Music samples
Due to the small size of the sample files (and low quality of most of computer speakers), the sound quality of these samples is much poorer than that of an actual piano. You’ll still be able to appreciate the style, but the beauty of music may be lost. Don’t let it mislead you.
Having said that, here are these samples:
WEDDING MUSIC
I play, of course, the entire standard repertoire: “Here Comes the Bride”, “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, and so on. Below is one of these staples: “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn. Two other pieces are used less often, and so it is your opportunity to add an individual touch to the music choice of your wedding ceremony. The first melody is a stately middle part from Chopin's Waltz in G-flat (which makes a wonderful processional), and the second is a romantic “Swan” by Saint-Saens. This music was played at my own wedding, and has been my favorite ever since.
SONG ARRANGEMENTS
I play literally hundreds of songs, from many countries and time periods. Some of them are from musicals, like “Phantom of the Opera” or “Sound of Music”; some are traditional love songs. For this sample selection I chose a Russian song “Moscow Nights”, a French song “Milord” and an Italian song “O Sole Mio” (you may recognize the melody as the one used by Elvis Presley for his song “It is Now or Never”).
WALTZES
A few years ago I played a series of six concerts in Anchorage, called "Your Favorite Waltzes". There were, in total, about 60 of them: the best waltzes from around the world, composed by Strauss, Chopin, Tchaikovsky and many other composers; Russian waltzes, Spanish waltzes, and even a ragtime waltz! So whether you want to dance, or just listen to this uplifting music, I can play them for you all evening long. Samples: "Artist Life" by Johann Strauss, and "Waves of the Danube" by Ivanovici (the music was used for "Anniversary Song" by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin).
JEWISH MUSIC
I lived for six years in Israel, and since then Jewish pieces -- be it traditional Yiddish songs, instrumental klezmer compositions, or contemporary Israeli songs -- are some of my favorites. I had a hard time choosing samples among all these treasures! But here they are: the famous "Hava Nagila" and "Tumbalalaika", and an Israeli song "Kvar Aharei Hatzot" ("After Twilight").
MY OWN MUSIC
As a ballet- and a church- accompanist, I am used to improvising all sorts of music, for any mood and situation. My favorite are slow and melodious improvisations, in a New Age style. Here is an example of one of my more formal pieces: Waltz "Reminiscences".
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That's enough samples: just a lucky baker's dozen! You can listen to a few more at the page CD "Freylakhs for Two". Let me tell you about other facets of my repertoire:
GYPSY MUSIC
These are delightful pieces, full of vigor, passion, and beautiful melodies. I play such gems as a Hungarian "Czardas" by Monti, waltz "Recollection", based on a Russian-Gypsy song "Dark Eyes", and some other Russian-Gypsy songs.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
While most classical compositions are better suited for a concert setting (where listeners concentrate solely on music, and not on the party around), many pieces are wonderful background music. So I'll play for you "Turkish March" by Mozart, "Italian Polka" by Rachmaninoff, "Fur Elise" by Beethoven, some Chopin's waltzes, and so on...
DANCES
For many years I worked as a dance accompanist. So, if you are into dancing, you can have them all: Tangos, Polkas, Waltzes, Ragtimes, Minuets, Mazurkas and Tarantellas... But let me know in advance if you will choose Marinella, Tropotianka, Kazachok or Babakaram!
SPECIAL REQUESTS
If you have a special song that you want me to play at your event, I'll be glad to learn it. And if you want to sing it with my accompaniment -- all the more fun!