Week 3: My heart leaps up! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the third week of "The Romantic Era" challenge!
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Favorite romantic composer?
↓ Happy Sharing! ↓
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I've had to step back from participation due to some pretty intense pain in my left hand fingers (3 & 4). Too much overuse in recent months have taken a toll. So I am resting and just returning to some "touch" practice (no pressure on the fretboard) and will wait at least a month before applying any pressure. I thought I would send in a performance video I made in 2020 of J.K. Mertz Barden-Klänge - Op. 13: No 3 Sehnsucht. I've attached a tabbed score if anyone is interested. Lot's of great playing here - bravo everyone!
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Rick Lord That was beautiful, Rick. I had heard this collection of songs by Mertz years ago and didn't care for them. However, I have since learned that when played well they are actually very interesting and nice (also my tastes have matured, I suppose). Your performance has confirmed that assessment.
I am real sorry to hear that you're having pain in your fingers. I hope a short rest is all that is needed - your playing is too good to not be heard.
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Rick Lord Hey Rick--Sorry to hear about the left hand fingers. Hope you nurse them to health as quickly as possible so we may continue to hear your beautiful playing. Thanks for offering this Mertz piece as an interim submission. Wonderfully played! Are you using Carbon strings for Trebles? Wondering if the thinner diameter of that type of string could contribute to the injury...
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Rick Lord sorry to hear about your pain... I hope you can feel better with some rest. As said Jack, your playing is too good to not be heard. Talking about that, such a great tone in this recording, amazing performance you got. Thank you for sharing and have a brief recovery!
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Rick Lord That's beautiful Rick and thanks for the score - I shall pair that with Fingal's Cave next time I play that! Hope you make a speedy recovery
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Rick Lord Like everyone here, I'm so sorry to hear about your pain. Is this something you've experienced before?
Gorgeous playing, as always. Thanks for the score - I'm printing it out as I type this. This is definitely my type of piece.
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Jack Stewart Thanks Jack. Will definitely take a rest.
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Barney Thanks for listening. I'm using Savarez Mixed Creation Normal/High Tension, 510MRJP strings. The 3rd string is a carbon.
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Moyses Lopes Thanks Moyses. Definitely hope it will be brief. The aging process is no fun!
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Derek Thanks Derek. Sound like a good pairing of pieces!
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Eric Phillips Thanks Eric - glad you like the piece. I can hear you playing it!
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Rick Lord beautifully played with such sensitivity! I'm sad to know you have pain in your left hand, I hope you'll recover as soon as possible, take care of your hands... and yourself, of course
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Rick Lord As always, your videos were pure awesomeness and inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
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A lovely performance, Rick. I’m so sorry you have pain in your fingers. I guess we need to discipline ourselves not to overwork them. I have enjoyed your playing over the years with Artistworks as well—especially the 1st Cello Suite.
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Marilyn Blodget Thanks Marilyn. It's great to see you here at TB. I have enjoyed your playing on AW too!
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Ferrer - Nostalgia (May 23)
I have continued working on this piece by Ferrer, and I'm pretty happy with it at this point. I recorded this one behind my desk where I teach.
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Eric Phillips Sounds great Eric! The transitions between scale passages are very smooth and balance of voices are well executed. Very enjoyable performance!
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Barney Thank you, Barney!
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Eric Phillips Beautiful Eric. You have a great feel for this music.
Perhaps serenading your students while they take a surprise pop test?
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Jack Stewart Thanks, Jack. Actually, I did play for my seniors today, as it was their last day of classes.
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Eric Phillips The playing was really smooth this time, thanks for always introducing new composers and music to us.
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Eric Phillips That was a nice treat for them. I hope they were appreciative and respectful - no requests for 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' (My age is obvious with that reference).
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Eric Phillips Beautiful performance, Eric! You played like you were playing this piece a long time ago. Very mature interpretation and beautiful phrasing. No doubt your seniors loved it! Thank you!
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Jack Stewart I actually find that they can only handle small amounts of me playing, and it has to be something at least a little exciting. If I tried playing this piece, or An Malvina, they would just start talking and going on their phones, as though it were just background music. I once actually had a kid stop me while I was playing to ask if he could go to the bathroom. I have to keep my expectations of them as an audience very low, or else I find myself feeling resentful.
And there were no requests for In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, but there was a request for Stairway to Heaven.
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Moyses Lopes Thank you, Moyses!
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Wai Thank you, Wai.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
