Music played at the December 11, 2016 session

Host: Erin

A wide variety of pieces was played, old and new, classical and modern, with a few seasonal favorites, on Erin’s wonderful grand piano. The pieces were also enjoyed by a friendly cat.  The session fortunately ended before the snow became heavy.

Round 1:

1. Gregory: Introduction and Fugato,  by Cuthbert Harris
2. Gordon:  3^rd movement of the Pathetique Sonata, by L. van Beethoven
3. Erin: Gnosienne #3, by Eric Satie
4. John: Improvisation on “We 3 Kings” (traditional)
5. Julie: Etude Op. 25 #2 by F. Chopin
6. Sachie: The Spruce (op 75 #5), by J. Sibelius
7. Winnie: Waltz in E minor, by F. Chopin 
8. Jeff: Reverie, by C. Debussy
9. Christopher: Send in the Clowns, by S. Sondheim, arr. Dan Coates
10. Lynda: Prelude in F, by J. S. Bach BWV881
11. Teresa: Canon de Noël, by Pachelbel, arranged by Joseph Martin

Round 2:

1. Julie: Fugue in C# Major (Well Tempered Clavier book 1), by J. S. Bach
2. Greg: Elmer’s Tune, by Elmer Albrecht (words by Sammy Gallop and Dick Jurgens)
3. John: Waltz Fantikaska, own composition
4. Winnie: Meditation (from Thais), by J. Massenet
5. Christopher: In the bleak midwinter, traditional, arr. Robin Spielberg
6. Jeff: Années de pelerinage, 3ième année #4,  by F. Liszt
7. Teresa: O come, O Come, Emmanuel, arranged by Philip Keveren
8. Lynda: Alfie, by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
9. Erin: Waltz in B minor, by Victor Kosenko
10. Gordon: Remembrance, Op. 68# 28, by R. Schumann

John's piano

(Note: This is the first in a series of posts about the pianos of some of our members.)

John's 1920 Heintzman

I greatly enjoy playing my Toronto-built Heintzman upright, whose inside label proclaims it as a "grand piano in upright form". It is the same one I​ took lessons and​ practised on as a child back at my mother's home in Vancouver in the 1940s. 

My grandmother purchased it, I believe, before I was born, though I know of no one else in my family who played. I checked the serial number one time on-line, which gave its date of manufacture as 1920. 

Today in its new position in our upstairs sitting-room (and it cost a pretty penny just to have it moved there from downstairs!), and after a long-overdue tuning, it sounds better than ever!

Music played at the November 20, 2016 session

Host: John

It was snowy outside but the warmth inside got our literary and musical juices flowing. There were some “golden oldies” and some pieces rarely played.

Round 1:

- Gregory: “Elegie” by J. Massenet
- Gordon: Waltz op. 69 #2 by F. Chopin
- Jeff: Prelude op 11 # 12 by A. Scriabin
- Karin: Méditation # 3 from “Avant dernières pensées”, by E. Satie
- David:  Farfarinette by J. P. Rameau (this was the theme for Jurgen Gothe’s “Disc Drive” on the CBC)
- Teresa: Prelude in D flat major by F. Chopin
- Sachie: Sonata Op. 10 # 3, 1st movement, by L. Beethoven
- John: 3 hymns/folk songs: “Londonderry Air”, “Purity”, and “Yield Not to Temptation”

Round 2:

- Gordon: Gavotte in D, by J. S. Bach
- Teresa: Etude in G Major, by Cornelius Gurlitt
- Greg: “The Maple Leaf forever” by Alexander Muir, and “Rule, Britannia” by Thomas Arne
- Jeff: Années de pelerinage, 3ième année, Aux cypres de la Villa d’Este (S163 #3) , by F. Liszt
- David: Fur Elise, by L. van Beethoven
- John: “The Little Light Tree”, own improvisation and words to “I had a little nut tree”

Looking for some practising tips?

This page on the Pianist Magazine website has ten tips on how to improve and maximize your practice time: Maximizing Your Practice Time.

Music played at the October 23, 2016 session

Host: Jeff

A big crowd (11 of us plus Jeff and his wife) came to Jeff’s home where we enjoyed playing his Steinway grand (ca 1977), an excellent view north to the Ottawa River in brilliant sunshine, and excellent hospitality.

