PianoTell Recital #6 Is Now Live!

navindra

Welcome to PianoTell Recital #6!

You can reply to each performance directly or click below for an optional template that you can copy/paste to comment on each performance:

> @"WieWaldi"#p36872 WieWaldi from Bavaria (near Germany), 3¾ years of actively self learning


> @"plop_symphony"#p36874 Pièce pour l'œuvre du Vêtement du blessé, L. 133 by Claude Debussy


> @"Peyton"#p36875 Do You Love Me by Nick Cave


> @"Sophia"#p36879 Minuet from Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart


> @"keff"#p36885 Misty by Erroll Garner & Johnny Burke arr. by Brent Edstrom


> @"iternabe"#p36905 Hava Nagila — Israeli Folk Song arr. by Faber


> @"MarieJ"#p36924 Leo’s Journal by Max Richter


> @"rogerch"#p36928 Thanksgiving by George Winston


> @"Schubertian2"#p37011 Sonata in E, #30, Opus 109, by Beethoven


> @"lilypad"#p37065 Snowfall by Claude Thornhill


> @"Calavera"#p37072 Avid by Hiroyuki Sawano


> @"Nightowl"#p37146 Born Free by John Barry


> @"Cratersmash"#p37269 Sonata No.30 in E Major, Mvt I, by Ludwig van Beethoven


> @"Opal"#p37277 Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4, by Chopin


> @"rsl12"#p37298 C. C. Rider — Traditional, arr. by Dr. John


> @"Simonb"#p37373 Danny Boy arr. by Nikki Illes


> @"pianocat"#p37394 Prelude in Cm, Op. 28 No. 20, by Frédéric Chopin


> @"ShiroKuro"#p37395 Canon in D by Pachelbel + ShiroKuro + Lee Galloway


> @"rach3master"#p37409 Song of the Ancients, Composer: MONACA, Arranger: Natsumi Kameoka


> @"navindra"#p37411 Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Gary Portnoy & Judy Hart-Angelo arr. by Korby Lenker

Enjoy!

WieWaldi

Performer: WieWaldi from Bavaria (near Germany), 3¾ years of actively self learning
Piece: Kansas City Blues by Jim Jackson
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: Sheet music
Instrument: Kawai CN-29 (Upright Piano sample)
Recording method: Headphone-jack to PC (OBS-Studio)
Additional info: Didn't practice that much for this one. As you see, there was nothing about it, one could call it difficult or demanding. No, it was the last and probably easiest piece of a collection called "Eight Easy Blues Pieces".
I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless.

keff

WieWaldi I did enjoy it. Well done. Very slick page turn.

rogerch

WieWaldi Nice smooth playing! I love the embellished left hand, the rubato, and your execution of the syncopated polyrhythms. Well done!

Nightowl

WieWaldi You nailed that piece! It was toe tappingly good but I have to dispute your claim that "there is nothing... difficult or demanding" in this piece - you just make it look easy because you are highly skilled in playing the blues. So skilled that you "didn't practice much" - good grief, talk about flaunting it! 😄

pianocat

WieWaldi WieWaldi from Bavaria (near Germany), 3¾ years of actively self learning

For 3-4 years of self learning, I think this sounds really great. You're keeping excellent time and you've got a nice groove going. I think you're ready to add some of your own flourishes. Maybe the occasional grace note or making up your own fills.

plop_symphony Pièce pour l'œuvre du Vêtement du blessé, L. 133 by Claude Debussy

I love this song and have it downloaded to learn someday. There's some tricky rhythmic stuff in there. Well done!

Peyton Do You Love Me by Nick Cave

I cannot carry a tune, so anyone who sings and plays at the same time has my respect. I see from the description you play all kinds of instruments. You're a renaissance man! I especially enjoyed the cheeky facing the camera for the "do you love me" parts.

keff Misty by Erroll Garner & Johnny Burke arr. by Brent Edstrom

I just love Misty. Some people get really overly flashy with it and it masks the beautiful melody. I like this arrangement and it sounds lovely on that Kemble upright.

MarieJ Leo’s Journal by Max Richter

I've not heard of this composer or album before, I will check it out. Thanks for posting! I get "Jacob's Piano" vibes from this song, you might like some of his stuff.

rogerch Thanksgiving by George Winston

Another composer I've not heard of that I will now need to check out. Lovely performance and your piano sounds amazing.

Calavera Avid by Hiroyuki Sawano

I like how this picks up around 1:12. Very nice piece and well played.

