Johannes BRAHMS: Op. 118, No. 2 (Intermezzo)

Cubus plays Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2 in A major by Johannes Brahms.

Playlist with all musical pieces by BRAHMS posted by cubusdk: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=06C0E12950439A68

Links to an mp3 of this version and scores can be found at http://cubus-adsl.dk/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Johannes
• Brahms
• op.118
• no.2
• Intermezzo
• A-major
• Classical
• piano
• Cubus

[RomanticPianist]

Hello Cubas, I want to say how much I enjoy your beautiful, soulful playing. You have a gift for understanding the flowing and rubato romantic feel that was intended for these piano works. I started as a guitarist years ago, and have just become serious about the classical piano in the last 10 years. I just started on the Intermezzo 118 No2, and I was curious about how you are using your right thumb for the A# below middle C in the piu lento. I'm quickly rolling the LH chord. Am I wrong?

Gary

[cubusdk]

There is no indication in the score that you should roll the chord but if you play the three notes with the left hand it might be difficult not to roll. As the right thumb is free at this moment it can be played without rolling.

At some other instances, for instance at 1:31, I found no solution to play all notes at the same time as indicated in the score.

[RomanticPianist]

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I am "rolling" the A chord at 1:31 as you are, and although there is no roll in the score at the piu lento, I'm doing the same here. I have fairly small hands (I can only stretch a 9th) and this fact creates problems with fingering and voicing for me (not much Rach, Prok or Liszt for me....Ha!). If you're playing the A# with your R thumb, how are you holding the tied C# with RH #3, and still play the RH F#, A#, and melody F# with your RH #5? Thanks!

Gerald Braden

[cubusdk]

I used RH#5 for the tied C#.

By the way, I think it sounds equally well rolling or not rolling at the point we discuss whereas I would have prefered no roll at 1:31 and similar places.

[RomanticPianist]

That means you had to use your pedal, and lift your RH to play the high melody F# with RH #5. My small hands make me look at every piece in a literal way. In the end, it's how it works and sounds for the player that counts, but tips from wonderful players like you really helps! Last year I was working on the C#m Rach Prelude, and I found that I didn't have to cross my hands and could play "mirror image" chords, and a professor said "clever, but not interesting."...Ha!

Thank you!

Gerald Braden

[cubusdk]

Yes, pedal used. On an acoustic piano I guess it would be preferable using the pedal in any case having all of the strings vibrating with the chords played.

[docdicey]

I can't believe how judgmental you are -- "this pianist doesn't feel beauty..." And how do you know? Plus, maybe this pianist can't afford a grand piano. What a bunch of snots....

[xcolossians3x]

You play beautifully, sir.

[AvidHobbyist]

you do not know how to strike the keys for a proper legato tone! connect the notes and don't bang on them.

[Eorzean]

@mariusfelix then my comment still stands.

[mariusfelix]

@Eorzean Everybody has the right to say everything, espacially on youtube...

[marginallymental]

I mean the second part especially---it's ALL fine!

[marginallymental]

I think the second half of this here is really fine--very expressive, especially for an electric piano.

[Mozart61]

Playing this piece on such an instrument is throwing away your nice work on it.....

[Eorzean]

@Mozart61 only brahms has the right to say that.

[tgruy]

Lovely rendition! I don't care what kind of piano it is played on, it sounds wonderful!

Thank you so much for sharing this with us! You are very talented.

[KCOtutti1]

I understand, ofcourse. But when you present yourself on the net, it might be a good idea to do it on a grand piano. Try to see it this way: if his playing wouldn't have made such a great impression nobody would have bothered to react... I'm sure that when you're this talented that there will be somebody around you ( or maybe in a school of music ? ) that will let you make a recording/film of your playing. Sometimes a small desicion can make a huge difference for the rest of your life.

[Nickthejedi1]

KCO, I can't afford a grand piano. Should I even bother to play this on an electric piano? All I have is a $100 keyboard from Costco, it's all I can afford. What do I do!