Alkan - Sonate Op. 33 - 20 ans

[tompilk]

I really wanted to post this just to share one of my favourite pieces.
The errors are many, I realise, and there is one passage I still have not worked out. I would love some advice on how to manage it (around the 1 minute mark). I fail about 50% of every time I play that bit and it's infuriating.
It's really well above my skill level, but it's an honest attempt.
Now I've said that, you can pull it to pieces 'till there's nothing left...
https://www.mediafire.com/?ezye1azmi1k
...(Tom now tries to find a happy place to hide)...

[franzliszt2]

This is music...so play it musically. The wrong notes are nothing compared to how much more you need to play musically.  Remember basic things such as dynamics? Phrasing? Take the opening for example? Everynote is the same volume, and it goes absolutly nowhere.

You should seriously think about it musically, and technically, you just are not up for it, but if you want to play it for fun fine. I would practice it slowly. For the bit at 1 minute, you need to use the arms and wrist more, and create shapes using minimal movement, and every mvt has to be legato. Thats the only way to get the speed and the clarity...fingers are weak and don't do the job.

Have you got a teacher?

[tompilk]

Yes, I have a teacher but I don't want to play this because it's too difficult for my level, but I want to play it.
I really did try so hard with the dynamics. Perhaps I placed the recorder too close (practically inside the piano) so I'll try to re-record it tomorrow with the recorder some distance away. Perhaps that might sound better.
I mean, even that first run, I had it how I wanted it in terms of dynamics, but I'm either not hearing the sound I make, or the recorder wasn't right. I fear the former...
Thanks for the advice about 1 min though. I'll give it a go tomorrow.
Always improving!

[remy]

Tom,

You've made great progress in your playing in the past year.

Does your recorder have an auto-gain?

This would limit the dynamic range. If you could turn the auto-gain off, it would be good.

The only suggestion I would make is that you follow Alkan's score with regard to the left hand accents.

Ronald Smith really pounds out the accents in his recording and the result is pretty delightful.

Looking forward to hearing your Quasi-Faust.


remy (jeremy)

[tompilk]

Hi jeremy! Thanks for your support!
I have to say that I have been taking Hamelin's recording as the standard, but I've listened to Ronald Smith's recording quite a bit since I posted this, and I have to say that I might try to make that my new ideal, especially since I've discovered lots more by following with the score. He seems to wonderfully bring out the idiosyncrasies and quirks of the music, as you put it, delightfully.
I (regretfully) don't take music as a subject, and find it hard to express the "musicality". I take lots of maths and sciences, and although I realise they are in no way mutually exclusive I can't help think that this might have some effect on me not being able to express myself as I wish I could (although I find it relatively easy to form my own opinion about other people's musicality!) if i was doing a course such as art or english. I do feel the "emotion" and "musicianship" (or whatever you want to call it) but perhaps I'm too wrapped up in trying to hit the right notes. It does require more concentration than in any other piece I've played before... but it's soooooo fun!
And with regard to those accents, I completely agree. I'm ashamed to say it's been a while since i've played this with the score and on looking through, I realise what a flat performance this was.
I think i'll leave quasi-faust on the shelf for some time before I try to tackle that one!!!  Looks 10x harder just reading through!

[remy]

Tom,

I also love Hamelin's break-neck, fiery performance, but those left hand accents add a lot to the piece.

With regard to playing 'musically':

In college I majored in chemistry and got my PhD in organic chemistry, so there was not a lot of room for art courses.

Yet people tell me I play with good expression.

I think the key is to get in touch with your feelings and to be aware of them in your body and know that it's OK.

Then relax and let yourself emote at the piano.

Thanks so much for posting your recording.


jeremy



 

[dnephi]

I've always loved the piece.

[thierry13]

Of course, your technique is not even half as good as what it takes to play this piece, but I think you have good musical capacities. There were beautiful moments in the slower part. You should not try too hard on things that are very far beyong your level. You should try very hard to play very well things of your level.

[dnephi]

technic?

[thierry13]

technic?

Lol what sorry, I corrected it