I have a month to polish this as regards pedaling, dynamics, speed and a few less-than-secure spots.

http://www.box.net/shared/fp4numgogv

Comments welcomed!

Steven

Steven - Nice to hear you play!!

What happens in a month?? Will you be performing this - or have you simply given yourself a month to perfect it??

I think I told you that I was in the process of relearning this etude as well. You are way ahead of me in that regard. I haven't gotten to the point where I can weave it together and play it all the way through - or as fast - as I once did 35 years ago. But if I were playing it as well as you right now I'd focus on the following:

1) Practice the transitions between sections that are currently giving you a litle trouble.

2) Work the left hand in the passages where it currently isn't as strong.

3) Use more pedal throughout (seriously)

4) Aim for more dynamic contrast (crescendos, decresendos, accents, etc.)

5) Strive for a lighter touch (it will help you increase your speed). This is especially important for the 8th note staccato chords in the right and left hand.

6) In measure 3 and similar measures throughout try to accent/hold the second note of each grouping of 16th notes in the right hand as written (its an 8th note - and the intended syncopation is really effective).

7) Try to play with a little more "abandon" - even if it isn't always note perfect. That's what will ultimately make the piece sound exciting.

So you've inspired me to really get to work on this. The heavy action on my Mason and Hamlin may hold me back a bit - but I'll give it a shot!

Best of luck to you as you continue to perfect it !!

Carey

Carey,

I greatly appreciate all your suggestions and your words of encouragement.

Concerning the "deadline," there's an electronic recital scheduled for October 17 in commemoration of Chopin's death. A number of people (mostly from Adult Beginners Forum, which of course includes "returnees" like me) have been working up etudes since last October's Preludes Recital, and 10/4 will be one of my entries. (It won't be live, but rather will consist of our digital recordings uploaded to a common website on that date.)

I expect (if the event goes as planned) that there will be mention of it in the Pianist Corner, too, as the date approaches with the appropriate links provided.

Thanks again!

Steven

Steven -

Thanks for the info on the digital recital !!

Speaking of Chopin's death - I took my family to Paris two years ago. Perhaps the most meaningful part of the trip for me personally was the visit to Chopin's grave - something I'd been curious to to see my entire life. Its amazing to see how loved the guy still is after almost 160 years - the grave was covered with flowers. Lots of other famous folks buried in the same cemetery - including Bizet and Poulenc. We capped the day with a visit to the the Cite de Musique (the musical instrument museum) which had a Pleyel from Chopin's era. I was in hog heaven.