Liner Notes: Exciting News!

April has been a month full of distractions, unfortunately keeping me from making much headway on this project.   The month of May will definitely see great progress on all its aspects!

The excitement for me this week is that I received the completed liner notes for the new CD from the esteemed Grieg expert and scholar, William Halvorson.  (For those unfamiliar with the term "liner notes", I am referring to the background information  about each piece on the recording, written for the CD booklet insert.)  I met "Bill" at the Grieg Festival in Winter Park, Florida, this past January.  He gave a wonderful talk on Grieg's vocal music, entitled "Grieg's Favorite Grieg Songs".  The text of this presentation has been made available at the Grieg Festival website.  (This website is a generous offering of many of the musical and scholarly presentations from that enriching weekend event.  If you haven't already taken a look and a listen, I really encourage you to do so.)

I feel so honoured that Dr. Halvorson would agree to being a part of my project.  He is the author of many important books on the subject of Grieg and Scandinavian music.  He has also done the English translations of the Grieg songs for the Peters Urtext edition.   I am incredibly grateful that a man of such expertise and international reputation would be so willing to contribute his efforts to this recording!

Recording Session Slideshow on Youtube

I just posted a humble little slideshow composed of scrappy photographs taken with a $4 disposable camera.   The purpose of the photos is simply to give one an impression of the space and the feel of the recording sessions.  As a "soundtrack" you'll hear a couple of pieces from Grieg's Opus 12, which we recorded a few weeks ago when I did a dress rehearsal for a recital. These two pieces are among the two dozen or so that we recorded this past week for the CD.

Starring in the slideshow are St. James' Anglican Church, the Yamaha C7, producer Earl McCluskie ("The Earllustrious One"), production assistant and baritone extraordinaire Mark Gardner ("The Marknifiscent"), organic snacks, and yours truly.

Day Off

Took a jaunt to Toronto today and had a complete day off.  A nice change of rhythm and focus.

Must get back to practising tomorrow already though as I have two recitals this coming week.  On Wednesday, Earl will give me CDs with all the tracks/takes and it will be time to start listening in earnest and working on the edits.  

In the next couple of days, I'll also be working on a little slide show documenting the recording sessions and I'll hope to post it very soon.   (And then there's the house that needs cleaning as it has been completely neglected for the past week or so...)

Day Three (2)

Day Three was a very full day.  There was an extra piece to record after the delays of Day Two, and that was on top of a slightly fuller schedule to begin with.  When devising the recording schedule I categorized all the repertoire into small, medium, or large designations.  I then spread a roughly equivalent assortment of each category across the three days.  As I knew that Day Three would be the day with the least setup time, the larger large pieces ended up there.  So as it turned out, the day ran a couple of hours past the estimated schedule.  I dearly appreciate both Earl's and Mark's patience and dedication to making this work so well. As I had imagined would be the case, Earl and Mark made the perfect support team for this phase of the project.

We encountered only slight delays:  a tiny bit of pedal squeaking which Earl sorted out quickly, and an inexplicably cold sacristy/recording booth.  Poor Earl and Mark sat through the entire morning with coats and scarves on.  After lunch, when the room still had not heated up, it took only a few moments for Mark to get a space heater from his lovely in-laws just across the street, and that problem was sorted out as well.

There was a lot of learning for me in this process; particularly Day Three (which felt a little more pressured than the first two days) gave me lots of opportunities for noticing things about myself and my internal struggles.  The differences between live performance and recording are clear. The task of the musician in both cases is to move the listener in some way, but the route to doing so is vastly different and calls on completely different aspects of artistry and ways of working.  I will be reflecting on this further, no doubt.

Once we were finished recording, Earl and I worked for close to an hour to take down equipment and return St. James' to its usual order.  I was surprised to find this take down process extremely satisfying.  We came, we turned the place turned it into a recording studio, we recorded, and then we were done.  I am so grateful to have had the use of that beautiful space and piano, and so grateful for the support of the parish through this time.

Some photos and video was taken on Day Three, and if something comes of it I'll certainly post it somewhere on this blog.

Day Three (1)

Ahhh.  Phase One is Done.  Three days of recording finished.  

It feels good to have that task accomplished. But at the same time, I am well aware (having done all of this before) of the challenges that are to come:  raising the funds, doing the edits, and then the marketing!

After a bit of a breather tonight, I'll post some more about how things transpired today.  

Day Two

I am not going to lie.  Day Two of the recording sessions did not go completely smoothly.  I guess it turned out fine in the end, but I was feeling quite some anxiety when the morning didn't go according to plan.

