Project 27

[fleetfingers]

I am feeling good about my 10/5 and would like to include it in the project (of course, only if ongaku is not going to do it), but I've been working on it for many months already. Would that count? I have started 25/1 - is that one taken yet? I guess I could look on the list, but it's not showing up in this window, and I'm too lazy to click the "back" button to check   . If it's not taken, I will try to have it done in two months, but no promises.

[m1469]

Why do people think that there can only be one recording of each?  I don't get that!  Especially considering the seemingly limited number of people who are actually joining in the fun, I think that whatever people feel they can do, they should do!

Anyway, fleet, I am also recording 25/1 ... so hands off  ... j/k ... mostly.  I'm not going to lie to anybody, I'm needing a whole new round of motivation.  My "bring it" days seem boring to me now.  Now I'm in some tunnel ... trying to go to the next place.  And, I'm like "what the ?  what's going on around here in my head?  hmmm?  Who said that?  What the?  Who thought that..." etc. 

[cygnusdei]

Hi fleetfingers, welcome to the pianostreet chopet hall of fame! You're on for Op. 10 no. 5 and Op. 25 no. 1.

As we decided awhile ago, this is now a free-for-all invitation. It's just a little sad that there will be "popular" etudes played by multiple pianists, and "orphan" etudes that nobody wants  

Anyone else want to show your mettle? (or should I say me'lle?)

[liszt1022]

If you don't mind it a little "under tempo," I'd love to do Op 25 No 5 as well!

[ted]

Well I play 10/5,10/12,25/1,25/6 and 25/11. Self-taught, idiosyncratic and rough as a bear's backside, but I'll post any or all of them if you like. Might be a bit of fun. Nobody has 25/11 yet. Probably be a dag if I did that one then.

[mnmleung]

I will have a look at op 10 no 6.  Will play with audible apologies, probably ... !

[cygnusdei]

ted, liszt1022, mnmleung: you're on! This is great - only 12 orphan etudes left ...

I'm thinking, maybe when all recordings are posted we can set up a poll for "favorite" performance(s). Any idea on prizes? Perhaps a record deal with pianostreet label?

[ted]

I played slow "before" tryouts tonight of everything - hear sections below. Rough as guts, but I'm confident I could work up 25/1 and 25/11 in two months. I'm not so sure about the other ones at this stage but early days yet; I shall try. It's funny this classical playing if you're not used to it. I play far more difficult movements in improvisation and think nothing of it yet I get all screwed up with classical.

[liszt1022]

I'm thinking, maybe when all recordings are posted we can set up a poll for "favorite" performance(s).

I think the best thing this project can do is help build a better sense of community around here... there's enough one-upmanship as is, I'd like to consider this album as one big product than pieces that will be set against each other.

[ted]

Agreed liszt1022, at least for me. I just play a few classical pieces for fun; no good my trying to compete with anyone. I've never been trained in  playing classical music. Everybody's pretty easy going and broadminded here though, unlike on some forums, so we should all learn from one another without mishap.

[cygnusdei]

You're not interested in a record deal with pianostreet label? It's one step away from the Grammy's!

Seriously though, this is a little different from "audition" threads - there it's kind of implied that you are requesting feedback, to improve etc. Here if we're lucky, we'll end up with >27 final recordings by multiple people. Are we interested in feedback, or is it more like "take it or leave it"?
With a number of pianists playing the same etudes, I think comparisons are inevitable. A poll of "favorite" performance(s) would be an efficient means of achieving both, i.e. I listened to all of them, and here is my top three and why ... or something like that.

There is no doubt though that this is collaborative project. Polls etc. is icing on the cake. We need the cake first! Me want cake ....

PS: Ted - I'll leave your claims on the other etudes on for inspiration ... but don't feel obligated or anything. Happy practicing!

[ongaku_oniko]

I also think it makes more sense to choose a "winner" or a representative recording for the 27.

I mean personally I don't think mine will make the cut, but still, that's fine. But if you're just gonna have a lot of random people playing the same pieces, with some left out, it does't have the "project" feel.

I sort of said the same thing in the baby piece's one, but I've been refuted...

m1469 is too powerful. Changes the original purposes of both threads.

[liszt1022]

All I see are hurt feelings. Everyone's going to do their best, so let's let everyone feel like they contributed just as well as everyone else.
<3

[cygnusdei]

Once all recordings are posted, there is a myriad of things we could do to "tie things together". Like ongaku said early on, perhaps an actual CD? I sense that many other ideas will pop up along the way. Now, practice, practice, practice .... 

