🎵 Notes from April 18 2026 meetup

We had a good session today at Ottawa Pianos, and welcomed new member Elizabeth. There was another piano-flute duet, a very encouraging trend. A few "new to us" composers were mixed in with well known composers, which made for a varied session.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Old Adam, by William Bolcom
• Karin (piano) and Carol (flute) duet: Siciliano, by J. S. Bach
• Marion: Old Joe Clark’s Boogie, by Gerald Martin
• Jeff: Prelude op. 34 #21 and #2, by D. Shostakovich
• Hedda: Arietta, by E. Grieg
• Christopher: Waltz Pathetique in D Minor, by A. Blomqvist
• Lorraine: Rialto Ripples, by George Gershwin
• Paul: Prelude and Fugue in G BWV 885, by J. S. Bach
• Stephanie: Von Fremden Landern und Menschen, by R. Schumann
• Mizuki: Sakura Sakura Fantasy, by Kozabura Hirai
• David G: Prelude in A Minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Randy: Farewell to the Past from La Traviata, by Guiseppe Verdi
• Mizuki: Haruyo Koi, by Masutoya Yumi
• Jeff: Visions Fugitives Op. 22 #16, by S. Prokofiev
• Hedda: Boogie Prelude, by William Gillock
• Randy: La Valse d’Idiot, by Michel Rivard
• Lorraine: Prelude in C, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from April 5 2026 meetup

We had a very full afternoon in a new venue, Capital City Keyboards, playing on a Kawai GX-2, an excellent instrument I may add.  In addition to hearing many well known composers, we had performances of works by three new ones, to be added to our ever-growing roster.  Two duets, including one with Flutist Shirley, enhanced the musical experience.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Tico-Tico no Fubá, by Zequinha de Abreu
• Marion: Blues #1, by Gerald Martin
• Keegan (piano) and Shirley (flute duet): Flute Sonata #2  2nd mov, by Phillippe Gaubert
• Christopher: Mourn, Beautiful Ache, Never Enough Time, by Garreth Brooke
• Mary Lou: Romance #2 Op. 11, by Clara Schumann
• Karin: La fille aux cheveux de lin Book 1 #8, by C. Debussy
• Jocelyne: Sonata in F minor, by L. V. Beethoven
• Ryan W: Moonlight Sonata 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Natalie: Nocturne Op. 32 #2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Goldberg Variations #19, #30, Aria, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording
• Mary Ann and Keegan (piano 4-hands duet): Sonata in D major Op. 6, by L. V. Beethoven
• Mizuki: Fantasie in D minor, by W. A. Mozart
• Jeff:  Prelude Op. 34 #22, #3, by D. Shostakovitch
• Anne-Marie: Chopin (from Carnaval), by R. Schumann
• Karin: Canope, by C. Debussy
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 59 # 2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Shenandoah, Traditional arr. by Keith Jarrett, SoundCloud recording
• Ryan W: Impromptu #2, by F. Schubert

     

🎵 Notes from March 22 2026 meetup

Even on the second day of spring we endured yet another snowfall, which perhaps diminished our numbers at 10,000 Hours. For those who persevered, the program was most rewarding. We were treated to two-piano transcriptions of movements from two of Rachmaninoff's beloved piano concertos … one our few venues where this is possible.

Here’s what was played:

• Karin: Siciliano in G minor BWV 1031, by J. S. Bach, transcribed for piano by W. Kempff
• Dave A: The Homecoming, by Hagood Hardy
• David R: Opening Allemande of French Suite #4, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• David R:  Saman, by Olafur Arnolds, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 59 #2, by F. Chopin
• Martin: Opening Allemande of French Suite #6, by J. S. Bach
• Paul and Emil (two piano duet): Piano Concerto #2, first melodic theme from 2nd mov, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Sachie: Menuet on the Name of Haydn, by M. Ravel
• Lorraine: Prelude and Fugue in B flat major, by J. S. Bach
• Martin: Opening Allemande of French Suite #4, by J. S. Bach
• Karin: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• David R: Nocturne Op. 9 #2, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Natalie: Etude Op. 72 #6, by M. Moszkowski
• Sachie: In the Style of Borodin, by M. Ravel
• Emil and Paul (two piano duet): Variation 18 from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Lorraine: Prelude in B flat minor BWV 867, by J. S. Bach
• David R: The Pink Panther, by Henry Mancini
• David R: Atacama Desert, by Wyne-Anne Rossi
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 opening of 3rd movement, by L. V. Beethoven

 

🎵 Notes from March 1 2026 meetup

It was a pleasant afternoon and we welcomed new member Emil. As an experiment, folks were invited to comment after they played and engage with the audience. The performer initiated some discussion only if they chose, and not the audience. It was low key, casual and worked quite well.

