Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Recital #27 --- General Discussion Room

4-Jazzwee- Wow. I wish I lived near by...I would love to be able to hear you play live. Remarkable playing.

5-Glen, I've been playing some of Shumann's shorter works but haven't even listened to this one much less attempted to play it. Absolutely wonderful playing. I love your approach. Just a perfect touch and the way you work the bass melody in... I don't even know how to describe how excellent it sounds. I had to listen a couple of times.

44. Ken. - Light Blue
What an interesting piece. One of the things I like about these recitals is that it exposes one to music one wouldn’t ordinarily hear. I liked the second version better, by the way.

45. daveindenton - Theme from Schindler's List
Sensitively played. I like the way you strum the chords – good dynamics.

46. MaryBee - Sonata in C minor, K.457, Mvt.1
Well done. You have obviously put quite a bit of effort into this piece over the last year and it shows.

47. DadAgains_Daughter - Invention in F Major
Very well done. You do an excellent job maintaining the tempo and show good hand independence.

48. DadAgain - Prelude and Fugue XX - A minor
A fine effort – I think you are getting hang of Bach quite well.

49. Yamaha G3 & P-80 Mike White - Dance of the Blessed Spirits
I have heard this before but with, I think, a different name. Nice job of sight reading.

50. Falmc - Sweet Sereny
A very professional sounding recording. A lovely tune.

51. Clemente - Andalucia
You have some fast fingers. This is going to be quite a show piece with a little more tender loving care – you are almost there.

52. Norrec (Tim) - Beaming Sunlight
What a lovely piece! I think this is more than “good enough”. You have a good, light touch.

53. notbach - To a Wild Rose (Op.51 No. 1)
I am not familiar with this piece either, but enjoyed your performance of this lovely tune.

54. lyricmudra - Sheep May Safely Graze (from J.S. Bach's Birthday Cantata)
This is a very polished performance. Beautifully done! Your piano has a full, rich tone.

55. RedKat - Waltz, B minor, Op. 69 n. 2
You are right – this is a jewel and you play it beautifully. Very enjoyable listen.

I want to thank those who gave me such lovely comments. I really appreciate it.

Here's more comments from me.

01. wouter79 - La Poule (Nouvelles suites de pieces de clavecin, No.12) - You've really been aggressive with your development and amazed that you tackle all these difficult pieces. Congratulations! Now since I'm concerned for everyone's development, I'm going to get picky with you to make sure you hear what I hear. There's lots of unnevenness here that requires really S-L-O-W practice. Maybe 10% speed. You need to be able to hear for yourself when there's any rhythmic problems. This is the danger of rushing to really complex pieces because the muscles may not have developed yet to handle the technique required. But the ears have to grow first. Let me say though that your tone has really improved from the last recital. Much better tone and balance. Again great development for your limited time on the instrument.

03. BenPiano - Prelude Op. 17 No 6 Really liking your choice of music Ben. This is wonderful and you're bringing out those complex harmonies nicely between your hands. You're doing great. Such serious progress!

07. SwissMS - Nocturne in Eb Op. 9 Nr. 2 Very nice. Lovely tone and you brought out that melody so wonderfully. Sounding really good. Now the next step is to refine the sound of the chords further. Just a technique thing that takes so much time. You're really getting there.

15. Sam S - Prelude and Fugue X WTC1 Lovely performance! Great job. No I don't think it's easy. So I appreciate your accomplishments.

16. Peyton - Mazurka #4 in A Minor - As always that beautiful tone is just amazing. I was going to learn this and listened to Horowitz. Don't worry, I didn't compare. LOL. You played it so well. So much fun to listen to!

20. CASINITALY (Cheryl) - Rigaudon & Entree - Darn, I missed you playing on the acoustic because on that I can really hear your tone as you really dig deep into the keys. Here your lovely playing is obscured by the limitations of the device. Also you play less legato here than before so don't forget to focus on that more. Still you have progressed so well in all this time and I'm very happy to hear changes at every recital. Great work.

24. Monica K. - Fairy Tale - Tone is just so exquisite! Touch is really developing. Maybe because of all that free time from retirement? This is just so smoothly played. Maybe the best I've heard from you ever. Great job!

