Bach - Goldberg Variations I, IV, IX, X

[steveie986]

This is my first attempt at recording.

I'm a mostly self-taught pianist. I've had five years of fairly basic piano lessons and I've played by myself for five years.

I love listening to Glenn Gould so I try to sound like him. Please tell me if my attempt at imitating Gould's staccato fails terribly.

More recordings of the Goldberg to come in the future, I hope.

[jamie_liszt]

  You are very good. I hate Bach, not because of his music but because I can't play it.

Don't try copying anyone. You will always fail.

[piano121]

Beautifull! you play Bach so well! Love the Goldbergs to.... give us more!

[steveie986]

Thanks for the kind words. There are a few notable hiccups in these recordings. Also they were done on an average Yamaha upright (recorded with the built-in microphone on my iBook). I'll continue learning the Goldberg and I hope to re-record some on the nice Steinway grand in my university's Music Department.

Recording your own playing is so rewarding and exhilarating. Once I have recorded all the Goldbergs, I feel I can die happy. I'm 4/32 of the way there! (Kind of morbid, no?)

[simoncowellforclassical]

I love Goldberg Variations. Nice attempt! I think you played it good and understood good for being a Self-taught pianist.

[steveie986]

Here's I, IV, and IX on a much better piano (Steinway grand) performed by moi.

[letters]

i really like your playing, its nice and simple and clean. you are very precise

[daniloperusina]

Interesting! You play really well, and you love for this music shines through! I couldn't hear any obvious "wrongs" at first listening, and you Gould-influence is noticeable.

I do have of tips though on how you can make a much better recording, using very cheap microphones and preamps! If you really want to make nice recordings of your playing, you'll be amazed at what you can do on a budget level!
Regards, Danilo

[steveie986]

Your encouragement means a lot. I haven't had a teacher (except for Glenn Gould and, more recently, Rosalyn Tureck  ) for almost five years so I can only critique myself by obsessively listening to my own recordings. This kind of music is what I think about in my spare time and what I'm passionate about.

I'd love some advice on how to get better recording equipment. I don't know very much about recording technology, etc.

I know at least the notes of about ten variations and I'll record more when they are ready musically.