Medtner - La Campanella, op.20 no.2

[andhow04]

this was actually recorded on a new ipod that has video capabilities... but i didn't post the video. just extracted sound and put it up... just for fun, this wasn't a performance or anything.  sonud quality not great but it is good to critique the visual.  this whole ipod thing has done a lot for my practicing...


UPDATE: scroll down for youtube vid
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=36462.msg419416#msg419416

UPDATE:  I figured out how to actually put the video on the post... 

[point of grace]

i didn't know that piece of music. congrats!! i liked it a lot!

[rachfan]

Hi andhow,

Bravo! This "Campanella" is one of my favorite Medtner pieces.  Sounds like you play it really well too--the tempo is right, you bring a lot of energy to the piece, and you handle the accompaniment and melody in the same hand very well along with all the other difficult technical challenges there.  I believe you succeed brilliantly in putting the piece over to the listener, so I'm very impressed by your performance overall. 

The only thing is that the frequency response of the iPod is not so hot, as it breaks at the peaks and shatters into distortions.  Its recording quality is simply nowhere near up to your artistic level.  (I can appreciate, of course, the benefit in using it when practicing.)  This is a very important repertoire piece in my opinion, so the recording has to be up to your playing.  For those reasons I'd encourage, no, urge you to re-record the piece using better equipment while the music is still in your fingers.  That way, people would enjoy your rendition all the more.  Please give it your consideration.

[lostinidlewonder]

Is this your video?

I like this piece and you do a good job of it. I also like the church you are in? I am so envious about that pipe organ in the background. I think the recording device sensitivity needs to be lowered further as there are subtle to medium max volume distortions throughout, or poor frequency response as rachfan mentioned.

[andhow04]

Is this your video?

I like this piece and you do a good job of it. I also like the church you are in? I am so envious about that pipe organ in the background. I think the recording device sensitivity needs to be lowered further as there are subtle to medium max volume distortions throughout, or poor frequency response as rachfan mentioned.

haha!  How did you find that?  I deleted it since then.  Well now you know what I look like.
i was practicing for a higher-quality dvd production.  if i get it in files, I will upload the good ones with good sound to youtube.  i just have it in dvd format now.

yes the recording devcie is pretty bad isn't it.  i know you guys don't care for tunetalk ether, but it is better than the video option that's for sure... thanks for listening

[andhow04]

this is a better sound file, tho it sounds even better on the dvd.  i think when i transferred the file from vob to mpg, there might have been loss of quality.. i dunnio, amybe it is just my computer.  Enjoy

[rachfan]

Hi andhow,

Somehow I missed your post adding this wonderful video.  I just watched it.  It sure beats the iPod!  Again, your playing of the "Campanella" is marvelous, and the video/audio capture of your performance is far superior and more befitting this important piece of Medtner.  Bravo!

[goldentone]

I just watched the video.  Your playing is riveting, Andhow.  A masterful performance!

[andhow04]

Hi andhow,

Somehow I missed your post adding this wonderful video.  I just watched it.  It sure beats the iPod!  Again, your playing of the "Campanella" is marvelous, and the video/audio capture of your performance is far superior and more befitting this important piece of Medtner.  Bravo!

thanks for the nice post.
too bad more pianists don't play this piece!

[rachfan]

I agree, this piece is neglected despite its being a masterwork.  Much of it, I believe, is due to its difficulty.  I've had it on my own to-do list, but have too much in queue ahead of it.  But someday I'll get into it, and I hope others do too.  This is one of the crown jewels of Medtner's oeuvre.

[andhow04]

I agree, this piece is neglected despite its being a masterwork.  Much of it, I believe, is due to its difficulty.  I've had it on my own to-do list, but have too much in queue ahead of it.  But someday I'll get into it, and I hope others do too.  This is one of the crown jewels of Medtner's oeuvre.

it is difficult, but every time pianists hear it they say they want to learn it... i dont know many personally who played it...
part of it with medtner is that a lot of work you do, is not evident to the audience.  this one is pretty obviously impressive, but op,20 no.2 for example takes a lot of work to balance all the vocies, to get the right timing, to get the climax, it is a very, very dense structure and also dense harmonically but still can be delicate, because everything has to be exactly in place.... but that is not really evident to the audinece.  so you put a lot of work into it, but don't always get the accolades.

it kind of reminds me of someone who used to complain about chopin etudes, saying that you practice for hours and hours, then on stage its over in 2 minutes. ha!

[scottmcc]

very nicely done!  you're making me want to learn more about medtner...somehow on the list of music to buy he's always just below the cut line.  alas.

andhow, thank you very much for this fine performance.

[goldentone]

very nicely done!  you're making me want to learn more about medtner...somehow on the list of music to buy he's always just below the cut line.  alas.

Medtner is somewhat of an acquired taste.  It can take time to become acquainted with him, but he is worth it.

[andhow04]

very nicely done!  you're making me want to learn more about medtner...somehow on the list of music to buy he's always just below the cut line.  alas.

andhow, thank you very much for this fine performance.

thanks for your comment!  i say you just go for it, get a piece of medtner and sit down to learn it... the more music you play bya  composer the quicker you can assimilate their style

[andhow04]

haha... yet another recording... and there will probably be another video coming too, if everyone isn't sick and tired of this piece by now...