Relax on the pedal GOD! Dude, that sounded like a mess. When key changes and the pedal is stomped on, it makes the worst noise to my ears. The pedal isn't some kind of monster you step on. Horrible pedal, great technique.
I think you could make bigger difference between the slow and sad part and the dynamic one. You should also make your pedalling clearer - sometimes it really needs to be cut down a little bit. The middle part seemed to me somewhat rude. Try to make more of the bass melody. Otherwise - really good.
The only comments I have for the performance is 1. Your dynamic gradation is too jagged. Try to lean in and out of phrases more evenly. And 2. at the "Pui Mosso" you speed up too fast and too suddenly. It's like a whole new tempo. Other than that it was a pretty good performance.
A little history lesson...Rachmaninov wrote this as he was returning to Russia from exile. As for the whole "monotony" thing, Rachmaninov was a romantic, I disagree that he intentionaly wrote a whole piece to sound monotonous. Certain aspects are intentionally monotonous like the pedal tones at the top of the 4th page, but the rest of the piece is very dynamic in range and volume.
I'm teaching myself to play this...well trying... but your video has definitely helped me get around a lot of things I normally wouldn't have been able to. This was very good. I love your cadenza.
Interpretazione potente e catica di passione soprattutto nel parte centrale del pezzo. All'inizio e nel finale manca di tristezza ma tale enfasi secondo me riuscì ad esprimerla solo Richter!
It's a great piece, but I would play it differently - I think the opening part should sound like desperation, like sobs, very "pathetique". You play them bangy and harshly, whereas I would play them more "feminine". Opposed to this is the chordal middle section, which should be as powerful and masculine as possible - Perhaps overinterpretation, but I think of this piece as feminine desperation versus masculine. Your cadenza was great.
the best recording of this prelude is one that sviatoslav richter did in 1960. The performance is part of a cd called Richter Rediscovered. His version is the most powerful and beautiful
Yes, I have that BMG recording. The best thing my piano teacher ever did for me was to develop my approach to the piano in such a way that I became receptive to Richter's playing and the mindset behind it. One doesn't necessarily want to aim to play like Richter (copying another pianist destroys individuality and is never artistically productive) but understanding a performance by Richter opens one's mind to the music's potential. But I am still impressed by the performance on this video.
Listen my friend. your playing is very formidable to say. very important- at 2:26, you dont play the notes seperately. make them Blend with miliseconds between. Secondly from 2:00 - 2:50 you need to Add some dynamics. Play a bit more ... Romantically (not sentimentally) Thats all i can say. Look at Moiseiwitsch's performance you shall understand. Hope you improve my friend :)
Another listener has complained that you play this in a 'monotonous' way, but Rachmaninov DELIBERATELY exploits monotony here for hypnotic effect, as he does in the etude Op.39 No.7. Good tempo. There are small things in this performance about which I have reservations, but I prefer not to criticise here. You understand the underlying depression of Rachmaninov's music and you lead us into this composer's unique world more than some of the shallow 'show offs' on YouTube. Thank you.
This reminds me of Moiseiwitsch's recording, very brooding and powerful. Despite the constant academic criticism, I look at it as strong and emotive. Technique is important, but nitpicking technique is not. As it is, I find it beautiful! Thank you for this!
You are a very good pianist. However the way you play this prelude is rather monotonous and does not fly. The begining (I think) should be faster, and the crescendo towards the middle should explode, as in a storm, and later on calm returns after the storm is over. The dynamics need to be improved.
This is my humble opinion. (This was one of Rachmaninoff's and Mosseivitch's favorite Preludes)
hmm...ur not counting. ur 16th triplet notes r not fitting with ur overall tempo. ur speeding a little too much. u can strech it here and there, but not this much.
and yea seriously..rocketsloth has a big point...bachkochuanli..ur not a professor..and yes..we all can see mistakes in everyone..but do not forget that it is much easier to crticize rather than to perform...what happened to the good comments?...if u kno ur not perfect then dont talk like you are..and criticizing does NOT mean that he should refer to YOUR recording...
What? Are you denigrating the role of the music critic/Joking. Since I don't play now, I can at least comment on the acoustics being not that great. Hey, at least the form was scrutinized in contrast to potential dramatic licences.
for the most part...it was good...i like many things..but i do agree with klakalou..in a less mean way..but ur chords are on the choppy side...try to sink in with your wrist and hit the bottom of the keys...give more of a push rather than a chop chop...also there is a fermata in the space between the ending ultra high F sharp and the recap. of the A theme...and becareful of that last octave..good volume...but ur voicing and tone was not consistant..but otherwise...good shit man...keep it up
Very well played. A touch more rubato. Think "longing," "sweet," "sad," and yet with strength. This is Rachmaninoff at his very best. Thank you for choosing this piece!
egh, so you left 7 comments criticizing the hell out of his performance then concede that you couldn't play the piece...for lack of maturity. having listened to your recording, he's ages past you technically...and while he makes some mistakes...your performance is much more stilted.