Here’s what was played: 

• Jeff: Visions Fugitives Op. 20 #16, by S. Prokofiev
• Jeff: Prelude, Op.34 #2, by D. Shostakovich
• Karin: Siciliano in G minor, by J. S. Bach (BWV 1031), transcribed for piano by W. Kempff
• Dave A: The Homecoming, by Hagood Hardy
• Martin: Hungarian Dance #5, by J. Brahms
• Jean-Claude: Impromptu, Op. 90 #3, by Schubert
• Gordon: Sonata #8 3rd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Sachie: Menuet on the Name of Haydn, by M. Ravel
• Wesley: Nocturne in B flat, by John Field
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 3rd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Emil H: Nocturne #3 in F Major, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Chanson du Matin, piano transcription by Edward Elgar
• Jean-Claude: Sarabande from French Suite #5, by J. S. Bach
• Wesley: Invention #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Sachie: French Suite No. 5 Allemande, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Mazurka, Op. 59 #2, by F. Chopin
• Dave A. & Karin: duet: As Time goes By, by Herman Hupfelt, arr. by Dan Coates

🎵 Notes from February 14 2026 meetup

We had an excellent afternoon at Ottawa Pianos, playing on "Felix", their flagship Yamaha Grand.  We welcomed Johnathan, Isabella, and Soukaina to the group. As usual, the diversity was notable, from Bach to Prokofiev, and still some more composers played for the first time. There were a few "love" theme pieces in homage to the day.  

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Graceful Ghost Rag, by William Bolcom
• Jennifer J: Sonnet 104 - Petrarch, by F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Impromptu Op. 90 # 2, by F. Schubert
• Johnathan: Romance Op. 118 # 5, by J. Brahms
• Mary Lou: Romance #2, Op. 11, by Clara Schumann
• Jeff: Visions Fugutives Op. 20 #16, by S. Prokofiev
• David R: Shenandoah, Traditional Folk Song arr. by Keith Jarrett, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Francine: Fireside Reverie, by Martha Mier
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 3rd movement, by L. V. Beethoven
• Isabella: You and I, by Tom Geroll
• Paul: Waltz Op. 69 # 2, by Frederic Chopin
• David G:  Sonata in C, Op, 2 #3 2nd mov, by L.V. Beethoven
• Gregory: Misty, by Errol Garner
• Jennifer J: October, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #2, by D. Shostakovich
• Jean-Claude: Nocturne #7 from Petite Suite, by Alexander Borodin
• Johnathan: Piano Sonata in A minor slow mov, by Mykola Lysenko
• Natalie: Mazurka  Op. 59 #2, by Frederic Chopin
• David R: Minuet in G, Gavotte in G Minor, March in D, by J. S. Bach from the Anna Magdalena notebook, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• David G: Pathetique Sonata 2nd, L.V. Beethoven

 

🎵 Notes from February 1 2026 meetup

We had an excellent session today at Francoise's, on a rare sunny day this winter. We welcomed new member Tony and cellist Priscilla.  Among the many diverse pieces was a Piano-Violin-Cello trio, our first one since 2014, and we hope there are more.  One of these days we could have a mini-orchestra, and we need a brass player! So please contact all your horn-playing friends. 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: I'm in the Mood for Love, by Jimmie McHugh
• Gregory: Lara's Theme, by Maurice Jarre
• Tony: Canon in D, by J. Pachelbel
• Jean-Claude: January from The Seasons Op. 37a, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Françoise (piano), Kevin (violin) and Priscilla (cello) (Trio): Abbotsbury Gardens, by Tamara Konstantin
• Ryan W: Serenade, by F. Schubert
• Jocelyne: Etude in A Major Op. 636 No. 6, by Carl Czerny
• Nick: Sonata L11 in B Flat major, by J. Haydn
• Jeff: Visions Fugitives #16, by S. Prokofiev
• Wesley: Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen Arr. by George Shearing
• David G:  Prelude and Fugue in F# Major, WTC book 1, by J. S. Bach
• Mizuki: Liebestraum #3, by F. Liszt
• Ryan W: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Adagio from Concerto in G first section, by Maurice Ravel
• Jeff: Prelude OP. 34 #6, by Dimitri Shostakovitch
• Wesley: Adagio in F Minor, by Joseph Bologne (Chevalier de Saint Georges)
• Françoise (vocal), Kevin (violin) and David G. (piano) (Trio) Apaisement, by Ange Flégier
• Jocelyne: Barcarole Op. 19 #5 by, Niels Gade
• Mizuki: Impromptu Op. 90 #3, by F.  Schubert

