Week 1: Choose your waltz and start Dancing!
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Week 1 of celebrating Schubert's Waltzes!
Below are some collections of waltzes that are quite delightful. Take a look and decide which waltz(es) you want to work on during this challenge! Keep in mind that they can be quite short, so it can be fun to pick several!
Let us know which waltzes you pick in the comments below!
Week 1 Goal:
Choose a waltz or several to work on! Let us know why you selected the particular waltz!
Additional challenge:
Post your sightreading/first play through video!
Popular waltzes to choose from:
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Hey guys! Super excited for this challenge.
I am going to be choosing the FULL set of waltzes (12 Valses Nobles D.969)
Why? because numbers 9, and 10 are the source material for this wonderful "medley" arrangement "Soirees de Vienne no.6" by Liszt which I have played many times.
Also, I will work on the other "source material" for the below medley from 34 Valses sentimental #13!
But I really enjoy listening to the full set of 12 valses nobles, so I want to add that to my repertoire!
Below is the medley by Liszt taking various Schubert Waltzes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RV0boKCOCE
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Dominic Cheli very beutifully played!
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Dominic Cheli Fantastic playing, Dominic! This reminds me of our legendary challenge back in the days!
I have quite a lot of other pieces to work on in this period, but of course can’t stay away from this beautiful challenge. Will make my picks later in the week.
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Dominic Cheli Gorgeously performed, Dominic! Thank you!
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Dominic Cheli Gourgious! Hundreds of applause for this performance!
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Dominic Cheli SImply beautiful playing! Adding the incredible video production quality makes this an incredible source for folks who may want to use these as an example for students! Thank you for this gorgeous interpretation.
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So…I just started 3 new pieces today and now you’ve inspired me to make it FOUR! The “Soirées de Vienne” were the first Tonebase challenge I did and I was hooked.
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Gail Starr Hi Gail ! That’s great. Which pieces have you chosen to learn? I want to play this Schubert only for sight reading, because I have started a big project 3 weeks ago - Brahms Sonata op5/3. There is no time left for other pieces.
Have a nice day.
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Kerstin Wow! The Brahms is amazing choice. Can’t wait to hear you!
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Gail Starr Hi Gail! Here is the first try of the last movement. It’s so much fun and so romantic. But needs still a lot of practicing.
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I have very fond memories of my first Tonebase challenge too where I played a few Valses Sentimentales. Can’t resist joining either. Will think about some waltzes later this week- maybe Valses Nobles this time (though the car we are currently renting on a trip seems to play the first three notes of the 5th Valse Sentimentale whenever the seat belt is removed
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Vidhya Bashyam
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Vidhya Bashyam Even your CAR has musical talent!
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Gail Starr
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Hello. Thanks Dominic Cheli for making this possible. Today I listened to all of the pieces in the background as I worked. I selected Opus 50, number 13 for now, will see if I can add more later.
First, some background. I came back to the piano as an adult learner just over a year ago. I did take lessons as a kid, but never went anywhere with it. I am so excited to be signed up for the Piano Camp in August. Looking forward to meeting you and others.
I captured myself with hands together taking a read through the piece, and then went hands separate. I will need to slow it down even further, and focus on hands separate. Sight reading is for sure my weakness. After watching myself again, I realized my right hand is for sure the weak point here (and the mini leaps in my left hand of course). I am going to whip out the metronome and do some counting.
One overall question for any who do this sort of thing regularly. When you first go through a piece like this, do you also work in dynamics? I can barely survive enough to press the keys, let alone think about making it sound good. I am just curious if others think about tone and musicality from the drop, or if you add it in later once your fingers learn the dance.
Thanks!
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Josh Miller Both. I progress from figure to figure/ grouping to grouping with both hands (can be super slow), repeating each note group until it is reasonably fluid while also already trying to get the dynamics right.
But maybe someone with more experience has a better approach.
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Josh Miller Hi Josh! To answer your question " When you first go through a piece like this, do you also work in dynamics?" , the answer is; yes - at least being aware of them. I do a quick scan of all the dynamics, accents, and other valuable information before starting the piece. I don't necessary play all the 'p' soft and all the 'f' loud. There's lot more nuances to it then that. And I do concentrate on getting the piece into my fingers before developing the interpretation to much.
In these waltzes, I think the dynamics will develop a little bit over time.
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Josh Miller Great start, Josh! I also came back to piano about 2.5 years ago via Tonebase. I'm finally starting to feel comfortable again (had a lot of tendonitis pain when I first started, but my friends helped me clear that up).
When I sightread I like to check what key I'm in, think for a bit about what that composer likes to do in general and, just like Sindre, I take a quick glance through for cadences and dynamics. If I'm starting to REALLY learn a piece, I'll definitely go slow and do each hand separately. So, now that I've had my first run though of the waltzes, I'll take a step back and go slow.
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Josh Miller I’m so thrilled that you go to Vermont for the camp! Are you able to do both sessions? I’d love to go next summer. I actually attended a chamber music week at Adamant many years ago and it’s a lovely location.
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Josh Miller Great start, Josh. I look forward to hearing your progress!
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Here's a first attempt at sightreading some Waltzes! Gotta work on them now. (Sorry about the wet hair. Early morning class at my gym.)
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Gail Starr Lovely Gail!
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Gail Starr Fenomenal sightreading skills, Gail!
The one from Soirées de Vienne is a big favorite! And I must say I love what Liszt did with it. -
Gail Starr give me a few weeks and I may be able to do this! Lol. Great job.
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Beth Lester I’m sure you will do a fabulous job!
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