An Opinion On My (humble) Performance!

Daniele,

I can't connect to your YouTube.

Paolo

I uploaded my first videos to YouTube.... http://www.youtube.com/user/DanielePiano?feature=mhum Can you give me your opinion (even a negative one) on my performance?.... especially on Beethoven's Moonlight! Thanks1000 😕

No negative opinions, criticism is always constructive as long as it remains respectful of others' sensitivity!

Regarding the Moonlight...

In my opinion, you must truly think about the moonlight that fills the night and illuminates it with that soft light while you play. The spirit of this magnificent movement of Sonata Op. 27 n°2 is indeed very diffused. You must lighten the right hand significantly and distinguish the singing from the rest. The triplets must be very soft, just like the moonlight, and what must emerge is the song. Even the song must never be graceless; you just have to think it, often thinking about the melody makes it come out naturally without having to weigh it down. Towards the end, you go up to a forte that is not contemplated in this sonata; even if 'forte' is written on the score, it is never a true forte, it is more of a felt intensity. Also use the pedal, obviously, without blurring it by changing it at every harmonic change. The tempo is fine, I wouldn't play it any faster than this and I wouldn't slow down too much; after all, we are talking about Beethoven, not Chopin. Anyway, you are doing well, keep it up. Study and you will see that music will give you great satisfaction.

As for 'Tu si na cosa grande'... About a couple of years ago, maybe 3, I don't remember, I accompanied a boy on the piano who was going to sing it in a charity concert. If you are interested and I find it again, I will send it to you.

Best regards, keep going like this !!

DEAR DANIELE,

I also managed to listen to your performances.

Good. Congratulations. I would like to make some observations.

Moonlight Sonata. I agree with Simone. Beethoven's indication.....delicately and without dampers means playing the piece with a delicate touch and lifting the dampers, i.e., keeping the sustain pedal depressed. Now, obviously, in Beethoven's time, with less "resonant" pianos, with iron strings, small hammers, this worked. On our modern pianos, one obviously needs to change the pedal at every harmonic change, as you do quite well, but perhaps you need to use more care. You must also ensure that the sound does not "swell" too much and become too loud. This concerns the bass and the triplets. The singing part, however, must emerge greatly, like a song. The tempo must be rigorous and "measured". But you already govern it quite well. I cannot see clearly, but it seems to me that your hand is calm and relaxed. This is good. A natural position, hopefully without tension and stiffness, will allow you to develop good technique. We will talk about this in the next videos on piano technique.

I agree with Simone once again. The atmosphere is fundamental. Try to enter into the atmosphere that this "title" attributes to the sonata. Nothing romantic, but a warm evening with the moon provoking an inner tranquility. No disturbance or aggressive sonorities.

Better preparation of the piano sound would favor this search, as would a better release of the sound.

Anyway, well done. I also listened to the other two pieces with great interest.

Compliments

Paolo

hello....first of all thank you for your suggestions, which are much appreciated 😕

now I am learning the piece by memory (I have already learned the first half)....I will also add the pedal and improve the dynamics and phrasing .....as soon as possible I will upload a better performance....thanks to everyone for the much appreciated suggestions!!!

I found this video on youtube

Thanks again....greetings

Good music to everyone!

Open content (youtube)

Hi Daniele, we look forward to your new interpretation with pleasure and interest.

Rigacci's video is very interesting; he is notoriously very engaging in his explanations full of pathos.

Until next time...

Hi Daniele, I would spend entire days listening to someone who explains things this way, are there other Rigacci videos around the web?

Giovanni

Dear Daniele,

I saw your interpretation of "Moonlight"... well done, it is very beautiful, careful and expressive! (Try slowing it down and playing it with your eyes closed, imagining the moonlight, perhaps reflected in the calm and intense blue waters of the sea... you'll see!!!)

Listen, I am also struggling with this piece that I love, but I have a little problem: I am playing it by ear; could you send me the sheet music via forum message, perhaps in PDF version? I would be very grateful to you, also because... without sheet music it's a bit hard!! 😕

Thank you in advance and I look forward to your reply!!!

Ciao!! Francesco 1797

PS: You know, I agree with what Simone said... there is only one way to play this piece: think of the moonlight reflected in the water of the lakes of the Swiss cantons (where it was probably composed, Pietro Rigacci explains it very well in the video...)...

Ciao!

You can find it in the Download section - Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14, "Moonlight" is the first movement, the adagio.

Or click on this link and go there directly.