Chopin Op.10 No.9

[phil13]

...after 2 weeks of study and a few days off from it. 

Comments, please.

Phil

[kd]

Wow, if that's after just 2 weeks, then the first thing that comes to my mind is - you must have very big hands. And, of course, congratulations for bringing the etude to such a good standard in such a short time.

There were a few inaccuracies in the left hand (like F-B-Ab-C-Bb-C or E-C-Ab-C-Bb-C instead of F-C-Ab-C-Bb-C). If they are in the middle, they are not that bad (I have to consult the score to be certain the note was wrong, there are B's instead of C's in some places). Just try to avoid playing wrong lowest notes, as they tend to stick out more. But the recording makes me feel sure all the mistakes were purely accidental and you have good technical control. I'm not an expert on Chopin etudes, but how is it ranked among other etudes? Definitely not as hard as 10/1 or 10/4, but how, more or less, is it comparing to, say, 25/1 or 25/2? And what fingering do you use for, say F-C-C-C-Db-C? 5-4-1-4-1-4, 5-3-1-3-1-3, 5-3-1-4-1-4?

What I also like about your playing is that you are successfully trying to bring out a lot of music from the etude. I like your dynamics and slight tempo changes (except a few bars at the end, where I think it was too slow - but that's maybe just my personal taste). Phrasing and articulation will probably be never perfect in that etude since you have to pedal most of it, but still you were able to do a lot about it. The "molto agitato" from the tempo marking can be really felt in your performance. Very nice! Actually it might make me want to learn this etude (although I have another one in my plans).

Pity the recording isn't of very good quality. But do post more recordings.

[pianistimo]

agreed about the interpretation and how well you play it for only two weeks.  one thing i'd like to hear is not so intense forte dynamics.  more mf instead of ff.  it's almost 'banging' in some spots - but the agiatato comes through.  as i see it - it would be more refined to play softer but with the same intensity.

[phil13]

Wow, if that's after just 2 weeks, then the first thing that comes to my mind is - you must have very big hands. And, of course, congratulations for bringing the etude to such a good standard in such a short time.

There were a few inaccuracies in the left hand (like F-B-Ab-C-Bb-C or E-C-Ab-C-Bb-C instead of F-C-Ab-C-Bb-C). If they are in the middle, they are not that bad (I have to consult the score to be certain the note was wrong, there are B's instead of C's in some places). Just try to avoid playing wrong lowest notes, as they tend to stick out more. But the recording makes me feel sure all the mistakes were purely accidental and you have good technical control. I'm not an expert on Chopin etudes, but how is it ranked among other etudes? Definitely not as hard as 10/1 or 10/4, but how, more or less, is it comparing to, say, 25/1 or 25/2? And what fingering do you use for, say F-C-C-C-Db-C? 5-4-1-4-1-4, 5-3-1-3-1-3, 5-3-1-4-1-4?

What I also like about your playing is that you are successfully trying to bring out a lot of music from the etude. I like your dynamics and slight tempo changes (except a few bars at the end, where I think it was too slow - but that's maybe just my personal taste). Phrasing and articulation will probably be never perfect in that etude since you have to pedal most of it, but still you were able to do a lot about it. The "molto agitato" from the tempo marking can be really felt in your performance. Very nice! Actually it might make me want to learn this etude (although I have another one in my plans).

Pity the recording isn't of very good quality. But do post more recordings.

I use 5-3-1-3-1-3 for most of them, occasionally substituting 4 for 3, though not often.

10/9 is relatively easy. In fact, it's a very good place to start learning the Chopets, because it's one of those techniques that you really can't prepare for- you just jump in and start trying. I did both 25/1 and 25/2 before it, so I'd say it's a little harder than 25/2 and just a tad easier than 25/1.

Glad you liked the rec.

More comments are welcome, ppl. 

Phil