Recital 11 -- General Discussion Room

Welcome to the General Discussion Room for the AB Forum Recital 11!!![/b]

Please utilize this room for any discussion of the pieces in Recital 11 that is taking place in the main Recital 11 Thread.

Discussions and replies can be posted at-will. Feel free to comment on any or all individual pieces. Some members offer comments on each submission individually; others offer general congratulations. Either approach is fine.

Critical discussion should take place in the Recital 11 Critical Discussion Room .

For those who wish to comment on all pieces, a copy and paste template for offering feedback can be found here .

Here are some comments on the pieces I've listened to so far.

01 Mark . . . Prelude in D minor - Clementi[/b]
Mark, I very much enjoyed your piece. It is a very interesting little piece, and although I'm not familliar with it, it seems to me that you played it quite skillfully. Nice job.

02 Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto - Beethoven[/b]
Mati, your excellent dynamics make up for any small slips that may exist in the piece. I must confess that although I have played this piece (many years ago, though), I did not hear the three "bad slips" that you describe. Another wonderful piece. Great job!

03 Monica K Nuvole Bianche - Einaudi[/b]
Well, I prefer to think of it as White Clouds. The other translations strike me as a bit bizarre. Your usual excellent job coupled with your rich sounding piano makes an entertaining listen. Great job particularly in your dynamics. I can hear everything from p to ff in there. Perhaps that quicker learning curve is a product of your growing skillset . . . just a thought.

04 Lisztener Whistling Away the Dark - Mercer/Mancini[/b]
I've always been a Mancini fan. Of course, Johnny Mercer is no slouch either. This is an excellent quality recording of your wonderful piano. I enjoyed your improvisation a great deal. I am simply blown away by your interpretation of the piece. It is so dramatic and emotional. Great job!

05 Liszt Addict Prelude Op 28 No 13 - Chopin[/b]
Liszt Addict, your skill at the keyboard impresses as always. This is such a beautiful piece, and your playing really brings out the drama in it. Your piano sounds wonderful, too. I was enthralled by this piece. Great job!

Regretfully, that's it for tonight. I have an early start in the morning. We have a major remodel going at work, and things are a bit of a mess right now. The result has been long hours and no days off for the past couple of weeks. I'll sure be glad when it's all done.

Great job by everyone so far. There's not a "clunker" in the bunch. I look forward to listening to a few more pieces tomorrow evening.

Thanks to my ability to cheat and listen to the submissions early, I was able to prepare my comments for the first 10 ahead of time. I hope to get comments for everybody else shortly, but I do want to say that I listened to portions of all the recordings, and EVERYBODY did a fantastic job this recital. Congratulations, all!

01 – Mark:[/b] What a pretty, sad piece. It’s not often I listen to a classical piece and think to myself, “I really want to learn that,” but you’ve done it here.

02 – Mati:[/b] This is always a tough piece to record given the inevitable high standards that exist out there. You have done a wonderful job with this. And the “True Pianos” sound was fantastic, even on my computer speakers.

03 – me:[/b] good god, woman, don’t you know ANYTHING besides Einaudi?

04 – Lisztener:[/b] This is beautiful in a sweet, sad way. I’m very impressed that you came up with this improvisation yourself.

05 – LisztAddict:[/b] I have come to expect great technical feats from you, and this recital is no exception. Very impressive!

06 – LauraD:[/b] Could your fingers have possibly moved any faster?!? I just love tarantellas. I used to play one on the accordion many years ago and always had a blast doing so. It sounds like you were having just as much fun with yours.

07 – mr_super-hunky:[/b] I have loved all of your improvisations, hunky, so I was eager to hear this first full-blown composing effort. I think this is an outstanding effort.

10 – True Beginner:[/b] Okay, so now you have me wanting to haul out my Senneville sheet music collection and learn this one. Or, I should say, I was tempted by your recording until I got to the part with all the wicked octaves that sounded VERY VERY hard. Beautiful playing of a beautiful piece.

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] (to do)
Very mellowing piece. Nicely played. You're right that on a live acoustic grand, this would be a great one to play. Nevertheless, you have it down beautifully.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No.
14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b] (to do)
A piece that is still on my to do list, I see. If it is as bad as you say, you are good at covering it up. Great effort especially after being away from a piano.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] (to do)
I like this piece. First time for me hearing it, and the expression displayed is impressive. I like the tempo changes and such. You really take advantage of those devices to make this a wonderfully enjoyable piece to listen to.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] (to do)
Nicely improvised. I would have never guessed that this was your first. Do not disappoint by saying it is your last. I enjoyed it very much.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] (to do)
Well performed, I must say. I'm starting on my first Chopin piece soon so I guess I know what to eat to really pull it off.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] (to do)
Laura, that does sound fun to play. I had fun listening to it. I like these upbeat pieces and you tackled it impressively for such a technically demanding challenge. Great job.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] (to do)
So when is your CD coming out with the rest of your compositions? This is really good and well performed. Thank you for submitting.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] (to do)
Nicely played jazzy piece here. You can never argue with the place jazz music has with the piano. Good execution and performance.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] (to do)
John Frank, you are not ashamed to play a simplified piece and I really respect that. You play very well and your progress really shows here. Good job.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] (to do)
TB, I still say your username does not fit you. This sounds like it has some technique that took alot of work to get down. Well done. I must confess, though, that I have never heard this one as well, but it is a very nice composition.

More to come

I actually know very few pieces so I think I'll be better off just commenting on what a great job everyone has done in the pieces I've listened to.

I've been listening to them for quite some time and made it up through piece 24 at this point. Not having to stop and write down thoughts on each pieces really saves some time, you know.

I suppose I'll have to skip over my recording and head over to the piano when piece number 33 comes up.

I'll keep posting as I get through more pieces later.

You're just saying that because I'm at #34. LOL!!

Can I say that this was the first time that I visited the Recital. I really enjoyed listening to some of the pieces.

In particular I was taken by Serge88 and his rendition of 'The Long and Winding Road' which I viewed on his youTube video.

It was very encouraging and played very well.

Polostrings and I are listening to the online stream. Oh it is so nice! We will be posting (separately or together! :2hearts: ) soon.

I always enjoy these recitals.

Here I am with barely enough time left to shower & dress before heading off to work and I keep wanting to listen to "just one more" before I go.

I'll be more organized in one way or another later, eventually. There's a lot to listen to here & it will take some time to get through them all.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the ABF Recital #11, a new record number of contributions.

Thank you Monica for all that you do, and thank you mahlzeit! This is only my 4th recital (i think?), but it's the first time using the new method for submissions...really nice setup you guys. I really like and appreciate how convenient you made it for us to participate.

Hey!

As for now, I just wanted to say thanks for this great event. To Monica, to Mahlzeit, and all of you (us) who participated and thanks for all comments on my piece in advance.

I'm still out of my regular home and without proper internet connection, so I also wanted to apologize for lack of my input today

I promise I will listen to everything when I get back (which should be on 24th), and then post a huge post!

Thanks once again,
Mateusz

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene

Signal - had to listen to this one first - one of my favorite pieces of piano music - was considering it myself for a future recital - now largely discouraged by your excellent rendition - masterfuuly played - very sensitive and expressive - great touch and outstanding dynamics - you captured the beautiful essence of this New Age masterpiece - David would be proud!

With much (and somewhat envious) Regards, JF

P.S. As I'm sure you're well aware it's "LeaveS [/b] on the Siene" , and not "Leave on the Siene" - small difference in spelling, big difference in meaning and image (mulicolored leaves floating on the surface of the river on a warm, sunny autumn day vs. a dirty, broken down barge carrying some disheveled Parisian down river to some unforsaken, smog ridden destination).

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan

Rosanna - your's was the 2nd piece I really wanted to hear - listened 5 times - let me say this in all seriousness: I would suffer heaps of "abuse" from you because of my "gentle nudges" encouraging you to record something (anything!) for submission to the Recital for the sheer, unadulterated joy of listening to your wonderful playing on uniquely outstanding pieces such as this!!!

Brilliantly done! You have an excellent touch all over the keyboard, your dynamics are near perfect and your expresiveness is simply awesome!

Thank you very, very much for sharing this fascinating music so well played with us. Why would you ever want to deprive us of this?

With warmest possible (and hugely impressed) Regards, JF

Hmmm... I want to make sure that I get feedback to all the first time inductees to the Order of the Red Dot, so let me commence with them:

16. Jinbo—[/b] What a nice jaunty piece! It’s not the style I normally associate with Schubert, but I liked it. And I was pleasantly surprised by how well the recording turned out given that you were using your phone.

19. Casyopea—[/b] This is one of my favorite Bach pieces, too, because of its dreamy character. I know it’s hard to play all those arpeggios smoothly, but you make it sound effortless.

26. Gary001—[/b]Wow… your playing is extremely impressive for only 5 months! Your timing was even and you rattled the ornamentation off like a pro. Excellent recital debut.

33. AnthonyB—[/b] Well, it will surprise nobody to hear that this is one of the ones I cheated on and listened to early, and I’ve already given Anthony feedback. Beautiful job on an absolutely beautiful piece.

34. Strat—[/b] I’ve heard so many of your recordings in the piano bar and video game threads that I was surprised to realize that this was your first recital. This is a lovely piece and you play it expertly. I can see why it inspired you to play. I was listening to it and all set to hunt down the sheet music until I hit the 1:27 mark and realized it will be a LONG time before I’m able to play that.

41. Fillanzea—[/b] Another jaunty waltz! Great job on some difficult runs down the keyboard.

42. RobM—[/b] I heard this piece ages ago on one of the video game threads, and it was so enchanting I (of course) got the sheet music and tried to learn it. I gave up almost immediately because that left hand is really tough, so I’m *very* impressed by your smooth performance here.

p.s. I believe you made a typo in your description of what you had for lunch. I occasionally take liberties and fix typos when I find them in the recital thread, but this one was so funny I left it in. Besides, maybe it wasn’t a typo.

43. Tekkie—[/b] I have never heard of this composer before, but I really liked this piece— somewhat sad and with a definite new age flair. This is one I’ll have to add to my sheet music acquisition list. How are the other pieces in that book? Are they all in this style?

66. EJR—[/b] This was a pleasant surprise, as you snuck this in almost at the last minute, so it wasn’t until after I closed the recital and was making the zip files that I saw it was in there. I still love this piece as much as the first time I heard it, and yours is one of the best performances I’ve heard of it. What I found most impressive is that you manage to make the transitions between sections with no noticeable hesitations, and I *know* just how hard that is to do because there are some big jumps around the keyboard that I have never managed to do smoothly.

69. karaeloko—[/b]Talk about cutting it close to deadlines! I’ve been intrigued by this piece ever since it was the focal point of Noah Adams’ “Piano Lessons” book. You do a lovely job with it, and it was a wonderful way to close the recital.

Monica, what a nice idea to give special recognition to the newest inductess into the order of the Red Dot.

Here's a toast to the "Old Gold Dot" award winners who are adding yet another red dot award to their collection (participation in 11 recitals):

Monica, LitzAddict, Mr Super-Hunky, Euan Morrison, Copper, Seaside Lee, IPIBAHN, and Mike White.[/b]

And a toast to the newest inductees into the Gold Dot Society (participation in 10 recitals):

Dannylux, AdagioM, and Kawaigirl[/b]

I'm going to comment on ten pieces at a time and will work through all the recordings. I'm impressed that, once again, we've exceeded all precious recitals in terms of number of submissions.

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] Very nicely played. The ritardando at the end was well done.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b] Nice job! You really let your little finger sing the melody. While there are a couple of tiny mistakes they are not the glaring errors you claimed.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] Since I don't know the piece I can only comment on two things: 1) there are other composers besides Einaudi :p and, 2) nicely done! The ritardando at 3:17 provides a nice contrast, the tempo and dynamics worked well.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] Interesting voicings and modulation. Your improvisation works well.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] I love this prelude, and your touch here was excellent!

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] Wow! What a sparkling performance. I think my fingers would have been falling off at around the 1 minute mark!

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] A nice, somber beginning that you modulate well. Good thematic development, interesting harmonies, surprises in pace -- all things that keep a listener interested. The motif that shows up around 2:00 works well, and then taking a variation up an octave provides a nice continuation. Very well done!

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] Well played -- the improvisations in the left hand work well.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] You really bring out the melody in this beautiful piece. Although simplified, the arrangers kept most of the elements that make this an interesting piece.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] This is a moody piece that you play well. I can see why you like it so much.

I'll get to the next batch of ten shortly.

Ed

Thanks for the nice comment. This composer definitely has a melancholy sound, but there is a nice variety among the pieces in the book. He reminds me of other composers like Einaudi and Lanz. He was "artist of the week" on our local classical radio station recently - that's where I heard him first.

Here's where I bought his book:

http://www.backstreet-merch.com/bands/dstoh/product.asp?item=dstoh03

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] Very nice! If I could play this as smoothly as you do, I'm sure it would not frustrate me as much as it does.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b] Yes, this is one of those pieces that some think are "overplayed," but I find it beautiful every time I hear it. Lovely.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] You're grasp of New Age music is amazing. You certainly have the feel down. I always enjoy your playing.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] First attempt at improvising? Wow. That was very nice. Lovely melancholy touch to the sound that fits the lyrics perfectly.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] Very nice playing on a very pretty piece.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] That certainly did sound like it was fun to play. Nice job!

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] Well, if this is the stuff that is in your brain, you really must let it out more often! I can hear the influences you mentioned, and could easily see this in a movie soundtrack.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] Haunting is right. What a pretty melody, and played with just the right feel and emotion.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] A very well known melody, for sure. And a very nice arrangement as well. Very nice job!

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] Very pretty! I understand why this is a favorite.

Continuing from my earlier list, here's numbers 11 to 20...

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] Even thought I've heard it before, nicely played. However, this submitting previously submitted material is equivalent to luffing -- to be avoided if at all possible!

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] Very melancholy. Nicely played and a good voice for that type of song.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] Very well done! Doesn't sound rushed and I didn't hear any technical issues at all.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] Very, very nice! Good voice, interesting lyrics and a surprise ending. Excellent! Made me smile.

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] You've really got this under your fingers! Beautifully played.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] Nicely played -- it's too bad this was recorded on a mobile phone because of the clipping it introduced. Still, very, very nice!

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] Well done! You do bring out the melody nicely.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] Another piece I don't know so comments are limited to what I heard. You played it well, nice dynamics and pacing.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] Very well done! There was no sense that anything was rushed or slowed. Good pace. I enjoyed this very much.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] Hmmmm...your fingers can't be that rusty to have played this as you did! Very good!

And that's the second group. More later.

Ed

This is the perfect end to my vacation. I'm spending the whole day listening to the entire recital whilst enjoying a glass (or two) of my favourite wine. With 69 pieces (wow!) I may have to open a second bottle!

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] This was a very pretty melody - simple yet beautiful.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b] Very nice! It was one of my summer projects to ressurect this piece. Mine isn't nearly as clean yet. Great job! My only suggestion would be to watch the tempo, sometimes it speeds up with the crescendo and you might want to have your metronome ticking quietly in the back ground to check the speed from time to time. I really enjoyed it though. You play at a nice overall speed. Sometimes it's played way to slow or too fast.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] Monica your pieces are aways so lovely to listen too. You must have a great repertoire to share with your friends and family.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] Truely wonderful! Your improvising is really good. I still have yet to be happy with any attempts. Did you write out your harmonies?

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] Awesome. This is not a Prelude I've heard before. Very nice.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] Wow! flying fingers for sure! It does sound like fun!(and hard) I bet it was a great learning piece too!

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] How much you love to do this really shows in your playing. I can easily 'imagine' it in a movie!!

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] Very pretty piece, a little mellow but in a nice way.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] This is my absolute favourite Chopin piece and I enjoyed listening to your recording. I've done the theme but am not ready to tackle the rest...I carry the sheet music around with me for 'some day.'

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] Beautiful. You have a nice gentle musical touch. This sounds quite complicated for 6 months of learning! Really good!

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] This is nice! It reminds me a litttle of a Rachmaninov piece I was listening to today. I have never heard of this Composer though.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] Awesome! Really enjoyed your playing/singing and this piece and your painting too! You have a lot of talent!

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] Another beautiful piece. My favourite Debussy (next to Arabesque). You did a wonderful job!

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] Another player/singer!! You guys are too much! This was great! (I wasn't as fussy about the organ section though-may have been my crappy headphones.) Thanks - I was tapping my feet. YOu must be great fun at a party!

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] Ooooh the first Bach piece! You sound like you've got great control! Good job!

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] I'm sure your teacher will love it. Nice job!

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] This is a beautiful piece and I can hear how it would be great 5th finger exercise - great dynamics. Wow I loved it and your comment about space being the very soul of the music. Thank you

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] I love the super romantic crap too! You played this wonderfully with great control I particularly liked the cascading run at the end. Really enjoyed it!

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] I don't think I've ever heard this played better! Great job. You kept it soft and even and gently brought out the melody.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] Speedy fingers or what! Wow. Would have loved to see a video of this! Fun!

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b] Beautiful. You sound like you have been playing much longer than 3 years. Awesome!

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b] It was easy to picture a mechanical doll in this piece. You kept it very even. Well played!

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] Another great piece. I haven't played very much Beethoven but this is one I'd like to try. I liked your dynamics. Sonatinas are always so interesting with so much variety.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b] Beautiful. You made it sound easy and I'm sure it isn't. I might not have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it but I could hear the 'strain' with the high notes. Still sounded great to me though.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] Contratulations on playing for church! That takes courage (more than I have for sure) This was a great piece - very light and lively and I could picture bouncy hands all over the keyboard.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b] Wow - 5 months. This was really good. Lots of control - you play with confidence.

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b] This didn't sound 'simple' it sounded very serene - well controlled with a lot of emotion. I thought THIS take was 'brilliant'!!

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] Very nice. I did watch your video and loved how you faded IN to the picture. The transitions were great and I loved seeing your dog too!!

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] Really nice I so admire those able to combine 'ear'. If it's not on the page I can't play it (and often can't even then!) Great job!!

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b] I always look forward to Einaudi each recital but have never tried to learn any. This was another beautiful piece. I loved it!!

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b] This was nice. I didn't find it repetitive except that my media player kept repeating the whole piece! Enjoyed it!

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b] Sweet melody. You played it very expressively. Great dynamics

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b] Another Einaudi piece. This was lovely too. I thought you had the the timing well. You certainly sound like you've been playing longer than a year. Great job!

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2) [/b]Glad that you decided to start!! This is nice. I'm trying not to be discouraged at all the amazing pieces I'm listening to by those playing for such a short time!
35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] A real toe tapper. Such fun to listen to. You make it sound easy. The bass is perfect!

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b] So you picked this up from YouTube? Does that mean it's by ear? I loved this piece. It ran a few times on my player before I moved on to the next one.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] So soft and gentle. You play with a lot of emotion. Very sweet. You really make use of the 'space' between the notes - which is what it's all about!

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] This was very light and airy. Made me feel relaxed.. You must feel very relaxed when playing - at least that what came through for me.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b] People say this is over played but I don't think so. I used to know the first part and my husband keeps wanting me to go back to it..... You may have inspired me! Good job!

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] Beautiful. I can't wait till I can handle a Chopin Nocturne. Maybe next year. This was very nice - thanks so much for sharing!

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b] Nice piece. Fun and bouncy. Sounds like it's fun to play!

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] I love the triplets in this - you have a nice touch and kept the melody so clear. It sounds polished to me!

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b] Very nice. This had a wonderful rich sound and your dynamics were lovely.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] Another beautiful piece by someone only playing for a year! This was great! I couldn't get the vieo to play though...

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] I hadn't heard this arrangement of Ode to Joy. It was interesting. I think I prefer the original but you did a great job on this version!

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] I did this one! It's not easy to keep even. You did a really good job. Great control. Andante was my favourite part! The last part does have a little unevenness in parts. I remember my teacher clapping as I played this section to help keep me even. Maybe practicing with your metronome would help in some sections.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] Nice composition! I bet you drew a crowd. This was lovely.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] I used to love he Bee Gees.... I'm still amazed that you folks can play by ear. Awesome!

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] I loved it! another improv! You should be very happy with this recording.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b]Very professional sounding to me. I would never know I was listening to an amateur. I know we are always more critical of our own playing and I guess having a son who is so advanced makes you even more critical. I think I'm glad I'm the only one in my house who plays!!

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] I have the whole Opus 100 so I was able to read along! You did a great job!

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b]I haven't heard this before. I have a whole book of Greig pieces but they start at opus 57. I really enjoyed this piece and wonder how hard this was to learn. Did it take months??

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] so sad....time to learn a few cheerful ones...

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] Short is ok. Keep them wanting more I say! Which I certainly did with this piece. You played it wonderfully with lots of emotion. My player keep repeating so it was nice and long for me!!

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] I really enjoyed this piece. It sounded very professional. I could imagine this plalying at a piano bar.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] It doesn't sound as though it's above your technical abilities. Was this a 'better' recording? Any flaws were not noticable to me! Beautiful piece.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b] I got shivers reading your additional info. What anticipation and joy! I've got a one year old granddaughter who is the joy of our lives and it immediately made me think of her and our anticipation. Children are such a blessing. My very wise stepdad once said. "Enjoy them, you really only have a lend of them"..... Annywayyy back to your piece. I loved it and I'll bet your brother and sister do as well.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b] I know what you mean about embarassing. My teacher gave me a bunch of simplified Chopin pieces to play with during the summer. I first thought. Harumph...simplified???? then I tried them.. oh dear... still hard... Yours sounded lovely! It's only someone who is very familiar with Chopin's works who would think it's simplified.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b] Very nice. Had it repeating while I was on the phone and was asked what recording it was!

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] Wow! So... classically trained.. did it help with PianoMagic? I'm guessing it did. I'm still amazed when I listen to something so wonderful that has been played by ear. So it's not even written down right? Totally baffled at how anyone can do this. It's just amazing to me!! Loved it!

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b] So soft and sweet. Any liberties you took were well placed. I love this song and your playing of it!

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] I saw K545 and thought oh no... but then I saw Andante! Yes!! If my teacher ever suggests K545 I'll insist on this movement I really don't like the first. You played it very well!!

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b] This was wonderful. I know what you mean. It's so hard to not let the music carry you away. I think that's mostly a good thing. Your recording was great. A real lounge player! Have you ever done that? YOu could with pieces like this. Really, really nice.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b] Just under 5 years!!??? Wow. That's real talent... awesome! I can't offer any advice. I thought it was great!

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b] This was very impressive. You kept the left hand pretty steady which I'm sure wasn't very easy. The dynamics were good too.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b] NIce. I love the steady bass harmony amd rhythm. It has such captivating pulse. and the quiet melody at about 2:58 with the increasing haromny is beautiful. Great job!

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b] I love Nocturnes..... haven't even learned one yet. This was beautiful. There's so much music out there. After each recital I want to play everything!!! I loved it! You sound so relaxed and confident.


68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b] Soft and sweet. and nearly the end of an amazing 11th recital. I'm glad you were near the end as it leaves me feeling happy and mellow... Thanks!

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b] Wonderful job on this familiar piece. I've picked it up from time to time but somehow never finished.... You've inspired me. You played it beautifully with all the emotion it needs, great use of musical 'space' - it sounded very professional. Perfect end to the recital!!

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor

A very haunting piece. Very smooth on the arpeggios. Pretty nice connectivity of the notes.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

The tough part about this piece is making the melody sing out. I think you did a good job on that. And, you kept things moving forward pretty well.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche

Wonderful pace to this piece. Excellent changes in tempo. It really pulsated and you played it flawlessly.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark

I liked your treatment of the left hand. Just enough to counterbalance the thematic material. A very moody and mysterious piece. Great interpretation.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13

Terrific dynamics. Your playing was clear and beautifully legato.

06. Laura D - Tarantella

A double wow! Excellent work. Only 3-1/2 years? You showed a very even touch on the trickier passages. A professional quality performance. Bravo.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations

Definitely of movie soundtrack quality. If I may digress, I pictured the ocean, rolling waves, then calmness with time changes from day into night. An excellent piece of music.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford

Really beautiful. I'm not familiar with this piece, but you played it with great style. I loved those little runs with the left hand. Great counterpoint.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)

You know John, this is one of my favorite Chopin melodies. You maintained the integrity of the theme throughout and did a good job moving it forward.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers

Excellent playing for only 6 months experience. You kept control of the more technically difficult parts of the piece. Good tempo and a wonderful touch on the keyboard.

The next batch of ten...

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b] This is a really pretty piece. I don't know it so can't comment on the accuracy of the transcription -- but from what I heard it has to be pretty close. Well played.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b] Nice job. Perhaps a couple of tiny slips, but overall well done -- you brought out the musicality in the piece and avoided making it sound, well, um, mechanical.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] Excellent recording -- the sound quality is great, as is the playing. And, for the record, I don't think Beethoven is always grave -- his music reflects, in part, the pain he suffered but also the humor he saw in life. Excellent job!

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b] Ah, I love playing Haydn -- always full of surprises and joie de vivre. Well played: nice touch and good control.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] Ah, a nice ragtime piece. Joplin's influence on Lamb is really obvious in this piece (which, I believe, was his first published piece). The only non-African American of the "Big Three" ragtime composers (the others are Joplin and James Scott) his music reflects a light-heartedness that you really bring out well. Excellent job!

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b] Very, very nicely played -- good touch and timing. For five months this is excellent (and, actually would be good for someone with much more experience).

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b] It would be interesting to know the story behind this music which you play so well! There is a pensiveness in this piece that you bring out so well. Perhaps you should delete more "brilliant" recordings so you can redo them!

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] This is really well done -- very nice control of the pace of the piece. Well played.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] Interesting choice of voice for this piece. I found the sound fun to listen to! You played the piece will (what part was your ear playing?).

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b] If I keep listening to you and Monica I may actually find myself playing Einaudi! Well done -- the trills were really clean!

The next group of 10 will be done shortly.

Ed

Here's numbers 31 to 40...