I was doing a little playing on the St. James' Yamaha before anyone else arrived and I noticed a squeaky noise that was coming from the pedal.  I tried fiddling a bit to see if I could minimize it somehow, but to no avail.  So I gave my trusty piano technician, Brad, a call to see if he could advise me over the phone.  Just as when one takes one's vehicle in to the mechanic, the problem immediately went away once I had Brad on the phone.  I tried again and again to get it to squeak, but the noise was completely gone.  Sheepishly I insisted that there had been a problem moments before and I thanked Brad for his miracle long-distance piano-healing powers and hung up.  

After a few minutes, however, the problem arose again.  I called Brad back from under the piano and tried to describe what I thought might be happening.  With Larry Davis' help once again, the problem was somewhat alleviated by a bit of WD40.  Again the squeak returned. This time it was producer Earl's turn to get under the piano.  After some tinkering he finally isolated the exact source of the squeak and solved the problem for good.   Whew!

Then it was time to go back over some of yesterday's pieces to get some clean and silent WINDLESS beginnings and endings of pieces.  We were yet to start on the list of repertoire for today, but the clock was approaching noon when we would have to stop during Peter Ryde's Chimes Concert which he gives twice weekly on the Bells of St. James'. We went for lunch to the fabulous York Street Kitchen.  As much as I enjoyed the sandwich, I was feeling quite anxious about having accomplished nothing and here it was lunchtime already.

This tension started to interfere with my focus as we finally got started on today's list of repertoire.  I decided to skip ahead to begin with some slightly easier music so that I could feel at least some sort of satisfaction that at least something had been recorded.  This proved to be a wise strategy and the recording session began to flow along quite nicely.  We again ended a little later than planned, but we managed to record all but one of the pieces slated for today.

Provided we start on time, and there is no noise issue left to plague us, tomorrow should prove to be a fun and satisfying time as we complete this phase of the project.

Day One (2)

Day One of recording is done.  We accomplished what we set out to do.  

I had devised a schedule for the entire session, dividing up the repertoire over three days. Today's load was a little lighter than the next two days will be because of course I had to allow for setup time.  Perhaps I was a tad optimistic regarding how long the setup would take, so we began about a half hour late.  I am happy to report though that we successfully made it through the whole list of repertoire scheduled for today simply by ending a half hour later than planned.

  

As the weather was super windy, it meant quite a few little delays waiting for some gusting to subside. The odd creak of the roof or a tree branch and a few noisy vehicles also intruded into the silence that we needed.  Before we started we were quite concerned about the wind whistling through some cracks by the front doors of the church.  The phenomenal caretaker at St. James', Larry Davis, generously spent some time attending to that with masking tape, so that problem was solved.

Working with Earl and Mark, I felt very supported and confident that we are covering the material thoroughly.  The piano remained in good condition throughout the session and Brad Selves came back this afternoon for another tuning to make sure it is set for tomorrow.

Hoping for a good sleep tonight and quiet weather tomorrow!

Day One (1)

Coffee, breakfast, and record!  Day one will be a lot about setting up, but I hope to get a few pieces recorded by mid-afternoon.  

Yesterday, I finally had a chance to hear the recording we did three weeks ago in that space and it's most encouraging.  The sound of the piano in the space really is wonderful, I think.  Producer Earl McCluskie did a brilliant job placing mics and whatever other magical things he does.  We notated that placement and took some cellphone photos so that we can replicate the setup exactly.

Here we go!

Silence and Sleep

Tomorrow.  Recording tomorrow.  I'm really looking forward to it.  

Today.  I've decided that today has to be about silence.  I won't be playing at all today.  I will be trying to carve some quiet time out of the day for rest and reflection and to do the mental practising: what I call "hear-see-feel".  This type of practising is for me one of the most important parts of the learning process.  It's actually miraculous.   

I really don't know if there's any one word that can convey what one does in that process.  It is equal parts hearing the music in one's head, seeing the score (and the keys) in one's head, and feeling the keys under one's fingers doing the "choreography" in one's head.  I'm not really one to play "air piano" though.  What I'm describing is more of an internal process of focusing.

Another really important part of the learning process is sleep.  A lot of processing goes on during sleep.  I think I heard a radio interview the other night about memory and sleep, but perhaps paradoxically, I don't really remember much about the interview as I was half asleep. Apparently though, some scientists have been studying this subject and concur with this point connecting sleep with memory integration.   Especially when I am working on the memorization process, I find naps to be very helpful.   Ideally, what works best for me is to work at the data input process for a while, and then lie down for 20 or 30 minutes to let the music integrate before trying to learn some more.  Clearly, life doesn't often allow for this luxurious type of process, but wouldn't it be lovely if it did?

