Chopin 25/2

[spirithorn]

I was listening last night to Perahia's recording of the Chopin Etudes.  In general, I like Perahia's Chopin very much, but I was troubled by his reading of 25/2.  To my ears, he's accenting it so that it comes across in 6/4:  two 8ths against six quarters, as opposed to the way it's written.  4/4:  four eighth note triplets in the RH against two quarter note triplets in the left.  Of course, it's much easier to play in "6/4", but so much is lost, IMO.
I listened to it twice to make sure, because I was very surprised to hear this from such a formidable pianist.  Any comments?

[kelly_kelly]

Funny, I noticed that as well. I also disliked this recording because it didn't seem legato enough. I personally prefer Pollini's recording of this etude; it has much more sparkle in general.

[pseudopianist]

Funny, I noticed that as well. I also disliked this recording because it didn't seem legato enough. I personally prefer Pollini's recording of this etude; it has much more sparkle in general.

I concur

[spirithorn]

In my opinion, 25/2 is "pretty" in 6/4, but magical in the (correct) 4/4.

[kelly_kelly]

In my opinion, 25/2 is "pretty" in 6/4, but magical in the (correct) 4/4.

Technically 2/2, but it doesn't really matter.

[spirithorn]

I agree.  Although the written time signature is common time (4/4), it is effectively 2/2.

[pseudopianist]

I agree.  Although the written time signature is common time (4/4), it is effectively 2/2.

The written time signature is 2/2

[spirithorn]

You're right.  My mistake.  The written time signature is cut time, 2/2 equivalent.  The point is, if the metric pulse comes across in mutiples of three, as Perahia (and he's not alone) plays it, then it is being played incorrectly.

[someone]

It is tough though...

I'm currently working on this piece, and am falling into that false 6/4 rhythm every once in a while. Is there anything I can do while practicing this piece to keep it in the right rhythm?

[andhow04]

wait huh! I thought it was suPPOSed to sound like,
duh(pickup) - DUHduhDUHduhDUHduhDUHduhDUHduhDUHduh etc
*exaggerating DUH!!*
you mean its, DUHduhduhDUHduhduhDUhduhduhDUHduhduh?!?
Then why would he divide it into thre pairs of two with the LH notes.
BTW in my schirmer score, it is in Common time?
andhow

[spirithorn]

In response to "someone", try slow practice with the RH alone, exaggerating the accent on the 1st note of each triplet group.  Then add in the LH, still slowly, at first with no accent on any of the quarters, to get the somewhat elusive "feel" of this rhythm.  Later, you can accent the 1st note of first quarter note triplet, with a secondary accent on the 1st note of the second quarter note triplet.  In my opinion, the rhythm is what makes this, supposedly the "easiest" of the etudes, not so "easy" at all.
And to "andhow94": yes, it's duh(pickup) - DUHduhduhDUHduhduhDUHduhduhDUHduhduh.