🎵 Notes from December 11, 2022 meetup

Light snow did not prevent anyone from attending the session at Jackie's and listening to our usual excellent variety of pieces … from old to modern, and traditional. 

Here’s what was played:

• Andrew: Humoresque, Op. 20, parts 1, 2, 3, by R. Schumann
• Jackie: Song of India, by N. Rimsky-Korsakov
• Allona: Sonata in A major, K331, by W. A. Mozart
• Gordon: “Christmas” Op. 37 #12, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Hedda: Mazurka in A minor Op. 68, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Humoresque, Op. 20, part 5, by R. Schumann
• Allona: Maoz Tzur, Traditional Hanukkah Song
• Gordon: Two Part Inventions #8 in F major and #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Hedda: Georgia on My Mind, by Hoagy Carmichael

🎵 Notes from November 12, 2022 meetup

We had a great morning at Steinway Piano Gallery, performing on a gorgeous instrument.  Some pieces we had heard before and several were new to the group.  We welcomed first time members Simon and Alan, including a 7 year old performer.  There were also impressive performances of complex works entirely from memory.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: St. Louis Blues, by W. C. Handy
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G minor, 1st mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• David: Adagio for Strings, by Samuel Barber, Piano transcription by Adelina, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Allona: Lyric Nocturne, by K. Rollin
• Grace: French Suite #6 (complete), by J. S. Bach
• Simon:  Etude Tableau Op. 39 #1, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Alan: Waltz in A minor, by Dmitri Shostakovitch and Chromatic Rag, by Beverly Porter
• Gregory: Sonne, by Rammstein (ending of video Deutschland)
• Karin: Adagio BWV 974, by J.S. Bach/ A. Marcello
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G minor, 2nd mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Gordon: Salut D’amour, by E. Elgar
• David: Happy Birthday, Dear Ludwig, variations in the style of Beethoven on "Happy Birthday to You”, by Leonid Hambro, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here 
• Grace: The Great Pumpkin Waltz, by Vince Guaraldi
• Simon: Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV 543, by J. S Bach, piano transcription from original work for organ by Franz Liszt

🎵 Notes from the October 23, 2022 meetup

We had a good session today at Perry’s, who has a 1958 Steinway. The piece by Robert Starer may be the first that most of us have heard of him.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina (arrangement of Rimsky Korsakov’s “flight of the bumblebee”)
• Jackie: You raise me up, by B. Graham
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G-, 3rd mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Perry: Second of Trois Nouvelles Etudes, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 12 #3 and Op 44 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Wesley: Sonata KV300h, 2nd mov., by W. A. Mozart
• Allona: Festival Dance, by Lyndsay. E. Bolden
• Gregory: Of Foreign Lands and People, by R. Schumann
• Karin: Vocalise, by S. Rachmaninoff, arr. by P. Barton
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G-, 1st mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Perry: Song without words, Op. 62 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, 4 and 2
• Wesley:  Pink, from Sketches in Color, by Robert Starer, and Study No. 7 Op. 91 No. 20, by Moritz Moskowski
• Allona: Tenderly, by Katherine Rollin

🎵 Notes from the September 24, 2022 meetup

Venue: Steinway Gallery

We had the biggest turnout in some time today.  Perhaps the holiday season is finally winding down and more of us can get back to the keyboard!

We had a treat today with Lyndsay playing her own composition.  All composers, please feel free to do this again.  We heard a new composer, Valerie Capers, and either another new or an infrequently played one: Carlos Gustavino.

Here's what was played:

• Mary Lou: Sonatina Mvt. 2 in G minor, by Carlos Gustavino
• Karin:  Prelude #4, Book 1, by C. Debussy
• Erin: Sinfonia #7 by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Lyndsay: Festival dance, by Lyndsay Bolden
• Perry: Andante from Piano Sonata for Cello and Piano, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jeff: Prelude in B minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• John R. Nocturne in D flat, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Nocturne Op. 72 No. 1 in E minor, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Solfeggietto in C-, by C.P.E. Bach and Prelude in C- BMV 847, by J. S. Bach
• Karin: Vocalise, by S. Rachmaninoff, short arrangement by Paul Barton
• Gregory: Weeping Willow Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Lyndsay: Billie’s Song, by Valerie Capers
• Andrew: Windmills of your mind, by Michel Legrand
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, 4 and 2, by A. Scriabin
• Perry: What a Wonderful World, by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss
• John R: French Suite in E, Allemande, by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Preludes Op. 31 #4 and Op. 35 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Emily: Prelude from the English Suite No. 3 in G minor, by J. S. Bach 

