46 Kenjazz - My Romance, Rodgers & Hart
Ken, you have a very professional sounding recording here. I truly enjoyed that.

47 Piano Student 88 - No Walk Today, Aram Khachaturian
Nice job, PS88. Very enjoyable.

48 carlos88 - Sarabande (from Pour le Piano), Debussy
Carlos, it sounds like those "increasingly discouraging" lessons have borne fruit. This piece is not one of my favorites, but you play it very nicely indeed.

49 GrouchoMarx - Prelude Op. 32 No. 12, Rachmaninoff
You excel in bringing out the tempestuous soul of the piece. Very nicely done.

50 BillM - Georgia On My Mind, Carmichael and Gorrell
Well done, Bill. Your version of this wonderful song is very relaxed.

51 Pavel.K - Nocturne 21 in C minor posth., Chopin
Very beautiful, Pavel. You are really amazing for only a year (of self study at that).

52 Allard - To Zanarkand, Nobuo Uematsu
Yhis is another amazing one year performance. You do a great job on this, Allard.

53 MileHiSteve - Stagg Brew. Hilary Stagg
I must admit being unfamiliar with Stagg's work, but I like what I'm hearing. I think the sound you used fits the melodies well. You did a great job on the arrangement.

54 aTallGuyNH - Just The Way You Are, Billy Joel
I will admit to having playe this in the past, and I like your version. Nice job. All you people who sound this good after a year (or less in your case) make me want to puke. Obviously you've worked hard. It shows.

55 Aimee O - Sonatina in G, Beethoven
Nice job, Aimee. This is quite well done.

Thanks for the great music snd good times, everybody!

Last batch!

47. PianoStudent88 - No Walk Today I like it! You did a good job with all of the dynamics.

48. carlos88 - Sarabande (from Pour le Piano) Not familiar what that piece, but I am glad that I am now. Beautifully done.

49. GrouchoMarx - Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 Incredible. There’s so much going on in that piece, and you did an awesome job keeping it all in check.

50. BillM - Georgia On My Mind Much respect to anyone who can sing and play(incredibly well, I might add!). I’ve loved that song since I was small. Thank you so much for your wonderful rendition.

51. Pavel.K - Nocturne 21 in C minor posth. Only one year? Not fair! You’re very talented. It’s so clear and sensitive.

52. Allard - To Zanarkand Great work on that piece. It sounds just as I remember it from the game

53. MileHi Steve - Stagg Brew Great transfer from the harp to the piano! It’s very relaxing.

54. aTallGuyNH - Just The Way You Are Great job transcribing this and adding in the vocals. Well done!

Thanks so much for sharing everyone. I've enjoyed listening.

Will do with the dynamic range. In fact I marched into my piano lesson a week ago and told my teacher that I will not be so lazy with dynamics anymore hehehehe


Thanks for the welcome! In addition to adding more dynamically, in the next recital I would also like to not be typing in my comment section with 30 seconds left before cut-off

And thanks for your comments too, Dennis, Carlos and Pavel!

A big FIST BUMP for all those working behind the scenes to bring these (and past) recitals to fruition - this awesome tradition wouldn't be here if not for the hard work in the past and now for each and every recital!

I give a general "Thanks!" to all who listened to my recital piece. Only my kids (when they were very young) heard me sing, and that was on guitar, and just a silly couple of songs, mostly a silly ABC song. I can't sing and was not meant to. Only in this friendly environment within the ABF could I feel comfortable enough to croak out a silly song, record it (somewhat ) , and put it on display.

As a side note, I only sang my piece to my wife after I was convinced I would submit this for this recital. So, if not for this forum, she would have never heard it - it would have been put down quickly and without mercy!

So anyway, I'm grateful to all, and especially those who took the time to comment:



I appreciate the comment and the time you took to delve beneath the surface of this. My first comment for this and most meaningful!



I'm very happy to have brought you here to the ABF and to give you goosebumps as well!