Cratersmash Sonata No.30 in E Major, Mvt I, by Ludwig van Beethoven

Impressive! Congrats on your competition win!

Opal Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4, by Chopin

I love this piece. Like you said, simple in concept but as with any Chopin it can be deceptively difficult. I've learned it, but not to performance level. Maybe it's time to dust it off again.

rsl12 C. C. Rider — Traditional, arr. by Dr. John

I am a huge Dr. John fan and I just love your stuff. Really nice work. I would love to play like this someday, I'm a long way off from being a New Orleans blues expert.

ShiroKuro Canon in D by Pachelbel + ShiroKuro + Lee Galloway

I'm kind of lukewarm on Canon in D as a song (with all due respect to the many brides who walked down the aisle to it), but this is a lovely performance.

rach3master Song of the Ancients, Composer: MONACA, Arranger: Natsumi Kameoka

Incredible performance!

navindra Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Gary Portnoy & Judy Hart-Angelo arr. by Korby Lenker

See above my comment about being able to sing and play at the same time. Nice work! Getting it done while under the weather, no less.

plop_symphony

Performer: Arnold Lau, 2.75 years of experience
Piece: Pièce pour l'œuvre du Vêtement du blessé, L. 133 by Claude Debussy
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: IMSLP
Instrument: Yamaha P-71
Recording method: Pianoteq
Additional info: Debussy composed this in 1915, late in life. It is dedicated to his wife and to the World War I charity "Vêtement du blessé", or "Clothing for the Wounded", that she organized a fundraising concert for.

rogerch

plop_symphony Very nice expressive playing! You mastered the left hand jumps and I like the selective use of sustain pedal. I enjoyed listening!

WieWaldi

plop_symphony Pièce pour l'œuvre du Vêtement du blessé, L. 133 by Claude Debussy
You played this one very delicately. I don't know the piece, but it looks quite challenging; especiall the left hand doing some big leaps. You made good use of the pedal, too. Very subtle, not in any way muddy, just right in my opinion. But I wondered why in the ending the bass notes haven't been extended with it. But as I said, I don't know this piece and maybe it was intended to be played this way. At least, it sounded good to my ears.

keff

plop_symphony I have not come across this piece by Debussy before. Thanks for sharing and well played.

Peyton Thanks for explaining how you went about making this recording. Well done indeed.

Sophia Very nice performance. It is a piece I'm not familiar with but your control of rhythm seemed to be immaculate.

Peyton

Performer: Peyton
Piece: Do You Love Me by Nick Cave

Source of music: By ear.
Instrument: Yamaha 295-GP
Recording method: Digital to Studio 1
Additional info: If you don’t know Nick Cave… you should check him out. Check out the cd “No More Shall we Part”. That’s my favorite. Meanwhile…this song “Do you Love Me” is from his cd “Let Love In”. My wife cracks up every time she watches this video and frankly I almost cracked up as I faced the camera and sang “Do you love me?” I sang it so much trying to get a good recording that my voice got hoarse which actually kind of works. I couldn’t seem to sing this and play at the same time, at least not as well as I wanted, so I played it first then sang. Overall I’m really pleased with the way it came out. I worked really hard trying to get a good balance with the guitars, piano, organ and bass. Here is my recording sequence:

First I laid down the drum track. I used a number of sources and did a lot of cutting and pasting. Second was the piano (also sang a little backup as I played). Next I did the bass. Used my Squire P bass for this one and was a ton of fun playing. Next were the two guitars. I’ve never played electric guitar so getting the sound how I wanted it was tough. Next was the organ… wanted it subtle. Last was the vocal and then the backup vocals. Except for the bass all the instruments were played on my Yamaha 295-GP.

rogerch

Peyton There is so much to going on here! I love the rich and lush arrangement. The layered vocals are amazing, with the growly lead voice and the higher smooth background voices. The vocals, piano, guitars, drums, and bass are well balanced and sound great together. The video with overlays and different angles is very well done. Staring into the camera is genius!

Other little things: Gelato Fiasco! I was thinking about enormous spills or explosions of gelato! I had to look it up. Also: what is that super wrinkled piece of paper on your music desk?

WieWaldi

Peyton Do You Love Me by Nick Cave
I am very impressed by the band in the room (again). Your rhythm and timing is spot on, as always. I watched the official music video of Nick Cave and except of the story telling video cut, your version is close to the original. You did an amazing cover version. Your choice of the piece is a very clever one, as it fits your voice and vocal range just perfect. Well done!

