Music played on January 19, 2020

Host: Jackie

A second meeting in January!  The second event of the first of our new twice a month schedule.  

A snowstorm the day before threatened today’s event. But ,fortunately, it cleared enough so that there were only a few absences.  

This was one of the few times that two duets were performed during the same session.

In the most popular composer competition, two composers had two pieces played: Haydn and JS Bach.  However, for Haydn, it was two movements of the same sonata.  Bach had two different pieces, including a duet. Using that as a tie breaker, I am declaring JS Bach the winner of the January (second half) prize.

A reminder to all Group members - starting this month, there will be two groups meeting each month for you to attend. But, you can only sign-up for one group per month.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Nancy & Karin (duet)	Arioso, by J.S. Bach
2.	Gregory & Gordon (duet)	Slavonic Dance Op 72 No 2, by A. Dvorak
3.	Kathy	Sonata No. 49 in Eb major, 1st mov, by J. Haydn
4.	Caryn	The Swan, by C. St. Saens
5.	Jackie	March from the Nutcracker suite, by P. Tchaikovsky

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Caryn	Danza de la Moza, by A. Ginestera
2.	Jackie	Ballade pour Adeline, by Paul de Senneville
3.	Kathy	Sonata No. 49 in Eb major, 2nd mov, by J. Haydn
4.	Gregory	Magnetic Rag, by S. Joplin
5.	Karin	Adagio (BWV 974), by J.S. Bach, arr by Marcello
6.	Gordon	Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K310, 3rd mov., by W. A. Mozart

Music Played on January 5, 2020

A selected group of pianists met at Curt's house for an early new year afternoon of music fun. We welcomed new group member Barb! The small group allowed for performers to take part in three rounds of performance.

Of the eleven pieces that were played, 6 came from two composers: three each from Schumann and Rachmaninoff. There being no clear winner in the 'most popular composer' competition, I went to a tie breaker. We couldn't use a shoot-out because all the performers had already left by the time the tie was noticed. So, I opted to count up the number of notes in the pieces played. On that basis, I am declaring Serge Rachmaninoff the winner of the January (first half) prize.

A reminder to all Group members - starting this month, there will be two group meetings each month for you to attend. But, you can only sign-up for one group per month.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	J.P.	Kinderszenen No 1 to 5, by R. Schumann
2.	Curt	Prelude Op. 33, No. 8, by S. Bortkiewicz
3.	Christopher	Etude Tableuax in G (?Op), by S. Rachmaninoff
4.	Jeff	Prelude in B- Op. 32 No. 10, by S. Rachmaninoff
5.	Barb	Ballade No. 2, op 38 in F+, by F. Chopin

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	J.P.	Kinderszenen No 11 to 13, by R. Schumann
2.	Curt	Intermezzo in A Flat, by F. Poulenc
3.	Jeff	Etude Tableuax in G- (?Op), by S. Rachmaninoff
4.	Christopher	Nachtbilder Op. 25, No. 2, by, T. Kirchner

Round 3:

#	Performer	Work
1.	J.P.	Kinderszenen No 6 to 8, by R. Schumann
2.	Curt	Reverie du Soir, by S. Lyapunov

Music played on December 8, 2019

A full house enjoyed a great variety of music on Jeff’s recently renovated Steinway grand. Between performances, we all admired the view of the Ottawa river and surroundings. Pieces from some “big name” composers were played.  However, we also heard from a few composers who are rarely heard, together with some appropriate poetry, and one seasonal favorite.

There was no clear winner in the 'most popular composer' competition. Debussy rushed out to the lead with the first two performances.  But, he faltered in the late going, being caught by three other composers: Rachmaninov, Scriabin and Chopin.  In the spirit of the season, the coveted prize will be awarded to Santa Claus. Will that put me on his 'good list'?

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Claire de Lune, by C. Debussy
2.	Karin	Album Leaf, by C. Debussy
3.	Jackie	Oh Holy Night, by Adolf Adam
4.	Gordon	Prelude, op 35 No 3 & Op 11 #13, by A. Scriabin
5.	Mary Lou	Adagio Cantible from Sonata #8, Op 13 (with poetry recital), by L. von Beethoven
6.	Caryn	Danza de la Moza Donosa Op. 2 #2, by A. Ginastera
7.	Curt	Novelette, by F. Poulenc
8.	Erin	Allegro in F+, by G.F. Handel
9.	Jeff	Etude Tableau Op 33 No 3, by S. Rachmaninoff
10.	Sachie	Fantasie Impromptu, by F. Chopin
11.	Randy	Impromptus Op 5 No 1 & 6, by J. Sibelius
12.	Lynda	Nocturne, Op 29 No 1, by F. Chopin
13.	Janice S.	Von Fremden Ländern und Menschen & Traumerei, from Kinderszenen, by R. Schumann

