Bortkiewicz, Prelude, Op. 40, No. 4 in F#

[rachfan]

Here I’m presenting "Prelude", Op. 40, No. 4 in F# by Sergei Bortkiewicz from his set entitled Seven Preludes published by Litolff.  It was written in 1931 during his so-called second Berlin period.  This is a gorgeous and lush Late Romantic work.  If I had to characterize it, I would have to say that it’s much like a nocturne.  I hope you'll enjoy this music!

The piano: Baldwin Model L Artist Grand (6’3”)

Recorder: Korg MR-1000 Direct Stream Digital (but converted to mp3 for this posting)

Microphones: Two Nakamichi small diaphragm eletret condenser microphones with omni-directional capsules in A-B configuration.

Comments welcome.

[thierry13]

Beautiful piece beautifuly played! Congratulations.

[rachfan]

Thanks for your kind comments, thierry!  I knew you'd like this piece.  It's such a joy to play too.  I hope in a few days to post another of Bortkiewicz's preludes.  I appreciate your taking time to listen.

[allthumbs]

Well played rachfan! It's also nice to hear a piece where the recording quality is good and the piano is in tune.

I enjoyed your performance very much.


Cheers,

allthumbs

[rachfan]

Hi allthumbs,

Coincidentally, the Baldwin was tuned just yesterday!    So I'm happy you noticed.  In the past, if it's been a little off, "daniloperusina" has usually let me know.  (In addition to being a pianist, he's also a tuner.  )  You mentioned the sound quality--I have to say I'm quite pleased with the new Korg recorder.  I did a thorough search of the digital recording options available, and in the end I think I made a fine choice.  It's also quite easy to use during a recording project like this, so I'm very satisfied with it.  The one thing I hate though is converting from DSD or WAV to MP3.  The compression does the sound no favor.

Thanks for your nice comment on my playing!    

[goldentone]

That was a wonderful performance, Rachfan.
Your piano sounds much better since being tuned.

I have really enjoyed these Bortkiewicz Preludes.  Keep them coming! 

[thracozaag]

I adore this piece--and you play it wonderfully. 
Incidentally, Cyprien was very pleased to hear about our attempts to prosthelytize for Bortkiewicz's music.  You should record the whole Op. 40 set!

[rachfan]

Hi goldentone,

Thanks for listening and your kind comment on my playing!  It's a beautiful piece, isn't it?

Since the piano restringing project from April 2007, I think the new strings have finally stretched and are attaining stability.  At the tuning last Friday the tuner showed me on an electronic device that it had only slipped 5% flat despite the brutal Maine winter we just had.  Said he didn't have to turn any pins, just nudge them a bit.  That was welcome news! 

[rachfan]

Hi thracozaag,

I really appreciate your listening to my rendition of No. 4 along with your favorable comments!

When I play, I try to place the greatest priority and emphasis on clarity--clarity of phrasing, line, voicing, voice leading, strategic harmonies, pedaling, and distinguishing foreground from background.  Performing this piece with that approach helped me a lot in finding a sound that, hopefully, Bortkiewicz would approve of if he could be here to hear it.  Of course, the Baldwin is pretty forgiving too  .   

Thanks for encouraging me to record all of Op. 40!  I do have another prelude already in the works from 40, and will read through the others to see if it might be feasible for me. 

I'm glad you mentioned to Cyprien that Bortkiewicz's music is becoming better known here.  In one sense, I feel that for my small part it hasn't been "work" at all.  I mean, who could possibly resist playing this music?