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...

As Time Goes By??

OK you guys got me, here I go.

1)Sung on American Idol
2)Another Oscar winning song
3)In AFI's top #100 movie songs

Over The Rainbow!!!

geeeezzzzzzz That was short lived...
Nice job

Just started lasst week on it with teacher...figured I needed to learn it...it's my wifes FAVOOOORITE TUNE/movie. (read as Brownie points...I hope)

Too easy! Clue #1 did you in. I'm an American Idol junkie!

Yes, next time I'll be more careful in handing out my clues.

No one has guessed IrishMak's piece yet?

The song I'm working on was originally recorded by the Andrew Sisters and featured in an Abbott and Costello film in 1941. It was one of my mother's favorite songs.

Agilita....Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy ??

Nope, no on has gotten mine yet. Hmmm, let's see if I can come up with another hint....

The movie is not very well known, and did not get the best reviews, but the song has become popular and has been recorded by Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Bobby Darin and many others. I do have another hint, but that one would make it toooooo easy to go look up!!! I'll save that in case it really stumps folks!

Jeff, how does it work? Do you upload a recording?

IrishMak -- is it White Christmas?

Nope

And I can say that it is NOT an Irving Berlin song......

Mak, just a guess "Swinging on a Star"

Nope

Tough one, IrishMak!

I have a couple pieces that I have been considering for the next recital. I can play one piece fairly decently and may choose that. Although it's been played in the previous recital and so well known my mistakes will be all the more glaring. The other piece is a piece I have been working with on and off for about 9 months now but it's still in a laughable state imho :p

Peyton,

In the last recital, I emailed a midi file to Bob Muir, and other folks sent in links to saved files (savefile.com). I'm not sure how it's going to be done this time?

Any advance planning going on? Bob? SuperHunky? Anyone?

Gee, and I didn't think it would be that hard! Ok, the hint that should let someone find it: The movie was Cyd Charise's first film appearance.

Mak ... retract

Rocky-you got it! Did you guess it or did you remember me mentioning earlier that I was working on it?

Was just a lucky guess!! Seems like that will be a challange to play!! Good Luck!!

This will be my first recital. I think I've finally picked a piece that I can handle, so I'm starting work on it now. Gosh, I hope I can have it ready in time. Surely a month is plenty?

I have a lot of technical tryouts to overcome with recording, but I will attempt to produce an easy version of a Chopin nocturne. Thanks to everyone for being willing to listen! It's such a delight to hear how everyone is growing!

Excellent, 2 more participants!

Deliber8, there's a ton of information here that will help you with your technical issues. If you can't find it, just ask...someone will be able to help you.

WW, even if you don't have it completely "performance ready", don't let that keep you from participating.

Recital lll is scheduled for Aug 15th. If Bob is willing to host song submisions once again, I say let him do it as the last recital went as smooth as a slip and slide!!

We are going to attempt a new "feedback" or "no feedback" system as an attempt to NOT solicit any unwanted criticizm towards those who do not wish any.

Other than that, start practicing!!

Okay Opus, I'll remember that Even if I don't consider the song done, I'll still participate

I hate that you guys missed out on my very best clue (blame Monica). Clue #7.

7. Rhymes with "Haave-A-Tequila"

i'm not in this group-----but is the answer to the riddle:
HAVA NAGILAH
if i'm right you owe me a tequila :p

Is this really necessary Super Hunky? I would naturally tend to resist any effort to compel me to behave or respond one way or the other, rather, I would prefer to be free to behave and respond as it suits me, unencumbered by "systems."

I submit to you, and to everyone...that we are adults and do not need to be instructed on how to respond or reply to recital pieces. So there might be someone who responds with critical feedback or advice...so what! If it is offensive, we'll just ingore it...if it's useful, then we'll be grateful for the advice...and if it's in bad taste, we'll get over it....for heaven's sakes, let's not burden the recital with these ridiculous concerns!

