Outstanding! Also, not to be a pedestrian low life (though, no apologies either) but I also *really* like the Zep material at the tail end of your site. 'C'mon Everybody' + Peanuts in particular. I know a guy who saw LZ play at the Filmore East in San Francisco in 1970. He's now a kind of bagged out chemist in his 60s but that just goes to show that you should never underestimate anyone.

I enjoyed these very much... such texture with such voice! Love everything about it. I am thrilled for you and your future!! You inspire me to improve and practice!! haha! Congratulations!

thanks =)

funny, jnod posted at the exact same time I was giving another recital at the same venue as the posted videos..... haha!

Wow, these are truly excellent!! I really didn't expect such wonderful performances. This is what I would expect from a professional concert pianist, and even then, I think these performances are better than most that I've heard even by professionals (or am I mistaken in thinking that you are an amateur or student?). And that's saying a lot, since my gold standards for the Brahms Op. 118 are Katchen and Richter (although he didn't record them all). My only criticism: you didn't play my favorite ones, No. 5 and 6. From what I heard, I think you would do an excellent job with No. 5.

Do you play any of the Brahms sonatas? I think you would do a very good job with them as well. Brahms is my favorite composer, and it's rare that a student or amateur plays him as well as you do (or plays him at all).

This is off topic, but your signature makes me think of Joseph Joachim's motto "Frei Aber Einsam" (free but lonely).

Oh wow, thank you... I am a student =)

No, no Brahms sonatas yet.. I'm playing the 1st trio at the moment, and the d minor violin sonata soon. I did play 5 and 6 (and 1), but wasn't happy with how I did 5, and the recording of 6 screwed up (half of it was buzzing).

Thank you so much for listening. And yes, "Frei Aber Einsam" is another one of my mottos =)

Ohhh, the D minor violin sonata is fantastic!!

Yes, the D-minor violin sonata is fantastic, as are all his chamber works.

I wish you the best of luck in your future. Based on these recordings, I can say that you're a very sensitive and intelligent pianist.

Just don't take Joachim's motto seriously for too long Being alone is perfectly enjoyable when you're 25, but not so much when you're 35 or 45.

Superb playing; thank you for sharing.

I see... not 25 yet though... I guess I have a few years to enjoy hahaha =)

118/2 is my favorite piece of music in any form, and yours is now one of my favorite interpretations. I listened to the videos of Kissin and Lugansky playing the same piece, and I liked yours better than both of theirs. Especially in comparison to Kissin, whose dirge-like tempo and self-indulgent lingering at many of the most beautiful moments obscure the basic rhythmic pulse of the piece. (One can almost hear the little voice in his head saying "Wait for it, wait for it" . . . ugh.) Your tempi, phrasing, dynamics and the wonderful singing melodic line, on the other hand, seemed nearly perfect to me. The only way in which Kissin does it better is his skillful emphasis on the subtle, gorgeous inner voices.

I think a fine career in music lies ahead for you. The world needs to hear more from you. Keep posting to YouTube -- please.

I think great artists choose their tempos for reasons other than self indulgence or little voices inside their head. One may choose to differ with their choices but questioning their motives I find cynical.

You're right. I've heard Kissin live several times, and "great artist" may be an understatement. I think it's clear I disliked his interpretation of the Brahms, but that could have been communicated just as well without the pejoratives.

I like your Brahms very much !

Thanks for posting them!

Very beautiful playing of the Op. 118/2! Your phrasing and use of rubato was just utterly... delicious.

I have not listened to the Brahms yet, but 23/10 is my absolute favorite of Rachmaninoff's preludes, and you played this marvelously. Do you play any others?