Then back to Section A, almost the same things. for the 5.19, why u played the d# n f# together? it shouldn't be, and u hv lost the line again which supposed to be f# ,e#-e-d#-D!!! u miss the D! i will suggest u to play the D with right hand 5th finger and F#(top note) with left hand, so that u can control the f# to be softer. But last 2 bars u did show the line=) haha.... last octave (b) just drop ur hand and make the notes ring, dun press it...
make it sounds like sparking(lighter)(maybe play with high wrist so that it won't be so heavy) but the left hand notes should be firm. u didn't do diminuendo. 3.47, too loud and rough! same things as 3.47, it supposed to be a blur blur, as if u are surrounded by haze. Peak note(F#) is important... u should end up softly(dying away). for me right, this cadenza-like passage i would articulate the running notes other wise it would be very rough la...
at 3:45 i dun like the way u played... u didn't hv the sense of reaching the high note(b note), imagine that u are pulling a rubber band, it's getting tighter and tighter isn't it? must show the difficulty as if u are singing in high register, slowly reach to that high B-note, after that it's like a stone rolling down from the peak of moutain(slowly 1st, then getting faster). Change ur touch here, ur running notes were too clear!
And again, ur accompaniment (chords) was too loud, u still hv a long way to go climax, must start softer(maybe different touch?) think about the line, it didn' really sustain a constant build up to the climax(urs is a bit choppy) and it's lack of direction. The rest still ok.
1.37 let it moves! well u can do some rubato but dun drag it! Section B (2.01) u hv done a big problem.. rhythm! look at the score properly, the melody is duplet but those chords (accompaniment) are triplet, so u hv to work on ur coordination between ur two hands(u can refer to my recording in youtube).
The tempo of the transition part (1.09 between the A and B) wasn't stable, u should play the outline more which accompanied by the 1st material (dotted qvr-semiqvr-qvr, these all support the outline but not important).
(A-B-A ternary form)well...i have couple of things to say. The beginning(A) u did quite well,the melody was sung but it wasn't joining,rachmaninoff has a very long melody and u must be able to mantain it,try to shape the phrases in larger line so that they don't become short 1-bar unit. I feel tat those chords(staccato notes) u played too loud and it supposed to sound like bell ringing. Wow,i like the way u did the decrescendo,it's so natural,but some of the unnecessary accents could b ommited.
I must admit the sound quality is one of the best from youtube but one thing made me howl after the big arpeggios that strong reexposition/conclusion chords, I really did scream out loud. That was too forte. Other than that I think it is hard to judge if we're not in the room when you're playing the piece but I really like the others comment and have nothing more to add.
i thought it was quite good!...but i agree with holding the dotted triplets a lil more...i just feel u should b a lil more rubato..and really manifest the "faltering steps" of a soldier that returned from a war..but other than that, again, good job
Prettiest Rachmaninoff's prelude. How difficult would you say it is? I would like to learn it so badly.
IloveAlexisBledel689 3 years ago
yummy lovely composition.
pedal could be better, great technique.
werner99 3 years ago
Relax on the pedal GOD! Dude, that sounded like a mess. When key changes and the pedal is stomped on, it makes the worst noise to my ears. The pedal isn't some kind of monster you step on. Horrible pedal, great technique.
AncientProduction 3 years ago
can you do loud mouth
johnnynoirman 3 years ago
u play it very good.i like the beginning part a little bit slowly.but thats very nice ;D
FLamer1111 3 years ago
I think you could make bigger difference between the slow and sad part and the dynamic one. You should also make your pedalling clearer - sometimes it really needs to be cut down a little bit. The middle part seemed to me somewhat rude. Try to make more of the bass melody. Otherwise - really good.
