suggestion diabolique

[crazy for ivan moravec]

here's another piece i always loved playing. say anything u want about it. i can take it.

[pabst]

great! The fury was very well put, the contrasts very contrasting! Surprisingly good, congratulations.

(I'm starting this next semester, was it specially difficult? I expect it to be much easier than a regular toccata, am I wrong?)

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thanks so much!

you mean prokofiev's toccata in d minor, right? no, the toccata is much much more difficult than the suggestion diabolique. but playing the whole set of op. 4 is also interesting, but i would still suggest the toccata, much more fulfilling i guess.

[danyal]

Absolutely excellent! that was by far the best recording I have heard of the piece. You captured the emotion, rage and "diabolique-ness" of the piece incredibly well! My hat off to you...

[JP]

Sorry for digging up an old thread..  But OMG!!  Because of you I might have to learn this piece.. And Alkan is postponed once again..

I love how you didnt hold back and yet maintained so much controle.. Dynamics are fabulous, though some voicings were a little weird, but nevertheless an amazing performance.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thank u!

[invictus]

Great job there, i enjoyed your playing and i will be waiting for more recordings to come. If i  played it, I would have lost control for the whole piece.

[ahmedito]

Its very nice,

If could just make a suggestion... try to find out the exact translation of the pieces title in russian, and you will get an idea of many small details which would give it that confused, histerical, agitated character which it needs. I think it needs some more contrasts between the bass motifs and the repeated note theme. Those constant changes from from nervous histerical high pitched laughter and the 2 note bass theme have to be extreme, it kind of lacks character. And when you have all the small notes in both extremes of the keyboard at the same time, you kind of ruin the effect by only thinking of the first note of each group, its hard to explain here, but the downward scale, fast slow, staccato or legato should always have that kind of entonation, dont ruin the effect by just playing the first note loud and running throught the rest.

The first measures are pure gold though.
Wow, hope to see more of youre playing here.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thank u for the suggestion. but if u would give me the measure nos., i would verymuch appreciate it. 
right now, im a bit at loss (or im not so sure) as to which ones u are referring to. im very much interested in the things u said, so i may improve my playing of this piece.

thanks again!

[kelly_kelly]

Wow... that was amazing. I was literally startled at some points. I love the effect you created.

[riddlereader]

I've listened to it eight times, for the sheer pleasure of it.   I think it's great.

 

Ed

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thank u!

[lostinidlewonder]

  amm.... yes one wrong note.... bar 113... lol. I mean you can always make things meaner, more diabolic sounding with melodramatic volume and tempo contrasts, but this was quite well balanced I thought. Good enough for me !!!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

haha, yes it's good you got that note. i guess i was not so in control as others thought so. u played this as well? i would love to hear it.

[m]

exact translation of the pieces title in russian,

Наваждение=delusion, hallucination. As you see, nothing to do with "Suggetion Diabolic".

When I listen to such an excellent performance usually I try not to give any critique comments. However, one little suggestion. Try not to pedal the last staccato octave in LH "answer" (in three octave group)--it should be short, and be more consistent with playing it as a resolution (IIRC, it goes on diminuendo, and always should be lighter).

Otherwise, Bravo!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

hmm, yeah, i think i should try that one out too. thanks for the suggestion. but i dont know when i can play this piece again as im so busy with the new ones m learning. but ill definitely try new things esp those mentioned by u guys.

maybe "suggestion diabolique has something to do with the direct translation. a diabolical suggestion simply means "temptation" (the devil suggests to you his evil deeds, with persistence) and when that happens, sometimes you get hallucinations or delusions because of too much of the temptation. is this correct? or not so..?

but again, thank u for the suggestion.

[m]

maybe "suggestion diabolique has something to do with the direct translation. a diabolical suggestion simply means "temptation" (the devil suggests to you his evil deeds, with persistence) and when that happens, sometimes you get hallucinations or delusions because of too much of the temptation. is this correct? or not so..?

To put it simply, "Наваждение" (Navazhdenie) is when something comes on you in form of vision or halluciantion, and bothers you.

[pianiststrongbad]

Wow!
I played this last year in a competition.  Two little things I noticed that I would have done differently, the minor ninths in bass in the part towards the end where the right hand does all the octave jumps with the grace notes.  I think the right hand gave a bit of a challenge to the left hand as to what I should be listening too.  The first time I didn't really notice it, but when it comes back again, I noticed it- just before the scales in contrary motion.  Also the glissando to the top C on the piano.  I think coming out of that should be in tempo. 
Those are just some preferences though. 
With those minor notes though, this was definately an amazing performance.  It sounded very accurate note wise and dynamically.

[tompilk]

Sorry to put this to the top of te forum, but ive seen the title translated literally as :
"Satanic Apparition"
Tom
Oh, and sweet playing!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

hmm, thanks. i could use that.

[rob47]

*! I jus watched the vid in your signature and was very impressed! This performance commands respect.

thanks for posting this legendary perf.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thank u, rob47.

[shasta]

I watched your video, simply brilliant!  I love how you create so much musical tension while keeping your arms and hands so relaxed.   

Best of luck on your Schumann concerto performance!  Please post it here if you get a chance! 

[crazy for ivan moravec]

tnx. after recovering from an injury 3 years ago, i had to find ways to really relax even at very virtuosic pieces. that injury taught me a lot. thank goodness it wasn't that serious too.

will try to post the schumann. tnx.

[zheer]

You sounded like a pro man.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

you're too nice zheer. i miss your nasty comments already, haha.

[maxine]

lol.. listening to this gives me 2nd thought about my romeo and juliet selections for prokofiev.
I'm going to get the scores and try it out!
Bravo!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thanks!:) you're singaporean right? (i read your posts...) then you should know the yong sieh toh conservatory? Albert Tiu, filipino, teaches there. he's my model pianist, im filipino as well. i like his playing very much.

i also read your post of your repertoire. why don't you try learning the toccata by prokofiev? it's hard but great!

[wzkit]

Sorry I took so long to comment on this, but what can I say? I'm breathless! That was really outstanding, with the nervous tension maintained throughout. And yes, watching the video was even more impressive...seeing your hands flying, AND so relaxed as well. I only wish I had your fingers!

More, more!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thanks, wzkit.

i actually consider that piece an etude for relaxation, coz you have no choice but to relax when practicing and playing it. if not, tempo fluctuations occur or worse, a pianist could stop in the middle because of fatigue..

[dough_mouse]

Good God. Teach me. Please.












PLEASE!!!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

i wish i knew how to do it again, hahaha.

[arbisley]

Amazing! I just love Prokofiev in the first place, and I think you're marvellous!
I hope I can play it one day.
Well done!

[rachfan]

Hi Crazy,

The "Suggestion diabolique" is one of my favorites, and your performance was absolutely electrifying--wonderful tone control (superb use of upper arm for massive tone down to the most subtle wrist staccato in pianissimo), contrasting dynamics, careful balance of foreground and background, extraordinarily delicate nuances, evenness in playing throughout, partial pedals in clearing chromatics, and a continual focus on playing the long line.  I loved it!  Congratulations on such a wonderful performance featuring thorough muscianship as well as a big technique as needed in that performance!  A real achievement!

Rachfan

[daniloperusina]

Wonderful! I'm ashamed to admit that i don't know this piece, but your performance is a real eye-opener! I'm a fan now, of this piece and of how you play it! Great, thanks!

[crazy for ivan moravec]

thanks for the comments!:)

[arielpiano]