Make a recording of the Rach Paganini!

[stephen22]

This is an orchestra-only electronic performance of Rachmaninoff's Paganini Variations. An amateur pianist, I play along with it using my own sequencing software, which allows me to sychronise the music with my playing. Anyone is welcome to download the audio files (it's in 3 parts) - there are no restrictions and the more people play it the better I shall be pleased.

Much of it is quite slow - not entirely because of my own technical limitations, but also because I think several of the variations lose something by being played at the usual breakneck speed (the scherzo and var 24 with those amazing 9ths spring to mind).

The speeds and timing won't suit everybody, and if there is sufficient interest I might be persuaded to make modifications. There are I think free mp3 editors on the internet, and also software to change speed without altering pitch.

If anybody thinks they have this little piece under their fingers, and can supply a reasonably decent audio file of the solo piano part alone (or at a pinch, a MIDI sequence), I could wrap my orchestra round it, and build a track of a complete original performance of the piece. (I've done this a lot and am very good at it).

If anyone is interested, they could in the first instance post or PM me an mp3 of a few variations to demonstrate their prowess. Play at any tempo you want, imagining the orchestra in the background. Don't worry about gaps where the piano isn't playing. Recording should be as dry as possible (i.e. minimum echo) as I would add artificial reverb to match the orchestra.

If this came off, there would obviously also be a customised orchestra-only version available for the lucky pianist!

[stephen22]

2nd file

[stephen22]

3rd file

[stephen22]

A slightly revised version of the 1st file. Someone pointed out tempo issues with colla parte passages in variations 6 and 11. (Not noticed by me because my software brings the orchestra in on time however slowly I play it)