It always takes work. I found your playing quite congenial and clean; listened several times. These are "lifetime" pieces, not of the sort we can ever say we own or we've mastered or finished.

Very well done, my friend!

I'm loving this discussion of the Barcarolle. A while back I did a thread on Chopin's Fantaisie, saying that it seemed all of Chopin's other major pieces were getting a lot of discussion, and the Fantaisie was the exception. But then I realized the Barcarolle hadn't been either (at least not that I noticed). And also neither have any of the sonatas but let's save that.

About the "love, loss, survival" thing: I truly view the piece as similar to Beethoven's Op. 110 and have sometimes performed the pieces together (as the whole portion after intermission). I know that this is a more profound view of the Barcarolle than usual, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it.
And I felt that Heidiv's playing did show such a more serious view of the piece.

The whole Barcarolle is very difficult. Some of the hardest parts I find in this piece is the solo left hand in measure 4-5.

I really enjoy your performance, heidiv. You pulled off those big chords (3 pages from the end) very well.

Carey - thank you, thank you, thank you so much for playing this so underplayed Impromptu. I kept telling myself to learn this piece but never got around to it. Now you've inspired me to learn it.

I agree with Gerg that your G-flat impromptu is quite good -- real good. But there's something to that self-criticism that you stated, and actually I think that what BruceD said about the Grieg applies here also. I do again wonder if in both cases a lot of it was due to your trying too hard not to make "mistakes"! (Which again you succeeded at!) But regardless: this is very good playing of a difficult piece.

And you, my friend, have inspired me to finish the Ballade !! I've worked on it off and on for a couple of years now - but need to buckle down, memorize it, play it through from start to finish and figure out how to stay relaxed in the final two pages !!

Good luck with the Impromptu !!

Per Mark - "But there's something to that self-criticism that you stated, and actually I think that what BruceD said about the Grieg applies here also. I do again wonder if in both cases a lot of it was due to your trying too hard not to make "mistakes"! (Which again you succeeded at!)"

Good point Mark !! I honestly did not spend a lot of time working on the Impromptu, and I was under pressure to record it for the e-cital. The playing gets a bit better as the piece progresses. I need to step back now - relax - and focus on things other than the notes !! Gerg is correct when he says that these are "lifetime" pieces - not of the sort we can ever say we own or we've mastered or finished."

Thanks !!

I enjoyed listening to everyone's offerings, and glad I had an incentive to relearn the F minor nocturne.

I feel like one could spend a lifetime on any of these pieces -- but we all just do what we can.

PA, I enjoyed your F minor greatly. It is a personal favorite, probably the next Nocturne I will attempt if I ever get the time (when I'm 60 maybe?) You always play with such precision and accuracy, with great respect for the music.

And quite well I might add! I really enjoyed it, you played greatly. I tried learning 55/1 a ways back, got the first 3 pages down pretty well but could never bring that last page together. Too advanced for me I guess. Perhaps some day in the future.

The largest piece in this e-cital deserves more attention than it has received. Chardonnay played a gorgeous rendition of the Larghetto from the F minor Concerto and deserves to be recognized for her sterling efforts in this massive undertaking. Chardonnay, if you're out there... very well executed. You are too hard on yourself.

Elene sang her heart out. This is a very rare treat to hear the voice of someone we know only from cyberspace - certainly in a Chopin context! Elene possesses a strong background in the vocal arts. This is readily apparent from these recordings.

Elene, Chardonnay, my hat's off ladies.

Both of these ladies are very special human beings, exceptionally talented to execute these difficult works with such apparent facility, and deserve recognition for their contributions here.

I'm playing the 2nd Concerto again - this time at work, through quality headphones.

Thank you very much everyone who made this possible!

I finally was able to listen through all the performances today. You all have done amazingly well. Your hard work has made this event very special and memorable. Thank you!!!

Yes - I also just finished listening and what an inspiration
Thank you Gerg for organizing this - it was a fitting tribute to F C

Darb

Ditto. Impressive work by both !!

And thanks again to Greg (Gerg) !!

I've only just had time to listen *properly* to this whole ecital and am full of admiration for you all. I just wish Chopin could know how much his music is still enjoyed, and how strongly his memory lives on in all our hearts.

A HUGE thank-you to every one of you.

I've too just finished listening to all the performances. I was completely, COMPLETELY blown away by the immense quality of interpretation and technical proficiency of all the performers. My deepest respect and appreciation goes to you all!


Mateusz

I have only recently finished listening to all the performances myself- it takes time to savor each piece and give it its proper due (which is easier, now that I have them downloaded on my iPod!)

I echo Mati's sentiment- all of you performed your pieces beautifully and with unique interpretations that are so enjoyable to listen to, again and again. It was great to hear some 'old' favorites that I hadn't heard in awhile, plus some pieces I was less familiar with (or possibly had never heard before). And Elene's songs were such a special treat- I'll bet many of us were hearing those songs for the first time. Elene, it still amazes me how you can sing like that AND accompany yourself simultaneously, on those pieces in which you were playing! I think my mind would have to be totally focused on one or the other.

Congratulations everyone! And a special to those of you performing the ballades, polonaises, impromptu and of course the Barcarolle! And to doowlehc- regarding that coda to Ballade #4:

Elene, is it Chopin’s mother tongue you singing? I can’t make sense of any of the lyrics but… wow… so wonderful. You get my vote for one of our Boston opera house performances. Simply unbelievable voice Elene.

Heidiv, I don’t know any words to describe. It sounds very musical and difficult. My best compliment to you, “I listen to the end, and repeat a few times”.

Shubertian, great job! I’m so amazed you done all those pieces just for one event. How much effort, time, practice you put into them? All those would take me years LOL… Awesome.

Piano Again, those trills give me chills! Wow…

doowlehc, your rendition is unreal. Various passages are almost as complex as his greatest Fantasie.

Carey, I don’t know what youre complaining about? Like gerg said, I feel it’s a lifetime piece. Just know that this guy is in awe listening!

gerg, I can’t say much. All I know is it sounds so difficult and musical.

ab-ster, like above, I am running out of words to describe. I enjoy it wholeheartedly.

LisztAddict, your music is one of my favorite, both here and over at our Recitals, so musical, so moving. Love it.

Maestro_007, I don’t know how to describe it. Just to say that your music is very Horiwitsish, if there’s such a word.

Chardonnay, there’s not much I can say. We live so close yet your music makes it sounds like you’re out there in paradise somewhere, unreachable. LOL… Does that qualify as a compliment? I wonder if you’re as beautiful as your music? You know what, your rendition is going into one my ABF collection CDs.

AnotherSchmoe, Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 is one of my all time favorite ever since I get to know Chopin’s. There are many renditions about there. I like all of them yet yours is different. A little slower I must say, yet as beautiful and musical as any of them, and then some. Well done.