Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Recital #23 -- General Discussion Room

I wish... but, hardly.

... of course, I am referring to Chopin.

07. wouter79 - Maple Leaf Rag

Isn't "The Trio" hard, bro? This is a very fine job considering your level of experience. Like myself, you should really keep this piece in your rep. This piece made me depressed, and I worked on it on and off for many months, this, despite my experience and obsession with Joplin. This took me longer than all the others to learn. You, however, now have it under your fingers. IMO, this is a piece that takes years to refine, and most pianists agree it's a tough, tough piece. Keep it up, Wouter! Hope you consider Joplin more in the future. He's got lots of hidden gems.

08. Mr Super Hunky - Dream With Me (to do)

Very nice, Mr. Super S-H. I think you are the visionary and artist of the ABF - a free spirit who'd rather not constrain himself to "just learning pieces." Again, playing by ear and composition are God-given talents, and I'm glad to see a guy who challenges the status quoe. This piece was a very mellow, enjoyable one and sounded quite challenging. I'd never dream of composing this! Your grand piano has quite the thunderous sound to it.

09. Laura Joffe aka Ten left Thumbs - Two-part Invention no 4 in D min (to do)

I have a new-found "fondness" of all the Bach Inventions. I love how they sound on the Harpsichord and I actually plan to cheat and play an Invention on my digital in Harpsichord mode onfe of these days...lol. For you to play this at such a steady tempo on a relatively foreign instrument was an amazing feat! I thoroughly enjoyed this recording! PS-i didn't catch any of the missing notes because I'm still very new to Bach.

06 Ken - Blue Monk, Thelonious Monk
Nice job, Ken. Blues is something that needs real feeling and you certainly feel this.

07 wouter79 - Maple Leaf Rag, Scott Joplin
Impressive! You play at a nice steady tempos throughout, a necessity for ragtime, and what a lovely tone your piano has. Fabulous.

08 Mr Super Hunky - Dream With Me, M. S. Hunky
That is a nice dreamy piece. I always find pieces with lots of left hand arpeggios difficult, so this would be quite challenging for me. Sounds like it was easy for you, though. Great job, B.

09 Laura Joffe aka Ten left Thumbs = Two-part Invention no 4 in D min, Bach
Impressive job, Laura. I really enjoy the sound of a harpsichord, but I've never had the opportunity to play one. Bach is quite a challenge, whatever the instrument.

10 timmyab - Prelude & Fugue in f minor bwv 881, Bach
Anything by Bach is challenging. You're too hard on yourself. This sounds quite lovely with avery even tempo and great timing.

11 Monica K. - Le Matin, Yann Tiersen
It does look deceptively simple, but there are some really tricky rhythms involved in this one, and, as you said arpeggios are evil. Your performance is lovely and beautiful. Nice dynamics and you really bring out the melody over the bass notes.

12 Cohenfan - Traumerei, Schumann
Yes, this piece is much harder than the sheet music would have you believe, but you're too hard on yourself. You performed it tremendously well.

13 Peyton - Message From Space, Peyton H.
Beautiful and impossibly difficult sounding.

10. timmyab - Prelude & Fugue in f minor bwv 881

This is truly "vintage Bach" and being a fugue, I don't think it should be too fast anyway. You maintained a nice rhythm throughout and I liked your dynamics a lot! Very good job, Timmy.

11. Monica K. - Le Matin

*comment on YouTube*

12. Cohenfan - Traumerei (to do)

Though a simple little piece, your recording sounded like that of a veteran! You are doing great considering your level of experience. I liked this mellow little piece, and yet again, from a composer with which I'm no familiar. Keep up your steady progress!

42. Lain - Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake
1. I adore autumn moons... so brilliant.
2. Calm lakes to reflect my thoughts.
3. And your playing to put it all in perspective.

43. Alpha Terminus (Jim Henderson) - Rondo Alla Turca

I have somewhat followed your journey with this piece and I champion your efforts with this performance!

44. Yamaha G-3 & P-80 - Por El Sur
Nice melody, although I am not familiar with this one, presented well.

45. MaryBee - Clair de Lune, from Suite Bergamasque
I don't know if I will ever be able to tame this one. I start with a teacher in September, so who knows... maybe so.
Marybee, you are well into this one. And, the part that side tracked me- you have well under hand. It is a beautiful piece. Stay with it.