Thank you much, your Mr. SH - singing was well outside of my comfort zone.


I'm glad you could connect with this!


I played 4 chords on guitar for so long that I learned to sing along with them. This piece isn't much different that the rhythm mimics guitar strumming - something I can relate with.

Sam- with your ability and patience, you could totally sing while playing!









Thank you all for being nice. I'll continue in the future to stay quiet and just try to hit hit the right notes!









Sigh - I have no idea how to record piano and vocal - this was really a learning experience!










Thank you, my wife is a lucky lady - not because of me!




Thank you!



Thank you - a beat up iPad deserves a mention at some point here!

Because I'm attempting to be a little less analytical and more "feeling", as well as going for more holistic approach. And maybe because when I started this, I was a little hungry...

01. Mr Super-Hunky - A Star Named Apple/ New Beginning golden honey comb

02. Inlanding - Glen - Elegie pomegranate seeds

03. dannylux / Mel - Czerny Romance in E Op.755 creme brulee

04. Plowboy - Prelude in E Minor Op. 28, No. 4 juicy sirloin steak

05. slpianoproject - Nocturne in C# minor Op.27 no.1 creamy tomato soup

06. CarlosCC - Julia fresh McIntosh apple

07. Diana (sinophilia) - Frankie & Johnnie + Space Shuttle Blues buttered popcorn

08. wouter79 - Allegro non troppo in c minor, op.38 no.2 whole pineapple, leaves and all

09. SwissMS - Little Prelude in D Major BWV 936 raspberry lemonade over ice

10. CASINITALY (Cheryl) - Sneakin' Round deep fried onion rings with horseradish sauce

11. Andy Platt - Invention No 4 in D Minor crisp pizzelle

12. Amaruk - The Christmas song from 'An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf' hot chocolate with a dollop of whip cream

