Now that I have been reminded that the next scheduled online recital is August 15th, I had to scramble to find something I think I can finish by then. Unfortunately, I was under the mistaken impression the next recital was in November, and had already started working on something else that would be more appropriate for the holiday season.

So, for the next recital I've selected a famous folk tune (not American) which is supposed to be played with a very fast beat. And, as with my last recital piece, this one is loaded with syncopated rhythms (Why do I torture myself like this?) ...but, this folk tune should be easier for me to learn. I just started working on it this morning, and I've already figured out some good fingering for the first 2 of 4 pages, and I'm just starting to get a handle on the tricky rhythm.

Once again I've put myself under the gun for the recital, but at least I'm ahead of the game for the one after that.

Anyone else taking a risk for the next recital? Who else wants to share hints on what you're planning for the August recital?

If you're new on these forums & want more information about this online recital, just ask. I won't be able to answer any technical questions, but there's plenty of folks here who are able, willing, and would be very happy to help.

I hope you'll consider becoming a member of the very prestigious Order of the Red Dot . You can be very sure your participation in this recital will be welcome and fully appreciated by all of us.

Well, I have picked a jazz standard out of my Easy Piano Jazz Standards book. It's not really all that difficult or tricky, but I think I can have it playable by the recital. If I can get it together before that, there are a few "embellishments" I'm thinking of trying.

I decided to go for something relatively easy for 2 reasons. First, I think I can learn it in time! And, second, my teacher has me working on a piece that goes from andante to prestissimo within 2 pages, and that one is going to take some work to get smooth and correct. Tho she says that altho I will probably end up hating the piece with a passion, by the end of August she WILL have me playing it presto! lol

As noted above, those of you who are new to the forum, please do consider taking part in the August recital. The last one was my first, and it was nerve-wracking trying to get a decent recording, but it was also a lot of fun working on a piece with a specific goal in mind. And even tho it wasn't a stellar performance, I got my Red Dot and no one threatened to cut off my hands so I couldn't torture my poor piano anymore!!

I have a tricky one I'm hoping to have ready by August 15 but I have a backup ready just in case....

I agree with Irishmark, this is a great way to get a current piece up to speed. I never play a pieces as often as when I'm trying to record.

I'm trying to decide among 5 pieces, and I'll need to consult with Euan before making a final decision, as I know at least a couple of the five are ones he's working on too.

But what I really want is for my tech to finish the voicing of my piano so it will sound its best. (That is, its best with me as player. )

Wow, I like this recital idea. I think I'll study a nocturne, or maybe a Mozart sonata... I'll see... Right now, I'm really interesed in working on Bach actually. I'll decide.

I really love this moment... when you're about to start a new piece...

I've got my recital song in the bag (just got to play it more often so as to smooooooooooooth it out - don't want no staggering (if it's not intentional...consistent, improv... what have you).

Opus - yer changed yer avatar again. ????? 'Erm - I guess I like it - sitting at the edge of a cliff! Kind of pacing back and forth while waiting for recital time to roll around (again). All good.

Cheers!

Alvaro, you, too with changing of avatar. Far out! Looking forward to hearing your new piece.

Peace!

Hmmm.....I think I will be playing (or trying to play) a David Nevue piece...surprise!!!

Yay! And I (we) look forward to hearing it, Rock!

Oh, you did change your avatar Jeff, Sharon, I didn't even notice!

I haven't decided on piece either, I have seceral basically-completed pieces that in theory could be recorded if I would stop making all those random mistakes :p Or I could do an Invention, just to embarass myself! No matter what I play, I am determined to get one in time for this recital, because I missed the last one. I only have one red dot so far so I need to get another!

And like Monica, I'm hoping to get my piano tuned in July, so hopefully I'll get a nice sound.

BTW, when did it become the custom to keep the recital piece a secret? That's kind of fun and adds to the excitment, but the little kid in me is jumping up and down yelling "but I wanna know what everyone's playing! I wanna know! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"

Shiro - I think tuning my old acoustic upright is a good idea. I have the piano technicans card in my hand at this moment, and I think I'll give her a call. (Gee whiz - I hope she's still in business LOL - ... I'm sure she is - I think she services the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on S.I. and other major venues.

