Recital

[Horace]

Some of you probably didn't attend the recital I did in Dallas two days ago, so let me explain. I kinda thought there would be some adult students there doing the recital, but as it was, it was me, and a bunch of teenagers doing a recital for their families. That's awkward. I wanted to do it because I'm chasing the memory of my recital 15 years ago in San Francisco. My teacher there had a mostly adult studio, actually 100% adult intermediate/advanced students, and he rented out a community hall that had a 9' concert grand and we played in front of 100 or more people, mostly random attendees who saw a flyer. That was fun. This one, I didn't really know what it would be beforehand, but as it happened, it was a bunch of high schoolers playing for their parents, and then me at the end. I glimpsed what trans males might feel like competing with women, I mean if they had souls. Anyway it was fine, other than intruding on what should have been an experience for the kids and their parents. I think I need to find other ways to do recitals, if I ever want to do them again.

[Copper]

Get a keffiyeh, you'll fit right in with the younger crowd.

Amazon has a nice selection.

https://www.amazon.com/Military-Shemagh-Tactical-Desert-Keffiyeh/dp/B08VS1N3YQ/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2JEODZORRWQYS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tYaYDpD7Z8CeF7d-OBTDw_PKoI19GvCSiFNBsK4ORW25HdRg1cjHBY0w5dkbD3GBxLidJ8AA-i7PbFfhTpWnOYlWsghFmgOh1MncWfqvZAKSaxWSemNmL97gksqwmzyXrZL20eFHUS2P7mAK_eC2r-tr4D8Gh431-Q7iidPTCXugSefMpS9CHve20w6p596ZJ8O5cMDqAOaPrWXcdTvsqKgJ98eAw2zk9-fzs6OTYxrWGVkL-uDXYrAlf1UR537HdXVkU6C41IDVhTMpS7N7oFh8p2EWSz75wFE_YN8STXg.UkxPxIZCt159ea82Nlvft_nGYAAdwga4jgE3x_TLS6U&dib_tag=se&keywords=keffiyeh&qid=1714490086&sprefix=keffiyeh%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-7

[taiwan_girl]

@Horace

[89th]

Did you at least get to go in their locker room afterwards?

[Jolly]

I attended my 7 year-old granddaughter's recital last week.

Let me state unequivocally, I would have killed to let Horace be the closing performer.

[Mik]

I did a recital just like that at my school. I just decided I didn't know nor care about those people so I just went out and enjoyed myself. I held the next to last note just a little longer than they expected to raise tension before playing the final chord. It felt powerful, which I know is a little ridiculous but it did.

[Horace]

@Mik said in Recital:

I did a recital just like that at my school. I just decided I didn't know nor care about those people so I just went out and enjoyed myself. I held the next to last note just a little longer than they expected to raise tension before playing the final chord. It felt powerful, which I know is a little ridiculous but it did.

I played the whole fugue super slow. I didn't intend it, but I started it that way and I needed to finish it that way. I think it felt ponderous to many, but I also know my teacher loved it. He is a man of faith, and the piece is important to him. I was playing for him, and for myself.

[blondie]

@Horace @Mik You 2 are brave. I chickened out with the last recital I was supposed to play in. Way too nervous. The young kids had no fear.

[Mik]

Yeah, but I'm one of those weirdos who likes public speaking too.

[jon-nyc]

I enjoy it too. I have spoken in front of 1,000 people several times. And 100s dozens of times.

[Jolly]

Teach as an adjunct.

College classrooms are actually a fun gig. Doesn't pay much, but a good class can be educational and interesting, for all concerned .

[Horace]

Never mind how fat I am. I have lost 20 pounds since this. Also never mind the Brahms. I shouldn’t have closed this recital, as I was not nearly the best player. But I am satisfied with the gravity of the Bach.

Link to video

Link to video

[George K]

Nice Brahms! I liked how the 2nd statement of the theme was quieter in the beginning.

I always found this intermezzo a bit challenging.

[Horace]

@George-K said in Recital:

Nice Brahms! I liked how the 2nd statement of the theme was quieter in the beginning.

I always found this intermezzo a bit challenging.

That’s the worst I’d played it in the prior 100 practices. Just too nervous. But in the Bach I got to a place where I think the music was respected.

[George K]

@Horace said in Recital:

the Bach

Pardon my profound ignorance. What Bach was that? Seems approachable at my level.

[Horace]

@George-K said in Recital:

@Horace said in Recital:

the Bach

Pardon my profound ignorance. What Bach was that? Seems approachable at my level.

C#m fugue, WTC1. The three themes in order of entrance are the cross, the crown of thorns, and hammer strokes of the crucifixion.

[George K]

@Horace said in Recital:

C#m fugue, WTC1.

Thanks.

Looking at the sheet music now.

Yeah, I gotta take a look at this one.

The problem with Bach's WTC is what Jazzy D (remember him from years ago?) said. You gotta play them ALL the time. It's like spinning plates. If you let one stop spinning, they call come crashing down.

I recently revisited the C Major fugue from Book 1.

There are some seriously tricky parts there.

I commend you on your ability to play it from memory!

[Horace]

@George-K said in Recital:

@Horace said in Recital:

C#m fugue, WTC1.

Thanks.

Looking at the sheet music now.

Yeah, I gotta take a look at this one.

The problem with Bach's WTC is what Jazzy D (remember him from years ago?) said. You gotta play them ALL the time. It's like spinning plates. If you let one stop spinning, they call come crashing down.

I recently revisited the C Major fugue from Book 1.

There are some seriously tricky parts there.

I commend you on your ability to play it from memory!

It’s not really an option for me to sight read. One does not merely sight read into Mordor, so to speak. One learns the steps, or one does not step.

[Axtremus]

Nice, the Intermezzo is among my favorite Brahms pieces.
What's that fugue after the Intermezzo?

[Horace]

@Axtremus said in Recital:

Nice, the Intermezzo is among my favorite Brahms pieces.

I’m way fatter than when you and I met.