Video of the Week: Sonata #1 (Part 2)

Last week I presented Part 1 of my Sonata #1, and now here is the second part, movements 3 and 4. The 4th movement in particular was probably one of difficult things I wrote for the piano up to that point.

Enjoy!

Video of the Week: Sonata #1 (Part 1)

This week, and the next, I'll showcase my first piano sonata, which I started around 1987. I told my mother that I was going to write a sonata, and I asked her in which key I should compose, and she answered "g minor." Within a week I had the first part of the first movement complete.

The rest came later, finishing in 1992.

Here are the first two movements. Enjoy!

Video of the Week: How to Play Bolero

This week, I'll present this video I saw on my Facebook page. How do you make one instrument sound like an orchestra? These guys have found one way to do it ... or at least get close to doing it.

Put your Spanish on and enjoy this rendition of Ravel's Bolero as performed by the Wiener Cello Ensemble 5+1. Enjoy!

Video of the Week: Prokofiev's Toccata

This week, I'll present a crazy piano piece by Prokofiev.  This is his Toccata, op. 11.

I chose this young female player just to show how this isn't a hard piece just for men.  This girl also appears to be very young.

I had this piece memorized once, but didn't get it up to speed (during a time I was using incorrect practice techniques).  Once I smooth out some techniques, I'll get back to it.

In the meantime, check out this performer who not only figured it out, but also puts on good show.  Enjoy!