🎵 Notes from March 18, 2023 meetup

We had nearly a full house at Steinway Gallery today, with over 20 pieces performed, eight by J. S. Bach.  We welcomed new member Kunhwa, who also introduced us to composer Leos Janicek. Composers Vladimir Deshevov and Hildegard von Bingen were also new to us.  Two of the pieces, by strange coincidence, included train sounds with a crash at the end!

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Great Crush Collision March, by Scott Joplin
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): Study in Canon Form #2, by R. Schumann, arr. by C. Debussy
• Hedda: Moonlight Mood, by William Gillock
• David R.: Organ Fugue BWV 543 first two pages, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 17 #3, Op. 11# 12 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Lynda: Yesterday, by the Beatles Lennon–McCartney 
• Wesley: Adagissimo and Invention #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Jennifer: The Rails, by V. Deshevov
• Antonio: Prelude in C major, BWV 846, by J. S. Bach
• Lorraine: Prelude in B flat No. 21, BWV 866, by J. S Bach
• Simon: Etude Tableau Op. 39 #1 in C minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Hedda: Sonatina in C major, by F. Kuhlau
• Gregory: O Ignee Spiritus, by Hildegard Von Bingen (1098-1179)
• Lynda: King of the Road, by Roger Miller
• David R: Fur Elise, by L. V. Beethoven
• Kunhwa: On an Overgrown Path #4, by Leos Janicek
• Wesley: Nocturne in B flat, by John Field
• Lorraine: Fugue in B flat, by J. S. Bach
• Antonio: Goldberg Variation #9, BWV 988, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #4 and #2, by A. Scriabin
• Simon: Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from March 5, 2023 meetup

 Despite the two-meter high snowbanks lining most of our driveways, the weather had a noticeably spring-like atmosphere.  This put us in a good mood at Karin's and despite the modest turnout, there were several rounds of music played, including two duets.  The somewhat more intimate setting may have encouraged us to be a little more adventurous!  We welcomed new member Dave A.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Toccata in D minor, by J. S. Bach
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): Six Studies in Canon Form, #2, by R. Schumann, arr. by C. Debussy.
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 17 #3, Op. 11 #12 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Allona: Invention #1, by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Lara’s Theme (from Dr. Zhivago), by Maurice Jarre
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, #4 and #2, by A. Scriabin
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): Nocturne #5, by John Field
• Gregory: An die Musik, by F. Schubert
• Karin: Adagio BWV 974, by J. S. Bach/ Marcello
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #12, by A. Scriabin
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin

🎵 Notes from February 18, 2023 meetup

At our Ottawa Pianos venue, we welcomed new member Antonio. Pieces ranged from traditional to Baroque to contemporary, with a recent original composition performed by the composer.  We love to hear people play their own works, so don’t be shy. There were also a few additions to our growing list of composers. 

Here’s what was played: 

• Gregory: Fig Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: La plus que lente, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10 and #24, and Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Erin: Moments Musicaux Op. 94 #2, by F. Schubert
• Lorraine: Passacaglia from the Suite in G minor, HMV 432, by G. F. Handel
• Antonio: Promenade Sentimentale by Vladimir Cosma, and Watching Lara, by Yann Tiersen
• Randy: Sarabande #1, by E. Satie
• Rodrigo: Prelude in D, own composition
• Wesley: Bethena, A Concert Waltz, by Scott Joplin
• Anne-Marie: Rhapsody in G minor Op. 79 #2, by J, Brahms
• Randy: Scene Suspended, by Jon Hopkins
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Wesley: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, #4 and #2, by A. Scriabin
• Antonio: Greensleeves, by Traditional
• Lorraine: Sonata Op. 2 #1, by L. V. Beethoven

Members might be interested to know that we are are currently reviewing the performance records from our website to make a little statistical study.  Our group is still going strong after 12 years since we had our first meeting in November 2010 when there were just six participants.  One of them still plays for us regularly and there are a few more regulars from the first year.  We continue to have good participation every session, including both recent and longer term members.

