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Hi everybody,

there is a new video on Youtube with me playing the Ballade from op. 118 by Brahms – listen, if you want, and let me know your impressions! Many thanks and best regards

Felix

https://youtu.be/z3kw-vhskSM

Felix:

I enjoyed this performance - as I do many of your performances - very much. For my taste it could have a little more drive in spots, more of the "energico" Brahms indicates. Perhaps this could be achieved through a greater dynamic range. While measure 53 does indicate "espress." I didn't feel I understood why you held the tempo back at this particular spot.

That said, this is a nice, crisp performance, somewhat belied by your physical approach at the piano.

Many thanks for sharing.

Regards,

I think you can have more flare with this. I think of this piece as more stormy and more temperamental. I would also make the top note of the melody sing more.

You do have a secure and well played performance however.

Hi BruceD

Thanks a lot for all your remarks! The question how to express the "energico" is crucial, indeed. There are pianists who play this piece in about 3:30, and such an approach can sound very convincingly. I hear something more.... let's say: ponderous, I don't imagine a nimble creature moving ahead here. But maybe a greater dynamic range can help? I'll have to try this!

About the "espressivo" at bar 53: For me this is the "secret heart" of this piece, sort of "dream time" – the main theme coming back in a very "exotic" key (D sharp minor), transformed by the "floating" B Minor of the "celestial" middle section. That's why I need so many time there. Maybe it's not convincing enough what I do? This reminds me of a very good teacher I had. Sometimes he told me: "I could not understand what you want to say in this section!" Then I tried to explain and to play again in order to clarify and underline what I mean, and very often he answered: "NOW I understood, but now you also played differently, because you knew you have to convince me!"

About my "physical approach": I've got used to sit on a chair with a backrest at home. maybe the optical effect is a little disturbing when I play dramatic music?

Whatever: thanks a lot for your interest and your constructive criticism!

With best regards

Felix

Hi Incongruous!

Thanks a lot for your interesting reaction! Yes, it is possible to have a much more "stormy" idea of this piece. But I imagine some nordic giant like Fafner or Fasolt ponderously stepping ahead somewhere on a snowy plain. Although living in Vienna and loving this city very much, Brahms still was a "nordic" man, remembering many sagas from that sphere....

Best regards

Felix

It should dance

Interesting point of view.... Brahms wrote lots of "dancing" music, yes, but I don't think this gloomy ballad is part of it....

Actually, I've never thought of this Ballade as being "gloomy." Mysterious, perhaps, but not gloomy.

Your rendition is well-thought-out and secure.

I want to commend you particularly for the way you handle the transitions, as well as the shaping of the melodic line and overall feeling and flow of the middle section. Beautiful playing!!

I feel your initial statement of the opening theme seems a bit too restrained compared to the more energetic way you play it when it returns after middle section.

I always enjoy your recordings, Felix !!! Thanks for sharing this with us.

You have the same problem as I do with your thighs nestling up against the bottom of the piano.. I notice it often with older instruments and not so much with newer ones, but your piano looks like a modern instrument.

Put me also in the camp that the opening feels slightly labored and emotionally disengaged. After that point it comes to life quite nicely.

Thank you very much, Carey, for your benevolent words about my Brahms! I'm glad and proud you like my recordings and are such a faithful listener!

It was my intention to play the initial statement of the opening theme in a rather restrained way and to add much more energy when it comes back – maybe I exaggerated? I'll have to think about it and go on trying....

Actually I don't see it as a problem I feel quite cosy at the piano....

About the "shlightly labored and emotionally disengaged" opening: As I wrote to Carey, it was my intention to make the piece move more and more after a ponderous first statement. But of course the beginning shouldn't sound "emotionally disengaged".... Anyway: Thank you, jeffreyjones, for listening and your interesting remarks!