🎵 Notes from July 22, 2023 meetup

We had another enjoyable session at Ottawa Pianos, and welcomed new member Jennifer J.

In addition to some of the classics, we heard a number of contemporary composers, adding to our ever growing composer list.  

Here’s what was played:

• Jennifer J: The Seasons - October, by P.I. Tchaikovsky
• Karin: Vocalise, by S. Rachmaninoff, arranged by P. Barton
• Christopher: Fracture, by Stephan Moccio
• Grace: Papillon Op. 3 #1, by E. Grieg
• Lynda: Dido’s Lament, by H. Purcell
• Jeff: Prelude in B Minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Jorge: Ciaccona in D Minor, by J. Pachabel
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #4, #2, Op. 11 #10, 12, by A. Scriabin
• Lynda: Intermezzo from Cavaleria Rustican, by Pietro Mascagni
• Jorge: Intermezzo, by Manuel M. Ponce
• Grace: Butterflying, by Elena Kats-Chernin
• Jennifer J: Sonata in F Minor Op. 2 #1, 2nd mov, by L.V. Beethoven
• Christopher: Until Then, by Belle Chen
• Karin: La Fille aux cheveux de lin, by C. Debussy

🎵 Notes from June 24, 2023 meetup

We had a good turnout at Steinway Piano Gallery, and welcomed Natalie and Valentina to our group.  A duet with vocals was a nice variation from our usual routine. Three of the pieces were by contemporary composers, which is always encouraged. 

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Randy (piano) and Francoise (vocals): Je te veux, by E. Satie
• Nick: Sonata #1 in G Major, by F. J. Haydn
• Christopher:  I Wrote You a Song, by Chad Lawson
• Andrew: Air and Minuet from the Water Music, by J. F. Handel
• Lorraine:  Romanze Op. 24 #9, by J. Sibelius
• Natalie: Sonata Op. 22, 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven
• Francoise:  Butterfly Waltz, by Brian Crain
• Karin:  La fille aux cheveux de lin, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Preludes Op 17 #3, Op. 11 #12 and Op. 11 #10
• Valentina: Presentation on scales
• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by S. Joplin
• Jeff: Etude Tableaux Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Christopher: Casino, by Luke Howard
• Randy: Caresse, by E. Satie

🎵 Notes from May 20, 2023 meetup

The holiday weekend perhaps reduced our attendance but did not limit the variety of pieces, including a few by contemporary active composers.

Here’s what was played:

• Gregory: Op. 53 #3, by F. Mendelssohn
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 17 #3, #11 and #12, by A. Scriabin
• Karin: La plus que lente, by C. Debussy
• Lynda: Saudade da Brazil, by Darius Milhaud
• Perry: Etude Op. 8 #12, by A. Scriabin
• Françoise:  Firelight Dreams, by Amanda W. Smith
• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3 and #5, by A. Scriabin
• Perry: Your Song, by Elton John
• Françoise:  Tales from the Loop (main theme), by Philip Glass and Paul Leonard Morgan
• Perry: Etude Op. 10 #6, by F. Chopin
• Françoise:  Cherish, by Rebecca Kaiserin
• Karin: Les sons et les parfums, by C. Debussy

🎵 Notes from May 7, 2023 meetup

We enjoyed the opportunity to perform on Hedda’s Kawai grand piano.  In what may be a first for our group, the opening piece was for one piano, six hands (!) and was composed by Rachmaninoff when he was just 18 years old.

Here’s what was played:

• David R, Karin, Randy: Romance, by S. Rachmaninoff

• Anne-Marie: Improvisation Op. 84 #5, by Gabriel Fauré

• Andrew: Lied italienischer Marinariby and Fantasietanz, by R. Schumann

• David A: Selections from Scenes from Childhood, by R. Schumann

• Wesley: Polonaise Op. 26 #1, by F. Chopin

• Hedda: Polonaise in E Major, by J. S. Bach

• Mary Lou: Sonatina in G Minor 3rd mov, by C. Guastavino

• Karin: La plus que lente, by C. Debussy

• Hedda: Étude, by Sterndale Bennett

• Wesley: Bethena: A Concert Waltz, by Scott Joplin

• Anne-Marie: The Gentle Waltz, by Oscar Peterson

• David R: Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight) 1st and 2nd mov, by L. V. Beethoven

• Andrew: Because, by Lennon McCartney

• David A: Berceuse, by André Gagnon

• Mary Lou: Rondo in A Minor, by W. A. Mozart

🎵 Notes from April 15, 2023 meetup

Another delightful morning on a fabulous piano at Steinway Gallery. We welcomed Carolyn and Françoise and hope to hear them again.  Quite a few pieces were by composers not previously heard by the group.  Our biggest surprise was the Invention by Billy Joel, a composition in the Baroque style.  

