Prelude and Fugue in No. 16 G Minor Book II (BWV 885)

[beccaboo128]

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I last posted in here.

This is my first recording not made with my ipod touch. I played this piece for my first year jury and would love to hear some feedback/comments/suggestions. I think I took the prelude a little fast - I was very nervous - but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless

Thanks very much!

Here's the link:
https://soundcloud.com/becca-yu/prelude-and-fugue-in-g-minor-1

[chopin2015]

Love it! Is it a steinway i hear?

 I recommend playing the prelude slower than you were, and start louder. The fugue was nice, a little blurry at times, maybe you played too loud and didn't have enough space to sound all the voices. That's a general comment though, to these pieces! Overall, I thought it was very professional. As time passes and you become more attached to this piece, you will become more dramatic in your voicings(i already could hear beauty in the prelude) and you will know the voices by ear and you can adjust your playing to your ear! Thank you for sharing!

[beccaboo128]

Thank you for your kind and helpful comments, chopin2015! It was a beautiful Yamaha grand (although I wouldn't mind playing on a Steinway ) I will be sure to work on the things you suggested. I was very nervous as it was my first recording, so naturally, my prelude sped up. I think slowing it down will help bring out the noble and somewhat solemn character - which is what Bach intended, I think. Also, I will make sure to use perhaps less pedal in the fugue to prevent the blurriness in addition to, as you suggested, not playing as loud in those parts. I think I over did it a bit, having gotten a little too excited.

Thanks so much again for your reply!

[chopin2015]

Ah, that's why the fugue sounded a little blurry! You should try playing this awesome work of your's on a steinway! My first recording of a p and f did the same! It's easier to speed up when you are thinking about the technical aspect of the piece instead of music. When enough time has passed, you will learn how to set the mood! It is already very nice. I just wanted to give you a heads up that u did speed up and that is ok, but dealt with mostly mentally, first, then in taking enough time in performance! I like the tempo u developed after speeding up in the fugue. Try working out the exposition and beginning to start at that faster tempo and it will sound perfect! 

[andhow04]

i thought this was very enjoyable, the prelude was sensitive and had lots of variety. i have heard this prelude performed many times in a really boring fashion, but not yours. the fugue was also good and enoyable to listen to.
the only thing i would say personally, is that i prefer the music to sometimes go in straighter lines. even though you phrase all the shapes, i don't always get the feeling of the little parts adding up to a longer line. you do a good job phrasing within all the parts, but i think they could be a little more coherent in terms of the bigger structure. i can give some bar #'s if you want to point out what i mean.
but over all i thought it was good. if you're iterested here is my version of this set,
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=48889.msg532202;topicseen#new

[beccaboo128]

chopin2015, that's great to hear! I will most definitely try to find a steinway to record on in the future. Yes, thank you so much for pointing out the tempo change in the fugue. Working on it right away

Also, andhow04, thank you for your kind comments. I listened to your recording and I loved what you did with the piece as well; I especially loved the nobility of your prelude. If you have time to point out the bar #'s as you offered, I'd be most grateful. Thanks so much again!