Week 3: My heart leaps up! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the third week of "The Romantic Era" challenge!
- Make sure you've read the guidelines before replying (<- click)
- Watch the kickoff livestream! (<- click)
Favorite romantic composer?
↓ Happy Sharing! ↓
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Thanks very much Jack!! Are you familiar with Iberia by Albeniz for piano? If not, when you have a chance, listen to Alicia De Larrocha perform it.
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Barney I was not familiar with Iberia. From what I have found on YT it is a large collection of piano pieces by Albeniz, correct? I am listening to de Larrocha perform Cuaderno I now. It is amazing, thanks for the lead.
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Jack Stewart Great, I'm glad you found it Jack. Yes, it is a Suite called Iberia by Isaac Albeniz.. Many years hears ago I saw her live perform the complete suite in New York. She was one of the all time great Legendary Spanish pianists. Hope you enjoy it.
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Mertz - Op 13 An Malvina (May 20)
Here is another update of this piece. I feel like I have plateaued on this one, so I'll probably make this my final video of it for the challenge. I think I could do 1000 takes and still mess each one up in some way.
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Eric Phillips Hi Eric, I didn't watch the video but only listened to it this time, I didn't hear any big problems or mistakes, your performance of this piece was really good. On the other hand, my extended version of "So Deep is The Night" is giving me a real headache, I think I could only share the audio this time because I couldn't play it reasonably well in 1 take.
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Eric Phillips wow that was great Eric!! You really reach the point where only time will make a difference as you'll refine the form and phrases... thanks for making this last submission!
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks, Blaise. I'm thinking of playing it for the masterclass with Ashley next week, so maybe she can help me take it to another level.
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Wai Thanks, Wai. I hear several mistakes, but I need to remember that not everyone will notice or care. The overall effect of the music is more important than some mistakes. It's easy to forget that, though, when I'm recording and getting frustrated bacause I'm not playing it perfectly.
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Eric Phillips I think that's a great idea!!
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Eric Phillips Cool, Eric, great performance again! About errors, occurred me a thought: How many steps I did in my life? Does it mean that I'll never stumble again, right?
As I said before, I just worry about mistakes if they occur in the same passage. If yes, I need to study a bit more. If not, it was just a stumble. Thank you, man!
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José Ferrer - Nostalgia (May 20)
Here is a new one I'm working on. It's in C minor, which makes it a bit challenging for the guitar. Making things legato just does not come easy in this key.
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Eric Phillips This is a nice piece, Eric. It also looks pretty tricky - lots of runs interspersed with chords and 3 flats. I thought I had a collection with some Ferrer but I guess I don't. In any event it is nice to hear these discoveries in these challenges.
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Eric Phillips Thanks for listening, Jack. It’s definitely not a beginner piece, more like late intermediate, I’d say. I want to keep working on it so I can play it more securely. My phrasing in the B section needs to be a lot clearer also.
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Eric Phillips again, beautiful, thank you!!!!
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Stefanie Mosburger-Dalz Thanks, Stefanie.
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Eric Phillips Yes... C minor is ungrateful key... The guitar's natural harmonics don't come up. Even so, you got a great performance. Thank you!
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Mendelsohnn Op. 19.6 Barcarole Update 2
This is much better, I feel, from the previous recording. I think the Tengyue masterclass had a big impact. I have 3 versions to choose from and each has a specific problem, but I feel this one was the best, in spite of the obvious glitch. I now have to get the Chopin ready for tomorrow's concert.
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Jack Stewart Wow, Jack, that was great! You seemed completely in control of the music in both hands. I can tell you practiced that a lot. Is there a particular insight that TY gave you that you found most helpful?
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Jack Stewart Well played, Jack! Compare to the first video, the improvement was huge! and I saw you using the secret skill - crooked finger!
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Jack Stewart well done Jack! I'm surprised you're playing the role of the guy who's not fully into romantic music...
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Jack Stewart Very nicely done. Excellent improvement from your earlier posting. I like the flow and the harmonics were very good.
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Eric Phillips Thanks Eric. I feel I did have pretty solid control of this performance, though my interpretation still needs to grow. But, all in all, not bad for a Romantaphobe.
I think the most helpful insight from TY was in interpretation, especially the initial melody. He suggested to upbeat to be a bit softer and held longer leading to a stronger downbeat and slowly decresendoing to the end of the phrase. He also had some other fingering suggestions which Decided not to in corporate, but I understand the impact he was getting at andI tried to achieve that as well as I could.
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Wai Thanks, Wai. I agree the improvement was great over the last performance. That is actually my secret. If you present a poor performance then any improvement will seem great.
BTW, I actually cheated on the crooked finger. I did use my index finger but left out the 'crooked' harmony. I just couldn't get it to work and I didn't think it was a noticeable lack.
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Blaise Laflamme Thanks, Blaise. I know. My cover is foiled. I actually have a pretty good collection of Romantic pieces I play or want to play. I guess I am starting to grow up.
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale. It seem to come together just before my masterclass with TY and especially after. Just in time, too. I was getting ready to move on.
BTW,have you noticed Ashley is giving a livestream on Augustin Carlevaro's transcriptions of Piazzolla's Estanciones Portenos on Monday?
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Jack Stewart Thanks for letting me know about Ashley's workshop on Monday. Unfortunately, I have a prior commitment but definitely will watch it later.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
