🎵 Notes from November 16 2025 meetup

Even with winter weather following a freezing rain warning, we had a decent turnout at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios. For the first time, as an experiment, we met in the back Chamber Music Studio with two Steinway grand pianos … and were treated to some two piano repertoire.

Here’s what was played:

• Francine: Reflections, by D. Alexander
• Paul and Emil (two piano duet): Piano Concerto #2, first melodic theme from 2nd mov, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Ryan: Consolation #2, by F. Liszt
• Andrew: Morning Mood from Peer Gynt Suite, by E. Grieg
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10, 17 #3 and 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
• David R: Goldberg Variations #7, #18, #19, #30, Aria, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 51 #2 3rd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Mizuki: Clair de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Martin: For Unto Us a Child is Born (from Messiah), by G. F. Handel
• David G: Ballade Op. 10 #4, by J. Brahms
• Andrew: Anitra’s Dance from Peer Gynt Suite, by E. Grieg
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Ryan: Liebestraum #3, by F. Liszt
• David R: The Legend of Carau Postlude, by Drew Jurecka, this piece concludes an engaging multimedia story by the Payadora Ensemble at https://legendofcarau.com/
• Mizuki: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach (arr. A. Siloti)
• Ryan: Minute Waltz, by F. Chopin
• Paul and Emil (4 hands duet): Fantasia in F minor (final half), by F. Schubert

🎵 Notes from November 2 2025 meetup

It was a perfect fall day at Anne-Marie's, where we welcomed new member Ryan. There was our usual good selection of pieces, from the Baroque to very modern. Anne-Marie's accordion performance was the first on this instrument at one of our sessions. Although the focus of the group is piano, don't be afraid to bring a friend for a duet with another instrument. 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Solace (A Mexican Serenade), by Scott Joplin
• Martin:  For Unto Us a Child is Born (from Messiah), by G. F. Handel
• Hedda: The Pink Panther, by Henry Mancini
• Anne-Marie: Waltz Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• Ryan W: Nocturne Op. 27 # 2, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Morceau, by Arsentiy Kharitonov
• Paul & Emil (4 hands duet): Fantasie in F minor D.940, by F. Schubert
• Mizuki: River Flows in You, by Yiruma
• Gregory: Vexations, by E. Satie
• Paul: Waltz Op. 69 # 1, by F. Chopin
• Hedda: Bolero, by Alfredo Casella
• Ryan W: Pathétique Sonata #8 in C minor 2nd mov Op. 13, by L. V. Beethoven
• Anne-Marie (Accordion): La Valse Des Monstres, by Yann Tierson
• Mizuki: Fur Elise, by L. V. Beethoven

🎵 Notes from October 18 2025 meetup

We had a modestly sized session today at Ottawa Pianos, and welcomed new members David G. and Isabella to the group. There was, as usual, a good mix from Baroque to modern. 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Francine: Silhouette Moon, by Martha Mier
• Dave and Karin (piano duet): As Time Goes By, by Hermann Hupfeld
• Dave and Karin (piano duet): The Wind Beneath My Wings, by Hermann Hupfeld
• Randy: Ogive #2, by E. Satie
• Françoise: The End of the World, by Arthur Kent arr. Lily Kershaw
• Mizuki: Notturno Op. 54 #4, by E. Grieg
• David G: Sonata #4 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Randy: Ogive #3, by E. Satie
• Mizuki: Arabesque #1, by C. Debussy
• David G: Sonata #4 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Francine: Sonatina in A minor, by Georg Anton Benda

🎵 Notes from October 5 2025 meetup

We had another great afternoon at Françoise's, on an unusually warm October day.  J. S. Bach was popular today, as was Beethoven and Satie. David again explored the "pairing" concept with two shorter works, as demonstrated earlier this year by Dennis.\

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Rose Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Mary Ann  and Keegan (piano duet): Sonata in D major Op. 6 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Andrew: Fuguetta, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Prelude in B minor Op. 32 #10, by Sergei Rachmaninoff
• Jean-Claude: Adagio BWV 974, by Alessandro Marcello arr. J. S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Fantasia in C minor, by J. S. Bach
• David R: Ad Libre, by Alexandra Stréliski, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• David R: Opening Allemande of French Suite #4, by J. S. Bach, another tribute to Dennis, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Françoise (piano and vocal): Today I Made a Dream for You, by Emily Hall
• Lorraine: Sonata Op. 2 #1 Allegro, by L. V. Beethoven
• Randy: Gymnopédie #2, by E. Satie
• Mizuki: Arabesque #1, by C. Debussy
• Gregory: Vexations, by E. Satie
• Jean-Claude: French Suite #5 Allemande & Courante, by J. S. Bach
• Mizuki: Sonata, Woo 47 #2, by L. V. Beethoven
• Mary Lou: Romance #1 Op. 11, by Clara Schumann
• David R: Polovtsian Dance, by Alexander Borodin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Baby, by Adrián Berenguer
• Randy: Gymnopedie #3, by E. Satie

