Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Recital #29 -- General Discussion Room

Sob, my last set. When's May?!

51. Pavel.K - Nocturne 21 in C minor posth. This is a beautiful performance, and all the more commendable for someone who has played for a short time. I think you created a wonderful atmosphere and any slight rough spots can get easily ironed out as you progress. It sounded like a very relaxed performance; the left hand was very well controlled which is difficult to do when the right is making the tricky runs. I loved it!

52. Allard - To Zanarkand It's funny how you can tell instantly that this is from a video game. Great performance! I think you have controlled this beautifully; there is delightful phrasing of some of the arpeggios and little flourishes and there is steadiness that allows the moments of intensity to really break through.

53. MileHi Steve - Stagg Brew I think you got some of the harp feel in these pieces. I would prefer a piano rather than electronic piano personally but I can tell what you were going for. You played them beautifully, it was an incredibly serene and straightforward (in a good way) performance.

54. aTallGuyNH - Just The Way You Are "My name's Andy and I'm addicted to Bill Joel." Perhaps not but I've been playing his stuff for years. You've been playing for a few months and have done a great job. You will get much better at smoothing things over. Make the melody "shine" a little more; if you don't already hear the words in your head, try to - it will help the phrasing. But as it stands it's a really nice performance, very controlled, smooth and enjoyable.

55. Aimee O - Sonatina in G Of course I'm going to listen all the way to #55. My only problem is this is the last one. This was one of the three pieces that got me started on trying to play classical (and led me to lessons thank goodness.) I counted up the other day - I think it's in four books I own! You did a very nice job controlling the piece; I would work on getting more dynamic range into it - where you did, it was great! I liked the clear contrast between the two versions but you tied it together well.

I want to express my gratitude to all of you giving comments to my performance of the Haydn-sonata so far. This week I'm staying at my mountain cottage with very limited internet access, and therefore I didn't have the opportunity to give any feedback neither to your performances nor to your comments, but I have listened to all of you and realise that there is lots of nice playing and interesting pieces. Next week I'll start giving individual comments.

PhilzPiano- I saw what you were playing for the recital and thought it might make a nice way to start my morning. Such a wonderful little piece and nothing like to set you right for the day. Very nicely done!! Thanks.

timmyab- Might as well keep going with the Bach. What wonderful command you have of this piece. It just flows and with just the right amount of feeling. I really enjoyed listening to you play. I loved both versions but I am leaning towards the faster one. They really are like two totally different pieces. The various voices "sang" to me and pulled me in more in the faster one. I'm glad you put them both in.

BenPiano, SwissMS, jotur, BillM, casinitaly, zrtf90, Riddler, peterws, Sam S, Allard, jazzwee, GrouchoMarx, Mr Super-Hunky, Andy Platt, Thank you so much for your kind comments, it is a great reward for me.
I would like to thank to all who listen my recording too.
And of course thanks belong to all organizers of this wonderfull recital which is a great experience and fun

Ah finally a weekend where I have some time so I can spend some time to reading all comments in more detail



Thanks!



Richard many thanks for your detailed review. Amazing how much attention you give to all performances here!! Seems I'll have to try to play LH softer here.

I will check the possibility to have it added to the themed recital.



wow, thanks slpianoproject for the extra large review. It's really interesting to see how some people here say I should use pedal while others are really happy that I did without Also it's good to hear that you also have this feeling with Mendelssohn.

Piano out of tune? You're the first to mention that. Check.... No, it was tuned a few weeks before I recorded so it should be well tuned. What exactly do you hear?

Thanks for the detailed feedback Sam! So far to me the pedal seems an on/off switch: I sometimes try to smoothly dampen a chord by carefully partially releasing the pedal but I usually end up with a sudden cancellation.... And it also sounds like a booster pedal, making everything twice as loud once pressed... Oh well there's some stuff to learn with the pedal here


Thanks!



Thanks Greener, I'm looking forward to your piece for the themed recital !



Timmyab, thanks for the detailed comments. Mmm, interesting suggestion, but yes I could try to apply pedal only after releasing the bass note. Kind of reverse stride effect. It's also interesting to see different ideas about the importance of the tempo here. Reducing the LH power seems something most here would like to hear.

Thanks again to all those who worked behind the scenes create the recital.

16. Riddler (Ed) - Reflections in D Very nicely played. I enjoyed listening to your rendition. Your changes didn't detract from the piece at all.

