I was going to post these in with the other message but it exceeded the attachment limit. I think these went fairly well, especially since Chopin 8 and Scriabin 7 are IMO two of the hardest of the project (surpassed in difficulty for me only by Chopin 12 and 16 and Scriabin 19).

Hope you enjoy,

Joe


Chopin - Prelude in A Major Op.28 No.7 (0:53)
Chopin - Prelude in F sharp Minor Op.28 No.8 (1:58)
Chopin - Prelude in E Major Op.28 No.9 (1:15)

Scriabin - Prelude in A Major Op.11 No.7 (0:57)
Scriabin - Prelude in F sharp Minor Op.11 No.8 (1:29)
Scriabin - Prelude in E Minor Op.11 No.9 (1:22)

Good playing again, indeed these hard ones come off really well. Again I am a bit worried by the bass-heaviness so that sometimes I can hardly hear the top notes (could be my hearing though). I wonder if you could change the recording setup to pick up more of the treble. Maybe use a little less pedal in places.
I will put these on the site tonight or else tomorrow.

On Scriabin 7 in particular, I agree that the treble should sing more. That one's just so difficult . I use the soft pedal for the opening and ending, and that may influence it since it deadens the tone a bit while lowering the overall dynamic. I may tinker with the recording setup a bit too and with the EQs in the future.

Thanks again for all your helpful feedback.

Joe

These are all up on the site.

Thanks very much, Chris. Links look fine. Two small errors I noted are that the timings for Chopin 8 and Chopin 9 are reversed (Chopin 8 should be 1:58; Chopin 9, 1:15). Also, the key for Scriabin 8 should be F-sharp minor instead of G-sharp minor.

Hi jlr,

The three Chopin preludes seem very well played to me. Yes, No. 7 is very difficult to play, as the pianist has no place to hide where the writing is so sparse. I think you take the last chord in its own pedal, which I do too, while holding the tie from the previous measure. Somehow the last chord does seems more pure that way, rather than thinking that because the harmonies are the same, one continuous pedal will suffice. For No. 9, you play some of it con passione, which is an interesting approach. Whereas the tempo is largo, I play the piece more leisurely than you, which I believe gives it a different sound entirely--more regal and perhaps imparting a greater sense of occasion. But between two pianists, that comes down to different personal imagery, preferences, and musical intents. I think your renditions are very fine and certainly effective, and I enjoyed hearing them.

David

My initial impressions of the Chopin is that they are well played and that you have interestingly individual opinions about them. Of course in a set as frequently played as the Chopin preludes that runs the risk that you offend people's pre-conceptions. I'm not sure about the end of no. 9 which I found quite impetuous (though not offensively so ), but on the other hand I really wouldn't want to hear the same predefined interpretation thoughtlessly regurgitated every time I hear a new recording. Was there a slight element of rh confusion near the start of no. 8? I'm not sure and don't have the score to hand. It is as you say one of the hardest of the group. Thanks for these (and thanks again for them not being bland).

Ok, all corrected. People should really supply the key signature and tempo indication with each piece, along with opus numbers, dates, and other relevant info. I'll put that in the "Recording, naming, and tagging rules" which I am working on but still have not completed

Hi Chris,

I think that's a good idea on including key signatures in addition to opus and numbers for preludes. Every time I play preludes by any composer, I always include the key signatures, because when preludes are not isolated, but are instead part of a larger group, that's how many pianists and listeners who know the preludes think and speak of them, e.g., "the C#m prelude" or "the prelude in G" etc. I have to admit that I can't keep all the numbers in my head, but if I'm told the key, I get it. Otherwise I have to pull out the scores or look it up in a repertoire guide. (It's a sure sign of getting old!)

David

Hi David,



I was actually referring to No. 7 of the Scriabin But yes, Chopin 7 is an entirely different type of difficulty: despite its apparent simplicity, it may be among the most difficult pieces to interpret IMO. I agree with your comments about pedalling. Given that Chopin was writing for earlier instruments, I think this is what makes pedalling in Chopin difficult on the modern piano. One has to constantly use one's ear to hear the proper nuances. If the pedal were held through the final A chord, it would become too muddy to my ears, and I'm glad you think so too.



Thanks for that. Regarding No. 9, sometimes I suppose it just depends on my mood. I try to be spontaneous, and I might play it differently tomorrow

Joe

Thanks, Chris. And sorry for omitting the information

Hi Andrew,



Thanks. Yes, I agree it is a difficulty with this set of pieces more than many others (even perhaps among Chopin's works). One thing is, I rarely listen to recordings of the pieces I'm working on for this very reason -- in the end, I want to make my own statement without being influenced or getting something in my ear to try to emulate. So I'm glad you noticed this aspect.



Listening back, I don't think so, but it could be I'm too used to it now My attempt was to deliberately start off a bit slower to ease into the crescendo with a slight accelerando toward that A, but one can never be sure how it will come across.

Joe