A wee bit of Bruch Chamber Music (VID)

[viking]

I just finished 3 days of intense video recording for a number of international chamber music competitions.  Sadly, we only realized at the last minute that we needed to include two different pieces in the video audition, which came to the creation of this video, the first of eight numbered Bruch "pieces" Op. 83 for piano clarinet and viola - a beautiful ensemble.
Enjoy,

Hopefully in the next day or two I can add the video takes of the Mozart Kegelstatt Trio as well, if any are interested.


Sam

[arensky]

This is really good, particularly if you guys are practically sight reading as you imply. That said, the first minute seems random, you are playing at instead of with each other. The violist finally makes a breakthrough at 1:34, and his unison with the clarinet at 1:37 finally gives the performance a flow and a real sense of dialogue between the three of you. There are some bad intonation moments, nothing excruciating but still not great. The clarinetist has a lovely tone but most of the intonation problems come from him; he physically moves his body into every note and it seems to affect his pitch. He doesn't have to physically dive into each phrase like that. The violist is top notch except for a few questionable notes. You are an excellent ensemble player, you are always supporting them, never in the way. Your tone could be fuller and more expansive but that's the piano, one of those awful 5'7 Yamahas, I believe. When you have the main line you sometimes clip the end of phrases, such as at 0:19 but overall your playing is good.

Anyway once it gets rolling this is an excellent performance particularly on such short notice. I'm sure it will settle in  because you are all excellent ensemble players who pay attention to one another. Thanks for posting this, it took me back a few years. I played several of these pieces with my trio in college as well as the Kegelstatt and the Schumann Marchenerzahlungen, and a cool little Hindemith/Weill style piece "Kleines Konzert" by Alfred Uhl; you should check out that last one it's a great piece and hardly ever played; a good closer. Please post the Kegelstatt, I'd love to hear it. Clarinet Viola and Piano rulz,    It's my favorite trio combination, wish there was more literature for it.

[viking]

Hey,
Thanks for your comments.  They are completely honest, and I don't disagree with anything you stated.  In particular, we have recieved similar comments about the clarinetist's choice of movements that sometimes look funny (a joke was made that he has hemmerhoids).  And in defense of the beginning of the piece, it was recorded perfectly, but we chose a different take as our violist had a few extremely obvious errors later in the piece.  I'll see what I can do to post the Kegelstatt in the next day or two.  And I will definitely look into the Uhl if we don't find success in the Berg trio piece for piano, clarinet, and violin.

Thanks for listening,

Sam

[arensky]

Hey,
Thanks for your comments.  They are completely honest, and I don't disagree with anything you stated.  In particular, we have recieved similar comments about the clarinetist's choice of movements that sometimes look funny (a joke was made that he has hemmerhoids).

It's isn't just that he looks funny (which he does) it's affecting his playing, you can't have good breath support (and therefore good intonation) if you're bending around like that.

You guys are both a lot bigger than him; tie him to the chair! (arms free of course) 

[violinist]

The violist has a gorgeous tone!  And Viking... wow... you're an amazing pianist!

And if anyone needs their hemorrhoids fixed - I got a knife.

[viking]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


Anyway, our group decided to post the first 3 minutes of the "good" take.  Hopefully you guys will like it a little bit more.

Sam

[rachfan]

Hi viking,

I was very impressed with this video.  Thanks for posting it.  Very nice work indeed!  I think you're very attentive and considerate in collaborating with the others, and you maintain a good balance at all times so as not to overpower the other instrumentalists.  Very empathetic playing--most enjoyable to hear.