Etude op. 25 no. 2

Well done Francesco, I took the liberty of removing one of the two downloads since you uploaded the same file twice.

If I may, I'll give you some indications for this study, if you want to take them into consideration; otherwise, just bin it all... I don't know if part of the fault lies with the recording, but I hear too many fluctuations both regarding the sound and concerning the agogics. It is true that Chopin was one of the greatest exponents of Romanticism, but we must never be too saccharine when playing him. Chopin himself advised his students not to over-sweeten certain passages and, contrary to what is thought, he was very uncompromising regarding tempo; additionally, these are studies, and while it's true they are signed by Chopin so one can dare, they are still studies! A point of reference, in my opinion, regarding Chopin's studies is Maurizio Pollini. I don't believe there are more beautiful and inspired recordings of the studies in the whole world than those of our compatriot Pollini. Take inspiration from these great performers without wanting to copy their interpretations, but only to frame the piece, then make it your own.

Thank you for the response

As far as the sounds are concerned, they derive largely from the recording, and partly from the piano, which unfortunately is an upright with a very muddy sound. On the grand [piano], I manage to perform it in a better way because I am able to achieve moments of tension alternating with moments of calm, both within the individual cells and in the phrases and periods. Unfortunately, the limitation of my piano leads me, mistakenly, to create tension through acceleration and calm through hesitation. On the grand, I manage to achieve this alternation almost exclusively through sound, only to a small extent through agogics. I know, played this way, it almost seems as if I want to "slam" this alternation in your face, but it is something that comes to me instinctively, just as instinctively it does not come to me on the grand piano. I have little self-esteem, but tonight at the piano shop, the owner was stunned after trying the pianos. I am working towards purchasing a Yamaha grand piano.

Well, Yamahas are excellent grand pianos for practice. Personally, I really like the C5! It is a great compromise between easy action and beautiful sound. The C7 has good action but I don't particularly love its sound. Otherwise, there are also the G models, relatives of the C series that aren't bad; they have a little less since they are a slightly more economical series, but they still sound good. So, we eagerly await some more recordings with the new Yamaha!

Due to space issues (and money), I don't think I can go beyond about 160 cm in length. Therefore, I am considering the C1, which gave me a great impression, as well as an effective mechanical response.

The C series models are all beautiful pianos. The only one I don't like very much is the flagship model, as already mentioned, the C7!