RoseDaemon 4 years ago
i dont no how many times ive watched this but its still amazing u have inspired me to start learning the piece too.Keep it up!!=]
123eldest 4 years ago
The only comments I have for the performance is 1. Your dynamic gradation is too jagged. Try to lean in and out of phrases more evenly. And 2. at the "Pui Mosso" you speed up too fast and too suddenly. It's like a whole new tempo. Other than that it was a pretty good performance.
mta110 4 years ago
A little history lesson...Rachmaninov wrote this as he was returning to Russia from exile. As for the whole "monotony" thing, Rachmaninov was a romantic, I disagree that he intentionaly wrote a whole piece to sound monotonous. Certain aspects are intentionally monotonous like the pedal tones at the top of the 4th page, but the rest of the piece is very dynamic in range and volume.
mta110 4 years ago
I'm teaching myself to play this...well trying... but your video has definitely helped me get around a lot of things I normally wouldn't have been able to. This was very good. I love your cadenza.
Pajolsta 4 years ago
Interpretazione potente e catica di passione soprattutto nel parte centrale del pezzo. All'inizio e nel finale manca di tristezza ma tale enfasi secondo me riuscì ad esprimerla solo Richter!
MagicDonDino 4 years ago
It's a great piece, but I would play it differently - I think the opening part should sound like desperation, like sobs, very "pathetique". You play them bangy and harshly, whereas I would play them more "feminine". Opposed to this is the chordal middle section, which should be as powerful and masculine as possible - Perhaps overinterpretation, but I think of this piece as feminine desperation versus masculine. Your cadenza was great.
rallestar1 4 years ago
the best recording of this prelude is one that sviatoslav richter did in 1960. The performance is part of a cd called Richter Rediscovered. His version is the most powerful and beautiful
hamiltonzamy 4 years ago
Yes, I have that BMG recording. The best thing my piano teacher ever did for me was to develop my approach to the piano in such a way that I became receptive to Richter's playing and the mindset behind it. One doesn't necessarily want to aim to play like Richter (copying another pianist destroys individuality and is never artistically productive) but understanding a performance by Richter opens one's mind to the music's potential. But I am still impressed by the performance on this video.
BrucknerEnthusiast 4 years ago
First class performance. Really thought your timing was excellent, great expression. Certianly one of the best on this forum
karob6569 4 years ago
Listen my friend. your playing is very formidable to say. very important- at 2:26, you dont play the notes seperately. make them Blend with miliseconds between. Secondly from 2:00 - 2:50 you need to Add some dynamics. Play a bit more ... Romantically (not sentimentally) Thats all i can say. Look at Moiseiwitsch's performance you shall understand. Hope you improve my friend :)
secretpaco 4 years ago
Another listener has complained that you play this in a 'monotonous' way, but Rachmaninov DELIBERATELY exploits monotony here for hypnotic effect, as he does in the etude Op.39 No.7. Good tempo. There are small things in this performance about which I have reservations, but I prefer not to criticise here. You understand the underlying depression of Rachmaninov's music and you lead us into this composer's unique world more than some of the shallow 'show offs' on YouTube. Thank you.
BrucknerEnthusiast 4 years ago
I challenge you to find a reputable source that provides evidence that Rachmaninov wanted this piece performed in a monotonous way...
mta110 4 years ago
This reminds me of Moiseiwitsch's recording, very brooding and powerful. Despite the constant academic criticism, I look at it as strong and emotive. Technique is important, but nitpicking technique is not. As it is, I find it beautiful! Thank you for this!
Penumbra88 4 years ago
I think this was very good.....I love this prelude.
jtone20 4 years ago
...make that, Rachmaninoff's favourite...
...and I actually find the tone of Schimmels more warm than bright...very nice pianos...
...and this performance...I like!
prongated 4 years ago
You are a very good pianist. However the way you play this prelude is rather monotonous and does not fly. The begining (I think) should be faster, and the crescendo towards the middle should explode, as in a storm, and later on calm returns after the storm is over. The dynamics need to be improved.
This is my humble opinion. (This was one of Rachmaninoff's and Mosseivitch's favorite Preludes)
stephenTGV 4 years ago
havent learned this piece yet, but im feeln the emotion of it while you play, good job man.
joeybettencourt 5 years ago
hmm...ur not counting. ur 16th triplet notes r not fitting with ur overall tempo. ur speeding a little too much. u can strech it here and there, but not this much.
crazypianistik 5 years ago
and yea seriously..rocketsloth has a big point...bachkochuanli..ur not a professor..and yes..we all can see mistakes in everyone..but do not forget that it is much easier to crticize rather than to perform...what happened to the good comments?...if u kno ur not perfect then dont talk like you are..and criticizing does NOT mean that he should refer to YOUR recording...
element2107 5 years ago
What? Are you denigrating the role of the music critic/Joking. Since I don't play now, I can at least comment on the acoustics being not that great. Hey, at least the form was scrutinized in contrast to potential dramatic licences.
