Music played, December 9, 2018

Eleven enthusiastic pianists showed up at Jeff's new condo for an afternoon of fun.  We all got to enjoy the wonderful view across the Ottawa River and over to the Gatineau Park. Then, we had the chance to play Jeff's newly renovated Steinway - a real treat.

The music played was 'epic' in scope - the first round lasted nearly 90  minutes.  We had sonatas, a violin sonata with pre-recorded violin solo part (thanks to Sachie's daughter)  and a range of romantic era pieces.  We also welcomed first time member Perry.

The race for the most popular composer was very exciting this month. Debussy took an early lead with a strong sprint off the starting line, only to be tied in the mid-race by Schubert who pulled into the lead by the end of the first round. However, Scriabin saved the best for last, making a strong closing run to tie Schubert for the lead at the finish line with three performances each. Unfortunately, the final performance of a piece by Scriabin was disqualified from counting since it constituted a third round of performance. So, this month, the coveted prize will be shared by F. Schubert and A. Scriabin.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory (duet)	Serenade, by F. Schubert
2.	Gordon	Sonata #14 K457, 3rd mvt, by W.A. Mozart
3.	Christopher	Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
4.	Nick	Prelude Book 1, #10: La cathedrale englouti, by C. Debussy
5.	Sachie	The Prophet Bird Op. 82 #7, by R. Schumann
6.	David	Sheep May Safely Graze, by J.S. Bach, transcribed by Mary Howe, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
7.	Janice S.	Moment Musical #2, by F. Schubert
7.	Adrian	Three KlavierstückeD946,#2, by F. Schubert
9.	Perry	Prelude Op. 23 #5 (in G Minor), by S. Rachmaninoff
10.	Jeff	Preludes Op 17 #3 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
11.	Erin	Sonata in D+, Hoboken XVI:24 (all movements), by F. J. Haydn

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Adrian	Sonata 18, “the Hunt”,1st movement, by L. V. Beethoven
2.	Gregory	I’m in the Mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh
3.	Sachie	Violin sonata in D+,mvnt 2 (Fugato) (with violin recording), by Anonymous arr. By Kathleen Wood
4.	Gordon	Prelude Op 17 #6, by A. Scriabin
5.	David	Plaisir d’Amour, by J.P. Martini, transcribed by R. Strobl
6.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 11 #12, by A. Scriabin
7	Gordon	Prelude Op. 17 #13, by A. Scriabin

Music played, November 18, 2018

A smaller group of dedicated pianists met at John's house for an afternoon of piano playing. The group welcomed first-time member Adrian, who has a special interest in Ludwig van Beethoven.

The music covered a diverse range, with only one composer (Beethoven) contributing more than one piece.  So, the winner of the most popular composer for October is out long time friend Ludwig.

And an oddity: there were more performances played in round 2 than round 1.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Karin and Nancy (duet)	“Rockin Chair”, by E. Rocherelle
2.	Gregory	Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
3.	Gordon	Cantabile, Op. 19#1, by F. Mendelssohn
4.	Jackie	To a Wild Rose, by E. MacDowell
5.	Caryn	Aria from the Goldberg Variations, by J. S. Bach
6.	Adrian	Sonata #24 in F#, 1st movement, by L. van Beethoven
7.	John W.	Chorus of Morning Glories, own composition

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Karin	Polonaise in G Minor, by F. Chopin
2.	Nancy	Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
3.	Gregory	Of foreign lands and people (from scenes from Childhood), by R. Schumann
4.	Gordon	Preludes Op. 11 No. 22 and Op. 11 No. 13, by A. Scriabin
5.	Caryn	Danza de la Moza, by A. Ginastera
6.	Jackie	Ave Maria, by JS Bach/ Gounod
7.	Adrian	Bagatelle #4 in A, by L. V. Beethoven
8.	John	Free improvisation on the black keys.

Music played, October 21, 2018

The group enjoyed the wonders of Felix, Ottawa Pianos’ showpiece grand. Many thanks to Mitchell and Ottawa Pianos for giving us this great opportunity.

The music played ranged from frenetic to meditative, with everything in-between. This included two improvisations at the keyboard. And a vocal piece.