25. Cookie74 - Invention No. 4 in D minor - Great technique! I'm jealous! That kind of legato is perfect for jazz. I need more practice, Looks like you have a couple of years headstart so I'll be challenged to catch up to this tone.

27. Bobpickle - June (Barcarolle) Am I reading this right?!!! Eight Months!???? Eight years maybe. This is a staggering sound. Your tone is unbelievable for this time. I'm floored. I'm curious to know your practice regimen. Fantastic performance.

41. Starr Keys - It Goes Like It Goes Starr Keys I love hearing you sing! This is just so wonderful to listen to. Your accompaniment to yourself is perfect. I still remember your wonderful singing from last recital and I was hoping you'd sing again. I wasn't disappointed! Really good arrangement BTW.

Hang around here long enough and you will hear much more of Enaudi (some would say too much! ). He is my favorite composer for piano, and believe it or not, I'd rank "Fairy Tale" as pretty far down on my rank order list of favorite pieces. Get thee to YouTube and listen to "Divenire," "In un' altra vita," "I giorni," "Le Onde," "Ancora," "Berlin Song," "I due fiumi," "Primavera," "Ascolta," "Dietro Casa," to name just a very few.

The good news is that almost all of his sheet music for solo piano is easily available, and it ranges in difficulty from downright easy to wicked hard, so there's something for everybody.

I'm glad I submitted "Fairy Tale," though, because I believe it was the only Einaudi piece in the recital this time. We can't have a recital without him!

11. Jazztpt. This is stunning and heartwrenching at the same time. I can totally hear this on a flugelhorn (an instrument that makes me weep when played well). Thank you so much for sharing this with us -- it's so obvious when an artist's heart and soul goes into something.

12. (Was)TrueBeginner - Goodnight Kiss. Thank you for sharing this beautiful composition with us -- what a haunting melody you have created.

13. kenjazz - A House Is Not A Home. Very cool -- this makes me want to experiment with Band in a Box. Thanks for the inspiration!

14. Amaruk - Sur le fil. Very beautiful -- Amélie is one of my favorite movies. Thanks for sharing this lovely piece. And good job on all those hand crossings!

15. Sam S - Prelude and Fugue X WTC1. Wow, this is not easy stuff. Nice job here. I like the surprise presto -- good choice. And great job keeping a nice steady tempo with the fugue -- fugues are never easy, 2 voices, 5 voices, they're always tricky .

16. Peyton - Mazurka. This doesn't sound easy to me! Good job on this -- I don't know if ANY Chopin is easy. Have you ever played any jazz? Some of your RH runs had a nice jazzy quality to them - I enjoyed it.

17. ladypayne. I really enjoyed this. I've heard some of your music in the piano bar, and I really admire your ability to put all these elements together into a beautiful piece of art. This composition reminded me a bit of the soundtrack from The Piano.

18. Riddler (Ed). Haha i enjoyed your story about the piano teacher banning your undignified music! Hats off to you for learning something you've always wanted to learn, and you did a great job of it! No thanks to Mrs Calabash!

19. Greener / Jeff Green - Schindler's List - Theme. I'm amazed at what people can learn from YouTube. Did you have a score at all for this? In any case, lovely job, I enjoyed your expression and sensitivity.

20. CASINITALY (Cheryl) - Rigaudon & Entree. Nice job on two classic piano pieces! I especially enjoyed the Leopold Mozart. I'll have to try eating pastries and cafe au lait before my next recording...

47 DadAgains_Daughter - Invention in F Major, BAch
Beautiful job, DAs Daughter. Beautiful.

48 DadAgain - Prelude and Fugue XX - A minor, Bach
Nice job, DAdAgain. Trills are difficult for me as well.

49 Yamaha G3 & P-80 Mike White - Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck
Nice job sightreading.

50 Falmc - Sweet Sereny, Carlos Mendoza Falmc
Very beautiful piece, Carlos.

51 Clemente - Andalucia, Ernesto Lecuona
Wow, what an impressive piece, Clemente. Once you work on bringing out the melody by quieting those left hand arpeggios a bit this will be even more gorgeous.

