Welcome to the General Discussion Room for the AB Forum Quarterly Recital #61!
Please use this room for any discussion of the pieces in Recital #61 that is taking place in the Main Recital Thread.
Discussions and replies can be posted at any time. Feel free to comment on any or all individual pieces. Some members offer comments on each submission individually; others offer general congratulations. Either approach is appropriate. Feel free to offer more specific, technical feedback if the participant had indicated that technical feedback was welcome.
For those who wish to comment on all pieces, a copy and paste template for offering feedback can be found here:
Recital 61 Response TemplatePlease use this thread only to discuss recital performances. If you have any comments or suggestions about ways to make the recital process better, please start a separate thread.
Enjoy the music!
Sam
Apologies, everyone.
Just realised I uploaded the incorrect recording for my submission for number 8. The link to the vimeo recording is the intended one.
So I had a problem with the ftp connection this morning for the zip files. Normally I zip up the recordings into chunks and upload them to the server so people can grab them if they want. Of course, we have been doing this since recital #9, ages ago.
Does anyone ever actually download the zip files? Are they useful to anyone? Times have changed - for instance, my laptop no longer has a CD player. I couldn't burn a CD if I wanted to. Music is all streamed now. It would decrease the work to produce the recital if we omitted the zip files. Just asking...
Sam
1. Ido- This is one of those works you just can't get tired of. A lovely interpretation.
2. JJHLH- A very sweet, short piece that I have never heard before. Excellently played.
3. flygbadet- Very nice. Great chords. It doesn't sound at all improvised (that's good in my book).
4. Cesare- That speed seemed fine to me but hey, I'm no Bach expert so who is to say. I just enjoyed listening. Keep em coming.
Ugh, my recording is probably my least polished submission yet. Hopefully you'll derive at least some enjoyment from it.
Does anyone ever actually download the zip files? Are they useful to anyone?
I usually download those ZIP files, though it would only be a minor inconvenience to me if they were to disappear.
Does anyone ever actually download the zip files? Are they useful to anyone? Times have changed - for instance, my laptop no longer has a CD player. I couldn't burn a CD if I wanted to. Music is all streamed now. It would decrease the work to produce the recital if we omitted the zip files. Just asking...
Sam
I don't download the zip files, so for me it wouldn't make a difference if they disappeared. Thanks for doing yet another recital, Sam!
I don't download the zip files either.
Sorry for the bad video quality, if anyone watches. I did something different this time and used my laptop to record the video, using Cyberlink Powerdirector, along with an external mic. Well, I messed that up. I told Cyberlink to capture in HD, but the device (web cam) was configured at 640x480. So it looks a little 'flat'
Sam, I also never download the zip files.
As always, thank you for all the work you put into this!
I'm really looking forward to listening!
Hi. This is my first recital so not sure I would download the files. I am guessing probably not as we can always look up and stream the recitals or listen to each piece individually.
I must say it was my first time submitting and it was all super easy and smooth! Thank you all for doing this. It was alot of fun and I am already planning to participate in the next one. This time I can spend more than a week getting ready đ
I already listened to some pieces and looking forward to hearing the rest.
1 Ido
Excellently played! Loads of tenderness. Much better than me . . . I rush it, same as everything else I do . . .
2 JJHLH
Lovely work here. Smooth, pleasant. Feel-good in abundance.
3 Flygblad3t
Darned nice sound from your piano. Grand and expressive at your fingers. And you wrote this yourself? Sounds involved and very polished to me. Well done.
4 Cesare San Martino
This has been a cracking start; the standard is far to high! More excellence; the speed was lovely, and the baroch atmosphere quite intense.
5 Peyton
You write a nice melody; quite wistful if I might say so. I'm quite wistful about the past; like a year ago when I was sweating on those Les Mills gym-bikes squashed in by the young ladies.wanting desperately to lose a pound or two . .
6 Ganddalf
Your digital sounds better for being recoded like an acoustic might. Food for thought! The music is as expressive and wonderful,as usual.
7 Marie J
Interesting to hear these; I only play the ones I know, but they're all to savour, full of the melancholic meaderings of a somewhat troubled man. Nice work, Marie!
8 KevinM
An oft-played piece, but an excellent exercise. You make it look too easy. Dammit, you ALL make it too easy. It should be hard. I'm finding stuff hard; so should everyone else! Seriously nice, man.
9 Peterws
Oh, %$&*ÂŁ*! You again! Like a bad penny . . and now he's tryin' to play Bach! I ask you! Hahahah ROFL!!.
10 Wouter79
Very expressive piece. Cannot but enjoy that!
I do not use the zip files. I do write the occasional CD or DVD and an external drive is handy to bypass DVD region restrictions. In any case I could always use the Zoom to copy any sound input directly should I ever want to.
No, I don't download the zip files as I can always go to the invaluable Piano Recitals Index to listen to a piece again. Thanks for everything that you do to keep these Recitals running so well, Sam!
6. Gandolf- I'm not sure which is more lovely, the piece or your playing. Well recorded too.
7. MarieJ- The Gnossiennes are my favorite Satie pieces. Of the first 3 probably the 1st and 3rd are my usual go to pieces to play but that middle one...#2, always kind of stumps me. I'm never real sure how to interpret it. But you did. They all tell stories and I think you found the story #2 is trying to tell and nailed it. Bravo!
I do not use the zip files either. Thank you Sam for making these recitals possible.
Here my first set of comment. Beautiful pieces so far
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 I liked how you played with dynamics. I could tell the differences you mention in the B section and I think it gave quite some originality to your rendition. Beautiful!
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale I am not a big fan of rag myself (maybe I should just try to play it once and it might change), but I enjoyed the piece very much. I noticed a lot of contrasting styles in certain sections, a bit of romanticism here and there. Your playing is amazing, I really liked how you play with rhythm and dynamics. Great
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 I have not explored yet Mendelssohn music, but this piece was very different from what I had heard from him so far, I liked it a lot. Thanks for introducing this piece to me. It is great you are returning to PianoWorld! Looking forward to hear future performances from you.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) This was very well done Purrblast! I actually did not find it so simple sounding as you mention, certain parts in particular I could tell are those tricky ones where one gets stuck for quite some time. But I think you did great and played with the voices nicely
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Lovely piece and lovely playing Talao! My only advice from an early beginner would be to change it up a bit on the repeats. But I think you did great! How has your experience been with those NT5s?
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Lovely piece and lovely playing Talao! My only advice from an early beginner would be to change it up a bit on the repeats. But I think you did great! How has your experience been with those NT5s?
Thank you for the feedback, Andres! Agree 100%. I try to be conscious of this, but don't always succeed in making it different enough. I did attempt a couple of changes in the repeat of the second half. It's subtle, but your comment tells me it didn't come across as much as I intended.
As for the NT5, so far so good. I like them. I spent quite a while researching: what are good mics for piano that don't cost an arm and a leg? :-) I do feel like the NT5s maximize the bang/buck function.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
Top notch mate, as good as any professional recording I have of that piece, probably better. Lamb had a special musical personality, quite different from Joplinâs and James Scottâs and you understand it completely. Nothing more to say except that I hope you continue to play ragtime. I would love to hear your playing of contemporaries such as David Thomas Roberts, Hal Isbitz and Brian Keenan.
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 - This was very beautifully played. So well done and enjoyable to listen to. One of my all time favorites pieces.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 - A very peaceful piece. Very nicely balanced and done.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was - This was very nice. Very interesting to and gave me time/space to get lost in thoughts and reflect on many different things. I wish I had the skills to create music like this when I wanted. Certainly didn't sound fractured to me :-)
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor (to do) - Cesare this does indeed sound very difficult. Though I m not familiar with this music, I liked your interpretation. I find that the upper speed markings of some pieces really don't allow for the best enjoyment of it. I think you made a great choice.
05. Peyton - Melody - Peyton, I really enjoyed this and as mentioned to Flygbladet, I wish I had the skills to create music like this whenever I wanted. I liked the melody alot. Thank you for sharing.
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno - Ganddalf, this was quite enjoyable and a first time hearing for me. Very interesting changes throughout the recording for sure.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 - MarieJ I am not familiar with these pieces, but did enjoy this one. I like reading and hearing about your approach to the piece. Something I will keep in mind. I think I would struggle with that alot and would have trouble figuring out what to do.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 - Kevin, very pleasant and so very nicely played.
09. peterws - Jesu joy - Another one of my all time favorites and so nicely done. I've not heard an arrangement like this before and really enjoyed it. Edit to add, meaning any version I've ever seen or played was much simpler that the one you played from.
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) - This was nicely done. I can't comment on what Heller 'wants/expects' but this sounded very good to me. What you describe of what is happening sounds very difficult and complex and I can't even wrap my head around it.
11 Pianist685
Beautiful rendition of a complex piece! I would not dare.
12 richD
Debussy did some srange and wonderful stuff. You porteayed the still-remaining grandeur and spirit of that sunken place of High Worship.
13 Tim Adrianson
So very fluid and complex. It certainly stretches the piano to its limits!
14 RuthCM
I reckon we all like that one. Might sound siple enough but it's still chalenging to play it correctly. Grat jopb from you!
15 Navindra
I know this is played slowly. But I cannot do it. Rather like riding a bike; too slow and you're off it. I am jealous! Interesting contrasts here between parts. I think the differences were down to mic positioning digitally speaking. Every voice on PTq seems to have different mic positioning. And it can be hard to get consistency.
Great job all round.
16 PianogrlNW
Lovely from Chopin and yourself. One of his better ones, I think (not a fan) but I guess with his problems (he had a few) he'd be a tad reflective when the end beckoned. Sad, but poignant and beautiful. Lovely!
17 psyche 23
Love these Russian pieces; they have a somewhat different feel to them. You play this with much expression and power.
18 Ted Jones
Ted, you certainly hit the ground running! Now, I'm rushing around in some city amongst the madding crowds, not knowing where i'm at, or even where I want to be. But I'm trying to get out, and cannot! I'm trapped in a maelstrom not of my making.
But perhaps I'm in denial . . . (My useless take on this! Have fun Ted!)
19 selfishplayer
Very energetic playing you have here! Nor do you hang about.. I enjoyed what you played, though the piece was unfamiliar.
20 Serge88
The list of lennon-Mcartney stuff is endless, and so varied. Mcacartney will have done this one, for sure. Nice job of this thoughtful music.
Excellent, guys! You all sound better than me. Strangely, I don't really care haha Take care. More tomoz
Starting at the bottom and working my way backwards. Some excellent performances!
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 I would say this is finished! Excellent!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz It has sort of a sweet/sad sound to it. I love how you keep it moving at a nice clip so it doesn't get too sentimental. Excellent!
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 Nice dynamics on #20. These are both two of my favorites. Of course, everybody plays them at some point. Well done!
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees Lovely melody!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 Loved the video - little superman! And your playing was good too!
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 "Cheerful Spring" - well, we can hope! This was very well done - effortless and cheerful!
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Loved the bow at the end! Well done!
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) Oh yes, the one with the long trills. Well done!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile Well done - nice phrasing, and well-executed turns. This is one of my favorite pieces too - maybe some day. Loved it!
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango Nice dynamics. I love Rollin's pieces - they are a favorite with my local piano group.Well done!
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 I played this one too, along with the prelude - had to memorize them, and that was a nightmare. I think you did a great job, very clean, even, and mistake free. Bravo!
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Hello kitty! I don't have a stuffed animal watching me, but I do have a stack of beach stones that I use for inspiration and to count repeats. This was well done - a reflective rendition. Loved the dynamics and the mood changes.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light I'm not familiar with this either. Movie music? But I like it. Well done!
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) I know nothing about video game music - sounds great though!
Sam
Skipping around a bit. Here is my first set of comments.
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 You successfully brought out the character of this piece. Lovely legato line and nice balance between the hands.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Beautiful gem of a piece with an intimate character that you played convincingly.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor Confidently played. Nice job bringing out the different voices.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 I think your tempo works well and am not sure I would want to hear it played slower. Nice work in bringing out Satie's dark and mysterious elements.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale This is a new composer for me. I like the way you brought out the contrasting character of the different sections. A very enjoyable listen.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 A very impressive first performance since your long absence from ABF. Hope to hear more from you in future recitals.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Played very confidently. Welcome to the ABF recitals!
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 Enjoyable performance. I think you could add some rubato and diminuendo at the end of the long phrases. Lovely final bars.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei You effectively captured the tenderness of this piece. One quibble, though, and it has to do with your rhythm. You are frequently hanging onto the 8th notes that occur on the beat too long and playing the following 8th note on the half beat too late. The overall effect undermines the intended flow of the music.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 A very enjoyable listen and effective detached note playing. I think you could add some more listening interest by adding more dynamic contrasts in loudness levels, especially when the phrases are repeated.
18 Ted Jones
...I'm trapped in a maelstrom not of my making.
But perhaps I'm in denial . . . (My useless take on this! Have fun Ted!)
That is exactly how I felt about it, perhaps I can communicate states of mind after all. Thanks for listening Peter and rest assured I always have fun with my music.
So I had a problem with the ftp connection this morning for the zip files. Normally I zip up the recordings into chunks and upload them to the server so people can grab them if they want. Of course, we have been doing this since recital #9, ages ago.
Does anyone ever actually download the zip files? Are they useful to anyone? Times have changed - for instance, my laptop no longer has a CD player. I couldn't burn a CD if I wanted to. Music is all streamed now. It would decrease the work to produce the recital if we omitted the zip files. Just asking...
Sam
I download the zip files. Many of the ABF MP3 recital recordings over the years have made their way into my playlists, right alongside Andras Schiff, Khatia Buniatishvili, Horowitz, and the other greats. And ABFers have a talent for finding unusual music to perform that we would not otherwise hear from, or find in, the commercial marketplace.
Regarding streaming, I do not understand it well enough to trust it. I am always reticent to leave things I need in the hands of others. So, 95% of the music I listen to is music I have purchased and loaded onto my computer. The Recital MP3s are saved and listened to along with all my .wav (CD) file libraries.
I, for one, would miss the zip files.
Hi, here are my next set of comments starting from the last 10 performers. I have been having a truly great day listening to all the wonderful music. Mostly I am just at a loss for word, but have been enjoying each and every performance.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 Greta99, there is something about your playing that captures my attention just so every time I hear it. It is like magic. Again, another piece I am not familiar with but then it is played so wonderfully I begin to think, hey maybe I have heard this before, or have I?
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Talao - you have made amazing progress in the amount of time you have been playing. Very very very well done! I enjoyed it very much. Also, love your piano! And you did this all from memory! Good for you! Looking forward to more of your submissions. Great job you have many recitals ahead of you!
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) AndrewsVel - You too have made amazing progress for the amount of time you have been playing. Wow! I find the inventions very hard and you played this one so well. Great work and you too have many more recitals ahead of you!
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 Sam, this was so wonderful and very nicely played! I loved how you shared the music in your video, that is cool. Waaay above my level so I can't really comment otherwise except I did like seeing the music and watching/hearing you play as I was trying to follow along. Thanks.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile bSharp, this is a very peaceful and relaxing piece. It did draw me in and I enjoyed it very much. Nice playing. A question from your video, it looks like you are sitting quite far from yhr keys. This caught my attention as I think I usually sit to close. Clearly this is not affecting your playing in any way, but I was curious about it.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 Facdo - This was amazing. And also thanks for sharing the music. I love to follow along while watching/listening to somebody play. This does look really fun and it sounds like you enjoy it very much in your playing.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Liz, wow was that very dramatic (in a great way!). I can hear all the emotion you are putting into this piece. Congrats to you.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light - PianoPrimo this was very nice to listen to and your recording sounds great. Perfect piece to relax to on a cold chilly day I am having right now.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) - Calavera, I really liked this, I liked the tune and the buildup of drama and excitement. Very nice, thanks for sharing. Music I would not have likely got the chance to hear elsewhere.
So
Does anyone ever actually download the zip files? Are they useful to anyone? Times have changed - for instance, my laptop no longer has a CD player. I couldn't burn a CD if I wanted to. Music is all streamed now. It would decrease the work to produce the recital if we omitted the zip files. Just asking...
Sam
I have high speed now, but the area I live in didn't have high speed for consumers until 2014 and previously, the rural area where I lived still doesn't. You have to go to a library or business setting ..
Zips made listening easy and convenient with dial up.
It might matter to a student or someone living in a rural area. (Netscape is the only dial up server I know of now). Or likes the price of dial up.
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 I enjoyed your performance very much - a lovely delicate touch and well-developed dynamics.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 I hadnât heard this Prelude before - you played it with great sensitivity.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Very special - Iâm in awe of pianists who can improvise like this!
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor Welcome to the Recitals and congratulations on your first entry - a beauty!
05. Peyton - Melody Peyton, that was truly exquisite. I loved the sweet melody, and the special touches - the Glass-like dark growling notes, the crystal runs. All with a barely-mended right hand - bravo!
My first batch of comments:
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1
Charming, very nice performance of this familiar piece
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2
I really need to investigate Scriabin, I always enjoy his pieces when they appear in the recitals. Youâve done a lovely job with this
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was
Very pretty
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor
Lovely
05. Peyton - Melody
This is gorgeous, I love it
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno
Beautiful
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2
This has a gorgeous âlate night jazzâ feel that No 1 doesnât have, I love it
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545
Lovely rippling flow to this, with the melody singing out over the perfectly controlled accompaniment
09. peterws - Jesu joy
Just the right sense of appreciation of life coming through your version of this piece on this sunny lockdown Feb morning
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)
Interesting and very well played
[b]11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
Terrific, I really enjoyed this
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral
Lovely
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"
Very interesting, and beautifully played. A second, closer listen really paid off on this one for me
Regarding the Zip files, I do use them occasionally, but it would only be a minor inconvenience not to have them. Furthermore, due to a recent change in my personal tech set up I think I'm much less likely to use them in future
8. Kevin- Really well played. It just flows!
9. Peter- I tried to find this on your youtube but, alas, I failed. So I listened to your gymnopede instead. Both your Satie and this Bach are played very well. The bach is very lively and , well, joyful! Go figure.
10. Wouter- Very dramatic! Masterfully played.
Wow, I only just started listening, but already this is an amazing collection of performances!! Bravo, everyone!
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 Great job, very nicely played!
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 I was not familiar with this piece but I really enjoyed your performance!
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Interesting piece and I love the title!
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor Great job! I've been listening to more Bach these days and wanting to play some of these. I'm not there yet, but your recording is inspiring!
05. Peyton - Melody Beautiful! I thought this was a really compelling piece, and yes, I can tell it's all about the melody! You wrote "I can play it for an hour, adding arpeggios and runs galore" -- I would love to listen to that!!
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno thank you for introducing me to this, I hadn't heard this piece before but I enjoyed your performance!
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 Wonderful! I have always loved the Gnossiennes and I really enjoyed your performance! Have you played #4? I'd love to hear you do that one as well!
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 This is such a charming piece and you brought that aspect out just perfectly! Very well played!
09. peterws - Jesu joy I really enjoyed your recording! The reverence definitely comes through, nice job!
I've tried to play this many times, and I only ever succeeded with the simplest, most stripped down arrangements, which was never satisfying. I could really relate to what you wrote -- "Piano playing is a sobering business," yes it is! I think the trick is not to listen to your own recital submission after you've entered it!
We are all our own worst critics!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile bSharp, this is a very peaceful and relaxing piece. It did draw me in and I enjoyed it very much. Nice playing. A question from your video, it looks like you are sitting quite far from yhr keys. This caught my attention as I think I usually sit to close. Clearly this is not affecting your playing in any way, but I was curious about it.
Thanks for listening!
My girlfriend said that as well, but I'm thinking it might be distorted because of how the video came out, recording 640x480 and stuffing it into an HD container thereby stretching it horizontally.
I have moved further away from the keys in the past year, based on feedback from my teacher. And I was practicing the beginning section of the first movement before recording this. My teacher wanted me to sit back further and use my entire body on those beginning chords.
