Southminster's piano restoration project

The restoration project of the Heintzman grand piano at Southminster United Church is described in this article in the Ottawa Citizen, accompanied by a short video:

http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/the-southminster-piano-new-life-breathed-into-a-vintage-grand

Several members of OPG played on this instrument at a past session, as well as at a master class that was led by Roland Graham.

Report from the December 13, 2015 session

Another year of piano music has come to a close with the last session of 2015. A group gathered at John's home and played the following pieces, which included a number of seasonal arrangements:

Round 1
- Karin: “Polonaise in G minor”  by F. Chopin (Op. B.1) (composed when he was 7!)
- Sebastien: “Untitled”, own composition
- Greg: “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
- Irina: “Waltz” by F. Chopin  (Op. 69 #2)
- Janice S: “Invention no. 6” by J. S. Bach (BWV 777)
- Amieke: “Berceuse” by F. Chopin (Op. 57)
- Francine: “Homecoming” by Hagood Hardy
- Winnie: “O Holy Night” by A. Adam
- John: “10 composers in 6 minutes” -arrangement of “Jingle Bells” in the styles of 10 composers.

Round 2
- Greg: “Prelude in D, #4 of Six little Preludes” by J. S. Bach
- Sebastien: Improvisation on “Misty” by Errol Garner
- Amieke: “Novelette in C major”: by F. Poulenc
- Janice S: “ Invention no. 8” by J. S. Bach (BWV 779)
- Irina: “Italian Polka” by S. Rachmaninoff
- Sebastien: Improvisation on “Stompin’ at the Savoy” by Edgar Sampson
- John: “Sweet Holiness”, own composition

If your resolutions for the new year include playing more piano, or getting more comfortable playing in front of a small audience of like-minded peers, join us in 2016! For details, see the About the Ottawa Piano Group link at the side of this page.

OPG mentioned in the Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Piano Group was mentioned in the Ottawa Citizen in an article about various groups trying out the pianos at the new store in town:

http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/steinways-secret-to-success-let-the-people-play

Report from the November 15, 2015 session

Host: Karin

Thanks to Karin for hosting and sharing her two splendid pianos... a German Grotrian Steinweg upright and a 1912 Pleyel 5'6" grand.  From the title of a book of sheet music, our new group motto is Keep Calm and Play On (or variations thereof).

Here's what was played.

Karin, Greg — Haydn, Hungarian Rondo from Piano Concerto in D, two piano transcription by Denes Agay
Karin, Greg — Bill Dooley, Meet Frankie and Johnny, two piano arrangement by Denes Agay
Julie — Moszkowski, Étude No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 72 No. 2
Lorraine — Schumann, selections from Carnaval, Op. 9
John — own arrangement, O Holy Night
Barb — Mikhail Glinka, Variations on a Russian Song Among the Gentle Valley
Christopher —  Clementi, Sonatina in D Major, Op. 36 No. 6
Francine — Henri Bertini, Étude, Op. 29 No. 7
Janice — Satie, Gymnopédies No. 1, 2 and 3
Sachie — Chopin, Preludes, Op. 28 No. 6 and 7
David — Rachmaninoff, Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14, with cello recording by Luca Sulic

2nd round:
John — own arrangement, Huron Carol and We Three Kings
Christopher — Patrick Hawes, Towards The Light
Julie — Yann Tiersen, Comptine d'Été No. 2

Report from the October 18, 2015 session

Host: Ottawa Pianos

Round 1:

- Janice G.: “Scherzo”, by Clara Schumann (op. 10)
- Greg Z.: “Song without words (Daybreak)”, by F. Mendelssohn (op 64 #2)
- Karin T.: “Andantino from Second Ballade”, by F. Chopin (op. 38)
- Lynda J.: “Lied ohne ende” by Robert Schumann, (op. 124 #8)
- Liz (via Skype): “6th  Gnossienne” by E. Satie
- Gared L. : “Etude (the ocean)” by F. Chopin (op. 25 #2)
- John W.: 2 songs, “God and You” (for pre-teens) and “Be grateful” (for teens), original compositions.
- Sachie B.: Preludes, by F. Chopin (op 28# 1,3 and 4)
- Julie E.: “Etude” by M. Moszkowski (op. 72 #1)
- Francine F.:”Suite in G major” by Joseph Hector Fiocco (op. 1  #1)
- Nick B.: “Sonata #5, second movement, by L. Beethoven (op. 10 #1) (note: this piece has 1/128th notes)
- Lorraine: “Rialto Ripples” by George Gershwin

Round 2:

- Janice G.: “Berceuse” by F. Chopin (op. 57)
- Gared L.: ”Mischief”, and another with an undecided title, possibly “Dreams”, original compositions
- John W.: “Cat’s up a tree”, original composition.
- Nick B.: “Fugitive Visions” by S. Prokofiev (composed 1917) (op. 22#1) 

Report from the September 20, 2015 session

Host: Gared

A small group gathered at Gared's home and played a wide variety of music, including a number of contemporary works. We also chatted about piano teachers, piano buying, and technology in today's pianos and teaching methodologies.