🎵 Notes from September 20 2025 meetup

We had a good session this morning at Steinway Gallery, with several new composers and two piano/violin duets.

Here’s what was played:

• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms
• Jeff: Prelude in B minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Nick: Sonata L. 10, by J. Haydn
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Dawn and One More Day, by Rebecca Kaiserin
• Paul: Goldberg Variations Aria, by J. S. Bach
• David R: Goldberg Variations #7, #19 and Aria, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Natalie: Arabesque #1, by C. Debussy
• Mary Lou: Reverie in F minor, by D. Alexander
• Grace: Prelude Op. 28 #4, by F. Chopin
• Grace: How Insensitive, by T. Jobim
• Mizuki: Piano Sonata WoO 47 #2, by L. V. Beethoven
• John R: Etude Op. 25 #7, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Prelude Op. 17 #6, by A. Scriabin
• Nick: Two Part Invention #1, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• John R: Sonata  K 570 (in B flat), 3rd movement (Allegretto), by W. A. Mozart
• David R: The Legend of Carau Postlude, by Drew Jurecka, this piece concludes an engaging multimedia story by the Payadora Ensemble at https://legendofcarau.com/ SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

🎵 Notes from September 7 2025 meetup

We had a full afternoon playing at Natalie’s, on a perfect sunny early fall day.  We welcomed new member Thulasi, who thanked us for the warm hospitality.  J. S. Bach was a popular composer today, but we still are hearing composers for the first time, one of whom (Padre José Gallés) we only know his birth and death years (1758 or 61 to 1836). 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov arr. Jack Fina
• Thulasi: Passacaglia, by G. F. Handel arr. Halvorsen
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Aux Cypres de la Villa d’Este, by F. Liszt
• Dave: A Wonderful One, by Paul Whiteman
• Andrew: Sinfonia #15, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 2nd mov, by J. S. Bach
• Mary Ann: Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Kathy: Prelude & Fugue in B minor WTC Book 2, by J. S. Bach
• Lorraine: Land of the Silver Birch, traditional
• Lorraine: Farewell to Nova Scotia, traditional
• Wesley: Adagio in F minor, by Joseph Bologne (Chevalier de St. George)
• Jocelyne: Moment Musical Op. 94 D780 #6, by F. Schubert
• Christopher: Prelude in C minor Op. 28 #20, by F, Chopin
• Christopher: Little Prelude in C minor BWV999, by J. S. Bach
• Wesley: Milonga del Angel, by Astor Piazzolla
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #12 and Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Andrew: Sonata in C minor, by Padre José Gallés
• Lorraine: Prelude in B flat minor BWV 867, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Capricchio Op. 116 #3 and Intermezzo Op. 116 #2, by J. Brahms
• Thulasi: Song of the Twilight, by Nakada Yoshinao  

🎵 Notes from August 23 2025 meetup

We had a good session at our last performance of the summer, and welcomed new members Katie and Ashif. There was our usual mix from Baroque to modern. One interesting idea (pioneered by member Dennis), and explored today by David, is to pair two shorter pieces that have some connecting idea. 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Mary Ann: Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Christopher: Prelude Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Paul: Waltz in E Flat major, by F. Chopin
• David R: Ad Libre, by Alexandra Stréliski, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• David R: Saman, by Olafur Arnolds, a tribute to Dennis, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Bluebird, by Alexis Ffrench
• Jocelyne, The Swallow, by Frierdrich Burgmüller
• Randy: Ukranian National Anthem, by Mykhailo Verbytsky
• David R: Goldberg Variations Aria, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Paul: Waltz in A minor, B150, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Lullaby for Erik, by Evgeny Grinko
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 1st mov, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from July 19 2025 meetup

It was a bit of a smaller group today, possibly because many of us have been busy with summer vacations. However, everyone enjoyed performing on Ottawa Piano’s Felix concert grand, with our usual variety from Baroque to modern.  