Sophia

Performer: Sophia, Canada (2 years coming up)
Piece: Minuet from Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart
Comment Policy: Anything goes!

Source of music: John Thompson Modern Course level 2, page 38
Instrument: Yamaha Clavinova
Recording method: iPhone
Additional info: I found this short and lighthearted piece surprisingly hard to learn, and it's still not perfect... but there is always the next piece, right? 🙂

Nightowl

Sophia That was beautifully played Sophia! I could not detect any imperfections and Simba clearly found it very relaxing, because he didn't move until the last note was played. 😃

WieWaldi

Sophia Minuet from Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart
No wonder Simba likes this one more than all the pieces you played lately. It is really just beautiful, even for a peasant like me, who dislikes classical music in general. Your tempo is spot on, perfected by a slightly rubato here and there, giving the entire melody an even more musical touch. The subtle play with the dynamic is also something I wasn't aware you are doing so well, until now. Last but not least, you used the pedal in a very good way: The notes did connect just right, but without making it sound muddy in any way. You must have had a good teacher in this regard. I think with this piece you level up!
One point I want to citicize: The piece was too short, could have enjoyed for a much longer duration. Luckily, I can repeat.

rogerch

Sophia Great piece selection and a wonderful performance! You sound like a pro! I love your smooth, confident playing. You play expressively with lovely dynamic contrasts. To my ear you nailed the classical feel of the piece. I am super impressed!

keff

Performer: keff
Piece: Misty by Erroll Garner & Johnny Burke arr. by Brent Edstrom
Comment Policy: Not particularly looking for comments.

Source of music: Music supplied via Sheet Music Direct but I made the mistake of ordering a vocal score and had to edit the tune into the right hand piano part.
Instrument: Kemble upright
Recording method: The recording was made in mid summer when I still owned my Kemble upright and using a mobile phone.

rogerch

keff Lovely lyrical playing!

WieWaldi

keff Misty by Erroll Garner & Johnny Burke arr. by Brent Edstrom
Wonderfully played. I like the arrangement and of course the piece itself. This is one of the jazz standards that belong to the "must-know" category. I think, this one will be my next vote-for candidate when PIYW turns into jazz again. Thank you for sharing.

Sophia

keff Another piece I love very much... Misty always leaves me a little misty eyed 🙂 Thank you for performing that for us keff! It brought back happy memories of my youth, because it was one of the pieces my dad played... in another lifetime.

iternabe

Performer: iternabe from North Carolina, USA. I have been learning piano for 1 year and 9 months.
Piece: Hava Nagila — Israeli Folk Song arr. by Faber
Comment Policy: Critical Comments: Anything goes!

Source of music: Faber Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Book 2.
Instrument: Kawai MP11SE + Pianoteq 9.0.1 Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Ryuyo
Recording method: Audio: digital out of Pianoteq. Video: OBS Studio + Webcams
Additional info: I have never heard this song before. After spending a couple of weeks learning it by myself, I played it to my teacher before one of our weekly lessons. He liked it, and went on to gave me a vivid description of the scene where this popular song is played. He then gave a quick demo of the first phrase to show how he would convey the mood. We also discussed learning beyond what’s written on the score, such as the composer, the background of the composition, and listen to recordings critically. I spend another week to make this recording which I feel better incorporated what I just learned.

rogerch

iternabe I love this mysterious sounding piece, and you play very well! Great articulation and nice fast finger work. I really like the way you use dynamics and pedaling to make contrasts in your playing. Thanks for sharing!

keff

iternabe A very nice performance with clear sound articulation.

MarieJ Enjoyed your performance of this lovely piece, particularly the balance between the hands.

rogerch A lovely performance.

rsl12

iternabe as usual, your playing shows good accuracy with rhythm and notes, and I'm glad to hear you are delving deeper into how to interpret a piece. I hear the effects of your efforts, but only a little. It's normal for beginners to not push the drama envelope as hard as it needs to be pushed. Partly because it's hard to do that and play all the right notes, but also because what sounds dramatic to the player's ears is usually not as dramatic to the listener's. I would try recording yourself playing overly dramatic, and then comparing the playing experience to the listening one.

plop_symphony

Sophia Lovely, controlled playing. This is just my opinion, but while the score probably doesn't specify it, I think some of the transitions between sections could use a little bit more silence between them, even if it isn't strictly metronomic.

iternabe This sounded near-perfect! You must've spent a lot of time on it. I didn't know "Hava Nagila" had a composer - usually "folk songs" don't have known composers, but apparently this one does. It seems odd that we call it a folk song now.

