How do you practice Chamber Music alone? No partners : (

[cinnamon21]

Hi guys.

I'll be joining lots of music festivals next year in summer with chamber music coaching in it...so I have to prepare one or two piano trios.

The problem is...I'm no longer enrolled in university as I just graduated...so I have no access to other musicians. How do you practice these trios alone? The groups will be formed on the spot in the festivals.

Do I just...practice it alone with the recordings? I have never done any chamber music before though I graduated from a music school (because my uni has this stupid rule that only some people...like the best of the best with the highest marks ...get to learn chamber music...or DESERVE a chance to be coached in it).

Anyway, do you have suggestions for chamber music...for starters like me? I really like the Arensky Trio.

[themeandvariation]

Hi Cinnamon,
It may be confusing to play while the recording is going -- (which includes the piano part)..
But i would study the whole score, and also listen to the recording while following the score, to become familiar with the other parts.. Of course, the interpretation of the piece in the recording - shouldn't be too weighted.  This is just for the purpose of becoming familiar.. From an interpretative stand point, i think it best to start from the indications of the score.. And your coach may have a completely different idea of interpretation than your recordings..
Also, the more you are comfortable with the piano score, the easier it will be to listen carefully to the others in the ensemble… This listening is a key part of the fun of playing with others..
You are going to have a great time, I am certain.
ps.. which trios are you considering? I love the Mendelssohn.. (usually though it is Mozart and Beethoven that get much of the attention - when being introduced to chamber playing..

[cinnamon21]

Hi themeandvariations

Thank you for the insight.
I have listened to Rach Trio Elegiaque no. 1 (sounds hard), Ravel Trio (also hard), Arensky, Brahms Op. 114 (but it's too much for me) and Mozart K. 498 (it's okay...) Of course I love the Poulenc trio for oboe and bassoon too (I love French stuffs).
Could you recommend some Mozart and Beethoven ones or some are prefarably not too hard and long?

I'll listen to the Mendelssohn one now.

Thank You

[visitor]

practice it the same way you'd learn a concerto.

best way to be ready is to 'over prepare' have your part solid/down to the point you can be very flexible with tempo, changes, even jumping ahead without really stoping. the key to ensemble from piano side (at least approach i take/took when i did more) is to know the other kids parts better than they will. you should hear what the other instruments are doing in your head as you play your part.

[themeandvariation]

I have played a few of the Mozart - though (sadly) i am not really a fan.. I do like some of the slower movements.  For me, the Beethoven no. 3 in C minor is fantastic!.. It is a bit long though - about 26 minutes give or take.. ( but there are many repeats, so.. ) The passage work is mostly scale stuff.. The 2nd mov't. has a set of variations…that seems to be taking a page from the last mov't of his Pathetique sonata… beautiful.. And the 4th mov't is ferocious…So much fun.

I love the Brahms as well.. And i like Poulenc chamber music as well.. Also love his duet for piano and flute… really fun to play … a gorgeous middle mov't.. i just love that one..

Also, and most importantly, Bach wrote  duets and trios for 'keyboard' (pc flag) and violin(s).. which are… among the top of the list for me, no question..
btw  I was referring tho Mendelssohn's trio in D minor, though i like the one in C minor as well.. I think there is a recording with Rubinstein playing the trio in D minor -- which is incredible..

[visitor]

forgot to suggest something, hmm this is so playful, always loved this one

[cinnamon21]

Thanks guys.

I really like the Mendelssohn and Arensky in D minor.
Now I'm confused. As this is my first time...I don't want to go crazy doing hard stuffs but I also want to learn something that is worthwhile.

Does anyone know the level of difficulty of these 2 works? (Some ppl hate this kind of question but I really want to know what u guys think)