Beethoven - Sonata op. 2 no. 3 mvt I

[kd]

Let me know what you think about this - give some constructive criticism, say I'm hopeless etc.
(Sorry for bad audio quality, I know I have to look for better recording equipment.)

[kelly_kelly]

That's a digital piano, right?

Overall, I thought it was good. Sometimes the melody was drowned out by loud LH chords, and the tempo fluctuated occasionally. However, I could never play this piece, so I'm not the best judge  .

[liszt1022]

I played this in my Junior Recital at college. The first movement I played as if it was an orchestral reduction of a piano concerto. Try to think of which parts would be orchestra, which would be piano. The part starting 5:11 was the hardest for me to get off clearly, but it just takes a lot of good wrist rotation and slow practice. You should make more out of the big chord at 6:09, since it's supposed to be a surprise.
Sometimes this recording sounds as if it was recorded slow and then sped up, is this the case? If so, that makes me sad. If not, you need to use a lot more rubato. Pedaling never sounds right on digital pianos so I can't comment on that.
The cadenza and the rest went off well enough. Will you be doing the remaining movements?

[kd]

That's a digital piano, right?

Right.

The part starting 5:11 was the hardest for me to get off clearly, but it just takes a lot of good wrist rotation and slow practice.

I also seem to have problems with that part - I evidently messed it up here. So I guess I should focus on my rotation now.

Sometimes this recording sounds as if it was recorded slow and then sped up, is this the case?

No, definitely not. I'm not the sort of person to boast about untrue achievements. Anyway, even supposing I wanted to do this, wouldn't the outcome be much better?
It may sound weird of course. Blame my old mic for that. The only "unreal" thing I did was some computer manipulation with volume (not with tempo!). The mic rarely records any dynamic contrast, which of course I do use while playing. With not many efforts to hide this manipulation, it can be easily heard (at 0:20 for example). But this particular thing does not come from my playing abilities.

You should make more out of the big chord at 6:09, since it's supposed to be a surprise.

I try to make this chord sound more powerful, although the LH stretch isn't my favourite one
But remember my miking problems. So it's only my half-fault.

and the tempo fluctuated occasionally.

you need to use a lot more rubato.

So what's the right thing to do?

Pedaling never sounds right on digital pianos so I can't comment on that.

Actually, I don't use much pedalling. Only in the sections starting 5:11 and 8:24.

Will you be doing the remaining movements?

I'm still not done with the first movement. You don't think the rest will be too far ahead of me (esp. mvt 4)?

[ozzy]

It may sound weird of course. Blame my old mic for that. The only "unreal" thing I did was some computer manipulation with volume

This is a pity. It sounds a bit unnatural, to say the least, and IMO it hides more of your musical intentions (innyour playing) than emphazises them.
I have played this piece quite a few times, and agree with some bits in your interpretation (ex: the presentation of the theme), and disagree strongly with some (ex:like around 6.35). But hey...thats probably a good thing.
 From a technical point of view, it seems that you have the possibilities to do this really good. Good octaves. However...On the other hand it sounds that you really need someone guiding you through the difficulties in passages like 5.11 (as already mentioned).

In short: Good spirit overall, but I would strive higher and put in yet another couple of hours of thinking/practising.

[pianistimo]

i've always heard the beginning as a sort of mysterious slower tempo (allowing the first note to fully sound) 'question' and then the second 'question.'  and then the revealing of the dialogue.  maybe you're too 'on tempo' and need someone to just act parts with a score of shakespeare.  i used to rush stuff too, so this might seem critical - but meant as just taking your time (especially the first note to let it start/peak/diminish - played at just the right loudness for the tempo (so it CAN start/peak/diminish within the allotted time beethoven gives you).  digital pianos are hard to control - so this is different than on a grand.

[kelly_kelly]

So what's the right thing to do?

Don't listen to me- I haven't played the piece, and know less about it's supposed to sound.

[qwerty quaver]

Hi !!

First of all, great playing! though the digital piano may not help you achieve to the fullest what you intend to do. However, I am no expert on digital pianos....

I am currently studying this movement and fully sympathise with you, especially the 5:11 passage!!!    By the way, really good octaves!

Any suggestions anyone for how to practice the 5:11 passage??

QQ