Music Played on December 17, 2017

Host: Gregory

Despite snow and a serious accident on the 417, a keen group of 13 pianists convened on Gregory's house.  We played on his 100+ year old Heintzman upright piano.

The most popular genre for this meeting was Christmas music with four people playing five Christmas themed pieces.  There was also a link back to last month with Gordon playing a Waltz by Amy Beech.  And, two performances of the same piece by Handel: the original and an arrangement.

The surprise winning composer was A. Scriabin, with three people playing preludes written by him.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
2.	Gordon	Waltz in B minor, op. 25 #6 by Viktor Kosenko and
		Waltz in C Op. 36 #3 by Amy Beach
3.	Christopher	Bagatelle Op. 33 #6, by L. van Beethoven
4.	Nick	Reverie, by C. Debussy
5.	John	A setting from the poem “Long Long ago”, Own composition with improvisation. See below for a Youtube video of a recording of this work for piano and organ.
6.	Sachie	Prelude vol 2 #4, Les Fées sont d’exquises danseuses, by C. Debussy.
7.	David	Minuet in G Minor by G. F. Handel, arr. By W. Kempff.
8.	Karin	Minuet in G Minor by G. F. Handel, original version from keyboard Suite HMV 434
9.	Karin & Nancy (duet)	The First Noel and What Child is This, arr. by Dennis Alexander
10.	Dan T.	Sonata in D, 1st movement, by F. J. Haydn
11.	Caryn	Nocturne in C# Minor, Op 27, #1, by F. Chopin
12.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 24 #4, by A. Scriabin
13.	Jennifer	Intermezzo Op. 116 #2, by J. Brahms

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Once, in Royal David’s City, by Henry John Gauntlett
2.	Gordon	Linus and Lucy, by Vince Guaraldi. (from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”)
3.	Christopher	Bagatelle Op. 33 #3, by L. Van Beethoven
4.	David	Prelude Op. 11 #15, by A. Scriabin
5.	Dan	Intermezzo, Op. 116 #6, by J. Brahms
6.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 17 #4, by A. Scriabin

Video of John playing his composition of 'Long, Long Ago'.

Music played on November 19, 2017

Host: Karin

Winter attempted, but failed, to prevent our getting together.  We enjoyed two great pianos, a Steinweg-Grotrian upright and a Pleyel grand.  Interesting to experience playing on a different generation of instruments.

We had an unusual number of pieces from relatively unknown women composers, a nice bit of variety.

And the winning composer this week goes to the group of unknown women composers who deserve to be better known.  I'll add one more late romantic female composer name to that list: Cécile Chaminade.

Round 1:

1. Karin & Greg:    Lonely Talk, 2 piano duet, by Arletta. O'Hearn
2. Gordon:             Op 102 #3 (Tarantella)  & op 19, no 2 (Pensive Moments), by F. Mendelssohn
3. Janice G.:           Sonata Gb+, by Marianne von Auenbruggar
4. Jackie:                Minuet, by L. Boccherini 
5. Mary Lou:          Sonata in Bb+, slow movement, K570, by W. A. Mozart
6. John,:                 10 Chansons françaises, traditional
7. Lynda:                Menuet from le Tombeau de Couperin by M. Ravel
8. Christopher:      Londonderry Air and the Minstrel Boy, traditional

Round 2:

1. Janice G:            Impromptu, by Louise Farrenc
2. Mary Lou:         Arabesque Op. 18, by R. Schumann
3. Greg:                 “Here’s that rainy Day”, by James Van Heusen
4. Jackie:                Canon, by J. Pachelbel
5. John.:                 Improvisation on “We Three Kings”, traditional
6. Gordon:             Daybreak, op 62 no 4, by F. Mendelssohn
7. Lynda:                “king of the road”, by Roger Miller
8. Karin & Greg:    “I’ll wait for you”, 4 hands, by Martha Mier

Music played on October 15, 2017

Music played October 15, 2017.

Thank you to Mervyn for being our welcoming host. And for providing a unique opportunity to play on a beautiful Bechstein grand piano.  We're having a good run of great pianos to play.

The music came from a broad range of composers this session.  Only Mendelssohn and Beethoven had more than one piece played (two 'slots' each).  The tie is broken by Mendelssohn having four pieces played by one person.  Congratulations!

