MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor - Enzo (Rehearsal)

[emill]

The TENSIONS parents must undergo when their children are under scrutiny.

This Saturday, October 19 will be the "final 8" of Eastman's Mendelssohn Piano Concerto
Competition.  Enzo is deep into practice and sent this video taken last week for any comments
and observations. We have no illusions about the outcome since he is only a freshman against
more experienced senior and masteral students, but the experience is priceless.

He started practicing this piece last July and his tempo then was frenetic.  I am most surprised at how much he has slowed it down and it seems to me now more melodious and musical.  I am sure this change is with teacher guidance.    T H A N K S  !!!!!

1st Movement

2nd Movement

3rd Movement

[awesom_o]

Congratulations!

Some very good playing. Sounding polished, musical, confident, and professional!

For me, the 3rd movement was the weakest one. It lacked the sheer playful brilliance I wanted to hear, and to my ears sounded a bit stiff.

Stunning passage work in many places, though. Melodious and musical sounds better than frenetic!

[emill]

 

x x x . . . For me, the 3rd movement was the weakest one. It lacked the sheer playful brilliance I wanted to hear, and to my ears sounded a bit stiff.

Hi !!!

Our thanks for your extreme patience listening through the three movements.  I am sure Enzo will take good heed from your advice.  I was in fact happy that your observation was exactly  what Enzo's Russian teacher told him that in the 3rd movement "brilliancy has to dominate"!  He is working hard on it ..... wish us luck!!  THANKS .....

emill

[hakki]

Bravo ! Very impressive.

He plays this very well. And he seems to be very well prepared.

But, firstly, as stated above, I too think that the third movement could be more light and fresh and relaxed.

Secondly, while not emphasizing anything and playing in a monotonous way is not desirable, over emphasizing has to be avoided too. In all three movements there are places of over emphasizing, either by accenting notes too much or slowing down or by using excessive rubato. Honestly I find those approaches a bit risky. But they are a matter of taste, and they are his and his teacher's choice.


I very much enjoyed listening to all the three movements. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations and good luck with the competition.

[thesixthsensemusic]

Your son's a beast behind the piano! I think all he needs is to allow himself to mature emotionally and continue his study with the same effort that got him where he is now. If he has only half the ability to reflect on his own recordings as he has for learning pieces technically and musically, he'll only get better at every piece he's learned, all in due time.

Good luck for the competition by the way!

[alpacinator1]

If this competition is through Eastman, I'm assuming it's taking place in Rochester, correct? What a coincidence, since I happen to live there myself. I'm not familiar with the piece so I can't really offer any critique, but it sure sounds good to me. I hope he has good luck at the competition.

[emill]

x x x . .  But, firstly, as stated above, I too think that the third movement could be more light and fresh and relaxed.

Secondly, while not emphasizing anything and playing in a monotonous way is not desirable, over emphasizing has to be avoided too. In all three movements there are places of over emphasizing, either by accenting notes too much or slowing down or by using excessive rubato. Honestly I find those approaches a bit risky. But they are a matter of taste, and they are his and his teacher's choice.    

I am just surprised how one pianist can easily "see" the "deficiencies" of how a piece is played.  As earlier observed during a masterclass by a Juilliard fellow, he advised Enzo to de-emphasize a good number parts of the piece (Rach Concerto No.2) in order to bring out emphasis on other portions.  This was also the observation of his current teacher ... to de-emphasize some portions.  Enzo has the tendency to put equal importance to all parts .... but he is learning and correcting.  You are right .. it is a matter of the "taste" of the pianist, but may be risky.   Many THANKS!!

xxx... I think all he needs is to allow himself to mature emotionally and continue his study with the same effort that got him where he is now. If he has only half the ability to reflect on his own recordings as he has for learning pieces technically and musically, he'll only get better at every piece he's learned, all in due time.  Good luck for the competition by the way!  

Thank you so much ..... I know that with a little more time and more exposure to the different life experiences he will get to a sufficient level of maturity and improve his playing especially now that "he is on his own".  In our culture with very strong family ties, it is COMMON for children to be staying with their parents until 30.  So we have grandparents, parents and adult children staying together and still dependent on parents.  Enzo now is on his own, in a totally new culture and environment. We are sure it will accelerate his maturity.

If this competition is through Eastman, I'm assuming it's taking place in Rochester, correct? What a coincidence, since I happen to live there myself. I'm not familiar with the piece so I can't really offer any critique, but it sure sounds good to me. I hope he has good luck at the competition.

Yes it is the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.  I think the competition is open to the public.  It will be at the Kilbourne Hall and will start at 7 pm;  Enzo will be playing at 8:30 pm. Hope you can attend..  THANKS....

 

[emill]

The 3rd mvt. as played in the competition.

We hope the the lack of BRILLIANCE observed in the rehearsal has been addressed.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

[thesixthsensemusic]

Thank you so much ..... I know that with a little more time and more exposure to the different life experiences he will get to a sufficient level of maturity and improve his playing especially now that "he is on his own".  In our culture with very strong family ties, it is COMMON for children to be staying with their parents until 30.  So we have grandparents, parents and adult children staying together and still dependent on parents.  Enzo now is on his own, in a totally new culture and environment. We are sure it will accelerate his maturity

Good luck with that. I know at times it might not be very easy for him but it will only broaden his horizon and offer him the best possibilities of a good musical education.

Your son has a very special talent and you are lucky to be able to provide him with the best possible education, even though that might mean not seeing as much of him as you're used to.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

(listening to the competition performance)

Really, this is very good. Clean, tidy and well articulated passagework. Re "brilliance" I believe the setting (i.e. two pianos) doesn't show his playing off to best effect. The sparkle of the movement is shown much better when it is piano playing against orchestra and there is the contrast between their sounds; when it is piano against piano, a fair bit is inevitably lost. The only thing I could find that I didn't particularly like was around 3.40 where I thought he was trying too hard to make a point of contrasting the lyrical passage against its surroundings; I felt it ended up surrounding rather mannered. Your son is very talented and I wish him all the best in his career.

[emill]

I know at times it might not be very easy for him but it will only broaden his horizon and offer him the best possibilities of a good musical education.

Thanks for the observation and the encouragement.

(listening to the competition performance)
Really, this is very good. x.x.x... The only thing I could find that I didn't particularly like was around 3.40 where I thought he was trying too hard to make a point of contrasting the lyrical passage against its surroundings; I felt it ended up surrounding rather mannered.

Thanks so much and also for the generous encouragement.  I am sure my son will weigh your observation as he has always done for the past several years from those who have here in PS.  THANKS!!!

[rachfan]

Hi emill,

I was very impressed by Enzo's playing.  As you know I've watched his progress since he was very young and marvel at how he has steadily built a reliable and formidable technique that well supports his his musical intentions and artistry in performance.  At the conservatory that will only be further enhanced. He's very fortunate to be studying with top notch teachers there. I again wish him the best of luck in his endeavor and know that his supportive parents are very proud of him.

David