🎵 Notes from September 8 2024 meetup

The venue today was at Mitchell’s piano storage facility For the Love of Pianos (see paragraph below).  It was unusual but, as always, it is the music that matters.  We performed on a Yamaha baby grand that was about 30 years old and had apparently never been played before; we fixed that problem!  There was an eclectic mix of pieces, light on the classics, with a few new composers.  Mitchell performed one of his own compositions, and we encourage others to do this should the inspiration strike.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Old Adam, by William Bolcom
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): In a Monastery Garden, by Albert Ketelby
• Christopher: Reverie, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10, Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Jocelyn: Sonata in F minor Op.  47 #2, by L. V. Beethoven
• Grace: Thème du Garçon, by Saint-Preux
• Mitchell: Romaria, by Renato Texeira
• Gregory: Song Without Words Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Grace: Experience, by Ludovico Einaudi
• Mitchell: Sunrise, own composition
• Christopher: Reverie in F Minor, by Dennis Alexander
• Dave A: German Dance #1, by L. V. Beethoven 

Mitchell has provided some information about his company:

“For The Love Of Pianos is a technician driven company serving piano owners, along with private market piano buyers and sellers, in the Greater Ottawa-Gatineau Metropolitan Area. We focus on providing excellent quality products and services that enhance the musical experience for owners of pianos, as well as supporting the promotion and growth of the acoustic piano in our local market.  Visit our website for more information, and to join our mailing list: https://loveofpianos.ca/”

🎵 Notes from August 17 2024 meetup

We had a good turnout at Ottawa Pianos, proving that music making need not stop in the summer. We welcomed new member Stéphanie.  Two duets were included in the lineup.  We so far have not heard a brass instrument in a duet, so check your contacts for someone!  Other pieces had our usual mix of contemporary to Baroque. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Dave/Karin (two piano duet): 6 Studies in Canon Form Op. 56 #2, by R. Schumann
• Françoise (piano) and Kevin (violin): Andantino, by Brian Crain
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #12, Op. 17 #3 and Op. 11 #10, by A.  Scriabin
• David R: Hannah Grace Waltz, by Maria Rose Rechner
• Natalie: Prelude Op. 874, by J. S. Bach
• Jocelyne: Moment Musical Op. 95 (D780 #6), by F. Schubert
• Grace: Love Ballade, by Oscar Peterson
• Stéphanie: Innocence, by Friedrich Burgmüller
• Grace: Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen, arr. by George Shearing
• Natalie: Nocturne Op. 55 #1, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 16 #2, by A.  Scriabin
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin
• Dave A: Prelude in D flat Major, by Reinhold Gliere
• Karin: Romance, by Clara Schumann

🎵 Notes from July 21 2024 meetup

We had a good turnout on a sunny Sunday in July, proving that our interest in the piano is alive and well in all months!  We had a good assortment of pieces from traditional to old to modern. Composer Jason Sifford has not been performed for our group before.

Here's what was played:

• Martin: French Suite #4 in E flat major, by J.S. Bach
• Jeff: Etude Tableau, Opus 33 No.# 5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Kathy: Prelude and Fugue in B major, by J.S. Bach
• Mary Lou: Prelude, by Marjan Mozetich
• Perry: Liebestraum #3, by F. Liszt
• Christopher: Reverie, by C. Debussy
• Paul and Emil: Valse Lente, by Mel Bonis
• Lyndsay: Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, traditional arranged by Florence Price
• Lorraine: Rialto Ripples, by G. Gershwin
• Mary Lou: Impromptu in G flat major, Opus 9 #3, by F. Schubert
• Kathy: Arietta, Opus 12, #1, by E. Grieg
• Paul: Romance sans paroles, by G. Faure
• Jeff: Aux cypres de la ville d’este #1, by F. Liszt
• Lyndsay: Incognito (Jazz Nocturne), by Jason Sifford
• Lorraine: Prelude in C major, by J.S. Bach

