We cordially invite you to immerse yourself in Chopin on this special day, a day filled with fine music. Please feel free to post a tribute here!

Our amateur e-cital contribution may be found at
http://www.ecital.net.

Program

Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 in Eb Major - AnotherSchmoe
Concerto Op. 21 2nd Movement - Chardonnay
Mazurka Op. 24 No. 1 in G Minor - Maestro_007
Polonaise Op. 26 No. 2 in Eb Minor - Maestro_007
Ballade Op. 38 in F Major - LisztAddict
Polonaise Op. 40 No. 1 in A Major - ab-ster
Polonaise Op. 40 No. 2 in C Minor - Schubertian
Ballade Op. 47 in Ab Major - gerg
Mazurka Op. 50 No. 1 in G Major - Schubertian
Impromptu Op. 51 in Gb Major - Carey
Ballade Op. 52 in F Minor - doowlehc
Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1 in F Minor - Piano Again
Mazurka Op. 56 No. 1 in B Major - Schubertian
Mazurka Op. 56 No. 2 in C Major - Schubertian
Barcarolle Op. 60 in F# Major - heidiv
Song "Pierścień" - Elene with Stephen Montoya
Song "Dumka" - Elene with Stephen Montoya
Song "Smutna rzeka" - Elene with Stephen Montoya
Song "Nie ma czego trzeba" - Elene with Stephen Montoya


Thank you, Fryderyk, for the lofty gift you left behind! May many hear, not only today but this year throughout the lands, your music for the first time, as your work passes on unabated from generation to generation.

Please hold off listening to Chardonnay's concerto movement, which cuts off abruptly at the end. I'm investigating this problem and scrambling to fix it. Thank you!!!

Greg, FYI, LisztAddict's Ballade Op. 38 in F Major is silent for some reason in my Windows Media Player.

Other than that, I'm enjoying the performances. You guys pulled these off in the highest regard. I must admit, I listened to Elene's songs first because I was really curious. I'm very thrilled, you have very nice voice Elene.

The concerto is fixed now. Had to be re-downloaded, re-normalized, re-tagged, and re-uploaded. Not sure why it got cut off. My apologies to Chardonnay and all others.

Op. 38 is fine. Must be something on your side. Let's see if others have problems.


Try clearing your browser cache and re-downloading the Op. 38, and see if that addresses it.

Thanks ab-ster for the QA feedback!

Op 38 plays beautifully in QuickTime. It's got to be my wmp having an issue.

Anyways, thanks for your hard work Greg spending much hours putting all this together!

I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the participation in this event! We know we're "just" amateurs, not professionals - this is not about us, but about the composer who inspired us! I am especially gladdened that we have three Polonaises and a few more Mazurkas in the set!

Wszystkiego najlepszego, kochanie Chopina!
(Happy birthday, dear Chopin!)

Well done everybody, many thanks to gerg and a thousand thanks to dear Chopin who continues to give such pleasure to our lives.

What a beautiful tribute! Thanks to all who contributed and, especially, to Gerg for organizing the e-cital. I'm enjoying the submissions greatly.

A wonderful, heartfelt tribute! Thanks everyone!

I'm just as much as you! Thanks everyone for this absolutely beautiful performances! And thanks Greg for technical and organisational side of this all.



Wszystkiego najlepszego, drogi Chopinie!
Or kochany, instead of drogi - but it would be stronger.

;-) Sorry, I had to. ;-)


M.

Wonderful E-cital! I enjoyed listening to all of the great performances while researching and reading various life stories of Chopin. It was enriching as well as enlightening. I know of only one outlet for this new found inspiration... my piano. Must go deliver my own birthday tribute! Happy Birthday Chopin!

Thanks Mati!

drogi: "friend", right? I'm remembering the Russian word друг (подруга), and the languages have similarities.

Just listened to ab-ster's Op. 40 No. 1. What a feel-good piece! Thanks ab-ster and everyone!

I am astounded as always by what amateurs with full-time jobs (other than piano study) are able to accomplish. We underestimate the bounds of the human spirit.

"drogi" is an adjective translated directly into "dear" in the sense of "precious" (also "expensive" when used with things, but that's not the case). It doesn't imply friendship by any means - that's why it's never used alone and cannot be used as a noun (whereas in Russian друг can).

"Drogi Chopinie" means "Dear Chopin", whereas "Drogi przyjacielu" would mean "Dear friend" (friend => przyjaciel).

The languages are similar indeed, but the word closest to Russian друг would be "druh". "druh" is "friend" indeed - but it's not often used nowadays. I believe the pronunciation друг and druh is somewhat similar.

