Also very good! Excellent playing.

Hi Joe,

You bring out an almost Schumannesque quality in the opening theme. It is very beautiful. Perhaps it is a combination of tenderness, dotted rhythms and drama from the sudden shifts in the dynamics.

The first variation is very beautiful with those exclaimations of ascending/descending arpeggio like figures. The spirit is evocative of nature's awakening in the Spring, full of poetry. Your left hand phrasing and textures are very well articulated. Your trills are expressive and the dynamics are excellent. You allow the listeners ear to distinguish the priorities.

The minor variation reminds me of Schumann once again. I agree with your assessment. It truly is a masterpiece, and in my opinion, is ahead of it's time in some ways.

Your broken octaves and broken chords hold the drama. Everything in terms of motifs is in perspective.


The next variation is full of the spirit it needs to have, and presents an almost tumbling
impression of sophisticated frolic, with the chromaticism joyfully presented. This is very classical in style.

The reprise of the opening theme followed by the cadenza is convincing and well presented.
I hear Schumannesque passages and transitions so beautifully played. The pauses are effective as is your pedaling.

It is all well within the bounds of Haydn and yet seems so romantic in style at the same time. You play this piece with great earnestness and the right amount of drama without it sounding sentimental.

I wish I had the score so I could pin down more of my impressions. However, listening was just a great pleasure.

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful performance.

- Kaila

Kaila,

Thank you for your compliments and for your perceptive remarks about the music.



Interesting. I hadn't thought of Schumann but I think that's certainly an apt analogy for the theme with its elements of brooding and introversion.



Thanks and I'm glad that aspect came across to you, since it is indeed what I strive for: to be expressive without being mawkish.

Again, thanks very much for listening and for your kind words,

Joe

Robert,

Thanks for listening and for your praise (also on the C major).

Joe

Hi Joe,

You are most welcome. You did a great job. I hope you return to this piece again and again.

I neve realized how profound Haydn can be. I loved playing his D major concerto.
The craftsmanship was so elegant and concise and pleasant all at the same time.
You made me see a different side of Haydn which is intangibly and mysteriously abstract
and yet "right there" so to speak.

Thank you so much!
- Kaila

I love that piece as well, especially the demonic and fiery last movement. Just listened to Wanda Landowska play it on the harpsichord again recently (it does seem to also work surprisingly well on that instrument).

Thanks again for listening to the variations. I'm glad you liked them.

Joe