using Adobe Audition and Griffin technology's iMic, on August 10th, 2004, with a Roland piano which I do not remember the model number.
comments welcome -- i have thick skin, dn't be afraid to be critical!

[dmk]

I know the piece instructions say with rubato but there is just too much of it for my taste.

A few too many liberties taken with the rhythm for my taste.

dmk

[aajjmb]

holy crap you play that slow.... the first f then octave f then c (i think thats the notes... just visulizing in my head) should be much faster.... maybe you could try double speed at least ... yea anbd i agree with too much rubato.... don;t wanna be mean here lol   how long have you played out of curiosity?

[sonatainfsharp]

Extremely inaccurate... I had to stop it after 30 seconds. Where did you pick up an interpretation like this?

[pianohopper]

Please fill me in on a more accurate interpretation.  I followed the suggestions of my teacher, which I find usually good advice. 

[pianohopper]

and, might i ask, how can you judge my interpretation from listening to only 30 seconds?  When I asked for feedback, I meant constructive.  If you want to say something, listen to the whole piece before you pass judgment.  to aajjmb, i have been playing for 10 years.  I don't know, what is the speed more supposed to be like?  tempo:  ?? 

[dmk]

and, might i ask, how can you judge my interpretation from listening to only 30 seconds? When I asked for feedback, I meant constructive. If you want to say something, listen to the whole piece before you pass judgment. to aajjmb, i have been playing for 10 years. I don't know, what is the speed more supposed to be like? tempo: ??

Item 1....You said you have thick skin and we should not be afraid to be critical

Item 2...Constructive comments do not mean being positive and telling you that you are wonderful and that you may like to change this

General consensus from the 3 comments is that it is too slow to open with and that there is way too much rubato which means there is no sense of rhythm or pulse.  As for interpretation you may want to try Arrau although I would recommend Howat.

[pianohopper]

dmk, my point is that sonatainfsharp is giving no constructive criticism, because by his own admission he has only listened to 30 seconds!

I am not offended by anything else, I am willing to listen to the comments and improve my playing by such, but why waste your breath by saying, "I've only heard you play a couple measures, you are an awful pianist."  It is such critique as yours and the others who have posted here that will help me play this better but not somebody who has not even listened to my performance. 

[dmk]

dmk, my point is that sonatainfsharp is giving no constructive criticism, because by his own admission he has only listened to 30 seconds!

I am not offended by anything else, I am willing to listen to the comments and improve my playing by such, but why waste your breath by saying, "I've only heard you play a couple measures, you are an awful pianist." It is such critique as yours and the others who have posted here that will help me play this better but not somebody who has not even listened to my performance.

Fair call....very fair.

It is difficult to listen to I will admit.  Watch the melody like in the 3rd bar let the top notes sing through the tie and the middle voice shouldn't intrude on that note singing...

Definately listen to some other performances of this beautiful work (and it is definately one of my favourites!!!)

good luck

dmk

[instromp]

I listened to the whole thing and i think it is played too slow, but it sounds like you have all the notes  together  from my perspective but just up the tempo more and it will  sound very nice with a good legato.From what i kno the tempo is supposed to be moderato (tempo rubato)

[I Love Xenakis]

Despite what everyone else here has said, I liked this a LOT, and I almost never compliment stuff on here.  I think it captured all of the debussian qualities very well ^^

Normally I really hate slow interpretations of pieces but I think it worked with this.  It's certainly not what anyone here is used to, but I liked it.


I wonder if Richter got the same sort of flak for his Schubert D. 960 when he first played it.

[gruffalo]

ok, heres what you need to do. have you listened to it yourself a couple of times? if not, do so. then listen to a few proffesional recordings ie. Roge or many others.

first of all, too much rubato. all the piece needs rubato, its only by small amounts. theres not structure to the piece at the moment. im not trying to be an  ass here, but if your teacher really thinks that is an acceptable level to play that piece at (not talking in terms of accuracy) and if she thinks that amount of rubato sounds good, then i think you need another teacher. you need to get the metronome out and sort out a pulse to the piece. then once you have structure, you can do small bits of rubato around it.

hope this helps

Gruff


p.s. i learned this piece recently so if you have any questions, just PM me.