ARIAS
(seems I owe you a tequila, young lady)

I like analysis and comments about my playing, but I thought that the discussion after Recital#2 was that a couple of people didn't, and this was the compromise that was reached. How about - at the time of submission, if you don't specifically mention that you don't want criticism, then you will get some. Mind you, I think people have been extremely kind in their comments, so it hardly rates as real criticism. Perhaps the Pianists Corner is where you go for that.

I tend to agree with Opus45.

The idea that the response is controlled by this rule cheapens the value of the response.

Any rules like this are unenforceable anyway.

It might be OK to have some kind of request that any response is in good taste, but whatever it is, it should be in the form of a simple request rather than some kind of restriction.

I can understand hunky's concern and agree with it.

For some people, it's quite a challenge to even decide to learn piano at a ripe age. Signing up for lessons, teaching your mind and fingers to do new things -- it's all very daunting. And then to actually take this huge step to record your humble achievements and let complete strangers listen to it, is a downright scary and nail-biting experience for some people! It takes a LOT of courage to expose a bit of your soul out there.

The purpose of this online recital, if I'm not mistaken, was to originally help us AB members to get over our fear and anxiety of performing. Perhaps some people could be so shy that even the slightest hint of criticism could discourage them from ever performing again, which would defeat the purpose then wouldn't it?

I think the feedback/no feedback option is a practical suggestion. After all, on the submission template form, I think all we need to say is yes or no?

In order to be a stronger performer, you need to know what your weaker attributes are so you can strengthen them and become better, otherwise you'll proceed on your own path. We all like and need compliments, it's part of boosting our egos...but we still need to strengthen our weakness to grow. How else will we know what to work on?? This applies to performing, technical sections in the songs we play, practicing scales, arpeggios, runs, ...etc.

JM $0.02

Didn't we already have this discussion in length??

see below

I'm not worried.

Take your best shot!

Fred

I agree, but a recital is a time for applause. The right time to give critique, I think, is when it's asked for e.g. when the performer asks, "What do you think? How did I do? What can I do better?" in the context of a lesson room or during rehearsal, and not in a beginners' recital when one is looking for that reassurance and affirmation, especially if it happens to be his first recital ever.
Oh sorry! I didn't know there was already an existing discussion thread for this (I was away for a couple of months). The search turned up these topics:
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/32/2221.html
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/32/2238.html

Yes. I think it kind of ended up that there should be a declaration by each performer something like one of these:

a. Feedback wanted
b. Feedback not wanted
c. Feedback position unknown

As a computer programmer I had to add option c.

I think dvdiva may be suggesting another option:

d. Only good feedback wanted

I think that Opus45 is suggesting:

(a. though d.) No declaration about this at all, just take what you get.

I think they are all good options, my favorite is the one suggested by Opus45 - no rules about feedback.

As decided in the previous thread, there will be three threads:

1. The recital thread where no discussion is supposed to take place. It's just the music.

2. The regular discussion thread where positive feedback and questions take place.

3. The critical discussion thread.

In order to have your entry eligible for the third thread, you must specifically request it in your submission. No request for critical advice means that none is desired.

As Opus said, these must be mere guidelines as we cannot enforce them. However, I think they are guidelines that we can live with.

Good Idea![/b] The three threads seem to me to be a very reasonable plan for the online recital.

My apologies to Mr. S-H for objecting to this before I knew anything about it.

I can see now that you guys have come up with a solution that should appeal to everyone, regardless of how they might feel about negative feedback or criticism of recital performances.

Well done

How about if the performer accepts CONSTRUCTIVE criticism...and I emphasize CONSTRUCTIVE!!!, that it be pm'd. That way no one is offended in the forums eye.

btw...sorry if this thread seems like it's being hijacked. Last word...thanks.

So, how is everyone's song's coming along?

So far so good here... The last 8 measures of mine are giving me grief, so I'm glad we still have until august :p

I'm making some good progress on mine (Havah Nagilah). I'm pretty confident I'll have it ready in time.

