musical diaries: what's changed? Schumann: Träumerei

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

See you in SF 😉 Download my classical music app for coupon code and more behind the scenes! www.doremiclassical.com

[@MichaelKaykov]

Good luck!

[@cpl1854]

That’s the good thing about music. All the different interpretations. Instruments, emotions, the audience and etc. I never play anything exact every time. I think that’s what makes music great.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

🙏🙌

[@ThatBoomerDude56]

*By definition,* there can be no such thing as "the perfect" way to play a piece. The music contains emotion. And nuances of emotion always fluctuate.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

I never said I wanted perfection 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@rinardman]

As I have said before, that's the advantage of having limited knowledge of music, like I have. They all sounded good to me because I can't over analyze the playing. I just enjoy it for what it is: beautiful music! 🙂

[@alan.hodges]

I know that as a professional musician you and most others probably try to avoid being "over-emotional" or "self-indulgent" when playing this, but as a rank amateur there is nothing I enjoy more than playing this piece as I feel it, which is very emotionally, and no doubt very self-indulgently, with rubato up the wazoo. I don't have to prove anything to anyone and I think you should allow yourself to play it as you feel it also. At least in private. With no naysayers. Or trolls. I wish you this possibility and artistic freedom. You inspire in so many ways.

[@clamayaceo]

I remember each one of those performances and remembering that they were performed well. But, now when you compare them back to back, I can hear what you’re referring to, especially when you cringe. But the final and most recent version does flow very smoothly and beautifully. There is an obvious difference. This was a great episode on personal critique and growth from it. 🎹🎵🌷

[@speedy0]

Safe flight to SF! Progression over time as you explore and interpret the music at different time in your life.

[@Gamvrelis]

Clara’s piano looks like it could also be used for weaving blankets!

[@matthodek]

I do enjoy hearing how things changes and how you want to improve. It helps my ears learn. Good luck in SF. Maybe it will be different, but I'm sure it will be worth listening to.

[@sk8rjer]

Thank God for this heavenly gift!... Tif!!

[@eclipsee9773]

i love these evolution videos so much and its crazy how i can hear the difference each time 🤩

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you! Glad you liked seeing it 😊

[@tkim461]

I think a lifelong pursuit for musicians is to listen to themselves. Because it's actually much harder than playing. You're amazing!

[@davidstrumsky7012]

You still are my favorite teacher. And performer. Sometimes I keep listening over and over to see(hear) what you're hearing.

[@isaiahhiggins]

Of Foreign Lands and Peoples is my favorite piece out of Kinderszenen, but your interpretation of Traumerei is just divine

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you 🙏

[@cyzhouhk]

Wow! Now that you've pointed everything out, each performance does really feel different. I've streamed your CD multiple times, as well as the live performances shared on the DW Classical Music channel. Each time listening gives me new thoughts. Can't wait to see what new endeavours you have in store for us in the future. More Schumann? Maybe Clara's work? Good luck on the SF perfomance!

[@johnybrug5406]

This piece is on my bucketlist for some time already!

[@denmarq]

I liked that I could hear the flow you've been looking for gradually coalescing over time. The earlier versions have their own charm too, though. How your playing will further evolve as you gain more perspectives and experience will be interesting to see. Wondering what you'll say about your current style years from now. Good luck with your concert in SF!

[@johnjConnellan]

Yes and very pleasant to hear and thank you.

[@MichaelKaykov]

Epic! Have a great concert. 🎵

[@piano.is.a.language]

Thank you for normalising imperfections in music ❤❤️❤️

[@denmarq]

I told a close friend of mine who lives in the Bay Area about your concert and I'm stoked (a tad envious too) to say that he'll come.

[@EvanZamir]

So glad I caught this update! Just purchased a ticket for today's performance. :)

[@JamesBuckwheat]

I enjoyed watching the progression of the Schumann. I really enjoyed you playing on an original Clara piano

[@sfmmmo7599]

Wao! This is so interesting 🤍

[@hartwigheine]

Sehr spannend, sehr schön, sehr interessant. Ich spiele das Stück sehr oft, aber es hört sich jedes mal anders an. Vielen Dank.

[@Carolf1213]

Heard it and i loved it

[@wbiro]

What you are missing is that this is a piece with range (whether Schumann intended it or not). What kind of range? Expressive range, meaning it can express a wide range of emotional states, from the bubbliest exuberance to the deepest of hurting sad (go ahead, test it) (it is because of the Major chords, which beg happiness). The question then becomes one of authenticity: do you play your present mood, or do you fake one, or do you summon the mood that Schumann had in mind (but which the piece, perhaps thumbing its nose up at him, refused to limit itself to)? Also, you can see that thinking 'mood' is the way to go, and not thinking about strings of technicalities. As a concert pianist, ask yourself which mentality the average person will prefer to pay to see, then ask yourself again, but as an artist this time... Also, art does not care about flaws... the audience will give you three gaffs in a piece, and the mood does not care (don't worry about critics, they don't get it).