🎵 Notes from January 18 2026 meetup

We had a good session today at 10,000 Hours, with everything from Bach to Boogie, and thanks to Karin for keeping the play list. 

Here’s what was played:

• Karin: La fille aux cheveux de Lin, by C. Debussy
• Dave A:  Homecoming, by Hagood Hardy
• Heather: Believe, by Silvestri & Ballard
• Stephanie: Prelude #5, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Sonata #14, A minor 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Grace: Winter Breeze , by Steve Barakatt
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 3rd mov, by J. S.  Bach
• Nick: Sonata L12 in A, by J. Haydn 
• Marion: Old Joe Clark’s Boogie, by Gerard Martin
• Ryan W: Elegie, by Sergei Rachmaninov
• Mizuki: Impromptu Op 90, #3, by Franz Schubert
• Ryan W: Prelude Op 32, No.5, by Sergei Rachmaninov
• Mizuki: Siciliano, by J. S. Bach arr. W. Kempf
• Grace: Neiges, by André Gagnon
• Natalie: Mazurka Op 53 #1, by F. Chopin
• Nick: Sonata L11 1st mov, by J. Haydn
• Gordon: Sonata #14 in A minor 3rd mov, by W. A. Mozart

🎵 Notes from January 4 2026 meetup

Our first session of the new year started well, and for January, sun and no snow made it above average!  Our usual good variety of pieces included a first performance of one by Anton Brucker, a fairly well known composer who for some reason has not been performed at our group before. Pianists are encouraged to do this again!  

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Song Without Words Op. 53 #3,by F. Mendelssohn
• Christopher: Intermezzo Op. 116, by J. Brahms
• Paul: Waltz in C# minor Op. 64 #2,by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Visions Fugitives No. 16, by S. Prokofiev
• Kathy: Milonga del Angel, by Astor Piazzolla
• Karin & Dave (Piano duet): The Wind Beneath My Wings, by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar, arr Dan Coates
• Karin & Dave (Piano duet) As Time Goes B, by Herman Hupfield, arr Dan Coates
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 59 #1, by F. Chopin
• Ryan W: Elegie Op. 3 #1, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Randy: Gymnopedie #1, by E. Satie
• Mary Lou: Romanze #2 Op. 11, by Clara  Schumann
• Jocelyn: Sinfonia in G major, by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Runaway, by Del Shannon & Max Crook
• Kathy: Resurreccion del Angel, by Astor Piazzola
• Ryan W: Serenade, by F. Schubert
• Jeff: Ballade Op. 10 #1, by J. Brahms
• Randy: Steiermärker, by Anton Bruckner
• Paul: Waltz in A flat major Op. 69 #1, by F. Chopin
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 3rd mov, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from December 6 2025 meetup

We had a good session today at David G's and welcomed new member Marion. The pieces ranged from Bach to Boogie and everything in-between. Two of the selections were used in films, a source of musical inspiration for some of us. We also learned from Jane that a Leafy Seadragon is not a myth, but a real fish related to seahorses, and quite aptly named.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Toccata in D Minor, by J. S. Bach
• Marion: Bouncing Boogie, by Wesley Schaum
• Mizuki: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, by Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Lorraine: Romanze Op. 24 #9, by Jean Sibelius
• David G: Romanze Op. 118 #5, by Johannes Brahms
• Jane: Leafy Seadragon, by Ina Dykstra
• Gordon: Sonata #14, K310 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Randy: Prelude #5, by Dustin O’Halloran
• Mizuki: Nocturno, by Edvard Grieg
• Jane Waltz Viktor Kosenko
• David G: Intermezzo Op. 117 #1, by J. Brahms
• Gordon: Chanson de Matin (piano transcription), by Edward Elgar
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms

🎵 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, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• 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/, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• 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