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Elite Syncopations, by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Christopher: Ama’s Theme, by Eydis Evensen
• Christopher: You, by Hideyuki Hashimoto
• Mary Lou: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Heather: Meadow Dance and Sonatina, by D. Kabalevsky
• Randy: Gnossiene #3, by E. Satie
• Jocelyne (violin): Air from Rinaldo, by G. F. George Handel
• Jocelyne (violin): Romanian Dance, by Ricky Hyslop
• Jeff: Aux Cypres de la Villa d’Este, by F. Liszt
• Mary Lou: Fantasia in C Minor, by J. S. Bach
• Randy: Opus 36, by Dustin O’Halloran
• Jocelyne (violin): March in C Major, by Franz Wohlfahrt

🎵 Notes from July 6 2025 meetup

We had a good turnout at Françoise’s, enjoying a view of the Ottawa River when we were not being pelted by torrential rain. There were an unusual number of ensembles, five duets and two trios, with our first ever duet with a Harmonica. We found out that Jocelyne is also learning to play the violin. There were a number of new composers performed plus many well-known ones, which gave us a very diverse session.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: I Giorni, by Ludovico Einaudi
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Dave A: When I Grow Too Old to Dream, by Oscar Hammerstein & Sigmund Romberg
• Gordon: Bagatelle sans tonalité, by F. Liszt
• Christopher: Prelude in G Op. 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Christopher: Reflection, by Oliver Davis
• Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin) duet: Méditation from Thaïs, by Jules Massenet, transcription by Marsick
• Natalie: Capriccio Op. 116 #3, by J. Brahms
• Françoise (vocals), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin) trio: Cross the Wide Missouri, traditional 
• Nick: Sonata L8 (HobXVI:5), by F. J. Haydn
• Françoise (vocals, piano) and Tom (Harmonica) duet: Complainte de la Butte, by Rufus Wainwright
• Mizuki: Waltz 64 #1, by F. Chopin
• Dennis (Piano) and Jocelyne (violin) duet: Air from Rinaldo, by G. F. Handel
• Dennis (Piano) and Jocelyne (violin) duet: Bohemian Dance, by Ricky Hyslop
• Gordon: Melodie Op. 53 #2, by Ignaz Brüll
• Dave A and Karin (piano duet): As Time Goes By, by Herman Hupfeld, arr by Dan Coates
• Dennis: Prelude in G Op. 16#3, by Alexander Scriabin
• Dennis: Op. 23, by O’Halloran
• Françoise (vocals), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin) trio: I Cried for Us, by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 32, 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven,
• Mizuki: Haruyokoi, by Matsutoya Yumi
• Nick: Sonata L9, by F. J. Joseph Haydn      

🎵 Notes from June 14 2025 meetup

We had a good turnout this morning and a variety of different composers, our final session this season at Steinway Gallery. The pieces included both violin/piano and voice/piano duets. We welcomed new member Kavita. Dennis announced that he is moving back to Nova Scotia, and he will be missed!

Here’s what was played:

• Stéphanie: Prelude in E minor, by F. Chopin
• Heather: Scherzo, by Dimitri Kabalevsky
• Jeff: Aux Cyprès de la Villa d’Este #1, by F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Suite Française 1st to 4th movement, by Francis Poulenc
• Mary Lou: Romance Op. 11 #1, by C. Schumann
• David R: Sonata #9 in A major Theme and 1st to 4th variations, by W. A. Mozart
• Jocelyn: Sonata in F minor WoO 47 #2, by L. V. Beethoven
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 1st and 2nd mov, by J. S. Bach
• Jennifer: Petrarch Sonnet #104, by F. Lizst
• Tunde: Clair de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): The Deserted Garden and Adoration, by Florence Price
• Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Ave Maria/Prelude in C major, by J. S. Bach/Charles Gounod
• Randy: Gnossienne #1, by E. Satie
• Kavita: Für Elise, by L. V. Beethoven
• Mizuki: Sonata #12 in F major K.332 Adagio, by W. A. Mozart
• Jean-Claude: Suite Française 5th to 7th movement, by Francis Poulenc
• Dennis: Ad Libre, by Alexandra Stréliski
• Dennis: Saman, by Olafur Arnalds
• Françoise (piano and voice): Sous les aquarelles, by Ingrid St. Pierre