My first Chopin

I feel that this library limits your expressivity a bit. I can sense the intentions, which are very beautiful among other things, but the result seems dynamically flat to me and the problem lies with the library, which feels very dark especially in the piano.

The video is also beautiful: "evocative".

Thank you Simone for the kindness. As far as this library is concerned, I don't know what else to invent to make it sound its best; when I try it, it seems to me that it sounds good but then... my next recording I will do with "Ivory 2 American Concert D" so we can understand if it's a problem with the library or if it's me who needs to improve.

No no, I'm telling you 100% that the library itself isn't much.

What do you play with in your videos?

I forgot... could it be a problem with the sound card, or is it completely unrelated? In other words, if I change the card (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2) by getting a more expensive one, will I get better sound?

Giovanni, I listened to your Chopin. Even though I am not an "IT expert", I agree with Simone. It limits you a bit. My idea is that it is already difficult to express the Chopin phrase on an acoustic piano... on digital, it becomes even more difficult; that is, it becomes harder to achieve that right proportion between duration and sound intensity. Casella used to say: there is no point in deluding oneself, to play legato and cantabile one must play with a certain force. If I may be so bold, your piano is a bit too "private". So? Try to play the left hand stronger and more legato. The right hand, which in this case accompanies and emerges exceptionally, must be played very softly. When both hands go into the "forte", the "forte" will be achieved. I always cite the example of Rubinstein, who played the cantabile parts with considerable weight. Listen to the nocturnes, for example. His left hand is barely present, which can also be observed discographically. Try it. Diversify the "presence of the two hands" more. Also try playing on an acoustic piano sometimes. Anyway, aside from personal observations, you have done an excellent job.

Giovanni wrote:

What do you play with in your videos?

It depends... Let's say I use three (Garritan Authorized Steinway, EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos Pro, Galaxy Steinway), often combining them. But the libraries, in their pure state—meaning taken and played as they are—almost all sound a bit crappy. You have to waste time on them to pull out the sound. The problem is that this particular library feels very flat dynamically to me. You can work on the sound as much as you want, but extracting a dynamic range that wasn't already there during the sampling phase of a library is impossible. In my opinion, you need to change libraries.

Giovanni wrote:

I forgot... could it be an issue with the audio interface or is it unrelated? That is, if I change the interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2) for a more expensive one, will I get a better sound?

No, the audio interface has nothing to do with it. These sounds are generated by the computer. There is no encoding or decoding, so the interface is actually of very little use. Everything is born and remains in the digital realm. The problem is that the deficiencies are due to the library.

Dear Paolo, your advice—or rather, your collective advice—is as precious to me as pure gold; I can only set myself to "working" hard to improve. In fact, I play little on my Yamaha U3 for various reasons: the first is that I cannot achieve a pianissimo (I practically never use the piano pedal); I would like to replace it with a grand piano, but at this moment I cannot due to economic reasons. The second reason is that if one tries a relatively difficult phrase or passage for several hours, the health of those around me is at stake.

p.s. I am already listening to the nocturnes played by Rubinstein

Simone, how do you combine the different libraries together?

Eh. Good question... It's not a discussion that can be tackled via the forum.

I understand less than "0" about computer science and I really can't help you! However, I can tell you that I like it....I also feel a significant sensitivity in your intentions, and with Paolo's advice, you might be able to express it more fully. I am very curious to "see" the next recording with that other "library," so maybe I will better understand Simone's point as well....

Thanks Nancy, I'm getting to "work" right away (PURE FUN!!) I haven't decided what to let you listen to yet, I'll come up with something

P.s I would love to hear other recordings from the members of this forum.

Putting yourself out there is good and helps you grow.

If perhaps you have lost some affection for your Yamaha, it will depend, I think, on the difficulty of achieving piano and pianissimo. On the upright, I advise you not to rely too much on the left pedal, which does nothing but move the hammer action forward and create a "void". A shorter hammer stroke leads to playing softer. Instead, good regulation and good voicing will provide you with the right path to fall in love again with the possibilities of your instrument!!!!! We await your next recording!

thanks Paolo For your contribution, indeed pressing the pedal of the upright leads to little there is only a reduction in volume and does nothing but confuse me, do you think I should tune the piano already? I bought it new in 2008 and haven't played it much out of fear of disturbing those around me I have always prepared pieces on the digital and subsequently played them on the acoustic, the hammer felts are not very "worn" and the action responds well.

For the next piece I already have an idea, I was thinking of preparing Chopin's Prelude No. 4, it seems to be within my reach, it will take me a while to prepare it also because now I will be forced to do better than last time

Well! Prepare it on the digital and play it on the acoustic!. Happy Easter! Bye Paolo

Happy Easter to you too!

Congratulations Giovanni, your interpretation is very beautiful!

I liked it very much too!

Guys, don't overdo it with the compliments, otherwise I'll end up getting a big head