PianoTell Recital #2 Is Now Live!
@Rubens Thank you!!! You've given me fresh life and vigour, and enthusiasm to go on learning and practising to maybe someday actually deserve such praise 
TC3 — Worried Life Blues
That was really very enjoyable to me. Only loved it. In your text you talk about how unfinished your practising stage was at recording time. Seriuosly, only the very last note and expression in your face indicates, this could be true. The rest, from the start though the entire song until the 2nd last note was just perfect. So relaxed and layed back.
Your singing is very nice, too. You have a strong voice and you hit every note with great confidence. I always wonder how you can keep the tempo and rhythm with your LH, while talking out of rythm (1 min mark). I think the real singing together with the beat is easier for keeping the tempo. Well, you did everything just right and I am happy you shared this with us.
WieWaldi Thanks very much, I appreciate the kind words from a fellow blues pianist. I can hear a few other piano inaccuracies along the way, but I'm glad they didn't come through too obviously. As far as the singing, I'm getting stronger, but there were definitely a few lines that aren't quite as confident as I'd like. The talking a-rhythmically while playing in tempo bit is interesting. I couldn't exactly write it out on sheet music, but I've practiced it enough that I'm saying that bit pretty regularly, so it may actually be in time in some sense, just not in an obvious quarter- or eighth-note sort of way. It would be interesting to get some notation software to chart it out and see what it looks like. In any case, thanks for the response!
Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.
MarieJ — Waltz in F minor – Your artwork and music videos are a feast for the mind and soul – thank you for sharing them with us, and I mean it! You play beautifully, and your choices are always tasteful and inspiring. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Tim Neumark but now I want to delve into his music.
Player1 — Ashokan Farewell – Player1, I want to talk to you seriously. Your choice of the piece – so wistful and sad, and with that title – is it to say something? After reading your recent posts I started wondering whether you wanted to say goodbye to the piano? Please, don’t! Please keep playing, find a piece of music that really speaks to you and is relatively easy to learn, or else, find an easy piece that is just nice and will give you instant gratification and a sense of accomplishment – it’s not difficult, the internet is full of all kinds of scores. It is a trick that at least has always worked for me in moments of dejection. Your very personal and emotional relationship with the music is worth preserving and honing, and I’m sure it’s also worth sharing with others. I for one would love to hear you play again!
Rubens — Sonata no.2, Op.36 (1913), 2nd movement – I’m lost for words. Because, really, all words fall flat after listening to your impressive performance. So I went and listened to you play the 3rd movement 
I once told you that I wanted to play like you when I grow up. I will not retract that confession now, but I want to make a caveat:
I now know that I will never play like you, but you will always inspire me to grow 
- Edited
TC3 I appreciate my kind words, but I think I have more work to do, especially on my singing. There are still some phrases that come out a little pitchy or strained.
I think only a few phrases of your singing come across as awkward. The majority of them sound good, which is a sign that you could get it all in shape with a little more practice. It's sounding better and better!
rsl12 Thanks! Yes, it starts a bit weaker, gets better as I go along. It's a breathing thing (as I'm sure you know from your own training) as much as it's a pitch thing. I need to prioritize my singing practice a bit more, it has a tendency to fall by the wayside when I get busy ..
Enthusiastic but mediocre amateur.
Thank you. My current plan is to keep playing as long as I can. I'm a couple of years away from full retirement and when I finally do retire, the plan is to have a baby grand in the living room.
So, no fears of my walking away. There is always music in my life, even if the only one who can hear it, is me.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. I took lessons through high school and then life + lack of an instrument got in the way, and I stopped playing for more than 15 years. I started again in late 2020.
Rubens Sgisela
There is a nocturnal lyricism in your playing that tugs at the listener's heartstrings and pull them into the depths of a soul-stirring journey. The part at 2:58 is achingly beautiful. The typical "wet" sound of the Estonia fits this music perfectly. After finishing listening to this I restarted immediately.
Thanks so much for the very kind words. When I first heard the piece, I found it very emotionally compelling and I’m glad I’ve been able to convey some of that. I do agree that it has a ‘nocturnal’ quality — one of the reasons I recorded it at night and with somewhat reduced lighting.
Sophia
That was a really lovely and confident performance. You are quite a natural at this and have a good sense of how to present the material and make it fun for the listener. I was smiling and bobbing my head while you were playing. I especially like the way you "punch" those chords.
Player1 That sounds like a great plan, to buy a baby grand when you retire! 
I love baby grands - all the allure and curves of their larger relatives, but a modest enough size for many homes to accommodate. Please remember to post a photo when the time comes.
"Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)
Thank you sooo much everybody who provided such lovely comments. Such an incentive to keep going! Being entertaining is my dearest wish and it’s so very pleasing if I’m able do so in my own small way
I’m still listening to the recitals and enjoying every single one… more comments will follow later
lilypad — God Bless the Child
That was beautiful Lilypad - to match your lovely name I absolutely love Billie Holiday (how could I not, after all she is the Lady of the Blues!), but I wasn't familiar with this song of hers. So of course I had to look up her version too. You absolutely captured the spirit of her great performance. Thank you for giving me a new memory on someone I greatly admire (apart from you now too, lol)
BicBic — Prelude no.4 in E minor from Op 11
That's fantastic for one year, comeback or not! Congratulations on renewing your piano vows... I'm very glad I did the same. Though I'm nowhere near your level yet, of course. You have a very delicate touch, and played with very good dynamics. Very nice!
javiercorre — Sonatas K. 208 and K. 380
Beautiful! Delicately played and such an endearing piece. Fantastic dynamics and very skillful playing. Almost flawlessly and from memory, in a single take!!! And you have only five years of practice?! I'm very impressed! I'm sure you will do great on your exam!
SalmonJack — Bliss Ten
This forum is so talented... pianists, composers, sailors, movie makers, and from the looks of it you're all rolled in one Thanks for sharing your creation and lovely imagery to go with it. It felt like a mini cruise with an on board pianist - thank you for taking us on this virtual trip!