MarieJ

Performer: MarieJ from Brisbane, Australia. Flying solo on my piano journey since December 2011. 
Piece: Leo’s Journal by Max Richter
Comment Policy: Positive comments only (no criticism or suggestions for improvement please).

Source of music: ‘Max Richter - Piano Works’ sheet music album
Instrument: Kawai ES110 with Pianoteq 9 (Standard)
Recording method: WAV file recorded by Pianoteq, converted to MP3 with Audacity.
Additional info: This piece was originally recorded as ‘Leo’, a bonus track in Max Richter’s 2014 album ‘Songs From Before’. I love his deceptively simple, often plaintive, haunting compositions (I must do, as this is the fifth piece I’ve recorded from this album over the years).

An alert - ‘Leo’s Journal’ is probably more fun for the player than the listener.

I’m way short of the pace some have managed, short even of Richter’s more moderate speed. When ageing fingers started complaining, I reassured myself with the notion that tortoises may find qualities that hares have missed.

WieWaldi

MarieJ Leo’s Journal by Max Richter
I found this one very engaging. Repeating? Yes, that too. Nevertheless, I liked what I heard. About the execution, there is nothing more to tell other than it was flawless from what I've heard.

rogerch

MarieJ Lovely delicate playing! I love your attention to detail! I hear three expertly played voices: a muted middle voice, a more prominent lower voice, and an upper voice that rings out above the other two in pitch and volume. That is some fine playing! The result is a relaxing, meditative piece to listen to yet with so many nice touches to draw my attention!

rogerch

Performer: rogerch from California
Piece: Thanksgiving by George Winston
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: Sheet music
Instrument: Steinway M
Recording method: Zoom H1essential
Additional info: George Winston inspires me and his piece "Thanksgiving" is one of my favorites. I worked on this for several months about 10 years ago but was never satisfied with my playing. I picked it back up about three months ago and while it's not perfect it's much better this time around. Normally I memorize for a performance, but the way patterns repeat but differently each time defied memorization. It's good for me to perform from music!

Nightowl

rogerch I always look forward to your recital pieces because they never disappoint and this one was no different. That's a beautiful mellow melody and very fitting to be played on that lovely piano (which I regularly comment on - I just love the colour of the wood). Some amateur pianists buy a Steinway just because they can, although their playing might never do the instrument justice. Not the case here - if anyone can justify having a Steinway, it's you.

WieWaldi

rogerch Thanksgiving by George Winston
A very pensive piece. But unlike many other pensive pieces, this one has a very bright color, as it is not sad. I think you did a wonderful job with your performance, everything was very organic and musical. Don't know if I can call this rubato in this context, but I absolutely like your way of slowing down at the end of the phrases. Thank you for sharing, it was a pleasure to listen to it.

Sophia

rogerch What a lovely piece, I'm not surprised you spent so long learning it. I started watch before reading your comment and I was surprised to notice the iPad (though I had to giggle when you posted that video of you trying to whip that book into submission). I was so used to you playing from memory or improvising that I didn't expect you to follow a score. But of course you are a jack of all trades (and master of all) so I shouldn't have been surprised 😃

Well done Roger, everything about your playing is always pleasant, as well as the camera angle, gorgeous grand piano and regal room 😍

Schubertian2

Performer: Brad Sumner in Dallas TX; I've been playing all my life but only serious about it now that I"m retired and have a great teacher Alessandro Mazzamuto
Piece: Sonata in E, #30, Opus 109, by Beethoven
Comment Policy: Critical Comments: Anything goes!

Source of music: Baerenreiter Urtext
Instrument: Estonia Parlor grand
Recording method: Garage Band; Samson C01U mic; the mic is as far from the piano as possible (which isn't very far I'm in a small apartment), surrounded by fluffy towels
Additional info: I did not play the whole thing because I'm still working on the last bits thank you very much. There were some barbarisms in the performance but fewer than I was expecting. One take, without interruption, without any post-processing. It's close to being finished. It has to be - I'm getting up on a stage and performiing it Dec 14 with another one of Mazzamuto's students. Slow practice with the metronome over months wins the dayz!

rogerch

Schubertian2 This is one of my favorite Beethoven Sonatas, and I love the way you play it! You play with great feeling and energy, bringing Beethoven’s music to life! This is a huge piece of music that shows off the range and versatility of your playing. I know from past recitals that you have been working on this for a while. All the work you have put into this piece is paying off! Wonderfully done!

keff

Schubertian2 Bravo. Splendid achievement.

lilypad Lovely piece, well played and controlled.