It's a good thing this is fun to play

If so, then that performer should request this in their submission.

For example, in their submission, a performer might say, "I would appreciate constructive criticism of my work, however I am asking that it be kept private via private message (PM). Thanks!"

Thanks Opus. The goal is for these recitals to be enjoyable and productive for everyone.

Wow, that was complicated, I had to draw a flow diagram to figure it out. I think I would have guessed you were a programmer after looking at this function... Just tell me, are we going to pass the parameters with a pointer or by reference?

Each performer will specify what kind of response they want and how it will be delivered.

There will overriding methods created for every possibility.

I don't care if people criticize my stuff. I will be submitting either "The Entertainer" or "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin. It all depends on which sounds better when I end up recording them.

If people don't like my playing, then I will cry myself to sleep. It's ok, I will get over it in a couple of months. Then I will move on to another instrument. The jazz flute has always been a small passion of mine.

In my case I'm no professional, just an amateur hack so I'm more than happy to get constructive criticism from any and all. I doubt anyone can be harder on me than I am all ready...

I'm thinking either Liszt/Chopin's Printemps with a blues interpretation or Shumann's 'Chopin'.

Icekid767,

Bump...

4 weeks to go - now I'm feeling nervous. Those bits I thought would be smoothed out by now just aren't. Things are better, but not quite good enough yet - I haven't yet played it to a metronome, or at the speed I'd like to.

How's everyone else feeling about Recital #3?

Have selected my piece. Now I just need to learn it!

I can do a simplified version at the moment, but going to work towards the proper written score.

(Oh, and the piece I selected is 'Aberdeen' by Zbigniew Preisner)

I'm with you completely! A month... A month... Is that ALL???? *panics*

Hiiiiiiiiiiiii!!! How can I show you a video of me playing??? It's 400mb! I know it's big... it´s just 7 minutes!

Jeff: Don't worry about a level 4 piece as the Chopin prelude you are learning is a level 9.

But on a sheet music site, it was listed under the category of Easy. Hey, I know the piece isn't extremely difficult, but it ain't easy!

I will (or plan on) play a very short but sweet mazuraka by who else? I need to smooth out some rough edges as it presently sounds like a funeral dirge.

Kathleen

I am looking forward to actually joining in this time.

Alvaro, your video is uncompressed. That's why it's so big.

You need to first convert it to .avi format (XviD or DivX).

Here are the directions for a beginner and a link to download the free AutoGK:

http://www.divx-digest.com/articles/autogk_page2.html

My copy did not contain the DAE adware.

After you install autogk, check in Add/Remove Programs for DAE. If it's there, simply uninstall it. It will remove completely and autogk will still work fine.

I've used this program many times. PM me if you have any problems.

Once you have your .avi file, you can upload it to one of these:

http://www.megaupload.com/

http://rapidshare.de/

http://www.sendspace.com/

I'm sure we'd all love to see your video.

Mel

Another one which several of us have started using is www.box.net

You get 5gb space for free when you join (for free), and there are no adverts or anything.

Ditto from me - looking forward to it!

Euan.

But I believe with box.net, you can't upload more than a 10MB file at a time with the free account.

I recently tried to upload a 15MB file, but it wouldn't let me, without upgrading to a paid account.

Aside from the 10MB per upload limit, it's a great site.

