Sor Op.26 Variations
I have reposted this topic since I didn't get it right the first time. This is a nice set of variations that is not as well known as some of Sor's other variations. It is not very daring harmonically but I find the variations engaging. Technically they are giving me a challenge - especially the last variation.
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Sor Op. 26 Variations (sans 4th variation). 1st update
It's been 5 days since I first posted my first video of this set of variations, so I though I should provide a current update. This update is better but still rough. I think I can generally play this acceptably and most glitches are part of my recording 'style'. I haven't spent much attention to interpretation and tone. So lots of work to be done there.
I have also been working on the 4th variation. The 'B' section is really difficult for me because of the stretches. I think I can make a video too. but it will be separate because it to still not up to speed.
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Jack Stewart Well played, Jack! It was far better than last time and was very smooth. The contrast between movements was really nice, can't wait to listen to the 4th variation.
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Jack Stewart I am really falling in love with this music as you progress through it, This time, I really like the introduction and theme the most. Good work!
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Wai Thanks Wai. There is improvement - slowly. And wait you must for the 4th variation.
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Eric Phillips Thanks Eric. There is not much going on harmonically, but when played up to speed it it really effective.
Patrick Kleemola has a really nice performance. I will try to be influenced by his approach (in my dreams).
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Sor Op.26 4th variation 'B' section
The stretches in this part of the 4th variation are really difficult for me. I have been working on this section for about a week now. At this point I set the mm to 60 and play each note to the beat several times thru and then move up to 70 and so on. When I get to 140 I go back to 60 and play each triplet to the beat and continue to 80. It's a long slow slog but it has gotten somewhat better,
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Op 25 4th Variation complete
This is the 4th variations played slowly. It is rough but it is mostly intact. Hopefully it will continue to improve and increase in tempo.
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Jack Stewart That is really coming together well, Jack! The isolated practice you did in the previous video paid off here as you played the whole variation. You’re almost at a point of putting this mammoth piece completely.
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Eric Phillips Thanks Eric. I continue to do the slow practice on the 4th. It is slowly getting better. It may be a couple of weeks before I can actually put this together at a reasonable tempo. Your reference to mammoth is apt - large, slow and lumbering (and extinct?).
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Jack Stewart I haven't heard of this one before, so I searched it on YT and wow, that was fast! I think playing correctly is more important than playing fast, so you have already accomplished the important part! Speed will come naturally, after a trillion times of repetition though.
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Jack Stewart happy to be back and see/hear you doing this great job on a very difficult (I know, I tried!!) variation. Wonderful to see you mastering this great piece step by step. It’s worth it. The melody is coming out very clear and those slurs from stretched position are so well done! Looking forward to you playing the complete fantasy in a community concert.
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Jack Stewart It's getting better and better! What if in this B section of the 4th var. you keep a full barre (or until the 5th string f.e.) until the high E of the melody. Only if this could provide more stability and perhaps the slight different angle would work better for your fingers..
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Manolis Thanks Manolis. I'll look at your suggestion of a full (5 string) barre. I'm not sure it would work though, because the 2nd beat (G chord ) has an open g string. The open g returns in the 2nd beat of the the next measure as well. Still, it is worth considering to see how that would affect hand angle and stretch.
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Sor Op. 26 Variations Update
It has been quite a while since I posted anything. This set of variations has really been a challenge for me.
Well, it is getting close - very slowly. There are a few noticeable flubs but generally they are corrected in the repeats. I still have trouble with the timing on the 1st variation and the 6/4 arpeggio in the 2nd variation. I can occasionally get both of those to work, so with more practice, I should be able to smooth most of those areas out. However, it will be a long time before I can play this at the speed of most versions (McFadden!? - hardly).
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Jack Stewart Wow, a 7 min piece, and you didn't miss a beat! Bravo, Jack!!
I especially like the second half of it, you played it very well. Your video inspired me to learn longer and harder pieces, now I am learning Bach's 1006a prelude (slowly...), hope that I will be able to show you... maybe next year.
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Jack Stewart that’s pretty brilliant, Jack. Great performance, thank you for taking us along on your path learning this piece. How you mastered this last movement with its finger acrobatics at this tempo: impressive.
you inspired me to start working on this piece. Do you use the “original” score from Bojes Samling.? I noticed a spot in m3 of the B part of the 4var. It looks like an extra eighth note., but that’s a graphic inaccuracy. Try playing the baseline separately (al notes with the stem facing down), you’ll see what I mean…I like to make the slurs as indicated in this variation (by Sor?), but that doesn’t make it easier…..
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Wai Thanks Wai. It's a 7 minute piece because I can't play it at the tempo that others play it (Patrik Kleemola - 5:46, Jeffrey McFadden - 4:54!!). If I can clean it up at my current tempo I will be happy - at least for a while.
I would love to see your process / progress on BWV 1006a Prelude. That is one of my favorites, though I have never attempted it. I just watched Mateusz Kowalski play this piece. It shouldn't be too difficult. All you have to do is put all of your fingers in the right place at the right time in tempo. Easy peasy.
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joosje Thanks Joosje. Though I'm not ready to accept that I have mastered Var. 4 (or any of it, for that matter).
Thanks for pointing out my error in the Var. 4 B section. (Good ears!!) I should have caught that but I was so lost in the weeds on that section for so long I never noticed it. I am using a score from freescore.com but it does follow the score you mentioned closely. I see why I misread that measure - it is an awkward scoring, though if I had been counting I should have noticed it.
As to the slurs - I just don't think I can play them at this time. My grasp of that variation is pretty tenuous as it is.
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Great Jack, you're doing really good on it! you're right that's been quite a while since most of us posted almost anything. Looks like the «Challenge» formula, the way Martin was doing, was more interesting for some of us. We should start one ourselves!
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks Blaise. It's good to hear from you. Participation has gotten pretty sparse this last month or so. Not sure what is going with Tonebase. Hopefully it is just a lull, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Your idea of a community based community challenge is an interesting one.
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Jack Stewart well i suspect it’s time consuming for an individual to manage and it requires some dedication if you want it to be successful. The good thing is that your Variations will be ready for any community upcoming concert!
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