46. Starr Keys - The Last Time I Saw Paris

Recording was distorted and did not project your true potential. I know there is a swan there somewhere.

I’m really enjoying listening intermittently and, in some cases, repeatedly to everyone’s submissions. I am disqualifying myself from commenting on people’s classical performances since I have little aptitude for this type of playing and don’t feel qualified to comment on it except when the progress and accomplishment is so stark and in your face since the last recital that even I get it--which just from my initial impressions seems to be the case with Wouter79 and Inlanding this time around, by the way.

I’ll weigh in later on some of the more contemporary and improvisational pieces. But right now, I just want to thank everyone who commented on it for your kind remarks about my piece. Peyton, as perhaps the greatest improvisatory composer (not to mention one of the best players) at Piano World, you particularly made my day with your comments about my improvs. Alpha Terminus and Jazzwee, I’m sorry about the confusion with the youtube video link. I was rushing because I missed the deadline last time and I guess I thought I was being asked to give the link to my Youtube videos so that people could check out other pieces if they liked the submission download, not a link for the video version of the submission itself. Sorry about that:)

The next 10 from me (last for tonight):

31. GracieCat - Wonderland It sounds very smooth to my ears and I don't know the piece well enough to detect much in the way of "random" errors but I know what you mean!! I thought you did a great job keeping a nice pace, giving great dynamic thrust when needed. Good job. P.S. Does this piece remind anyone else of the classic "Stand By Me?".

32. Augustina - Song from a Secret Garden This is a very beautiful piece - you do a wonderful job of having the melody balanced just right with the accompaniment. Actually, I kept returning to the accompaniment as I was listening - it had some slightly "different" parts and I enjoyed how you brought it out.

33. BillM (formerly b528nf7) - When I'm Sixty-four One of my favorite McCartney tunes - and luckily for me, sixty four is a little ways off. You really brought out a melancholic feel to this piece (which is, obviously perfect for it). And you created a truly imaginative arrangement - fantastic job. "Oooh!" too!

34. Strings & Wood - Op. 28 No. 20 Not a hint of Barry Manilow I love this prelude and you did a great job with it. There is a wonderful progression through the piece that prevents it becoming static. And it sounded pretty fortissimo at the beginning to me. Wonderful!

35. Griffin2417 (Griffin) - Prelude in G minor (BWV 558 ) This is great Bach playing - very nice and clear, great direction and good balance. I'm particularly impressed if this is your own transposition!

36. Teodor - Madder Sky (Code Geass) It sounds like this is a wonderful piece to play - lots of tremelos and great chords. Very nice playing - and wonderful picking it up without sheet music too.

37. Copper - Moon River The synth strings came as a nice surprise part way through! You brought a lot of pathos into your interpretation of this. I could feel the river drifting down - extremely romantic. Nice job!

38. Bluekeys - Waltz in A Minor No Chopin is easy. I assumed I would be able to knock this one out without too much problem but boy was I wrong so it's gone onto my study seriously one day. You did a fantastic job with keeping a nice rhythm but allowing the right hand melody to breath and flow.

39. jotur/Cathy Turner - When My Sugar Walks Down the Street You'll have them dancing at the festival with this - my foot was tapping all the way through. Very nicely played and you have a strong left hand going without overwhelming the melody. Great!

40. anthonyb - I Giorni Hmm, this seems strangely familiar ... I wonder where from?! This was so smoothly done, great flowing melody and a wonderful sense of balance to it.

30. BenPiano - I Giorni Just fabulous, Ben! You obviously are connected to the music - no mistakes detected here. A wonderful piece to keep in your repertoire.

31. GracieCat - Wonderland Pretty smooth playing to my ears! I think it's an admirable performance. I don't know if it's just the recording, but maybe just lighten up the left hand a tad and it will be perfection. It flowed and it sang!

32. Augustina - Song from a Secret Garden Oh, so dreamy! Really nice playing on this one, Augustina! A beautiful song.

33. BillM (formerly b528nf7) - When I'm Sixty-four Loved it! You've put your stamp on yet another classic. Just a great performance! Loved your "whoo", too!

34. Strings & Wood - Op. 28 No. 20 Man, I love the bass on your piano! I can't think how this could be done any better. Pretty enthralling for 1:47!

Wouter79 : I am very impressed by your performance. Great playing, you really had a great feel for this piece. Congratulations.

