Mozart - Rondo in D, K. 485 (Work in progress)

[perfect_pitch]

Greetings...

I am finally getting back into some serious practice, and the first piece I am dusting off and trying to revive is the Mozart Rondo in D Major, K. 485. Since I still have 4 weeks until I have my next lesson with my teacher (she's on holidays), I'd like some advice in terms of what you think of my phrasing, dynamics, texture etc... Would greatly appreciate it. Be brutal if you have to, but be fair and constructive.

Thank you. I'm going to try and get it at a performable level by Early February hopefully.

[p2u_]

I'd like some advice in terms of what you think of my phrasing, dynamics, texture etc...

I don't think you need such advice actually. It's not a bad attempt, perfect_pitch. Thank you for sharing.
Remarks (from the point of view of managing/planning only):
1) it's a little unstable in the heart beat sometimes (I'm not saying that it should be mechanically even like a metronome!)
2) whenever the different parts MOVE melodically, you do a good job, but as soon as you play static repeated figures (alberti etc.), you seem to lose a bit of interest in what that hand does. EVERY detail is a living person saying something, and you are the conductor. Look at it from a bird's view. Do not get involved personally. Try to find a solution to that problem and you'll be OK. Good luck!

Paul

[perfect_pitch]

1) it's a little unstable in the heart beat sometimes (I'm not saying that it should be mechanically even like a metronome!)

Do you feel I played about with the tempo (rits & ralls) a little too much? Did I have the right idea, but took it too far?

As for no. 2 - I know what you mean. I've got to try and smooth the semiquaver alberti bass and really get it even. After 6 hours of solid work on it in 39 C heat (103 F for all those and the antiquated way of measuring temperature), my mind was starting to lose it. I do intend to get this piece performed to a professional level.

I'm hoping to use it for a piano competition in 2014 as well as 5 others and a piano concerto.

[pianoman53]

You know the notes, and you have ideas. My problem is that its too monotenous. It all sounds fairly much the same... I would orchestrate it and make the different phrases sounds different.

[p2u_]

Do you feel I played about with the tempo (rits & ralls) a little too much?

No, not at all. It's just that you should help the listener a little more to understand that it's the PULSE that is going down or up, not the seperate elements within that pulse. This requires perfect timing. It's this simplicity that is missing in just a few places, and this could create uncertainty in the listener, while you may feel very sure about what you are trying to accomplish. I hope that makes sense? If not, I'll try to rephrase what I said.

Did I have the right idea, but took it too far?

You have the right ideas overall. You just need to focus a little more on how exactly your ideas are perceived by the listener. You have a month to do this. Should be enough.

Paul

[dinulip]

Technically well in place.  Lighten your left hand in general.  Make more contrasts...  Your "pianos" should be more piano!  Give a clearer direction to all your phrases.  This is Mozart - a little more delicacy in your touch would be welcome.  Each note in the scale passages should be a pearl of its own colour!

Overall, you have done excellent technical work.  Now is time to add some music!

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[perfect_pitch]

Thanks p2u, pianoman53 & dinulip for your recent comments. I hope to really address those issues in the weeks to come. I'm hoping to also get my Chopin Ballade up to a playable level at least before February, so I've also got that to play as well.

I like my current program - I have so many pieces with different touches, styles of expression, and technical aspects to solve that hopefully this program will really help me gain better mindsets of the era I'm playing them from.

[starstruck5]

For me this piece has a feel of an opera -breathless drama -voices interacting with different instruments -you do a pretty good job of bringing it to life already -this music is quite ancient now -but the emotions still ring true -I always think Brendel had the right ideas about Mozart -he was never precious about playing in a conservative way -never afraid to express this music through a modern grand -always responsive to every subtle nuance of human drama -

I think you are on the right road with this Rondo -bravo =