Brahms Rhapsody in G minor Op. 79 No. 2

[noambenhamou]

Hi everyone.

Here is my interpretation of the Rhapsodie No2 by Brahms.

I'm not thrilled with it, I think if I actually practiced it more, I could do more with it, but I've heard worse recordings so what the heck....

Thanks for watching, and if something about my playing bugs you - do tell!
Noam

[awesom_o]

Bravo! This is my favourite of the performances you have posted so far!

Very beautiful and disciplined playing, Noam. This piece clearly resonates with you on a deeply personal level, and yet your interpretation never suffered from the self-indulgence common among amateur players. Very professional work.

My only suggestion would be to look for a warmer, more rounded, less "spiky" tone in a few places. It was only in a few places for a brief moment that I was bothered by this. It wasn't "bad"... just that the tone could have had slightly more body to it, a bit more substantial.  Perhaps deeper would be a better word?

[noambenhamou]

Thank you so much awesome_o.

Your suggestions are always taken seriously, so can you give me one example of where I can use a deeper warmer sound? I think I can achieve it quite easily if I knew which spots I fear I am a bit blind to it.

Without being argumentative, the recordings I do tend to be slightly on the bright thin sound as compared to the sound actually emitted by the piano. Probably because I am not an audio engineer and probably making some fundamental mistakes as for recording setup.

Not to be off topic, but I am having a difficult time capturing the true sound of my piano. It is almost becoming an obsession. I have very high quality microphones and preamp but I'm still not getting exactly the same sound. Very frustrating. Turning up the bass in the mixer after the recording is done does not fix the problem.  Really too bad..

[awesom_o]

Solo piano is the hardest thing to record well, my audio engineer told me!

I have no doubt I would have really enjoyed your performance had I been in the room when you played it!

Perhaps around 5:58-6:10 wasn't your absolute best, most musical tone.

In general, I would like to hear the illusion of fully independent instruments in between the two hands improve from you.

You play really well, but this is what is holding you back from playing even better. I can always hear your two hands nicely, rather than really hearing the fantastic blend that the orchestra of 10 is really capable of.

[noambenhamou]

Great. I hear it. Too mechanical. I play that part like a robot. Taka taka taka focusing too much on the beat rather than the music.

I will fix it, just needed to be aware of it

Sometimes it is difficult to hear everything when you are self taught. A teacher would have been an extra set of ears to point this out for me.  That's why I post here and I truly appreciate your time to listen with a critical ear

Thanks for everything owesom_o!

[anima55]

You are self taught?  If so, I'm impressed - this would make you an inspiration to many!

[chopinfrederic]

Very good, but you should increase your speed a bit.

[klaviertraum]

Very good indeed. There is a lot of musicality and engagement with this Brahms. It feels as though you have made some analytic work, or it all came through naturally. I have to agree with awesom_o's remark though on giving more body to this Rhapsody, more intensity will make your performance even more interesting.

You could think about increasing the overall range of dynamic and particularly highlighting the dynamic contrasts at some places. For example the transition to the second theme (bars 12 - 14) where you go from Forte (F) staccato chords to the mezzo piano (mp) second motive (with octaves A Bb A), there you stated already the dynamic benchmark for this piece and was very well done. It was rather disappointing in bar 20 where the cresc (from mp to F) was to end with the powerful chord in A, to then play the decreasing arpeggio down to piano (p). This sounded like mp - mF - mp (once mp - p - p) the same everywhere it happened (eg where it recapitulates).

Other small details that may make a difference. More emphasis with the notes with accents (eg, the second chord (D chords) of bars 10 and 12 have important accents in both hands).

Your pianos are beautiful.

I do not think there is need for more speed, the one you have goes well with the character of the piece.

Best Wishes,

G.
 

[leunghb]

My son tried this No.2 by himself without teacher. I let him to hear you play, he said he's very close to your interpretation.  I will continue to let him read others remarks. thank you all.