Beethoven Pathetique

[blu217]

I'm considering returning to school after 12 years for a master's degree in piano. This clip is from my undergraduate recital back then.

It is absolutely imperfect; I was managing raging performance anxiety at that time (when I did this recital I had become so fearful a performer that I almost always declined to play publicly for anyone, anywhere--I'd probably have tried to skip the recital had it not been required to graduate!) and general ambivalence about my real goals as a pianist; tho I put in my time, I was not one to practice for endless hours to perfect my pieces--you can hear all of that here.

Twelve years later I'm truly missing the piano and have been seriously considering reworking my recital pieces with an instructor to prepare a master's audition. I still manage performance anxiety (these days I play guitar and sing with bands, but it's MUCH easier all around) but maturity and time have made me ready to clean up and evolve my technique, and possibly move from my day job as a journalist and begin a teaching/lecturing career.

I'd be interested in your thoughts and feedback, both on the piece and my goals.

Thanks,
Blu

[jakev2.0]

I'm listening to it right now, and it sounds good. Some wrong notes, and your nerves come through a bit in the recording...but I'm not bothered too much by the wrong notes because your rhythm is pretty good.

The more practice you have performing, the more comfortable you'll feel in front of an audience. I'm dealing with a similar problem with anxiety..

OK...maybe a few too many mistakes in the 3rd mvt.... but I think you def have talent. 

Good luck in music school.

[piano121]

Nice touch, absolutely beautifull. You did very well even if you where nervous All movements are gorgeous

[blu217]

Thank you, Jakev2.0 and piano121 for listening, and for the encouraging words! I truly appreciate the honest feedback from fellow pianists. It's just such a huge help. 

Blu

[teresa_b]

Hi blu,

Very nice!  You can obviously articulate very well, and nerves may have caused you a little trouble, but it was overall lovely.  (I am forgiving of nervous mistakes, as I'm the Queen of them.  ) 

If you would like a suggestion, I would say, play the second movement a little less "straight" and with more rubato in the RH melody line. 

Good luck--You have lots of talent and you'll do great!
Teresa

[falcon1]

blu217,

nice one!

Alot of beautifully articulated passages and nice power on right places. I agree with Teresa that the 2nd movement needed little more singing but nicely done nevertheless. I would have done it also little tiny bit slower as main tempo, but this movement needs SINGING.

One thing you "forgot" is those beautiful melodies which are often hidden in the bass and middle voices. It was specially noticable in the bass. But believe me many young pianists overlook those additional gems in the music.

In short - Keep on playing!!!

[terry_b]

I'm not sure if you are still there, but I think it's beautiful. So what happened?