Round 1:

1. Greg:            Toccata in D-, by J. S. Bach
2. Gordon:        Op 102 #3 (Tarantella)  and #6 (faithfulness), by F. Mendelssohn
3. Sachie:         Sonata Op. 2, no 1, 2^nd movement, by L. van Beethoven
4. Erin:              In the Evening, by H. Hoffman
5. Jackie:          Sonata in C+, 3rd movement, by W. A. Mozart
6. David R:        Piano Concerto #5, 2nd movement, by J.S. Bach, SoundCloud recording
7. John W,:       Everytime I feel the spirit, traditional
8. Jeff:               Prelude Op 17, no 4 by A. Scriabin
9. Lynda:           Sonata Op. 14 no 2, by L. V Beethoven
10. Nancy:          Gymnopedie #1, by E. Satie
11. Dan:              Moment Musical Op. 94 no 4, by F. Schubert

Round 2:

1. Greg:            Lara’s theme, by M. Jarre
2. Gordon:       Op. 19 #4 (Confidence) and Op. 85 #2 (Farewell), by F. Mendelssohn
3. Sachie:         Prelude Op. 28 no 11, by F. Chopin
4. Erin:             Waltz, by V. Kosenko
5. David R        Sarabande, by G. F. Handel
6. John W.:       Improvisation on “let all mortal flesh..”, traditional
7. Dan:             Malaguena, by Ernesto Le cuona
8. Nancy:         Autumn Afternoon, by E. Rocherolle
9. Lynda:          Strangers in Paradise , based on melody by A. Borodin

Music Played on September 17, 2017

Music played September 17, 2017; Thank you to Mitchell and Ottawa Piano for hosting us and for making available their wonderful Yamaha CFS Concert Grand piano.

The group welcomed a new member (Karen).

Chopin took the prize for most popular composer this session. He was the only composer who had more than one piece played.

Round 1:

1. Mitchell:                Prelude Op. 11 No. 15, by A. Sciabin
2. Greg:                     Menuet No. 5 from Le Tombeau de Couperin, by M.Ravel
3. Lynda:                   Sonata #10 (G+), Op 14, no 2, by L.van Beethoven
4. Nancy & Karin:     Canon in D+, Piano Duet, by J. Pachelbel
5. Nick:                      Nocturne in B+, op 31, no 1, by F. Chopin
6. Keegan:                Prelude in C#+, op 45, by F. Chopin
7. John:                     Improvisation
8. David:                   Goldberg Variations: Aria, #7, #19, Aria, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud
9. Karen:                   Fantasie Improptu, op66, by F. Chopin

Round 2:

1. Nancy:                  Waltz in A-, op 12, no 2, by E. Grieg
2. Karin:                    Songs without Words, opp 19, no 2, by F. Mendelssohn
3. Nick:                      Prelude. Book 2, no 5: Bruyeres, by C. Debussy
4. John:                     Traditional Hymn: Nearer, My God to Thee, own version
5. Lynda:                   Soul Bossa Nova, by Q. Jones
6. David:                    Fanfarinette, by J. Rameau

Pieces played on August 20, 2017

Music played August 20, 2017; Thank you to our host and wife for your gracious hospitality.

The group welcomed a member of the Toronto Amateur Pianists group. You can check out their Facebook page. They also hold monthly concerts, but rent a hall and members pay to participate. We are so lucky to have members host us free of charge and even provide us with snacks!! Thank-you all.

Beethoven took a strong lead in round for most popular composer with 3 performances.  Chopin made a late run in round #2 to tie Beethoven for the final prize.

Round 1:

1. Greg:            Adagio Cantabile from Sonata Op. 13, by L. V. Beethoven
2. Gordon:       Second movement of Sonata Op. 110, by L. V. Beethoven
3. Mary Lou:    Sonata K570, 1^st movement, by W. A. Mozart
4. Janice G:      Bordel 1900, by A. Piazzolla
5. Walter:        Graceful Ghost Rag, by William Bolcom
6. Karin:           Andantino from 2^nd ballade op. 38, by F. Chopin
7. Vanessa:      Preludes in C Minor and B Minor, by F. Chopin
8. Lynda:          Sonata Op. 14#2, 1^st movement, by L. V Beethoven
9. Elodie:         Italian Concerto #3, 3^rd movement, by J. S. Bach
10. Julie:            Sonatine, 2^nd movement, by M. Ravel

