Pianos in the Parks video

Having finally completed the somewhat arduous "Pianos in the Parks" project, I have compiled a video of me playing at 10 of them.  Five of those 10 were damaged almost beyond playability, and several of the pianos that I didn't even have a chance to get to had to be removed from their locations because of the amount of damage done to them.  

Achil's Challenge Conclusion

So, I've completed Achil's Challenge...there have been a couple of hurdles, but overall it's been a good experience for me. The main problem right now is that my recording equipment or computer (I suspect the latter) is deteriorating, and thus the recordings are coming out more and more distorted. Which is frustrating, but it's something that I'll figure out soon hopefully. For the time being, I'm working on editing the videos for my "Pianos in the Parks" project, which has similarly had its fair share of setbacks. Hoping to have that completed in the next couple of days. And then it's time to plan for the recital! (At last...)

雨の手が冷たい

蝶ちゃん

Pianos in the Park

For those of you who have been encountering the various highly decorated old pianos that seem to have sprung up overnight in Seattle parks and public places, there is an art project that was recently launched entitled "Pianos in the Park".  I think the title is self-explanatory.

Here's the page for more info:
http://pianosintheparks.com/

So.  In preparation for my upcoming solo recital in late August or early September (date and location will be announced ASAP), I've given myself a huge and rather daunting task:  I aim to play my recital pieces on every piano involved in the project (in the city of Seattle) in the next two months.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to, but I plan to take pictures of myself on each piano, and we'll see how many I get around to!

Achil's Challenge

About two months ago, I finished three choral compositions for a competition (I didn't win, but that wasn't the point.  I just needed some motivation to complete projects, and it worked rather well).  Afterwards, I took a month or so off to do some accompaniment/recording projects, and to clear my brain.

But, as this stuff tends to go, when I tried to get back into composition, I had a bit of trouble getting started.  Nothing sounds good anymore; nothing's original, everything's too trite, yadda yadda.  So I've been struggling to keep on writing, even though everything feels a little flat right now.

And then I had coffee with Achil.

Achil Jackson is my "composition buddy".  She is a 23 year old Seattle native who mainly focuses on voice, and whose compositions feature chamber music with Renaissance instruments, such as lute and viola da gamba.  One of these days, I intend to write up a review of her music, but for now, here is the link to her ReverbNation page:

http://www.reverbnation.com/achiljackson/song/5053840-time-chant-and-gather-ye-mothes

Anyway, so we were talking about this motivation business, and I told her that I had a hard time really investing in a project unless I had something specific to compose for.  And she gave me a challenge.

So every Monday evening for the next month, I'm going to be recording a short piano piece and uploading it to this blog.  I'm not going to brag about them much, especially since I haven't yet gotten the hang of making my recording equipment actually sound good, but this, like everything else right now, is all about getting lift-off.  I'm going to trust in experience and determination and keep working hard until I have something worth listening to.

Have I ever mentioned that talent is way overrated?

Cheers,
-G

Einsam for piano