Chopin - Nocturne in E minor - Take 2

Here is my second take on this beautiful nocturne (op. 72 no. 1). I've tried to incorporate some of the suggestions received from PW members.

I'm still working on not knocking the thumb in the LH (sadly, it's more noticeable at this new, slower tempo). I'm not totally comfortable with the slower tempo yet -- it'll take a little longer for it to settle with me.

I'd appreciate any suggestions -- hopefully this is an improvement over my last take! I have a lesson this evening, so we'll see what my teacher thinks .

Thanks Cinnamonbear for the recording suggestions -- let me know if this one sounds any better.

https://www.box.com/s/1329493b11c2ec8515e1

Well, my immediate reaction is that your second take is quite frankly "night-and-day" better than your first. The "distancing" of the sound did indeed help; but also, I thought this performance was much more "grounded" than the first; less underlining of details, which tended to distract throughout in the first take, and more emphasis on the overarching musical line. I thought you achieved the stasis of the pulse in the left hand wonderfully, and that for me is the crux of the piece: the tension between the passion of the right hand which wants to change in the worst way and the left hand, which consistently counters in "letting it be". A very successful effort, and thanks for sharing!

What Tim said. Plus, this demonstration underscores what I said the first time--that this piece is ripe for exploration from you, and will just keep getting better and better as you get to know it more and mess around with it. What this post proves to me is how well you can play!

Thanks for posting it! Nicely done!

--Andy

Ooooo I love that, and I'm stealing it .

Unfortunately, we didn't get to the Chopin at my lesson today -- my rep list is a mile long right now because I'm preparing for a pedagogy exam this month. But my teacher did mention that it sounded like I worked extra hard this week.

That was a huge improvement. Really like the slower tempo. Your RH in the 2nd half of the piece sings and is beautiful. Try to give more of that singing tone to the first half of the piece.

What did you use to record with?

What did you use to record with?

Very pretty! I really enjoyed your recording! My teacher assigned this piece to me very recently, and the tips you received are helping me so much, too. Thanks for posting!
Kathy

This was recorded with an Roland R-05.

That is one of the things I love so much about Piano World! It's like a giant study group.

It's a very awesome study group.

I played this nocturne for my teacher this morning (we didn't get to it at my lesson on Wednesday) and she was .. speechless. (And this is after I got a thorough lecture about my Bach and Haydn lol) She said "What did you do last week??" I told her about PW and she said,"You better get them to listen to all your other pieces too." Oh, kill me now.

LOL! That is awesome and funny at the same time!!! You are really in for it, now!!!

Andy, it is--it's great! I am always learning something new.
LadyChen, so wonderful that your teacher was speechless!
Kathy

Yes! And, I want to hear Lady Chen's piano teacher on PW, too! And, I want to know what Lady Chen's relationship to her piano teacher is, such that she gets an extra hearing on a Sat. morning! Ha-ha!

And, Lady Chen, I hope your Piano Teacher investigates PW!

Haha, she avoids the internet like the plague. I'll tell her about things I find on the internet, like out-of-print books, and she gives me her credit card so I can order them for her!

She was my teacher as a kid, and now that I've returned to her as an adult, she has been a friend, mentor, teacher all-in-one. And I'm free to come practice on her Steinway whenever I want. I have two pedagogy exams this month, so I'm there a lot! And it gives my husband a break from the constant practicing.

I'm going to try and post recordings of my P&F and Haydn Sonata next week -- they are the other two that need work.

That is truly beautiful! Thanks for sharing that story Lady Chen! You are very fortunate!

Hauntingly beautiful, LadyChen.

I do not possess the experience or finesse to technically analyze your performance...except to say that to this relatively untrained ear, it was lovely.