Calavera Very impressive.

plop_symphony

Schubertian2 As someone not at all familiar with this sonata, I enjoyed your performance and was completely oblivious to any mistakes that might have been present. Everything sounded deliberate and intentional. I'm sure you'll have the entire thing down pat by Dec 14.

rsl12

Cratersmash Nicely played, with lots of color. What competition did you win?

Schubertian2 Sounds like it's coming along nicely. What a big project!

If you haven't listened to each other's'performances yet, I think you should! I like different parts of both of your approaches!

lilypad

Performer: lilypad; Vancouver, WA, USA; Played 8 years as a child, then on & off since retirement in 2004.
Piece: Snowfall by Claude Thornhill
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: ...sheet music from musicnotes
Instrument: ...Yamaha CLP-635 digital piano
Recording method: ...piano to USB to laptop; audacity to normalize
Additional info: This is a piano arrangement of a big band piece. I think I posted this years ago on the piano bar thread in another forum, but haven't shared it here yet. It's a favorite winter piece for me.

WieWaldi

lilypad Snowfall by Claude Thornhill
In understand why this one is your favorite winter piece. It builds up the mood of sitting with a loved one near the fireplace when it is snowy and windy outside. Except of a tiny blub in the first half, you played this one perfect for my ears. Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed this one a lot.

rogerch

lilypad Thanks for your lovely expressive playing of this beautiful piece! I like the way you play the flowing distinctive bass pattern and the interaction between the bass and the treble. I enjoyed listening!

rsl12

lilypad Pretty piece, pretty harmonies. I'd never heard of it before, so thanks for introducing me to this standard!

Calavera

Performer: Calavera from Belgium. Experience: about 10 years as a child and teenager, and about 7 years since my comeback as an adult.
Piece: Avid by Hiroyuki Sawano
Comment Policy: Critical Comments: Anything goes!

Source of music: Sheet music
Instrument: Yamaha P-125
Recording method: Garritan CFX
Additional info: Arrangement by Animenz Piano Sheets.

Avid is the ending theme for the anime series 86, a show with a relatively simple story that is executed very effectively. Similarly, this piece's melody may not seem particularly inspired at first blush, but the composer makes the most out of it and convincingly builds up a moderate degree of emotional (if low-key) momentum. I'm playing a short version of the piece to preserve that momentum more easily, and to avoid dealing/struggling with the arrangement's more challenging sections.

The video is a compilation of footage from the show's trailer and ending sequence. I hope it provides some context without detracting from the music.

WieWaldi

Calavera Avid by Hiroyuki Sawano
Always a pleasure to listen to your anime music. The ideo of laying down some excerpts of the series itself is a clever idea, I had the impression I was watching an official trailer — with the music of the procduction studio, of course^^.

rogerch

Calavera Wonderful playing! You picked a great piece to show off your skills and passion. Your playing is impeccable, and I love the contrast between the delicate playing and the fiery energy. Bravo!

Nightowl

Performer: Nightowl, UK. Nearly 2 years' playing experience.
Piece: Born Free by John Barry
Comment Policy: Positive comments and suggestions for improvement (no direct criticism please).

Source of music: First 50 Popular Songs You Should Play On The Piano, by Hal Leonard
Instrument: Donner 80+
Recording method: Acer Chromebook
Additional info: This was a huge hit for Matt Monro in 1966, following the popular film of the same name. This arrangement is pretty basic, there are many more sophisticated versions available, but luckily I have Matt Monro singing in my head when I play the melody. 🙂

WieWaldi

Nightowl Born Free by John Barry
You did a great job replicating the title theme of 1960s movie. The tempo was right, you put the right mood into it and I loved the expression. Except of the orchestra in the background and the golden voice, it sounded just like the original theme from the film. You improved since the last recital. Your playing with the dynamics is something new to me. And your hands are more relaxed, now. Still, you can relax them even further, but it is not anymore something that pops out of the screen whilst watching.
btw1: Your recording quality improved a lot. Both the sound and especially the video!
btw2: Lovely lion accessories

Sophia

Nightowl First things first: you completely set the mood for this piece with those lions and lovely bracelet and ring - that right there is enough to give your performance a professional and elegant vibe without even having played a single note 🥰 So I had to rewind (digital equivalent) and listen again, because I was so dazzled that I forgot to pay attention to your actual playing.