Anyway, I think the bench might have been slightly angled too. I wasn't planning to submit anything this time around. I was about to go out onto our new patio and do some work and thought I might to try squeeze in a recording. It came out decent enough to submit
I don't have time to respond to all the pieces, but there have been quite a few recordings in this recital that I've enjoyed very much that I can relate to.
Please remember for my submission I uploaded the wrong recording (The uploaded recording was using the Vienna Imperial virtual piano which was different than was described in the notes).
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1A really lovely interpretation of one of my favourite pieces. Thank you Ido for this lovely start to the recital.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2A certain haunting quality to the melody of this brief piece.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never wasWistful, longing, sorrow. This piece is very evocative of loss. So well played to capture this feeling.
05. Peyton - MelodyThis is just lovely. What an interesting melody. You should be so proud of this composition.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2What a lovely interpretation. A contemplative listen.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545Confusion reigns supreme. I hope you will listen to my intended recording on vimeo.
Recording on Vimeo using the TrueKeys German Grand virtual piano.14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)I love how you bring out the different voices so that each is clear. What a lovely interpretation and I wish I could get as good feel as you do of using ritardo for the tempo variation. I never feel like I get there and you clearly don't have that problem.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1So well done. This is a proper mood piece, atmospheric and you've captured that feel of it so well. I really like the clarity that the pianoteq version gives to each note in the second half.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1Just superb, beautiful timings where the occasional use of tiny pauses works so nicely to highlight the note to come. Just the right sensitive touch. I think you can tell I just loved it with the rich sound of your piano.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'Beautiful. The crystal like clarity of each of the melody notes is just right.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5What a return to the recitals. Agitato it is. I very much like the Songs Without Words and this one is no exception. It almost feels like your fingers are having fun with it.
25. Snejana - August SunStunning, this is wonderful. Beautiful piece played so well.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2A lovely flow to this, it breathes so well. Thank you.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"Starts off haunting, then feels like it gets angry, then fearful and unsure. Well done, I enjoyed the listen.
32. PikaPianist - Valse LenteSo sweet, I love it, played so well.
33. ShiroKuro - September SongI think you put yourself down. This is wonderful, so sensitively played. You've done it.
34. Peter Hontaru - TraumereiA great interpretation. At the start I wasn't sure, I think PianoGrlNW comment is right about the pause and that can feel it disrupts the melody. But as I continued on listening I felt your interpretation was interesting. I've been learning this piece as well and I enjoyed hearing your interpretation for contrast.
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3That was so much fun. I know how hard these short fast pieces can be.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1Another fun piece with some interesting tempo variations.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3I love this SWW and really enjoyed your playing of it. One day I'll have the confidence to give it a go, a long way down the track for me.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabileA favourite and I can hearing that singing voice coming through. Lovely.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minorWow Liz. Such passion, I enjoyed the occasional little flourishes of the hand. You bring out the melody so well. I'm so glad you upgraded how you record, I feel like we can now hear your excellent playing as we should.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo)Really enjoyed this. Really interesting variation in moods which you achieved well.
Some more comments.
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno Beautifully performed and played with confidence. Youâve inspired me to learn this piece.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major Beautiful opening. I think if you change the pedal on the harmonic shifts you will hear a cleaner sound. I noticed you sped up and slowed down, so not a consistent tempo.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Interesting piece with a macabre edge that you captured beautifully. Played with a lot of energy, forward momentum, and dynamic contrasts. Your notes are so clearly articulated and you achieve a gorgeous sound from your piano.
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Enjoyable performance with a full sound and clearly articulated notes. Nice balance between the hands.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile I like your steady tempo and your voicing. Bravo!
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor This is one of the most technically difficult of Chopin nocturnes with the rapid dense chords and double octaves. I really liked the opening section which effectively conveyed a sense of foreboding. I donât really hear the few contrasting ppâs. The crescendos could be more gradual so as not to get to fff too soon.
Great recital! I enjoyed listening to it all, it's an amazing thing to be a part of. I extend my heartiest thanks to Sam, and to every participant, for making this recital a reality.
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1Beautiful. Simply right in every way.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2Sweet and elegant.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never wasVery nice; you have beautiful fractured thoughts.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B MinorImpressive playing; the tempo was not too slow in my opnion.
05. Peyton - MelodyGreat melody (and the accompaniment too).
06. Ganddalf - NocturnoExpertly played, and very pleasant. I would never have guessed the composer.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2The Gnossiennes are great, and your rendition was haunting and mysterious.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545Impressively restrained and consistent, and a delightfully light touch.
09. peterws - Jesu joyGreat rendition, and I'm floored by how acoustic you make Pianoteq sound.
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)Very fine playing, and a good recording too. The music was new to me.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime NightingaleElegant and polished; it made me reminisce about old Chaplin movies.
12. Rich D. - The Sunken CathedralExcellent! Dark, ominous, and poised mood all the way through.
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"Quite lovely, and completely new to me. Was that "Simple gifts" being hinted at a lot near the end?
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)Flawless, and very brisk.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1Lovely, and very relaxing. Well done!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1Impressive performance! And interesting piece; I thought I heard arabic influence towards the end.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'Beautiful. Very elegant.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)A cornucopia of ideas; almost too much to take in, in that amount of time.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat MajorAnimated and spirited, with maybe a bit more pedal than I would have expected.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding RoadNice cover, and great video (but apparently a residual hum in the audio).
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5Stormy performance. Great tempo.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet DanceExcellent; for one months experience: amazing!
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1It does sound like an amusement park is involved.
Very well played!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12Very impressive for a years work. Well done!
25. Snejana - August SunFelt very nice and warm.
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7Highly pensive piece, played very well.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2It is a beautiful piece, and you played it beautifully. The tempo seemed absolutely fine.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"My own contribution ... Well, maybe I should have played it faster (oh, wait, I couldn't, so there's that).
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39Beautiful, and evocative.
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades MysterieusesInteresting piece; it doesn't sound nearly as old as it must be. Good job!
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937)Impeccable, as far as I can tell.
32. PikaPianist - Valse LenteAbsolutely excellent.
33. ShiroKuro - September SongNice and elegant.
34. Peter Hontaru - TraumereiVery nice, well played.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430Scarlatti is really outside my comfort zone, but you played it well. Engaging and vivacious performance.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's WaltzWell done! Kind of entrancing.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20Fine performances. Good tempo, and good dynamics.
38. winterflower - Light through the TreesInteresting piece. Quite mysterious mood.
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3Fun and sprightly.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1Delightful; you have an admirably light touch.
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122)Very controlled. An impeccable performance, right down to the bow.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775)Very fine work; you're off to a good start.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3Masterful. Great dynamic control.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabileWonderful performance! Bodes well for the first movement.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing TangoWell done! Confident performance with nice dynamics.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847Really excellent playing. Hearing it, makes me want to tackle a Bach fugue (and I'm normally Bach averse).
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minorRiveting performance. Well done, on both you and Chopin.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter LightBeautiful, and elegant.
21 Justin D'Aggie
You deserve a beer or two after that performance. Very busy you were. and it stops so suddenly and the Grammerly advert comes on! I hate that . . . your playing was something I couldn't fault. Piano sounds great!
22 Maira 713
This forum is for new players, of which many of us have progressed to old! you did great on this piece, and your piano too. Onwards and upwards!
23 sma55
Fluency and expertise we expect from you, sir! And this was a bit special. Loved the simple waltzy feel to this, played with aplomb.
24 vte
A lot of progress has been made in a short time here. This is complex, and thiugh the piano might've sounded a tad indistict, the playing was not.
25 Snejana
A fine echo-y Einaudi type sound here. Takes you to a a place where the ir is clean, and sharply fresh. An Ice-Mountain. Lovely sound! Unusual finish . . .
26 JP-PW Jen
Very good piano you have. And you play this tuneful piece beautifully.
27 Dumka 1
This is never overplayed; it's Chopin's most popular probably. You don't have to be a genius to play it well. and you play it evocatively and fluently. we can all tell you enjoy doing it!
28 QuasiUnaFantasia
Great sound here. Dynamics good. Expression excellent. You Passed!
29 jamieCW
Great work here. You played it sensitively and it flowed well.
30 RwsAvery
Good thing about this recital as with the others; we get to hear new stuff. You do a good job on this, and a bit more time'll sort out any shortfalls.
Great recital! I enjoyed listening to it all, it's an amazing thing to be a part of. I extend my heartiest thanks to Sam, and to every participant, for making this recital a reality.
Blimey! You did 'em all in one . . .wouldn't dare do that. I'd slip up and lose everything . . .like I usually do! . . .
Great recital! I enjoyed listening to it all, it's an amazing thing to be a part of. I extend my heartiest thanks to Sam, and to every participant, for making this recital a reality.
Blimey! You did 'em all in one . . .wouldn't dare do that. I'd slip up and lose everything . . .like I usually do! . . .
Ah, but you see, whereas you're generous with words and sentences in your comments, I'm an absolute miser, so my comments fit nicely into one post.
Thank you so much for commenting on my performance, I truly appreciate it. This is the first batch, I'm taking my time because I want to give proper comments and I listen several times to each submission.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2What a little gem. I loved it.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never wasI think the title you gave to the piece is appropriate.
I found it very moving, like it came from the heart. Really beautiful.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B MinorBeautifully done. Really good performance, the ornaments are done with good taste.
05. Peyton - MelodyBeautiful. It reminds me a bit of Mendelssohn. I liked the development throughout the piece.
06. Ganddalf - NocturnoA nice romantic piece. I like the playing and phrasing.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2Love this piece. I found your interpretation different than what I'm used to hear and that is refreshing.
I think it's very challenging to capture the feeling that the lack of bar lines is trying to suggest, but once it is achieved, it makes a real difference.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545The notes are really clear and it looks like this is easy for you technically. I do feel, however, that you could make more out of it, if I may suggest something:
The rhythm is way too strict, almost metronomic. This piece calls for a relaxed timing. You have many opportunities to do so - for example the modulations, the turnarounds. They call for dynamic and temporal variance.
You are rushing in the dotted rhythm - e.g. at 0:20 - better be late there than early IMO. Another example is at 3:45 where the piece returns from minor to major, it feels very rushed. I think you should not be afraid to linger on some notes, arrive late at some notes, pause, etc. You may have to experiment with it, even exaggerate a bit, then listen to the recording and decide on how much.
09. peterws - Jesu joyYour posts are hilarious
This is such a refreshing take on this classic. I love it. Couldn't stop listening.
I've also recently listened to another one of your submissions (Waldszenen No.1) and it was beautiful.
You are a great musician!
So I had a problem with the ftp connection this morning for the zip files. Normally I zip up the recordings into chunks and upload them to the server so people can grab them if they want. Of course, we have been doing this since recital #9, ages ago.
Does anyone ever actually download the zip files? Are they useful to anyone? Times have changed - for instance, my laptop no longer has a CD player. I couldn't burn a CD if I wanted to. Music is all streamed now. It would decrease the work to produce the recital if we omitted the zip files. Just asking...
Sam
I want as high as possible quality and therefore click on the links one by one. So I don't use the zip files.
You can buy USB DVD burners. You just plug them in, macos recognises the empty disk, you drop in the files, and then burn. Works still for empty CD's as well. But if you really want CD quality I think you should use the original recordings, not mp3's
Thank you QuasiunaFantasia, Sam, and Zoe for your comments on my piece
I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for the feedback, Andres! Agree 100%. I try to be conscious of this, but don't always succeed in making it different enough. I did attempt a couple of changes in the repeat of the second half. It's subtle, but your comment tells me it didn't come across as much as I intended.
As for the NT5, so far so good. I like them. I spent quite a while researching: what are good mics for piano that don't cost an arm and a leg? :-) I do feel like the NT5s maximize the bang/buck function.
Well I gave it another listen and paid more attention this time and could notice some more details than on my first listen. I think you did great Talao :))
Thanks for your comments on the NT5. I might consider them. They are a bit pricey around here but maybe I am just being cheap hah :P
Here some new comments on the recital pieces:
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Well done! Scriabin is slowly becoming one of my favorite composers and this prelude is going to my list of future pieces. Beautiful touch and playing. Thanks for choosing this piece
and lovely painting
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was this was lovely. I really liked that you did not decided to rush it, and also the space you gave between phrases. It helped to build a nice atmosphere for the message of the piece. Great!
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral Lovely playing and lovely piano sound Rich! I am only now starting to listen to Debussy's works. This piece was very interesting and very well played. One can tell you really enjoy this type of compositions.
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" This was great Tim. You always with very polished performances. Thanks for showing us some new music. The only thing I noticed is that the recording got distorted sometimes, mostly in the loudest parts. Maybe the gain was set too high(?) or was it maybe only me(?) I listened through heaphones. Great anyways!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Well done Maira! very well played. The first piece aside from your methods book is always a special one. I also used mine for my first submission in these recitals. One can tell you are really passionate about learning piano and are enjoying the journey. Keep the hard work
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Second piece by Merikanto I have heard today and I liked it a lot. I think I might be checking his other compositions. This was lovely and I liked the sound of your S&S. The final section is very tumultuous, breaking the steadiness of the waltz. That was my favorite section. Amazing recording.
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente This was so beautiful!! I love your recordings and this one might be one of my favorites. Thanks for introducing to us these less known pieces. I loved your phrasing, very good stuff.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song Lovely playing ShiroKuro. I do not know the piece, but I think you did very good. It is very easy to tell that you love what you are playing and that is essential.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 Lovely playing Sam!
I liked your changes in dynamics. You gave a nice character to the piece. I really need to listen more Mendelssohn.
KevinM, QuasiUnaFantasia, AndresVel, thank you for your kind comments!!
AndresVel,
It is very easy to tell that you love what you are playing
If that came through, I'm very pleased!!
I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the recital!
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1
The Bosendorfer voice sounds nice, well played. As others might have said, you don't get tired of it. After I heard this in a movie with Kevin Kline (Sophie's Choice), the melody forever stuck in my head.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2
Short and simple - thanks for sharing!
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was
This was a pretty piece to listen to. Nice improvisation.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor
Welcome to the forums and recitals. I'm not familar with this piece, but enjoyed listening to your performance.
05. Peyton - Melody
Very nice, Peyton. A smooth and relaxing piece. I hope your hand gets to feeling better.
Thank you guys for the lovely comments on my piece, the Chopin piece really has given me quite a workout. I started working on Op 48#1 probably last summer and its been an "on and off" project since then- finally decided to really tackle it but I feel there is so much yet to improve- especially the last half of the piece which needs more technical detail work (the ones we find painful to do, haha).
I really enjoyed some of the pieces I've listened to so far- thank you Sam for organizing and all the hard work put into these Recitals. It is time consuming I am sure. My comments are below for only what I was able to listen to and I did jump around so if I didn't address your piece, its because I didnt get a chance to listen to it from start to end:
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 I really love the start of the recital with such a pretty piece. I Find Schumann a difficult composer to play, and I think your tone quality and tempo are wonderful. I cant offer technical advice as I have not formally studied this piece, but I feel the mood was captured well. Bravo!
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Good piece and I like your choice of this piece for the recital.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 Ahh, Satie is so wonderful and peaceful to listen to. It makes me want to sit at a lake and watch the boats go by. An enjoyable listen!
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 Cleanly played, good tempo. I feel some parts were played somewhat cautiously, not a bad thing - I sense part of you wanting to totally unleash the inner Mozart with this piece. I enjoyed your inner steady pulse, and the dynamics were on point. Bravo!
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral This is one of those Debussy pieces where you get the notes down and its only 50% of the piece. A great effort to capture the deep sounds coming from the water and I can picture the cathedral steeple majestically rising from the fog and the waters. The use of pedal was appropriate in places where it called for it, the melody was clear and not too understated to be lost but distinct enough to be differentiated from the bass. The only technical thing I can offer is dynamic balancing between the RH and LH- its hard to really keep the melodic line flowing between both fingers so that the bass jumps in but it doesnt come across like "WHOA hello here is some bass!"..KWIM? This is a hard because it would mean listening to the silence between the notes and knowing when to strike the keys just long or low enough not to cause any jarring impulses. Overall, a great listen!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Parts sound like a fugue very intriguing! I enjoyed listening- thank you for sharing this composer, I was not aware of him.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 was not familiar w this nocturne, I need to do some more research and listen some more. I enjoyed your tempo, touch and rhythm very much.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song Very pretty melody played expressively. I commented on your YT video.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei I am very impressed with your progress, I like how you document all your pieces and progress on your channel. I also love seeing the score on the video as it helps to follow along. As for technical, some parts feel like you are stopping and starting at different parts of the piece, some notes tend to "stick out" more than others- its at 90% technical, the remaining 10% is always the hardest part to polish because it requires really evening out all those silent spots between the notes. I think you will really play this amazingly well and 110% with great fluency with just a few more tweaks!
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 what a sprightly piece. I like your composure at the keyboard as I watched your video. You have a nice presence at the piano and it comes across in your playing. I like the even tempo as well! A great listen!
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 I admire your tenacity and ambition with these Mendelssohn pieces, they are all quite challenging to play. I think you captured the essence quite well and the clarity and articulation are well done! Bravo!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile I watched your video and wonder why you are sitting so far back from the keyboard? I liked the performance, the tempo was great, the articulation and the notes are all there. I also felt the expressiveness in your playing and can hear Beethoven nodding in approval. Bravo!
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 I tried learning this fugue and failed miserably. I always trip up toward the middle, so I am amazed at your progress and ability to play this so cleanly! I think it sounded amazing! Great job!
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light Pretty piece! I like the tone quality of your piano.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was
Always interesting to hear other people's spontaneous ideas. The technique of playing a series of unconnected cells gives the piece a plaintive ambiance, closer to certain sections of Jarrett rather than Winston I think. Let's hear more.
09. peterws - Jesu joyYour posts are hilarious
This is such a refreshing take on this classic. I love it. Couldn't stop listening.
I've also recently listened to another one of your submissions (Waldszenen No.1) and it was beautiful.
You are a great musician!
Ido; You do realise a bit of flattery and I'm anybody's . . . .
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Your improvisation has a very introspective, searching quality. I can see dancers being interested in choreographing to this piece. Very enjoyable.
05. Peyton - Melody What a gift to be able to improvise. Your pieces always delight.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 You demonstrate a lot of control and even tempo. My only suggestion is to let the melody sing more above the accompaniment.
09. peterws - Jesu joy I hear your British humor in your riff on Bachâs Jesu, Joy of Manâs Desiring. Nicely done!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Thanks for introducing us to this composer, unknown to me. His variations ran from introspective to thunderous and you took us on a great musical ride. The opening sounded a little like Medtner and one of his variations reminded me of Rzewski. One comment on your recording. There was a lot of buzzing when you played loudly. I was listening through headphones.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1))Lovely playing and voicing! I never tire of this piece.
Some more comments :
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor This was lovely! beautiful ornaments. I liked your slower tempol. It allows one to hear some other details that sometimes get lost at higher speed. I really enjoyed it.
05. Peyton - Melody Very beautiful composition! it has some very nice details here and there to switch it up, which makes it very interesting. It is also very cinematic. I truly enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno Great job Ganddalf. Very beautifully played and very beautiful piece. You are right, it should be played more often. The few pieces I have heard from de Falla are very interesting. I will check some of his other works.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) Lovely played Ruth! I also heard this piece for the first time from the hands of Martha
(I love her so much). You indeed chose a slightly faster tempo than usual, but I liked how you played with both dynamics and tempo throughout the piece. I really enjoyed it.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Yes some Satie! Lovely playing and lovely recording. I liked how you mixed up the different angles. I think both halves sounded great, although I think for this piece I liked more the NV10 sound. Anyways, great playing.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Ellen, this was lovely. This is one of my favorite nocturnes. I felt in love with it after watching Kate Liu's rendition at the Chopin competition and I was looking forward to your recording when I saw the list of submissions. I loved your tempo. Your musicality came through very nicely. The thrilled theme towards the end always gets me. Bravo!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 Thanks for showing us some new music. I did not know about this composer before. I will check some of his works. I think you are good on your way polishing this piece! Regarding the recording, I think the best option is to record directly the sound from your digital to your laptop. There should be a line out for this or you can use the headphone jack as well. Just reach out if you need any help
25. Snejana - August Sun Thanks for showing me some new music. Beautiful piece. I completely understand the recording issues you mention. It also takes me a good amount of time to get a good recording. I have started this year to record myself a lot more often and it has helped me with that. I actually think it should be easier to perform live than recording yourself. Knowing there is no second take should help you to just go with it and not to get stuck at an error. I have not been able to test that theory yet though :P lol
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7 Very well done Jen. I do not know much about Heller, so thanks for introducing me to his music. Lovely piece. And your upright sounds amazing!
