Music Lesson Formatting

Teacher: Generally for me, it is a little bit too slow. I know you take the right metronome tempo as it's written. But when I played it with a very famous Russian pianist, Sviatoslav Richter, we spoke about tempo in this piece. He said, "Yuri, don't look to the metronomes of Shostakovich."

Metronome Insights

• Shostakovich's Metronome:
  • He had the wrong metronome at home; it was broken.
  • So, don't trust what he wrote.
  • Shostakovich was very flexible with tempo; he liked it when people played quicker or slower.

Movement Insights

• For me, the second movement has to be like a Scherzo.
  • Remember about beats, sometimes you jump.
  • Be careful, be careful.

Playing Suggestions

• Let's try to play from the beginning a little bit quicker.
  • Yes, faster!

Teacher: Very good!

Artistic Picture

• What kind of picture do you see?
• What do you want?
• What is your idea?

Tone and Emotion

• It's not quality; it should be maybe more like not too joyful or nice at all.
• Good, it's not nice. It is kind of angry.
  • Maybe you can play loud a little bit, good, good!
  • It's still a bit too "Deutsch" from the beginning.

Character and Dynamics

• It depends on character, of course.
• Don't be a "good girl."
• First Beat: Do it with an accent for a guarantee!

Energy and Style

• Oh yeah, I do. Just don't sleep when I show you.
• It has to be more energy and end with "boom, boom, boom."
• Don't lose this energy; keep it going!

Feel and Texture

• Main thing: what is my taste?
  • It's wrong when you play; you often revert to a politic feeling.
  • It's all the time very ironic and with bad words, I would say.

Performance Technique

• When it's too accurate, try something different.
  • I don't like it when it sounds like a guitar.
  • Just focus on stronger beats.
• Keep following the moment you push and then up.

Movement and Flow

• The moment you do this, remember not to play all the time barrier.
• With right hand: push, then up.
• See? Yeah, tight. Just take your moment.

Thoughtful Playing

• Think about sound and intonation.
  • Know where it is; it is individual.
• Find your guarantee with the fingers before playing.

Final Tips

• Change at the last moment; keep the same intonation til the end.
• Stop, listen till the last moment.
• I don't think you have to do ritardando here, because after it, it looks late.

Rhythm and Timing

• Two things: at the very end, make it one phrase.

  • You're doing too many poses; focus on your rhythm.
  • You're always late here.

• Just ask somebody to help you or use a metronome.

• It's too late, and that's okay.

Teacher: Next movement.