Took 2 months of practise, but am finally able to play La Campanella, its a beautiful piece by the way. I am very happy with my handling of the piece, but my piano teacher insists its not fast enough and my timing is wierd

I've attached a recording of me playing, but the recording device used wasn't that great so it might sound low quality. Please listen to it and tell me whether I am being clouded by my own arrogance?

Download Recording...

PS: Has anyone successfully finished the piece? How many days did you take off for sore hands?! I couldn't hold a pen for 3 days at a time... during the large stretches in the begining and middle

Sounds pretty darn good from where I'm sat!!

As for the quality - if you get a computer microphone, you can download some software called 'Audacity' which is very good (really can't think of a better word than 'good' today... )

Steve, did you just change to 'moderately awkward pianist'? I should change to 'very awkward pianist' then!

Ye.zero, technically flawless playing which is one huge hurdle out of the way. Well done!

A few comments:

1. Try to achieve a more 'bell-like' effect - sometimes loud and unrelenting, sometimes more 'shimmering' - hence the name 'La campanella'. Don't be too mathematical and rigid with your tempo throughout - you can be much more flexible in order to bring out the character of the piece.
2. The whole bar D sharp trill in the right hand after the brilliant scale passages should be much faster - just because it is notated with a dotted crotchet with the trill sign above it doesn't mean it is any different from the written out trill the bar before and after. Use this long trill to make an impressive crescendo and then decrescendo.
3. More dynamic contrast is needed overall. Think of the different 'levels' of the piece.
4. Build up towards the end in intensity and dynamically - note the directions in the score, e.g. piu mosso, molto crescendo, agitato ed accel. cresc., piu rinforzando, con fuoco, animato, con brio.

Hope this helps!

someone in my year at school who is a very talented pianist, i often talk to him about music.

He has learnt this piece in a vague way with average accuracy - even at the speed he was playing some of the technique needed for the leaps nearly sent me into shock....nearly

Dare I say the words sampled midi file?

The piano sounds somewhat like a UFO siren to me.