Rachmaninoff prelude G sharp minor no 12

[noambenhamou]

Hi everyone.
I recorded this about 3 years ago, but I thought I would have another go and correct some things I feel like could have done better. Like being a bit more free with the tempo, and bring out the melody notes a bit more.

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks

Here is the old version if anyone has the patience to compare.

[stevenarmstrong]

Hi again Noam! Popping up everywhere

Immediately the RH sticks out to me, in both recordings! I feel it overshadows the melody. Then when the RH finally has the melody, the LH gets in the way, the top notes of the broken chords especially; although I think this is better in the more recent recording.

Just after of the main idea returns at meno mosso the RH does an almighty swell before the arpeggiation then after the arpeggiation the RH again is whacking away! The G sharp/D-sharp sixteenths and the melodic entry at the end of the bar there are different layers within the texture: but swelling the sixteenths makes the layers sound as though they are the same layer.

Honestly the last line feels very uncomfortable. A bit clumsy. It's pianissimo and perdendo but I hear a crescendo!

Finally, overall, I feel it is too rhythmically rigid, especially the right hand.
Still, enjoyable, solid, transparent and sincere. I liked the middle section building to the return the most - nice LH. Thanks for sharing Noam

[noambenhamou]

Hi again Noam! Popping up everywhere

Immediately the RH sticks out to me, in both recordings! I feel it overshadows the melody. Then when the RH finally has the melody, the LH gets in the way, the top notes of the broken chords especially; although I think this is better in the more recent recording.

Just after of the main idea returns at meno mosso the RH does an almighty swell before the arpeggiation then after the arpeggiation the RH again is whacking away! The G sharp/D-sharp sixteenths and the melodic entry at the end of the bar there are different layers within the texture: but swelling the sixteenths makes the layers sound as though they are the same layer.

Honestly the last line feels very uncomfortable. A bit clumsy. It's pianissimo and perdendo but I hear a crescendo!

Finally, overall, I feel it is too rhythmically rigid, especially the right hand.
Still, enjoyable, solid, transparent and sincere. I liked the middle section building to the return the most - nice LH. Thanks for sharing Noam

Thank you Steve for taking the time to listen to both.

The last line was clumsy because I felt like my playing was going well and in my head towards the end I was like "Noam don't screw it up!!!" so I got nervous and I did!!! Yeah - the last line was a disaster. But I'm also working on accepting that nothing is perfect, so you're not helping!!! j/k

I will send you a PM with some comments about the LH not carrying enough melody.

Thanks again Steve
Noam

[awesom_o]

I thought the LH was pretty good.... the RH was just much, much too loud!

[noambenhamou]

I thought the LH was pretty good.... the RH was just much, much too loud!

Turn down the volume on the speakers, and now LH is not loud enough.
Same thing

So is that the deal? The melody is in the LH for the majority of the piece and the RH is just texture? What if I find the RH more beautiful than the left?

[noambenhamou]

I thought the LH was pretty good.... the RH was just much, much too loud!

just for you awesom_o just because i highly respect your opinion. usually you like my stuff, not this time...

better?

https://app.box.com/s/vx00dvyehe0pw7rxjpku

[awesom_o]

It's really good! Many people here would love to play it this well. Maybe there was one spot where the F could have been more sumptuous.

[noambenhamou]

Thanks awesome_o

I think I was trying to play Rachmaninoff like Chopin. Most of my repertoire is Chopin, Schubert, and a bit of Brahms. 

This is the only Rachmaninoff I've ever played. Perhaps I should cherish that playing Rachmaninoff I have more liberties?
I still feel weird taking so many liberties with the tempo hahaha

[stevenarmstrong]

That's hilarious! I actually thought that. I had a feeling you just gave up a bit there at the end! Oh the stupid things that go through our heads when we play. The amount of times I have said to myself while I'm playing, come on, don't screw it up...and all is going well! But then bam!...screws it up because I wasn't concentrating as I was too busy telling myself not to screw it up :p