Great performance. The way you played the C section was especially great and matched the piu lento marking. Because rubato tempo is kind of Chopin's thing, his pieces can be interpreted in many ways, but I personally feel that a slightly faster tempo suits this piece better, with more contrast in tempo between the A and B section. Something I would change about this performance is, when you play the final note of the B sections, after the chromatic run, it feels too accented when it should be followed by a decrescendo, finishing with it as the quietest note. But it's always good to experiment with pieces (especially Chopin) and find what sounds best to you.
Thank you for your critical, constructive comments. Yes, you are correct about making a diminuendo going to the top note, but, I think, only on the second time at 1' 44''before going into the Db section. The speed I chose happened to be only for this performance; on other occasions I may have played faster. I tend to play a piece differently as and when the mood takes me. The speed of a piece determines how the shape of phrases may turn out, and, therefore, give a totally different mood to the piece. Your comments show that you have listened with a discerning ear. It makes me happy when a 'real music' lover has the ability to see why he/she liked a particular performance, and how a few places could need more enhancement. Please feel free to leave any comments on other performances as you may wish.
Someone once said that you can't fail with pieces written by Chopin. However, in the hands of some pianists a piece can be ruined if played in a boring way. I am curious to know what, in this performance, caused you to love this particular piece?@@tanjanovicic2926
Thank you! Yes, I notice that a lot of pianists seem to want to get through the waltzes as fast as they can. I suppose they think they are beneath them since they are more concerned with going faster than other pianists in the show-off pieces and cannot reduce the onslaught in less flamboyant pieces!!!
Thank you for your confirmation. As I have often said before, these are not Johann Strauss waltzes where you are whisked around the room. Chopin has simply taken the idiom and moulded them to his own creation.@@powderedwiglouis1238
