Signmypiano: Jessika's List - Music For Falling Asleep

Waltz in A-flat Major Op. 69, No. 1 (L adieu Valse - The Farewell Waltz) composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones. This waltz was published posthumously (after Chopin had died). The Waltz is often called "The Farewell Waltz" (L'adieu Valse) because of its origins. The work was supposedly written as a farewell piece to Maria Wodzinska, to whom Chopin was once engaged. However, because her father refused to allow her to be married to an impoverished musician, the two never married. In my recording I try to bring out the melancholic feel that would surely accompany such a parting. This recording was made at my home on my studio upright. I hope you enjoy my interpretation of Chopin's famous "Farewell" Waltz in A-flat Major.

Andantino composed by Cesar Franck performed by Jeremiah Jones. This is a fairly simple work that hides within it Franck's organ technique. Cesar Franck wrote many pieces for the organ and although this is written for piano, the voices within the piece seem reminiscent of an organ work. This is my first recording after a long "break" from music (I broke my foot and was unable to record for several months). I hope that you will enjoy my recording of this piece - which also happens to be my first piece by this composer.

Duet Op. 38, No. 6 (Songs Without Words - Duetto) composed by Felix Mendelssohn performed by Jeremiah Jones. This work is one of the pieces in Mendelssohn's Songs without Words (Lieder ohne Worte) and is considered one of his most beautiful works for piano. This piece is a duet between two voices of the piano, and should be played in a way that makes the voices truly sing. The voices alternate throughout the beginning of the work, combine for a masterful climax, and then come together again at the end for a most beautiful coda. The last several measures are particularly beautiful when played as written. The final A-flat and C in the second to last measure should be played with enough emphasis (with the left hand) that the two notes stand out - as they are the two voices combined for their final harmony. This chord should be held down and switched (without releasing the sound) to the right hand so that the left hand and two fingers of the right hand can play the final two chords. These should not be held

Sonata Op. 13 No. 8: II Adagio cantabile (Pathetique - Patetica 2nd Movement) composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven performed by Jeremiah Jones. This recording is the 2nd movement of Beethoven's popular Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 No. 8. The second movement is Adagio cantabile. "Cantabile" indicates that this movement should be played like a song, or something that has a distinct melody that one could sing along with. This piece was composed in 1798 and published the following year. You can read further commentary on this piece, including a dedicatory note by visiting this page of my piano blog. This selection was recorded at my home on my studio upright piano.

Scenes from Childhood Op. 15, No. 13 (Der Dichter spricht - The Poet Speaks) composed by Robert Schumann performed by Jeremiah Jones. This piece is one of the short pieces presented in Schumann's Opus 15, Scenes from Childhood. This is the final piece in the Opus and can be interpreted a thousand different ways. I have always loved this work. Perhaps because I love poetry so much? In any case, this short piece is both inspirational and thought-provoking. I have dedicated this recording to a wonderful woman, Judy Stockett and her dear husband, Jerry Stockett. You can read my full dedication to them on my SignMyPiano blog or by clicking here.

Nocturne in E Minor Op. 72, No. 1 (posthumous) composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones. This Nocturne was one of Chopin's earliest known Nocturnes and was composed in 1827 when Chopin was only 17 years old. However, Chopin never desired the work to be published and so it was not published until 1855 after his death. This work is one of my favorite of Chopin's Nocturnes. It was recorded at my home on my studio upright. If you enjoy listening to this piece, please consider making a donation towards my future Steinway Model B Piano.

Nocturne in E-flat Major Op. 9 No. 2 composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones. I am a little rusty on this nocturne, and unfortunately, it shows! However, I couldn't help recording this for Mother's day because it has special meaning to my wife and me. So I am dedicating the recording of this Nocturne to my beloved wife. Happy Mother's Day!

Sonata in C Major K. 300h (330) - Andante cantabile composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed by Jeremiah Jones. This is the Andante section of Mozart's Sonata in C Major. Although the Sonata begins and concludes in C Major, this particular excerpt from the piece is in F Major. It was composed in the summer of 1778. I am dedicating this recording to my dear mother. Mozart is her favorite composer and I have grown to adore this andante section of the sonata. Visit www.signmypiano.com to learn how you can sign your name to my piano and be a part of my music!

Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor (Posthumous) composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones. This nocturne was published posthumously, which simply means that it was published after Chopin past away. It was composed in 1830 (Chopin would have been about 20 years old at the time) but not published until 1875. This piece, like most of Chopin's nocturnes, has a mysterious and enchanting quality to it. I cannot help but wonder why Chopin never published this work. Perhaps it did not live up to his standard? Or perhaps it was simply not intended for public performance? The first edition of this work included the following instruction: "For my sister Louise to play, before she practices my second Concerto." -- so perhaps Chopin wrote this merely as a "prelude" for practicing and as such never had it published? Whatever the reason, this work has become one of the more well known of the Nocturnes despite Chopin's disinterest in publication. This recording is dedicated to the Lloyd family. This work was rec

Deux Arabesques: I (Two Arabesques for Piano) composed by Claude Debussy performed by Jeremiah Jones. This arabaseque is the first of two arabesques that are associated together (although they were composed several years apart). It was written while Debussy was still rather young (26 years old) and is not considered to be representative of his impressionist style that is generally associated with his name. However, there are certain aspects of his style that are apparent even in this early work. For study, I used Alfred's Masterwork Edition edited by Lynn Freeman Olson. This recording is dedicated to the Robertsons who acted as my parents-away-from-home while I lived in Japan for two years doing volunteer missionary service for my church. Thank you for your compassion, patience, love, and sincere friendship. This recording was completed at home on my studio upright. This piece was particularly difficult to record on my upright due to the sensitive dynamics present throughout the work. Much of the inter

Arietta Op. 12, No. 1 (Arietta) composed by Edvard Grieg performed by Jeremiah Jones. This is another recording from the music book Classical Music for the Church Service: Volume II by Alfred. I really enjoy the simple, yet beautiful melody of this work. I've always enjoyed playing pieces where the accompanying harmony interchanges between both hands. This was recorded at my home on my studio upright. If you would like to help improve the quality of my recordings and be honored at the same time, then click here to see how you can help!

Pieces Diverses: A Tear, Une Larme (Meditation) composed by Modest Moussorgsky performed by Jeremiah Jones. This is another recording from the music book Classical Music for the Church Service: Volume II by Alfred. This piece is a short excerpt from Moussorgsky's Pieces Diverses. It is sometimes known as "Meditation". To me this piece has a very modern sound to it that could perhaps be considered a precursor to some contemporary piano pieces. This was recorded at my home on my studio upright. Click here to see how you can have your name printed on the lid of a piano and assist me in improving my recordings!

Prelude in E Minor Op. 28 No. 4 composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones.

Prelude in C Major (Ave Maria) composed by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by Jeremiah Jones. I play this one much more slowly than most do... I guess I just like it that way. This piece has been arranged, re-arranged, and arranged again for many instruments and combinations of instruments. It is definitely a "classic" and is often heard at weddings and other significant events.

Prelude in B Minor Op. 28 No. 6 composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones.

Prelude in A Major Op. 28 No. 7 composed by Frederic Chopin performed by Jeremiah Jones.

Op. 27, No. 2 Adagio Sostenuto (Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement) composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven performed by Jeremiah Jones. An all-time favorite of so many people... including my father. I recorded this in a music room while at college as a Father's day gift for my dad. This is one of his favorite works. Please note that this recording only includes the famous 1st movement.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring composed by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by Jeremiah Jones. This piece was originally part of a larger work but was transcribed to piano and given the title "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." It is often played for weddings and other significant events. This recording was made on a studio upright piano.

Foreign Lands and People - from Kinderszenen composed by Robert Schumann performed by Jeremiah Jones. This is from the "Scenes from Childhood" set of works that Schumann composed. This is one that I always enjoyed playing and experimenting with the pedalling.

Dreaming composed by Robert Schumann performed by Jeremiah Jones. I will never forget watching Vladmir Horowitz's performance of this in his famous Moscow concert. Obviously I was not there in person, but I have watched my copy of that performance over and over again. Seeing that performance is what drew me to want to record this piece, which then led me to record several others among the "Scenes from Childhood" of which "Dreaming" is only one segment.