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory.	Prelude Op33 No3, by A. Scriabin
2.	Caryn	Venetian Boat Son, by F. Mendelssohn
3.	Gordon	Gavotte #2 in D major from English Suite #6, by J.S. Bach
4.	Mary Lou	Hermit Thrush at Eve Op. 92 #1(with poetry recital), by Amy Beach
5.	Lynda	Ojos Encantadas, by Oscar Strock
6.	Curt	Elegie Op. 46, by Sergei Bartkiewicz
7.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 32 #10 (excerpt), by S. Rachmaninoff
8.	Randy	Prélude de la Porte Héroïque du Ciel, by E. Satie

Music Played on November 17, 2019

Nine of us enjoyed a sunny but cold day at Karin’s. Uniquely, the performers were given the choice of two pianos for their performances:

• A Pleyel grand (the type favoured by Chopin) or 
• An upright Grotrian-Steinweg.

No information about which piano proved most popular.

There was a wide range of music performed, including the first appearence by two composers: Johann Anton Andre and J. Sibelius.  Beethoven seems to have taken a well earned vacation after his strong appearance in October.

The winner in the 'most popular composer' competition is JS Bach with four performances.  Chopin gave him a run for the money but ended up second with three performances.  Speaking of money, anyone know where we can get a sponsor to start awarding a real prize to the winner :-)

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Karin	Prelude, op28 No 4 by F. Chopin
2.	Gregory	Weeping Willow, by Scott Joplin
3.	Jackie	Sonatina in C major, by Johann Anton Andre
4.	Gordon	Prelude, op 35 No 3, by A. Scriabin
5.	Janice G.	Gigue from French Suite #1, by J.S. Bach
6.	Randy	Impromptus, Op 5 No 1 & 6, by J. Sibelius
7.	Adrian	Prelude in A-, Op 28 No 2, by F. Chopin
8.	Caryn	Venetian Boat Song, by F. Mendelssohn
9.	Hedda	Polonaise in E+ from French Suite #6, by J.S. Bach

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Janice G.	Allemende from French Suite #2, by J.S. Bach
2.	Randy	Pièces Froides: Danses de travers No. 3, by E. Satie
3.	Gregory	To a Wild Rose, by E. McDowell
4.	Jackie	Ariosa, by J.S. Bach
5.	Adrian	Prelude, Op 28 No 15 ('Raindrop'), by F. Chopin
6.	Gordon	Album für die Jugend, Op 68 No 36 (Italian Sailor's Song) & No 41 (Song of the North), by R. Schumann
7.	Caryn	Nocturno, by E. Grieg
8.	Hedda	Consolation, Op 30 No 3, by F. Mendelssohn

Music played on October 20, 2019

Our group enjoyed a sunny afternoon performing on a truly great Steinway concert grand. The mid-fall weather may have kept some folks away, but there was room enough for a few members who were there just to listen. We welcomed first time member Hedda.

Jennifer Messer, our gracious Steinway host, provided a short overview of the regular events that are held at the Steinway Gallery. This includes a monthly Adult Music Sharing session similar to our own OPG meetings. You can sign up for the event reminders at Eventbrite.

We had an interesting programme of music at this meeting. In addition to the usual repertoire of classical and romantic music, players performed three excerpts from movies or musicals.
Does this continue the trend started last month?

• My Heart will go on (used in 'The Titanic')
• Carousel Waltz (from Carousel)
• Cruella De Vil (from 101 Dalmatians)

We had a run-away winner in the 'most popular composer' competition: our dear friend Ludwig. There were five performances of movements from his Sonatas, ranging from Op 14 to Op 110. No other competitor had more than one performance. Congratulations Ludwig!

