de Falla: Serenata Andaluza

[elvenpianist]

http://media.putfile.com/de-falla-practice-runthrough

Yup, another vid! lol

Mistake ridden but I'd like to get some thoughts on it, I'm in a rush to get it ready for auditions (they're in a few weeks).

-elf

[johnmar78]

I opened the site but can not watch the video, huh XXXXXXXXX

[ruata]

hey well done... love the way you play!..btw, can you send me the sheetmusic, cuz i was looking for it since i heard it two years ago, but i only found this one that is INCOMPLETE (there is probably the last page missing) so i decided not to play it...congrats! keep playing that way!!!

this is the one i found

http://www.abrahamespinosa.com/partitur ... daluza.pdf

[elvenpianist]

Thanks ruata!

Here are the sheets:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/g89ypi

(however, if you want to perform it, I'd suggest buying them (Chester music or the de Fallla edition [from spain]) , as they're under recent copyright).

I performed this at my audition last Saturday, actually went fairly decent.

john- sorry don't know why you cant view it!

-elf

[juufa72]

Is there some reason why you still have your Christmas ornaments up?

[elvenpianist]

Is there some reason why you still have your Christmas ornaments up?

hey! the vid is from last month!

and... yeah! I was too lazy to put them up. (they are put up now, though).

-elf

[juufa72]

Silly me I forgot to comment on your playing .

Your piano sounds different up on the higher registers. How come? It reminds me Soler's sonatas for two klavichords.

Your technique is well done. I cannot comment on your accuracy because I am not familiar with deFalla.

[PianistSk8er]

Sounds good! I'm not familliar with this piece, but it sounds very nice!

PS

[elvenpianist]

Thanks. The professors who heard it last Saturday seemed to think it was good also, they invited me to perform it in a university masterclass next week for a pianist from Costa Rica.

i feel so awesome.

-elf

[PianistSk8er]

Awesome... congrats!

Let us know how it goes.

PS

[PJF]

http://media.putfile.com/de-falla-practice-runthrough

Yup, another vid! lol

Mistake ridden but I'd like to get some thoughts on it, I'm in a rush to get it ready for auditions (they're in a few weeks).

-elf

I'm sorry I haven't responeded sooner; somehow, I missed this post.

It's a joy to hear you improve from one recording to the next. Keep up the hard work, you're starting to sound really good now! The thing I notice the most is the consistently smooth tone you've managed to extract from your harsh piano. I like it!

Anyway, I don't really know this piece, so I can't comment in depth on it. I do like your interpretation. It sounds Russian.

Technically, I feel your arch needs to be strengthened somehow; it's collapsing (esp. the pinkie knuckle) during the octaves. I think if you can make a dome shape with your hand (ironically enough, without actually using more hand but rather activating more arm), the whole performance will benefit.

Good luck and let us know how the auditions go!

[elvenpianist]

Thanks for the kind words, Pete, much appreciated.

Yes, I've been struggling with octave technique for some time now- how do you mean 'more arm'? Would I raise my arm higher?

Auditions on the whole went very well. I made my fair share of mistakes, but I recovered from them well, and I'm beginning to lose my nervousness (thank God, lol). The 2nd audition was an incredible experience, as it was actually in a concert hall, on a huge concert steinway (I've never TOUCHED one of those before! I was TERRIFIED, haha). But it was sooooooooooo awesome and I controlled my nerves very well. I was absolutely happy up there, I finally understand why people will become concertizing pianists- in spite of all the downsides- o.m.g. if I ever get good enough, I'll totally try.
Buuuut anyway, I guess we'll see how well I really did when I hear about scholarships.

-elf

[PJF]

how do you mean 'more arm'? Would I raise my arm higher?

-elf

For octaves, lift your lower arm (with the assistance of key rebound) nearly the minimum distance that will clear the last key played but not so little that you have no room to prepare the next downward thrust (which is powered by gravity and the triceps); it's a tiny bouncing pattern, like jumping rope, or doing jumping jacks. It's a continuous, fluid motion (to make more analogies), like a racehorse or a greyhound at top speed. Allow your muscles to contract, creating a bit of a resiliency in the palm muscles that pull the pinkie toward the thumb. (You've got opposable thumbs, use them to your advantage.). The hand is strongest when it has a dome shape. The goal of coordinating the palm muscles is to maintain this dome shape when playing an octave, while being able to instantaneously relax when off the keys and increase the palm tension just enough to keep the dome up the instant before the next octave is played. Hands and wrist should be elastic, but not floppy.

Use the arm for power and positioning of the hand; and the fingers (palm muscles) for articulation. Just remember, the best way is the one that is most efficient. The laws of physics are at your service. Exploit them.

Keep up the great work!

[elvenpianist]

Thanks for the explanation, Pete. I'll try to put the principles you outlined in use. I really wish someone would sit me down and just WORK with me on octave technique though! But maybe it's something you have to figure out for yourself.

Masterclass went well, btw; learned a lot. Took the week off and start lessons back next week- and new rep! Huzzah!

-elf

[johnmar78]

i dnt work with arrogant people but rather modest and polite people with right bought up. And so far I have met good and bad. You know what I mean.