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double post

I not only think, I KNOW we can do this. March 1, 2008 is the date to shoot for (actually a day or two earlier.) It would be a super birthdday commemeration for this unblievable and much-
loved genius.

And Frycek is correct. No way should we plan on playing all of the mazurkas this time around. I would think if we got through from 1/4 to 1/3 to 1/2... that would be mighty fine.

Kathleen

Theowne:

I'm a bit confused. I put you down for 24/2 because you listed it first (gosh, sorry if that was not your order of preference). You listed 67/4 second. So are you in for 24/2 or just want to be a back-up for 67/4?

And, yes, we certainly will need back-up people!!

Thanks,
Kathleen

With fear and trembling I would like to enter.
First choice 30/2,
second choice 7/2
third choice 68/2.

I don't believe any of these have been spoken for.

Hopefully by March I will be able to play them without a mistake. Gaby Tu

gabytu: I am putting you down for your first choice.

Thanks and don't worry too much about mistakes. We are an error-allowed zone.

Kathleen

Guys I leave for a couple of days .. and I come to find all my favorites TAKEN!!!!

God I miss the old days when I can logon daily!! An event like that can't have been missed.

Choosing mazurkas already!! This is Kathleen and her "hastiness in the name of the monsieur F.Chopin".

I guess I'll have to relisten to find if anything is still available.

Cheers to everyone.

50/2 isn't taken. It was my second choice. It's really nice and a bit famous.

Thanks Kathleen, I'll really get busy with 30/2.
Glad that the sky won't fall every time I make a mistake. We will consider them my improvisation on the Chopin Mazurka. Gaby Tu

My favorite is 63/1. Chardonnay spoke for it, then withdrew the request. Anyone else doing 63/1?

I changed my mind...I'm playing 68/2.

So the lovely and short 67/2 is now open.

Kathleen

If anyone is looking for a very charming and haunting and short and one of the simpliest (level 6) mazurkas to play, I highly recommend:

67/2

I learned it in less two weeks. So since I already know it, I thought I'd pick one that I don't know. So I'm going for 68/2.

Kathleen

Wow, that's a nice piece. I'm going to learn it over the weekend (for my own benefit, not for the Mazurka Marathon, I think this would be good for people who don't want to dedicate themselves to a "long" piece)

Hi Theowne: I am SO glad you love this mazurka. Yes, a person could definitely sight-read it with no difficulty. And definitely a piece for one who doesn't want to commit to a longer mazurka.

What took me a bit longer is getting that "rubato" right. As with all Chopin's mazurkas, that's what is so tricky, but certainly worth the effort, for it makes all the difference.

Kathleen

I've changed my mind. I woke up with 50/2 playing in my head this morning. I think it's calling to me. So 50/2 it is. Op 7 nr 3 is now officially open again.

Aha, Frycek: The same thing happened to me...all of yesterday.

I'm thinking: "Now why do I know that piece so well? It is so familiar." Then it dawned on me. Hershey starting off his M. Chopin with it. It is charming.

OK, I will put you down for it and open up 7/3.

Just a warning: It is very dangerous to listen to Chopin's mazurkas if you have already chosen yours. Because you will find yourself saying: "Oh, that is so beautiful. I have to play that." And this will happen with almost every one you hear.

But changing your mind is allowed.

Kathleen

May I change mine to Op. 6 No. 3?

Thank you. Now 24 No. 4 is available.

Yes, Balakirev.

Kathleen

VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT- PLEASE READ

A few people have written me with a concern that I think is a valid one.

The Mazurka Marathon was created with a specific goal in mind. That is... that over a period of 18 months, members of the Piano World will be performing as many Chopin mazurkas as possible. In other words, we will be having THREE RECITALS total.

First Recital: March 1, 2008
Second Recital: October 17, 2008
Third Recital: March 1, 2009

Some people may only want to participate in one or two or (hopefully) all three. That will be just fine. No one HAS to commit to more than one, or if he/she wants to drop out completely...that's perfectly acceptable.

But the concern is that the easiest mazurkas will be performed during the first recital. And that's O.K. However, the problem will occur when we get to the second and third recitals. Since the easier mazurkas may have been played during the first recital, only the more difficult ones will remain for the second and third.

And, for some, to get a more difficult piece ready in 6 months, may present a problem.

So it has been suggested that those intending on performing in all three (or just maybe thinking about it) recitals, choose their 3 mazurkas RIGHT NOW!

