Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso in E major Op.14 (1824) - played by Enzo

[emill]

I hope some of you would be kind enough to help my 12 year
old kid improve further his piano skills.  Thanks in advance!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VXI4sHGVLvM

Thanks to counterpoint's constructive advice regarding
lighter playing of the "pp" parts.

[lazlo]

All i have to say is: wow. Really good stuff. That B part is taken at lightening speed, and he definetely has the technical facility to do so. I think there could be a lot more subtlety dynamically in that B section in particular (as some said). More variance musically. It was kind of generally tended towards loudness. But really great stuff, honestly. A lot of energy, really enjoyed listening to it.

[imbetter]

Not bad, I see a lot of potential.

1. Occasionally you'd make an unclean break from one phrase to another I noticed; It doesn't really ruin the piece but it would probably jump to the next level if you could do this among other things.
2. I know this is all you hear from pianostreet members, but I didn't feel anything from the introduction. I know it isn't the main part of the piece but it means something. Put more feeling into it: more contrast of dynamics and possibly some more rubato.

I think it might have been just me and I'll listen to it again but approaching the end I heard some slop. This can be easily worked out with more practice if I'm correct.

Good luck!

[emill]

Thanks to the observations of imbetter & lazlo 

Yes, personally I agree that  more feeling and expression can still be mixed in the first part. Perhaps it was also partly due to the way we recorded it which seemed to have somewhat changed the dynamics as it now sounds more loud and "bassy"or "boomy".  Also the room is quite small as we live in an apartment.

Yes, I also noticed some hesitation in some transistions - probably the unclean break
imbetter refers too which can be polished in the coming months.  Enzo says he really has to put a lot more work on it and we have to work on our recording levels.

Many thanks !!!  ......... hope there would be more observation.

[teresa_b]

WOW!!!   Fabulous!  Enzo is developing fantastically.  His technique is getting really wonderful--such speed and energy! 

I don't have too much to add to what has been said.  I agree, he needs to concentrate on dynamics a bit more, especially that Mendelssohnian lightness (maybe have him listen to the music from Midsummer Night's Dream to get an idea?). 

In those parts after the fast sections, there is some lovely melody that could use some more attention to phrasing and smoothness. 

Overall, he is doing great!
Teresa

[emill]

Thanks a lot!!, my friend ... yes, the lightness must be worked on
and the dynamics/expression.  I am really glad you liked his progress!!

I should also really work on how we record ... we always seem to end up
much louder and quite "different" from how it was played.