C-sharp Minor was my favourite key when I was a child. I think it still might be my favourite key, although now I also quite like several other sharp keys, both major and minor. Coincidentally, I have been playing several pieces in C-sharp Minor recently, including Bach’s Prelude 4 from WTC I, Chopin’s Etude No. 4, and of course Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. I am mainly working on increasing my tempo for the Third Movement, this will probably take months before I can consider it a finished product. I realized that I needed to also learn more manageable pieces at the same time so that I do not lose motivation; the WTC Prelude is next on the list. For today, I sight-read the First Movement of Moonlight Sonata as it is not technically demanding, although musically it probably needs work especially in terms of dynamics. It is one of those pieces that still sound pretty nice even played imperfectly, so I am happy with it for now.
Bach Sinfonia in E Major
Last updated July 11, 2024
I thought I would have a chill summer, but sadly the weather and my work have not been cooperating. I have had to take a break from practicing again and finally got in some scales today. To keep my motivation up, here is a sightread version of Sinfonia in E Major.
Beethoven Moonlight Sonata Third Movement Practice (Full)
Last updated May 18, 2024
The Third Movement of Moonlight Sonata has been my long-term project this year. It does not always feel like I am making progress, but comparing my playing to previous practice videos, I can see a difference in the tempo and smoothness. I would like to increase the tempo to about 140 bpm (the current version is at about 110 bpm) and also work on my accuracy, but the piece is taking shape!
Also, I have been thinking of the Allemande from Bach’s Lute Suite in E Minor. I have a older video of this piece, but I think the new version is much more musical, which is something else I have been working on. Also check out the recording by Evangelina Mascardi, which is just heavenly. And for the Prelude from the same Suite, I simply love the playing of Pierre Hantaï, masterful technique and so full of emotion.
Chopin Raindrop Prelude
Last updated April 2, 2024
Winter semester was crazy busy, so I did not get much time to practice at all. Today was the first day in almost three months that I finally had enough free time to play a bit. I would like to get back to working on Moonlight Sonata, but since I had not uploaded in a while, I wanted to record something to keep my motivation up. I went with Chopin’s Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 in D-flat Major, nicknamed “Raindrop”, which was easy enough to sightread and also felt appropriate for today’s rainy weather.
More Beethoven Moonlight Sonata Practice
Last updated January 7, 2024
The Third Movement of Moonlight Sonata seemed insurmountable to a young me. As of yesterday, I managed to learn all the notes, so this feels pretty great. Of course, I still have a lot more work to do to polish the piece and bring it up to tempo. Here is another nice section I was working on today. I still need to practice my tremolos so I do not lose my left hand notes halfway through the passage.