Notes from July 19 2025 meetup

It was a bit of a smaller group today, possibly because many of us have been busy with summer vacations. However, everyone enjoyed performing on Ottawa Piano’s Felix concert grand, with our usual variety from Baroque to modern.  

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Elite Syncopations, by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Christopher: Ama’s Theme, by Eydis Evensen
• Christopher: You, by Hideyuki Hashimoto
• Mary Lou: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Heather: Meadow Dance and Sonatina, by D. Kabalevsky
• Randy: Gnossiene #3, by E. Satie
• Jocelyne (violin): Air from Rinaldo, by G. F. George Handel
• Jocelyne (violin): Romanian Dance, by Ricky Hyslop
• Jeff: Aux Cypres de la Villa D’Este, by F. Liszt
• Mary Lou: Fantasia in C Minor, by J. S. Bach
• Randy: Opus 36, by Dustin O’Halloran
• Jocelyne (violin): March in C Major, by Franz Wohlfahrt

Notes from July 6 2025 meetup

We had a good turnout at Françoise’s, enjoying a view of the Ottawa River when we were not being pelted by torrential rain. There were an unusual number of ensembles, five duets and two trios, with our first ever duet with a Harmonica. We found out that Jocelyne is also learning to play the violin. There were a number of new composers performed plus many well-known ones, which gave us a very diverse session.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: I Giorni, by Ludovico Einaudi
• Karin: Bruyères, by C. Debussy
• Dave A: When I Grow Too Old to Dream, by Oscar Hammerstein & Sigmund Romberg
• Gordon: Bagatelle sans tonalité, by F. Liszt
• Christopher: Prelude in G Op. 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Christopher: Reflection, by Oliver Davis
• Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin) duet: Méditation from Thaïs, by Jules Massenet, transcription by Marsick
• Natalie: Capriccio Op. 116 #3, by J. Brahms
• Françoise (vocals), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin) trio: Cross the Wide Missouri, traditional 
• Nick: Sonata L8 (HobXVI:5), by F. J. Haydn
• Françoise (vocals, piano) and Tom (Harmonica) duet: Complainte de la Butte, by Rufus Wainwright
• Mizuki: Waltz 64 #1, by F. Chopin
• Dennis (Piano) and Jocelyne (violin) duet: Air from Rinaldo, by G. F. Handel
• Dennis (Piano) and Jocelyne (violin) duet: Bohemian Dance, by Ricky Hyslop
• Gordon: Melodie Op. 53 #2, by Ignaz Brüll
• Dave A and Karin (piano duet): As Time Goes By, by Herman Hupfeld, arr by Dan Coates
• Dennis: Prelude in G Op. 16#3, by Alexander Scriabin
• Dennis: Op. 23, by O’Halloran
• Françoise (vocals), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin) trio: I Cried for Us, by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 32, 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven,
• Mizuki: Haruyokoi, by Matsutoya Yumi
• Nick: Sonata L9, by F. J. Joseph Haydn      

Notes from June 14 2025 meetup

We had a good turnout this morning and a variety of different composers, our final session this season at Steinway Gallery. The pieces included both violin/piano and voice/piano duets. We welcomed new member Kavita. Dennis announced that he is moving back to Nova Scotia, and he will be missed!

Here’s what was played:

• Stéphanie: Prelude in E minor, by F. Chopin
• Heather: Scherzo, by Dimitri Kabalevsky
• Jeff: Aux Cyprès de la Villa d’Este #1, by F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Suite Française 1st to 4th movement, by Francis Poulenc
• Mary Lou: Romance Op. 11 #1, by C. Schumann
• David R: Sonata #9 in A major Theme and 1st to 4th variations, by W. A. Mozart
• Jocelyn: Sonata in F minor WoO 47 #2, by L. V. Beethoven
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 1st and 2nd mov, by J. S. Bach
• Jennifer: Petrarch Sonnet #104, by F. Lizst
• Tunde: Clair de Lune, by C. Debussy
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): The Deserted Garden and Adoration, by Florence Price
• Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Ave Maria/Prelude in C major, by J. S. Bach/Charles Gounod
• Randy: Gnossienne #1, by E. Satie
• Kavita: Für Elise, by L. V. Beethoven
• Mizuki: Sonata #12 in F major K.332 Adagio, by W. A. Mozart
• Jean-Claude: Suite Française 5th to 7th movement, by Francis Poulenc
• Dennis: Ad Libre, by Alexandra Stréliski
• Dennis: Saman, by Olafur Arnalds
• Françoise (piano and voice): Sous les aquarelles, by Ingrid St. Pierre

Notes from June 1 2025 meetup

The group welcomed new member Heather. We had our usual good mix of pieces from Baroque to modern, played on Hedda’s Kawai grand piano.  

