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Op. 56: Morodiene and Carey, you two did a marvelous job! I especially liked your sense of rubato and phrasing.

I'm leaving now for a drive across half of Norway under nasty weather conditions. Hopefylly I'll be able to continue commenting tomorrow afternoon.

Safe travels, Ganddalf!

+1. These are seriously excellent performances.

I wish I had the time to really announce how I feel about each performance, but I don't. Also, um, a brace of pages per minute is a tad much by anyone's standards, I feel This will be *very* brief, just to restate... Sam S: I found the understatedness quite charming. It felt quite as though witnessing the slight sadness that hides under a veil in a barfly's cheerful demeanour, knowing the cold shall be their only company when their friends have left for home...SwissMS: um, more as of a cat flitting through its worries as it walks along a fencetop...I liked the, I think, G sharps that so softly interrupted a prancing joy...um...it's calm and appreciative of the gravitas it entails; not overstated. AZNpiano: obviously, very professional, very neat, those trills after, I believe, thirds? *Very* impressive...um...much more of a marchman's resolve detected in this...simple faith Um...Roland: it struck me like a music box from a long ago place being rotated by some slightly melancholic grinder...it ends as though it could go on, but the grinder rather could not. Again, not overstated, very...nice. A charm, again Sandalholme: a neat and even form of unevenness; I liked the dynamic shifts and that staccato before the resubmission of the main theme...um..like a sparrow flitting about, just briefly peeking its head in and out of an overgrown grotto...not threatening, but certainly not safe Brad Hoene: like a leaf travelling down a stream, seeing many things, often feeling damp and completely out of control of its own fate...but still, what an adventure! Cinammonbear I: um...again, I got quite a militant feel...the left hand over those repeated right hand chords felt quite telling of the turmolt experienced but not brought up, the right hand focused sections being a grim adherence to duty, rather than resolve...a certain bittersweetness with the emphasis lacking on the sweet...very nicely kept in check II: obviously demonstrative of your pure technical capability. It felt like a masque ^_^ peterws I: again, I see a remarkable degree of technical proficiency being displayed. Of all the pieces thus far, I "get" this one the least, I must admit, but that's as much due to Chopin as you...um...it's a bit ice-cream vendoury but, like I say, I can't get a grip on it...it's good, but perhaps just too cheery for me jeffreyjones I: corsetted and rustically bardot'd women talking together and with dinner suited men, a slight tone of disconcerting subtext, but no further than subtext as they enjoy lawn games under gazebos and parasols, with sandwiches of course. Um...again, it seemed very technically secure...indeed, thusfar I'd say I hadn't sensed a rushed performance... *cough* dipsy...glad to see someone dress to match their piece I got a feeling of a person perhaps wracked with some insecurity over a decision, walking by waterways and under bridges, trying to take their mind off it, or at least reach a conclusion...um...a very honest feel to the performance...what that means I'll leave for you to decide jeffreyjones II: I kind of got the impression of a spasticated toy; springs sending it spinning in one direction then another, twirling quickly and elegantly, always as though it feels a smile upon it, even if it's careening about the floorboards...um...it's kind of cute ^_^ Very well done, in my humble opinion. Valencia: a beautiful piece and very sensitively played...um, I see a bud of some flower, just on the verge of blooming but...kind of afraid to, be it for the slight drizzle or insecurity at the many flowers nearby it couldn't be said...but there it lingers, witnessing the encouragement of its peers, bloom and all will be fine they say...but, um, still...it drizzles....those worries...and then it is too late to bloom My thoughts for your mum, whatever good they may do. musica71: I begin to get the sense of a ball once more, plenty of pleased couples...but one dancing as though looking for another who's not to be found. Very simply and without adornment, no weeping into tempests but...a melancholy that ever tempers the enjoyment of a sweet event. peterws II: *much* clearer to me, the feelings and thoughts Um...a slightly more chivalrous and carefree gaity lies about than in the rest of these mazurkas so far...like, "sure, there'll be a few bumps in the road, but what stories they'll become!" Of course, your technical...ness, is quite commendable. timmyab: it was like falling from sweet smelling orchard into a pit of lavender and heather...just so roundly nice, not happy...nice. It felt really natural not for the sake of being natural but by virtue of being natural....I *really* liked it ^_^ Um....Derulux: for one who criticises themselves so much, you sure fail to bring what you promise; I wanted fluffed notes (indeed, everyone could do with a few more of those, just as a by the by....far too polished by half ), a stumble, a hesitantly muttered profanity just before restarting a bar for the sixth time...but no, instead there's just this overarching milieu of a ruler trying to enjoy a performance some subjects have brought before them...benevolent, surely, but in the unfortunate position of knowing it can't last...so their enjoyment becomes tainted with these spiralling little concerns...it really is so sweet of them to do this, though, but....