Gershwin Preludes for Piano performed by pianist Dr. Linda Mazich Govel

[olkomat1]

this was very good! in the first one, try to keep the same tempo in the easy parts as in the hard parts. i noticed that you got a bit slower in the higher octave part.

In the second one, try to make the two slow sections a little more strict in tempo, except at the very end, you should do a slight accelerando. and in the jazzy middle section, don't be afraid to make the eight notes a little uneven, that's the part where you can be creative with the tempo.

the third one, amazing. hands down.

[dynaslo]

@olkomat1 The second prelude is marked Andante Con Moto e Poco RUBATO. Why then would you say the tempo should be stricter? What would it sound like with strict time I wonder... Could you please post a video of your self playing the piece with a strict tempo.

[olkomat1]

@dynaslo I said "try to make the two slow sections a little more strict in tempo" i know it says rubato but rubato means a slight sort of "strechiness" of the tempo, it is not a complete freedom. I suppose my choice of words was a bit unclear: perhaps if I said, "follow the written tempo more," instead of, "a little more strict" ?

Either way, hands down, this performance was an excellent interpretation of Gershwin's preludes. I strongly commend the pianist for tackling these difficult pieces.

[olkomat1]

@olkomat1 And once i purchase a webcam I will be glad to post myself playing all three preludes (i'm still only about 73 percent done with the third one, but i assume by the time i get a webcam I will have mastered it....)

[olkomat1]

@olkomat1 and notice the "Poco" in front of rubato. This only emphasizes how little "stretchiness" there should be.

[dynaslo]

@olkomat1 I agree, I think rubato works best with the idea of "borrowed" time. Thinking of it as a little faster here and a little slower there so that the overall effect does not change the entire length of the piece but allows the performer to highlight the composers intention.

[olkomat1]

@dynaslo Wow, that's actually a really clever and precise way of thinking of rubato. I like the "borrowed time" concept.