Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Recital 45 --- General Discussion Room

These recitals are exceeding my expectations by a mile! I'm truly enjoying listening, and I will continue to make comments as I make my way through them. For now, I would like to thank everyone for listening. And in addition to Montuno, I would like to thank Sam M, peterws, CRP, Tubbie0075 for kindly writing their impressions of my recital. If anyone has any suggestions for improvement, please don't hesitate to share them with me. Every critical word offered is an opportunity for me to grow as a pianist. Thanks again!

Thanks, Kris! Yes, that reverb effect you're hearing is the result of my mixing the recorded dryish sound from my living room (where my piano is located) with the sound as recorded by an additional external mic in an adjacent echoey hallway. I think this time I may have overdone the wetness of the mix, haha. Oh, well.

11. JustinDAggie - Rondo Alla Turca
A difficult piece played with energy and assurance. Judging from your youtube channel, it looks you have learned it pretty quick.

12. J Soo - Intermezzo (from Faschingsschwank aus Wien, op. 26)
After your previous participation at the ABF 44th recital, I am again moved by your interpretation. You have well expressed the intensity of this challenging piece.

13. peterws - Lost elevator
Love it! A delightful and bright piece, what a wave of optimism!

14. h8dk97 - Bach's Invention# 13
Remarkable playing for someone with 1 ½ year of experience.
It is on my list, not before at least a year from now.

15. Richard (zrtf90) - Intermezzo, Op. 117/1
What can I say? High level of interpretation, such a beautiful piano sound and perfect recording.

16. JoBert - Venetian Gondola Song (Songs Without Words - Opus 30, No. 6)
Another beautiful piece, interpreted with emotion and sensibility.

17. xyzzyFL (Susan) - Shangri-La
Excellent return to the world of piano! What you learned it was well preserved.

18. Chris Beecham - Merry Farmer
Nice interpretation. I would increase the tempo a bit, to sound even more cheerful.

19. Tubbie0075 - Prelude pour Louis & 5 Pieces
Charming, I’ve enjoyed your compositions.

20. ajames - Bach short prelude in Cmin BWV 934
Confident and stable interpretation. And yes, you are right, Bach is always a challenge, but such a worth one.

21. Piano2138 - Lost
Some details on what I’ve learned with this piece.
After I learned to play the right notes at the right time and the piece was fluid enough, it was still not like on the track from the CD provided with the book. Apart from being interpreted by someone with probably 20+ years of experience and probably on a Steinway , I’ve understood that the tempo of the interpretation was not constant (and to me this contributes to the “sadly” impression intended by the composer).
This is how I discovered the “rubato” (I don’t have a teacher) and I tried to use it in my playing (maybe I should have added even more).
As for the Ravel part – I will stop here, I’ve reached my initial plan and I will resume who knows when, maybe in 5 years, maybe in 10.

Thanks to all who have listened and commented thus far!

09. Monica K. - Ships of Troy

Played with a great feel for the dynamics, pulse, and spacing that drive this piece in an unhurried way. Lovely range of colors from your M&H, too; never muddy, whatever the composer says.

19. Tubbie0075 - Prelude pour Louis & 5 Pieces

You have the beginnings of a fine piano method book, at any rate! Perhaps your bro-in-law started with the prelude and found it too difficult. A charming set.

29. MaryBee - Intermezzo Op. 117 No. 1

Beautifully played! That middle section is quite a stormy bridge between the tranquil outer sections, and you handle those contrasts convincingly.

39. sinophilia - A Curious Story - Op. 15 no. 2

I can relate to what you say about challenging pedaling in Schumann! But you handle it well. You sound quite comfortable with the piece, and do a good job shifting between the contrasting moods/themes.

49. Montuno - Solitude

You play very expressively, and should indeed be proud of how quickly you've progressed. A convincing performance.

12. J Soo - Intermezzo (from Faschingsschwank aus Wien, op. 26)
Awesome, absolutely awesome. I don't remember hearing this before, but I loved it. With all that intensity and constant arpeggiating, it reminded me of Chopin 10/1. Great playing.

13. peterws - Lost elevator
Wow, I am elevated. Always enjoy your recordings, Peter. They are unfailingly musical and well-executed.

14. h8dk97 - Bach's Invention# 13
Wonderful music making, very listenable and well-played. It's not easy to develop hand independence like that. Well done.

16. JoBert - Venetian Gondola Song (Songs Without Words - Opus 30, No. 6)
JoBert, your playing, and the composition itself, seem a perfect match to the scene being portrayed. It was all a brief journey to another time and place. Well done.

17. xyzzyFL (Susan) - Shangri-La
Susan, I remember that song from the Four Coins record in the 50s. Brings back old times. Well done, your playing is certainly progressing nicely.