Mel

Kyaaaaa, 4 weeks till the recital, and my piano tuner can't come before then! That doesn't mean I'm not going to submit a recording, it just means my piano will be "warbling."

i thought we were in america where there was freedom of speech??? oh wait till someone gets their feelings hurt.....all this sounds ridiculous to me and time consuming. one thread criticism, one thread praises, one thread who cares. i for one think one thread for all is fine. its all getting to complicated where i might just say nothing to anyones playing!!! personal messages wow slow down guys.... one thread and then if someone wants to be masacated let them be. i for one enjoy my playing as unperfect as it maybe, i share because i want to...i am because i am....i like the recitals as it keeps me on my toes, but if i am going to participate in a recital i would want one to feel free to say what they want to say, i dont want to be in a thread that says wow perfect and only want praises, i want to hear wow that was great i was really jammin till you hit that flat tire......whatever. i think one should say what they want about anothers playing, i dont want to be in a thread begging for praises nor do i want to be so criticized i feel like a peanut, i want the whole experience what people felt what they thought about..... so if i participate i would want one to say as they will and what they will!!! and not beg for a compliment!!! just my 2 cents worth, i just think this is all beginning to be way to much hassle..... just my 2 cents worth.


so what i am trying to say is i just want genuine responses

So you DO care. Your feelings COULD be hurt. It's just a matter of levels. Your hurt feelings threshold may be higher than others, but it's still there. You can't have it all ways. There are people who would be deeply hurt by the flat tire comment and there are people who would be fine with being told that their playing sounded like random notes on the keyboard.

Personally, I don't think it's too complicated to have two different discussion forums. One forum is for friendly discussion and questions and the other is for serious critical discussion. If a forum member doesn't want to participate in one of the discussion forums, that's their prerogative.

We're a community of piano music lovers. Some of us want serious criticism of our recital playing, others feel that recitals are not the place for criticism, while some are not happy with having two discussion forums designed to accomodate the first two groups.

Everyone is never going to be happy no matter how it is set up. So the aim is to, hopefully, satisfy the majority of the members of our little online community.

Nothing wrong with that. Ask for it in your submission. But if you want serious criticism of your playing, then you should ask for that specifically.

I hope that nobody writes false praise in the friendly discussion forum. There is nothing wrong with pointing out the things about a piece that you liked, but don't lie and say how wonderful and amazing the whole piece was if, to your ears, it wasn't.

And if the submission states that criticism is desired, I would hope that posts in the criticism thread are not negative. The goal is improvement and building ourselves up as piano players, not making folks feel bad.

Bob, i thought it was going to be all types of different threads, and pm's my mistake....as i crawl in hole. and yes my feelings do get hurt but that would be if 20 people said you suck....in those words. constructive criticism i can handle, as i get that every week!!! and even more so from myself...anyhow, i think i am understanding a little now if not from my own words "peanut" and the first person who calls me that well i oughtta(just joking)

well i had originally intended to brag about how i picked out a song i would like to play for the recital(finally). but i guess we are not to tell???? so i wont. but i do love what i will be playing...its got a nice rhythm to me anyways:) and it says everything i want to do with my playing from here on out:) i talked to my teacher about it and we are looking into gettin some books to go through with this style i love!!! so you will find out then where i want to go with my piano. Me and my piano have a long road trip ahead of us and cant wait to see all the stops along the way!!!! i just hate those times where we have to stop and fill up....geeze this is getting long isnt it...ok i will stop for now.

thank-you bob for clarifying it wont be 50 threads...also will all the music still be in one file again?? or listed in 2 categories??

I haven't in the past commented on each and every performance, because I truly do think that each one is great! I don't care if something is full of mistakes, I appreciate the effort I know each of us puts in and to me they really do sound good. And being a beginner myself I couldn't possibly criticize anyone's playing!

Me too.

How about one forum like we had for the first two recitals with no rules?

Then we could add these 2 new forums with rules, one for friendly discussion (only positive comments) and one for critical discussion (people who could be hurt won't read this one).

Yes, the same as the last recital.

Copper, I think two discussion forums are plenty. Do we really need a third? The "friendly" discussion forum is really the same as the original one.

funburger, you can tell us what you're going to play, but it would be even more entertaining if you gave us hints and we took a guess. (I'm on a roll ever since I guessed "hava nagila" correctly!)

All the music will be in one thread, as usual. It's just that we're separating out a thread for (constructive) criticism.

