Feedback on chopin sonata 2 movt 1?

[koalalove]

So I'm planning to submit this recording as an arts supplement to top undergraduate schools (not conservatories or music programs, however). I would really appreciate honest commentary on it. If you could also give me a rate from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) that would be great. Note that this has been reverbed, and since this is my first time playing around on Adobe Audition, it may sound a little funky. Tips for editing are welcome as well! Thank you!

**the actual piece starts at about 0:10
***the first recording is reverbed, second recording is original.

[faulty_damper]

Maybe the link is wrong but it comes back nothing.

[koalalove]

Oh that's funny...thanks for letting me know. Maybe try this one?

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8Dz66BFdojmQXFhR1JjOXkyUFU/edit?usp=docslist_api

You will probably have to hit play, then once it says "whoops" etc click "download", then "download anyway", and it should work.

[faulty_damper]

93 MB!!?!?!?!?!

Are you kidding?  Google can't even scan for viruses on a file size that large.  That needs to be converted to mp3 format. 

[koalalove]

sorry! i converted to mp3 and now its in the original post.

[faulty_damper]

Get rid of the reverb.  Incredibly distracting and covers up the sound.

[koalalove]

Thanks- Yup that's what i thought. The main reason I tried it was because the piano was so metallic sounding. I'm giving it to a friend who does this professionally.

In terms of the actual playing, can you please give me any feedback?

[faulty_damper]

It's not bad but it's not good, either.  But you'll probably be accepted if that's what you're worried about.  People have been accepted with far less.

[koalalove]

Accepted to where? supplements are only a very minor part of an application, of course. What specifically is lacking?

[faulty_damper]

If you can post a recording without reverb, then it will be easier because it just isn't clear.

[koalalove]

I will try tomorrow! Anyone else have feedback?

[j_menz]

The download works fine for me, so I don't know what faulty's problem is (but then I never do).

Two pretty major issues: rhythm and phrasing. You lose the rhythm entirely all to often - you're in time, but the emphases are either in the wrong place or entirely missing.

Go back to the score, and play through at a moderate pace, making sure you really hammer out the beat notes. Do this several times, then try again with a performance. And watch where the phrases are - breathe with them.

[koalalove]

Thank you. Yeah, I knew some things just didn't sound quite right and now I realize it's due to phrasing.

However, is it abysmal enough that I should refrain from sending it to schools such as Georgetown, Cornell, and Brown? Will it negatively impact my application?

19 downloads and only two people were generous enough to comment >.< I would really appreciate more opinions!

[swagmaster420x]

Thank you. Yeah, I knew some things just didn't sound quite right and now I realize it's due to phrasing.

However, is it abysmal enough that I should refrain from sending it to schools such as Georgetown, Cornell, and Brown? Will it negatively impact my application?

19 downloads and only two people were generous enough to comment >.< I would really appreciate more opinions!

I would focus more on the app essays, haha

[faulty_damper]

I'm refraining from feedback because the added reverb covers up the minute things I want to hear, what I also assume the professors want to hear.  I don't know if it's a pedaling issue or a reverb one which is why I'm waiting until it's uploaded without reverb.

[koalalove]

I just added the original recording to the first post.

[verqueue]

So in not-reverbed recording there things I don't like. Some phrasing, articulation details and rubato (when there is stretto you just play faster instead stretto). There is at least one change of tempo which doesn't have and sense for me also (in the end of development/reprise). I just have an impression that you just don't listen to yourself and that causes that you sometimes take of slurs in this ugly way and other things also. In my opinon you didn't focus on details and interpretation. I don't hear any musical idea in this performance.

You know the notes, probably understand them, but you didn't interpret them. For this kind of piece it's not enough.

[j_menz]

Thank you. Yeah, I knew some things just didn't sound quite right and now I realize it's due to phrasing.

However, is it abysmal enough that I should refrain from sending it to schools such as Georgetown, Cornell, and Brown? Will it negatively impact my application?

It's mostly due to rhythm. That may actually be quite easily fixed. If it is, you should consider a new recording. 

The current one probably doesn't assist your application much.

[faulty_damper]

Agree that the phrasing, especially in the first part, needs to be clear.  It's performed like a run-on sentence which blurs the musical ideas.

Overall, the main issue is fine tuning.  There are so many small issues that make it sound sloppy, unpolished.  I can hear you struggling with certain parts and putting a lot of effort into to it and it's probably taking away from the accuracy, e.g. chords are not even, pedaling broken, erratic tempo shifts.  There are other things but these are the most problematic ones.

[pianoguy711]

Thank you. Yeah, I knew some things just didn't sound quite right and now I realize it's due to phrasing.

However, is it abysmal enough that I should refrain from sending it to schools such as Georgetown, Cornell, and Brown? Will it negatively impact my application?

19 downloads and only two people were generous enough to comment >.< I would really appreciate more opinions!

I don't think school's are expecting perfection.  So I would go for it.  In response to your recording, you can play the notes, but there are some things that need help.  It is very hard to explain what you need to work on without actually sitting next to you at a piano.  One tip that I'll try to explain is about energy.  The whole introductory part in Bb minor builds up a lot of tension.  This tension is not relieved until the Db major arpeggio.  You need to work on releasing tension better.  You built up this great tension only to release it in a very tepid way.  

I posted a clip of me playing the section I'm talking about.  What I tried to emphasize is how you should carry the energy/tension throughout the whole phrase until the denouement.  Hope this helped, and good luck on your application.

[nontroppo]

As others have said, there are some (not major) deficiencies in your playing and recording. Your tone and voicing leaves a bit to be desired in some places, and some of the phrasing is off.

However, if you're not applying to conservatories, it will never hurt to send in the recording. The more important question is whether it will actually help. I didn't submit recordings when I was applying to colleges, so I can't really say, but since admissions officers probably can't judge your quality of playing, it most likely won't be of much benefit. There's always a chance they forward it to a professor in the music department though. In any case, I would wager that your accomplishments on paper (competitions won, etc.) will matter more.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

It's not terrible and would probably be acceptable, but I suspect you could do better (I don't think it's all your fault either). There are small problems with lack of clear articulation, e.g. around 0.45. The piano is also not very nice; it's close to not being properly in tune and it is, as you say, metallic. It sounds a bit like a college practice piano, tbh. The unfortunate consequence is that the piece has ended up sounding like Chopin played by someone who's only previously played some of the more motoric Prokofiev. There are also a few moments where either you rush or the rhythm breaks down. I would re-record it on a more mellow instrument.