Debussy - Reflets dans l'eau

[stringbot]

Hello everyone,
I have recorded a clip of me playing Reflets dans l'eau. Please critique it as harshly as possible; it would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to use this at a competition audition. Thank you very much!

[pianistavt]

I think you should get an adjustable bench, you may find sitting higher more comfortable, especially with this piece.

I haven't worked on this piece, so only speaking from my experience as a listener (and player of similar pieces).  You're technique is relaxed and flawless, the phrasing is also very good.  There was a section near the beginning where your attack on the chords (not the opening chords) is a bit too quick (and tense), creating a harsher sound than ideal.  Debussy's music is more from the mind than the heart.  You want to plan your sonorities/dynamics very carefully.  You've clearly done a lot of planning, but I think even more is needed.  Always stay focused on the sound you want to create, Debussy is less forgiving than the romantics - if something is done for emotional expression it may sound out of place.  It's a fluid performance but quite strict in the timing - - could benefit from some "deeper breathing".

It's a good piano but the recording favors the treble over the bass.  Maybe position the microphone higher, and maybe centered between the treble and bass.

[glerzhus]

pedaling seemed a lil noisy sometimes and is there a reason why u have the left pedal down so much?

[stringbot]

I think you should get an adjustable bench, you may find sitting higher more comfortable, especially with this piece.

I haven't worked on this piece, so only speaking from my experience as a listener (and player of similar pieces).  You're technique is relaxed and flawless, the phrasing is also very good.  There was a section near the beginning where your attack on the chords (not the opening chords) is a bit too quick (and tense), creating a harsher sound than ideal.  Debussy's music is more from the mind than the heart.  You want to plan your sonorities/dynamics very carefully.  You've clearly done a lot of planning, but I think even more is needed.  Always stay focused on the sound you want to create, Debussy is less forgiving than the romantics - if something is done for emotional expression it may sound out of place.  It's a fluid performance but quite strict in the timing - - could benefit from some "deeper breathing".

It's a good piano but the recording favors the treble over the bass.  Maybe position the microphone higher, and maybe centered between the treble and bass.

Thank you so much for the feedback. They were very helpful. As for the recording part, I'm using my phone so I probably won't be able to make microphone adjustments.

[stringbot]

pedaling seemed a lil noisy sometimes and is there a reason why u have the left pedal down so much?

My prof told me to do that to create the sound effect of the image as well as because many of the passages are marked pp or ppp.