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

Hi all! I half-learned this years ago, (ironically) teaching it to a student -- this seems like a good opportunity to do a deep dive and have it become a permanent piece in the memory/hands. That Ekier edition is good but beware paper copies from that publisher -- I bought Andante Sp. & Polonaise and the pages don't lie flat like Henle/the binding is poor. Also, Henle's commentary/notes (to me, anyway) indicate that they have researched the hell out of all of the sources as well, so I think that's a good edition also. Looking forward to the study group. 

I agree with everybody who mentioned the left hand as the hardest part. I am practicing left hand alone and trying to figure out if there is a special bass line in all those chord progressions that might be interesting to bring out...for now, am thinking it might be the middle notes

Just in case y’all haven’t yet had a chance to watch Seymour’s lesson on Op 28/4, it’s a great jumping off spot!

Hello everyone, I already took a chance by signing up for the Chopin challenge.  Had thought this study group was closed because I never got an email, but someone told me it is not, so now I am really jumping in the deep end of the pool.  BUT if I am wrong and it is closed, please @dominic_cheli let me know!  
 

Now, to why I am here.  Although I love Chopin, I am not particularly fond of this piece - but want to stretch myself to learn better sight reading, insights into to the approach to learning a new piece cold and about the challenges of technique and expression, especially in the repetitive left hand.  Much pathos in this piece, and I think not easy to master the subtleties of expression at first glance.  Also, I want to continue to work on performance anxiety and love the idea of a collaborative study group!  So even though I think my knees have already started knocking, I’m in, will take a walk on the wild side! 😆.

Hello everyone! This comes at the right time. 3 weeks ago I have started a challenge for myself - to memorize some short pieces and started with op28/3. I will memorize both hands seperately in 28/4. In the left hand I think in 3 voices and follow the changes in each voice. Thanks for all interesting ideas about the piece. It’s helpful. 

I’m working on a project to learn one or two preludes from multiple composers throughout history starting with Bach WTC so this works perfectly. Looking forward to it. 

Hi all

I've never played any Chopin, though I've listened to a lot! This will be a nice challenge, though I don't know how far I'll get with it. I may have scheduling conflicts-will try to reconcile. Hoping for the best...

I was just  starting to play a sweet little "Album Leaf", but I'll put that on hold....

I was assigned How Insensitive by Antonio Carlos Jobim from my jazz piano teacher earlier this year. It is a Brazilian jazz standard in the Real Book (6th ed.). Jobim was obsessed with Chopin apparently. How Insensitive is based on Prelude No. 4 but it is in D minor. While learning it, I tinkered with No. 4 as well and watched a lesson from Seymour here on Tonebase. I’m always interested to learn more about it.

I’ve played through the piece, but never performed it. I love Chopin! I can’t make the first Zoom meeting, but will attend the second one.

Thanks so much for this opportunity Dominic. I’ve been learning a bunch of Chopin preludes this last 6 months with Nos 4 & 11 still to come. Your timing is sensational 🙂. Looking forward to insights into this beautiful piece - it follows on from the very lively no 3. I’d love you to demonstrate the transition from 3 to 4!! Janet

I'm excited about this prelude as it is very accessible to me. I studied it last winter on my own and just love it. I'm looking forward to learning from you all as well as the 2 resources mentioned above (Seymore & Jarred). I also cannot attend the first zoom, but will watch the recording. 

Thanks for this Dominic!

Thank you, Dominic, for offering this study group ! It is the piece that I feel hesitant to learn because it looks simple, but  very difficult to play expressively beautiful ( for me). I am looking forward to dive into this project! 

Good evening. I first learned this piece in my 20s, when I got obsessed with the drama and melancholy side of Chopin. I did very little to analyze phrasing, voicing, use of the pedals, etc. Now that I'm in my late 60s, with additional training in cello and classical voice, I'm starting my study by singing the melody line-- it is a lovely vocalise! I'm figuring out where it breathes, where it pauses, etc. Not sure where I'll go next!