Hope that helps

M.

przyjaciel -> przyjacielu

The "elu" would seem to make it accusative then, similar to stems/endings in Russian and Greek. I have about a first grader's understanding of Russian, mostly because I work with Russians. Polish looks interesting indeed, and there are no shortage of people interested in the language here - and at least one native speaker (that would be you, druh(u? a?)!)

Fryderyk Chopin was Polish, so this discussion is relevant - at least in a tangential kind of way!

I just got home, and haven't been able to listen to the e-cital yet. I'll start now.

There's been some confusion over the accompaniment of the songs I contributed. My teacher, Stephen Montoya, accompanied "Pierścień" and "Smutna rzeka," and I played as well as sang on the others. You can probably tell the difference!

Mati, well, you can see the problems we get into by using translation programs!

I'm trying to think of the opening of a letter Fryderyk's father sent to him once; I think it was "kochane dziecko, najdroższy mój." (I enjoy the word "najdroższy.") I thought when I saw it, "Gee, I never talk to my kid that way." So I made a point of doing so. Weirded her out.

Every time I try to study declensions, my brain seems to seize up, even though I understand the concept just fine. I have to find a way to deal with that, and soon.

Off to listen! Congratulations to all the participants!

Elene

It is fixed, Elene. Such is my admiration for your work herein that I had to restrain myself from writing "Elene, piano and voice" for "Dumka" and "Nie ma czego trzeba" out of fear this might cause you some embarrassment.

I wrote some kind words of affirmation for each of the participants in these last two e-citals on the comments board (http://www.chopinrecital.org/login.php), expressing to each of you my personal gratitude and what you mean to me.

I listened to the rest of the program last night, curled up all comfy and warm. What fun! I know some of you, but some not at all, and now I'm more curious to have some idea of who's out there. One person I know nothing about at all is doowlehc, and I'm especially curious about him/her because that was probably my all-time favorite performance of the F minor Ballade.

Another round of applause for all!

Elene

There are many about whom I'd like to more, hence the Green Room invite!

gerg - of all the works you had to do with these E-citals, where did you find the time to practice the Ballade?

Excellent performance!!! did you play the whole piece from memory?

Yes , I agree that this is a brilliant recording.I was also very impressed with the Rachmaninov Etude that doowlehc posted last year.He/she doesn't seem to post very often which is a shame, maybe too busy giving concerts.
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing everyone else play as well by the way, very high standard all round.

Thanks LisztAddict. I didn't think it was that great - it nearly fell apart in a couple of spots. Moreover I was worried about the appearance as the organizer contributing this: the original performer e-mailed me at the last minute informing me of his nerves (Eggsdee, please confirm this publicly ). I really wanted him to do it as he had rightful claim on this piece, and had hoped he would! Perhaps he will in a future free-for-all event.

YOU, my friend... were a key inspiration for that undertaking. I hope someday to play like you do! It may never happen, but is a worthy target. Your Op. 38: Fireworks, panache. You are like a steamroller with tempo, yet like a bird in grace.

Per Elene - "One person I know nothing about at all is doowlehc, and I'm especially curious about him/her because that was probably my all-time favorite performance of the F minor Ballade."

Elene - I was curious about HIM as well - and looked up his profile and previous posts. From that I was able to access his website (yes - he has an impressive website). Quite an amazing young man - who certainly delivered the strongest performance in all of our submissions.

And Liszt-Addict - You were a close second. Great performance of the Ballade !!!! I've been greatly impressed by some of your past recordings as well. You are quite talented.

Just getting around to checking these out.....I'm starting with Heidiv's Barcarolle, since I'm working on it now myself and I saw from another thread that Heidiv would be having it on here.

It's wonderful, heidiv. I could tell from the first couple of measures that this was going to be terrific -- really! That intro is very hard, right from the opening measure. It's the kind of passage that many people would say "it's easy," but..... I've so struggled with it, to make it sing and to be a "statement," and to seem spontaneous despite how hard we might work on it -- it's so hard, IMO the very hardest part of the piece. You carried it off masterfully. And then the entrance of the accompaniment and then the theme......you set the stage so beautifully.

While I've been listening and typing......you're now past the middle section and up to that transition page leading back to the main theme -- I've referred to that page as "the most 'Chopin' of any Chopin that Chopin ever wrote." You did it full justice.

Very interesting and sensitive rendition of that cadenza at the top of the last page.

Excellent feel for the tempos (including flexibility and rubato) and for the structure. Terrific performance, heidiv!

She's the queen of touch, Mark. She has a touch of velvet on the keys that is almost magical. In that middle section, that "most Chopin of Chopin", she plays herself. It is pure bliss. An incredible interpretation she offered up... Simply breathtaking.