*sigh* gutenberg: um, kind of...people rebuilding a razed barn...with the slightly despairing pall that brings, though that's not to say one cannot share a laugh whilst doing so. Very clear and neat JoelW: how dare you submit this monstrosity? You shall surely be thrown from the battlements of decency to squirm on the impaling spikes of your own misadventure....what could *possibly* have made you think it within the confines of acceptability to submit...this? Um, of course, it's very clearly driven, no fussing about and the difference in the dynamics is quite notable...like someone trying to pass a sweet sentiment but being misheard, becoming agitated as they have to repeat their saccharine sayings....*again* bruceD: could not begin to say why, but I gathered the impression of an orange falling from a Venician's market stall, rolling down some hill and narrowly avoiding some splashy fate. I'd describe your playing as very open...um...you don't emphasise that you shouldn't need to; by not dramatising you let it unfold itself...and very nicely so jeffreyjones III: much more the out and out tragedy here...a looking up from the hands to pacing the room, looking out the window to some slightly blurry exchange before, once again, collapsing into the concern that engulfs all...um....a very nice and thick texture...I enjoyed it, that much is for sure Rupak Bhattacharya: it took me a couple of listens to realise that this is the same piece that I sometimes play; a different interpretation to mine for sure! ^_^ Neat, composed, thoroughly carried...um...it felt like someone who's day is filled with distraction, pleasant distraction...either side sandwiched by a wanting loneliness. *Very* nice carey I: pirouetting umbrellas, don't ask me why, swivelling on their handles and alternately shielding and being shielded with their extended...what's the top bit of an umbrella called? As with all of your performances, carey, um, you seem quite in control...the notes all seem to slip into place without an effort...it's really rather annoying Quite a brilliant touch....Beric: this felt full of good warmth; perhaps like Jeeves. Not a romantic love or a hopeful stay, but an air of loyalty and perseverance...um...kind of like a well-natured fireplace; you know, the sort that doesn't suddenly spit embers at you.. Tim Adrianson I: I really like the brevity of the phrases at the beginning...um...it doesn't feel quick, it feels brief...not that that makes *too* much sense There's a feel of stakes rising...something in the balance and all the while the result still quite undecided, the tension giving way to an appreciation of the nature of the indecision of the...whatever But still that slight anxiety...a laugh just that bit forced, the smile too firm and wide...and we peel ourselves away to discover our fortune...will await another day! Kreisler: definitely the cantabile tones of some wailing woman by the side of a prosperous bank...always slightly audible, even amongst the bustle of presses and people...um...I liked, quite some amount, how distinctive the sections were, yet you managed to carry through the qualities of the former... Tim Adrianson II: it felt like the start of some race or adventure....like Phineas Fogg just ascending into the clouds with only the slightest thought for the tribulations to come...as with a lot of these Mazurkas, I'm surprised at the confidence with which you seem to plow into it. dire tonic: it was like a drawing room, with billiards and valets...sometimes earnest sorrows might make there way there but, for the most part, it's simply content to be as it will...um...I'm afraid I'm not quite in a position to offer you criticism; I thought your playing wasn't lacking in any immediately obvious way and found your intonation very inviting. Tim Adrianson III: always flecks of insecurity found floating in a solution generally so warm but bubbly, winding down then winding up...a socialite with concerns of falling out of favour, trying to conceal such discontentment from his fellow...um...I don't know As per your others, very robust, not much messing around....um...carried quite smoothly through all the sections, I feel. SlatterFan: Hit in the face with a shovel right from the start A confluence of a duo searching for some treasure or another and the mole-people...when they depart, one says to the other "well that was odd!" Um...it's really strong, really confident...I especially liked the time given to the pauses; it served the effect well. Ganddalf: A squirrel meandering about, looking for acorns, burying acorns...all to do with acorns Um...I liked the rubato a lot...especially the vast tempo fluctuations in the first section. Damon *So* thin! So much nobility and bravery too...a whole host of different tastes scattered throughout the piece; it's quite unsettled and doesn't like hanging about Spiders, a knight, those spiders waltzing about above a portcullis, through which enter a host of variably incapacitated denizens wander..um...I *really* liked it. I mean, it just has so many different sections, each of which you gave their own world...very enjoyable, suffice to say ^_^ Morodiene: down a stream for something....not a fish, maybe a hat? It certainly maintained an air of movement throughout...the sound of the page turning made me laugh There feels to be valiance and honour just hiding behind a purely grand old time. You hold quite a firm vision throughout and it's clear you've thought to the end before deciding on a beginning carey II: it felt almost as though a villain had infiltrated a masquerade and was circling through the guests, but overall that things just got on; nothing dramatic has to occur Um...as with before, your...I don't know, punctuality? The decisive and sure footedness of your playing is quite impressive. carey III: in the quiet between storms, so far away and with but memories as a source of warmth in a war where joviality is a valuable commodity. Ever true to the hope of leaving such a place, but ever the feeling that it can't happen...um...a much more delicate piece than your previous two submissions...it made me feel a lot thank you all for the submissions; it's good to remember that even with our varying levels of professionalism we all seem to have a voice worth hearing. I eagerly anticipate *most* of the rest of the recital
Xxx