🎵 Notes from the August 21, 2022 meetup

The group welcomed new member Ryan, and we played at his home on an excellent vintage Steinway.  The group was small but it was our first in-home meeting in over 2 years and aside from hearing a good variety of pieces, we learned more about the eccentricities of some of the great composers.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Gordon Waltz in F major Op. 34 #3, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Sonata in C+, by D. Scarlatti
• Allona: Summer Splendor, by Catherine Rollin
• Ryan: Prelude Op. 23 No. 4 in D+, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Gregory: Song without words, Op. 30 No. 5, by F. Mendelssohn
• Andrew: Solfeggietto, by C. P. E. Bach
• Gordon: Preludes Op 11, # 18 and #22, by A. Scriabin.
• Ryan: Etude Op. 39 No. 5 in Eb-, by S. Rachmaninoff 

🎵 Notes from the July 30, 2022 meetup

Venue: Ottawa Pianos

Despite a small turnout today, we were able to welcome new member Astrid. We heard a left-hand only work, and a couple of unfamiliar composers.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory:  Song without words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, 4, and 2, by A. Scriabin
• Allona: Mixed up rag, by Tony Caramia, and Bagatelle by L. V. Beethoven
• Jorge: Prelude #24 in B-, by J. S. Bach
• Astrid: Scherzino Mexicano, by Manuel M. Ponce
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jorge: Sonata (Mexican baroque), anonymous composer (a work found in the Mexican Archives)
• Astrid: Malgre Tout, by Manuel M. Ponce (left hand solo composition)
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux Op. 39 #7, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Gregory: Prelude Op. 33 #3, by A. Scriabin 

🎵 Notes from the June 25, 2022 meetup

Venue: Ottawa Pianos

A notable piece played at today's session was a Scriabin work for the left hand. The structure of this piece is such that it can be played with both hands or just the left hand as was the case today.

Here's a complete list of what was played:

• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Mary Lou:  Sonatina in G Minor, 1st mov., by Carlos Guastavino
• Karin: Song without words, Op. 19 #2, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jeff:  Etude Tableau, by S. Rachmaninoff
• John R: Prelude and Nocturne for the left hand Op. 9, by A. Scriabin
• Lynda: Six variations on the duet from la Molinara, by L. V. Beethoven
• Gregory: Pineapple Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Mary Lou: Sonata in B minor Hob 32, 2nd mov., by F. J. Haydn
• Lynda: Minuet from Sonata Op. 48 #2, by L. V Beethoven
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #2 by A. Scriabin
• John R: French Suite in B minor, Minuet and Gigue, by J. S. Bach
• Karin: Blackberry Jam, by Erskine Butterfield

🎵 Notes from the May 28, 2022 meetup

We had an enjoyable although smallish session today, well below the capacity of the room at Ottawa Pianos.  Of note was our first piano duet in two years (Zoom doesn’t work for this!).

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina (arrangement of R. Korsakov “Flight of the Bumblebee”)
• Michiko: Prelude Op. 3 #2, by S. Rachmaninoff 
• Karin and David (duet): Pavane pour une Infante Défunte, M. Ravel, duet arrangement by Ray and Marie-Thérèse Alston 
• Sachie: Etude Op. 25 #1, by F. Chopin
• Lynda: Coronach, by Edgar Barradt
• Wesley: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Michiko: Moonlight Sonata, op. 27, 3rd  movement by L. V. Beethoven
• Karin: Prelude Op. 28 #13, by F. Chopin
• Sachie: Wedding Day at Troldhaugen Op. 65 #6, by E. Grieg
• David: Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant, M. Ravel, solo piano transcription by Jacques Charlot, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Wesley: Bethena, a concert Waltz, by Scott Joplin 

🎵 Notes from the May 7, 2022 meetup

We had the opportunity to perform on a gorgeous Steinway "Red Pops" grand piano today. We also welcomed new member John.  

A member performs on the Red Pops piano

Chopin was the most popular composer by far, with a Scherzo and five waltzes!  Thanks to Jennifer and Steinway Piano Gallery of Ottawa for hosting us.

