(AjLongsPiano) Schubert - Impromptu Op.90 No.2 (WIP)

[ajlongspiano]

Dear Piano Street,

   I hope you have all been well. I haven't been here in awhile, but I thought I'd share something with you all that I've been working on for the past couple of weeks. I'm committing to learning Schubert's Op.90 by September. It's a wonderful set of music that I'll be able to play everywhere my whole life. Here's a very rough take of Op.90 No.2. Hope you all enjoy! Looking forward to hearing back from you. Be sure to let me know how you've all been, and what you're working on.

Best,

AJ

[pencilart3]

Awesome!! Fantastic work AJ. Lovely clarity and precise touch!

[chopinlover01]

Nicely done. Glad you didn't make the triplets too soft and detached, and instead let them sing out with the LH melodies and counter melodies.
On the B minor section, I'm left a little to desire. Maybe that was your intention, but the first time it seems like a dainty little waltz instead of the dance growing somewhat agitated, then going back to relief, then ending in agitated relief Could well just be the recording equipment, but in general I'm not hearing very much aggression where it really could be useful. For this reason, also, your particularly beautiful moments are somewhat muted; there isn't a stark contrast to really bring them out, it's all just lovely tone that gets a little stale throughout.
That's just my own personal taste though. Nice job!

[kalospiano]

this is one of my favorite pieces! It might just be me but I have the impression that the triplets were actually a little bit too staccato for my tastes. But still, great playing. Other than that and a couple of barely noticeable flubs, I really loved it. Looking forward to hear number 4 :-)

[ajlongspiano]

@Noah - Thank you so much! It's good to hear from you again. I'm glad that you're still on the ball and working so hard.

@Harrison - Thanks, Harrison! I definitely get what you mean about the B minor section. However, it's funny because I felt the same way when i started learning this, and from what I can remember, I was REALLY pounding it at times in the recording. I think part of it had to do with my recording equipment. My digital piano is a nice one, but it'll always fall a little short to a grand piano. Thanks again for your comments!

@kalos - Thank you, Kalos! I love the piece as well. I'm glad you enjoyed my rendition. Thank you for your suggestions.


Best,

AJ

[visitor]

you have a really nice initial approach to this piece! you project well in the quick figurations and in particular the higher register work really sparkles w good tone quality, almost 'shiny' 

you know the places to explore pedaling options and veried foreground/background voicing and balnace but these are minor and interpretive and up to you but thoroughly enjoyed this!  

[ajlongspiano]

Thank you very much, visitor! I appreciate that a lot.

Best,

AJ

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Lots of good playing and a limpid tone. If one wants to be picky, there are a few failings of articulation in the passagework, but these happen to everybody. I had a strange feeling in the B section that you weren't yet quite sure what you wanted to do. Some of the swells and recedes were very effective but maybe you're still making up your mind about interpretation here - it flips between confrontation and a sort of meditative resignation in a manner I'm not sure about.

[ajlongspiano]

Hi Andrew,

   Thank you very much for your kind comments. I agree with all of your ideas. I'm still taking a very "improvisatory" approach to the B section because my ideas aren't very solidified yet. It's still a work in progress!

Best,

AJ

[chopinawesome]

I just performed this piece 2 weeks ago
Good Job!

[ajlongspiano]

Great choice. Thank you!

Best,

AJ