Round 2:

1. Greg:            Prelude Op 33 #3, by A. Scriabin
2. Gordon:       Salut D’amour, by E. Elgar
3. Mary Lou:    Invention #3 in D major, by J. S. Bach
4. Karin:           “Playin’ it cool” by Eugenie Rocherolle
5. Walter:         Allemande, by J.P. Rameau
6. Elodie:         Sonata K 300 1^st movement, by W. A. Mozart
7. Vanessa:      Prelude in E minor, by F. Chopin
8. Julie:            Happy time Jazz, by Martha Mier

PIeces played at the pianogroup event on July 16, 2017

A very pleasant Sunday afternoon playing great music with large paintings of the planets looking over our shoulders.  No-one tried to play any Holst.  Maybe next time?

Chopin won the prize for the most popular composer for the day with six of his pieces being presented by four pianists.  Gared ran an improv event where the audience gave him directions for the chord progressions he used in his piece.

Round 1:

1. Gregory:         Bethena, a concert Waltz, by Scott Joplin
2. Mary Lou:       Song and Dance #6, by Mompou
3. Erin:                 Invention #9, by J. S. Bach
4. Gail:                 Little Shepherd, by C. Debussy
5. Nick:                Balade Op 118 # 3, by J. Brahms
6. Caryn:             Menuet in G Minor, by J. S. Bach
7. Julie:                Sonatine 1^st movement, by M. Ravel
8. Christopher:   Reverie, by C. Debussy
9. Gared:              Preludes 1,3 and 10, by F. Chopin
10. Vanessa:          Prelude and Fugue in b flat major, by J. S. Bach
11. John:                10 chansons françaises, traditional (own arrangement)

Round 2:

1. Gregory:          Adieu to the Piano, by L.V Beethoven
2. Gail:                 Jane’s Song, by Norton
3. Erin:                 Waltz, by Victor Kosenko
4. Mary Lou:       Nocturne, Op. 27 #2, by F. Chopin
5. Nick:                 Prelude Book 2 #5 (Bruyeres), by C. Debussy
6. Caryn:              Nocturne in c# minor (op. Post.), by F. Chopin
7. Julie:                Sonata in c minor, 1^st movement, by W. Mozart
8. Christopher:   River flows in you, by Yiruma
9. Gared:             “improve #7”, by the whole group
10. Vanessa:          Prelude in F# major, by F. Chopin
11. John:                katiushka, (Russian folk melody)

Music played on June 11, 2017 at John's house

We had a smaller group this time, and welcomed first-time member Nancy.

Round 1:

1. Gregory:    Moment Musical, op. 94 #6, by F. Schubert
2. Nancy:       Prelude and Fugue #2 in C minor by J. S. Bach
3. Janice S:    Gnossiennes #1,2,and 3, by E. Satie
4. Karin:        Prelude Op. 16 #3 in Dm AND Pieces Fugititives , Larghetto op. 15,
                        both by Clara Schumann
5. Sachie:       Sonata Op.2 no 1, 1st movement, by L. van Beethoven
6. Jackie:       “You raise me up”, by Rolf Lovland, arr. by Philip Keveren
7. John W.:     Improvisation on “Somewhere over the rainbow”, by Harold Arlen,
                         and a Norwegian Folk song.

Round 2:

1. Gregory:    “To a Wild rose”, by Edward McDowell
2. Nancy:      “Amazing Grace”, by John Newton
3. Sachie:       Prelude in C Op. 28# 1, by F. Chopin
4. Janice S:    6 Variations on a theme by Paisello, by L. Van Beethoven
5. John W:     Free improvisation

Music played on May 28, 2017 at David's house

We had a great time and were all envious as he demonstrated the capabilities of his high-tech player grand piano.

