Leo Ornstein - Impromptu No. 4 "A Little Bit of Nostalgia"

[benbspiano]

Trying to get practice in for performing since I'm playing this for my uni's area recital tomorrow. First take after a bit of warm up, don't think it's too shabby but still tricky for me to keep cool in the moment. Not confident enough to take jt at Kharitonov's speed lol.

Oh also - sorry for poor dynamic quality, iPhone mic seems to have a built-in compressor so don't really sound louder in B section.

[lelle]

Lovely musicality. I'm not familiar with the piece but I enjoyed it, it feels like you like this piece and treat it with love.

Are you studying music at your uni or is this some extracurricular thing?

[benbspiano]

Thanks! Yeah I'm studying piano performance. I'm glad my love of the work is apparent - I will be honest I felt I was lacking a lot of drive and passion until I dove into Ornstein's music. It's music I want to strive to always grow for.

[dizzyfingers]

Thanks for posting.  It's a lovely piece.  I've been exploring Leo Ornstein as a listener - sonata 4 and 8 and some of these impromptus.  Great composer.  You have a good concept of the musicality.  Technique seems a little shaky.  Why is that?

[benbspiano]

Technique seems a little shaky.  Why is that?

The B section has some awkward passages. Can you point out some moments in particular where the technique is shaky so I can hone in?

[dizzyfingers]

The B section has some awkward passages. Can you point out some moments in particular where the technique is shaky so I can hone in?

A general lack of strength and control, which affects your tone and phrasing.
Do you practice octave scales?
Doing those across 4-5 octaves 15'/ day should help.
Cover all major/minor keys, maybe 4-5 per day.

[benbspiano]

A general lack of strength and control, which affects your tone and phrasing.
Do you practice octave scales?
Doing those across 4-5 octaves 15'/ day should help.
Cover all major/minor keys, maybe 4-5 per day.

Ah haha yeah, I definitely drag my feet in that area of practice. As I mentioned before, I didn't really have any piano music I was super passionate about until delving into Ornstein's music, so up until recently I was more of a "bare minimum" player, unfortunately. I'll up my diligence in my scales practice.

[lelle]

Ah haha yeah, I definitely drag my feet in that area of practice. As I mentioned before, I didn't really have any piano music I was super passionate about until delving into Ornstein's music, so up until recently I was more of a "bare minimum" player, unfortunately. I'll up my diligence in my scales practice.

That's interesting. How come you chose to study music if you weren't really into it at first?

[benbspiano]

That's interesting. How come you chose to study music if you weren't really into it at first?

It's more that I thought I was but became clear I didn't really know what I was doing before working with my current professor. Then I felt a bit discouraged as I definitely enjoyed the music I was working with but realized I didn't really love it like others committed to this kind of piano playing, so I was in a bit of limbo where I questioned if I had the drive to make it worthwhile.

[dizzyfingers]

It's more that I thought I was but became clear I didn't really know what I was doing before working with my current professor. Then I felt a bit discouraged as I definitely enjoyed the music I was working with but realized I didn't really love it like others committed to this kind of piano playing, so I was in a bit of limbo where I questioned if I had the drive to make it worthwhile.

Piano is a worthwhile pursuit, at least it was for me, I studied piano all through college, concentrated in another program as well, kept piano going on/off throughout my adult working life.  Now that I'm mostly done working, I'm really enjoying practicing/playing the music I love, glad I kept the flame alive throughout my life.