🎵 Notes from July 7 2024 meetup

As expected, our July turnout at Grace's was a bit lower, but we had fun nonetheless and there were a few lighter “summer” pieces as well as a good assortment of others. Composers Sakamoto and Mozetich are new to our ever growing roster of composers performed.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Fly Me to the Moon, by Bart Howard
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Grace: 20220302-Sarabande, by Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Jocelyne: Etude in A Major, by Carl Czerny
• Hedda: Misty, by Erroll Garner
• Mary Lou: Prelude from Three Pieces for Piano, by Marjan Mozetich
• Natalie: Nocturne Op. 55 #1, by F. Chopin
• Perry: Scherzo #2, by F. Chopin
• Gregory: I’m in the Mood for Love, by Jimmy McHugh
• Hedda: Georgia on My Mind, by Hoagy Carmichael
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #2, 17 #3 and 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Mary Lou: Rondo in A minor, by W. A. Mozart
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 17 #4, by F. Chopin
• Grace: Root Beer Rag, by William Joel

🎵 Notes from June 15 2024 meetup

There was a full house at Steinway Gallery, and we wish to remind the group of all the support that Jennifer Messer has provided to our group over the past number of years.  We welcomed new member Monica.  There is a continuing trend for ensembles, with three this time.  In addition to many of our favorite well-known composers, we heard works for the first time by de Abreu and Westenra.  Incidentally, de Abreu is Brazilian, and the rousing piece played today is part of an encouraging shift to more works by composers from Latin America.  

Here’s what played:

• Gregory: Elite Syncopations, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: Song Without Words Op. 19 No. 2, by Felix Mendelssohn
• Christopher: Reverie in F minor, by Dennis Alexander
• Perry and Andrew (two piano duet): Braziliera from Scaramouche Suite, by Darius Milhaud
• David R: Prelude in B minor, by J. S. Bach, transcribed by Alexander Siloti, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Monica: Os Pintinhos no terreiro Zequina, by de Abreu
• Natalie: Mazurka Op. 17 #4, by F. Chopin
• Mary Lou: Rondo in A Minor, by W. A. Mozart
• Hedda: Intermezzo No. 1, by Manuel Ponce
• Dennis: Song of the Pilgrim, by F. Mendelssohn
• Grace: Experience, by Ludovico Einaudi
• Françoise (piano and vocals) and Kevin (violin): Faun, by Olafur Arnalds
• Françoise (vocal), Dennis (piano) and Kevin (violin): Dark Waltz, by Hayley Westenra
• Jeff: Aux Cypres de la villa d’este No. 1, by Franz Liszt
• Mizuki: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Lorraine: Sonata Op. 78 #24, by L. V. Beethoven
• Perry: June (from The Seasons), by P. Tchaikovsky
• Grace: Three Preludes, by George Gershwin

🎵 Notes from June 2 2024 meetup

We had an opportunity to perform at Hedda’s on her Kawai grand piano.  One interesting occurrence and a first, was that two different pieces were played twice by different performers. Great minds think alike!  Another first was a piano/violin duet by Arvo Pärt, who is not typically known for piano works.  Also unusual were two works by Liszt, one of his later pieces and one from his youth.  A mixture of older and modern works rounded out the session.

Here's what was played:

• Gordon: Farewell (Abscheid) S251, by F. Liszt
• Hedda: Intermezzo in A minor, by Manuel Ponce
• Karin: Imaginary Landscapes, by Laurens van Rooyen
• Natalie: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Christopher: Intermezzo op. 118  #2, by J. Brahms
• Randy (piano) and Kevin (violin): Spiegel im Spiegel, by Arvo Pärt
• Anne-Marie: Intermezzo op. 118  #2, by J. Brahms
• Mizuki: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Gordon: Etude #12 S136, by F. Liszt
• Hedda: Boogie Prelude, by William Gillock
• Anne-Marie: Stairway to Paradise, by G. Gershwin
• Natalie: Granada from Suite Espaňol, by I. Albeniz
• Mizuki: Prelude in E mia fille aunor, by F. Chopin
• Karin: La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin, by C. Debussy