35. Richard (zrtf90) - Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 Very well played. Excellent!

37. Ken. - Let's Cool One Keep practicing

41. Saranoya - Menuett in F Surprisingly good recording quality using just your iPhone on the piano

43. lyricmudra - Melodie from the Opera 'Orfeo' Every time I listen to someone in this recital who has played as a kid and returned as a adult I marvel at the advantage one has by starting young. Very nicely played.

48. carlos88 - Sarabande (from Pour le Piano) Another one that started as a kid. Very nicely played. Increasing discouraging lessons? Your teacher must have been too critical.

49. GrouchoMarx - Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 3 years? Unbelievably advanced. I would not call you a relative beginner.

54. aTallGuyNH - Just The Way You Are Very well played for just 11 months. Were you using the pedal? It sounded like a lot of the notes were sustained. The only suggestion I could think of was to have less of that.

13. Peyton - After All I really like what you did with this piece, Peyton! It's takes one on a very pleasant journey, then back home. Thank you for your music!

14. joangolfing - Grieg Waltz Op.12 At first, this sounds like a simple piece, but there are so many details to manage - there's lots going on and you played it beautifully.

15. Greener / Jeff Green - Moments Musicaux - A flat major; Opus 94 No. 6 Schubert was a very fine choice for you. You play it with such confidence and conviction to give it life.

16. Riddler (Ed) - Reflections in D Ed, this is spectacular. I've heard this piece only once before. You've done some very tasty, rich voicing with it. Really a great tune and a even more well-played.

17. Monica K. - Just Because I Love You You play this as though you are listening very carefully to the melody. This is a beautiful piece and you bring tenderness to it.

05. slpianoproject - Nocturne in C# minor Op.27 no.1
Well played and a great video to go with it! It is always fun to see the action in videos like this.

06. CarlosCC - Julia
Loved it! Einaudi's is a great composer and you a great piano player Carlos!

07. Diana (sinophilia) - Frankie & Johnnie + Space Shuttle Blues
Sounds like a fun pieces to play. I think that you managed to capture the swing in your performances. Well done!

08. wouter79 - Allegro non troppo in c minor, op.38 no.2
No pedal? Amazing! A really great performance and your recording is top notch too.

09. SwissMS - Little Prelude in D Major BWV 936
I love Bach's preludes and your performance here is stellar. I like your technique too with the curved fingers and your steady rhythm. Well done!!

10. CASINITALY - Sneakin' Round
This piece also seems like a lot of fun to play. Great job! I really liked your playing on the fast sections with your fingers dancing over the keys!!

11. Andy Platt - Invention No 4 in D minor
I don't understand your teacher. It sounds lovely to me and I also like the fast pace. Great job!!

13. Peyton - After all
Fantastic and it is an original piece too! Loved it. It seems quite hard to play but you nailed it like a pro! Great poem too!! Great job Peyton.

14. joangolfing 0 Grieg Waltz Op. 12
Great piece and great playing too!

15. Greener - Moments Musicaux
Loved it! Those pedals… I know exactly how it feels but your playing is so good here that I didn't hear the noise after a few seconds.

12 Amaruk - The Christmas song from 'An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf', John Timothy Roberts
Nice job, Amaruk. A very pretty arrangement.

13 Peyton - After All
Another impressive composition coupled with a vituosic performance. Bravo.

14 joangolfing - Grieg Waltz Op.12, Grieg
An excellent performance, Joan. Just plain enjoyable to hear.

15 Greener / Jeff Green - Moments Musicaux - A flat major; Opus 94 No. 6, Schubert
That squeaky pedal is a bit annoying, Jeff. Otherwise this is a very well done effort. You captured the essence of the piece with your somber moody interpretation. It's quite an enjoyable listen.

16 Riddler (Ed) - Reflections in D, Duke Ellington
Impressive, Ed. As an Ellington fan I enjoyed your interesting arrangement. As a bonus, it sounds like I could maybe play your version whereas pretty much all Ellington transcriptions are out of reach for me. Great music!

17 Monica K. - Just Because I Love You, David Nevue
Beautifully played, Monica. You show really excellent control in the fade out section at the end. Well done indeed.

18 ladypayne - Improv in G minor
You are becoming an excellent composer. This is really pretty. Well done, ladypayne, well done.

19 Jake S. - Fur Elise, Beethoven
Great job, Jake. This piece is one of my favorites. You play it well. Yes, you have definitely moved into the "intermediate" ranks.