[@manueladevilliers5301]

All of them lovely

[@konberner170]

I love an upload that is entirely self-critique. Not enough of this.

[@willowmusic5]

My fav is the one at Schumann Haus, 2021. THAT piece on THAT instrument was pure magic. btw, I never play anything the same way every time.

[@akiblue]

I just got your signed CD in the mail today. I'm very excited.

[@andrewhha]

I Love your piano sounds 😍

[@ukogorter7529]

Just received your CD in the mail. Exquisite. Love it!

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you for listening and supporting my album!

[@rykerspianoadventure]

I didn't hear the "eye poke" and the unnecessary stop in today's concert. I liked your SF performance!

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Thank you for coming! :)

[@PaulIvers]

Love watching you critique your technique and interpretation, at 4, at 7, more recently, and all while flying to SF! Do you think you will ever find the definitive performance? I wonder how you will view your recording of the piece after you have had the chance to perform it in concert over the next year. Psyched that when you meet and greet after your SF performance you will have YOUR CD to sign!!!!

[@malc121]

Hope all goes well,have fun and safe travels ❤️

[@huguesseress9201]

I'm looking for the video in which Tiffany Poon is doing her self-criticism of her performance. Could anybody find it? Thank you so much.😉

[@matiasekert7520]

Thank You for your album! I enjoy it a lot :-D

[@tlarewpiano]

Amazing how much you can learn over the years :)

[@rmw6151]

I would love to hear your view on you playing the Bach Partita No.2 in C minor 6 years ago. A near perfect live performance if ever there was one and from memory! Stunning.

[@craigdeshong1180]

I would say ALL interpretations are relevant. I play Traumerei differently than i did a year ago. Not better, but in a way that suits where i am currently in my life.

[@alfaDude156]

This was really interesting. I wonder if Träumerei will replace Scarlatti K.380 as your "signature" ;)

[@JoshuaWebbb]

This is by far my favourite of the kinderszenen

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

Horowitz?

[@JoshuaWebbb]

@@marcinmerrimack1726 I mean of the different parts of kinderszenen. This is probably equal level to Horowitz though, I cannot decide

[@ornleifs]

Ha Ha loved to see your reaction to your past playing - never happy always looking for improvement

[@neovxr]

I like the sound of the Steinway at home best! The Schumann piano sounds cute though.

[@bubbles7950]

You do indeed hear the difference

[@BR-yc3fc]

I cannot listen to recordings 3 or more years ago

[@derndernit8275]

I think at least sometimes, maybe particularly a piece like this, short, sweet, sentimental, you can play a little more from your heart and gut and soul, than nervously stiff yourself with analysis. There are multiple valid interpretations of this piece and different times and days may prefer one over the other. I personally would probably favor hearing this piece played overly romantically, sappy, gushy, triumphantly, savouringly, poetically. I think it's quite a special and stand out tune of music. Those confident chords, leading to the unsure meandering note lines. More lushness and richness of sounds, dynamics not only of volume, but tone colors, lean in and dig in and press chords well with soul and sensually and let them sing and ring out. At least try for experiment sake to play less with only your fingertips, add some forearms, elbows, shoulders, chest, but your whole body into the sound, so the sound might have more body. I only listened to the first one yet, and listening with eyes closed I think fewer of your critics are noticed, thought he opening rush may be a point, and I'll see if you comment on this but when the chords return again the second or third time I don't know how it's written but I can imagine then sounding more sure and grand This piece is very baller like, the first two chords are like a mini overture that sets the scene, the notes that follow are like a ballerina flower blooming. Rubato is important in this piece it just depends on correct sensual taste to know in reference to each phrase and line what is most impactful to push and pull and linger and slur and skip and stumble etc. Something like this, or a million other things, anyway just would like to see you push things here and there A bit further, more lusciousness, more poetic feel, the sky is not even the limit and what is determining the limits to the mind-blowing soul affirming exquisiteness of your possible musical expression. I saw in your latest video you played Bach prelude 1, and it is hard to do much with that piece, and good to not stray from its well known straight and pristine character, but from the little I did hear of it, and as gorgeous and pretty and heart touching as it was, I sensed a flatness, or maybe just had the idea to wonder what a bit of romanticness added to that piece would do, your playing of it was perfect, but there can be many perfects. Think of the attitudes and energy and emotion and rapt fervor, poetic theatrical posssesed love and obsession with the real purity of a true and beautiful and profound thought and idea, to grasp the true heights of the essence of love and grasp it for a moment and express it's unimaginable heights, with the real time coordination with your in tune mind and body.

[@gheraraujoo503]

🤩🤩

[@75Chopin]

I love the fortepiano versions of Schumann as somehow it is more charming and forces the tempo to be faster, despite all the impection of the sound (the forte piano was out of tune!) The modern piano sounds better but maybe too even in tonal quality.

[@ericb1538]

Hello I play piano but I'm not that good. What advice would you give me as a professional pianist. I don't take lessons anymore although I used to 3 years ago. Thanks!

