Brahms - Intermezzo Op. 117 no. 1

this is another try on my new piano. it was made after the second regulation.

video version (same audio):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klQ-b_Xj ... SGvqzXI7_g


Brahms - Intermezzo Op. 117, no. 1

 

Very good ! It seems to me that you have matured since you were last very active here. This is a more considered, polished and thoughtful interpretation than of some of the pieces you submitted back then.
A nice and burnished sound from you new grand although the treble seems a bit harsh. It's partly your fault, those repeated RH chords are really far too loud (especially so in the reprise) and spoiling the melody in the middle voice. It is the one point of critique I have on your interpretation. Otherwise it is very fine. These pieces are so deceptive... there is no such thing as easy Brahms.

 

here Monica

 

hi, Chris!
thanks for your comments.

well.. I had recorded this piece years ago, and I recently heard my old recording and I found it to be consistent with my new one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_83kEER3fA

of course, my version on a grand is more nuanced, in a way it was impossible to do on an upright, so the instrument let me evolve musically for sure. and those RH chords... in my first recording years ago I would play them very soft, then when I listened to it I found it was not necessary to play it so soft, almost impossible to hear, so this time I tried a little bit more proeminent, but I agree I have overdone it somewhat.

 

Not to be nitpicking, but the preferred compression is 192 Kbps, not 198

 

my audio converter program totally ignored this 192 kbps compression rarte. 8)

 

That must be one smart program, because it's done it all the same.

 

oh... I misspelt it twice... :?

 

Beautiful performance. I hope to be more versed when it comes to Brahms' piano compositions, I heard he was difficult and I am planning to start learning one of his rhapsodies soon. How did you get the file on the server? I only know how to add the attachment.

 

It is the job of the admins to transfer the attachments to the live area on the server. Ordinary mortals can not do that

 

Nice playing, in particular the soft inner section. The outer sections are very consistent although sometimes give a tad mechanical impression. Partly this may be the piano which might profit from voicing, or it has to do with the recording. But I also think there is room for improvement if you want to convey a more intimate feeling, eg rounding off the phrases and not go so loud. Phrases end at 4th beat which is normally a strong beat in 6/8 but I would play this as the softest beat here. Perhaps you are aiming for something different though.

Joachim

 

hi, Joachim! thanks for listening

I agree with you about the phrasings, but there is also a problem of the recording level. In my first recording with my new piano (Miguez), I chose a very low level. Then on this one I chose a very high. In fact, I'm playing much more piano than it sounds here. And so everything seems too exaggerate here (too soft, too loud...)

In my next recordings, I'll choose something between those two recording levels.