Round 1:

- Gregory: “Reverie” by C. Debussy
- Julie: “La Valse d’Amélie” by Yann Tiersen
- Gared: “The Boisterous Chipmunk” (own composition)
- Darlene: “Prelude Op. 11 #5” by A. Scriabin
- David and Christopher (duet): “Sonata Op. 6, 2nd Movement” by L. van Beethoven

Round 2:

- Gared: “Prelude Op. 25 #2” by F. Chopin
- Gregory: “Fly me to the moon” by Bart Howard
- Christopher: “I Giorni” by Ludovico Einaudi
- Julie: “Comptine d’été #2” by Yann Tiersen
- Darlene: Selections from “Variations on the theme Salve tu domine” by W. A. Mozart
- David: “Nocturne Op. 9 #2” by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece

Round 3:

- Gared: “Mischief”, “Shapeless dreams”, and “Mouse” (own compositions)

Online piano course strikes the right chord with an OPG member

Long-time group member Mary Ann reports that she is enrolled in a free online piano course that is transforming her whole approach to learning and playing piano. She is so excited to have stumbled upon it that she wants to let other pianists know about this great opportunity:

http://artofpianotechnique.com/

This system was created by a Russian pianist, Emma Leiuman, who holds a Moscow State conservatory degree. The new way of teaching is based on an imagination and singing approach. It helps every advanced and pro student to reach effortless and fluent playing with no technical limits and express themselves freely through playing. It's free of charge and available for everyone who has a great passion to play piano well. The program includes free books, videos, student journal, student videos, and teacher's individual feedback on student homework.

Thanks for the great tip, Mary Ann!

Report from the August 16, 2015 session

We had a wonderful time at Janice G's, playing on her 1918 grand piano. There were 11 of us, including a visitor from Alberta, Grace, who had also attended a previous session while visiting Ottawa.

Music played:

- Gregory Z: Tales from the Vienna Woods (selections), by Johann Strauss Jr. (Op. 325)
- Dianne S: Song without Words, by F. Mendelssohn (Op. 19#2)
- Lynda J: Grande Valse Brillante, by F. Chopin (Op. 18)
- Francine F: Prelude in E minor, by F. Chopin
- John W: Surprise Symphony, 3rd movement by J. Haydn
- Christopher C: Nocturne, by J. Sibelius (piano version, from "Belshazzar’s Feast")
- Jorge P: L’Allemande from L’Art de toucher de clavecin, by F. Couperin
- Julie E: Prelude and Fugue in F# major, Book 1, By J. S. Bach (BWV 858)
- Darlene H: Theme and Variations on Salve tu Domine (selections) by W. A. Mozart (Series 21#10, K398)
- Grace S: Polonaise in A major, by F. Chopin
- Janice G: Wireless Rag, by Adaline Shepherd

Report from the July 19, 2015 session

Host: Winnie

A fairly small group met at Winnie's house to play her beautiful piano. Afterwards, we were treated to tea and had an interesting discussion about improvisation, favourite composers, and other issues. We welcomed new member, Lorraine, who played her first piece for the group.

Main round:
- Winnie: Prelude #1 from the “Well-tempered Clavier” by J. S. Bach
- Gregory: Song without words, “Venetian Boat Song” Op. 19 #6 by F. Mendelssohn
- Lynda: Nocturne, Op. 37 #1 by F. Chopin
- Christopher: “River Flows in You” by Yiruma
- Lorraine: Prelude #22 from the “Well-tempered Clavier” by J. S. Bach
- John: Improvisation on the Hymn “O beautiful Gaia”

Additional performances:
- Gregory: “Traumerei” Op. 15 #7 by R. Schumann
- Lynda: “Nola” by Felix Arndt.
- John: Improvisation on Hymn “Nearer my God to Thee”, and improvisation of “Beautiful Dreamer”
- Gregory: Largo from Fantasie Impromptu by F. Chopin
- John: Improvisation on the black keys

Report from the June 28, 2015 session

Today's session opened with a performance by guests Anna Baksheeva (violin) and Wayne Irschick (piano). We were also treated to a two-piano performance by Karin and Dianne.

Thanks to Mitchell of Ottawa Pianos on Bank Street for hosting this session.

Here are a few excerpts from the session.

