Video: Claude Debussy, Rêverie

[klaviertraum]

I have a silent piano, it is usualy hard to get the desired dynamic range due to the silent system, and the not so sensitive touch, however the technician did a great job adjusting the let-off and I can play below mezzoforte now. He also did some voicing and tuning.

I like very much this piece, I wanted to keep the dream-like character without playing around too much with the tempo. I know it's far from perfect but wanted to share it with you guys. Any advice for improvement will be greatly appreaciated.

KT

[lelle]

Very nice! You make your instrument sound great. I like the character you have for the piece and your "non-rubato" approach works well I think.

I think the main improvement you could make is to orchestrate more between the different voices/layers of the music. In a section where you are now playing, for example, mezzo piano in the melody and piano in the left hand, adding up to a piano-ish dynamic, you could instead play mezzo forte-ish in the right hand and pianissimo in the left hand. It'll draw more attention to the melody but the combination of mf in one voice and pp in another will still add up to a piano-ish sound. Watch out so you still play the pp part with the same quality of contact you have with the instrument now, just softer.

You can play around with these greater dynamic contrasts and see what additional sounds and clarity that allows you to unlock for the piece.

[dw4rn]

Fine interpretation!
I agree that some of the layers could be softer. Of course we don't know exactly what can be done on your piano. But when I look at your left hand right at the start I wonder if it would be easier to play softly if you were looser at the wrist. You are holding the hand very still there, which could lead to some tension and loss of control.
One thing you could try is not holding the LH thumb over the G when it doesn't play, allowing more sideways movement of the hand.

[dw4rn]

By the way, what's with the water running(?) that you hear in the background?

[klaviertraum]

Very nice! You make your instrument sound great. I like the character you have for the piece and your "non-rubato" approach works well I think.

I think the main improvement you could make is to orchestrate more between the different voices/layers of the music. In a section where you are now playing, for example, mezzo piano in the melody and piano in the left hand, adding up to a piano-ish dynamic, you could instead play mezzo forte-ish in the right hand and pianissimo in the left hand. It'll draw more attention to the melody but the combination of mf in one voice and pp in another will still add up to a piano-ish sound. Watch out so you still play the pp part with the same quality of contact you have with the instrument now, just softer.

You can play around with these greater dynamic contrasts and see what additional sounds and clarity that allows you to unlock for the piece.

Indeed, adding more textures and voicing and greater dynamic will improve the piece, I'll work on it. My wrists are a bit stiff because I'm recovering from a long lasting tendinosis. Thank you for your advice lelle, it is much appreciated! 

KT

 

[klaviertraum]

Fine interpretation!
I agree that some of the layers could be softer. Of course we don't know exactly what can be done on your piano. But when I look at your left hand right at the start I wonder if it would be easier to play softly if you were looser at the wrist. You are holding the hand very still there, which could lead to some tension and loss of control.
One thing you could try is not holding the LH thumb over the G when it doesn't play, allowing more sideways movement of the hand.

Thanks so much for your kind comments dw4rn, as I mentioned above, I am recovering from a chronic inflammation in both of my wrists, I am working on it slow but steady.

The sound in the background comes from my wife's aquarium 

KT

[musicus15]

Overall you have a good feeling for this music. I suggest you focus more on the dream-like quality ("reverie") of the melody, playing its dynamics as written. For the accompaniment notes however I'd suggest playing them as quietly as possible - they are not the melody. Also look at the LH notes in m.49 - they are not quarter notes as you play them. BTW since there is a fish tank present you might consider learning Debussy's Poissons d'Or. :-)

I have a silent piano, it is usualy hard to get the desired dynamic range due to the silent system, and the not so sensitive touch, however the technician did a great job adjusting the let-off and I can play below mezzoforte now. He also did some voicing and tuning.

I like very much this piece, I wanted to keep the dream-like character without playing around too much with the tempo. I know it's far from perfect but wanted to share it with you guys. Any advice for improvement will be greatly appreaciated.

KT

[klaviertraum]

Overall you have a good feeling for this music. I suggest you focus more on the dream-like quality ("reverie") of the melody, playing its dynamics as written. For the accompaniment notes however I'd suggest playing them as quietly as possible - they are not the melody. Also look at the LH notes in m.49 - they are not quarter notes as you play them. BTW since there is a fish tank present you might consider learning Debussy's Poissons d'Or. :-)

Indeed, notes in b. 49 are 8th notes, but they sound rather slow due to a ritardando which I start in b. 47. Maybe I need to make the ritardando more clear. Very useful feedback.

I didn't know the Poissons d'Or, I'll have a look