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Puttin’ on the Ritz, by Irving Berlin arr. by Cory Hall
• Hedda: Incognito, by Jason Sifford
• Karin: La file aux cheveux de Lin, by C. Debussy
• Heather: Clowning, by Dimitri Kabalevsky
• David R: Minuets in G major and G minor, by Christian Petzold
• Randy: Douze petits chorals #1, #2 and #3, by Erik Satie
• Paul: Aria from Goldberg Variations, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Italian Concerto 1st and 2nd mov, by J. S. Bach 
• David R: Etude in D minor Op. 82 #65, by Cornelius Gurlitt
• David R: Solfeggio in D major, by Johann Christophe Friedrich Bach
• Randy: Uzun Ince, by Evgeny Grinko
• Paul: Valse KK IV6 #11, by F. Chopin
• Natalie: Intermezzo Op. 116 #4, by J. Brahms
• Karin: Adagio, by J. S. Bach/Marcello 

Notes from May 17 2025 meetup

We had a nearly full house today at Ottawa Pianos, playing on the ever wonderful "Felix". We welcomed new member Mary Louise.  In addition to the well known composers, we heard for the first time works by Richard Marx, Yves Laroche and Harold Crayton.  So we are far from running out of material.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Song Without Words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jennifer J: Prelude in D Op. 23 #4, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Stéphanie: Prelude in E minor, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Andaluza Enrique, by E. Granados
• Christopher: Reverie, by Dennis Alexander
• Karin: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• Dave A: Impromptu #1, by Harold Crayton
• Tunde: Sonata in A minor 2nd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Mary Louise: Right Here Waiting, by Richard Marx
• David R: Sonata in C major K545 2nd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Jeff: Etude Tableau Op. 33 #8, By S. Rachmaninoff
• Natalie: Intermezzo Op. 116 #4, by J. Brahms
• Grace: Noah’s Lament, by Yves Laroche
• Mizuki: Sonata K332 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Jennifer J: Sonata in F minor 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #12 and #10, by A. Scriabin
• Dave A and Karin (2 piano duet): #1 of 6 Canonic Etudes, by R. Schumann arr. C. Debussy
• David R: Sonata in C major K545 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Andrew: Enigma Variations, Theme and Nimrod variation, by Edward Elgar
• Tunde: Waltz in C# minor, by F. Chopin
• Grace: In a Sentimental Mood, by Duke Ellington
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 (tempest) 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven

Notes from May 4 2025 meetup

Spring appears to have finally arrived, but still a good crowd was still able to sneak away from the sun for a few hours to perform an excellent assortment of music. 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Swipesy, by Scott Joplin & Arthur Marshall
• Karin: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• Paul & Emil (4-Hands duet): Fantasie in F minor Op. 103, by F. Schubert
• Dave A: The Petite Waltz, by Joe Heyne
• Christopher: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• David R; English Suite #3 Gavotte and Musette, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Jean-Claude: Suite Française, 4th and 5th movement, by Francis Poulenc
• Françoise: Début et Fin, by Mélanie Laurent
• Jeff: Etude Tableau Op. 33 #8, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Anne-Marie:  Prelude and Fugue in E flat minor (Book 1 #22), by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #12, #10, by A. Scriabin
• Karin & Dave (4-Hands duet) As Time Goes By,  by Herman Hupfeld (arr. Dan Coates)
• Karin & Dave (4 Hands duet) The Wind Beneath My Wings, by Jeff Silbar & Larry Henley (arr. Dan Coates)
• Jean Claude: Pavane pour une infant défunte, by M. Ravel
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 31 #2 1st mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• David R: Invention in B flat major, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• David R: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach (arr A. Siloti), SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

 

🎵 Notes from April 13 2025 meetup

It was a fun social gathering on a sunny Spring afternoon, performing on Dave A’s vintage Steinway grand.

Here’s what was played:

• Dave A and Karin (4-hands duet): Nocturne #5, by John Field
• Martin: Sonata #48 in C major 2nd mov, by J. Haydn
• Jean-Claude: Suite Française #1 and #2, by F. Poulenc
• David R: Hannah Grace Waltz/Hope, by Maria Rose Rechner, SoundCloud recording of David playing these pieces is here and here
• Hedda: The Gentle Waltz, by Oscar Peterson
• Kathy: Requiem Sanctus, by G. Fauré, piano transcription by Emile Naoumoff
• Paul: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms
• Kathy: Requiem Pie Jesu, by G. Fauré, piano transcription by Emile Naoumoff
• Karin: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Le Nez, by Clermont Pépin
• David R: The Pink Panther, by Henry Mancini
• David R: Atacama Desert, by Wyne-Anne Rossi
• Dave A: Love Letters, by Victor Young

🎵 Notes from April 6 2025 meetup

We enjoyed performing on the Steinway Model B grand at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios. 

