My Kemble Chopin E-Competition Entry

Hi All I've entered the Kemble Chopin E-Competition in the UK. I wanted to post this up as I've been posting on here and had a few chats with people on here. This competition is a bit of a marketing thing in that this round is a people's vote. The 10 most voted goes onto the judges round where the winners will be picked by such as Christopher Elton. I hope you will click on the vote for me as I worked hard for this and although there are things I would love to change about the recording its actually really difficult to come up with the spotless musical performance I wanted. I had it recorded at a private recording place in Sheffield. So before you ask - no the Bosendorfer is not mine and I only got to play on it two days! So here I am - look out for Chopin Barcarolle Op.60 - Sharon Leech. I'm about 9th down at the moment but they will probably move them around. Thanks for your support and comments welcome.

Hi Nice work well done. I like your interpretation not the usual generic modern imitation of other politically correct recordings. Good luck!

Thanks for your kind words Eric. I was wondering how my interpretation would hold up sinc I've not had a lesson on this at all yet. It was an excercise for me to see what I could do thinking by myself and discovering the music. I have heard a few recordings but tried to stay away from them once I'd gotten into the swing. I liked Dinu Lipattis the best actually. Good luck I certainly need. In this round I need people to support me by voting otherwise only the most popular people with contacts get to see the proper competition. So everyone please support me. One of the prizes is a lesson with Kevin Kenner the 1990 Chopin Itl. joint winner. I could do with a lesson from an expert!! thanks Sharon

Hello Sharon, Bravo for your performance! Very fine, colourful, moving, alive, expressive, virtuosic, dramatic! My one reservation is with the left hand - I want a little more lilt on the 4th and 5th eighth note beats - the 16th note upward fragment. It's just a tad too even (read metronomic). Otherwise, a nice handling of the instrument and use of your own hands... AFF

Hi Alan Thanks so much for your encouraging remarks... compliments indeed coming from such as yourself! Your left hand suggestion is noted and I think I know what you mean... more melodic rising and perhaps the lilt on the a# descending to the f# like a slight delay as if on a wave that's falling? I know there were things that went astray but I'm hoping to get some lessons while I'm here in Copenhagen on a work contract. I've found a Steinway dealer that has practice rooms which I can rent out for a good price! I actually found recording very tiring. That was the last good take on a long day of takes! Its funny the guy who recorded rang me that evening when I thought i'd put the piece away for a while, you were tired come back tomorrow and try to do some re-takes free of charge. I did but you know I think one take was good but spoilt by some input disconnection on the recording so I got a horrible noise. Anyway I really couldn't do much more. Sometimes I got through the difficult LH climax actually without errors but I felt the overall musical interpretation was dragging and not flowing. It was very difficult to get everything I wanted.. the voices in the right place, the timing and breathing so it flowed and keep concentrating. Every now and again a split second my "self 1" (the little goblin that trys to distract you) would get in the way and I would find myself trying to keep it together and recover. I would be very interested to take lessons from yourself maybe on a once a month basis or something or whenever we are both free. Anyway I know you are busy so there's no pressure for you to accept cheers Sharon

I mean wait a split second on the G#, then rush slighty forward through the rising F#-G#-A#, and finally wait slightly on the A# before falling back into time on the C# last note of the pattern. Sorry to be so pedantic, but it is actually possible to plan to this extent exactly HOW you are going to create the "lilt." This has been a wonderful experience for you because it actually gives you a much better taste of what INTERPRETATION is. The great interpreter always plays as if he or she is in the recording session and it all has to happen right now, this time, the way it really should be... Paradoxically enough, you also have to "just let it happen" as you play, if you want that spontaneity of expression... As for lessons, I would gladly work with you - unfortunately my travel plans have been curtailed for the coming year so it would most likely mean your flying to Serbia for lessons. EasyJet goes to Budapest, and GermanWings even flies to Belgrade... if you are up for it, it would be a pleasure for me! All the best, AFF

I mean wait a split second on the G#, then rush slighty forward through the rising F#-G#-A#, and finally wait slightly on the A# before falling back into time on the C# last note of the pattern. Sorry to be so pedantic, but it is actually possible to plan to this extent exactly HOW you are going to create the "lilt." Ah yes I feel it now! Nicely put. This has been a wonderful experience for you because it actually gives you a much better taste of what INTERPRETATION is. The great interpreter always plays as if he or she is in the recording session and it all has to happen right now, this time, the way it really should be... Paradoxically enough, you also have to "just let it happen" as you play, if you want that spontaneity of expression... I agree it has most definately been a very big learning experience for me and actually I realised how difficult recording is or rather recording without edits. Makes me think of all those old recordings that were done of live performances or first takes and how hard that really is to get right! I think actually this was a humbling experience and really how I could learn so much more. As for lessons, I would gladly work with you - unfortunately my travel plans have been curtailed for the coming year so it would most likely mean your flying to Serbia for lessons. EasyJet goes to Budapest, and GermanWings even flies to Belgrade... if you are up for it, it would be a pleasure for me! This would work for me too. Last time I went to this region was actually when it was all Yugoslavia. Maybe we could take this offline to discuss? Looking forward to learning with you! cheers Sharon

No comment...

No comment... I swear to God I don't know how those got on there - except for the Cziffra!