52 Norrec (Tim) - Beaming Sunlight, Michiru Oshima
I know what you mean, Tim. I always think my pieces sound good until I listen to the recording. Then I notice every shortcoming - and usually there are plenty. This is not bad at all. Keep learning.

53 notbach - To A Wild Rose, Edward MacDowell
You are not far at all from "standard" interpretation. I have played this off and on since childhood, so I have a fair bit of experience with it. I play at a slightly faster tempo, but I hear nothing much wrong here.

54 lyricmudra - Sheep May Safely Graze (from J.S. Bach's Birthday Cantata), Bach
Your analysis of your playing is pretty good, although the wrong notes are few. You have good control of the trills - that is a trouble spot for me. This is a beautiful piece. I haven't played it since I was a teenager, and that was a long time ago. I need to find the sheets and relearn this myself.

55 RedKat - Waltz, B minor, Op. 69 n. 2, Chopin
Despite your assertions to the contrary I don't really hear much wrong with this performance, RedKat. This is an enjoyable performance.

56 Grouchomarx - Hungarian Rhapsody 2 Lassan (no Friska), Liszt
An impressive performance of a piece I found devilishly difficult when I tried to learn it many years ago. I never got it anywhere near this level before giving it up as beyond me. Today with my slow and slightly arthritic fingers it is WAY out of reach. This is beautiful!

57 Tiago84 - Prelude in E minor (Op28 No4), Chopin
This is a very satisfying performance, Tiago.

58 AndyMc - Riverlights #1
Interesting composition, Andy. Nicely played. iPhone recording is certainly better than one from my LG phone.

59 yohyrral (= Larry Hoy) - Three Themes For Piano, Lawrence Hoy
This is quite beautiful, Larry. Well done.

60 BillM - Try A Little Tenderness, Campbell, Connelly and Woods
I like the way you take this at a nice slow tempo. I used to play it quite a bit faster. It really works at this tempo. Nice job singing and accompanying yourself (as usual).

61 PianoStudent88 = Ivan Sings, Khachaturian
You show great timing and touch on this, PianoStudent88. A very admirable performance.

31. jotur/Cathy Turner - Dill Pickle Rag - Nice rag, sounded great! I tried my hands at ragtime and it ended in a firey disaster - I'm glad you're picking up the slack! Please keep inspiring me to be the best 29 year old piano player around town!

32. TrapperJohn - Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (from "Phantom...") - Very well done, TJ, and thanks again for exposing me to music that I haven't come across yet!

34. Andy Platt - Prelude in E Minor (Opus 28, No 4) - Well done with this, I think, because I'm seriously depressed after listening to this. Like after I learned that Olympic gold medals aren't gold but thinly plated silver.
But the real gold is revealed when one hears a piece like this.

Count with me for the next recital!

More 5 comments:

36. Copper - Ave Maria - Nice piece and good phrasing on this Ave Maria. Good job.

37. Jake S - Ah Vous Dirai-je Maman - Such variations are really pretty. Mozart is great and you did a nice job!

38. Augustina - Touched - This piece was new form me. I like Joe Bongiorno's style. Good job!

39. Sand Tiger - Ashokan Farewell - It's cool to know that you could transcribe this from youtube videos. Another composer new to me: Jay Unger. For someone with your experience it's a really nice job !

40. Serge88 - What'd I say - Serge, it sounds professional! What a great work. Congratulations!

ladypayne
piece: ladypayne: A New Change
technical:
clipping: no
balance L/R: ok. L channel seems slightly louder but it does not disturb me.
noise: yes some (Interesting that you have a DP yet record analog). Pink noise, some hum, a barking dog in the distance,
bass: not so much
depth of field: confusing: shallow yet quite some echo on the piano sound.
piano sound: DP

musical:
overall impression, like: nice impression of your move to Alaska. Flows nicely. I'm missing a bit of development in the piece, there are new instruments coming in but they play the same melody. Nice photos from the mountains. I hope you bring your piano with you?
Phrasing: clear
rubato, speed changes: not so much
Dynamics: yes a good amount, might also be due to the additional instruments
articulation: most pedal

"Batches of 5" is nice

41. Starr Keys - It Goes Like It Goes - Wow, everything is conected with harmony: the video, the singing and the piano. What a great moment. Thanks!

