Program:
Handel, Suite in E major - Air & Variations "Harmonious Blacksmith"
Mozart, Sonata in D major for 4 hands,K. 381 (With Connie Donatelli)
Hough/Chen, Pining for the Spring Breeze
Brahms, Intermezzo in A major, op. 118 no. 2
Tcherepnin, Five "Chinese" Concert Etudes, op. 52 no. 5
Chopin, Barcarolle, op. 60
I originally wanted to program Gottschalk's Souvenir de Porto Rico and decided to drop the piece. It would be nice to just play a clean and prepared program. I think it is already fairly ambitious as it stands right now. All these pieces would be just to introduce myself to the college. Since the recital is on April Fools' Day, there will be a prank of course.
This would be my first recital without a teacher. It has dawned on me that this recital I'm playing for myself and not really for anyone else.It is both exciting and nerve racking at the same time. I also have not performed for about a year now since I had to focus on writing and my transition to a new life in Kansas. I decided to use a CD-recorder to record my practice sessions so I can review them myself. I would rather be able to have instant playback but since I don't own the technology, I'll be content with what I have now. I am very happy that my college owns a nice concert Steinway and I'm rebuilding my stamina to handle that piano.
I also worked up the courage to listen to my last DMA recital. I am pleasantly surprised at my own playing and I did better than I thought. I knew that I was playing under a lot of pressure that afternoon, along with being sick.
I know I can play a great recital in two weeks, now if I would just convince myself. :) Confidence is now the name of the game.
Showing posts with label Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Program. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Last DMA recital
I finished playing my last DMA recital a couple weeks ago. It is rather surreal that it is over because I didn't feel like I was prepared for this series. I did not manage to have full practice recitals prior to the official recital on April 4. On top of that, I fell pretty sick with a bad cold and cough five days before the recital. I was thankful it wasn't the flu or tonsillitis but I was taking a good cocktail of drugs to get me through the week.
I had planned a rather ambitious program for the recital. Here is the order of my program:
Lin Yue Pei, Kang Ding Love Song
Antonio Soler, Sonata in E minor and Sonata in G major
Beethoven, Sonata in E minor, op. 90
Chopin, Barcarolle op. 60
Grainger, Beautiful Fresh Flower
Tcherepnin, "Chant" from Five Chinese Concert Etudes, op. 52
Schumann, Papillons, op. 2
Stephen Hough/Deng Yu-Sian, Pining for the Spring Breeze
Arensky, Etude on a Chinese Theme, op. 25 no. 3
April 4 did roll around and it was the first afternoon recital I had played. I felt like abandoning my own recital and crawling back into bed. I'm not sure whether this was due to being sick, having a hangover from the cough medicine or not feeling ready. I really did not want to be in the spotlight that afternoon. I had planned the recital fairly meticulously - posters, flowers (stage and foyer), program & notes, display (foyer), reception venue and menu, dress and everything. I had friends who helped and sponsors for the reception. I could feel the effects of the drugs as I felt my brain was not as alert. I just played the recital for me, if not for anyone else and just told myself "you can do this, one piece at a time". I am pleased with the recital, mistakes and all. When I walked out after the last piece, I said to myself, "It's over, it is finally over".
I played at Southwestern College in Winfield Kansas on April 13. I had a great time playing for my Winfield family although I was fairly worn out from writing my document. Never write a document/dissertation and play a recital at the same time. I was an introvert that evening, and again just played for me. I noticed the hall was dead silent and I knew I had their attention. It's easy and difficult to play at SC. They've heard me since my junior recital, so I better have improved or bring something new to the table each time. I think I played with better control, tone production and expressivity, but I will need to review the video and see.
I learned a lot from the recitals, maybe not really about piano playing as much as I learned about myself. I love performing now and have overcome my fear of being on stage. My perfectionism is surrendered and I am comfortable with my shortcomings. There is and always will be room for improvement. There is and always will be someone who plays better (and there are many out there!). I am just called to be a good steward of the measure which has been given to me, no more and no less.
With that said, I'm disappearing from the stage for some time. I may take the opportunity to retrain and fix some of my basic problems. It would alleviate the frustration I have had at the piano and allow me to reassess my piano playing. Don't worry, I'll keep playing at home!
I had planned a rather ambitious program for the recital. Here is the order of my program:
Lin Yue Pei, Kang Ding Love Song
Antonio Soler, Sonata in E minor and Sonata in G major
Beethoven, Sonata in E minor, op. 90
Chopin, Barcarolle op. 60
Grainger, Beautiful Fresh Flower
Tcherepnin, "Chant" from Five Chinese Concert Etudes, op. 52
Schumann, Papillons, op. 2
Stephen Hough/Deng Yu-Sian, Pining for the Spring Breeze
Arensky, Etude on a Chinese Theme, op. 25 no. 3
April 4 did roll around and it was the first afternoon recital I had played. I felt like abandoning my own recital and crawling back into bed. I'm not sure whether this was due to being sick, having a hangover from the cough medicine or not feeling ready. I really did not want to be in the spotlight that afternoon. I had planned the recital fairly meticulously - posters, flowers (stage and foyer), program & notes, display (foyer), reception venue and menu, dress and everything. I had friends who helped and sponsors for the reception. I could feel the effects of the drugs as I felt my brain was not as alert. I just played the recital for me, if not for anyone else and just told myself "you can do this, one piece at a time". I am pleased with the recital, mistakes and all. When I walked out after the last piece, I said to myself, "It's over, it is finally over".
I played at Southwestern College in Winfield Kansas on April 13. I had a great time playing for my Winfield family although I was fairly worn out from writing my document. Never write a document/dissertation and play a recital at the same time. I was an introvert that evening, and again just played for me. I noticed the hall was dead silent and I knew I had their attention. It's easy and difficult to play at SC. They've heard me since my junior recital, so I better have improved or bring something new to the table each time. I think I played with better control, tone production and expressivity, but I will need to review the video and see.
I learned a lot from the recitals, maybe not really about piano playing as much as I learned about myself. I love performing now and have overcome my fear of being on stage. My perfectionism is surrendered and I am comfortable with my shortcomings. There is and always will be room for improvement. There is and always will be someone who plays better (and there are many out there!). I am just called to be a good steward of the measure which has been given to me, no more and no less.
With that said, I'm disappearing from the stage for some time. I may take the opportunity to retrain and fix some of my basic problems. It would alleviate the frustration I have had at the piano and allow me to reassess my piano playing. Don't worry, I'll keep playing at home!
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