Piano

So, for the last little while I've been learning two songs on piano that I really enjoy. The first is Fantansy Impromptu by Chopin. We have it on one of our classical CDs and I immediately fell in love with it. So, I hunted down the music and learned it. It is now one of my favorite pieces to sit down and play. You can hear it HERE.
where it is played by Yundi Li. He is a wonderful technician. I don't think I will ever develop good technique on the piano. I have too many bad habits. But, I'm just happy to sit down and play through songs in order to relax. This has become one of my all time favorites.

The second song that I have really been enjoying is Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. It is an incredible song. I first heard it when I watched Fantasia 2000 several years ago. It too was a song that I instantly fell in love with. And, let me tell you, it is equally fun to play. It has become a family favorite and my boys and husband will request it and dance around to it which makes for a great night of family fun. Being that it is 30+ pages long, I still have a few parts to hammer out, but for the most part, I can now play through the whole thing (though many parts not as fast as or as beautifully as Richard Glazier plays them on this video). Here is a link to hear it if you are interested:
See Part one HERE.
See Part two HERE.
Again, I will never be able to play it with such impeccable technique, but I love it nonetheless. The story behind the song is pretty amazing too after you hear the song and realize how amazing it is in and of itself. Gershwin was asked to compose a piece for a symphonic Jazz Concert. but, being that he was still putting the final touches on the score of "Sweet Little Devil", Gershwin forgot all about composing a song for the Jazz Concert until he noticed a write-up in the New York Herald-Tribune that he, Gershwin, was busy on a symphony for the concert. So, he quickly got work and composed Rhapsody in Blue in 3 weeks! Anyone who has composed music recognizes that as a simply incredible accomplishment. So, as you listen, enjoy the genius of George Gershwin.

I hope you guys enjoy these two pieces as much as I do.