Rachmaninoff Sonata op. 36 original NOW ON YOUTUBE

[awesom_o]

Hey pianostreet folk,

I got fed up with PW so decided to come here for my internet fix. I shall start off by sharing a recording from my lesson today of the Rachmaninoff 2nd Sonata. It's still a work in progress so go easy. I hope I am not violating the rules by posting a link to a 33mb audio file (i thought that rule was just for uploading directly to the site?). I am not good with techmologee and couldn't figure out how to split up the file if my life depended on it.

I'd love some comments/feedback....although obviously I know of plenty of things to work on already thanks to my teacher. The third movement gets a bit hectic and my control throughout it could be much better.

Thanks, and here's to hoping this forum is better than the last!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/?tqf2y3n1p43dah9

 

[furtwaengler]

I hope I am not violating the rules by posting a link to a 33mb audio file (i thought that rule was just for uploading directly to the site?). I am not good with techmologee and couldn't figure out how to split up the file if my life depended on it.

First, welcome to pianostreet. I hope you stick around and enjoy it here. There is no problem with posting links to sites like mediafire, rapidshare, etc. for files larger than the 20 mg limit for the attachments. In my experience you'll get more comments if you also attach the file, either compressed or broken down. Audacity is a good free program which would enable you to do this. It will come up on a google search.

I have just downloaded the file. I'll listen and get back to you tomorrow. I'll say now that I prefer the earlier completion to both the 1931 revision and the hybrid versions of Horowitz and others. My hat's off to you for committing to the piece with its difficulty!

Browse the forum and make yourself welcome!

Dave

[furtwaengler]

Well it is a tremendous performance, awesom_o. The forward momentum is overwhelming and your grasp of the structure - which here might better be said grasp of context - is sublime. The end of the first movement...the tragic element after the 9 minute mark is as well expressed as any performances I've ever heard. In fact yours holds a spellbinding turn of fate which is breathtaking.

There are parts a little dirty, yes...but in some ways this well serves the overall performance. The only place I lost you was in the middle of the last movement as it reminisced the chromatic scenes which underscore the piece from the outset of the first movement (though at the end of this section, going into the actual quote - beautiful!)...this could be an issue of mental focus on which point I'll say it will and is coming together (this could be my own mental focus on second thought!). The coda was phenomenal, an exciting close indeed. You play with great power, lyricism and a more than appropriate tragic weight.

I would suggest is you are editing the performance to attach to the site, that you remove the speech from the end. The language, though understandable, is not appropriate for the public...I was listening to the recording at a loud level, and my family is here!

I hope you feel welcome on pianostreet and continue to contribute.

[awesom_o]