Recorded on Yamaha 5’ baby grand, on September 10 2021. 

Ah, a classic one. My student wanted to learn it so I studied it in about a week. The middle section is a reference to Chopin’s Piano Concerto no.2 in F minor, 3rd movement!  This Nocturne was dedicated to Frédéric’s elder sister, Ludwika Chopin. 

My personal interpretation:
This piece encapsulates the feeling of nostalgia at the end of life. Someone beckons you to listen to a story— announcing in a firm tone, and then repeating a softer plead. The first theme depicts yearning, melancholy, and frustration. The second theme (starts at the middle section) brings us the first sign of levity in the story, set in A major. But it quickly goes back into a minor key (F# minor) to demonstrate the struggle between positivity and darker thoughts. The 3/4 section is a dream-like sequence, feeling lighthearted before transitioning us back into reality. The first theme returns and this time rushes quickly into anguish and agony. After the apex of the passionate melody line, the voice dies away. There are several attempts to resurrect itself in its dying breath before finally finding peace and ascends into the afterlife, as suggested by the tierce de Picardie.

Chopin - Nocturne in C# minor, Op. post.

Recorded on a whim on Christmas Day 2021. Yamaha 5’ baby grand. Please excuse my swishy pedal. 🙉

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
and on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day

Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures

Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day

Silver Bells (cover by Angel)

Recorded as per grandma’s request on Dec 24th, 2022. Dad worked the camera and microphone, and I think the sound is better than the mic on my iPad which I’ve used in the past. 

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, and all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent Night (cover by Angel)

Recorded Jan 22, 2021
Yamaha 5' baby grand, lid down. 

One of my mom and her family's favourite pieces. I learned this for grandma. There is room for improvement, but this is my favourite take even if there is a small oopsie at 1:40. I like the phrasing, tempo, voicing, and articulation. I prefer to play classical pieces, but this contemporary number is a nice trip down memory lane. 

I don't use post-production for any of my recordings.

Ballade Pour Adeline - Richard Clayderman

Angel H

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