UPDATED 5/4-Video- Beethoven-Moszkowski Piano Concerto 5, 2nd Mvt.

[49410enrique]

EDITI was able to take some very good feedback from folks here and my teacher and spruce it up a bit, as i do not anticipate being able to record the actual performance (venue/event issues), i re-shot it today after spending a few days with the changes that were suggested i'm pretty happy with it, one little bauble that i'll just roll with since i was more concerned with the musical changes and this take had the best of those suggestions. video is in separate reply below

[birba]

what a beautiful arrangement!  In fact, I went to IMSLP and downloaded it immediately.
If I have time tomorrow, I'll send you a video. 
You have time to really prepare a special performance.
Just a few suggestions:
Don't exaggerate the melody in the right hand in those chords.  It comes out by itself.  Play it like a chorale.  You do the coda of the intro beautifully.
When the piano solo comes in, play the left hand much much more softly - it's only harmony, and with the pedal you just have to skim the keys.  Depending on the instrument, I would hold the pedal down for each descending passage - or letting it up only slightly.
When the orchestral theme returns, lighten up the r-h more and really sing out the melody.  but not so attached to the keyboard.  sounds sort of cramped that way. 
Have to rush.  I'll be back tomorrow!

[49410enrique]

what a beautiful arrangement!  In fact, I went to IMSLP and downloaded it immediately.
If I have time tomorrow, I'll send you a video.  
You have time to really prepare a special performance.
Just a few suggestions:
Don't exaggerate the melody in the right hand in those chords.  It comes out by itself.  Play it like a chorale.  You do the coda of the intro beautifully.
When the piano solo comes in, play the left hand much much more softly - it's only harmony, and with the pedal you just have to skim the keys.  Depending on the instrument, I would hold the pedal down for each descending passage - or letting it up only slightly.
When the orchestral theme returns, lighten up the r-h more and really sing out the melody.  but not so attached to the keyboard.  sounds sort of cramped that way.  
Have to rush.  I'll be back tomorrow!

. Right on! Really thank u so mucj for taking time to weigh in I believe I caught. What u said except the final remarks I believe you're reffering to the return of the original mellody where it lies in th inner v voices btwn the thumbs ill experimeent more with this and def incorporate all the suggestions I agree my left was a tulip stomping elephant where it should have been a little tip toeing mouse....

As for the instrument for this piece I prefer the bosie. But I know I have to play on that muffled and "boomy" kawai so I think some of the volume issues were how clear this other piano is compared to the one I have to play on and have been practicing on lately

Edit sorry for the post I repied on my phone and it won't let me edit quite right its auto correcting some things and not others sor speeling and punt is all over the place...

[candlelightpiano]

This is my favorite concerto and you played it beautifully with a lot of heart.  I can't wait to see you perform this with orchestra.  Are you going to play the entire concerto? 

[49410enrique]

This is my favorite concerto and you played it beautifully with a lot of heart.  I can't wait to see you perform this with orchestra.  Are you going to play the entire concerto?  

thank you so much i am glad you enjoyed even this 'rough draft' version !! i have always been drawn to this work, and i think it is almost universal in appeal, the day i recorded the law school was having their spring graduation ceremondy and they grads needed the hall to get ready, i kicked them out (nicely) for the 6 minutes i needed and  some of them  in the lobby commented on how much they liked it, also i was 'performance practicing' at the hospital ( i try to get some days in where i am playing in front of people/out in public to help with banishing performance jitters)  the other day and one of the nurses stopped and came around the piano so she could see what i was reading (i guess she wanted to knwo the name but i couldn't talk to her mid piece).
 
...i wish i could play the original with ensemble, however this 'fragment' is all that moszkowski transcribed (and i'm thankful he did this much but said he gave us no more...) i did not study the entire original concerto this time especially as a 'extra' assignment and only weeks to prep (i would like to pony up to the main deal someday, it's such an important work)


since it is also one of your favorites (obviously one of mine hence my gravitation to this solo) i hope you had a chance to read the 'background' information i posted about the concerto in the video description box. (i didn't include remarks about mvt i and iii, but the general info i left in from my program notes sources).

[emill]

Hello Enrique ....
this is my favorite 2nd movement of all Beethoven's piano concerto's .... and again it has touched my soul!!!  Though I am not a pianist I feel you will be able to transmit to your audience that emotion the composer wanted.  THANKS ...

I was beginning to feel ecstatic a few months back when my son began to fill our house with this wonderful melody ... but he dropped the project after 2-3 weeks in favor of a Rach concerto.  I was just so terribly disappointed!!!!

[49410enrique]

couldn't shoot on the same bosendorfer from before but the studio steinway b is a marvelous instrument just back from a full restoration (but for my tastes the touch is too light/extra sensitive, i swear i can almost make the keys move by just breathing on them, it's that light).

special thanks to birba for his wonderful insights into trying to make this transcription work better (i.e. orchestral -->piano, touch, etc.).

