Sunday, March 11, 2018

Music played February 18, 2018

Host: Erin

Eight dedicated pianists braved the February weather for meet-up and music event.

Sciabin is back! and wins the composer's prize for the second month in the past three.  The theme for this month seemed to move towards more modern composition at least in style.

Round 1:

# Performer Work
1. Gregory Serenade, by F. Schubert
2. Gordon Waltz in a flat Op. 69 #1, by F. Chopin
3. Christopher Prelude in G flat Op. 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
4. Erin Sonata Op. 49 #1, first movement, by L. van Beethoven
5. Kathy Intermezzo Op. 117 # 1, by J. Brahms
6. Sachie Prelude Op. 28 #12, by F. Chopin
7. Jeff. Preludes op 11 #12 and op 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
8. Julie. Sonata in C minor KV457 (complete), by W.A. Mozart

Round 2:

# Performer Work
1. Gregory Elmer’s Tune, by Elmer Albrecht et. al
2. Gordon Prelude in D flat, op. 43 #1, by Rheinhold Gliere
3. Erin. Evening in the county, by Bela Bartok
4. Christopher. Endless Song, by John Metcalf
5. Kathy Sonata K162, by A. Scarlatti
6. Jeff Preludes Op 17 #4 and Op. 22 #4, by A. Scriabin
7. Sachie Sonata Op.2 #1, 3rd movement, by L. van Beethoven

Music played January 21, 2018

Host: Jackie

A bit of a shift in style this month from last when Scriabin was very popular.  A bit hard to pick a winning composer this week.  But, Mendelssohn did have the most pieces played, even though two people played the same piece.

Round 1:

# Performer Work
1. Gregory March of the Priests, by F. Mendelssohn
2. John Morning-Chariots-Peace Self-arranged medley and
3. Janice S Consolation, Op.30 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
4. Gordon Sonatina Op. 36 #5, first movement by M. Clementi
5. Caryn Prelude in C, by J.S. Bach
6. Nancy Consolation, Op.30 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
7. Jackie Sonata in C Major, 2nd movement, by W. A. Mozart

Round 2:


# Performer Work
1. Gregory with vocals by Gordon Climb every Mountain, by Rogers and Hammerstein
2. John Free improvisation on the black keys
3. Janice S. Invention #1, by J. S. Bach
4. Gordon Sonatina in D, Op. 36 #6 (Rondo), by M. Clementi
5. Nancy Gymnopedies, by E. Satie
6. Jackie Sonata in C Major, 3rd movement, by W. A. Mozart

Friday, December 29, 2017

Music Played on December 17, 2017

Host: Gregory

Despite snow and a serious accident on the 417, a keen group of 13 pianists convened on Gregory's house.  We played on his 100+ year old Heintzman upright piano.

The most popular genre for this meeting was Christmas music with four people playing five Christmas themed pieces.  There was also a link back to last month with Gordon playing a Waltz by Amy Beech.  And, two performances of the same piece by Handel: the original and an arrangement.

The surprise winning composer was A. Scriabin, with three people playing preludes written by him.

Round 1:

# Performer Work
1. Gregory Maple Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
2. Gordon Waltz in B minor, op. 25 #6 by Viktor Kosenko and
Waltz in C Op. 36 #3 by Amy Beach
3. Christopher Bagatelle Op. 33 #6, by L. van Beethoven
4. Nick Reverie, by C. Debussy
5. John A setting from the poem “Long Long ago”, Own composition with improvisation. See below for a Youtube video of a recording of this work for piano and organ.
6. Sachie Prelude vol 2 #4, Les Fées sont d’exquises danseuses, by C. Debussy.
7. David Minuet in G Minor by G. F. Handel, arr. By W. Kempff.
8. Karin Minuet in G Minor by G. F. Handel, original version from keyboard Suite HMV 434
9. Karin & Nancy (duet) The First Noel and What Child is This, arr. by Dennis Alexander
10. Dan T. Sonata in D, 1st movement, by F. J. Haydn
11. Caryn Nocturne in C# Minor, Op 27, #1, by F. Chopin
12. Jeff Prelude Op. 24 #4, by A. Scriabin
13. Jennifer Intermezzo Op. 116 #2, by J. Brahms

Round 2:

# Performer Work
1. Gregory Once, in Royal David’s City, by Henry John Gauntlett
2. Gordon Linus and Lucy, by Vince Guaraldi. (from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”)
3. Christopher Bagatelle Op. 33 #3, by L. Van Beethoven
4. David Prelude Op. 11 #15, by A. Scriabin
5. Dan Intermezzo, Op. 116 #6, by J. Brahms
6. Jeff Prelude Op. 17 #4, by A. Scriabin

Video of John playing his composition of 'Long, Long Ago'.


