Ravel - Toccata (Tombeau de Couperin)

[bitus]

I am playing the Toccata mentioned above. Did any of you play it? How fast? Do you have any advice? If so, i would appreciate if we could discuss over some specific passages.
Thank you

[eddie92099]

It is a great piece and one that I keep meaning to play...but I haven't learnt it yet so I can't help you with it I'm afraid,
Ed

[bitus]

I am currently quite advanced in playing it... actually i played it in a competition this last saturday. It's the tempo that gives me difficulties... i'm playing it at 120, when it's written for 144.
I heard a recording of Ravel playing himself this peace... i wouldn't recomend it to anybody... since he never cared that much for practicing.
The only good recording i heard of it was by Abbey Simon, who played it beautifully and christal-clear at about 146. All other recordings were very dissapointing.

[eddie92099]

The only good recording i heard of it was by Abbey Simon, who played it beautifully and christal-clear at about 146. All other recordings were very dissapointing.

Which other recordings have you heard? I have Jean-Yves Thibaudet's which I rather like. I have just bought Angela Hewitt's complete Ravel which I haven't listened to yet...
Ed

[Noah]

It is a great piece and one that I keep meaning to play...but I haven't learnt it yet so I can't help you with it I'm afraid,
Ed

LOL, exactly the same situation with me.

I think I have a good Mitsuko Uchida recording somewhere

[ravel]

i think, the best recording of ravel's toccata is the one by werner haas,
i also have a recording by phillipe entremont, which is good , but not quite as good as haas' recording

gieseking screwed up the toccata in the recording that i have

sahir

[rachfan]

A teacher artist one remarked to me, and I'm paraphrasing now, that the Toccata is not ergonomic for the pianist, and can even be dangerous to practice.  He found that often times the four fingers are playing without the thumb, which can put some strain on the hand.  While I have read through it several times, I've never taken the time to learn the piece.  Any comments on this point?

[bitus]

i'm playing it right now at 135 without any problem... have to get it to 144 by dec. 4th. It's true what you're saying about the fingering... it's a very tricky piece. The secret, however, lies in pedaling. It's amazing how much difference pedaling makes in this piece. Not only in the sound (blurry or not) but also is a key factor in playing it very relaxed. Right now i am tapping the pedal on almost every beat (on the last pages).
I never played it stiff... i keep my body at a unusual distance from the keyboard - this way my eyes can see much more of the keyboard (of course, especially in the last 2 pages).
I have to admit this is one of the most beautifull pieces i ever played... and by this i litteraly mean "playing"... the amateur listener might not enjoy the harmonies, might not understand the tension in the piece, but for the player is by far one of the most captivating pieces.
Bitus.