Janielle's Musical Escapades

9/09/09

Today I performed Beethoven’s Appassionata 3rd Movement in Music Performance & Composition class with my schoolmates and subject teacher as audience. The main thing I MUST work on is ARTICULATION and TONE CLARITY. Like Ms Sandra Birze said, “Don’t allow your overly-passionate playing to swallow the notes!”

I was a tad bit nervous when I played. But then it evened out and I was more able to achieve a “balance between mind and heart”, as Ms Georgi Lewis once told me after the Gala Soiree performance. However, the piano was a ‘muffled’ kind, and the carpet on the floor kinda’ sucked up a lot of the sound. Thus my performance wasn’t as clear as it should have been.

This is a good practice for my VCASS audition in two days (I wrote about it in the previous post)! I must take heed to not play automatically (although sometimes it helps to calm my nerves) and not forget the contrast in the expressions that are so vital to this movement. Without clear expression and tonality, it becomes merely a series of fast notes all jumbled up without any direction, meaning and purpose. I need to tell a story through the piece.

I must FORGET THE AUDIENCE!!! Immerse myself in the piece, in every note, savour every part. I cannot play so exhilaratingly until I forget the expression and ignore the parts that I have so carefully rehearsed. I must remember each part that I tend to play automatically. Do not just think about ending the piece. Think about bringing out the part you’re playing with all your heart and fingers!

However, I am quite pleased that I had achieved a sufficient amount of DRAMA and SUSPENSE. I must be aware of every part I’m playing. DON’T PLAY IT AUTOMATICALLY!

The performance seemed as if it went by in a flash. I can’t remember how I played most of it. However, I am particularly pleased with a certain part where both hands are playing the same melody and it must be played very LINEARLY. One thing I must add to it is a CRESCENDO! I must remember that bit. I think it helps when I look straight ahead when I play this part. I must feel every note in order to play it linearly – listen to the left hand.

So the key areas that I need to take note at the audition are:

1) Articulation – don’t swallow the notes! Make it all clear.

2) Tone. Each note must be crystal clear and heard individually.

3) In order to achieve the above two areas, I must use FINGERTIPS!!!

4) Expression. Don’t simply focus on getting the notes right. Note ff & pp contrasts.

5) When you have expression, you will surely play out the MELODY.

6) Separate melody and accompaniment. Accompaniment is more subdued.

7) RELAX. Savour the slow and quiet (suspenseful) parts – rest and relax your shoulders.

8) Be DELIBERATE when playing the parts you’ve practiced most.

9) Accuracy. LOOK AHEAD before you land – don’t blindly hit a key.

10) PEDAL. Clean and don’t blend notes.

Thank God for the opportunity to perform today. It somehow makes me feel more prepared for the audition in two days. Yikes. Yipee. I really don’t know what to feel. God please help me. I place my confidence and trust in You alone!!!