Friday, November 24, 2017

Music played on November 19, 2017

Host: Karin

Winter attempted, but failed, to prevent our getting together.  We enjoyed two great pianos, a Steinweg-Grotrian upright and a Pleyel grand.  Interesting to experience playing on a different generation of instruments.

We had an unusual number of pieces from relatively unknown women composers, a nice bit of variety.

And the winning composer this week goes to the group of unknown women composers who deserve to be better known.  I'll add one more late romantic female composer name to that list: Cécile Chaminade.

Round 1:

  1. Karin & Greg:    Lonely Talk, 2 piano duet, by Arletta. O'Hearn
  2. Gordon:             Op 102 #3 (Tarantella)  & op 19, no 2 (Pensive Moments), by F. Mendelssohn
  3. Janice G.:           Sonata Gb+, by Marianne von Auenbruggar
  4. Jackie:                Minuet, by L. Boccherini 
  5. Mary Lou:          Sonata in Bb+, slow movement, K570, by W. A. Mozart
  6. John,:                 10 Chansons françaises, traditional
  7. Lynda:                Menuet from le Tombeau de Couperin by M. Ravel
  8. Christopher:      Londonderry Air and the Minstrel Boy, traditional

Round 2:

  1. Janice G:            Impromptu, by Louise Farrenc
  2. Mary Lou:         Arabesque Op. 18, by R. Schumann
  3. Greg:                 “Here’s that rainy Day”, by James Van Heusen
  4. Jackie:                Canon, by J. Pachelbel
  5. John.:                 Improvisation on “We Three Kings”, traditional
  6. Gordon:             Daybreak, op 62 no 4, by F. Mendelssohn
  7. Lynda:                “king of the road”, by Roger Miller
  8. Karin & Greg:    “I’ll wait for you”, 4 hands, by Martha Mier

Music played on October 15, 2017

Music played October 15, 2017.

Thank you to Mervyn for being our welcoming host. And for providing a unique opportunity to play on a beautiful Bechstein grand piano.  We're having a good run of great pianos to play.

The music came from a broad range of composers this session.  Only Mendelssohn and Beethoven had more than one piece played (two 'slots' each).  The tie is broken by Mendelssohn having four pieces played by one person.  Congratulations!

Round 1:

  1. Greg:            Toccata in D-, by J. S. Bach
  2. Gordon:        Op 102 #3 (Tarantella)  and #6 (faithfulness), by F. Mendelssohn
  3. Sachie:         Sonata Op. 2, no 1, 2nd movement, by L. van Beethoven
  4. Erin:              In the Evening, by H. Hoffman
  5. Jackie:          Sonata in C+, 3rd movement, by W. A. Mozart
  6. David R:        Piano Concerto #5, 2nd movement, by J.S. Bach, SoundCloud recording
  7. John W,:       Everytime I feel the spirit, traditional
  8. Jeff:               Prelude Op 17, no 4 by A. Scriabin
  9. Lynda:           Sonata Op. 14 no 2, by L. V Beethoven
  10. Nancy:          Gymnopedie #1, by E. Satie
  11. Dan:              Moment Musical Op. 94 no 4, by F. Schubert

Round 2:

  1. Greg:            Lara’s theme, by M. Jarre
  2. Gordon:       Op. 19 #4 (Confidence) and Op. 85 #2 (Farewell), by F. Mendelssohn
  3. Sachie:         Prelude Op. 28 no 11, by F. Chopin
  4. Erin:             Waltz, by V. Kosenko
  5. David R        Sarabande, by G. F. Handel, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
  6. John W.:       Improvisation on “let all mortal flesh..”, traditional
  7. Dan:             Malaguena, by Ernesto Le cuona
  8. Nancy:         Autumn Afternoon, by E. Rocherolle
  9. Lynda:          Strangers in Paradise , based on melody by A. Borodin

Music Played on September 17, 2017

Music played September 17, 2017; Thank you to Mitchell and Ottawa Piano for hosting us and for making available their wonderful Yamaha CFS Concert Grand piano.

