Recording of Claude Debussy's "Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum" from Children's Corner (take ONE)

I've played this piece for quite awhile, and every time I play it it is so much fun and I hear and learn different things each time. My fingers are still very "muddy"; so something I'm working on, with every piece I'm learning now, is clarity. I'm also working on dynamics; I'd like more contrast in this piece. Here's my recording from today - on the Yamaha. My performance is better midway through the end. I'm going to record this again on the Boston (which I love playing, perhaps my favorite upright at the library) and after I improve a ton...

So here's my very, very poor performance - 

This is what I'm working towards (performance by Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli) - 

- F

Frederic Chopin's Nocturne Opus 9 No. 1 (Take Two)

I recorded myself playing the Chopin Nocturne once again, this time on the Boston, which has better action on the keys. I'm happier with this recording.

I hope you have a good night.

- F

Frederic Chopin's Nocturne Opus 9 No. 1

I finally have been able to record Chopin's Nocturne Opus 9 No. 1 in full, without too many mistakes. The music, when I began to play this piece again, was super abstract at first, and as I practiced more and more, the piece began to remind me of a bird, a soaring bird, and I think that image helped me improve my interpretation of it.

I'll keep improving on this piece, always. Here it is for now:

- F

Edvard Grieg's "Notturno" (last take)

This afternoon before work, I recorded myself playing Edvard Grieg's "Notturno" once again. I am very satisfied with this recording. I absolutely love playing this piece. I am focusing on another piece now and I am looking forward to recording it when I feel satisfied enough with it - then I'll share it here. 

I hope everyone has a peaceful night.

- F

Edvard Grieg's "Notturno"

I had the chance to record myself playing Edvard Grieg's "Notturno" this afternoon. I played on a Boston upright - which felt much better than yesterday's Yamaha. For my notes/thoughts on this piece, see my post from yesterday: Thoughts on Edvard Grieg's "Notturno"

I find that I play "Notturno" much slower than perhaps it's meant to be, but I have no problems with it. Here is a recording of a professional pianist - Alessandro Deljavan - playing the piece at a faster tempo, and with much more skilled hands.

I hope you have a peaceful Wednesday afternoon.

- F

Thoughts on Edvard Grieg's "Notturno"

One of the most exciting things about working at the Harold Washington Library Center is that, one floor above where I work, there are practice rooms for musicians. Each room has an upright piano in it. I've had some time to practice - and haven't done so nearly enough - but I'm getting there. I've been brushing up on a piece I learned back when I was about ten years old. It is by Edvard Grieg.

Edvard Hagerup Grieg, Norwegian Composer

1843 - 1907

The piece I've been practicing is "Notturno", which means little nocturne. A nocturne is a piece of music (or other artwork) that is supposed to suggest the night, or nighttime. For me, this piece brings to mind someone thinking deeply about something, coming to conclusions, re-playing situations in his or her head, deciding on certain things, changing ones mind and opinions on certain things as s/he remembers events, and all the while is pacing, pacing, excitedly, nervously, angrily, and lovingly, calmly, until s/he comes to a conclusion about the thing being thought about. This piece seems to be like a "thinking" piece. When I play it again, I'll imagine thinking at night.

(See a recording of me playing this piece here: Edvard Grieg's "Notturno")

- F