Need suggestion for improvement!

[art4me]

I recently performed these pieces, I need to get ready for a bigger recital.
Any suggestions will be helpful.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A79b3TjPv2g
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EEzjSBT2XeA

Thanks in advance.

[slobone]

Bravo! I think you have a good ear for Chopin, and a good sense for the overall structure of the pieces. It's clear that you've worked hard on them. I like the Nocturne better than the Polonaise -- you did some good rubato there.

Since you're asking for suggestions, I think you should focus on two areas.

The first is avoiding percussiveness. You tend to hit the keys a little too hard, especially in the right hand (and especially in the Polonaise). Percussive playing is a "special effect" that should be used very sparingly, especially in Chopin. Are you used to playing on a Steinway? That might be part of it.

The second is phrasing. You need to really shape the phrases instead of having each note be at the same dynamic level. In Chopin, everything needs to be beautifully phrased, right hand and left hand both.

With each phrase, decide where it's rising and falling, and where the high points are. Probably you've already worked on the this, but you need to exaggerate the  dynamic contrasts more.

One trick that helps is to sing each phrase out loud. Your voice will naturally give the phrase the right shape. Then try to make the piano sound the same. Don't go note-by-note, keep the overall shape in mind. It takes a lot of practice, but I think that should be your priority right now before you move on to more advanced pieces.
 

But as I said, you're off to a great start!

[art4me]

Thanks all_thumbs
any suggestions for practicing the runs and appegio in the polonaise? anyone?

[slobone]

I'm a great believer in slow practice with the metronome. Play as slow as you need to to play them absolutely perfectly. Then gradually move the metronome up. It takes a long time, but it actually saves time in the long run, because once you learn them this way, you don't have to worry about them again.

But I didn't notice very many mistakes in your performance. It sounds to me like you've been very conscientious about practicing.