The group welcomed a new member (Karen).

Chopin took the prize for most popular composer this session. He was the only composer who had more than one piece played.

Round 1:

  1. Mitchell:                Prelude Op. 11 No. 15, by A. Sciabin
  2. Greg:                     Menuet No. 5 from Le Tombeau de Couperin, by M.Ravel
  3. Lynda:                   Sonata #10 (G+), Op 14, no 2, by L.van Beethoven
  4. Nancy & Karin:     Canon in D+, Piano Duet, by J. Pachelbel
  5. Nick:                      Nocturne in B+, op 31, no 1, by F. Chopin
  6. Keegan:                Prelude in C#+, op 45, by F. Chopin
  7. John:                     Improvisation
  8. David:                   Goldberg Variations: Aria, #7, #19, Aria, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud
  9. Karen:                   Fantasie Improptu, op66, by F. Chopin

Round 2:

  1. Nancy:                  Waltz in A-, op 12, no 2, by E. Grieg
  2. Karin:                    Songs without Words, opp 19, no 2, by F. Mendelssohn
  3. Nick:                      Prelude. Book 2, no 5: Bruyeres, by C. Debussy
  4. John:                     Traditional Hymn: Nearer, My God to Thee, own version
  5. Lynda:                   Soul Bossa Nova, by Q. Jones
  6. David:                    Fanfarinette, by J. Rameau, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here

Monday, September 4, 2017

Pieces played on August 20, 2017

Music played August 20, 2017; Thank you to our host and wife for your gracious hospitality.

The group welcomed a member of the Toronto Amateur Pianists group. You can check out their Facebook page. They also hold monthly concerts, but rent a hall and members pay to participate. We are so lucky to have members host us free of charge and even provide us with snacks!! Thank-you all.

Beethoven took a strong lead in round for most popular composer with 3 performances.  Chopin made a late run in round #2 to tie Beethoven for the final prize.

Round 1:

  1. Greg:            Adagio Cantabile from Sonata Op. 13, by L. V. Beethoven
  2. Gordon:       Second movement of Sonata Op. 110, by L. V. Beethoven
  3. Mary Lou:    Sonata K570, 1st movement, by W. A. Mozart
  4. Janice G:      Bordel 1900, by A. Piazzolla
  5. Walter:        Graceful Ghost Rag, by William Bolcom
  6. Karin:           Andantino from 2nd ballade op. 38, by F. Chopin
  7. Vanessa:      Preludes in C Minor and B Minor, by F. Chopin
  8. Lynda:          Sonata Op. 14#2, 1st movement, by L. V Beethoven
  9. Elodie:         Italian Concerto #3, 3rd movement, by J. S. Bach
  10. Julie:            Sonatine, 2nd movement, by M. Ravel

Round 2:

  1. Greg:            Prelude Op 33 #3, by A. Scriabin
  2. Gordon:       Salut D’amour, by E. Elgar
  3. Mary Lou:    Invention #3 in D major, by J. S. Bach
  4. Karin:           “Playin’ it cool” by Eugenie Rocherolle
  5. Walter:         Allemande, by J.P. Rameau
  6. Elodie:         Sonata K 300 1st movement, by W. A. Mozart
  7. Vanessa:      Prelude in E minor, by F. Chopin
  8. Julie:            Happy time Jazz, by Martha Mier

Saturday, August 12, 2017

PIeces played at the pianogroup event on July 16, 2017

A very pleasant Sunday afternoon playing great music with large paintings of the planets looking over our shoulders.  No-one tried to play any Holst.  Maybe next time?

Chopin won the prize for the most popular composer for the day with six of his pieces being presented by four pianists.  Gared ran an improv event where the audience gave him directions for the chord progressions he used in his piece.

