What are you practicing today (last post wins)

[pianistavt]

First time logging into pianostreet in a while.
Today, I'll be practicing the pieces that I'll play at my manhattan audition first:
Bartok Etudes

How are the Bartok etudes coming?  You don't hear about people tackling these, rather unknown ... they look fiendishly difficult ...  I might try # 1 at some point ...

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Some songs that I am practicing today:
Liebestraum No. 3: I'm going to perform it at a concert this week!
Pour Le Piano: Prelude: I'm also going to perform this at a recital this week, which I'm very excited for!
Chopin Etudes Op. 10 No. 5,6: I like the 5th etude, but the 6th etude is alright.
Beethoven Op. 31 No.3: I like this one, but if I practice this for too long, it kinda get a bit boring.
Sightreading Schumann's Humoreske and Scarlatti sonatas as well!

[pianistavt]

Liebestraum No. 3: I'm going to perform it at a concert this week!
Pour Le Piano: Prelude: I'm also going to perform this at a recital this week, which I'm very excited for!

I think making recordings when getting ready for a performance is helpful - somehow it almost simulates the pressure.  There's an "Auditions" section here you can post your recordings in...

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Finally going to get back to piano. Resuming where I left off for Chopin 10/6.

[pianistavt]

Finally going to get back to piano. Resuming where I left off for Chopin 10/6.

I haven't practiced this one much but have looked at it - - a study in legato and phrasing for the LH, the RH as well, which makes it a study in clearly outlining two melodies as the same time.  Probably other challenges as well.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

I haven't practiced this one much but have looked at it - - a study in legato and phrasing for the LH, the RH as well, which makes it a study in clearly outlining two melodies as the same time.  Probably other challenges as well.

The main challenge is the musicality. If that's what you were saying, you're right.
(Sorry, I'm self-taught and don't know exactly what phrasing is.)

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Decided to spend a day each on various important "tools."
Octaves are my focus for today.

[transitional]

Decided to spend a day each on various important "tools."
Octaves are my focus for today.

You might want to look at Beethoven's Op. 54 1st movement. People seem to find it a joke piece but I really love it for some reason, and if you're not too familiar with pieces before Chopin, that piece could be good practice anyways with a bunch of common intervals and transitions between them in the middle sections. Just an idea, you know better than I do what you want to play.

[nina.beatriz]

A bit late, but this is what I've been working on lately

[pianistavt]

A bit late, but this is what I've been working on lately
[ chopin preludes ]

Welcome to the forum nina.  This post is on-going, whatever you're working on and care to share ...

[pianistavt]

I did some reading-away-from-keyboard and some sight-reading past couple weeks on pieces I'm interested in including in part of my practice eventually:
- Brahms fugue from Variations on a theme by Handel
- Scriabin sonata 2
- Beethoven op109 (all mvmts)

I'm officially putting Prokofiev sonata 3 on the shelf for good.  Prokofiev has a subtitle - "from old notebooks", he sees a need to explain the excesses of this piece, thus distance himself from it.  Agreed - distance is the best approach to this work.

My main focuses (foci?)
- polish/record/perform Chopin scherzo 2
- memorize Debussy Toccata
- learning 7 of the Ten Pieces from Romeo Juliet - Prokofiev
- learn John Adams China Gates
- bunch of etudes
- memorize/polish/record a bunch of short pieces:

[liszt-and-the-galops]

My focus for today is scales, which is going smoothly.

learning 7 of the Ten Pieces from Romeo Juliet - Prokofiev

Ah, yes, Prokofiev. My favorite piece by Romeo Juliet.

[transitional]

I've been too busy with AP exams to practice much recently, but I'm hoping to either do more Debussy preludes and possibly a Schubert sonata (thinking about D 840 or D 845 rn) once that's all done.

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Today, after careful consideration, I've been beginning to practicing Brahms' Rhapsody in E flat Major Op. 119 No. 4, because I think it's so powerful, but it also has some sweet moments, which i like a lot. I am also practicing some rags from William Bolcom and Scott Joplin, because I will be playing at a venue soon, and it's very light music, besides Bolcom..

[pianistavt]

Today, after careful consideration, I've been beginning to practicing Brahms' Rhapsody in E flat Major Op. 119 No. 4, because I think it's so powerful, but it also has some sweet moments, which i like a lot.

