Comments on: Homework: listen, survey, comment

By: kevinraschen

kevinraschen — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:14:03 +0000

For the first one, I choose B because I felt the music had more life and energy into that A did. I also like the fluctuation in tempo and better clarity in choice B.

For the second one, I also chose B. It has a more “real” sound to it and a character that A does not have. I also found it to be smoother and more expressive that choice B.

By: Aaron K

Aaron K — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:48:07 +0000

First one – I choose B because it seems much more musical and has some rubato (variance in tempo) and seems to have more emotion and depth to the sound.

Second one – I also chose B because it doesn’t seem as “artificial” This one has more rubato, liberty with time and more dynamic contrastts. I also feel like the melody line is more present here.

Both very lovely pieces!

By: Kristin K

Kristin K — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:11:47 +0000

I voted B for the first because I thought it was played more musically, and it sounded cleaner.

I voted for A for the second one. I liked how they took it at faster tempo, and it sounded cleaner. I also thought it sounded more natural.

By: Jeff N

Jeff N — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:59:45 +0000

Song 1: Song A was a lot better because I feel the performer put more emotion into playing the piano. There were more swells in dynamics, and the tempo seemed to push and pull with the music, showing more emotion and feelings. Song B was a little lacking.

Song 2: Same reasons, B was a lot more personal and intimate with the performance, there just seemed to be somehting missing from A in this one.

By: sherylm

sherylm — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:49:54 +0000

Song 1: I voted for song A simply because I noticed deeper dynamic contrast, more expression, and a smoother, more gentle feel. On the other hand, song B was performed in a more direct, less gentle fashion. It sounded more like plunking out notes than actually creating musical lines.

Song 2: I voted for song B for the same reasons. This version creates smoother, more connected lines and I felt that it left a lot more room for musical expression. Song A was just too mechanical.

By: oliver3

oliver3 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:18:16 +0000

I think both songs are two different edits of the same recording. The performers are the same but I think the microphones were either set up in different areas or different finishing mixes were used.

That being said I liked the B version of the pieces. It seems like the mics are perhaps closer to the piano or somehow picking up the direct sound of the piano instead of the boom resounding from the hall. Because of the hall they are being played in in the A versions the bass is more emphasized and in the B versions it sounds cleaner because the treble is more prevalent.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:15:04 +0000

Song 1: I voted for B because, in a nutshell, it was cleaner. The player had a concept of the chord changes and timing, where as the first one sounded like slamming down random keys at times. I like their style…they had a good grasp on the technical aspects and were therefore able to be more expressive.

Song 2: I voted for song B, but it was a close call. They were both very well played and I enjoyed each. I finally decided on B because it was more expressive than the first, much more rubato and liberty taken with it. I found myself moving with the phrases more rather than thinking “ah, sounds like they’re playing it right”

ps-Sorry I forgot it was due this morning…CRAZY week…I’m sure everyone can relate

By: jschwar7

jschwar7 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:42:35 +0000

For the first song I would have, if the survey page wasn’t down, voted for B without a doubt for the first song, because I liked the style of their playing. The way that he/she played the song just made me know how the song was suppose to go.

As for song two I would have voted for A because of the same reason. I liked the tempo they chose for the piece. More feeling was put into this piece as well I thought. Especially the ending with a very defined ending. Bravo!

By: travismarkley

travismarkley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:25:13 +0000

I voted for B in the first song because it sounded less perfect and like the person playing was really putting their sould into the piece. A just sounded like someone really good sat down and didnt really enjoy it.

For the second song I voted for A. It sounded like the same two performers. It just sounded like they switched from B to A or vice versa. I guess I am biased to the one I chose.

By: hornplaya88

hornplaya88 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:00:44 +0000

For the first recording I voted for Artist A. Overall, I think that B might have been played more musically, but I just couldn’t get over the sound quality of the recording. Artist A’s recording was much fuller.

For the second recording I voted for Artist B. I feel like this recording had a lot more color and feeling to it.