chopin prelude #1

[pianistimo]

i realize this might sound like a rach prelude right now.  i'm attempting to lighten up on it .  my big question is that i recorded it twice.  once with the rh completely in tune with the left in terms of the sixteenth triplets - and one - pretending it was an editors mistake on the first triplet on the top voice (and omitting it entirely).  which one do you like?  which one do you think chopin intended?

the first one is the way i see it written:

[pianistimo]

second version:

[Derek]

I've always adored this piece. I like the second version a lot, the top voice seems to be more independent.  I actually think Ashkenazy plays it like the second version....or maybe playing it fast gives that impression I don't know. That's a cool contrast. I think it pays to take liberties with the rhythms, even harmonies, of the old composers' music sometimes. Back then it was expected to do so.  *edit* I just listened to Ashkenazy's version and...I don't think he's doing it like the second version on second thought.  I still like the second one better, if it is played slowly.

[pianistimo]

thanks for telling me.  i don't think it's taking liberties.  i think it is what chopin wrote originally.  but, i'd like to know from someone who has seen the original manuscript.  i think the editors mistakenly put in triplets to the top voice.  this is just my supposition.  or that chopin only put it on the first one -(accidentally) but interestingly not on any other of the supposed triplets.  maybe he mean it for the notes underneath?

just wondering.

[Mayla]

or that chopin only put it on the first one -(accidentally) but interestingly not on any other of the supposed triplets.  maybe he mean it for the notes underneath?

just wondering.

As I am sure you have noticed in various other pieces, when there is a repeating triplet pattern throughout a passage (1st mov. of Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' comes to mind) or piece, that nobody wastes the ink nor decides to overtax our visual stimulation by giving us the little "3" over each set.  It is assumed that the pattern stays the same until otherwise indicated. 

Now, as far as the original score goes, I have never seen it.  But, every edition of the prelude that I have seen has the triplets, so I assume that they are all getting it from somewhere  . 

[jakev2.0]

I'm sorry...much much much to slow. You're playing it at about 1/4 performance tempo. The piece is barely recognizable. Not quite "agitato" I'm afraid...more like "bingo day in the old-folks home". Even at this tempo, you make needless mistakes.

Play even slower, legato, with metronome.

[opus10no2]

finally, respect thine jake

[pianistimo]

ok, jake.  more legato.  i'll play it slower first and then speed it up to 'agitato' with more legato. 

i really do appreciate your advice.  btw, if you have any for the first nocturne of the op 9 - haven't put the recording up - but just need basic advice on it - please share on that, too.

*does anyone know where one could look at the original manuscript of the first prelude online?

**note:  after practicing this again tonight (with my strings - on midi) i suddenly realized the dotted note meant hold through whilst playing the other notes.  so, now i have some voicing to the thing.  i can't believe i never saw that before.  i must be going.  details are escaping me.

[pianistimo]

say, if anyone wants to know the fingering - i figured out one that seems to work.  once you work out the first measure - everything else is pretty much similar:

lh takes first two notes (C G - in first measure 5,2)
rh takes dotted sixteenth and other sixteenth - PLUS with thumb you take the top note of LH triplet with rh (2, 1 and 5)
then
lh does a crossover(1 and 2, 3, 1 and 5)

repeat a zillion times unless fingering dictates to use another finger.

does anyone else use this fingering.  my hands are smaller and this is a very easy fingering for me.

[chromatickler]

I'm sorry...much much much to slow. You're playing it at about 1/4 performance tempo...

Play even slower, legato, with metronome.

the man speaks from experience. respect!

[jakev2.0]

If you can't play something at one tempo, chances are you can't play it at a faster tempo (as your pathetic attempts at Chopin's studies illustrate).