In the 'most popular composer' race, we had a four way tie: Beethoven, Chopin, Bach and Rocherelle. In the interest of encouraging new composer, the tie goes to the one person on this list I had never heard of: E. Rocherelle. Congratulations. For those of you who don't know Rocherelle, Wikipedia provides this information: Eugénie Ricau Rocherolle is an American composer, pianist, lyricist, and teacher who began her composing career with choral and band music. She was born in 1936 in New Orleans. She released her first piano solo collection in 1978 with great success and soon established herself as one of the leading American composers of piano repertoire

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gordon and Gregory (duet)	Overture to the “Barber of Seville”, by G. Rossini
2.	Karin	Autumn Leaves, by E. Rocherelle
3.	Janice G.	Bouree, Minuet and Gigue from the French Suite, by J.S. Bach
4.	David	Adagio from Concerto in D Minor,, BWV974, by J.S. Bach/Marcello, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
5.	Brent	Route 66, by Bobby Troup
6.	Jorge	Sonata op 13 (“Pathetique”), 1st movement, by L. van Beethoven
7.	John W.	Free improvisation
8.	Caryn	Danza de la Moza, by A. Ginastera
9.	Mitchell	Own arrangement of his own improvisation (in a minimalist style)
10.	Sachie	Prelude in f# Minor Op. 28, by F. Chopin

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory (playing) and Gordon (singing)	Climb Every Mountain (Sound of Music), by Rogers and Hammerstein
2.	Karin	Goodbye Block Island, by E. Rocherelle
3.	Jorge	Intermezzo, by M.M. Ponce
4.	John	Norwegian Folk Melody (traditional)
5.	David	Sonata op 14,#1 (Moonlight), 1st and 2nd movements, by L. van Beethoven
6.	Gordon	Two preludes: Op 11, no 10, by A. Scriabin
		AND Op 28, no 6, by F. Chopin

Music played at regular session, September 22, 2018

Tragedy struck Ottawa the day before our regular meeting when 4 tornadoes touched down, causing major damage to several communities. Our hearts and best wishes go out to all who have been affected by this event.

On the piano front, our regular September meeting was able to proceed at Jeff's abode. Some stair climbing providing a physical test for the participants and left warmed up for their playing activities.

In the 'most popular composer' race, Scriabin and Beethoven were tied with two performances each. The tie breaker goes to the older composer: Ludwig van Beethoven.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	The Vagabond (from Songs of Travel cycle) by, Ralph Vaughan Williams
2.	Brent	Canon in D Major, by J. Pachelbel, arr. by Dan Coates
3.	Christopher	Prelude in F Sharp Major, Op. 28 No. 13, by F. Chopin
4.	David	Adagio from Concerto in D Minor, BWV974, by J.S. Bach/Marcello
5.	Erin	Adagio from Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Major, by J.F. Haydn
6.	Jeff	Prelude, Op. 11 No. 12, by A. Scriabin
7.	Janice	Moment Musicale, Op 94 #1, by F. Schubert

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Elmer’s Tune, by Elmer Albrecht
2.	Erin	Piano Sonata in G Minor, Op. 49 No. 1, by L. van Beethoven
3.	Jeff	Prelude, Op. 17 No. 3, by A. Scriabin
4.	Christopher	Song for Gavin, by L. Einaudi
5.	Brent	Up to the Mountain, by Patty Griffin
6.	David	Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor "Fur Elise", by L. van Beethoven

Music played at Special Session, September 16, 2018

An extra meeting took place in September to give us all a chance to try out Gregory's new piano! The piano includes the option to record and playback our performances. This got a good and early work-out since Gordon was unable to attend but gave us a recording of a Clementi sonata which played as if he was right in the room playing it! Greg recorded those of us who wished to be recorded and it was fun hearing it back. David converted the recordings to a form that could be sent as an email attachment so we all have an auditory momento.

