Chopin Prelude #4 (Em) fingering

[geschema]

Is it mandatory to play the left hand chords legato?

I understand that one should look at the left hand notes not as chords but as three voices. While it's probably possible to find a fingering for the LH that enables legato playing, it will make the piece technically much harder to play. So, should I strive for it?

Also I would be very grateful for any online/book references about the Chopin Preludes.

Many thanks,
Guy.

[gyzzzmo]

you have to prepare for the next chord while you're still using the pedal. For example the first bar. If you started the chord with 5-3-1, change BEFORE you let the pedal go to 4-2-1 so you can get the next chord legato.

gl, gyzzzmo

[geschema]

Thanks, gyzzzmo. That's what I had in mind. I will go back to work and see if I can figure a fingering out.

[ganymed]

there is one think which you have forgot to mention , that chopin was a PIANO TEACHER.

Is it mandatory to play the left hand chords legato?

Yes! it is not as simple as that, i.e using the pedal to play the chords legato.
In this way you lose control over your playing.  For further explanation please have a look at this link

http://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,4016.msg36601.html#msg36601


that's why this prelude i think is very hard. As an advice, get the cortot edition for this prelude. It has very comfortable  and clever  fingering that makes perfect legato possible
.

 

[dan101]

Use the sustain pedal for legato (legato pedaling on the harmony changes). Don't drive yourself nuts with obsessive legato fingering. However, there are moments in the piece where the standard L.H. 1, 3, 5 fingerings can vary slightly. Consult a teacher or a good edition (I like Mikulai).

Chopin loved pedal. I believe I'm paraphrasing him with his thought that the pedal is the soul of the piano. Skillful pedaling in this piece is a must. Good luck.

[lazlo]

Glenn Gould wouldn't think so.

[slobone]

I understand that one should look at the left hand notes not as chords but as three voices.

Why would you think that? If that's true, they must be the dullest voices any composer ever wrote. These are chords, plain and simple.

Don't try to make them truly legato, it would sound all wrong. Keep using the same fingering until the chord changes -- they will be just slightly detached, which is probably what Chopin had in mind.

You want to create an effect of subdued agitation, like the heartbeat of somebody in a mournful state of mind. The main interpretive decision you have to make is how to apply rubato -- where to speed up and slow down.

I prefer not to use the pedal on this piece, and checking the Paderewski edition, I see that he agrees with me. Sorry to say I don't know what Chopin's original markings were.