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei Well done Peter! I had commented on your video previously on your channel. Very good musicality in your playing. Keep the hard work.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 Thank you Jason for submitting something from my beloved Scarlatti. You did amazing. This was such a playful sonata, which I do not think I had heard before. Looking forward to hear more of your playing in future recitals!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz Well it does sound very cinematic, beautiful composition. We are usually our hardest critics. I am often not satisfied with my recordings either. But this is the beauty of it, being able to see in the future how far you have come
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile Isn't this one of the best second movements ever written? You did very good. Nice phrasing. My only advice, and this is based entirely on the many times I have heard this piece (I have never tried to play it, so please take this with a grain of salt), is to give the piece some air at some points. Good job
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango Zoe, it is great you decided to join us for the recitals this time! You have been very enthusiastic on the 40 PYC thread, it had to happen!
I loved this Tango piece. I do not know if you have ever danced Tango before but it is a very sensual dance, and this has to be very well transmitted by the music itself. The main Tango theme on your piece (appears around 0:25) should carry that feeling and allow the dancing to start. Think of the introduction as a coming closer/enticing part before starting to dance. I really liked how you prepared that entry and switch up the melody, I could imagine a set of steps to that piece lol. Sorry, I like dancing and got carried away commenting. Lovely playing! Do not forget to add it to the 40 PYC.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 I remembered you posted the Prelude to this fugue short ago on the 40 PYC thread. This fugue is great and you did very good. One can notice the beautiful play between voices that you were able to create. Looking forward to your future recordings!.
How have you liked your AKG mics? I liked the audio quality of your recordings.
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno A charming composition, one I havenât heard before. Beautifully played (as always), Gandalf.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 Iâm going to paraphrase our inimitable peterws here - âand now sheâs tryinâ to play Satie!â
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 I did listen to the Vimeo recording, Kevin, and it was a delicate, sparkling treat. Super!
09. peterws - Jesu joy Wow - this more than passes muster for me, I think âjoyâ is the operative word, it was there in spades. Encore!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) More new-to-me pieces. Polished dynamics made for a great performance - and a very pleasant listen.
Liz - really nice job with the nocturne. Like...dayum. 10/10 would listen again.
Only feedback is that you might watch the clipping on the recording, set the pickup level lower and normalize it in audacity.
Ellen you also kicked butt with Op. 62 no 1!
Ahem. What I mean is that you brought out the tender virtues to full form with great sensitivity.
Exquisite playing.
Great playing. I really appreciate these nocturnes. I haven't listened to sp's or dumka's yet. They play well so I'm looking forward to it, but I wanted to just say a word when I could, sometimes things get busy.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale I *think* I heard that nightingale .. but I *know* I heard a delightful jazzy submission which left me wanting more.
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral A dramatic and evocative composition which could have been written especially for your Grotrian - beautiful.
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Another set of pieces that Iâve not heard before. I really enjoyed the variety of moods, and your excellent performance.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) What a polished gem. I loved it and Iâm glad you managed to finish before your newborn woke up!
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Navindra, I know from experience that this isnât the easiest piece, so Iâm really impressed with your rendition. The switch between the Novus and Pianoteqâs Bechstein was an interesting touch. Well done!
more!
Again thank you everyone for listening and commenting!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)Very interesting pieces. You keep them interesting by using a vast dynamic contrast and beautiful tone as always.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime NightingaleI really enjoyed this performance. The tone is so good and warm, despite all the jumps. Really well executed, superb playing!
12. Rich D. - The Sunken CathedralThis sound so grand!! what a big sound. You've definitely captured the character of the piece. Great job!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"I listened once, it sounded interesting but the tune wasn't familiar. Feeling bad for not knowing the folk tune, I went ahead and listened to the original tune
Second listen was a different story. He really took the musical idea to new places and explored what can be done with it. A really interesting composition, I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you for introducing it to us. The playing is pretty much perfect, as always. I'm not sure the mic could contain your dynamic range (it might be my speakers though).
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)Your rendition reminds my those of the great pianists. The way you control the timing and the phrasing is very impressive and the piece flies by so fast (in a very good sense).
I like your tempo. After I made my recording I experimented a bit with faster tempos and liked it.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1Your playing is very soothing to the ear. I like the variations you've made throughout the piece, they made it more interesting. Thank you.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1Wonderful playing, full of details and sensitive. I listened to it several times.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'The level of pianism here is crazy. Superb playing. A very enjoyable listen.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)Interesting harmonies and ideas. I like the changes in character and mood throughout the improvisation. It would be nice to hear a bit about your though process when you improvise like that.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat MajorLots of defects? haha
This is actually VERY good. The only thing I can point out is the pedal. But other than that, this sounds really chopinesque and you've really captured the mood and the style.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding RoadSo beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for that.
Well I coudn't believe such a simple exercise could bring so much joy ! Thank you all for the contribution and comments.
Here's my take on some of the pieces:
barbaram Abel Korzeniowski Evgeni's Waltz
Nice little piece, sounds like movie music a bit. Exquisitely, delicately as needed, played.
dumka1 Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2
A real classic. Interpretation shows a lot of personality, nice. Maybe the piano needs a little bit of tuning.
facdo Bach Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847
I used to play this, so I know it well. Nice interpretation, the voices come through very clearly as they should
Ganddalf Manuel de Falla Nocturno
A little gem I didn't know. Clean and expressive interpretation, very nice indeed.
Greta99 Mel Bonis Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1
Another gem I didn't know about. Really outstanding interpretation, expressive, delicate, pro quality
JJHLH Scriabin Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2
Wonderful little piece, masterly executed.
JustinDAggie Mendelssohn Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5
One of the toughest nuts to crack of the set. Bravo! Maybe the recording doesn't do justice of the virtuosity.
MarieJ Erik Satie Gnossienne No.2
Just as it should be, light, dreamy, deep. I have found Satie to be less easy than it seems. Very well done, takes you away.
peterws Bach Jesu joy
Oh boy! Did I love this! It's a small piece very dear to my heart as I used to sing it at Christmas with the family. So musical, so personal, really brings out the joy. Did you arrange this or where does it come from?
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 I did listen to the Vimeo recording, Kevin, and it was a delicate, sparkling treat. Super!
Thanks for noticing that the recording to listen to was the one on Vimeo. I really felt like its a head desk moment when I realised I had uploaded the wrong recording for the recital.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
Interesting harmonies and ideas. I like the changes in character and mood throughout the improvisation. It would be nice to hear a bit about your though process when you improvise like that.
Thanks for listening. Rather hard to describe, not a thought process at all in the usual sense of rational cogitation. I just let my mind run free and use each idea as a springboard to the next. I never plan anything or improvise in order to imitate composition of some sort or other as some players do, everything is surprise and serendipity. Sometimes I start with definite ideas, sometimes not. It is like a complex nest of interacting feedback loops in the mind and, once under way, the illusion is that I am an observer and not an executant. For me the act of improvisation itself is secondary to listening to the recording afterwards. Unless the latter expands my musical landscape in some way, makes me reach out into new territory, I tend to think I have failed.
11. pianist685- I generally don't care for ragtime but this piece seems different. It seems deeper. Beautifully played.
12. Rich D. Full, Rich and wonderful. A big wow!
13. Tim- Damn, this place is starting to feel like a professional recital. This is amazing playing.
14. Ruth- I always love listening to this piece. Way back I got it in my head that this is telling a story about a visiting "uncle" telling his travel stories to his niece and nephew. You play it perfectly! You may have sped up a bit at the end. I do that a lot I think because I get in in my head I have to "hurry up and finish before I make a mistake.".
15. Navindra- well done, especially considring you have only been playing 2 years. If you love Satie check out his Gnossienne's. The first 3 are probably his simplest and very beautiful.
peterws Bach Jesu joy
Oh boy! Did I love this! It's a small piece very dear to my heart as I used to sing it at Christmas with the family. So musical, so personal, really brings out the joy. Did you arrange this or where does it come from?
A few have commented similarly, and here's me thinking it was way below par. I wasn't going to submit it for that reason; just shows you just can't tell what folk like.
Anyway, it's a standard arragement from a lady, Myra Hess around 1918 I think; probably the most popular one, but Ithe arrangement I used was an organ (with pedalboard) one by Harvey Grace which is broadly similar, I believe. I adapted the organ copy for piano to give it a slight jazzy feel.
Thank you all for the encouraging comments on my performance!
I'm listening to the recital for the 2nd time, beginning to end. So much talent! I am particularly impressed by the original compositions and by the vast range of styles.
My first ABF recital has been an incredibly inspiring experience (much more than I'd have thought).
06. Ganddalf - NocturnoThis is new to me. As always, your performances are wonderful to listen to.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2I can't say that I've heard this either. Very nice! Only one thing, I think it's Pianoteq creating that pedal wooshing sound. I'd turn that off
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545Commented on your video. This was very nice, Kevin!
09. peterws - Jesu joyI ejoyed this. Do you improv when playing it, or do you read from sheet music?
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)Interesting piece, sounded good to me! There are some Heller etudes I'd like to go back to and revisit.
Beautiful work everyone! I have enjoyed listening to these pieces and reading your summaries the last couple days while gazing out my window post-lunch.
Cheers-
Working backwards again - some excellent performances!
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 This one is not easy - well done! And those cuffs on your pants are blinding me!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance This is excellent for just one month. Welcome to the recitals! Can't wait to hear your progress in the next one.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 I understand what you are saying - sounds like a silent movie soundtrack - the villain and the heroine. Also sounds like a lot of fun to play!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 This is not familiar either - very intriguing. Thanks for playing it! Well done!
25. Snejana - August Sun A nice modern feel - a bit more varied than Einaudi, which is a good thing. Loved it!
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7 I don't think I have heard this one before - very nice and well done!
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 I have avoided this just for the reason that it so played so ofter. Maybe you have inspired me to rethink that. Loved it!
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" I need to explore more of Neilsen, and also Gade. They both seem like interesting composers. Thanks for playing this - well done!
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 Excellent job bringing out the melody in the different hands - loved it!
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses This one is on my bucket list - someday... Well done!
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) New baby? Learn some lullabies! Loved the prelude - very rhythmic and just the right mood!
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente Anoterh wonderful piece - and performance. Love your playing and your videos!
33. ShiroKuro - September Song So this is the famous Ffrench everybody is talking about. Well done and elegant. Loved it!
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei One of my favorites - very well done!
More to come,
Sam
[b]09. peterws - Jesu joy
I ejoyed this. Do you improv when playing it, or do you read from sheet music?
.
Sheet music, amended somewhat (organ to piano) and basically memorised.
Some new comments from today's listen:
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 I think I had only heard the 1st Gnossiene before. This was beautiful. Great playing. I think the tempo you chose fitted the piece quite nicely.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 Lovely playing! I think you did great. This one is a beautiful sonata. Looking forward to hear your rendition of the first movement in a future opportunity
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Great to see some Medtner around here. I discovered him some months ago but have not yet heard the entire Op. 38, this piece included. So thanks for showing more of his compositions through your amazing playing. I think you did great, I have heard your recording several times. You played with tempo and dynamics so nicely. Bravo!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I noticed a lot of tension and drama in your improvisation. Very cool stuff. Thanks for sharing it.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 Good job dumka1. Your version is indeed a tiny bit faster than usual but I think it worked quite well, it never felt rushed IMO. I did not know this piece was considered overplayed. Anyway, it does not take away its beauty or the fact that it is a great composition. So as long as one enjoys it, why not go on and learn it
. Lovely!
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" Thank you for showing us some new music. This was as a lovely piece and beautifully played.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 Very nice couple of preludes. I think they are such gems, and you played both beautifully. The 7th is one of my favorites, it just has such a gorgeous melody. The 20th has so much emotion. Lovely playing! I truly enjoyed your contribution to the recital.
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees This piece was beautiful. Perfect for finishing a tough day at work. I think that the title suited the piece perfectly. You played it very good too. Thank you for sharing.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Props to you for embarking in such a hard piece! This is probably my favorite nocturne. I think I must listen to it on a daily basis and never get tired of it. As you mention, some sections still need some polishing but I hope you keep working on it and show us a newer version of it soon
Specially the doppio movimento still needs some work. Good progress overall
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light Lovely piece and great playing. Thank you very much for sharing it in this recital.
I had the opportunity to listen to just a couple of pieces and I loved them!
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno
Just lovely! Thank you for presenting this piece; new composer for me.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2
Very beautiful. I love those Satie pieces. It was very emotive, great mood music. Bravo!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1
Beautiful, Ellen, both audio and video. Absolutely perfect!
33. ShiroKuro - September Song
That was a beautiful and reflective piece, and I loved it!! It inspired me to read up on the composer. Thanks for sharing!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz
Quite a pretty tune, enjoyed it!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile
Very nicely played, Dan, liked it.
Some more comments :
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango Zoe, it is great you decided to join us for the recitals this time! You have been very enthusiastic on the 40 PYC thread, it had to happen!
I loved this Tango piece. I do not know if you have ever danced Tango before but it is a very sensual dance, and this has to be very well transmitted by the music itself. The main Tango theme on your piece (appears around 0:25) should carry that feeling and allow the dancing to start. Think of the introduction as a coming closer/enticing part before starting to dance. I really liked how you prepared that entry and switch up the melody, I could imagine a set of steps to that piece lol. Sorry, I like dancing and got carried away commenting. Lovely playing! Do not forget to add it to the 40 PYC.
.
AndresVel, Thank you so much for the wonderful comments. It has been a really great experience joining in the recital and I will certainly do so again (and would encourage others to do so also!). I am in search of a beautiful piece that I can start working on. As for the tango, I must say no, I have never danced the tango (I wish I could!) but I love the music and enjoy watching dancers do this dance. It is very beautiful. Thanks for the reminder to add to the 40 PYC thread. I do that after a few more comments on more pieces.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my piece folks. It has been a truly great experience joining in my first recital. Again, thank you to all, I have so much enjoyed listening to all the pieces most of which I have not heard before. Wonderful playing and amazing array of musical styles. Here are some more comments from me:
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale Constantin, just wow! I loved this piece. It was very fun and engaging
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral Rich, this was just so wonderful to listen to. I really started imagining the cathedral rising and then submerging once again.
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Tim, this was very interesting. I loved all the contrasting styles. And the drama! I can just imagine how fun this is to play!
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) Ruth, this is one of my all time favorite pieces that I can never tire of listening to. It was wonderful. I have tried it a long while ago and hope to again one day. By the way, good for you for continuing to play with all the demands of children! Definitely be sure to keep some 'me' time!
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Navindra, this is very nicely done. Amazing considering the short time you have been playing. I enjoying the playing and the recording alot.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Ellen, this proved to be a both a wonderful sonic and visual escape from my day. I felt like I was watching a movie.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Edwin, this was so wonderful to listen to. I really liked your recording too! Thanks for sharing.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) Ted, very very interesting. I wish I could improv and just play for the heart or from whatever I may be feeling that day. Maybe one day.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major Selfishplayer, I am not at the level to be able to give technical feedback but I thought it sounded very nice.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road Serge88, I really really enjoyed this. You did it so well. I liked how you learned the piece and added your own things to it. Nice.
Some more comments :
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango Zoe, it is great you decided to join us for the recitals this time! You have been very enthusiastic on the 40 PYC thread, it had to happen!
I loved this Tango piece. I do not know if you have ever danced Tango before but it is a very sensual dance, and this has to be very well transmitted by the music itself. The main Tango theme on your piece (appears around 0:25) should carry that feeling and allow the dancing to start. Think of the introduction as a coming closer/enticing part before starting to dance. I really liked how you prepared that entry and switch up the melody, I could imagine a set of steps to that piece lol. Sorry, I like dancing and got carried away commenting. Lovely playing! Do not forget to add it to the 40 PYC.
.
AndresVel, Thank you so much for the wonderful comments. It has been a really great experience joining in the recital and I will certainly do so again (and would encourage others to do so also!). I am in search of a beautiful piece that I can start working on. As for the tango, I must say no, I have never danced the tango (I wish I could!) but I love the music and enjoy watching dancers do this dance. It is very beautiful. Thanks for the reminder to add to the 40 PYC thread. I do that after a few more comments on more pieces.
Hi ZoeCalgary, I remember hearing your piece and liking it. It was sexy.
I liked a lot of the pieces I heard. Facdo, flybgabet (sp?), and several others who always share something human and pleasant. Thank you all.
20. Serge88- Well played. - it's a favorite song.for me and it brought back a-lot of memories . .The acoustic piano hit the spot.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I noticed a lot of tension and drama in your improvisation. Very cool stuff. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for listening. I hear that often and from many people but it is hard to imagine a personality less tense and dramatic than mine. I am much closer to a placid pig than a wretched Socrates in everyday life so it is just a conjuring trick, but then music is all about illusion anyway isn't it ?
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) Ted, very very interesting. I wish I could improv and just play for the heart or from whatever I may be feeling that day. Maybe one day.
Pleased you like it. Why not try it, commencing with a few minutes every day ? Once the habit is established the results might surprise you.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Ellen, that was simply superb. I enjoyed your video very much, too.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Those polyrhythms were intriguing ⌠An amazing piece, and a stunning performance. Thank you!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I always look forward to your abstract, impressionistic Recital submissions Ted, and I wasnât disappointed - take a bow!
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat major Chopin is out of my league so I canât offer technical advice but that was quite a feat played completely from memory. Well done.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road I enjoyed your video and your Beatles cover. Interesting that you learned it from Youtube - Iâm old enough still to be astonished by what the internet has made possible (ABF Recitals included)!
16. Pianogrlnw- Ellen, beautiful playing. Very light and sensitive.
17. psyche23- It's always such a treat to not only hear a piece you have never heard before but to hear it played so well.
43. Sam- I'm going through these so slowly I figured I had better jump ahead to some of my favorites... Sam, always a pleasure to hear your Mendelssohn. This was a real treat.
44. bsharp Cyclist- Wow Dan, awesome playing. Really well done.
A few more from me:
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)Very nice performance
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1I love this piece, and enjoyed your version of it
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Gorgeous, and the video is really lovely too
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'8:3 polyrhythms sound terrifying! Lovely piece, beautifully played
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) Lots of drama and variety
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major Lovely, I really enjoyed this
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding RoadVery nice
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 Ooh, terrific, you created a great atmosphere with this
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Well done, great to have you in our recital gang!
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1âEvening Waltz at the Amusement Park Funhouseâ, I love it
It does have a creepy fairground feel, I agree. Itâs great though, I love the energy and verve
I could imagine it on the soundtrack of a Tim Burton movie with cute/creepy animation
One of my favourites in this recital
31 Purrblast
Very classy. Sounded steady as she blows. Lovely plying and sound!
32 Pika Pianist
So melodious. There are loads of composers out there we never hear. One less now; Your piano sings.
33 ShiroKuro
Doesn't sound too jazzy to me. A bit repetitive but nice playing from yourself!
34 Peter Hontaru
You did well there. A lovely piece, most of us will know well from the past. Great to hear it again, and you do a super job!
35 Jason Lenthe
Nice piece o' music, lively rendition. Your pano seems suited to such, as indeed, you do!
36 Barbaram
Some good stuff here. I guess it'd make for a decent movie theme, but it certainly sounded decent here. Very.