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b] Your tempo was really good on this. It was well played. You did seem to ignore the dynamics or, perhaps, they got lost in the recording. The score shows variation from piano to fortissimo, but it seemed to all be at the same level. Just something to think about for the future! Other than that, well done!

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b] Nice variation in dynamics, good control of the tempo. This piece had a good pulse. Well done!

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b] Nicely played with an excellent touch. You've noted the hand synchronization, but that's really the only issue I noticed. Good job!

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] I don't know this piece so comments on accuracy to the score are not possible. Having said that, it sounds really good. Nice dynamics, good pace and delicate touch. Well done!

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] Cathy, I don't think there's anything to be disappointed about. This is a really nice rag! This sounds more like an early 20th century rag that's moved beyond the stride influence of rag (which, in fact, it is). The left hand patterns reflect some Joplinesque tendencies, but I think there's a lot of you in it. Very well done! BTW, you might try to find Winifred Atwell's version of this -- you have a lot in common with her!

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b] I don't know this piece, but really enjoyed your playing! Good job.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] me -- and I'm always my own worst critic.... no comment

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] Ah, an old standard! Glad you didn't rush it, nice touch and well played.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b] This is a piece that virtually everyone learns sooner or later. Good job on making this piece come alive.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] You grabbed me right of the bat with the way you start -- really good! The rest was, too!

More to follow...

Ed

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] Such a simple sounding piece when you play it so well. There is a lot going on there and you handled it beautifully.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] I'm always impressed at how you can sing and play at the same time. I get hopelessly confused when I have do something as seemingly simple as count and play! You have gift for songwriting. A lovely song.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] I don't think it lacked in either technical merit or musicality. It's always a pleasure to hear Debussy played with such emotion.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] Awesome! The Muppets meet the ABF, with a little Billy Joel tossed in! I love it!

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] I have attempted 2 Bach pieces so far, and butchered them unmercifully! You played this as if it were easy, which I know it is not. You kept the tempo and flow very well. Beautifully performed.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] Very nice. Sounds like it was fun to play.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] "Moody and lovely" certainly are apt words to describe this piece. Very nice job bringing out that melody. The dynamics were very nice also, and flowed nicely with the music.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] I guess I "dig this super romantic crap," too, because I thought it was lovely and very well played!

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] Nice job. Bach is so difficult to play, but you make it sound easy.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] Oh, nice job! Not sounding "rusty" at all in those fingers!

#69. I always love this piece. It sounds deceptively simple I think. There is a lot of nuance and I think you handled it quite well.

#68. Very pretty. I really like the way you played it. Lot's of feeling.

#67. A great chopin nocturne. Good touch. Good trills. Nice rubato. Really enjoyed listening.

#66. Oh yea... I can't hear this without seeing that fantastic portrait montage on you tube. I love it and you did a great job.

#65. Nice and lively!! really good playing.

#64. I never did like this piece played in a minute You found just the right speed.

#63 Smoooooth. I needed my cigar and a scotch for that one. Fantastic playing. I listened twice.

#62 Well... considering what you had to go through to get this recorded I would say you got a real nice result. Really , really good playing.

#61. That's funny, I was just talking to my dad, a professional singer and he mentioned Danny Boy. He said that when ever he would go home to Alabama to see his parents his father would ask him to sing Danny Boy and would cry.

You really caught the feeling. Nicely done.

#60. Very dramatic. I love it. Good job.

06 Laura D Tarantella - Pieczonka [/b]
Wow, the piece is a hoot to listen to. Fun to play . . . not for me, I think. My fingers refuse to move that fast in anything close to an orderly fashion. Superb performance. I thought when I heard the opening strains that the piano sounded like an older version of Monica's. I'm usually terrible at guessing pianos, so I was really surprised when I checked and found that it really was a M & H.

07 Mr Super-hunky Imaginations - M. Super-Hunky[/b]
What can I say, this is excellent. You continue to be full of surprises. The composition sounds very professional, and I really enjoyed listening. Your dynamics are wonderful, and the great thing about composing your own music is that no one but you knows when (if) you hit a wrong note.

08 Riddler I Remember Clifford - Golson[/b]
This piece is a jazz classic. There are probably a million recordings of this piece out there. I really enjoyed your version. You really know how to fill out a lead sheet, and I know from experience that isn't easy.

09 John Frank Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme) - Chopin[/b]
You are certainly correct about Jo Stafford's recording of the piece. I'm sure I've heard a number of other pop and jazz singers do the piece as well over the years. Anyway, very nice job on this, John Frank. I enjoyed listening.

10 True Beginner Les Fleurs Sauvages - De Senneville/Toussaint[/b]
I have never played this piece, but I have heard it many times. It is such a haunting melody, Yoiu captured the essence and emotion of the piece very nicely. You also play well beyond your level of experience. Very nice, thank you.

11 laValse Prelude Op 40 #3 - Liadov[/b]
This piece is sad and haunting as one expects of Russian music. Of course, there are upbeat Russian pieces, but this is what I think of when I think of Russian music. The only criticism I have is that it is too short and left me wanting more. I suppose, though, that that could be considered a good thing.

12 Peyton A House at the End of the World - Higgison[/b]
What a wonderful into! This is another wonderful composition of yours. Great job, sir. I really enjoyed your ending as well. Superb!

13 Ted Stanion La fille aux cheveux de lin - DeBussy[/b]
Ted, you tackled a beautiful and well known piece here. I enjoyed listening. Wonderful job!

14 b528nf7 Piano Bar Theme - Henson/Pottle [/b]
Bill, What a fun piece! Very nice job. I like the Joel tribute at the end as well.

15 Schubertian Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II - Bach[/b]
This is a technically challenging piece, and I believe you played it flawlessly. Your piano sounds great as well. Bravo!

16 Jinbo Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor -
schubert[/b]
That's a nice little Schubert piece. Short and sweet. You played it very nicely. Great job, Jinbo!

17 dannylux/Mel Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor - Kalinnikov[/b]
Mel, that is indeed a lovely piece. I love that you continue to seek out lesser known composers for our entertainment and education. Excleent playing; great dynamics and precise timing. Bravo!

18 bluekeys Marriage D'amour - Senneville/Toussaint [/b]
Who'd have thought the recital would feature two pieces by De Senneville & Toussaint? This is quite a lovely piece, and I believe you played it terrifically. Wonderful job!

19 Casyopea Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I) - Bach[/b]
Another beautiful and very familiar piece. Well done, Casyopea!

20 rustyfingers Root Beer Rag - Joel[/b]
Your husband has nothing to be sorry about. You did a great job on a tricky piece. I guess most people do become tired after hearing the same piece hundreds of times within a short period of time, though.

I have enjoyed every piece thus far, and I look forward to hearing the rest (except for the one by that Turner guy - I think I've heard it a thousand times already.)

My initial comments after first time through. More to follow:

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] - Nice - really enjoyed the slide show.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] - Nice - kind of a bluesy feeling.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] - Loved the song, your voice and your playing. Fantastic performance.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] - Loved the energy - Well Done. Your piano had just the right tone for this piece.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] - Great job. If Silent Films come back you could find work playing background.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] - Nice job - Nice Dog in your video.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] - One of my favorite tunes - you played it well.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] - very nice touch. Your timing and phrasing are excellent.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] - Very well done. You don't owe George Botsford any apologies.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b] - I've never heard this before but loved the song and your interpretation. Sweet ending.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] - Nice tempo and expression. Nicely performed.

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] - Fine rendition of a wonderful old standard.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] - Very classy and elegant. I love the sound of your piano (didn't sound out of tune to me).

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] - What a wonderful performance. It ended too soon.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] - I really like the big, lush sound of this. A powerful and confident performance.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] - This has a nice East meets West feel. I really enjoyed listening to it.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b] - Great intro. Very nice and funky treatment. I like the upbeat tempo of your interpretation.

As in the last recital, I don’t want to comment in numerical order of performances (apologies to the early birds). But I do want to honor the Gold Medal performers, both old and new. You would have no way of knowing, but each one of you inspired me with your recital performances these past few years. Congratulations to all of you!

Monica; [/b] Nuvole Bianche: I know exactly what you mean by the “all-to-rare transcendent piano experiences”. Einaudi may have written these notes but you certainly made them your own in this very thoughtful performance. How nice it must be to have such lovely pieces in your repertoire. I would use this particular one whenever I needed to calm my nerves or lower my blood pressure. It would seem to have that effect.

LitzAddict; [/b] Chopin Prelude Op 28 No 13: Preludes always leave you wanting more don’t they? I thought I had heard all of Chopin’s Preludes but I didn’t recognize this one. What made you choose this one for the recital? I really loved the part at about the minute & half point…sublime.

Mr Super-Hunky; [/b] Imaginations (Original Composition): Very professional sounding! I really like all of the transitions (key changes?) throughout the music…it was dramatic but in a very pleasing and subtle way, not overly done. Interesting that you mentioned this music as an application to a “movie soundtrack” because I was actually thinking that while listening before I read it in your write up. Good job S-H, as always.

Euan Morrison; [/b] Piano Ballet: I for one hope Eluvium won’t mind you performing this in the recital. For one thing, I now have him bookmarked to watch. What a beautiful melody. For some reason, I think this particular melody would be an excellent choice to bring along and play while shopping for a new piano. Great choice for the recital by the way!

Copper; [/b] Stardust: Boy does this bring back memories of my early childhood. My grandmother loved this. She lived to be 100 years old, and she died a long time ago. This would also sound terrific if you recorded it with static background noises to duplicate an old record playing on an old phonograph. You pick some of the most interesting music for these recitals Copper. Your playing is coming along nicely by the way. Keep it up…if you can fly planes you can teach yourself to play the piano. Keep this one on the back burner, with more time on the keyboard I can really see you jazzing this one up even more.

Seaside Lee; [/b] How Deep is Your Love: One word. Style. A couple things occurred to me while listening to this delightful recording. First thing…if I were challenged to listen to the entire recital and guess who played each one, this one (and Mr Super-Hunky’s) would be the only ones I would probably guess correctly. I would not be able to guess who played any of the classical or popular pieces played from scores. Second thing…it occurs to me that the ability to improvise musically would be extremely useful in terms of training yourself to listen more actively to the music and to developing a personal style. I think that is my biggest personal challenge musically. I can read notes on a staff and figure out how to roughly translate them into sounds, but I need to listen more. It’s obvious to me that you are obviously listening a lot to what you’re playing, and in doing so you’re developing your own personal style. I hope you’ll always be around PianoWorld Seaside, I can’t wait to hear how your style develops in the next decade and beyond.

IPIBAHN-Sandy; [/b] Jazz Hymn: Okay I’ll admit it. You made me cry Sandy. A beautiful and sweet song, played lovingly. I went back and reread Cassie’s thread while listening to this on repeat a couple times. I’m going to give my little doggie some extra attention tonight and pray I have him around as long as I possibly can. I can so appreciate your choice of music for this recital Sandy. It just sounds so right, and well done. Peace be with you!

Mike White; [/b] Scherzino Mexicano: I have come to expect phenomenal performances from you Mike, and as usual you didn’t disappoint. Absolutely DELIGHTFUL piano music!! Scherzino? Like the word. Is it, like, a small Scherzo? I am going to have to bookmark this one for future consideration. Like Monica and many others here in the ABF, I’m always looking out for new piano music to add to my impossible stack. You know Mike, I would feel like an accomplished piano player if I could play everything you play. I hope that doesn’t sound too effusive because I mean it quite genuinely.

And for the 3 newest members of the esteemed “Gold Dot” Club or society:

Dannylux (Mel); [/b] Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor “This is a great piece for teaching the fingers to sing and to learn to play the spaces between the notes, where the very soul of the music lies.” I love that Mel! I usually find your recital selections to be a showcase for impressive musical athleticism, but this one is different. It sounds like this one is complex in a very different way. If you progress much more you’ll leave me so far behind all I will be able to say for your recital performances is “Wow”.

AdagioM (Michele); [/b] Haydn Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35: Very nice! Well controlled, relaxed and comfortable. Yes, you own this Michele…it is pure pleasure for my ears. Thank you so much.

Kawaigirl; [/b] Einaudi Leo: Forgive my irreverence, but I laughed my *** off halfway through this when I noticed that you selected “YES, Critical Feedback Wanted”. As if! If there were a choice of “None necessary” that would be more appropriate. Seriously though, your recital performances have always been inspirational for me and this one is no exception. You are a wonderful ambassador for Einaudi because you make me want to purchase his music. What more can I say?

Thank you all.

Thank you. This meant a lot to me. Especially today as we picked up Cassie's ashes and I havent' been able to stop crying since....give your pup a hug for me too...

I am enjoying listening to everyone's pieces on an MP3 CD in my car. I made a Recital 11 Player List on a Word Document and anyone interested in printing a copy can get it from my boxnet site.

Recital 11 Player List (includes piece, composer, Source, Instrument, and recording method)
Go here:
http://www.box.net/shared/rbvg8r1c4o

21 Euan Morrison Piano Ballet - Eluvium[/b]
I had to reread the composer's name here. At first I thought it said effluvium. This does not sound noxious or malodorous in the least. Wonderful job, Euan, as usual. A most enjoyable performance.

22 DragonPianoPlayer The Mechanical Doll - Shostakovich[/b]
Well done. I am not fond of this type of music, but I know the piece is not easy. You played it quite well.

23 Euphonatrix Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2 - Beethoven[/b]
You played this rather challenging piece tremendously well, madame. Excellent touch and dynamics. There are some places in that piece that would tie my fingers in knots.

24 AdagioM Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35 - Haydn[/b]
Michele, this is a beautiful piece. You kept a nice steady pace throughout and didn't try to rush it. That is a mistake many of us make of slower pieces. We try to rush through it too quickly. Nice touch, good dynamics, overall excellent job!

25 mlr1899 Sensation - Lamb[/b]
You exhibit a wonderful sense of timing on this rag, mlr. Very enjoyable. Thanks.

26 Gary001 Theme in F Major - Unknown[/b]
Very nice job, Gary. Well played.

27 rocky Evacuee - Enya & Nicky Ryan[/b]
Well, it doesn't sound that simple. I don't know the piece, but it certainly sounds like something from Enya. Nice and peaceful. Great job.

28 Serge88 The Long and Winding Road - Lennon/McCartney[/b]
A beautiful song beautifully played. You really brought out the beautiful melody of this piece. Very enjoyable; Great job!

29 angelojf Here Comes The Sun - Harrison[/b]
Hmm . . . two Beatles songs in a row. How'd that happen? Your playing makes me wish the recording quality was better. Nice job.

30 kawaigirl1 Leo - Einaudi[/b]
I don't think I've heard this one before. What can I say, you played it spectacularly as usual. You have a wonderful touch and great timing.

Perhaps I will listen to a few more later this evening if I can stay awake that long. Excellent recital one and all.

Thanks to all that made the recital possible. I just started listening today at lunch, will have more comments later as I enjoy them.

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] Consistent left hand and meditative.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio
Sostenuto[/b] Got to love Ludwig. I have only played the easy version and I usually rush the tempo. You have a good feel for the adagio.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] I sense that you have a good concept of what you want to express with this peice and you have the command / skill to deliver. It is easy to imagine the clouds while you play.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] I am a big fan of Mancini / Mercer but this in new to me. Nice job. I couldn't tell you were improvising, all the notes seemed as though they belonged. Which is a good thing.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] Nice tone, for some reason I liked the 2nd half bettter than the first.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] A fast one, a real challenge to be sure. The runs at the end were very well played.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] Congratulations, It takes a lot of talent and hard work to create an original and to put it all together. Listening with headphones, on my lunch break, I had to take off the headphones to make sure they were on right, seemed like the pan was switched at one point [ low notes on right and higher notes on left ].

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] Very nice, with some unexpected changes. Your rendition has inspired me to learn this piece.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] Liked your dynamics and rubato.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] Amazing playing after only 6 months.

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] Short and sweet.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] Painting, composing, performing, lyrics... that's quite a lot of talent you have.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] After hearing recital 10 [Notturno, Op. 54, No. 4] I expected a lot and I wasn't disappointed. This is another outstanding job.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] Very entertaining. Thanks

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] I know this isn't a competition, but playing this well after only a year and a half makes me feel like I should be practicing more.

epf - thanks for the tip on Winifred Atwell! I didn't know her, but now I'll keep my eye out when scrounging through the lp's at the thrift stores. I listened to a youtube performance - wow! I can see that there's some resemblance in the ways we interpret George (altho not in the speed!). Thanks for the thoughts.

Cathy

Okay, now to some comments. I'm going to go sort of thematically this time.

First - music by pianists from whom I'd like a whole album.

Manndrew - Crazy (Willie Nelson) definitely my genre of music, and this was super. It might even be nice to have a whole album of just this song - you, Willie, Patsy,

DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso (Ennio Morricone) - I never tire of your music, and your repertoire is right up my alley. I'm so glad you played in this recital. Great piece.

TX-Dennis (that Turner guy) - In The Still of the Night (Cole Porter) - ditto what I said for Buck. Your styling is everything I'd like to be able to play. The laid back, the cool -

rocky - Evacuee (Music by Enya & Nicky Ryan) - I don't know how you do it. It's magic, how beautiful everything you play is. Your touch and interpretation are exquisite.

Second - music that makes me laugh, either in delight or otherwise

b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme (Henson/Pottle) - what, you didn't expect to be here?!? The lyrics were perfect, and I love the ease with which you play. I generally check out your videos when you post them, and enjoy them a lot.

Laura D - Tarantella (Albert Pieczonka) - this is a delight. I could never play it, but I love it.

rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag (Billy Joel) - rags always make me laugh, but the bass on this one rumbles! I had downloaded the sheet music, but it was obvious to me I couldn't play it. Thanks for letting me hear it - great job.

mlr1899 - Sensation (Joseph Lamb) - Yes, Yes, Yes! Great ragtime feel, great tempo, bounce, accents, the works! More, more!

Gary001 - Theme in F Major (Unknown - BMW Anh. 131) - this might seem misplaced, except - for one brief shining moment this was my recital piece When the magic codes were mixed and duplicated this was the piece I got when I entered my code. It's the first piece in the copy of Bach's Anna's Notebook that I have from when I was a teenager. It's beautiful, and you played it beautifully.

bluekeys - Mariage D'amour (Senneville and Toussaint) - lovely crap. I like your blog, too

Third - other non-classical, stylings I admire and playing I liked a lot

ddh - daniel - Londonderry Air (Traditional Irish) - a St. Pat's doesn't go by that our band doesn't sing this - if that makes sense. We pass out lyric sheets around the bar, and our whistle player, whose mother owns the world's biggest collection of sheet music for this particular song, leads the way. Well done.

Rosanna - Shanghai Tan (Koo Ga Fei)- this beautiful. I admire you no end for sticking with pianomagic, and developing a talent you thought you didn't have. But everything I've heard you play by ear (and heart) is wonderful. This was so evocative -

IPIBAHN - Sandy - Jazz Hymn (Christopher Norton) - very nicely done.

Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love (The Bee Gees?) - so nice to have you in this recital. I like the transition in tempo from contemplative to sort of upbeat - nice change of mood. And you are a master of mood -

manhzeit - Diminished (myself) - lovely, soothing. Those fancy schmancy pianos must be a kick to play

Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark (Mercer-Mancini) - the slides were well chosen for this piece, and you did a really nice job of improvising. Beautiful.

Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford (Benny Golson) - Oh, wonderful. Nice movement through the piece.

Peyton - A House at the End of the World (Peyton Higgison) - style is your middle name. Actually, I should probably add you to the "I want an album" folks

Serge88 - The Long and Winding Road (Lennon/McCartney) - I, too, enjoyed the video. But how do you keep your pedal from migrating?!? I get so frustrated This was well done.

angelof - "Here Comes the Sun" (George Harrison) - good start for your Beatles review! I liked a lot.

Eighty8 - Letter From Home (Pat Metheny) - I liked this a lot - very laid back. Nice touch.

epf - Music of the the Night (Andrew Lloyd Webber) - yes, yes, yes. well done.

Copper - Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael) - saved the best for last. Best tune, best composer, wonderfully played. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Fourth - you know I like dance music

Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz - Great! I love the confidence with which you play, and the energy here was just right.

Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano (Manuel Ponce) - wow! this was great! It has just the right flavor!

Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5 (Johannes Brahms) - yes. I could see the dancers - round-brimmed black hats, white pants with black edging, tall black boots - and hear the "strutting" style of Hungarian dancers. Really well played.

Whew! going to take a break here, and will do more later -

Folks coming in my door at work loved you all.

Cathy

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] (to do)
Nice and mellow. Short yet the playing was quite captivating.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] (to do)
Your playing never ceases to amaze me, and then you throw the singing in there to accompany your own composition. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] (to do)
Very calming composition and you really captured that in your performance. Excellent.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] (to do)
You wrote a piece for the monthly piano bar performers? That's pretty thoughtful. Fun song. I think this should kick off the piano bar every month. Anybody else with that vote?

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] (to do)
I think Bach is great and I always like hearing a well performed piece of his. This certainly surpassed my expectations for someone at it for only a year and a half. Good job.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] (to do)
Nicely played with good use of the different nuances presented. Enjoyable to listen to.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] (to do)
Excellent selection and very well done. You really kept it quite musical. I could see how a piece like this could be played without the musicality you have captured. Tanks for submitting. I really enjoyed your performance.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] (to do)
For being forced to play it you do an excellent job. Really, though, you had to enjoy it yourself to pull it off the way you did. Beautifully played.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] (to do)
Another Bach. Also excellent performance. Great tempo throughout. Keep them coming.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] (to do)
Now you know I can't resist those rags. A Billy Joel at that. Nice uplifting rendition. I may just have to learn this one myself.

More to come

31 Orez Eno Two Timing - Lichner[/b]
You are progressing quickly. That course must be pretty decent for you to be playing this well after only 9 months. Nice piece; Great job!

32 Undone (Jim) Night Song - Unknown[/b]Yes, Jim, I agree. Your version sounds like a nocturne should. Very nice job. Sheesh - 7.5 months - you guys are making me feel inadequate.

33 AnthonyB I due fiumi - Einaudi[/b]
Another very talented short timer. Wonderful job. I am left speechless by such playing after only a few months.

34 Strat Wind Crest - Eguchi/Matsueda[/b]
See, you have an excuse for playing this well in a very short time. You were already a musician before you took up piano. I don't know this piece, but it is quite beautiful. I can understand why it would inspire you to learn piano. It's a very dramatic and inspiring piece. Wonderful job! I cannot imagine it being played any better.

35 jotur - Cathy Turner (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag - Botsford[/b]
I cannot imagine why you would be disappointed with this performance, Cathy. I have heard this piece played a bit faster, but your tempo is probably more authentic. It sounds wonderful.

36 Eighty8 Letter From Home - Metheny[/b]
There is not much to say about this piece except this: Great job! It's a beautiful piece played with emotion and a great touch.

37 Music of the Night - Webber[/b]
Is it Webber or Lloyd-Webber? I've seen it written both ways. Whichever, it's a beautiful piece played tremendously well. Very nice job, Ed.

38 Copper Stardust - Carmichael[/b]
This seems like such a simple song, but it is oh so difficult to play it with the correct expression. I have always been disappointed with versions that I have played. I think you got it just about right. Nice job!

39 Pevawi/Peter Fur Elise - Beethoven[/b]
I have loved this piece since the first time I heard it as a child as played by Schroeder on the Peanuts television special. Hey, it may not be perfect, but what is? I enjoyed listening. I like the sound of your K6, too. Great job!

40 gerg aka Greg Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2 - Chopin[/b]
Yes, this is a fabulous nocturne. You played it with great feeling. You really do not sound "out of practice." Thank you for your contribution. I enjoyed listening and shall undoubtedly do so again.

41 Fillanzea (Emily) Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Wow, only 38 seconds. Very nice little piece, Emily. You nailed it.

42 RobM Suteki Da Ne - Uematsu[/b]
Sorry you are having trouble with Audacity. ARe you using the stable version or a newer beta version? I have found that the beta versions will crash pretty regularly, so I have reverted to the slightly older stable version. I don't think you have anything to be unhappy with in this recording. You played it with feeling and a nice touch. Well done! By the way, what is a pasty? I must confess an ignorance of that particular food item. Sorry, too many questions.

43 tekkie Opus #18 - O'Halloran[/b]
I have not heard this before. It is quite a lovely piece, and you have played it well. Excellent job!

44 PianoN00b (Yang) Midnight Rhapsody - Bober[/b]
You chose a beautiful piece that has a special meaning for you. I can hear your connection with this music. Great job, Yang! It was beautiful.

45 joangolfing Hymn To Joy - Beethoven[/b]
That is an unusual arrangement of this piece. I did enjoy listening. Thanks for sharing this very different version of a very familiar piece. By the way, this arrangement seems to become more pleasing the more one listens to it. At first I thought it was rather irritating. I know it was difficult to bring out the theme among all the accompaniment, but you have managed to do so.

46 Paul Cast Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andante, Vivace - Clementi[/b]
Paul, that was pretty nice. I do think the third mov't is meant to be a bit faster, but I doubt I could manage anything much faster than you have. Nice job!

47 mahlzeit Diminished - mahlzeti[/b]
Interesting little composition. It is quite enjoyable. Of course, you played well. Is it just the recording quality, or was the piano badly out of tune? Some of the unisons sound a bit funky to me. Wonderful job, as always.

48 Seaside_Lee How Deep Is Your Love - The BeeGees and/or Ronald Selle[/b]
BeeGees notwithstanding, this is a pretty song. I enjoyed suffering through your six minutes of fooling around.

49 TX-Dennis Some Huge Mess - sorry, Mr. Porter, sir[/b]
Well, whatever. Funny, I don't hear any thunder, rain, or wind int he background. I recorded this during an epic thunderstorm with driving rain, a bit of hail, and 60+ mph winds. The power even went out twice while I was recording. Luckily, the Zoom was operating on battery power. I have never even taken the AC adapter from the box.

50 Piano*Dad La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin - DeBussy[/b]
You might want to change some things, but I would be more than happy to play it that well. Nice dynamics and touch, and , oh my, what a beautiful instrument.