Op 56

Morodiene and Carey, wonderful performances. I cannot believe how you too put together such professional level performances in short amount of time. Totally enjoyed it.
Thank you.

FSO
You definitely get the "Comment of the year" for this . . pure theatre. Must`ve took ages. Very colourful. I`ll just have to read it in more detail!!!!

+1 on the OP 56 performances. OP 56 is one set that I confess I've totally overlooked -- these performances served to remind me that, like all mature Chopin, these three mazurkas are just loaded with passion and subtle, complex musical development. They definitely merit repeated hearings!

I was eagerly anticipating the Op 56 set and I was not disappointed. Op 56 No 3, is one of the "great" Mazurkas, full of majesty but with touches of nostalgia and lyricism. Carey did not disappoint, did he? It was all there. Thank you.

The other two performances were of equal calibre, so my thanks to both of you, Morodiene and Carey.

Regards,

I am always stunned in these recitals by the quality of the perfomances. I've not commented individually this recital. But, if I did, I would run out of superlatives. It's not just getting the notes right. These performances are full of passion. All played very musically. Really well done. And eye opening too as I've not ever heard quite a few of these. So thanks to all the contributors. Listening is a joy!!

Wow! I left town about the time this recital started and just got back. Just got through everything so far. It is so very special to have people come together and share their love of piano and Chopin like this. I love the mazurkas and found so many interpretations here idiomatic and revealing. While everyone should feel good about what they've done, I have to single out Carey's 56/3. The piece is quite a journey and you took us there.

I appreciate the kind words from Ganddalf, Farmgirl, peterws, and Cinnamonbear to my little addition.

Carey, I enjoyed Op 56 no. 3 so much. It had a nice improvisatory feel to it, like you were making it up as you went along, and having a great deal of fun. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks everyone for sharing your work. The recital was a great idea. I didn't have the chance to log in the last few days, but I look forward to listening to all your renditions!

10th installment is here!

Mazurka in A minor, Opus 59 No 1
Performed by Ganddalf
https://app.box.com/s/wzeelle82o3wl9b9dfj7

Mazurka in Ab major, Opus 59 No 2
Performed by musica71


Mazurka in F# minor, Opus 59 No 3
Performed by jeffreyjones
https://app.box.com/s/nqyl962qjcc342b276gd

Enjoy!

Opus 59. His most magical set of mazurkas. Good job. And good job to everyone so far. It's been a joy listening.

Wow! The great performances just keep coming.

Everyone here has taught me to love the Mazurkas.

11th installment is ready!

Mazurka in B major, Opus 63 No 1
Performed by Ganddalf
https://app.box.com/s/vmyehrokootothvhwvdj

Mazurka in F minor, Opus 63 No 2
Performed by sandalholme
https://app.box.com/s/6e4y0s35e3a5u7cy52u3

Mazurka in C# minor, Opus 63 No 3
Performed by FarmGirl


Happy listening!

Opus 59 - WOW !!!!!

Ganddalf - Exceptionally well played with great attention to detail. Loved your performance. Hope you had safe travels this past week.

Musica71 (Judy) - Thanks again for stepping in and doing this one (when it became clear that I couldn't get my own recording of it made in time). Your performance is graceful, delicate and nuanced. I can certainly learn from your interpretation.

Jeffrey - I had high hopes for your performance - and you certainly didn't let me down !!!! You obviously know this amazing work inside and out - and you follow the score beautifully !! It is always a pleasure to hear you play.

Carey, Thanks so much for the nice comments, this piece literally drove me to drink! I have been playing it off and on for about 3 years constantly putting fires out just to have another problem show up. The other 2 in this Opus so interesting AND such sensitive performances!