🎵 Notes from the October 4, 2026 meetup

A bonus of today's session was seeing the excellent fall colours on the drive to Wakefield. We welcomed Luba to the group. In addition to our usual good assortment of pieces, we had what may have been a first for the group: the same piece played twice on different instruments.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: I Giorni, Ludovico Einaudi
• Gordon: Op. 68 #13 (May Sweet May), Robert Schumann
• Gordon: Op. 68 #28 (In memoriam), Robert Schumann
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 116 #6, Brahms
• Karin: Consolation #3, Liszt
• Luba: Nocturne in B Major Op. 32 #1, Chopin
• Jacqui: Chiquilin de Bachin, Astor Piazzola
• Hedda: Sonata Op. 49 #2, Beethoven
• Mihaela: Oh what a beautiful morning, Richard Rogers
• Mihaela: My heart will go on, James Horner
• Mary Lou: Sonata K466, Scarlatti
• Gregory: Song without words Op. 53 #3, Mendelssohn
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #21, Shostakovitch
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #2, Shostakovitch
• Mary Lou: Rhapsody in G Minor, Brahms
• Jacqui (violin): Chiquilin de Bachin, Piazzola
• Karin: Vocalise, Rachmaninoff arr. by Paul Barton
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, Brahms

🎵 Notes from the September 20, 2026 meetup

We had a good session at Natalie's in Kanata, playing on her lovely Boston piano. We welcomed Jacqui and Mihaela to the group. Pieces ranged from traditional to modern, with every genre in-between. 

Here's what was played:

• Jacqui (violin): Vocalise Op. 34 #14 by Rachmaninoff
• Gregory: Songs without words Op. 30 #6 by Mendelssohn
• Karin: Nocturne Op. 32 #1 by Chopin
• Kathy: Adios nonino by Astor Piazzolla
• Christopher: Departure (Lullaby) by Max Richter
• Christopher: andata by Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #21 by Shostakovitch
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #2 by Shostakovitch
• Mary Lou: Sonata K466 by Scarlatti
• Natalie: Piano Piece Op. 946 #2 by Schubert
• Ryan: Prelude Op. 23 #4 by Rachmaninoff
• Mihaela: Lavender's Blue, Traditional
• Mihaela: Let it Be by The Beatles
• Jocelyne: The Swallow by Friedrich Burgmüller
• Jacqui: Prelude Op. 28 #4 by Chopin
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 116 #6 by Brahms
• Mary Lou: Rhapsody in G minor Op. 79 #2 by Brahms
• Natalie: Fantasy Op. 111 #3 by Robert Schumann
• Ryan: Prelude Op. 3 #2 in C# minor by Rachmaninoff

🎵 Notes from the September 5, 2026 meetup

Today's session was in Orleans where we had a chance to play on Michael's Young-Chang Bergmann piano, which was unfamiliar to most of us.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Impromptu Op. 76 #7 by J. Brahms
• Sylvia: Sonata in A major L483 by D. Scarlatti
• Gordon: Opus 68 #13 May, Sweet May by R. Schumann
• Gordon: Opus 68 #28 In memoriam by R. Schumann
• Mizuki: Sonata #8 in C minor, Op. 13, "Pathétique", 3rd. Mov. by L.V. Beethoven
• David G: Prelude and Fugue in E flat major, WTC book 1 by J.S. Bach
• David R: Ad Libre by Alexandra Stréliski, here
• David R: French Suite #4, Allemande by J.S. Bach, here
• David R: Saman by Olafur Arnolds, here
• Michael: Véronique by Michael Saykaly
• Wesley: Sonata #8 in C minor, Op. 13, "Pathétique", 2nd mov. by L.V. Beethoven
• Gregory: Toccata in D minor by J.S. Bach
• David R: Pink Panther by Henry Mancini, here
• David R: Atacama Desert by Wynne-Anne Rossi, here
• Wesley: Polonaise, Op. 26 #1 by F. Chopin
• Michael: Greensleeves, traditional
• Mizuki: Arabesque #1 by C. Debussy
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 116 #6 by J. Brahms
• Sylvia: Summertime by George Gershwin
• Sylvia: Autumn Leaves by Joseph Cosma
• Sylvia: Black Orpheus by Luiz Bonfa & Antonio Carlos Jobim
• Sylvia: Take the A Train by Billy Strayhorn

Thank you to all of our volunteer hosts for the opportunity to play on such wonderful pianos in different homes and venues around the city!

🎵 Notes from August 22 2026 meetup

It was another good session at Ottawa Pianos with "Felix" a Yamaha CFX concert grand, and an enjoyable range of music genres. 