More tomorrow. I am quite tired after a 12 hour plus day at work today. Good night all.

According to his official web site it's "Andrew Lloyd Webber" -- apparently Lloyd is a common name used in the family since it is shared by his father and brother. References to his father (an organist and son of a plumber) use "Lloyd Webber" as the last name, but without a hyphen.

Thanks for your comments on my playing!

Ed

Here’s more:

Fifth review theme – composers I know nothing about

True Beginner – Les Fleurs Sauvages (Wild Flowers) (Paul De Sennevill & Olivier Toussaint) – lovely interpretation.

laValse – Prelude Op 40 #3 (Liadov) – This was quite nice! Very pretty, and delicately played.

dannylux/Mel – Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor (Vasliy Kalinnikov) – hm. Maybe an album, from you, too. Your selections are always primo, and well-played. Thanks.

Euan MMorrison – Piano Ballet (Eluvium) – actually, I like it that we get a lot of very soothing pieces in the recitals, because work has been a pain lately (you know, now that we’ve cleaned out the swamp - ) . This is lovely.

Orez Eno – Two Timing, Op. 134 No. 6 (Heinrich Lichner) – great, jaunty piece! And played with very nice flare.

tekkie – Opus #18 (Dustin O’Halloran) – I like the way you make this piece move/flow.

PianoN00b (Yang) – Midnight Rhapsody (Melody Bober) – it’s been so much fun watching/hearing your progress. This is very well done, and nice to listen to.

Greywullf – No. 3 Canzone Amorosa (Ethelbert Nevin) – I like the changes of pace you put in here – the tempos, dynamics, dramatic pauses, etc. Very well done.

Next to last group:

Sixth – composers I’ve heard of, or may have heard the piece, which is not to say I actually know enough to comment beyond “wow” or “well played”

Mark… - Prelude in D minor (Muzio Clementi) – this is excellent. Didn’t you say once you had a “make it or break it” deadline with piano? I think you’ve made it.

Mateusz ‘Mati’ Papiernik – Sonata N. 14 ‘Moonlight’ in C# minor, Op. 27 No.2: Adagio Sostenuto (Ludwig van Beethoven) – How you folks can play major pieces like this is a mystery to me. I’m pretty much stuck with 32 bars, or at least 16 bar themes. Beautiful.

LisztAddict – Prelude Op 28 No 13 (Chopin) – ok, I’ve heard of Chopin  But beyond that my ignorance is vast. This was nice listening, tho. I like the left hand.

John Frank – Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme) (Frederic Chopin (adapted by Palmer, Manus & Lethco)) – dynamics, or the lack thereof, are my downfall. You do them well, tho. And I liked your ending.

Ted Stanion – La fille aux cheveux de lin (Claude Debussy) – another person who does interpretation better than I do. Very nice. My 7-year-old niece loves tide pools.

Schubertian – Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major ; WTC II (J S Bach) – well, I *do* like Bach, and this piece only confirms my taste. How *do* you get the left hand to work?!? Well done.

Jinbo – Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F minor (Franz Schubert) – Hm. I was looking forward to this, but it wouldn’t play on my computer  - phone home, ET!

Casyopea – Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1) (Johann Sebastian Bach) – very nicely played – I assume the left and right hands trade parts? (told you I’m ignorant) If so, you did a great job with the transitions.

DragonPianoPlayer – The Mechanical Doll (Dmitri Shostakovich) – I say this every recital, but I love your selections. And, of course, your playing of them. I liked this very much.

Euphonatrix – Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh.5, No. 2 (Ludwig van Beethoven) – well-played. I have a Sony mini-recorder, too, and have had trouble with clipping when I use it. Do you turn off the auto gain?

AdagioM (Michele) – Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35 (Franz Joseph Haydn) – lovely piece. I like Haydn, too. The whole 1600-1700 is full of stuff I like.

Undone (Jim) – Night Song (Unknown) – another piece I played when I was a teen, but never made music of. You did a great job of interpreting it.

Pevawi/Peter – Fur Elise (Ludwig van Beethoven) – I don’t get tired of this. Lovely.

gerg aka Greg – Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2 (Frederic Chopin) – from a “critical” standpoint I suppose my opinion is useless, but your playing seems virtuosic to me. Wow.

joangolfing – Hymn to Joy (Beethoven, Piano arr. By Jeanne Cotter) – I’m glad you posted this. It’s always nice to hear what seems to me to be kind of experimental pieces.

Paul Cast – Sonantina Op. 36 No. 1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace (Muzio Clementi) – oh, how cheery and charming! And perfect tempos for these! Thanks.

Piano*Dad – La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin (Claude Debussy) – what very little I’ve tried to play of Debussy I’ve made no sense of. So I admire those of you who do. How nice to hear you in the recital again.

GregF – Pastorale Op. 100, No. 3 (Johann Burgmuller) – another one I couldn’t get to play. What *is* going on?

Mistaya (Caroline) – Notturno op. 54 no. 4 (Edvard Grieg) – I love your pianissimos. This had a Shakespearean Midsummer Night’s Dream quality to it – well done.

Kawai, HI – Raindrop Prelude (Chopin – Schaum) – well, I’ve heard this in the ABF enough to be able to recognize it, so it can’t be *that* simplified. I could have put this in the “pieces that make me laugh” except that it was the “embarrassing” comment that made me laugh. The piece was *not* laughable – I enjoyed it.

YD (Yuri) – Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante (Mozart) – another one of my favorite composers, and another piece even I can recognize. Wonderful music, Yuri, and I like your interpretation.

Ozor Mox – Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz) (Chopin) – for sure, if this was played in one minute it would no longer be waltzable. But you know me, I’m partial to actually being able to dance to dances It might be heresy, but a good tempo to which I like to waltz is a quarter note at 132, so you might try that with a metronome. The runs were really light and airy – very nice.

Ovaltine – Nocturne #2, Op. 9 No. 2 (Chopin) – this had a really nice, comfortable, easy feel to it. Well done.

karaeloko – Traumerei (Schumann) – yes, Traumerei is a very beautiful piece, and you did a great job. I’m glad Monica was engrossed in her book so we could have such a nice ending to this recital. Well done!


Cathy

Continuing with the next ten:

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b] A cute little waltz played pretty evenly (a little slowing around and 17-18 second mark). The piece deserves the "sunburst" name and you played it "brightly". Very nice.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] Very nicely done! This piece certainly keeps you moving and your subtle changes of dynamics bring out the wistfulness of the piece.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b] This piece has a rather sad atmosphere that you bring out well. The use of the pedal seems to blur some of the notes (a but too much for my taste). Nice, even tempo and good control of the left hand in support of the right. Well done.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] In general you show very nice control, especially on the runs. I would have preferred a little more variation in the dynamics, especially in the contrasting portions (say from 50 seconds to 1:30 into the piece as opposed to the opening). A couple of minor stumbles, but overall very nice!

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] Hmmmm...a syncopated Ode to Joy. You certainly choose a difficult piece to play. I'm not convinced that the arrangement works well, but it does offer a number of challenges. Nice work. A few stumbles but overall well done.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] You played this very sweetly. Since you asked for critical review I'll provide that in the Critial section.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] As usual, very nice (surprisingly good recording). I note touches of Londonderry Air in this one.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] Very nice "noodling around." This has a real "piano bar" feel to it: sort of a late a night, smoky bar with everyone having one too many drinks sitting around feeling morose. Good job!

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] Very nice, a real Cole Porter standard played with just the right feel.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] Very nice! As simple as this sounds it's not at all easy. Really good job.

Well, that's that batch. Two more to go...

Ed

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]
Nicely performed mellow piece. I could see the dancers performing in my head.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b]
Interesting selection here. Well played. Too short, though. I wanted more.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b]
You can never go wrong with a Beethoven. You have captured the different moods of this Sonatina quite wonderfully. Not easy to do. Keep up the good work.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]
You're right. I can tell you are very comfortable with this piece. I'm betting you have performed this live for others. You have managed to capture Haydn's style nicely. Great performance.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b]
Awesome. Another rag! One of my favorite genres. I could feel myself in the saloon during your performance. I have the sheet on this and I may just have to learn it myself. I probably wouldn't be able to do it as well though. Great stuff. Thanks for the submission.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b]
Short, sweet, and to the point. Well played, especially for someone who has been at it for such a short time.

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b]
This is an interesting piece. Sorry to hear about that lost brilliant recording, but I am trying to find where this one falls short.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]
Now there's a familiar tune. Very captivating, I must say, and well performed.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b]
Another Beatles tune. Also an excellent performance. Nice tempo. For some reason, though, it would not play on the streaming player.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]
This composer, Einaudi, seems to be quite popular around these forums. I can see why. You have put together a great recording of an excellent performance. Thanks for submitting and keep it up.

More to come

Here's numbers 51-60...

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] This piece is marked dolce cantabile -- "sweet singing" and you did a pretty good job of bringing out the song. At the same time, the duration of the 8th notes in the left hand should be the same as the 8th notes in the right hand. You seem to have stretched them out to quarter notes. Nice work on the grace notes!

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b] Very nicely done! The only thing I would have liked to see is a little more morendo (dying away) at the end. Good job!

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] Okay, I'll start out by saying that when it comes to Jazz I'm a little out of my element. That said, I'll comment anyway It may have been the recording, but the left hand seemed a little too dominant in the first 35 seconds and then again at the 1 minute mark. Nice pace and you really made the melody sing out.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] Since I don't know the piece my comments will relate only to your excellent playing. First, a nice, full sound although perhaps a bit too much pedal (at least for my taste). Good control of dynamics and the pacing seemed just right for the feel of the piece.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] Very well done! This piece is typical of the period and you bring out its rhythms and melody very nicely. Perhaps playing on a "period instrument" was of some help

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] Good job! Nice tempo throughout, you really made the melody sing. My only thought is that you might want to look at the score with regard to the dynamics. You played this pretty evenly all the way through and there are a number of dynamic changes throughout the piece that were omitted (or, perhaps, lost in the recording).

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b] It's nice to know the story behind a piece. Nicely done.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b] You have a nice, delicate touch! If I might make a suggestion -- watch your use of the pedal. Part of the reason this is called "raindrop" is because of all the pedal marks -- up and down. Good pace!

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b] Nice to see Ponce represented in this recital! Very nicely done -- good control of the tempo and the dynamics are very subtly understated but work well.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] Well, it's a safe bet I don't know the piece so can't comment on the accuracy of your ear. It's well played, however, with a nice range of dynamics and the tonality you get is very good. This piece seems to be one of a number of Chinese pieces that reflect both the traditional and Western influences in music -- very nice!

And that leaves one more batch to do.

Ed

And, seventh, last but not least – new age, anime, video, and other non-classical, with same caveats as above –

Monica K. – Nuvole Bianche (Ludovico Einaudi) – I admire tremendously your ability to make music, rather than just notes. You obviously hear your music, and have the skill to bring it to life. This was great.

Mr Super-hunky – Imaginations (Mr super-hunky) – I like what’s in your head. Your approach to music, and the focus of your efforts, brings great results. I like both your philosophy and your music. This was wonderful.

kawaigirl1 – Leo (Ludovico Einaudi) – very nice. Contemplative.

AnthonyB – I due fiumi (Ludovico Einaudi) – really nice balance between the hands, and congratulations on your skill with both hands.

Strat – Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2) (Takahito Eguchi & Noriko Matsueda) – this is a beautiful piece in and of itself, but I’m totally ignorant of FF. Is this piece associated with a particular action, or scene, or theme? What part of FF is invoked as you’re listening away from the game itself (it is a game, isn’t it? My maiden aunty genes have kept me out of this culture ) ?

RobM – Suteki Da Ne (Nubuo Uematsu) – yeah, tricky rhythms, but you let it aid the movement of the piece, rather than getting in the way. Well done. And by pasty, you meant a meat pie, yes? Not what Monica-from-the-US-and-has-been-hanging-out-with-super-hunky-too-long thought of?

polostrings – Waiting for Arrival (polostrings) – I love it when people compose music with friends and loved ones in mind. Some of my most treasured pieces are from a friend of mine who wrote them for me (some of which I can’t play). Did you write this down, or can you just sit down at the piano and play it? Either way, I liked it, and I liked the thoughts behind it.

EJR – Everyday (Carly Comando) – well, no wonder you had to have a go – nice piece, and Monica’s rendition was terrific. This is a great follow-up – same nice movement, great bass notes, nice layering of the treble over the left hand. Well done.

Signal – Leave on the Siene (David Lanz) – oh, this was lovely, and played with such a nice touch – you have a good feel for your music.

I think this does it for reviews for me. If I left you out please jump up and down and wave your arms wildly – I’m short and otherwise it’s hard for me to see clear across the lobby of the auditorium 

Cathy

51 GregF Pastorale Op.100, No. 3 - Bergmuller[/b]
Interesting little piece with nice dynamics and timing. Good job, Greg!

52 Mistaya (Caroline) Notturno op.54 no.4 - Grieg[/b]
Really nice dynamics, Caroline. This is a beautiful piece of music. I felt that it was perhaps a bit uneven in spots (I can't be certain, though, as I don't have the score before me), but overall very nice.

53 IPIBAHN (Sandy) Jazz Hymn - Norton[/b]
Sandy, this is a very pretty piece that I don't believe I've ever heard before. It does sound like a hymn to me. Very sweet and enjoyable with good dynamics.

54 DeepElem (aka Buck) Cinema Paradiso - Morricone[/b]
Wow, gorgeous piece, Buck. You played it with wonderful dynamics and a great sense of timing. Beautiful!

55 Greywullf Canzone Amorosa - Nevin[/b]
Interesting piece with which I was not familiar. Nice dynamics. You played it well. Great job!

56 Jeff (Opus45) Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons) - Tchaikowsky[/b]
Thanks for playing this. One of the first books I had as a child was a level 2 1/2 collection of simplified Tchaikowsky pieces. I have enjoyed his music ever since. Yes, I heard one or two minor problem areas, but overall this was quite nice with good dynamics. Nice job! When you hit a wrong note, you can just say what I do, "I was improvising a bit." Of course, that doesn't go down so well in the classical genre.

57 polostrings Waiting For Arrival[/b]
Your description of your composition brought tears to my eyes. You made me think of all we had to go through before the birth of our son. We had lost two babies, and discovered that my wife had a genetic disorder that wouldn't allow her to have healthy children. So we turned somewhat reluctantly to the miracle of modern science known as in vitro fertilization with egg donation. Thus, we had quite a bit longer than nine months invested in the process. Much of that time was sheer terror because of what we had gone through before, but the results were nothing short of a miracle. Would I do it again? Probably not, but I sure am glad we did it the first time. Anyway, back to your piece. I loved it. Bravo!

58 Kawai, Hi Raindrop Prelude - Chopin[/b]
Nothing to be embarrassed about. I played a bunch of pieces simplified by Schaum. Every now and then I still get those old books out and play through them for fun and sight reading practice. Very nice job.

59 Mike White Scherzino Mexicano - Ponce[/b]
I don't think I've ever heard this one before. It is gorgeous, and you play it very well with great dynamics and a nice touch. Beautiful. Tremendous job!

60 Rosanna Shanghai Tan - Goo[/b]
I am glad the posse hounded you until you gave in and participated here. Wow, what a dramatic piece. I, too, can imagine what it would sound like on a good acoustic grand. You play it wonderfully. Thank you for sharing this beautiful music with the group.

61 ddh - Daniel Londonderry Air[/b]
I love this melody, and I know it in at least three versions. The original Londonderry Air, Danny Boy, and the hymn, He Looked Beyond My Fault. All three, though subtly different, are the same basic melody. You did a great job with it.

62 YD (Yuri) Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b]
Beautiful. I would not have noticed your very slight tempo alterations if you hadn't pointed them out. Very nice dynamics and accurate playing with a wonderful touch. As always, your playing is very satisfying.

63 Mannddrew Crazy - Nelson[/b]
This is a wonderful song that I have enjoyed listening to from numerous artists over the years. You have really captured the bluesy nature of the piece with your interpretation. I know it was originally a country hit, but I have always felt it worked best as a blues. Thanks, I love this!

64 Ozor Mox Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz) - Chopin[/b]
This is still a blistering pace that I cannot manage. You held the waltz feeling through most of the piece despite what you said in your description. Great job!

65 Hisalone (Joel) Hungarian Dance No. 5 - Brahms[/b]
I played a simplified version as a youngster, so I know the real thing isn't easy to play. This was always one of my favorites even though I couldn't really do it justice. You play it very nicely in my estimation. Great job!

66 EJR Everyday - Comando[/b]
A very dramatic piece played with feeling. Great job!

67 Ovaltine Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2 - Chopin[/b]
I have always loved this piece. You play it quite well. Such nice dynamics and touch. The timing was perhaps off just a fraction here and there, but hardly noticeable. Bravo!

68 Signal Leave on the Siene - Lanz[/b]
A beautiful piece played with great emotion. Nice timing and dynamics, and some of the rhythms in this piece sound rather tricky. Great job!

69 karaeloko Träumerei - Schumann[/b]
A nice mellow ending to a great recital. Your sound quality did not sound poor to me. Granted, I am listening through 3-way computer speakers of questionable quality. but it sounded typically Casioesque to me. Nice job on the piece. I enjoyed listening.

Well, another recital has come and gone. I heard a lot of great music. Some of it was familiar; some of it was new to me. I enjoyed every second. You all have surpassed yourselves once again in your performances. Tremendous job, everyone. Thank you for the hours of enjoyment, and I truly enjoyed every piece.

And now for some just plain old chit-chat, which is apparently only a murmur under the pen-scratching of those who are writing reviews –

Hey, Monica! – thanks for the work again! Weren’t you relieved that I got high-speed internet and you didn’t have to fuss with my e-mail attachment? Maybe that’s the reason you saved time?

Oh, and thanks to mahlzeit, and laValse, and Copper, and Supe and Bob Muir (where has he gone?), and ddh, and joangolfing, and all the others who help out.

Copper! – is there a map coming? Can’t wait to see where in the world all the no-places are this time.

Ted Stanion – you can go tide pooling in the mountains outside Durango, CO? Or are those not the San Juans you were going to?

Euphonatrix – wow! You can get that kind of food at your airports in Germany?!? We can only get big donuts!

Serge88 – didn’t your dog’s tail tickle?

Orez Eno – nice to hear something from the US School of Music. You’ve posted some interesting observations about it’s lessons.

AnthonyB – where’s Center City? I used to live in MN for 13 years. Just got out my atlas to look for CC. Wow. Sleepy Eye, Hibbing, Owatonna – made me homesick.

Seaside – update that blog, man! How ya doin’? How’d the stuff go with your landlord at the gym?

polostrings and Kawai, HI – your kid is so cute. But you know, when HI first put up the avatar I thought it was a self-portrait My eyesight’s maybe not so good any more.

Rosanna – all this talk of lunch is making me hungry. Yum, Indian food –

Cathy

IPIBAHN – Sandy, epf, b528nf7, TX-Dennis – thanks for the comments. I do think I have a feel for this style of lively music, but just for the record, it’s the phrasing and pedaling I think I’m lousy at. I worked at it some on my first recital piece, The Entertainer, but haven’t really since on my pieces. I suppose I should put up or shut up and do it, and I have paid attention in several piano sessions since the recital, but we have a huge full-week-end-and-then-some gig coming up at the end of Oct, so the Nov piece is not likely to have much more subtlety. Maybe then I can spend time on this and I can hear some improvement in my playing in the phrasing-pedaling for the Feb recital. I’d love to be able to have the styling Dennis has, the ease Bill has, and the expression Sandy and Ed have, in addition to the fun I have. Nothing like asking for everything!

Cathy

Hi jotur,
thanks for your kind comment!
As to your question:
I had some problems with clipping at first, too. Now I'm recording on "manual record" (assume this means switching off auto gain). With my model, you keep the pause button pressed and move the red recording thingie to the right until "manual rec" appears on the display. The recordig timer will blink, but time will not run. Then you can use the volume button with the minus to turn down the recording volume. I did a little bit of experimenting and found out that for my piano and the mic set-up two steps down work fine. To start recording, push the pause button again.
Hope this helps.

As to your other question ... the ciabatta was bought in Vienna, Austria, but yeah, here we do have nice restaurants as well.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b]

True Beginner - Only playing 6 months? Amazing progress! I can't wait to hear how you play and what you sound like at 1 year and every 6 months or so after that

As I mentioned before in another recent post (it might have been in the Aug. Piano Bar) you really should [/b] consider renaming yourself to "True Advanced-Intermediate"

You've hit the ground running at full speed!

Regards, JF

Ah, thanks, Euphonatrix. I'll try that. I'd love to try recording on my acoustic piano, but it's too big to move into the room with the computer :p , so if I could use my Sony and then take that to computer I'd be in clover.

Cathy

Yup - posted in the statistics thread.

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/7038.html

Sandy/IPIBAHN,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I am amazed myself that I can play this and many other songs without the benefit of any written melody nor chords to go by. Prior to learning at PianoMagic, if someone had told me that I could do this, I wouldn't have believed him. So I am pretty amazed myself. As for "classically" trained, well, those 16th notes I played during the final section of the song were really quite "messy". My left ring finger wasn't that coordinated. But if I hadn't played in the past, I would have an even harder time, so I guess you can say that my "training" helps, although that training is totally rusty.

John Frank,
Thanks for your glowing comments, but they realy are way exaggerated. But then since you were one of the main "nudgers", I know your guilt demands that you say something super nice to me!


I have yet to start listening to the recital. The Olympics are getting me glued to the TV!

About an hour northeast of St. Paul. Just under the "nose" of Wisconsin. I'm originally from the Chicago area though. I will say I like Minnesota much better than the time I spent in Texas. Just north of Dallas, TX had summers that were far too hot. Winters were not cold enough to enjoy. Any snow was not much and usually didn't stick around so you get lots of sleeping trees and brown grass all winter. Anyway, I enjoy 4 seasons a year. My favorite season is right around the corner. Autumn. Such a great time of year. Apples, pumpkins, winter squash out of the garden, fields turning brown in prep to be harvested, fall colors, great sleeping weather. Hard to ask for anything better than that. Oops, I think I've gone off on a bit of a ramble there.

On a side note, I have finished listening to all the recital pieces and would like to say that I really enjoyed all the pieces, especially #33!

Great work everyone!

I like having 4 seasons, too, and here really doesn't have enough winter for me, except once every 6 or 7 years. I used to drive up to Duluth for an autumn weekend every year, and then back thru the back roads with gorgeous foliage. I've thought about going back when I "retire."

Cathy

Did someone say, "retire"? That has to be one of my most favorite words.

IPIBAHN-Sandy, Jotur-Cathy and Tx-Dennis thanks for the kind words about my piece. This place is great for boosting one's ego. (Thanks Cathy for your comments about my son, I think he's pretty cute too but I'm his mom!)

epf- Ed, thanks for the great advice on pedaling. The dynamics of this piece challenged me, even the simplified version. I hope to keep working on it.

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b]
You're developing a precise touch and played this evenly befitting Classical motifs. Every one of your performances exceeds the previous, and this is no exception.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b] (to do)
The haunting but much beloved strains of the Moonlight 1st Movement... Here we have a very musically mature performance. I didn't hear the slips, though we all get them. Part of pianistical development is the ability to "cover" them and continue, which you obviously accomplished here. Impressive, my friend.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b]
White clouds, yet without the aid of a jet. Magical playing, Monica, as clean as ever.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b]
I was quite taken with the YouTube slideshow presentation of this hanting piece. If you'll indulge me: creaking floorboards, golden memories of long-lost grandeur, dusty tapestries, cobweb-enshrouded chandeliers, broken dreams. Miss Havisham's house from Dicken's Great Expectations. Your gift for grabbing the listener and taking him/her to another world is remarkable.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b]
A flawless performance of this lovely, longing piece.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b]
Fast flying fingers in both hands, tedious fingerwork; tough spots notwithstanding, impressive. I appreciate you pushing yourself and the countless hours of hard work required for something like this.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b]
Mr. S-H, I'm usually skeptical when I see original composition as the source. This is a huge exception. You did not wander aimlessly, but grabbed the listener with a theme which you then developed. You did not bore the listener with repetiveness but continued the development throughout. You have demonstrated a rare gift.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b]
Sweet and sentimental jazz number, tastefully played. You should be playing in a night club!

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b]
Ah yes, the sweetest of melodies. Even the simplified version sounds tough. Remain diligent and someday the urge to tackle the URTEXT version will overcome you. Nice job, and keep it up!

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b]
Hey, not bad for six months playing! The octave double-strikes sounded like a fairly respectable technical hurdle, which you pulled out well!

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b]
Very much like Chopin's Op. 28 No. 4 in a miniature package. Sad, pining, morosity well-captured. Good work on this!

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b]
Incredible...

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b]
Hope you enjoyed your stay on Orcas - that's a stone's throw from here. Musically your performance sounded quite good, no obvious technical problems, with sweet lyricism.


14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b]
Loved it!

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b]
Even tempo, crisp notes show good finger independence, this sounded very Bach-like, nice work. Liked the runs near the end.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b]
I must confess I had some difficulty hearing your piano on account of some distortion. On the music itself, the dance-like rhyhtm and the dynamics sounded well-executed.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b]
Your desire to expose work of lesser-known composers is appreciated. The thread of Russian passion, deeply moving and melancholic in this case, can be heard clearly running through your excellent, pro-quality rendition of this Kalinnikov piece.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b]
It's okay to dig super romantic crap sometimes. I do hope, however, that in the future you will be in a position to pursue your own musical interests. In time, my friend. You played this well and handled the double notes and octaves with ease.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b]
A childhood favorite, thank you. Only eight months playing?

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b]
Wow, some fancy rhythms going on there! You'd get one rousing round of applause if you pulled that out in a dance or lodge hall.

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]
Relaxing ebbing and flowing dynamics against an intricate rhythm. Good touch!

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b]
Regimented, mechanical to a "T" as per the intent, and well-executed dynamics. Nice choice, and well played!

