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I'm sure this isn't the first submission for this piece. It is, however pretty much the only Chopin I currently have under my belt if only somewhat. Recorded using my Korg Kronos fed into my DAW.

Please any comments are welcome to help me tighten this one up. I know the tempo is a bit slow but I am actively working on that. Thanks to all for listening and advising.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12758747

Kevin

Well done! The tempo is perfect, I think. I don't like this piece played any faster actually. What I would suggest is that you try to give a more rounded interpretation, wholesome chords with voices and phrases that tell a story. Basically, be creative with it and make the notes "come alive".
Besides that, good job on your first Chopin!

Thank you Fiona. When you suggest that I use wholesome chords, etc. are you suggesting that I deviate from the score? =) I love interpretations of music that go off the reservation a bit, much jazz players who cover popular music in their own way. I may just do that with this piece once I get comfortable enough with the chord changes. Thank you very much for your advice!

Nice job, fellow Phoenician !! Thanks for sharing this with us !!

In terms of deviating from the score - I'm curious why you decided to roll some of the chords. You might want to consider playing the beginning of the third (final) section of the Prelude even more softly - almost a whisper - and then crescendo to the end.

I rolled a few - maybe a precursor to me changing that last bit up altogether with arpeggios...=)

I appreciate the comments and will work on my dynamics

I figured that's the direction you're planning to move in. Go for it !!

I think it needs to be faster. Think about if you were singing, where would you want to breathe? Maybe every measure or every two measures... but not every two notes. The melody notes are already at a good volume, it's just hard to hear a coherent line when it's so slow. A more singable pace will help you shape the melody in a more meaningful way.
It might even really tie the room together

Your Lebowski reference didn't go unnoticed.

...and I tend to agree with your tempo assessment. I'm only playing it so slowly and "choppily" because I'm still learning it. I will try to imagine a vocalist singing as you suggest. Thank you!

Not to be contrary (well...to be a *bit* contrary ), but I'd say the tempo sort of doesn't matter; you can't please everyone (Fiona says it's great, Heather says it's slow...sometimes I may play it much slower still) so play how you feel; um...it's a funereal piece and, as such, I think it *should* be robustly claustrophobic and oppressive; too much singing is a bad thing Seriously though, um, I didn't have any problem with your interpretation save that I didn't hear what *you* want to say within it; that is to say, go off-score to your heart's delight ^_^ I enjoy occasionally throwing in a shake (whereby the previous chord is the upper bound of the ornament) on the semiquaver of bars 10 and 11...um...it's all up to you; there's no limitation besides your own imagination, daring and what you feel works. There...not contrary at all (Heather gave great advice BTW, but great advice is like a fine dark chocolate; it's not for everyone, just everyone with taste )
Xxx

Touching quote. I really like this.
Oh, and Arizona, by whole chords, I should have explained that some of the rolled chords were just a little too much IMHO towards the end... A very simple, wholesome whisper (as someone called it) would really (I personally think) give a grievous hue to the picture. Which is what you want since it's a funeral.

Thanks Fiona. I understand what you mean now. Considering the "funeral" aspect I would tend to agree that a more sparse, delicate approach would better elude to a sense of dread. These chords just beg to be rolled, though . That is probably a habitual response on my part and done without regard to the "less is more" rule that should be considered for this piece. I am a noob after all.