18. Chris Beecham - Merry Farmer
Well done, Chris, I think you have captured the essence of the piece, a bright and cheerful performance.

20. ajames - Bach short prelude in Cmin BWV 934
Your brain is working quite well, fingers too. Those countermelodies sound great, and are not easy to play. Well done.

22. dynamobt/Marilyn - Kreisleriana - Sehr Langsam (#4)
Marilyn, all I can say is - if that is what left shoulder surgery does for you, may you break your right shoulder now! Just kidding, of course. That was very well done, does not sound as if it is stretching your abilities at all. I especially liked the middle part. Nice work.

23. Forrest Halford - Brahms Intermezzo, Op. 117, #2
Beautifully played, Forrest, very satisfying. You have a very mature and professional playing style.

24. Newbert - Daydreaming
Newbert, nice playing and improvising. Yes, it's an exercise, but these drills morph into creative expression, as you have experienced already. Well done.

25. SMA55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Nocturne in Bb Minor
A beautiful performance of one of the great masterpieces. I'm green with envy! Well done.

28. Ganddalf - "Sommerfugl" (Butterfly, Op.43 no.1)
Beautiful, light and graceful. Not a hint of any bad habits, that I can hear. Great job.

31. Sam S - Sonata K380
Great job, Sam, I felt as if I were back in the 1700s at some royal court or other, listening to the man play it himself. I am also wowed that you did that on one take, from memory! I find that I can easily memorize stuff I have created myself, but otherwise I need a crutch or two. Or three. Anyway, you somehow gave it a real harpsichordy sound, which was just perfect.

33. Kris Shendo - Jacob's Theme
A very appealing, bouncy tune, very enjoyable to listen to. Well done.

34. that'sRich - Night in May
Wow, that was a journey into some mysterious, ethereal place. When you play the original theme with octaves plus another note in the middle, it produces quite an effect. And that repeating motif - small interval up, large interval up, small interval down, that heightens the mystery. Beautiful playing of a piece I have never heard of. Well done.

35. jazztpt - Time For Bed
Very appealing tune, played with a lyrical and light style. It's interesting that this evolved from a tune for children.

38. carlos88 - Our Town, III. The Resting-place on the Hill
I don't think I have heard this played on the piano before, but I have listened to the original work many times, and love it. Great choice for the recital, wonderful playing!

Slowly but surely...

13. peterws - Lost elevator
Nice playing, Peter! AND nice composing! I enjoyed this recording a lot--except for one aspect. I'm not sure which version of Pianoteq you're running, but the higher notes are not at all convincing as an emulation of the real thing. They sound very electronic. But I guess that's neither here nor there. Congratulations on a job well done!

14. h8dk97 - Bach's Invention# 13
Pretty darned good! Especially considering the short amount of time you've been taking lessons. Keep up the good work.

15. Richard (zrtf90) - Intermezzo, Op. 117/1
Beautiful! Very expressive and well-controlled playing, especially given the difficult inner and outer voices so typical of Brahms. Great job!

I don't normally comment on pieces if I don't know the performers from their participation in the forum; more cautious that they know me than that I know them. This performer has never posted at all - I mistook his moniker for someone else and I'm embarrassed by how much I've written - so I'm glad someone has found benefit from it.


13. peterws - Lost elevator
This was a fun listen, Peter. I would love to be able to just relax and play like this. It's great to hear the self-penned pieces in these recitals especially as the composer and performer both know the style intended and therefore get it closer to the initial idea, even if not always entirely right.

This is simply conceived, simply performed and simply delivered in the very best meaning of simple - not at all easy but neither complicated nor confounded. And, as always with your presentations, it's enjoyable and really worth listening to.


14. h8dk97 - Bach's Invention# 13
Let me say upfront that this playing belies the time you've been taking lessons. Perhaps you knew the instrument before you started lessons? Some people take to it quicker than others and you have a way with the keys that many would not develop in such a short time - and a few might kill for.

This piece has been classified as one of the easier Inventions and varies between Grade 4, reaching the notes, and Grade 6, reaching the music. That's typically around four to six years of good practice. You have all the notes so I'm not going to detract from what you've done but there are some stylistic areas that you might want to address.

Many hold the idea that Bach and his contemporaries should be played non legato as the default touch of the time. I sincerely believe that Bach's inspiration was the human voice and the voice doesn't work in a non-legato fashion so I seldom adhere to non-legato playing especially as it doesn't suit the modern piano equally well. There is also a tendency to minimise tempo variation, too, but again I don't believe that Bach, nor any human, worked with the mechanical precision of a sewing machine so some elasticity in the tempo between the mechanical chain and a Chopinesque bungee cord, is acceptable and appropriate, though not so much in the rhythm.

