🎵 Notes from January 13 2025 meetup

We had another enjoyable afternoon of music at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios with a mix of solo piano and ensembles — piano/violin, piano 4-hands, piano/voice! Mozart, Bach and Chopin were our most popular composers.

Here’s what was played:

• Martin: Sonata #12 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Christopher: Intermezzo Op. 117#1, by J. Brahms
• David R: Invention #14 in B flat major, by J. S. Bach
• David R: Prelude in B minor , by J. S. Bach (arr. A. Siloti)
• Françoise/Kevin (piano/violin): Bluebird, by Alexis Ffrench
• Françoise/Kevin (piano/violin): One More Day, by Rebecca Kaiserin
• Dennis: Opus 23, by D. O'Halloran
• Jocelyne: Moment Musicale Op. 94 D. 780 #6, by F. Schubert
• Dave A/Karin (4-hands): Nocturne #5, by John Fields
• Natalie: Sonata #14 K. 457 2nd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Mizuki: Sonata #3 K. 281, by W. A. Mozart
• Jenny: Prelude and Fugue in C major, by J. S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Etude Op. 10 #3 in E major, by F. Chopin
• Mizuki: Gymnopédie #1, by E. Satie
• Dennis: Song for Gavin, by L. Einaudi
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• Françoise (piano/voice): When You Taught Me How to Dance, by Katie Melua

🎵 Notes from January 5 2025 meetup

What better place to spend a cold sunny winter afternoon than playing the piano at Natalie's? Eight of us did, performing our usual mix from baroque to modern. Laurens van Rooyen was new for us; we have not yet heard many Dutch composers. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Paragon Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Reverie, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Kathy: Sonata K466, by Domenico Scarlatti
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 437 3rd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Hedda: Incognito, by Jason Sifford
• Jocelyne: Sonata in F minor WoO 47 #2, by L. Beethoven
• Paul: Mazurka Op. 17 #4, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Nostalgie, by Eric Satie
• Gregory: My Way, by  J. Revaux
• Paul: Mazurka in A minor Op. 7 #2, by F. Chopin
• Karin: Imaginary Landscapes, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Natalie: Cuba from Suite Espanola, by Isaac Albeniz
• Kathy: Prelude in E flat, Well Tempered Klavier book 2, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 437 2nd mov, by W. A. Mozart

🎵 Notes from December 8 2024 meetup

We had an excellent session at the home of Françoise.  Alberta Clipper tried to ruin the party but arrived and left too soon, leaving us with a sunny afternoon.  We had 24 individual pieces played, and some were quite short.  The challenging piece by Lorraine was only about a minute, but still twice the length than if it were played at the designated tempo!  There were quite a few classics, and some Christmas favourites all of which had really good arrangements.  Several new composers were added to our list, plus others that are performed quite infrequently. 

Here's what was played: 

• Gregory: Elite Synchopations, by Scott Joplin
• Gordon: Waltz Op. 124 #4, by R. Schumann
• Gordon: Waltz Op. 39 #8, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Gordon: Waltz Lente Op. 33, by Oskar Merikanto
• Andrew: Prelude and Fugue in D major, by J. S. Bach
• Jean-Claude: Silent Night in the style of Rachmaninoff, by Derry Bertenshaw
• Dennis: Ave Maria, by Sygvaldi Kaladòns
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Andantino, by Brian Crain
• Françoise: (piano and vocals) and Kevin (violin): Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen
• David R: English Suite #3 Gavotte and Musette, by J. S. Bach
• Randy: Contredance in B flat major B. 17, by F. Chopin
• Kevin (violin) and Randy (piano): Spiegel im Spiegel, by Arvo Pärt
• Jocelyne: Moment Musical Op. 94 #6 D780, by F. Schubert
• Dave A: International Christmas Carols medley
• Natalie: Cuba from Suite Espanol, by Albéniz
• Lorraine: Prelude in D major Op. 34 #5, by D. Shostakovitch
• Mizuki: Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas, by Hugh Martin
• Grace: Music from “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”, by Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Sachie: White Christmas, by Irving Berlin
• Sachie: Salut d’Amor, by Edward Elgar
• Dennis: Song of Gavin, by L. Einaudi
• Grace: Skating, by Vince Guaraldi
• Jean-Claude: Shephards at the Mange, by F. Liszt
• David R: Polovtsian Dance from Prince Igor, by Alexander Borodin (arr. Felix Blumenfeld), SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

🎵 Notes from November 10 2024 meetup

We had a good size group at 10,000 Hours with our usual interesting assortment of pieces played. Among others, we enjoyed hearing the composer Sammy Fain a first for our group, and some “icy” music from Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. 

