Piano Piece Pick #16 - (If I got my numbering correct,) I would love to resume this series...

Mendelssohn is often nobody's favorite composer, so allow me to introduce a piece of his - Fantasie, Op. 28, a 3 movement work. It is also known as "Sonata écossaise" or the Scottish Sonata. Each movement is faster than the one before it (just like Beethoven's "Moonlight").

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VTlaGREM7I

IMSLP link to score sheet: https://imslp.org/wiki/Fantasie%2C_Op.28_%28Mendelssohn%2C_Felix%29

Love is Blue is a classic sentimental song that has captured my attention, since I first heard it in music lesson in Secondary 1. My music teacher Mr Sem Kai Peng played this out, and we students were supposed to play out the piece on the recorder.

Recently after receiving music lessons in 2018, I heard this piece again and attempted to deconstruct its elements. I will be deconstructing the Paul Mariat A minor version.
Its introduction chords is appregioic zigzag style, and my favourite element is the counter melody in the second verse.
In the middle of the piece, there is a parallel modulation from A minor to A major. I feel this is very apt as after the modulation to the major key, the lyrics turn from being depressed about lost love, to flashbacks about happier times "When we met, how the bright sun shone." before going back to being sad again "Then love died, now the rainbow is gone", and correspondingly the music changes back to the minor key.

Thanks for reading my analysis and perhaps I shall post again about my favourite piano pieces.

Here is my 6th nugget of knowledge - Music Map.
https://www.music-map.com

Discover similar new artists just by keying one that you like. You can key in classical composers, chinese artists (use their English names if possible), and of course, modern performers.

For eg., here is a map to Yiruma and a bunch of artists whose music is similar to his:
https://www.music-map.com/yiruma.html

Hi, here is my video for my performance at Pianovers Recital 2018 held on 28th of December. Hope you enjoy watching it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kziAGT3whg

Just wanted to share my (what I hope are) value-added comments on my experience participating in this event:

a) Playing on a grand piano has a totally different feel; it was as if I'm on cloud nine. The touch for this Yamaha piano was excellent; it was tuned on the spot prior to the Recital. Make full use of any rehearsal time you have so you can appreciate the feel of the piano, if at all possible. For me, I used the time to try out the sostenuto panel just for the last measure of my song.

b) Performing in formal wear has a different feel than playing in civvies in the comfort of your home. Make sure you feel comfortable in your getup and that you have space to maneuver your arms.

c) As this was a community driven event, I felt it was OK if you don't memorize your score; you probably wouldn't do this for a professional recital. I was sight reading straight from the sheet music since I am very comfortable doing that, but I will have you know, I did practice the piece probably at least 30 times already; not enough to memorize the song in its entirety, but enough for a great performance.

d) If you make a mistake during the performance, press on as best as you can. People might not even know you made a mistake, if you play on as if it's part of the show. Glaring errors are obvious, but try to recover as best as you can and move on. You can always tell Pianovers you want your video kept private if you feel embarrassed by your performance.

e) Pick a song you can manage. While, I noticed other performers on that night chose more difficult pieces that showed off their technical prowess, I felt very happy with my choice, a lovely song made famous by Josh Groban. Dont aim for something over the top unless you are very confident performing the piece. If it's an expressive piece, play your heart out. If it's a technical piece, play to impress.

f) Don't feel pressured by the audience or get distracted by the photographer. Focus on the performance and doing a great job. It helps if you have practiced a lot at home already. Definitely never come unprepared.

g) Bow once before your performance. Bow again after the performance. I felt I probably made a minor gaffe, I picked up my score and had wanted to fold it back before bowing right at the end. I felt I should have bowed first at the end, then picked up my score to exit the stage.

Well, that's it. Thanks for reading this far.

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