Scriabin is back with a vengeance. In the 'most popular composer' race, Schubert gave him a good race in the first round but faded after the break. So, the winner by 4 pieces to 2 pieces is A. Scriabin.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gordon	Sonatina Op. 36 #5, first movement by, M. Clementi Previously recorded piece played back on the Yamaha C2X
2.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 17#3, by A. Scriabin
3.	Erin	Sonata in G minor Op. 49 #1, by L.V. Beethoven
4.	Janice S.	Moment Musicale Op. 94# 1, by F. Schubert
5.	David	Fantaisie Impromptu (middle section), by F. Chopin
6.	John	Improvisation inspired, by A. Scriabin
7.	Gregory	Moment Musicale, Op94 #6, by F. Schubert
8.	Lynda	Phantom Thread, by House of Woodcock

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Prelude Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
2.	Erin	Adagio from Sonata #23 in D major, by F. Hadyn
3.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 11 #12, by A. Scriabin
4.	Lynda	Sarabande, by G.F. Handel

Music Played, August 19, 2018

We enjoyed a broad range of music at Janice's house - thanks for hosting. We welcomed one new member this month: Brent. The music played showed our usual diversity.

Scriabin was on holiday this month so we have a new, and clear, winner in the 'most popular composer' competition. An Oldie but a real goodie: J.S. Bach. He was represented by three compositions while no other composer had more than one. Congratulations!

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Janice (duet)	Allemande, French Suite VI, by J.S. Bach
2.	Gregory	Fantaisie Impromptu (middle part), by F. Chopin
3.	Karin and Nancy (duet)	Country Gardens, arr. by Sharp, and Mattinata, by Leoncavallo,
4.	Erin	Song of the lark (March from the seasons), by P. I. Tchaikovsky
5.	Jackie	Etude in F major, Op. 777 no. 22, by C. Czerny
6.	Lyndsay	Sonatina in C, Op. 55 #3, by F. Kuhlau
7.	Brent	Up to the Mountain, by Patti Griffin
8.	Christopher	May Song, by E. Granados
9.	Lorraine	Selections from Vienna Carnival, by F. Schumann

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Smile, by Charles (Charlie) Chaplin
2.	Christopher	The Spruce, by J. Sibelius
3.	Jackie	Arabesque, by F. Bürgmüller
4.	Karin	Improvisation,Op. 46 #4 by, E. MacDowell
5.	Erin	Invention #15 BWV 78, by J.S. Bach
6.	Lyndsay	Dreamland. own composition
7.	Brent	Let it be, by The Beatles
8.	Lorraine	Prelude XXII, BWV 867, by J.S. Bach

Music Played, July 15, 2018

We enjoyed some cool music on a very hot day at John's house. No pianos were melted in the furtherance of our performances. We welcomed two new members (Jane and Egemen) with Jane participating in the playing. The music played showed our usual diversity.

The 'most popular' prize goes to 'own composition' with three performances of works composed by the performer, or improvised at the keyboard. Who picks up the prize for this winner :-)

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Karin and Nancy (duet)	Fascination by F. Marchetti Con Devozione by Fritz Spindler
2.	Jackie	Arabesque, by J. F. Burgmuller
3.	Gregory	Star of the Sea, by Amanda Kennedy
4.	Gordon	Sonata, Op. 27 #2, Movements 1 and 2, by L. van Beethoven
5.	Lyndsay	Bagatelle, by Alexander Tcherepnin
6.	Jane	Sonata K282 in e flat major, movement 1, by W. A Mozart
7.	Jeff	Preludes Op. 51 #2 and Op 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
8.	John	Chorus of Morning Glories, own composition

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Karin	Another Shade of Blue, by Denes Agay
2.	Gregory	Von Fremden Ländern und Menschen (Op. 15#1), by R. Schumann
3.	Gordon	Nocturne, Op. 54 #4, by E. Grieg
4.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 39 #2, by A. Scriabin
5.	Jane	Prelude in b minor, by J. S. Bach, arr. by Ziloti
6.	Lyndsay	Inferno. own composition
7.	John	Improvisation on the black keys

Music played, June 24, 2018

We had a  full session at David's house on Sunday. David has an unusual piano - a Yamaha grand piano with Disklavier option.  This allows the play-back of music recorded elsewhere.  Like an old style player piano, the unit actually plays the keys and pedals producing sounds through the grand piano, not from an audio recording played through speakers.  A very neat option that David made use of to play a piano duet.

