Performer: Navindra Umanee in the USA. On and off piano lessons since September 2019.
Piece: Bluebird by Alexis Ffrench
Comment Policy: Critical Comments: Anything goes!

Source of music: Alexis Ffrench - The Sheet Music Collection
Instrument: Yamaha GC1 in Mauritius
Recording method: Improvised with random devices like my phone and tablet.
Additional info: Wow! Where to start?

This recording was not only completely impromptu but a major deviation from all my prior recording plans. Normally, I’d carefully plan my shoot and I’d have all my gear at hand but I didn’t have any such luxury here. You might not be able to tell, but there was a ton going around me while I recorded. There was a business event, loud music, chattering, and many noises.

Simply, I’d never imagined I’m come across a grand piano in Mauritius, let alone one I could touch and play, and I had a blast with it! I got claps, one person asked me if it was a piece by Ludovico Einaudi, another person recorded me (you see Juliano walk into the frame at one point), and the day after, the manager stopped by our table with a friendly word.

It was an exhilarating experience similar to the one @BicBic had recently!

--
Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
TIME

    Rob this reminds me of the famous aria from the popular early 20th century French opera "Louise", which I played quite a bit during the 1980s!

    • Rob likes this.

      TheBoringPianist this is one of those occasional moments where it suddenly strikes me "I know this piece!".
      I would never have guessed it to be César Franck, though.

        twocats I had a recording of the orchestral version of this piece as a young child, and I wore it out! Something about it really appealed to me.

          TC3 you might also enjoy another volume which I believe is in the same series, "The Joy of Jazz".

          • TC3 replied to this.

              Nightowl It is a very good first recording. Well done.

                Rubens

                I keep telling Josephine that she plays wonderfully. She has such an innate understanding of the music and how it should be played that you can't help but fall in love with it. That understanding shows in her performances. Hopefully some day she will finally accept how beautifully she plays.

                  navindra

                  I am so jealous. To play so well and have the opportunity to do it in public makes me green with envy.

                      Wow... I don't even know where to start... at the beginning I guess 🙂 I will be savouring this recital, so my comments will appear in batches. Here's the first batch:

                      @Player1 Wow, you show great progress compared to your previous video! Fast paced and smooth and lovely vocals towards the end, what is there not to like 🙂

                      @rogerch You know you are my improvision inspiration right? 😃 Compared with your previous piece which featured a lot of daring harmonies, I'm seeing huge improvements with you too. The harmonies just flowed. It's hard to believe that it was improvised throughout - it comes across as an original composition that you could have worked on for weeks. Well done!
                      TRUTH. This conversation just happened. My husband came in and commented "what a very pretty piece". I told him that it is improvised on the spot and he was absolutely flabbergasted. What more needs to be said 🤣

                      @keff I will respect your request for no comments and I don't have questions 🙂 It's a very pretty piece!

                      @Sgisela Very spirited performance! And such adorable images too. I absolutely love South American rhythms and you did it justice. Watch those fingers fly 😃 Very nice!

                      Whoops... that's all I have time for right now... more to follow!

                        Oh my gosh!! Congratulations, first for navindra for pulling it all together and second to everyone who submitted!!!

                        I cannot wait to listen, but I'll have to (am supposed to be working right now... 😅

                          Few more:

                          @pseudonym58
                          Such a delicate start - and then... it swells to very interesting rhythms and harmonies until it gradually goes back to sleep again towards the end. The 1940s Disney should buy the rights and include it in Fantasia... with a full orchestra 🙂 my imagination took me to those type of images almost right away! Thank you!

                          @Sam
                          We have that movie The Rope! It's extremely interesting in more aspects than one, as it's the first (perhaps even only) movie that never shows a single camera break. Your playing made me want to watch the movie again 🙂 Hope your leg gets better soon!

                          @hebele
                          Great progress in only 5 months, well done! You started later than I did and I had some prior experience. Your diligence and hard work obviously has paid off - well done!

                          @MarieJ
                          Wow.... the abstract images fit the music so well... the music is sheer silky poetry as well. 😃 Lovely!

                          I wanted to pace myself but just had to listen to the next piece, and the next, and the next 😃 More later!

                          @plop_symphony
                          Wow, that's very impressive for only 1.5 years of playing! I'm not sure how fast it is supposed to be played but I think your tempo was just right. I'm impressed from start to the very regal ending 🙂

                          @thepianoplayer416
                          Whaaaaa, no robot voice to introduce your piece? Heh. Teasing... a very pretty piece and well played. I don't think you consulted your sheet music once... so it was truly a well rehearsed performance - short but sweet 😃

                          @BicBic
                          Oooh what a delightfully happy piece! I fully understand why you chose to perform that in front of children - the child in me enjoyed the whimsical cat and mouse chasing each other (even crossing hands to escape from each other) and the grown up in me admired the skill. Lovely, lovely!

                          @Nightowl
                          Wow, you have improved in STRIDES from your previous recital piece! I know you once said that you think your progress is slow, well, just watch your performance and marvel how fast it's going. And that piano is truly gorgeous, compared to the little Casio you had before. Improvements all around 🙂

                          To be continued...

                            I've only listened to a few so far, but...

                            Sgisela I absolutely loved your performance! The driving energy really felt authentic to the style and I was really ready to dance (first thing in the morning) 😃

                            Rubens ahhhhhh this is such a wonderful collaboration and I am so delighted to hear that Josephine has become your student from afar! @Josephine, I thought your playing was wonderful. You have such an innate musicality and your part is full of grace and elegance. Rubens, the B section wasn't bad either 😉

                            @navindra unfortunately the table of contents doesn't work for me-- I suspect the forum software only looks backwards within a post? (Edit: up until TC3's link it does work but then the later ones don't! Wondering if anyone else experiences the same?) I think hyperlinks to each of the submissions would be a better option. I know you're super busy so if you want help to do this, please let me know. Thank you for all the hard work you've put into PT and the recital!

                                  hebele Nicely played. Well done.

                                    navindra Nicely played, and thanks for setting up the recital here. It's going to be much easier to watch, listen and comment at the same time. It should also make it easier for the performer to know when someone comments on their piece, as they should receive a notification. What beach are you on?