Mr.Super Hunky : Beautifully played, great stuff. You are very talented.

Laura Joffe aka ten left thumbs : I did not expect the harpischord, but that was truly good.Loved it.

Timmyab : Bach can be very challenging but you really nailed this one. Great performance all over. Bravo

Monica.K : Wonderful. I loved the way you played this. Tiersen wrote so many great pieces, thank you.

01. Andy Platt - Chopin Waltz in B Minor, Opus 69 No 2 This is a very impressive live performance, excellent job! What nerves? I love your natural rubatos and confident tempo throughout this delightful waltz.

02. Jazzwee - Naima Wow, another one-shot recording. Your improvisational skills are phenomenal, thanks for sharing.

03. Mohan Karthik - Quest for Greatness Mohan, this could be used for a movie! The arppegios do convey a sense of questing and journeying. The gradual buildup and layering leading to the abrupt ending, however, leaves me wondering if greatness has been obtained.

04. dannylux / Mel - Etude in D flat Op.15 No.8 *jawdrop* Mel, this is definitely one of my favorite pieces in this recital. First, I learned about a new composer, thanks. I've been missing out. Second, you bring out the "sensuous, luscious" qualities of this piece so well, it seems as if you are dancing with Venus herself and plucking stars out of the sky to entice her. I can definitely hear the Chopin and Scriabin influences in this piece. Finally, I can't really hear how difficult this etude is, unless I'm looking at the score, meaning that your technical execution is close to perfect. Can't wait to hear your unsung heroes submissions.

05. Alleykatt - Cathy - Dietro l'incanto Cathy, the C B A B C B/A mini-resolutions are so beautiful. Your phrasing cannot be improved, and it does sound like you are truly enjoying playing the music. Great video, too! I've subscribed!

06. Ken. - Blue Monk Ken, you sound like a mini jazz ensemble! Go woo the masses now!

07. wouter79 - Maple Leaf Rag Classic.

08. Mr Super Hunky - Dream With Me Mr. Super Hunky, you've led me into a state of reverie...and now I must force myself back to reality to praise the magical effect your work has brought upon me. Thank you.

09. Laura Joffe aka Ten left Thumbs - Two-part Invention no 4 in D min Laura, every now and then I'll play this piece, which I've memorized as a child. It brings back such fond memories. Thank you for going the extra miles to bring us a period rendition.

10. timmyab - Prelude & Fugue in f minor bwv 881 Wonderful, two sensitive playings of Bach in a row! Now, where are my Bach scores!

01. Andy Platt - Chopin Waltz in B Minor, Opus 69 No 2 Very well played. Nice and fluid. I don't listen to much classical but this was very enjoyable.


02. Jazzwee - Naima Very smooth and slinky. I liked it. I could listen to that all night long.


03. Mohan Karthik - Quest for Greatness This is such a delicate piece that you performed so nicely. Well done.


04. dannylux / Mel - Etude in D flat Op.15 No.8 Very nicely played Mel. You have such nice control in the way you play the keys. Top notch stuff here.


05. Alleykatt - Cathy - Dietro l'incanto I loved the powerful intro transitioning into the softer body. Very nicely done.


06. Ken. - Blue Monk (Phunky monk at that!. Nicely played. Exellent timing too.


07. wouter79 - Maple Leaf Rag Exellent job with this piece Wouter. Exellent recording as well. One of the best-cleanest recordings I've heard actually. Not much too improve at your level.


08. Mr Super Hunky - Dream With Me I liked it but I'm a little biased.

09. Laura Joffe aka Ten left Thumbs - Two-part Invention no 4 in D min Okay that was super cool. I loved it. Harpsichords rule!


10. timmyab - Prelude & Fugue in f minor bwv 881 I love this piece and your playing of it was so enjoyable to listen to. One of my favorites so far.

Aww crap . . . I had replies all typed out through BillM's piece. Then I did something flakey while typing and they all vanished. Now I've got to start all over.

And just how close to 64 are you?



Cathy

I feel for you man. Done that a few times myself - now I limit my replies to about 10 submissions to minimize disaster when it strikes.

01. Andy Platt - Chopin Waltz in B Minor, Opus 69 No 2 - Bravo! Way to open the recital with a *real* recital performance. Hats off to you for braving the ultimate red dot! And I liked the way you played this. That's the difference between having a teacher and me warping a piece so much over 1.5 into something that no longer sounds like a waltz!