I agree with you, Bob, about disliking false praise. I firmly believe that, with careful listening, one can always find at least one good thing to say about any performance (at the very least, "it's clear you tried hard!"), and I look for that one or more good thing to comment on.

ShiroKuro, that's a shame about your tuner! I have been nagging mine mercilessly, and he is going to finish up the voicing and tuning this Saturday and next, so I am hoping my piano will be in tippy-top shape for the recital.

[Has sudden sinking feeling that maybe that's not a good idea to say, as it places all blame for crappy performance on the artist.]

Just 31 days to the next recital.

I am almost ready but the music I am playing has too much rubato so I may never get it like the CD sounds.

I will give it my best shot though.

Ok, I announced my recital piece a couple of days ago. However, I'm planning a 'backup' piece, which I have not yet told anyone about. Anybody fancy a guess?


Oh, you want some clues, then?

1. Its a touching and lovely piece
2. Its by a composer whom I have never played anything by before
3. The piece was written in the early 1990's
4. Can be played either with violin or piano as the main instrument.

(Is that too vague? We shall see...)

Baby Got Back?????

Gmm1 hahahaha

Nope. It might help to narrow things down if I say that it was composed for a film.

Is it music by Yann Tiersen?

Wait, What is Yann Tiersen?

Do, do, do, do, do, do, do.....
do, do, do, do, do..
do.......do.......do......do........do.....do....
do, do, do, do, do, do

No, it can't be Yann Tiersen because Euan has played Yann Tiersen before.

piano or violin; early 1990s; film music. I'm currently stumped but not admitting defeat yet.

A few more clues then...

The composer was born in Long Island, NY.

The piece has been recorded by Maxim Vengerov, the Gomalan Brass Quintet, and Ed Starink. The most famous recording is by an Israeli violinist born in 1945.

Its only a backup plan at the moment - will need to see how things pan-out over the next couple of weeks.

Warning: Self-pitying rant ahead... Proceed with caution.

I'm a little depressed. If anybody noticed, my practice log hasn't moved much this week. I'm sinking to the bottom like a stone. My recital piece, Brahm's Intermezzo in A, is about 20-30 hours away from being roughly recital worthy, but I don't think I'll be able to make it. I love the piece, but I'm struggling to find time to practice it or anything else at the moment.

I'm overloaded with stuff to do at work (working plenty of overtime on about 8 different projects, one of which could jumpstart my career). I've got finals for the summer course I'm taking with way too much homework and prep to do for it. Finally, to top it all off, I'm moving next week and I've spent the vast part of the weekend and evening cleaning through years of collected crap, half of which has to be washed to get months of mold off from flooding, and then has to be boxed up. Plus, if this move is like last time, I'm probably not even going to have my piano setup for a week.

I'm seriously considering skipping this recital unless you guys want to hear a 3/4 learned Brahm's piece, or something simpler from my reportior which I haven't played in months...

Euan, is it something from Schindler's List by John Williams?

Pick a piece you know.

There are four months until the next-next recital - Christmas tunes.

So you have seven months to get the Intermezzo in A ready.

Well done, Andrew! Maybe I will work hard on it and try it as my main piece - will see.

I agree with Copper, maybe try something else that you may have been working on in the past, or maybe something that you could knock together fairly quick?

But if you want to play the Brahms next time, or skip to the Christmas rectial instead, then thats cool.

Hope the move goes well - you sound extremely busy at the moment!

Shortcircuit, play us anything that you have ready. I gave up on the original piece I was going to play for the same reasons.

I have a test next week and a final the week after so I chose a piece that has been mostly finished but needed some adjustments done to it.

I feel you on the overtime as well. Work is hideous.

shortcircuit, play us a piece from your repertoire. I have to say that I am amazed and impressed by the number of folks out there who go out and learn a new piece just for the recital. I don't do that, because it usually takes me longer than four months to get something up to recording level.

