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[fnork]

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[rachfan]

What a wonderful piece this is!  I must admit, I'm not nearly as familiar with the repertore for ensemble as the piano literature.  The first thing I noticed in hearing it was that Prokofiev lived up to the title, "Melodies"--yes, they're actually melodic and not his early experimental music.  It's most interesting to hear a somewhat romantic work of Prokofiev, as we usually encounter his more angular, neo-classical, percussive and dissonant style.  So I looked it up and discovered that it was written in California in 1925 as Op. 35bis--thus definitely his early period.  In looking at a piano repertoire guide, this would have placed it around the same time as his "Tales of the Old Grandmother" and the Sonata No. 5, both of which are also very melodic.

I cannot say enough good things about your very fine playing and collaboration with the violinist, fnork.  It's most artistic and beautiful with extraordinary attention to detail.  I think anyone who listens to this performance will thoroughly enjoy it.  Bravo!   

[fnork]

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[rachfan]

Yes, I had read too that "Melodies" was originally for voice.  The problem, as you say, was in the leaps--and landing on pitch accurately, which in this case would be extremely difficult, especially where they occur so often. 

I've accompanied singers in the past.  I actually learned as much about phrasing from listening to them sing as from piano lessons.  It's true!  I never anticipated a singer with the piano; rather, played a nanosecond behind their intonations.  I listened for every breath so as not to rush them, and always noticed that subtle pause they take as they leap upward on a slur, which I've incorporated into my playing of any romantic solo piano works where a cantilena line is the main focus.  So yes, I would have taken exactly the same approach as you to best simulate the original intention of the composer.

I don't know where you are in your studies or career.  But I've listened to your other collaborations.  You're one of the best I've heard.  Is your career preference performing the solo literature and concertos, teaching, collaborative piano, or a mix?  No matter what you do, your talent in collaborative piano is enormous, and I think you would always be in high demand.  No matter what avenue you take, you should keep collaborative piano as part of your artistic pursuits, at least in my opinion.  You also seem to enjoy it a great deal.

[pianowolfi]

I never expected to meet these wonderful pieces anywhen on pianostreet Very nice playing indeed I have played and performed these  quite a few times a while ago and I love them. Quite tricky in parts especially no 4. Congrats

[fnork]

thanks for the comments.
rachfan, I'm studying my 2nd year performance program at university at the moment. I simply enjoy good music and happen to have a few talented string player friends who I enjoy working with I'm not at all into teaching at the moment (have had maybe 2-3 students in my life, and all of them for a very short time), I simply love to play in concerts and try to do as many things as I have time for, whether solo or chamber music...thanks for the nice words.