Aww, schucks

Thanks for your kind words on the Barcarolle. I love this piece, and my hope is that it will grow with me over the years to become as perfect as I hear it in my head.

MarkC - Yes, that opening is a bear! Deceptively complicated! Don't even try to analyze the chords, and hands separate is worthless. I've read that the opening chord is supposed to be reminiscent of the boom of fireworks over the river, while the balance of that opening segment symbolizes the sparkles falling to earth.
For that "most Chopin of Chopin" section, I completely agree. When I play it, I have all I can do to not slide off the piano bench and swoon into a heap on the floor! One of the prettiest passages I've ever heard.
Thanks for your compliment on tempo. When I played this for my social piano group last month, they said it sounded too metronomic. After recording it, I listened and agreed! I worked hard in the last month to let the phrases breathe more.

Greg - You're far too kind! Speaking of incredible, you write poetry, compose music, are a computer genius who generously donates his time to these ecitals, and then you just happen to have a solid rendition of a Ballade up your sleeve? Amazing! The fact that you made this recording on such short notice impresses me even more. There are some passages in the Ballade that I don't know that I'd ever be able to execute and you made it sound so easy. Well done!

*********************

So far, I've listened to doowlehc, LA, Elene, gerg, and carey and I must say I'm very impressed. As Greg said in a previous post, it's amazing what hobbyists with day jobs and busy lives can accomplish. The love of the music really shines through and I thank all of you for your submissions. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening, and I'm going to treat myself to the rest today!

Heidiv -

I was planning to send you a private message to compliment you on your excellent performance of the Barcarolle. While you still may consider it to be a work in progress, I can tell you've given a tremendous amount of thought to your interpretation of this challenging piece and there were many many moments of great beauty in your rendition. I was very impressed !!

My own submission (also a work in progress) has a long way to go. The opening measures are too clunky and "literal." I think I'll get there eventually - but its going to take some work!

I look forward to hearing more of your recordings in the future !!

Best -

Carey

That's sort of what I used to think, but now I think the opening chord (in the R.H.) is more like a pang of love, loss, and survival.

Aren't you glad you asked......

I've played around with this piece Mark, and that opening section is precisely as you've described it: sounds easy, extraordinarily difficult.

Love... loss... survival.. That's an interesting interpretation. I think of it as the awe of stark beauty of the vessel, her sails shimmering in the pink dawn sunlight as she prepares for the long journey ahead, striking the hopeful passenger as s/he first lays eyes on her. The vessel could indeed be love, or hope.

It always takes work. I found your playing quite congenial and clean; listened several times. These are "lifetime" pieces, not of the sort we can ever say we own or we've mastered or finished.

Very well done, my friend!

I'm loving this discussion of the Barcarolle. A while back I did a thread on Chopin's Fantaisie, saying that it seemed all of Chopin's other major pieces were getting a lot of discussion, and the Fantaisie was the exception. But then I realized the Barcarolle hadn't been either (at least not that I noticed). And also neither have any of the sonatas but let's save that.

About the "love, loss, survival" thing: I truly view the piece as similar to Beethoven's Op. 110 and have sometimes performed the pieces together (as the whole portion after intermission). I know that this is a more profound view of the Barcarolle than usual, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it.
And I felt that Heidiv's playing did show such a more serious view of the piece.

The whole Barcarolle is very difficult. Some of the hardest parts I find in this piece is the solo left hand in measure 4-5.

I really enjoy your performance, heidiv. You pulled off those big chords (3 pages from the end) very well.

Carey - thank you, thank you, thank you so much for playing this so underplayed Impromptu. I kept telling myself to learn this piece but never got around to it. Now you've inspired me to learn it.

I agree with Gerg that your G-flat impromptu is quite good -- real good. But there's something to that self-criticism that you stated, and actually I think that what BruceD said about the Grieg applies here also. I do again wonder if in both cases a lot of it was due to your trying too hard not to make "mistakes"! (Which again you succeeded at!) But regardless: this is very good playing of a difficult piece.

And you, my friend, have inspired me to finish the Ballade !! I've worked on it off and on for a couple of years now - but need to buckle down, memorize it, play it through from start to finish and figure out how to stay relaxed in the final two pages !!

Good luck with the Impromptu !!

Per Mark - "But there's something to that self-criticism that you stated, and actually I think that what BruceD said about the Grieg applies here also. I do again wonder if in both cases a lot of it was due to your trying too hard not to make "mistakes"! (Which again you succeeded at!)"

Good point Mark !! I honestly did not spend a lot of time working on the Impromptu, and I was under pressure to record it for the e-cital. The playing gets a bit better as the piece progresses. I need to step back now - relax - and focus on things other than the notes !! Gerg is correct when he says that these are "lifetime" pieces - not of the sort we can ever say we own or we've mastered or finished."

