The last several months have been a brutally challenging and heartbreaking experience. My spirit has been absolutely crushed. However, having piano studies to fall back on has helped pass the time and provide something positive in the background.
As mentioned before, while I'll eventually be preparing for my AMEB AMusA Diploma exam, this interlude has been a good time to work on pieces and technique that may not fit cleanly into targeted exam preparation.
August/September
I pulled out Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor (Op. 23, No. 5) from my "bucket list" and decided to give it a serious crack. This piece continues to amaze me, that some of the things I would find tricky actually were accessible, and while other parts that I thought would be easier (the entire "B section") are harder.
Nonetheless, I've memorised the piece and play it regularly on an extremely dodgy public piano in the heart of Sydney. For now, I think it's "good enough" for my purposes - if I ever feel the need to perform it in a more serious setting, I feel confident I know how to practice and continue improving it to proper standards.
It was useful, however, to practice better technique playing series of octaves and repeated chords. I'm also particularly enamoured with the complex inner voicing of the melodic "B-section", and realise there's much work to be done to make it sing... if only I had a decent piano that hasn't been battered within an inch of its life (complete with broken keys in crucial places.)
I also gave a good "first pass" through Brahms' Intermezzo in A major (Op. 118, No. 2). There's just something about Brahms I really love and feels like it comes naturally. I may end up using this as an exam piece, but I've already played a reasonable amount of Brahms in the past (including both Rhapsodies, and a bit of the Op. 117, No 1).
Brahms' Intermezzi have been solemn and comforting pieces during this time.
September / October
I was challenged to explore some post-Romantic music, so I was assigned one of Nikolai Medtner's Tales ("Skazki"), Op. 26, No. 3. At first, I somewhat resisted it, but then it began to really sink in and take hold. It's beautiful, and a bit dark and depressing (if I wish to interpret it that way.) In some sense, actually a pretty apropos piece for what I'm going through.
More recently, I've also decided to revive Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata. I used to play the first movement, and was working on the third with my previous teacher, before abandoning it. I feel determined to finally be able to play the whole Sonata from start to finish. I'm grateful it's actually rushing back to memory.
Other Things
I've also been taking solace in arranging "oldies"/Motown music. These seem to get a pretty good response from people, as they're mostly familiar tunes, but I don't hear many pianists play them.
I may or may not have arranged a Toni Braxton song, too... Sorry, Sydney #notsorry