Here's what was played:

• John: French Suite in B Minor - Allemande, Sarabande, Anglaise, by J.S. Bach
• Wesley: Nocturne in B Flat Major, by John Field
• Jenny: Piano Sonata in E Minor (1st Movement), by J. Hadyn
• Gordon: Minute Waltz Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, #4, #2, by A. Scriabin
• David: Thaxted, by G. Holst, middle part of Jupiter, Planets piano transcription by Everard Sigal, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Lynda: Waltz in A Flat Major Op. 69 #1, by F. Chopin
• Emily: Scherzo Op. 54 #4, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Waltz in D Flat Major Op. 70 #3, by F. Chopin
• Wesley: Waltz in B Minor Op. 69 #2, by F. Chopin
• Lynda: Waltz in F Minor Op. 70 #2, by F. Chopin
• John: Etude Tableau Op. 39 #2, by S. Rachmaninoff
• David: Pathétique Piano Sonata (2nd movement), by L.V. Beethoven
• Jenny: Invention No. 14 in B Flat Major, by J.S. Bach
• Emily: Etude No. 9 pour les notes répétées, by C. Debussy

🎵 Notes from the April 24, 2022 meetup

Five members were at today's Zoom session. Despite the small group, the pieces spanned all the major musical eras of the keyboard: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and Modern.

Here's what was played:

• Jeff: Jeff Prelude Op. 17 #3 and Prelude Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Karin: La fille aux cheveux de lin (Girl with the Flaxen Hair), by C. Debussy
• Christopher: Nocturne Op. 27 #2, by F. Chopin
• Allona: Prelude 1 from Six Little Preludes, by J.S. Bach
• David: Thaxted, by G. Holst, middle part of Jupiter, Planets piano transcription by Everard Sigal
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux No. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Karin: Album Page, by C. Debussy
• Christopher: Prelude Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Allona: Sweet Elegy, by Catherine Rollin
• David: Pathétique Piano Sonata (2nd movement), by L.V. Beethoven
• David: La pavane de la Belle au bois dormant (Pavane of Sleeping Beauty), by M. Ravel

Some of today's performers

🎵 Notes from the April 9, 2022 meetup

We had a really good turnout at the Steinway Gallery today, perhaps the most in several years. With so many people, there was an even greater variety than usual.  A work by Pachelbel (not the Canon) was a nice treat, as was Jorge’s own composition.  A piece by Shostakovich may have been the first hearing for many of us. Nick played a work that Chopin composed when he was 7 years old.  This is more than a little humbling for most of us!

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Preludes Op. 11 #10 and Op. 33 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Gordon: Two-part inventions #12 and A major and #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Sonata in B minor, 1st movement, XVI #32, by F. J. Haydn
• Nick: Sonatina #1 in C+, by S. Dussek
• Karin: Prelude #13, by F. Chopin
• Allona: Bagatelle 6, Op. 33 by L. V. Beethoven
• Kathy: Reverie, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Prelude in B minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Janice S.: Sonata 8, Op. 31 #3, Minuet, by L. V. Beethoven
• Wesley: Adagissimo from Capriccio BWV 992 and Invention #14 in B flat major, by J. S. Bach
• Hedda: Dance of the Dolls, by D. Shostakovitch
• Jorge: Ciacona in F, by Johann Pachelbel
• Sachie: Sonata in C K545. 1st mov., by W. A Mozart
• Jorge: Primera Pavana (own composition)
• Allona: Sweet Elegy, by Catherine Rollin
• Jeff: Etude Tableau  Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Nick: Polonaise in G minor (without Opus #), by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Two-part invention #15 in E minor, by J. S Bach
• Wesley: Prelude Op. 11 #15, by A. Scriabin
• Sachie: Etude Op. 10 #4 in C# minor, by F. Chopin

🎵 Notes from the March 20, 2022 meetup

A small group gathered for our Zoom meeting today, and here's what they played: 

• Gregory: Prelude Op. 33 #3, by A. Scriabin 
• Karin: Voiles, by C, Debussy 
• Allona: Minuet in E by J. S. Bach 
• Gordon: Inventions #12 in A major and #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach 
• Karin: Prelude Op. 28 #13 by F. Chopin 
• Gordon: Inventions #14 in B flat major and #15 in B minor 
• Allona: A Special place in my Heart, by Catherine Rollin 
• Karin: Adagio BWV 974, Keyboard arrangement by J. S. Bach of Oboe Concerto by Marcello

🎵 Notes from the March 5, 2022 meetup

Today's session at Steinway Piano Gallery in Ottawa welcomed new member Jenny. The session included a timely and topical poem, and an introduction to the Steinway Spirio system whereby one pianist can play both parts of a duet. This is not as easy as it seems!

