[VIDEO] Ravel Toccata

[orangesodaking]

There's an explanation in the beginning, because this was for a talent show in my state's All-State Choir (yes I sing too), and I wanted to explain how much more important the MUSIC is in this piece, not the technical difficulties. But enjoy! I'm learning the rest of the suite too.

[lostinidlewonder]

Good articulation and expression some mistakes but it didn't ruin the sound badly. I like your tempo, nowadays people tend to play this way too fast.

[orangesodaking]

Well, Ravel himself wanted it at 144 bpm. But yeah, do you mean too fast without being clean and clear?

[birba]

Bravo, indeed!   Why didn't you put the top of the piano all the way up?  Your control of the tone was paramount and you kept up that nervous energy thoroughout.  Keep up the good work and let us hear the rest of the suite!
What a typical state fair audience.  I love the americans!!!

[orangesodaking]

Well, you heard all the "ooooooooooh!"'s they made when I put the music rack down. There was a pianist before me that played with the rack up (using music) and the lid low like that. I figured memorized and with the rack down was enough; I didn't want to come across as saying "Oh look how much better I am." Plus, it was being microphoned, so I thought it would be loud enough... Oh well, I will definitely re-record it along with the other 5 movements this May!

[rachfan]

Bravo!  That was a fine performance of the "Toccata".  A few slips, but barely enough to be noticeable.  Something that I want to add is that you had mostly a young audience there who are usually to be found only at rock concerts.  When I saw that standing ovation and all the applause, it made me believe that got a some young people interested in classical music that day.  Good work in achieving that too!

[orangesodaking]

Thanks! They all are good choir singers, so they at least have appreciation for classical music. Plus, a lot of the people there really admire piano playing, moreso than other people (basically non-musicians) do... But yeah, thanks.

[daniloperusina]

You play this piece with an irresistible musical flow, and it's very nice to listen to!
The rhythm sounds as graceful and natural as streaming water!
Very nice!

[ramseytheii]

This is a very admirable job, you don't fall into the sink holes of interpretation that many do when banging out this toccata.

I would recommend you work on the dramatic nature of your crescendi.  As it is now, they don't seem to be communicating much in general.  Your performance on the whole is a bit conservative, a bit short on thrills.  There should be frightening moments, threatening moments, and moments where the suddenly aborted crescendi are like so many things flying around your head, coming close to your ear, then zipping away.

Walter Ramsey

[wfrith]

Pardon my French:
That was really *** good.
I liked your performance more than any other performance of that song that I've heard. I like your dynamics and your expression. And your tempo isn't so fast as to completely scare other pianists away.
Very well done! I'd love to see more!