Here’s what was played:

• Karin: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• Paul: Three pieces from Impressions for Piano (Carefree Mood, Trees at Twilight, Roundup), by André Previn
• Martin: Carnaval Op. 9, by R. Schumann
• Andrew: Viennese Carnaval, by R. Schumann
• Jocelyne: Moment Musicale Op. 94 D. 780 #6, by F. Schubert
• David R: Impromptu Op. 90 #1, by F. Schubert, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Dennis: Elegie, by Alexandra Stréliski
• Jeff: Etudes-Tableau Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Françoise: Wonderland, by David Nevue
• Gordon: Etude Mélodieuse Op. 795 #3, by Carl Czerny
• Karin: Reverie, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Jeff: Preludes Op.11 #12, Op. 17 #3 andOp. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Gordon: Adieu, by Edward Elgar
• Andrew: Les Beaux Jours, by André Gagnon
• David R: Recuerdos de la Alhambra, F. Tarrega arr. D. Center, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

🎵 Notes from March 16 2025 meetup

Our session was a good way to spend a rainy afternoon at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios. Jeff recounted his positive experience at the March Break Piano Camp. Thanks again to our hosts, Lydia and Jennifer.

Here’s what was played:

• Dave A and Karin (4-hands duet), Circle Dance, by R. Schumann
• Martin: Carnaval Op. 9 #1 Préamble, by R. Schumann
• Christopher: Elegy, by Kristina Arakelyan
• Dennis: Prelude Op. 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
• David R: Nocturne, Op. 9 #2, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Jocelyn: Etude in A Major, by C. Czerny
• Natalie: Capriccio in G minor Op. 16 #3, by J. Brahms
• Natalie: Intermezzo Op. 116 #3, by J. Brahms
• Jeff: Preludes Op.11#12, Op. 11 #10, Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Anne-Marie: Intermezzo in A major Op. 18 #2 , by J. Brahms
• Karin: Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
• Martin: Prelude #5 in D major, J. S. Bach
• Dennis: Ad Libre, by Alexandra Stréliski
• Dennis: Opening of French Suite #4, by J. S. Bach
• Anne-Marie: Sonata in B minor K.87, by D. Scarlatti
• Christopher: Incognito, by Jason Sifford
• David R: middle section of Fantasie Impromptu Op. 66, vaudeville song "I’m Always Chasing Rainbows", by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Etudes-Tableau Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Dennis: Waltz #19 in A minor, by F. Chopin
• David: Moonlight Sonata 1st and 2nd mov Op. 27 #2, by L. V. Beethoven

🎵 Notes from March 2 2025 meetup

We had a good session at Anne-Marie's, although a few of us had to climb over snowbanks to get in!  It was mostly a session of the “classics".

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Pineapple Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Anne-Marie: Sonata K135, by Domenico Scarlatti
• Martin: Prelude #5 in D major, by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Moment Musicale, Op. 94 #6, by F. Schubert
• Jeff: Etude Tableau Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Mary Lou Argentinian Dance Op. 2 #1 and #2, by Alberto Ginastera
• Wesley: Sonata Op. 8 #13 (Adagio and Rondo), by L. V. Beethoven
• Jeff: Années de Pèlerinage, Troisième Année, Aux Cyprès de la Villa d’Este (S.163 #3), by F. Liszt
• Gordon Waltz in A flat Op. 69 31 Frederic Chopin
• Wesley: Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen arr. George Shearing
• Mary Lou: Etude #3 in E major, Op. 10 #3, by F. Chopin
• Anne-Marie: Prelude #22 Bk. 1, by J. S. Bach
• Martin: Fugue #15 in G major, by J. S. Bach 

🎵 Notes from February 15 2025 meetup

We had a fairly full house at Ottawa Pianos, playing on Yamaha's finest, and managed to finish just as the snowstorm started nipping at our heels. We welcomed Lianna, who performed a less known piece by Czech composer Leoš Janáček. There were a few other composers who we have not commonly heard, as well as Anton Arensky another new one for us. 

