VIDEO: Schumann Intermezzo op 26 played by Costanza (12 yrs): improved version

[costicina]

Hi,
here we are again…
My daughter   has re-learned  from scratch this Schumann’s Intermezzo op. 26 from Faschingswank aus Wien,  trying to follow the instruction of the wonderful tutorial videos Birba was so kind to make for her (grazie, Birba!), as well as Rachfan’s precious advices (thank you, David!)…
This is the outcome…

I hope you  won’t find if too disappointing.
I’m aware that there are still many flaws, but I think  that for a while Costanza needs to take  a rest from this piece. If I ask her to keep on polishing it,  I’m afraid  she’ll grow to hate Schumann, the piano … and ME
Thank you so much for your generous help!!!
 As always, any opinion, comment, constructive and/or destructive criticism will be most welcome.
Margherita

[birba]

Brava Costanza!  There's no comparison to the previous recording.  The melody is much more prominent and you "sfumare" the ends of those phrases really well!  Great work.  Just 2 things:
The left thumb is still too heavy. It's part of the accompaniment!  And the rallentando has to be IN TIME.  That is:  slowing down gradually anche quando hai quelle note lunghe.  Comunque, I think you should leave this piece for the moment.  I noticed some of things you posted on Margotklavier and am wondering if you have ever done any mozart or Beethoven - even easy pieces.

[costicina]

Thank you so much for the encouragement, maestro!!! We needed it badly.
Costanza loves this piece, and after a periodo of “decantazione” we’ll pick it up again (she is supposed to perform it and Debussy Arabesque in a mini-recital at school in March).

As for her “classical” repertoire, apart Bach, she has learned Mozart Sonata K 545 (intera),  Scarlatti Sonata K 27, and Beethoven first pages of the Sonata n 25 op 79 (Presto alla tedesca). Her dream is to learn the Tempest (III movement), but I think she’s not ready yet (ma forse mi sbaglio). I was thinking to give her, along with a “challenging” Romantic piece, Mozart’s Variations Ah vous diai-je mamam; they are  easy, funny, and a good dexterity exercise.
If you have  some suggestion about Costanza’s next pieces, saremo felicissime!!!!

Grazie infinite di tutto (you are a legend in our family, even the cat knows about you!!  )

Margherita   

[rachfan]

Hi Margherita and Costanza,

Brava!

Costanza plays this intermezzo more beautifully in this later rendition.  Her playing is accurate with fine musicality throughout.  She has succeed in emphasizing the dominant melody over the supporting accompaniment.  The sense of phrasing comes through much better too.  I liked also how she brought out the melody where it shifts into the left hand toward the end.  Very effective!  I enjoyed listening given all the noticeable improvements.  It was delightful!

I agree that it will be beneficial for Costanza to give the piece a rest for awhile.  When we do that, the mind subconsciously continues to work through the difficulties.  Then when we later return to the piece, some problems will have been resolved or at least alleviated, such that it actually seems easier to play than before.  I'm sure she'll find this to be true.  

Excellent work!

David  

[costicina]

Thank you soo much, David!!!
Your kind words are music to our ears      

Costanza worked hard at this piece as she never did before, because you and Birba motivated and stimulated her, giving her, besides precious advices, the spur to improve.

I’m really, deeply grateful to you, and I hope your beneficial effect will riverberate on the next pieces she’s going to tackle.

Thank you again

Margherita

[emill]

Hello....  being a non-pianist in this forum sometimes feels so strange yet I have to tell you that - This is played so much better!!!   CONGRATULATIONS.

[costicina]

Thank you Emill,
you're always so kind!!!
And I suspect that your competences in piano playing matters are far better than you say ...

I hope to hear soon another performace of Enzo..I'm following with joy ant partecipation his brilliant career.

Thank you for listening Costanza
Margherita

[starstruck5]

I can only agree with Birba - really well done.

I found this piece in a Romantic Piano Collection at my local library - it is quite tricky to play fluently - so much passion. Costanza has improved considerably.

[costicina]

Thank you, Strastruck5, for your nice comment!
The encouragement of the forumeers has done wonders for Costanza, revitalizing her love for the piano, and her determination to improve...     

[hakki]

Wow!!  what an improvement in such a short time.
Bravo!!

And thanks to birba and david for their help. So that we could listen to this wonderful performance.

regards,
 

[costicina]

Thank you, Hakki, your are very nice!      . Your compliments are all the more flattening, as they come from an accomplished pianist like you!!!

And yes, we have to thank Birba and David for their generous help and encouragement. Costanza has learned so much from them, not only regarding this piece, but in the field of piano playing in  general...

I whish all the best to you

Margherita