Chopin - Polonaise in A major, Op. 40 No. 1

[scott13]

Hey all,

I have been working at this piece for a couple of months and would like some feedback. This was a live recording, and has not been edited.

*Updated with some other pieces i recorded the same day.

Please do not point out the errors, as i know where these are myself. I'm much more interested in:

1) Dynamics
2) Phrasing
3) Tone
4) Articulation
5) Whether or not you like my interpretation

The more specific the comments the more helpful they are.

Thanks in advance

[pianoman53]

I like most parts in the polonaise. Have you tried to play only the melody? As it is now, it disappears most times when you have the up going motion, which is a shame.
The other thing I miss is the rhythmic direction. For example the triplets, after the up going passage. I would like it more if you took some time on the 8th notes that comes after. After all, it is a dance, and I feel that you maybe don't feel it completly.

Other than that, I liked your dynamics, and the other things you asked for

[cjp_piano]

Polonaise -

I agree about the melody. It's difficult, though, because of the thick texture.

It seemed to rush at times, which, if you're trying to push it on purpose, that's one thing, but it felt a bit awkward instead of natural.

Articulation is pretty clean and consistent, phrasing is good, except for missing some melodic direction as mentioned before.

Overall good feel and interpretation, great job!

[kellyc]

hi. You have reached an interesting phase with this piece. It is just good enough not to stand out. NOw what do I mean by that.  There are no glaring errors to make a person take notice, but there is nothing special enough to make one take notice either. I cannot tell you how many times my professors have said that to me.(LOL)

Seriously , though it means you are at the stage where with more progress you will have people begin to take notice and for good things.  Ok so here is my take . There is a by play going on between the right and left hand. The right here plays and the left hand has a sharp retort of an answer. I don't always hear those left hand notes being as clear as they could be. Sometimes even when the left hand does its part, The Right hand seems to fade away as others have mentioned.  Chopin has a way of doing that. KInd of flipping your concentration back and forth between the hands. Sometimes overlapping. IF I where your instructor I would suggest you listen to the hand parts individually. Many times your right hand melody is like a singer who must take a breath. It has to be done at just the right moment. You must remember to finish out the end of your phrases, but not hold them so long that they interfere with what comes next.

As far as your artistic vision, it sounded fine to me, with perhaps only your use of slowing down at the end of certain phrases, being over used a bit. OF course this is how I see the piece and there are no hard and fast guide lines here.

Overall , I enjoyed your recording and would be pleased to hear other works of yours anytime.

Kelly

[scott13]

Thank you all for the comments, they are most helpful.

My LH has the tendency to sometimes get carried away and over-play the RH, which is somewhat understandable given i am left-handed. But yes i have noticed the raising melodic figures in bars 1 & 3 being lost in the thick texture.

How did people feel about the tempo? Some have commented they like my speed, others do not, so any comments on tempo ?

Thanks again for the feedback

[pianoplayjl]

From all the recordings i've heard by pianists, I think you can play it faster.