What are you working on?
While Martin is on his family leave, several community members have expressed a desire to have a community-driven challenge as a way of connecting and sharing our musical journeys again. And so, with the authority vested in me by absolutely no one, I hereby initiate the "What are you working on?" Challenge!
So, let us all know what you're working on, and feel free to post some videos (or just sound tracks) so we can hear your progress and support one another.
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Here is Part 2 of John Powell's Beginner suite. Still a lot of work before I can play it properly but it is progressing
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Andre Bernier Well done Andre on Part 2 of the Powell's Beginner Suite. Your musicality is improving. Looking forward to the next Part of this Suite.
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Jim King Thanks Jim, I am working on part 3. A bit more difficult but I should be able to make a recording in a week or two. This is a very nice suite to add in our repertoire.
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Andre Bernier It's coming along very well, Andre. Great control and very relaxed. Well done!
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Ron Thank's Ron...
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Very nice, Andre. I really enjoyed listening, maybe first of all because you keep the pulse so well . I think it was Eric who mentioned the importance of the melodic line, (the upper voice). It’s already coming out nicely, I think. The main thing is that you want to make us hear first of of all this pretty melody, so let it it sing and shine above the smooth accompaniment. (Sing along, why not). You’re making great progress. Such nice pieces. Keep posting, please.
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joosje Thanks for your good words
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Mertz Op 1
I thought I would try this again before the new challenge begins. This is unedited, and with no reverb.
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Eric Phillips Lovely .. without ketchup
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Eric Phillips lovely indeed, Eric. Very Mertz! you play it with just this sense of drama and intensity it needs. Without ever becoming melodramatic. Really well done. For me, personally, you may use a bit more vibrato, but maybe you don’t like that …
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joosje Thank you, Joosje, for the kind words and for the suggestion about vibrato. I will look for places to add some.
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Eric Phillips Beatiful interpretation, Eric. I agree with Joosje, you maintain great sense of drama. And you are able to sustain this for 9+ minutes! Really impressive.
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Eric Phillips Great performance Eric (with or without ketchup!)
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BWV 1009 Allemande - ok..I know... I'm a little late
I started this early in the Challenge, thinking I'll kick this off then work on some other things. You'd think I would learn. Actually I used to play this (a mere 40 years ago
) and figured it must be just below the surface. It has proved to be quite challenging for me though I feel I have it pretty close. I besides cleaning it up a smoothing out the problem areas I need to spend more time on phrasing and interpretation. Spending more time with it and referencing other performances, especially cellists, will help me refine my playing.
I just listened to it more critically and I really need to focus on dampening the strings. There is a lot over ringing tones that are quite distracting.
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Jack Stewart This is next-level good, Jack! I can hear that you are listening to other musicians, the way you really capture the baroque aesthetic. It is bursting with such a sense of joy.
I was not distracted by any over-ringing tones. Even the few mistakes you made were not distracting. I would much rather listen to this than a ‘perfect’ performance lacking in spirit.
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Eric Phillips Thanks Eric. I appreciate your perspective. I probably tend to be overly critical. I am glad I am finally returning to this piece after such a long respite.
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Jack Stewart Bravo, Jack. i awoke this morning in the small village of Monsales in the south of France and your video popped up on my phone and it brought a smile to my face. What a joy to listen it.
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Jack Stewart What a joy to listen to this - well played Jack! I see even the dogs made a guest appearance!
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Dale Needles Thanks Dale, It's great to hear from you in your travels. I hope you and Suzanne are having a great time and are being treated well despite being American. I fear the epithet 'ugly American' has reached epic proportions. Hopefully you are able to avoid awareness of the absurd mayhem that characterizes our current government - what's left of it.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