13. Peyton - After All spicy gazpacho

14. joangolfing - Grieg Waltz Op.12 olive tapenade

15. Greener / Jeff Green - Moments Musicaux - A flat major; Opus 94 No. 6 three-bean salad

16. Riddler (Ed) - Reflections in D ginger cookies with hot tea

17. Monica K. - Just Because I Love You warm pumpkin pie

18. ladypayne - Improv in G minor roasted artichokes

19. Jake S - Fur Elise banana cream pie

20. Serge88 - Fly Me To The Moon blueberry pancakes with maple syrup

21. Teodor - Donnie Darko - The Artifact and the Living garlic mashed potatoes

22. (Was)TrueBeginner - Us Lemonheads

23. MusicaMusique - Keresem Az Utam cinnamon toast

24. MrPozor - Un poco adagio cold, crisp watermelon

25. Jazztpt (Russ) - Another Song + Maya onion soup

26. Sand Tiger - Shadow pineapple upside down cake

27. PhilzPiano - Prelude no. 1 in C major seven-layer jello salad

28. Daren - Quanta Qualia cup of cappuccino

29. timmyab - Allemande from French Suite no 4 glass of Riesling wine

30. Peterws - Regrets. I have a Few . . eggs benedict

31. MaryBee - Waltz in C# minor, Op.64 No.2 peppermint candy cane

32. BenPiano - All of These Things For You homemade chocolate chip cookies

33. Ganddalf - Sonata A-flat major (Hob XVI - 46) first movement spun sugar

34. beechcraft409 - Ombre lasagna

35. Richard (zrtf90) - Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 sweet and sour meatballs

36. Yamaha G3 & P-80, Mike White - Album Leaf sliced kiwi

37. Ken. - Let's Cool One chocolate cheesecake

38. FarmGirl - Brahms 118 #2 steamed clams with melted butter

39. Mar_red - The Shadow of Your Smile & Misty - Medley. baked Brie

40. Jazzwee - Stella by Starlight sangria

41. Saranoya - Menuett in F banana split sundae

42. windywindy - Waltz in A Minor KK IVb/11 cranberry sauce

43. lyricmudra - Melodie from the Opera 'Orfeo' asparagus with hollandaise sauce

44. Sam S - Arabeske Op. 18 baklava

45. Copper - Greensleeves black walnuts

46. Kenjazz - My Romance stuffed cabbage with sauerkraut

47. PianoStudent88 - No Walk Today sour cherry pie

48. carlos88 - Sarabande (from Pour le Piano) New England clam chowder

49. GrouchoMarx - Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 Bananas Foster

50. BillM - Georgia On My Mind cafe mocha

51. Pavel.K - Nocturne 21 in C minor posth. quiche Lorraine

52. Allard - To Zanarkand crab legs

53. MileHi Steve - Stagg Brew warm frosted cinnamon rolls

54. aTallGuyNH - Just The Way You Are sautéed mushrooms

55. Aimee O - Sonatina in G coconut in the shell

This was the most fun I've had listening to an ABF recital. (And now I'm full.) Thank you all!

35 - Richard (zrtf90) - Notturno Op. 54 No. 4

Richard's playing is fantastic. Really engaging, flowing along with a lightness of touch, like a sleek little sailing boat progressing down some really interesting river into an estuary. I've listened to Richard's recording time and again, and will continue to do so.

Second batch of thank you notes

Peyton, Allard. Riddler, Zrtf90(Richard), Ben Piano, SamS, CarlosCC, Greener, Inlanding- Glen, Andy Platt, Jazzwee, Beechcraft409, Pavel K., Gandalf, TX-Dennis, Amaruk, FarmGirl, MaryBee....

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement!

What really delighted me in all the feedback I received was that so many were able to notice improvement in my playing and that so many commented on the pure "fun" of this piece.

It gave me a special little thrill to think that I'd truly been able to entertain - for however brief a moment - such a great group of musicians!

Some more thank you's:

Jazzwee, Beechcrasft409, Tx-Dennis, Amaruk, FarmGirl, Jazzpt, Pavel.K, Gandalf, and MaryBee - Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and comment. Your encouragement really fuels my desire to keep trying to improve. Also thanks to everyone who offered well wishes.

Realize I haven't responded to any of the comments on my submission. Thanks everyone for listening! I know the piece is a bit above my skill level, but with almost a year of experience on the piece, it is at least managable. It's easy to spot that I have only recently even begun to tackle the fast arpeggio part near the end. Probably going to take another year there.

SwissMS, peterws, Sam S, GrouchoMarx, Andy Platt, Monica K, TX-Dennis, MaryBee: thank you so much for the comments

jazzwee, Peyton: I'm curious, did you listen to the mp3 or the video? I always practised on my digital, where one might just put a brick to the pedal and sound reasonable. Have to adjust a lot for the acoustic.

Saranoya: dankuwel! It's funny; until you posted your comment, I just thought your name was a misspelled "sayonara". Took a while to sink in that Sara might be a female's name

BenPiano: what's next? Why, buying a piano, of course, and making it familiar! I bought a baby grand from the same brand. Will probably try to get a new recording in once it is tuned.

Kenjazz: well, there are dynamic indications in the score and I've listened to the original many times. Since it's such a dramatic piece the dynamics are easy to notice. Still hard to reproduce everywhere. The original uses the soft pedal at some points, but there is no way I can control the left foot while still focussing on both hands and the right foot.

BillM: I was sitting on a piano bench, with the iPad on a chair right beside me. Couldn't get a better angle. I prefer the mp3 too, thanks. It's much cleaner, although the one hard part is a total mess. The piano sounded out of tune, huh? I thought it sounded pretty nice. Guess the other pianos in the shop were even worse.

Cheryl: aww, but the mp3 was better played. Glad you liked the video too.

Richard: my sister has a very uncompromising ear. She can pick up most songs by ear and will spot any mistake I might make. *sigh* ... must do better!