dalethomasdewitt 4 years ago
for the most part...it was good...i like many things..but i do agree with klakalou..in a less mean way..but ur chords are on the choppy side...try to sink in with your wrist and hit the bottom of the keys...give more of a push rather than a chop chop...also there is a fermata in the space between the ending ultra high F sharp and the recap. of the A theme...and becareful of that last octave..good volume...but ur voicing and tone was not consistant..but otherwise...good shit man...keep it up
element2107 5 years ago
Very well played. A touch more rubato. Think "longing," "sweet," "sad," and yet with strength. This is Rachmaninoff at his very best. Thank you for choosing this piece!
kanajlo 5 years ago
you played the chords like a robot i didnt really enjoy the performance.
klakalou 5 years ago
egh, so you left 7 comments criticizing the hell out of his performance then concede that you couldn't play the piece...for lack of maturity. having listened to your recording, he's ages past you technically...and while he makes some mistakes...your performance is much more stilted.
rocketsloth 5 years ago
well.. this piece require a certain maturity, honestly i couldn't play well oso.
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
Then back to Section A, almost the same things. for the 5.19, why u played the d# n f# together? it shouldn't be, and u hv lost the line again which supposed to be f# ,e#-e-d#-D!!! u miss the D! i will suggest u to play the D with right hand 5th finger and F#(top note) with left hand, so that u can control the f# to be softer. But last 2 bars u did show the line=) haha.... last octave (b) just drop ur hand and make the notes ring, dun press it...
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
make it sounds like sparking(lighter)(maybe play with high wrist so that it won't be so heavy) but the left hand notes should be firm. u didn't do diminuendo. 3.47, too loud and rough! same things as 3.47, it supposed to be a blur blur, as if u are surrounded by haze. Peak note(F#) is important... u should end up softly(dying away). for me right, this cadenza-like passage i would articulate the running notes other wise it would be very rough la...
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
at 3:45 i dun like the way u played... u didn't hv the sense of reaching the high note(b note), imagine that u are pulling a rubber band, it's getting tighter and tighter isn't it? must show the difficulty as if u are singing in high register, slowly reach to that high B-note, after that it's like a stone rolling down from the peak of moutain(slowly 1st, then getting faster). Change ur touch here, ur running notes were too clear!
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
And again, ur accompaniment (chords) was too loud, u still hv a long way to go climax, must start softer(maybe different touch?) think about the line, it didn' really sustain a constant build up to the climax(urs is a bit choppy) and it's lack of direction. The rest still ok.
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
1.37 let it moves! well u can do some rubato but dun drag it! Section B (2.01) u hv done a big problem.. rhythm! look at the score properly, the melody is duplet but those chords (accompaniment) are triplet, so u hv to work on ur coordination between ur two hands(u can refer to my recording in youtube).
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
The tempo of the transition part (1.09 between the A and B) wasn't stable, u should play the outline more which accompanied by the 1st material (dotted qvr-semiqvr-qvr, these all support the outline but not important).
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
(A-B-A ternary form)well...i have couple of things to say. The beginning(A) u did quite well,the melody was sung but it wasn't joining,rachmaninoff has a very long melody and u must be able to mantain it,try to shape the phrases in larger line so that they don't become short 1-bar unit. I feel tat those chords(staccato notes) u played too loud and it supposed to sound like bell ringing. Wow,i like the way u did the decrescendo,it's so natural,but some of the unnecessary accents could b ommited.
bachkochuanli 5 years ago
thanks for all of the commments! my piano is very bright - schimmel's are described as "american-ized bosendorfers" for that reason
Skryabin 5 years ago
I would have to say the sound is too bright. It may be the piano, who knows, but try to use the una corda pedal. It's there for a reason. ;)
sagara89 5 years ago
I must admit the sound quality is one of the best from youtube but one thing made me howl after the big arpeggios that strong reexposition/conclusion chords, I really did scream out loud. That was too forte. Other than that I think it is hard to judge if we're not in the room when you're playing the piece but I really like the others comment and have nothing more to add.
PrinsTan 5 years ago
i thought it was quite good!...but i agree with holding the dotted triplets a lil more...i just feel u should b a lil more rubato..and really manifest the "faltering steps" of a soldier that returned from a war..but other than that, again, good job
element2107 5 years ago
almost there!... my only critique is that you should be holding those dotted triplets a bit more.. even exaggerate the value if need be...
bewareofthecow 5 years ago
try to see how much you can switch up the dynamics...you can get more of a distant mournful quality.
but great job.
rocketsloth 5 years ago
Awesome sound. Well played.
Artemeo 5 years ago
Excellent
bariguru 5 years ago