Viktors Berstis playing Chopin Fantasie Impropmptu and Scriabin Etude op 2 no 1

[larchmontmark]

Hello Viktors -- great to see you here and nice performances as always! And I especially appreciated hearing once again the Fantaisie Impromptu which I remember you playing at your first Cliburn amateur competition.

Good luck.......and I still enjoy looking at your photos again and again too!

[ThatRachGirl]

(cont)

Thirdly, a little more pedal at 4:39 would make that bass melody sing. Think of a cello line, passionate and robust.

Scriabin: Could it be just a bit more emotional and heart-wrenching? I think of homesickness, suffering while in exile and away from family, not knowing what has become of them. As you think of them, you remember your past with them (5:42 et al). But you are always thinking of them with a pain in your core (6:05 et al). I don't think a rubato-free rendition is fitting.

[larchmontmark]

How picturesque and imaginative! I hope Viktors won't mind the slight digression, but.......I Imagine you have such thoughts about many pieces and I wonder if you've ever written them up.....

[ThatRachGirl]

Haha! Actually, no, I've never written anything formal outside something my professor has assigned me, and those are rare occasions. I'm flattered at the idea, though. :)

[ThatRachGirl]

Chopin: Loved the "Chopin-ness" of it. Too many play it like a finger exercise, so good job! I would like a little ritard at 1:05 to ease the key modulation. Minor things: going easier on that g-natural (or f-doublesharp - I don't have a score with me now) would make the runs more streamlined. Secondly, more rubato in the D-flat section would be nice, to give it a little more freedom. If you try to sing it (even if you aren't a good singer), you'll subconsciously make the melody more beautiful.

[littorine]

Très bon piano !J'ai réécouté ce pianiste plusieurs fois avec émotion et plaisir , mais j'aurais aimé qu'il ait moins de retenu.

[smb12321]

Wonderful fluidity on the Chopin and loved the delicate poetry of the Scriabin. The quality of the recording was perhaps the best of the bunch. Thanks so much.

[ahthramnotro]

Beautifully nuanced playing, especially in the Chopin. I also visited your Ballet of the Baby Chicks from Pictures at an Exhibition and thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Edbrye2008]

Nice performances of both popular pieces. - May I ask what type of mics and camera you use?

[VBerstis]

Thank you for the nice comment. I used Schoeps microphones and Canon HF S100 camcorder. Youtube apparently messes up the balance of the audio.