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Moment Musical Op. 94 #6, by F. Schubert
• Gordon: Two part inventions #3 in D major and #5 in E flat major, by J. S. Bach
• Allona: A Special Place in my Heart, by Catherine Rollin
• Karin: Prelude “Voiles”, by C. Debussy
• Mary Lou: Sonata 1st mov., Hob XVI #32, by F. J. Haydn.  Introduced by the poem “Allegro” by Tomas Trauströmer, translated by Robin Fulton
• Jenny: Nocturne No. 20 in C#, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Preludes Op 16 #2 and Op. 16 #4, by A. Scriabin
• Janice S.: Kinderszenen #12, by R. Schumann
• Jennifer: Sonata Op. 79 #3, 1st mov., by L. V. Beethoven
• Gregory: Toccata in D minor, by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Invention #12 in A major, by J. S. Bach
• Karin: La fille aux cheveux de lin, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 17 #3 and Op 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Janice S.: Kinderszenen #13, by R. Schumann
• Jenny: Romance in F Sharp, Op. 28 No.2 by R. Schumann
• Jennifer: Theme from Inspector Gadget. Duet, one part via the “Spirio” feature of the Steinway piano. 

🎵 Notes from the February 19, 2022 meetup—IRL!

We had an opportunity for an in-real-life (IRL) and masked 😷 meeting today at the Ottawa Pianos store. Pianists enjoyed a mix of music from Bach to the contemporary era, including a composer apparently not played before at any session in our group's history: Philip Glass.

Here's what was played: 

• Gregory: Introduction and Fugato, by Cuthbert Harris
• Hedda: Misty, by Erroll Garner
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 7 #3 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Erin: Sinfonia #2, by J. S. Bach
• David: Milonga Del Angel, by Astor Piazzolla; here is a video of David playing this piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPAXKHACJHw
• Allona: Adieu to the Piano, attr. to L. V. Beethoven
• J.P: Bunte Blätter #1, by R. Schumann
• Gregory: Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Hedda: Georgia on my mind, by Hoagy Carmichael
• Jeff: Etude tableau Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Erin: Invention #4, by J. S. Bach
• David: Oblivion, by Astor Piazzolla; here is a video of David playing this piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMxALM0NnSQ
• J.P: Etude #2, by Philip Glass

🎵 Notes from the February 6, 2022 meetup—A virtual full house!

Today’s Zoom session was nearly a “full house”, with a typical good variety from Baroque to early 20th century.

Here's what was played: 

• Gregory: The Great Crush Collision March, by Scott Joplin
• Gordon: Two-part inventions #3 in D major and #12 in A major, by J. S. Bach
• Allona: selected variations on “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, by W. A. Mozart
• Lynda: Prelude Op. 28 #4, by F. Chopin
• Mary Lou: Sonata Op. 7 (2nd movement), by E. Grieg
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10 and Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Wesley: Bethena, by S. Joplin
• Gordon: Two-part invention #12 in A major, by J. S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Sonata Op. 7 (3rd movement), by E. Grieg
• Jeff: Intermezzo op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms
• Wesley:  Waltz op. 70 #2, by F. Chopin

P.S. Check out the latest member bios for Luc and Andrew in the sidebar.

🎵 Notes from the January 22, 2022 meetup—Perhaps the tiniest ever!

Due to a late change in venue (from in-person to Zoom), only two pianists were able to attend. But it was still an opportunity to share some fine piano music, and here's what they played:

• Gregory: Von Fremden Landern und Menschen, by R. Schumann
• Jeff: Etude Tableau Op. 39 #7, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Gregory: Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jeff: Etude Tableau Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff

🎵 Notes from the January 8, 2022 meetup—First of the year!

Our first Zoom session of the year included two new members, Allona and Lillian.

The music ranged from from Baroque to contemporary. You're always welcome to play something a little out of the ordinary at the Ottawa Piano Group!

Here are the pieces that were played today:

• Gregory: Op. 53 #3 by Felix Mendelssohn
• Gordon: Two-part inventions #2 and #7, by J. S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Sonata op. 7 in E minor, 1st mvt., by E. Grieg
• Jeff: Etude Tableau, Op. 33 #5 by S. Rachmaninoff
• Andrew: Op. 30 #1, by F. Mendelssohn
• Allona: Sonata in A major, by W. A. Mozart
• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by S. Joplin
• Gordon: Two-part invention #6, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms
• Andrew: Prelude and Fugue Book 1 #3, by J. S. Bach
• Allona: Tenderly, by Catherine Wallin