[VIDEO:]Chopin - Ballade no. 3 Op. 47

[throwawaynotreally]

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[throwawaynotreally]

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[hozepshad]

I really enjoyed it.

I thought the leggiero part sounded a bit mechanical, but not so when the melody was in the left hand. (the part from 4:27 to 4:45 in the video).

[awesom_o]

Don't mean to sound desperate, but any feedback would be great appreciated

Well played, Aidan!
You have certainly gotten it firmly under your fingers.

I think you need to work on your LEGATO, because right now it seems you rely too much on the pedal, and when the musical texture is highly exposed, it lacks the delicacy that it needs.

The section from about 4:15 to 4:50 sounded particularly heavy-handed.

Also, be careful not to lose inner voices! Even small ones.

In general, the technically challenging parts sound too mechanical.

I think everyone finds making videos in a sterile context (as in, not from a live concert or competition) to be difficult. Giving a musical performance in front of a camera instead of a living audience seems like an awkward, strange thing to do.

Don't overdo the ending in terms of bravura virtuosity. It should never sound strained or rough, simply graceful, and joyful. Be careful at 7:12 and 7:13-I believe you played a wrong note in the LH-I heard an Eb instead of an E natural.

I wasn't convinced by your trills in the RH before the final descending arpeggio.

[throwawaynotreally]

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[throwawaynotreally]

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[awesom_o]

Having better contact with the keys helps with the lighter sound. It will also help with the trills. I would practice the leggiero part (and all other parts) without pedal if I were you. Make sure you can really control the texture without pedal well, then add pedal to taste.

The trills sounded a bit sluggish. You probably need to play them a bit more 'in the keys'.

[throwawaynotreally]

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[quantum]

For your age, I think this is a commendable accomplishment. 

You could do more to craft your pedaling into the phrasing of the music.  There were a few parts where it seem to me the pedal was somewhat incongruent with the phrasing you were trying to convey.  More like it was there sustaining harmonies or adhering to the metrical score divisions rather than flowing with the music.  Experiment by using the pedal to craft the tone of the melody, and to color the harmonies that support that melody. 

Much can be learned about Chopin's music by studying vocal music.  Chopin adored singing and much of his piano music is crafted out of his passion for the voice.  Especially with regard to how he constructed phrases, think of what a singer would do to shape them.  If you are unsure of this, ask a singer to sing back parts of the piece to you. 

[throwawaynotreally]

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