Chopin Deux nocturnes op.37 Video

[steinwayargentina]

Hi these are Chopins Deux Nocturnes op.37 played by me in a Recital I gave in Santa Fe, Argentina for Mozarteum Concerts Season.
 
Thanks for the feedback

Op. 37 no.1 in g minor

Op. 37 no.2 in G major

regards

Pablo Rocchietti

[steinwayargentina]

No coments so far?? I thought this forum was made to share opinions about our owns recordings?

[teresa_b]

Hi Pablo,  Don't be discouraged, it is SO hard to get people to listen sometimes! 

I listened to both your Chopin Nocturnes, and you have a very nice touch, basically the right "feel" for the Nocturnes, I think!  You bring out voices nicely, and your phrasing is lovely. 

If you would like suggestions, for these particular pieces, I would say in general to look at the melodies, where they are going, and how to vary the emotional expression.  It's quite difficult in quiet, repetitive music like this to keep it interesting.  Each phrase may be beautiful, but if you keep saying the same thing for 10 minutes, you are in danger of producing a yawn! 

What I am missing is, what you want this beautiful music to say!

For example in the Nocturne in G Major, I would do more with the rising and falling motifs.  More sense of rise and fall can be done with < > etc.  In the sostenuto sections where there are those endless rocking quarter-eighth note combos, think "lullaby" (  not to induce actual sleep, but to give it more movement) or maybe a barcarolle, with little undulating wavelets.  Make long phrases with gentle rocking as the undertone.  Vary the level of dynamics.

Make MORe of the transitions from the rocking notes to the 16th note phrases--use your imagination--a crescendo?--maybe a hesitation, then launch into the new melody? 

These are just ideas--Experiment and have fun!
Great work--
Teresa

[broscoe]

I find your playing effective and pleasurable, with a precise, dry but expressive phrasing and congratulations from me.
Bye,
Benny

[pianistimo]

i agree with theresa and broscoe - and yet i also hear that sensitivity in your soul already.  just have to make a little tiny bit more 'acting.'  slow things down more in places, speed them up in others.  make it just slightly more dramatic - and you will have a spellbound audience!

i was already somewhat spellbound by your tone and dynamic control for the most part.  what i noticed (only very slightly) was on your first trill (as with juries - people judge the first and last) - that it could have had more 'personality.'

i'm terrible at chopin still - so i can't give any more detail on HOW to give trills and ornaments in chopin more personality.  i leave that to someone else.  maybe to incorporate it into the 'line' more by speeding it up towards the mid to end of trill?  you have a sensuous quality to your playing - so i like the slower tempo in general.  just the connections with the trills could be 'smoother' imo - but, hey - it's very difficult music and you pull it off very well.

[steinwayargentina]

Thank you very much for all your comments...

Pianistimo... I found your comments very intresting, I guess that when you wrote about the trills you were talking about the frst nocturne. Ok, I understand your point of view, and I think I agree with you, but... I'm terrible with trills beleave me! They probably need more notes inside of them, or more rush or something, but its very dificult to me to play trills, and not only in Chopin. Another thing I felt when I saw the recording for the first time was that the first ornaments were too rushed or.. I dont know how to say in english but kind of out of place I mean they could be more Melodical... Well just tell me your point of view on that issue. By the way did you see the other nocturne? What do you think about it?

Thanks to all of you...

Pablo

[pianistimo]

the piano is exquisite sounding and you make it all very brahmsish.  however, i do the same thing.  i like to hear phrasing.  chopin was different.  he overlapped things - often starting a new idea before fully finishing the last one (at least on the A section).  the B section was PERFECT to my ears.  i LOVE IT.  having 'sections' doesn't bother me.  only the A part seemed 'sectioned.'

i liked your immediate transition back to the A part.  that was AMAZING!  you're great!  susan

ps this is probably ABACABA or something, right?  i'd do the same thing for the A section each time - and let the B and C sections be just as they are.  just beautiful.