Chopin Nocturne op. 72, no 1 (in E minor)

[mike_h]

Hi everyone!

Second time posting, just wanted to share my progress on Chopin’s nocturne op. 72 no. 1 in E minor. I still have to finish the last 30-seconds of the piece.

Would appreciate any feedback! Also - I’m struggling with the part when the theme returns and climaxes, specifically the chromatic run ending in the B octave. If anyone has any tips on that part (how to practice it, fingering, etc.), would be extremely thankful as well!

Recorded with my iphone, played on Yamaha upright piano.

Michael

[mike_h]

Sorry for reposting but I recorded it again after listening to some more performances on Youtube. Still struggle with the trills and have to finish the last part. Let me know what you think!

[lowk-_-y]

I think overall this is a very effective and flowing rendition of this piece. I like your rubato and the lovely singing quality of your melodies. I think that you have a sensitive ear for voicings and convey your ideas clearly. Even if it's not always clean as it's a work in progress, its clear what you're trying to do.

In terms of feedback I would say that overall there were quite a few times where notes wouldn't sound (Left Hand mostly) which makes me think that either your piano is somewhat difficult to play quiet on or that you need to allow your fingers to play right down to the bed of the keys even for pianissimos. This way you can be confident that the notes will sound, however if it's simply a problem with your piano...then that's rather unfortunate.


In terms of details I would firstly ask what you think the brief modulation to G major in B6 represents. For me it's an unexpected glimmer of light/hope/anything positive that contrasts with the somber E minor beginning. I was desiring a special kind of colour change when you reached this G major, experiment with both creating space before this modulation so that the listener hears it as something special and also experiment with how you can use pedal/arm weight/any pianistic device to change the 'colour' of the sound. I hope you know what I mean by colour. This same change should be employed in B14, this is somewhat of a transformation bar, mood-wise.

B15 beat 4 - Notice the phrase marks here, this interlude is very long and possibly needs direction to allow the listener to recognise the whole shape of the phrase. To do this maybe the poco a poco cresc should be accompanied with a gradual accel, emphasising the insistent quality of the repeated quaver notes.

B25 Beat 3 and 4 and B29 - Just checking you're aware of the 2 against 3 rhythm here, they sounded a little ambiguous/rushed, rhythmically.


B22 - Again prepare the 'world' change here, I like the more misty, dreamy quality you adopt as you play further in this section, I just feel that the B major of B22 comes a tad too soon to convince me that we've reached another important landmark in the piece. A little bit more space before this bar would be perfect.

In B39 - I don't get a FF impression from you. This is something I've been thinking a lot about so let me know your thoughts on this. Do dynamics change per genre? Is a Chopin Piano Sonata FF the same as a Nocturne FF? I'm inclined to say no but either way your nocturne FF here sounds quite the same as what came before, so although you don't need to destroy your piano, definitely give enough to make a difference.


Take my comments with a grain of salt, I'm just a student trying to learn as much as I can. Giving feedback also helps me establish my own views and opinions but I'd love to hear your feedback on my feedback. If you disagree with anything I said then that is perfect...as long as you say why.

Well done with the piece so far