Here are some preliminary highlights, pending completion of a more detailed list.  There have been over 2200 pieces performed, composed by roughly 300 different composers (although about 80% have only been played a few times) and performed by about 100 different individuals. The most popular composers have been J. S.  Bach (240), F. Chopin (220) and L. V. Beethoven (170).  Nine of us have performed our own compositions!  There have been 35 duets, and additional instruments have included Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, and voice. The most popular piece has been Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (22 times), followed by Astor Piazzola’s Milonga del Angel (12 times).  So keep up the good work, pianists!

🎵 Notes from January 21, 2023 meetup

We had the privilege of performing on two different instruments at Ottawa Pianos.  The first round was on a hand crafted 6’ 1” S3X with recent technological innovations that enhance both sound and performance.  The second round was on the CFX concert grand.  There was a diverse suite of pieces, including works by four composers that were new to us, three of whom are still alive.  This included a very contemporary work that is highly popular but that none of us had apparently heard of before!  So there is always something new to learn in music.

Here's what was played: 

• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina (arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee)
• Lynda: Mazurka Ob. 68 #2, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Airs à faire fuir #1 and 2, by E. Satie
• Lyndsay: Ticklin’ Toes, by Florence B. Price
• Karin and David (duet): Pavane pour une Infante Défunte, by M. Ravel, duet arrangement by Ray and Marie-Thérèse Alston 
• Perry: Elegie, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Allona: Minuet in E, by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Introduction and Fugato, by Cuthbert Harris
• Lynda: Op. 68 # 3, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Morceau, by Arsentiy Kharitonov
• Lyndsay: the Ringtone Waltz, by Marc-André Hamelin
• Karin: la Fille aux cheveux de lin, by C. Debussy
• David: Blinding Lights, by The Weeknd
• Allona: Sonatina in F, by L. van Beethoven

🎵 Notes from January 8, 2023 meetup

Host: Anne-Marie

Our first session of the new year went well, which included favourable travelling weather.  We welcomed new member Anne-Marie, who kindly hosted at the last minute, allowing us to perform on her Steinway Model M.  Everyone was enthusiastic, and we all had prepared two numbers. Seven of the 16 pieces were newish, or not in the “classical” repertoire.  Remember that any style and age of music is welcome at our sessions, including your own compositions.  We love variety!

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: St. Louis Blues, by W. C. Handy
• Wesley: Waltz Op. 69 #2, by F. Chopin
• Anne-Marie: Land of Misty Giants, by Oscar Peterson
• Randy: #1 of Three Piano Pieces, by Wilhelm Stenhammar
• Jeff: Preludes Op 17 #3 and Op. 11 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Allona: Festival Dance, by L. E. Bolden
• Perry: Barcarolle (June), by P. Tchaikovsky
• Hedda: Mazurka Op. 68 #2, by F. Chopin
• Gregory: I’m in the Mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh
• Wesley: Waltz Op. 70 #2 by F, Chopin
• Anne-Marie: Valse in B minor Op. 69 #2, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Miss Clare Remembers, by Enya
• Preludes Op. 16 #3, 4 and 2, by A. Scriabin
• Perry: Piano Sonata #8 (Pathetique), 2nd mov., by L. V. Beethoven
• Allona: A Criminal Mind, by Lawrence Gowan
• Hedda: Georgia on My Mind, by Hoagy Carmichael

🎵 Notes from December 11, 2022 meetup

Light snow did not prevent anyone from attending the session at Jackie's and listening to our usual excellent variety of pieces … from old to modern, and traditional. 

Here’s what was played:

• Andrew: Humoresque, Op. 20, parts 1, 2, 3, by R. Schumann
• Jackie: Song of India, by N. Rimsky-Korsakov
• Allona: Sonata in A major, K331, by W. A. Mozart
• Gordon: “Christmas” Op. 37 #12, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Hedda: Mazurka in A minor Op. 68, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Humoresque, Op. 20, part 5, by R. Schumann
• Allona: Maoz Tzur, Traditional Hanukkah Song
• Gordon: Two Part Inventions #8 in F major and #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Hedda: Georgia on My Mind, by Hoagy Carmichael

