WEEK 1: Discovering Schubert Month
Dear Pianists,
Welcome welcome! It's always a highlight for me to hear your playing and get to celebrate in your achievements with you. This is the thread where we'll all be posting our biweekly updates.
Make sure you've read the rules before replying!
Twice a week between February 1st and February 22nd, I hope to be reading your daily updates in this very thread right here!
Please use the following format when commenting (feel free to copy & paste!):
- Piece you are working on:
- One passage you are satisfied with:
- One passage you are not yet satisfied with:
- (Optional): a video of you performing any or all of the piece you've been practicing!
Feel free to make these updates as short or long as you wish!
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Hello all,
So glad to be back to doing tonebase challenges
- Piece you are working on: Revisiting Impromptu No. 3, which defeated me late last year, however I am taking more time to try and get those top notes to sing.
- One passage you are satisfied with: The opening theme is coming along incredibly nicely and have finally found that balance between the melody and the undercurrent.
- One passage you are not yet satisfied with: The second passage is quite dramatic and tumultuous, it is hard to control the drama while keeping the middle melody silent.
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RoxyHart Good morning! Are you doing Op. 142 #3? That is what I am starting today. We can compare "notes" once I learn more of it!
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Gail Starr Yes! Please feel free, I am really trying to get the undercurrent of notes clear, it seems the recordings I were listening to were too fast and made my river muddy. Good luck :)
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RoxyHart I'm starting a bit late, but I'll read through it again after dinner this evening and we can discuss ideas & challenges tomorrow!
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RoxyHart Can’t wait to hear it. I love the beautiful variations in this impromptu.
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RoxyHart Love your name. This is very rare footage of Gwen Verdon. She is dancing with Chita Rivera from the original Chicago show. She played Roxie Hart. Gwen Verdon's life story is amazing. She was married to Bob Fosse and kept the relationship together after their separation - for the offspring. She bought the rights to Chicago many years before it was put on Broadway.
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Hi!
Just started to work on the a minor piano sonata D.845 for this challenge. I spend a few hours on the exposition today.
Going well: the last 28 bars
Need to work on: the arpeggios (2nd page) and tone quality in general
Video coming up once I find the courage
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Andrea Buckland Can't wait to hear you, Andrea!
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Here’s an early version of Valse Sentimentale no 18. Surprisingly difficult for such a short piece. I need to work on more dynamics variation between the 2 sections. Struggled with the last measure as well. Will keep working on it as well as a few more of the waltzes.
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Vidhya Bashyam Lovely piece, sounds great!
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Vidhya Bashyam Well done! We are both learning some of the Valses Sentimentales (posted the first set) and I am loving every moment of the experience! You are so right in saying that they are more difficult than they seem at first blush. There are little twists in every piece that don't feel comfortable under the hands
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Monika Tusnady Thanks. I love what you have posted so far. You have captured the mood so beautifully. Looking forward to hearing more!
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Vidhya Bashyam Nice! Keep going, I'd love to hear more when you're ready.
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Vidhya Bashyam I love this challenge and this piece. It's so refreshing to hear it and it's another one coming back into my repertoire. Thank you!
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I got Covid yesterday, and have cancelled all my patients. This gives me more time to practise :)
Easy and difficult at the same time: Practise hands separately, slowly. (6 German Dances)
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Christian Thomsen Well done, Christian! Hope you get well soon!
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Andrea Buckland Thank you!
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Christian Thomsen Oh no! I am so sorry you caught Omicron, but your Schubert is sounding lovely. I like your ideas of starting with the left hand and making sure that you use the same fingerings in the right hand that you will use when you add in all the voices. Feel better SOON!
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Christian Thomsen good job - I hear singing. Take care!
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Christian Thomsen Sorry to hear you have COVID. Hope you're better soon. Well done for keeping going with your practise.
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Just learnt this piece not long ago. I hope that the approach is correct. Feel free to listen.
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CK This is a lovely complement to our prior monthly challenge!
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CK Nice! Charming.
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CK Really nice. I’m a trying a few of these lovely waltzes for this challenge too.
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Gail Starr Thanks Gail. Glad you enjoyed listening it.
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