Chopin, Prelude, Opus 28, No. 20

[keypeg]

The slower, second one is the version I did first.  the numbers reflect recording/playing dates.  I'm still stuck with the poor recording setup.  I may have a chance to get a cable that hooks the piano to my computer and since the last version (top) is still in the piano's memory it would be nice if that gave a better quality recording.  Comments welcome, of course.   (hoped for)

[j_menz]

Generally, both are good. I prefer the tempo of the second (in date), and think it could go even faster; just a little. The chord voicing in the first has more depth and works better in the outer section, the middle section of the second has a more ethereal effect and works better, though it doesn't quite flow together enough. That may have to do with the recording not picking up the soft decays (or my computer speakers). There is still some work to do on the voicings though to develop consistency.

This is often seen as "easy" Chopin, but IMO is actually quite difficult to get right.

Play around with the voicings more, and get a clear picture of what your choices are; don't be scared of doing some truly horrible things - it's how one finds the boundaries.  Same with tempo.

Overall, a nice job.

[keypeg]

Thanks.  Some interesting ideas there to explore.  The 2nd is still in my piano's memory, and if I can get that cable then maybe more of the sound will come through (sustain in middle section).  The trend seems to be to go quite slow, so I was afraid that even this speed might be considered "too fast" so your suggestion caught me off guard.

The chord voicing in the first has more depth and works better in the outer section, the middle section of the second has a more ethereal effect and works better ....

The feeling I had was that there is something in the character of the first that I'd like to bring into the second.

This is often seen as "easy" Chopin, but IMO is actually quite difficult to get right.

Not easy at all.  Like, how do you get away from making the first 8 chords go "loud,loud,loud" ad nauseum?

Thank you for the feedback.

[j_menz]

how do you get away from making the first 8 chords go "loud,loud,loud" ad nauseum?

By recognising that not all "loud"s are the same. There is a rhythm to keep, there are crescendos and decrescendos, though not large ones, and there is the different voicings you can do within the chords to add to the variety and emphasise different elements.

[keypeg]

By recognising that not all "loud"s are the same. There is a rhythm to keep, there are crescendos and decrescendos, though not large ones, and there is the different voicings you can do within the chords to add to the variety and emphasise different elements.

Yes, that was the challenge - because until you have a fair bit of control, your decresc. etc. can easily move from subtle to silly.  And with so few chords, everything you do is so "out there".

I found this idea especially intriguing.

don't be scared of doing some truly horrible things - it's how one finds the boundaries. 

sounds like fun, actually.   

[j_menz]

I found this idea especially intriguing.sounds like fun, actually.   

It is. But it is remarkably effective at giving a full perspective on what's possible, and what works. Too many people seem to be afraid of breaking pieces.