(AjLongsPiano) - Chopin Ballade No.4, Op.52. (WIP)

[ajlongspiano]

Hi everyone,

    How have you all been lately? I haven't been very active lately due to school, but my musical life has been very active and I hope all of yours have been as well! Here's a recording I made today to test out a microphone I got for my birthday (ZOOM H4). Chopin's music never fails to inspire me musically and personally. I believe I've posted a recording of this Ballade here before. I hope you see improvements in this version compared to the old one! Comments are always welcome, as usual.

Best,

AJ

[georgey]

AJ – I very much enjoyed your performance.  I only listened to it once and I did compare it with the July 2016 version with 1 more listen of it just now.  I would need to spend more time on this to give a better opinion.  Nevertheless, here are my thoughts: The piano here as you know is not in tune and this very much affects my overall listening experience.  The July 2016 version piano seemed well in tune and it seemed to be a more responsive instrument and recorded in a better acoustic environment imo.  This makes it harder for me personally to compare the two.  I think I did hear some improvements in a few spots of this version however (e.g.:  trill at 3:03).  The other version also sounded better to me in certain other spots.  I look forward to hearing your final version of this very difficult work.  Well done!

[ajlongspiano]

georgey,

   Thank you very much for your comments. I appreciate them very much. The 2016 recording was done on a digital piano, so naturally there aren't any tuning issues. Also, I'm still experimenting with the microphone trying to get the best sound possible. I think this version is much technically cleaner, especially in the coda. Maybe some musical ideas didn't come through due to tuning and recording, but alas, this Ballade is a constant journey! Thanks again for your comments.

Best,

AJ

[georgey]

georgey,

   Thank you very much for your comments. I appreciate them very much. The 2016 recording was done on a digital piano, so naturally there aren't any tuning issues. Also, I'm still experimenting with the microphone trying to get the best sound possible. I think this version is much technically cleaner, especially in the coda. Maybe some musical ideas didn't come through due to tuning and recording, but alas, this Ballade is a constant journey! Thanks again for your comments.

Best,

AJ

I agree with you on parts of the coda. I have never been able to get past hearing an out of tune piano.  This makes me a poor judge!  If I could play as well as you and I was told to play that piano, I would say:  Not until it is in tune. I guess I need to toughen up my ear. I realize this is just a weakness personal to me. Again, well done!

[dcstudio]

o, I would say:  Not until it is in tune.

Lol...well you just lost half the gigs you were going to play...  probably more. 


AJ..you sound amazing as always.  Hope school is going well for you. Nice to hear from you again..

[ajlongspiano]

Thank you so much, dcstudio. School is busy and musical! Great to hear from you.

Best,

AJ