Round 1:

1.   Gregory:        Jessica’s Theme, by Bruce Rowland
2.   Gordon:         Sonata # 31, op. 110, by L. V. Beethoven
3.   Erin:              Invention #2, by J. S. Bach
4.   Jackie:           Fiesta Espana, by N. Faber
5.   Caryn:           Raindrop prelude, by F. Chopin
6.   Liz:                Beauty in the Rose Garden, by Edward MacDowell
7.   Vanessa:         Body and Soul, by John Green
8.   Christopher:   Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
9.   Dan:               Etude #5, by A. Scriabin
10.   Jorge:             Primera Pavana, own composition
11.   David:            Piano Concerto #5, second movement, with lead in from 1st movement. Accompanied by Garritan personal Orchestra. Composer: J. S. Bach

Round 2:

1.   Dan:               The Miller’s dream, by Manuel de falla
2.   Greg:             “Tramp Tramp Tramp” and “The battle cry of freedom”, by George F. Root
3.   Jackie:           Musetta’s Waltz, by G. Pucini
4.   Liz:                Valse miniature op 10 no 10., by Vladimir Rebikov
5.   Vanessa:         How high the moon, by Morgan Lewis
6.   Christopher:   Romance OP. 24 #9 by J. Sibelius
7.   David:            Sarabande, by G. F. Handel
8.   Jorge:             Fantasia (improvisation), own composition
9.   Gordon:          Op. 12, piano transcription of Salut d’amour, by Sir E. Elgar

Play-list collated by Gregory.

Music Played on April 23, 2017 at Vanessa's house

We had a lovely informal get-together at Vanessa's which included some jazz singing from the host!! Below you will find some of the music played.

We played on Vanessa’s Yamaha Grand, on a beautiful sunny spring day.

Round 1:

1.       Gregory:        Maple leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
2.       Christopher:  Moment Musicaux #2 by F. Schubert
3.       Vanessa:         Caucion y danza VI, by Mompou
4.       Sachie:           La Jongleuse, op. 52 #4 by M. Moskowski
5.       John W:         Rise up, by Peter Allan
6.       Lynda:           Intermezzo Fraschingsswark aus Wien op 26, by R. Schumann

Round 2:

1.       Gregory:         Fly me to the Moon, by Bart Howard (also sung by Vanessa)
2.       Christopher:   Consolation #3 by F. Liszt
3.       Vanessa:         Prelude in F Major, by F. Chopin
4.       Sachie:           Prelude #9 in E major Op. 28 by F. Chopin
5.       Lynda:           Mazurka in A minor Op. 68 #2 by F. Chopin
6.       John W:         “I am the Lord” by Denise Goyette, and a hymn of unknown title and authorship

Web site holiday

Our site is on hiatus for now, but our group is still active. Get on the email list to keep informed.

Music played at the March 12, 2017 session

We had an appreciative audience at the Oak Park Retirement Community, who enjoyed some familiar tunes.  One highlight was Gordon’s sing-a-along performance of Edelweiss.

Here’s what was played:
Greg — Schubert, An die Musik, D. 547
Gordon — Strauss, An Artist's Life (Waltz), Op. 316
Mary Lou — Brahms, Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 2 in A Major
Lynda — Bach, Prelude in F Minor, BWV 881
Teresa — David Newman, Once Upon a December from the movie Anastasia, arrangement by Eugénie Larochelle
Francine — Hagood Hardy, Homecoming
Gail — Bach, Invention No. 13, BWV 784
David — Mendelssohn, Venetian Boat Song, Op. 30 No. 6, SoundCloud recording of David playing
John — own original composition, A Chorus of Morning Glories
Sachie — Chopin, Etude, Op. 25 No. 1
Janice S — Stephen Foster, Gentle Annie and Beautiful Dreamer

2nd round:
Greg — Jacques Revaux, lyrics by Paul Anka, My Way
Gordon — Richard Rogers, Edelweiss from The Sound of Music
Mary Lou — Bach, Invention No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 773
Lynda — Manos Hadjidakis, Never on a Sunday
Francine — Piazzolla, Milonga del Angel
Gail — Christopher Norton, Jane’s Song
David — Scottish folk song arranged by Michael Logozar, The Water is Wide, SoundCloud recording
John — own arrangement, medley of two Russian folk songs
Sachie — Mendelssohn, Andante Sostenuto, Op. 72 No. 2
Janice S — Cole Porter, Anything Goes and So in Love
Greg — Jimmy McHugh, I’m in the Mood for Love

Music played at the February 28, 2017 session

We had an opportunity to perform on the wonderfully rebuilt Heintzman concert grand at Southminster United Church.  Janice had contributed to the restoration project and one of the perks was a private session on this piano, which she kindly shared with us.  There was good representation from Chopin, just before his birthday on March 1st.

