Chopin Barcarolle Op 60

[Pumkinhead]

Okay guys, this is a recording that I submitted to a scholarship foundation, along with the Beethoven 109 and Prokofiev 7, Precipitato. This is a really fresh piece for me, and I really don't think I have a firm grasp on it, but it had to be on the CD, so there ya go. I also think it gets a bit draggy towards the middle, so I plan on performing it a bit faster. Other than that, enjoy!!!

Drew

[pita bread]

Alright Drew, because no one else will comment on your recording I will.

The opening is just as grand as it should be, a champagne-christening for a big boat on its maiden voyage. In the middle, you need to speak more with the music and draw the listener in. It's rather dull and lackluster as of now. I'd increase the tempo more, even at the climaxes. There are some very gorgeously and sensitively played runs near the end, and the finale closes off the piece very well.

[pianistimo]

the transition needs something. but, i don't know what.

wow.  you can play really well.  the pedalling can be cleaned up a bit - but you give a sparkly sounds to things when you want to.  occasionally i feel that toes are being stepped on accidentally.  kind of too long of pauses here and there (esp right before the transition).  i'd personally like to feel from the mid-point (after transition) to the end - a sort of 'whirlwind' pickup.  like the music has to follow a gust of wind.  you start out this way -but become slower.

[pianowolfi]

Thank you for posting this. It is one of my favorite Chopin compositions and I love it to nuts. Your playing is very accuarate and beautiful. If i were you I would try now to successively dive more into the depth of this work to discover and bring out the specific magic and enchantment which only this piece has. I think no other piece in the world has this certain something of the Barcarolle. It is unique and irreplaceable. I think here particularly of the sotto voce part that begins at m. 39, Chopin p can be so magical if we just let it.

[pianistimo]

pumkinhead, did you post a second recording?  somehow, listening again tonight - the transition didn't seem so incongruous with the rest of a brilliant performance.  although, now - it almost seems a smidgeon too fast.  can you start the transition (where there is less texture) a little slower and then move toward the faster speed.  just my personal taste, that's all.

[lukeskywalker]

Hello 

I like your recording. I think you generally have a very good sense of poetry, drama, and well ... basically , it is quite obvious that you are a very sensitive and musical person. Which is actually quite rare. And its very well played.

There are some technical issues here and there. Most obviously in the thrills and some passages with chords and legato thirds that sound a bit harsh and lack some control. This might partially have to do with the piano, and please don´t take as an insult, it could be a lot worse, .. but if I were you, I would clearly look into this ... playing chords (and focusing very much on how to make them sound even - thinking about the voicing of of individual notes in chords - ofcourse, the melody in particular. You have a wonderfull, natural sense of melody and phrasing, - I can telle from all the "one-note-melody-passages" which are superbly played ... - Ideally, even passages with lots of chords and stuff, should sound as beautifull and as well phrased.

The last 20 seconds or so are a perfect example ... Listen to right hand from 08:40 ... This is beatifull sound ... The ending of the pieces (the octaves) have an ugly harsh sound ... - I imagine this kind of sound, must have been what Chopin himself liked to refer to as "the piano barking" .. And is very normal in octave and chord playing, which can easily get a little bit tense... But still, something we should try very hard to avoid.

  ... But overall, Im very impressed with the recording, especially with the obvoius artistic qualities ... Sorry if my english sucks   ...