Good piece.  Some scholars believe he wrote that quite a bit earlier and simply included it in this opus.  I tend to agree.
I worked on this extensively over the past year, and recorded it, but it's unlisted on YT - was hoping to get a better recording.  That last page is tricky!

[pianistavt]

Working on finishing a few pieces, they are memorized, just trying to get good recordings:
- Czerny op 740 no 49 (octaves)
- Chopin scherzo 2
- Gershwin prelude 3  (posted a recording in Auditions, but want to do another)
- Zez Confrey Coaxing the Piano

I started some new pieces:
- Bach prelude/fugue in Eb from WTC II
- Debussy prelude 4 from book 1, "Les sons et le parfums tournent dans l'air du soir"

I'm thinking it would be fun to explore Liszt Trans Etude 4, Mazeppa, see how much it stretches me

[liszt-and-the-galops]

- Czerny op 740 no 49 (octaves)

I should probably try some Czerny... Do you have any recommendations?

[transitional]

I should probably try some Czerny... Do you have any recommendations?

I don't have recommendations per se, but Czerny's mostly known for his exercises in Op. 299 (School of Velocity) and Op. 740 (Art of Finger Dexterity). Op. 299 focuses on rapid scales, basic fingerings but insane tempo markings, and Op. 740 is a bit more musical but also offers basic technique. Musically, I don't like them much, but I don't practice them, so there may be some benefits I'm overlooking. I'm mostly just posting to point out that he wrote near 1000 opera that aren't paid much attention to, including 11 piano sonatas. He's a good composer to keep in your book as a good composer for etudes/exercises, but I would only consider his exercises slightly more musically interesting than the Mereaux etudes.

Just my two cents, as I have not played any Czerny besides sightreading.

[pianistavt]

I don't have recommendations per se, but Czerny's mostly known for his exercises in Op. 299 (School of Velocity) and Op. 740 (Art of Finger Dexterity). Op. 299 focuses on rapid scales, basic fingerings but insane tempo markings, and Op. 740 is a bit more musical but also offers basic technique. Musically, I don't like them much, but I don't practice them, so there may be some benefits I'm overlooking. I'm mostly just posting to point out that he wrote near 1000 opera that aren't paid much attention to, including 11 piano sonatas. He's a good composer to keep in your book as a good composer for etudes/exercises, but I would only consider his exercises slightly more musically interesting than the Mereaux etudes.

Just my two cents, as I have not played any Czerny besides sightreading.

Yes, seems that Czerny is currently known in pedagogy for 299 and 740, also for 599 which is more for intermediate.  They cover the techniques used up through about 1820, you won't find anything along the innovations of Chopin and Liszt.  IMO (and not just mine), the classical technique is foundational for the romantic technique, and Czerny offers a short-cut to mastering that.   They're studies in the old sense of the term, not particularly interesting musically, but Czerny made an effort to make them musically palatable - - the challenge for the performer is to make them as interesting as possible.

An easy way to pick a Czerny study is to listen to them and find one you like.  The best recording of the entire A.F.D. set that I've come across is by Francesco Libetta - - fast and dazzling.  Plenty of recordings for op 299 as well, this opus is a progression from intermediate to advanced, the last book being on the same level as AFD and contains some of the more musically interesting studies Czerny wrote.

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Some pieces I practiced today:
Mozart Concerto in D minor K.466 - 1st and 2nd movement
Prokofiev Scherzo in A minor Op. 12 No. 10
Kapustin Etude Op. 40 No.2 - "Reverie"
Beethoven Sonata No. 18 in E Flat Major Op. 31 No. 3 - 2nd movement
Chopin Etudes Op. 10 No. 5 and 6

Wow, it has been a little bit since I have been in this forum, and it is nice to be back now! I have been in quite a Prokofiev fever, so I have been practicing his 10 pieces, and I must say, I really enjoy all of them! They give me some challenge when I play it, but aren't so difficult that I'll rip my hair out. Oh, and if you guys also have a Prokofiev sonata I could start with, that would be great. I have also been doing some Kapustin, since I have been listening to his Concert Etudes recently, and they are just exquisite. I have also been reviewing a few pieces, and learning a concerto that I will be performing possibly later this year or early next year.