Generous Pianists

I want you to read something.  It has been around for a few months, but only came into my world this morning. Please be sure to read this address by pianist Karl Paulnack and pass it on to your people.  I find it to be right on, and hugely inspiring.  It hits the nail on the head regarding the matter of why I do what I do.

While I'm here, I just want to thank Chris Foley, another pianist, for his generosity in posting one of my slideshows to his blog today.  Chris has been faithfully running his blog for quite some time; you'll find an impressive array of thoughtful and useful things there!

Getting Ready

All of a sudden, this project feels VERY imminent...not in a bad way, just in a wow-how-time-flies kind of way.  I'm really keen to get rolling but there are still a few practical matters to take care of in the next couple of days.  

Today I did some of the mundane stuff, which involved photocopying (sh! don't tell) all the scores a couple of extra times for my producer and my production assistant, baritone Mark Gardner, and numbered all the measures for ease of communication during the sessions.  Each of them will get a binder of scores to refer to as we work and they will make notes of things that we may need to do extra takes of.  

I should probably make a list of things to remember to bring to the sessions.  I think I will bring my "concert bench" from home because it doesn't squeak.  I will need a little rug to put under my feet and under the pedals to avoid any inadvertent feet noises.  Snacks might be a good plan too for all involved.

More interesting to me than these practical details, is of course the practising.  I had a good session tonight in the space at St. James'; I just feel great playing that instrument and I really look forward to sharing the recording with you once it's done!

Hoping for some good nights' sleep this week...

Learning

I started this blog as a way of honouring the sacred processes of creativity and learning.  My hope is also that by observing my own process, the experience will be deepened.

I really love "watching" the brain in action: learning, accepting the data into its files, and integrating.  Practising the piano (or any instrument, I suppose) gives one such clear feedback on where exactly in the learning process one is.  If the brain is not carefully programmed, the physical tasks of playing are not successful and signals abound: wrong notes, clumsiness, and just unsatisfying, unmusical playing.  The emotional signals of incomplete preparation and learning are also quite clear:  doubt and anxiety, which of course can lead to complete DISintegration in performance.

When the programming of the brain (otherwise known as learning) has been done in a thorough and effective way, the body responds with gestures of ease and elegance.  These two attributes are always my goal when practising.

Microfunding

I just came across this on a site entitled "The Goal Was So Near" :

"Surely there is no doubt to anyone who has been following cultural and entertainment news over the last few years that the music industry is going through a major restructuring.  But while the old powers that be are still figuring out how to adapt to the changing landscape, some forward thinking artists are already on top of the newly emerging possibilities.....Washington-based indie rock band Shane Hines and the Trance is the latest of those innovative creators to successfully apply the principles of microfunding to support their endeavors.  Their new CD, to be released next month, has been completely funded by fans who contributed over $34,000 to enable the duo to produce the record."

"Microfunding" - I like it.

The instrument

I just want to say a few words about the instrument that I'll be using for the upcoming recording. It's a Yamaha, not quite a full-size concert grand, but this instrument has such a glorious sound and responds beautifully.  I really am in love with this piano; what an incredible gift that it lives at St. James' Anglican in Stratford, where I happen to work.

And what an incredible gift that the clergy and parish of St. James' is so supportive and willing to let me use this piano and the space for this project.  

Last year, when I played the Grieg Concerto with the Stratford Civic Orchestra, I brought this piano with me for the performance.  A big deal to get it there and back, but the move all worked out beautifully.  It was around that time that I met piano tuner, Brad Selves, who has been tuning and maintaining the instrument ever since.  I am so grateful that Brad is making himself available to tune for the recording as well, as his work is excellent, and he "gets" what I need the piano to do.  He has an incredibly busy schedule in London next week, but will make time to come to Stratford each day to give the piano a good going over.   This is so hugely important to the sound of the recording.  When I recorded at the GGS, they had a resident tuner on call whom we had to page a couple of times during the sessions to make an adjustment or two.  My hope is that "my" Yamaha will behave nicely between tunings and all will be well.  

Hoping for some nice even-tempered weather, staying constant for a few days in a row...favourable, consistent conditions...that's what pianos prefer.

Support and Fridge Magnets

I just received another donation toward the costs of producing this disc.  A fund-raising campaign was launched at the February 21st recital and I'm thrilled to report that I have pledges and donations totalling over $2,200 already.  

