Nocturne Ecital

Today is the 160th anniversary of Chopin's death. He seems, to me, so distant in time and yet so very near when we play or listen to his music. Please do visit our NEW commemorative ecital website, where Piano World members have collaborated on a beautiful collection of Nocturne performances to mark October 17, 2009. Thank you to everyone involved, from gerg who has put up the lovely website and made 37/2 sound smooth and easy, to Mati who did clever techie stuff as well as giving a stunning performance, our hero LisztAddict who filled in a vacant spot at the last minute with his usual panache, and each and every one of the performers.
Chopin would be proud of you all.

Thanks M-R and everyone else involved - the website looks great and it is very well organized and easy to use.

I'm still working my way through the recordings - from what I've heard so far Chopin would be proud

So far I've listened to Peyton's 9/1 and timmyab's 9/3- both absolutely wonderful, beautifully played. It makes me want to re-learn 9/1 and take on the 9/3.

There are all wonderful, delicate, crystalline, flowing "leek vater" - Chopin's tongue in cheek favorite quote from the English on his playing - - -

Dazzled, Frycek slouches back into her cave there to whack her elephant tusks with a club - - -

Chardonnay, your playing is divine, so full and sincere. You managed the rhythmic challenges with aplomb!

Everyone sounds great. Congratulations!

Carolyn227, what does "The Hunter" think of your playing? Your touch drips with honeylike expression.

I am quite impressed with EVERY PIECE in this recital. You should all be most pleased with your work!

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
- from In Memoriam by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Everyones playing is supreme and gorgeous. I'm listening to the recital for the third time today and can't stop smiling with joy about it.

Congratulations to you all!

I don't feel entitled (not that I deserve right) to make judge such intricate and beautiful performances individually. They are simply breathtaking.


M.

For some reason I can't connect to the music links...Driving me crazy as I want to hear some of these...Anyone else having trouble?

Thank you! Funny you should say "honeylike." We just had a honey incident in the kitchen about a half hour ago. Yeah, 3 and 5 year old children making their own sandwiches can be an adventure sometimes.

"The Hunter" (who is actually salmon fishing today) loves my playing. He was always bragging to anyone who would listen how his wife was this amazing pianist. Unfortunately I hadn't kept up on my playing, so I was always embarrased to play little snippets from songs of long ago because I couldn't actually play a complete song. I started playing a year ago and feel better than ever about my playing.

I popped on a movie for the kids (the honey incident wasn't the only incident this morning!) and I'm listening to everyone's pieces right now. Everyone sounds so fantastic!

What a wonderful way for me to spend my Saturday morning!
EVERYONE was superb and so very inspirational! I'm in awe.

Peyton - you performed my two favorite nocturnes deliciously.

(BTW- I couldn't access 9/2, 15/1, 55/1. Am I doing something wrong?)

CMohr

CMohr, these three are unfortunately not there for various reasons. You are doing nothing wrong.

Congratulations to all the participants, and thank you for the effort you all went to to commemorate such a fine composer. It's a pleasure to listen to these Nocturnes

Very nice site.........

Great recordings.......I 'll be back here.....

MaryRose thanks for the link!!

Best regards,
Johan B

Greg, thanks so much for the very kind (too kind) comments! I felt rather like I was stumbling through those rhythmic land mines!

I haven't listened to everyone's piece yet- I'm trying to savor each one, and not rush through- but I did listen to yours, Greg, and you did a marvelous job on one of my favorites I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Your right-hand playing is very clean and well controlled; beautifully done! I looked at the score as I listened, and all those rapid thirds would have tripped me up for sure!

Ted.Stanion- very nice 15/2! -Another one I haven't had the courage to try, and you did a great job.

I truly enjoyed every single performance. Two actually brought a tear to my eye: Chardonnay's, because she plays so reverently and with such feeling - and jazzyprof's, but maybe that is because he chose one of my top favourites and played it so well.

Mati fills me with awe. I think I am right in saying that he has been playing for a shorter time than anyone else in this recital, and is largely self-taught, yet his playing was superb.

Peyton's op 72 was incredibly sexy. There's no other word for it. I used to play that Nocturne and always felt it was an exquisite expression of youthful poetry. I now realise it was an instrument of seduction.

I don't have more time at the moment but please believe me when I say you have all made the world a more beautiful place today by bringing these works alive once again, and in so doing, you have brought a little bit of Chopin to life again too.

I finished listening to all of the performances this morning but had to run out before I could comment. I have to say that I am in awe of the quality. There is quite the silly little grin on my face right now because I am happy to be a part of this undertaking. I want to thank every one who has commented so far for not mentioning the I was only one who made a mistake. However, I took my laptop with me while I was out and spent about twenty minutes in Audacity producing this. Gone are three of the most egregious errors and one pause that was so pregnant that I decided I needed to induce labor.

Finally, a special thanks to Greg, Mati and Mary-Rose and anyone else involved with organizing this ecital.

Ted

Ted, of course you weren't the only one who made a mistake! But it didn't take away from our enjoyment one bit. Your performance was lovely.