[ongaku_oniko]

I don't think a CD is possible; we don't have the funding.

However, it would certainly be possible to create a youtube channel dedicated to pianostreet projects, and have everyone's recordings be posted in the channel

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

I don't think a CD is possible; we don't have the funding.

However, it would certainly be possible to create a youtube channel dedicated to pianostreet projects, and have everyone's recordings be posted in the channel

Or you could get sell it on itunes, and then use those funds to make a CD. All that work for the sentiment of a real CD

[ongaku_oniko]

yeah, but who will buy it?

EDIT:
*dreams*

*a year later: The PS group became so popular that they are invited to perform at Carnegie Hall with the Youtube Symphony Orchestra 2012, and gets their own recording label*

[cygnusdei]

Dude, I was thinking of homemade CD-R with lame printout sleeves .... you guys dream big
But who knows, maybe Nils will cough up the money for proper duplication (which is like $1+ these days) and distribute it free of charge to PS members. We get the CDs, pianostreet gets publicity. Win-win!  

Anyway, here is my "before" version of Op. 25 no. 6. Man, I'm afraid by the time I get to the final version my fingers will be twisted and won't go back.

[furtwaengler]

This thread is cool. I like the project. I don't know if I'll contribute or not. I've been toying with op. 10 no. 2 a little bit, but I don't know if I can make it interesting. I'll more likely go towards a more neglected one if at all.

I'm listening to Ted now, whose playing I find endlessly fascinating and spontaneous.

[m1469]

Me want cake...

[ted]

I'm listening to Ted now, whose playing I find endlessly fascinating and spontaneous.

Thanks for the compliment, but two days of recording Chopin studies and listening to various CDs has shown me very clearly that while my highly individual technique is just right for my own music, it is not at all conducive to producing the accepted Chopin sound. Having thought hard about it though, I have decided to take their speed down a bit for a while, iron out the many inaccuracies over the next few weeks, but just play them my way regardless - more or less as if I were improvising. I think I have gone too far down strange paths to change myself now.   

[pianowolfi]

So here is my "before" version of op.10,2. I didn't have much time to practice during the last days and when, it did happen somewhen between 1 and 3 a.m. I have started to practice this piece systematically about a month or 5 weeks ago, after I had practiced it a long while ago (late nineties) but never accomplished it.

[m1469]

YAY!  Wolfi!  I am listening now and it's very musical .  I like it so much!  I will *love* to play this etude someday ... maybe next .

[liszt1022]

Whoa, 25/5 is seriously uncomfortable to play! I think I'd be getting over my head. I don't want it to sound like I'm struggling through it, and due to a heavy workload these next 2 months I better just stick to NE A-flat.

[m1469]

I played slow "before" tryouts tonight of everything - hear sections below. Rough as guts, but I'm confident I could work up 25/1 and 25/11 in two months. I'm not so sure about the other ones at this stage but early days yet; I shall try. It's funny this classical playing if you're not used to it. I play far more difficult movements in improvisation and think nothing of it yet I get all screwed up with classical.

I'm super glad that you're in on this, too!  Yip!  I enjoyed listening to your playing .

[furtwaengler]

Alright! I've created a folder to keep the Pianostreet Chopin Etudes project recordings. I'm enjoying listening to everybody. I'm listening to m1469 right now. This all makes me very happy, and indeed it is a musically liberating, inspiring experience and I love that you're all sharing of yourselves. I've changed my mind, and I'm in baby!

I'll commit to op. 10 no. 2, 7, 10 and op. 25 no. 4 for now . And after next week I'll have some more time. This will give me a reason to try out my brand new Zoom H2!

[m1469]

Alright! I've created a folder to keep the Pianostreet Chopin Etudes project recordings. I'm enjoying listening to everybody. I'm listening to m1469 right now. This all makes me very happy, and indeed it is a musically liberating, inspiring experience and I love that you're all sharing of yourselves. I've changed my mind, and I'm in baby!

I'll commit to op. 10 no. 2, 7, 10 and op. 25 no. 4 for now . And after next week I'll have some more time. This will give me a reason to try out my brand new Zoom H2!

Wooooo hoooooo!  yip, yip!

[cygnusdei]

You gain some, you lose some ... this is awesome. Welcome to the club, furtwaengler!
Only 8 10 orphan etudes to go - come and get 'em!

BTW I'm using a Zoom H1 myself. Really nice and beats having to mess with microphones, cables, camcorders etc.