For the first solo CD I am so grateful to have raised over $5,000 by pre-selling it and through doing house concerts in my home and a couple of other locations.  As well, many of my amazing supporters gave me cash donations. The total cost of putting out that disc was around $15,000 and I do hope that this second recording will cost a little less than that.  I had looked into recording grants but none of the programs were really applicable to this project. 

So I once again turn to my community, with a fund-raising structure that looks like this:

For a $300 donation (gold) you receive:

• acknowledgment in the CD liner notes
  
• a signed copy of the new CD upon its release
  
• a house concert at a time and place of your choice
  

For a $30 donation (silver) you receive:

• a signed copy of the new CD upon its release

For a $10 donation (bronze) you receive:

• a fabulous rainbow-Grieg fridge magnet (design by S. Stroobandt, visible at the top left of this blog)
  

Yeah, fridge magnets!  I didn't really set out to make fridge magnets.  It definitely happened by accident, but I can tell you that these fridge magnets are the best Grieg fridge magnets anywhere!  And the bonus is, every time you admire it, you can have this great feeling of satisfaction because you support the arts in Canada!  

I'm not even kidding.  The magnets look great.  I'll post the photo I took with my laptop, but it doesn't really show the full satisfaction of the glossy finish and the bright colours.  I'm sure they'd make great Easter gifts, Mother's Day gifts...

Seriously, if you are interested in supporting this project, you can donate through cash or cheque payable to me.  My mailing address is 207 Douglas Street, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 5P8. I'll hope to get the paypal option sorted out soon as well.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.

Choices

Today's practice session involved some "fine-tuning" of the repertoire choices, as well as deciding on a program order...these decisions will likely be altered several times before the final product emerges.  But for now, the CD will comprise a variety of Grieg's piano music chosen from the following collections:  the Holberg Suite, Peer Gynt, Lyric Pieces, his "Piano Pieces After His Own Songs" (such an awkward title translation from the original German publication), as well as Opus 17 Norwegian Folksongs and Dances, Opus 19 Pictures from Country Life.

I quite like the order or "shape" that I have arrived at.  This is one of the aspects of programming that I enjoy most; the challenge is to create unity with just the right amount of contrast, flow, and progression.  It seems to me that the feel of this CD will be a little more upbeat and exuberant compared to the more reflective mood of it's predecessor.

One Thing Leads to Another

This is getting exciting!

Many of the aspects of this project are falling into place.  My next solo CD is starting to look like it will be a reality quite soon...much sooner than anticipated.

I hadn't expected that things would come together quite yet, but...one thing leads to another...

Here's the rough outline of how it got to this point, so far:

Because "Disc Number One" (SANDRA MOGENSEN: Piano Music of Edvard Grieg) received such a warm response, I had thoughts of following that up with another disc of some more Grieg, perhaps mixed with piano music of other Nordic and maybe also Baltic composers...sometime in the future.

I think the "chain of events" leading toward this happening NOW really began on December 13. That was the day I was doing some googling, searching for the lovely website I had seen previously for the Japanese branch of the International Grieg Society.  That site was no longer available, but in my searching I stumbled upon the "Grieg Festival" scheduled for early January 2009 in Winter Park, Florida.  It seemed an impossibility to try to even get to that event which was only three and a half weeks away, but as I said...one thing led to another...and by December 18, I was engaged to give a lecture-recital at the Grieg Festival!  Topic:  Grieg's own piano transcriptions of some of his songs, Opus 41 & 52.

Only three weeks to prepare for that trip, but it all fell into place beautifully.

The Festival was a joy; meeting and learning from so many internationally known Grieg experts! (And SUN! And four days without boots, coats, and mitts!)  More about the Festival later...

I returned home with a renewed motivation to explore more of the beautiful Grieg repertoire. One thing led to another, and a recital program began to form.  Then came the idea and plan to do a recital at St. James' in February.  Then I began to think of this recital program as the framework for a recording, and that perhaps I should aim to raise some money towards this project. Then, a more specific plan emerged regarding an actual fund-raising campaign.

One thing led to another.  I had a conversation with my talented producer, Earl McCluskie, about possibly recording the recital so that I could listen to it and gain some perspective on it. He was not available, but suggested coming the day before for a "dress" run, which turned out to be an even better plan.  One thing led to another, and now it has been decided:  the recording sessions will actually take place at St. James'!  The excellent quality of the piano, the acoustics, and Earl's brilliance means this recording will have a fabulous sound, measuring up to the quality of the first CD we did, which was recorded at the Glenn Gould Studio, CBC, Toronto!

February 21st's recital was well-received, and was an excellent chance for me to put a bit of mileage on the new program.  Such wonderful community support, and a good beginning to the fund-raising!