Chopin: Scherzo no. 4 in E major

[prongated]

A take from an early November 2010 recording session. NY Steinway. Comments and/or criticisms please!

[scottmcc]

very nicely played!  I'm surprised nobody has commented yet.  in my mind, you succeeded well at bringing the many disparate elements of this piece together into one cohesive whole.  I look forward to more of your recordings.

[zeusje]

I find it very well played as well...

enjoyed it

[birba]

What with your finger-technique and excellent tone-control, you can really make this piece yours!  I think this, along with the fantasy-polonaise, is chopin at his highest inspirational genius.  Agosti said it was a kind of Midsummer night's dream - fairies and elves and such.  It's such an ethereal composition.  And I think I missed that the most in your interpretation.  Presto  more in  character then speed.  I felt like you rushed through it.  As a result, the contrast between the lyric episodes (I'm talking about the first and third parts) and the "flights of fancy" sounded the same.  I wish I had measure numbers here to explain more in detail.  You can breathe more between these sections, and pull back in those lyric parts.  There were times when you actually sped up!  In that glorious middle section, take all those embellishents melodically.  Don't be afraid of a little rubato.  In the left hand, I could hardly hear that eighth note that closes each two-bar sequence.  Not that you have to accent it, but it's not flippant.  It actually broadens the phrase and makes that quarter note in the  the right hand melody  all-so-slightly longer.  Your return to the reprise was excellent and convincing.  That's not easy!  I really enjoyed hearing this masterpiece.  thank you!
You are one first-rate pianist and musician!

[prongated]

What with your finger-technique and excellent tone-control, you can really make this piece yours!  I think this, along with the fantasy-polonaise, is chopin at his highest inspirational genius.  Agosti said it was a kind of Midsummer night's dream - fairies and elves and such.  It's such an ethereal composition.  And I think I missed that the most in your interpretation.  Presto  more in  character then speed.  I felt like you rushed through it.  As a result, the contrast between the lyric episodes (I'm talking about the first and third parts) and the "flights of fancy" sounded the same.  I wish I had measure numbers here to explain more in detail.  You can breathe more between these sections, and pull back in those lyric parts.  There were times when you actually sped up!  In that glorious middle section, take all those embellishents melodically.  Don't be afraid of a little rubato.  In the left hand, I could hardly hear that eighth note that closes each two-bar sequence.  Not that you have to accent it, but it's not flippant.  It actually broadens the phrase and makes that quarter note in the  the right hand melody  all-so-slightly longer.  Your return to the reprise was excellent and convincing.  That's not easy!  I really enjoyed hearing this masterpiece.  thank you!
You are one first-rate pianist and musician!

Wow...hey birba, I wonder what your music education background is? "Presto more in character than speed", that is not something every instrumentalist subscribes to, let alone know! (Although to be honest, I find it most true in Brahms, and probably not so much Chopin)

Yeah, again I think I can relate to what you are trying to get at. I did give it an attempt but failed pretty miserably - mainly in the technical department. I am definitely not one "first-rate pianist and musician" - or not yet, I hope In any case, when I return to this, I will definitely try again!

very nicely played!  I'm surprised nobody has commented yet.  in my mind, you succeeded well at bringing the many disparate elements of this piece together into one cohesive whole.  I look forward to more of your recordings.

Well...thanks for being the first and thanks for listening!

I find it very well played as well...

enjoyed it

Cheers!