PianoTell Recital #2 Is Now Live!
.Rubens not at all. I was born in Puerto Rico (my mother is Puerto Rican) and spent formative years in Mexico, so I have a lot of affinity for things Latin American. I do try to play a good amount of Latin American music — I’m currently working on one of Lecuona’s Afrocuban dances. So perhaps I brought some of my sensibilities to the piece? Or perhaps I was attracted to it because of aspects in the writing that resonated with me?
rsl12 Thanks for the comments and listening back to the older recording. One of the big differences was that I increased the tempo. This is clearly not supposed to be a fast piece, but when I listened back on the older recording, it just felt too slow and lacking in momentum. I do struggle a lot with using rubato. This is clearly a piece that ‘wants’ it, but I always worry about overdoing it.
Anyways, I’m really glad that it has resonated with people here, and thanks for listening and responding!
- Edited
Thanks to those who’ve found kind words on my submission - @Sophia, @Nightowl , @Gooseberry, @Sgisela , @rsl12 , @rogerch , @Sam, @BicBic, @lilypad , @MarieJ , @Pathbreaker , @HeartKeys and @SalmonJack . And also thanks to everyone who listened.
Thank you to everyone who listened to/watched my submission. To those who kindly commented -
@Nightowl, @Sophia, @ShiroKuro, @WieWaldi, @Gooseberry, @Rob, @Sam, @rsl12, @TC3, @rogerch, @BicBic, @Rubens, @Pathbreaker, @lilypad - special thanks!
And @navindra, EXTRA special thanks for making all of this possible. I awarded Sam a medal over on PianoWorld - you deserve one too! 
- Edited
plop_symphony Wow, what a really fun piece! You made it sound really good and engaging. Great choice of instrument. I enjoyed this very much. Very sinister, almost Addams Family like! 
ShiroKuro Wow, wow, wow! So beautiful! You had me within the first few seconds with those trills. What a build up and delivery! I might just have found a new favorite composer... to me almost reminiscent of Alexis Ffrench and Ludovico Einaudi.
As an aside, that HDR video absolutely pops on my screen... it's really amazing that you can get such video and audio quality from a phone.
And those trills near the end... to die for. And this is the first take? Bravo!
--
Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
TIME
@navindra thank you for your kind words!! I agree, Takashi Kako works nicely with Ffrench and Einaudi.
Re the iPhone, it’s interesting isn’t it! For the last PT recital, I just set the phone on the side of the music desk. But when I played in the recital a few weeks back, my husband recorded me from where he was sitting, and the sound quality was so much better. So I tried just putting the phone up on a shelf in the piano room, and it clearly captures more of the “room sound.”
I have a hand held digital recorder, the Zoom H4 (if I’m remembering the model number right) but iPhone is so much more convenient, and the sound quality is about the same, so I doubt I’ll ever use the Zoom recorder again. 
- Edited
As promised in a recent post of mine in this thread, I would include my thoughts for the submissions that specifically stated in their comment policy, for constructive criticism [thus I omitted the ones that didn't specifically say so]. I'll preface by saying I was very impressed by this recital, so it's no surprise there's an overwhelming amount of kudos!
If I missed anyone (for constructive comments), let me know and I'll provide you my feedback as well!
iternabe — O mio babbino caro
Very impressive for learning for only 10 months. The mechanics are solid and on a good trajectory. One area to consider is adding some slight tweaks in the rhythm. I think you aimed for that here, so keep that going!
plop_symphony — The Midnight Ball
Nice work especially with your dexterity. I noticed your posture seems a bit slouched. Hard to tell exactly, but I usually see folks leaning in more, versus back. While it's not entirely relevant to your performance, it's something to call out (in case there's more comfortable position! 
)
WieWaldi — Quick Five Blues
There's a lot of soul in your playing. If you're comfortable, consider speeding up the playing, as that can add more fun and pizzazz!
Sophia — A Classy Rag
Good "communication" between your left and right hand! I think the left hand can be slightly softer/quieter, but otherwise, there seems to be a nice dynamic between the two. Reminds me of when people have good "conversations" between their LH and RH with Bach pieces.