Here’s what was played: 

• Gregory: Graceful Ghost Rag, by William Bolcom
• Françoise: Light and Shade, by Janette Mason & James Thompson
• Grace: Invention in C minor, by Billy Joel
• Dave A: Ashokan Farewell, by Jay Unger
• Karin and David R (duet): Pavane pour une Infante Défunte, by M. Ravel
• Lorraine: Sonata No. 1 in F, by L. V. Beethoven
• Carolyn: Prelude No. 1, by J. S. Bach
• Grace: Impromptu in A flat Op. 90 #4, by F. Schubert
• Karin: Vocalise, by S. Rachmaninoff (piano arrangement by P. Barton)
• Françoise: With Closed Eyes, by Guiseppe Stablum
• David R: Blinding Lights (with audio track accompaniment), by The Weeknd 
• Carolyn: An End Once and For All, by Sam Horlick
• Lorraine: Solfeggietto, by C. P. E. Bach

🎵 Notes from April 2, 2023 meetup

The turnout was somewhat small at Gregory's, but that simply meant that everyone could play multiple pieces, including six by one person!  Composer Viktor Kossenko was new to the group.  All players had their pieces recorded, so that each person could listen to their own performance again (gulp!)

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Magnetic Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Etude Tableau Op. 33 #5, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Gordon: Humoresque Op. 10 #2, by P. Tchaikovsky
• Gordon: Waltz in B minor, Op. 25 #6, by Viktor Kossenko
• Wesley: Sonata KV300H (Andante Cantabile), by W. A. Mozart
• Gregory: Von Fremden Landern und Menschen, by R. Schumann
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 16 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 16 #2, by A. Scriabin
• Gordon: Nuages Grise, by F. Liszt
• Gordon: Consolation #5, by F. Liszt
• Wesley: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Gordon: Invention in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Gordon: Invention in F major, by J. S. Bach
• Wesley: Polonaise Op. 26 #2, by F. Chopin
• Jeff: Prelude Op 11 #12, by A. Scriabin
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin

🎵 Notes from March 18, 2023 meetup

We had nearly a full house at Steinway Gallery today, with over 20 pieces performed, eight by J. S. Bach.  We welcomed new member Kunhwa, who also introduced us to composer Leos Janicek. Composers Vladimir Deshevov and Hildegard von Bingen were also new to us.  Two of the pieces, by strange coincidence, included train sounds with a crash at the end!

Here's was played:

• Gregory: Great Crush Collision March, by Scott Joplin
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): Study in Canon Form #2, by R. Schumann, arr. by C. Debussy
• Hedda: Moonlight Mood, by William Gillock
• David R.: Organ Fugue BWV 543 first two pages, by J. S. Bach, SoundCloud recording of David playing this piece is here
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 17 #3, Op. 11# 12 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Lynda: Yesterday, by the Beatles Lennon–McCartney 
• Wesley: Adagissimo and Invention #13 in A minor, by J. S. Bach
• Jennifer: The Rails, by V. Deshevov
• Antonio: Prelude in C major, BWV 846, by J. S. Bach
• Lorraine: Prelude in B flat No. 21, BWV 866, by J. S Bach
• Simon: Etude Tableau Op. 39 #1 in C minor, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Hedda: Sonatina in C major, by F. Kuhlau
• Gregory: O Ignee Spiritus, by Hildegard Von Bingen (1098-1179)
• Lynda: King of the Road, by Roger Miller
• David R: Fur Elise, by L. V. Beethoven
• Kunhwa: On an Overgrown Path #4, by Leos Janicek
• Wesley: Nocturne in B flat, by John Field
• Lorraine: Fugue in B flat, by J. S. Bach
• Antonio: Goldberg Variation #9, BWV 988, by J. S. Bach
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #4 and #2, by A. Scriabin
• Simon: Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543, by J. S. Bach

🎵 Notes from March 5, 2023 meetup

Despite the two-meter high snowbanks lining most of our driveways, the weather had a noticeably spring-like atmosphere.  This put us in a good mood at Karin's and despite the modest turnout, there were several rounds of music played, including two duets.  The somewhat more intimate setting may have encouraged us to be a little more adventurous!  We welcomed new member Dave A.

