🎵 Notes from July 18 2026 meetup

It was a perfect day to be inside playing the piano, 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

             

                          

                             

🎵 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, SoundCloud recording
• David R: Atacama Desert, by Wyne-Anne Rossi, SoundCloud recording
• 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