Gooseberry
I don't know what would be the appropriate place - maybe here under notes "Me and the Fourth Ballade". LOL.
PianoTell Recital #2 Is Now Live!
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Schubertian2 one nice thing about this forum is that we can prettily easily split threads if things go too far off topic. Like what I'm about to do...
ShiroKuro I would love to know what physical differences would be observed in the brain of someone like me, who hardly ever memorizes and always plays from the score, vs someone who memorizes solo piano music, vs someone like you who memorizes both piano parts and lyrics.
For classical, I almost never memorize pieces! I have a really bad memory, and it's rare that classical pieces are just 95% scales and simple chords like it was in this case (though vocal accompaniment is usually pretty simple). Usually classical has interesting lines with ambiguous and creative voicings which don't follow standard patterns or fingerings. If I go through the trouble of memorizing a piece like that, it will fly out of my memory within a couple weeks of disuse, making it not worth the effort.
In pieces like my recital piece, what I have in my head is no harder than what you might see in a lead sheet: a soprano line with chords, with maybe a little extra information about the rhythm bass alternating between two notes or whatnot. But from that I can recreate the score with 97% accuracy, and the remaining 3% will be noticeable only if you're familiar with the score. That ability will come with experience, though learning theory well and analyzing the pieces you play can help speed up the process.
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Here are my last few comments:-
15) Gooseberry
That's a lovely piece and you played it beautifully. It was unusual watching somebody play with fingerless gloves, but maybe I'll get some if it will help me to play like that! (Anyway they'd cover my horrid veins.)
16) Rob
You created a beautiful piece of music there and the title is very apt, because I'm almost lost for words. I'm in awe of your talent.
17) TC3
Wow, that was great! You sure have soul, man!
18) Lilypad
That was a lovely rendition of an old time classic. Your piano really sings.
19) BicBic
That's quite a tricky piece and there were a few hesitations, but I think you're nearly there. 
20) Javiercorre
You chose some lovely relaxing music to play and you seemed totally immersed in your playing. Sometimes when somebody uploads a fairly lengthy piece I find myself tempted to jump forward to the end, but there was no such temptation here - it was 11 minutes of magic. If that's what you've achieved in just 5 years, you clearly have a lot of talent and I'm sure you will iron out the tiny flaws and pass your exam with flying colours. Good luck (not that you'll need it).
21) SalmonJack
That was a nice composition, you clearly have talent for playing and composing music. The images of travelling over the water went nicely with the music, which ebbed and flowed at times, in the manner of an unpredictable sea.
The submissions to this recital have been amazing, there has been something to appeal to all tastes and some truly incredible performances. I feel lucky to be in such company (although I really need to up my game if I'm going to take part in the next recital).
"Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)
Gooseberry Thanks! It's a bit stilted in places and if I used the pedal it might sound better, but at this stage I haven't mastered the pedal and it felt like too much to remember during the recording process - just hitting the right notes was enough for my small brain!
"Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)
Sophia — A Classy Rag – Girl, you are amazing – you fly through those Alfred books in leaps and bounds, to say nothing of the blues course, and you play so smoothly and delightfully as if nothing was easier! Colour me impressed
rogerch — Slow Steps – I love the warmth and tenderness that emanates from your improvisation, and I admire how you can transfer the flow of your ideas into such beautiful music 
thepianoplayer416 — When You Wish Upon a Star – I didn’t know this song until a year ago or so when my teacher at the time suggested it for me to learn. That’s how I know that it’s not easy to play it at that tempo, but you’ve done a good job there!
Sam — The Never Finished Piece
Listened to this again, I must admit it got better every time listening. It's both very well composed and played. One thing: It doesn't sound unfinished to me, like there is something missing. You could easily change the title and it's done. But if you want to improve it further, I can wait to listen to the "The Finally Finished Piece".
Rubens — Sonata no.2, Op.36 (1913), 2nd movement
Well Rubens, I took a break for a day to listen again with a fresh ear and mind... and boy am I glad I did! Eight minutes of sheer perfect playing... well done! And such a lovely story to go with it... that made it such a deep piece. Thank you for posting that, I wouldn't have wanted to miss out! Rach is normally not my favourite genre and slightly out of my comfort zone (nothing to do with your playing, everything to do with my lack of taste), but with your description I could listen with an open mind and see what you were talking about. That is why we need these recitals... if nothing else, it helps us open our minds and hearts to new adventures
Cratersmash — Sonata No. 3 in A Minor
Welcome to the recitals, Cratersmash. As you said, a difficult piece and you played it with verve. Well done!
MarieJ — Waltz in F minor
This was just beautiful. Both, how you played it and the selection of the music itself. There might be a wrong note somewhere, but is doesn't matter. The overall impression was nothing than great, because of a very nice and relaxed tempo.
Also liked the video, it is a very good visual match to the music. Thank you sharing this beautiful piece of music.
Gooseberry — Pigalle
What a lovely, delicate piece! I loved the gloves And also VERY impressive for someone who started 4 or 5 years - in terms of music, that is still a baby 
But nothing inexperienced about your playing at all, very mature indeed! I listened to your piece twice and then immediately searched for the score... Throughout I pictured a little music box dancer!
Rubens — Sonata no.2, Op.36 (1913), 2nd movement
This seems to be a quite challenging piece. Not just because of the length. It is challenging because it contains so many different expressions of the mood, and I think you got them all right. Needless to say that I am deeply impressed, how a piece of this dimension can be played without mistakes. The night is always the darkest before dawn, you expressed this amazingly good at 5:55.
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Gooseberry
Thanks for your comments.
Just like to say 2 weeks ago there was a small gathering. A few people in the group were asked to play a tune. I tried a few pieces and settled on this one. 2 years ago during the COVID lockdown I recorded the piece on the keyboard at home at a rather slow tempo. Came out ok but not satisfied with the results. Recorded the final version (2024) at a faster tempo.
Recently I heard a version played on radio featuring a strings ensemble. The theme was repeated 3x with vibraphone, piano solo, etc. With just a piano I wouldn't repeat it many times. Next time I'm going to get a friend to do the second repeat with his violin.
Player1 — Ashokan Farewell
You have a very good feeling for dynamics and this allows you to tell a story. Loved the relaxed way you played it. Nice to see, how a difficult piece loses its scaryness after making some progress of piano playing. If you ask me, this is a good sign and it tells you to continue. Awaiting your next recital piece in 3 months. Or 4. Or however the recital schedule will look like.
TC3 — Worried Life Blues
Wow very nice! It was so ready for prime time At least you won't have to worry your life about the recital, haha! I love what you did with the piano too, I'm always so very impressed when people can play and sing at the same time... even if I COULD sing that would still be way beyond me! Now I want the polished version with drums and guitar as an encore ^_^
Cratersmash — Sonata No. 3 in A Minor
You already wrote in the update thread, your piece is difficult. I just had no idea how difficult this is. On top of that, it was almost 10 minutes. No sheet music, all memorized. I am very impressed how good you played this. Lots of dynamics and a very good tempo. Thanks for sharing.