I agree! My August piece is one that I've been working on for quite a while and it's only about a minute and a half long.... my November piece is longer but I've already been working on it since .....um...March....

Hello There,

If anyone would still have an interest in this thread, I'm having an issue with my recital piece.

As Monica revealed by way of solving my clues, and some of you know, the recital piece I've selected is the Hebrew Traditional "Havah Nagilah".

I wanted to learn to play "Havah Nagilah" because it has such a delightful and joyful sound, especially when played with good respect to the fast Hora Beat indicated (don't ask).

I've been working on it until the most recent escalation in tension in the Middle East, and now, I'm finding myself wondering if it would be innappropriate or distasteful now to submit "Havah Nagilah" as a recital piece, all things considered. I do not want to be culturally or socially offensive.

I honestly don't know what to think? Am I being ridiculous?

Hi,

I would like to join the recital as well (a first-timer )

But the only peace I can get ready in time would be I Giorni from Einaudi. Has that one been played before ?

Opus45, I don't think you are being ridiculous. You just care.
But personally I would still play it. There is no direct link with the music, right?

DeCato

Opus45, it never would have occurred to me to worry about playing Hava Nagilah given recent world events. Now that you raise the issue I can see why you were worried, but I guess I still don't see it as being insensitive. I'd encourage you to play it. I suspect that all of us could find SOME reason that some group would be upset by what we played. I'm not going to go down that road myself.

DenCato, I am tickled pink that you want to play an Einaudi piece for the recital. I love Einaudi, and that piece in particular. I don't think anybody has done I Giorni for either of the first two recitals. (Heck, I'd like to, but I tried it a couple of months back and got NOWHERE with it!) But--and this is important--even if somebody had played it before it would be perfectly okay for you to do it again. We've had duplication in the past ("The Gift" is one I remember showing up more than once), and we'll have it again in the future, especially as we rack up more and more recitals. Go for it!

p.s. I'm pretty sure I'm going to play an Einaudi piece for the recital, but it won't be "I Giorni."

DenCato,

You can't go wrong with an Einaudi piece.

Glad you're going to join in the online recital!

Hint: Don't worry about getting an absolutely perfect recording (we like to hear a few mistakes every now & then)

I recorded my submission last week. It definitely has mistakes, but heck, I've only been playing a little over a year, so I definitely don't expect anything near perfection!! I still may try to record it again before the recital, however, this version may end up being it!!

Jeff- go ahead with Hava Nagilah. I understand your concerns, but as Monica said, there are probably a lot of pieces we could analyze the "appropriateness" of, in one way or another. I'm not going to start that, either.

DenCato- glad you are joining! It's fun!

Now, as to my piece- grrrrr! I, too, have hit a snag. I have it up to a point, but not really presentable yet, and I seem to be stuck! I'm going to try some different approaches to practicing it, but, once again, grrrrr!

Thanks for the welcome

So I Giorni it is.

And there sure will be some small (hopefully) mistakes in there, as it is a rather long pice with different sections

I have been reading this thread, got interested in the process (looks like everyone is going to have a lot of fun....) so decided what to heck, maybe I'll just record 2 or three small pieces and join the fun (that way I can play what I am learning in the method book even though they tend to be easy/short versions and could better use my practice time to kill two birds with one stone..). Then I started to get nervous when seeing what everyone else is working on. I know a recital is not a competition, but still, some of the works listed are masterpieces and I feel out of place in such company. So, for grins, I looked at the first two to see who/how/what to get a feel:

Recital 1
32 performers - average experience +/- 3 years - only 5 with one year or less - Tomas at 2 mos, Sharon at 4 and three others at 1 year.

Recital 2
34 performers - avg experience roughly 4 years - only 4 with one year or less - Sharon (2nd) Euan and Eds at 8 months and Jason at 5 months.