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] (to do)
A whole Sonatina, both movements! Skillfully executed with sharp precision. You captured the playful and melancholic sides of Beethoven. BTW I enjoy the sound of your upright.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]
Your playing is always so precise!

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b]
Happy rag, nicely done!

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b]
Making progress Gary!

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b]
It was hard to place the genre, or fit the title to the mood, but I enjoyed your playing of it.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]
Well-played instrumental of this Lennon classic!

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b]
Happy playing! The recording added a certain element of charm to it.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]
Wow, you nailed those delicate ornaments! Played with expression.

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b]
Nice little Beethovenesque dance piece. Perfect Carousel music for pipe organ, well done.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b]
Very impressive for 7.5 months. This piece is indeed Nocturne-like, like a night watch over a port, contained within the parentheses of dusk and dawn. Evocative little piece, fabulous work.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b]
Einaudi - hard to place a definitive mood on his music. You played it expressively and well.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b]
Chilly, sterile, view expanded outward. You succeeded in painting a picture here with your playing!

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b]
Cathy, I always look forward to your rags! Nice one, love your skill with these!

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b]
A contemporary piece I actually know! Well played, nice work!

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b]
Interesting nocturne.

38. Copper - Stardust[/b]
Don't forget Cal Tjader ;-)

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]
Für Elise - a hard piece, contrary to popular consensus! A respectable performance.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
A little burst of sunshine put to music...

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] (to do)
Quite right about the challenges of 2 against 3 and 3 against 4 (and so forth). Not familiar enough with the genre to comment in detail, except to say I found it quite, quite enjoyable and comparable to Debussy. Esp. liked the ending.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] (to do)

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] (to do)

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] (to do)

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] (to do)

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] (to do)

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] (to do)

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] (to do)

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] (to do)
You have a tender touch, and executed this sweet little piece well. Yes, the dynamics came through. Keep up the effort - musicality is what separates the good from the great, and you have potential.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b]
Caroline, I sure do appreciate your elegant taste in music - and your elegant playing! You handled the Fauré-esque syncopation with ease and grace.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
Sandy, I am sorry about the loss of your canine friend I felt some deep feeling in your playing of Jazz Hymn. One of the things a musician tries to do is communicate his or her feelings through music, and you accomplished this.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]
Played with depth and feeling. I, too, like the feel of this Jazz piece. You're good.


55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] The Chickering sounds fantastic, and so does your playing of this wonderful turn-of-the-century music. There's some irony there, in fact, in that the instrument on which you play is similar to the instruments Nevin would have had in his day.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] Stay the course, and the polishing will come. You seem to have all the components there, the dynamics, the rhythm, and most importantly, the memorization of the notes. Don't ever let anyone berate you for tackling material beyond your technical abilities; that's an excellent way to learn, but is the path of the few. BTW your recording sounded pretty good to my ears.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]
Nice comp, polostrings! Liked the dissonant chords. Keep up the good work!

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b] Even simplified Chopin is tough, and demands a strong command of musical vocabulary, and you gave a respectable performance here. (Hope you will indulge your interest some day and tackle the real thing when you feel ready, and record it for us!)

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b] Always enjoy your playing, Mike, and this was no exception. Ponce is difficult for me to place in my mental music bin - is it Romantic, or is it the Missouri Waltz? He's an underplayed composer, very pleasing to the ear, and his works deserve greater exposure.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] Ah, Rosanna, Rosanna :-) What wonderful playing, Asian melody, fast accompaniment with the LH, clean, beautiful! Yes, I could see that in a soap-opera context, and see the passion and intrigue in the piece, which you drew out well.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]
Rueful Irish melancholy captured in tune. Nothing brash, well-executed.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] (to do)
Played like a pro - texturing, dynamics, expression. This second movement of K545 is, much like the second movement of the Moonlight, obscured by the first and seldom played. Good choice!

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]
Ooh, nice Jazzy feel, complete with walking bass. Rhythmwise it sounds like there is a slap bass here with steady bass rhythm, but that's all piano! Very enjoyable.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b]
Difficult piece, good tempo, I could see the dog chasing his tail! (It's said that was the inspiration for 64/2.) Nice work tackling this sweet little beastie, very nice recording.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b]
Ha! I loved the expression you put into this! You captured the Eastern European feel, and offered excellent textural contrast (legato / staccato). I have an affinity for your playing style. Keep it up!

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]
Hard to comment on genres outside of my sphere of familiarity. This was smooth and relaxing, but at the same time tense and ominous, with a feeling much like that of Beethoven Moonlight 1st Mvt. Liked the way you built up the tension.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b] Your Chopin nocturne came out better than mine. Good work here. Smooth runs, played with expression, grace, and feeling. Tasteful performance of one of the classiest and most famous pieces in the Romantic repertoire.

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b]
Smooth, floating cadences. Beautiful.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b] (to do)
Did not notice the poor sound quality of which you opined, sounded quite good to my ear. Your playing overcame any technological difficulties you may have had. Well played Schumann.

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b]
Nice even tempo displayed here. Interesting composition I have never heard. You do well with it. Good job.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b]
I used to play this one as well. You can do it better than I did. I always did like this piece, though. I think you have inspired me to start playing it again since I still have it committed to memory. I have heard that second part played too fast, and you do definitely keep it...how you say... "nocturne-ish." Great job.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b]
Yet another Einaudi. I think so far this composer may be one of the most popular represented in this recital. Excellently performed.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b]
Calming piece in a way. These Final Fantasy songs seem to be gaining in popularity here among the forum. You play it extremely beautifully.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b]
Sweet! Another rag. Excellent tempo and all-around performance. Once again, great example from one of my favorite genres of piano music. Thanks for submitting. I'm with you. Ragtime forever. Wanna be my ragtime buddy?

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b]
Nice selection here. Jazz Fusion, huh? I could definitely pick up some jazz influences here. You play it nicely.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b]
Very mellow yet captivating performance. The slight nuances are displayed gratly in your playing. Nice job

38. Copper - Stardust[/b]
I don't think I have ever heard this on before. With that laundry list of who's who, that is surprising to me. Well done, nonetheless.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]
There's an all-time piano favorite. You do well with it. Don't worry that it is not perfect. Just listen to my submission. You play it with the feeling I think it deserves. Good job.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b]
You are so humble for what you put forth here. I like the different moods that are presented here. There is alot to be said for that. This seems like it would be no picnic to learn and really get down the way you have done. Keep submitting for us.

More to come

It would seem that some people are never happy unless they're complaining

First, they have to be badgered and harrassed and practically dragged kicking and screaming into submitting a piece at all to the Recital, and then when they finally and reluctantly relent and do so and it recieves justifiably rave reviews they complain about that! :rolleyes:

Is there no end to the abuse a loyal fan has to take?

With perplexed and disheartened Regards, JF

P.S. I hold firm to my "guilt-free" review :p

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]

Euan - Piano Ballet indeed! - nice "finger-dancing" on the keyboard - very well done with a nice, easy touch in full control - a highly listenable piece - thanks for doing the transcription and for sharing it with us here.


30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]

kawaigirl1 - a very pretty tune (lucky Leo, whomever he is) - and very well played (up to your high standards, as usual) - thanks for choosing this delectable piece (and for perfoming it so professionally) for the 11th ABF Recital (aka, "The Einaudi Fest")

With appreciative Regards, JF

Thanks for this, joangolfing--makes it easier to see the background while listening.

Everybody--I'm so impressed with this recital. Y'all are just getting better and better. I never had a chance to comment on the last recital, so I'm making a point to do so this time. Stay tuned (groan for the pun.)

And thanks for those of you who commented on my piece. Love that feedback!

OK, here goes with the last half. First half still to come (as a procrastinator myself, I empathize with the later arrivals!)

35 jotur - Cathy Turner [/b]
This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag
Cathy, I love this. As you know, I love rags, and I hadn’t heard this one before. What I especially envy about your playing is your steady rhythms. Must come from that dance ensemble work! As usual you get the fun award!

36 Eighty8[/b]
Letter From Home
Composer:Pat Metheny
Very pretty. I especially like the end.

37 epf[/b]
Music of the Night
Composer:Andrew Lloyd Webber
Epf, this was really lovely. You put a lot of feeling into the performance without over doing it. The rhythm was steady, but loose enough to convey emotion at the right time.

38 Copper[/b]
Stardust
Composer:Hoagy Carmichael
I just adore these old standards. You live up to your long line of predecessors! Great job on a great choice!

39 Pevawi / Peter[/b]
Für Elise
Composer:Ludwig van Beethoven
There’s a reason this piece is so popular. You do a nice job. I especially thought your pedaling added a lush sound. Maybe it’s your organ background…

40 gerg aka Greg[/b]
Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2
Composer:Frederic Chopin
What can I say. This was a fabulous performance—Wonderful use of dynamics to build the tension and then release. Your piano sounds so warm and beautiful too.

41 Fillanzea (Emily)[/b]
Sunburst Waltz
What a cheerful romp. Great timing and touch.

42 RobM [/b]
Suteki Da Ne
Composer:Nobuo Uematsu
You develop a great atmospheric in this performance. Nice job.

43 tekkie[/b]
Opus #18
Composer:Dustin O'Halloran
You do a great job of keeping all those triplets together in time. You must be very pleased with this performance.

44 PianoN00b (Yang)[/b]
Midnight Rhapsody
Composer:Melody Bober
Great dramatic ending

45 joangolfing[/b]
Hymn to Joy
Wow, this is an interesting arrangement of a beloved tune. Sounds like rainy-day Beethoven. Nice work bringing out the melody through the intricate accompaniment.

46 Paul Cast[/b]
Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace
I admire your accuracy on this piece. You play it very cleanly. The Vicace movement is nicely dancing.

47 mahlzeit [/b]
Diminished
Pretty colors. Your phone did a nice job recording too!

48 Seaside_Lee [/b]
How Deep Is Your Love
This laid back take takes me waaay back! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

49 TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner)[/b]
In The Still of the Night
Cole Porter is so cool. This performance really does justice to the wonderful melody.

50 Piano*Dad[/b]
La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin
Composer:Claude Debussy
Gotta have my Debussy fix. This is a terrific recording—couldn’t suggest a thing to change--from your dynamics to your touch to your pedaling, you create a lovely wash of sound. Ooh, and now I see this was in one take. We are not worthy….

51 GregF[/b]
Pastorale Op.100, No. 3
Composer:Johann Burgmuller
Sounds great—those Czerny and Hanon exercises are obviously working!

52 Mistaya (Caroline)[/b]
Notturno op.54 no.4
How lushly romantic. I really really enjoyed this. I thought of nightingales singing outside some castle window. Maybe I’ve been living in a cave, but I don’t know this piece, but now I wish I did. This with some of the Grieg pieces from past recitals make me realize I’m missing something.

53 IPIBAHN (Sandy)[/b]
Jazz Hymn
I like the sad pieces too. I find them cathartic. This is wonderful, healing music. Thanks for sharing your touching recording.

54 DeepElem (aka Buck)[/b]
Cinema Paradiso
Aha! So the secret is “leave them wanting more?” I do, I do.

55 Greywullf[/b]
No. 3 Canzone Amorosa
New to me. Thanks for the introduction. You have a mastery of melody, rhythm and dynamics. What a nice sounding piano, too.

56 Jeff (Opus45)[/b]
Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)
Ooh, another minor piece…I’m in heaven. This is a pretty one. This is in no way beyond your abilities. So musical. A keeper.

57 polostrings[/b]
Waiting for Arrival
You’ve captured the anticipation perfectly. Amazing.

58 Kawai, Hi[/b]
Raindrop Prelude
Gotta go get my umbrella—very effective!

59 Mike White[/b]
Scherzino Mexicano
This is a neat piece I haven’t heard before. From your performance I can just imagine it on guitar. Thanks for submitting it.

60 Rosanna[/b]
Shanghai Tan
One of the things that is so fantastic about these recitals is learning so much about music. I’ve never heard this before, but now I learn it is a new classic. What a wonderful melody. Nice job with the play by ear too!

61 ddh - Daniel [/b]
Londonderry Air
Sounds great. Isn’t this a pretty melody? You bring it out nicely, and play it with feeling.

62 YD (Yuri)[/b]
Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante
I’m so glad you submitted this, Yuri. People talk about it all the time, and I don’t think I’d ever heard it before. Simple it may be for you, but it sounds great. Your piano on this piece reminds me of a music box dancer. Very nice.

63 Manndrew[/b]
Crazy
Hey, this is great. I thought maybe y’all were from down south until I saw you were local. Nice improv. Patsy Cline, move over….

64 Ozor Mox [/b]
Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)
Coincidentally, my husband asked me to learn this for the next recital. Hmmm.. I’m a little intimidated. Sounds pretty tricky. I’m swaying as I type—you definitely captured that waltz feel. It brings me back to my waltz party days in college. Great work. And how cool to record in a studio! (You’re definitely ok on the timing—minute was supposed to mean small, not 60 seconds!)

65 Hisalone (Joel) [/b]
Hungarian Dance No. 5
This sounds like great fun to play. The melody is familiar, but I didn’t know the details, so I was delighted to hear your performance and learn where it came from. You did a great job keeping the base going through the tricky right hand games.

66 EJR[/b]
Everyday
This piece has some great chord colors and a a rumbly base that I feel in my chest! You have a nice steady rhythm and a way of bringing out the important bits over the left hand.


67 Ovaltine [/b]
Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2
Ouch. You should get the purple dot medal for performing under duress. It’s like you’re an Olympic piano player—the recital must go on. I love this piece and am so glad you submitted it, although, of course I’m dying to hear your Bethena. I’m putting this on my list. I’m impressed that your repertoire is deep enough to have a Plan C!

68 Signal [/b]
Leave on the Siene
Very lovely playing—another melancholy piece—my favorites!

69 karaeloko[/b]
Träumerei
You did a great job with this very moving piece.

JohnFrank,
I hereby humbly and gratefully accept your glowing reviews. :3hearts: :3hearts:

:) I thought that sounded familiar, so I googled it. Jaime Cardenas has written a rag called Ragtime Buddy He posts regularly on the yahoo group site elitesyncopations.

So many rags, so little time

Cathy

Oooh yay, I've been looking forward to getting back and listening to everyones performances and I'm certainly not disappointed! I've only had time to download all the tracks into itunes/my ipod and have a quick listen to them all so far, but I'll have a good listen soon and give my feedback.

Thanks so much to everyone who has given me positive feedback so far, its extremely encouraging to hear! And regarding the ' pasty ' I had for lunch that day.....I had no idea this could cause as much confusion as it has, haha! Yes Cathy, you are indeed correct - its a sort of meat pie with other vegetables inside pastry that has a folded crust all the way down it. They're very popular here in the UK, especially in the South-West where I'm from.

I had one on my recent trip to London. Yum.

To all 45 of the Digital piano performers in Recital 11--Bravo for the wonderful dynamics that everyone has managed to get from their keyboards.
--------------------------------------------
I am eager to get some input on improving dynamics (joangolfing #45) with my Roland FP-4. I have no "touch setting" within my Akoustik Piano software that would allow me to get what my Roland could do just connected through a midi recording to my PC. So I'm looking forward to some comments on this issue.

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor
02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto
07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations
08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[
09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)
10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )
14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme
17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor
18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour
19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier
21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet
22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll
26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major
27. rocky - Evacuee
28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road
29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"
30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]
31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6
32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song
33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi
34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)
35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag
36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home
37. epf - Music of the Night
38. Copper - Stardust
41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz
42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne
43. tekkie - Opus #18
44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody
45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy
46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace
48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love
51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3
53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn
54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso
56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons))
59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano
60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan
61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air
62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante
63. Manndrew - Crazy
64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)
65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5
66. EJR - Everyday
69. karaeloko - Träumerei

Sandy,

Thank you very much for your kind words.

Please forgive my tardiness in responding to your question. No, I wrote nothing while collecting the notes and harmonies for this entry. I believe there is software available that can convert (transcribe) the .mp3 file to a written score? It would be great to have the score to use for re-learning when the inevitable happens and I lose it from current memory. Are you aware of this type of software?

I have decided not to comment on the entries this recital. Perhaps I'll resume with the next.

Thank you, again, for your comments.

Congratulations on your perfect attendance record in all eleven recitals.

Sincerely,

Lisztener

:D

I gave up comparisons and contests with him a while ago. I know my limits!


Rustyfingers,

Have you ever played Joel's "Angry Young Man"? That's a spectacular piece if you can pull off the repeated notes. One of these days I'm gonna sic Piano*Son on it (if his teacher will let me!).

I haven't, but I've certainly heard it enough! I live with a rabid Billy Joel fan who also grew up on Long Island. I suspect that even if my thumbs were up to it my piano would not be though!

Show P*S's teacher this--maybe that will persuade him or her to let him try it:

Classical pianist David Syme plays Root Beer Rag

Next set:

01 Mark[/b]
Prelude in D minor
Composer:Muzio Clementi
Mark, this sounded really nice. Your arpeggios are steady and even. Great job.

02 Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik [/b]
Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto Composer:Ludwig van Beethoven
I never tire of hearing this wonderful piece, especially when played so beautifully.

03 Monica K. [/b]
Nuvole Bianche
Composer:Ludovico Einaudi
Pretty piece, pretty performance. Very calming

04 Lisztener [/b]
Whistling Away the Dark
Composer:Mercer - Mancini Duration:
What a haunting melody. You did a great job with this improv. Your first? Really? Gave me goose bumps.

05 LisztAddict [/b]
Prelude Op 28 No 13
Composer:Chopin
Sigh. Lovely.

06 Laura D [/b]
Tarantella
Composer:Albert Pieczonka
A recital winner indeed. You did such a great job of keeping it clean while those fingers fly. I can imagine how much fun it is to play. Wow.

07 Mr Super-hunky [/b]
Imaginations
Composer:Mr super-hunky
You have a very distinctive sound. Nice composition! I’m totally like wow impressed.

08 Riddler (Ed) [/b]
I Remember Clifford
I know this song best through a Manhattan Transfer arrangement. It is indeed a memorable tune. You’ve got a great laid back jazzy feel to it.

09 John Frank[/b]
Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)
Composer:Frederic Chopin (adapted by Palmer, Manus & Lethco)
You have a a very clean attack on your notes. Nice job with this pretty melody.

10 True Beginner [/b]
Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )
Composer:Paul De Senneville & Olivier Toussaint
Pretty, music box feel.

11 laValse [/b]
11 Prelude Op 40 #3 [/b]
Composer:Liadov
Thoughtful, beautiful. Haven’t heard this one before.

12 Peyton[/b]
A House at the End of the World
Composer:Peyton Higgison
Dreamy.

13 ed Stanion [/b]
La fille aux cheveux de lin
Composer:Claude Debussy
Very impressionistic. You remind me why I’m so fond of Debussy.

[hijack]I love tidepooling in Oregon. Ever go to Strawberry Hill?[/hijack]

14 b528nf7 - Bill Moore [/b]
Piano Bar Theme
Composer:Henson/Pottle
Classic! What a hoot! I love your comping, but these lyrics are hysterical! What a treat.

15 Schubertian [/b]
J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II
Composer:J S Bach
Sounds just like Bach should be—articulate and precise. Impressive recording!

16 Jinbo[/b]
Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor
Composer:Franz Schubert
I’m very fond of this piece—my mom accompanied my sister playing it on flute when we were kids. Your sprightly rendition makes we want to pull it out again.

17 dannylux/Mel [/b]
Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor
Composer:Vasliy Kalinnikov
I always look forward to your beautiful performances of underexposed pieces. Where on earth do you find them? This one is very special. You do a wonderful job of singing out the melody line.

18 bluekeys [/b]
Mariage D'amour
Composer:Senneville and Toussaint
I like super-romantic carp too! My kids would run out of the room saying “Ew Romantics” though. Your rhythm is very steady, and you do a nice job with the variations of the melody.

19 Casyopea[/b]
Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)
Composer:Johann Sebastian Bach
I like this piece too. You are accurate and even. Just what it should be. Nice work.

20 rustyfingers [/b]
Root Beer Rag
Composer:Billy Joel
You might want to consider submitting this as a theme song for the sequel to Wall*E—Slop*E.

Seriously, I forgot to confess that I did edit one place where I hesitated. You can hear the pop if you listen for it, but please don’t!

21 Euan Morrison[/b]
Piano Ballet
Composer:Eluvium
Very pretty.

I have a few more to do: hope to get to those tomorrow evening.

59. Mike, you were really carrying on a conversation with that one. It spoke to me! Great tune and well played.

58. You're getting it. Don't stop. Go get the full version, you can definitely tackle it..

57. Wonderful!! It sounds like a lot of fun to play too.

56. Really, really nice. Good feeling for the piece. If you've just started work on it I'd love to hear it again when you've polished it.

55. Wow, you really put some work into that one! Great job.

54.Mellowwww. Real sweet playing.

53. Kind of a sad dreamy piece. It was a perfect bookend with DeepElem's. Really enjoyed it.

52.Can't hear this piece enough. Good job.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Fun little piece. Nicely performed. Played with great tempo.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b]
I like this one. You perform it well and with great feeling. It does sound tricky. Great job and you must tell me more about this "pasty."

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]
Wow. Very interesting selection. I thought it was a great piece and well performed.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b]
Excellent. I have heard your submissions in past piano bars and I knew you would not disappoint. Great job and keep recording and sharing with us.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b]
Nice playing here. I don't think that I am familiar with this particular piece. You perform it very well. It sounds like different variations on a similar theme. I like the way you play it.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]
Good job performing at your level. The proper tempo changes will no doubt come as you keep up and gain more experience. You are a great pianist and I think the performance was captivating especially for a "practice piece." You could have fooled me.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b]
Interesting improvisation here and recording method. Can you provide us the rest? I don't care about the talking. I liked it.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b]
Very exquisite rendition of a song you would not think to hear as a piano solo. If this is suffering for six minutes, I'll partake of that suffering. Well done.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b]
Very peaceful and calming performance of a great song. You do well with it. Keep giving us some great recordings.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b]
I like the one take approach. Makes it more recital-like(is that a word?) Great performance of a piece from a great composer. Thanks for submitting.

More to come

The final group:

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b] This is one of my favorite melodies and you played it very well.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] What a nice, delicate touch you have here. You really bring out the beauty of this piece. Very nicely done!

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b] The runs in the opening were really well done. The pacing in the piece seemed about right for the emotional content. I never got the sense that it was "taking off" on you. Good job!

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b] Good approach to this piece.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b] Very good effort! A little ragged in places, but overall it was really enjoyable. It's clear you worked hard on this and with just a little polishing you'll have a wonderful show piece.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b] Nice pulse throughout the piece (hard to do with something this long). Very good!

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b] Sorry to hear about the finger -- hope it's recovered by now. This was nicely rendered, good tempo and dymanics. Trills were well done. Excellent!

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b] Another piece I don't know. A very moody piece that you played very well.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b] Very well done! Good control of tempo and pace -- no sense of rushing or dragging.

Wow -- the quality of all the submissions for this recital shows that we are all continuing to improve. I really enjoyed listening to the submissions and look forward to the next recital.

Ed

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6 [/b]

OE - really liked this piece alot - listened twice - and very well played - sounds like the kind of piece you can really get into & really enjoy playing just for the sheer fun of it - would like to learn this one myself - good job!

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song [/b]

Undone - recognize this one very well - one of the mellower or more contemplative pieces from Alfred 2 - had alot of enjoyment playing this myself not too long ago - I played it a little more slowly, but that's just a matter of taste and interpretation and your tempo is just as valid - very nicely done - thanks for choosing it.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi [/b]

Yet another entry in the 11th ABF "Einauldi Fest" - not sure what the title translates to, but your playing translates to a great deal of listening enjoyment - well executed - good touch - grudingly liking Einaudi pieces more and more (in spite of their surging proliferation!)

With appreciative Regards all, JF

Third batch:

11. LaValse – [/b]I was unfamiliar with this composer, but this is such a romantic, brooding piece that you make me want to learn more about him.

12. Peyton–[/b] Oh, I’ve missed your songs so much, Peyton! This is one that not only *I* cheated on by listening to early, but I also called my daughter (and your number 1 fan) in to listen to it as well. This is such a pretty song, too, and it has the nicest piano accompaniment I’ve heard in your songs to date. The melody is sadder than the words, though.

13. Ted Stanion–[/b] It may have been a go for broke recording, but it’s not evident in your recording, which sounds confident and relaxed and smooth. Very nice!

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore–[/b] This is the best “feel good” piece in the whole recital, I think. It brings a wide grin to my face every time I listen to it. The catchy music is wonderful, too. I think whoever opens a new piano bar thread should always include a link to this song to start it off. It’s perfect!

15. Schubertian–[/b] Once again I find myself awed by those who can play Bach and those never-ending fast runs and arpeggios smoothly.

16. Jinbo–[/b]. Already reviewed.

17. Dannylux–[/b] I enjoy all of the “obscure” pieces you find for us, but this is my favorite to date, perhaps because it is darker and moodier than the usual fast pieces you play. Kalinnikov is such a talented composer; I hope he wrote more for other instruments.

18. bluekeys–[/b]Another dreamy Senneville piece! I am definitely going to break out my Sennevile book. I loved those real high accent notes.

19. Casyopea–[/b]Already reviewed.

20. rustyfingers–[/b] You must have taken WD-40 to those fingers of yours, because this piece just FLEW along. This has to be one of the most technically challenging pieces we’ve heard in the recital. Fantastic playing.

Greetings ABFers,

First and foremost I wish to express my profound gratitude to Monica, Mahlzeit, LaValse and Copper for making the recitals a reality through their work and dedication. This has become the trimestrial highlight of my piano learning adventure. Thank You.

Secondly, I beleive this recital, more and more, from start to end, demonstrates a high level of melodiousness. Very impressive. Bravo to one and all.

