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I find sharps (or flats) to be really not an issue. (But then, I'm wierd.) I can't remember if you play another instrument, Allard. I think my music reading of sharp and flat signatures transferred easily from my flute playing to my piano playing.
Except for perhaps the black keys present less surface area than the white keys, I'm not sure why a piece with more sharps would be harder technically than a piece with white keys. (Leaving aside any considerations of difficulty of reading.)
Hello I am new here to this forum, can anyone give me more specific details about this recital. Can I join too? I would love to do op. 54 no 3, March of the Dwarfs. Is this still available? Thanks
Life's tradegy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. - Benjamin Franklin
Finally had a chance to discuss the Grieg recital with my teacher. He thinks my choice (43-3) is still out of reach: "it's got SIX sharps!"
... but the polyphony is the real challenge. Still, I think I can do it in four months.
I just listened to yours Allard - its really pretty! I notice that though yours is more intricate than mine (12-3) there are similarities in structure with certain phrases repeated several times. (Less to learn!) I can see you've got a fair amount of that 3rd voice to deal with - a nice challenge! I started lessons in January 2010 and the first "real" piece my teacher gave me had 4 sharps. It wasn't a big deal and I'm sure that you'll quickly get a handle on your music.
edited to add: When I say it wasn't a big deal, I mean that initially I was "shocked" and worried it would be difficult and my teacher quickly got me to see that it wasn't going to be a problem. (As a result I'm not immediately intimidated by a number of sharps or flats....mind you 16th and 32nd notes do induce a bit of anxiety :J) )
Niluh01 -- welcome to Piano World, and to the Themed Recital!
Last edited by casinitaly; 05/14/1302:45 AM.
18 ABF Recitals, Order of the Red Dot European Piano Parties - Brussels, Lisbon, Lucern, Milan, Malaga, St. Goar Themed recitals: Grieg and Great American Songbook
PS88, I have no previous musical experience, unless you count half a year of flute as a child learning basic musical skills and theory. That never got to the point of playing anything with flats or sharps.
A year ago those flats and sharps gave me great trouble reading the music. I find it a lot easier now. In fact, music with three flats or sharps might be harder, since you have to remember that only some of the black keys are used rather than all of them! The E sharp is a little confusing at the start, until you remember that it's secretly an F and your finger goes there automatically.
16th and 32nd notes do scare me, Cheryl. Especially when combined with hand movement, like extended arpeggios or difficult melodic runs. Wouldn't want to switch with your Grieg piece
David Lanz - Skyline Firedance Suite Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 7 Main Theme
We've found a way to get a complete set of lyric pieces up. So if any of you are wondering what to select, or how your piece sounds on a recording....have a listen.
Here is a list of start times within the video for your respective pieces. ( present for the class from teacher!)
Opus 12.
Opus 12 no.1 :beginning of the video. opus 12 no.2 ; I minute in. Opus 12 no. 3 : 2 minutes 50 seconds. Opus 12 no.4 ; 5 minutes 25 seconds. Opus 12 no. 5 : 6 minutes 18 seconds. opus 12 no.6 : 8 minutes 10 seconds. Opus 12 no. 7 : 9 minutes 15 seconds. opus 12 no. 8 : 10 minutes 50 seconds.
opus 38.
Opus 38. no.1 : 12 minutes 37 seconds. Opus 38. no.2 : 15 mins 05 secs. Opus 38 no.3 : 16 mins 50 secs. Opus 38 no.4 : 18 mins 58 secs. opus 38 no.5 : 19 mins 48 secs. opus 38 no.6 : 21 mins 12 secs. Opus 38 no.7 : 24 mins. opus 38 mo. 8 : 25 mins 07 secs.
opus 43.
No.1 : 29 mins 39 secs. No.2 : 31 mins 30 secs. No.3 : 34 mins 14 secs. No.4 : 36 mins 17 secs. No.5 : 38 mins 25 secs. No.6 : 41 mins 20 secs.
Opus 47
No. 1 : 44mins 15 secs. No.2 : 47 mins 45 secs. No.3 : 51 mins 43 secs. No.4 : 54 mins 40 secs. No.5 : 56 mins 12 secs. No.6 : 59 mins 55 secs. No.7 : 1hr 2 mins 33 secs.
Opus 54.