Here's what was played: 

• Gregory: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms
• Wesley: Prelude Op. 28 #15, by F. Chopin
• Christopher: Petite Suite #5 Reverie, Petite Suite #7 Nocturne, by A. Borodin
• Jean-Claude: Capriccio Op. 12 #5, by S. Prokofiev
• Françoise: Lamentation for a Lost Life, by Max Richter
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• David R: Scenes from Childhood #1 Of Foreign Lands and People, #6 An Important Event, #7 Träumerei (Dreaming), #12 Child Falling Asleep, #13 The Poet Speaks, by R. Schumann
• Natalie: Sonata in E minor 1st movement, by F. Schubert
• Shaun: Etude S136 #4, by F. Liszt
• David G: Sonata in D major Hob. XVI:37 1st mov, by F. J. Haydn
• Mizuki: Pathetique Sonata 3rd mov,  by L. V. Beethoven
• Wesley: Milonga del Angel, by A. Piazzolla
• David R: Nocturne Op. 9 #2, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording
• Jean-Claude: French Suite #5, Sarabande, Gavotte, Bouree, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Fantasy Op. 111 #1 and #2, by R. Schumann
• David G: Sonata in D major Hob. XVI:37 2nd & 3rd mov, by F. J. Haydn

 

🎵 Notes from July 18 2026 meetup

It was a perfect day to be inside playing at Ottawa Pianos, given the rainy weather. We had an interesting session with respect to different instruments: Mizuki is learning the violin and Kevin also plays the flute. We welcomed Glenda to our group. The pieces were our usual good mix from Baroque to contemporary.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Hungarian Rondo, by F. J. Haydn
• Glenda: Pour le Piano: Sarabande, by C. Debussy
• Christopher: Nocturne from Petite Suite, by A. Borodin
• Paul: Aria and 1st Variation From Goldberg Variations, by J. S. Bach
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Serenade (Standchen), by F. Schubert
• Jennifer J: Intermezzo Op. 118, by J. Brahms
• Johnathan: Harpsichord Concerto in F minor 2nd mov, by J. S. Bach
• Glenda: Pour le piano: Toccata, by C. Debussy
• Johnathan: Carnaval: Chiarina, Chopin; Traumerei, by R. Schumann
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (flute): Gymnopédie No. 1, by E. Satie
• Mizuki (Violin) and Erika (piano): Berceuse, by Frank Blachfold
• Mizuki (Violin) and Erika (piano): Sine Bhan, by Duncan Johnson
• Gregory: Lyric Piece #60: Es War Einmal, by E. Grieg
• Mizuki: Pathetique Sonata 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Françoise: Your Reflection, by Max Richter

🎵 Notes from July 5 2026 meetup

We really enjoyed our session at Mary Lou's place. It was a perfect summer's day and the drive to just beyond Wakefield sent us through idyllic scenery.  We welcomed Olga to our group.  Our music ranged from baroque to contemporary.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Es War Einmal (Lyric Piece #60), by E. Grieg
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms
• Lorraine: Seguidillas from Suite Espanol, by Isaac Albeniz
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #21 and #2, by D. Shostakovitch
• Grace: Icarus, by Tony Ann
• Karin: Bruyère, by C. Debussy
• Natalie: Sonata in E minor Op. 566 1st mov, by F. Schubert
• Olga: Sonata in C major Hob 10, by F. J. Haydn
• Mary Lou: Sonata K9, by D Scarlatti
• Gregory: Bumble Boogie ,by Jack Fina
• Jeff Visions Fugitive Op. 22 #6 and #3, by S. Prokofiev
• Grace: Waltz for Debby, by Bill Evans
• Mary Lou: Rhapsody Op. 79 #2, by J. Brahms
• Natalie Op. 111, #1 and #2, by R. Schumann
• Gordon Intermezzo Op. 119 #1, by J. Brahms
• Karin: Playin’ it Cool, by Eugénie Rocherolle

🎵 Notes from June 20 2026 meetup

An enjoyable session at Steinway Gallery, including two piano trio works. We welcomed new member Louis.

Here’s what was played:

• Allona: Prelude #5, by J. S. Bach
• Louis: One Summer’s Day, by Joe Hisaishi
• Jean-Claude: Nocturne Op. 27 #1, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 34 and #2, by D. Shostakovich
• Mizuki: Moonlight Sonata Op. 27 #2 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Randy: Morceau pour Julia, by Arsentiy Kharitonov
• David R: English Suite #3 Gavotte and Musette, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording
• Françoise (piano), Kevin (violin) and Priscilla (cello) (Trio): Walking Away, by Ronald J. Karle
• Françoise (piano), Kevin (violin) and Priscilla (cello) (Trio): Tranquility, by Carl Busch
• Jane: White Noon, by N. Ikeda
• Michael: Véronique, own composition
• Allona: Open, by Janet Gieck
• Mizuki: Prelude in E minor Op. 28 #4, by F. Chopin
• Jean-Claude: Sonata Op. 10 #1 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Jeff: Visions Fugitives Op. 22 #6 and #3, by S. Prokofiev
• Françoise: Ode to Vivian (Rework), by Patrick Watson
• David R: Minuets in G major and G minor, by C. Petzold (formerly attributed to J. S. Bach), SoundCloud recording
• Michael: Malagueña, by Ernesto Lescuona

Please see the message from Jennifer Messer: 

While we have truly enjoyed hosting the Ottawa Piano Group over the past 10 years, changes to our programming and difficulty in floor management unfortunately mean that we will need to take a pause from hosting OPG events in their current format next year.