Mr Super-Hunky: I'm not sure what a "rolling chord" is. Can you explain what you mean and how you'd like those initial chords to sound?

CarlosCC: Final Fantasy's music, especially the piano collections, was one of the major reasons I started piano lessons. I hope to be able to play the harder pieces some day.

Pavel.K: I was the only person in the room at the time of recording, so that helped a little bit

AimeeO: nice to hear from others who enjoyed that game The music from Final Fantasy is quite something, isn't it?

Thank you to all who took the time to listen and acknowledge my submission. I am grateful for your encouragement.

So much fine music shared from around the globe. It's great to be part of it.

35. Richard (zrtf90) - Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 This is quite a story you tell with this piece. I don't know much about Grieg's music, but your introduction to him with this wonderful composition fabulous interpretation. It's clear you are listening to the music as you play, really connecting. Thank you for sharing your music.

36. Yamaha G3 & P-80, Mike White - Album Leaf Mike, this is spectacular! Another fine presentation from you. You play this so patiently - beautifully.

37. Ken. - Let's Cool One Monk's melodies are wonderful and you play this one with a great deal of care.

38. FarmGirl - Brahms 118 #2 Very complicated music. Very powerfully played and a fine interpretation.

39. Mar_red - The Shadow of Your Smile & Misty - Medley. Very excellent renditions of those two popular standards. One of the hardest things is making correct changes in time. You clearly listen to a lot of jazz and have a great ability to allow those influences on your fine playing.

40. Jazzwee - Stella by Starlight With each e-cital, I hear an increased maturity in your playing, more patient and more time spent listening to where you freely want to go. Great work, indeed.

41. Saranoya - Menuett in F Thank you for the live recital from your local pub. This is beautiful playing and I look forward to hearing more of it in the next e-cital.

42. windywindy - Waltz in A Minor KK IVb/11 From your interpretation of what you call a simple Chopin piece, you have some fantastic skills. It might be easy to play, but not so easy to play well - you did a fantastic ob. You bring out the moods very nicely in each section.

43. lyricmudra - Melodie from the Opera 'Orfeo' This is such a difficult piece to put together and give it meaning as a whole story and you did this so beautifully. This is one of my all-time favorite melodies. You express the subtleties so sensitively. Bravo!!

44. Sam S - Arabeske Op. 18 This is somewhat an epic Schumann piece. Amazing concentration to play this so beautifully for all ten and a half minutes. This is a fabulous interpretation - I like the slower tempo you chose.

Glen

45. Copper - Greensleeves Very nicely done rendition, Copper. It's a beautiful melody.

46. Kenjazz - My Romance I always enjoy Rodgers and Hart melodies. You play wonderfully with the virtual combo, Ken. Very confident playing. I always enjoy your interpretations and this is no exception.

47. PianoStudent88 - No Walk Today This is my first exposure to Khachaturian with these e-citals. You handle the voices quite nicely. You play with very relaxed hands and it shows in your music. Great work!

48. carlos88 - Sarabande (from Pour le Piano) I'd not heard this piece until today. Quite a fine bit of playing, Carlos! Fantastic left hand! I really like this piece. Bravo!!

49. GrouchoMarx - Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 Fabulous in every way! Rachmaninov would be quite pleased, especially considering the fact you've been playing for three years!! Such good work.

50. BillM - Georgia On My Mind I like how you decided to not makes this sound as much bluesy and played it pretty straight up. Your voice and delivery fits the piece wonderfully. No shortage of fine renditions coming from your living room. This is another really fine piece, Bill.

51. Pavel.K - Nocturne 21 in C minor posth. Simply amazing you've been playing a bit longer than a year with no lessons and can bring out such beauty in this Nocturne. Very impressive. Look forward to hearing more from you for sure.

52. Allard - To Zanarkand Incredible you are playing like this after a little longer than a year! I am sure the folks at the piano dealer enjoyed the live performance. Look forward to more of your music.