Thirdly, sit tight, I will comment individually on each piece during this week. :p

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3

The tone of this piece was excellent. Each note was clear and phrased very well. Perfect dynamics.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World

Wow! A singer/songwriter at PW. This was really very well done. The lyrics evoke many images which you seemed to mirror in the melody. Impressive.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin

A gentle melody played clearly and with wonderful dynamic shadings. I enjoyed its serenity. Good effort.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme

Did I detect a "Piano Man" intro? Clever. You have a wonderful technique. The accompaniment was just enough so that your fine vocals were not overpowered. You have a smooth singing style. Nice.

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15
in G Major; WTC II

I tip my hat to you and your fine effort. Bach is so wonderful to hear when its well played. The fugue was exceptional. Clear and even. Terrific.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor

A mobile phone? You made it work. Lively and consistent playing. It's really a fun piece and I enjoyed it very much.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor

You did make the melody sing out. Great control throughout the piece. Excellent changing of pace and dynamics.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour

It may be "romantic crap" as you call it, but you played it very well. The repeated notes came through nice and even. You should be very pleased with your progress after less than 2 years at the keyboard.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)

A very smooth and even performance. Just the right amount of accenting and dynamic changes. Very impressive after only 8 months. Just about perfect.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag

That's a very tricky piece. You handles it beautifully. You should change your PW name from "Rustyfingers" to "Smoothandsassyfingers." Terrific.

....continued...

21. Euan–[/b] It seems like every recital there is a piece that captures my heart, and this is it for recital 11 for me. Euan can vouch that I not only cheated and listened to it early (over and over again), I also tracked down the sheet music and bugged him mercilessly with questions about the playing of it. The repetitive simplicity of the piece is very calming and beautiful to me. And I love the lingering ending without resolution.

22. DragonPianoPlayer– [/b] Now THAT is a harmonically and melodically interesting piece! It started off sounding rather Bach-ish to me but quickly segued into some very interesting modern chord progressions.

23. Euphonatrix– [/b] Very impressive playing; your ornamentations are crisp and clear. Your playing captures well this light and playful side of Beethoven.

24. AdagioM–[/b] You do indeed display a comfort and confidence with this piece, and your performance is strong throughout all 6 minutes. The recording quality sounded fine on my computer speakers, but I will not resist making yet another plug for a Zoom if you’re looking for recording alternatives.

25. mlr1899–[/b] Yeah, I can see how this piece can give someone tendonitis! Great job on a very catchy rag. Listening to it, I’m getting this persistent memory of an amusement park. There must be some carousel somewhere that has used this as the music that I’m remembering...

26. gary001–[/b] Already reviewed.

27. rocky–[/b] I think you win the PW prize for being the hardest on yourself, and absolutely unnecessarily so! This is a beautiful piece that you play well.

28. serge88–[/b] I think this is one Beatles piece that sounds better as a piano solo than the original version (I never liked all the strings their producer put in it :p ). Beautiful arrangement beautifully played. I also will say that I am extremely impressed by the quality and clarity of your Roland FP-7.

29. angelojf–[/b] I love these accidental pairings that come up in the recital every so often. Your piece is the perfect companion to serge’s... another great arrangement! That new middle bit of yours is terrific, too.

30. kawaigirl–[/b] If I can ever get to play Einaudi as beautifully as you do, I’d die happy. All those grace notes and tricky rhythms in the right hand make this a very hard piece to pull off smoothly, but you make it sound easy.

I've just had a chance to listen to all the recital performances twice over and must say that with a little time, they get even better!.

Am I the only one who is noticing a vast improvement with all of the performances?. It's really evident.

I'm always looking forward to the predictably beautiful perormances by Monica and Kawaigirl and this time was no exception once again.

There are a few performances that literally just jumped out at me for one reason or another. I'd like to start with my replies for them first.

Listener:[/b] I really did'nt know what to expect after reading your submission would be an original performance. All I can say is WOW was that great. "Hauntingly" beautiful would describe it best. I've listened to it many times now and just love it. Such a great job.

Rustyfingers:[/b] As soon as I heard this tune I could instantly recognize it and said to myself.."holy crap is someone actually performing this tune, that's insane"! .

This piece is relentless!, and you somehow pulled it off. WOW!. Your performance of this piece was truly amazing in many respects. I can't tell you how impressed I was with your playing.

Strat :[/b] I am a huge fan of all of the final fantasy pieces and your performance was so nice to listen to. Another piece I enjoyed several times over.

Gerg (Greg):[/b] I'm not usually a huge classical fan but this is one piece that I absolutely love. I have very few classical pieces in my mp3 collection and this is one of the few. Your performance was like getting a proffessional recording for free!. It was a joy to hear over and over again.

More to come.....

It was really wonderful to listen to all the pieces in recital 11. Every participant becomes better and better with each recital.

I'm sorry but english is a second language to me and it will be too much work to have a unique comment for every pieces.

Serge

First post of comments:

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] Soft touch, soft sound; quite enjoyable, thanks.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b] I enjoyed Your sloppy play a lot; I envy Your precise touch: it allows You to articulate every word, every sentence and allows us to feel it; forget Your mistakes; You, sir, make beautiful music; thanks.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] Once again, Your impeccable interpretation of this moody musical scene in motion seduces the ear. Very well done and thank You.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] This does not sound improvised; Your choice of accompaniment, Your articulation and control of moods, Your delicate shaping of every phrase make it a jewel of a piece. Bravo; You have set the bar very high for Yourself in future improvs. Thanks.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] The mark of a seasoned performer is when He/She can play with a belly full of tofu and rice. In every recital I have heard so far, Yours is always one of the pieces I am eager to listen to again and again. Your music touches me; thank You.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] Laura, I had as much fun listening to it as You playing it; Bravo !

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] My sincerest congratulations; You should be very proud. You have indeed crafted a musical journey with variety, changes in rhythms, some surprises and an overall cohesion that make it very enjoyable to listen to. Thanks for sharing.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] A beautiful melody indeed and well interpreted; enjoyed it much; thanks.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] Nicely done JF; I did enjoy both of Your versions. Thanks.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] Impressive; very melodious; well done indeed; thanks.

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] You left me wanting to hear more; way too short; great interpretation though. Thank You.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] You are quite gifted; charming melody and lyrics. Well done indeed; enjoyed it much; thank You.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] Bravo Ted; I wanted to learn it this winter; my teacher suggested I wait a bit; I just hope I get to play it half as well as You do when I finally do learn it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful music.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] O.K. now THAT[/b] was entertaining. You might want to offer it as an "Official" theme for the Piano Bar; well done !

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] I HATE Bach; with all his intertwining melodies and gazillion notes, he gives me the creeps . But, I admire a pianist who can play his composition so melodiously; well done indeed; thanks.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] Bouncy and entertaining music for the noblesse; I'm sure Louis XIV would have hired You; good show. Thanks.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] Thank You for introducing me to this composer and this beautiful piece. I will most assuredly investigate his works. Your pinky is well behaved and the others know their place. Masterfully interpreted; thanks again.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] Admit it, You're a softie Nevertheless, this is well played and enjoyable to the ear; thanks for sharing.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] O.K. I said earlier that I hated Bach; it's true; but I do love this piece; someone else must have composed it for him. This paella driven interpretation was gorgeous. Thank You.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] Fun piece; will never be able to play that; oh well, lucky me; I have talented people like You to do it. Loved it, thanks.

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b] Sweet moody piece played with much sensitivity; Euan, you are a true artist; thanks for sharing.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b] Good job at conveying the mechanical mood of the piece; quite enjoyable. Thanks.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] Well done; I always marvel at someone who can play those pieces from the classical era melodiously. Quite enjoyable thank You.

1/3 down, 2/3 to go.
If this keeps up, I will run out of words to describe this...
Stay tuned, more to come...

Here's my last set of comments:

22 DragonPianoPlayer [/b]
The Mechanical Doll
Composer:Dmitri Shostakovich
This is a fun piece. I can visualize the doll dancing in the workshop (something like in Tales of Hoffman?) Your detached touch is perfect. One might even say “touché”

23 Euphonatrix [/b]
Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2
Composer:Ludwig van Beethoven
Very impressive performance of a light and fun piece. I would guess early Beethoven on this one. Do you know? Your playing is clean and musical, and your tempos steady and consistent. Great job on this. Definitely a keeper.

24 AdagioM (Michele) [/b]
Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35
Composer:Franz Joseph Haydn
This is calm and beautiful. Your ornaments seem effortless. Makes me wish I could hear you in person some time. Another extraordinarily musical performance.

25mlr1899[/b]
Sensation
Composer:Joseph Lamb
OK, this was all kinds of awesome. I love rags, although I hadn’t heard this one before. Your rhythm was steady, your melody sang out, and you were incredibly accurate. I’m in complete awe. I kept thinking that this would be fabulous carousel music. (I love carousels). Straight to my playlist!

BTW I get soreness in my tendons when I play rags too—I always thought it was because I’m not relaxed enough, but you sound very relaxed and in control here. I hope you heal quickly.

26 Gary001 [/b]
Theme in F Major
Composer:Unknown - BWV Anh. 131
Very nice. This is a pretty theme and you play it cleanly and evenly. Great work.

27 rocky [/b]
Evacuee
Composer:Music by Enya & NIcky Ryan
Wow! You must be proud indeed if this is your second best take. You’ve done a great job balancing the melody with the base accompaniment.

28 Serge88[/b]
The Long And Winding Road
Composer:Lennon/McCartney
This is a nice arrangement and you’ve done a terrific job with it—very true to the original and yet appropriate for piano. I feel a song coming on.

29 angelojf [/b]
Here Comes the Sun
Composer:George Harrison
Another wonderful Beatles rendition. It sounds great (even though your playing deserves a better recording setup). Thanks for sharing this.

30 kawaigirl1 [/b]
Leo
Perfect music for contemplation. I so admire your control. Lovely as always.

31 Orez Eno [/b]
Two Timing, Op.134 No.6
Composer:Heinrich Lichner
You play this note perfect. I admire your obvious discipline to really get it clean. Great performance.

32 Undone (Jim) [/b]
Night Song
A fine submission. I admire your great dynamic differences as you repeat the theme in different octaves.

33 AnthonyB [/b]
I due fiumi
Composer:Ludovico Einaudi
You handle this quite musically. I had no idea until I looked that you were have been playing less than a year. You must be enormously talented or be working exceptional hard (or both).

34 Strat [/b]
Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)
Composer:Takahito Eguchi & Noriko Matsueda
How wonderful to be able to play your inspiration piece so well. Your performance is a great example to other beginners what results motivation and hard work bring.

Before I head off to sleep I want to say how really impressed I am by the caliber of these recordings, from the absolute beginners to those who have been around the block a few times it is clear that everyone has really worked hard and submitted their best work. I think we might have to declare Red Dot Syndrome cured!

I've said it before, but I really believe that we have proof. Simple pieces, beautifully prepared and performed are as enjoyable as the most complex virtuosity. (Now if only I would learn from that!)

Thanks to everyone in this community who has contributed their time and talent to steer the ship--you know who you are!

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet

Very nice tempo and phrasing. You kept the left hand soft and the melody was brought out well in the right. Good flow to the piece.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll

Wonderful accenting. You captured the spirit of the piece. I wish there was more of it. It ended too soon. Good performance.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2

A very polished performance. Good work on the embellishments. Nice mood changes. You are quite accomplished for 4 years of experience. Also, your piano sounds wonderful.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35

Excellent tempo. Such a gentle and soothing piece. You played effortlessly and kept great control of the dynamics.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation

Absolutely terrific. You've got ragtime spot on. Hardly a hiccup in the whole piece. Perfect tempo. A real foot stomper.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major

A very solid performance. It moved right along. Keep up the good work.

27. rocky - Evacuee

A beautiful theme. I thought the tempo was great. Well done.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road

I have a special fondness for this song and I enjoyed your interpretation.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"

This was great. You defintely captured the spirit of the piece. A performance that makes you want to sing along. Loved it.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo

Beautiful. You have such a wonderful touch on the keyboard. Light and effortless. Excellent.

50. Refreshing! Real nice playing.

49. Nice. A real 'stand by the piano with a drink' kind of piece. You have a real good feel for it and a real nice touch.

48. Ummm. If i keep standing by this piano with a drink I'm not driving home.... That was great!

47. Well that's got to be a first on PW right? Recorded on an i-phone! And not bad at all.

46. Good job. Good time and well played.

45. Nice arrangement. Good job.

44. I like it. very smooth.

43. interesting piece. Almost has a guitar feel. Enjoyed your playing.

40. Gotta take off so jumped ahead to one of my favorite players here on the forum...Gerg. Not disappointed either!!! Wow!!! Fantastic job!! A few stumbles here and there but a tough piece and you really have the feel for it. bravo.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b]

Yang - interesting piece - very "rhapsodic" - well played for a "PianoNOOb" - enjoyed this alot - amazing love (so to speak) for the young lady

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]

Paul - very listenable for a "study piece" - well played - would enjoy playing this myself - thanks for bringing it to my attention so nicely executed.

With aurally pleasurable regards, JF

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6

Very steady playing. Good rhythmic control. In only 9 months you've made excellent progress. It doesn't sound like you missed a note.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song

Excellent changes in dynamics. I haven't heard the other interpretations, but yours definitely evoked a nocturnal feeling. Very good after only a 7-1/2 month resurrection.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi

Less than one year? Excellent performance. This piece is becoming one of my favorites for this genre. Very even and melodic. Very much in control.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)

You moved through each theme seamlessly. Your dynamic range was quite good as well.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your
Mother's) Black and White Rag

Very steady and in control. The left hand wasn't overpowering which is easily done with ragtime. I'd like to hear more from you in the future since so few of us play this type of music. A good effort.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home

So you transcribed this from a Youtube video? Very impressive. This piece has a lot of intricate passages that you flowed through nicely. Excellent job.

37. epf - Music of the Night

The melody really sang out. Excellent arrangement. You know it's effective playing when it stirs up images from that wonderful show. A strong performance.

38. Copper - Stardust

In spite of the many versions of Stardust out there I think that this piece is a challenge to play effectively. I liked the way you allowed the beauty of the melody to come right out. A very good performance.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise

Some very nice sections in this performance. In general, you maintained the rhythm and dynamics of the piece. Most of us get a little finger-tied with the second theme. It will come. Good job.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2

A wonderful effort. Good change in mood between sections and your transitions were very smooth. You're not far away from a very polished performance. Bravo.

Hi All

I shall be adding my thoughts to this list as I listen along (thanks Monica for this template thats the first time I've noticed it)

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b]
Hi Mark, yes very interesting and a pretty good opener thanks

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b]

Hi Mati I didn't notice the slips you mention sounded great to me thanks

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b]

Hi Monica just fantastic as always I could listen to you play all day. I think you are probably so inside the mindset of Ludovico that his stuff just opens up to you easily plus of course you keep on getting more skillful with every recital

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b]

Hi Lisztener a fabulous serious first stab!! just gorgeous kinda haunting thanks

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b]

Hi LisztAddict as always you just sound like a pro to my ears...lunch sounded nice tofu huh?

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b]

Hi Laura D - blimey thats amazing!!

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b]

Hi Hunkster thats fantastic my friend - holy cr&p! you just keep getting better

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b]

Hi Riddler - I just love it, everything about it thanks

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b]

Hi John yes very nicely arranged and very nicely played too - you are making fantastic progress good job

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b]

Astounding for 6 years playing (what?? 6 months OMG!)

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b]

Hi laValse: Short and sweet and worthy of the upgrade from bar to recital IMHO


12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b]

Hi Peyton - wish I could sing like you, I'd sing all the time - jeez you're so talented, just brilliant, is that a bass pedal?

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b]

Hi Ted very nice played thanks tide pooling sounds interesting?

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b]

Hi Bill loved it Took me back to the muppet show put a smile on my face thanks

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b]

Hi Schubertian amazing sounded just perfect to me

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b]

Hi Jinbo: Amazing that it is recorded on a mobile phone, sadly it clips a little because of it but, it sure is greatplaying

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b]

Mel - that is just fabulous, I just wanted to say how much that touched me, minor songs are just so haunting darn fine playing as always

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b]

Hi bluekeys - hey for super romantic crap it was just gorgeous, that teacher is doing a fine job and you are playing unbelievably for 13 months

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b]

Hi Casyopea - I can hear why you fell in love with this and it comes accross in your playing of it

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b]

Hi rustyfingers wow that sound tricky

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]

Hi Euan: I always look forward to hearing you play and this doesn't disappoint, still very much a fan, I've not heard it before but that seems like a very good transcript

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b]

Hi DPP - I have never heard this before but, I understand why its called what it is - it sounded perfect for a mechanical doll - very even playing thanks

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b]

Hi Euphonatrix - very nicely played, beautiful dynamics I don't really know this Sonatina but, I enjoyed listening to you play thanks - airport food gets better all the time LOL

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]

Hi Michele, such a lovely touch I even love the sound of your piano thanks

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b]

Hi mlr - blimey that's fantabulous - sounds like a joplin rag even though it isn't one day I may get that good - very cool
Hope the elbow keeps okay - tennis elbow isn't fun

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b]

Hi Gary short and sweet and very well played never mind only after 5 months

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b]

Hi Rocky - I've never heard this one but, man are you improving with every recital - always look forward to eharing you and you never disappoint

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]

Hi Serge - that's your best so far IMHO - just love it - I'm here singing along - the timing is just spot on

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b]

Hi Angelojf I'm listening to the streaming player and i'm not getting any sound?

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]

Hi Kawai - you are just amazing, you definitely should be out there getting paid if you aren'y already

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b]

Hi Orez - just delightful, sounded perfect to my ears, 9 months?? thats amazing! such talent

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b]

Hi Jim - Gracious me, 7 and one half months!! another amazing performance thanks

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b]

I AnthonyB - fantastic - you new guys are starting to make me feel rather tardy in my progress I'm going have to put more effort in - fantastic loved it.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b]

Hi Strat, oh my thats just gorgeous - is that 13 months or years?? - one of my favourites so far

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b]

Hi Cathy - blimey Cathy you're disappointed with this??? I think it sounds bloody brilliant!!!

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b]
Hi Eighty8 One I've never heard before but, loved listening to you play it thanks

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b]
Hi epf - always loved this I'm a big fan of LLoyd Webber thought you captured the beauty of this perfectly - very singable alongable to

38. Copper - Stardust[/b]

Hi Copper - definitely your best so far, your timing is just fab with this, thanks

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]

Hi Peter, It just sounds perfect to my ears exactly as it should, thanks

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] Hi Greg just beautiful playing, so talented, thanks for your gift of love made it really special somehow

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Hi Emily I Like your confident performance short and sweet thanks

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b]

Hi RobM - Aww man thats just beautiful, it has an oriental feel - jeez I've just listened to it 3 times its so pretty, one of my favourites

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]

Hi tekkie for only 2 years thats fantabulous, once again I'm in awe of the talent here thanks

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] Hi Yang - Ooh Love the intro yup and the rest of it - girl you love huh?

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b]

Hi joanG - Oh yes love that arrangement, sounds gorgeous to my ears, thanks


46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]

Hi Paul I'm no expert on these things but, your playing sounded just perfect to me

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b]

Just playing around huh? very nice playing around matthijs

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] Must try harder for the next one - thanks again to everyone who took the time to comment I read every single one

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b]

Hi Dennis - I just love to hear you play, a big fan you never disappoint - super even though the piano is slightly out of tune

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] Hi Piano*Dad - I have no idea what you'd change sounded great to me

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b]

Hi GregF I thought you did perfectly playing with the red dot (doesn't it make you sweat especially when you near the end)


52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b] Hi Caroline - well thats just fantastic so much passion in your performance just beautiful

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]

Hi Sandy - shame it was only 1:28 and so sorry about your loss. Losing any family member is always tough.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] Buck loved the film, love this theme - you play it incredibly well, didn't want this to end

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b]

Another piece I don't know but, really enjoyed thankyou

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b]

Hi Jeff On the whole very well played - you mention glitches so I was trying my best not to listen for them - I didn't notice you starting over. It seems you have the notes memorized wonderfully

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]

Hi polostrings - what a pretty theme, wanted to hear more

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b]

Hi Kawai, Only 7 months back on the bench sounds like you are picking things back up nicely sounded lovely, thanks

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b]

Hi Mike, Is there anything you can't do - you just sound like a pro, your reading skills are growing with every recital - fantastic

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b]

Hi Rosanna - simply delightful, glad you made it, your play by ear skills are really coming on I'm delighted for you

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]

Hi Daniel, a pretty version of Londonderry Air/Danny Boy nicely played

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] Hi Yuri, As always your own critique is far beyond anything I could add, despite the mono it just sounded wonderful

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]

Hi Manndrew - I wanna play like you bwaaaah! just blooming brilliant! lurved it

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b]

Hi Ozor Mox - Man thats fast!! - a recording studio? jeez I'm just so totally jealous

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b] Hi Joel, sounds fantastic - never mind the fact you've only been back into lessons for a year!!!

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]

Hi EJR - Such drama, just loved it - you give Monica a run for her money LOL

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b]

Hi Ovaltine, Ooh nice touch at the keys, loved the dynamics, again simply gorgeous thankyou

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b]

Hi Signal - never heard this before, the penultimate song and worth getting to the end to listen to - I shall listen to this again in the coming weeks thankyou

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b]

Hi karaeloko - The final piece and yes very beautiful, the recording quality was'nt noticeably bad to me...a lovely mellow and pretty Finale thankyou

Another recital, I have enjoyed this one so much, the quality of musicianship (sp?) on offer here is amazing and yes the ABF members are getting better and better

Thankyou to everyone for sharing your music once again

regards

Lee

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]

Buck - very nice piece well played - you're right, it should be longer- alot of thematic potential - good job.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]

Manndrew - Super performance on an old country favorite - always wait to hear what you're going to play - always delighted! Thanks again.

With throughly entertained regards, JF

I was out on a catamaran in the Caribbean when the recital started, so I'm scrambling to catch up. I've been listening at work, and it's lovely stuff. And I've heard two singers, too!

Congratulations to all of us! Don't know that I'll get to make comments on each piece, but I am thoroughly enjoying the recital.

If you want to see where I was, look here.

Presumably you snorkeled into the caves around Norman Island! ... and the baths at Virgin Gorda.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b]

Lisztener - gorgeous piece beautifully played - excellent improvisational effort - maybe my favorite of the Recital (other than No.9 ) - Henry & Johnny would give you a "standing O" - captivating work sensitively rendered - very, very nice!

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b]

Riddler - lovely tribute song and really enjoyed your playing on this - commendable touch & control - Benny & Clifford would be proud - thanks for choosing & sharing it with us.

With highly capivated regards, JF

...and the Rone off of Salt Is. BVI's... my favorite place in the world.

...continued...

31. Orez Eno--[/b] I really liked this piece! It reminded me strongly of Tiersen’s work, and I like repetition in a piece. You play it with a nice lilting touch.

32. Undone—[/b] This is a lovely, slightly sad piece that you play with wonderful emotion. I’ve said it before, but I continue to be impressed by how pretty the pieces are in the Alfred books.

33. AnthonyB—[/b] Already reviewed, but hurray for another Einaudi piece!

34. Strat—[/b] Already reviewed.

35. Jotur—[/b] I listened hard, and I didn’t hear any reason you should feel disappointed. Quite the opposite… the fact that you expertly improvised the bass yourself is reason enough to be giving yourself an extra pat on the back. A fun piece, well-played!

36. Eighty8—[/b] I do like Pat Metheny’s work, especially the slower stuff like this piece. Good job with the dynamics. And kudos for figuring out this arrangement from watching videos… whenever *I* look at videos to try to figure out fingering etc. it all goes way too fast and is too complicated (for me ) to figure out.

37. Epf—[/b] “Music of the night” may be my favorite Webber song. You do a great job of communicating the bittersweet tone, and listening to you makes me realize I really have to dig out my Webber collection and learn that song for myself. It’s the perfect piece to have on hand when people say “play something for me.”

38. Copper—[/b] This is another great standard to have in one’s repertoire, and once again I am impressed at all of you out there who can play from fake books. I can easily imagine myself sitting in some dark bar listening to you playing this.

39. Pevawi—[/b] Oh, you made my son happy when he heard this playing. He loves “Fur Elise” (although he calls it “Charlie Brown” ). And so do I. Well done!

40. Gerg—[/b] Wow! This is another candidate for the “most technically challenging” piece we’ve heard on the recital. Impressive playing.

Yes to the first two, no to the Rhone; too much current for this poor swimmer. But I did put my face into the water over the edge of the dinghy and see the Rhone's propeller!

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b]

John Frank - well, what can I say that you haven't heard (or thought) already - not too bad (for an amateur) - left just a little to be desired, but only in execution and not in good intentions or in capturing the essence of the piece - good forward motion thru the work - melody properly emphasized - emotion nicely expressed - dynamics not quite consistent (but promising) - climax achieved - ending properly tapering in tempo and volume - overall maybe a 6 or 7 on a scale of 10 - potential seems encouraging - if Chopin is not necessarily smiling down at least he has a twinkle in his eye - keep pushing onward & upward at that good, steady pace you've been setting - bigger & brighter things ahead

With very personal regards, JF

More Comments:

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche - I love the way this piece builds in intensity, complexity and beauty - Well Done.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2 - Every note crisp and clear. A wonderful performance of a challenging piece.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love - Love the BeeGees and love the what you did with this song.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air - Elegant rendition - Well played.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5 - Just right - both sensitive and powerful.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b]

Monica - elegant piece played with the barely controlled passion that it demands and deserves - your love for the composer's music shines thru and is readily evident in every note - excellent keyboad command with enviable tempo changes and highly commendable facility with the required dynamics - overall, a masterful performance granting us a very pleasurable listening experience.

Regards, JF

P.S. Can I get on your annual "Family CD" mailing list?

38. Nice way to start my day... very refreshing playing.
37. That is such a nice piece. You handle it very well. Nice legato.
36.Wow, excellent job. Really good ear!!!
35. Fun...
34.Nice playing. Real good left hand legato.
33. Sweet tune. Good playing.
32. Nice feel for the piece. It really feels connected.
31. you know iot does sound plodding but you play it well and I bet you can let go and really enjoy it.
30.Real dreamy playing...
29. Great job! Really! I wish the recording quality was better.
28. A beatles classic. Very professional sounding.