Here’s what was played:

• Lianna: 1905 Piano Sonata 1st mov, by Leoš Janáček
• Gregory: Opus 53 #3, by Felix Mendelssohn
• Martin: Fugue #15 in G major, by J. S. Bach
• Jean-Claude: Nocturne #10, by John Field
• Mary Lou: Etude in E major Op. 10 #3, by F. Chopin
• Dennis: Nocturne in B flat major, by Ignace Paderewski
• David R: English Suite #3 Gavotte and Musette, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Dave A: Borders, by Alexandra Streliski
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 457, 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Emil and Paul (2 piano duet): Romance from Suite 1 Op. 15, by Anton Arensky
• Emil and Paul (2 piano duet): Variation 18 from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, by Sergei Rachmaninoff
• Jeff: Années de Pèlerinage, Aux Cyprès de la Villa d’Este, by F. Liszt
• David R: Mazurkas Op. 68 #2 and #3, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Jeff: Sonata de Petrarch, by F. Liszt
• Jean-Claude: Gnossienne No. 4, by Erik Satie
• Dennis: Pie Jesu, by Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 457 3rd mov, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

🎵 Notes from February 2 2025 meetup

We had a small but pleasant and relaxed session at Gregory’s, with our usual mixture from Bach to Modern. Jerome Kern and Roger Eno are new to our composer list … now over 400! Despite the variety of pieces in the repertoire, by coincidence two of us played the same piece by Handel! Lorraine had an interesting pairing of Preludes in the same key by J. S. Bach and Dmitri Shostakovich. 

Here’s what was played: 

• Gregory: Passacaglia from HMV 432 , by G. F. Handel
• Randy: Through the Blue, by Roger Eno
• Mary Lou: Etude in E major Op. 10 #3, by F. Chopin
• Daniel Z: Fantasie BWV 906, by J. S. Bach
• Lorraine: Passacaglia from HMV 432, by G. F. Handel
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #12 and #10, by A. Scriabin
• Mary Lou: Argentinian Dances Op. 2 #1 and #2, by Alberto Ginastera
• Lorraine: Prelude in D, Op. 34 #5,by D. Shostakovitch
• Lorraine: Prelude #5 in D, by J. S. Bach
• Daniel Z: Op. 25 #12, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 17 #3 and Op. 16 #12, A. Scriabin

🎵 Notes from January 13 2025 meetup

We had another enjoyable afternoon of music at 10,000 Hours Piano Rehearsal Studios with a mix of solo piano and ensembles — piano/violin, piano 4-hands, piano/voice! Mozart, Bach and Chopin were our most popular composers.

Here’s what was played:

• Martin: Sonata #12 1st mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Christopher: Intermezzo Op. 117#1, by J. Brahms
• David R: Invention #14 in B flat major, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• David R: Prelude in B minor , by J. S. Bach (arr. A. Siloti), SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Françoise/Kevin (piano/violin): Bluebird, by Alexis Ffrench
• Françoise/Kevin (piano/violin): One More Day, by Rebecca Kaiserin
• Dennis: Opus 23, by D. O'Halloran
• Jocelyne: Moment Musicale Op. 94 D. 780 #6, by F. Schubert
• Dave A/Karin (4-hands): Nocturne #5, by John Fields
• Natalie: Sonata #14 K. 457 2nd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Mizuki: Sonata #3 K. 281, by W. A. Mozart
• Jenny: Prelude and Fugue in C major, by J. S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Etude Op. 10 #3 in E major, by F. Chopin
• Mizuki: Gymnopédie #1, by E. Satie
• Dennis: Song for Gavin, by L. Einaudi
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Françoise (piano/voice): When You Taught Me How to Dance, by Katie Melua

🎵 Notes from January 5 2025 meetup

What better place to spend a cold sunny winter afternoon than playing the piano at Natalie's? Eight of us did, performing our usual mix from baroque to modern. Laurens van Rooyen was new for us; we have not yet heard many Dutch composers. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Paragon Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Reverie, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Kathy: Sonata K466, by Domenico Scarlatti
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 437 3rd mov, by W. A. Mozart
• Hedda: Incognito, by Jason Sifford
• Jocelyne: Sonata in F minor WoO 47 #2, by L. Beethoven
• Paul: Mazurka Op. 17 #4, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Nostalgie, by Eric Satie
• Gregory: My Way, by  J. Revaux
• Paul: Mazurka in A minor Op. 7 #2, by F. Chopin
• Karin: Imaginary Landscapes, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Natalie: Cuba from Suite Espanola, by Isaac Albeniz
• Kathy: Prelude in E flat, Well Tempered Klavier book 2, by J. S. Bach
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 437 2nd mov, by W. A. Mozart