🎵 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

🎵 Notes from July 21 2024 meetup

We had a good turnout on a sunny Sunday in July, proving that our interest in the piano is alive and well in all months!  We had a good assortment of pieces from traditional to old to modern. Composer Jason Sifford has not been performed for our group before.

Here's what was played:

• Martin: French Suite #4 in E flat major, by J.S. Bach
• Jeff: Etude Tableau, Opus 33 No.# 5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Kathy: Prelude and Fugue in B major, by J.S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Prelude, by Marjan Mozetich
• Perry: Liebestraum #3, by F. Liszt
• Christopher: Reverie, by C. Debussy
• Paul and Emil: Valse Lente, by Mel Bonis
• Lyndsay: Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, traditional arranged by Florence Price
• Lorraine: Rialto Ripples, by G. Gershwin
• Mary Lou: Impromptu in G flat major, Opus 9 #3, by F. Schubert
• Kathy: Arietta, Opus 12, #1, by E. Grieg
• Paul: Romance sans paroles, by G. Faure
• Jeff: Aux cypres de la ville d’este #1, by F. Liszt
• Lyndsay: Incognito (Jazz Nocturne), by Jason Sifford
• Lorraine: Prelude in C major, by J.S. Bach

🎵 Notes from July 7 2024 meetup

As expected, our July turnout at Grace's was a bit lower, but we had fun nonetheless and there were a few lighter “summer” pieces as well as a good assortment of others. Composers Sakamoto and Mozetich are new to our ever growing roster of composers performed.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Fly Me to the Moon, by Bart Howard
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Grace: 20220302-Sarabande, by Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Jocelyne: Etude in A Major, by Carl Czerny
• Hedda: Misty, by Erroll Garner
• Mary Lou: Prelude from Three Pieces for Piano, by Marjan Mozetich
• Natalie: Nocturne Op. 55 #1, by F. Chopin
• Perry: Scherzo #2, by F. Chopin
• Gregory: I’m in the Mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh
• Hedda: Georgia on My Mind, by Hoagy Carmichael
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #2, 17 #3 and 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Mary Lou: Rondo in A minor, by W. A. Mozart
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 17 #4, by F. Chopin
• Grace: Root Beer Rag, by William Joel

🎵 Notes from June 15 2024 meetup

There was a full house at Steinway Gallery, and we wish to remind the group of all the support that Jennifer Messer has provided to our group over the past number of years.  We welcomed new member Monica.  There is a continuing trend for ensembles, with three this time.  In addition to many of our favorite well-known composers, we heard works for the first time by de Abreu and Westenra.  Incidentally, de Abreu is Brazilian, and the rousing piece played today is part of an encouraging shift to more works by composers from Latin America.  

Here’s what played:

• Gregory: Elite Syncopations, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Song Without Words Op. 19 No. 2, by Felix Mendelssohn
• Christopher: Reverie in F minor, by Dennis Alexander
• Perry and Andrew (two piano duet): Braziliera from Scaramouche Suite, by Darius Milhaud
• David R: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach, transcribed by Alexander Siloti, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Monica: Os Pintinhos no terreiro Zequina, by de Abreu
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 17 #4, by F. Chopin
• Mary Lou: Rondo in A Minor, by W. A. Mozart
• Hedda: Intermezzo No. 1, by Manuel Ponce
• Dennis: Song of the Pilgrim, by F. Mendelssohn
• Grace: Experience, by Ludovico Einaudi
• Françoise (piano and vocals) and Kevin (violin): Faun, by Olafur Arnalds
• Françoise (vocal), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Dark Waltz, by Hayley Westenra
• Jeff: Aux Cypres de la villa d’este No. 1, by Franz Liszt
• Mizuki: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Lorraine: Sonata Op. 78 #24, by L. V. Beethoven
• Perry: June (from The Seasons), by P. Tchaikovsky
• Grace: Three Preludes, by George Gershwin

🎵 Notes from June 2 2024 meetup

We had an opportunity to perform at Hedda’s on her Kawai grand piano.  One interesting occurrence and a first, was that two different pieces were played twice by different performers. Great minds think alike!  Another first was a piano/violin duet by Arvo Pärt, who is not typically known for piano works.  Also unusual were two works by Liszt, one of his later pieces and one from his youth.  A mixture of older and modern works rounded out the session.