(If I'd taken part you'd know what a mistake really sounds like....)

I've got 15-1, and due to reasons I mentioned in the other thread, I will be submitting late. But I will be submitting!

My thanks to everyone who participated in this ecital! I spent the first stormy Saturday afternoon of autumn listening to your musical offerings, and had a lovely afternoon. You all share the honor of generating a new Chopin listener today, since this waa the first time I've sat still and payed attention to so much Chopin at one time -- up until recently I've been a pretty singlemindedly Baroque kind of gal. But this afternoon constituted a wonderful introduction to a new composer, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of his works.

Another gloomy, rainy day here in New Jersey made brighter by these lovely performances! Thank you all for sharing your beautiful music with us.

Mati- I didn't know you were mostly self-taught. Very impressive! Your performance was very moving and graceful.
gerg - All those 3rds and 6ths, and of course they're sixteenth notes! You handled them with finesse, with great voicing. Your rhythm really enhanced the character of the piece.
jazzyprof - Great job on one of my favorites.
Chardonnay - sublime, I didn't want the piece to end

I'd like to add my thanks to gerg, Mati, and Mary-Rose for their technical and organizational work. The time and effort extended by everyone involved is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to all on a job well done!

Hey,

Thanks for all the kind words about my performance!

However, I'd like to clarify something about my playing. I wouldn't want to make a false impression. I've been self taught for 3 years before, but the last 1.5 (constituting something between 4.5 - 5 years of my playing, I really lost track how long it is) I spent with my great teacher who did wonders both to my playing, and to this particular nocturne. I spent exactly two months on this piece - and I am sure it wouldn't even be complete, not to mention good sounding, without immense help of my teacher.

I think I shouldn't be considered primarily self-taught anymore - I might have been year ago or so, but now it would be dishonest to myself and my teacher to call myself that way.

Having said all that, I'm really really glad you liked it!

Best wishes,
M.

I am astonished, as usual. Where could anyone go to hear such heavenly music, all at the same time, and peformed by non professionals, but people who truly love Chopin's music? So much so that hours and months were spent trying to caputre his magic. And they did!!

Congratulations to all the performers. We were all grand. And many, many thanks to those who put this ecital together. We are all so wonderful.

Gratefully,
Kathleen

Finally listened to the last few nocturnes late last night, after spending a little time with them at various points in the day. October 17 used to seem like a sad day, but these past two years I woke with great excitement and couldn't wait to hear the e-cital! Thanks for a day of celebration, everybody.

Elene

Agh! My playing is so embarrassing! I promise I'll get a better recording up when I have some spare time.

Akonow, ted.stanion, all:

You want a smile? Play your Nocturne today, or tomorrow! You'll impress even yourself with your playing.

Shameless plug time:

Beyond the other events we have planned, including the BIG recital in March (!!!) and Schubertian's (Did I get your name right this time? ) Schumann event in June, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a general invitation to participate in the Unsung Heroes recital:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1279839/1.html

Heidiv is organizing this. She is an exceptional teacher and a class-act human being with a long and solid music background. Please consider signing up for this August 2010 event, with your favorite underplayed composer!

I finally finished listening to everyone performance. Congratulations to all of you for the hard work and dedication, and thank you for the gift. It's almost unbelievable of what you could do by learning one chord, one run, one measure at a time, and you were not afraid of facing the challenges. I have the feeling that the playing quality in the E-citals is going up and up every time.

Two performers that I want to mention here because I think they probably spent a massive amount of time to work out the tiniest details and make every note, every rest matters. They are timmyab and chopin952. Hope to see the 2 of you (and Mati too) at the next Chopin international piano competition for amateurs in Warsaw in 2012.

I heartily agree, LisztAddict. timmyab I've not "met", but his performance stuck out for precision. Chopin952 has consistently impressed with his quality. Well-deserved kudos to both of you!

I would add a third one to that select group: the performer of the posth. C# minor, who stepped in as a hero at the last minute to knock that one off!

My hat's off to Chardonnay for the D-flat Major Nocturne. I've always wanted to play this - now I'm a bit more motivated. Thank you.

I haven't had a chance to hear them all - but cherry picked for a real favorite. "I shall return".

I've had such a nice day today listening to these heartfelt performances.I've listened to every recording twice and I can honestly say that every single one of them has touched me in some way.There are also some interesting ideas on interpretation which I shall blatantly steal and pass off as my own one day.
A big thankyou to everyone that put this recital together.You did a great job!

I can't connect to the music links, either, and would certainly love to listen!

Thanks for the mention LA! but I still have a bit to go with that Nocturne. At first I thought it was straightforward, but studying it more in detail these past few months has revealed so many missing nuances, unheard voices, and indelicate tempo changes in my playing. It's amazing how tough it is to get a Lento and Agitato at the same time. I have a bad habit of playing it too quickly. I've always heard from teachers it's hard to play fast and it's much harder to play slowly. I believe them even more these days.

And it's interesting you should mention timmyab. I found it to be one of the most delicate interpretations of the entire e-cital. Great work timmyab!

jazzyprof, what a majestic performance of 48/1! You achieved the wonderfully melancholic Lento tempo that I should have worked on for my 62/2.

