Liszt Consolation no. 3. Performing in 3 days.

[pbryld]

So I've been playing the piano for 9 months now, playing this piece for almost 6. It is still the only piece that I have finished and feel comfortable with.

On my quest to spread classical music, I am performing with this on Thursday at a spring recital/concert/whateverit'scalled as the only classical musician.

I think I'm getting it quite right now, although I am totally aware of the small mistakes, like some notes too quiet/loud and lifting the pedal too early at times as well. I even think I missed a note somewhere. The ending sequence could also be a bit better and clearer, but overall I still think it's a good performance. I don't even think the untrained ear will be bothered much by the mistakes.

Recorded on my teachers Yamaha piano, which I still am not quite comfortable with, especially the not with pedal, although it is still SOO much better than my 100-year old upright.

You are listening to the first and only take. I very rarely have the chance to record my playing.

Let me know what you think, it is greatly appreciated. Advice on making the performance better even more so.


Peter

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Just wanted to say I really enjoyed your performance! It is a really beautiful piece of music...
This is really nice especially considering you've only been playing for less than a year.
You've definitely motivated me to practise more...
 
Sorry I can't give you any advice, hopefully someone else will.
 Thanks for posting, and good luck on your performance!

[floydcramerfan]

I usually don't get affected by very much classical, but you gave me the heebe geebes.  Man, you've been playing for only nine months and you're playing Liszt.  Wow!!!

[pbryld]

Thank you both! I am glad you liked it.

The performance went well, better than this recording, unfortunately it was on an electrical piano, which took some of the beauty out of it.

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Thank you both! I am glad you liked it.

The performance went well, better than this recording, unfortunately it was on an electrical piano, which took some of the beauty out of it.

Glad to hear that it went well... do you have a recording of your performance too?

[emill]

I love the way you play this!!  congratulations.

[lorettac]

That's is amazing you are an inspiration!

[pbryld]

That's is amazing you are an inspiration!

Thank you!

Actually, I think i play it better now. I've just gotten a new piano and was planning to upload this piece again, but now you've revived the thread so that it doesn't make sense to upload it again lol

[alessandro]

The most impressive thing is of course your level in just a few months of playing.   Indeed, congratulations with that.  But you can do better ! And you know that.   It could be interesting to post it again and to hear your evolution.

I'm actually still 'studying' this piece for which I already foresee that I will not be done with it for the next weeks (maybe months, maybe years).   It is one of those pieces that I like for their easiness on the surface, but that are (and I'm talking really "for me, personnaly") so difficult to achieve a satisfying interpretation.  There are no technically difficult passages in it, but to produce the right "mood" that I have in mind, is not easy.   I have (and let's have) this focus on the beautiful note in the beginning - it's an obvious starting-point - this indication that says lento placido : not just some kind of "lento" (it says not "largo" neither), but a lento "placido".   When I listen to your interpretation, I hear some sort of rubato in your left hand, or let's call it a tendency to stretch or compress the tempo in the left hand in order to make it match with the liberties of the right hand, but... can't hear any "placido".   I personnaly find it hard to find the right balance with this sustained, velvetish, almost supporting left hand, not overdo it, and keep throughout the piece the undertone of "placido" altogether in the same time with an overall "wideness" (forgive me my bad English, I'm doing my best !).   You understand what I mean ? There could be (such as there is in your interpretation) some gentleness, kindness, almost cuteness in this piece, but for me... it is not a "cute" Consolation.  Making it sound "cute" would be some sort of underestimation.   You can find very different interpretations of this piece, but almost none sound 'right' in my ears.  I think we have to look for uttermost refinenement and delicacy and all this, but in the same time this lacework has to take place in a wide, desertlike landscape.  Vastness emptied of drama.  I have it hard to combine this idea of "notion", and "self-awarenes", "realism" with this idea of "consolation", "comfort".   It is not an absolute contradiction, but it's hard to keep this kind of "smile", this type of "affect".  An image could be that of tears welling in ones eyes, but the tears never roll out of the eyes over the cheek, it's just the eyes that are full of tears, but no weeping, oh no (not for the duration of this consolation) we are not crying, it is "just" emotion, just (high-)sensibility, it's "just" life.

Hope this post makes some sense

Very kind greetings to you pbryld and very kind greeting to everyone.

[oorakoora]

 Alessandro, your talent for description is staggering!
  I am practising this consolation at present , as it is the only Liszt composition within my grasp, and it was his anniversary in 2011, which is when Ibegan.
Your words perfectly encompass what I believe to be the essence of this lovely piece, and if I have days when I practise, but play too loudly and without sensitivity, I think of your advice to the pianist, and immediately, all is well!
  I saw Evgeny Kissin in recital , all Liszt programme, here in Sydney. I suspect many in the audience  like myself, we're inspired, and decided that Liszt just had to be their next composer, rather like watching Wimbeldon and immediately rushing out to purchase a tennis racket, despite having never been any good at tennis!

[oorakoora]

 Alessandro, your talent for description is staggering!
  I am practising this consolation at present , as it is the only Liszt composition within my grasp, and it was his anniversary in 2011, which is when Ibegan.
Your words perfectly encompass what I believe to be the essence of this lovely piece, and if I have days when I practise, but play too loudly and without sensitivity, I think of your advice to the pianist, and immediately, all is well!
  I saw Evgeny Kissin in recital , all Liszt programme, here in Sydney. I suspect many in the audience  like myself, we're inspired, and decided that Liszt just had to be their next composer, rather like watching Wimbeldon and immediately rushing out to purchase a tennis racket, despite having never been any good at tennis!
I am very impressed that someone with hardly any experience has tackled this piece. Well done, I have been going for two years and I am struggling!!

[pbryld]

I keep thinking about posting it again, as I am going to play it for an audition, but every time I finally think of REALLY doing it, either my piano needs tuning, someone posts in this very old thread or a member posts their version :p

I think I am playing it MUCH better now, and the advice I received were very helpful

[azooza]

Music is timeless, so I wouldn't worry about reviving an old thread which is your own, in a manner of speaking. I just wanted to say that if you can play like that after only nine months at the instrument, then that's very special. Your touch and expression is wonderful. I'd love to hear you play it again now, some years later