The 'most popular' prize has an irregular award this month.  Our group seems to be developing a specialization in Scriabin.  This week, three pianists played five of his preludes.  The four performance slots for Scriabin was the most for any composer.  But, I am going to exercise editor's authority - given the number of times that Scriabin has won the coveted 'most popular composer prize in the past few months, I am opting to skip him this month.  The prize will be awarded instead to Felix Mendelssohn who had three pieces played.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	David	Sonata for Piano Four-Hands in D Major Andante movement, K381 by W.A. Mozart, Disklavier playing pre-recorded secondo part
2.	Gregory	March of the Priests, Op. 74, by F. Mendelssohn
3.	Gordon	Songs Without Words “Excitement”, Op. 53 No. 3, by F. Mendelssohn
4.	Nancy	The Windmills of Your Mind, by Michel Legrand
5.	Karin	Adagio from Concerto in D Minor, BWV974, by J.S. Bach, arranged: Marcello
6.	John	oOn improvisation of works by Vangelis and Klusmeier, medley of Morning Has Broken, Chariots of Fire, Deep in Our Hearts
7.	Lyndsay	Adieu to the Piano, Anh. No. 15, by L. van Beethoven
8.	Jeff	Preludes Op. 17 No. 3 and Op. 51 No. 2, by A. Scriabin
9.	Caryn	Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27 No. 2, Movement #1 , by L. van Beethoven

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Venetian Boat Song, Op. 19 No. 6, by F. Mendelssohn
2.	Karin	Andantino from Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38, by F. Chopin
3.	John	Own improvisation of two Russian folk songs Katyusha and Korobushka
4.	Gordon	Prelude, Op. 13 No. 1, by A, Scriabin
5.	Jeff	Prelude, Op. 30 No. 2, by A, Scriabin
6.	Lyndsay	Tarantella, by A. Pieczonka
7.	David	Prelude, Op. 11 No. 15, by A, Scriabin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

Music Played at Steinway Gallery on May 27, 2018

We had a very full session at the Steinway Gallery on Sunday, including three four-hands duets! We also had two new members who performed. Welcome. Due the large number of performers, the second round was limited to a small number of members.

Our great thanks to Jennifer Messer at the Steinway Gallery for enabling us to perform on such a magnificent concert grand piano.

There was no clear winner in the composer popularity contest this week with two composers (Scriabin and J.S. Bach) having three performances each.  Two of Bach's performances were in arrangements so we wll give the prize to Scriabin again.  This month also featured a re-match in the Nick vs Brahms contest.  Brahms won handily in the first round but Nick played things to a draw in the second round.  I wonder if there will be another re-match?

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Preludes, Op. 11 No. 10 and Op. 33 No. 3, by A. Scriabin
2.	Caryn	Fantasia in D Minor, by W.A. Mozart
3.	Gordon	Sonatina Op. 36 No. 5 1st movement, by M. Clementi
4.	Nick	Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 1. J. Brahms
5.	Lynda & Soojin	Deep Purple by Peter de Rose
6.	Karin & Nancy	Ariosa, by J.S. Bach & Melody in Waltz Time, by A. Borodin
7.	Jackie	O Mio Babbino Caro, by G. Puccini
8.	Karin	Song Without Words Op. 19 No. 2, by F. Mendelssohn
9.	David	Sonata in B Minor, K.87, by A. Scarlatti, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
10.	Jorge	Adagio from Concerto in D Minor, BWV974, by J.S. Bach/Marcello
11.	Jeff	Prelude, Op. 51 No. 3, by A. Scriabin
12.	John	Own Improvisation
13.	Elie	Consolation No. 3, by F. Liszt

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gordon	Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 3, by F. Chopin
2.	Lynda	Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2, by F. Chopin
3.	Jeff	Prelude, Op. 22 No. 4, by A. Scriabin
4.	Nick	Prelude, Op. 23 No. 4 (1st page), by S. Rachmaninoff
5.	David	Minuet in G Minor, by Handel/Kempff, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
6.	Jorge	Sonata #14, op 27/2 (1st movement), by L. van Beethoven
7.	Nancy	Gavotte from French Suite No. 5 in G, BWV816, by J.S. Bach

Group Photo at Steinway Gallery, May 27, 2018

Meeting Canncelled on April 15

An inopportune ice storm on April 15 led to dangerous driving conditions (and many downed trees).  The meeting at Luc's has been postponed until February when we hope the weather will be better.

