As a bit of a restless soul and not wanting to rest on my laurels - this is a brief update of what I've been working on after my exam.
Rachmaninoff Prelude in G# minor - Op. 32, No 12
Technically, I started working on this as a distraction during my final stages of exam prep. I've managed to learn the piece very quickly, and while there are a few inconsistencies in my memorisation, I'm comfortable performing this on public pianos.
A few weeks ago, I ran this formally by my music teacher and received mostly positive feedback, but with several very important take-aways for improvement. My right hand's pinky still does bizarre things in general (across all pieces, not just this one), but I think I've finally developed a little more sensatory awareness when it's extending and bending in inappropriate ways.
Other than that, mostly a bit of notational accuracy and balancing some of the internal harmonies. I'll take this progress away.
I also have an ad hoc consultation with a piano teacher in Germany to go over this piece and work on "Proper Hand Movements" - though I need to focus a bit more on this piece before scheduling that. As now it's in reasonable shape, I've already moved on...
Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor - Op. 23, No. 5 -
Another piece I remember hearing all the time when I was growing up. I tried picking it up a little bit when I was a Freshman in university, but I never really saw it through to completion. It's a real powerhouse of a piece that many people recognise. It requires a lot of energy, but is a lot of fun to play. A great piece for letting off a bit of steam, especially after a frustrating day.
I've had a few lessons covering it, where I've had to revise my octave technique. However, the improved technique is beginning to take hold.
In the more lyrical middle section, I spent a few weeks trying to work on the balance of the inner harmonies, which is starting to come through nicely much of the time. However, in concentrating on that, I seem to have lost a bit of notational accuracy in the left-hand arpeggios, so I'll need to revisit those.
However, I've played this now in public without it being a huge disaster. It'll now be an on-going effort to keep getting greater control and fluency of the leaps, as well as improving the orchestral-like balance between theme and its responses - while gradually cranking the speed to concert tempo. (I'm about 85-90% there.)
Schubert Impromptus - Op. 90
I'm going to work on the entire suite of four. I've already learned the second and third previously, but they are both in dire need of attention. I studied the first for a few months recently with my previous instructor, but never brought it to good level of proficiency. I studied the fourth on my own, but since I never performed it regularly, it didn't "stick" - so it'll need another look. I don't think any of the four will require a great deal of surgical intervention, but the fact there are four of them should keep me busy for a while.
Brahms Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2
I've been going through a relatively long period of grieving, and I remembered the last time I experienced a great loss, listening to this piece provided a great amount of solace. In some ways, that's also why I learned the Rach Prelude Op 32/12, but this one is more tranquil and tender. It also happens to be on the AMusA syllabus. Even though I've only been looking at it a week, I'm pleased with how it's coming together. I just played through the whole piece for the first time this evening, and briefly covered it in today's lesson with some thoughts to consider as I learn.
What did I work on this week?
Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5 - milestone: played in public for the first time.
Brahms Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2 - began learning anew.