37 Rachtoven
Two contrasting pieces! Afer the second, you might have to re-tune your piano. Great job on these.
38 Winterflower
Rather strange, nebulous feel to this. I think it also fits the mood nicely, and the PTq Bluthner gives it it's own flavour. Doesn't sound too easy, but very intersting nonetheless.
39 Mossoti
Doesn't sound like a struggle to me. Very lively in a busy way, and a great finish! I enjoyed that little piece.
40 Greta 99
Germany! The home of so many of the finest! This tinkles it's way effortlessy across your keyboard. You have a light sensitive touch which is quite magical, with touches of expresssion to lubricate the whole. Lovely!
A few more yet! Time for a coffee . . . .
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I always look forward to your abstract, impressionistic Recital submissions Ted, and I wasnât disappointed - take a bow!
Pleased you like them, thanks for listening.
Here my last set of comments. Thanks everyone for submitting such lovely pieces. It was a delight to listen to all your submissions. Thank you Sam again for putting this all together.
09. peterws - Jesu joy Another beautiful Bach piece in this recital. That was a beautiful arrangement and I enjoyed your playing very much. Thank you for sharing. I am now intrigued which piece you intended to submit in the first place. Maybe for the next recital?
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) I think you succeeded at making the etudes very musical, so they do not sound just as plain exercises. I think you also did very good bringing out the melody in the second one. Now I am thinking on tackling them myself (I like etudes :P). Very good job
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major I think you are being too hard on yourself. I actually think you did a very good job and phrased the melody beautifully overall. I could maybe notice you rushed in some spots, specially in the middle section, but I would for sure love to hear a future version of this. Keep the hard work
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road Great playing! Good job as well with the video. I liked your overhead shots. Thanks for sharing.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 Great job Jamie! I think you nailed this. Beautiful playing. You added so many subtle details that it made an outstanding recording at the end. I had to listen to it many times. Bravo!
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses Yes, some Couperin around here. I discovered his works last year when exploring baroque music, although I do not recall having listened to this particular piece before. I liked your playing very much. Bravo
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 This was lovely. You put a smile on my face. First, I like a lot the Op. 27 and 39 of Kabalevsky. They are beautiful pieces and you did great with this etude. And secondly, it fitted perfectly in your video. Thanks for sharing. I hope your back is better now.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 Greta, yours is my very last piece to listen to from this recital and what a finish! First of all, thank you for introducing me to another female composer I did not know of. I have said it before, I think your playing is great and you have an amazing touch. Your phrasing and dynamics were on point with this one. Bravo
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) Man if this is a work in progress, my pieces are then just scribbles haha This sounded amazing to me. You have outstanding control on dynamics. This piece built up pretty rapidly and I liked it a lot. Thanks for sharing music that I otherwise would never get the chance to listen to.
19. Selfishplayer- Don't worry, we all have problems playing. You did a great job!
20. Serge88- Very Cool!! OK... how did you hang the camera for that overhead?
21. JustinD- A very big WOW!! Excellent playing and a very warm youtube vid. Bravo!!
22. Maira22- Very nice. I love the Egyptian theme.
23. sma55- Shepard, I really loved this. The piece is fantastic and your playing...well, just great. You really sound like you were enjoying yourself.
24. vte- You have only been playing one year? Seriously? Dude, you need to get yourself a better piano or a better way to record... you are very good.
25. Snejana- Who was that masked man? Rick Roberson? Great piece! Unique. And you really did it well!!!
26. JB-PW- Well done Jen!
27. dumka1. Overplay it all you want, i will love it over and over. Chopin was the epotome of "piano". Don't you love those high notes at the end? Well done!
28. Quasiunafantasia- Wow, revelation! I have never heard these before. Very intriguing. Well done!!
29. jamiecw- No, this sounds like "C"...the way things will be. Well played.
30. rwsavory- You struggled a bit here and there but over all a great job!
31. purrblast- Yea baby! I needed some Bach! He was the man.
Great job!! Seriously!!
32. pikapianist. A very "commanding" performance. Bravo!
33. ShiroKuro- Are you kidding? That sounded very finished. Just beautiful! (Tiny screen and all)
34. Peter. Always a winner! There is just something about this piece..... Well done.
35. Jason- You got me foot tapping big time. Great!!
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 That Song Without Words looked super-difficult to me - well done, Justin!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Welcome to the Recitals, and congratulations on taking part so very early in your piano journey. That was a terrific achievement for only one month!
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 There HAS to be story behind this piece! It was fun to listen to, Shepherd - and an accomplished performance, as always.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 Wonderful progress after just a year! I wonder whether recording direct from the PX870, rather with the iPad, would produce a clearer sound?
25. Snejana - August Sun I love pieces that âsound more sophisticated and challenging than they areâ, so Iâll check out this unfamiliar composer. August Sun obviously wasnât one of the above - I enjoyed your sparkling rendition.
There are so many interestng submissions again. Thanks a lot Sam for supervising the recital so competently. And thanks to the folks who commented on my little last-minute entry! I appreciate it.
First batch of comments below!
1. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1
A perfect opening piece for the recital. Nice and smooth playing.
2. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2
A fleeting but beautiful piece!
3. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was
thanks for sharing this. I think it sounds peaceful and a little wistful at times.
4. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor
I'm not familiar with this particular piece, but it sounds pretty good at this tempo. Well done.
5. Peyton - Melody
Nice mleody! It evokes some kind of story to me, though I don't know what story.
6. Ganddalf - Nocturno
A really enjoyable piece. I like both the hints of Chopin and the more Spanish features. Thanks for sharing!
7. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2
This Gnossienne does sound a bit emditative. I'm not sure how hard it is to play, but as a listener I find it pleasant and relaxing.
8. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 (video)
Your recording shows great control and musicality, and you manage to sustain those throughout the performance. Good job making ths Mozart piece sound so smooth and effortless!
9. peterws - Jesu joy
This sounds like Bach but with a whimsical, perhaps mischievous touch. A fun and interesting take!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)
I like the upbeat energy of the sailor's song. It makes me think of the activity on a bustling ship. I think the second peice's staccato finish creates a nice effect, a bit like tying a bow around a Christmas present!
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7 Another new piece to me, and I liked it. Lovely dynamics, very well done.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 As you say, there is a reason for this piece being played so often: it IS beautiful. And you certainly did it justice - delightful!
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" I found these pieces just fascinating - and your playing really brought out the magic. That was a treat.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 Well something special has come out of lockdown after all.
You handled that beautifully!
Since I was working backwards, this is my last set of comments. Another wonderful recital. Thanks everyone for making the recitals such a success, and welcome to the new performers!
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 Yes, it is played a lot. No, it is not easy. Excellent! Wonderful balance.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Scriabin before he got all wierd. Loved it!
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Intriguing chords in the beginning. Sort of a contemplative intro, and then things gradually start to move. Well done!
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor Welcome to the recitals! I like this tempo too. Excellent!
05. Peyton - Melody I love this one Peyton. Keep it simple! Write it out and I will buy a copy from you! Hope your broken hand is doing better!
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno Yes, I can hear the Spanish influence, although I would be unable to define exactly why. You always select such interesting pieces. Well done, and thanks for sharing!
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 Satie is so instantly recognizable, even when it is one of the ones that is not played often. You captured the mood. Excellent!
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 Only two takes? That's excellent. Mozart is so transparent. Well done!
09. peterws - Jesu joy I've always wanted to try the Myra Hess arrangement, but I know all too well how it will end up. This was well done Peter - sometimes its better just to do your own thing!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) OK, the first one sounds like silent movie music - very dramatic. The second one - yes, you should use pedal right to the end - too much of an odd contrast otherwise. Well done!
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale Toe-tappin'. Nice use of the pedal too! Excellent!
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral This is one of my favorites too, and it has a lot of clever parts to it's construction that I love. Well done!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" This is just gorgeous Tim. You always find such interesting pieces. Thanks for sharing!
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) This is a fitting piece for a hard-working mom. Schumann had a houseful of kids, but I bet he never did any work caring for them! Excellent!
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Excellent video, excellent playing. Well done!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Excellent! Very sensitive and responsive touch!
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Very cool. Sounds so smooth. Well done!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I'll always look forward to your improvs Ted. I liked the calmer interludes that snuck into this one. And the ending was great. Keep them coming!
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major Nice right hand! Well done!
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road Excellent video! shades, stuffed animals, and different views - what's not to love? And great playing too!
Sam
I am almost done listening (and then I'm going to go back and start from the beginning again!) so here are a few more comments.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale What a cool piece! Great playing!!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Thanks for introducing me to this composer!
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) Great job with this famous piece, you played it very well!
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 You did a great job with this, very well played!!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Just lovely!!!
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' This piece was new to me as well but I really enjoyed your performance of it!
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road What fun! Well-played and full of nostalgia!
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 Welcome back! I wasnât familiar with this one, I donât think of songs without words as being this intense, so that was very interesting to listen to.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance One month?? Wow!! Great job!
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 love it!!! I especially loved the intro, and then the waltz, fun fun fun! I love how grandiose the piece is! Your playing was perfect for that!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 What an interesting piece. You have it in a great place. Well done!
25. Snejana - August Sun I had never heard of this composer, thanks for introducing him to me! Very nice!
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7 very well played!
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 Really lovely!
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" This is a very compelling piece! And truly well played. I like your comment about âmore Tinker Bellâ than elf.
Ok, last group!
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses What nice music, Iâve never heard it before. Good job!
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) great job! I never tire of these preludes!
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente A rare gem indeed! What a cool piece. Very compelling and well-played!
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei great job with a lovely and well-known piece!
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 This was charming and well played. I always love Scarlatti.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz Oooh, I love this! As I was listening, I was wondering if it was modern, and indeed it is. I especially loved the LH part, and I wanted the music so I googled andâŚ. Yikes! It looks really hard! I bet it wouldnât look so hard if the score was more spread out. Geez. Who puts 7 or 8 measures on one line!! I mean, itâs over 170 measures on only 3 pages!! Anyway, great job with it! I might try it if Iâm feeling brave.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 I love both of these and your recording was very well played!
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees Great job with your improvisation, very enjoyable!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 Very nice, this sounds like a challenging piece. Also, I hope your back gets better soon!
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 Another ânew-to-meâ piece, very nice!
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Great job with this!
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) Nice job on this! Every time I hear an Invention in these recitals I want to return to working on them. Maybe someday.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 Just beautiful!! Lovely music and lovely playing!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile Wonderful!! This has always been one of my favorites, and youâre playing it really nicely!
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango Great job with a fun piece!
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 Oooh I love this!
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Nice playing, this is one of my favorite nocturnes. You might want to experiment with mic placement so you can avoid clipping.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light I enjoyed that, pretty and nicely played!
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) Iâm glad you changed your mind and decided to submit! I like it, it ended too soon!!
Congratulations everyone, this was a fantastic recital!!
To AssociateX, Sam S, cmb13, Peterws, Peyton thank you all for listening to my submission and for the nice comments!
P.S. Peyton, you just don't know about all the notes I left out!
Very expressive piece. Cannot but enjoy that!
Peter thanks! BTW interesting choice you made for Bach, didn't expect that :-) But you kept it in style
This was nicely done. I can't comment on what Heller 'wants/expects' but this sounded very good to me. What you describe of what is happening sounds very difficult and complex and I can't even wrap my head around it.
Thanks for the feedback and nice comments, Zoe. If it sounds good, it must be ok!
Interesting and very well played
Good to hear, thanks!
Very dramatic! Masterfully played.
Peyton, thanks for the nice comment!
Very fine playing, and a good recording too. The music was new to me.
Good to hear!
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime NightingaleFantastic playing, enjoyed this very much. What exactly was I supposed to hear at 2:28
12. Rich D. - The Sunken CathedralCan't say that I've heard this before. Enjoyed your video!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"Your pieces are always fantastic to listen too. Thanks for introducing this piece.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)We'll played, Ruth. Hope you are getting enough sleep with the newborn
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1Can't say if I liked the Pianoteq or Novus better. In both cases, it sounded great! Nice job!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I'll always look forward to your improvs Ted. I liked the calmer interludes that snuck into this one. And the ending was great. Keep them coming!
Thanks for listening, glad you like them because they are proliferating recently. I do play conventional pieces as well but they rarely move me these days. Probably getting madder, like Louis Wain with his cat paintings. Thanks for your effort in these recitals, they are a credit to you and the forum.
36. barbaram- What a beautiful waltz. I love the repeated notes. You played it so well and it's very well recorded. A real pleasure to listen to.
37. Rachtoven- I haven't listend to the preludes in quite a while. Well done but I would speed them up just a bit.
38. winterflower- Very interesting. A little abstract. It wanders but it definitly has a theme. I like improv that doesn't just sound like random stream of consciousness but sounds intentional and has a real message. It should leave me wondering if it really is improvisation. Your's does that. Well done.
39. mosotti- Fun and well played. I love the video!! It fit perfectily.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
So fun! You play this with great energy and panache. I want more!
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral
I don't really like Debussy, but you seem to do a good job of playing this with nice expression and dramatic variation.
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"
Interesting submission. I enjoy the familiar melody and the different moods you conjure up across the subsequent variations.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)
Your rendition does sound a bit faster than Ido's. However, I don't think it really harms the piece and the musicality of your performance. Nice playing!
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1
Nice playing! I like the realxed and pensive mood of the Gymnopedie and don't mind hearing it regularly.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1
An enjoyable and impressively even performance. This also sounds a bit nostalgic to me, but that might just be my own personal impression.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'
Thanks for sharing this interesting piece. You really seem to have acquired an excellent command of those challenging polyrhythms!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
The ever uncompromising Ted Jones improvisation. This was an amusing and energetic performance. Lovely title as well. If you don't mind my saying so, I'm still a little curious about what you can do with classical pieces.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major
It doesn't sound bad to me. Some parts feel a bit rushed, but then again, I don't know this piece well. the overall result is still enjoyable.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road
I've never been into The Beatles, but I did enjoy your smooth and pretty piano rendition of this song.
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses The unfamiliar pieces keep coming - and this is one Iâd like to try. Youâre well on the way with your âwork in progressâ and I certainly enjoyed it; congratulations!
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) Your Little Prelude was anything but âsimpleâ, as your high quality video clearly demonstrated. Terrific!
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente An outstanding performance of a beautiful piece of music - thank you so much!
33. ShiroKuro - September Song Ffrenchâs music can be deceptive - Iâve learned to my cost that a piece which looks manageable at first glance turns out to be anything but. So your performance was really special; you certainly captured the âFfrenchâ sound and I loved it.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei There are a number of pieces that Iâve always wanted to play, and this is up near the top of the list. That was inspiring, and your video with sheet music clips was a nice touch.
I want to sincerely thank all who took the time to listen to my piece and provide feedback: Sam S, ZoeCalgary, PianogrlNW, AndresVel, QuasiUnaFantasia, and ShiroKuro.
In terms of specifics, ZoeCalgary mentioned good articulation, PianogrlNW mentioned good hand balance, and QuasiUnaFantasia mentioned good control. You guys have made my day. I know it's not amazing yet, but I've been trying hard to focus on these exact things. So if they're coming across to you, I feel like I'm making progress.
I've been swamped with work these past 4 weeks (I'm teaching 88 MBA students fully online) and haven't had a chance to listen to the submissions yet (with the care they deserve). Will do so as soon as I can.
I was hoping to have time to comment on many of the pieces individually, but it doesn't look like that will happen this weekend. So I will just say thank you...to Sam for organizing and to all of you who have commented on my performance. I listened to all of the submissions and enjoyed each one. Such a wide variety of styles and levels represented, as always. I love the ABF!
40. Gretta90- I love it. So light and swirling. You play it expertly. Sounds like a professional recording.
41. Talao- Nice job with this!
42. AndresVel- Great job, expecially considering you have only been playing 8 months.
45. Zoe- Not sure how tantilizing it is
but a fun piece none the less. well done!
46. facdo- Really well played. Very loose and fluid. I enjoyed listening.
47. Liz- I can't ever get tired listening to this piece. Such a beautiful work. Well done Liz.
48. Piano-Primo- Beautiful piece and very well felt and played.
49. Calavera- Short and sweet. A very interesting piece and very nicely played.
Thanks for your generous comments on my Nocturne. I agree with Ellen that I need to work on the phrase endings more (they can be more subtle at times). I'm not super happy with this recording, so will try to rerecord a better version; I think I'm reaching the point when I'm more relaxed playing it and can control the phrasing better.
So far, a couple of comments on "fellow" Chopin nocturnes, and I'll keep listening to the rest of the recital:
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1.
This was just lovely, Ellen! I was listening to it and at some point realized that I thought I was listening to a professional performance. I wasn't familiar with the piece, so I can't give any specific feedback but my overall impression was just "wow." Very sensitive and nuanced interpretation.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major
Great energy! I do agree that some parts felt a bit rushed and the tempo changes (probably intentional, for expressiveness) could be more subtle, but overall I think you've done a great job with it. I feel tempted to try it myself now, although it sounds pretty hard.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor
I knew this was considered the most difficult of Chopinâs Nocturnes, but Iâd never listened to it until this recital. Thanks for introducing it and congrats on making impressive progress on such a challenging piece. Great mood, very expressive playing. Very nice rubato.
More new-to-me pieces. Polished dynamics made for a great performance - and a very pleasant listen.
Yes, I think I'm the main player here of Heller pieces. Good to hear, thanks Marie!
Very interesting pieces. You keep them interesting by using a vast dynamic contrast and beautiful tone as always
Yes I like the dynamics that these pieces prescribe, Heller's pieces are very suited to do this.
Interesting piece, sounded good to me! There are some Heller etudes I'd like to go back to and revisit
Thanks, yes they are pretty pieces. You played many of these? I heard only 'fluttering leaves' from you! You prefer to post other things on the ABF recitals?
I think you succeeded at making the etudes very musical, so they do not sound just as plain exercises. I think you also did very good bringing out the melody in the second one. Now I am thinking on tackling them myself (I like etudes :P). Very good job
AndresVel, yes I like these etudes because they are indeed very musical while also working on some specific technical issue.
I appreciate the comments from everyone. As I listen to my recordings now, I hear the occasional peccadillo that I didn't when first recording them. I know the tempo for Prelude 7 is a little slower than normal but I was going for a particular effect; as I listen now, I realize I need a bit more variation in tempo and different dynamic contrasts to better convey that effect. Maybe I will re-record it later.
This was a great recital and I was exposed to a lot of new, interesting music. Here are my first set of comments (not in order):
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 Very nicely done. The tempo fluctuations were well judged and added depth to the piece.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Very well played. I hadnât heard this one before.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Great job! Very well composed and played with real sensitivity.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 Nicely played. The tempo seems perfect to me.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 Smooth, flowing, and very nicely played. Well done! P.S. I agree that the vimeo version is better.
09. peterws - Jesu joy Well done. I especially like your embellishments; they really added to the piece and were tastefully chosen.
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) Nice music, and the first piece was particularly well played (great use of dynamic contrast).
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) Another wonderful performance of this piece in the same recital.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Beautiful rendition.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Such impressive playing. Youâre really captured the spirit here.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Beautiful playing of a beautiful piece I was not familiar with. The little Medtner Iâve heard has almost everything but melody; in this case, he appears not to have forgotten it.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Amazing that you can play like this after only one month. Bravo!
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Very nicely played. The piece is as much summer storm as summer waltz and you captured the contrasting moods well. Beautiful sounding piano.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 Iâve never heard of Boely. Nice performance of an attractive piece. Very impressive for one who has played only a year.
25. Snejana - August Sun Evocative piece. Very well done.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 Quite well done. Enjoyable piece.
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses Interesting and catchy piece; I enjoyed the performance
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) Nicely done.
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente Well played and great use of dynamics to emphasize the culminating point of the piece; the tempo seems perfect.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song A pretty piece. Quite well played, and I really like the sense of rhythm you imparted.
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees Really impressive improvisation and quite well played, too boot.