7. Dianna - good job. Smooth playing with steady beat. Look forward to your next piece

8. Woter79 - you said you aren't satisfied but I think it's fairly decent. It will be excellent if you keep the left hand volume down. I know it's easy said than done. It will give you an instant inprovement. The shaping of the piece is already there. Once you get the balance of the voices, I think you enjoy being totally expressive.

9. SwissMS - you are a fine piano player. I really enjoy listening to your performance. It does not show any trace of the trouble you had last year. I assume you have many years of classical traing as a child. It just shows.

#10 Cheryl - wow, it's incredible. I did not listen to the last recital since I was so busy. I'm stunned with the progress you made. This seriously sounds good. Does not sound like a beginner any more. Like it a lot.

#11 Andy Platt - I'm not the one to express opinions on your playing of Bach inventions. I hated them. It is totally twisted my personal opinion. I don't think the inventions are not his best works. For the purpose of finger independence, we all have to play them. I had to do 7 out of 12! I think you have done good job. Trills will come if you practice. Bach pieces get better and better. Let's persevere.

#12 Amaruk - excellent touch. It's a very beautiful song. Your son is lucky to have music to grow up with.

29. timmyab - Allemande from French Suite no 4 - Goodness, this is so rich. It's amazing how full and creative music was once. You've inspired me to learn this, but this just sounds so complicated and deep that I'm not sure I could get to this level. I can't offer any suggestions, but I can say that I enjoyed this very much - I love this place! Well done!

31. MaryBee - Waltz in C# minor, Op.64 No.2 - *Pushes open jaw back into place* Wow, that was awesome!

33. Ganddalf - Sonata A-flat major (Hob XVI - 46) first movement I wouldn't necessarily say that many of Haydn's sonatas are within the grasp of amateurs. Yours is a perfect example - this sounds terribly difficult! I had the chance recently to learn part of a Haydn sonata - yes, terribly difficult!

Your submission was long and very complex - I'm in awe of your ability to not only learn this while practicing, but to put it out there and play it, start to finish, with the recorder on.

Not only is this a wonderful piece from Haydn, you played this brilliantly as well. I loved each note!

35. Richard (zrtf90) - Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 This doesn't sound like any "easy starter"! Very nicely played!

36. Yamaha G3 & P-80, Mike White - Album Leaf - I hear you about not many versions to listen to. I don't know how I happened on this piece, but I struggled as well trying to figure out how this should sound. Well done, I like your interpretation!

13. Payton - another master piece with profound enlightenment! You really should publish your compositions

14. JoanGolfing -What a pretty piece. Good job

15 Greener - I love the piece. You play very well.

Aimeeo- You are obviously still working on this. But wow, quite an undertaking and accomplishment so far. I really like your pacing and general feel for the piece. I really enjoyed listening.

Allard- I know that feeling of having a piece you have to learn even if you know you are not quite ready for it. But it's that desire that drives us sometimes to new heights. You may not have nailed this piece technically but emotionally... right on! My only technical thought would be to ease up on the pedal a bit. But just great playing especially for only a year inthe saddle.

Copper- Always nice to hear you play. This is such a short version but still very evocative. I really enjoyed hearing the way the bass notes worked along side the right hand. Almost a little Bach like.

Sorry , a little late to the party , work keeps getting in the way.

Many thanks for all the encouraging comments on my pieces, the best I can say is it gives me a great deal of pleasure that you enjoyed them.

Thanks to the organisers of this fun and enjoyable event and thanks to all the performers who took part. What really stands out to me is that every performance , no matter the level of experience , was musical,making music that means something , with feeling and emotion.

And now some comments, time constraints will restrict me from commenting on all performance so please forgive me if I miss you out.As essentially a "jazzer" and writer of tunes I may stick more to my style area.

01. Mr Super-Hunky - A Star Named Apple/ New Beginning A heartfelt tribute beautifully played, nothing short of excellent.

02. Inlanding - Glen - Elegie Glen that was just lovely, instantly recognisable as French music as soon as you started , wonderfully expressive playing and control in the left hand. Not sure why I am not familiar with Massenet, so many wonderful composers and so much music! This had me searching out the music which also led me to Meditation de Thais, so thanks for your
performance and also for introducing me to some new music.

03. dannylux / Mel - Czerny Romance in E Op.755 Another charming piece, such a sweet little melody and played with a Wonderfully relaxed style, a pleasure to listen to.

