Dear Moderators, Please find attached Leyenda from Albéniz's Suite Espagnola for review. Thanks for your time. Albeniz - Cantos d'Espana Op.232 - 1: Preludio (Asturias/Leyenda) (7:04)
I was going to complain you are taking strange liberties with the score, but now I see that the UME score (which I think you are using) has quite some difference from the Edition Scott score I am used to. So now all seems quite accurate. I'm not sure which of the two should be considered 'authentic' (chances are Albeniz would not have cared much about such details). Excellectly played technically, the dry repeated notes properly guitar-like, but just a little mechanical. And I think you do not observe all of the composer's dynamic markings. All the same a very good performance. I would guess you are Spanish ? And what piano is this ?
Hi Chris, Yes I am using the UME score. I've noticed some differences as well. I prefer this one though. I am not Spanish but like the repertoire very much. I am South African, German and Scottish decent. Thank you for your feedback. Yes, some parts is a bit mechanical. I haven't played piano like this for about 4 years now so I definitely need some improvement in certain areas.
Hello, I listened to both of your Albeniz recordings. They sound very nice, more so the Preludio. The Leyenda sounds a little on the slow side to me. But you did keep a nice steady rhythm throughout, so that was good. I'm pretty sure you're playing on a digital keyboard, right? I miss some depth, spikiness, and some...I dunno...bite, which you can get on a acoustic grand. But still, a nice job...on both pieces!
Hi PianoLady, its digital unfortunately. Apologies Chris, i missed your question on the piano qiestion as well. Its a Yamaha. I agree, the piece requires allegro but not too much. Unfortunately for me, anything faster and i wouldnt be able to keep up good technical performance. Thanx again for the feedback. This is exactly why I registered for honest and experienced feedback.
Pinosa, This is a truly enjoyable performance. You have a great feel for the Spanish idiom. I didn't follow any score, so I can't say anything about any liberties that you may or may not have taken. In the end it was a cohesive whole. Just out of curiosity, did you record this direct or mic the instrument (it sounds to me more like the former). The sound is good, but Yamaha, particularly their AWM system does great sounds. I have an older Roland RD-700 (2002). It has gone through 3 more generations. While I love it and it is great for living in an apartment and taking to gigs, my biggest issues are the sympathetic vibrations inherent in an acoustic, the lack of a true una corda (it does soft, but that just cuts the volume back and does not alter the actual tone quality) and the fact that live amplification is from a specific point in space (the speakers). The last point is what I see as the big issue with digital pianos (although the Roland V piano can be connected to 5.1 surround, which may give a better effect). Acoustic pianos radiate sound in all directions. Enough of that discussion. Truly a good job. I'm off to listen to your Preludio now. Scott
This one is on the site. Note that it is listed as no.1 of Cantos d'Espana, which is how we had it for the existing recording.
Hi pianosa, I liked the crisp and disciplined articulation you employed in the staccato sections, as it was very even and effective. In the more lyrical sections your playing was very expressive. Very fine playing overall. I enjoyed listening. I was going to comment on the "spiking", then noticed earlier in the thread that you played the piece on a digital piano which is limiting in some ways. Nonetheless, you made the most of it. David