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 I enjoyed this interesting piece. Really effective use of dynamics to make the ending sound so dramatic.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 Enjoyable piece and nicely played.
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Well done.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) This is an amazing performance for having played only 8 months. Iâm sure you will pick up speed as you play this more and will find the trills easier to play with time.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 Very well done and your chosen tempo expresses tranquility rather well.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Quite ambitious, and you did a fine job. Letâs hear the polished version when youâve had some additional time to work on it.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light Pretty piece and great performance.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) Very nicely done and great use of dynamic contrast.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
The ever uncompromising Ted Jones improvisation. This was an amusing and energetic performance. Lovely title as well. If you don't mind my saying so, I'm still a little curious about what you can do with classical pieces.
âUncompromisingâ ? Thatâs a new one for me to ponder. My classical playing is nothing to write home to Mum about I assure you. Thanks for listening.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 Youâre right - it IS a delightful piece. Sounded very thoroughly polished to me - a pleasure to listen to.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz This Recital has been a feast of new music to me. You should be really happy with your performance of this piece, Barbara - it is just beautiful!
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 Nice work with both of these favourites - great sound from your freshly-tuned piano, too.
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees A hint of something wistful in your improvisation - I enjoyed it. Thank you!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 Well, youâve set the bar incredibly high for video submissions! The perfect sound track to a fun photo shoot - you didnât by any chance put your back out keeping the young star out of mischief, did you?
It seems I'm not familiar with most of the pieces here, which makes it even more of a treat. Superb recital.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5Great, energetic performance of a challenging piece!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet DanceNice piece, very impressive playing for one month. Do you study with a teacher?
Just make sure to acquire the correct technique, as it seems you keep your fingers in the air most of the time (it still looks far better than my hands after a month
)
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1Great piece which I wasn't familiar with. Great playing and tone - very warm and bell like at the same time.
One thing I can say, which might sound a bit opaque - I felt like the music mostly stayed in the background, and didn't demand too much
from me as a listener. As if I were listening to it in a lounge. I felt like the interpretation could use a bit more turbulence, or drama.
But it's truly a great performance, very impressive.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12What an interesting piece. It sounds like you have great musicality but you struggle with it technically, which is to be expected, as it sounds like it's grade 8 or something.
I suggest going slower (or better still, giving it a year or two and try something more level appropriate).
25. Snejana - August SunIt really delivers the feel of summer sun. It sounds great.
I think a slower tempo could help in making it more manageable (in terms of evenness) without compromising the musicality.
But still, I enjoyed it very much, thank you!
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7I like how all the notes are clear, and the harmony is delivered to the listener in tact. Great piece and playing.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2Yes, it is overplayed, but you didn't fall into all the cliches that became synonymous with this piece. I like the choice of tempo and dynamics. Great job.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"Wow, great piece, very interesting. I think your playing contributes a lot to that. Very musical! Listened four times and had to stop myself because it's getting late
41 Talao
I always thought of this as "The Walking Song" and I still love it! So quirky for those days; great job on your U3.
42 Andres Vel
Wonderful for 8 months. I'd find that a real challenge; Bach always is. Ticks along like a clock.
43 SamS
Not heard that before. It's lovely and you bring out the melody, the sweetness, what's not to like?
Thanks so much Sam for all you do here.
44 BsharpCyclist
Blimey! Pull your piano a bit closer, man! Love the woolly hat. And the crisp playing; you're nearly there with this!. A nice piece which I've managed to have a go at in the distant past. Well done!
45 Zoe
You did well on this far from easy piece and a brilliant ending!.
46 facdo
Hey, what a superb sound from that piano! Beautiful tone, and the playing wasn't half bad either; some difficult stuff in there! Super!
47 AssociateX
I can see you're working methodically through this; you've mastered the hard bits and now the finishing line is in sight . . .
48 Piano Primo
Y'know, that blew me away. I've took a not of that song in order to buy it. Your playing was sweet; the melody demanded it. You delivered and so did your piano with the VST. A most excellent digital with a not dissimilar sound to that of Mr. Facdo 3 doors up.
49 Calavara
Powerful and sweet. A great mixture! Good sound, I was waiting for the rest!
A big thank you to everyone. I enjoyed everything here and hope it continues for . . . .ever!
Cheers Sam! 'Bye Guys . . . .
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 The new-to-me pieces just keep coming - what a treat. Greta, that was very pretty and you managed to capture the essence of spring with your delicate touch.
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Your second Recital entry, and I really enjoyed your performance. You did well handling the faster tempo - and I liked your bow at the end.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) Youâve travelled a remarkable distance in just 8 months, and you have every reason to be proud of your progress. Well done!
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 I enjoyed that Song, and the pace you set - it WAS tranquil. The video with your annotated sheets was interesting: donât you just love being able to mark in absolutely everything without permanently damaging the page?
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile One of my all-time favourites, Dan, and what a marvellous, polished performance. Bravo!
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39
Beautiful piece and wonderful playing! Super musical
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses
Very nice piece, I like the tempo choice and tone.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937)
Excellent performance, very clear voices and execution. Liked it very much!
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente
Perfect. I love it! Wonderful performance!
33. ShiroKuro - September Song
I like your taste in music! Lovely playing, thank you!
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei
Great and musical playing of this challenging piece!
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430
Very crisp and clear, sounds great!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz
I did not really bond with the piece itself, but I gotta say the playing is very good. Great phrasing and touch, voicing. Really good.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango A bright little piece - well-controlled dynamics really made it sparkle. Congratulations on your first ABF Recital.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 It may be one of the âeasierâ Fugues, but âeasinessâ is all relative! Your hard work certainly paid off, you did a great job on this. (And thanks for adding the score to the video - I love following along.)
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Very dark and dramatic. Youâve described it as 'a work in progressâ but as presented, that progress was really impressive!
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light I listened to your earlier submission too, and felt this was a more sensitive and polished rendition than the original. So, some good feedback from me.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) Unfamiliar pieces just keep coming. This one was a pleasant surprise, you rounded off Recital 61 with a flourish.
A breif thank you for positive feedback... Really impressive players...
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 Impressively played , touch hand dynamics were heard well and recording is professional.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Nice delicate piece , albeit short ...well played . Who is the painter of art in the video... the watercolor acrylic? liked that also?
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Sounds contemplative, and like a soundtrack of a movie...maybe a movie that never was? Clean -clear recording.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor Really challenging piece to play. A lot of [to me] unchained or not well connected phrases that make the whole of the piece. You played them well. Impressive recording too.
05. Peyton - Melody truly a sweet moving melody - melody line really is more effective in heartfelt pieces.- I really liked this. Kudos to you!
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno Yes it is very, delicate and moving. Well played and recorded.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 Beautiful , Satie must be abstract, always makes me feel somewhat in a gothic like mind state. Well played, recorded ... and enjoyed this piece.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 First, really dig that piano. And video style. All else is just, well done . Enjoyed this short and quickly built trinkling melody that goes on after what sounds like a false ending.
09. peterws - Jesu joy Wow, you can really feel the piece in your heart. Great piano sound...and embellishments of the piece.
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) Well I think you got a pretty good memory! I'd have to hear this maybe aolt of x's to even recognize it again. Amazing playtime and playing.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale Impressive well played and fine even touch. Enjoyed the piece .
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral I love this somber quailty , haunting ghost like chamber sound.- The first time I heard this piece, on here maybe in 2013 ...I swore I heard the Mass bells at the very beginning, but when I went back to re-listen ..no, I didn't hear them again. Anyway quite a challenging piece that you played well. Great bass sound, and dynamics.
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Well played moving themes-phrases and changing tempos Certainly can't get stuck at one mood. Enjoyed the listen.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) Nice...clean crisp playing even touch . Enjoyable mild melody .
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Beautifully played piece, clear even and well timed. Lends a sad and somber quality, but it's really (I've read) about Greek athletes in a gym.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Well , excellently played, moving , and a daunting (from sad to energized...contemplative ...) feel to the mood of the piece. Enjoyed the listen.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Excelelent playing and dynamics , professional sounding recording- and trills.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) Interesting it moves uh everywhere. Cool piece. Abstract. Nice piano sound.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major I've not heard anything to compare this to, certainly a challenge. Maybe heavy on the sustain pedal? um and a lighter touch in areas. But still I liked the piece for it's challenging aspect. Nice piano. too.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road I liked this ... was moving to me , and I like the stuffed animals in the video too.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 Impressive piano and playing .
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Cool piece... was this in the "Ten Commandements"? ot "The king and I' If it wasn't ...sure was similar to the dancing servant maids' scene . Nice piece and well played.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Holy wooo! Great Playing... timing and everything sounded perfect!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 Well it is certianly a difficult piece. Sounds to be fine playing. ...Enjoyed the piece.
[b]25. Snejana - August Sun It is splendid. Wonderful sound to the piano and exact touch . Enjoyed the listen.
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7 Nice melody and playing . even touch and recorded well. Enjoyed the listen.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 Good acoustic sound ,,, but you say it is a pre-rehearsal piece right now , but enjoyed the listen.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" fine playing ...the piece seems deep, and romantic, not elfish or Gnomish at all IMHO. (__I think people really do believe in Gnomes in the Nederlands) me too! . Superb piano sound and touch.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 Excellent recording and playing , delicate thoughtful piece , . Clear clean sound also. Enjoyed the listen.
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses Hmm , nice playing , slight pauses in the playing, here and there and see-sawish or boat sway kind of melody.. But I liked it ... Thanks!
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) All melody from 3 octaves. Quick and steady hands yet...relaxed. Inspiring! nice sound ...
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente Now this is quite a piece, soft and moving....romance consummated.... the afterglow soft music in the approaching dawn.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song Soft flowing emotional piece. that gently lifts the listener to a place of solitude... Doesn't seem to be jazz- to me- anyway. Nice piano .
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei This would seem to be a very challenging piece to play... maybe would take over a year or more to refine.. So, impressive you're doing this so well. Nice piano too!.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 I like the movement of this piece played so well. Impressive piano. (wonder how hot the girls were back then?) a little humor.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz NIcely played,,, sounds a little like a Beatles piece in the begining too. Well played recorded -enjoyed this.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 Well done and played [last year] --- nice ambience-chorus.... to this recording .
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees The single ray symbolised by the singular notes of the melody , infrequent chords ..enchanting and moving improv .... Well played.
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 Well done ,,, dizzying video.... I used to like running in circles as a kid though too. And have back problems here too! Anyway... enjoyable.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1 Nice crisp sound to this piece, Rapidly played strong touch exact dynamics soft when needed, and enjoyable to listen .
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Nice even touch ...sound and playing.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) alot of contrasting movements ... wow impressive. piece .
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 Nice piano sound, smooth playing.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile Well played , enjoyed this piece.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango nice evenly play and good recording.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 Well played ...enjoyed this.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Impressive, somber feel, even touch and tempo . noir ambience , Enjoyed this video and recording.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light me .
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) Wow , quite a ethereal start... good piano and recording ... Enjoyed the piece . Nice playing.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1I haven't heard this before, but it was a pleasure to listen. I really enjoyed it! And the recording sounds very clear and clean, where do you place your Zoom H2N?
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'This was fantastic too. Well played!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)Nothing normal about being normal. Keep posting you!
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat MajorLot's of defects and problems ... Where? Haven't heard this Nocturne either, but I enjoyed it
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding RoadFun video to watch! The elf freaks me out though ... Do you have a camera mounted from the ceiling?
Ido, piano_primo, Rachtoven thank you for the nice compliments!!
MarieJ, thank you for your comments!! Yes, this piece was much harder than I expected it to be. But if I came close to capturing the "Ffrench sound" then I'm very pleased!
BTW, for those of you who commented on my comment about jazz... I didn't mean to imply that September Song sounds or is jazzy. But when playing this song, I didn't really play it as written, and there are numerous parts where the same chord is played but voiced differently, or the same theme is played with just a slight variation. And there are lots of chords that are played across both hands, or the thumbs pick up something from the other hand's part. I am used to reading from the score and being able to "see" the way the music should sound. But I could not "see" this music when looking at the score, it was just really challenging. And also, I am used to playing as written, but I didn't (couldn't?) do that for this piece. And as a whole, all those details made it much harder than I expected. So I imagine that jazz would be even harder, esp. given that you don't depend on a score, and so I should probably avoid it!
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2 Nice delicate piece , albeit short ...well played . Who is the painter of art in the video... the watercolor acrylic? liked that also?
Thanks! I made the painting on my iPad. One of my many hobbies haha.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) Interesting it moves uh everywhere. Cool piece. Abstract. Nice piano sound.
Thanks for listening, I am nothing if not abstract. I still like my rebuilt Weinbach, which I bought new in 1971. The tuning drifts slightly in the treble with hot weather but not enough to worry me.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
Nothing normal about being normal. Keep posting you!
Agreed, in art we just have to be ourselves and leave it to others to argue about our normality.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20I liked both preludes, great sound from the piano, and the interpretation is very musical!
38. winterflower - Light through the TreesInteresting improve! I like the melodies you came up with. Especially the ones in the bass which seem to talk to/answer/complement the ones in the right hand. Great job!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3Honestly - I didn't like the piece... I think one probably needs to by very technically proficient to make it half interesting. I think your playing is great, it's just a matter of taste
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1Nice piece, great playing.
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122)Great tone and phrasing. Voices are very clear and the dynamics are good. Very impressive.
Only point to notice is after the trill - you rush a bit to play the tonic note, as if the trill threw you off balance. You can take your time there a bit. Great job, very enjoyable.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775)Your level after 8 months is just unbelievable. The voices are very clear, and so are the ornaments. And your technique looks very good and relaxed. Really superb.
Since you've achieved such level so fast, I'll allow myself to comment about more advanced stuff that you can employ:
I think the rhythm is a bit too strict, I think you can linger on some notes and play a bit with the dynamics, to emphasize certain notes. Bach uses very long phrases, and,
just like speech, a phrase makes more sense to the listener when there are variations in level and emphasis.
Same for the ending - you can build a bit towards it, so that it doesn't feel like the piece just suddenly ended.
Looking forward to your next submissions.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3This is really great. You've really got the phrasing and dynamics to a new level. Superb, masterful implementation and you can be proud of it.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabileVery enjoyable listen. The piano sounds great, the bass especially. The transition around 2:40 is really a high moment which grabs the listener by the ear. Great job!
45. Zoe - Tantalizing TangoNice piece with a heavy latin feel. Good dynamic contrast and clear lines. I could see people dancing to that
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847This is a great achievement! The dynamics are great. The main thing to improve is the evenness but I'm sure it will come as you continue working on it.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minorWow. So full of expression. Full of details and nuances. What a big sound... Polishing aside, you play every note like you mean it, which makes all the difference for me.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter LightBeautiful. I enjoyed it.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo)This ended too fast! I wanted more
Really interesting piece and lovely playing as always.
Thank you all for a great recital!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, so much! You are very generous with your time and expertise. I really appreciate it.
Now, to address the elephant in the room. I saw that you performed on a C3!!!!!!!! Where is the Bechstein?
Are you opening a piano teaching studio and now need two pianos to support your new teaching career?
Did Tootles take the Bechstein away from you?
Tell us the story!
Thank you very much ShiroKuro, Peyton, Rachtoven, peterws, MarieJ, piano_primo, and Ido for your lovely comments and suggestions. I am very glad that you enjoyed my submission and really appreciate your encouragement and feedback :))
Nice job on this! Every time I hear an Invention in these recitals I want to return to working on them. Maybe someday.
You should give them a try again! They are so fun to learn IMO
I think the rhythm is a bit too strict, I think you can linger on some notes and play a bit with the dynamics, to emphasize certain notes. Bach uses very long phrases, and,
just like speech, a phrase makes more sense to the listener when there are variations in level and emphasis.
Same for the ending - you can build a bit towards it, so that it doesn't feel like the piece just suddenly ended.
Looking forward to your next submissions.
Thank you Ido for your feedback and kind words. I think I understand what you mean. This was one of the things discussed on this piece in the last piano lesson I had before the recital submission deadline. I had prepared a version of the invention with a bit (or a lot in my case) of what you describe for that piano lesson, but ended up getting a way too romantic version of it. I am still trying to find that fine line. Luckily I like the invention a lot so I will have no issue in keep working on it :))
This is an amazing performance for having played only 8 months. Iâm sure you will pick up speed as you play this more and will find the trills easier to play with time.
Thank you Rachtoven. I will do
I would still like to speed up the piece a bit more with consistence.
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, so much! You are very generous with your time and expertise. I really appreciate it.
Now, to address the elephant in the room. I saw that you performed on a C3!!!!!!!! Where is the Bechstein?
Are you opening a piano teaching studio and now need two pianos to support your new teaching career?
Did Tootles take the Bechstein away from you?
Tell us the story!
I pretty much wore the 1927 Bechstein out. I got a 1987 C3 that was almost never played. Kept two pianos for awhile until I could sell the Bechstein. No, I am not teaching... My student teaching was enough! I'm sure the C3 will be my last piano - it will outlast me!
Sam
Here are some very brief comments from me on the first 12 submissions. It's hard for me to give technical feedback on the pieces I've never played, so they're mostly just impressions.
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1.
Wonderful! My daughter played this piece recently, so Iâm very (not to say too) familiar with it. I loved the tempo and dynamics variation, very expressive and tasteful.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2.
Iâm just discovering Scriabin (started working on some of his Op. 11 preludes) and wasnât familiar with this prelude. Very well done!
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was.
I loved the mood of this piece, indeed very contemplative and evocative.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor
I love Bach and enjoyed this performance. The ornaments are very nice.
05. Peyton - Melody
Very enjoyable. Some parts of it reminded me of one of Mendelssohnâs Songs Without Words (which I love, so itâs a compliment!).
06. Ganddalf â Nocturno.
A very interesting piece, beautifully played. More romantic than what I expected from de Falla, but I donât know his works very well. Really well done!
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2
You did succeed in capturing the mood of the piece, in my opinion; very nice playing!
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545
So clean and elegant. Great job.
09. peterws - Jesu joy.
Great, it was a pleasure to listen to!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12).
I love your devotion to Heller, his etudes indeed are gems. I liked both pieces a lot, very well played.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
I'm mostly a classical music lover but I do have a soft spot for ragtimes, this was very enjoyable.
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral
I think you captured the mood of this challenging piece very well. Wonderful.
I wanted to show my appreciation for positive and motivational comments on my piece. Even if it was in the truest sense, " only an act of kindness ", it was at the right time.
I've had to tackle a medical obstacle and although not through the forest, the sense of well being from reading these comments surly did a good turn for me. Yet, I still have a road ahead.
I wanted to say a -big thank you.
I know I am what's called a "wanna-be" pianist. I really only practice at quarterly recital time for 2 weeks. That's not... uh... an... authentic pianist in any sense IMHO. But unfortunately work and the rest have time that are heavy. and circumstances now prevent other goals. SO, Again Thank you!
Hey folks, if your performance was on Vimeo or YouTube, I've already liked, subscribed, and commented directly on each one.
It's been super fun to listen to all your performances so far and also highly inspirational for me. I really love the variety and individuality of each performance. Bravo!
I've listened to some of the other performances and look forward to enjoying the rest... will comment directly here.
And thank you, Sam!
Just a quick "thank you" to all the great folks that took time to comment on the pieces. And I really appreciate all the kind comments on my piece. I wish I had the musical knowledge as well as more time to really comment in depth on each piece but if nothing else I just wanted everyone to know that I did listen and really enjoyed all of them. I've been part of this recital for quite a while now and I continue to be blown away by the talent. I don't know if everyone is just getting better or if finer pianists are joing the recital but it's starting to sound more and more professional. Cheers.
Sorry for arriving late. Did I miss anything? Here are my first few comments on those pieces Iâve found to stand out...
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1
Well done! Nice touch and nice dynamics.