42. CMohr - Imagination - August 9th? This is my birthday too! Happy birthday to your mom and I'm sure she loves to hear this nice and gentle piece. Your arrangement is really nice. Congratulations.

43. ClavBoy - Prelude No. 1 C Major BWV 846 - ClavBoy, any reason for not using the pedal? I think you're already ready with this piece to start pedaling. Apart of that I think you did a nice job;

44. Ken. - Light Blue - I'm not a specialist, but this is a tricky blues piece but you did a nice job. It's really nice to read the story of a piece. btw: I like more the second take just because it sounds more "clean".

45. daveindenton - Theme from Schindler's List - Dave, this is really beautiful. As I said to Jeff Green I loved this melody since the first time I heard it. Plus, I think this piece shows perfectly the skill and the feelings of the interpreter. I think each one plays your way, and the piece is still beautiful.
I promisse I'll learn to play it! I'm curious to see how I'll face it

More 5 comments:

46. MaryBee - Sonata in C minor, K.457, Mvt.1 - Mozart... Motezart... Mot-zart... I've heard of this guy
Now serious, this piece brings out the best of your experience and dedication. I think I'll never be able to play such piece with so many technical details and change of rythms. Keep working because this is very, very good!

47. DadAgains_Daughter - Invention in F Major - Hello DadAgains_Daughter. It's always nice to listen your pieces! Keep working because you're in the right way. congratulations.

48. DadAgain - Prelude and Fugue XX - A minor - Hello DadAgains_Daughter Dad, I just realized why your daughter plays Bach so well. It's easy when such good examples are near. I'm not a Bach fan, but this is great!

49. Yamaha G3 & P-80 Mike White - Dance of the Blessed Spirits - I was intrigued by the name of this piece but I resisted to go look it up on google... For a backup piece I think it's nicely played. Thanks for sharing!

50. Falmc - Sweet Sereny - Falmc, Sereny can only be proud of your work. But what a nice music! Cheerful, fresh, well cadenced and with various instruments. Very good.

51. Clemente - Andalucía
This piece requires a huge technique, but your interpretation really catches the Andalusian soul of this dance. Great job Clemente, you are really good at playing this music! I’m sure you’d play excellent renditions on the rest of the pieces from this suite.


50. Falmc - Sweet Sereny
Nice song with a beautiful melody. You composed a very emotive work, which is excellently played in your recording. Thanks for sharing it, Falmc.


49. Yamaha G3 & P-80 Mike White - Dance of the Blessed Spirits
I see you played this piece sight reading. This is really impressive, since this little dance doesn’t seem easy to play. Congrats Mike on your ability.


48. DadAgain - Prelude and Fugue XX - A minor
The prelude is fantastically played, with solid rhythm and clear voices, the ornaments are accurate as well. The fugue is indeed extremely difficult to play, but the different voices are well balanced. I find your rendition is excellent, DadAgain.


47. DadAgains_Daughter - Invention in F Major
Great Bach Nicola!. You played an amazing rendition on this beautiful Invention, with big confidence. Keep working on the piano, you are making evident progresses. I’m looking forward to listening to your next performance.


46. MaryBee - Sonata in C minor, K.457, Mvt.1
I’m glad your teacher wanted you to learn this movement, I love it, and I’ve listened to a marvellous performance with your recording. The melodies and variations are always exposed openly, while the ornaments sound spontaneously. But at the same time your rendition doesn’t abandon the dark character of this movement. Excellent job, Mary!


45. daveindenton - Theme from Schindler's List
Indeed this is a moving song, and your performance is also touching, I especially like how the dynamic is developed in your rendition. You really did a fair job with this song, Daveindenton.


44. Ken. - Light Blue
You always bring to us lesser known music, Ken, but the best thing is your performances are fantastic. I really enjoyed those dissonant sounds in this music. Congrats on your job and thanks for sharing it.