I KNOW IT IS NOT A COMPETITION - I KNOW IT IS NOT A COMPETITION..... (guys have to keep saying that because, well, it is.... )

Boy, I am outclassed....The only person I can see in this thread with less than 1 year is Funburger and we all know how great she plays already. Are their any other first year rookies thinking about submitting?? Maybe if enough, then a Rookie section maybe???

gmm1, please please PLEASE[/b] submit a piece to the recital! Nobody should feel worried about being outclassed... the recital thread states clearly how long people have been playing, and NOBODY is going to expect somebody with less than a year's experience to pull off Croatian Rhapsody.

Trust me, it's lots of fun, and think of it as a great long-term way of documenting your progress in piano.

gmm1- submit something! Please! I'm less than a year and a half into this and I did the last one (badly) and intend to do this one (probably just as badly)! And I'm doing a short piece, too. As Monica said, it is fun.

Is it too early to post our recording for the recital? I'm planning on recording mine tomorrow, mistakes and all.

I just want to get it over with. Not exactly the best attitude I admit, but it brings back memories of the recitals I was in as a kid. Always the last to play.

Kathleen

Just give it to Bob and be patient! I think alot of us are ready but this is what makes it exciting; the anticipation. It would be more fun to do it as a group I think.

Looks like i'm on track to miss yet another recital...

Another depressing story here... I haven't been playing a lot last couple of months. Work has been very demanding and its summertime so I tend to be out of the house more in my free time.

Another thing is that Ive been trying this piece which is a little bit above my level. It is taking me forever, and no way I'm going to learn it all before this recital.

Oh well, I'll be back for the next next recital I will listen to the pieces you all post though!

Laurens and geek, you guys have nothing in your playable repertoir that you can submit? I think all piano players should have at least a couple of pieces they can play from memory when friends or family ask them to play something for them.

Don't worry Kathleen, I'll get the instructions posted today or tomorrow and you can submit away.

My thoughts exactly... even if it's a tired old piece to YOU, to US it will be new and exciting.

Yes, give us music please.

AAAGGGH! A STRING ON MY PIANO BROKE!! I had my tech in today to do the last of the voicing and then a touch-up tuning, so that it would be in tippy-top piano perfection for recording for the recital. And one of the bass strings broke while he was tuning! He said he wasn't doing anything unusual to it and it should be covered by warranty, but what a let-down. (The piano is still playable; it was one of the notes that has two unisons. So it just sounds softer when I play that note.)

Then I sat down and tried to record anyway but was so disconcerted that I took about a million takes and kept flubbing up horrendously. Finally I just turned the computer off in disgust. I'll try again tomorrow.

Which note and in which octave? Is it in the song you are playing?

It's the A-flat 2, so the second octave below middle C. Gets a fair amount of use, but fortunately not in the piece I was hoping to play. I played some more this afternoon and it's really not noticeable unless you listen for it. It's more the psychological disadvantage; I wanted to feel that my piano was PERFECT and now it's not.

But then again, neither am I...

Oh Monica, I gasped out loud when I read that a string broke! I'm sorry to hear that! Hopefully it will get fixed quickly!

But don't let it stop your recital prep!

OMG... Monica, I'm stressed out just thinking about that broken string! I hope it's not going to take too long for the repair.

Me too, but I bet it won't happen before the recital deadline. I have to call the M&H people and order the correct string, and then once I get it I have to schedule my tech to come install it, and he's the one who only does private work on Saturdays and is booked weeks in advance.

But the good news is that it really only is noticeable if you're playing a run involving that note, and then you realize it's not quite as loud as the others. Plus I'm pretty sure my recital piece doesn't even use that note.

It just has a little spot of acne, it's still young


You don't really think we believe that ....do you?
:rolleyes:

Dear Monica:

I could be livid! I am assuming your piano is not that old. Even if it were...that shouldn't have happened.

I know the M&H pianos are supposed to be "top-of-the-line. If a string broke on an instrument you obviously spent as much on as some people spend on a house, I'd be knocking at the CEO's door, demanding a replacement.