No.1 : 1 hr 5 mins 20 secs. No.2 : 1 hr 10 mins 10 secs. No.3 : 1 hr 13 mins 50 secs. No.4 : 1hr 16 mins 58 secs. No.5 : 1hr 21 mins 30 secs. No.6 : 1hr 21 mins 20. secs.
We've found a way to get a complete set of lyric pieces up. So if any of you are wondering what to select, or how your piece sounds on a recording....have a listen.
Well, Eva is quick. I'll have to get my running shoes on to play "Gade" as fast as she does...
Same here, SamS. I'm working on my 2nd choice which I retracted (71/5), just because in case I need to do it if no one takes it, I knew I'd need this time to get the tempo fast enough. They're both challenging though.
My first choice, 65/1 is tough in several places, but also emotionally. I lost my cat, Panda, if 17 years on Saturday, and so I'm a basket case. Still, he loved listening to piano, and I played a little for him (I've been working on Mendelssohn's Songs without Words 30/1) and that seemed an appropriate send off as we took him to the vet. All the music I'm learning right now is a tribute to his wonderful life with us.
I am going to post this twice, once here and once in the medelssohn recital thread in case anyone misses it.
As you know Pw member carey was not well during the run up to the recital, but has done his piece and, well here it is.
This is what he had to say:
I purchased the sheet music for this piece at my teacher's suggestion when I was eleven (55 years ago). Never learned it - and carried it around with me all these years. Finally decided a few months ago to bite the bullet and give it a try before my technical skills start to go south on me.
The biggest challenge with this piece was determining a fingering that worked for ME (not for the editor). In one measure I couldn't make my LH do what Mendelssohn intended so I resorted to dividing the musical line between the RH and LH - and it actually worked. Also found that at this tempo it was necessary to keep the hands high - and play on the fingertips (including the tips of the thumb). Anything short of that bogged the piece down. Then, of course, there was the challenge of getting my brain and my fingers to work together during two minutes of INTENSE concentration. In the end, I tried to have fun with it.
Last edited by Rostosky; 05/15/1308:08 AM.
Rise like lions after slumber,in unvanquishable number. Shake your chains to earth like dew which in sleep has fallen on you. Ye are many,they are few. Shelley
My first choice, 65/1 is tough in several places, but also emotionally. I lost my cat, Panda, if 17 years on Saturday, and so I'm a basket case. Still, he loved listening to piano, and I played a little for him (I've been working on Mendelssohn's Songs without Words 30/1) and that seemed an appropriate send off as we took him to the vet. All the music I'm learning right now is a tribute to his wonderful life with us.
So sorry, it's devastating. But you're lucky to have shared 17 years with him! My favorite cat didn't make it to that age.
May I ask for Op. 65 No. 3 Tungsinn (Melancholy) as a number 2 (of course, if no one wants it as a first choice)? The fast octaves will be a challenge for me, but I have fallen in love with the piece.
My first choice, 65/1 is tough in several places, but also emotionally. I lost my cat, Panda, if 17 years on Saturday, and so I'm a basket case. Still, he loved listening to piano, and I played a little for him (I've been working on Mendelssohn's Songs without Words 30/1) and that seemed an appropriate send off as we took him to the vet. All the music I'm learning right now is a tribute to his wonderful life with us.
So sorry, it's devastating. But you're lucky to have shared 17 years with him! My favorite cat didn't make it to that age.
Thank you, sinophilia. Animals can hold a special place in our hearts because they can love unconditionally.
My first choice, 65/1 is tough in several places, but also emotionally. I lost my cat, Panda, if 17 years on Saturday, and so I'm a basket case. Still, he loved listening to piano, and I played a little for him (I've been working on Mendelssohn's Songs without Words 30/1) and that seemed an appropriate send off as we took him to the vet. All the music I'm learning right now is a tribute to his wonderful life with us.
So sorry, it's devastating. But you're lucky to have shared 17 years with him! My favorite cat didn't make it to that age.
Thank you, sinophilia. Animals can hold a special place in our hearts because they can love unconditionally.
I'm sorry to hear you've lost your little friend. I haven't had a pet for ages, but I remember well how hard it is to say good bye to them.
18 ABF Recitals, Order of the Red Dot European Piano Parties - Brussels, Lisbon, Lucern, Milan, Malaga, St. Goar Themed recitals: Grieg and Great American Songbook