Here’s what was played:

• Karin: Adagio, by J. S. Bach arr. Marcello
• Nick: Sonata #L7, by F. J. Haydn
• Dennis: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Solitary Hill, by Brian Crain
• David R: Recuerdos de la Alhambra, F. Tarrega arr. D. Center
• Natalie: Prelude and Fugue in D major BWV 874, by J. S. Bach
• Jocelyne: Sonata in F minor, by L. V. Beethoven
• Carolyn: Waltz in B minor Op. 69#2, by F. Chopin
• Paul: Mazurka in A minor Op. 7 #2, by F. Chopin
• Grace: Jazz Exercise #4, by Oscar Peterson
• Grace: Alice in Wonderland, by Sammy Fain
• Grace: Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen arr. by Shearing
• Mizuki: June Barcarolle, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10, Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Dennis: Saman, by Ólafur Arnalds
• David R: Hannah Grace Waltz/ Hope, by Maria Rose Rechner, SoundCloud recording of David playing these pieces is here and here
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Crimson Sky, by Brian Crain
• Natalie: Sonata K457 1st movement, by W. A. Mozart

🎵 Notes from November 3 2024 meetup

A small group at Anne-Marie's enjoyed performing on a 1950s Steinway that was once played by Victor Borge.  It was all serious for us, though, with a mix of classics, contemporary and “lounge music", some new to our group.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Gordon:  Etude #12 S136, by F. Liszt
• Gordon: Nocturne in B, by F. Liszt
• Nick: Sonata L6, by F. J. Haydn
• Andrew: Un lift pour Ville Émard, by André Gagnon
• Daniel: 1st 3 segments from “Pictures at an Exhibition”, by M. Moussorgsky
• Anne-Marie: Improvisation, by Gabriel Fauré
• Gregory: I’m in the Mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh
• Gregory: Fly Me to the Moon, by Bart Howard
• Nick:  Minuet in F major HWV S20, by G. F. Handel
• Gordon: Impromptu Passioné, by C. Czerny
• Daniel: Moon River, by Henry Mancini
• Daniel: Pennies from Heaven, by Arthur Johnston
• Andrew: Comme au Premier Jour, by André Gagnon

🎵 Notes from October 19 2024 meetup

On a pleasant sunny day we had a good turnout and played on Ottawa Pianos' magnificent Felix CFX concert grand.  We welcomed new member Daniel to the group. There was an interesting variety of works played, Baroque to Modern, and from relatively simple (but good) to more challenging (and also good).  

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Sérenade sur l’eau, by Jacques Ibert and Waltz in B minor, by Viktor Kossenko
• Jean-Claude: Notturno, by Ottorino Resphigi
• Tunde: Sonata in A minor 1st part, by W. A. Mozart
• Andrew: Humoreske part 1, by R. Schumann
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Andante Affetuoso, by Brian Crain
• David R: Minuets in G major and G minor, by C. Petzold (formerly attributed to J. S. Bach)
• Jocelyn: Sonata in F major, by L. V. Beethoven
• Stéphanie: Reflections, by Dennis Alexander
• Karin: Voiles, by C. Debussy
• Dennis: La fille aux cheveux de lin, by C. Debussy
• Jennifer: Prelude in D major Op. 28, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Daniel: Solace: A Mexican Serenade, by Scott Joplin
• Françoise and Dennis (vocal/piano duet): Le secret, by Gabriel Fauré
• Jean-Claude: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by J. S. Bach (arr. Myra Hess)
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Time Forgotten, by Brian Crain
• David R: Polovtsian Dance from Prince Igor, by Alexander Borodin (arr. Felix Blumenfeld)

🎵 Notes from October 6 2024 meetup

We had a beautiful fall afternoon playing at Natalie’s on her Boston baby grand piano.  There was a good assortment of pieces, including one by Kurt Weil, a composer rarely played in our group. The work by Fauré was apropos given that it is the 100th anniversary of his death.  Lorraine mentioned that her piece had an excerpt from the French national anthem, which was banned at that time and place.  This lead to an interesting discussion about the influence of music, given that throughout history specific pieces and composers have been banned, and sometimes music altogether. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: The Vagabond from Songs of Travel, by Ralph Vaughn Williams
• Jean-Claude: Barcarolle #1, by Gabriel Fauré
• Mary Lou:  Prelude from Three Piano Pieces, by Marjan Mozetich
• Martin: Piano Sonata #48 in C major, by F. J. Haydn
• Karin: Voiles (Prelude), by Claude Debussy
• Natalie: Sonata K457 in C minor 1st movement, by W. A. Mozart
• Paul and Emil (duet): Fantasie in F minor, by F. Schubert
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10, Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Lorraine: Viennese Carnival (part), by R. Schumann
• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina
• Jean-Claude: Speak Low, by Kurt Weil
• Karin: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Mary Lou: Nocturne in C# Minor Op. Posth, by F.  Chopin
• Natalie: Sonata K457 in C minor 2nd movement, by W. A. Mozart

