Study Group #1: Chopin's Prelude in E minor

Would like to take this opportunity to "get back on the road" after veering away over 30 years ago (the other road was Medicine), to fulfill a promise made to my teacher (a former pupil of Vengerova at Curtis ) that I would some day play again. The piece is deceptively easy on quick glance but full of potential problems for balance, voicing, the long phrases, etc. Looking forward to this return. 

I have made it my business to return to the piano in a serious way a couple of years ago now after many, many decades of wandering in the desert (not by choice).  It feels intimidating to be here and I have been largely reluctant to join in groups but this is the starting point (cliff_ _ ` jump).  While not being able to fully play piano for most of my life (due to lack of time) I could only make it through by listening to or thinking about music as I patiently waited for my opportunity to return to hands on a keyboard, in reality.  

My long-term goals include learning most, if not all, of the Preludes of Chopin, among other impossible challenges ;-).  As is clear to most humble souls, this Prelude is deceptively easy.  Most people can sight read this one along with the B minor, A major, D-flat major, or C minor as the typical starting Preludes.  The difficulty though is precisely due to the simplicity and lack of many notes.  You simply cannot hide behind complexity or multiple things going on to wow any listeners into submission.  Here you feel almost naked and any weakness is on full display immediately.  It is near impossible to play this without being entirely relaxed from head to toe as any stiffness is heard immediately.

I'm not sure if I can ask questions now but I have many questions that I'm dying to know in order to help me in my personal journey with it.  I'll limit them to two or three now of the biggest questions I have.

My first two questions regard tempo and pedalling and I believe these are the two biggest interpretive questions to address.

What does Largo mean in the 1835 sense (in tempo and in interpretation)?  Is the 20th and 21st century Largo the same?  Every player knows that this piece gets infinitely harder and harder to play the slower you go.  (ie.  not very fast).  Is it any wonder why a faster pace is promoted today?  Also, does the time signature affect the tempo (ie. cut time vs. 4/4) as I've heard many people say?  I am well aware that questioning the typical tempo of today is an uphill battle that many will not get behind because it seems like a settled issue given the countless number of recordings, competition norms and audience expectations.  Still, this remains the most important question in approaching this Prelude for me.  

Next in importance is the question of pedalling.  Again, the less pedal used the harder the piece becomes.  I will only point out that Chopin suggests pedal down only for a total duration of six eight notes (in bars 16 and 17).  Was Chopin specific and particular about this or was he just lazy or in a hurry that day he wrote this out?  Check out the C major prelude where all 34 bars have the same pedalling indications?  In the B minor and C minor there three and one pedal points, respectively.  Looking through all 24 Preludes I get the feeling that Chopin was very specific about pedalling.  I would love to know what others think about this and whether you can pull this E minor Prelude off sans pedal except where noted?

Lastly, I'd like to know how to play stretto ?  Is it just suddenly faster and equally fast for these two and a half bars.  Or does it gradually speed up and suddenly stop?  How to best end it?  And is it just slightly faster or dramatically faster?  Again, this is surely bound by good taste of course, but I'd love to find out the general approach or guidelines to use for playing stretto.

I look forward to learning many new things throughout this time with you all and the opportunity of being part of this.  Thank you.

Hello, 

I’m Dawn and I look forward to working & learning together.  

I’m confused about the Zoom today & the live event today on the piece. They’re at the same time. Is this 2 separate events to choose between or 1 event?

Wanted to share another great resource (from two guys TB veterans might know: Ben Laude and Garrick Ohlsson) called The Chopin Podcast. Each episode is a deep dive (some 2+ hours) into Chopin's works. Just so happens Season 1, Episode 1 is about the Preludes. Unfortunately, they don't discuss the e minor, but it's still worthwhile.

https://www.chopinpodcast.com/

I'd like to see the score too. Also not sure how to get back in to the great lesson that Dominic gave.