53. MileHi Steve - Stagg Brew Fabulous, Steve! I like the voice you chose on your electric to play your fine arrangement of the harp music. It gives a really nice feel to it. You've got some fine skills, indeed.

54. aTallGuyNH - Just The Way You Are Fabulous arrangement of one of Billy Joel's most popular songs. I like the idea you put together several arrangements and made one of your own. I am amazed you've been playing less than year to play this with such confidence and enthusiasm. My only suggestion would be to play more deeply into the keys and be patient with your own playing. It'll be great to hear more of your playing in future e-citals!

55. Aimee O - Sonatina in G You play Beethoven with such a good sense of tempo and minimal pedal to bring out his best. You go from one movement to the next with such ease. This is Beethoven presented in fine style.

I am overwhelmed by the response to the Grieg Notturno and am reminded of the Mole in the Wind in the Willows:



I am grateful and indebted to all who bestowed such largesse on my submission.

I realise that I'm running very late with my responses. Hope that I'll be able to comment on the rest of you by the end of the week.


11. Andy Platt - Invention No 4 in D Minor This is by no means an easy piece to play. I enjoyed your performance, and I’m not sure if I would play it much faster than you do.

12. Amaruk - The Christmas song from 'An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf' A lovely song, very appealing and well played.

13. Peyton - After All I appreciate the clarity of your performance. Composing a piece like this requires considerable creativity.

14. joangolfing - Grieg Waltz Op.12 I particularly noticed the good phrasing of the melody. This is essential in all Grieg’s music.

15. Greener / Jeff Green - Moments Musicaux - A flat major; Opus 94 No. 6 This is a fine piece with beautiful harmonies. You play in a very expressive way, and make out many fine details.

16. Riddler (Ed) - Reflections in D I have several times already said that I’m not a Jazz player myself, but admire people who can perform that kind of music. I particularly enjoyed your performance, and if I had time I would seriously consider learning the piece myself.

17. Monica K. - Just Because I Love You You bring out the melody very well and play the piece cleanly. I enjoyed your performance.

18. ladypayne - Improv in G minor Real improvisation? I’m impressed.

19. Jake S - Fur Elise Well done! You have been very focused during your one year learning period.

20. Serge88 - Fly Me To The Moon It was very nice for me to hear again this melody from good old days. Good rhythm and well played.

21. Teodor - Donnie Darko - The Artifact and the Living This was a piece with character and very nice to listen to.

22. (Was)TrueBeginner - Us Listening to your piece I understand that you are not a true beginner any more. Well done!

A big "thank you" to aTallGuyNH, Saranoya, SwissMS, BillM, casinitaly, Peyton, Allard, zrtf90, Riddler, Sam S, peterws, Mr Super-Hunky, Greener, Monica K., jazzwee, Andy Platt, CarlosCC, AimeeO, BenPiano, TX-Dennis, Pavel.K, and Inlanding for listening and giving your kind comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed listening to my Chopin waltz.

I think it could be much sooner than that. I was about at your current level when I started lessons four years ago. Things move so much more quickly when you have a teacher to guide you, don't they?

Didn't quite mean to make it that exciting! Thank you for your careful listening and thoughtful feedback. I tend to think it's the pedaling more than anything, as both you and jazzwee pointed out. (That's definitely one of my problem areas.)

If you end up recording it, I would love to hear it.

Yes, that's about right, but about half of them are repeats, so it's not quite as daunting as it seems at first glance.

45 Copper Greensleeves
Fine job with this Copper. Thanks for sharing this very clean short and sweet interpretation. I look forward to hearing more from you.

46 Kenjazz My Romance
This reminds me of my Dad's trio days which I miss immensely. A really fine sound here and some great playing, Ken. Sorry to inform you here though, that I sold the Vibes. I started to work out a chorus for “Days of Wine and Roses” but, I never finished or got it recorded. Now the Vibes are gone. I got a good buck for them and a replacement piano with the proceeds (it is a better use.) Sounds like you are doing just fine without me. Some really great material you always seem to be working on and is very inspiring.

