Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Online Chopin Prelude Recital TODAY! :)

I'm glad I'm not the only one....

Count me in on this, also. I can "get" through the whole thing, but about 1/4 of the way from the finish, my arms and shoulders are crying out for help.

HOWEVER, this is a big improvement because it wasn't too long ago when this would happen when I was just about 1/4 of the way from the BEGINNING.

Kathleen

Just checked back in here. Comments:

1. Playadom, if you're reading this, maybe move the microphone/computer AWAY from the piano? Other side of the room, perhaps?

2. I am going to get tough with myself and record this weekend. I've been putting it off, even though I've been working on #1 and #21 for months. #9 I can play through. I've had a lot going on: I'm practicing the cello for a performance of the Saint Saens concerto with a chamber orchestra a month from tomorrow. Then, my cat got sick -- he has kidney failure, and his main vet told me to euthanize (!). I've had a cat die on me before, and the current cat did not seem in such dire straights to me, so I got a second opinion. Now we're treating him, but it's labor intensive (pill and liquid medicines, vitamins, and fluids under the skin). But how could I execute this critter before trying to save him?

Two years ago:

So sorry to learn of your cat's health problems, PianoAgain. Like you, there is almost nothing I wouldn't do to keep my dog alive. I hope all the meds and treatments help.

And, wow...so envious that you will be recording. I'm about 2 weeks away, I hope.

Good luck with your cello performance tomorrow. I have a feeling things will go beautifully.

You are truly an amazing lady...so talented (and nice), I should add.

Regards,
Kathleen

Aww, Kathleen, thanks.

But thank goodness, the Saint Saens is on October 14, not September 14! I have another month yet to worry about it -- um, practice.

Hope your kitty recovers!

Kathleen, I never had any doubt you could do it! That last 1/4 also will become easier for you as the piece becomes more and more "yours".

I am so proud of everyone here!

Thanks, Gerg. You are a sweetheart!

I am totally amazed how my confidence level has risen since I started on this prelude. I hope the same is happening for many others, especially those who have taken on a piece that was a "tad" over their heads, as I did.

I remember Hershey Felder giving advice to someone who asked him if it would be stupid to try to learn a very difficult composition. Hershey answered that it would be stupid not to try to learn it. I will never forget that comment although, at the time, I have to admit I thought is was a little flippant. But now...aha, how very right he was.

Just a few minutes ago, I read this quote in a magazine.


Winston Churchhill

I think this applies to every single thing we can experience as human beings.

Regards to everyone,
Kathleen

Well, Greg...when you have the time, it is just about 1 month away, so perhaps time to change the topic title.

I know everyone is so grateful for my reminding them.

Kathleen

It's updated!

I'm having fun today. It's probably sacrilege but I came with words to 28/8 - which made my four-year old daughter giggle up a storm!

Would love to hear them, Greg.

I had one of the most hiliarious days I've had in ages yesterday, but I'm afraid I can't share the source of the humor with anyone.

Kathleen

Well, this is a silly little girl - she makes me laugh!

Recently she was talking about a cartoon:

"The little brown mouse tied the rope on Tomandjerry, and Tomandjerry just FLIED up to the air and made fireworks and the Presidents' States flag!"

So cute, Greg. I can barely remember the days when my 37 year-old was 4. But she, also like your daughter, was quite a character...and could she come up with some very interesting statements.

This is really off the topic, but, what the heck...if we can't brag about our kids (no matter what their age,) then it's a very cold world.

My daughter was about 4 at the time. I was driving past a church and happened to see a priest on the corner, waiting for a bus. I pulled over and asked him if he needed a lift. Yes, he did and got in the front seat. We started a conversation and naturally I kept referring to him as "father." After about three minutes, my daughter, who was taking in every word, comes up with this question to him: "Are you my grandpa?"

She never knew her grandfathers as both had died long before she was born. But I was totally amazed that she made the connection.

The priest, a bit taken aback, very nicely answered that no, he wasn't her grandpa but that he wished he were.

Sorry for the diversion...

Hope everyone is almost "there."

Kathleen

Hi All!

Here's how to get your recording into the recital.

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/4983.html

Can any of you imagine the level of physical exercise when you do No 3 for 15 minutes, No 16 for 15 minutes, No 5 for 15 minutes, and No 14 for 15 minutes? I really like these Chopin Preludes.

It's significant. According to Chang, playing the piano at a reasonably high level consumes about as many calories as a brisk walk.

You are not going to believe this...but I've lost about 15 pounds since last March! I wish I could "blame" it on all my practicing, but I think I am just eating less. I AM SO NERVOUS!!

We all should be in the best shape ever by the time this is over. Then on to the Mazurka Marathon...I'll be a size one, like my daughter!

Come to think of it...many of you know that Chopin was very, very thin. He never weighed more than 100 pounds, and he was 5'7". And Liszt was even thinner. I've seen caricatures of him, and he's like a toothpick. Now, considering how often they played the piano and for how long (Liszt especially practiced 8-12 hours on many days), Chopin didn't need to practice that much, but he certainly played a lot, we need to start advertising to people that playing the piano can be a great way to control and even lose weight. I wonder if such a campaign would ever take off.


Kathleen

Yes, it is a noble form of exercise, and you really do get stronger. I really cannot wait to hear your #17. I hope I'm not alone in being inspired by your testimony. It WILL help prepare you for that 48/1 that you love so much. Every single participant stands to gain something positive - technical, musical, or both - from learning his or her Prelude that will stay with them the rest of their lives.

So how is everyone doing? Getting close? Are the pieces becoming less stressful and more fun to play? Good! That's what this is about - honoring a composer noted for his grace, poetry, and yes, technical difficulty, and through his works boosting our own confidence and inspiring others!

At this point based on all I've read here, I don't believe any piano piece is out of anyone's range if they put the work into it - maybe years in some cases, but never impossible... Like you, I am inspired by this challenge. I really hope we all are able to get a good "take" of our work for the 17th (oh, we will!) The ones received so far have been quite, quite impressive - you're in for a treat!

I'm doing okay on mine (#15), but I had better start trying to record it soon because that is usually a very long process. Trying to avoid major mistakes all the way through is very difficult!

Nancy

Thank you Greg. Gosh, you are building me up so...I do hope I do not disappoint. But knowing you, I don't believe you would be disappointed by anyone's performance because you know how hard we have *all* worked....and with your guidance, encouragement and inspiration. Good Grief. I hope your wife doesn't read this.

Nancy, I am in the same boat. Darn, this weekend is company and then a wedding shower. But I am starting in with the red dot on Monday. I may not come up for air for a week or longer. :rolleyes:

Oh Nancy, I don't know if you read this, but I heard the "thunder and lightening" section of the 15th (we, in the study group, used to refer to it as such) in a T.V. commerical for some weird and scary video game that had a robot walking around destroying everything in sight.

Regards to all,
Kathleen