Thanks !!

I enjoyed listening to everyone's offerings, and glad I had an incentive to relearn the F minor nocturne.

I feel like one could spend a lifetime on any of these pieces -- but we all just do what we can.

PA, I enjoyed your F minor greatly. It is a personal favorite, probably the next Nocturne I will attempt if I ever get the time (when I'm 60 maybe?) You always play with such precision and accuracy, with great respect for the music.

And quite well I might add! I really enjoyed it, you played greatly. I tried learning 55/1 a ways back, got the first 3 pages down pretty well but could never bring that last page together. Too advanced for me I guess. Perhaps some day in the future.

The largest piece in this e-cital deserves more attention than it has received. Chardonnay played a gorgeous rendition of the Larghetto from the F minor Concerto and deserves to be recognized for her sterling efforts in this massive undertaking. Chardonnay, if you're out there... very well executed. You are too hard on yourself.

Elene sang her heart out. This is a very rare treat to hear the voice of someone we know only from cyberspace - certainly in a Chopin context! Elene possesses a strong background in the vocal arts. This is readily apparent from these recordings.

Elene, Chardonnay, my hat's off ladies.

Both of these ladies are very special human beings, exceptionally talented to execute these difficult works with such apparent facility, and deserve recognition for their contributions here.

I'm playing the 2nd Concerto again - this time at work, through quality headphones.

Thank you very much everyone who made this possible!

I finally was able to listen through all the performances today. You all have done amazingly well. Your hard work has made this event very special and memorable. Thank you!!!

Yes - I also just finished listening and what an inspiration
Thank you Gerg for organizing this - it was a fitting tribute to F C

Darb

Ditto. Impressive work by both !!

And thanks again to Greg (Gerg) !!

I've only just had time to listen *properly* to this whole ecital and am full of admiration for you all. I just wish Chopin could know how much his music is still enjoyed, and how strongly his memory lives on in all our hearts.

A HUGE thank-you to every one of you.

I've too just finished listening to all the performances. I was completely, COMPLETELY blown away by the immense quality of interpretation and technical proficiency of all the performers. My deepest respect and appreciation goes to you all!


Mateusz

I have only recently finished listening to all the performances myself- it takes time to savor each piece and give it its proper due (which is easier, now that I have them downloaded on my iPod!)

I echo Mati's sentiment- all of you performed your pieces beautifully and with unique interpretations that are so enjoyable to listen to, again and again. It was great to hear some 'old' favorites that I hadn't heard in awhile, plus some pieces I was less familiar with (or possibly had never heard before). And Elene's songs were such a special treat- I'll bet many of us were hearing those songs for the first time. Elene, it still amazes me how you can sing like that AND accompany yourself simultaneously, on those pieces in which you were playing! I think my mind would have to be totally focused on one or the other.

Congratulations everyone! And a special to those of you performing the ballades, polonaises, impromptu and of course the Barcarolle! And to doowlehc- regarding that coda to Ballade #4:

Elene, is it Chopin’s mother tongue you singing? I can’t make sense of any of the lyrics but… wow… so wonderful. You get my vote for one of our Boston opera house performances. Simply unbelievable voice Elene.

Heidiv, I don’t know any words to describe. It sounds very musical and difficult. My best compliment to you, “I listen to the end, and repeat a few times”.

Shubertian, great job! I’m so amazed you done all those pieces just for one event. How much effort, time, practice you put into them? All those would take me years LOL… Awesome.

Piano Again, those trills give me chills! Wow…

doowlehc, your rendition is unreal. Various passages are almost as complex as his greatest Fantasie.

Carey, I don’t know what youre complaining about? Like gerg said, I feel it’s a lifetime piece. Just know that this guy is in awe listening!

gerg, I can’t say much. All I know is it sounds so difficult and musical.

ab-ster, like above, I am running out of words to describe. I enjoy it wholeheartedly.

LisztAddict, your music is one of my favorite, both here and over at our Recitals, so musical, so moving. Love it.

Maestro_007, I don’t know how to describe it. Just to say that your music is very Horiwitsish, if there’s such a word.

Chardonnay, there’s not much I can say. We live so close yet your music makes it sounds like you’re out there in paradise somewhere, unreachable. LOL… Does that qualify as a compliment? I wonder if you’re as beautiful as your music? You know what, your rendition is going into one my ABF collection CDs.

AnotherSchmoe, Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 is one of my all time favorite ever since I get to know Chopin’s. There are many renditions about there. I like all of them yet yours is different. A little slower I must say, yet as beautiful and musical as any of them, and then some. Well done.