47 PianoStudent88 No Walk Today
Good work PS88. I'm not (or wasn't rather) familiar with this work. Your efforts towards varying dynamics and your own interpretation is working very nicely. Some fine playing and enjoyable listening. Thanks for everything you contribute on the teaching side of the threads as well, PS88. I've certainly continue to learn a lot from you.

48 carlos88 Sarabande (from Pour le Piano)
A very sophisticated work and very accomplished playing of it. Fine playing, Carlos and nicely done.

49 GrouchoMarx Prelude Op. 32 No. 12
3 years, really? Not sure I would be taking on a work like this after 40. Very encouraging for me to get busy. Really great stuff, GrouchoMarx.

50 BillM Georgia On My Mind
Fabulous rendition of this classic, Bill. You've motivated me to brush up on this one myself now. Perhaps will post in the Bar some time. The singing though is beyond me. A really fabulous job you've done with this one, Bill.

51 Pavel.K Nocturne 21 in C minor posth
Very pretty piece and nice choice Pavel. You are doing extremely well. Very well presented and some fine playing here. Good for you.

52 Allard To Zanarkand
You guys are amazing me with the quality of playing for the amount of time you've been at it. This is very well done, Allard. A very enjoyable listen.

53 MileHi Steve Stagg Brew
A fine medley composition you've put together here Steve. It is a very full and rich sound and very pleasant listening. Nice work.

54 aTallGuyNH
A very easily recognizable classic. This will be hit for you for sure. Really some fine playing and nice changes. Really well done, TG.

55 Aimee O Sonatina in G
A lovely piece to wrap up the recital with Aimee. Sounds like some very tricky elements with this and you've got it well in control. Really good work and fine playing Aimee.

Thank you to everyone for providing such fine performances. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to each and every one. And Thank you also for the kind and generous comments directed my way on the Schubert entry and putting up with the annoying squeaky pedal. No more of this will be forthcoming as the new (used) piano arrives tomorrow .

Nice idea but no, it will not be in the themed recital. I asked Wayne and Rostosky. Here's Wayne's response:

op.53/3 and 62/2?

Wouter, this was a response given by wayne in a private message, and as such it should NOT have been posted up here in an open thread for the world to view without asking wayne first. It is not only a privacy issue but a courtesy one.
Not cricket old chap, not cricket.

Rostosky,

I don't really understand why you are pointing out that Wayne might have an issue with my post. I'm sure Wayne can discuss this himself with me if he has any problems with my posting of his reply. Also I don't see anything wrong with either my post or with Wayne's message.

Also this seems not be the right place to discuss that.

>Not cricket old chap, not cricket.

Sorry but I have no idea what you're trying to say here.

It's a British expression meaning, "it's not right."

Checking whether or not, I minded would have been courteous

I want to thank again everyone who listened to my piece, and everyone who commented. I am basking in the glow of compliments, and noting the comments for ways to improve for practice in my next pieces. Thank you all.


I'm glad you liked it. I'm sorry to have subjected you to an out of tune piano. There will be more Khachaturian to come in future recitals. I'm really quite fond of his music.


"Mysterious and serious" -- that's a good way of describing several of the Khachaturian pieces in this selection. He also has some pieces that are mysterious and humourous.


Glad to hear it! It's interesting, the harmonies in Khachaturian are often non-traditional, but he puts them together to very interesting effect.


"Nailed it"! That's very nice to hear. I really like Khachaturian and think he's well worth exploring.


Thanks you for your detailed comments. They are always helpful to me. I still have this problem with an unperceived-by-me speedup which you have commented on in a few of my submissions. Grrrrrrr! Your comment on the over-loudness of the staccato run also picks out a common weakness of mine: playing f passages at fff. In my recent practicing I've taken this comment to heart and trying to interpret forte as "play somewhat louder" and not "whale on the piano for all you're worth"!