Round 1:
- Anna (violin) and Wayne (piano): Sonata for Violin and Piano K304 by W.A. Mozart
- Dianne: Song without Words Op. 19 #2 by F. Mendelssohn
- Karin: Prelude 1913 by M. Ravel
- Janice G.: “Distant memories” and “Once upon a Time” by Alexina Louie
- Gregory: Serenade by F. Schubert
- John S.: Laurentide Waltz by O. Peterson
- John W.: Improvisations on 10 French folk songs
- Vanessa (played and sung): “Verdi Prati” by G. F. Handel, and “God Bless the Child” by Arthur Herzog and Billie Holiday
- Lynda: “Rosemary” by Frank Bridge
- Mitchell: Waltz in C# minor by F. Chopin
- Karin and Dianne: #2 of 6 studies in Canon form by R. Schumann, arr. by C. Debussy

Round 2:
- Gregory: Theme from “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis
- John W. “Purity”, a hymn based on a Norwegian folk melody
- Vanessa: “My love went to London” by Tony Scibetta

Music played at the May 31, 2015 session

We had a marvellous small group meeting today at Gared's with his family heirloom, a beautiful Steinway grand piano.

Barb, a new member, joined us for the first time and played twice.

1st round
-Lynda: Hommage by Maurice Dela
-Barb:  Prelude in C minor Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2 by Bach
-Christopher: Meditation by Chaminade
-Gared: Etude in C minor, op. 25 no. 12 by Chopin
-Sachie: Etude for thirds, Book 1 no. 2, by Debussy

2nd round
-Lynda: Silhouettes by Frank Slay Jr and Bob Crewe
-Gared: Frozen Village, own composition
-Christopher: Ashokan Farewell by J. Ungar arr. by Dan Coates
-Barb: Nocturne in C minor by Chopin

Music played at the May 17, 2015 session

Host: David

Despite the warm spring weather, there was a good turnout and splendid program.

Here's what was played:

Greg -- Cuthbert Harris, Introduction and Fugato
Julie -- Alexander Spendiarov, Berceuse
Karin -- Ravel, Prelude 1913
Irina -- Cuban folk song You (Habenera)   
Lynda -- Tchaikovsky Op. 40 No. 2 Chanson Trist, Waltz Op. 39 No. 8
John -- two Russian folk songs (own arrangement), Serenada, Serdtse (Heart)
Jennifer -- Rachmaninoff, Moment Musical Op. 16 No. 3
Amieke -- Schumann, Prophet Bird
Winnie -- Chopin, Prelude in D Flat Major (Raindrop)
Sachie -- Debussy, Etude No. 2 (Study in Thirds)
David -- Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 23 K488, Adagio Movement
(accompanied by Garritan Personal Orchestra and Home Concert Xtreme)

Round 2:

Greg -- Elmer Albrecht, Elmer’s Tune (1941 jazz standard)
Karin -- Edward Macdowell, Hunting Song Op. 39. No.1
Irina -- Rachmaninoff, Italian Polka
Winnie -- Jules Massenet, Meditation from Thais
Lynda -- Luiz Bonfa, Samba de Orfeu (from Big Book of Jazz)
Amieke -- C.P.E. Bach, Rondo for Harpsichord No. 4 in C Minor (piano version)
John -- three morning hymns (own arrangement), A Glorious Day is Dawning, 
Still Thee When Purple Morning Breaketh, Joy Cometh in the Morning
David -- Chopin, Etude Op. 10. No. 3, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

Music played at the April 19, 2015 session

Host: John

Round 1:

- John: Sonatina in G, by L. van Beethoven
- Gregory: King All-Glorious, by George M. Vail
- Liz: Waltz in B minor D145, by F. Schubert
- Lynda: Sonata Op. 14 #2,  2nd movement, by L. van Beethoven
- Christopher: New England Dawn, by Christopher Norton (composed 2007)
- Teresa: Nocturne in C Minor Op. Post., by F. Chopin
- Elizabeth: Take 5, by Dave Brubeck

Round 2

- John: Sonata in C, 2nd movement, K545, by W. A. Mozart
- Gregory: Lara’s Theme (from Dr. Zhivago), by Maurice Jarre
- Liz: Meditation (her own improvisation) on a Schubert theme
- Lynda: Swipesy, by Scott Joplin
- Christopher: “The Colors of my Life”, by Cy Coleman (arr. by Dan Coates)
- Elizabeth: Jazz improvisation
- John: His own arrangement of “Yield not to temptation” (Anglican Hymn)


After the refreshments, John sang a Russian song, accompanying himself on the balalaika.

Music played at the March 15, 2015 session

Host: Lynda

Maybe it was Spring in the air, but we had a fun-filled get-together this afternoon with piano music, singing, and poetry. Two new members, Teresa and Aida, attended and Teresa was brave enough to play for us.