I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that I really enjoyed listening to the recital. I just wish I had known that Piano*Dad was going to blow me out ot the water so badly. We just got back from vacation here and here last Saturday. I've just about caught up at work, but we are starting a major kitchen remodel today, so it may take some time before I can post some specific comments, but for now: Great job everyone!

Ted

Hey! You did a great job. I was pleased to see a fellow Debussy traveler. I love the Debussy preludes, and I'm gaining a great appreciation for the shorter ones. They are wonderfully manageable for people who don't have eons of practice time and despite their length they are rich in thematic development.

No I have not forgotten the rest of you recitalists! We started painting the kitchen this weekend and it has turned into a weeklong project! I am taking a lunch break now, so will continue listening:


21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b] Very lovely, relaxing piece to start with after a morning of painting! I can picture the dancers for this pretty ballet.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b] This is a nice piece. I think you did a great job of bringing out the "mechanical" idea without making your playing sound mechanical.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] Yes, you're right. Many people do assume everything Beethoven wrote was somber and serious. You did a great job of contrasting the different elements in this piece.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b] I think this definitely is yours now! Nice job!

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] Ouch! Sorry about the tendonitis. I have problems with that in my right hand, so I know how painful it can be. Doesn't sound like it hurt your playing of this piece any! Fun to listen to.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b] Short but sweet! I enjoyed listening to this and wish it were longer!

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b] I love Enya's music. It's very soothing. And that is just the effect I got listening to you play this. You can keep right on with these "simple" pieces as far as I am concerned!

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] One of my favorite Beatles' songs! Great job on the playing and the video! (Cute puppy! Tho I don't think I would have been able to keep playing like you did if he brushed under my legs like that! lol!)

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] And more Beatles! Nice job. I liked the added middle part.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b] As always, an outstanding job! Your recital pieces are always among my favorites.

Still not sure I'm going to get to individual comments, but I have to say:

YD (Yuri): [/b] I played this piece once upon a time, but not nearly so fluently or eloquently as you do. Beautiful playing!

Another group, done on a painting break!

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b] Nice piece. Very steady rhythm. It reminds me of Bach in ways. As for repetitive, if it's a lesson piece, many are in order to teach and reinforce the lesson.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b] One of my favorites from the Alfred's book. And you play it more like my teacher and I liked it- a bit slower than most, but you are right. It feels more Nocturne-like at the slower tempo. I like it!

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b] I only heard a few spots where your hands were really out of sync. And the feeling and flow you put into the whole thing more than made up for that. Very nice for not quite a year of self-teaching.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] We all have one of these, don't we? And it's so good to be able to play that "one piece"- especially when it is so pretty and played so well!

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] I can't say I've heard the original, but I really like your bass.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b] This is probably my second (maybe third) favorite Metheny/Mays ballad. Very nice job. Only one thing (and it's a matter of personal taste)- I thought the piano voice you used was a bit bright for as high in the treble as this gets. Just a bit harsh to my ears, but that certainly may not hold true for everyone. Still a great job!

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] Ah, one of my favorites from Phantom! And one I am still working on. Very nicely played!

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] And that last one on the list is one of my favorites! I love this song, and many other of Hoagy's. Always a pleasure to hear you play!

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b] Nice job on a perennial favorite. You stood up to the red dot just fine.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] Lovely. There is something about a Chopin Nocturne that is just special. I'm glad you submitted this.

I'd like to add my congratulations to all the participants and thanks to everyone, especially Monica and the others who have made this possible. This is the first recital since I joined (I wasn't quite ready having only been playing a few weeks. I didn't think anyone would be interested in a 20 second rendition of Rockets from Alfreds Book 1 ) Maybe next time I'll have something Or the time after...

I'm not going to comment on every piece. My inexperienced critique probably doesn't mean much anyway But I would like to comment on just a few:

03 Monica[/b] - I've loved listening to you play Einaudi in the thread dedicated to him, and was not disappointed with another beautiful piece by you. You've introduced me to a whole new world, and I can't wait to be able to play Einaudi myself.

07 Mr S-H[/b] - Just wanted to say I loved your piece. Others have already said so, so I'll add my agreement that it does indeed have that "movie soundtrack" feel to it. Very nice. Hope to see you in the credits of a movie one day.

10 True Beginner[/b] - I hope I can play as well as you after 6 months! Wonderful.

40 Gerg[/b] - I can't deny that Chopin is my favourite, and I loved your playing. This was probably my favourite piece of the recital.

62 YD[/b] - Yours was perhaps my most anticipated piece, having gone back to Recital 10 and listened to you playing Chopin. Another fantastic piece and I thought you really captured that Mozart essence.

Thanks again to everyone.

Balf ♫

I think that's exactly what we wanted when we started.

Things have grown since then, but I think that 20 second piece may need the recital as much as any other. And vice versa.

Agreed. That is also in the spirit of the ABF forum. We all want to be as supportive of each other as possible.

The comments from SuperHunky earlier on were right on. Everyone has improved tremendously in these recitals. IMO, the reason for that is all the participation in the piano bars and recitals. Polishing pieces to the point of playing them in recitals or getting a good recording has made major differences in my own playing.

Rich

More lunchbreak listening:


41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b] Very nice! Good tempo and fun to listen to.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] Very pretty. Another peaceful, contemplative piece. Triplets are tricky and to conquer them in the left hand as you did is something to be proud of.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b] Overall, very steady and even. It's easy to start rushing a piece like this as you go along and you didn't. Great job.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] This has a mysterious sound to it that is perfect for Midnight. I liked the runs about 3/4 of the way thru and again at the end.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] Very interesting arrangement of a well-known Beethoven theme. Very different. I enjoyed it.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] Not bad at all. A little more variation in the tempi between the three movemnts would make this even better.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] You should "play around with diminished chords" more often! Very pretty and reflective sounding.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] A bit different from the usual versions you hear of this song, but very pretty. It works well with your style of playing.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] Very pretty playing. I've always liked this song and your improvs made it uniquely yours. (On an off-topic side note- and I know TX is a big state and all that- but you wouldn't happen to be related to Debbie and Wayne Turner by any chance?)

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] I do love Debussy! Nice dynamics and flow to this. You always play so well in these recitals.

Mr Super-hunky Imaginations - M. Super-Hunky[/b]
What a great composition. Nice mood, it calls to mind a harbor in Maine, on a rainy day or something like that. Reminded me of a David Lanz piece. The talent in this forum is amazing to me.

Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b]
Wow, another great composition. As I said before, the talent in this forum is amazing to me.

B528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b]
At this point I’m getting tired of saying how amazing the talent is here, so I won’t say it again. Let me just say – from now on the person who initiates the piano bar thread should provide a link to this song, to get things started on the right foot!

Rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag [/b]
No rust on them fingers! That’s a fun piece of music, so well played. Great job!

Mlr1899 – Sensation[/b]
Loved the syncopation. Such great articulation and control. Excellent work!

Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]
Beautiful job! Great control and expression.

Jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag [/b]
Great job! Nice, steady rhythm, catchy syncopation. Enjoyed it.

Eighty8 - Letter From Home [/b]
Interesting, enjoyable piece. Excellent job.

Copper – Stardust[/b]
One of my all time favorites. It’s great to hear it played with the right chords. Great job!

TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night [/b]
Love that song! Excellent job.

IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
Never heard this before but I enjoyed it. Contemplative, serene for a piece with the word jazz in the title. Well done!

What a great recital! It’s great being able to hear the progress everyone makes over time. I’ll start my comments from the end. Thanks to those who have had the time or inclination to post.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]
You play so well for studying for such a short time. This is such a standard to have in your repertoire and it can keep growing with you. Enjoyed listening.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b]
I see why this is one of your favorites. It’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Absolutely gorgeous and inspiring playing, as always.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Welcome to the recitals, Emily. I enjoyed this energetic waltz. Great job.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b]
It does sound tricky, but you brought out the melody nicely over those lovely triplets. A very enjoyable performance.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]
What a moody piece – it sounds as if it could be a movie soundtrack. Great job and welcome to the recitals.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b]
This certainly has a dramatic opening – and a number of beautiful themes. Loved it. Nicely played.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b]
Interesting to hear this with the syncopated rhythm. I stayed curious to see where it would go next. I enjoyed listening.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]
I thought you played this very smoothly and cleanly. It had a light, sprightly feel and you played it very musically.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b]
This has such a relaxed, contemplative feel. Very enjoyable. Iphones seem to do everything.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b]
I loved your arrangement. I admire how you can play around with varying accompaniments and styles. Very smooth.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b]
What a beautiful melody and nicely played – I loved the bit of pull in the rhythm.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b]
Very beautifully played! Nice clean pedaling. I thought you set the mood nicely in the first lines. I also loved that lovely hanging low C that just kept ringing. I’ve been polishing this too (darn you and Ted, I don’t dare record it now☺)

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b]
A very pretty piece, delicately played. The red dot issue does get easier over time … or we get less fussy…

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
What a lovely, reflective piece. Losing a pet is so heartbreaking – why do they live such a short time?

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]
Restating my admiration for those who can play from a lead sheet. Nice dramatic crescendo. Enjoyed listening.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b]
Thank you for the introduction to this composer. Very beautifully and skillfully played. I’m curious to hear more.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b]
This brought back memories since my daughter played it a lot preparing for an exam. The polishing part should be great fun because there are so many wonderful musical details in this piece. I enjoyed your playing of this beautiful piece.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]
I love hearing original compositions. This had a nice driving forward movement. It did seem to portray the length of the wait, and a little anxiety too.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b]
Even if this is a simplified version, it still retains the beautiful melody and that lovely bass bit. I loved listening to your sensitive playing.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b]
I’m a sucker for Latin rhythms – so I always look forward to yours and Mel’s submissions. This has a lovely ebb and flow – really enjoyed your skillful playing.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b]
We were on the Bund this spring – and it wasn’t as peaceful as this piece. Loved the echoes in the bass. I’m getting more interested in learning some play by ear skills – this is very inspiring.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]
I hear this a lot with a fiddler in the family. Beautiful job with the balance and keeping the reflective mood.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b]
Yuri, you play with such skill and finesse. I keep listening because there are so many interesting musical details. Wonderful.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]
Lots of lovely flourishes – loved your arrangement. This goes on the late night listening with a glass of wine list.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b]
Wow – speedy, clean and bright. This brought on a big grin – delightful.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b] I just heard the duet version this summer. A fun piece with so much potential for drama. Nice job!

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]
This piece sure shows off some lovely bass notes – then that delicate section. Enjoyed listening.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b]
Nice trills. Enjoyed your sensitive playing of this beautiful piece. Good luck with the sprained finger.

68. Signal - Leaves on the Siene[/b]
I wasn’t familiar with this piece, and that’s another great thing about these recitals – the exposure to music of many styles. Enjoyed listening very much.


69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b]
I love Schumann and enjoyed listening to your lovely, delicate playing.

Not to my knowledge.

Thank you for this insight. Until now I did not think of the connection with Tiersen, but now that you mention it I think you may be correct. This would certainly explain the strange attractiveness of this piece, despite it being a beginner, student piece. I believe it also captures some of the mood of a lot of the music that you and others in this forum play. If I may be so bold as to give my novice opinion, I believe that this mood is fueled by our time in history, a time when no country in the world offers refuge from immoral wars, crimes against humanity, social injustice, and economic inequalities. I believe it is a mood of longing and hope for a world with more appreciation for the importance of compassion, love, and legitimate purpose beyond greed and lust for power.

Your insight excites me to the possibility that I may one day be able to play “Comtine d'un autre ete” myself. Perhaps that day is soon.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]

Michele - Haydn's music (in all it's Classical forms) has always had a strong appeal for me and you play this Adagio from the Sonata with warm sensitivity and polished technique - very nice effort - thanks for choosing it and playing it so well

Regards, JF

Orez - while you certainly have the right to be "so bold", and while your statements demonstrate a keen and commendable desire for "social justice", I'm not so sure you actually should have used this Recital Discussion thread in this particular Forum to be [/b] "so bold".

While there are those - definitely including myself - who would disagree with some of your fundamental premises as asserted above, this is neither the time nor the place to state them or debate them.

Perhaps it might have been better if such "political/social/economic" commentary had been taken "off topic" at another time in another thread (or addressed in a PM). Thanks in advance for your consideration.

With all due respect and regard, JF

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] So, tell us how the "rice, tofu, beef, celery, carrot, onion, and tomato sauce for lunch" affected the performance!

Very nicely played prelude. That is a tough one to play expressively and you pull it off without going over the top in rubato.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] If that is what is rattling around in your head, give us more. That is the sort of original thinking I have never really done on the piano. I'm not very familiar with Einaudi and the others but I really enjoy the particular chord shifts that I think are characteristic of this music.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] Peyton, how much of an inspiration do you take from contemporary Celtic themes and techniques in here. The structure seems to pay some homage to Erin.

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] Bach scares the bejabbers out of me. Perhaps you have inspired me to dust of the WTC and relearn a few preludes and fugues. Then again .....


More later as I get around to it!

Dear ABF members and fellow recital entrants,

My humble thank you goes to each of you who has listened to and commented on my recital entry. I cannot fully express my depth of appreciation for your time, interest and kindness you have shown me.

To all who made this the most successful recital to date, your hard work and dedication are commendable and continue to make the recitals easier to enter, thus drawing more participation and enthusiasm than ever. Congratulations.

Sincerely,

Lisztener

Ragtime Clown: Thank you for your comment.

Jotur: "But how do you keep your pedal from migrating?!? I get so frustrated "
Well I have a rubber mat under the piano.

Jotur: "didn’t your dog’s tail tickle?"
No, she's my number one fan, when I play she always come to sleep under my bench.

Serge

Hi rustyfingers -

Good question, unfortunately I have to confess: I don't know. I tried to find some information but obviously these appendix pieces cannot be dated on a reliant basis.
But you are right, the piece feels much closer to Mozart and Haydn then to Schubert etc., so I'd also guess it was an early Beethoven piece.

Well, sorry about the delay in reviewing the last of these, but my computer crashed and am borrowing my wife's computer right now. So here they are.

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b]
Interesting approach taken to learn this nice piece. Great performance. I can't hear the battle with the red dot in your playing.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b]
Don't be apologetic for playing a piece we've heard. We always enjoy a well done performance of a more popular piece and this is no exception. Keep up the good work.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
Sorry about the dog, but understand that our emotions are a great implement and conduit for creativity. Beautifully played!

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]
I knew this song was familiar. Short but absolutely striking performance. Excellent.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b]
Nice piece and stunning performance! Great recording as well. Very enjoyable to listen to.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b]
Jeff, I too work on pieces beyond my capabilities and my teacer knows this but understands that the challenge is the only thng that will keep me from getting bored. Not unconventional from my opinion if it keeps you interested. Still, the recording sounded great and I think the polishing is the most enjoyable part of learning great music. Not that I was able to notice that it neede as much as you may think.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]
Nice composition. I like the inspiration for it and it is quite fitting. Thank you for the submission. Great job!

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b]
Ahh, the infamous piece in question that began that rather heated debate some months ago. Very bold of you to submit. Did you think we'd forget? Great job! It sounds good.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b]
Definitely reminiscient of a mexican guitar piece. I think this is a great composition and a great performance.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b]
I think you are way too hard on yourself. Great performance and I do hope you remain submitting your pieces here at the recital on a regular basis. I thoroughly enjoy your renditions of different tunes. By the way, I used to make Palak Paneer at a restaurant I worked at and it was always a big hit.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]
I've always liked this mellow piece and you perform it beautifully. Keep it up.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b]
Wow, this is a great composition, but is that really surprising considering who wrote it? Typical Mozart and you really capture his prowess in your performance, all recording woes aside. Nice and hope to keep hearing your submissions.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]
I like the way you handled the tempo. Some may turn their nose up at that, but adding individuality to everything is what makes these recitals interesting. Great job!

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b]
Very good. Try a metronome starting slow if you think the tempo needs more control, but great performance. nonetheless.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b]
Not bad but not good either. Work and polish it by playing it more slowly and build up the speed as you better develop the technique necessary to really pull it off. Accuracy will come with this as well.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]
I remember Monica's stunning performance and thought this was a great composition. You too perform it wonderfully. Enjoyable and interesting piece. Great job.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b]
Sorry to hear about the finger. I hope it's better by now. I've always loved this Nocturne and you do it justice even with the sprained finger. Your six years experience can definitely be heard. This is encouraging to me knowing that I should be able to pull something like this off in only five more years. thanks for the submission.

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b]
Very peaceful and captivating performance. Well done and keep on submitting great recordings.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b]
Great finale! Nicely performed. This is a lovely piece and I thank you for submitting.

I will see you all next time for another great recital as I plan on making a submission. Let's see everyone and then some and crack that 70-performer barrier. After this recital, my expectations have gone up yet again.

Be blessed all.

Joel

Hi Everyone,

While I haven't enough expertise nor skills to give any constructive comments, I still would like, if I may, add my thanks and congratulations to each and everyone who have participated. I've been listening to them since the first weekend that they came out, and have been enjoying every beautiful musical moment of it.

AnthonyB: You surely made us fellow Alfred class mates proud with your representation and interpretations of "I Due Fiumi". Fantastic job!

True Beginner and Bluekeys: I guess I've always had an absolute weekness for the romantics as well, so Paul De Senneville & Olivier Toussaint are definitely my heroes. :3hearts:

"Les Fleur Sauvages" is absolutely beautiful, and I've been listening to "Marriage D'amour" for who knows how many times by now. I'm definitely with your teacher here Bluekeys.

With musical regards,

Key Notes

Thank you for posting this thought-provoking comment. While I enjoy the steady stream of polite and uncontroversial kudos, it's important to remember that music, even at the ABF level, is an art form that may sometimes express uncomfortable truths. I don't know that our time offers less refuge from bad things than other times. If anything, modern composers like Tierson represent to me an understanding of the permanence of despair and the need to create beauty because there's not that much else we can do. But enough of that.

I hope you do learn Comptine. It's really not very hard. Just be patient and drill the left hand until you can do it semi-consciously, and within a few weeks it should all come together.

After long break, here I am, and here it comes from me! Thanks for all of you for participating. Also, thanks for all who commented on my piece - I very appreciate it. It works as a fine encouragement, to share my playing during our Recitals!

I just wanted to say that everyone did extremely well, all the pieces were wonderful and the overall quality of Recital was simply stunning.

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b] Little but beautiful prelude deserving a great amount of touch you have provided. It seems as there were limitless amount of secrets to unveil in this tiny piece, don't you think? Enjoyed very much!

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b] You enriched my music love Monica, once again. I can't imagine a better performance of Einaudi piece. Faithful and calm, yet raving with passion and emotion. For me, a runner up in this recital!

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b] Lisztener, your delicate touch and control over the keyboard amazes me everytime you play.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b] You are a pro, simply put. Great performance!

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b] I'm completely stunned with the precision and clarity of this furiously fast passages! If we were back in 19th century I would accuse you of being connected with deamons, just like Paganini was! Speechless.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] Your wacky brain, like you call it, is darn good in composition! Lovely harmonies and progressions, after listening I went to look up who was the composer... and then just sit with my eyes locked on the player for a while. Never thought it could be an original! I'm in love with this piece. Would you mind making a score for this one day?

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b] So sad and hauting... it wouldn't be without your flawless full of feel and emotion playing.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b] One of the most lovely melodies of all time. I believe you will tackle the original one day, not to far from now!

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b] Oh, Sennevile! It's becoming one of my favourites too after listening to your playing! I wish I could play like you after 6 months!

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b] I didn't know Liadov, so I am even more happy you brought it up! Very sensible and sublime playing!

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b] Whoa! A composer??? A singer??? You must be kidding! 11 in the scale of ten! Grabbed by your music to the end!

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b] Beautiful melody, beautifully played!

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b] Incredible feel for the genre, both on the piano and with vocals - cool!

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b] Can't get tired of WTC. I hear Bach in your playing, and not Bach mimicking. Thanks!

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] Heard it before, but didn't know the composer. It will be on my learning list from now on!

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] Thanks Mel for letting us know lesser known composers, just like Kalinnikov. This piece is marvelous, and it couldn't be performed better I believe! The melody sticks in my head from the first time I heard you play it.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] One of my heavy favourites, very distinctful and beaautiful melodies. You played beautifully bluekeys.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] Another great Bach performer here, I'm happy, oh I'm happy!

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] Enjoyed it very much! Seems very difficult! Full of clarity and precision!

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b] Very enjoyable piece and lovely playing. Good to hear you again, Euan!

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b] Mechanical as it should be! Great!

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] You just love Beethoven and I just love how you play Beethoven.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b] Yeah, it feels like yours. It feels secure. Wonderful sound you make for this piece.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] My foot taps all the way, yahoo

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b] Very secure and steady, wonderful! I couldn't believe you play for 5 months!

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b] You can't go wrong with Enya on piano, can you?

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] Very nice!

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] The sound quality could be better, but your playing is wonderful.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b] Einaudi and You, kawaigirl1, it can't be anything but beauty.

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b] Didn't know it, but liked it very much.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b] Very nice indeed!

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b] Not even a year self-teaching? It's great, even if there are some rhythmical troubles, your feel for the piece makes the justice.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] It's a piece that made me believe, that not only Nobuo Uematsu made great music for FF. Beautiful.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] Raggy raggy! Great, thanks!

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b] I love Metheny. His music just works well on piano. Great playing!

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] Webber may not be as popular as many other composers, but he did great stuff. This is one of them, very well played.

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] A very fine classic and a very fine performance!

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b] Minor slips, but a very fine performance altogether. Enjoyed a lot.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] One of my favourite Nocturnes, and so clean!

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b] Short, yet so enjoybale piece. Wonderful!

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] One of my Nobuo favourites. Cool rendition!

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b] Lovely piece played with great feel. I listened to it twice in a row, just for the pure joy of music.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] Incredible and full of emotion. Sounds quite tricky in some parts, isn't it?

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] Well known melody and a very nice performance. I don't know if I ever heard the full time version of it, but I'm happy I did now!

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] Please don't treat Clementi as study pieces only, his music is performance worthy too! Very fine rendition of it, although you are quite even in terms of dynamics. Go for even more with it!

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] Another original composition, and another one very, VERY enjoyable. You just played with these chords? It seems like you had a very good idea of what you are doing!

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] By ear? It sounds incredible. I greatly enjoyed it, as I like Heebeegeebees too!

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] Cole Porter & TX-Denis make a wonderful pair if we are talking about piano I think.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] Beautiful melody. You have hands for Debussy, it's so light and flowing. You somehow remind me of Walter Gieseking's style of Debussy playing.

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] Nice little piece it is!

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b] Never tire of hearing it. Beautiful playing - I can't hear any performance anxiety at all!

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] I'm sad along with you, dogs are truly wonderful animals... I love slow medleys too. You put a lot of heart into this performance, it pours out of my speakers. Lovely Sandy.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] For me Ennio is a genius, one of the greatest of contemporary composers. You did great with his music!

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] Very proficient playing with great feel, and a great piece too!

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] Very underplayed, yet very beautiful piece. I'm glad you did it Jeff. The melody can't get out of my head now.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b] Beautiful dedication and so much love in here!

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b] I believe you are up to do the full version Kawai! You did great with this arrangement! One of my favourite Chopin preludes.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b] Lively and full of energy, I liked it.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] Rosanna, I waited for your performance impatiently and now I know it was truly worth it! Another beautiful piece, finely performed with great subtleties. I loved it - and this one I certainly didn't know!

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b] Abitibidibidibidum! Traditionally Irishly Beautiful!

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] You know what? I like that romantized Mozart better than the original!

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b] I wanna have Snickers for 5 cents! Crazyly good performance.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b] Very difficult piece and a fine performance. Look in the Cricital Discussion, I will have something for you

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b] Just perfect.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b] Incredible playing. Very even and flowing. I loved it by Monica back then, and I love it by You. A great sound from PianoTeq too! I never managed to make it that good.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b] Beautiful piece, beautiful playing, and a technically perfect recording for it. Thanks!

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b] Lovely melody, beautiful phrasing, and so passionate playing. Great.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b] Someway I didn't know it, but it's indeed beautiful. You did very well with it!


Best regards,
Mateusz

Thank you, Key Notes, for the kind words and repeated listenings. In case it wasn't already clear, my comment about my teacher's romantic taste was tongue-in-cheek. She is a great teacher and has given me an appreciation for a lot of music I once dismissed as fluff. I now have 3 Senneville/Toussaint pieces that I play regularly and enjoy them all immensely.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment on my submital and gave me encouraging and positive remarks. You all keep me inspired.

I haven't yet started to listen to any recital pieces yet! Yikes. (Too much time in front of the TV watching the Olympics.) Anyway, since jotur submitted her comments for an earlier recital almost 3 months after the fact, I figure I have some slack time yet!

And being "in Beijing" is at least as good an excuse as being in New Zealand was -

Cathy

bluekeys,

Thank you for the clarifications regarding your comment but absolutely uneccessary since I also took it as such. While it's obvious that I must clarify mine. It was also given in a light-hearted nature and if you did not received it as such then please accept my apologies for being ambiguous. It was merely meant to represent our common interests in enjoying this area of music.

I look forward to hearing many more of your beautiful recordings.

Best regard,

Key Notes

Hello Everyone,

I just listened to all these fine recital pieces and was overwhelmed! What an inspiration you all are and I really enjoy reading the discussions.

I've been mostly a viewer here for about a year when I picked piano back up after a long layoff. Found this site when researching a piano purchase and that was very helpful.

Anyway, I am now extra motivated to practice and try new things - especially love the Einaudi pieces!

And when I heard "Imaginations - #07", I searched for it online assuming it was a "professional" composition but went back and read that it was the original work of Mr S-H - wow!

What a neat thing to have available to us adult beginners - some of you are most definitely not beginners any longer but I guess that's a relative term.

Now to search for a piece I can try for the next recital...

Have a great day!

