Robert Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 No 2

[beethoven ii]

Yo Piano Street,

Here's a recording I made today of the famous Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 No 2. After watching myself play, I realized a lot of flaws, the entries made by the first subject is quite rushed. (IMO)

I recently played this for a piano competition, I was very nervous.... I couldn't pedal properly because I was literally shaking. I usually am nervous, but never to this extent. To a more healthy extent I guess...

I don't perform in this manner on stage, the extravagant gestures just reflect my personality, I command the stage with much more seriousness.

I intend to play this piece in upcoming competitions.

Here are the main comments I received from the adjudicator at the competition.

- Lots of mislearnt notes
- The more gentle ''F'' section were played with far too much aggression
- There is a need for greater understanding of this music!
- The raw material is convincing.

I shall upload a more serious performance once I have made corrections based on a combination of adjudicator and Piano Street comments.

Criticize away!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukaZ8M0Hncc&list=UUj3OIOwLmnVioSTsNCoiJ0Q&index=1&feature=plcp

[arielpiano]

Hi b ii,
As a first step I would try to get unnecessary body movements under control. It seems that a lot of your energy is wasted on gestures that do not advance the musical performance.
Then competition doesn't sound like the right thing to do for you if it makes you so nervous. Even people who are generally composed have problems steadying their nerves in a competition. It may be better to learn the piece without the pressure of competition, and practice it VERY slowly to achieve near perfect accuracy.
Ariel

[beethoven ii]

'''I don't perform in this manner on stage, the extravagant gestures just reflect my personality, I command the stage with much more seriousness. ''

Please read my little paragraph first

:-)

[arielpiano]

I read your little paragraph. I'm not sure it's such a good idea to use these gestures for practice either. Why learn them? And the minute you set up a camera, film yourself, and post it you are in fact performing - even if not on stage.

[pianoman53]

I'm with Ariel on this one. Why suddenly do huge movements? How are we supposed to say something when you write "this is not how I usually do it, but tell me what you think!". And, it's a pain to watch it. And if you don't see this as a stage the it's maybe time to look again. Even though it's online, people are still watching your performance.


The music though... It's a bit too overly dramatic. It's so overly dramatic so that the drama goes away. You play it like you scream as loud as you can, and keep doing so for a very long time.
Just the two first phrases, they are two very different things...
And the part after, It's not freaking Rachmaninov on steroids. It's still Schumann and it's very romantic music. Are you sure you do everything he writes in the music, or do you perhaps add things?

[starstruck5]

I like the fast and fiery way you play the opening theme -after that it needs a lot more control and finesse -that way you set up a contrast -and contrast is always powerful in art -Anyhow, I think you could be a great communicator -you just need to reign in those wild horses a bit more -think about structure more -