Here's what was played:

• Gordon: Farewell (Abscheid) S251, by F. Liszt
• Hedda: Intermezzo in A minor, by Manuel Ponce
• Karin: Imaginary Landscapes, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Natalie: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Christopher: Intermezzo op. 118  #2, by J. Brahms
• Randy (piano) and Kevin (violin): Spiegel im Spiegel, by Arvo Pärt
• Anne-Marie: Intermezzo op. 118  #2, by J. Brahms
• Mizuki: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Etude #12 S136, by F. Liszt
• Hedda: Boogie Prelude, by William Gillock
• Anne-Marie: Stairway to Paradise, by G. Gershwin
• Natalie: Granada from Suite Espaňol, by I. Albeniz
• Mizuki: Prelude in E mia fille aunor, by F. Chopin
• Karin: La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin, by C. Debussy

🎵 Notes from May 18 2024 meetup

At Ottawa Pianos, we welcomed new member Mizuki, and violinist Kevin who was part of our first ever trio.  This trend for ensembles is encouraged, and we only need one more instrument to create a mini orchestra!  In addition to our old favorite composers, there also appears to be a favourable trend to more performances of contemporary composers.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Songs Without Words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Perry: Scherzo #2, by F. Chopin
• Jean-Claude: Sonata Op. #1 3rd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Françoise (vocals), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Almost Everything I Need,  by Georgia Stitt
• Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Prelude in C major/Ave Maria, by J. S. Bach/Gounod
• David R:  Three solos for Yuja (from Hunger Games), by  James Newton Howard
• Jocelyne: Reverie in F Minor, by Dennis Alexander
• Christopher: Contemplation, by young Ottawa composer Maria Rose Rechner
• Paul: Romances sans paroles #3, by G. Fauré
• Randy: A Song for Yvonne, by G. Holst
• Dave A: Meditation from Thais, by Jules Massenet
• Mizuki: Nocturne Op. 9 #2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Vampire, by Olivia Rodrigo
• Jean-Claude: Sunset, Op. 46 #2, by Alfred Tofft
• Dennis: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach/ Siloti
• Françoise: The Nomad, by Janette Mason and James Thompson
• Mizuki: Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Randy: Small Memories, by Jon Hopkins

🎵 Notes from May 5 2024 meetup

A pleasant way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.  David introduced his Yamaha Disklavier Pro with a demo of Sarah McLachlan singing and acoustically performing her own accompaniment on his piano.  There were two serious works by Carl Czerny that most of the participants had not heard before. 

Here's what was played:

• Gordon: Etude Mélodieuse Op. 795 #3, by C. Czerny
• Perry: Scherzo #2, by F. Chopin
• Dennis (piano) and Françoise (vocals): Meaning, by Cascadeur
• Dennis: Andante from Violin Sonata in A minor, by J. S. Bach/Siloti transcription
• David A: Burn Out Fugue, by Alexandra Stréliski
• David R: Mazurka in A Minor Op. 68 #2, by F. Chopin
• Martin: French Suite #4 in E flat major (entire work), by J. S. Bach
• Françoise (vocals) and Karin (piano): Les Angélus, by C. Debussy
• Karin: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Natalie: Piano Sonata Op. 28 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Jeff: Aux cyprès de la villa d'este #1, by F. Liszt
• Nick: Sonata L5 in G major, F. J. Haydn
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G Minor 2nd mov, by C. Guastavino
• Gordon: Impromptu Passionné Op. 754 #6, by C. Czerny
• Natalie: Piano Sonata Op. 28 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Etude in D minor Op. 82 #65, by Cornelius Gurlitt paired with Sofelgia in D major, by J. C. F. Bach