Or it could be the tuner's fault.

You are much nicer than I would be. I would raise holy hell. I have done so on a few occasions, and, surprisedly, people couldn't move fast enough to calm me and make restitution.

The only good thing, is that it's not in an section that you play often.

Good luck and I hope you get it fixed quickly. I also think it's terrible that YOU have to order the part and that YOU have to wait until the tuner can fit you in.

The manufacturers of the piano should send their own tuner out immediately with the necessary part and he/she should fix it, like TODAY!

Maybe I am over-reacting, but I also equate a situation like this to one in which the victim of a crime is on trial, put those all kinds of trauma, etc.

This is certainly on a smaller scale. A few weeks ago, we had some guests in from out of town and took them to the finest restaurant in town. The best food, terrific view, great service. They were very dear friends, and we really wanted to treat them royally.

The experience at the restaurant could not be believed. We waited forever for our drinks, our food was cold and some of the ingredients missing, my 3-egg omlet was the size of a small coaster and on and on.

No sooner did I get home, then I wrote a letter to the owner. It was a nice letter, not nasty, but I certainly got my point across on how disappointed and embarrassed we were. And I mentioned that we were crossing the restaurant off our list of places to dine.

Two days later, the manager called me. He couldn't have been more apologetic. He sent us a $100.00 certificate for our next meal there.

When I was younger, I would have just chalked it up as one of those things. But, now, I don't stand for it. And I am not a fussy or demanding person. When you pay $30.00 for an entre, you expect it to be as perfect as it can get.

Sorry for rambling on so.

Kathleen

This broken string may have nothing to do with M&H or the tuner. It may be some impurities in the string material. The problem could go back to the string maker or even back to the steel supplier. I work in manufacturing and I know this does happen from time to time with materials we get from our suppliers.

M&H will probably send you a replacement string for free if your piano is still within the warranty period.

I'm sure it's not the tuner's fault, Kathleen. He's very competent. My understanding of string breakage from reading through the archives is that a broken string really isn't all that uncommon, and it would suggest a problem only if a bunch more started breaking.

The tech did volunteer to call M&H and handle it himself, but since I would need to give them the serial number and purchase information etc. for the warranty, it seemed more efficient for me just to handle it myself. I've talked with the M&H people before asking their advice about Dampp-Chasers, and they were extremely responsive and helpful, so I'm not anticipating any problems.

And I appreciate your concern on my behalf, Kathleen. In general I agree with your policy of asserting consumer rights. I just don't think more aggressive action is required here because the piano really IS playable, and you would have to know exactly what to listen for to even notice the (slightly) softer note.

Mike,

I just started playing this summer, but I was thinking of trying the recital. It sounds like fun, and I can't imagine anyone on this board being anything but supportive. It sounds like they make public how long you've been studying, too. I'll need to figure out how recording works, and see how it actually turns out before I decide whether to submit anything. I think you should do it--what is there to lose? I think it will be exciting (and scary!) to hear myself on a recording, and it sounds like you can get feedback on your playing after the recital.

Monica, i would charge your your um your brother for it. see when he touched your strings, the little oils on his hands from your greasy chicken got on your strings which then caused the breakage!!!!


seriously though things just happen. sorry this happend right before the recital.....i am sure whatever you play will still sound wonderful!!!

I used to like this piece, (that I'm working on for Rercital #3) but I'm starting to get sick of it...And it's still no where near ready to record.
On the bright side though, if it were not for these recitals, I would never work so hard to get a piece right.
Mike White

I only joined the forums a few days ago, but this recital thing sounds fun. So count me in for Bach's Air from Suite No.3, something that is way over my head, especially considering I've never played this piece before and it's only two weeks until the recital. Should be fun. ;-) (I guess I'd also better pick a backup piece...)

Welcome, mahlzeit, we're happy to have you. The pieces that I have been playing are way over my head also, but hey, I'm playing them anyway.
Mike White