Chopin Etude op.25 no.11 (Winter Wind)

[catherinezng]

Hey guys!
So I recorded my etude in practice today. Could you guys give me some feedback about it? Thanks in advance!

[danhuyle]

The right hand is good overall. The dotted rhythm interpretation at the end needs more authority.

Now get to the point where you can concentrate exclusively on melody projection while the right hand is on autopilot.

Doing well

[awesom_o]

Good work-you are certainly on the right track with this incredibly difficult etude!

I agree with dan-I would like if the RH had a bit more control throughout so that you could focus on projecting and shaping the LH melody even more.

I thinking easing up a hair or two on tempo for a time will help you take it to the next level-there were a few spots where it seemed you were asking a bit too much from the players in your orchestra and as a result they didn't cooperate as well as they could have.

Better to have a slightly slower tempo in which you can more effectively channel the awesomeness of Chopin. And miss fewer notes. And have better clarity.

Musically I think you have a wonderful interpretation-I'm not sure if I like the short note at the top of the scale at the very end-letting the sound ring a bit more might have a more organic effect, although the abrupt cutoff could certainly work.

A few holes in the RH texture and a tendency toward 'notiness'-my guess is that the piece in in its early stages and these issues will sort themselves out with time. You may have been a bit overambitious with tempo which would account for the occasional sloppiness.  Smoother lines in the RH will help the LH come out better.

Bravo! This piece is a real test of endurance, stamina, bravura, and nuance all rolled into one! How long have studied the work for?

[catherinezng]

Thank you for your replies danhuyle and awesom_o! I will definitely keep everything said in consideration!

awesom_o, I actually learned this piece 3 years ago and I decided to bring it back

[ted]

There are many beautiful moments, phrases and chord changes in this piece, but unfortunately most good players merge them all into a mad, ninety mile an hour, continuous torrent of perfect dexterity. It has also always seemed to me an inexorably tragic piece, quite unrelated to the banalities of the weather. The skeletons win the game for sure. I like to hang on those two fabulous chords before the final descent into oblivion - it's like a huge boulder teetering above a precipice. Others can comment about technical matters, but I would like to hear more breathing, more drama, as if the universe were ripping at the seams - make it speak. In Ives' words, the rocks on the mountain must begin to shout.

I don't know much about classical music, in general don't like most of it, and probably am as mad as a hatter anyway, so my observations are purely subjective, but I do know how I would like to hear this particular piece.

[mike_lang]

Hi Catherine,

Congratulations on a brilliant and ferocious recording!  I was enthralled from the very beginning.  You maintain a wonderful rhythmic incisiveness and mass of sound from beginning to end.

If I may, I just have a few ideas for you to consider as you continue to practice the piece:

1) While wind is fierce, chilling, and deadly, it also comes in gusts.  I would enjoy a little more shaping (extreme!) throughout.  See if you can expand your dynamic range not only from mezzoforte to fortissimo, but from pianissimo leggierissimo to (sparingly) forte possibile.

2)  Related to number 1, a little lightness goes a long way -- not only musically, but in terms of endurance.  You'll find that if you ease up every now and again, not only will the forceful have more impact, but you'll be less tired and make fewer mistakes as it approaches the end.

3) Consider the first few bars: is the voicing how you want it?  Are the stresses where you want them?  Believe that the introduction is of real consequence to everything that follows!

Again, thank you for such a passionate performance.  I look forward to hearing much more of your music-making on this board!

Sincerely,
Mike

[catherinezng]

Thank you ted and michael_langlois for listening and commenting! You both offer very good insight!

michael_langlois, thanks for the wonderful ideas! I will definitely keep these in mind!