Fantaisie impromptu, how fast?

[psaiko]

How fast is this piece supposed to be played? I have heard it in many different tempos. Some say its around 130 bpm, but isnt that a bit slow? If you play it too fast the "moire-pattern" effect will vanish because the ear cant distinguish the tones, but where is the limit when this will happen?

[zheer]

Just a guess, but you dont want to make the FI sound like a nocturne and at the same time you dont want it to be as fast as the flight of the bumble bee.

[donjuan]

How fast is this piece supposed to be played? I have heard it in many different tempos. Some say its around 130 bpm, but isnt that a bit slow? If you play it too fast the "moire-pattern" effect will vanish because the ear cant distinguish the tones, but where is the limit when this will happen?

you should think more like a musician, and less like a physicist, and then it wont matter how fast you play. 

Play it as fast as you think it should be played (ie what tempo Chopin would have had in mind).  Dont pull out the metronome and clock yourself.  Or even worse - dont set the metronome to some 'goal' speed and try to match it.

[quantum]

you should think more like a musician, and less like a physicist, and then it wont matter how fast you play. 

Play it as fast as you think it should be played (ie what tempo Chopin would have had in mind).  Dont pull out the metronome and clock yourself.  Or even worse - dont set the metronome to some 'goal' speed and try to match it.

There's good advice here!

[psaiko]

you should think more like a musician, and less like a physicist, and then it wont matter how fast you play. 

Play it as fast as you think it should be played (ie what tempo Chopin would have had in mind).  Dont pull out the metronome and clock yourself.  Or even worse - dont set the metronome to some 'goal' speed and try to match it.

Well, Chopin is suggesting allegro agitato, and even presto when the first part is repeating. In my opion these parts have to be full of energy. When played too slowly it sounds like something different, kind of sad.

I have been practising this piece for a week now. The reason I am asking is because I am not happy with the way it sounds. I have to practise to increase the speed if I wish to play this seriously. Or else I will just skip it. I just wonder how fast you normally play. Right now it sounds like a very slow allegro.

[donjuan]

Well, Chopin is suggesting allegro agitato, and even presto when the first part is repeating. In my opion these parts have to be full of energy. When played too slowly it sounds like something different, kind of sad.

Allegro Agitato - lively, brisk, Agitated.  True, speed has to be kept up to make it sound agitated, like a blackfly bugging you on a canoe and it just wont leave you alone.  But dont think you can make it sound more lively or agitated by simply cranking up the speed.  I think it's more in the tone, phrasing, and dynamics.  Listen to a MIDI- you hear some really, really fast playing sometimes, but I dont think anyone is going to cream in their pants over those.

If you play it too fast, the notes will whizz over the listener before they have time to feel any sense of panic or excitation.  You need to play it fast enough to make the pulse gripping, or even intoxicating (depends on interpretation).  But make sure enough attention is given to show the special little turns in the melody and pull the listener's ear this way or that.   Checks and balances.

Chopin wouldnt have wanted you to sacrifice these details for the sake or keeping up with the recommended bpm range of techinical "allegro".

I have been practising this piece for a week now. The reason I am asking is because I am not happy with the way it sounds. I have to practise to increase the speed if I wish to play this seriously. Or else I will just skip it. I just wonder how fast you normally play. Right now it sounds like a very slow allegro.

One week is too short a time to not be happy with the 'way it sounds'.  I would finish exploring the contours of the right hand voice before even thinking about playing faster.  Keep in mind that you want to create a sense of agitation in the listener, not panic in the performer.  This piece only works if a strong sense of confidence is given off during performance.  I don't know anything about your playing or how fast you learn this stuff, but all I am saying is 'be patient.'  Sure - speed it up if it has to be done, but make sure you dont do it before you are ready.  Practicing sections at high speed requires a different technique (which Bernhard has explored at great detail in the past), and this technique should be balanced with the slow practicing technique, to make sure details are not lost.

If it is simply the speed you are not happy with, then speed it up.  It would be good to have a teacher listen to you play to make sure you are ready to speed it up.  Honestly though, 1 week is just too early to worry about this.  Dont be in a hurry to be able to perform it.  These things get better over time.