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Magnetic Rag, by S. Joplin
2.	Gordon	Sonata Op. 14 No. 1, 1st mvt, by L. van Beethoven
3.	Jackie	Sonatina in F major, by Anton Diabelli
4.	Lynda	Carousel Waltz, by Richard Rodgers
5.	Jeff	Etude Tableau Op. 33 No. 7, by S. Rachmaninoff
6.	Adrian	Sonata Op. 110, 1st mvt., by L. van Beethoven
7.	Caryn	Noturno Op. 54 No. 4, by E. Grieg
8.	David	My Heart will go on, by James Horner arr. Dietmar Steinhauer
9.	Jorge	Ground in D minor, by Henry Purcel
10A.	Hedda	Consolation, by F. Mendelssohn
10B.	Hedda	“Cruella De Vil” from 101 Dalmations

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Jackie	Theme from “Love Story”, by F. Lai arr. By P. Keverin
2.	Adrian	Sonata Op. 78, 1st mvt, by L. van Beethoven
3.	Lynda	Sonata Op. 13, 2nd mvt (adagio), by L. van Beethoven
4.	Jeff	Prelude No. 24, by D. Shostakovitch
5.	Jorge	Sonata op 27, #2 (Moonlight), 1st mvt, by L. van Beethoven
6.	Gordon	Prelude Op. 28 No. 4, by F. Chopin
7.	Randy	Pieces Froides: Danses de travers No. 1 and 2, by E. Satie
8.	David	Prelude in F minor, WTC2, by J. S. Bach

We are adding additional group meetings!

New performance meetings being added.

Based on our recent poll, there has been very strong support for increasing the number of meetings.

The plan is start with two sessions per month in January.  We will evaluate the success in summer, 2020. 

 

Here are some of the ground rules that we will be following:

• The meetings will typically be on the first Sunday afternoon and third Sunday afternoon of each month.
• The expectation is that you would attend one session or the other in a month and not both.  
• We will be staying with only one meeting in the months of July, August and December.  The first two months typically have lower attendance due to vacations. December is a time with other social activities.
• We will only have one meeting in those months which have larger venues such as at Ottawa Pianos and the Steinway Gallery.

Members have been sent a doodle poll so that can volunteer to host meetings.

 

The full list of meetings will be posted on this site.  Doodle polls will be circulated to members so that they can sign up for meetings.

Remember: sign-up for at most one meeting in each calendar month.

Performance at the Carlingwood Retirement Community, October 6, 2019

Concert presented to the Carlingwood Retirement Community

Six members of the Ottawa Piano Group preformed a concert for residents at the Carlingwood Retirement Community. Many thanks to John for arranging this.  We played on a nice Essex piano.  There were about 40 people in the audience in large meeting room with very comfy chairs!. John acted as MC.  Many thanks to the staff for managing the arrangements and coordinating the arrival and departure of the audience.

Music played at the concert

Jorge
      ◊ Ground in E minor by H. Purcell
      ◊ Intermezzo by Manuel M. Ponce
Jeffrey
     ◊ Three preludes by A. Scriabin
         ◊ Op. 11 # 12
         ◊ Op. 11 # 10
         ◊ Op. 17 # 3
Janice S.
      ◊ Prelude in C+, from Well-Tempered Klavier, book 1by JS Bach
      ◊ The Entertainer (first part) by S. Joplin
John
      ◊ A chorus of morning-glories (own composition)
      ◊ Free improvisation on a tune composed on 27 July 2003.
Nick
      ◊ Moment Musical #5 by S. Rachmaninoff
      ◊ Today by Randy Sparks
Sachie
      ◊ Sonata #10, op 14 #2, 1st movement by L. van Beethoven
      ◊ Sinfonia no 6 in E major, BWV792 by JS Bach

Music played on September 22, 2019

Today marked a return visit to Luc. Hosting two visits in one year is 'above and beyond'. We we had to cancel a prior visit to Luc in 2018 due a severe ice storm. Many thanks.

10 people enjoyed an afternoon listening to our usual diversity of music.  We welcomed first-time member Curt, who played a work by a composer none of us had heard before. Curt also brought his music on an iPad rather than in paper format.  We had a fun chat about how that works.

The afternoon wrapped up with John facilitating an engaging reading of humorous musical definitions. John also brought a large supply of music that he made available for free to members - many thanks!

The 'most popular composer' competition was tough this month.  No one composer was in the lead, with three tying with two performances.  What stood out was the 'Return of the Baroque'! Four performances came from the period, including one written by F. Couperin.  So, I will award the coveted price to the "Baroque Era".

