Piano World Home Page Forums Fun Stuff! - Parties, Tours, Projects & More... Member Recordings Chopin Military Poloniase Op.40 No.1

Hi,

Another recording! It's slightly unrefined, but please listen and critique!

Thanks

http://savefile.com/files/8014491

As soon as I'm done listening to my Rachmaninoff again...and listening to all my mistakes...again.... *sigh*

But I reserve the first reply.

(I'm replying as I listen...)

I don't like the roll at the end of the second phrase/line...right at the beginning. It breaks up the 'military' sense to the polonaise. Military = formality/rigidness. They would never let you get away with such a phrasing. (Trust me.)

Really bring out the dynamic changes. (You may already, and it may be the recording...I always allow for that, because my own ability to record is...well...non-existant.) What's loud is LOUD, what's soft is soft...but you blend them a bit, so everything goes to the middle. I'm not saying make the dynamics go to the extremes, but do try to differentiate a bit more.

Evenness right before the last section (right before the repeat) on the ascending notes to the top. Same in the last section...right before the repeat.


I think, over all, I liked this better than the Beethoven. You definitely played it like you knew what you were doing, with only a few minor spots (most of which, I think I pointed out above).

Got any more?

The roll on the second line is b/c the chord is too big, which I can't reach. I would like to play the chord blocked, but it is impossible for me. Even in the book, it is indicated as a roll (it's a lesson type of book, very edited).

It is quite difficult to bring out the dynamics in this piece since it is all chords, and the soft sections and loud sections all have roughly the same amount of notes. I will try to empahsize dynamics more next time.

Thanks so much for you reply!

No problem...it was a good recording.

Hmm...I thought that maybe the chord was too big for your hand. I don't have this problem. My fingers are very limber. I can stretch an 11th if I have to, and a tenth isn't that bad for me, even if I have to play two or three notes in-between (Rach 2...opening chords). Perhaps you could try playing it more like a grace note-chord? If not, there's nothing you can do...just try to roll it as quickly as possible.

And as for dynamics, even though they're chords, you can play them softly. It requires touch and technique, not to mention self-control, but it can be achieved. And don't be afraid to really bring out the ff's to contrast.


Now, got anything else?

Next weekend I most likely will! :=)

Next weekend? Sweet...taking any requests? :p

Hehe, I don't have a very big repetoire!

Maybe you could request a composer. lol

Hmm...

Chopin
Beethoven
Rachmaninoff
Liszt

Any of those? I will also accept Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Mozart (select items), and for the extremely courageous, 'Other'. :p

If you want, I could send you a slightly edited version of your recording that took out a decent pause around 1:16. It annoyed me so I had to do something about it Otherwise, a good recording though! PM me if you want me to send you the edited version. And if you want, I could edit it further to get rid of another slipup around 1:40.