Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (complete) - Enzo & MSO

[emill]

1st movement  (Moderato)

2nd movement  (adagio sostenuto)

3rd movement  (alegro scherzando)

It seems to me that every young pianist wishes to play Rachmaninoff's famous Piano Concertos, the No. 2 & 3.  That is why 6 months ago to the "consternation" of his teacher Enzo insisted on this. We have never seen him so firm and insistent as if it is this or nothing!  He won the day and was given by his teacher so much latitude and leeway to interpret the piece. He told me he could not match the speed and virtuosity of how Yuja Wang or Langlang played this, but he will instead play it the way he feels it should be played ... romantically.    I hope he was able to achieve what he set out to do and infuse his own feelings and style of playing this early in his life as a pianist.  The learning continues and we will be grateful for any comment or observation.
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The Manila Symphony Orchestra as led by Prof. Arturo Molina is a "young" orchestra in that many of their members are still students of the different music schools here in Manila. You can say that the orchestra members do it for the love of music since they only receive a small allowance or honorarium. They are an admirable group of talents and  determined musicians.

[outin]

I am speechless... In a good way 

[hakki]

Congratulations !

Very expressive playing in the lyrical parts.
He has also put his own feelings to the concerto. Though everyone might not agree with some of the things he is doing, some are very good and interesting.
Of course some technical passages need improvement, but overall it is a convincing performance.

Thanks for sharing.

[emill]

hello outin!
Thanks for the encouraging and generous comment .... as my son often tells me, it makes all the hard work more meaningful and fun when one's playing is appreciated. THANKS!

Congratulations !  Very expressive playing in the lyrical parts. He has also put his own feelings to the concerto. Though everyone might not agree with some of the things he is doing, some are very good and interesting.  Of course some technical passages need improvement, but overall it is a convincing performance.  Thanks for sharing. 

hi hakki!
As a non-pianist I find it difficult to pick-up anything "new and interesting" a pianist may have varied in the playing ... my mind tends to just hear the overall, yet many knowledgeable persons have told me the same things you have ....... that the interpretation sort of gives a fresh perspective on how Rach2 can be played. YES, it needs polishing still, but that will come with the years.  THANKS so much!!!

[ajspiano]

It is so fantastic to see this! Congratulations Enzo!

Despite already being a great effort I'm sure this will stay with you a long time and mature. These things are life long tasks. - And as someone currently working on one of these beasts I can certainly appreciate the huge amount effort that must have been poored into this already.

And as has been said, the "polishing" part will come together over time.

I suspect that the leeway for interpretation is necessary - These 2 rach concertos that you mention, I rather see them as some of the most passionate pieces there are to play, and that is part of the difficulty. The balance between how much raw emotion can be expressed through their notes while trying to manage the extreme technical challenges also. They must be known so inside out technically, so as to truly be able to feel their emotion while performing...   The moral of that tangent being that you can't really (or perhaps just shouldn't) box a pianist into a certain interpretation here. It just has to be how Enzo feels it. You can not force someone to feel something they do not.

He told me he could not match the speed and virtuosity of how Yuja Wang or Langlang played this

I don't necessarily think you should emulate them.. but the skill required, that is, the ability to perform as fluently with speed and flair through passages of immense technical difficulty.. - as above (I have no doubt enzo has it in him - it has certainly been demonstrated previously), it will just take some more time..  more so than work even (though there will certainly be work), just the time to let the piece really settle in..   Its a pain having to be so patient however enzo has surely already experienced the improvements a work can see when revisted some time later.

I bet you enjoyed playing with the orchestra!

[costicina]

AWESOME!!!!

[austinarg]

Beautiful, although Enzo deserves a better piano...

[emill]

Hello Margh!
You have always been so supportive .... THANKS so much!!! Enzo is someone who does not speak much, yet for the very few who know him, he has a sincere warmth instead of the seeming aloofness. Maybe someday as he gets to meet more people and will be "on his own in a "foreign land" he will open up (and be a full participant in a forum like PS). Then Emill can disappear!!

Hi austinarg!

Thanks so much and YES, it would have been better if we had a bigger grand like a 9-foot rather than a 7-foot one.  Initially it was  Steinway 9 footer, yet it sounded less grand despite all the best efforts of the a good piano technician... perhaps its being a 30 year old unit with questionable maintenance in the past  has taken a toll. The piano used was a Shigeru-Kawai, I understand a new line being promoted by Kawai.  Despite its being smaller it definitely sounded grander.  I could just imagine if it were a 9-footer. 

dear ajspiano!
Enzo seemed obviously pleased as he was reading your comments knowing that whatever he poured into his playing has been met with a degree of appreciation. I am sure you know how much it means to one pianist,  the balanced concurrence of another pianist; the weaknesses of the rendition placed in their proper context ... and appreciation given where due. As his father, I appreciate much this way of positive encouragement.  Thanks so much.

emill

[the89thkey]

He's not ready for the piece. The interpretations are unmusical and very strange in places, the tempo drags, and the technique is horrendous. Not trying to be rude, but these are honest critiques.

[hakki]

Enzo, emill:

The credibility of the89thkey have been questioned previously by other members.

Therefore do not take this poster's comments seriously.

[perfect_pitch]

Enzo, emill:

The credibility of the89thkey have been questioned previously by other members.

Therefore do not take this poster's comments seriously.

I can testify to Hakki's quote... I wouldn't take 89thkey seriously... Hell - I wouldn't even read his posts.

I'd say he's jealous of anyone with any actual talent.