We just celebrated my daughter's wedding and had a fabulous time. Haven't had much opportunity to practice, but I hope to submit either "Crazy" or "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

If anyone is looking for a great band for a function I highly recommend "Clockwork" if you're in the New England area. They were exceptional. They have a website to check out their sample songs. They really made the whole evening unforgettable. PM me if you won't any other details.

Mark - you could bust your hand punching out the red light then you'll be playing one of those rare left-hand-only pieces in the next couple of Recitals (yes, there actualy are some).

csci - no waffling - that's for politicians only - and you don't want to sink that low!

Euan - this delicacy called "haggis" you keep extolling - is it best when served rare, medium or well done?; what wine goes with that? and is it available in the States or only in Scotland?

Also - does anyone have Monica's "magic code"? I'd like to substitute a Jerry Lee Lewis tune for her usual Einaudi selection in the recital - she needs to get away from those lovely, but mellow, New Age pieces and "rock" a little more now and then.

Regards, JF

JohnFrank:

I have to say that I have once again been shamelessly abusing my admin privileges and listening to some of the pieces as they filter in, and all I will say is that this is going to be a fine recital indeed.

In fact, I liked Euan's piece so much I hunted down the sheet music and have been practicing it obsessively the last two days.

Hi JF,

Firstly, I don't have any personal photos from Loch Lomond (mentioned on the other thread). There are plenty on google, but I still think it looks nicer when you are there

As for haggis, you are better just following the instructions that come with it (it's not a single cut of meat, so it's more like "cook for x amount of minutes" rather than cooking to taste).

You might be interested to note that haggis might not be widely available - the US government put a ban on the traditional product due to some of the ingredients!

However, there are a couple here:
http://www.caledoniankitchen.com/catalog/
[although they are quite expensive!!]

If you do get one, just be sure to get some turnip and mashed potato to go with it ('neeps and tatties')

As for wine, probably something red and full-bodied. Or some malt whisky?

Good luck!
Euan.

Well, if you fancy recording that one yourself (and follow JF's advice to ditch Einaudi, feel free.

I can get something else done in time. It's not exactly rocking like Jerry Lee, but you obviously like it very much!

Oh no, Euan... there's no way I'd have it ready and up to tempo and Red Dot standards by the 15th. Besides, I don't want to give up my coveted #3 spot.

Besides, I know how much JohnFrank is looking forward to my Einaudi piece and wouldn't want to let him down... :p

Well, if you change your mind - I'm about to 'downgrade' my piece to the bar, so it's yours.

[You can alway "abuse" your admin powers and keep at position 3!]

I believe that we have a Scottish Festival this coming weekend here in the Denver area. If you really want some haggis, you might be able to find some there.

I hope I'm not disclosing any state secrets here, but I was watching some mindless TV the other day, and what should I hear, but that very quote. Like much of the wit and wisdom of our era, it's from The Simpsons. Groundskeeper Willie has a booth at a carnival where he is selling haggis for 50 cents and that's what he says.

Simpson\'s Script Link

My hat's off to Euan for taking a throw-away line from a TV show and creating one of the most memorable sig lines on PW!

Tssk, tssk.

And no fair! Can I report this to our moderators?

Bluekeys - very good, you got me! I should really give credit to G.Willie for such a good line, however!

Willie gets some of my favorite lines. Here is another:
And I'm allowed to say that. Here are my Coat of Arms and Tartan:

Monica - I actually am looking forward to hearing your Einaudi piece in the Recital - don't let this get out but I'm really a "closet New Age fan" (have been ever since I heard some David Lanz stuff more than a decade ago, and some of the more recent offerings of Keiko Matsui) - and while Einaudi is certainly no Jerry Lee Lewis , he is very talented and listenable in his own right - and your previous interpretations of his work are exceptional in appeal and execution.

So, please don't accept Euan's offer - he seems far too anxious to "dump" the piece :p

Regards (and enjoy the haggis everyone!) JF

What is the record for submissions and are we going to top it this quarter?

Bluekeys,
Wow, your tartan is EXACTLY the one on the kilt I wore for high school! What Clan is that?

'Tis Davidson, no?

The record is Recital #10, with 63 submissions. We currently have 32 with 9 days to go... I couldn't guess as to whether we'll beat it or not. On the one hand, it's summer, so maybe people have more time to fool around with the Red Dot. On the other hand, it's summer, so maybe people are too busy with vacation or back to school stuff. Maybe we should start a pool. I'll guess 65.

Aye! Looks like I've been unkilted. But luckily my highland heritage comes from my mother's side, so my anonymity remains intact.

Rosanna - so as not to disappoint you (because I know you're counting on getting these from me) please consider this as your official "gentle nudge" of encouragement for submitting one of your always tasteful and well-executed selections to the upcoming 11th ABF Recital - you don't want to disappoint your fans (one of whom am I (is me?))

Regards (with sincere entreaties), JF

hee hee... I knew it. I'm betting you have an 18" x 24" poster of Einaudi hung over your piano, too.

I know a Davidson who is quite proud of his Scots ancestry, so I've seen both arms and plaid many time! lol

Far better than that - it's of you in an enraptured state playing Einaudi :p - my inspiration! - just kidding, of course, but now that I mention it, I think just about everyone here in the Forums would just love to see that - can your husband or one of your kids (when they're not barfing) capture that for us?

Regards, JF

I just burst out laughing at work whilst reading this....

John Frank,
I shall ignore you.

Frankly, I don't know if I will submit or not. I thought I would, but I still haven't gotten around to it. A poorly played piece will not only disappoint my fans (ha!), but it would tarnish my reputation, no? (double haha!)

Rosanna,

As Dannylux (Mel) would say, participation is the most important feature of the recitals.

Please reconsider, we'll miss you, terribly, if you're not there.

Sincerely,

Lisztener

Or at the very least the highly sought after 8x10 scented glossy of your truly!!.

Oh wait, he's a dude...never mind :p

Rosanna, we all already know you play beautifully! So you can't keep more of that piano goodness away from us!

How many first time recitalists are we up to?

I'm happily among that group this time.

Malzeit, Lisztener,

Arrggh,I don't need more of you putting on the pressure! Did you come across my recent thread on dreading to go to the piano? We finally "diagnosed" that it's due to an unhealthy internal expectation that I put on myself. Now I have external pressure too. Geeezz!!! I got to go back to the shrink!

(Thanks for your high regards for my playing. )

Rosanna,

Have we succeeded in making a basket case out of you, yet? If not, we'll continue to apply the pressure, OK?

Could you stand yourself if you knew that not being in the recital would cause hundreds (perhaps multiple hundreds) to sob in sorrow because you failed to enter? Imagine the emotional pain and sorrow you could cause.

Confess all to your Doc.

Emotionally,

Lisztener