Ravel Forlane

[yiyiku]

[prongated]

Nicely played! Quite a dainty performance, although the sound could be even more sensitive towards harmonic changes (or actually, I think the mics just need to do a better job at picking the sound changes up).

The only thing I'd complain about is that I find that the opening requires a more flow. I think this is more a matter of sound rather than tempo though. The opening sounds too articulate to me, and I find that the flow could be smoother. Is that really the sound you are after? Do you really want the melody to always be proclaimed ever so clearly? If not, then you need to blend the melody more if I were you. Keep the fingers closer to the keys (I mean, wow, you sure lift your hand up pretty high!) and with little force/tension. I'd do this in the beginning, and gradually make it more articulate as the build-up/crescendo happens. And when it's pp in bar 29, I'd keep the fingers on the keys and the hand very relaxed.

Anyway, take it for what it's worth. Otherwise, very nice! The whole set really makes for a very gorgeous piece!

[yiyiku]

Thank you, prongated for your very useful comments. I will work on sound more!

[rachfan]

Hi yiyiku,

Overall, I think you play this piece very well.

Prongaged gave some good feedback with which I agree.  It's good to lift off to taper the ends of phrases and slurs.  When a less articulated touch is needed, that is to say, keeping the fingers closer to the keyboard, think of lifting by leading with the wrist just enough to allow the hand to droop completely relaxed and fingers to follow as the wrist moves upward, rather than lifting the wrist and hand simultaneously in a unified way.  If you just raise the wrist, the fingers will follow sufficiently, yet remain closer to the keys.

The only other comment I would make is pedaling.  I've not played the "Forlane" but I do realize from my own experiences in playing Ravel that he allows for a liberal use of pedal.  And I do understand that this is a romanticized, wistful and charming forlane rather than the 17th century Baroque variety.  Even so, there are a couple of spots where you blur the harmonies a bit.  So you'll want to listen to your pedaling carefully when you perform the piece.  Use half pedals in the releases to clear the overtones, thus preserving clarity at all times.

That artist bench is creaking and often competes with the piano!  It needs to be tightened up with a wrench. If this is a studio setting and not your home, you probably cannot do much about the problem.

I hope this is helpful.

[yiyiku]

hi rachfan,

thank you for your very useful comments. i do agree that my pedaling could be better. i will work on that. i need to fix that bench or get a new one, a good one costs so much money!