You seem to have chosen a non-legato style but have overlooked the necessity of holding some notes that are clearly to be held such as the tied notes in M3-5, for example, and their melodic descent, F E D C B C, has been missed. You caught the ties in M11-12 but missed their parallel purpose.

Though Bach is not without passion he is, in this piece, without drama and the elongation of the end of M13 seems a little unstylistic, I feel, and the sudden drop in tempo in the final bar might be more gradual. Bach is well able to mark tempo changes when needed. Compare, for example, the end of the C Minor Prelude performed here by Pathbreaker - the last piece in the recital.

You might consider making the figures with a contiguous melody, such as the first four rising notes in M1, a little more legato and those with a non-contiguous melody, such as the descending figure in M5, a little more staccato but that's an interpretive decision.

I hope I've inspired you to look deeper into your music and not taken this as criticism of what you're doing. You're doing fine but still able for better.

This is a good showing, especially for your time at the piano, as most of the other comments will agree, so very well done.


19. Tubbie0075 - Prelude pour Louis & 5 Pieces
Delightful, Tubbie, really delightful! Very appropriate and well aimed. And nice to have you perform them in the recitals. Good job!

I enjoyed the recital very much Lots of variety!

The link you posted is to the page where the video is edited, which is way it asks for a login. You need to post the link that contains "watch" instead of "edit".

CRP

Thank you for the info! It was the first time I had submitted a video here, so hopefully next time I'll get it right. (My assumption is that it's now too late for editing the video link.)

20. ajames - Bach short prelude in Cmin BWV 934
A pianist returns home and find a letter from his wife: "Gone Chopin, (have Liszt), Bach in a Minuet."
Nice job.

19. Tubbie0075 - Prelude pour Louis & 5 Pieces
These are very charming.

18. Chris Beecham - Merry Farmer
It's funny, this piece is sung by children here in the Netherlands during the very popular 'Sinterklaas' (Saint Nicholas) celebrations. So everyone here knows it very well. I have to play your version to my kids.

17. xyzzyFL (Susan) - Shangri-La
Very relaxing and well played. Better than your description suggests.

16. JoBert - Venetian Gondola Song (Songs Without Words - Opus 30, No. 6)
Playing flawless is one thing, but the way you also bring out the emotions of the piece with your fantastic expression is something else. Amazing.

15. Richard (zrtf90) - Intermezzo, Op. 117/1
This recital is such a treat. Another fabulous entry. One thing: I don't want you to take it wrong, I'm just a beginner and your ability is obviously way beyond mine. But I think that you can improve on this already great performance if you dare to let go. Look for the drama/emphasis, not only between phrases but also within a phrase. Given your technical abilities if you make the individual phrases come alive more you will leave each and every listener breathless I am sure.

14. h8dk97 - Bach's Invention# 13
Just excellent. Truly inspirational to hear how far you've come in such a short time.

13. peterws - Lost elevator
Great composition, great execution.

12. J Soo - Intermezzo (from Faschingsschwank aus Wien, op. 26)
That sounds very hard. And very good!

11. JustinDAggie - Rondo Alla Turca
Impressive job. I so wish i could do this one day. One thing: don't rush it. Some of the phrases (for instance right at the start) are to fast for the overall tempo you have chosen.

It's K2, which I thought was modelled on the lines of a Kawai upright. I've been advised that's probably not the case. I rather think it's modelled on the Kawai digital instead . . ..!

Great recital I enjoyed listening to a large selection this evening. Well done to the newcomers, the regulars, and the Einaudi treats, you know who you are

Unfortunately I couldn't make this recital this time, but I'll be back for my 10th, and my 3 year anniversary will be around the corner then.

Once again, well done to all involved. I enjoyed listening to quite a few.

16 JoBert - Venetian Gondola Song
Fabulous piece and very nice choice. Beautifully played too. Thank you. This would be a nice one for me I think. It is around the exact length I like so will definitely go in the list.

25 SMA55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Nocturne in Bb Minor
Hello again, Shepherd. I wasn't able to get the video link working as it just took me to login page for youtube. Anyway, I'll assume you had one. It is the sound we are after anyway. You've produced it in spades here. I'm only vaguely familiar with this Nocturne. You've played it beautifully, and is really nicely executed throughout.

26 kalospiano - Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
Nice production, kalospiano and fine playing. I enjoy the cherry blossoms too and have been several times to High Park when in bloom. It wasn't my idea mind you. Anyway, this would make for authentic accompaniment. Here is a quick fact: In 1959, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 2000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese-Canadians following the Second World War. Many of these trees were planted on the hillside overlooking Grenadier Pond (southwest of the Grenadier Café) and around the east shore of the pond.

