Prokofiev Sonata 3

[steinwayargentina]

Prokofiev sonata 3 not much to say......... hehehe very dificult to me but i think its almost ok.

Thanks (waiting for feedback)

[thierry13]

Very good job! It really IS so badly hard! So much more than I actually tought when I began it! What kind of piano did you play it on? Anyways I played that piece last session and studied it a bit more under Jimmy Brière this summer so I can give you my 2 cents.

1st section:
-In the opening chords, the left hand note are too absent from the sound, and the chords are all too even you should try grouping them by beat/2 beats to phrase it better.
-The 2 last beats of measure 6(and everytime that pattern comes back), it must be very non legato to get a better rythmic excitation.
-I'd watch the sync and rework slowly measure 14-15.
-The part just after that is very hard! The left hand upper voice should really be heard clearly and smoothly, while the rest of the accompaniment is as soft as possible. You should pedal consequently to get the right character in the right hand.
-The "secco" part is not enough ... secco! You should really try to get a good non legato and to articulate each note while still grouping them by beat, your left hand brings your right hand.(in the movement)
-Your transition to the a minor part was way too loud. It should be as soft as possible and very subtle.
-I was recommended to put the UC pedal for the a minor part in most places. Where you remove it is up to you.

2nd section:
-I'd generally take it a bit slower.
-The chromatic scale part should be way more abstract and dreamy kind of sound, and I'd take time to breath between the last two octaves and the beginning of the scale, it sounded very rushed to me.
-I'd try to attack all notes from under(the RH theme) ... I tought every attack was too brilliant for that mood.

3rd section:
-I don't know if you are in the process or learning or w/e, but I tought it was a bit slow.  When the theme is taken back exchanging the hands it should be very non legato, even markato on each note!
-The rest of that section is simply more slow work. That sonata is mostly slow work anyways !
-You're build up after the huge part was too fast. It should have been WAY more slow and WAY more PP at the beginning!

General:
What strikes the ear is that everything is on the same level of sound. Your PPs should be way more soft, your fortes not more loud, but with more resonance maybe and try getting a better tone, release the tension faster when hitting the chords. Do not hesitate using una corda when you think it is necessary for this sonata! And exagerate the extremes!

I'm a bit tired I'll  see if I get better ideas next time. But really, great job! Way better than my first unprepared performance of the thing haha.

[hnzu]

Hi steinwayargentin!

I'm not English speakers, so don't laugh if my English is so horrible..   
Very nice, clear and interesting playing.., But I think in the 1st section you should make the dynamic more contrast (between pp, p, mf, f, ff,etc..), and the first 2 bar I think should be a little quieter, coz it has no melody (the melody started in the RH at bar3). The moderato section should be more tranquillo, legato and expressive.. The melody line should be more cantabile and clearer than the accompaniment (in the RH) I think. In the next section I think you use too many pedal.., and also the accompaniment need to be more quiet. The top note of the RH sometimes should be clearer.

That's all my suggestion,..

Good Luck for your study...

[viking]

Anyways I played that piece last session and studied it a bit more under Jimmy Brière this summer so I can give you my 2 cents.

Where did you study with Jimmy?  I may take a trip to Montreal to see him and Andre Laplante to get some advice on the Prok 2.  How is he?

[viking]

Oh, and as for the recording, I won't go into huge detail, but I think it needs a much fuller richer sound.  It could be just the recording device used, but the performance definitely needs more resonance.

Sam

[thierry13]

Oh, and as for the recording, I won't go into huge detail, but I think it needs a much fuller richer sound.  It could be just the recording device used, but the performance definitely needs more resonance.

Sam

That's why I asked what was the piano he recorded it with. It sounds like a digital or something.
BTW I studied with Jimmy at the Orford Center of the arts. He is amazing, and the Prok 2 is HIS concerto. He is playing it with the montreal symphony orchestra this march and he allready performed it with several orchestras I think. Will you be learning the full thing or still reworking the first movement?

[viking]

Yeah, I've been seeing Marc Durand over the last few years at Orford, and am now taking from him at the Glenn Gould School.  Apparently Marc said some very good things about teaching the Prok 2 to him.  I've pretty much got the whole thing learned, minus most of the 3rd movement, and I have to perform it in a month and a half.  Anyway, I'll maybe add you on msn and we can chat.

[thierry13]

Sure PM me your MSN.