Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 in b flat minor

[perfect_pitch]

Greetings all...

I've always loved this piece for years, and finally I decided to print out the music and to try and perfect it. In a week, I'm hoping to record it properly, but I'd like a bit of friendly advice on what you thought of my performance so far. I'm also working on the Liszt Totentanz for Solo Piano, which is something I'll try and post next week as well.

Let me know what you think so far...

[perfect_pitch]

Seriously... Nothing???

For a piece as well known as this one, surely someone has something to say...

[kellyc]

Hello Perfect. Ill give it my best shot. Nothing deep but a few general thoughts.  First if you can imagine the piano divided into thirds, Lowest notes, middle notes , and upper notes. I was quite pleased with the way you handled the middle notes and the upper notes, not so much with the lower notes. Of course I have no idea where your microphones are placed and this could have had a profound affect on the recording. None the less , I was vaguely unsatisfied with the low rumbling base notes in the beginning of the piece. They don't seem to put me in the mood for what is to come in this piece.  I can only suggest you experiment with the phrasing to give the opening passages a more grand entrance. This  being a rhapsody , i want to feel entranced from the first note. Like you where a young man catching my eye across the campfire and making my heart race.

Only one other thing there are a few moments where Liszt resolves the piece going from minor to major in the harmony. I see more of a contrast there. That is of course my vision of the music.

All in all, I really enjoyed this and kind of had to think hard to find things to pick on (LOL). I look forward very much to hearing this piece when it is polished and you reach your final artistic interpretation.

Kelly

[emill]

Seriously... Nothing???   For a piece as well known as this one, surely someone has something to say... 

  ... I can feel your frustration!!!! 

I have posted pieces which eventually got buried into the 2nd and 3rd pages without a single comment ... yes NOT even an insignificant one.

Perhaps, a major reason is that many here will not post a comment if they have had no experience learning ... playing the piece and that would really narrow down the the field to a few guys. To top it all .... some of the FEW guys have left for good .... BIRBA!!!  and even the shadowy ones who also made some sense have also left .... Lady Pianist!! 

But I totally disagree with this stance of not commenting for lack of experience.  Music in general to varying degrees affect each one.  And it is in this area where one can say something. I am sure the pianist would like not only to hear comments from knowledgeable pianists, which will tend to be "narrow" coming from the point of view of this "special" class, but also would like to hear how their performance comes across the classic-loving public.  For a good number of artists, it is how their art has influenced the public, especially if in a positive way that matters more. 

I just wish more here in Pianostreet would say something even if it is just as simple as - "NICE playing" if they enjoyed or felt good at what they heared.  I am happy that a newbie, KellyC has joined. She is contributing positively.

btw p_p - Nice start .... Nice playing  ( from someone in the general audience).

[perfect_pitch]

Hey Kellyc... Thanks for the comments. My microphone is placed about 3 feet away from the piano, with the lid up. Sometimes I feel that the bass sounds better when the lid is down, however then it sounds a little bit dull and muffled in tone (which is a bit of a trade-off).

I'm sorry I left you unsatisfied with my bass...     This piece I haven't even played for my piano teacher - it was a piece I wanted to see if I could learn proficiently enough without having to play it for my teacher (sort of a solo-project). I just didn't want my bass to be too loud, and it seems to be an infinitely fine line between roaring, rumbling bass and a psychotic loony looking to break the strings   

I'll give it another going over, and I'll try to break the piece down in form to see if I can bring more life and contrast to it.

And emill... I usually try to comment about any of Enzo's performances. I think I made a note about the Beethoven Op 57, however the Debussy I will admit, I've never heard before (be it recording, or in person) so it's rather hard for me to comment. In fact, I probably know very little about Debussy (which is probably a little sad, and it's only now I've really realised that).

One more thing... It may be worth considering having Enzo have his own login for this page also. The one thing that was really important in my musical learning at Uni was the ability to listen and critique and gain insight into different performances and talk to other users. May help Enzo to help expand his musical knowledge and friend a few fellow people along the way as he progresses on the piano.

Worth a though.

[kellyc]

Hi perfect. no no, you didn't leave me unsatisfied. You showed me a beautiful vision of this piece. I told you , I was stretching to come up with stuff.  I said the same kind of thing , I would have said if I hear a recording of Horowitz, or Richter or any other artist. I don't see it just the way you do, and oh God how boring would that be if we all saw things the same way. Just maybe once in awhile ill make you look at things a little different.  If I do thats great, but if not thats fine also.

Oh since in so busy giving everyone else my opinion and since I'm pretty new at PianoStreet ill post just one piece  soon and let you have a go with your own artistic vision on my playing.

Kelly

[scott13]

I quite liked your interpretation.

My biggest comment would be your playing sound quite heavy, and for this piece im not sure that is a good thing (could also be a bad recording giving this impression).

But for me personally, i like the HR's to really bounce and be lively and full of energy (in the faster parts) and more gentle and sorrowful in the slower sections.

But overall well done, i actually really like the piece so am looking up the music now.

[starstruck5]

I always prefer a video to a sound only rendition. This is partly because, at some level I am used to hearing CD's or MP3 performanced which are finished and mastered.  Your performance did seem exploratory in some respects. It was as if you were asking questions of the music as you played.  I found your performance fascinating and beautiful though.

It is very difficult also for someone, such as myself, who is not as accomplished as you are, to find something to say which would be helpful to you.  Does this mean I should not comment?

As a performer you will clearly want to reach audiences which are not completely inhabited by erudite professors and world class pianists - so if it is of any use to you, I can say that you definitely have the potential and sensitivity and talent to move people.  Ultimately that is the bottom line.