You too are making rapid progress, Nightowl! You are playing a lot more musically now. You have implemented the pedal, obviously, and you used it well: sparingly, but efficiently. Your hands continue to get more and more relaxed. You are embracing your inborn musicality - and you can (should) continue to do so to keep your exponential progress.

Well done 🙂

rogerch

Nightowl Nice smooth steady playing! I like the way you bring out the melody, and also the way you emphasize the chords in the bass that play when the melody pauses. The result is a nice echo effect. Well done!

rsl12

Nightowl after listening, I pulled up the trailer for "Born Free". The tune sounds VERY familiar but neither the movie nor the orchestral version in the trailer are ringing any bells!

Your hands are looking more relaxed. Hopefully playing is feeling more comfortable as well! One thing you might try is connecting the notes when you are playing up a scale with your right hand with fingers 1 2 3 4 5. It sounds like 1 and 2 are connected with a slur, and 3 and 4 are connected, but nothing else. Try connecting all 5 notes, making it all legato, with a crescendo as you go up. (However, if it was a deliberate musical choice, then ignore my suggestion!)

If I can ask an off-topic question: did the lion come out of your personal collection of plushies, or did you purchase it specifically for this video? Whichever way you answer will tell me a lot about your personality! (I was amused seeing the props, so they did their jobs!)

An on-topic question: What happened to pedal practice?

Cratersmash

Performer: Summer, 10 years experience
Piece: Sonata No.30 in E Major, Mvt I, by Ludwig van Beethoven
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: IMSLP
Additional info: This might be the prettiest piece I’ve ever played, it’s gorgeous. I just won a competition with it, so I’m really happy about that. Hope you like it!

rogerch

Cratersmash Congrats on winning the competition! You are super talented and your playing is wonderful to listen to. Very smooth confident playing with great skill and expression. You do a wonderful job bringing out the beauty of this piece!

keff

Nightowl Well done. Matt Monro had a lovely voice.

Cratersmash Bravo. A performance deserving first prize.

Opal Well done. It is one of the few Chopin pieces I have played .

plop_symphony

Cratersmash That was really pretty, especially the dynamic range.

Opal

Performer: Opal from NYC. I took lessons for many years as a child and teenager and am now playing again after a 10 year hiatus.
Piece: Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4, by Chopin
Comment Policy: Positive comments and suggestions for improvement

Source of music: Sheet music
Instrument: Yamaha p71
Recording method: Midi with Pianoteq 9
Additional info: This is my first online recital and first time performing anything in 10+ years so I'm definitely nervous! It's been a real journey going back to the piano. I chose this piece because it's beautiful, short, and not technically demanding. Though of course with Chopin nothing is ever simple. I can't say I'm thrilled with the recording (it's hard to squash my inner critic, and also my cheap digital doesn't have great dynamic range) but I want to post here so I keep my momentum going and feel motivated to learn more. Anyway, thanks for listening!

Nightowl

Opal I'm a big fan of Chopin so clicked on this piece quickly. You played it beautifully, your experience shows and that was a very smooth performance. The only thing that seemed slightly out of place was the 4 second pause near the end. I'm not familiar with the score of the piece and I'm sure there is probably a rest written onto the score, but it just seemed overly lengthy. Maybe others will come along soon to say that the extended pause is exactly the right length or maybe it's something open to interpretation. Anyway Chopin is never easy but you mastered this piece.

WieWaldi

Opal Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4 by Chopin
Very nicely and softly played. I understand completely what you meat in your additional info regarding the dynamic range and your digital. This piece could use a bit more of it. Nonetheless it was a nice to listen to.
And before I forget: Welcome to PianoTell.

Sophia

Opal That is a gorgeous, gorgeous piece 🙂 I think Chopin is my favourite composer and this is one of his prettiest pieces (arguably, because I think everything he composed is beautiful). I think you captured the delicate mood just perfectly, well done. Hope you continue to participate in the recitals, and welcome (back) to piano 🙂

