Carl Hu

 

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Schubert's Allegretto in C Minor, Opus D 915.

 

Recording this piece.

I recorded my first version on the 9th of January, uneventfully producing the following results:

Although I found the performance pleasant enough, I was unsatisfied: the phrasing was too inarticulate, the pedaling too crude, and the pacing impeded the flow and obfuscated the structure. I wanted to do better. Unfortunately, 30 frustrating hours of practice later, I still could not achieve the control I wanted. Exhausted, burned out, and doubting my talent, I was ready to give up.

Fortunately, a lesson with Peter revived my flagging will. He gave me some fresh ideas to try. The thing that helped the most, though, was his simple affirmation that playing any piece well, even one like this, is hard. Sometimes, an affirmation like that is all we need to keep going. A day later, on the 22 of January 2003, I recorded the piece again. I was delighted and relieved to find that I liked what I heard:

Carl

 

Form of the piece.

Schubert specifies a number of repeats in this piece. For your convenience, the form is the piece, including the repeats I take, is:

  • A: a beautiful melody in minor.

  • B1: is a Bach-like canon.

  • Pause for breath (a measure of rest).

  • B2: resumes the melody but breaks off into the climax.

  • C: is a new dance-like tune.

  • D: is an elaboration of C but with resolution.

  • A: again.

  • B1: again.

  • Pause.

  • B2: again.

Carl

 

Text, music, scores, and pictures Copyright 1998-2003 Carl Hu