Round 1

Janice G: F. Schubert, Impromptu Op. 90#2
Greg: J. S. Bach, Prelude #6 in d minor, BWV 851
Erin: Torjussen, To the Rising Sun, Op. 4 #1
John: Traditional Russian songs, Serenada and Serdtse
Gordon: J. S. Bach, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
Christopher: Scarlatti, Sonata K. 213 in d minor
Jeff: J. Brahms Capriccio Op. 116 # 7
David: F. Mendelssohn, Song without Words, Op. 30 #6
Carly: F. Chopin, Nocturne in e minor, Op. post.
Janice S: J. S. Bach, Invention 8, BWV 779
Vanessa: F. Chopin, Nocturne, Op. post 72
Lynda: Grieg, Norwegian Melody No. 2, Op. 12 #6

Round 2

Greg: N. Rimsky-Korsakov, Song of India
Vanessa : Thelonius Monk, 'Round Midnight'
Lynda: Alfred Rolando Ortiz, Cumbia Deliciosa
John: Free improvisation
Gordon: D. Shostakovitch, Prelude Op. 87 #1
David: Scottish folk tune arranged by Michael Logozar, “The Water is Wide”
Jeff: A. Scriabin: Prelude Op. 11 #10
Janice S:  J. S. Bach, Invention 13

CBC Radio documentary about old upright pianos

The CBC presented a 20-minute radio documentary this past Sunday about the sorry end that awaits so many old upright pianos these days. Listen to the documentary.

Music played at the September 18, 2016 session

Thanks to Mary Lou for sharing her sonorous Mason and Hamlin grand in a beautiful Gatineau Park-like setting.

Here's what was played:

Greg -- Granados, Spanish Dance, Op. 5 No. 5
Teresa -- Kabalevsky, Dreams, Op. 88 No. 1
Christopher -- Couperin, Barricades Mystérieuses
Jeff -- Liszt, Années de pèlerinage, Troisième année, Sunt lacrimae rerum (tears of things)
Mary Lou -- Brahms, Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 2
David -- Schumann, An Important Event and Schubert, Waltz in D Major
John -- traditional Russian folk songs, Katjusha and Korobushka

2nd round:
Mary Lou -- Fauré, Barcarolle No. 1 in A Minor
Greg -- Brahms, Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
Jeff -- Liszt, Nuages Gris, S. 199
Teresa -- Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Once Upon a December
David -- Grieg, Death of Ase from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, SoundCloud recording of David playing
John -- own improvisation

Angela Hewitt will be playing a lot of Bach

Ottawa native Angela Hewitt will be playing an awful lot of Bach over the next few years, including a series of piano recitals right here.

See this article in the Ottawa Citizen for all the details: http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/pianist-angela-hewitt-embarks-on-a-bach-odyssey-12-recitals-over-4-years

Music played at the August 14, 2016 session

Host: Francine

We had another great session of piano music at Francine's, with a battle between dissonance and consonance (in the musical choices). We welcomed two first-timers to the group, Gordon and Carly, and everyone enjoyed the post-playing conversation and snacks.

Round 1:

Greg - June from the seasons, by P. Tchaikovsky
Gordon - Moonlight Sonata, 1st movement, by L. van Beethoven
Karin - Petites Litanies de Jesus,  by Gabriel Grovlez
Janice - Oriental, op. 5, by E. Granados
Christopher - Arioso, BWV 1056 (arr. Scaife), by J. S. Bach
John - Song of St. Catharines, own composition
Carly - Nocturne in C# minor, op. Post., by F. Chopin
Jeff - Années de Pèlerinage, Aux cyprès de la Villa d'Este (part 1), by F. Liszt
Lynda - Sonata in A, 2nd movment, by F. Schubert
Francine - Milonga del angel, by Astor Piazzolla

Round 2:

Greg - Prelude Op.33 #3 by A. Scriabin
Gordon - Prelude in C by J.S. Bach
Karin - Impresiones intimas #2, by Federico Mompou
Christopher - Le Carbet, by John Kember
John - Song of St. Catharines, own composition, with vocals
Lynda - Un Vals par sonar, by Dr. Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, also with vocals
Jeff - Années de Pèlerinage, Aux cyprès de la Villa d'Este (part 2), by F. Liszt

Music played at the July 10, 2016 session

Host: Lynda

Round 1:

Greg Z. - Bethena (a concert waltz) by Scott Joplin
Erin - Bagatelle in G Minor by L. van Beethoven
Jeff - Preludes Op. 11 #10 and Op. 33#3 by A. Scriabin
Lynda - Song without words, Op. 38#2 by F. Mendelssohn
John - 4 Canadian songs (own composition)
Francine - Lieb’ Schwesterlein by Robert Fuchs

Round 2:

Greg Z. - Theme from movie “Exodus” by Ernest Gold
Erin - Sonatina in G major by Kuhlau
Lynda - Fugue # 5 by J. S. Bach
Jeff - Années de Pelerinage, Troisième Année #2
John - Ottawa Song (own composition)

Playing piano on the Arctic Ocean

Music played at the June 12, 2016 session

We had the opportunity to perform on Julie’s new 6’1” Bosendorfer, a beautiful grand piano with a velvety rich, mellow sound.