[thorn]

My first (and only tbf) Prokofiev sonata was 4. I once read that in Russia everyone is given 3 as their first though idk whether that's true or a generalisation. In any case I'd advise an early one (1-5) as your first, don't go straight in with 8 or something.

 And I'm still on Albeniz El Albaicin and Falla's Piezas españolas (really want to try Fantasia Baetica but don't have the time atm, the Andaluza movement of Piezas españolas is in the same spirit though like I get bits in my head and have to stop and think which one it's from)

[pianistavt]

Some pieces I practiced today:
Prokofiev Scherzo in A minor Op. 12 No. 10
I have been in quite a Prokofiev fever, so I have been practicing his 10 pieces, and I must say, I really enjoy all of them! They give me some challenge when I play it, but aren't so difficult that I'll rip my hair out.

Prokofiev was my favorite composer for many years, I've listened to most of his piano music, and a lot of the orchestral.  I'm also working on Ten Pieces from RJ op 75.  I worked on his 3rd sonata in the past year but decided to discontinue it - - there are musical-technical problems that make it not worth the effort, for me.  I also played some pieces from Visions Fugitives, posted one here

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70989.msg732485#msg732485

I think it's okay to play sonata movements - - don't have to play the entire sonata unless you are preparing for, or are in, a university program.

[psipsi8]

It's kind of hot where I am so I didn't practise too much today. Played Bach's Toccata BWV 915 in G minor a few times and then BWV 913 in E minor once so I don't lose my technique. This evening I will play Beethoven's Op.2 no.3 a couple of times. Although the 2nd movement is boring to play, nice to listen to however, because it's so long, so I might skip it and just do the 1st and 3rd movements.

[hpiano]

I am working on a Rach prelude, op 32 no 10. Certainly my favorite short piece of his, and also supposedly Rachmaninoff’s favorite as well.

I’m also working on Mozart k 312 and Chopin Ballade 3.

[pianistavt]

I am working on a Rach prelude, op 32 no 10. Certainly my favorite short piece of his, and also supposedly Rachmaninoff’s favorite as well.

So sad.  I can't bear to play such sad music, repeatedly.  Perhaps that's why I play so little Rachmaninoff.  I also stay away from Chopin's sad music.  I remember my piano teacher had me play Chopin's waltz in a minor when I was 14 or so.  I hated it.  My astrology sign is Cancer the Crab, so maybe that tells you something ...

[jaquet]

The agenda for today is, Scriabin 4th, beethoven op 31 no 3, dante sonata. I will also look through concert repetoire but maybe not all of it, i think today will be a learning day not a study day.

[pianistavt]

I would like to challenge anyone who reads this - - it's fine to practice and play piano, and your goals are your goals, but I challenge you, if you are serious about "completing" a piece of music, to make a recording and post it here in this forum.  It's part of my self-managed piano practice to not say a piece is complete until I have a recording that I am happy with...  I've posted a few recordings from the past year here on this forum.  It's not a question of how good / not good the recording is, but simply whether you've come to a point of completion... 

Any partakers?

Here is my Bartok series:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70639
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70756
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=71477
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70694

[liszt-and-the-galops]

I can give it a go every now and then.
Might be a bit before I post a recording though...

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To be honest, I am thinking of recording a few pieces and posting it here. I just need to polish them up a bit, and it'll probably be here soon.

[thorn]

I would like to challenge anyone who reads this - - it's fine to practice and play piano, and your goals are your goals, but I challenge you, if you are serious about "completing" a piece of music, to make a recording and post it here in this forum.  It's part of my self-managed piano practice to not say a piece is complete until I have a recording that I am happy with...  I've posted a few recordings from the past year here on this forum.  It's not a question of how good / not good the recording is, but simply whether you've come to a point of completion... 

Any partakers?

Here is my Bartok series:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70639
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70756
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=71477
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70694

I think this is a good idea but perhaps as a work in progress thread, or a X month challenge sort of thing rather than the audition room board which has always had a "judge my completed work" type vibe. I remember seeing a thing on insta where pianists chose a piece and posted weekly progress videos for something like 30 days. It might motivate more people to join if they don't feel they're being judged/have to post something polished?

[sonata_5]

Chopin op 10 no 5,Bach wtc 1 no 2,and Beethoven op 2 no 1 first movement

[liszt-and-the-galops]

I forgot to mention what I was practicing today in my other post.
Doing some Czerny (op. 299).

[pianistavt]

I think this is a good idea but perhaps as a work in progress thread, or a X month challenge sort of thing rather than the audition room board which has always had a "judge my completed work" type vibe. I remember seeing a thing on insta where pianists chose a piece and posted weekly progress videos for something like 30 days. It might motivate more people to join if they don't feel they're being judged/have to post something polished?

Yes, agreed, those are good ideas, makes sense.  I suppose we can post videos anywhere ... I just thought the Audition board was a misnamed catchall for all videos.  What board would be appropriate?  Performance?

[thorn]

Maybe a thread in Audition Room would be fine but making it clear it's for everyone and just a work in progress/peer motivation thing?

[pianistavt]

I forgot to mention what I was practicing today in my other post.
Doing some Czerny (op. 299).

... and which of those 40 studies are you working on?

[liszt-and-the-galops]

... and which of those 40 studies are you working on?

Working through all of them. Working on getting no. 3 to tempo today.
I plan to post a recording of 1 or 2 of them once I get through the whole set.

[transitional]

Working through all of them. Working on getting no. 3 to tempo today.
I plan to post a recording of 1 or 2 of them once I get through the whole set.

That's going to be a big undertaking? Are you working on anything else in the meantime? I can't imagine just learning Czerny for that long.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

That's going to be a big undertaking? Are you working on anything else in the meantime? I can't imagine just learning Czerny for that long.

I'm a completionist, so I'll be annoyed with myself if I don't do them all lol.
They're all also relatively easy to some of my harder repertoire, so I can get through a good chunk of them pretty quickly (though there are some exceptions). And no, I'm not working on anything else during this stretch (which is probably a bad idea...).

[pianistavt]

Speaking of Op 299, I'm working on number 12, composed in the key of F, but I'm transposing it to F#, get some black key action.  Will post recording soon...

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I'm going to probably post the Humoreske or some selections from Waldscenen from Schumann, since I'm kinda in that mood right now. Otherwise, I'll post some Chopin etudes I've been practicing to performance level.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Taking a short break from Czerny to do Chopin's 27/1.

[pianistavt]

Speaking of Op 299, I'm working on number 12, composed in the key of F, but I'm transposing it to F#, get some black key action.  Will post recording soon...

as promised - here is the video - not without mistakes but good enough

[pianistavt]

as promised - here is the video - not without mistakes but good enough

I created a new video with 2 takes in it (each is under a minute), the first take is a stricter reading and the 2nd is a freer reading.

Do you prefer one over the other?

[bryfarr]

I created a new video with 2 takes in it (each is under a minute), the first take is a stricter reading and the 2nd is a freer reading.

Nice work.  Do you transpose a lot of these?

[pianistavt]

Nice work.  Do you transpose a lot of these?

That is the first that I've brought to the level where I feel comfortable demo'ing it.
It's in F so the move to F# major is not difficult.
I like to transpose ones in G to Gb or F to F#.
The ones in C need to be transposed to C# major or Cb major, both of which have 7 sharps/flats respectively.

[bryfarr]

What ETUDES (or exercises) are y'all working on, and how did you go about selecting them?

[pianistavt]

What ETUDES (or exercises) are y'all working on, and how did you go about selecting them?

- Chopin op 25 no 8 (sixths)
- Scriabin op 42 no 7 in f minor
- Czerny op 299 no 22 (repeated notes), transpose from G to Gb
- Moskowski op 72 no 8 (thirds)
want to do one of the Prokofiev etudes in the future

[bryfarr]

I'm working on Chopin opus 10 no 3 in E

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What ETUDES (or exercises) are y'all working on, and how did you go about selecting them?

Chopin Etudes Op. 10 No. 5 and 6
Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 8
The Chopin etudes are the etudes my teacher assigned to me, and the Liszt etude was one I was wanting to work on for a while, but didn't have the chance to until now.

[yqxpiano]

Le pas espagnol, primo
Pour le piano prelude
Op 48 no 1 nocturne