20 Microestudios (No.1 - 10) - Abel Carlevaro

Wai I think Microestudios 1, 3, & 6 do make a nice set to perform.  Also, don't give up on #9. It will grow on you.  Listen to Carlevaro playing it and try to pick out the melody line. It is quite nice. Also. William Kanengiser has a nice performance of it on YT.  Glad you got Carlevaro's book.  It is true Carlevaro has a unique approach to playing pizzicato which I try to adhere to.  Watch Carlevaro performing Tamboriles (His Preludio #5) to get a better sense of how he plays pizzicato. However, there is nothing wrong with playing pizzicato the traditional way.  Also, my suggestion when studying his book, is to focus first on left hand technique.  Carlevaro has an innovative approach to the left hand/arm which can greatly help with left hand string noise.  I hope this helps.

Dale Needles Hi Dale, Listening to Carlevaro's recording of 9, it seems like he's playing it fairly loose when it comes to time. I know this piece is marked poco libero, but was he pretty open to rubato interpretations or is 9 more the exception than the rule?

Steve Price Hi Steve, I was not fortunate to study these Microestudios with Carlevaro since they came out in the 90s, and I was studying with him throughout the 80s.  Nevertheless, from my experience with him, I found that he generally adhered to the rythm and timing as indicated but with that said, he would interject rubato quite often both in selected phrases or even for entire pieces.  For example in 20 Microestudios, there is one microestudio in each volume that he indicates should be played poco rubato.  As with most things,  it is finding that right balance betwen what is written and one's own musical expression. Also, I have read several of your posts in Wai's practice diary and am so glad you are admirer of Carlevaro.  He is truly a great composer.  I am currently working on his Introduccion y Capricho, a wonderful piece.

Wai He really is so clean. Really impressive. 

Dale Needles He really is one of my favorites. A nice mix of challenging and accessible. A lot of his music is out of my reach but I'm slowly chipping away at Evocacion. Thankfully he has some nice lower grade pieces like the Milonga for Ling, Tango, and Song for an Indian Boy as well as his studies (micro study 2, strictly adhering to his penciled in dynamic markings, is usually my warm up). Introduccion and Capricho is really nice so enjoy that.