Host: Julie

Here’s what was played:
Greg Z — Scott Joplin, Weeping Willow
Lynda — Schubert, Sonata in A Major 1st Movement Allegro Moderato, D 664
Christopher — Brahms, Intermezzo, Op. 117 No. 1
Janice G — Mozart, Sonata in E Flat Major 1st Movement Adagio, K. 282
Jeff — Scriabin, Prelude, Op. 11 No. 12
John W — own medley arrangement of 3 hymns: Traditional, Morning is Broken; Vangelis, Chariots of Fire; Klusmeier, Deep in Our Hearts
Julie — Bach, Invention No. 8 in F Major, BWV 779
David — Bach, Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, BWV 846, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

2nd round:
Greg Z — Claude Francois, Comme d’Habitude (My Way)
Lynda — Grieg, Anitra’s Dance from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
Julie — Yann Tiersen, La Valse d’Amélie
David — James Newton Howard, Rue’s Farewell from “The Hunger Games”, SoundCloud recording
John W — free improvisation
Jeff — Scriabin, Prelude, Op. 16 No. 2

Music played at the May 16, 2016 session

Another enjoyable afternoon of music!  We also welcomed new member Greg M.

Host: David

Here’s what was played:

Greg Z — Mendelssohn, Songs Without Words "Venetian Gondola", Op. 30 No. 6
Karin — Federico Mompou, Sad Bird
Christopher — Mozart, Sonata in B Flat Major 1st Movement, K. 570
Erin —  Anton Diabelli, Sonatina in B Flat Major, Op. 168 No. 4
Greg M — Muzio Clementi, Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36 No. 1
John W — Mozart, Sonata in C Major 2nd Movement, K. 545
Liz — Granados, Epilogo from Escenas Romanticas
David — David P. Jones, Legal Highs II Menthology (duet for violin and marimba, with keyboard playing marimba part)
Jeff — Scriabin, Preludes, Op. 11 No. 10, Op. 33 No. 3
Gared — Beethoven, Sonata No. 17 in D Minor "The Tempest” 1st Movement, Op. 17
Vanessa — Chopin, Prelude in F Sharp Major, Op. 28 No. 13

2nd round:
Liz —  Elena Cobb, Star Dust
Karin —  Federico Mompou, Cancion y Danza No. 14
Greg Z — Naomi Shemer, Jerusalem of Gold
David — Rachmaninoff, 18th Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
Jeff - Schumann, Romance No.1 piano accompaniment
John W — free improvisation
Gared — free improvisation “Serendipity”
Gared — own composition, “Serendipity 2”
Vanessa — Thelonius Monk, April in Paris
Erin — Viktor Kosenko, Waltz
Greg M — Mike Springer, Sunset in Rio

Music played at the April 17, 2016 session

Host: Sachie

Mozart seemed to be in the air at today's get-together.

Round 1:

- Greg: “Nocturne in F Sharp minor” by Anita Pari
- Lynda: “Sonata K330” by W. A. Mozart
- Erin: “Polonaise in E major” from French Suite #6, by J. S. Bach
- Sachie: “Sonata K576, 1st movement” by W. A. Mozart
- David R.: “18th variation of Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini” by S. Rachmaninoff
- Janice S: “Sonata Facile K545” by W. A. Mozart
- Julie: “Sonatine, 2nd movement” by M. Ravel
- Jeff H: “Prelude op. 11 #10” by A. Scriabin
- John W.: “Surprise Symphony, 3rd movement” by J. Haydn

Round 2:

- Lynda: “Lullaby of Birdland” by George Shearing
- Greg: “Misty” by Erroll Garner
- Erin: “Lament” by Cornelius Gurlitt
- David R: “The water is wide”, Scottish folk song arranged by Michael Logozar
- John: 3 United Church Hymns
- Julie: “Invention #8 BWV 779” by J. S. Bach
- Sachie: “Prelude Op. 28 #20” by F. Chopin

Music played at the March 20, 2016 session

Our second session in March was another small gathering but was very enjoyable nonetheless. By chance, the sonata form played a big role today, but we also had music ranging from the Baroque to the 21st century.