02. Jazzwee - Naima - Impressive jazz!

03. Mohan Karthik - Quest for Greatness Nice - I like the way it built up throughout.

04. dannylux / Mel - Etude in D flat Op.15 No.8 - Wow, now that's some serious piano! Just awesome - picking my jaw up off the floor right now.

05. Alleykatt - Cathy - Dietro l'incanto - This is the first time I've heard this. I have the songbook, but shame on me. Wonderfully played - I absolutely loved it!

06. Ken. - Blue Monk - A classic - well played!

07. wouter79 - Maple Leaf Rag - Well played - great dynamics.

08. Mr Super Hunky - Dream With Me - Nice, SH - the title was very appropriate and I like the shifts in key you took this too. Glad to hear you're to the point where you would rather discover melodies - but on a side note, I hope next recital you're to the point where you set aside the two minutes it takes to trim the front and back of your audio to delete your zoom juggling performance.

09. Laura Joffe aka Ten left Thumbs - Two-part Invention no 4 in D min - wow and cool, a real harpsichord! Very authentic sounding, and of course, well played - the real deal!

10. timmyab - Prelude & Fugue in f minor bwv 881 - Love to hear Bach in these recitals. It sounds terribly difficult, but you played it well and I loved it!

This is my first recital and I can say one thing for everybody, all the members did a great job, I would like give a comment for each one, but I don't have enough knowledge about music theory and I can't give a good feedback

However I want you know... I listened all the pieces one by one and really any piece sounds like a beginner pianist all of you are very talented

I don't know much about classic music, but really sounds so good and make me feel really quiet, maybe someday I'll try to play that kind of music

Congratulations for them who share with us their own compositions, they have a really good sound Monica you did a nice job with Le Matin really I envy your piano and your songbook

Alpha Terminus, Clemente, Andy Platt, jazzwee, CMhor, thanks for comment my performance I really appreciate it you did a great job with your pieces too, I can see I have so much to learn

I have a conclusion after this recital... I'm taking some interest in Ludovico Einaudi and the funniest moment was when I listened "Rondo Alla Turca" performed by Alpha Terminus, this song brings to me very very nice memories of my childhood although I have 23 years old I like so much the toons and enjoy watch it together my little sister (she is 11 years old)...!!!

Well... thanks everyone for read my comment and if you want to talk with me is easier for me talk through a PM because I can check the new messages directly in my e-mail and I can response quickly

Happy recital #23 it was big success...!!!

Unfortunately I had no chance to participate in this recital, but I just hear all your beautiful interpretations. Congratulations to all, you were all great!!

42. Lain, what a great way for me to start my morning (and a very dreary, rainy morning here in Maine). It's a beautiful piece and you play it so professionally (seriously). And so well recorded. My favorite performance so far.

41. CMohr, such a delightful, moody piece. You have a great feel for it. I can definitly see it being a soundtrack for a movie.

40. AnthonyB, I know I sound like a broken record but.... wow, that is great playing! Excellent performance.

Peyton : Brillant. Creative. Professionnal. That is some serious talent. Bravo.

Riddler Ed : Cool piece, I really liked your rendition. Great job.

Inlanding : Excellent playing and I have to say that Sun Up is the one I prefer the most. Impressive considering it is your own composition. Congratulations

Cscl : Thank you for playing those lovely Schubert's waltz. It was very well played, liked it a lot.

ToddVance : I have tried to play this a few times but it is kind of over my head right now. You did a great job with it, it is such a lovely piece and so difficult to play it right. Excellent job.

WasTrueBeginner : Wonderful. I really enjoyed this lovely piece of music, great stuff.Thank you.

01. Andy Platt - Chopin Waltz in B Minor, Opus 69 No 2

Andy, you made an impressive live recording. Clearly it’s not the same making a home recording and a live recording. I wish do this some day. Your performance is really inspirational for me.

28. Wayne32yrs - Radiohead - Creep

Wayne, your performance develops firmly the song’s dynamic. You manage to express your feeling toward this music. Well done!

35. Griffin2417 (Griffin) - Prelude in G minor (BWV 558 )

Griffin, while I was listening to your performance, I forgot the piece is original for organ. Your playing is very convincing on this transcription.