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It's about the halfway point between official ABF Recitals and with a lull in the action and the informality of the hot summer months (at least here north of the equator) this seems like the right time for an encore presentation of what you consider your best work from previous Recitals - no matter what or when - a piece that you're especially proud of and happy about.

So, lets hear it - and tell us just a little about why you consider it your best.

If you have never submiited a piece to an ABF Recital but want us to hear something you've "nailed" that's ok too - bring it on!

Here's mine: David Lanz's "Leaves on the Seine" - it has some flaws but overall I think I got the interpretation just the way I wanted it, with the work's sweetly contemplative mood retained, the lovely melody highlighted and the "pacing" near perfect.

Leaves on the Seine

Enjoy, JF

I think this is a super idea...I just haven't had time lately to make a new recording..... I'll try later this week. I hope others join in!

Your piece is lovely - I can picture walking along the river bank, a bit of mist, Notre Dame in the background.

Melancoly, wistful, delicate - you run through a range of emotions here.

This is a very peaceful piece. Nicely done!

Lovely! Sounds like it would be very therapeutic to play.

John Frank - I remember this from the first time around - I think this is your finest work. Well Done!

@John Frank, that was great work! Thanks for sharing it again. It's a nice lullaby but yet sad piece.

This thread was a good idea - especially for slackers like myself who have nothing new to share (yet).

Here's one that I posted when I first joined ABF to try to get YouTube hits...hahahaa. Months later, this is the only piece that I'm satisfied with. Some flubs, but overall, I'm satisfied with my interpretation. But I still may re-do it one day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOcO7qFjXyE

PS- yes, I was very stiff and nervous too.

My *next* recital piece will be my best recital piece ever!

(ask me again 1 year from now and I will have the same response. )

John this is a great idea. One hiccup for me is that I can't play ANY piece now as good as I could when I submitted it as a past recital piece so I would just have to re-submit a past recital piece.

The thing is though, I CAN play many sections of any given piece better now than before. It's just getting the entire piece together once again as a mistake free performance thats tricky; especially with an upcoming epic performance in the works! Haha.

Your piece is very nice. There are several other David Lanz pieces you should tackle as well. He's got lots of them. I've recently learned a homemade play by ear version of Behind the waterfall. Nice simple piece.

John,

I also remember you playing this piece and thought at the time it was your best effort.

Cebukid,

This melody is wonderful. You did great on this.

Ah memories, for me, I don't think i've come close to this one since the February, 2009 recital: "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

http://www.box.net/shared/dc2uqqexfl

Very excellent, John!

Glen

Manndrew - I remember this recording well. I thought then and now that you absolutely nailed the intro to this great piece. It was a treat listening to it again.

CebuKid - another great blast from the past. I love the way you capture the jaunty attitude of this piece. I'm enjoying this trip down ABF Recital Memory Lane.

Cebukid - that was great fun - I've never heard the piece before but enjoyed it. I was surprised at how long it was! I can't imagine how long it would take me to learn a 7 minute piece at this point in time!

Manndrew - one of my favourites from way back - you do a splendid job!

Here is the only other piece I've recorded since the May recital. It is also by Vinciguerra, from the Preludi Colorati series, and it is called Verde Smeraldo (Emerald Green). I have to work at keeping my tempo smoother - I have a tendency to speed up when I'm comfortable with a section but that creates a bit of imbalance. ....as you all know, piano is a work in progress!

http://www.box.net/shared/7ov766cyf9

After loading it to Boxnet I was goofing on my cell phone to see if I could play it back for someone and actualy ended up downloading it ...so what the heck - this is now my new ring tone! The really funny thing is that I was sitting at the computer, my phone was in the other room - and I heard Verde Smeraldo being played (we have 3 pianos in our building.) I thought "Wow, I wonder who's playing it?". ahem... of course it was my own phone! I laughted at myself for a bit after that.

Thanks - please see/hear David's brilliant performance of his own beautiful composition on YouTube played against a photo slideshow of scenes along the river.




It was much more a joyous delight than therapeutic, but it could very well be that for some - the only thing I need therapy for right now is my golf game (but don't get me started! )




Thanks Bill - waiting to hear what you select as your "best'!




But that's exactly what we want here! Maybe one of your great Lanz recordings?

JF

CebuKid - great job! You play this with skill and excellent interpretive feeling - a joy to listen to - you inspire me to try some of his works - thanks for sharing this

JF

Hi John,

Great idea for a thread! I love your playing on Leaves on the Seine. Very beautiful sound and captured the mood perfect. Great performance and well worth a place in the recital 'Hall of Fame'

p.s. what time do you wake up in the mornings? 8.54am over here means it must be before 4am for you!

You played that piece very beautifully and had captured the mood very well.

My best recital entry and the best recording I've ever made (IMO):
Final Fantasy VIII - Eyes On Me (Piano Collections)

Video is down in signature if interested.

casinitaly - Emerald Green is a bright, sparkling little gem, so to speak - very nicely done

JF

AS - this is a lovely piece played exceptionally well - nice soft, easy touch throughout - enjoyed this a lot

JF

Thanks John, it is one of my favourites, and (so far) one of the view I can play from memory!