Here's what was played:

• Gregory: Toccata in D minor, by J. S. Bach
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): Six Studies in Canon Form, #2, by R. Schumann, arr. by C. Debussy.
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 17 #3, Op. 11 #12 and Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin
• Allona: Invention #1, by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Lara’s Theme (from Dr. Zhivago), by Maurice Jarre
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, #4 and #2, by A. Scriabin
• Dave A. and Karin (duet): Nocturne #5, by John Field
• Gregory: An die Musik, by F. Schubert
• Karin: Adagio BWV 974, by J. S. Bach/ Marcello
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #12, by A. Scriabin
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Prelude Op. 11 #10, by A. Scriabin

🎵 Notes from February 18, 2023 meetup

At our Ottawa Pianos venue, we welcomed new member Antonio. Pieces ranged from traditional to Baroque to contemporary, with a recent original composition performed by the composer.  We love to hear people play their own works, so don’t be shy. There were also a few additions to our growing list of composers. 

Here’s what was played: 

• Gregory: Fig Leaf Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Karin: La plus que lente, by C. Debussy
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 11 #10 and #24, and Op. 17 #3, by A. Scriabin
• Erin: Moments Musicaux Op. 94 #2, by F. Schubert
• Lorraine: Passacaglia from the Suite in G minor, HMV 432, by G. F. Handel
• Antonio: Promenade Sentimentale by Vladimir Cosma, and Watching Lara, by Yann Tiersen
• Randy: Sarabande #1, by E. Satie
• Rodrigo: Prelude in D, own composition
• Wesley: Bethena, A Concert Waltz, by Scott Joplin
• Anne-Marie: Rhapsody in G minor Op. 79 #2, by J, Brahms
• Randy: Scene Suspended, by Jon Hopkins
• Karin: Prelude #4, by C. Debussy
• Wesley: Gladiolus Rag, by Scott Joplin
• Jeff: Preludes Op. 16 #3, #4 and #2, by A. Scriabin
• Antonio: Greensleeves, by Traditional
• Lorraine: Sonata Op. 2 #1, by L. V. Beethoven

Members might be interested to know that we are are currently reviewing the performance records from our website to make a little statistical study.  Our group is still going strong after 12 years since we had our first meeting in November 2010 when there were just six participants.  One of them still plays for us regularly and there are a few more regulars from the first year.  We continue to have good participation every session, including both recent and longer term members.

Here are some preliminary highlights, pending completion of a more detailed list.  There have been over 2200 pieces performed, composed by roughly 300 different composers (although about 80% have only been played a few times) and performed by about 100 different individuals. The most popular composers have been J. S.  Bach (240), F. Chopin (220) and L. V. Beethoven (170).  Nine of us have performed our own compositions!  There have been 35 duets, and additional instruments have included Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, and voice. The most popular piece has been Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (22 times), followed by Astor Piazzola’s Milonga del Angel (12 times).  So keep up the good work, pianists!

🎵 Notes from January 21, 2023 meetup

We had the privilege of performing on two different instruments at Ottawa Pianos.  The first round was on a hand crafted 6’ 1” S3X with recent technological innovations that enhance both sound and performance.  The second round was on the CFX concert grand.  There was a diverse suite of pieces, including works by four composers that were new to us, three of whom are still alive.  This included a very contemporary work that is highly popular but that none of us had apparently heard of before!  So there is always something new to learn in music.

Here's what was played: 

• Gregory: Bumble Boogie, by Jack Fina (arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee)
• Lynda: Mazurka Ob. 68 #2, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Airs à faire fuir #1 and 2, by E. Satie
• Lyndsay: Ticklin’ Toes, by Florence B. Price
• Karin and David (duet): Pavane pour une Infante Défunte, by M. Ravel, duet arrangement by Ray and Marie-Thérèse Alston 
• Perry: Elegie, by S. Rachmaninoff
• Allona: Minuet in E, by J. S. Bach
• Gregory: Introduction and Fugato, by Cuthbert Harris
• Lynda: Op. 68 # 3, by F. Chopin
• Randy: Morceau, by Arsentiy Kharitonov
• Lyndsay: the Ringtone Waltz, by Marc-André Hamelin
• Karin: la Fille aux cheveux de lin, by C. Debussy
• David: Blinding Lights, by The Weeknd
• Allona: Sonatina in F, by L. van Beethoven