I think I will play at the recital coming up. It will probably be a Nevue peice or a contemporary christian peice.

I guess I have a month and a half to get something up to speed. I better hurry!

I don't think it is a custom to keep it a secret is it? Shiro, here's another clue from me. The traditional folk tune I'm going to (try) to play is in the key of A Minor.

psychopianoman: Glad you're going to participate. The recital really provides a lot of incentive to work on something. (and don't think it's got to be perfect, my last recital piece was not nearly up to speed and they didn't kick me outa here)

Sharon: Yes, changed it again. I think I'll try different ones out for a while til I find one that feels good.

For me, it isn't so much that it is secret, it is that I don't know when it will be learned, and I don't want to feel too pressured to get a certain piece ready.

I'm the opposite. I'm doing Beethoven's Sonatina in F. This is to shame me into practising it seriously as I know it is probably a little too difficult. The only thing I can't promise is that I'll do repeats. Also, Laura, I wanted a fellow Sonatina freak like yourself to know what I'm up to. It would be like wearing the same dress to a party.

Opus, in A minor, usually heard on guitar? I think I have an idea, but for some reason I cannot for the life of me remember the English title, all I can think of is the Japanese title (but it's not a Japanese song.)

I used to play classical guitar, and the song I'm thinking of is one of the most famous pieces to play on classical guitar, and not that advanced... What is it called in English?!!! It's probably not even the piece you're working on, but it'll be bugging me now for the rest of the day.

Leyenda, or Legend, by Albeniz? It's the only guitar/piano piece I know. But I don't think that's what Opus is playing, because I just looked it up and it's in G minor. I think.

I don't know if I'll have anything new for August recital. And August is a calendar nightmare.

I have an exam on the 21st, so Aug 15 is a very bad date for me. Because of this, I'm going to choose a simple and short one. It will probably one of these:

-Bach, Menuet in G Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena
-Main theme of Fur Elise
-Bach, Prelude in C Major from WTC 1

There is Layenda by Albeniz for piano. A really tough piece.

Actually no, this one is not usually heard on a guitar (that hint applies to the recital piece I've selected for the November recital).

But this is fun. Here's a sum of the hints (plus a couple more)
1. Folk-Tune (not American)
2. Highly syncopated
3. Fast beat
4. Key of A Minor
5. Well Known throughout the world
6. Title of the Folk Tune contains 2 words, with five syllables between them.

dfvanden:
Don't worry, you are safe! No Sonatina in F for me. Unless I re-record/repost one of the ones I already recorded, it will be no sonatina at all. Who knows. Maybe some little Bach piece. Maybe something modern. Maybe a hymn. I really have nothing in mind yet. Depends on how the summer goes. I know August is coming soon. It will have to be something short, or something I already know. Or then, maybe a small part of one of the big pieces I am working on. Hmmmm.....

Hava Nagilah?

You win Monica! (was I that obvious in my clues?)

Oh boy, now the pressure is really on...and I hope I'll be able to pull it off. I read somewhere that this piece is a Level 4 (whatever that means).

You can find a Level 1 score for this somewhere on the internet...that's the version I played

Woo-hoo!!! [clasps hands over head and gloats in an unseemly burst of unsportsmanship.]

Actually, I had no idea what key Hava Nagilah was in. The clues that tipped it for me were "known widely all over the world" and "two words, five syllables."

Hmm, I kinda like the "guessing game" idea.
Sooooooo-
My song:
1) Appeared in a 1943 film
2) Composer is quite well known
3) Considered a "standard"
4) Won an Oscar

Good thing Monica's not on now. The rest of us have a chance. But first, I have to go make a laughable recording for the Chopin group.

(Does it involve Rodgers and Hammerstein?)

Nope

Is it -- The Way You Look Tonight by Jerome Kern?

IrishMak, from your hints I am pretty sure it's a piece I know, because I used to watch a lot of movies from that era. However, I am so distraught about being completely wrong for Opus's piece that I can't get my brain to work!

Opus, Now I'm really looking forward to your piece! Does that have the gradually escalating tempo thingy? Should be really fun, but challenging. After your revised hint, the first thing I thought of was El Condor Passa, which is 5 syllables, but is more than two words and may not even be the right name! :p So I'm on my way to stiking out here...