09. peterws - Jesu joy
Maybe a hiccup or two, but your performance was well done. As always your touch and tone are very nice!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)
Nice job on both. Ready for Op 16 yet? đ
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
Excellent! I enjoyed your performance very much.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)
Beautiful recording and performance. Well done!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1
Just beautiful, Ellen! Your touch is exquisite, as always. And the timing of your introduction isâif I may adopt the lexicon of people much younger than Iâdope!
I would as well like to thank everybody who listened to my recording and especially AndresVel, Ted, peterws, PianogrlNW, barbaram, QuasiUnaFantasia, MarieJ, Ido, Peyton, ZoeCalgary, SamS, bSharp(C)yclist, ShiroKuro, Calavera, piano_primo, dumka1 and SMA55 for their kind comments. There were quite a lot of pieces in this recital that I have recorded myself and therefore any comment of mine would not be free from bias and, thus, be inappropriate, because it would be based on my own subjective perception what these pieces should sound like.
For my second round of thank yous, I'd like to express my gratitude to Peyton, Rachtoven, peterws, MarieJ, piano_primo and Ido for taking the time to listen to my piece and provide feedback and encouragement. I'm really happy to hear that you enjoyed the piece I played.
Ido: you specifically mentioned an issue with my trills and I fully agree. When the trill is coming I feel the tension build up and the "fear" of messing it up sometimes makes me rush through it or accent some notes unnecessarily. You're totally right: I need to take my time with it and relax. My teacher pointed out the same thing. It's one of those things that you know intellectually, but you still need to bridge the gap between knowing and doing :-)
Hoping that in a couple of weeks work will ease up a bit and I can listen to at least some of the submissions and share my thoughts with everyone.
More Comments
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor
Really enjoyed this one. You captured the spirit of the dance, and I think the tempo is well chosen.
05. Peyton - Melody
Well played and nice chord changes.
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno
Never heard this one. Beautiful and nicely played.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
Beautiful piece, wonderfully played. A great find!
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral
Wow! Absolutely beautiful!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"
Lovely. You played with great sensitivity and understanding. This is a very interesting piece that makes me want to explore this composerâs oeuvre. One comment: There was a lot of âclipping.â I suggest verifying before recording that the loudest note in a piece is at least 6dB below the sound ceiling. Depending on your setup, you might be able to adjust the âgainâ to eliminate clipping without having to change your mic position.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major
Lots of good playing here and the piece isnât easy. Many parts of it sound near note perfect, but you appear to be polishing other parts of it. The only suggestion I have is to play at a bit slower tempo to better capture the feel of a nocturne.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road
I love this song! Nicely played.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5
This is a difficult piece. You played well overall and certainly captured the agitato.
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7
Very nicely played. The Heller pieces in the recital all have musical merit.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2
Enjoyable performance of an old chestnut. This doesnât sound too fast to me.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"
Excellent, sensitive playing of a wonderful piece Iâd never heard. I especially enjoyed how you played the end of the piece.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei
You played this with great emotion. Nice performance.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430
You played very accurately and conveyed the dance rhythm well. My only suggestion is to consider playing it a bit more lightly overall with louder dynamic levels being used to help articulate the dance rhythm.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz
Very nicely played. I enjoyed this.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile
Beautiful performance. You achieved a fine balance between the left and right hands, and you made well-chosen tempo and dynamic changes throughout, particularly the subtle changes in passages of generally uniform character.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango
Very well done; you captured the character of the dance rather well.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847
Fugues arenât easy. Great performance! I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to all who have taken the time to listen and comment on my playing of Debussyâs Sunken Cathedral. Itâs a piece that I always go back to playing every few years. Itâs a keeper for me.
Rich
Hello, here are some more from me. I listened to all awhile ago but didn't get the chance to post comments so catching up here. The beautiful music continues!
b]21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5[/b] JustinDAggie, Nice playing! Well you can certainly hear the passion! I have to say I loved your video and watching you play. May I ask with a smiley face
why it looks like the bottom edge of your pants are glowing white. Do you have some special effects going on. Also, this piece sounded pretty difficult to me. I really enjoyed it.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Maira713 Great playing and Congratulations on your first non-method book piece. The exotic sounds really comes through. Great progress so far! Keep up the great work! I have many many Faber books and like many of the arrangements they do. I'm sure this will be the first of many more to come.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Shepherd, I loved this! Parts of it do remind me of a summer evening, joyful and playful, and parts start sounding quite dramatic like a whole different piece! Great stuff!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 vte, I am not familiar with this piece at all but for you to be able to play it after one year! Wow! Keep going you sound great!
25. Snejana - August Sun Snejana, this sounds wonderful. I have not heard of this composer before. I must add this to my list of composers to listen to. I liked the piece, your playing, and everything about it.
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7 Jen, I've not listened/heard much Heller. I really liked this one. Again, you too have motivated to add to my list of composers to explore some more.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 dumka1, I have heard this piece before! It sounded lovely. Great playing considering the 'live audience' you have around you in your description! I certainly couldn't do that. Evocative and beautiful to listen to.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" QuasiUnaFanasia, First time hearing for me. I really liked how the ending came to be. It was quite fascinating to listen too and really caught my attention. Very well done.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 jamiecw, Very nicely played. I was intrigued by how you related the music to what we've had/known and what we have/know now in the world.
Hi, and finally got to re-listen to and post comments on the following wonderful playing of these pieces!
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses rwsavory, when I saw your notes, I thought this piece was going to be deep, dramatic, perhaps with a note of sadness, etc. But much to my surprise, it was very pleasing to listen to and though the feeling changed as the piece went on I felt it ended back on a happy note. Really enjoyed the melody.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937) Purrblast, this was really fun to listen to and also watch the video. I was mesmorized by your hands, not just of the way you shot your video with that view, but also because it was just simply cool to watch how relaxed you were while playing what appears to be a very complex piece.
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente Oskar, very beautiful! Loved your video of your performance!
33. ShiroKuro - September Song ShiroKuro, Beautiful! I loved it.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei Peter, I really enjoyed it! Thanks for showing the music and your playing. I always love watching that.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 Jason, very nice! Sounded quite polished to me!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz babaram, I am not familiar with this piece. However, it sounded so nice and you played so well with great feeling and dynamics. Funny I would never associate this music with Madonna, so interesting tidbit re: the movie. Glad you submitted it!
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 Rachtoven, really enjoyed these. The more I hear of Chopin the more I love it. Loved the contrast between the two! I also found it interesting you had the microphone plugged into your iphone. Would this also allow you to record video from your phone using the sound from this mic? Big dramatic ending on the second one!
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees winterflower, enjoyed your improvisation. It felt like music I could relate to. Something comfortable, peaceful, and quite simply a joy to listen to. I commented to others who are improvising similarly, that I find these all very enjoyable to listen to and really wish I could do this too!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 Mosotti, loved your playing of this and also the video (I had to watch twice!). I can tell you had great fun with this!
Zoe, thanks for your comments. In the ending of the second piece (Prelude 20), I play a bigger crescendo than in most recordings I hear. I see the last chord as the culminating moment of anguish in a piece resembling a funeral march.
The type of microphone I have, Shure MV88, is specifically made for plugging into iphones (it has a lightning connector). Yes, I have taken video with sound from the mic using the "camera" app in iphone, although I typically just record sound, not video. I like the quality of sound I get from the mic and it is easy to use. The potential downside is that the mic is attached to the phone, so the mic position is the same as the video position. Also, so far as I know, the mic can only be used with an iphone.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 Rachtoven, really enjoyed these. The more I hear of Chopin the more I love it. Loved the contrast between the two! I also found it interesting you had the microphone plugged into your iphone. Would this also allow you to record video from your phone using the sound from this mic? Big dramatic ending on the second one!
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 dumka1, I have heard this piece before! It sounded lovely. Great playing considering the 'live audience' you have around you in your description! I certainly couldn't do that. Evocative and beautiful to listen to.
Thanks so much, Zoe, for your supportive feedback. It's just hard to get a smooth recording when I'm rarely home alone these days (but I love my family and my dog, of course).
A few more short comments from me:
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"
A very interesting piece, indeed, and masterfully played, as always.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1
Another sensitive performance of this beautiful piece. Well done.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1
Well done, very impressive, especially given how recently you started piano.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1
(See my earlier post on Chopin nocturnes).
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'
Beautiful piece and performance. Iâve loved everything I heard by Medtner, and youâve inspired me to look into his works and maybe learn some of his music at some point.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
Interesting piece. I admire people who can improvise and compose (I can't), and I enjoyed this improvisation with its dissonant but powerful harmonies.
19. selfishplayer
(See my earlier post on Chopin nocturnes).
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road
Iâm a Beatles fan, enjoyed your performance a lot.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5
I absolutely love Songs Without Words; have played a couple and am hoping to learn a few more. This one is a bit intimidating, it sounds very difficult. Congrats on a successful stormy performance.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance
Great job, love the âorientalâ feel of this piece. Good luck with your journey, nice progress already.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1
A really fun, playful piece (with a surprise dramatic twist at the end) and a great performance, as always. Nice dynamic contrast. (And summers in the Midwest are not too bad, but the evenings are not always as exciting as what this piece evokes, I agree lol).
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12
Very expressive and ⌠impressive. Hard to believe youâve only been playing one year, great progress!
25. Snejana - August Sun
I am not well familiar with contemporary composers, thanks for introducing Rick Robertson. If I hadnât known the title, I wouldnât have associated it with August sun, it sounded a bit more melancholy to me (but I like sad music, so itâs a good thing). You created some special mood and atmosphere in your performance, really nicely done.
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7
Another enjoyable Heller performance, thanks, very well done.
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1
â¨
YT: Nice tempo and dynamics that allow the story unfold just right. Very entertaining listen!
Thank you for listening to my piece as well and for your kind comments.
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2
YT: Nicely done and +1 on the wonderful painting as well! Lovely use of the Bechstein.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was
Mysterious start and very evocative music. You are really getting some impressive expression out of the Yamaha P45. This piece sounds like it was made for a movie and sounds completely finished and polished. Well done!
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor
I feel like I'm sitting at a recital listening to a formal performance. Great job creating this feeling!
05. Peyton - Melody
YT: Really grandiose and very expressive. Well done! đđ˝
Thanks very much for your comments on my piece! Gnossienne No. 1 is definitely on my list though I'm not yet sure how to handle the ornaments at my stage.
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno
Very nice, sounds very advanced and definitely has a lovely character. Interesting technique using the H1 to record an N1... I assume you do it for the natural reverb effect!
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2â¨
This is really lovely, MarieJ! I listened to your other Erik Satie recordings as well and enjoyed them all! It's awesome how far you've come as a self-directed learner and how you keep challenging yourself... I know from experience how impressive of an achievement that is.
Thank you for listening and for your comments on my piece! Incidentally, I feel Modartt did us a disservice by making the damper pedal noise so prominent by default. It's great when you're at the piano, but it seems unnecessary in a recording. I only discovered this issue after I was done with production, as it stands out more on certain devices. No biggie!
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545
V: Wonderful! Love how you brought the different "conversations" to life in this piece and kept things interesting. And your page turning was just fearless! Great taste in VI selection, as usual, goes really well with this piece. Bravo!
(Oh, and that mini-fallboard on your piano is just such great design.)
Thanks very much for listening and commenting on my piece!
09. peterws - Jesu joy
I love how you made this piece ring and shimmer so acoustically, and love the ebbing and flowing feel of this interpretation. And of course, the accoutrements! You really captured the spirit of this piece and made it a very enjoyable listen.
Thank you for listening and commenting on my piece. You made the Bechstein shine and you're right I need to figure out those mics!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12)
Wow, definitely seems very advanced... all the more impressive that you memorized it. Love how you brought it to life, bravo!
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5
A strong start and great playing that competently evokes feelings of agitation. Welcome back!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance
A fun little piece. Nice mysterious-sounding performance.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1
It does sound a bit like a funhouse. It could also be a lively dance-filled summer though. An enjoyable performance either way.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12
Interesting piece. You play this with a nice amount of, well, character.
25. Snejana - August Sun
For some reason, this piece makes me look back and feel nostalgic instead of conjuring up summer imagery. It seems quite challenging despite the many repetitions. Well done.
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7
A sweet little piece played with great control and accuracy. Nice dynamics too. This was another enjoyable submission from you, Jen!
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2
Nohing wrong with playing a popular piece if it's one of Chopin's lovely Nocturnes. Nice job with this delicate and sensitive performance.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"
An interesting piece that evokes a variety of moods. It seems to be playful or mischievous at times, and more mysterious or demure in other parts. Nice playing.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39
It does sound a bit wistful. Beautiful Tchaikovsky performance.
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses
You make this piece sound pretty fun. Thanks for sharing.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937)
Sounds great to me. An enjoyable performance.
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente
The vigor and passion make this sound lovely. That little change in cadence around 1:00 is particularly enjoyable.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song
A pretty piece with some really interesting variations, especially around 2:30. Thanks for sharing this enjoyable performance.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei
It does sound challenging to get the interpretation right, but I think your performance is quite convincing.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430
Pretty fun! You play this with a light touch and really nice movement.
I like the upbeat energy of the sailor's song. It makes me think of the activity on a bustling ship. I think the second peice's staccato finish creates a nice effect, a bit like tying a bow around a Christmas present!
Good to hear you like the staccato end! Yes it's quite an energetic piece. I was also thinking about the waves, the wind, the birds flying around, the foam behind the rear screw etc
OK, the first one sounds like silent movie music - very dramatic. The second one - yes, you should use pedal right to the end - too much of an odd contrast otherwise. Well done!
Sam thanks! Yes I assume their boat hits the waves hard a few times. Also thanks for your feedback of the staccato end. The opinions on the staccato ending seem divided.
Nice music, and the first piece was particularly well played (great use of dynamic contrast).
Glad you liked it. Yes the first one especially invites for big contrasts.
Well I think you got a pretty good memory! I'd have to hear this maybe aolt of x's to even recognize it again. Amazing playtime and playing.
Well I did play it quite some times
I can't read music this fast so I have to memorize most of it... which takes quite some time. But I think that also helps playing it better.
I love your devotion to Heller, his etudes indeed are gems. I liked both pieces a lot, very well played.
Great to hear you like them. Yes I play a lot of him, especially now that I'm without a new teacher and have to figure it out myself.
Nice job on both. Ready for Op 16 yet?
Thanks! And good question. I think indeed it's time to have a look at op16 to see what I'm in fact preparing for :-)
Wow, definitely seems very advanced... all the more impressive that you memorized it. Love how you brought it to life, bravo!
Thanks navindra. There's always a more advanced on piano. But I enjoy these pieces a lot and glad that I can play them and that you like them too
A few more...
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'
Very interesting and beautiful piece. Never heard it before. And you do a great job with it! Bravo!
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"
An unusual piece with which I was not previously familiar. I find it at times to be mysterious and nostalgic, and I like it. I also think you did a really nice job with it.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39
Simple piece but very effective performance. I enjoyed your playing.
34. Peter Hontaru - Traumerei
â¨You have a nice touch and toneâŚBut as PianogrlNW has already alluded to, your rhythm on this piece is out of whack. Perhaps youâre trying to play with rubato--I donât know. Yes, rubato CAN be an expressive tool when used judiciously. But honestly your playing on this piece sounds affected, the rhythm is off the rails, and the result is that the melody line is lost. At your level of experience, I suggest that you count out loud while learning a piece. And then, once youâve mastered the rhythm playing it straight on the beat, that can serve as your framework for any occasional deviations from the rhythm as written. But once you do decide to deviate from the rhythm, donât use the same acceleration and deceleration patterns for the melody line over and overâit sounds predictable and boring. Please note that I hope this advice doesnât read harshly. My intent is to help, because I definitely think your playing has a lot of potential.
âThank-youâ time! First, to Piano World, and Sam, for making these Recitals happen. Next, to my 48 fellow-pianists for their latest efforts - a wonderful range of pieces, with lots of new ones to discover. Then, to all who took the time to listen to my Gnossienne. And finally, my most sincere thanks to those who provided feedback, for which Iâm incredibly grateful.
Some specific comments:
Peyton, Iâve concentrated on #1 and #2 so far, but Iâm looking forward to more.
ShiroKuro, I havenât tried #4 (all those arpeggios) but I heard yours - I loved it and it has made me determined to have a go too.
bSharp(C)list, I must admit I didnât notice that âpedal wooshing soundâ. Iâve only just upgraded Pianoteq to âStandardâ and havenât yet come to terms with all of the newly-available controls. I played with the settings yesterday - what an âear-openerâ.
navindra, I donât feel as if Iâve come very far. But then I remind myself that when I first heard Satie's music half a century ago, I never dreamed that one day Iâd be playing and recording some of it. And I certainly never imagined Iâd be doing it via a computer, one of which in those days could fill a dedicated building. As I just mentioned to bSharp(C)list, Pianoteq Standard is a far more powerful beast than Stage, and I havenât yet learned to drive it!
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5
Why do your socks glow? Left a comment for you on YouTube.
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance
Left a comment on YouTube.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1
Left a comment on YouTube. I like the recording, it sounds very clean.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12
Not familiar with this. Sounded nice!
25. Snejana - August Sun
This was really nice, Snejana. Thanks for introducing something new. I can't help to think there is an infinite amount of music to learn, and not enough lifetimes to learn it all.
I hope to get through the rest of them, but I'm beginning to think this process here is not very productive. I'm not in a position to give teacher like feedback, and if I've never played/learned the piece it's really hard for me to say good or bad, other than it sounds nice. And there is the time commitment to critically listen to a piece and give feedback. If you're like me, you don't have infinite time and I wouldn't expect anyone here to invest time listening to my pieces and give feedback. But if you do, I appreciate it, thank you. And please don't hesitate to give critical feedback. Nobody learns anything new otherwise.
I hope to get through the rest of them, but I'm beginning to think this process here is not very productive. I'm not in a position to give teacher like feedback, and if I've never played/learned the piece it's really hard for me to say good or bad, other than it sounds nice. And there is the time commitment to critically listen to a piece and give feedback. If you're like me, you don't have infinite time and I wouldn't expect anyone here to invest time listening to my pieces and give feedback. But if you do, I appreciate it, thank you. And please don't hesitate to give critical feedback. Nobody learns anything new otherwise.
Personally, I just like to know that people have listened. A detailed comment is not necessary for me, just an "attaboy!", or a "keep up the good work!". The comments I give are in that same spirit.
Sam
That is pretty much how I feel too. I feel that if I can just let the person know I listened and if I have a little extra to offer then do that. But I don't feel at all qualified or confident enough to give really insightful feedback.
Same here, I love to know that someone listened, and so that is the spirit in which I write my comments.
I also am one of the few who check "no" in the feedback box. (At least I think there are very few, I have never actually counted)
I donât have an audience when I play, so I value even the briefest indication that someone has listened. I hoard the feedback I receive, it motivates me while I struggle with the next submission.
As for my own comments, theyâre written with the appreciation of how much effort goes into every entry. I canât give technical advice, but I can try to encourage.
I guess it's called communication; we all do it but some are always better at it than others. Makes one sick, doesn't it? haha
In my dreams I am unflappable and capable of keeping going indefinitely without encouragement from others. In reality, I cherish all the positive comments I get and, like others, give my comments in that same spirit. I think a comment of even just one word can be valuable, if it is chosen appropriately. And it impresses and humbles me to see people here posting long and thoughtful comments in response to the performances.
I donât have an audience when I play, so I value even the briefest indication that someone has listened. I hoard the feedback I receive, it motivates me while I struggle with the next submission.
+1 I am the same.
As for my own comments, theyâre written with the appreciation of how much effort goes into every entry. I canât give technical advice, but I can try to encourage.
This is how I try to approach comments. I hope I succeed. All I want is for my co-contributors to the recitals to want to keep learning the piano and I feel the recitals is the place to encourage each other.
I donât have an audience when I play, so I value even the briefest indication that someone has listened. I hoard the feedback I receive, it motivates me while I struggle with the next submission.
+1 I am the same.