The pedal markings are actually very sparse in this piece, so most of the pedaling is my own creation.


I'm glad you could hear the dynamics. I was recently reading about some recorders which equalize the dynamics away, and suddenly I was worried about my recordings. Sounds like, by luck, I have got a non-auto-equalizing recorder.


"No fear of [my] technique falling apart while ... between teachers" -- hooray! Thank you so much, this is very reassuring to hear. Thanks for the comment on pedal -- from your comment, I have started to pay attention to the depth of pedaling. So far I can't yet control it to the point of half-pedaling, but I can now avoid mashing it to the bottom of its range of motion.


I'm not sure about "Pedestrian", but I'll take "nicely done" . Thank you.


I'm glad you liked the dynamic changes and heard the phrasing. It's nice to hear I am improving, although it's somewhat nerve-wracking. Every piece I submit I think I'm playing really well, and then I submit it and listen to the recording several times more and start to hear all sorts of flaws. I suppose I might ameliorate this by recording and listening to myself more often. Maybe that would even help me improve faster. Hmmmmmm. (Other people hate practicing scales and technique drills; I hate taking the time to record and listen to myself....)


Hmmm, I don't know about the streaming player, not having listened to it. I'll take a listen on the next recital and see what I think.


I'm glad you liked it. In the area of interpretation, I'm working on several pieces right now and it seems easier on some of them to become interpretive "beyond the score". It's interesting to learn for each piece what it wants that's not written in the score, or maybe what it wants in terms of everything you need already being in the score, or in the standard performance practice for that era. Maybe becoming wildly interpretive might be an avenue into me learning a bit of a feel of improvisation: taking notes that I have learned very well, and starting to really bend and shape and modify them. (Much as I hate memorization, I have to say that this is an approach that I can feel myself trying for memorized music rather than when I'm playing from the score.)


I'm glad you enjoyed it. Finger legato, hmmmm. I'll experiment with this in future pieces.


It's interesting, different reactions to the tempo adjustments. I'm glad you found the piece to work very well overall, and this gives me a reminder to continue working on shaping phrases. ("shape some of the phrases carefully" -- eek, what about the other phrases ?) Really, I appreciate your comments. It's interesting what you say about retaining warmth. This isn't something I'm particularly aware of or sure that I can hear, but it's good that whatever I'm doing produces warmth. I did spend time practicing the choreography and flow of my hand/wrist/arm movements on this; maybe that's what produces the warmth.


You know, I know very little about Khachaturian's life. The harmonies in this collection are indeed all wierd and mysterious. The next piece is definitely a slow sad piece; the piece after that is an allegro birthday song, but even that has mysterious harmonies: it's definitely not a simple major key birthday song.


I'm glad you liked it. Making converts to the music of Khachaturian, one ABF Recital at a time, that's me .


Thanks for the compliment! It's interesting learning to be musical in ways that go beyond the bare information contained in the score. I think this is one of the things I have to work extra hard on, as I don't have an experienced music teacher (i.e. I don't have a teacher at all) to hear me and provide ideas from his/her greater experience of and sensitivity to music.


I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.


Aha, glad my dynamics came through.


Very creative commments, and now I'm hungry !


"Relaxed hands" -- this is very reassuring to hear, thank you. It's one of the things I learned from my 15 months with my teacher, so despite some of the ways in which I was frustrated with her teaching, this was one of several valuable things I learned that made the lessons worth it and for which I am grateful to her.


I'm glad my interpretation comes through. You're welcome for the teaching side; I love being able to share what little I have learned about music and it is always enjoyable talking with you about music.

Hello,
I am new here and i am learning Piano playing. This forum is so good.

It sure is kingston20.

I just finished listening to the entire recital. All the works were really good, truly. Thanks to all who commented on my prelude. Some good points were made and they will help.