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This is the first recording I've made on the Kawai K-500 upright piano I purchased new earlier this year. The Kawai is 51 inches tall, with a Milllenium III action and warm singing tone. I thought it might be appropriate for this particular work.

Those of you familiar with the Arabeske may take issue with the various tempi I selected. The opening theme (with its repetitions) is usually played much faster, and the contrasting sections more slowly. I've always perceived the piece to be an intimate love song (to Clara Wieck) - that could actually be sung - and I've approached it accordingly. Hope you can simply enjoy the interpretation for what it is.

Per Wiki: "Schumann employs modified rondo form to encompass a short ABACA rondo form, with the gently lyrical main section A, two more intense episodes B (Florestan) and C, and a beautifully pensive Epilog (Eusebius). The piece moves lithely between contrasting moods, and seems to conclude with a gentle recapitulation of the opening material."

https://youtu.be/zhlAXq1SbXk

Love that piece and it sounds great!

Hi, Carey! A very solid, satisfying rendition -- I found the tempo of the main theme to be totally appropriate; it's the same speed at which I play it. And I think the reason is that any quicker tempo sounds more rushed to me than urgent; I don't hear that yearning urgency in the music that many others clearly do. For my taste, the only section that was too slow was that strange, ingenious intermezzo in the middle -- or perhaps, it wasn't slow enough. I hear this section as presaging the epilogue in its relatively sudden shift to a highly intimate, tender, almost tempo-less dream state, and I like to hear this element emphasized, in high contrast to the rhythmically charged A, B, and C sections. But that's quibbling -- it was thoroughly enjoyable to listen to; thanks for sharing it!

Very enjoyable performance Carey! I do love this piece as well.

Thanks Lafi !!

Thank you Vid. I knew you played this piece in the past since I listened to your recording of it from 2013.

I did? I think you have the wrong guy!

Tim - Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate the validation! I agree with you that the transitional section in the middle could be a "tad" faster (not slower), yet I find it interesting that in the 15 measures of this brief contrasting section Schumann inserts no less than seven ritardandos! And yes, this section definitely presages the intimate and tender epilogue.

You got me on that one! When I listened to your Novelette recording on soundcloud, there were links to other "similar" recordings. I assumed that "dabunder06" was you, but now I see that you are "Eo2." That said, having played both pieces myself, the Arabeske is easier - from a purely technical standpoint- than the Novelette - so you would have no problem learning it if you decided to do so. From an interpretive standpoint, however, I think the Arabeske is more challenging......but Schumann's music, in general, is challenging.

That's a natural mistake then. I'm familiar with the Arabesque but haven't tried it yet. Maybe after I'm done with the Novelette. I agree that Schumann's music presents large challenge for interpretation. His own personality and imagination was all over the map and that comes through in his music.

What a nice gift for your 43rd anniversary.
Congratulations and I wish you many more anniversaries.
The Kawai sounds good too.

Thanks Hakki. The 43 years have flown by way too fast. Another 20 would be nice.
If I recall correctly, you are partial to Kawai's yourself.

Hi Carey!

That's a truly beautiful recording of this wonderful piece, I love it!

You were clearly "on the wings of love" when recording this What a nice way how to show your wife how much you still love her after all these years! I wish you both many, many more happy years!

Best regards

Tony (actually Felix)

Thank you Felix !!