04. Plowboy - Prelude in E Minor Op. 28, No. 4
Boy , you get a lot of emotion into this performance which far outweighs any technical issues, very nice performance.

06. CarlosCC - Julia
Another example of your fantastic memory. Lots of emotion in this which is fitting for the dedication of the performance, very well done.

07. Diana (sinophilia) - Frankie & Johnnie + Space Shuttle Blues Very well done , you really brought these simple little pieces to life.

09. SwissMS - Little Prelude in D Major BWV 936 So glad you are back playing and isn't it great that music can help recovery. A very good performance too of a piece that looks and sounds
difficult.

10. CASINITALY (Cheryl) - Sneakin' Round
A jolly piece very well played, love those jazzy sounds.

11. Andy Platt - Invention No 4 in D Minor
Too hard for me Andy, well done, just those trills to work on.

12. Amaruk - The Christmas song from 'An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf'
A simple but very pretty melody and as usual a nice video to go with it.

13. Peyton - After All
Another great composition Peyton, great work on the left had pattern which avoids the obvious. Great writing, improvisation , groove and technique, what more can I say I loved it.

16. Riddler (Ed) - Reflections in D
What great playing and arrangment, that amateurish fancy stuff sounds Professional to me, reminds me more of Stan Kenton ( only better Piano playing) those chords, just rich & lush.

17. Monica K. - Just Because I Love You
Control ,control , control, from start to finish, congratulations on a fine performance.

20. Serge88 - Fly Me To The Moon
Wouldn't sound out of place in all the bars in all the world, very relaxing.

22. (Was)TrueBeginner - Us
I rather liked this, I can hear it as the music to a film, maybe a French film noir , lovely melody.

26. Sand Tiger - Shadow
You have good ideas and you seem passionate about composing so keep at it and I look forward to hearing your progress in composing and playing, well done.

30. Peterws - Regrets. I have a Few . .
Conjures up pictures of the rolling hills of the north of England , in spring when it’s a bit warmer :-). Takes a lot of talent to put an arrangement like this together, nicely paced with some tasty string pads. Did you keep changing the lead voice , sounds alternately like oboe , pan pipe or soprano sax? And then we have the sea. Great stuff keep em coming.

32. BenPiano - All of These Things For You
Loved the feel you get on this Ben, reminded me of Simon and Garfunkel,the vocal was a tad quiet though but I could a hear a good in tune voice there, a very enjoyable listen.

33. Ganddalf - Sonata A-flat major (Hob XVI - 46) first movement To my ear pretty much expert in every way.

37. Ken. - Let's Cool One
You seem to have really grasped Monk's music, well done.

39. Mar_red - The Shadow of Your Smile & Misty - Medley. Well you certainly covered all the styles here though sometimes less is more. Touch of the Errol Garners in Shadow and you sounded like you had lots of fun with Misty.

40. Jazzwee - Stella by Starlight
This sounds really together with some nice note choices in your solo, you have a swinging little group there. Everytime I hear you Jazzwee you have improved and I think you have just taken a bit of a leap forward. I also picked up your latest version of Solar on the study group thread and you were steaming, live playing with an audience, wonderful.

26 Sand Tiger – Shadow
I see from your Blog, ST that you have been very busy with composition. Good on you, for this focus so early in your piano development. It will only get better from here of course. You've done well with this and I look forward to seeing the progress.

32 BenPiano - All of These Things For You
This is very easy and pleasant listen. You have a nice voice. Nice job in keeping the accompaniment interesting without interfering with the vocal. Nice recording and well done.

36 Mike White - Album Leaf
Not familiar with the piece. Some very interesting elements to it. Clearly very competently played. I don't care for the piece, but I like your playing. It would likely grow on me though, there are many I play now, that I wasn't so keen on in the beginning and some Debussy I really like, of course. Nice work.

37 Ken - Let's Cool One
Fabulous changes in this. I love pieces with chord change iterations on every beat. This is one that could really swing. You are on your way with it. Nice choice and some fine playing, Ken.

38 Farmgirl - Brahms 118 #2
I think I may need to take up drinking again. I don't recall ever getting this good of results though. I somehow thought I was better, but my neighbours never did. Really fine production you have with this, Farmgirl. Beautifully played.

39 Mar_red - The Shadow of Your Smile & Misty - Medley
These work very nicely together as a medley. Who knew. I have both of these buried somewhere in my line up. Time to dig em up and perhaps do likewise with them. Very cleverly done, love the trills. Nice arrangement and some great playing.