I've finally found the time to make some individual comments, more coming later...

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b]
Very relaxing piece and nice even playing.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b]
Very accurate and sensitive playing. My only criticism would be the same thing I always do on this piece, that I thought it was a bit loud and strong in places where I thought this was a p or pp piece all the way through? Maybe I am wrong, feel free to correct me! Really nice though, I enjoyed it.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b]
Got to love Einaudi, one of my favourites of his! I've just noticed the chords at the beginning sound exactly like the main theme to Sunshine... Great arpeggios and playing!

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b]
Wow what a fantastic piece, and played with such emotion. I loved it!

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b]
Lovely smooth playing and great control of dynamics.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b]
This sounded incredibly difficult, and yet you played it so smoothly. A couple of glitches in the middle I think, but nothing compared to what sounded spot on.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b]
Highly enjoyable playing. I loved the chord change in the middle. I've also just read that it's an original piece, and it's an impressive one at that!

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b]
Expertly played! I'm not usually that in to jazz, but this is a great melody.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b]
It is indeed a beautiful piece. It seems like you could perhaps smooth this piece out a bit by using the pedal and playing a bit more lightly? I think you did a great job though.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b]
Very intense piece and definitely some non-beginner playing to match it!

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b]
Accurate and controlled playing.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b]
Great composition. Some fantastic playing, and you can sing and play at the same time which is something I can't do! (though anything that stops me singing is a good thing!) I especially liked the end.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b]
Another piece I'd like to learn but haven't attempted yet, and this is just how I'd like to be able to play it! Spot on playing.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b]
This is amazing and made me laugh in a very good way! Great playing and singing, I loved it!

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b]
I find Bach incredibly difficult to play evenly, and you did this so perfectly and for so long. Envy!

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b]
I have recently had a go at this piece and cannot play it anything like this! Really energetic and fun. Please buy a Zoom H4 or something, this would sound so much better if it wasn't recorded with a mobile phone!

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b]
This is a very beautiful piece and you played it very beautifully and came out with a flawless performance.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b]
Your description made me laugh! Nonetheless, I rather liked the piece and your playing of it was very good indeed.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b]
I have been giving this piece a bash lately, and will be hoping to play it just like this. You play this so evenly it sounds great.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b]
I have to say, not normally my kind of piece. But the dissonance and the energetic playing grabbed me and forced me to listen! I ended up really enjoying it. This must have taken some amazing technical skill.

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]
Great playing and a really nice sounding piece.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b]
A very interesting sound this piece has, and I think you captured the mechanical sound by playing with solid timing and rhythm.

25. Wow...! Great job!! I keep wanting to play some ragtime and keep starting and giving up. You make it sound so easy.
24. I love Hayden and definitly do this piece justice.
23. Absolutley a fantastic job. You really captured the essence of this work. The piano sounded nice too. And so did your lunch!
22.Very interesting piece and good playing.
21. nice work. Wasnt' sure if by "transcription" you menat that you played this by ear or not but if by ear... extra credit!
20.Very different! Nice job.
19. It's funny but I can hear this over and over (and play it over and over) and i just can't stop loving it. Bach was a genius! You did the work justice. Nice recording too.

Thanks to the organizers & operators of the recital; to all the other participants for their great music; and for all those who commented in general and on my performance in particular.

Looking forward to Nov. 15th (my piece is already recorded! :p (it's also my 3rd anniversary playing!)

Regards, JF

Reviews for #53 to #69 are completed.
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/7026/3.html

Thanks all so much for your kind words. They mean more than you know.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz

A very spirited performance. Good control on those short runs. A really fun piece.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne

I think you did an excellent job in controlling the rhythm. Your touch and expression were very good. Overall a wonderful performance.

43. tekkie - Opus #18

A wonderful melody played with a steady forward moving motion. Very clear and even. Good job.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody

Beautiful opening theme and a very unusual second theme. Good work on those runs. A bravo finish.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy

This is an excellent arrangement. Good changes in rhythm and dynamics here. Quite a good effort for a piece of this length.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace

The Allegro was excellent. Good technique with the Alberti base. The Andante was very steady and played at a good pace. I thought you had good control over the Vivace.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished

This really could stand on its own as an etude. A great bit of improvisation with a beautiful melody. Very impressive.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love

I like your take on this especially the slowed down tempo which gives it more of a ballad feel. Really nice work.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night

Dennis, the dialog between the left and right hand was excellent. Very smooth and lyrical performance. These are tough songs (standards) to be original with, but you seemed to make it your own.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin

I think you did a great job. Very connected and with wonderful phrasing. Your touch is excellent, light and airy which is so critical for this piece.

You are kidding!! You'll just have to post this recording in the piano bar instead. Because by 11/15, you will have improved by 2.5 months, so you'll have to record something much closer to the 11/15 date. (OK, OK, I won't bug, eh, I mean nudge, you, and you won't nudge me... :p )

Rosanna! You're so witty and cute I could just give you a great big bear nudge, er, a, hug!

Your posts are just like your Recital pieces - an absolute joy! But, I still love being the "nudger" when you're the "nudgee"

Actually I have pieces already recorded for the next 6 Piano Bars and - although I know you don't really want to hear this - for the Feb. 15, 2009 Recital as well!

The word "procrastinate" is just not in my vocabulary

With recording-like-a-maniac regards, JF

JohnFrank,
One of the purposes of the recitals is for members to showcase their progress over time. You cannot [stomp foot, pound fist] use "stale" pieces recorded months ahead of time! [BIG NUDGE] (Getting even is the name of the game here. ) Anyway, I am sure if Mr. Hunky is reading this, he will fully concur with me.

Well, Mr. Super-Hunky can concurr all he wants - Mr. Super-Chunky (that's me) will not be intimidated - and Stale? Ha! No chance - My pieces are always as piping hot and fresh as stickey buns right out of the oven! (and just as delectable) :p

Here are a few more comments.

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b] Your dynamics come through even over a mobile phone.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b] Impressive

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b] Sometimes “romantic” is what the audience wants, so having it in your rep is valuable. Your playing was nice.

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b] You should be very proud, that was really good. BTW I though you would be playing a casio keyboard because of your name "Casyopea". What does "Casyopea" mean?

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b] A happy spirited performance.

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b] Still waiting for the last chord to resolve. Never heard this before, I liked it.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b] Nice staccato, and dynamics.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b] You nailed it. Good job.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b] You bring out the melody and play with a consistent tempo.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] You deserve that positive feedback, I enjoyed this.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b] Good rhythm, you have good hands-together coordination.

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b] (to do)

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] Lovely. Sorry that I can't see video [youtube blocked by IT here at work]

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] Another Beatles tune, yea. Hope you can find a better recording method next time, too much tape noise IMHO.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b] Very nice.

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b] Good job.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b] Glad you chose this to share with PW. Nice work.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi. Nicely done.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] How wonderful that you can play the piece that inspired you to learn the piano. Thanks for sharing.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] Your bass line sounds pretty good to me.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] Nice arrangement and played with good dynamic control.

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] This is one of my favorite standards.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b] What's a recital without this gem? I encourage to keep practicing the hard parts [slowly] and in time you will have them mastered.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] Not sure what "conventional home studio setup to PC" means, but the recording sounded clear to me and well played.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b] Sounded like you are having fun playing this. It was so short I had to play it twice.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] (to do)

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b] Consistent tempo and you brought out the melody. Good job.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] (to do)

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] My last piano teacher told me over and over, so I will pass it along to you "bring out the melody". Good job over all.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] I really like your dynamics.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] (to do) Enjoyed this.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] Nice, easy to listen to.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] Good job.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] Excellent

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] (to do)

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b] (to do)

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] You play with a lot of feeling. I wish it was a longer piece.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] When the pieces are short, I just have to play them twice. I enjoyed it.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] (to do)

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] (to do)

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b] Wow, My daughter is expecting and as I listen and read about your composition, I can relate because today 8/28/08 is her due date. This will be our third grand child. Nice playing.

Eighty8 - congratulations on the new grandchild!

Originally posted by Rosanna:
JohnFrank,
One of the purposes of the recitals is for members to showcase their progress over time. You cannot [stomp foot, pound fist] use "stale" pieces recorded months ahead of time! [BIG NUDGE] (Getting even is the name of the game here. ) Anyway, I am sure if Mr. Hunky is reading this, he will fully concur with me.


Rosanna, I am reading this and of course FULLY agree. Pre-recording piano pieces for future use, especially at the beginer level is simply counter productive. It's like saying there's no way I will improve in the future so I'll just record everything now since I am an accomplished pianist with several *months* experience under my belt!.

I mean, how do you even have a discussion with this mindset?

Thanks Gerg,
as yet [8:30 PM] we are still "waiting for arrival" and hoping he will be born today because 8/28/08 is a lucky number and it will also be easy to remember with all those eights.

Well, SuperHunky, I guess we could honestly say that his new pieces sound just as good as the last recital.

Skipping around a bit...

#1. Beautiful!!!
#2. Mati... You NAILED the first movement! I used to play this and I wish I could have done it as well as you. You are right on with your interpretation.
#3. Monica, every time I hear your recital pieces I think i have to find the music and play it... I'm moved every time. Wonderful playing!
#4. Wow. Very dreamy. Very well played. thanks.
#5. I love that prelude... and you obviously do too. Fantastic! You really caught it.
#6.Laura... that is REALLY fun.
#7.SH- Nice composition. It has a very dreamy quality. It's easy to sit back while listening and imagine all sorts of scenerios.
#8. wow... too early in the morning for a drink but this just makes me want to mix a martini and stand on the deck watching the sunset...
#9.John, I LOVE this etude. In fact I'm working on it for the etude recital. You are really getting it but I know how tough it is. I agree with Chopin... I think the melody is one of his most beautiful.

Good grief Rosanna! You just had to go and mention Mr SH's name Now, look what happened :rolleyes: He jumps right into the middle of our on-going joke and seems oddly enough to have missed the whole crux of our "teasing" exchanges and the playfulness of our light-hearted banter Poor guy seems strangely to be taking it all so seriously

I guess he just came in a little too late to "get it" :p Like us I hope he's kidding too, but it's hard to tell - maybe his sense of humor is just so subtle that I'm the one that's just not getting it Otherwise, he would simply seem to be inexplicably small-minded and mean-spirited - and I'm sure he wouldn't want to appear as such. But it might be too late.

So, just to help Mr. SH out here (because he really seems to require it) I guess he needs to know that we've been exchanging a series of posts over the last two Recitals in which I've been "nudging" Rosanna to submit a piece (because alot of people want to hear her delightful playing) and she's been reluctantly doing so while all the time "complaining" about my "nudging", and is now starting to nudge me back. So, I thought I would "up the ante" by teasing her about already having a piece recorded for the next recital, which I thought would "aggitate" her even more (given her tendency to procrastinate until the last minute lately).

Now, while I do have a piece already recorded that I would have no hesitation about submitting to the next recital (several pieces actually) this is not to say that between now and then I wouldn't attempt other, more refined and polished recordings of the same piece (although exactly how much such subsequent recordings would actually demonstrate how much I had improved over a 2 1/2 month period is highly debatable and dependent on several unpredictable factors). In fact I always work this way with regard to recital pieces, while at the same time moving forward on newer, more complex pieces in my piano studies.

Maybe this will help Mr. SH understand a little better the nature of our jesting post exchanges. Maybe not. If he was kidding too then he'll have to let us in on the joke. If he was serious then he seems to have a problem that not even he could probably explain, but which he needs to take elsewhere. If he can't have a discussion with this "mindset" then he simply needs to stop trying and take his posts elsewhere also.

Regards, JF

John Frank,

You obviously seem to have some uncontrollable obsession with me for some reason by the amount of times you mentioned my name in the post above.

If you have some private thing going on with another member that I/we don't fully understand, maybe you guys should get a room somewhere and continue your private discussions but to try and instigate a fight on the recital replies is just pathetic. This simply is not the place for this.

How about showing just a hint of tact and P.M me if you really need to.

Mr. SH - this is really getting tedious, both for me and I'm sure for other Forum members who inadvertently come upon these irrational posts of yours. I'll try once more to explain it all to you (although I don't hold out much hope for "getting through" to you). There's an old saying that applies here about "quitting while you're behind" that you might want to take to heart.

First, I don't have an obsession with you - uncontrollable or otherwise. As far as I can remember this is the first time we've actually exchanged posts directly. And mentioning your name 3 times in a rather long post hardly constitutes obsession either. I've enjoyed many of your posts in the past and your Recital pieces, but certainly didn't obsessively "hang on your every word".

Second, I wasn't trying to instigate a fight with you (it actually seems like the other way around) but was merely trying to straighten you out (and perhaps chastize you mildly and deservedly) when you jumped into the middle of a long series of light-hearted, kidding, amusing and pleasant post exchanges between me and another member, completely misunderstood the situation and then offered your own smart-assed, nasty little appraisal based on your complete lack of knowledge about the dialog that was going on between us for some time in various threads. There's another old saying that applies here at this point and that's the one that talks about "putting your brain in gear before putting you mouth in motion" which you also might want to keep in mind.

The bottom line: I was going along "minding my own business" posting away, you "butted in", you didn't "get it", you were "out of line" and "off base" with your terse and unhelpful comments, I "called" you on your rudeness and "put you in your place".

And now you're compounding your insulting behavior by (1) accusing me of being "obsessed"; (2) trying to "pick a fight" with you, and (3) insinuating that a series of hunmerous post exchanges between two members constitutes some sort of overt sexual tension between us that requires a room for it's final consummation (for which you might owe the other member in question an apology).

And then you want me to be "tactful"!? Good Grief!

Hopefully you now get it. So, let's just let it go and move on (before you say something else you'll later regret).

With no more to say about this, no PMs to send and Regards, JF

John Frank,...

1st of all, mr_super-hunky didn't instigate anything. For examples of insulting behavior, look into your own previous post. Posting stuff like "Otherwise, he would simply seem to be inexplicably small-minded and mean-spirited - and I'm sure he wouldn't want to appear as such. But it might be too late." serves no purpose but to take jabs at somebody without provocation. I guess in your world, slapping a person across the face (verbally or otherwise) automatically meets with a nod & a smile. In real-life things are very different. You might want to take that into consideration before acting appalled at somebody's reaction to your insulting remarks.

2nd of all, this is a *public* forum. Maybe you should learn the difference between the terms "public" & "private" before jumping down somebody's throat for "butting in." Allow me to link you to www.dictionary.com so you can further educate yourself about this. If you don't want anybody to see your posts or add their 2 cents' worth in the conversation, take it to PM (the "P" stands for "private," FYI)... just as MrSH suggested. Oh, the horror!

Finally, I run my own msg board aimed at guitarists, another faction of the music field. If one of its members were to get his panties in a knot over something so insanely trivial, I'd tell him to perhaps go somewhere else as clearly, a forum filled with mature adults isn't for him.

Maybe you'd like to add "Grow a thicker skin" on your list of life lessons from Kindergarden. Ranting & raving like an overcaffeinated child is only making you look bad. To be blunt, you're making a rear-end of yourself right now. I'd suggest deleting your posts, unless you enjoy the taste of your feet in your mouth.

If anybody's been irrational it's you. I actually shook my head in total disbelief after reading your post.

With entirely discouraged regards, Strat.

First, thanks again to the organizers. Second, I am really impressed by the quality of the playing. I am especially impressed by some of the short timers - True Beginner's playing and Polostrings compositions. Very inspiring. Third, I listened to eveyone, but my comments may be on the short side.

Finally, apparently I'm a Manndrew groupie. My favorite last recital was Manndrew's Long and Window Road version. This time, I listened to all the pieces and and decided Crazy was my favorite, despite not really liking this classic tune. I then went to look to see who played it and saw Manndrew. So, I'm officially a groupie, I guess.

Keep up the good work, everyone.


01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b]
Good job. Gives me something to look forward to in Alfred 3.

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b]
Nice playing.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b]
I enjoyed this very much.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b]
That is a really nice job of improvisation.

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b]
Well done.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b]
Wow. How do you develop that speed?

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b] (to do)
Amazing

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b]
You made it sound so effortless.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b]
Loved the soft touch toward the end. You have me looking forward to this as I go through Alfred 2.

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b]
Please change your name to Talented Beginner. Very nice. I'm starting not to believe the "only 6 months" playing. :-)

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b]
Well done.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b]
Very cool

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b]
Dreamy. Very Nice.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b]
That was funny. Nice job.

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b]
Excellent

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b]
well done

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b]
Nice touch.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b]
Very nice. Way to play that crap. :-)

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b]
Nice even tempo. Great playing for such a short time at the piano.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b]
WOW!

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]
Great tempo. Nice piece.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b]
Interesting sound.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b]
Well done. I enjoyed it very much.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]
Well done. Very enjoyable.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b]
Very catchy. Good job.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b]
Nicely done for such a short time at the piano.

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b]
Well done.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]
One of my favorite Beatles tunes. Nice version.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b]
nicely done. I really liked the way the recording came out. Kind of like listening to an old 45.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]
Your touch is amazing. Can you make some videos of your playing?

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b]
Very nice playing. I was surprised at the 9 months experience. Keep it up!

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b]
Well done. This was one of my favorties so far in Alfred's 2.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b]
Well done. Sounds like you have developed a nice touch for such a short time playing.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] (to do)
Great emotion, I thought.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b]
I enjoyed this. I was impressed by your ability to add a rag bass line.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b]
Very enjoyable. Good job.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b]
Well played.

38. Copper - Stardust[/b]
Nicely done.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]
Good job.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b]
Wow. Nice job.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Pretty nifty.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b]
Very well done.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]
Nice and steady. Well done.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b]
Excellent. You are progressing so fast. Keep it up.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b]
I enjoyed this tune a lot.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]
Good job. 3rd movement sounded just fine to me.

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b]
I enjoyed your improv.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b]
Your playing is always inspirational. Thanks!

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b]
Well done.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] (to do)
Well done.

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b]
Try to play something over 2 minutes next time!

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b]
Nice touch.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
Well done.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]
Well done.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b]
Well done.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b]
Well done. Doesn't seem too technically advanced for you.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]
I'm impressed with your originals. keep it up.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b]
Well done.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b]
Well done.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b]
Nice touch.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]
Nicely done.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b]
Well played.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]
Wow. I think this is my favorite of the recital.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b] (to do)
Wow. That was cool.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b]
Nicely done. You are progressing well.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]
Well played. I hope to add this one to the repertoire in a few years.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b]
Great playing.

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b]
Well done.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b]
Well done. I liked your touch and the pace of the music.

GregF

Thanks to everyone for your comments so far

I've just added further comments up to and including 35. Jotur (Cathy)

Sorry I'm busy at the moment but, I'll get them all listened to and my comments posted as soon as I can


Lee

Thank you, GregF for putting us back on track. This thread is after all for exchanges about the recital.

I also thank you for your kind words about my recording. Don't consider myself to be of the same caliber of many who frequent this forum, but it's nice to know I'm on the right track.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank everybody who took the time to give feedback to anybody who submitted a piece. It is, after all, what most of us are after. Thank you for listening and commenting. PW does wonders for stimualting us, to strive to become better players.

I'm inspired to contribute to the next recital as well.

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3

Very steady. Good work blending the left and right hands together. Nice touch on the keyboard. The dynamics were fine as well.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4

Your shading was wonderful. Great work on the trills. Smooth and light. A very fine performance. I think you have an affinity for this type of music.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn

My sympathies on the loss of your dog. Oftentimes the music we play directly represents our emotions at a given time. This is a beautiful theme. You played it with a simple, direct style that fit perfectly. Well done.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso

I was very much into this theme a while ago after seeing the film again. Still one of my favorite movies. You did a great interpretation. You took your time and kept the integrity of the theme in tact. Excellent dynamics. Please do a longer version sometime.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa

Your tempo was excellent. Nice dramatic changes in dynamics as well. Quite an accomplished performance.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)

Excellent job. This sounds like a pretty tricky piece, but you handled all the changes in tempo, theme, and dynamics very well. Nice and even playing on the runs.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival

Best wishes to you, your brother, and sister. Very nice composition. I particularly enjoyed your treatment of the left hand. Some interesting chords as well.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude

You really don't sound that far from playing the original version. Your touch is nice and light for the piece. Good tempo and rhythm. You can do this.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano

You handled the tricky rhythms of this piece very well. You brought the music to life and energized it with fine shadings.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan

It's so important to be introduced to new sounds and techniques. This is really pretty music and your interpretation seemed perfect. You have a fine command of the keyboard.

Second post of comments; I have to reiterate my feeling that there was an extraordinary abundance of great music in this recital; once again, congratulations to all...

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b] Played with the most delicate of touch and a great deal of musicality. Well done. Thank you.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b] I truly love this raggedy music but it is beyond me how anyone can play it, especially with the ease You demonstrate here. Very entertaining, thanks for sharing.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b] Impeccable rhythm and tone; well done; thanks.

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b] Lovely music, Rocky; very pleasant indeed; thank You.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b] Good arrangement and well played; hope You will include it in Angelo's Beatles thread, come september; thanks.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b] Nicely done, Angelo; like the old radio sound that your recording adds; one more for Your thread. Thank You.

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b] Yours is always a piece I am eager to listen to; you always articulate each note so precisely that a jewel of a piece emerges each time; thank You for sharing Your masterfully played music.

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b] A steady rhythmical left hand and a musical right make for a very interesting and enjoyable piece. Loved it; thanks Orez.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b] Quite good interpretation, Jim; enjoyed it much; thanks.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b] That is very good Anthony; you convey the atmosphere of this piece very well indeed; thank You for sharing.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b] Another moody piece of fantasy; your playing is quite evocative; awesome playing; great job; thanks.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b] Very enjoyable rag, Cathy; well done; thanks.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b] O.K. Great stuff; thanks.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b] This is one of my favorites by Lloyd Weber; loved the ending (and the rest); thanks.

38. Copper - Stardust[/b] Nicely done Copper; thanks.

39. Pevawi / Peter - F¸r Elise[/b] Not easy, that; great effort; thanks.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b] Anyone who can play Chopin this well deserves my warmest congratulations. Thank You for it.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b] Bouncy little piece; quite enjoyable thank You.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b] Lovely piece executed with a deft touch. Thanks.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b] Type of piece that sends me daydreaming of travels on long strait roads going nowhere. Well done. Thank You.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b] Another dreamy piece soooooooo well executed. Your moniker is definitely outdated; good show. Thanks.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b] Impossible accompaniment gives this piece a peculiar feeling. Very well done nonetheless. Thanks.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b] Broke my teeth on that one last year; so, I appreciate the effort and skill necessary to play it that well. Bravo. Enjoyed it much. Thanks for the lesson.

Third set to come.

Thank you for this encouragement. Your response demonstrates how these Piano World recitals are so effective for improving the playing abilities of beginners like myself. I have obtained the sheet music and I have found that you were essentially correct to encourage me to try it. Of course it will be a challenge for me. This is no “Row, Row Your Boat” exercise. But I am pleasantly surprised to see that it is approachable for a person at my level. I agree with your strategy of drilling the left hand first. It will take some work before I can do it, as you say, semi-consciously. Indeed, it may take a bit more than the few weeks that you predict. Yet, even at this early stage I can sense it beginning to happen.

As I continued to improve over these last few months I knew it was inevitable that I would eventually try this favorite piece. But your encouragement has made it happen a lot sooner.

I also thank you for your insight into Tiersen’s music. I can see that your appreciation is more profound than mine. Rather than hope for a better future you simply accept the inevitability of despair and you try to live with it as best you can. As a beginner in music it is important that I hear such interpretations. Although I am strongly attracted to Tiersen’s music, as well as to a lot of similar sounding music that I hear performed here at Piano World, I actually do not know very much about it. I admit that my previous interpretation was based only on my own reflections.

Thanks everyone for their comments, I really do appreciate them.

I have listened to the entire recital and I have to say that everyone is improving tremendously. I especially enjoyed the original compositions. Please keep them up, these were some of my favorite pieces from this recital.

Rich

01. Mark... - Prelude in D minor[/b]
That is a nice choice of music and very beautifully played. The tempo and evenness of the touch gave it the perfect mood. You're improving a lot!

02. Mateusz 'Mati' Papiernik - Sonata No. 14 'Moonlight' in C# minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto[/b]
Hehe, I recognize your piece! An all-time favorite and you did it great justice. I heard no slips and not only was there nothing bad, it's beautiful - you are too hard on yourself. I like the Truepiano sound.

03. Monica K. - Nuvole Bianche[/b]
This piece does remind me of clouds floating by in the beginning and then it gets more intense and dramatic, which I like very much. May be that's the "woman" part! Nicely done, Monica. The playing has your signature in it.

04. Lisztener - Whistling Away the Dark[/b]
I don't know the original song on which you based your improv, so I simply listened to your playing as your creative expression. It conveyed some melancholy moods as well as some very tender moments. I think you are ready to take your improv show to the road!

05. LisztAddict - Prelude Op 28 No 13[/b]
Always a delight to listen to your impeccable performances.

06. Laura D - Tarantella[/b]
Very spirited performance and some flying fingers! Bravo! Although there are some mistakes, I actually have to thank you for leaving them in. I am always too obsessive about making no mistakes in my recording. It's a great lesson for me to hear that others aren't afraid to simply keep playing. Somehow the hiccups didn't detract from your performance.

07. Mr Super-hunky - Imaginations[/b]
Hunky, I think you found an excellent title to your composition. YOu also used the term musical journey in your write-up. I really feel that's what you have done - taken us on a journey of your inner creative mind. There are some beautiful landscapes in there. Look forward to more of your compostions.

08. Riddler (Ed) - I Remember Clifford[/b]
A very beautiful melody, nicely renditioned. Very enjoyable.

09. John Frank - Etude, Op.10, No.3 (Theme)[/b]
A solid performance of a famous piece!

10. True Beginner - Les Fleurs Sauvages ( Wild Flowers )[/b]
Just can't get over how beautifully you play with only 6 months under your belt! Wonderfully expressive.