This is not to say that the pianos or our spaces are no longer accessible to OPG members. You are all warmly invited to join our regular in-house Adult Music Sharing events at Steinway, held on the second Thursday morning of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon starting in September, and running through until June.

We are appreciative of the many wonderful years of music-making, community, and friendship that OPG has brought to Ottawa, and we look forward to continuing to work with you.

🎵 Notes from June 7 2026 meetup

We had a smaller group than usual, which allowed three rounds. Jean-Claude was brave enough to sight-read a duet with Sachie for the last piece! The genres ranged from baroque to modern.

Here’s what was performed: 

• Gregory: Hungarian Rondo , by F. J. Haydn
• Jean-Claude: French Suite # 5 1st to 5th mov, by J. S. Bach
• Hedda: Two-Part Invention #6, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Visions Fugitives Op. 22 #6 and #3, by S. Prokofiev
• Sachie: Prelude #1, by G. Gershwin
• Gregory: Songs Without Words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jean-Claude: In the Woods OP. 28 #1, by Edward MacDowell
• Sachie: Sonata in B flat K333 1st Mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 #22 and #2, by D. Shostakovitch
• Hedda: Incognito, by Jason Sifford
• Gregory: Here's That Rainy Day, by James van Heusen
• Jean-Claude: Nocturne Op. 9 #2 , by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #12 and Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Hedda: Arietta, by E. Grieg
• Sachie and Jean-Claude (4 hands duet): Sleeping Beauty Waltz, by P. I. Tchaikovsky

🎵 Notes from May 17 2026 meetup

It was a good gathering on a splendid spring day at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios. We all performed on the Steinway Model B on loan from Wita Schliewen, impresario of chamber music concerts in the Ottawa/Gatineau area.

Here’s what was played:

• Mary Ann: Arabesque #1, by C. Debussy
• Stephanie: Prelude #20, by F. Chopin
• Christopher: Petites Litanies de Jésus, by Gabriel Grovlez
• Andrew: Un Lift pur Ville Emard, by André Gagnon
• Jocelyne: Sonata in F minor, by L. V. Beethoven
• David R: Mazurkas Op. 68 #2 and #3, by F. Chopin
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Theme from Schindler’s List, by John Williams
• Mary Louise: Passacaglia, by G. F. Handel
• Marion: Seaside Retreat, by Wendy Stevens
• Karin: Siciliano, by Js. S. Bach arr. Wilhelm Kempff
• Mizuki: Songs Without Words Op. 67 #2, by F. Mendelssohn
• David G: Sonata in A Flat Op. 110 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Olga: Little Sonata in G minor, by D. Scarlatti
• Françoise (vocal) and David G (piano): Le Sommeil, by F. Poulenc
• Mizuki: Sakura Sakura Fantasy, by Hirai Kōzaburō
• David R (piano) video recording (viola): Gavotte from Opera Rosine, by F. J. Gossec
• Jocelyne: Moment Musicale, by F. Schubert
• David G: Sonata in A Flat Op. 110 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Mary Louise: I Will Remember You, by Sarah McLachlan

          

🎵 Notes from May 3 2026 meetup

We had another good session at David's house, and learned something new about the wonders of the Yamaha Disklavier.  It was noted that a number of our members perform pieces that they learned about from the Pianist magazine, something worth considering if you are looking for new material. Also, several participants highly recommended the book title below by a professional violist and neuroscientist that has upended our notions of music practice. Check out Molly Gebrian’s website and videos.

Here's what was played:

• David R (piano 4-hands with SuperScore app): Five Russian Folk Songs, by P. I. Tchaikovsky
• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Visions Fugitives Op. 22 #16 and #33, by S. Prokofiev
• Christopher: The Big Wave, by Garreth Brooke
• Karin: Siciliano, by J. S. Bach arr. Wilhelm Kempff
• Natalie: Nocturne Op. 32 # 2, by F. Chopin
• Jean-Claude: Ave Verum Corpus Wolfgang A. Mozart arr. F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Wiosna, by F. Chopin arr. F. Liszt
• Paul and Emil (piano 4 hands): Fantasy in F minor 2nd part, by F. Schubert
• Lorraine: Rialto Ripples, by George Gershwin
• Gregory: I'm in the Mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 34 # 22 and #2, by D. Shostakovitch
• Karin: Prelude Op. 11 # 9, by A. Scriabin
• Jean-Claude: Waltz in G Flat major, by F. Schubert arr. R. Strauss
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 59 #2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Waltz in C# minor Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording
• Christopher: Prelude #5, by Federico Mompou
• Lorraine: Solfeggietto, by C. P. E. Bach