Brouwer Etudes Side Project: 4-6
Before starting this little practice/recording side project, I thought that I wouldn't start running into stumbling blocks until I got into the double digits. But there's always some new way the music or our bodies can challenge us!
Historically I've spent far less time with Etudes 4 and 5, finding them less compelling and fun to play. What a shame! I do believe that may be because I tend to gloss over dynamic markings and articulations, which are really key to turning these into interesting, nuanced pieces. In finally taking those in and doing my best to interpret them (if not always nailing them), I started to really love these two jaunty little studies.
Etude 6 is one I have played countless times, and yet it's been the one holding up this recording. I've always struggled a bit with the left-hand fingering and stretch (damn, my weakened ulna tendon!), but I'd compensate for that by using a rubato tempo so I could adjust if needed. Example:
I didn't give myself that luxury this time. Etude 6 is more interesting at a fast clip, but it made the weakness in my left pinky very apparent. I debated recording yet again or canning this altogether and waiting, but it is going to take many months of slow work to strengthen and correct that pinky. So in the meantime, I'm treating this like a progress report. Is it perfect? No. Did I learn a lot in the process? Absolutely. Am I done with Etude 6? Definitely not.
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