Host: Christopher

First round:
Karin - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin, Debussy
Erin - Polonaise in E major, JS Bach
Teresa - Once Upon a December, Ahrens and Flaherty
Barb - Sonata in e minor, 3rd mvmt, Haydn
Christopher - Berlin Song, Einaudi

Second round:
Karin - Sweet Hush of Dawn, W. Carroll
Barb - The Poet Speaks, Schumann
Teresa - Sonata in f minor, Scarlatti
Erin - Sonatina in B flat major, Diabelli
Christopher - Sonata in B flat major (exposition only), Mozart
Teresa - A Short Story, Kabalevsky

Report from the March 13, 2016 session

Host: John

Round 1

1. Greg: “Adieu to the Piano”, by L. van Beethoven
2. Mary-Lou: “Nocturne #3 in A flat major”, by G. Fauré (Op. 33)
3. Karin: “The passing of Una” and “The sweet hush of Dawn”, both by Walter Carrol
4. John: “Chorus of Morning Glories” (own composition)

Round 2

1. Greg: “To a wild rose”, by E. MacDowell
2. Mary-Lou: “Impromptu #3 in G flat” by F. Schubert (Op. 90)
3. Karin: “Polonaise in G minor”, by F. Chopin (B.1)
4. John: Improvisation on “I had a little nut tree”

Report from the February 21, 2016 session

Host: Ottawa Pianos

First Round:
Greg: 2nd movement of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 13 (Adagio)
Karin: La Fille aux Cheuveux de Lin, Debussy
Lin E: Chopin Valse Op 69 #2
Erin: Bach, Allemande in G BWV 837
Liz W. (in England): Waltz, Aleksandr Griboyedov
Gared: First Excursion, Samuel Barber
Janice: Mendelssohn Andante Sostenuto Op. 72 # 2
Mary Lou:  Schubert Impromptu #3 in G flat major. Op. 90
Sebastien: Sustenance (own composition)
Amieke: Nocturne, Samuel Barber
John W: Beethoven Sonatina in G major, with ornamentation
Lynda: Grieg, Heartaches Op. 34 #1
Tim: Claire de lune, Debussy
Julie: Ravel Sonatina 3rd movement
Francine: Beethoven, Fur Elise

Round Two:
Lynda: The Heart Asks Pleasure First. Michael Nyman
Greg: Jessica's theme
John: Hymn tune, "Purity" based on a Norwegian Folk Melody
Gared: Boisterous Chipmunk (own composition)
Karin: Lullaby, Mark Tanner

Report from the January 17, 2016 session

Our first session of 2016 was held at the Steinway Piano Gallery, giving us the opportunity to perform on a gorgeous concert grand. Two new members played, and we also had a guest violinist.

Here's what was played:

Greg — Debussy, Claire de Lune
Julie — Moszkowski, Etude No. 6 in F Major, Op. 72
Christopher — Mendelssohn, Song Without Words “Duetto”, Op. 38 No. 6
Erin — Schubert, Waltz in B Minor, Op. 18 No. 6
David — Rachmaninoff, Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Gared — Chopin, Nocturne in D Flat Major, Op. 27 No. 2
Nick B — Chopin, Prelude in F# Major, Op. 28. No. 13
Matthew — Bach, Chromatic Fantasy, BWV 903
Karin — Chopin, Andantino from Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38
Barb — Brahms, Intermezzo, Op. 76 No. 7
Tim — Bach, Menuets from Partita No. 1 in B Flat Major, BWV 825
Diane C — Hal Isbitz, At Midnight
Sachie and young student violinist Sumika — Thomas Arne, Sonata No. 5 in B Flat Major, transcription by Harold Craxton
John — own arrangement of two “harp” hymns: Clement Scholefield, St. Clement; traditional, Greensleeves
Janice S — Beethoven, Bagatelle No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 119

2nd round:
Gared — own composition, Clash (an electrifying, percussive rendition of two against three rhythms)
David — Chopin, “Raindrop” Prelude, Op. 28 No. 15
Nick B — Schumann, Scenes from Childhood (Kinderszenen) No. 1, Op. 15
Matthew — Bach, Prelude in D Major
Greg — Nicholas Brodszky, I’ll Walk with God
John — own arrangement of traditional Norwegian folk melody, hymn Purity
Julie — Rachmaninoff, Etude-Tableau in G Minor, Op. 33 No. 8
Diane C — Jean-Baptiste Lafrenière, Valse Miroir

Thanks to Mitchell for hosting our group at Steinway, and thanks to David for stepping in to help coordinate the session.

CBC's "Piano Hero" contest is back

CBC is once again holding a contest where you can submit a video of yourself performing a piece on the piano and vote for your favourites from all the entries.

All the details are at: http://music.cbc.ca/#!/Piano-Hero

Let us know if you enter (from January 11 to 21) so that we can spread the word and vote for you!

"Getting Started"