Round 1:

  1. Gregory:         Bethena, a concert Waltz, by Scott Joplin
  2. Mary Lou:       Song and Dance #6, by Mompou
  3. Erin:                 Invention #9, by J. S. Bach
  4. Gail:                 Little Shepherd, by C. Debussy
  5. Nick:                Balade Op 118 # 3, by J. Brahms
  6. Caryn:             Menuet in G Minor, by J. S. Bach
  7. Julie:                Sonatine 1st movement, by M. Ravel
  8. Christopher:   Reverie, by C. Debussy
  9. Gared:              Preludes 1,3 and 10, by F. Chopin
  10. Vanessa:          Prelude and Fugue in b flat major, by J. S. Bach
  11. John:                10 chansons françaises, traditional (own arrangement)

Round 2:

  1. Gregory:          Adieu to the Piano, by L.V Beethoven
  2. Gail:                 Jane’s Song, by Norton
  3. Erin:                 Waltz, by Victor Kosenko
  4. Mary Lou:       Nocturne, Op. 27 #2, by F. Chopin
  5. Nick:                 Prelude Book 2 #5 (Bruyeres), by C. Debussy
  6. Caryn:              Nocturne in c# minor (op. Post.), by F. Chopin
  7. Julie:                Sonata in c minor, 1st movement, by W. Mozart
  8. Christopher:   River flows in you, by Yiruma
  9. Gared:             “improve #7”, by the whole group
  10. Vanessa:          Prelude in F# major, by F. Chopin
  11. John:                katiushka, (Russian folk melody)

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Music played on June 11, 2017 at John's house

We had a smaller group this time, and welcomed first-time member Nancy.

Round 1:


  1. Gregory:    Moment Musical, op. 94 #6, by F. Schubert
  2. Nancy:       Prelude and Fugue #2 in C minor by J. S. Bach
  3. Janice S:    Gnossiennes #1,2,and 3, by E. Satie
  4. Karin:        Prelude Op. 16 #3 in Dm AND Pieces Fugititives , Larghetto op. 15,
                         both by Clara Schumann
  5. Sachie:       Sonata Op.2 no 1, 1st movement, by L. van Beethoven
  6. Jackie:       “You raise me up”, by Rolf Lovland, arr. by Philip Keveren
  7. John W.:     Improvisation on “Somewhere over the rainbow”, by Harold Arlen,
                          and a Norwegian Folk song.

Round 2:

  1. Gregory:    “To a Wild rose”, by Edward McDowell
  2. Nancy:      “Amazing Grace”, by John Newton
  3. Sachie:       Prelude in C Op. 28# 1, by F. Chopin
  4. Janice S:    6 Variations on a theme by Paisello, by L. Van Beethoven
  5. John W:     Free improvisation

Monday, June 12, 2017

Music played on May 28, 2017 at David's house


We had a great time and were all envious as he demonstrated the capabilities of his high-tech player grand piano.

Round 1:

  1.   Gregory:        Jessica’s Theme, by Bruce Rowland
  2.   Gordon:         Sonata # 31, op. 110, by L. V. Beethoven
  3.   Erin:              Invention #2, by J. S. Bach
  4.   Jackie:           Fiesta Espana, by N. Faber
  5.   Caryn:           Raindrop prelude, by F. Chopin
  6.   Liz:                Beauty in the Rose Garden, by Edward MacDowell
  7.   Vanessa:         Body and Soul, by John Green
  8.   Christopher:   Consolation #3, by F. Liszt
  9.   Dan:               Etude #5, by A. Scriabin
  10.   Jorge:             Primera Pavana, own composition
  11.   David:            Piano Concerto #5, second movement, with lead in from 1st movement. Accompanied by Garritan personal Orchestra. Composer: J. S. Bach

Round 2:


  1.   Dan:               The Miller’s dream, by Manuel de falla
  2.   Greg:             “Tramp Tramp Tramp” and “The battle cry of freedom”, by George F. Root
  3.   Jackie:           Musetta’s Waltz, by G. Pucini
  4.   Liz:                Valse miniature op 10 no 10., by Vladimir Rebikov
  5.   Vanessa:         How high the moon, by Morgan Lewis
  6.   Christopher:   Romance OP. 24 #9 by J. Sibelius
  7.   David:            Sarabande, by G. F. Handel
  8.   Jorge:             Fantasia (improvisation), own composition
  9.   Gordon:          Op. 12, piano transcription of Salut d’amour, by Sir E. Elgar

Play-list collated by Gregory.
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