Exam concert! Debussy and Liszt

[pianoman53]

I posted these a few weeks back, and here they are again.
This was from the actual exam.

Tell me what you think!

t=417

[pianoman53]

No, nothing?


Anyways, now I'm finally done with  y exam, so I can start playing new things a bit more seriously.

Next upload with be Pastoral sonata and symphonic etudes!

[throwawaynotreally]

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[pianoman53]

How old are you, btw?

That's a question I rather leave for the imagination


Thanks, I also liked the program. Our school only accept 25 minute program on the third year exam, so this was the best I could come up with. I'd obviously prefer a longer one...

[faulty_damper]

It was difficult to listen due to the reverberations of the hall which made it sound very muddy.  This is an acoustic issue that I doubt you could've controlled.  Closing the lid down would probably help tremendously, so for future performances, you should rehearse to see if that helps.

[I always suspected the reasons why you have so much animosity towards me.  Now I know for certain.]

Your lower back is very stiff.  You might be more comfortable sitting a bit higher and relaxing. 

[pianoman53]

It was difficult to listen due to the reverberations of the hall which made it sound very muddy.  This is an acoustic issue that I doubt you could've controlled.  Closing the lid down would probably help tremendously, so for future performances, you should rehearse to see if that helps.

[I always suspected the reasons why you have so much animosity towards me.  Now I know for certain.]

Your lower back is very stiff.  You might be more comfortable sitting a bit higher and relaxing. 

Yeah, the hall is quite useless. There is no instrument that sounds good there...

The reason I tend to be harsh on you, is because I don't like the way you critique people, and the way you think you're always right, no matter what.

I don't feel anything in my back, but I'll think about it.

[faulty_damper]

The reason I tend to be harsh on you, is because I don't like the way you critique people, and the way you think you're always right, no matter what.

I don't feel anything in my back, but I'll think about it.

[The reason isn't because of the way I critique people.  It's because I tell people what I know to be true.  My older sister responds the same way to realizing that her own 'standards' are what I normally flush down the toilet.  It's not my issue, it's hers.]

I have a friend who sits similarly but even more angled down.  She says she doesn't feel any tension or any issues (because she's so used to the position.)  This makes it difficult for her to play loudly, as well as move to different keyboard locations. I've tried to get her to adopt a more relaxed position but since she doesn't feel it impedes on her ability to play, she continues to sit the same.

[awesom_o]

I quite enjoyed the Debussy, but I thought you started a bit too loudly. Some good dynamic gradations and control of inner voices. I also liked many of your ideas about tempo relationships.
I was slightly disappointed by the flubbed F sharp at the climax (4:50). I'm not a note-accuracy fetishist, but this is a very well-known piece, and that moment needs to be thoroughly under control.
I also really missed the A sharp in the RH at 5:04. That note needs to be quite brilliant, and it sounded as if your hand didn't quite make the jump in time (you need to land in the correct place    before playing).

In contrast to faulty_damper, I think your bench is looking a bit too high. You may discover more comfort and power at the keyboard being an inch or two lower.

Overall, a well-prepared concert! Best of luck with the results of the examination. Was there an external examiner present, or was it just marked by people from your department? Either way, I'm sure you'll do quite well.

[faulty_damper]

In contrast to faulty_damper, I think your bench is looking a bit too high. You may discover more comfort and power at the keyboard being an inch or two lower.

That's because you sit too low.

In the Dante sonata, because of the loud dynamic range, you'd need more leverage than playing Chopin's works. Thus, it's best to sit higher.

[awesom_o]

That's because you sit too low.

So far, the only 'material' you have actually, ahem, 'released' in public was brown and smelly and stained your car-seat upholstery. What could you possibly know about how to sit properly if you can't even $hit properly?


Simon,

I thought that your performance of the Liszt was secure and sincere.

However, there were times when you gave me the impression that you see the piece as more of a vehicle for showiness rather than the profound work of a devoted, intensely religious man.

Be careful that the potential for sublime grandeur never degrades to the level of mere virtuosity for its own sake! In my opinion, many well-acclaimed pianists fall into that trap with this piece, and much of Liszt in general.

[faulty_damper]

So far, the only 'material' you have actually, ahem, 'released' in public was brown and smelly and stained your car-seat upholstery. What could you possibly know about how to sit properly if you can't even $hit properly?

Hey, that's pretty good!  You used your brain this time instead of digging through my toilet bowl. 

However, there were times when you gave me the impression that you see the piece as more of a vehicle for showiness rather than the profound work of a devoted, intensely religious man.

Be careful that the potential for sublime grandeur never degrades to the level of mere virtuosity for its own sake! In my opinion, many well-acclaimed pianists fall into that trap with this piece, and much of Liszt in general.

Agree with this.  I didn't want to be the first to say it but this piece is often abused for the sake of pianism and not musicianship.  There are long passages that are just loud and fast, but even here, it's important to follow the phrase from beginning to end, not to perform what has the resemblance of a melody as pet dander to be brushed off.  It's like a taming of the notes so that they don't get in the way of the music.

[pianoman53]

There, there. Enough you two, I don't want this thread to have the same outcome as the piece rachfan posted.

There are clearly religious aspects of the piece. Though, I can't agree with that everything is. There are parts, for me, that aren't as strong as other. Some of these "less deep" parts, tend to be just loud. I think I phrased it well, and stayed away from empty viruosity, but apparently not enough.

Though, I see your point. I'll leave it for a while, but will think of it when I bring it back to life.