Piano Forum

Pages: [1]   Go Down

Topic: Chopin's tempo marks  (Read 2270 times)

Offline pauholio

  • PS Silver Member
  • Newbie
  • ***
  • Posts: 3
Chopin's tempo marks
on: November 09, 2004, 10:55:49 PM
 ::) Why do people choose to play Chopin's pieces at their own tempos? He noted the tempo markings when he wanted them changed... >:(
Logged

Offline mosis

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 268
Re: Chopin's tempo marks
Reply #1 on: November 10, 2004, 03:44:10 AM
Find me some pianists who play ANYONE's work at either the same tempo as each other, or as it is written.

Hell, find me two editions with the same tempo markings.
Logged

Offline faulty_damper

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 3929
Re: Chopin's tempo marks
Reply #2 on: November 11, 2004, 01:46:59 AM
Tempo markings should generally be ignored but taken into consideration.

Anyone who plays with strict adherence to tempo is doing a disservice to musical expression becuase you simply can't play something musically well that way.  These pianists are labeled "mechanical" or worse as some on this forum have described.

There are many variables that should be considered when playing something at an approximate tempo including the ideas expressed in the piece to the dryness or warmth of the piano.
Logged

Offline Troldhaugen

  • PS Silver Member
  • Jr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 90
Re: Chopin's tempo marks
Reply #3 on: November 11, 2004, 05:06:35 AM
I noticed from many recordings by famous pianists that they change the tempo where they're not even supposed to (when there is no indication on the sheet whatsoever). I don't strictly adhere to specific tempo markings, but I always try to maintain some kind of consistency in terms of overall tempo. I wonder if it is possible to arbitrarily change the tempo if one feels necessary.   
Logged

Offline chromatickler

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 560
Re: Chopin's tempo marks
Reply #4 on: November 11, 2004, 05:09:46 AM
Quote from: pauholio on November 09, 2004, 10:55:49 PM
::) Why do people choose to play Chopin's pieces at their own tempos? He noted the tempo markings when he wanted them changed... >:(
find me a winter wind performance exactly 2 seconds faster than Gavrilov (without intro of course).
Logged

Offline m

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1107
Re: Chopin's tempo marks
Reply #5 on: November 11, 2004, 07:16:17 AM
Quote from: chromatickler on November 11, 2004, 05:09:46 AM
Quote from: pauholio on November 09, 2004, 10:55:49 PM
::) Why do people choose to play Chopin's pieces at their own tempos? He noted the tempo markings when he wanted them changed... >:(
find me a winter wind performance exactly 2 seconds faster than Gavrilov (without intro of course).

What's the "winter wind"? I am not sure what do you mean--is Gavrilov good, bad, or is there something wrong with his tempo? Sorry if I am slow, but I was just wondering how your message is related to tempo marking, why exactly 2 seconds are so significant, and what's wrong with the intro--is it not a music, or not a part of the piece?
.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
For more information about this topic, click search below!

Piano Street Magazine:
Enfant Terrible or Childishly Innocent? – Prokofiev’s Complete Piano Works Now on Piano Street
In our ongoing quest to provide you with a complete library of classical piano sheet music, the works of Sergey Prokofiev have been our most recent focus. As one of the most distinctive and original musical voices from the first half of the 20th century, Prokofiev has an obvious spot on the list of top piano composers. Welcome to the intense, humorous, and lyrical universe of his complete Sonatas, Concertos, character pieces, and transcriptions! Read more
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert