What are you practicing today (last post wins)

[sonata_5]

Today I was practicing my new piece from 2 days ago, Schumann’s Warum from the Fantasiestucke! Sounds easier than it is, the voicing is HARD! Anyway will be posting it on the audition room. 

[psipsi8]

Do you play them all from book 1 and 2?

I may have sight-read all of WTC. Learned to a decent standard, about half of the book 2 and fewer from book 1, because I find book 1 kind of lame for the most part. Bach's toccatas are really great, I've learned all of them to a decent enough standard. But I want to play them even better but it's hard when I play each of them just once a week, since I started learning them all almost simultaneously. Takes a really long time to improve. Gould's recordings are harsh as someone else mentioned above. But still my favourite.

[dizzyfingers]

I may have sight-read all of WTC. Learned to a decent standard, about half of the book 2 and fewer from book 1, because I find book 1 kind of lame for the most part. Bach's toccatas are really great, I've learned all of them to a decent enough standard. But I want to play them even better but it's hard when I play each of them just once a week, since I started learning them all almost simultaneously. Takes a really long time to improve. Gould's recordings are harsh as someone else mentioned above. But still my favourite.

There's a post called "introductions", not sure if you posted there.. curious to hear your story with respect to piano - sounds like you play many hours/day ...

[aleocha]

I worked a bit on Bach's C minor partita (no.2).
I love the phrasing and techniques used by bach - my piano teacher explained triple harmonic suspension to me which was very interesting!

[advertis45]

It has been quite a while since I have posted in here, but I guess here's a repertoire update!

Schumann Concerto in A Minor (First Movement)
Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C Sharp Minor Op. 39
Debussy Les Jardins Sous La Pluie
Brahms Rhapsody Op. 79 No. 1
Rachmaninoff Moment Musicaux Op. 16 No. 4
Scarlatti Sonata K.141 in D minor
Beethoven Sonata Op. 31 No. 3 in E flat Major (full)
 
Mostly new repertoire, but I do have some oldies that I'm polishing every day for competitions/scholarship applications. I might post my performance of the scherzo in the audition room, so I guess watch for that. 

[ned174849]

Schumann Concerto in A Minor (First Movement)
Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C Sharp Minor Op. 39
Debussy Les Jardins Sous La Pluie
Brahms Rhapsody Op. 79 No. 1
Rachmaninoff Moment Musicaux Op. 16 No. 4
Scarlatti Sonata K.141 in D minor
Beethoven Sonata Op. 31 No. 3 in E flat

Thats some nice repertoire you’ve got there 

I’m currently choosing repertoire to learn over the summer. This is what I started so far:
Brahms op 116
Scriabin’s sonata no. 2 op. 19
Ravel Valses Nobles set Sentamentales

I’m also planning on choosing a Prokofiev sonata and Bach P&F as well.
I’m polishing Chopin’s Ballade no. 3, Ginastera Danzas Argentinas, Beethoven sonata op. 2 no. 3, and a few Scriabin etudes as well

[alix777]

I find Bach's sons music much more interesting than their father's, in all genres.
I already worked on JC Bach Sonata in G op.5 n°3 and will chose a CPE Bach sonata next week with my teacher as she likes and knows quite a few CPE Bach works. Maybe the one in A major H.439

[sonata_5]

I find Bach's sons music much more interesting than their father's, in all genres.
I already worked on JC Bach Sonata in G op.5 n°3 and will chose a CPE Bach sonata next week with my teacher as she likes and knows quite a few CPE Bach works. Maybe the one in A major H.439

Isn’t the H. 439 the A major cello concerto?

[alix777]

Isn’t the H. 439 the A major cello concerto?

Sorry, you're right. The sonata is A is W. 55/4, H.186

[liszt37]

Grieg piano concerto
Beethoven sonata no 18
Chopin etude op 25 no 12
Just finished up Bach prelude and figure in c minor from the WTC 1. Going to start f minor from book 1 soon

[dizzyfingers]

I ain't practicing nothin today
 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Not TODAY but I just finished recording a Carnatic album two weeks ago lol. Piano, voice/bamboo flute, and mridangam/other percussion I can’t remember the name of.  Piano isn’t like in Carnatic tradition or any Indian tradition so it was kind of a challenge seeing where I fit in and also what to do and not to do in all these ragas.

Today idk what I’m doing.  The last time I learned new solo rep was back in 2021.  I did a Mozart concerto with orchestra this past May but that doesn’t count.

I’ve been looking for something easy to learn.  Maybe Beethoven 109?

[hopefulauditionpasser]

i think i will try to push through the first movement of bacewicz's sonata 2 today. i've been lingering on the exposition for too long

[dizzyfingers]

I’ve been looking for something easy to learn.  Maybe Beethoven 109?

Yeah, that works.  Maybe too easy though?

[pianistavt]

I haven't posted in a while, some pieces I completed, recorded and performed (in an informal setting) this summer are:
* Bach prelude and fugue in Eb WTC II
* Brahms intermezzo op 119 no 3
* Beethoven presto con fuoco from sonata op 31 no 3
* Schumann blumenstuck
.. not much!  But I was also spending time on chamber music.
I haven't posted these in Auditions, was hoping to get better recordings.  Hmm, that may not happen.

I also posted an improvisation in July and two in May. 

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=72361.msg740033#msg740033

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=72361.msg740268#msg740268

Feeling it's time to explore improv more.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Yeah, that works.  Maybe too easy though?

Apparently there’s only one or two
Hard variations and then I can call it a day lol

[essence]

Var III has caught out many.

[dnak441]

Today I'm practicing:
- Beethoven Waldstein Sonata, third movement. Specifically the fast sixteenth note triplets leading up to the presto section (which is almost done)
- Brahms Paganini Variations Book I, Var. 7,8,13. So far so good, I'm dreading Var. 2 and 3. The middle part of 14 doesn't look too good either.

Kind of a light day but I'm waiting for my professor to start his studio back up.

[dizzyfingers]

Today I'm practicing:
- Beethoven Waldstein Sonata, third movement. Specifically the fast sixteenth note triplets leading up to the presto section (which is almost done)
- Brahms Paganini Variations Book I, Var. 7,8,13. So far so good, I'm dreading Var. 2 and 3. The middle part of 14 doesn't look too good either.

Kind of a light day but I'm waiting for my professor to start his studio back up.

Haha, light day!  That's some serious technically challenging music.  What school are you attending?

[ned174849]

This week I’ve mainly been focusing on choosing a new load of repertoire to learn for competitions in the distant future. I’ve currently settled with Chopin’s fourth ballade (a bucket lister of mine for a while)  as well as Beethoven’s op 10 no 3. I’ve also been chipping away with Brahms op 116 in its entirety. Im probably before too long going to throw a Bach P&F in this load as well as maybe one or two pieces from Albeniz’s Iberia suite   

[lelle]

Currently practicing Scriabin's 5th sonata heehee. It's really fabulous music and a lot of fun to play.

I'm also reading a number of Fauré Nocturnes and letting them settle in whatever time they need.

It's funny how tastes change with age, because I used to be all about grand romantic music a la Chopin and Liszt, but now I want the understatement of Fauré and the craziness of Scriabin lol.

[liszt37]

Today
-Shostakovich piano trio no 1
-Beethoven piano sonata op 31 no 3
-Liszt Hungarian Rhasphody no 13
-Bach prelude and fugue in f minor from book 1
-Grieg Piano Concerto

[dnak441]

Haha, light day!  That's some serious technically challenging music.  What school are you attending?

The rep is pretty huge but I didn't spend that much time (I was a bit tired). Right now I'm at my local con but I'm preparing for auditions in a couple years. I'll be auditioning for the major European conservatories like Hague, Amsterdam, Reina Sofia, Hanns Eisler and Mozarteum. I'm also gonna be trying out for Curtis but that's just for fun because I don't think I'll even get to live auditions lol. I've got a couple classes lined up with some Amsterdam faculty just to try them out because they seem like the likeliest choice.

Anyways here is what I'm practicing today:
- Waldstein: First movement work. I have to get the exposition cleaned up. Precision is key. I'll work with coordination and slow drilling to prevent unevenness. I'm having a bit of a hard time getting a super consistent sound out of the repeated notes. More grunt work on the runs for coordination. I need that Gilels clarity!
- Brahms/Paganini: Double note variations! I used to hate double notes until I drilled Op. 25 No. 6. Now they're fun! Currently finding relaxation points on the sixth runs for the right hand. Also doing independent voice staccato practice for the left hand thirds so that they're properly coordinated. I started Var. 14 just a couple days ago so I'm still working on the repeated note jumps and getting a consistent sound while performing the hand switch for the run.

Today I can't practice that much but I'm planning a long session tomorrow. 3 hours today, 6 hours tomorrow. The grind never ends!

[dizzyfingers]

Today I can't practice that much but I'm planning a long session tomorrow. 3 hours today, 6 hours tomorrow. The grind never ends!

Haha, 3 hours is a great day for me.
But we're very different ages.  I don't exactly have auditions ahead of me, though I could strive for an Adult Amateurs audition/competition if I could find a good reason for all that time/effort, and stress.

[dizzyfingers]

A bit of the Well-Tempered Clavier (part 1) today. C Minor ...  I learned the C minor a while back and now my fingers cannot handle the perpetual motion at all. Especially the presto section.

I'll really need a bit of revamping on my technique in the future.

Many go to Bach for revamping of technique, so I think you're in the right place.
It's not that difficult of a prelude (WTC bk 1 in c minor) ... are you suffering from some aging issues?
As I'm sure you know, master it at a slower tempo before going for faster tempos

[lilypad]

I'm just starting on my first Scarlatti piece, Sonata K431 and a Phillip Keveren arrangement of "The Rainbow Connection". 

[bach-busoni chaconne]

I'm starting on Chopin's etude Op.25 No.6 ("Thirds") today. Also tried a bit of Liszt's "Feux Follets" as it is also double notes, but it is a bit too hard for me and way harder than Op.25 No.6.

[psipsi8]

I played Bach's f# minor toccata a few times. The first time was rusty as I haven't played it in about 3 weeks. Then I moved on to a new piece I'm learning, Mendelssohn's Variations Serieuses. I normally play almost exclusively Bach, with some Beethoven just for variety and not much romantic music but this piece is in a different category. Not surprised that Glenn Gould (who in my childhood was my idol) respected this piece a lot. Incidentally, he also respected Chopin's F# major impromptu, which is also on the repertoire I cycle through, playing it every now and then so it doesn't degrade (but not today).

[pianowolfi]

 Liszt's Vallée d'Obermann. 

[dizzyfingers]

I played Bach's f# minor toccata a few times. The first time was rusty as I haven't played it in about 3 weeks. Then I moved on to a new piece I'm learning, Mendelssohn's Variations Serieuses. I normally play almost exclusively Bach, with some Beethoven just for variety and not much romantic music but this piece is in a different category. Not surprised that Glenn Gould (who in my childhood was my idol) respected this piece a lot. Incidentally, he also respected Chopin's F# major impromptu, which is also on the repertoire I cycle through, playing it every now and then so it doesn't degrade (but not today).

What makes you think Gould held the f# minor, impromptu no 2 in high esteem?  His recording when he was 14 yrs old?  He talks about Chopin succeeding as a miniaturist (but not in large scale organization) in this video, and he plays impromptu no 1, very insensitively, almost mocking.

[thorn]

I had a slow sight read through Scriabin's 3rd sonata. Parts of the 2nd mvt were harder than they sound (but still not hard-hard). That 4th mvt LH is worse than stuff I've seen in the late sonatas, my score has an easier alternative that Scriabin played in a piano roll (starts 12:50ish) which I'd definitely use instead if I decide to work on this properly (not sure yet!)

i=Pb5JB-o_wahNDRfR&t=770   

[dizzyfingers]

I had a slow sight read through Scriabin's 3rd sonata. Parts of the 2nd mvt were harder than they sound (but still not hard-hard). That 4th mvt LH is worse than stuff I've seen in the late sonatas, my score has an easier alternative that Scriabin played in a piano roll (starts 12:50ish) which I'd definitely use instead if I decide to work on this properly (not sure yet!)

Interesting about the easier version.  What score is that?

What do you think of difficulty of 2nd movement of the 2nd sonata?

[psipsi8]

What makes you think Gould held the f# minor, impromptu no 2 in high esteem?

Just the fact that he deigned to play it!

[essence]

What do you think of difficulty of 2nd movement of the 2nd sonata?

My own feeling, and also from personal experience, is that early sonata movements (sonata #2 2nd movement, sonata #3 4th movement, sonata #4 2nd movement, sonata #5 sections) are at least as technically hard as sonatas 6 - 10. Sonata #10 is technically relatively easy, sonata #8 is very complex and has some leaps and cross hands, plus the falling 4ths - you can either do them or not - #9 has its moments.

[dizzyfingers]

Just the fact that he deigned to play it!

The 14 yr old Gould was a different person than the adult, besides it may have been his teacher's idea; word has it it's a very sincere and respectful interpretation. 
Check out the other Gould video I posted to get the adult Gould's perspective on Chopin, and, as I said, the rendition of impromptu no 1 is almost mocking, which fits Gould's personality - see his mean and shallow essay about Rubinstein: 
https://citylights.com/european-classical/glenn-gould-reader/

Gould simply disliked romanticism.

[thorn]

Interesting about the easier version.  What score is that?

What do you think of difficulty of 2nd movement of the 2nd sonata?

It's the Dover complete edition. I've attached the alternative to this post- they only give 1 bar and expect you to figure out the rest.

And I disagree that the 2nd movement of Sonata 2 is as difficult as the late sonatas, it's not easy but it doesn't ask for anything out of the ordinary. The 4th movement of Sonata 3 is harder because the opening LH figurations, which return often, have large stretches which are difficult to play relaxed at speed. You get these figurations in the late sonatas (off the top of my head 6 has them) but as short  bursts not a staple feature. And I agree no.8 is the most complex, but personally find 9 and 10 the same difficulty level (I play 9/keep coming back to 10 but haven't finished it).

[essence]

It's always interesting - difficulty levels are very personal, which is why some discussions become fatuous.

I agree the LH of 4th movement of sonata #3 is relentless, I may be able to play the first page, but then fall at the next fence. I don't think I could manage the full movement, however much I practiced.

#2 last movement - yes, not the most impossible, but to make it a whirlwind, and keep the staccato LH - it is pointless if not a whirlwind. I would hesitate playing in public, however much practice, as it could obviously go off the rails.

Whereas #10  I find relatively comfortable - not easy, of course, but nothing I find impossible. Maybe I don't play the presto coda as fast as some. I've played it in masterclasses.

I've also played #8 in amateur concert (with sheet music) - the problem is the length and complexity and leaps and organising the hands. But I still don't find in it the impossible (for me) technical challenges of #3. Of course the falling 4ths need practice.

One advantage of the later sonatas in amateur performance is that if they do go off the rails, nobody notices!