Me playing Rachmaninoff Op. 3 No. 2 In C-Sharp Minor, need some critics :)

[vikktorious]

[j_menz]

Very nicely done indeed.

Two matters.  The pause after the opening is too long IMO and rather than creating tension just seems to make the start uncertain.

In the recap, particularly the forte bits, there is not enough dynamics within each phrase - too flat. Each one should build and release.

Minor quibbles, really. An excellent job.

[theholygideons]

Very nicely done indeed.

Two matters.  The pause after the opening is too long IMO and rather than creating tension just seems to make the start uncertain.

In the recap, particularly the forte bits, there is not enough dynamics within each phrase - too flat. Each one should build and release.

Minor quibbles, really. An excellent job.

what the fudge, j_menzies! stop being so nice. >>". You should be like, 'your playing is terrible, garbage', given your level of expertise, J_menzo.

Anyways, some constructive criticism.

Opening chords need to be more peasante and resounding, therefore use a heavier drop and then open out your elbows afterwards to help dissipate the energy to stop yourself looking tense.

The soft lyrical parts in the first section are too disciplined, I would suggest adding more rubato, e.g. speeding up when the phrases go up, and slowing down when they descend (of course don't over do it). Listen to rachmaninoff's own recording as a reference.

At 2:42, as you're coming down, do a descrendo so that you give yourself room to make that big crescendo, which needs to sound less choppy and with more pedal.

I agree with J_menzies, the fff return of the main theme sounds too one-dimensional. You're at a volume where the piano can't play any louder, therefore you must employ other tactics to get your message across. You can try holding back the tempo slightly when you get to the climax of the phrases, at the far extremities of the keyboard. It would help in creating the tension, passion, awe or whatever it is that you're trying to convey.

Other than that, you have the piece in your hands pretty well. 

[noambenhamou]

very nice!!!

opening 3 notes provide the theme of the entire piece. Give it more time and attention

in the parts of the piece where the chords are played and lh and rh overlap, the melody, top note, should be more clear. some times it is difficult to detect. I think this could add a lyrical element to the piece. also, you need to decide if you want those chords played precisely together, or slightly rolled.  sometimes they weren't completely together. more so than none, they were together, so just better consecration would yield to this consistency. also in the same sections, watch the pedal. a bit too much between harmonic changes, they overlap.

the B section is very beautiful. I am such a sucker for it. but it sounds a bit fingery. you are obviously a fine pianist, so I am sure you can modify your technique to make the B section a bit more round so that you hear a pattern rather than individual notes.


anyway, beautiful playing. it's almost perfect, which is very tough thing to do is polish something.

[vikktorious]

what the fudge, j_menzies! stop being so nice. >>". You should be like, 'your playing is terrible, garbage', given your level of expertise, J_menzo.

Anyways, some constructive criticism.

Opening chords need to be more peasante and resounding, therefore use a heavier drop and then open out your elbows afterwards to help dissipate the energy to stop yourself looking tense.

The soft lyrical parts in the first section are too disciplined, I would suggest adding more rubato, e.g. speeding up when the phrases go up, and slowing down when they descend (of course don't over do it). Listen to rachmaninoff's own recording as a reference.

At 2:42, as you're coming down, do a descrendo so that you give yourself room to make that big crescendo, which needs to sound less choppy and with more pedal.

I agree with J_menzies, the fff return of the main theme sounds too one-dimensional. You're at a volume where the piano can't play any louder, therefore you must employ other tactics to get your message across. You can try holding back the tempo slightly when you get to the climax of the phrases, at the far extremities of the keyboard. It would help in creating the tension, passion, awe or whatever it is that you're trying to convey.

Other than that, you have the piece in your hands pretty well. 

Thanks on your comments! Btw, it is a highly rated competition so I am not allowed to be more original, this way it is more "school-ish". I really tried to use some dynamics by myself, to bring out the energy from this piece, but on these competitions u have to like, do it more as the book says

[nick]

I enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing.

nick

[onwan]

1) The beginning: the third octave should be the "loudest" of the three. In my opinion the first 3 octaves should be played in the very same tempo as the first page (not faster). Also you should be more relaxed and play the octaves by whole arm, not only a wrist-it will produce smoother and "louder" sound.
keep in head-the way you start the piece, the way you end it.

2) The rest of the first page seems to be ok.

3) in the agitato, there is something that totaly destroys the lyrical melody. I'm not sure if it is cause you change the pedal too much or because you play too "loud" middle voice or because the melody notes are without a life.

4) I would personaly start the fff chord-down-run a bit slower and gradually get faster and faster. I would also hold longer the pedal, make a bit mess!

5) in the "tempo primo" is obvious that your attention is on the higer chords not on the basses. I would do the opposite.

6) "I am not allowed to be more original" !!!???!!! are you kidding me? I've succeed at the competition just because of my interpretation. I don't have a technique, I don't have a speed, don't have experiences, but I "have" a bit of phrasing and strong emotional connection.
Judges care mostly about the interpretation!

[vikktorious]

1) The beginning: the third octave should be the "loudest" of the three. In my opinion the first 3 octaves should be played in the very same tempo as the first page (not faster). Also you should be more relaxed and play the octaves by whole arm, not only a wrist-it will produce smoother and "louder" sound.
keep in head-the way you start the piece, the way you end it.

2) The rest of the first page seems to be ok.

3) in the agitato, there is something that totaly destroys the lyrical melody. I'm not sure if it is cause you change the pedal too much or because you play too "loud" middle voice or because the melody notes are without a life.

4) I would personaly start the fff chord-down-run a bit slower and gradually get faster and faster. I would also hold longer the pedal, make a bit mess!

5) in the "tempo primo" is obvious that your attention is on the higer chords not on the basses. I would do the opposite.

6) "I am not allowed to be more original" !!!???!!! are you kidding me? I've succeed at the competition just because of my interpretation. I don't have a technique, I don't have a speed, don't have experiences, but I "have" a bit of phrasing and strong emotional connection.
Judges care mostly about the interpretation!

First, thank you for sharing your time.
Secondly, you have to understand that this IS a video tape so it is not nearly as good as I played it live.
About the agitato, I changed the pedal and now it sounds much better.
And I dont know about your competition experiences and on what competitions you go but let me tell you this: i've been on competitions here and there my whole life, and not all the competitions have the same, let me say, "rules". Some competitions want technique and school work, other appreciate the interpretation more. I mean, if you go to Italy they would definitely appreciate the interpretation more, but if you go at some local school's competitions (like the one I went) they want you to play as the book says
And yet I will repeat, it is a recorded video! The cameras were too close to the piano so they kinda ruined the point of the acoustic roaming sounds, you only hear either piano or forte, no dynamics, I heard that myself too