Music Played March 18, 2018

Host: Gared

We welcomed new member Lyndsay (welcome!), and enjoyed some old favorites, a never-heard composer, and unusually, 3 people who played their own compositions!  Many thanks to Gared for hosting us.

Four composers had three performances each.  But, the winner was this odd composer called 'Own Composition', with three performances.  A very creative group of performers at this week's session.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Fantasie-Impromptu (middle section), by F. Chopin
2.	Dan	Sonata 18, 3rd mvt, by L. van Beethoven
3.	Lyndsay	Rio Toccata, by L. Olson
4.	John	A willing harpstring. Own composition
5.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 17 no. 3, by A. Scriabin
6.	Caryn	Little Prelude in D minor, by J.S. Bach
7.	David	Sonata in B Minor K87, by A. Scarlatti
8.	Janice S.	The Harmonious Blacksmith, selections, by G.F. Handel
9.	Gared	Berceuse in D flat OP. 57, by F. Chopin

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Waltz in A flat, by J. Brahms
2.	Jeff	Prelude Op 11 No. 10, by D. Sciabin
3.	Janice S.	Sonata #14, op 27/2 (Moonlight Sonata), 2nd mvt., by L. van Beethoven
4.	Lyndsay	Festival Dance. Own compostion
5.	John	Katuisha. Russian Folksong
6.	Dan	Nola, by Felix Arndt
7.	Gared	Un-named piece. Own composition
8.	David	Minuet in G Minor, by G.F. Handel, arr. by Kempff

Music played February 18, 2018

Host: Erin

Eight dedicated pianists braved the February weather for meet-up and music event.

Sciabin is back! and wins the composer's prize for the second month in the past three.  The theme for this month seemed to move towards more modern composition at least in style.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Serenade, by F. Schubert
2.	Gordon	Waltz in a flat Op. 69 #1, by F. Chopin
3.	Christopher	Prelude in G flat Op. 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
4.	Erin	Sonata Op. 49 #1, first movement, by L. van Beethoven
5.	Kathy	Intermezzo Op. 117 # 1, by J. Brahms
6.	Sachie	Prelude Op. 28 #12, by F. Chopin
7.	Jeff.	Preludes op 11 #12 and op 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
8.	Julie.	Sonata in C minor KV457 (complete), by W.A. Mozart

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Elmer’s Tune, by Elmer Albrecht et. al
2.	Gordon	Prelude in D flat, op. 43 #1, by Rheinhold Gliere
3.	Erin.	Evening in the county, by Bela Bartok
4.	Christopher.	Endless Song, by John Metcalf
5.	Kathy	Sonata K162, by A. Scarlatti
6.	Jeff	Preludes Op 17 #4 and Op. 22 #4, by A. Scriabin
7.	Sachie	Sonata Op.2 #1, 3rd movement, by L. van Beethoven

Music played January 21, 2018

Host: Jackie

A bit of a shift in style this month from last when Scriabin was very popular.  A bit hard to pick a winning composer this week.  But, Mendelssohn did have the most pieces played, even though two people played the same piece.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	March of the Priests, by F. Mendelssohn
2.	John	Morning-Chariots-Peace Self-arranged medley and
3.	Janice S	Consolation, Op.30 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
4.	Gordon	Sonatina Op. 36 #5, first movement by M. Clementi
5.	Caryn	Prelude in C, by J.S. Bach
6.	Nancy	Consolation, Op.30 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
7.	Jackie	Sonata in C Major, 2nd movement, by W. A. Mozart

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory with vocals by Gordon	Climb every Mountain, by Rogers and Hammerstein
2.	John	Free improvisation on the black keys
3.	Janice S.	Invention #1, by J. S. Bach
4.	Gordon	Sonatina in D, Op. 36 #6 (Rondo), by M. Clementi
5.	Nancy	Gymnopedies, by E. Satie
6.	Jackie	Sonata in C Major, 3rd movement, by W. A. Mozart