This is so nice... I really do appreciate there are truly nice people here in the AB forum, which is much more than one can expect in the anonymity of the internet. I would like to let you know that I have listened to each and every contribution in this recital and enjoyed it very much (although I repeatedly found myself thinking this or that piece should be played differently and/or wanting to improve the sound of the recording with the equalizer and reverb tools in Audacity).
As for my own comments, theyâre written with the appreciation of how much effort goes into every entry. I canât give technical advice, but I can try to encourage.
This is how I try to approach comments. I hope I succeed. All I want is for my co-contributors to the recitals to want to keep learning the piano and I feel the recitals is the place to encourage each other.
Yes, sure. Tiffany Poon would just say: "Keep striving".
Thanks for everyone who commented. The little etude is from something called "30 Pieces For Children". Children must have been a little bit crazy 100 years ago.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430
Very nice job, Jason! I realize that you said youâre still working on this piece. With that in mind, Iâd like to hear some more expression in your performance. But otherwise well done!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz
I enjoyed the piece you chose and your performance of it. Iâd not heard of it previously. Well done!
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20
Didnât care for the sluggish tempo you chose for No. 7. But I loved the segue from it to No. 20, and I enjoyed your performance of this latter one much more. One technical note on No. 20: you neglected the ritenuto Chopin had notated in the 3rd to the last measure, and you instead rushed right through to the final chords. I like Chopinâs idea better. đ Nice work overall.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1
I was not previously familiar with this piece, but what a nice one! And your performance was excellent!
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3
Well played, Sam! Not my favorite of Mendelssohnâs SWOW, but I definitely enjoyed your performance of it. Excellent expression and use of dynamics! By the way, like you, I recently bit the bullet and made the transition from sheet music to tablet, and Iâm so glad I did (for multiple reasons). Also the particular tablet youâre using looks very familiar. đ
We listened through the remaining submissions last night during dinner. Once again, my girlfriend thinks we are all professionals and not beginners
I made comments on some of the YouTube videos. Thanks again for setting this up Sam!
We listened through the remaining submissions last night during dinner. Once again, my girlfriend thinks we are all professionals and not beginners
I made comments on some of the YouTube videos. Thanks again for setting this up Sam!
I can see her point. When these recitals started we were almost all bumbling along. Occasionally there was a really "fine" player, but for the most part we were obviously amateurs and beginners. Now I'm totally blown away by how many really fine players there are. I also have to say, I'm surprised by how many people constantly post their works here and yet never offer any comments on other people's works (or just post people's comments on their own playing). I realize how time consuming it is to listen and comment and I rarely comment on all the pieces but I would feel so guilty if I didn't at least try to comment on some. I just know how nice it is when someone comments on mine.
In general I always comment on anything creative, i.e. composition or improvisation, and ragtime, swing or stride because these are closer to what interests me. Although I do play some classical I do not consider myself competent to proffer advice about it, especially to beginners. I try to respond to all comments about my playing and many of them have mentioned insights I had not previously considered. Although far from a beginner generally I started to seriously record improvisation only very late in life. The main attraction of the Adult Beginners section for me, however, is the broadmindedness and civility of its posters, qualities which other internet forums would do well to emulate. Curiously, the main thing which has struck me about the recitals has nothing to do with music. It is the beautiful instruments and immaculate rooms of those who post videos. My own piano and lounge constitute what amounts to a rat's nest in comparison.
The recitals are a marvel, really. It is amazing that they have survived as long as they have. Participation has gone up and down over the past 15(!) years, but we seem to be stable at around 50 performers currently. Probably around 2 1/2 hours of music. That is a lot for listeners to take in. My comments have also varied over the years - now I keep my remarks short and encouraging.
I have noticed recently that participation has skewed more towards classical. There are always a handful of original compositions, and now we have improvs, which is a good thing, but I think jazz and popular music have declined over what they used to be. Nothing is permanent - perhaps the jazz will return. And the quality has improved - there is one performer who makes near professional videos.
We still manage to pull in a few first-timers in every recital, which is also a good thing. I just wish more of them would stick around. I used to generate stats on the recitals, but it got to be too tedious. Lots of people participate once and fade away. There is a core group that keeps coming back - I think Peyton is our current record holder!
Sam
Now that you mention it... yea, where has all the jazz gone? We used to always have three or four excellent jazz pieces? I stink at remembering names so I wish I could name them but there were a few that really put down some great jazz pieces. And here were a few that wrote songs and sang. There are a lot of people I miss hearing but... I need to say it... I really miss Mr. Super Hunky. I hope he hasn't quit on us.
A huge thank you to everyone who listened to my recording. I havenât been as participative in commenting back (newborn is not sleeping great) and Iâve missed this community. I agree with the comments-after listening back to my recording I do think I should slow the tempo a bit. Hereâs some of my responses so far, more to come
Peterws - I quite enjoyed the accoutrements...Iâm no good at improv
MarieJ - beautiful soft melodic playing!
Ido - Iâve heard a few of your pieces now and they are always so impressive considering your years of experience. Your ability to bring out the left hand melody in the B section of the piece is remarkable
Peyton - Iâm always in awe of original compositions, I can never âlet goâ enough to try it myself. Beautiful melody
KevinM - thank you for your comments. This was a beautiful sensitive interpretation of this famous piece. I am with you on the page turning, I always forget to set up before starting
PianoGrlNW - I enjoyed every minute of this musically sensitive interpretation
sma55 - great job on the memory! Iâve never heard this before so it was a nice addition to the recital
Dumka1 -I love playing and hearing overplayed pieces
yes you did play it faster than most, but the memorizing of the piece is impressive-I used to play a lot as a child as well, and I can no longer memorize anything as easily as I did as a kid
QuasiUnaFantasia - you brought out a lovely haunting sound in the piano
AndresVel- this was so nicely done in Baroque style-the strict tempo, the ornaments, the touch. Iâm truly impressed by your progress in 8 months! Keep up the great work and all that practice
Barbaram - a very nice waltz rhythm to this and melodic touches
ShiroKuro- I thought this was nice - are you saying youâd never be able to play jazz because of the syncopation?
Rachtoven- fantastic job! I really enjoyed this..and it made me miss my acoustic
Ruth, thank you!
are you saying youâd never be able to play jazz because of the syncopation?
No, not that at all. Syncopation doesn't generally bother me. But with this piece, I played a lot that wasn't in the score, or changed things from how the score was written, and there were themes with slight variations -- I mean, I know that's common in classical as well, more like changes in chord voicings and so on, and each time, you play almost-but-not-quite the same...
I can't quite articulate it, but despite playing and learning this from the score, the "lack of score-dependence" (or score-independence??) that this piece required just made me think, wow, I could never play jazz.
If that makes sense???
We listened through the remaining submissions last night during dinner. Once again, my girlfriend thinks we are all professionals and not beginners
I made comments on some of the YouTube videos. Thanks again for setting this up Sam!
I can see her point. When these recitals started we were almost all bumbling along. Occasionally there was a really "fine" player, but for the most part we were obviously amateurs and beginners. Now I'm totally blown away by how many really fine players there are. I also have to say, I'm surprised by how many people constantly post their works here and yet never offer any comments on other people's works (or just post people's comments on their own playing). I realize how time consuming it is to listen and comment and I rarely comment on all the pieces but I would feel so guilty if I didn't at least try to comment on some. I just know how nice it is when someone comments on mine.
Ih i know. I posten a comment the first recital i was in. On every single one of them. Its been my ambition every time but alas.. I havent got the time... I really really should do that or just admit that I probably just should select a few so I at least could do it
Hello everyone! Finally got round to listening to the recital this evening. Here are my first set of comments:
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 Your performance has a lovely flow to it with just the right tempo (in my opinion).
05. Peyton - Melody Love this. For me it recalls a distant memory of gazing wistfully out of a car window on an overcast day during a journey through Arizona many years ago. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I find your compositions very visual with a hint of melancholy.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 - Real sense of introspection and pensiveness to this. I agree wholeheartedly with you that the lack of guidance is daunting and I do find these pieces difficult to play but this is excellent.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545 Very assured playing Kevin, even and steady. Nice articulation and immaculate sound quality as usual. I look forward to hearing your first movement (which I feel is deceptively difficult to pull off well) in a future recital!
09. peterws - Jesu joy I always look forward to your performances Peter, you have a unique take on the classics and I find it hugely enjoyable. This is no exception.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1) Really liked the phrasing in your rendition, the second section reminds me a little bit of an
early Argerich recording, although your tempo is slightly faster.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 More than a bit envious of your piano! I do think the NV10 sound is better suited to this piece, although of course that will depend on the settings. But you've done a great job with this and with the chords you handled the transition between the hands well.
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Such accomplished playing, excellent phrasing and tasteful rubato. This is the level of musicality I would like to achieve with my own playing one day.
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Thanks to everyone who listened or left comments, it's much appreciated. Especially glad to have introduced a few of you to this lovely piece.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Agree with a previous poster that this is reminiscent of a silent movie soundtrack. Very impressed with the clarity and control in your playing.
Ruth, thank you!
are you saying youâd never be able to play jazz because of the syncopation?
No, not that at all. Syncopation doesn't generally bother me. But with this piece, I played a lot that wasn't in the score, or changed things from how the score was written, and there were themes with slight variations -- I mean, I know that's common in classical as well, more like changes in chord voicings and so on, and each time, you play almost-but-not-quite the same...
I can't quite articulate it, but despite playing and learning this from the score, the "lack of score-dependence" (or score-independence??) that this piece required just made me think, wow, I could never play jazz.
If that makes sense???
Youâre welcome! Okay, I see what you mean. Iâve always been nervous to try jazz/improv for the same reasons as you listed! But then again, no one was born good at classical right...you had to practice and work at it. So I would assume the same would apply for jazz and improv
Psyche 23
As soon as you mentioned "hugely" I knew you were from London. Was speaking to a Cockney sounding telephone voice (customer service) and she was a star. Beautiful melodic sound, mesmerised little ole me into a shambling idiotic wreck!
Dumka1 -I love playing and hearing overplayed pieces
yes you did play it faster than most, but the memorizing of the piece is impressive-I used to play a lot as a child as well, and I can no longer memorize anything as easily as I did as a kid
Thanks. I'm trying to record a little slower version now. As for memorization, yes, I used to just memorize pieces as a kid quite easily, but now it usually takes some effort (which I sometimes make, but not always :)). But with this Nocturne, it just memorized itself somehow, I didn't try to deliberately. That was a nice surprise, because I also thought I'd lost this childhood ability.
I hope to post the rest of my comments this weekend--almost done with listening.
Ih i know. I posten a comment the first recital i was in. On every single one of them. Its been my ambition every time but alas.. I havent got the time... I really really should do that or just admit that I probably just should select a few so I at least could do it
Yea, I'm in awe of those that not only comment on every piece but also really seem to take a good deal of time with each comment. This was the first time in quite a while that I got to almost every piece. Sometimes when I know I just don't have the time to get them all I will first comment on all the you tube posts, or comment only on those that have in turned commented (not necessarily on mine) or work backwards. Or sometimes it's just wildly random.... but I do always try to get to some.
I always feel a little guilty because I rarely have the time to comment on individual pieces: there's just too much going on between a full-time job, family, dog (=also family), and ... yes, piano. I try to comment on individual pieces for some themed recitals, because there are usually not as many participants, or on the pieces I've played myself and know pretty well. This semester I'm on sabbatical, so my schedule is a little more flexible and I'm trying to comment on all the submissions. But I always listen to the entire recital and appreciate everyone's hard work. And I am very grateful to those who provide comments, of course. Piano can be a rather lonely hobby, and it's great to have an audience and community here.
And here is the last set of (brief and impressionistic) comments from me:
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"
This was lovely. Thanks for introducing a composer I wasnât familiar with. Speaking of âelvesââI think Slavic countries (at least Russia and Ukraine) borrowed the Danish concept through Hans Christian Andersenâs tales, because I grew up thinking of elves as those fairy-like winged creatures (like the one Thumbelina marries at the end) and then discovered the English meaning, after coming to the US in my 20s.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39[/b]
A sensitive interpretation of one of Tchaikovskyâs classics. Nice melodic line and dynamic contrasts. I would only suggest not speeding up that much at times (which, I realize, was done for the sake of additional expressivity and rubato, which works really well most of the times).
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses
Nice job, youâre almost there. Iâve never played French baroque composers, but my teacher has been talking about assigning me a French baroque piece for a while. Listening to your submission made me want to play one sooner rather than later.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937)
Excellent, crisp play. Bach is never easy! And congratulations on the new baby girl!
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente
Iâd never heard of Oskar Merikanto and now we have two submissions of his works at the same recital! Beautiful performance of a gorgeous piece.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song
I wouldnât be able to tell it was challenging for you, really well played! The piece is beautiful and evocative.
34. Peter Hontaru â Traumerei
Great job on this beloved piece. Some notes did stick out to me a bit, but overall itâs a very musical performance (which is not easy to achieve with piece).
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430
I love Scarlatti, thanks for submitting this gem. Great playing.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz
Very enjoyable âmoodâ piece. Great job!
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20
Thanks for those, very well done. I used to play quite a few of Chopinâs Preludes when I resumed piano in my 20s (followed by another long break) but have never played those two. Enjoyed them very much.
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees
I listened to your (and some other) submissions during my walk the other day, and this piece put me in a kind of meditative (but not overly sad) mood. I enjoyed it.
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3
Impressive tempoâdoesnât sound like youâre struggling with it much. The dynamic contrast was very nice, made it less of an etude/exercise. Fun video!
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1
Beautiful piece beautifully played. You have an incredible touch and expressiveness.
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122)
Very nice, even playing. Great ornaments and dynamics. I applaud your approach to piano--youâre advancing gradually, not jumping to harder/flashier pieces right away (which can be tempting), but youâre acquiring a solid foundation and making great progress.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775).
Very well done! Bachâs inventions sound easier than they are, theyâre quite challenging but so rewarding.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3
Iâm also a huge fan of Songs without Words, would have liked to learn more. I didnât remember this one, thanks for submitting it. Itâs quite different from some of my favorite âsweetâ pieces, but a nice change. Excellent playing.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile
Such a beautiful movement, and very well played. Iâm tempted to learn it but have too much on my plate right now.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango
Love tangos, and this is great. Lovely dynamic contrast.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847
I used to play it (a while ago), and I think you did a great job with it. Fugues are always challenging but ultimately very rewarding. Very clean performance.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor
(See my earlier post on Chopin nocturnes).
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light
Very enjoyable, thank you.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo)
I always enjoy your submissions (guilty pleasure for a classical music nerd), and this one is no exception.
Great recital, thanks, everybody!
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale
I'm new to this composer but love this style of music -- thanks for the intro! Your performance is definitely on another level, and sounds very professional indeed! I enjoyed it very much, bravo.
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral
Lovely piano and I love the feelings you evoke and create with this interesting piece of music! Congrats!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim"
Very interesting piece with lots of variety! Your piano sounds amazing with crystalline tones but it seems like you have blown past the distortion levels. Captivating performance and incredible skills!
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)
Love your interpretation of this one, very entertaining performance -- great take!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1
YT: Truly majestic, well done! đ
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza'
More than a bit envious of your skills! Polyrhythm is something that's well beyond me. Nice job bringing out the different voices simultaneously!
Thanks for listening to my piece and I appreciate the feedback!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
You win the award for best title for an original piece! Very entertaining improv, and congrats on developing and achieving such wonderful and rewarding skills! This must be like a gift that keeps on giving.
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major
YT: Very entertaining... your fingers are so nimble. Ending was perfectly executed.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road
YT: Well done with the cameras and miking... all very well concealed. As entertaining as always, bravo! đ
V 937)
33. ShiroKuro - September Song
I wouldnât be able to tell it was challenging for you, really well played! The piece is beautiful and evocative.
Thank you! esp. for the part in bold, that's very encouraging to me!!!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
You win the award for best title for an original piece! Very entertaining improv, and congrats on developing and achieving such wonderful and rewarding skills! This must be like a gift that keeps on giving.
Thanks for listening. I wish I had begun working more on free improvisation when much younger but, like most conventionally trained players, I did not regard it as a serious art form in itself but at best as an adjunct to composition. It was only after hearing Jarrett's solo concerts that I realised its true potential. The recent availability of high quality, relatively cheap recording devices helped of course.
Dumka1 -I love playing and hearing overplayed pieces
yes you did play it faster than most, but the memorizing of the piece is impressive-I used to play a lot as a child as well, and I can no longer memorize anything as easily as I did as a kid
Thanks. I'm trying to record a little slower version now. As for memorization, yes, I used to just memorize pieces as a kid quite easily, but now it usually takes some effort (which I sometimes make, but not always :)). But with this Nocturne, it just memorized itself somehow, I didn't try to deliberately. That was a nice surprise, because I also thought I'd lost this childhood ability.
I hope to post the rest of my comments this weekend--almost done with listening.
Thatâs good to know it can still happen! Iâm thinking I may try to do the same with the Schubert Op 90 no 4 Impromptu. Thats a recycled one from childhood but would be good to exercise the memory a bit....Iâm a bit low on motivation at the moment as Iâm recovering from my newborn getting over a sleep regression and still waking up a bunch at night...but maybe for one of the recitals this year.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz
Nice melancholy piece. I really enjoyed your performance.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20
Nice playing. Your performance of Prelude 20 has great emotional resonance.
38. winterflower - Light through the Trees
Quite pretty!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3
Wait, it's already over? That was fun. Kabalevsky really is a treat to listen to.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1
Graceful and elegant. Well done!
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122)
Smooth and lovely piano sound. Keep up the good work!
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775)
Great job taking on and meeting this challenge. This Bach performance sounds good and suitably.... well , Bach-like!
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3
Great and polished performance, Sam! This is a perfect piece for tranquil afternoons.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile
Enjoyable and even-sounding performance. Thanks for submitting this wonderful piece.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango
I really enjoyed this tango, Zoe! Quite tantalizing indeed.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847
Fun performance! Your love for this Bach piece really shows.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor
I'm a sucker for great dynamics and you manage that very well. Thanks for sharing this work in progress.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light
A pretty little piece. Thanks for this soothing performance.
That's it folks! Thanks again to everyone who commented on or listened to my submission. Let's have fun again in the next recital!
Thank you very much RuthCM, Calavera, and dumka1 for your comments on my piece. I keep practicing it as I would like to play it a bit faster and play a bit more with the voices.
Regarding the recitals, I consider them an amazing opportunity to share with others and appreciate every single comment I receive. I do not know many people who play piano in my daily life, so being able to share my progress here and seeing how everyone is following his own path is an amazing opportunity and is also very inspiring.
I also think that listening the performances and commenting on them is a very good learning exercise, even if one has not ever played the piece. Some of those pieces I have listened to several times before so I might comment based on that, or sometimes I pick up on stuff that I also sometimes do or not do on my own pieces and which might be constructive for the performer. Even just a comment on how a video was set up or on the quality of a recording is very useful.
I thank again everyone who makes this possible and look forward to future recitals
Thank so much to those who listened to my recording and provided me with feedback. It means a lot and I appreciate all of your valuable comments. Some of my comments below. Such an amazing group of pianists. Thank you all!
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1 (great dynamics. Very beautifully played. And thanks for adding such a lovely image to the video, making it very enjoyable!)
05. Peyton - Melody (so beautiful. You're such a talented composer! Hope your right hand feels better!)
06. Ganddalf - Nocturno (thank you for the background on this composer. very interesting and beautifully played!)
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2 (very beautifully played. I haven't heard this piece before. Also thank you for your tips regarding recording!)
09. peterws - Jesu joy (very nice and enjoyable!)
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" (very beautifully played. And thank you for introducing me to this great composer. I really appreciate the very informative background that you provided)
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 (I really enjoyed listening to your performance. I don't think the tempo is too fast either.)
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" (such a lovely, calming piece. I also love the sound of your piano.)
33. ShiroKuro - September Song (how beautiful and tranquil. I really loved it!)
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 (coincidentally I've also been practicing Prelude 7 however I can't play it as nicely as you do (still struggling with jumping to the right notes). Thank you for playing both pieces so beautifully.)