rsl12

Performer: rsl12 (USA). Piano has been a hobby for decades. First half of my piano life was focused on classical, but now I'm into jazz.
Piece: C. C. Rider — Traditional, arr. by Dr. John
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: My own transcription
Recording method: Phone
Additional info: This recital entry is half-baked. Maybe even quarter-baked. (But that's ok for a quarterly recital...?) "C.C. Rider" comes from the video Dr. John Teaches New Orleans Piano, through which I'm slowly making my way. I'd love to get this barrelhouse blues under my fingers! It sounds both pretty and big. Also, it's a pretty big pain in the butt, because I have to get my left hand to stretch to tenths. But I've been wanting to work on my tenths for a long time, so I'm treating this as an etude, almost strictly a technical exercise. I've only transcribed a small snippet (which I repeated twice for this recording), and I'll work on the rest once my left hand is more adept. When I started this, I painfully struggled to reach. And though I've only worked on this for a little while (in between all the PIYWs), I've improved quite a bit. The pain is gone, and now it feels like a comfortable stretch. My reach has improved slightly, but I think more than that, I've gotten better at finding those tiny corners of the key edge with the tip-top tips of my thumb and pinky. I know I my reach has improved because when I try to do the left hand part with my right hand, I can't manage at all!

The piece is forgiving in that, more often than not, the tenths are played one note before the other, and even when they are not, rolling sounds good as a workaround (though eventually I'd like to do it without rolling). Still a long way to go, but I'm seeing progress!

PS. Is this really C.C. Rider?? Other than the fact that it's a blues, I hear very little in common with the other versions I've listened to!

Sophia

rsl12 Ok, I'm going out on a limb here and say it's probably three quarters baked ^_^ I can definitely hear where you're wanting to go with this piece. As always I'm so very impressed with your musical versatility - and your hands remind me of our cats: seemingly endless flexibility, stretches beyond what is humanly possible and effortless elegance. Not to mention the fact you actually transcribed this from someone else's performance, well done!

WieWaldi

rsl12 C. C. Rider — Traditional, arr. by Dr. John
First of all, in my opinion you are the bravest here, for sharing something that is so absolutely clearly in progress. But it has already the typlical Dr. John vibes. Honestly, I like that sound that you are recreating. Only one thing is unclear to me: Maybe it is a language barrier, but if the tenths in the left hand make your fingers hurt, why is it a pain in the ... but did you know, in former times people said it is a pain in the neck. Anyway, it plays no role if the pain is here or there, if it's your fingers that hurt.
Would like to hear a later recording of this, when you think it is finished. For now, it sounds very promising.

navindra

rsl12 To me, it seems like you are very much at ease and master of your instrument. You seem to be doing a great job with those stretches too! I wouldn't be able to manage that.

This is the kind of music I would love to be able to sit at a piano and just play... so good. I really enjoyed this! 👍

PS My son just popped by and said this was some nice music! 😃

Simonb

Performer: Simonb, Kent UK, 50+ Years
Piece: Danny Boy arr. by Nikki Illes
Comment Policy: Say anything, but be polite.

Source of music: from the sheet music book "Nikki Iles - Jazz in Autumn"
Instrument: Kawai RX-1
Recording method: Mobile phone and Zoom AM7 microphone
Additional info: This was one of my grade 8 pieces from earlier this year. I haven't played it much since, so a few errors crept in.

Nightowl

Simonb No wonder you passed the exam with a merit - that was beautifully played! I particularly admire your deft touch when playing the rolled chords. A few notes were played slightly unevenly, but the overall standard of playing was excellent. 🙂

WieWaldi

Simonb Danny Boy arr. by Nikki Illes
Very delicately played. Good this is jazz, because it did a great job hiding the errors you spoke about. I couldn't hear a single one. Good job, it sounded absolutely fine.
But - something was different now: The piano has a nicer place in your home than before. And not to forget: congrats to your new grand. Looks beautiful. Love the mixture between brown color and shiny piano lacquer.

Sophia

Simonb Beautiful piece, and gorgeous rendition of it, Simon. No wonder you passed with such flying colours. Your piano looks and sounds absolutely magnificent!

rogerch

Simonb Your new piano sounds and looks gorgeous! That piano is lucky to have you as its player: you make a great team! I really enjoy your delicate, impeccable playing. You put a lot of feeling into your playing and it sounds wonderful. Congratulations and thanks for your playing!

pianocat

Performer: pianocat. Playing for almost five years; self taught for several years, but now working with a teacher (and progressing much faster, as one would expect).
Piece: Prelude in Cm, Op. 28 No. 20, by Frédéric Chopin
Comment Policy: All comments; anything goes!

