I thought it might be a good time to discuss who you will be sharing your piano talent with this holiday season...

I'll start: I plan to play Heart Break Hotel and Carol of the Bells at our Christmas Recital. I'd love to visit a nursing home and play for them.... but, maybe next year.

My teacher hosts a recital twice a year for her adult students. We all bring a dish and have wine and dinner after playing. It's a lovely evening.

I'm playing a duet with her by Gershwin--Rialto Ripples--and the Scriabin Etude Opus 2, #1. Nothing really Christmas-y, but the Scriabin is a gorgeous piece I'm excited about sharing with the group.

Nancy

I'll be playing my father-in-law's terrible piano (broken keys and horribly out of tune) for my family on Christmas eve. I'm playing "Bring A Torch." Playing at a nursing home is a great idea, but I think I'll wait until I have several Christmas pieces until I do that(so, next year). Maybe I'll go with my nephew, who is quite good at the violin.

I won't be playing anywhere
Lol, maybe one day! haha
There's always YouTube though!!

http://youtube.com/phillipmills

Last Christmas when visitors called they all said 'Hey, who's learning to play the piano' and 'Go on, give us a song'. I had to bow my head and say 'I'm still learning'.

One year later I will be able to happily sit down and play at least SIX pieces for anyone that calls.

As for now, I play for myself and a small selection of my family. I am still not proficient after all and I wouldn't like to force anyone to listen to me.


M.

I play for me, even when there is an audience.

Phillip, if I had your talent my friend - I would be playing in public as often as possible, you are talented!!

What Mati said.

Now that my Christmas shopping is done, thanks to the internet, I'd like to record and post something for everyone at ABF.

It'll either be Vasily Kalinnikov's utterly charming little Waltz, or Manuel Ponce's juanty Guateque.

I have a feeling it will be whichever has the fewer crashed notes.


Mel

There's a great irony here. When I returned to the piano after a thiry year hiatus four years ago the height of my ambition was to be able to plunk out a few carols the next Christmas. Now we no longer celebrate Christmas and classical piano has taken over my life.

I have two very easy books of Christmas music that I have been playing for myself, and will play for family if asked. (I probably won't be asked). When I go to my son's house on the day after Christmas, I hope to play some with my granddaughter like we did at Thanksgiving. We were in another room, and I don't know if anyone else was listening. This time maybe we can put on a little "concert". I wish I had thought to get an easy Christmas duet book for us.

I will be playing for myself - HA!

philip - I just saw a few of your youtube videos - wow, you are so very talented.

My family! As I replied in a different post, each Christmas morning after presents (ever since I began learning piano), my family gathers in the living room to listen to me play the Christmas pieces that I've been working on. And sometimes they sing to them (Twelve Days of Christmas is pretty catch, you know? - hehe)
I wish I had been able to participate in my teacher's Christmas recital, but it fell right in the middle of my junior exam period. Those are kind of important, so I had to say home and study. Sadness...

I've made a CD and copies of nine recorded pieces that I am sending to family members this Christmas. I lost a brother this past week. One of my nieces asked me about my piano play since the CD had been played in the funeral home as a tribute to my brother. I directed her to a YouTube site where three of my pieces are posted. She wrote an email to me telling me how wonderful it was to hear me play after not seeing me for so many years. That warmed my heart. Most of my nieces and nephews do not have pianos, yet do have CD players. I hope all will enjoy my play over the holidays and I hope that helps to keep alive fond memories of their father and his youngest brother.

My deepest sympathy to you and you family for the loss of your brother. It is wonderful that you can share your talent with your family to bring them comfort in this time of sorrow.

My condolences, Lisztener.

At first, when I saw the thread title I too thought that this was a deeper metaphysical question.


Well, I get to do something this holiday season that I have never done before. The music director at our church is a very talented singer (and NEC graduate). I asked her if she wouldn't mind if my son and I, along with another friend, could play the Brahms Geistliches Wiegenlied at some point (the two horns & piano version).

She fell in love with the piece. It was originally written for piano, violin, and voice (I think). We just excised one of the horn parts and replaced it with the vocal line. Voila, our own horn, piano and voice version.

So, we'll be performing it twice next Sunday. If I get a clean recording, perhaps I'll post it. Getting the chance to play ensemble with a real pro (and with my son as well) is quite a treat. The piano part was a bear for me to learn. It's almost like Brahms met Bach. The intricacy of Bach polyphony and the complexity of romantic melodic voicing.

holiday cheers!


P.S. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Lisztener.

Lisztener,

I'm so sorry about the loss of your brother. My thoughts are with you.

Sophia

Lisztener, you have my thoughts and prayers as you and your family deal with your loss. I know your family are enjoying that CD immensely. I always love to listen to your contributions to the forum.;

Ivory Dreams,

My post was not meant to deflect from the theme of this thread, however, my thanks to you, Ivory Dreams, Izaldu, Piano*Dad, Sophia and TX-Dennis for your sympathy. Your kindness spreads softly within me. Your words are a soothing balm.

Sincerely,

Lisztener

I'll be going back to the UK for Xmas and am very excited to show them what I have learned over the last 6mths. Will be taking my 2 Alfred books with me along with the supplement ones inc, of course, the Xmas book.

I'm pretty much done learning The Christmas Song, now I've just got to figure out some embellishments and some into ending parts and I'll be happy.

Hell I may even record it when I get back and post it up



P.S. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Lisztener.

Not to worry.... The post is still on target. You shared with us (your piano family) how your music would touch others this holiday season. We have all experienced loss and we know your pain. The very fact that your music will help to uplift others...... that is what the post was meant to focus on.

"Mike's Infamous Holidaze and Solstice Party" is on the 20th of this month and The Geezer Trio will be providing the live entertainment.
If any of you are in Durango Colorado be sure to drop in.

Mike

Wow! Sounds interesting. I love a piano party. If I was only a few thousand miles closer...............I would be there. WITH BELLS ON! Thanks for the invite. I hope you get a room full of takers.

Lizstener, My thoughts are with you as well.
I will be playing for my neighbors and for my coworkers. And as soon as I get my act together on "O Holy Night" I'll play for PW forum!!

take care everyone!