[m1469]

If for some reason I become a superstar with these in the next two months (well, you never know what will happen!  Why limit the possibilities?  ), and I've got all of my other rep. under control, as well, then I'll pick up an orphan etude if there are any left and it seems kosher.

I've secretly already started reading through Op. 10 no. 2 the past couple of days.  But, that's because I love it and not because it's an orphan.

[pianowolfi]

Thanks for the compliment, but two days of recording Chopin studies and listening to various CDs has shown me very clearly that while my highly individual technique is just right for my own music, it is not at all conducive to producing the accepted Chopin sound. Having thought hard about it though, I have decided to take their speed down a bit for a while, iron out the many inaccuracies over the next few weeks, but just play them my way regardless - more or less as if I were improvising. I think I have gone too far down strange paths to change myself now.   

Hi Ted, I am also fascinated by your recordings. I hear the typical Ted sound and style and I think that Chopin himself would have encouraged you regarding your idea of op. 25,1 because it shows a really unique approach and is very much fun to listen to of course there is work to do on the "winterwind" but I am sure that will be equally unique after a bit of practicing

[pianowolfi]

YAY!  Wolfi!  I am listening now and it's very musical .  I like it so much!  I will *love* to play this etude someday ... maybe next .

Thank you so much, m1469

whereas I am happy that you hear the musicality  , I am (having listened again to my rec) not at all happy with the sound of the recording. I am thinking wth that's supposed to be a Steinway??? It sounds dry and clumsy and heavy and not at all how I intend to sound. Of course I know perfectly that there is a load of practicing ahead of me, especially regarding evenness, dynamics, phrasing, voicing, playing the chords together and so on, but I am at the same time just struggling with my recording settings as the results make me just wish to run away as fast as possible...

[pianowolfi]

Op 10,1 is still orphan? hmmmm....

If I can finally figure out that "souplesse" thingy, (I've been noticing a slight progress in m. 30-36 at 120 bpm recently) I might be part of the deal  

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

You gain some, you lose some ... this is awesome. Welcome to the club, furtwaengler!
Only 8 10 orphan etudes to go - come and get 'em!

BTW I'm using a Zoom H1 myself. Really nice and beats having to mess with microphones, cables, camcorders etc.

A little off topic, (sorry!) but what if you want video and audio? I have a not-so great digital camera (the audio is un-listenable) and a Zoom H1. Trying to film and record at the same time has been a nightmare so far for me... Also where do you put your recorder?

[cygnusdei]

That sounds tough - if you have a video editor though, you can always sync audio and video later. If your digital camera has a line input for external microphone, you could get a decent mic for <$100. I used to pair my camcorder with an Audio Technica PRO 24 mic - worked OK. But for audio only the Zoom H1 does a really nice job. I just put it on top the piano (upright).

[liszt1022]

Hey I got a Zoom H1 just a couple days ago!

So with NE A-flat, I'm having a hard time going at speed and keeping straight all the suspensions between the RH voices. But I'll get the hang of it soon. I hope.

[furtwaengler]

Add op. 25 no. 3. 

[cygnusdei]

Wow, you're really wiping the floor with the rest of us Come on guys, are you gonna let furtwaengler take 'em all? We still have 9 orphan etudes needing some love:

Op. 10 nos. 1, 8, 11
Op. 25 nos. 2, 5, 8, 9
NE nos. 1 (F minor), 3 (D♭)

Please please don't let these etudes feel unwanted ....     

[pianowolfi]

I go for op.10,1, as mentioned above

And NE 1! 

[m1469]

ugh ... firstly, if somebody mops the floor with me in picking them out, so be it!  I'd much prefer to mop the floor in sound and that's already a challenge in itself.  But, I'm throwing caution to the wind and I want to compete for Op. 10 no. 2, and then I'll read through the others today and see if any of them are anything I could possibly wrap myself around -- they all seem tricky to me.

But, Op. 10 no. 2 won't let me quit it, I've been reading through it the past couple/few days and it is a brand new start for me as of then.  I'll be back.  And, btw, I'm planning to record at least Op. 25 no. 6 as update tomorrow ... maybe today.  Cheers!

[cygnusdei]

That's what I'm talking about!  

Only 6 orphans left:

Op. 10 nos. 8, 11
Op. 25 nos. 5, 8, 9
NE no. 3 (D♭)

I'm adopting Op. 25 no. 2!