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 (how fun and adorable, loved it!)
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) (nice progress. It sounded great!)
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) (great job, I enjoyed watching your video! And thanks for your insights regarding how to record properly. I appreciate it.)
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 (love your dynamics, very effective! Thanks for showing the sheet music with your notes. Your posture at the piano looks great.)
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile (one of my favorite pieces. You played it so beautifully. I can understand why you get those goosebumps!)
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango (such an interesting and energetic tango piece, thank you for playing!)
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light (It sounded really nice, great job!)
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) (interesting piece. I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you!)
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5
YT: Impressive performance and impressive grand piano. Love how you bring out the bass line... That's quite an original lighting effect as well, not sure if you have LED socks or what! đ˛ Well done!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance
YT: Fantastic, indeed, it does sound very much like an Egyptian Ballet Dance! đ
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1
YT: Very entertaining piece and well done. Love how you brought out the colorful tonal palette of your piano!
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12
Very nice and with only one year of experience! You painted a lovely picture with music. Impressive!
25. Snejana - August Sun
I love the flowing feel you created with this piece. It does have the effect of transporting one to a different time and place. Well done!
26. JB_PW (Jen) - Gedenkblatt, Op 138 No 7
Well played, and well-executed ending! I wonder if a mic stand and/or directional mic setting on the Zoom would help eliminate some of the noise of the recording?
I also chanced upon one of your previous performances and was introduced to the wonderful preludes by Catherine Rollin. Thanks for the intro to this lovely music via your evocative performance!
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2
Very ambitious indeed, thanks for sharing! You seem to have the hardest parts down and indeed have very nimble fingers. Awesome skills!
Thank you for listening to my piece!
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans"
Extremely majestic, perfect beginning to the piece. Expertly executed and very enjoyable listen. Bravo!
Thanks for the encouragement!
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39
It does indeed sound like a peaceful dream. Thanks for sharing your interpretation of the piece, both halves were great!
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades Mysterieuses
Very nice and very mysterious music! Well done!
I also have to say, I'm surprised by how many people constantly post their works here and yet never offer any comments on other people's works (or just post people's comments on their own playing). .
I'stopped commenting because my comments are too direct for some. Also some people got annoyed by my 'incompatibility' with DPs. I tried some time to offer comments 'on requests' but that whole process triggered again more discussions. In all, I liked giving feedback but it was better for this place to refrain from it.
I also have to say, I'm surprised by how many people constantly post their works here and yet never offer any comments on other people's works (or just post people's comments on their own playing). .
I'stopped commenting because my comments are too direct for some. Also some people got annoyed by my 'incompatibility' with DPs. I tried some time to offer comments 'on requests' but that whole process triggered again more discussions. In all, I liked giving feedback but it was better for this place to refrain from it.
If you prefer to give comments , you should do so. Even though one may not appreciate the comment now they might find it helpful once more skilled. Besides...that is half of participating. - I keep them positive myself, or try to, due to a lack of evaluation skill but that could change , and if it does I'd still try to keep it on the "up" side anyway.
Also -no one is getting money to post on here -So, motivatio and being a little recognized in any way is important and complimentary.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937)YT: Very nice and congrats! đ
32. PikaPianist - Valse Lente YT: Lovely interpretation and very soothing feel... Nice!
33. ShiroKuro - September SongYT: Really love what you did with this! Certainly very lyrical and very catchy interpretation! Bravo! đ
Thank you for listening to my piece!
34. Peter Hontaru - TraumereiYT: Very expressive and nicely resonant piano. Well done!
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430 YT: Very lively and fun interpretation, well done!
36. barbaram - Evgeni's WaltzNever heard this piece before but loved it. You made it sound fantastic with the different contrasts and voices -- love the interplay between the bass and treble lines. Bravo!
Thanks for your kind comment on my piece!
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20Very nice! My first thought was that your piano *wasn't* tuned, but then I read your comment to the contrary. Regardless, I have a soft spot for detuned pianos and I loved your performance of the 20 as well as the deep emotions you bring alive with your magnificent piano.
Thanks also for the encouragement!
38. winterflower - Light through the TreesAmazing skills. You folks who are improvising are on another level. Congrats!
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3 (to do)
YT: Really fun and creative video, well done! This is my favorite performance video of the day.
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1Oh, I love it! Your performance almost compels one to dance along. Nice job bringing this to life!
I appreciate the additional comments on my piece...you are all very kind.
I wonder if a mic stand and/or directional mic setting on the Zoom would help eliminate some of the noise of the recording?
Not sure if this is what you are referring to, but there is some background noise because the furnace turned on just as I started recording. I was kicking myself for not turning it off before I started...but this ended up being the best take [out of many] and I had to just accept it and move on or I was going to go crazy trying to chase the "perfect take."
And some very late comments! Part 1 of 2 or 3...
01. Ido - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1Nice tempo & balance. I liked where you brought out the LH, and nice dynamics. Well done!
02. JJHLH - Prelude in B Major, Op. 2 No. 2Iâve not heard much Scriabin, but I thought this was a really nice choice and very well played.
03. Flygbladet - Fractured thoughts of what never was Lovely! Iâm always in awe of people who can compose or improvise. I really enjoyed this.
04. Cesare San Martino - Marklings - Courante from French Suite #3 in B Minor Welcome to the recitals! I liked your tempo choice. Nice job!
05. Peyton - MelodyThat was beautiful! I like the camera angle you chose too, with the reflection of your hands. Itâs almost mesmerizing to watch.
06. Ganddalf - NocturnoLovely piece, and the performance was superb. I enjoyed the Spanish flavor.
07. MarieJ - Gnossienne No.2Hypnotic and meditative indeed! I only have superficial knowledge of Satieâs works, but I have heard this one and I like it a lot...nice choice.
08. KevinM - Sonata in C Major, Second Movement K545Well done Kevin! That looked smooth and effortless. And âso many notesâ! Perhaps a reason I have not attempted any Mozart yet.
09. peterws - Jesu joy That sounded very rich and almost bell-like. Very enjoyable performance!
10. wouter79 - op.45 sailor's song (n.14) and sternness (n.12) Nice dynamic contrast. I enjoyed both pieces.
11. pianist685 (Constantin) - Ragtime Nightingale Bravo - that sounded like a workout! I know nothing about ragtime, but that was very entertaining.
12. Rich D. - The Sunken Cathedral I had not heard this piece before - very dramatic. Great job!
13. Tim Adrianson - Eight Variations on "Shalom Chaverim" Wow...very interesting piece, and expertly played.
14. Ruth CM - Of Foreign Lands and People (Kinderszenen Op.15 No.1)I will never tire of this piece. Really nicely done.
15. navindra (Navindra Umanee) - Gymnopedie No. 1 Solid performance and good production quality; nice sound too!
16. PianogrlNW (Ellen) - Nocturne Op 62 No 1 Wow, I canât imagine trying to get a clean recording of such a long piece. Really well done - to my ears, a lovely and confident performance.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 Hard to assess the nuances of your playing due to the recording quality (is it possible to hook up your Casio to record to a computer?) but what I will say is that to play this after just a year's experience is very impressive.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 Love this piece. Yes you played it quite fast and very steady - almost like a waltz - but with clarity. In particular I thought the ornaments were performed very well.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" Superb recording quality, at least through my speakers. Not familiar with this piece but performed with some nice dynamics and expression.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song The main refrain on this piece is slightly reminiscent of 'Fantasy' by Earth, Wind & Fire. I like how you bring out the melody line over the 'filler' notes and the transition of the those filler notes between left and right hand is seamless.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's Waltz Nicely played, with a good tempo. I'm impressed at how smooth the accompaniment is given the large stretches required in the left hand.
37. Rachtoven Chopin Preludes 7 and 20 - Good solid performance of both these preludes. Was expecting the No 20 to be quieter at the end - you certainly boomed down that final chord - but that's just my personal preference really. Haven't heard these for a while and I enjoyed listening to them again. Great recording quality too.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) Your passion for the piano is clear to see. I think being able to perform this from memory after 8 months is really something. From what I can tell your technique looks good as well. Looking forward to see your progress over the coming months and years.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3 I enjoyed this and think you conveyed the mood you were after nicely. Good dynamics and balance between the hands. Great idea to have the sheet music on screen particularly as I'm not familiar with the piece. Thank you so much for arranging this rectial.
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile Great job bringing out the melody in the right hand - not easy given it's playing other notes at the same time. Your rendition is very steady and I thought it could do with a bit more tenderness overall but this is very good. Curious positioning from the piano though, you appear to sit quite far back.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor I admire anyone who tackles this piece. As you say it does require a bit of work in places (the section with octaves and also the doppio movimento agitato) but the opening in particular is very strong and you capture the emotion and power of this piece very well.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light Nice piece, elegantly played.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) First of all, you get such a great sound from your P-125 and Garritan CFX, I have the same setup but really struggle with it (might send you a pm if that's ok). I'm a fan of music from video game soundtracks and do think they are often underrated. And the way you perform them is top-notch.
33. ShiroKuro - September Song The main refrain on this piece is slightly reminiscent of 'Fantasy' by Earth, Wind & Fire. I like how you bring out the melody line over the 'filler' notes and the transition of the those filler notes between left and right hand is seamless.
OMG you have no idea how happy it makes me to read this and know that I'm not the only one!!
I always thought it reminded me of an EW&F song, and I even thought about emailing or messaging the composer to ask him if that was intentional! Maybe I will now!
Also, thank you for those very kind comments! This piece was so challenging for me, so it's really motivating to know that some of what I was after comes through!
33. ShiroKuro - September Song The main refrain on this piece is slightly reminiscent of 'Fantasy' by Earth, Wind & Fire. I like how you bring out the melody line over the 'filler' notes and the transition of the those filler notes between left and right hand is seamless.
OMG you have no idea how happy it makes me to read this and know that I'm not the only one!!
I always thought it reminded me of an EW&F song, and I even thought about emailing or messaging the composer to ask him if that was intentional! Maybe I will now!
Also, thank you for those very kind comments! This piece was so challenging for me, so it's really motivating to know that some of what I was after comes through!
When I watched your video I thought 'Isn't that EW&F'? I'm not that familiar with their songs so at first I searched for EW&F 'September' which is a completely different song. If you do decide to message him and receive an response, please do share in the Alexis Ffrench thread!
I also have to say, I'm surprised by how many people constantly post their works here and yet never offer any comments on other people's works (or just post people's comments on their own playing). .
I'stopped commenting because my comments are too direct for some. Also some people got annoyed by my 'incompatibility' with DPs. I tried some time to offer comments 'on requests' but that whole process triggered again more discussions. In all, I liked giving feedback but it was better for this place to refrain from it.
If you prefer to give comments , you should do so. Even though one may not appreciate the comment now they might find it helpful once more skilled. Besides...that is half of participating. - I keep them positive myself, or try to, due to a lack of evaluation skill but that could change , and if it does I'd still try to keep it on the "up" side anyway.
Also -no one is getting money to post on here -So, motivatio and being a little recognized in any way is important and complimentary.
Of course I CAN post. And yes some people appreciated them. But I would also get again into these discussions and that changed the atmosphere. So better not.
Hi,
I think the ABF Recital series is great, and I hope to join the next recital. It's a chance for me to get feedback and improve motivation to practice.
I'm wondering, since the ABF Recital is also used to get technical feedback, is the music score posted anywhere? I'd like to follow the score while listening to the pieces because I'm unfamiliar with many (ok, more like almost all).
Hi,
I think the ABF Recital series is great, and I hope to join the next recital. It's a chance for me to get feedback and improve motivation to practice.
I'm wondering, since the ABF Recital is also used to get technical feedback, is the music score posted anywhere? I'd like to follow the score while listening to the pieces because I'm unfamiliar with many (ok, more like almost all).
No to the scores - probably copyright issues. Almost all the classical scores can be found at imslp.org in some edition. I usually make a video with the score.
Welcome to the recitals! We'll look for you in the next one.
Sam
No to the scores - probably copyright issues. Almost all the classical scores can be found at imslp.org in some edition. I usually make a video with the score.
Welcome to the recitals! We'll look for you in the next one.
Sam
Hi Sam,
Yes, I think I remember seeing your video where you have the score on the top-left-hand side of the video. I'm wondering, what software you used? Is it something like taking a picture of the score and putting it as an overlay in the video or is it something more automated?
Also, thanks for sharing imslp.org; it is very good to know. It won't replace buying music to play, but it definitely serves the purpose of looking at the music while listening.
Thanks!
No to the scores - probably copyright issues. Almost all the classical scores can be found at imslp.org in some edition. I usually make a video with the score.
Welcome to the recitals! We'll look for you in the next one.
Sam
Hi Sam,
Yes, I think I remember seeing your video where you have the score on the top-left-hand side of the video. I'm wondering, what software you used? Is it something like taking a picture of the score and putting it as an overlay in the video or is it something more automated?
Also, thanks for sharing imslp.org; it is very good to know. It won't replace buying music to play, but it definitely serves the purpose of looking at the music while listening.
Thanks!
Any video editing software that can do "picture-in-picture" or whatever they call it will work. I use videoleap on an ipad. The easiest way to get the video of the score is to do a screen recording as I play, but that can get tedious if I have to do multiple takes to get an acceptable recording. Another way is to record the performance, then do a screen recording of the score with page turns while listening to the playback. Then combine them in software. You can also use screen captures as pictures and add those as if you were doing a slide show.
Sam
No there is no scores posted here. You may want to look on imslp.org
But even if scores are not posted, it is pretty much a given that Chopin and Bach will be among the front runners.
...and part 2!
17. psyche23 (Edwin) - Forgotten Melodies 1, Op. 38 No. 8 'Alla Reminiscenza' Very interesting piece and rhythmic challenge! Lovely trills.
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion) I donât feel like I have a creative bone in my body, so this is way out of my league. All I can say is that I enjoyed it!
19. selfishplayer - Nocturne Op. 32 No. 2 in A-flat Major I thought you did a good job of bringing the melody out.
20. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road Very nice! Enjoyed the production as well...I like seeing the front cover off.
21. JustinDAggie - Song Without Words, "Passion" (Agitato) Op. 38 No. 5 Enjoyed your performance, and that looks like a cozy room. I always have to look up the spelling of Mendelssohn too!
22. Maira713 - Egyptian Ballet Dance Welcome to the recitals, and nice job! Iâve always liked that melody.
23. sma55 (Shepherd Abrams) - Summer Evening Waltz Op. 1 Hah - amusement park funhouse for sure! Also gave me images of a circus in a black and white movie. Great piece, and I thought you performed it very well.
24. vte - Character piece Op 46 No 12 I love this piece - great job! The recording method makes your piano sound like a harp. Kind of cool.
25. Snejana - August Sun I really like several of the composers featured at Piano Pronto, but I havenât played any of this guyâs work yet. I really enjoyed this piece and I thought you played it well.
27. dumka1 - Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2 Very nice performance! Didnât sound too fast to me. Nice trills and runs.
28. QuasiUnaFantasia - Five piano pieces op. 3,5: "Alfedans" What a charming and moody piece - I really enjoyed it.
29. jamiecw - Douce Reverie: No.21 from Album pour infants Op.39 Loved it! Great balance; the melody was always clear.
30. rwsavory - Les Barricades MysterieusesYouâve got a great start on this.
31. Purrblast - Little Prelude in E Major (BWV 937)That was great! I am also working through the little preludes - I am very familiar with them taking âway too long.â
32. PikaPianist - Valse LenteAs always, an excellent performance and video. I thought the tempo was great.
33. ShiroKuro - September SongVery pretty! A strong performance.
34. Peter Hontaru - TraumereiVery nice choice. Rhythmic oddities have already been mentioned; other than that I thought it was great.
35. Jason Lenthe - Sonata in D Major K 430That was great â you make it look so easy.
36. barbaram - Evgeni's WaltzI really liked that - solid performance.
37. Rachtoven - Chopin Preludes 7 and 20Nice work! I preferred the second one. Nice dynamic contrast.
38. winterflower - Light through the TreesThat was pretty - the title really fits the mood.
39. Mosotti - Etude in A minor, Op. 27 No. 3I enjoy Kabalevsky, great choice. And the video was perfect of course!
40. Greta99 - Gai Printemps, Impromptu, Op. 11 no. 1So delicately played... I loved it!
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) Really nice work...I didnât even catch the 2 spots where you noticed tempo issues.
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) Wow...your progress continues to amaze. That was really good!
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3I definitely felt the tranquil mood. Lovely dynamic changes. I really enjoyed it!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabile Great choice...and the melody stood out nicely.
45. Zoe - Tantalizing Tango Loved the character of the piece and I thought you did a great job.
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847 Wow, that was awesome. I hope to be able to play that piece one day.
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minor Great work so far on a very challenging piece.
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light I have not listened to your previous submission, but I thought you did a great job here. Beautiful piece.
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo) Quite a bit briefer than your typical selections, but I enjoyed your performance as always!
18. Ted Jones - Temporal Lobe Vortex (conclusion)
I donât feel like I have a creative bone in my body, so this is way out of my league. All I can say is that I enjoyed it!
Pleased you liked it, thanks for listening. I cannot seem to do much else except spontaneous creation lately so six of one, half a dozen of the other. Each to his own.
Unlike so many others, I haven't yet expressed my thanks for the comments received, but I am very grateful for each comment; they give a very welcome boost to motivation, as well as to well-being overall.
I'd also like to thank those who have commented since my last "thank you" post. It's always very encouraging to receive positive comments (even though I'm still not 100% happy with that recording :)).
I know this is way late, but I'd like to thank everyone for participating in this recital. As I mentioned in some of my comments on your pieces, there were a few I'd never heard before. For me, that's always a good thing, helping me to expand my musical horizons a bit. And thanks to [b[Sam S[/b] for his selfless work in making this recital happen. Finally thanks to all the listeners out there who make this recital the experience it is, with a special thanks to those listeners who took the time out to comment on my own performance--namely PianogrlNW, QuasiUnaFantasia, peterws, AndresVel, Sam S, barbaram, Peyton, MarieJ, ShiroKuro, Rachtoven, Ido, piano_primo, ZoeCalgary, dumka1, Calavera, bSharp(C)yclist, Ruth CM, psyche23, navindra, and JB_PW.
Until the next recital...
41. Talao - March in D Major (BWV Anh. 122) YT: Great piece and very nice sounding piano. Well done!
42. AndresVel - Two-Part Inventions, No. 4 in D minor (BWV 775) YT: Nice. Love the bass line!
Thank you for your kind comments on my piece.
43. Sam S - Song Without Words op 67-3YT: Awesome Sam, love how the dynamics swell up so masterfully. Also, great sounding piano! I came here half expecting to see a harpsichord.
Thank you Sam for all the support you provide!
44. bSharp(C)yclist (Dan) - Piano Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), II. Adagio cantabileOne of my favorite pieces and you helped me remember why. Wonderfully evocative interpretation, beautifully sounding piano, masterful use of dynamics. I'll be coming back to listen to this, it's just that good. Bravo and congrats!
Thanks for listening to my piece!
45. Zoe - Tantalizing TangoGreat energy and you definitely captured that tango feel! đ
Thanks for your kind comments!
46. facdo - Fugue No.2 in C Minor, BWV 847YT: Enjoyed it, well done!
47. AssociateX (Liz) - Nocturne Op. 48 # 1 in C minorYT: Majestic. Nice use of rubato. Well done!
48. Piano_Primo - Winter Light YT: Love the feeling and resonance of that deep bass. You brought it alive. Well done!
Thank you for your comments... yes, it is indeed strangely incongruent! Erik Satie was a strange fellow. đ
49. Calavera - Title Back (Bland Logo)Sounds fantastic! Love those crisp highs. Ending feels a bit sudden, goes from high energy to sudden drop out... interesting composition. Very entertaining!
I appreciate your comments, thank you!
Thanks to all for your entertaining and inspiring performances, for listening, and for sharing your feedback! đ