[@ericb1538]

Thank you for replying but I can't message you on telegram :( DO you have a phone number maybe :)?

[@frederik606]

Elle fait toujours des compétitions Tiffany ?

[@mludijosefknecht]

Non, la dernière compétition auquelle elle a participée était en 2019 (Source Wikipédia). Si je me le souvient bien elle parle de ne plus en faire dans un de ses Q&A. Cela me semble logique vu le nombre et surtout le type de concerts qu'elle joue, sa présence dans le monde virtuel, son album,.... Elle est passée d'un jeune pianiste qui doit se faire un nom à une pianiste accomplie. Le covid (vous vous en souvenez ;-) n'a pas aidé.

[@frederik606]

@@mludijosefknecht Merci de m'avoir répondu , cela dit , j'aime beaucoup son interprétation de "La valse " de M.Ravel ...!

[@mludijosefknecht]

First things first, do you still need to put flowers in your hear when going to San Francisco ? Or is that no longer a thing ? Very interesting, the (minor, if you ask me but hey what do I know) variations seem to go hand in hand with the different environments, instruments and how you feel on the day, the moment. No question you "sensed" the piece more and more as time evolved but I am not sure we were witnessing comparable performances, the different situations were too, ehm, well, different. The funniest bit was the caption "I tried". Of course, in an almost apologetic way, you "tried". The are "only" about 8 billion people on the planet who wouldn't come close to what you consider your worst but "you tried". You are an extremely talented pianist and when you "try" it certainly sounds great enough for us mere mortals. Nevertheless, keep striving until you are happy with it. Okay, since you are rather strict with yourself when it comes to your playing, understandably so, only the best is good enough, it could take a while before you are satisfied. Just as long as you know that we are already in awe. While you are busy perfecting your craft until you are satisfied, we will just sit here and enjoy.

[@cziffrathegreat666]

The final version seems to have filled in the gaps you were looking for :) Your interpretation will only get better and better with time, all the best !

[@mrdarbab]

Most people would say that’s good enough, ah now I sound better than Chopin ever did. Self criticism sucks. But we need it, someone is always better than me. Most.

[@MrPatropolis55]

There is definitely plenty of change in each version here, your music changes as you change. The one thing I would urge you to take care of is yourself, specifically in how you speak to yourself. Your comments to your older self have this undertone of meanness to them, like you think that you back then was “wrong” to make those musical choices, or that those musical choices were bad. And it feels like, to me, that you tie your self-worth to your music a lot. It’s ok to say that you wouldn’t perform it the same now as you did then, but it’s unfair to blame the past you. They did the best they could with what they had. And you wouldn’t speak in the same way to a friend or a student of yours, I’d say you can’t imagine speaking that way to someone else because it would be so hurtful. I am a professional musician, I understand the struggle. and I can’t recommend enough that you speak to someone, to learn how to be kinder to yourself. You owe it to yourself, because you have already achieved so much. I really hope you’re proud of what you’ve done and how far you’ve come, rather than berating your past self for not doing it sooner. Because you should be proud. -Patrick

[@jannis11]

Noice

[@LJKayser]

Please, just be my wife.🙏😣

[@Nemo_777]

@@ThatBoomerDude56 Yes, I deleted it.

[@Nemo_777]

@@ThatBoomerDude56 My joke is inappropriate anyway.

[@pietvanvliet1987]

No, I don't hear any difference. I find that putting trust in the performer to 'know' and the ability/effort to take me by the hand and show me their take on a piece is much more fun. I'm looking for that. Not for a 'perfect' rendition. If I'd like 'perfection', I need to wait for some clever engineer to botch some AI solution together. I don't think (that kind of) 'perfection' is interesting.

[@许明胜]

精灵古怪的 与众不同的🎉

[@theccs5012]

No wing

[@sunareekaewnat8967]

Tiffany your treatment of the two consecutive As was better in your earlier performances. Those two notes should not have the same dynamic and color. Like in Chopin's Prelude #4, Schumann does not give a detailed dynamic map and leaves it up to the pianist. I would play the first to match the highest dynamic you reached in the first bar and the second as pianissimo as possible. I would welcome your thoughts on why you chose to play them identically.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

I let the harmony change speak for itself organically, rather than adding salt and pepper. Just my interpretation of Schumann's aesthetics based on his music criticisms.

[@sunareekaewnat8967]

@@TiffanyPoonpianist Sent you my full thoughts on the topic.

[@sunareekaewnat8967]

I did a historical analysis of its treatment and it is quite varied. My approach was taken by Horowitz, Rubinstein and Perahia, but most pianists, including Kempff, Arrau, Ashkenazy, Csiffra, Argerich and Cortot, play them equally. Interestingly the only pianists who treat them differently in their three appearances were Schnabel and Lang Lang. I found it a shame that Richter never recorded a Kinderszenen despite having so much Schumann in his repatoey.