🎵 Notes from the September 18, 2021 meetup

The largest group in some time enjoyed a wonderful grand at the Steinway Gallery store.  We welcomed new members Grace and Emily. 

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Song without words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jackie: Sonata in C major, by W. A. Mozart
• Karin: Prelude “Bruyère”, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux op. 33 No. 5, by S. Rachmaniniff
• Wes: Sonata KV300h, Andante Cantabile, by W. A. Mozart
• Erin: Invention #9 BWV780, by J. S. Bach
• Grace: 13 Jazz exercises (#1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13), by Oscar Peterson
• Gordon: Two part inventions #4 in D minor and #14 in B flat major, by J. S. Bach
• Randy: Venus (his own transcription), by Gustav Holst
• Jackie: Ballade pour Adeline, by Paul de Senneville
• Erin: Prelude in B, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms
• Grace: 13 Jazz exercises (#2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12), by Oscar Peterson
• Wes: “Raindrop” prelude (Op. 28 #15), by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Intermezzo Op. 76 #4, by J.Brahms
• Emily: Prelude (from Prelude and Fugue in G# minor), BWV 887, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from the August 28, 2021 meetup

A small group gathered at Ottawa Pianos but enjoyed the magnificent grand piano and the low-stress atmosphere. Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Song without words, Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Karin: Prélude in A flat major, by C. Debussy
• Hedda: Reigen (Dance of the blessed spirits), by C. W. Gluck
• Karin: Sonata in B minor K87, by Scarlatti
• Randy: Aisatsana, by Aphex Twin
• Hedda Boogie Prelude, by William Gillocl
• Gregory: Great Crush Collision March, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Adagio in D minor, BWV 974, by Bach/Marcello
• Hedda: Minuet, by J. S. Bach
• Randy: Musette, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from the July 24, 2021 meetup

In this in-person session at the Ottawa Pianos store, we had a good variety of works from well-known composers, as well as a couple of more obscure pieces.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Bruyères (A flat major), by C. Debussy
• Erin: Fugue in D# minor BWV 853, by J. S. Bach
• Jackie: Rondo, 2nd Movement, by L. V. Beethoven
• Randy Plus tôt, by Alexandra Stréliski
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 33 #2, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Lynda: Rêverie, by C. Debussy
• Gordon: Two part Inventions #9 in F minor and #8 in F major, by J. S. Bach
• Randy: piano un10 it happened (correct title), by Aphex Twin (pseudonym)
• Karin: Sonata K87 in B minor, by Scarlatti
• Erin: Prelude in E flat BWV 853, by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Prelude Op. 13 #5, by A Scriabin
• Lynda: A taste of Honey, by Rick Marlow and Bobby Scott
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms

🎵 Notes from the July 18, 2021 online meetup

Today's Zoom session had our usual mix of composers, plus a piece from an Italian composer from the 18th century who most of us had never heard of (Paradies).  We also welcomed new member Julia from Montreal.

Here's the music that was played:

• Gregory: Tales from the Vienna Woods, by Johann Strauss Jr.
• Erin: Fugue #8 in D# minor (from Well-tempered Clavier), by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Two part inventions #11 in G minor and #10 in G major, by J. S. Bach
• Julia: Prelude op. 28 #4 in G major, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Gordon: Giga in B flat, by Paradies
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7, by J. Brahms

🎵 Notes from the June 26, 2021 meetup

A small group was able to gather in person at Ottawa Pianos for today's session, playing on a mighty Yamaha grand. Some performers decided to play their entire piece with the soft pedal!

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7 by J. Brahms
• Sachie: Berceuse Op. 56 No. 1 by Gabriel Faure, arr. by S. Lawton
• David: Art of the Fugue, Contrapuntus 1, by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Pineapple Rag by Scott Joplin
• Sachie: Libertango by Piazolla, arr. by Charlier
• David: Theme from Poldark by Anne Dudley
• Sachie: Sing Sing Sing by Benny Goodman, arr. by Dailly
• David: Fantaisie Impromptu, middle section, by F. Chopin

🎵 Notes from the June 6, 2021 online meetup

The very hot afternoon was the perfect opportunity to be indoors, playing music! Among the usual eclectic mix, a piece by Harry Somers (a Canadian) may have been the first time this composer was played here. 

As a matter of general interest, some in the group recommended listening to the Ottawa Chamberfest Chamber Chats on Thursdays (www.chamberfest.com/chamber-chats/).

