Liszt - La Camapanella

[danhuyle]

Enjoy. A lot of rubato options with this piece. Any comments appreciated. 

[pianoplayjl]

I think you played it at an appropriate speed for an amateur pianist. I think you can make a little more dynamic contrast, if you can, e.g. make the other notes softer to bring out the melody more. In the beginning, I think you can make the top  D# and notes softer while bringing out the melody. I can barely hear the melody in that section. Having said that, your technical work was excellent. I couldn't fault you for that.

[danhuyle]

The beginning is THE most demanding to interpret in this whole piece IMO.

[pianoplayjl]

Sorry. I've never played this piece. I'm note even remotely close to playing it. It's just that I've heard so many interpretations to make a judgement.

[danhuyle]

You've never played it?

Yundi Li's interpretation is my favorite. It's because of Yundi Li, I still play La Campanella. What I like most about Yundi Li's recording is how he plays the main theme (in octaves) in the very last section of the piece. 

Arthur Rubenstein's recording, I like his use of rubato.

[pianoplayjl]

I also like Li's playing. I have his playing in my Ipod.

[ihrodolfo]

I'll comment your playing tomorrow, I can't now, but I would like to say that, IMHO, Valentina Lisitsa's playing of La Campanella is the best. Ever (especially Seoul live recording). Lively. Soft when needed, forte as well.
I found Yundi Li & Friends (so I mean all other nowadays "prodiges" - like Kissin!) too unexpressive - and too exaggerated at some bars.

[pianoplayjl]

Litsitsa's alright but I think she plays it too fast.

[kellyc]

Hi all. Excuse me, but I thought the idea was to comment on Dans playing of this Etude.  Frankly who cares if anyone likes one artists interpretation over another.  Both Yundi LI and  Valentina Lisitsa's are wonderful the way they play this etude. Though I will amend my statement and say that Dan is entitled to an opinion on this since he is the performer and it is his performance we are supposed to be critiquing.

Speaking of which , please please please , if you can , get your Piano tuned . You are far to good a pianist to be playing on a piano in this condition.  I appreciated the way you did not rush this etude and let instead the music come to you.  Only toward the end where you do your Yundi Li thing and start to push things I take exception with.  Do that once you have more control under your fingers. 

I enjoyed you playing this Dan far more than your Chopin etude op 10 #12.  Give it time and this will grow.

Thanks so much for posting this and know that you are a valuable resource for the audition board. One last thing, not that I care, but what is with the huge body motions at times.  Just curious. 

Keep up the good work

Kelly

[pianoplayjl]

He's probably into the music so that's why he has huge body motion. I don't mind that. Yes, I agree with KellyC that you played this alot better than Rev etude although that is easier than this one. I liked the way that you stuck to the tempo you were comfortable with, not unlike the Rev etude where you sounded like racing against other pianists.

[starstruck5]

This would have been lovely I think, if the piano hadn't been so OOT -

[pianoplayjl]

The sounds of the keys are really sharp.