Schumann - Sonata no.1 in F-sharp minor, "Florestan und Eusebius", op.11 [video]

[jlh]

From a recital last year... comments encouraged.

Best,
Josh

[starstruck5]

When I get a free half hour -I shall finish listening -you made a very beautiful start anyhow -

[fnork]

Wonderful seeing someone doing such a convincing job with this underplayed masterpiece! I can´t comment on the whole performance as I only listened through the first three movements, but for most part I think you were playing passionately and with good control. A pity you were playing on a Bösendorfer; I think the tone easily gets something ugly over it in fortes and I felt it several times here as well. In a few spots perhaps you were in fact banging a bit, but I´d give the instrument most of the blame. One of my suggestions would be to differentiate a bit more between different articulations in the main theme of the Allegro vivace - it is legato with held chords in the beginning, later staccato - here, I´d suggest not using pedal perhaps. It would give more bite. Overall, excellent job on this very complex movement! (not to mention the piece as a whole)
The scherzo feels a bit rushed to me, I´d go for a slightly slower tempo.

[fnork]

Likewise, the final movement was overall well played. It is hardly unexpected that there´d be a few mishaps here and there in a piece like this  and I think you mostly managed those things well. Great job!

[jlh]

Thanks I appreciate your comments!

Josh

[tril]

sounded very corny, sorry. you play extremely well, I just didn't like the interpretation.

[jlh]

sounded very corny, sorry. you play extremely well, I just didn't like the interpretation.

I appreciate your comment.  Do you play this?  I'd be interested to hear (or read) your ideas! 

What is your interpretation of this?  What do you envision?

Best,
Josh

[rachfan]

Hi Josh,

I listened to the whole Schumann sonata.  I do believe it's one of his greatest works.  My favorites are the 3rd and 4th movements.  At times this score is more orchestral than pianistic in nature (reminds of Brahms at times too).  This creates complexities that increase the level of difficulty even more.  If I had to choose a couple of words to describe this sonata, they would be change and contrast.  I believe that through your fine playing you highlighted these elements very well for the audience.  All of your etudes training in past years equipped you well for a challenge like this sonata.  There are a few minor slips in the execution but they are not enough to detract from the overall performance in my opinion.  Yours is a wonderful rendition that captures the spirit of the music.  Given the large scope of this work and its possibilities, I suspect that as the years go by, and if you retain this sonata in your active repertoire, your interpretation will perhaps evolve in some ways. 

Like fnork, I'm not a Borsendofer fan either.  In loud passages the sound can become harsh, and at fff, the piano's voice can seemingly shatter.  But the pianist often has to step up to the instrument offered by the venue and adjusts accordingly.   

Thanks for posting your video.  I enjoyed watching and listening.

David