Source of music: Chopin's preludes edited by Brian Ganz
Instrument: Kawai K200
Recording method: Phone video, Zoom H1essential mic
Additional info: I have this recording from a couple weeks ago, and I'm overall pleased with it so I figured I'd finally participate. Lots of practice time spent on keeping my hands relaxed, not letting my wrists drop too low, and making sure the melody note can be heard. Mostly succeeded.

WieWaldi

pianocat Chopin's preludes edited by Brian Ganz
Sounds quite difficult to me, albeit being quite slow as it actually only chords. But big chords. I love the dynamics you brought out with your K200, needless to say the tempo was perfect for this piece. I think you can be proud of yourself. Well done!

rogerch

pianocat It’s wonderful to hear you play! I love the nice full sound when you dig into those big fat chords. And then your lovely delicate playing of the quieter parts, what a great contrast! Very well done!

keff

rsl12 Impressive, as always. I admire your technique.

Simonb Very well played. I have a copy of Percy Grainger's arrangement which I keep thinking I ought to learn.

pianocat Well done.

rsl12

pianocat Your melody line was clear, and nice contrast between loud and soft sections. If you had been self-studying, were there a bunch of bad habits that needed correcting when you found your teacher? In this video I don't see anything really.

ShiroKuro

Performer: ShiroKuro
Piece: Canon in D by Pachelbel + ShiroKuro + Lee Galloway
Comment Policy: Positive comments only (no criticism or suggestions for improvement please).

If you want to skip the beginning part, you could start at 2:40.

Source of music: This is my "original" mash-up arrangement
Instrument: Yamaha C2
Recording method: iPhone
Additional info: This is a mash-up arrangement I made myself. The first half is a traditional arrangement that includes some themes that are often left out of shorter arrangements, which is why I wanted to play it. I then referred to Lee Galloway's arrangement to embellish the LH part of the traditional arrangement, and then I segued from the second to the last section of the traditional arrangement into the latter half of Galloway's arrangement. Hopefully that makes sense!

This is the first time I've tried recording this piece (and I've been neglecting it while I work on the actual pieces I have to play for the jury at the end of the semester) so please forgive the rough spots. It gets "better" after the first three minutes.

If you listened to the whole thing, thank you! 😃

rsl12

This is a copy of a post made after this PIYW was published. The original post is here: ShiroKuro

Performer: ShiroKuro
Piece: Canon in D by Pachelbel + ShiroKuro + Lee Galloway
Comment Policy: Positive comments only (no criticism or suggestions for improvement please).

If you want to skip the beginning part, you could start at 2:40.

If you listened to the whole thing, thank you! 😃

WieWaldi

ShiroKuro Canon in D by Pachelbel + ShiroKuro + Lee Galloway
Canon in D! Finally. Just wasn't expecting to hear in here, in this thread. Do you know how long I am waiting for this to hear? I think the beginning part is essential to build up for the more embellished part following up. You put a lot of different variations into this recording. Kudos for performing for over 7 minutes (almost) errorfree. Good job for keeping the tempo steady and especially for the last two minutes with the increased dynamics. You did really great there.

Sophia

ShiroKuro

Beautiful Shiro! Very delicately played, you have such a soft touch. A huge long piece like that is bound to have a few rough spots... no shame in that! And it provided some very modern chords that jazz musicians would more than likely drool over and study for years to come 😂

Love how you continue to build it up until almost the very end. I find the Canon in D a little boring usually, but you actually managed to keep my interest throughout. Yes, I listened to the entire piece. I was actually quite surprised how quickly those 7 minutes went!

Respect!

rach3master

Performer: rach3master, 28 years
Piece: Song of the Ancients, Composer: MONACA, Arranger: Natsumi Kameoka
Comment Policy: Anything goes

Source of music: Transcribed from piano solo album
Instrument: NY Steinway D
Recording method: Schoeps mics
Additional info: I nearly forgot about this recital, so I'm uploading last minute. This is an iconic theme in the NieR series, and was also played during the intro ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics.

plop_symphony

rach3master I only listened to the first few seconds before typing this out. This is one of my favorite themes from any piece of media, ever, and you absolutely do it justice.

rogerch

rach3master The composition, your playing, and the piano combine to result in an absolutely gorgeous sound! Your passionate playing creates great drama! I’m blown away by how good this sounds. I’m also super happy that someone with your talent has access to such a fantastic setup.

I am intrigued by the links In the description of your video. Are you one of the performers for the tour? If not I hope your videos get noticed by the folks in charge of the tour so they can bring you on board!

Player1

rach3master
I am so jealous of how easily your hands flow across the keyboard.