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Newly recorded 'Scenes from Childhood':

[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA81T0uD5vudP5ClAeN475t4IoaYsorZL[/video]

Be more careful with your rhythm in No. 3.

Overall it is well played, you have a good control of the instrument, there are also things to improve. You need to play this in a more subtle way. At times like number 1 it is too brutal and you need to work out the right hand to be smoother and more equal. You tend to put too much emphasis on your left hand like in number 6 so the texture is a bit thick and over aggressive. Traumerei is well played though i think most people play it too slowly, at times you tend to push the keys too strongly with your left hand.

On the more complex pieces like 13, you still have some work to do on the melodic conduct. You have the notes but it is disconnected, there are places where you speed up with no reason so it breaks the line. In these more complex pieces precise tone control, articulation and timing are essential to give life to a story and an emotion.

Hey, overall this is really impressive, well done.

I have some advice for the first piece.

Treat this piece as 2 voices in harmony, and an accompaniment. There is a treble voice and a bass voice, and the middle is a ripple for rhythmic texture. Your treble voice is clear but I think you miss the harmony that can be emphasised with the bass voice.

For example, listen to the way he plays the first section, and then listen to the way he plays the repeat, he really emphasises the harmony from the bass voice. I personally think he over-emphasises it, but you get what I mean?



The second section, I thought you neglected dynamics with the chords in the right hand. Listen to what Horowitz does with the chords around 1:10. And again he makes a lot of the bass melody here.



You're very talented for your age, and you'll go far if you keep it up. I hope you enjoy these tips . And I hope I don't come across as overly critical, really it's quite an achievement to play all of these at your age. Well done.

I agree that Alex is talented for his age and has a good amount of musical instinct that is frankly not easy to develop. Whereas many young talents go for flashier pieces to show off fingers, Alex's choice of repertoire perhaps reveals a more sensitive, poetic side to his instincts. I could definitely discern the musical intent in his playing, even if there's always room for improvement. Now the task ahead is to develop technique and touch to a level that allows him to communicate his intent more effectively.
Well done!

Thanks everyone - The feedback is appreciated and very gratefully received :-)