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My apologies Kathleen, for short-changing your repertoire :-)

If we generate enough interest those of us with more than one can relinquish to someone else (except for favorites).

Kathleen - you bring in the people from Pianist Corner and they can fill up the list in no time.
1, 9, 10, 11, 13, 21 are easy
3, 5, 14 are not too bad
So that leaves just 3 hard ones: 12, 16, 19

We still have until October 2007, right?

mark me down for number 9 in E major!

A couple of weeks ago I decided to train myself to play really fast. I was going to join the Czerny (School of Velocity) Challenge over in the Pianist Corner until I saw Sergio Tiempo play the Prelude #16 on Youtube. Just totally blew me away. Aha, I thought, why not use #16 as an exercise in playing fast linear passages? It's much better music than Czerny and will give my fingers the same workout. So I started learning the notes. And now I'm thinking, hmmm, October is 7 months away. Is there a chance I could play this piece at a respectable tempo by then? If I sign up for #16 now I would have made a public commitment to play (arguably) the hardest of the Chopin preludes and that will really force me to learn it. OK, I've made up my mind: sign me up for #16!

And if by September I can't play it at a decent tempo, I'll have to be bailed out by Liszt Addict. So, LA please be on standby to play this one at short notice, OK?

Put me down for Nr 14 as well.

2 - Frycek
4 - Kathleen
6 - Ragnhild
7 - Kathleen
8 - Gerg
9 - Stephenc
14 - Frycek
15 - Kathleen
16 - Jazzyprof
17 - Kathleen
18 - Gerg
20 - Kathleen
22 - Frycek
23 - Gerg
24 - LisztAddict

Still up for Grabs:

"Easy" 1, 10, 11, 13, 21
"Not too bad" 3, 5
"Hard" 12, 19

Wow...wow.... We're on a roll. Yes, I think the date of October 17th as our Concert has pretty well been agreed upon. But start practicing NOW! Seven months can fly by!!

Welcome Stephenc and Jazzyproff. And if you feel you aren't up to par on the piece, yes, you can back out. Of course, you realize that if you do, I will have to come after you with a huge stick (by the way, where do you live? I hope in FL!) Just kidding of course. And REMEMBER, please, please...your playing DOES NOT have to be PERFECT. I can't stress that enough. We are beginners here (well, sort of, I guess. I know my playing will be far from ideal, but I am still going for it!)

I have had the #13 going through my head since I played it again afer many years. (Gee, Frycek, glad to know that you think that #13 is easy. Now if I don't get it, I'll feel pretty stupid...again, pulling your leg.) I think I am going to sign up for it. So I will have two that are new for me. This means instead of 3 hours at the piano, it might be 6. Good thing I retired years ago.

I have to contact Nancy and Sarah (what happened to her?), and Dannylux (Mel) before I contact anyone from the PC. Also Mike Smith and a few others whose names will come to me as soon as I've had my second cup of coffee.

Now...for some special news. I am going to make a CD of the whole concert and send everyone who participated in it one. Also, I'll advertise it on the other forums and send one to anyone who is interested (for just the shipping cost). For you, it will be free.

AND TO ALL WHO TAKE PART...some special prizes/awards. A T-shirt sheet that you can iron on to a shirt or whatever. On it will be a picture of Chopin and whatever wording you would like. Also a refrigerator magnet with "I performed in the All-Prelude Chopin Concert"...or words to that effect...and a couple book marks with appropriate wording.

Now, another day...and on Monday I will PM the other people we talked about, asking if they would be interested.

And since #4 and #7 and #20 are not that terribly difficult, I am going to put out a message on the AB forum to see if anyone would like to play one of these.

Lastly, if we have any left (any that LisztAddict would not like to play), I'll put out a notice on the PC.

Any other suggestions....?

Regards to all and start PRACTICING!

Kathleen

Disclaimer re: Difficulty: I was QUOTING LisztAddict.

From the pieces I've heard played by Sarah and Dannylux so far, I think we should just assign #12 to Dannylux and #19 to Sarah; match their playing skill perfectly.

Am I on for #13?

EVERYTHING is easy for LisztAddict!

LA: Sarah hasn't been around for some time, so I hesitate assigning her anything. And I really have to contact Mel. I hate to have him wake up one day, let's say, six months for now, and find out that he's scheduled to play #19.

Kathleen

There is a good article in the Times today about the discovery of 'Chopin's piano'. Somebody bought it for $4000 in 1988, not knowing its real value!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article1527757.ece

The actual newspaper says you can "listen to Alec Cobbe play the Chopin piano" online, but so far I haven't found the link

Euan, ya'done good!

Thank you so much, Euan, for that very interesting article. Imagine buying a piano that Chopin once played on!

I'll try to find that link you spoke about.

While we're at it...do you have any interest in performing in our All Prelude Chopin Concert?

Let us know. Thanks again.

Kathleen

Me? Yikes, I haven't really tried much classical music. But I would be willing to give it a go, if you don't mind listening to my inferior efforts!

I haven't kept up with this thread as much as I liked - when is the deadline?

Will have a listen to my Preludes cd to pick out one which might be suitable.
Euan.

We would love to have you join us, Euan.

If you've never played Chopin's preludes before... the "easier" ones are

Op. 28
#4,
#7
#20

Give a listen and if you decided to try one, that would be great. We are NOT looking for PERFECTION here. Just as many people to participate as possible. And when you decide on one, we will be here to answer any questions you might have. Like we're the "experts."

We're planning on having the "concert" on October 17th (a whole 7 months away!). It's the anniversary of Chopin's death. A fitting tribute, we think.

Regards,
Kathleen

Thanks for the recommendations, Kathleen.

As I've stated on other threads, the biggest problem I have with learning pieces is motivation - therefore I need a piece that really strikes me good and makes me yearn to play it.

It may not be the easiest one, and I certainly hope it isn't too difficult. But will let you know which one it is!

Happy St. Patrick's day everyone!!!

Euan, welcome to the recital! It is really exciting to see this snowball picking up momentum. You do indeed need to find the piece that "hits you between the eyes." In this Op. 28 series is something for everyone. Per your #868 this will prove to be a sublime immersion into classical playing for you. Again, welcome!

Hallo Chopaholics, I've not had much computer time lately and when I get back to the Chopin thread, what do I find! Big plans afoot. What a brilliant idea, Gerg and Kathleen. I agree that we should concentrate on Preludes only. I say "we" but not sure if I'll be able to participate other than as a delighted audience.

Gerg - the two you posted were lovely. Thanks!

Ragnhild - what do you mean, you might not be on the Forum in October? OF COURSE you must remain with us - at least until our jaunt in 2010. You haven't forgotten, have you?

Love to all... Mary-Rose

Mary-Rose good to see you back! Any thoughts on what you'd like to play?

EDIT: You did "not sure"

Dear Greg,
I just found your "Tricky Monster" thanks to Mary Rose. Thank you for the dedication and for the welcome back. It sounds as though you've got the monster almost tame, almost eating from your hand. I look forward to hearing how he sounds when he's all groomed, collared and debonair in October! I hope my Little Monsters (2,14,& 22)turn out as a well mannnered!