Here's what was played today:

• Lynda: Strangeness of heart, by Harry Somers
• Gregory: J. S. Bach: Prelude in D, No. 4 of 6 Little Preludes
• Christopher: F. Chopin, Nocturne in C# minor, Op. posthumous
• Wesley: F. Chopin, Waltz Op. 64 #2
• Jeff: J. Brahms, Intermezzo Op. 76 #7
• Lynda: B. Bartok, Romanian Folk Dances #1
• Gregory: I’m in the mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields
• Christopher: J. S. Bach, Sonatina from Cantata #106 "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit", piano arrangement by Eleonor Bindman
• Wesley: Scott Joplin, Bethena, A Concert Waltz
• Jeff: A. Scriabin, Prelude Op. 17 #3

🎵 Notes from the May 16, 2021 online meetup

Even with the fine Spring weather we had a full slate for today's online session, with a most enjoyable range of music.

Here’s what was played:

• Barb:  Harp Etude Op. 25 No. 1, by F. Chopin
• Karin: Intermezzo in A Flat Major Op. 76. No. 3, by J. Brahms
• Gordon: Two Part Inventions No. 1 in C Major BWV 772 and No. 15 in B Minor BWV 786, by J.S. Bach 
• Andrew: Un lift pour Ville Émard, by André Gagnon
• Randy: Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 1 From Foreign Lands and People, by R. Schumann
• Lynda: Libertango, by A. Piazzolla
• David: Contrapunctus 1 from Art of Fugue BWV 1080, by J.S. Bach
• Wesley: 2nd (Adagio)  and 3rd (Rondo) Movements of Sonata Pathétique No. 8, op. 13, by L.V. Beethoven
• Karin: Sonata in D Minor K. 9, by D. Scarlatti
• Gordon: Bear Dance, by B. Bartok
• Wesley: So What, by Miles Davis
• Lynda: Milonga del Angel, by A. Piazzolla
• David: Theme from TV series Poldark by Anne Dudley
• Randy: The Engagement from movie The Birth, by Alexandre Desplat

🎵 Notes from the May 2, 2021 online meetup

There were few attendees today but the Zoom meeting was just as pleasant.  Sound quality was particularly good and we wish we knew exactly why.  A composition by a modern composer, Riopy, was a new one for the group.   

Here's what was played:

• Gregory:  St. Louis Blues, by W. C. Handy
• Christopher: Prelude in D, Op. 23 #4, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jeff: Intermezzo Op. 76 #7 by J. Brahms
• Christopher: For December, by Paulette Verlée
• Jeff: Etude Tableau, Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Christopher: “Noah”, by Riopy

🎵 Notes from the April 18, 2021 online meetup

We welcomed new member Andrew at today's near-capacity session, which featured a wide variety of styles and composers.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Intermezzo Op. 76 #3 by J. Brahms
• Erin: Sonata in D, Adagio (Hoboken XVI: 24) by F. J. Haydn
• Barb:  Etude Op. 25 #1 (Harp), by F. Chopin
• Andrew: Enigma variations #1 and #6, by E. Elgar
• Michiko: Moonlight Sonata, 2nd and 3rd movements, by L. V. Beethoven
• Wesley (piano) and Debra (flute) (pre-recorded video): Berceuse, by G. Faure
• Karin: (part) Nocturne in C# minor, by F. Chopin
• Andrew: “Blind Man’s Bluff” from “Scenes from Childhood, by R. Schumann
• Michiko: Etude #3, by F. Chopin
• Wesley (piano) and Debra (flute) (pre-recorded video): Traumerei from Scenes from Childhood, by R. Schumann

🎵 Notes from the April 4, 2021 online meetup

A pleasant Zoom meeting took place on April 4. Rachmaninoff appeared three times, and one piece was by a living musician and composer, Paulette Verlée.  

Here's what was played:

• Lynda: Song without words, Op. 62 #1, by F. Mendelssohn
• Gregory:  Elegie, by Jules Massenet
• Gordon: Gavotte in G major, by J. S. Bach
• Christopher: Prelude in D, Op. 23 #4, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jeff: Etude Tableau, Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Lynda: Song without words, Op. 62 #6, by F. Mendelssohn
• Gordon: Invention #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach           
• Christopher: For December, by Paulette Verlée
• Jeff: Etude Tableau, Op. 37 #1, part 1, by S. Rachmaninoff

A piece by Rachmaninoff is played as other participants look on