Rubens — Sonata no.2, Op.36 (1913), 2nd movement
Nice playing, and you make that ES920 sound amazing. I'm struggling to think of any critical comment... maybe could add a very slight more reverb, as your playing is so full (in a good way), that allowing some of that richness to extend moreso can give it even more effect, for this very emotive piece.
Cratersmash — Sonata No. 3 in A Minor
Impressive playing. I don't know Prokofiev music much, though one suggestion I have is, the first chords you play can be slightly softer, as it sounds like it's pushing the volume to the max of the speakers. If this were recorded with an acoustic, my suggestion might be moot.
TC3 — Worried Life Blues
Bravo with this duet of piano and vocal. I think your vocal can add some reverb, so it'll distinguish itself from the piano tones. And feel free to scream/shout more in certain parts. This song seems to be suitable for that!
@SalmonJack — Bliss Ten
Very enjoyable, your composition. I recommend to hold certain chords longer, to let the effect last longer, e.g., at the 7:00'ish mark. Also, the boat ride is fun, just keep in mind for those who might have motion sickness watching it 
@rsl12 — I am the very model of a modern Major-General
Splendid work on this. Your technique is quite solid. Feel free to add more silliness in the voice, which currently is great accompaniment, though you appear more relaxed with the hands and keys.
@navindra — The Entertainer
Nice work here. As you wanted feedback about the tuning and sound of the piano, I thought the tuning was fine, though the high C you were playing has that harsh brassy tone everytime it's being played. Perhaps some voicing on that string?
Overall, I greatly enjoyed all the submissions! And it was hard to find much to critique about, so some of the nitpicky stuff I mention above is my best effort to provide something, anything
- Edited
HeartKeys Thank you!
If we're thinking about the same thing, I think it was more like a unison ringing out. I didn't have a whole lot of time to optimize the tuning, I don't generally play forte, and here I was really banging it... with the cabinet fully open which I never do.
However, I felt it was raw and real so I let it be. 
I'm very sincere about requesting critical comments all up. Often I put a whole lot of time into a video and maybe get a like... which I'm very appreciative for, but it doesn't give me a whole lot to go on for improving and growing.
Thanks for taking the time to listen and provide those comments!
--
Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
TIME
- Edited
Schubertian2 Simply an astounding achievement. I'm floored.
Everything was next level about this. Your Estonia piano sounded absolutely grandiose, your performance was pro level, and the music was mesmerizing! Incredible.
As an aside, the imagery was fantastic as well... the music really brought the still imagery to life. I'll show my ignorance here, but whose art work is that?
Bravo on such dedication! This is truly inspiring.
--
Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
TIME
iternabe — O mio babbino caro
I would say you're doing exceptionally well for such a short time playing. Nicely done!
plop_symphony — The Midnight Ball
Well done. You're progressing in your journey!
WieWaldi — Quick Five Blues
Kudos to your creative additional info. Pretty darn good playing!
Sophia — A Classy Rag
Good playing! You should be pleased with your progress.
rogerch — Slow Steps
More delightful playing from you. iv to I is a very satisfying resolution.
Sam — The Never Finished Piece
As I said on the other forum, I think it's finished. I think it sounds terrific. I like the resolution of your dissonances. I like the mood and the pacing. You've got a future! Quit the day job!
MarieJ — Waltz in F minor
As I said on the other forum, truly delightful. Gorgeous playing. Your video shows great imagination.
Gooseberry — Pigalle
Excellent! A magnificent piece. I listened several times.
Rob — Lost
Wow! Inspiring! So, so beautiful!
BicBic — Prelude no.4 in E minor from Op 11
I think this was very well played and your musicality worked for me. Great selection, too.
HeartKeys Thanks! I definitely need to sit up more. I find that I play better with my back straight anyway.
rsl12 Hi, Thank you. Sorry for the late reply I was too busy and stressed about the recital, the first didn't went well I got too nervous and rushed k380 and i didn't felt in control in general. However I got the opportunity to play again yesterday but with a bigger crowd and even though I felt more nervous I did much better.
TC3 I agree Sacarlatti is awesome and deserves more attention but I feel recently pianist program his music more often.
javiercorre That's good news! Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of live classical music in the area these days, so I'm probably missing out.
Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.
- Edited
MarieJ I thought the piano overwhelmed the voice a little at times - microphone placement?
I thought about this a lot!! I want to be able to sing and play at the spur of the moment--at a party for example. In which case, I won't have time to mess with a mic, and I need to a) project my voice and b) keep the piano soft to get the balance right. So for the past two recitals (and when I record myself) I'm purposely not trying to put a mic directly at my mouth. Even placing the mic on the top of the piano feels a little bit like cheating. I think, in order to hear what I sound like, I need to put the mic closer to where the audience would be. Maybe I'll try that for my next recording. It means the piano will probably be too loud, but that balance is what I'm trying to accomplish.
Thanks to everyone who listened, liked and commented on my Scriabin! @TC3, @Nightowl, @Sophia, @WieWaldi (I’ve been playing one year of restarting piano, not one year total!!), @Sam, @Rob, @rogerch, @Gooseberry, @MarieJ, @rsl12 (yes i agree with your comment on RH, i thought the same when i listened to my recording), @SalmonJack, and hope I didn’t miss anyone off.
Here’s the rest of my comments!
Rubens — Sonata no.2, Op.36 (1913), 2nd movement - Thanks for sharing - I’m not that familiar with the Rach sonatas! This was beautiful. Sounds difficult too, which is to be expected from Rachmaninoff!
Cratersmash — Sonata No. 3 in A Minor - Yes it does sound difficult, but it sounds great! It does look like a lot of fun!
Gooseberry — Pigalle - Beautiful piece, I really enjoyed your delicate playing of this.
Rob — Lost - Very nice composition. Was there any inspiration behind it?
TC3 — Worried Life Blues - Very cool, great singing too! Will you be sharing a recording with the full band at all?? Playing with others is such a joy!
lilypad — God Bless the Child - I’m not familiar with the piece, but it sounded great. Played very confidently, and perhaps you can bring in the feeling you have in your head over time!
javiercorre — Sonatas K. 208 and K. 380 - I love the Scarlatti sonatas! You played with great clarity. I think you sounded a bit more confident with 380? How did you decide on this pair? (I’ve heard they are often paired?) AND how did the recital go? I’m sure you did great based on this performance!
SalmonJack — Bliss Ten - Beautiful, I really enjoyed your composition especially with the video which was great. The river looks so flat and open, I bet it’s an amazing kitesurfing spot too! I used to sail on the river back in Perth, on a Tasar. It never seemed so blissful though! The Finn looks pretty challenging and hardcore to me!
rsl12 — I am the very model of a modern Major-General - This was great! I love how engaging your performances are. The vocal part appears to be extremely challenging, but you nailed it. How did the recital go??
Sgisela — Do Tebe (to you) - A really cool piece, I loved it! Played beautifully.
ShiroKuro — Reminiscence - Really nice, and I didn’t notice many mistakes so they weren’t too obvious! How did the recital go?
diretonic — Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) - This was great! Very enjoyable to listen to, and I’m sure to play (and arrange!) too!
navindra — The Entertainer - A difficult piece in any arrangement, and you played it well! Liked the changing dynamics throughout. I thought the first bit of the main theme part could be played a bit more bouncy perhaps?
BicBic Reminiscence - Really nice, and I didn’t notice many mistakes so they weren’t too obvious! How did the recital go?
thank you!!
The recital was ... so-so But of the three pieces I played, this one was the best. If you're curious, I wrote about it:
https://forum.pianotell.com/d/1394-performance-report-2-plus-recording
- Edited
Sgisela Your Estonia sounds sooooo good and incredibly majestic... Your masterful playing not only does the L210 justice but elevates it to a whole other level. I also continue to be astounded at how good iPhone recordings are.
Thanks for this haunting and beautiful interpretation of this multi-dimensional piece. Bravo!
--
Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
TIME
Schubertian2 - Ballade 4, Chopin - What an impressive accomplishment to play that so well! Your dedication to piano really comes through. Congratulations on your retirement.
BicBic - Scriabin - Prelude no.4 in E minor from Op 11 - I'm not familiar with Scriabin, other than as being a famous composer. That sounded lovely and seemed very expressive.