I need pianists to critique my Exam pieces... (YouTube videos)

[perfect_pitch]

I apologise for posting this also in the Audition Room... but I need help in preparation for an exam in 2 months.

Here is a run through of my recital pieces that I will be playing for my Licentiate of Music in September. I am performing on a Yamaha Concert Grand Piano in the Main Auditorium at WAAPA.

I need some feedback as to how I could improve my performance as I do not wish to fail this exam. I am asking any pianists out there for help - I don't care if it's negative as long as it's fair and you suggest some way to help/improve. Thank you for your feedback and support.

PLUS: If there is anyone who has experience with the AMEB examinations (especially at LMus Level) if you could give a me a little bit of feedback on what sort of things I need to know for the General Knowledge section of the exam. I would GREATLY, and TRULY appreciate it.

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Bach - Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in d minor, BWV 903 (Fantasia):

Bach - Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in d minor, BWV 903 (Fugue):

Chopin - Ballade No. 2 in F, Opus 38:

Brahms - Variations on a theme by Schumann, Opus 9 (Part 1):

Brahms - Variations on a theme by Schumann, Opus 9 (Part 2):

Ravel - Toccata from 'Le Tombeau de Couperin':

[enderw20]

pretty good, more dynamic variation in the beggining would be good.

[chozartmaninoff]

pretty good, more dynamic variation in the beggining would be good.

Yeah agree - Take your time, Try to enjoy what you play, Dont think of it as an "exam piece" but more relate it to a time or somthing u love and enjoy and make it into a piece you love playing - More feeling. Good attempt tho

[jlh]

This is a double post... you only need to post a topic in one board...

[perfect_pitch]

Sorry... wasn't sure which forum to post it in... my apologies - won't do it again.

[jlh]

Sorry... wasn't sure which forum to post it in... my apologies - won't do it again.

No problem, dude... looks like you figured it out.

[lostinidlewonder]

At the moment I have only time to respond to one of your pieces so here is some of my opinions.

Ravel - Toccata from 'Le Tombeau de Couperin':

Sorry i don't have the score with me at the moment so I will mention the times in your video.

The hall you are playing in echoes a lot, either that or its the recording. This really makes it important not to over do your legato ties. I found at times your melodic lines where playing over a strangled over sustained support.

0.04 - 0.12 : I feel this needs more bite in sound, you really need to over exaggerate the shortness of sound in the hall you are playing in. When you move in to the next, more legato touch 0.12-0.14 although it is nice and legato it does not stand out to what you where playing before. So make the beginning super sharp escaping all legato. This shortness of sound to legato contrast (and vice versa) needs to be over exaggerated and is a theme throughout this piece.

octaves played in 0:49 shouldn't be so connected.

The lightening of touch to 1:03 theme needs to be much more delicate, again overexaggerate the volume alteration here. 1:03 melody, the legato ties in the melody need to be more. Don't finish off the phrases of the melody too harshy.

The growth to the climax in 1:10 - 1:18 needs more. Start gentler and grow more.

1:19 and 1:21 bass notes need to draw out more.
1:23- 1:27, too legato, shorter in sound so that what comes after can contrast with it.

lowest bass at 1:30 should bite.

1:35-1:43 I thought was a good example of the contrast of short to legato.

1:48 I thought melody was a little too harsh, a more gentle and considerate touch throughout, don't make it sound like you are picking out the melody heavily, you did well to draw out the melodic line though. Same applies for the 2:24, don't make bang out the melody.

3:26-3:42 I usually hear this interpreted more legato and softer gradually growing and sharpening in sound quality. I felt this rise to the climax here at the end was not effective enough.

3:53 make the end of the phrase super sharp, don't let any notes linger. 3:54 should grow from nothing not start too loud. so that the climax at 3:59 is more appreciated. I thought the rise to this wasn't effective enough.

4:24-4:27 maybe an acceleration would be tasteful? Make moving into 4:27 more big, it is the final climactic point.

Overall you played accurately and looked in control. Because your tempo is slower you must be much more precise in your actions and more careful with your contrasts and rises towards climactic points throughout the piece. I enjoyed listening!