36 Moonsh1ne - Waltz in A Minor, Op. Posthumous
Very nice. You bring a light touch to it. Very refreshing and lovely sound really. I've done this one recently too and is improving over time. The arpeggio in the middle section feels like it is coming in waves, in both your version and mine. We'll know we are getting closer when it becomes like one single wave. Nice video too.

37 lyricmudra - Monday
Nice. A good video production with clear and strong audio. Nicely polished and well performed. Thank you.

38 carlos88 - Our Town, III. The Resting-place on the Hill
An interesting and neat kind of sound there. Definitely achieving the big chord sound I think you are after. I also like open slow moving chords at times, but don't have many pieces that offer it. The video was dark for me, but audio was clear. Nice job.

39 sinophilia - A Curious Story - Op. 15 no. 2
Really cute piece. Liking more and more of the works I'm learning about from this composer. This is a great little short piece. A nice choice again and a fine performance here.

43 Piano Primo 1 - "Inspiration" -Love Theme
Some lovely kind of heart wrenching type changes in this. It grabs interest early and is very pleasant listening to this. Nicely done.

44 UnderConstruction - Nocturne Op9 No2
This is an undertaking and really great job here. Nice patient approach with it and beautiful sound. No easy feat for piece with very challenging elements. Well done.

13. Peter- Wow!! What a really sweet composition. Just totally enjoyable. You are a natural composer as well as a good pianist.

14. h8dk97- Very nicely done. I enjoyed listening.

15.- Richard. It's always a pleasure to hear your latest "project". You always pick such interesting and, at least to my ear, challenging works and play them with such finesse. This is such a sensitive piece and you play it so well.

Hi, Jeff. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, several people have told me about my bad video link, and I have since contacted Casinitaly who I hope can correct my mistake.

17. xyzzyFL (Susan) - Shangri-La A very pleasant, relaxing piece. (Are you *sure* that you’ve only been back at the keyboard a few weeks?)

18. Chris Beecham - Merry Farmer A classic favourite - short, but very sweet. I enjoyed it.

19. Tubbie0075 - Prelude pour Louis & 5 Pieces Simple tunes? Maybe. Silly? No! That was a very valuable project, and we were able to appreciate the result too.

20. ajames - Bach short prelude in Cmin BWV 934 Another deceptive piece: ‘easy’ at first glance, but difficult to get your fingers around. You did well!

21. Piano2138 - Lost The rare appearance of an Australian composer. Great work for less than a year's playing. And ‘Pavane’ has set you on a path which will continually reward you for months - and years.

Thank you for listening, Greener. My teacher actually suggested doing the acceleration this way, so it's deliberate, if a little slow still.

For those of you who wrote to tell me that the video link on my recital was bad, thank you! It has now been edited and works, thanks to Casinitaly and BB Player. The link is: https://youtu.be/15gEtpIHp90

A few more:

31. Sam S - Sonata K380
This sonata is new to me. Very brightly played. I particularly like the contrasting dynamics and intermittent strident sections. Congratulations on managing it in one take from memory!

32. SandTiger - Fading Light
I like the contrasting elements, lovely sound recording.

34. that'sRich - Night in May
Mysterious and beautiful. I love the contrasts, the unusual climbing and descending chords and the enigmatic ways they resolve. Impressive playing, very well done!

35. jazztpt - Time For Bed
This is lovely! An appealing melody, beautifully played and recorded. I enjoyed it very much.

36. Moonsh1ne - Waltz in A Minor, Op. Posthumous
Nice expression. You played the tricky RH sections very well. Thank you for sharing this piece.

37. lyricmudra - Monday
Very expressive, a really lovely tone. I enjoyed your video, you play beautifully.

38. carlos88 - Our Town, III. The Resting-place on the Hill
Unusual; it must be difficult to transcribe an orchestral piece for the piano. Well played.

39. sinophilia - A Curious Story - Op. 15 no. 2
Upbeat and charming. You played this well, enjoyable listening, thank you!

40. CASINITALY (Cheryl) - Minuet in G 116 BWV
This was competently played, Cheryl - I liked it very much.

41. Zoot64 - La Lutine
Very evenly played. This was lovely, well done.

42. Mike White Yamaha G3 & p-80 - Stormy Weather
One of my all-time favorites, and played by ear, too! I wish I could do that. You have great ability, Mike.

43. Piano Primo 1 - "Inspiration" -Love Theme
Lovely chords and an easy, relaxed feel to the piece. I enjoyed this, thank you.