Video, Brahms, Waltz Op. 39 No. 15

[klaviertraum]

I don't know what it is with Brahms lately, but I have been stricken by his music very deeply. His late music, his life as a lonely soul in search of finding himself and his place in this world and a lifetime longing for the woman he knew he could never be with. I asked myself, How could I play this man's Waltz 15?. The only answer I had was: Sweet and Gentle.

[dogperson]

I think you should work On developing more contrast: both within a given phrase, and where there are repetitive sections:  a slight diminuendo at at end of a phrase, a crescendo to the apex of an escalating phrase

Here is a link to Helene Grimaud’s interpretation,  I’m not suggesting you copy this, but use it to illustrate the types of contrast that are used

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ygx0MP5hEsY

[visitor]

Nice playing of a lovely work and I agree w dogperson it's getting there but some more control and  dynamic and texture variety will help it a bunch thanks for sharing it.

[perfect_pitch]

You also desperately need to try and smooth as much as you can in the RH. Try to slur where possible from the 2nd to the 3rd beat in the LH at least just to help minimise excessive hand movement and then take them back to a mezzo-staccato (I think they are marked that way); and really watch the fingering in the RH. You should be able to play the top most notes almost perfectly smooth (except for repeated notes) without detaching everything.

[klaviertraum]

Very grateful with all your feedback. I keep your main points in mind every time I play this piece again.

@Perfect_pitch, I am not sure I understand correctly what you mean with playing "smooth". Did you mean: more legato?, better phrased?.

[perfect_pitch]

@Perfect_pitch, I am not sure I understand correctly what you mean with playing "smooth". Did you mean: more legato?, better phrased?.

Yes, more legato... like for instance, have you thought of trying beats 2 and 3 in the LH with fingers 421 and 542... instead of moving the hand for each chord. While you might not play it legato in the piece, try and play legato to help you keep the hand in that position to play both chords.

Also, while it looks like you are playing smooth in the RH, I feel it looks like a quasi-legato. Have you tried playing it without the pedal and making sure the RH is slurred as written? I have a feeling there might be a few moments where it's not as smooth as you think it is.