My Recital Last Weekend

The recital was a success. I'm still overflowing from all the kind words people greeted me with afterwards. I only wish I had more photos to share with you all. Here are two I took off a video clip from a friend in the audience. 

The photo below was taken after the reception when I realized we were about to go home and I hadn't taken any pictures yet. Thank you Clayton for staying late and helping us clean up!  

Thank you Sarah for these gorgeous flowers and the sparkly gold eye shadow!

 

And thank you Clarke & Aleah, and Candace for these!

Now it is back to the books for me. I'm squeezing in some last-minute homework for tomorrow's deadlines. I hope you've all had a lovely weekend.

It's Nearly Here...

Tomorrow night can't come quickly enough.

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My graduate piano recital performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. and I'm (cross-your-fingers, hold-your-breath)... ready. Of course feeling "ready" doesn't take the nerves away but at least helps me to interpret them as excitement and channel them into positive energy for musical expression. Or so I like to tell myself. Here's a peak at my program:

Program 

Prelude from English Suite No. 2 in a minor, BWV 807 ......................... J. S. Bach

Toccata & Fugue in c minor, BWV 911 ..................................................... J. S. Bach

Variations Serieuses in d minor, Op. 54 .................................... Felix Mendelssohn 

  

Intermission 

Sonata No. 23 in f minor, Op. 57 (Appassionata) .............. Ludwig van Beethoven 

 I. Allegro assai

 II. Andante con moto 

 III. Allegro ma non troppo 

I cannot wait to hear the final resounding f minor chords of the Appassionata Sonata around 8:30 p.m., to absorb the long-awaited relief of what I pray will be a successful performance. 

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I wish I had pictures of my dress but alas these lovely photos will stand in quite nicely until after the recital. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Love & God bless,

Bits and Pieces

I have two piano performances scheduled this weekend, one on Friday afternoon (playing Bach and Mendelssohn) and the other on Saturday afternoon. Saturday's performance is a dress rehearsal where I'll be tested by my instructor to see if I know my pieces well enough to perform my solo recital in two weeks. And after writing that sentence I am flooded with a huge wave of anxiety. Lord, calm my nerves. So inevitably I will be daydreaming of last weekend's indulgences of beautiful weather, family time and a soccer game.

On another topic entirely, here is a quick update on some goals I've been working towards:

1. I am on week two of my three-week workout schedule. I've been doing full body lifting three times each week. I'm feeling stronger, and have more energy than I've had in months. It's amazing what consistent exercise can do for a person.

2. Also, I can now successfully quote verses one through eight of James chapter one. My new goal is to extend that memorization through verse sixteen. The new portion goes like this:

9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

James 1: 9-16 (NIV)

Happy Thursday everyone,

Practice With Me?

My recital is just a month away. I've been playing the piano and studying privately since I was six but still struggle with making myself sit down and practice. Some days it's wonderfully enjoyable and other days it is the last thing I feel like doing. Today was one of the latter. 

So I decided I would make a recording, invite ya'll in and make myself feel not quite so alone as I prepare. This is the first half of the first piece of my program. 

Anyone else struggle with certain tasks they know they must complete?

Final Piece of the Program

The closing piece on my program will be Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata in F Minor, Op. 57. There are three movements to this monster of a piece. The last two movements are played attacca or without any break between. I was first drawn to this sonata by my sister who learned it for one of her recitals. I would sit and listen to her practice when I was in high school. And I'd always ask her to play the last movement which at that time was my favorite. I've since grown to love all three equally. When I listen I cannot help but feel captivated and moved. Here you can hear it played by Valentina Lisitsa. Enjoy...

Movement I


Movement II


Movement III

Third on the Program

In continued preparation for my recital on November 4th I must share with you the third piece on my program. If you've read my earlier posts this week, you know I'm opening my recital with two pieces by Bach. Those will be followed with the Variations Serieuses, Op. 54 by Mendelssohn. In this piece there are so many contrasts of color and character from one variation to the next that I never stop being intrigued. And by intrigued I mean challenged. I've yet to master the majority of the variations but that's what keeps me going. This recording by Horowitz is phenomenal. And if you don't have time to listen to the whole thing, skip to the ending because it'll take your breath away.

Recital Program Continued

You may recognize this piece because yes, I posted it before. My previous post however showcased a performance by Glenn Gould and only included the large Fugue portion of this work. Here you'll find Bach's Toccata and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 911 in its entirety performed by Martha Argerich. The recording is divided into two youtube videos because of the length. The Toccata of course comes first and is immediately followed by the Fugue. I'm loving Argerich's playing lately and in fact it was this exact recording that initially made me fall in love with this piece motivating me to buy the music and learn it myself. It will be the second piece on my recital program in November. Enjoy... and again I welcome comments about your reaction to the music.