Chardonnay, great job on 27/2! It is my favorite Nocturne, followed by 62/2. Your tempo was impeccable, and you made that difficult run sound so easy and clean.

gerg! Thanks for helping organize the e-cital and of course for that elegant performance of 37/2. Chopin is well known for pieces such as 37/2 and you have portrayed and maintained his composition in high standard.

And to everyone, amazing job on making this e-cital a success! I need to hang around more and get to know everyone more. There is so much talent in the ABF! When's our next east coast piano party? Perhaps I'll organize one in NC soon.

I wonder if the people who were having trouble listening were ever able to?

Elene

I greatly enjoyed listening to all these wonderful performances. Congratulations to all who played and those who helped put this together! Chopin would be very pleased.

A big thank you to all who've listened to our offerings and made nice comments. And special thanks to LisztAddict for not letting me back out when I wanted to quit after hearing his version of the op.48 no.1!

I finally had a chance to finish listening to all of the performances. And I am still in a dreamy daze. The funniest thing is that as I listened to each one, as it started, I said to myself...Oh, that's my very favorite." Then as I listened to the next...oh no, that one is really my all-time favorite, This went on and on until the end, Once again, I give each of you so much credit (and my amazement) for performing as beautifully as you all did. Bravo! and Brava!

Mati: A special note to you. I was so pleased that you played that nocturne (in C minor, posth) that has been underrated and devalued by almost everyone. Oh, that tedious left hand or it lacks any spark, etc. Just recently, I mentioned that I loved the piece because it was the most "Polish" of all his nocturnes. I believe he wrote it later in his life, perhaps at a very low period, for it seems to me that it just personified homesicknesses. I know when I play it I think of all my relatives, all deceased now...all those family gatherings, the food, the laughter, the story-telling. Often it is a time that I wish I could return to.

What is even stranger, Mati, is that you play it exactly as I do, tempo wise. But my runs are always "iiffy." I believe this might have something to do with our both being Polish. Congrats to you and thank you for bringing this piece out in the open where it belongs.

With much affection,
Kathleen

I finally had a chance to listen to all of the works... Wow.. every single piece is played with such heart and so well. Most moving for me were Mati's and timmyab's but I could listen to every last one over and over.

Oh Mati, your 21 in C Minor... No words... I don't care how did you learn or how much time... it's just wonderful. Hope you don't mind if I download it to my MP3...

Kathleen, you are so right about the Polish-ness of the No. 21, and also about Mati's playing of it. There is something very special about this Nocturne that sets it apart from the others, something Mati drew out with adeptness. Does it only speak to those of us fortunate enough to have some Polish blood?

Kathleen is right, Mati. You certainly deserve all this praise

Sorry for not responding... I'm blushing after each and every post and can't think of proper words to thank you! Montag, of course I don't mind - please do.

Just a little follow-up... I thought about it today and thought I will share my feelings.



You may be right, Kathleen. I somehow get very emotional with this piece. The girl I love is few thousand kilometers away and won't be coming back for another few months. I think my yearning is part of what I express with this nocturne and why it sounds like it sounds. Having an emotional story behind a piece can do wonders.

Having said that, I still don't think I played it that well to be praised

Cheers,
M.

Thank you, Mati, for sharing that deep emotional connection. I think it would be safe to say many of us have felt that deep yearning for the one we love, that precious one meant for us. These are emotions the like of which can only be conveyed through art.

I sincerely wish you a swift reunion with your love, that she may return, and that you will share those feelings of joy, too, with the world through music.

I finaaly got around to listening to some of the Chopin E Recital. Wow everyone gave wonderful performances. Some of my favoties were:

Peyton- Nocturne Opus 9, No.1 and Opus 27,No.1 beautifully done Peyton
Chardonay - Nocturne Opbus 27, No. 2 Db, just beautiful.

Matti - very interesting comment about your girl, and the emotion that went into you performance. Beautiful! On another note, I was in Warsaw in 2007, and attended Chopin concet given by Ewa Beata Ossowska. She is a well known pianst, just wondering if you have ever heard her play. If not, check her website, and you may be able to catch one of her concerts.
Dot

I heard of her, but never been able to hear her. After your recommendation I will definitely try to get some seats! Thanks, Dot!

M.

After a busy week, I've finally been able to finish listening to all of the nocturnes (and I'm sure I'll be back to listen again). -What beautiful, heartfelt performances from all of you! It was such a pleasure to listen, and so nice to be a part of this.

And sincere thanks to all who commented on my piece. It truly was a labor of love, for about a year and a half, most of that time working with my teacher who really helped me get it as far as I did. Naturally, I wish it could have been better- and I thought it would be, by this time- but we all do the best we can.

Congratulations to all the performers and thank you again to the organizers!

Just listened to some of these.
Sorry i could not submit a recording. I was in the hospital early in Oct., and am just getting back to stuff like practicing.

There are some very lovely recordings here.

Wonderful recital. All of the performances were a beautiful tribute and worthy. Where is the applause icon!