Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

[donjuan]

Recorded it today.  Let me know your reactions! 
Thanks,
donjuan


*UPDATE 01/20/06: Thanks for your feedback!  I made a 2nd recording:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,15481.0.html

[pianohopper]

Can't take anything away from you technically, man.  A very good job with the bunches of notes and dynamic and all that.  Although, I could have done with a bit more pedaling.  I've got the score, but no recordings, so I'm not sure if the rapid cadenza parts are intended to be played in the way you played -- more bunched -- or clearer.  I thought some of the notes got a bit lost there. 

Good job.

[Teddybear]

Well, my reaction is that it's not Hungarian. Set yourself on fire and try again.   

[jamie_liszt]

Bravo!, That was very good, i enjoyed the friska! you should make a video

[I Love Xenakis]

The very opening felt rushed, and could have used some pedal IMO.


What sort of piano is this?  o.O

[donjuan]

Thanks so much for your replies!

I wanted to make a recording for the forum because I have to perform this piece at a music festival in April and I wanted to know what you thought of my interpretation, since there are so many ways to play this piece.  Actually, since I made the recording, I have thought about things I would like to change, especially involving the 1st half and having generally less rubato and maybe more pedal.  Also, if I were to record it again, I would not be afraid to make a little more noise after the buildup from friska.

i love xenakis: The piano is a Yamaha C2, and it hasnt been tuned for a year..

[kravetz]

Congratulations!! Of course there are some details in the music that could be better but  the previous posts already talk about this and I don´t want to repeat them. I´m sure you´ll have no problem in your performance. The last time I´ve heard this music was in a "Tom & Jerry" cartoon, it´s very funny and I´ve downloaded it from the internet. If anyone wants the URL just talk to me. (3,78 Mb).
A good day to all pianists.

[rohansahai]

Very good performance !  . Personally, I agree with the above poster about the pedalling ...i would put in a tad more...but its basically up to you and YOUR interpretation of the piece. The most important thing is that it is a technically accomplished and exciting performance ...thats what matters !

[tompilk]

WOW!!! All the right notes!!! That is one of the best technical impressions ive heard, but a bit too strict i think... and a bit more FURY would take it into the realms of supreme recording... lol... i wish i could play like that...
Tom

[winterwind_23]

I'm listening to your recording now, and it sounds excellent so far! 

Just finished it.  It is technically perfect, but I would add more pedal, espescially in the latter half, since it sounds somewhat dry.

A comment on your recording.  Somtimes, at loud sections, I hear like a buzz sound because its too loud, perhaps b/c your mic is positioned too close to the piano.  To fix it, move the mic a bit further, or turn down your microphone volume a bit.

[gonzalo]

I liked your recording very much but more pedal would be welcome. And in the second part when it speeds up and starts sounding humorous you could add a little bit of fury. The first part is ok. And in the very beggining you can add pedal  ( the intro) and it will sound better.


Congratulations on learning it! 

[donjuan]

There is a trend in the suggestions for me (here and in chat) - more pedal, more fury, some chords are too abrupt, not Hungarian enough..

I think I have been working hard, thinking about everyone's suggestions, and I would like to try recording it again in the next couple days.  I have a feeling that my crappy mic on the laptop lacks sensitivity to resonance (I have the laptop sitting on top of the piano), so I may have to really exaggerate the pedal to get it to pick up.  Well, either that, or I am just making up excuses for not using enough pedal

Either way, I'll do it again and maybe you can hear your suggestions applied when I post another recording.

I just can't thank you all enough for your feedback! 

[donjuan]

I posted another recording:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,15481.0.html