🎵 Notes from September 14 2024 meetup

Even with the stellar September weather, there was a decent turnout at Steinway Gallery.  We had our last opportunity to perform on the splendid Hamburg Steinway concert grand piano that was formerly at the National Arts Centre.

Here’s what was played:

• Randy: Opus #17, by Dustin O’Halloran
• Françoise, Kevin (piano and violin duet): Rain, by Brian Crain
• Dennis: Album for the Young Op. 68 #30, by R. Schumann
• Jean-Claude: Ballet Music from Orfeo ed Euridice, by C. Gluck/W. Kempff arrangement
• David R: Mazurkas Op. 68 #2 in A minor and #3 in F major, by F. Chopin
• Mizuki: Nocturne #20 in C# minor, by F. Chopin
• Natalie: Nocturne in F Minor Op. 55 #1, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Rigaudon, by J.P. Rameau
• Stephanie: Progrès Op. 100 #6, by J.F Burgmüller
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10, Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Jean-Claude: Summer’s Eve Op. 71 #2, by E. Grieg
• Dennis: Prelude Op. 11 #15, by A. Scriabin
• Andrew: Sonata in C major K. 159, by Scarlatti
• David R: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach/ A. Siloti arrangement
• Natalie: Prelude in D Major BWV 874, by J.S. Bach
• Stephanie: Tarantella, by J.F Burgmüller

🎵 Notes from September 8 2024 meetup

The venue today was at Mitchell’s piano storage facility For the Love of Pianos (see paragraph below).  It was unusual but, as always, it is the music that matters.  We performed on a Yamaha baby grand that was about 30 years old and had apparently never been played before; we fixed that problem!  There was an eclectic mix of pieces, light on the classics, with a few new composers.  Mitchell performed one of his own compositions, and we encourage others to do this should the inspiration strike.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Old Adam, by William Bolcom
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): In a Monastery Garden, by Albert Ketelby
• Christopher: Reverie, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10, Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Jocelyn: Sonata in F minor Op.  47 #2, by L. V. Beethoven
• Grace: Thème du Garçon, by Saint-Preux
• Mitchell: Romaria, by Renato Texeira
• Gregory: Song Without Words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Grace: Experience, by Ludovico Einaudi
• Mitchell: Sunrise, own composition
• Christopher: Reverie in F Minor, by Dennis Alexander
• Dave A: German Dance #1, by L. V. Beethoven 

Mitchell has provided some information about his company:

“For The Love Of Pianos is a technician driven company serving piano owners, along with private market piano buyers and sellers, in the Greater Ottawa-Gatineau Metropolitan Area. We focus on providing excellent quality products and services that enhance the musical experience for owners of pianos, as well as supporting the promotion and growth of the acoustic piano in our local market.  Visit our website for more information, and to join our mailing list: https://loveofpianos.ca/”

🎵 Notes from August 17 2024 meetup

We had a good turnout at Ottawa Pianos, proving that music making need not stop in the summer. We welcomed new member Stéphanie.  Two duets were included in the lineup.  We so far have not heard a brass instrument in a duet, so check your contacts for someone!  Other pieces had our usual mix of contemporary to Baroque. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Dave/Karin (two piano duet): 6 Studies in Canon Form Op. 56 #2, by R. Schumann
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Andantino, by Brian Crain
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 11 #10, by A.  Scriabin
• David R: Hannah Grace Waltz, by Maria Rose Rechner
• Natalie: Prelude Op. 874, by J. S. Bach
• Jocelyne: Moment Musical Op. 95 (D780 #6), by F. Schubert
• Grace: Love Ballade, by Oscar Peterson
• Stéphanie: Innocence, by Friedrich Burgmüller
• Grace: Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen, arr. by George Shearing
• Natalie: Nocturne Op. 55 #1, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 16 #2, by A.  Scriabin
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• Dave A: Prelude in D flat Major, by Reinhold Gliere
• Karin: Romance, by Clara Schumann