[m1469]

Okay, here is a small snippet update of Op. 25 no. 10.  It's maybe too heavy or too notey, or something, and not final tempo, and even though I will not ignore slow practice (though it will serve a very specific purpose), I feel like this is a representation of a next step for me and something I will aim at for the entire piece.  Well, of course better than this, though, too, since I've learned from this recording already.

[m1469]

Okay, here I go making a deliberately insane decision, I guess.  I will take Op. 10 no. 8 and Op. 25 no. 9.  Actually, just typing that scares the daylights out of me, that is not a joke, gives me a scary feeling in my stomach, and makes me feel like falling asleep ... therefore, I am typing it.  

So, here is my total:

Op. 10, nos. 2 and 8 (brand new)
Op. 25, nos. 1, 6, 9 (pretty much brand new), 10, 12

I am literally scared, but if I'm seriously still freaking out about it in the future, I may need to back out of something.  Op. 10 no. 8 was literally one that looked the scariest to me, and that's actually why I chose it.  

[m1469]

Okay, I'm down.  Bring it.  All of those words a person says to seem menacing.  After my initial freakout, MachineMe took over and started figuring out a plan, helping me calm down and convincing me to give this a whirl.  What I'm not sure about is the fact that not very long ago I felt like I had to live in an alternate reality just to do the four that I had originally committed myself to ... and now I obviously am choosing even a whole new alternate reality!    It's like an alternate reality inside of ... or outside of the original alternate reality.  What the?

WOOT!

*absorbs musical things through pores and veins*

[cygnusdei]

 
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's MachineMe!
 

Four orphans to go!!


(..... off to practice ....)

[liszt1022]

Practicing NE A-flat today, I finally heard how all the RH lines work together! I'm having a great time with it.

I wish I was good enough to dash off 25/5, as it's one of my favorites (can't believe it's still orphaned, just listen to that B section!)
Just with the full-time job, plus two days of piano students, I won't be able to devote enough time to it

[furtwaengler]

Yes! I am pregnant with etudes (as Rubinstein was pregnant with mazurkas...my memory has probably got this illusion way off!). You can read my commitments, but in truth I have been reading through many of these this week, and today I spent actual practice time on op. 10 no. 8 (m1469, I feel your pain!), and op. 25 no. 6, as well as several readings of op. 10 no. 1, 11, and op. 25 no. 5 and 9 without crossing into detailed practice. All these are selections I did not commit to...I'm just out of control with enthusiasm!

Part of this is a sense of discovery that yeah, these are accessible, and I can make music with them. I had always been afraid of the Chopin Etudes - I've never been a fundamentally disciplined and sound technician at the keyboard...etudes tend to expose this, but I am having fun, and I am making music. My current fear level is actually very low in spite of the challenges. I've chased down many things just for the sake of loving the music and what could be made of it. I'm sure the actually recording process will be very difficult, though. We will see...

Cygnusdei, thanks very much for introducing this project and giving us this opportunity!    

[cygnusdei]

The only thing we have to fear is ..... Liszt etudes!! nyuk nyuk nyuk ....  

From here on out it's all you ... take it away boys! (and girls)

[m1469]

Well, I hadn't actually read through Op. 10/8 before I decided to take it up.  Actually, I haven't actually read through it yet, even, though I've got a lot of it preliminarily analyzed and much of the fingering in.  I am able to make more sense of it than I thought, and I'll tell you, MachineMe is a fascinating individual, as she's been giving me a whole new perspective throughout the day, has devised many a plan, and connected many a dot.

In truth, I've for a long time wanted to play them all, which is why I secretly want to adopt the rest of the orphans, but I'll save that for another wave of ridiculousness.

Okay, so, my plan is to get initial recordings up of Op. 10 nos. 2 and 8, as well as Op. 25 no. 9 by Friday next week.  Phwew.

Cheers !  I'm going to bed NOW so I can absorb music like it's going out of style ...

[furtwaengler]

The only thing we have to fear is ..... Liszt etudes!! nyuk nyuk nyuk ....  

I tell you the truth, out of all the Chopin's, I am TERRIFIED of NE no. 3 in D-flat and what it would take to get it right!

[pianowolfi]

Okay, here is a small snippet update of Op. 25 no. 10.  It's maybe too heavy or too notey, or something, and not final tempo, and even though I will not ignore slow practice (though it will serve a very specific purpose), I feel like this is a representation of a next step for me and something I will aim at for the entire piece.  Well, of course better than this, though, too, since I've learned from this recording already.

That sounds very menacing, as it's supposed to! To me it sounds just right.