Blog Journeys of a Lifelong Learner

I performed my first solo piano recital program at the building of Grace Bible Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday, August 27, 2010.

After just over a decade of private instruction (my first lessons were in June of 2000), it seemed appropriate to undertake an initial recital. Here are videos of the performances:

Chopin — Ballade in A-Flat Major, Op. 47

Chopin's Ballades are single-movement works for solo piano. The Ballade No. 3 is considered to be the most accessible of the ballades and features the brightest musical sonority, ending in a major key.

Chopin — Scherzo No. 3 in C# Minor, Op. 39

Chopin's Scherzos are self-contained works for solo piano. Unlike the scherzi of other composers (which generally feature a spirit of playfulness), Chopin's scherzi incorporate alternating intensity and lyricism for an interesting musical effect.

Mendelssohn — Variations Serieuses, Op. 54

The Serieuse Variations incorporate a theme and seventeen variations for a broad variety of musical material. Some of the variations incorporate adaptations of the melodic material, while others borrow primarily the harmonic structure of the theme. This dramatic work features moments of serenity.

Chopin — Four Etudes

The Etudes of Chopin are technical studies also intended for use as concert works.

Etude Op. 10, No. 1

This etude features arpeggiated figures in the right hand and octaves in the left hand.

Etude Op. 25, No. 6

This is a study in thirds, primarily addressing the right hand but also incorporating melodically interesting material in the left hand.

Etude Op. 25, No. 7

This etude is an elegy, the most lyrical of the etudes on the program, nicknamed the "Cello" etude.

Etude Op. 10, No. 12

This etude incorporates chords and melodic lines in the right hand, runs in both hands, and significant musical intensity. It is nicknamed the "Revolutionary" etude.

Chopin — Ballade in F Minor, Op. 52

Long and featuring a broad range of material, this work has a plenitude of notes.

Chopin — Polonaise in A Flat, Op. 53 "Heroic"

This nationalistic Polish work is one of Chopin's most popular compositions. One of its most prominent technical features is a section of continuous left hand octaves.

Special thanks are due to A. Magno of Haven Media Productions for the videography.