James Flores » piano

July Update

James Flores — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:34:23 +0000

The last few weeks of July and early August brings the eisteddfod to Albury-Wodonga. I've noticed that my contemporaries has slowly faded away from the competition (everyone getting older or I just don't want to grow up?). I still enjoy playing because it's probably the only time in the year where I get to perform what I've been working on. I'm going to enjoy listening to the others in the Chopin Piano comp though. The age bracket for the section I'm in is 14 years and over, I think there are about 4-5 other competitors. So anyway, apart from the practise and my nervous wait for next week, I'm also entered in the Wagga eisteddfod. I haven't been there in a while so it will be great to here what other talent and hardworking musicians are out there in country NSW.

July also brought my 1 year work anniversary. The place is awesome and I've good people. I even managed to score an invite to the social club function last week. Meeting colleagues outside the workplace is always fun and gives you a chance to interact in a different environment. So anyway, I leave you with a few photos of the evening and my eisteddfod pieces (along with youtube links to my favourite performances).

Bach BWV 848
Chopin Trois Nouvelle Etude No.1 in F minor
Gershwin Prelude 1
Khachaturian Toccata
Chopin Nocturne No. 20 in C # minor
Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 5

Social Function

I love Paddies!

I guess we were tired?

Piano Recital – Beethoven Sonata Op 10 No 2

James Flores — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:43:56 +0000

One of the pieces I played for my AMusA diploma. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't play it as well I played during the actual exam! I've been too engrossed in learning Chopin's Black note etude.

Cleanup

James Flores — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:19:15 +0000

I've got a lot of junk in my room...organised junk I might add. I just wanted to get rid of the clutter I have accumulated over the number of years. It's quite annoying to see how much useless stuff I kept that went straight to the bin. I'm going to make it a weekly chore at least to get rid of some of the clutter. Cleaning through stuff always takes so much longer than expected because you analyse every single thing you throw away. In my case, I stumbled across something surreal

Click on image to open full size

Ahhh, the joys of cleaning up - brings back memories (not that I can remember this one clearly as such).

Eisteddfod Pieces

James Flores — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:18:29 +0000

I finally got around to uploading the rest.

Nocturne Op. 15 No. 2 - Chopin

Prelude and Fugue XX Book II - JS Bach

Study in Blue, White and Gold - Hyde

Albury-Wodonga Eisteddfod 2008

James Flores — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:55:54 +0000

So after 4 years of hiding in the dark, I have finally returned to the place that started it all. I love the Albury-Wodonga Eisteddfod! It brings meaning to all the hard work (or lack of ) you have achieved during the year and to showcase your pieces against your contemporaries. Performing isn't easy. I don't consider myself to be a performer. I've had a few bad experiences in my day at the eisteddfod. Sometimes you will play well at home, but as soon as you are placed into different situations, your mind and fingers play games with you. It's not fun I'm telling you - and every musician will tell you that.

I entered myself in the 18 and over sections as an attempt to get myself motivated into completing my AmusA. I had left it unfinished at the beginning of year 12 and uni. Now back from all that, I rekindled the dusty pieces and performed them last Tuesday. I was lucky enough to play good and win in those sections. I'll be posting all the videos as soon as I have time to upload them all. Enjoy and please comment!

Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 2 1st Movement