Round 1:
- Gregory; Moment Musical in A flat, Op. 94 #6 by F. Schubert
- Vanessa: Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, arr. by George Shearing (from current Grade 9 Royal Conservatory book)
- Karin: Sonata in C, first movement, by Baldassare Galuppi (From British pianists magazine)
- Lynda: March Past, by Oscar Peterson (piano transcription of #7 of the Canadian Suite, Hal Leonard publisher)
- Mary-Lou: Sonata in E flat major Hob #49, middle movement, Adagio Cantabile, by F. J. Haydn
- John: Own arrangement of three Irish Folk Songs (Londonderry Air, It’s a long long way to Tipperary, and Airman’s Hymn)
- Irina: Italian Polka by S. Rachmaninoff
- Teresa: Once upon a December, theme from Anastasia, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty

Round 2

- Lynda: Misty, by Errol Garner (from “Great songs of the 50’s”)
- Greg: Here’s that Rainy Day, by Johnny Burke and James van Heusen (also sung by Vanessa)
- Vanessa: Decadent Sentimental Song by Miguel Manzano (from current Grade 9 Royal Conservatory book)
- Mary Lou (read poem): Poco a Poco by Betsy Sholl
- Irina: Waltz in A flat minor, op. Post., by F. Chopin
- Karin: Prelude in G flat major op 16 #3 by A. Scriabin
- John: Own arrangement of three Russian Folk Songs (Serenade, Heart, and Far away, Far away)
- John and Irina: sang Russian folk songs (a capella) 

Music played at the February 1, 2015 session

Thanks again to Mitchell for hosting our Sunday afternoon session at Ottawa Pianos.  It was a great reunion with Liz (the group's founder), meeting old friends and making new ones.  This might have been the largest number of performers that we have had at one gathering.

Here's what was played:

Gregory — Chopin, middle section of Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66 No. 4
Lynda — Mozart, 2nd movement of Piano Sonata No. 16, K. 545
Karin — Edward MacDowell, Beauty in the Rose Garden
Liz — Charles-Valentin Alkan, Petit Air Dolant
Nick B — Beethoven, 1st movement of Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 10 No. 1
Nick M — Kabalevsky Preludes,  Op. 38 No. 2 and No. 6
John — own composition, Chorus of Morning Glories
Irina — Chopin, Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 69 No. 1
Elizabeth — Beethoven, 1st movement of Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 10 No. 2
Gared — Chopin, Étude Op. 25 No. 1
David — Bach, Siciliano from Flute Sonata No. 2, piano transcription by Wilhelm Kempff, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
Sachie — Rachmaninoff, Étude, Opus 39 no. 6 in A minor “Little Red Riding Hood”
Christopher — Borodin, Nocturne from Petite Suite
Mitchell — Mendelssohn, Venetian Boat Song, Op. 30 No. 6
Julie — Rachmaninoff, Étude Tableau, Op. 33 No. 8 in G Minor
Eleanor — Bach, Arioso

2nd round:

Gregory — Jimmy McHugh, I’m in the Mood for Love
Nick M — Arvo Part, Fur Alina
Liz — Cecile Chaminade, Meditation
Gared — own composition, Dusk
Lynda — Oscar Peterson, Laurentide Waltz
John — own composition, Black Key Improvisation 1 2 15
David — Chopin, Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2
Liz — Samuel Maikapar, Matin Calme

Vote for Mary Ann in CBC's piano competition!

Long-time Ottawa Piano Group member Mary Ann has entered CBC's amateur pianist competition. You can read all about the contest and view her entry here http://piano.strutta.com/entry/8301092.

To show your support, you can vote for her each day until January 22.

Good luck, Mary Ann!

Music played at the January 18, 2015 session

Host: Mary Ann

Round 1:

- Greg Z: “The girl with the flaxen hair” by C. Debussy
- Karin T: “Beauty in the Rose-Garden” by E. MacDowell (Op. 4#3)
- Christopher C: “Petite Suite #6-Serenade” by A. Borodin
- Irina B: “Waltz in A Minor” by F. Chopin (Op. Post.)
- Winnie C: “Sonata in D Major” by J. Haydn (Hob. XVI:51)
- John W: Russian and Polish national anthems
- Mary Ann: “Song without words (Duetto)” by F. Mendelssohn (Op. 38#6). Note that Mary Ann entered her performance of this work in this year’s CBC amateur pianists contest “Piano Hero”.

Round 2:

- Greg Z: “I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair” by S. Foster
- Irina B: “Waltz in A flat” by F. Chopin
- Karin T: “Prelude” by F. Chopin (op. 28 #6). Note that Chopin requested that this piece be played at his own funeral.
- John W: Two Russian folk songs, Serenada (Serenade) and Serdtsa (Heart)
- Christopher C: “Petite Suite #7-Nocturne” by A. Borodin
- Winnie C: “Meditation from Thais” by J. Massenet