Hello again,

This charming set of variations is IMO not nearly played often enough. It is a fairly simple melodic motif on the surface, but nonetheless abounds in Haydn's typical ornamental and rhythmic complexity.

Thanks for listening,

Joe


Haydn - 6 Variations in C Major, Hob. XVII/5 (8:04)

Joe this is also a fine presentation of a work that would serve very nicely as a mile-stone achievment for a student progressing through late-elementary/intermediate level playing. I imagine this was perfectly sight-readable for you. It was a delight to listen to during my lunch. Thanks again.

Yes, except everything I record is memorized Thanks for listening to this one too. I'm glad you found it added an appetizing ambience to your lunch

Joe

Yes, well played too. It is on the site.

Yes, these are lovely and well played, and I especially appreciate the absence of unwarranted gaps.

I'm sure I have these somewhere, but can't find them now, so to everyone's relief my comments will be rather less detailed.
I noticed only two small blemishes worth mentioning.

The first is that I found the trill at 2'26 and 2'38 a bit "busy" and to obtrude somewhat. I thought there was someone at the door until I remembered I don't have that kind of doorbell. I prefer it a little more understated and subtle, preferably introduced by an upper note on-the-beat appogiatura.

The other is that at 4'03 and 4'25 there seems to be a kind of time-slip, in that the first note of the last pair of ascending notes prior to the slight (and very tastefully executed if I may say so) pause sounds as though it is early by half its length. Since it happens both times, it must be deliberate on your part, but it just doesn't sound right. Could it be a misreading, or a faithful reproduction of a mistake in the copy?

Thanks for your comments, rainer (I was wondering what took you so long )



Right, I would probably agree with that. Sometimes I measure my trills more, but here wasn't one of them. Probably I was influenced by listening in my youth to too many of Gieseking's doorbell trills.



I haven't yet checked these times in the recording, but I believe this is a place where Haydn in fact does indicate an fermata at a rather odd place before the 32nds pick up again.

Joe

To avoid any misunderstanding, let me assure you that I am not commenting on the presence or duration of a pause (that's why I said it was tasteful). What I mean is what happens just before it.

I still haven't found the score (maybe it was a library copy I was thinking of), so I can't give you a bar number, but let me see if I can get my point across without. Leading into the pause in question a certain rhythmic pattern comes four times. Each occurrence of the pattern consists of four pulses (probably of 8th notes, possibly 16ths) of which the right hand has the first two and the left hand has the other two. The right hand's two pulses are always descending and it sounds like the first and second times they're in thirds (E-G to D-F and then D-F to C-E), and the third and fourth time they're in sixths (G-E to F-D and then F-D to E-C). The left hand's pulses sound like ascending octaves, G first time, lower C next, then back up to G, and finally upper C.

If you know where I am, what I mean is that the first of the final two left hand Cs comes too soon after the right hand E-C, by half a pulse, breaking the established pulse pattern, thereby causing distress to the listener's inner metronome. It may well be the case that you're not aware of doing it, but to me it just jumps out.

Yes, going to the score and listening, I see you are right -- I slightly rush that. That is indeed a tricky place rhythmically. I think somehow the fermata was a distraction from the 16th note rest above it. Anyway, thanks for pointing that out: I'll circle it in my score.

Thanks,

Joe

Joe - very well done! These sound great to me - nicely executed with just the right feeling IMO.

Also, the audio quality is excellent.

Matt

Thanks, Matt. Glad you enjoyed. Also good that the audio quality seemed good to you. Actually, it was just recorded using the two little mics on my zoom

Very well done. Excellent playing.