Mendelssohn - Fantasy in f# minor op 28 - 1st mvt

[hodi]

i know i got out of the rhythm in the place before the fast section.. and i know i started the first note too loud.
have fun
[file is attached to the message, look below]

[amanfang]

A few suggestions:
I'm not sure what I think of your accelerandos during the Andante section.  I personally like it just a little more steady in that section, also if you start out the section with the notated accelerando just a tad slower, I think it would be a little more effective building to the climax.  Also, when the melody comes back after the climax a few lines down, and you have the repeated 16ths in the bass accompanying, perhaps lighten those up just a bit.  Also at the very end, something I liked was holding the pedal down for the last 4 or 6 measures.  I don't have the score here with me right now, but it seems mine is notated holding the pedal for the last several measures.  Gives it an interesting effect. 
I love this piece.  Have you played the other two movements?
Anyway, these are just my opinions.  Take and leave what you like.

[hodi]

hi. thanks for the comments.
i haven't study the 2nd and 3rd movements yet.
the 3rd movement is a nightmare. i will probably need to work a lot on it..
i prefer studying other pieces right now to preper for the 3rd movement.

[amanfang]

Yes, the third movement has some tricky fingering spots, but once you get those figured out and it's comfortable, the speed will come.  Best luck to you!

[pianowelsh]

I did athe whole thing for an exam! its a great piece (not played enough) the third movement is quite taxing but isnt impossible - practice it with stops and rhythms and dont let yourself get tight and it'll be fine. The 2nd movement is cute!

[beethoartok]

during the beginning movement try to bring out the melody via the top notes in the right hand cords; keep the other notes softer. the middle climax doesn't really "build"-try to build the climax gradually.

overall good job.

[fred smalls]

What a great piece!  I hadn't heard it before.  It really raised my opinion of Mendelssohn!

I enjoyed your playing!    Good job!

[steinwayguy]

As my teacher would say "with about 40 times less bass".

More sensitive phrasing would help too, especially on all of those resolutions.

[Selim]

A listened t your recording and I think you change a lot the tempo, try to keep a line but if you change to much we feel insecure...

[hodi]

well it's a FANTASY after all, so tempo changes are needed.
i agree about the bass, probably less louder left hand would do.

[exigence]

[...] More sensitive phrasing would help too [...]

mmhmm.

Other than that, I really liked it.  I've always liked that piece - and Mendelssohn, for the most part - so I certainly enjoyed your recording of it.  There were some parts where that LH of yours should've been treading a bit more carefully, and one or two instances (right at the conclusion, for example) where the RH could've been a little more pronounced.

As far as tempo inconsistency goes, I don't really agree that it was too varied.  Actually, if anything, there was at least one moment where maybe a little more rubato might've been welcome, and a few where a little slowing down would be welcome - but as far as saying that it causes insecurity and makes your playing seem "iffy," I don't think so at all.

Your "fast section" was well done, imo.  I think some others would probably call that too muddled - partially due to recording quality, if you ask me - but I personally thought it was quite turbulent (which is the idea, of course, I'm just giving first impressions) and suiting to the piece.