I know, I know...you're thinking ...how in the heck can I possibly know what I will be able to play 6 months and even 12 months from now? How can I make that decision today or within the next few days? I understand this totally.

What I suggest (that is if you really want to play in all three recitals, or even one or two), listen to as many mazurkas as you can. Write down the ones that appeal to you, thinking about the difficulty level as you do. And then make your list. If you start with a 6 level as I am, maybe chose a 7 level for the second recital and a 8 or maybe another 7 for the third recital.

BTW: If you need to know the difficult level of any, let me know.

You don't have to do all of this today, of course. But maybe within the next week or two. And, as always, the option is always there to change your mind or drop out completely.

A few of you have already indicated your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices. If you would like to keep these as stated, I will write them next to your name on the first page. And, naturally, you can change the order at any time.

What I am trying to say in the above is simply this. We want to give people ample time to practice. If they have a year and even 18 months to do this, it is very possible that they will be willing to take on the more difficult mazurkas...and thus we will have almost all of Chopin's mazurkas performed during this 3 RECITAL MARATHON!

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

If you decide not to choose your other choices now, OK. But remember that the longer you wait, there is always the possibility that you will lose it.

My best,
Kathleen

To help in the selection:
The GRADE LEVEL is the number immediately before "Chopin

297 6 Chopin Mazurka in A minor, op. 7 no. 2
298 6 Chopin Mazurka in A minor, op. posth. 67 no. 4
299 6 Chopin Mazurka in A minor, op. posth. 68 no. 2
300 6 Chopin Mazurka in Ab major, op. 24 no. 3
301 6 Chopin Mazurka in B minor, op. 30 no. 2
302 6 Chopin Mazurka in Bb major no. 51
303 6 Chopin Mazurka in Bb major, op. 7 no. 1
304 6 Chopin Mazurka in C major, op. 24 no. 2
305 6 Chopin Mazurka in C major, op. 33 no. 3
287 4 Chopin Mazurka in C major, op. 7 no. 5
306 6 Chopin Mazurka in C major, op. posth. 67 no. 3
307 6 Chopin Mazurka in C minor, op. 30 no. 1
308 6 Chopin Mazurka in E minor, op. 17 no. 2
288 4 Chopin Mazurka in F major, op. posth. 68 no. 3
309 6 Chopin Mazurka in F minor, op. 63 no. 2
289 4 Chopin Mazurka in F minor, op. posth. 68 no. 4
310 6 Chopin Mazurka in G major no. 50
311 6 Chopin Mazurka in G minor, op. 24 no. 1
312 6 Chopin Mazurka in G minor, op. posth. 67 no. 2
313 6 Chopin Mazurka in G# minor, op. 33 no. 1
372 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 01 in F#m (op. 6 no. 1)
331 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 02 in C#m (op. 6 no. 2)
334 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 03 in E (op. 6 no. 3)
336 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 04 in Ebm (op. 6 no. 4)
341 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 07 in Fm (op. 7 no. 3)
342 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 08 in Ab (op. 7 no. 4)
373 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 10 in Bb (op. 17 no. 1)
329 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 12 in Ab (op. 17 no. 3)
330 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 13 in Am (op. 17 no. 4)
374 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 17 in Bbm (op. 24 no. 4)
375 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 20 in Db (op. 30 no. 3)
414 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 21 in C#m (op. 30 no. 4)
415 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 23 in D (op. 33 no. 2)
376 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 25 in Bm (op. 33 no. 4)
332 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 26 in Em (op. 41 no. 1)
416 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 27 in B (op. 41 no. 2)
333 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 28 in Ab (op. 41 no. 3)
417 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 29 in C#m (op. 41 no. 4)
377 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 30 in G (op. 50 no. 1)
335 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 31 in Ab (op. 50 no. 2)
418 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 32 in C#m (op. 50 no. 3)
419 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 33 in B (op. 56 no.1)
378 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 34 in C (op. 56 no. 2)
420 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 35 in Cm (op. 56 no. 3)
379 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 36 in Am (op. 59 no. 1)
380 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 37 in Ab (op. 59 no. 2)
381 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 38 in F#m (op. 59 no. 3)
382 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 39 in B (op. 63 no. 1)
337 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 41 in C#m (op. 63 no. 3)
383 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 42 in G (op.posth. 67 no. 1)
384 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 46 in C (op. posth. 68 no. 1)
338 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 52 in Am
385 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 53 in Am
386 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 54 in D
339 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 55 in Bb
387 8 Chopin Mazurka no. 56 in C
340 7 Chopin Mazurka no. 57 in Ab