🎵 Notes from November 12, 2022 meetup

We had a great morning at Steinway Piano Gallery, performing on a gorgeous instrument.  Some pieces we had heard before and several were new to the group.  We welcomed first time members Simon and Alan, including a 7 year old performer.  There were also impressive performances of complex works entirely from memory.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: St. Louis Blues, by W. C. Handy
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G minor, 1st mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• David: Adagio for Strings, by Samuel Barber, Piano transcription by Adelina, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Allona: Lyric Nocturne, by K. Rollin
• Grace: French Suite #6 (complete), by J. S. Bach
• Simon:  Etude Tableau Op. 39 #1, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Alan: Waltz in A minor, by Dmitri Shostakovitch and Chromatic Rag, by Beverly Porter
• Gregory: Sonne, by Rammstein (ending of video Deutschland)
• Karin: Adagio BWV 974, by J.S. Bach/ A. Marcello
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G minor, 2nd mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Gordon: Salut D’amour, by E. Elgar
• David: Happy Birthday, Dear Ludwig, variations in the style of Beethoven on "Happy Birthday to You”, by Leonid Hambro, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here 
• Grace: The Great Pumpkin Waltz, by Vince Guaraldi
• Simon: Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV 543, by J. S Bach, piano transcription from original work for organ by Franz Liszt

🎵 Notes from the October 23, 2022 meetup

We had a good session today at Perry’s, who has a 1958 Steinway. The piece by Robert Starer may be the first that most of us have heard of him.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina (arrangement of Rimsky Korsakov’s “flight of the bumblebee”)
• Jackie: You raise me up, by B. Graham
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G-, 3rd mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Perry: Second of Trois Nouvelles Etudes, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 12 #3 and Op 44 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Wesley: Sonata KV300h, 2nd mov., by W. A. Mozart
• Allona: Festival Dance, by Lyndsay. E. Bolden
• Gregory: Of Foreign Lands and People, by R. Schumann
• Karin: Vocalise, by S. Rachmaninoff, arr. by P. Barton
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G-, 1st mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Perry: Song without words, Op. 62 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, 4 and 2
• Wesley:  Pink, from Sketches in Color, by Robert Starer, and Study No. 7 Op. 91 No. 20, by Moritz Moskowski
• Allona: Tenderly, by Katherine Rollin

🎵 Notes from the September 24, 2022 meetup

Venue: Steinway Gallery

We had the biggest turnout in some time today.  Perhaps the holiday season is finally winding down and more of us can get back to the keyboard!

We had a treat today with Lyndsay playing her own composition.  All composers, please feel free to do this again.  We heard a new composer, Valerie Capers, and either another new or an infrequently played one: Carlos Gustavino.

Here's what was played:

• Mary Lou: Sonatina Mvt. 2 in G minor, by Carlos Gustavino
• Karin:  Prelude #4, Book 1, by C. Debussy
• Erin: Sinfonia #7 by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Lyndsay: Festival dance, by Lyndsay Bolden
• Perry: Andante from Piano Sonata for Cello and Piano, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jeff: Prelude in B minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• John R. Nocturne in D flat, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Nocturne Op. 72 No. 1 in E minor, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Solfeggietto in C-, by C.P.E. Bach and Prelude in C- BMV 847, by J. S. Bach
• Karin: Vocalise, by S. Rachmaninoff, short arrangement by Paul Barton
• Gregory: Weeping Willow Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Lyndsay: Billie’s Song, by Valerie Capers
• Andrew: Windmills of your mind, by Michel Legrand
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, 4 and 2, by A. Scriabin
• Perry: What a Wonderful World, by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss
• John R: French Suite in E, Allemande, by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Preludes Op. 31 #4 and Op. 35 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Emily: Prelude from the English Suite No. 3 in G minor, by J. S. Bach 

🎵 Notes from the August 21, 2022 meetup

The group welcomed new member Ryan, and we played at his home on an excellent vintage Steinway.  The group was small but it was our first in-home meeting in over 2 years and aside from hearing a good variety of pieces, we learned more about the eccentricities of some of the great composers.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Gordon Waltz in F major Op. 34 #3, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Sonata in C+, by D. Scarlatti
• Allona: Summer Splendor, by Catherine Rollin
• Ryan: Prelude Op. 23 No. 4 in D+, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Gregory: Song without words, Op. 30 No. 5, by F. Mendelssohn
• Andrew: Solfeggietto, by C. P. E. Bach
• Gordon: Preludes Op 11, # 18 and #22, by A. Scriabin.
• Ryan: Etude Op. 39 No. 5 in Eb-, by S. Rachmaninoff