[video] A Beautiful Storm

[alex_kid]

This is such a wonderful composition that isn't known by many people. I tried my very best to give it a suiting expression, but feedback on how to play it better is always very welcome!

[faulty_damper]

It sounds nice.  Pretty decent performance, too.

There are places in the short introduction that should surge forward to build up the tension; e.g. ~0:05", ~0:11", ~0:18". In general, just faster to provide forward momentum so it doesn't dwell in the intro.

In terms of dynamic contrast, there are places where it should be much louder, e.g. ~1:48-, and much softer, e.g. 2:32-.  Here at 2:32, due to the change in unexpected harmony, you can have much greater expressive pull if you subito pp and quickly crescendo so that it blooms into life, like a tension release. At 2:12, the RH should be softer since it's just repeating an ostinato, but it can gradually crescendo as the LH joins in.

The E, F, G (and related) motive - I'm not certain that it should be the same dynamic level because it feels static.  It almost feels like it should crescendo, E<F<G, but I'm not certain this is the correct interpretation.

The final winding down, 2:54,  feels like more care should be placed in the gradual slowing.  It doesn't sound perfectly right for some reason.  I think it sounds like it's played in blocks so it's almost kind of clunky instead of a smooth transition.  I don't know if you hear what I mean.

Otherwise, pretty good choice of tempo.  I can hear the longing sadness in it.  Thanks for sharing.

[alex_kid]

Thank you very much for your detailed feedback, exactly what i was looking for!

[faulty_damper]

I'm listening to Jennifer's performance of it.  She isn't consistent with how she plays that three-note recurring motive, however, she plays a decrescendo at times (either intentionally or unintentionally) and I think it's the best interpretation: D>E>F.  Musically, I think this has the effect of a pulsing which is more musically interesting than a constant dynamic level.

[alex_kid]

I've just been trying out some variations of the recurring theme and you are right, decrescendo seems the best way to play it.
And like you mentioned, at the ending I should have slowed down a bit more gradually so it ends less abrupt.