Second Recital!

[totallyclassics]

This is my second recital.......

I know this piece is not fancy or anything, but I had TWO goals to really work on, which is why I chose a simpler, more common piece.   My goals for this recital were to keep
CALM, and stay rhythmical.......keeping the pulse!     Since I play very much by feel and intuition, staying rhythmical is always challenging.  I have been playing for 3 and 1/2 years, and many of the pieces are a bit much for my actual level.  My teacher suggested something simpler with a definite pulse, and yet something I could still be a BIT free on.
We chose this!   All in all, I am pleased because I DID STAY calm, (that was weird!.......almost out of body experience!).........and I stayed fairly rhythmical,  but next time I would add a little more speed and energy!  Remember, those weren't my goals for this recital. 

I welcome and encourage ALL comments.  Thanks SOOooooooo much!!

FUR ELISE!

https://www.box.net/shared/kwgcu479c4

[allthumbs]

Windows doesn't recognize the file type that you've posted. I'm a little leary of downloading the software neccessary to listen to your performance.

Perhaps you can post it in a more familiar file extentiom such as .mp3 or .wma etc


allthumbs

[totallyclassics]

I think it was recorded m4a.  itunes is free and very popular, and it recognizes the file.  I don't think I can change it!   I think it was just recorded that way!   Sorry, but thanks anyway!

Kelly

[totallyclassics]

I've just been informed that winmap will also play it!   Thanks, and sorry for th inconvenience!

Kelly

[allthumbs]

I'll try WinAmp when I get a chance.

allthumbs

[pianowolfi]

Very nice playing! With the time I would actually try to play a tiny bit faster, but it's not so much about the speed, it's more about getting a bit more flow into the performance. It is a bit static now. I like the thoughtful atmosphere

[totallyclassics]

Thanks pianowolfi for your honesty.    I sort of felt that when I listened to it too.  I know I played it slower, but like you said, it could be slow, but still have flow!   I will have to work on that!  Thanks, bunches!

[pianowolfi]

it could be slow, but still have flow! 

Hee hee, cute rhyme

[rachfan]

Hi totally,

I agree with pianowolfi that the tempo could be a tad faster.  As you continue to work on the piece, you can do that easily, I'm sure.   Your accuracy in playing this piece is excellent in terms of notes, note values and rhythm.  Very even playing indeed!  I liked the legato phrasing, although you could probably add a bit more "rise and fall" in your phrasing to give it more contour, dimension and fluidity.  There was fine continuity including the ornamentation which all fit in nicely.  Pedaling was judicious, no smears or blurs that I could hear.  From a structural standpoint, you certainly played the middle section with brighter coloring as a contrast to the brooding mood before and after.  One thing I would like to have heard though would have been a wider dynamic range to add more expressiveness to your playing.  But that could have been a function of the recording process, which sometimes tends to flatten the dynamic range.  Overall, this is a very good performance.  Congratulations!

I was reading your description of objectives and your focus on pulse and rhythm.   You certainly succeeded in your aim in this performance!  Here is a general suggestion as you study more repertoire, if your teacher has not already mention it before.  Structure always comes before expression.  If you reverse the order of that with "feel and intuition" taking precedence, structure inevitably tends to break down--or not even take proper form at the outset.  Then a piece can sound undisciplined, vague, nebulous, without boundaries and even chaotic.  Tempo, meter and rhythm come first.  Once that forms a foundation, then touch, tone, expression, dynamics, shading, rubato, nuances, pedal effects, and interpretive imagination are built within and on top of that structural foundation.  If you pay first attention (as you obviously did in Fur Elise) to fundamental structure, you cannot go wrong. 

So, here's a practical solution (which your teacher might have already stressed).  When studying a new piece, and when you have it fairly playable, turn on the metronome!  Play the piece slower than tempo with the metronome, focusing on strict articulation without pedal, and playing through the piece to the beat.  Keep your ears alert to anticipating or lagging the beats.  If you hit a difficult rhythm, stop and carefuly figure it out, then fit it into the pulse.  This process will also quickly alert you to measures where you stumble even at slower speed--meaning you need to check on fingerings, do some special hands-alone practice, and examine the choreography of the hands, followed by some slow repetition, hands together.  Later, once you have the piece more up to tempo, turn on the metronome at tempo to test yourself again for steadiness and discipline in playing.  Anytime your playing sounds ragged, turn on the metronome.  BUT... in general, the metronome is a tool for occasional, not habitual, use.  Don't overuse it, as the objective is not to end up with the piece sounding regimented and mechanical rather than natural and artistic.  Down the road, if you sense the piece is getting out of control again, the metronome is right there to assist you.  Once you have confidence that you're in full control, then you can shift attention to all the elements of musicality I mentioned above to make music with true musicianship.

totally, I must say, if you've only been studying for less than four years, you've made wonderful progress.  Your teacher must really be pleased with your efforts and results.  Keep up the good work!     

   

 

[goldentone]

It was nice to hear your playing, Totally. 

I think your touch is admirable, and you have real presence.

[totallyclassics]

Thanks goldtone!    Thanks so very much!