Performance Journal: One Performance, Three Lessons

During the school lunchtime concert, Tiger Han performs Chopin's Waltz Op. 18 on the grand piano.

I performed the Chopin waltz op.18 at Wednesday’s lunchtime concert at school and was pleased with how the piece communicated overall. It was rewarding to share the music with my schoolmates and to experience the natural flow that only a live performance can bring.

After listening back to the recording, I identified several details to refine for the upcoming performances. In the opening phrases, I did not fully establish my internal pulse, so I have since revisited the score to count the bars more deliberately and ensure the tempo aligns naturally when the melody enters. Once past this point, the piece settled and flowed convincingly.

The opening measures of Waltz Op.18

Near the coda, I missed the pedal on a significant chord, which was especially noticeable in the concert space, as the room acoustic makes the piano sound particularly dry, with very little natural resonance.

Circled chord in this sheet music requires the use of the pedal for fuller resonance.

I also sensed a slight forward push in tempo, likely influenced by the need to move quickly to choir rehearsal afterwards. lol

These observations give me clear goals for Friday’s school assembly performance. With two more performances ahead, I look forward to letting the interpretation mature further and shaping the piece more confidently each time.

Documenting these reflections as a performance journal reminds me how each performance is not only a presentation, but an essential step in the artistic process.

Click here to access the recording of the performance at the Lunch time concert