Here’s what was played:

Lynda — Bach, Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, BWV881
Janice S — Erik Satie, 1st and 2nd Gnossiennes
Greg M — Jan Dussek, Sonatina in G Major, Op. 20 No. 1
David — David P. Jones, Legal Highs II Menthology (duet for violin and marimba, with piano playing marimba part)
Dan — Ernesto Lecuona, Malaguena
Karin and Dianne — Debussy, Epigraph No. 1 for 4-hands
Sachie — Chopin, Etude, Op. 25 No. 1

2nd round:
Lynda — Chopin, Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2
Greg M — Joanne Bender, Gentle Breeze
Dan — Gershwin, Preludes No. 2 and No. 3
Karin — Clara Schumann, Pièces Fugitives, Op. 15 No. 1
Sachie — Mendelssohn, Andante Sostenuto, Op. 72 No. 2
David — Chopin, Prelude in C Minor, Op. 28 No. 20 and Mazurka in F Major, Op. 68 No. 3
Janice S  — Clementi, Sonatina in G Major, Op. 36 No. 5

3rd round:
David — Chopin, Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4, SoundCloud recording of David playing
Greg M — Heinrich Hofmann, On The Lake, Op. 77 No. 12
Lynda — Chopin, Deux Nocturnes, Op. 37 No. 1
Janice S — Beethoven, Fur Elise, WoO 59

Music played at the January 22, 2017 session

Our most recent session was at Ottawa's Steinway Piano Gallery, and it was one of our biggest gatherings to date. Four new members played for the first time. And as well as all of the solo piano works, we had a 1-piano duet, a 2-piano duet, and a 4-piano sight-reading performance!

The huge range of music played was as follows:

- Gail: Nocturne by Heinrich Hofmann (op.88, no.3)
- May Lou: Barcarolle #1 Op. 26 by G. Faure
- Karin and Greg (2 Piano Duet):  Pavane, arranged by Sherman Storr, by G. Faure
- Christopher: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
- Erin: Waltz in B minor by F. Chopin
- Nick: Girl with the flaxen hair, by C. Debussy
- Jackie: Sonata in C Major by W.A. Mozart
- Gordon: Waltz in C minor op. 64 #2 by F. Chopin
- Jeff: Verrufene Stelle (Haunted Place) op. 82, by R. Schumann
- David R: Sarabande , 1st French Suite, by J. S. Bach
- Lynda J:  Marcha Oriental, by E. Granados
- John W.: 2 Russian Folk songs (Ekh Dorogi, and Stenka Razin)
- Michele:  Polytonality, by R. Murray Schafer
- Caryn: Moonlight Mood, by Gillock
- Gared:  Excursions II op. 20, by S. Barber

Round 2

- Mary Lou: Andalusa, by E. Granados
- Christopher and David (duet): Siciliano , by J. S. Bach arranged by Sharon Aaronson
- Lynda: Classical Gas, by Mason Williams
- Gregory: Traumerai, by R. Schumann
- Nick: What Child is this, traditional, arranger unknown
- Gail: The Little Shepherd, by C. Debussy
- John W.: Free improvisation starting on D
- Gared: Preludes op 28 #3, 11; Etude Op. 25 #24, by F. Chopin

Round 3

Christopher, Nick, Gordon, and Lynda sight read 4-pianos, 8-hands arrangements of “Over the Rainbow” and “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Christopher's piano

My Yamaha U1 is a relative youngster in the piano world. I purchased it in 2008 from the Dr. Piano store in Halifax, making it barely ten years old.

As the Yamaha website says, this model is a “perennial favourite” and is often found in music schools as well as in homes.

I remember my first impressions of it – I liked its clear, direct, and balanced tone without any fussiness. For me, there really was no competition between it and the other uprights (and some of the baby grands) in the store.

After moving to Ottawa, I had a PianoSaver humidity control system installed by my piano technician, David Anderson. The system has really paid off, helping to maintain the tuning even when the weather fluctuates.

The most recent addition to my piano, though, is the light! It’s a beautiful, sleek, LED light that illuminates sheet music and the keyboard really well.

Although I can’t help but long for a grand piano, my U1 serves me well, and is perfect for our small home.