About Moments Musicaux (Musical Moments)
Though Moments Musicaux is French for musical moments, most of my recordings are not! The most famous compositions under that title are by non-French composers Schubert and Rachmaninoff! I’m using the title loosely to describe short pieces, added once per month, that reflect the time of year or just my whimsy.
You can find my older Music Monday recordings in my Music Monday Archive on Vimeo. Even older ones are listed on my Music Monday Archive page.
Latest Moment
Jaunary 2026 – Three Arrangements by Dino Kartsonakis
I became the Church Pianist for Traditional Worship at Central UMC of Rogers, Arkansas. I play offertories on piano twice a month, including pieces like the ones I’m sharing here this month.
Birthday of a King – Listen on Vimeo – 3 min 21 sec
Your Touch – Listen on Vimeo – 4 min 20 sec
Near to Heart of God – Listen on Vimeo – 3 min 13 sec
Earlier Moments
January 2025 – Chromatische Polka by Louis Köhler
This is one of the most popular short pieces written by Köhler, a German composer, conductor, and piano teacher of the mid-19th century. This piece reminds me of Chopin’s so-called Minute Waltz in its charm, simplicity, and brevity.
Listen on Vimeo – 1 min 17 sec
February 2025 – Three Little Negro Dances by Florence Price
These pieces show the lighter side of Price’s compositional output. Although she made quite an impression with her serious compositions, she didn’t forget her roots as shown here.
Listen on Vimeo – 4 min 00 sec
February 2025 Bonus – Chinese Dance from The Nutcracker by Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky arranged his entire two-hour ballet for piano solo, including this Act II short dances that was one of many that Clara and the Nutcracker Prince enjoyed.
Listen on Vimeo – 1 min 03 sec
March 2025 – Sketches, Op. 15 by Amy Beach
Composed in 1892, these pieces have certainly stood the test. The first sketch, In Autumn, is a solid piece with many difficulties. The second sketch, Phantoms, is so much fun to play, but not quite as difficult as the first one. Which one sounds more difficult to you? Also, should I finish learning the entire set?
In Autumn on Vimeo – 2 min 57 sec
Phantoms on Vimeo – 2 min 19 sec
March 2025 Bonus – Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 2, No. 1 by Alexander Scriabin
This is the first of many études that Scriabin wrote, and it’s currently the only piece by the composer that I play. I plan to change that!
Listen on Vimeo – 3 min 04 sec
June 2025 – Postlude, Op. 105, No. 2 by Charles V. Stanford
This short piece was the first on my all Stanford organ recital at Central Methodist Church in Rogers, Arkansas on May 25, 2025. It marks my first organ recording on this series.
Listen on Vimeo – 3 min 7 sec
July 2025 – Summer at Central
I’m offering a prelude, offertory, and postlude from services in July 2025 at Central Methodist Church in Rogers, Arkansas. All of these pieces are from a book of wedding music arranged by legendary organist Diane Bish.
Listen to Prelude on Vimeo – 2 min 38 sec – Gavotte by Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Listen to Offertory on Vimeo – 2 min 15 sec – Thou Shalt Bring Them by G.F. Handel
Listen to Postlude on Vimeo – 2 min 25 sec – Rondeau by Joseph Mouret
August 2025 – Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez
Five years ago, I learned the fourth Goyesca by Enrique Granados called Quejas, o la Maja y el Ruiseñor (“Regrets, or the Peasant Woman and the Nightingale.”)
The popular song “Bésame Mucho” (“Kiss Me A Lot”), is based on the opening melody of this beloved classical piece. This popular song has become one of best known and loved compositions in the Spanish-speaking world, far more famous than the original Granados composition.
The recording of Bésame Mucho is brand new; the recording of Quejas is from 2020.
Bésame Mucho on Vimeo – 2 min 54 sec
Quejas on Vimeo – 6 min 10 sec
October 2025 – Waltz in A Minor (Disc. 2024) by Frédéric Chopin
I’ve been planning to buy this score ever since I read about its discovery at New York’s Morgan Library. However, I didn’t realize it was available for free download via Piano Street’s website.
If you love Chopin, try out this one page piece for yourself. It’s Chopin’s true (less than a) minute waltz.
Listen on Vimeo – 45 sec
October 2025 Bonus – Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones
I first learned about this piece from an adult piano student around this time last year. I decided to play it for the first time at the Halloween recital sponsored by my chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
There were plenty of people playing the organ, so this made a nice contrast. I’m glad I had the chance to share this brilliant arrangement!
Listen on Vimeo – 4 min 45 sec
December 2025 – Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano
This is probably not a recording that you’d expect me to make, and you would be right! However, I’ve learned that going out of your comfort zone can be good for you!
I wish you a very Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!
Listen on Vimeo – 1 min 41 sec
You can find all of this project’s recordings in the Moments Musicaux Showcase on Vimeo, versus clicking on individual recordings above.
Support Moments Musicaux
If you’ve enjoyed some of my recordings, consider supporting my programming. A cup of coffee is always appreciated, as are donations via Venmo or via PayPal.
I also appreciate if you share my page with friends and family via the blue icon at the bottom of the page. Thanks!
