Chopin Ballade No 3

[can]

I hope you like it. I made some mistakes especially one in the beginning and one in the end - actually many more during the performance. Sorry for these. I know studying Ballades never ends, there is always something to learn. It's been 7 months that I learned this ballade and I know there is much to do. I'm looking forward to your comments.

[birba]

That was a lot of fun listening to you, Mr. Can!!!!  You're a very brilliant young pianist and I bet you're going to go places.  This is such a difficult piece, especially for one so young.  But you overcame many of the technical obstacles, I must say.  For example that left hand from meas. 183 on is really torture - what is your hand span, by the way?
You tend to rush everything - probably the emotion of the moment, right?  You can really take it easy in certain parts and perk up your ears and listen to what you're playing.  Sometimes your forte tends to be a bit harsh.
Much more tranquillo in the beginning - listen to the four bar statement-answer sequence in the opening 8 bars.  after that, feel the barcarolle movement of the left hand and don't rush.  especially from bar 25 on.  On the contrary, a slight holding back with the  tempo from when you start the diminuendo.
The second subject (the rocking boat) was very good.  You make a wonderful melodic line.  But here again,  always listen to your forte and control the sound.  At bar 116, take time with those "appogiaturas" (the grace notes at the beginning) here, and again when they're longer in the subsequent measures.  It doesn't matter if you lose a half-beat here and there!
In measures 124-134, listen attentively to the r.h. and don't rush the running 16th notes.  Play them leggero and easy, following the line wherever it goes as if it were a long melody.  And at the end a slight ritard.  Bar 136 -SOSTENUTO!  Listen to that descending A-flat, G, F, E-flat motif.  Doesn't it remind you of something you previously played?
At bars 150-152, Rubinstein played an inner melody here.  to break the monotony of the r.h., I guess. It's become sort of a tradition, I guess.  Ask your teacher, I'm sure they know what I'm talking about.
At bar 157, DON'T RUSH!  Concentrate on the right hand and let the left hand follow easily.
Great work on those broken octaves!!  Don't begin the crescendo until bar 167 - you've got to stretch that cresendo out so you reach the FF only at bar 173.  And here again, yes, you guessed it, DON'T RUSH.
Like I said in the beginning, great work on the left hand in those next few pages.  I would do a quasi subito piano at bar 209,  Big crescendo and an allargando right before the climax.  And here again - read my lips - don't rush it.  It's grand and majestic here.
Well, enough of this.  You did a great job and I can't wait to here this again in few years'time!

[becky8898]

Hey Can. I like it. but you didnt post it just to have people say that. so  here goes. 

I wont waste your time with all the same stuff Birba said. Ill just say two things.  I did this Ballade several years ago and my teacher really emphasized two things. Luxuriate in the sound of it, but dont be afraid of silence.  Breath like a singer breaths sometimes, where the music calls for it. Second do some run thrus without the petal. I know it doesnt work, but it really helps to figure out exactly where you really need the pedal. Thats it.  best of luck.

Cheers, Becky