Hi Jazzpt; English Horn and Soprano Sax only used as solo. I suspect the English horn and Oboe are bedfellows . . . .according to Yamaha that is!

I just want to thank all you folks that commented on my piece...

Monica- Your comments are always highly valued by me. Yea, I really like getting down into those bass notes.

Saranoya- I suppose if i actually wrote it all out I could intentionally write in accel and retards. But, yea, some of those really were not intentional. I just have a bad habit of speeding up as things get louder and more dramatic. I really need to work on that.

SwissMs- the runs up the keyboard are fun but not too complicated. That said...the second time I did it it didn't quite end up right. Thank you for seeing the connection of the music to the poem. It really is supposed to be "searching".

Casinitaly- Again, I'm really pleased you saw the connection of the poem to the music. And it's really neat that you were waiting to see what would come next. Yes, the Satie has really helped inspire the pieces I'm working on right now.

Bill- Always nice to get a favorable comment from you. For you to say my piano playing is first rate means a lot to me.

jotur- Yea, most of the pieces I've been writing have a left hand pattern that is pretty consistent. Maybe it's my bass playing roots...

Aimeeo- I would love to really be a talented composer. However I'm all too aware of my shortcomings. (Music theory or lack thereof being a major one...)

KenJazz- interesting you hear some "eastern" flavor. I didn't mean for that to be but have been playing around with that sound. I don't see my works as "new age" either. I think you put it well.. a little R&B, new age, eastern... Hopefully just my own thing.

Allard- Yea, I really need to work on my speed consistency.

zrtf90- That beat is hard to follow in the middle because I probably lost it.... I do have fun with the rhythmic patterns.

Ed- Your comments really cracked me up. I answered you earlier but I'll say it again... If you ever do transcribe some of my runs by all means please let me know what you come up for fingerings.

Mr. SH- I'm really glad you read it as you did... I was pleased with the ending. I just wanted those chords to say "After All".

GrauchoMarx- I'm glad you felt the hands were well balanced. That is certainly one of the great challenges in this piece.

Greener- I know I really enjoy hearing what other folks here compose. It adds another whole element to listening.

SamS- Cool! I know I don't feel like I sound professional but to hear it from you means a lot.

CarlosCC- I only WISH I could even begin to write like Debussy. (And yes..if I could only play Debussy as well as you. )

AndyP- When I was studying art an instructor told me once that the secret to good work was to make mistakes look intentional. Sooo I should have just said that "tap" was there on purpose!!

Jazzwee- What can I say? Coming from you that really means a lot!

Beachcraft- Yay, someone remembers my Coffee for Breakfast! You should just try writing. A couple of shots of Makers Mark (the 90 proof, not that other stuff they tried to put out there), some lights down low... sit at the piano and just play.

Ben- Thank you. you really hit it for me. "vast, old and desolate. yet..here we are".

Inlanding- "a pleasant journey, then back home" I like that.

Amaruk- I'm glad you liked the poem. I thought it might be a little silly putting it there but it really did explain a bit about what I was trying to say with the piece.

TXDennis- thanks as always Dennis. Not sure it's exactly "virtuosic" but hey, that doesn't hurt my self esteem.

Farmgirl- I just wish I could really write out music. If I could I would at the very least write all these to paper. I'm counting on my memory and... that's not good.

jazztpt- Hey you cover all the bases More great self esteem builders.

Peyton,

Actually, I saw your previous comment. Sorry, I did not mean to ignore you, it's just that I interpreted it as a joke!

BTW, I don't write these runs down on paper, I record them in midi, and sometimes capture the fingering in text that displays in the lyrics window when I play it back on the Vanbasco player.

Anyway, here is what I captured.

Two handed ascending run an interval of a third apart:

• Both hands follow the standard Eb (Hanon) fingering.

One handed Eb descending run in thirds, starting with C and Eb:

• Top note finger - 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 4
  
  Bottom note finger - 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 1 2

Wierd, huh?

One handed Eb run with scale notes 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1 etc (where 3 = G, 4 = Ab, etc).

• RH fingers 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 1 5; in other words, I switch to 5 on Ab and Eb.

BTW, methinks I am not a good person to ask about fingering; I tend to start ascending arpeggios and runs with fingering 2 1 (index then thumb), and I often cross 1 over 5 going up, 5 over 1 going down. Us old guys have our habits and there is nothing you can do to change us!

Ed