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1A.	Luc	Prelude in A, by F. Chopin
1B.	Luc	Adagio in F, by G. F. Handel
2.	Gregory	Songs Without Words, Op. 30 #6 (The Gondolier), by F. Mendelssohn
3.	Randy	Les Barricades Mysterieuses, by F. Couperin
4.	Erin	Suite II in F (2nd mvt.), by G. F. Handel
5.	Nick	Moment Musical Op. 16 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
6.	Curt	Prelude Op. 6 No. 1, by S. Bortkiewicz
7.	David	Prelude in F Minor WTC2, by J. S. Bach
8.	Jeff	Etude Tableau OP. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
9.	Janice S	The Entertainer, by S. Joplin
10.	John W	Improvisation on his own theme

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Songs Without Words, Op. 19 #6 (Venetian Boat Song), by F. Mendelssohn
2.	Erin	October, from The Seasons, by P. I. Tchaikovsky
3.	Randy	Nocturne No. 1, by E. Satie
4.	Nick	“Today”, by Randy Sparks
5.	Jeff	Prelude in B minor OP. 89 #6, by D. Shostakovitch
6.	David	Summertime, arr. by Mercuzio, by G. Gershwin, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
7.	John W.	Dictionary of music (text): a read-about of fun definitions

Music played on August 18, 2019

Nine members assembled at Janice's house to play music on a summer's afternoon.  We enjoyed playing on her vintage 1918 Steinway grand piano. The summer seemed to bring out the adventurous side of the performers.  The music was eclectic, with a number of composers who had yet to make an appearance at our events: Barber, Peterson-Berger, Shostakovich.

The 'most popular composer' competition was won by an unexpected under-dog: D. Shostakovich.  I don't recall previous performances of his works.  Today, we heard three of his Preludes op 87.  Another new composer to the group (W.O. Peterson-Berger) was gtied for second place.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Janice G.	Pas de deux, by S. Barber
2.	Gregory	Menuet from le tombeau de Couperin, by M. Ravel
3.	Randy	Gnossiennes 2 and 4, by E. Satie
4.	Adrian	Sonata #31 Op. 110, 1st m., by L. van Beethoven
5.	Jeff	Prelude Op. 87 #4, by D. Shostakovich
6.	Jane	Spanish Dance Op. 5 no. 5 Playera (Andaluza), by E. Granados
7.	Christopher	Going to Church, by W.O. Peterson-Berger
8.	Caryn	Nocturne Op543 #4, by E. Greig
9.	Walter	Prelude Op87 No. 5, by D. Shostakovich

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Janice G.	Pianissimo from Suite de Danzas Criollas , by A. Ginastera
2.	Gregory	I’m in the Mood for love, by Jimmy McHugh
3.	Randy	Adagio from the Gayane Suite, No. 1, by A. Khatachurian
4.	Adrian	Sonata #20 Op. 49 #2, m. 2, by L. van Beethoven
5.	Jeff	Etude Tableaux Op. 33 Np. 5, by S. Rachmaninoff
6.	Jane	Prelude #1, by G. Gershwin
7.	Christopher	Summer Song, by W.O.Peterson-Berger
8.	Walter	Prelude and Fugue Op. 87 No 24, by D. Shostakovitch

Music played on July 21, 2019

We enjoyed a fine afternoon of music at Adrian’s, and some welcome indoor respite from the hot summer temperatures. Nine intrepid pianists showed up for an afternoon of music merriment. It was a performance day with no Baroque pieces - time to start working on your Bach and Handel!

The 'most popular composer' competition was a tight battle between an 'oldie' and a newcomer. Beethoven streaked out to a large early lead. But, Gershwin made a determined effort to catch.  With the last piece for the afternoon, Gershwin came up one piece short (3 vs 4). So, the winner of this month's award is: Ludwig von Beethoven.

Round 1:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Gregory	Adieu to the Piano, by L. von Beethoven
2.	Jackie	Rondino, by Antonio Diabelli
3.	Gordon	Piano Sonata No. 31, 4th Mov Fuga, Op. 110, by L. von Beethoven
4.	Caryn	Piano Concerto in G Major, 2nd Mov Adagio assai, by M. Ravel
5.	Jeff	Etude Tableaux Op. 33 No. 8, by S. Rachmaninoff
6.	Sachie	Swan from the Zoo in the Sky, by K. Tanaka
7.	David	Summertime, by G. Gershwin, arr. Mercuzio
8.	Jane	Prelude No. 2, by G. Gershwin
9.	Adrian	Piano Sonata #17 Op. 31 No. 2, 1st Mov, by L. von Beethoven

Round 2:

#	Performer	Work
1.	Adrian	Piano Sonata #17 Op. 31 No. 2 (The Tempest), 3rd Mov, by L. von Beethoven
2.	Jeff	Preludes Op. 11 No. 10 and Op. 17 No. 3, by A. Scriabin
3.	Gordon	Prelude Op. 13 No. 5, by A. Scriabin
4.	Sachie	Fantaisie-Impromptu, Op. 66, by F. Chopin
5.	Caryn	Standchen, by F. Schubert
6.	David	My Heart Will Go On, by James Horner, arr. Dietmar Steinhauer
7.	Jane	Prelude No. 3, by G. Gershwin