43. ClavBoy - Prelude No. 1 C Major BWV 846
I don’t see this piece is difficult for you, since is played quite natural. I think you made the correct choice avoiding the pedal, in this way this prelude sounds much clearer. Well done, ClavBoy.


42. CMohr - Imagination
Marvellous arrangement and playing! The expression is so constant and firm in every bar, that your interpretation really offers a moving version of this music. Great victory over the blue dot, CMhor .


41. Starr Keys - It Goes Like It Goes
Your video is absolutely fantastic, Starr Keys, but your playing and singing are even better. I love how you modulate your voice in every section, while your piano accompanies with huge expression. I really enjoyed your work, Starr Keys.

34. Andy Platt - Prelude in E Minor (Opus 28, No 4)
I enjoyed this Andy , in fact it inspired me to find the music and I have just played (well tried to anyway) my first piece by Chopin, so thanks for that.

35. Newman - Desperado
Great mood you create here Newman and perfect vocal once again on this very well played arrangement.

36. Copper - Ave Maria
Very nice and sweetly played version of Ava Maria.

37. Jake S - Ah Vous Dirai-je Maman
That is a lot of music to remember, very well done and remarkable after only 7 months.

38. Augustina - Touched
I think this is some of the best playing I have heard from you Augustina, lovely sensitive playing of this very pretty piece, excellent.

I'm pretty blown away by all the wonderful comments I've received!
Big thank-yous to Bobpickle, Sam S., Cookie74 for listening and commenting on my tune.
Wouter, thank you, as always for your detailed comments. I so very much appreciate the time and thought you put into them.
Andy Platt and AndyMc, such nice comments from you both!

Jazzwee, You always seem to notice things that (maybe) others don't (including myself) about my playing, and I'm so very appreciative of your uplifting comments!
KenJazz, Your comments on my tune lifted my spirits. I'd love to hear the Hamburg Bar background. .
Inlanding , As with Jazzwee, it's so good to read what others hear in my playing. I look up to many of you here who are so talented and inspirational to me. I get a lot from you.
BillM, thanks for the nice comments - you are another player I admire.
TX-Dennis, You saying my chords sounded like a jazz guitarist made my day.(Missed you this time around, too!)
JakeS, very astute of you to notice i wasn't completely happy with my recoding. I always feel like I could have done so many things better...well, I am my own worst critic. Thanks for the nice comments!
CarlosCC, Happy belated Aug. 9 birthday to you, too! I'm so happy you liked my arrangement!
Recaredo , thank you for your lovely words!

I want to again than everyone involved in putting on the ABF recitals which have helped me immensely. Also, to all of you who comment, thank you for taking the time and writing such kind words. They give me inspiration and confidence as I move forward. I feel very lucky to be included in this wonderful group of pianists. I love listening to each one of you!

Hi,
thanks to all of you commenting on my performance of the Prelude No. 1 C Major BWV 846 so far.
As I'm learning without teacher (I had 4-5 lessons but had to cancel due to job and other issues) it's important to hear whether I'm on the right way or not.

When I decided to learn playing the piano around a year ago, it was this piece I started with only to realize that it is much too difficult for an absolute beginner. Then I practised with the easier stuff but always came back to the Prelude to learn a bit more of the piece. I can still not play it consistently without wrong notes but its getting better. I play it at least once on every practice session to improve it.
For the pedaling: I haven't played with pedal yet but I like it with the "natural" legato and it can be played like that with no need for a pedal. I think the instruments Bach had, even had no pedals.
For the speed: There are so many versions of the Prelude and I have a book with a table of tempi pianists used and there is every speed from very slow to incredibly fast. I like the medium speed I played it.

Again: thanks for all your comments. My piece for the next recital will be much shorter and easier!

More random comments...

#3. Ben. A very beautiful piece and very sensitively played.

#6. Mr SuperHunky, so do you just listen to the song over and over until you have figured out the chords and melody? Pretty friggin good. The "noodle method" huh? Next thing you know you will be advertising it on the forum; "SuperHunks Noodle Method online instructional video".