🎵 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

🎵 Notes from April 20 2024 meetup

We had another large session today at Ottawa Pianos, and welcomed new member Emil.  There is an emerging trend to have more ensembles. In addition to two vocal/piano works, we had one piano 4-hands, two pianos 4-hands, and one piano six-hands.  There is also a trend to more contemporary works, and this is certainly to be encouraged.  Rest assured that the classics will always be treasured: J.S. Bach was featured four times today.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Toccata in D minor by J. S. Bach
• Jean-Claude: Sonata Op. 14 #1 (2nd movement), by L. V. Beethoven
• Martin: Bohemian Rhapsody, by Freddie Mercury
• Mary Lou: Nocturne in C# minor, by F. Chopin (+ poem below)
• Randy (piano) and Françoise (vocals): Sous la pluie, by Juliette Armanet
• David R: Valse Op. 64 #2, by F. Chopin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Françoise (vocals) and Dennis (piano): The Edge of the Field, by Emily Hall
• Dennis: Song Without Words Op. 85 #4, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jocelyn: Prelude, by Barbara Arens
• Karin: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Jeff: Aux cyprès de la villa d'este #1, by F. Liszt
• Perry and Andrew (two pianos): Scaramouche - Brazileira, by Darius Milhaud
• Hedda: Polonaise in E major, from the French Suite #6, by J. S. Bach
• Christopher: For December, by V. Polett
• Jenny: Prelude and Fugue in A flat Major, Book 1, by J. S. Bach
• Paul and Emil (piano 4-hands duet): Ballabile from Suite en forme de valses Op. 35, by Melanie Bonis
• Randy: No Holly for Miss Quinn, by Enya
• Jean-Claude: Brompton Square Waltz, by Daniel Edwards
• Mary Lou: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms
• Dennis: K32 by D. Scarlatti, and Saman, by Ōlafur Arnalds
• David, Karin and Randy (one piano 6-hands), Romance, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jenny: French Suite 4 - Allemande, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from April 7 2024 meetup

We welcomed new members Dennis and Paul at the home of Françoise.  There was a full house in a great setting, playing on a “Red Pops” Steinway Piano.  While we aren’t sure what brought out one of our largest if not the largest crowd, all of us enjoyed the variety of music from award winning contemporary film music to Bach.  Two Icelandic composers were performed, and four duets rounded out the afternoon. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Hedda: Intermezzo #1, by Manuel Ponce
• Karin: Romance Op. 11 #1, by Clara Schumann
• Randy (piano) and Françoise (vocals): What Was I Made For?, by Billie Eilish
• Christopher: Intermezzo Op. 118 #2, by J. Brahms
• Andrew: Aufschwung (Soaring), by Robert Schumann
• Dennis (piano) and Françoise (vocals): Kindling Oak, by Emily Hall
• Dennis: Ave Maria, by Sygvaldi Kaldalòns
• David R: Three Solos for Yuja (from Hunger Games), by James Newton Howard
• Jeff: Aux cyprès de la villa d'este #1, by Franz Liszt
• Mary Lou: Rondo in A minor KV 511, by W. A. Mozart
• Dave A: Les Barricades Mystérieuses, by F. Couperin
• Martin: Chaconne in G major, by G. F. Handel
• Françoise: Happiness Does Not Wait, by Ōlafur Arnalds
• Jean-Claude: Sonata Op. 14 #1 (first movement), by L. V. Beethoven
• Gordon: Preludes Op 11 #5 and Op 13 #5, by A. Scriabin
• Lorraine: Prelude BWV 852 in C#, by J. S. Bach
• Randy and Paul (Piano Duet): Sonatina, by György Ligeti
• Nick: Sonata L4, by F. J. Haydn
• Grace: Etude 16, by Phillip Glass
• Natalie: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin
• Dave A and Karin (two Piano duet): Lonely Talk, by Arletta O’Hearn