[perfect_pitch]

https://vimeo.com/41218201

One quick question... What shoes are you wearing in that video??? They look... questionable...

Is it just me or do my eyes deceive me?

[49410enrique]

One quick question... What shoes are you wearing in that video??? They look... questionable...

Is it just me or do my eyes deceive me?

they're only the most comfortable things i own! i'm surprised someone noticed them. i have several styles but these vibram fivefingers (sadly this model discontinued! ) ones are my 'performas' ,  


i pretty much wear them alll the time where shoes are not explicitly called for, even then sometimes i stick my tongue out at the rules and still wear them! (these are my favorite for piano practice, gymnastics, and lifting weights)

[perfect_pitch]

Okay - that makes me feel much better...

In your first video, it looked like you were wearing ladies shoes... no offense...

It was just bizarre to see.

[zezhyrule]

Haha that's great. Need to get me some of those 

[costicina]

You did a great job in refining an already very good performance:especially in the'orchestral' part, and  in a skilful use of pedal. The lighter keyboard IMO did a good service to your touch, more nuanced and carefully studied.
Your performance today will be a TRIUMPH!!!!!!

[birba]

Wow.  You really pick up quick.  there's no comparison to the previous video.  And I love that singing tone.  And I swear, I could really hear the french horns when they come in!!!!
Take your time with that first embellishment.  In fact, take your time with the whole thing.  You carry it off wonderfully at this slow tempo.  Don't be so rigid with the tempo.
Great.

[49410enrique]

thanks very much everyone! this has challenged me much more than I anticipated when I agreed to learn it (i now understand why so many accomplished pianists, my current teacher included, refer to slower movements of sonatas and concertos as more difficult many times vs the faster ones...), the encouragement and constructive criticism has been a wonderful resource and source of inspiration and motivation.

and i agree it should settle into itself more, even the slower tempo (though more difficult to 'hold together' ) should feel more open and free like thick honey pouring out of a bottle it moves but on it's own just smooth and slow, i'll keep that in mind!

[emill]

my...my....      ... you have touched my soul a second time.....

[49410enrique]

my...my....      ... you have touched my soul a second time.....

Dear Emill,

That is the FINEST compliment anyone could ever hope for or recieve. Thank you so much for the time you took to watch and listen. I (most) sincerely appreciate it.

Warmest Regards, 49410-

[candlelightpiano]

Enrique, this second time around and only a few days apart, you've shown great improvement!  I printed out the score from IMSLP so could follow along.  You played the pp espressivo section with so much tenderness, I was touched.  Such a beautiful singing tone.  And your Intro was splendid.  Now I must learn this piece! Thanks for introducing.  

I almost forgot to thank you for informing me about the background info on this concerto and Moszkowski.  It was interesting.  And your shoes ...when I saw them the first time, I thought you were wearing ballet shoes!     I should have asked but I'm always too shy...

[j_menz]

Lovely playing enrique. I'd even dare go a little slower.

That said, am I the only one here who thinks this is a pretty ordinary transcription (*being my very nicest*)?  Do try the original version (a 2 piano reduction) as a comparison, you can mostly do a better job just moving between the bits as gaps emerge; and the material is so much better to work with.  The original Beethoven piano writing is just so vastly superior. The only problem is that you don't get an ending (unless you want to do the third movement as well).

[49410enrique]

@ candlelightpiano- well thank you , coming from someone who loves the work as you and knows the original, this was so gratifying to 'read' from you.  yes it is a lovely little taste of the collaborative work, you'll find as you read it that the less flashy, tender, side of Beethoven can pose quite the challenge! I have always struggled with getting the right tone and emotional weight of soft passage work, to me it remains one of the most difficult aspects I encounter with our insrument and it's music. I hope to revisit the works some time later on in the distant future when I have grown and lived even more....

@ j_menz - you're not the only one who feels this is, well, lacking, not in a specific sense since the source is splended (i will say I wish in particular these chords had made it in :

=3m35s -btw if you have never seen this full version, this is my absolute favorite of this by anyone! he just own's this entire concerto!) ... Yes I will someday man up and pony up the the real deal, the Beethoven No 5 is an incredibly important work and it is on my 'bucket list' for sure! But as the circumstrances surrounding the last minute and mostly need to self-teach (with wonderful feedback from here and a few conversations with my instructor) this was at least what i could manage this time around given my work load right now.

many thanks for watching and weighing in. i appreciate the insight!

[j_menz]

My favourite is the Richter, but I can't seem to find it on youtube to share.

[starstruck5]

It is always a joy to listen to you play.  In slow tunes I think the piano has a crying quality no other instrument has -because the decay is so obvious -each note perishes to be followed by the next -you have a great feel though for the right weight and nuance. Beautiful.

[49410enrique]

It is always a joy to listen to you play.  In slow tunes I think the piano has a crying quality no other instrument has -because the decay is so obvious -each note perishes to be followed by the next -you have a great feel though for the right weight and nuance. Beautiful.

oh man what an incredible compliment! made me feel really wonderful to read that. thank you