🎵 Notes from May 18 2024 meetup

At Ottawa Pianos, we welcomed new member Mizuki, and violinist Kevin who was part of our first ever trio.  This trend for ensembles is encouraged, and we only need one more instrument to create a mini orchestra!  In addition to our old favorite composers, there also appears to be a favourable trend to more performances of contemporary composers.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Songs Without Words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Perry: Scherzo #2, by F. Chopin
• Jean-Claude: Sonata Op. #1 3rd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Françoise (vocals), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Almost Everything I Need,  by Georgia Stitt
• Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Prelude in C major/Ave Maria, by J. S. Bach/Gounod
• David R:  Three solos for Yuja (from Hunger Games), by  James Newton Howard, SoundCloud recording of David performing this piece is here
• Jocelyne: Reverie in F Minor, by Dennis Alexander
• Christopher: Contemplation, by young Ottawa composer Maria Rose Rechner
• Paul: Romances sans paroles #3, by G. Fauré
• Randy: A Song for Yvonne, by G. Holst
• Dave A: Meditation from Thais, by Jules Massenet
• Mizuki: Nocturne Op. 9 #2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Vampire, by Olivia Rodrigo
• Jean-Claude: Sunset, Op. 46 #2, by Alfred Tofft
• Dennis: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach/ Siloti
• Françoise: The Nomad, by Janette Mason and James Thompson
• Mizuki: Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Randy: Small Memories, by Jon Hopkins

🎵 Notes from May 5 2024 meetup

A pleasant way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.  David introduced his Yamaha Disklavier Pro with a demo of Sarah McLachlan singing and acoustically performing her own accompaniment on his piano.  There were two serious works by Carl Czerny that most of the participants had not heard before. 

Here's what was played:

• Gordon: Etude Mélodieuse Op. 795 #3, by C. Czerny
• Perry: Scherzo #2, by F. Chopin
• Dennis (piano) and Françoise (vocals): Meaning, by Cascadeur
• Dennis: Andante from Violin Sonata in A minor, by J. S. Bach/Siloti transcription
• David A: Burn Out Fugue, by Alexandra Stréliski
• David R: Mazurka in A Minor Op. 68 #2, by F. Chopin
• Martin: French Suite #4 in E flat major (entire work), by J. S. Bach
• Françoise (vocals) and Karin (piano): Les Angélus, by C. Debussy
• Karin: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Natalie: Piano Sonata Op. 28 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Jeff: Aux cyprès de la villa d'este #1, by F. Liszt
• Nick: Sonata L5 in G major, F. J. Haydn
• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G Minor 2nd mov, by C. Guastavino
• Gordon: Impromptu Passionné Op. 754 #6, by C. Czerny
• Natalie: Piano Sonata Op. 28 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• David R: Etude in D minor Op. 82 #65, by Cornelius Gurlitt paired with Sofelgia in D major, by J. C. F. Bach