Chopin Etude Op.10 No.8

[yw1935]

Rachel's playing

[teresa_b]

She is extremely impressive!  I think maybe it's OK to study pieces like this  (they are "studies," after all) even if it isn't possible as yet to focus on the musical interpretation.  She can play this, and after more study and experience, will likely be so facile at the technical part, she can put more energy into making the melody beautiful and expressive.  Right now that is what is missing.

Teresa

[thierry13]

She was not ready to play this one if that's the best she can do with it. There are better things to do if you want mere finger exercises. Chopin etudes are very serious music, and should not be treated as a technical exercise, as in this recording.

[teresa_b]

She was not ready to play this one if that's the best she can do with it. There are better things to do if you want mere finger exercises. Chopin etudes are very serious music, and should not be treated as a technical exercise, as in this recording.

I agree with this in a sense, as I'm undecided about the idea of playing serious pieces one cannot master technically.  (I said as much in Rachel's thread with Chopin's Ballade no 1.)  I think it can go either way: 

You can work on such a piece even though you are not yet able to master it, as long as you (and your teacher)have the understanding that it will be some time before you are capable of actually performing it.

Or, you can work on a piece you cannot technically handle, of necessity ignoring the musicality the whole time.  This could result in hacking the piece to the point that you have a habit that can't be broken.  Thus you make Chopin turn in his grave forever more. 

This young girl, I think, has the musical instinct to eventually play Chopin right.  But I do have mixed feelings about many of the choices of repertoire she is playing. 

Teresa