11. laValse - Prelude Op 40 #3[/b]
Short and sweet. I enjoyed the haunting melody and your delicate treatment.

12. Peyton - A House at the End of the World[/b]
Wow Peyton, you paint, you write lyrics and you compose! (And you telemark ski too!) As though the music wasn't emotional and dramatic enough, the lyrics are so poetic and romantic.

13. Ted Stanion - La fille aux cheveux de lin[/b]
I enjoyed your performance very much.

14. b528nf7 - Bill Moore - Piano Bar Theme[/b]
Bill, I love it, love it, LOVE it. I had a smile on my face the whole time while watching your video. You are a born entertainer - great to have you around!

15. Schubertian - J S Bach - Prelude & Fugue #15 in G Major; WTC II[/b]
You always treat us to such well-performed technically difficult pieces. Thanks for hanging around the "beginners" forum!

16. Jinbo - Moment Musicaux No. 3 in F Minor[/b]
I like Schubert's compostions very much, and you gave us a delightful performace of this number.

17. dannylux/Mel - Kalinnikov Moderato in e flat minor[/b]
Thanks for introducing us to lesser known composers, and I always appreciate your informative write-ups. This is a very nice piece, and you played it so well.

18. bluekeys - Mariage D'amour[/b]
I can't get enough of this piece. It's sooo romantic. Glad your teacher made you do it! You played it with just the right amount of "edge"!

19. Casyopea - Prelude in C Major BWV 846 (from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I)[/b]
Excellent! I enjoyed it.

20. rustyfingers - Root Beer Rag[/b]
I never heard this Billy Joel number before. Wow, I don't think your fingers are rusty at all! Love it! Delightful and marvellous!

21. Euan Morrison - Piano Ballet[/b]
Love this piece, and you played it beautifully.

22. DragonPianoPlayer - The Mechanical Doll[/b]
I was listening to this for a while before I read the description and title of the piece. I thought it was a Bach! Well played!

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b]
Nice solid performance.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]
Yes you do "own" this piece. There is an ease underlying your playing which makes the performance very enjoyable.

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b]
Very enjoyable rag! Thanks for playing for us.

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b]
Fantastic for 5 months of playing!

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b]
I enjoyed your playing!

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]
Very nice rendition of the song. I hear a lot of progress! And some bit of fancy editing at the beginning and ending of the video!

2 -Mati -[/b] Played beautifully with great dynamics and emotion.

51 - GregF - [/b] Very nice. I'm not familiar with this piece but really enjoyed your performance.

64 - Ozor Mox - [/b] Wow! You can really play! Very impressive.

I’m glad I’m not the only one still working their way through the recital pieces... here’s my next batch of comments:

41 – Fillanzea, 42 – RobM, and 43 – Tekkie:[/b] All first-time Red Dot inductees; reviewed earlier on p. 1 in this thread.

44 – PianoNoob (Yang):[/b] Wow! I can’t get over all those fast arpeggios and runs. I am in awe of your technical skills. The piece sounds classical but I’m not familiar with that composer.

45– Joangolfing:[/b] OMG... I absolutely love[/b] this arrangement. It’s very much like George Winston in style. In fact, I was out there googling “Jeanne Cotter” before I had finished listening to your recording. Are the rest of the pieces in the sheet music collection as pretty? Are they very hard? [Falls off sheet music wagon once again...]

46– Paul Cast:[/b] Very nicely played! Your playing sounds smooth to ME; we are always our own worst critics. You are able to express well the jaunty nature of the melody.

47– mahlzeit:[/b] I always enjoy your compositions, even when you are just “playing around.” This was a delightful stretch of slightly melancholy noodling. I see a dark hotel lobby, with a single spotlight on the pianist, and a woman sitting in an overstuffed chair, holding a gin and tonic and thinking about the man who just broke her heart.

48– Seaside Lee:[/b] Lee, the only thing deeper than my distaste for the BeeGees is my respect for you as a pianist, which is the only thing that could induce me to click on a “download” button next to [shudder!] the BeeGees. And my trust in your playing skills was not misplaced, as you managed to make even a torturous song like “How deep is my love” sound beautiful. (Getting rid of the falsetto vocals and disco beat helped enormously in that regard. :p )

49– TX-Dennis:[/b] What a wonderful Cole Porter song, played in a beautiful jazzy arrangement. I don’t know what parts were yours vs. the sheet music, but it all blended smoothly and delightfully.

50– Piano*Dad:[/b] I’m glad to see you in the recital again, P*D, even if I AM jealous that you recorded such a smooth and blooper-free recording in a single take. The Grotrian sounds great, and your dynamics especially were impressive.

Thanks for all your comments on my performance, I am very glad you liked it. Playing for you is such a pleasure, and such a kick to get better and better.

I was hoping to write each of you a PM, but after going through this thread I completely lost track how many responses I've got to my piece! So I'm writing there:

THANK YOU!

Mateusz

I just want to give an extra thanks to all those that offered comments on the work here and especially those that did everyone's pieces. THAT is a tough though enjoyable job and cheers to all that took the time (appologies in advance if I missed anyone);

TX-Dennis
Monica
Hisalone
JohnFrank
epf
Irish Mak
Sandy
Manndrew
B528nf7
opus 45
eighty8
jotur
Gerg
rustyfingerts
joangolfing
super hunky
ddh
seaside lee
mmmmbalf
riddler
mistaya
piano dad
keynotes
mati
ozormox
greg f
rossana

To all those that commented on my song... many thanks. I'm sure I speak for many of us when I say that if for not the PW recital I would have no outlet for the work I do so it is very rewarding to get this feedback.

Cheers-

Peyton

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b]
Nice arrangement!

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]
I don't know what your secret is, but your playing is always magical and beautiful. What a treat to hear you play!

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b]
You played this fairly simple tune in a very muscial way. I enjoyed it very much.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b]
YOu gave the piece a very nice noctunal mood indeed. Well done!

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b]
For being self taught and still on Alfred one, you did a marvellous job playing this piece. I would have thought you'd more experience from the sound of the performance.

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b]
FFX music does create fans easily. This is another very nice piece of music from the collection. I really like the way you make it sing, and the dynamics and expression you put into it.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b]
Cathy, I can always expect from you a tune with a good beat to make my head bob and my foot tap. This is no exception. I am not sure why you aren't happy with it. I surely enjoyed it. OK, so I suppose if you had lunch, the tempo would be faster - and my head would bob faster too!

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b]
Wow, this is a really pretty tune. I am impressed that you managed to figure it out from watching YouTube videos. *Very* nicely played.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b]
I love this piece (and many other Webber compositions). You played this very nicely with a somewhat mellow and subdued mood, with some places being more dramatic. I was kind of hoping for even more intensity and more ff may be in the middle or towards the end. I guess I somehow associate the song with great drama!

38. Copper - Stardust[/b]
I am amazed so many "greats" have performed this song. Now you are joining their ranks! Nicely played!

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]
Nice performance. I like the tempo that you played it at - slower than most, but I found myself preferring this tempo a lot.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b]
Greg, you are too modest. Your playing is always so beautiful and musical.

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Nice spirited performance. Good job. I think at times when your RH was playing 1/8th notes, somehow the 3/4 timing got lost a little bit. Maybe slow it down a bit, so we can enjoy the nice Waltzy feeling throughout.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b]
I was about to continue listening at a later time, but saw that you're playing an FFX piece. Well, got to listen to it before I sign off! They are such gorgeous pieces, and you played this one very nicely. Your "pasty" lunch is very British indeed!

Another thought for Mahlzeit's program. However about an additional field for the numbers of recital you've participated in in the past? Well, if someone can phrase it more concisely, that will be much better, but you get the idea. I am sure it'll only take 3 minutes for Mahlzeit to put it in if we want that field.

I don't know, Rosanna. Sure, we could add new fields for all kinds of interesting statistics, but it shouldn't take an hour to fill out the form. But I'm interested in hearing what others think of the feature you are proposing.

I'm more worried about the magic code bug, mahlzeit... did you ever figure out what was going on there?

You know, there is a difference between a

magic .... code bug, and a

magic code .... bug.

You can guess which way I read it first. :p

Hmm, magic code bug? Yes, I seem to faintly recall there was a problem with that... Haven't looked at it yet, actually. I'm waiting until Oct 31st to fix that, ha ha.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air

I loved your version of O Danny Boy, especially the left hand harmonies. It should be played like this, simply and gently. Wonderful touch.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante

I definitely prefer the Andante to the 1st and 3rd movements. A bit rushed, but you basically kept good rhythm. Dynamically, this was quite good. The shadings were nice.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit
Chien/Minute Waltz)

I agree with others that if you slowed down just a bit you'd be playing the piece much more smoothly and in control. I make the same mistake and start "squishing" notes together. Most of the runs are pretty even though. Good job.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5

This was very good for only a year back as an adult. You really have a nice flair for this kind of music. Technically you did an excellent job. Great shading and dynamic range.

66. EJR - Everyday

This song is awesome. You played it very evenly, keeping that driving motion moving forward. Nice subtle changes in dynamics with the introduction of the second theme. You know, this piece could really be used as an etude to strengthen the left hand independence.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2

Wonderful rubato, excellent on the embellishments. The only suggestion I would have is to ease up a bit on the dynamics of the left hand chords in some places.

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene

You have a very nice touch. I especially like the way you handle the thirds in the right hand. A fine interpretation. Nice changes in dynamics as well.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei

A perfect piece to end the recital. Played smoothly and allowing each note to sing out. Very soothing and peaceful.

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]
Never heard this piece, but it's so soothing. Thanks for playing that.

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b]
Yang, you've come a long way!

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b]
This is a very interesting arrangement - I surely wouldn't have guessed that it's a Beethoven. Good performance.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]
Very solid playing. I think you played it very smoothly!

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b]
Dang, I got to learn those dim chords myself! Such a pretty tune.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b]
Glad I am not Monica. I like the BeeGees a lot! I really got to learn from how varied your playing is, and how seamlessly you move from one mood/style to another.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b]
Very enjoyable!

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b]
I don't think I have heard you play before. Very nice! You and your son are both equally talented!

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b]
Very solid performance.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b]
This is such a pretty piece. I really love the expression and musicality in your playing. Very pretty!

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
Sandy, this was played very expressively. I really love it. This can be your new screenname: ICPUTRD: "I can play under the red dot".

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]
Someday, may be my brain and my hands can manage all the things you do! (Mostly my brain needs to catch up!)

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b]
Another excellent pianist among ABF-ers. Thanks for the performance.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b]
Jeff, very beautiful! I like both your selection of this piece as well as how you played it.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]
Quite an interesting composition. Best of luck to your brother and sister!

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b]
Very nice job Kawai. Every bit as enjoyable as the unabridged version!

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b]
This recital has been full of beautiful performances and very nice choice of music. I am running out of words. So again, I say, great performance, I really enjoyed it! I can see why you would want to learn this piece.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]
A nice classic that I am never tired of listening to. Nicely done.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b]
As always, perfectly played! So this is an easy piece for you, eh? That's about my level!

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]
Enjoyed your playing very much!

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b]
This can be quite a challenging piece to play. Bravo for presenting it to us!

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b]
I like the fun spirit of this piece. Thanks for playing for us.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]
This is such a unique piece. Very hynotic!

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b]
Very nice played. Chopin couldn't have done it better if he had a sprained finger!

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b]
Very nice choice of music. Nice playing.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b]
You wrap up the recital with a great performance!

Thanks everyone I have just completed all of my thoughts as I've finally listened to everyone

A special thanks to everyone that took the time to listen and comment on mine.

To the talent of the ABF I raise my glass of G&T

Yikes its 2-00AM! I'm off to bed


Ga'nite everyone


Lee

51– GregF[/b]: I like the Bergmuller piece much better than Czerny and Hanon. It did sound like quite a workout for the hands. The recording quality on the iPod was also very impressive.

52– Mistaya[/b]: I don’t mind hearing a piece as pretty as this one multiple times. You play this beautifully and delicately, especially the trills.

53– IPIBAHN[/b]: A lovely, sad piece, played with emotion. I wish it had been longer.

54– DeepElem[/b]: Morricone is one of my favorite film composers. Like Sandy’s piece, I wish this had been longer, too. [psst to both of you.... you can always just repeat the whole thing! ]

55– Greywulf[/b]: I’m not too familiar with Nevin’s work, but this has a nice romantic air. I can easily imagine sitting back in some gondola while this was playing. (I’m having a harder time imagining the *piano* itself in the gondola, though. )

56– Opus45[/b]: Well, I wish *my* works in progress sounded as polished as this one does! Seriously, this flowed very well without the hesitations I was expecting to hear from your description. I really liked the coda.

57– Polostrings[/b]: This was really cool! Different in a jaunty, jazzy way... the pattern in the bass does a great job of communicating the eagerness your siblings are feeling with the inability to rush the process up any.

58– Kawai, Hi[/b]: This arrangement sure sounds pretty complex to me for a “simplified” arrangement! It captures a lot of the emotion of the original piece. Nice job.

59– Mike White[/b]: You are so good at making technically demanding pieces sound easy. This one flows along smoothly despite what sounds like a lot of killer chords and chord progressions.

60– Rosanna[/b]: Wonderful “by ear” arrangement! Much too delicate and pretty to be a soap opera theme, though.

61– ddh[/b]: Not bad at all for a “plan C”! This is always a stirring song to listen to, and your version is no exception.

62– Yuri[/b]: I like that term, “rubatized Mozart.” Even though forewarned about the tempo changes, I had a hard time detecting them in your recording, so I suspect you are (once again) being very hard on yourself.

63– Manndrew[/b]: I like Willie Nelson songs MUCH better this way (= a smooth, jazzy piano bar-type arrangement) than how he sings them. Quite enjoyable.

64– Ozor Mox[/b]: There’s no way I could play anything that fast, so I’m afraid I don’t have any hints for you. I thought it sounded great, and what a great idea to get a recording session as a present! I’d love to hear all the details on what was involved if you want to start a thread on it sometime.

65– Hisalone[/b]: I’ve always liked this Hungarian dance. This one sounds like it has a fair amount of intricate and demanding finger work involved.

66– EJR[/b]: Reviewed on p. 1

67– Ovaltine[/b]: Another “plan C” piece that sounds like a “Plan A”. It sure doesn’t sound like you’re playing with a sprained finger, especially on all those fast runs and trills.

68– Signal[/b]: I’m always glad to hear a new age piece on the recital. This is one of Lanz’s prettiest melodies, and you do a great job with it.

69– karaeloko[/b]: reviewed on p. 1

Okay, that’s it! My apologies to the performers who had to wait many weeks for feedback.

I keep thinking there’s *no way* the recital can keep getting better, but every time I’m proved wrong. The only thing I would change would be to add a few more pieces from some of our early beginners, hint hint to all you out there.

Umm, sorry- glitch in posting. Will try again.

Much better!

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] Very pretty piece and nicely played.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b] Nice job. Good work on the dynamics.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] I was not familiar with this before hearing you play it, but I like it a lot. Very nice piece and a nice tribute to you beloved dog.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] Very nice, even if too short. I wanted to hear more!

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] Very nice. I enjoyed listening to you play this. It seems a good dramatic piece- just the thing to impress!

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] Nice. It's great that you are challenging yourself with pieces like this, and you are certainly up to it!

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b] Oh, how pretty! I admire those who can not only play so well, but compose, too.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b] Simplified it may be, but still lovely. The only thing I would say is that the melody could have been a bit more prominent in a few places.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b] Another piece I did not know, but certainly enjoyed. And you always play so very well!

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] Neat piece. You bring out the Oriental flavor very well.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b] Being of Irish descent, I have always loved this song. Your take on it is lovely.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] I enjoyed this, as I always enjoy your recital pieces. Nice job.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b] I have always liked this song. Your rendition was fun to listen to.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b] I can offer no advice, because my version would very likely have been the Five Minute Waltz! I enjoyed it and thought you played well.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5 The Hungarian Dances are always fun to listen to, and yours is no exception. I'm sure you enjoyed playing it as well.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b] (to do) Nicely played. Very enjoyable.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b] Lovely job on a lovely piece. Well done.

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b] Very nicely played version of one of my favorite Lanz pieces. Peaceful and serene, like leaves floating on a river.

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b] A very pretty piece and played with great feeling. Bravo.

My sincerest apologies to those in this last group. Many things (which I will not bore you with as they were quite mundane and not at all exciting) conspired to eat up my time. But I did want to get this posted, as I have listened to and enjoyed each piece.
And as always, a huge round of applause to everyone involved in these recitals. Fabulous job! Bravo!

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to listen to and comment on my playing of Crazy. I really look forward to these recitals and am amazed at the wonderful range of pieces that everyone submits. We all share something special that helps carry us through the day. In spite of how the Red Sox may be doing. Can't wait for November. Thanks again everybody.

Andy

I also want to thank you ALL for your comments on my piece, I am happy It has been a great motivator for me and I hope to join future recitals because it's so much fun!

All the best to you!

Third and last set of comments; forgive the delay, got distracted by work; come November, I will be retired and have no such excuse

Onward:

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b] So smoooooooooth; thanks.

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b] Very pianobaresque, Lee, done with great ease; You bring me back to the 70s; thanks.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b] I enjoyed this arrangement quite a bit; well executed; thanks.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b] Very well expressed; dreamy and soft; thank you for the lesson. (This one is on my "to do" list)

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b] Very enjoyable; thanks.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b] This is such beautiful music; one never tires of it; you play with a light and expressive touch, changing moods and all; another for my "to do" list; thank You.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b] I offer some belated sympathy for the passing of Your friend and congratulations for Your rendering of this piece; well done; thank You.

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b] Yet another quite evocative piece; it is short though ; thanks for sharing.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b] These Spanish sounding classical pieces are becoming my favorite music; thank You for so eloquently introducing me to yet another composer; cheers.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b] Beautifully played melodies (In both hands); thank You.

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b] Bravo Polostrings! very evocative composition; liked it much; thank You for sharing.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b] This is one of my all-time, all-star favorite pieces (definitely on the "I MUST learn it someday list); in this "easier" version, You retain all that makes this piece so great; congratulations on Your effort and courage; well done indeed; thanks.

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b] Ponce (like Albeniz, Granados, Mompou...) has a Spanish bounce to his music that comes through very clearly in Your interpretation; love it; great job; thanks.

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b] You may be right about the dramatic mood missing a bit but the interpretation is nonetheless exquisite with a lovely chinese "ambience" and melody; great stuff; thank You.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b] Moi: Well, I guess it can only go upwards

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b] Granted, it's an easy piece, the recording is iffy, and rubatization distracts us . Still, if I can offer such a well controlled and melodious performance in five years, I will have progressed beyond expectations. Thank You for the lesson and the humor.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b] I admire Your creativity and enjoyed this piece tremendously; thank You for sharing.

64. Ozor Mox - Waltz in D flat major (Petit Chien/Minute Waltz)[/b] Tremendous effort on an unplayable piece; enjoyed it much; thanks.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b] Well, You did succeed in making me tap my feet and sway on my chair; if there had been a fair lady at hand, I most assuredly would have danced; well done; thank You.

66. EJR - Everyday[/b] When I ear this, I think of driving through an industrial district; it evokes scenes of moroseness and despair; don't You just love it; great job; thank You.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b] By all means, keep the strained finger if it means I will hear more such lovely melodies from You. Excellent interpretation indeed; thank You.

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b] Finely crafted and chiseled piece where nuances and rhythms tell the story; I love stories. Thank You for sharing.

69. karaeloko - Tr‰umerei[/b] What an auspicious conclusion to the recital; You lull us gently with this lovely piece; Thank You.

That's it for comments.

Let me finish by thanking all who took the time to listen and comment on my feeble effort; it will be better next time; I am grateful for the support You so generously distribute in this thread; it fuels my resolve to improve. Thanks again to all of You.

Sorry I know this is obscenely late, I still hope they count for something! The rest will come very soon.

23. Euphonatrix - Sonatina in F, WoO, Anh. 5, No. 2[/b]
I think you captured the feel of this piece really well, I really enjoyed your performance.

24. AdagioM (Michele) - Adagio from Sonata No. 48, Hob. XVI/35[/b]
Your playing is very beautiful. You play slowly and delicately and with a control I can only dream of!

25. mlr1899 - Sensation[/b]
Great, a flawless rendition of the piece!

26. Gary001 - Theme in F Major[/b]
Very nice and even playing.

27. rocky - Evacuee[/b]
Very relaxing and chilled. It sounded like there was a lot of pedal, maybe that was just me. I liked it.

28. Serge88 - The Long And Winding Road[/b]
I remember learning this a long time ago, and I am certain I could never play it this well! Nice.

29. angelojf - "Here Comes the Sun"[/b]
Your piece would not play for me

30. kawaigirl1 - Leo[/b]
I find that Einaudi pieces seem simple in theory, but actually require a massive amount of control to play well. You demonstrated exactly how to play an Einaudi piece I think!

31. Orez Eno - Two Timing, Op.134 No.6[/b]
Great, I liked the piece and your playing.

32. Undone (Jim) - Night Song[/b]
I thought you had really controlled dynamics and tempo and I enjoyed the piece.

33. AnthonyB - I due fiumi[/b]
Another great Einaudi performance, what more can I say?

34. Strat - Wind Crest (from Final Fantasy X-2)[/b]
What a beautiful piece, and you really brought it to life with your performance.

35. jotur - Cathy Turner - (This is Not Your Mother's) Black and White Rag[/b]
Smooth and even playing, good work.

36. Eighty8 - Letter From Home[/b]
Very nice playing and I liked the piece.

37. epf - Music of the Night[/b]
Good work, very relaxing to listen to!

38. Copper - Stardust[/b]
I liked your playing a lot.

39. Pevawi / Peter - Für Elise[/b]
Good to hear the whole thing and not just the bit everyone recognises! You played at a nice slow and steady pace.

40. gerg aka Greg - Nocturne Op. 37 No. 2[/b]
Excellent playing! It's always nice to hear Chopin I haven't heard before, especially when it's played like this!

41. Fillanzea (Emily) - Sunburst Waltz[/b]
Short and sweet, I liked it.

42. RobM - Suteki Da Ne[/b]
Lovely piece and fantastic playing, no faults to be seen!

Yeah I know! But I just found the rest of my replies on my computer and thought it was a waste not to post them

43. tekkie - Opus #18[/b]
What a pretty piece, and great playing brought it to life!

44. PianoN00b (Yang) - Midnight Rhapsody[/b]
Your name is so incorrect! That was great, I particularly liked the fast runs.

45. joangolfing - Hymn to Joy[/b]
I'd not heard this before, I liked your performance.

46. Paul Cast - Sonatina Op.36 No.1 Allegro, Andente, Vivace[/b]
Solid performance. I liked the variation, I kept thinking a new piece had started!

47. mahlzeit - Diminished[/b]
It sounded very bluesy. Is this your own composition? Good work and great playing!

48. Seaside_Lee - How Deep Is Your Love[/b]
Your playing is just sublime, so relaxing and mellow to listen to. You would be so good playing at a jazz bar or something.

49. TX-Dennis (Dennis Turner) - In The Still of the Night[/b]
Great! Again, very relaxing, chilled out, so nice to listen to.

50. Piano*Dad - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin[/b]
I don't know what was going on but the recording kept slowing down and speeding up. I couldn't find it on your YouTube page either

51. GregF - Pastorale Op.100, No. 3[/b]
Some very nice playing there.

52. Mistaya (Caroline) - Notturno op.54 no.4[/b]
I hadn't heard it many times, and I really enjoyed your playing.

53. IPIBAHN (Sandy) - Jazz Hymn[/b]
Nice emotional playing there, good work!

54. DeepElem (aka Buck) - Cinema Paradiso[/b]
Great playing and some really nice dynamics in this piece.

55. Greywullf - No. 3 Canzone Amorosa[/b]
Some really incredible moments to this piece, really enjoyed it overall.

56. Jeff (Opus45) - Barcarolle (June, from the Seasons)[/b]
Nice piece and great playing!

57. polostrings - Waiting for Arrival[/b]
Good work, very solid playing.

58. Kawai, Hi - Raindrop Prelude[/b]
Love this piece! Great performance of it!

59. Mike White - Scherzino Mexicano[/b]
Lovely clear and strong playing. Really enjoyed it!

60. Rosanna - Shanghai Tan[/b]
Nice style to this piece and you played it very well.

61. ddh - Daniel - Londonderry Air[/b]
Good performance of a classic.

62. YD (Yuri) - Mozart, Sonata K545, Andante[/b]
Wonderful playing. I'm not normally a huge fan of Mozart but this was really nice.

63. Manndrew - Crazy[/b]
Just amazing! Another performance that awakens me to different kinds of music.

65. Hisalone (Joel) - Hungarian Dance No. 5[/b]
Nice performance, it sounded like quite a challenge!

66. EJR - Everyday[/b]
Gorgeous piece! Your playing really did it justice too, very even and emotional.

67. Ovaltine - Nocturne #2, Op.9 No.2[/b]
Great playing. I've wanted to learn this for a while now, this shows me that I really should make the effort!

68. Signal - Leave on the Siene[/b]
Lovely piece of music and great playing, thanks for this!

69. karaeloko - Träumerei[/b]
Wow I might have to give this one a go myself, you really made it sound great with your deep playing.

Well, better late than never!

I have no explanation for why my recording would wobble in speed. I trust it wasn't my playing that wobbled!

I really don't have a YouTube page, actually. That's for Piano*Son. His stuff is posted there.

I tend to shy away from public performance. The only known video of me was taken by Improviso at a recent piano party in Richmond. He made a video of my playing of the first movement of the Mozart sonata in C minor (K. 457). That piece actually was my first submission to a recital here a few recitals ago. You can see the video on his YouTube page at

Mozart Sonata

He didn't start the recording until I had finished the first page of the piece, so the whole thing isn't there.

Hah, no it wasn't your playing. It sounds like a warped record in a record player getting faster and slower, but also accompanied with crackling. I will download the MP3 separately and see if that works, and update my comment.

And that is some great playing in the YouTube video! With all those people around, I'd have been all over the place!