PianoTell Recital (model) Ideas

Before this turns into a fight, I just want to remind people that we are simply in the process of fine tuning the concept, in order to have the best recitals that we can possibly have, with as many participants as we can have. The ABF Recitals participation rate on PW has been going down steadily. If there is something we can optimize here, we should be open to discussing it.

Rubens Maybe you can re-frame this in your mind, since it seems to be something that you and a couple other advanced pianists are bothered by, but it’s not something that’s bothered all advanced pianists, as several have contributed quite regularly to the ABF recitals. I’m pretty new to the recitals and had my own initial reservations about contributing (mostly to do with not having things perfectly polished). But here’s a little bit for you to chew on.

I’ve participated in several ABF recitals at this point, and there is a huge range in both skill/level, and outside of the themed recitals, also in musical genres/styles. It’s about sharing part of your piano journey with others. I think it’s helpful to beginners to hear from non-professionals at every stage, and I think this is how most of them seem to understand things, as well. So you get people who are fairly close to you in skill/level/interests, and also people who are very far away. For some, the recitals may make them much more aware of particular genres of music (or specific pieces) that they didn’t know they liked, and it’s an entry to explore those areas. We all have things both to learn and to teach. So I think if you approach it from that spirit, there shouldn’t be a reason to avoid participating.

I’ll give you a few examples from my personal experience of the recitals. In my first recital, I played a very little known Ukrainian piece, and people asked for the sheet music, which I was able to share. I was really happy to share something that I very much consider a ‘rare gem,’ even though it was far from a perfect performance. In the January recital, I played Barber’s 3rd movement of Excursions. It’s not Campanella, but it’s got plenty of challenges, many of them rhythmic. In any event, several people (who from their recital submissions I consider every bit as ‘skilled’ — if not moreso— than I am, reached out and said that they had thought previously about working on it, but had been put off when they started trying. So I shared my experience of how I worked through the challenges. They were really nice interactions to have, and maybe my playing inspired someone to give the piece another look.

Anyways, those are just some thoughts. I for one don’t think there’s a problem with having Campanella next to Mary Had a Little Lamb, or someone playing video game music or doing an improv. It’s all a good time!

We can't say for sure who is more hesitant to participate, between the very beginners and the very advanced. I just I think that the MOST advanced pianists from PW in my opinion (I won't name them here for obvious reasons) have not participated in the recitals so far. And yes I have checked the recitals archives from way before 2016.

@Rubens I understand how you feel, but hopefully if members of all levels start to participate then you would feel ok?

I recently joined an in-person playing group (after being added to the mailing list by someone I know like 5-6 years back) and the friend I brought and I are much more advanced than most. But everyone is nice and appreciative of everyone else and there's a little social time afterward, and no one feels bad at all. We were so warmly welcomed that I wondered why I was scared to show up for so long.

I probably won't join the recitals here because of two reasons: I'm eternally working on chamber music now, and I don't have the time/energy to listen to everyone's playing and respond. I'm aware that I'm online all day and active on the forum, but I'm trying not to be! But I think you should participate in the recitals and people will really appreciate getting to listen to your playing and to have your feedback.

Also want to comment that Sam made it pretty clear that the upcoming recital is happening on PW and I'm not sure if that's the long term plan? I wouldn't blame him if he doesn't want to run parallel recitals in two places.

Rubens I'll check in with him when the group meets on Thursday for the final gathering of the year (with potluck); he might be interested! I'll be playing some Quartet Minus Three, haha.