Here comes my second and final batch. It was a great listen, guys! Thank you all.
peterws -- This is certainly ... different. Have you ever tried your hand at composing film music? Because I think you'd be good at it. I'm trying to picture you as I listen to this, and I find myself wondering whether you are one of those centipedes capable of playing three or four keyboards all at once (or rather, timing your recordings and loops to make them play themselves in the right sequence), or whether you mix it all in post-production. Either way, I'm impressed!
MaryBee -- It's amazing what a lifelong dream to play a particular piece can do to one's zeal while practicing, isn't it? I am genuinely happy for you that you've finally achieved your dream.
BenPiano -- Hi, Ben! Do you know that I actually discovered PianoWorld through you? I was watching one of your YouTube videos, in search of new music to tackle, and it said in the description that you had recorded it for an ABF recital at PianoWorld. Which brought me here. So thanks! Also, I'm in awe of your YouTube piano diary. The number and level of pieces you have on there would in itself be impressive, given that you haven't even been playing four years, but on top of that, all of your performances are polished to a very high degree. This will be another fine addition to the list. And if *I* was getting goosebumps listening to this, your wife must have been positively floored!
Ganddalf -- Thanks for the lovely introduction to Haydn sonatas! Now watch me go and buy a compilation of them on iTunes! ... No, not really. I just bought the complete set of Beethoven sonatas. I'll be busy with those for a while yet. But Haydn is looking interesting too. If I ever play a Haydn sonata, it will be thanks to you!
beechcraft409 -- Who cares how good you *should* be, three years in? I'm sure you are way better now than you were when you started, and in the end, that's all that counts. Besides, to my ears, this here sounds pretty decent. I'm sure your mother doesn't just like it because she's your mother.
Richard -- You're a smart man, not revealing exactly how many years you've been playing for. Because if it's anything less than ... oh, twenty years of consistent daily practice ... then man, why the heck are the rest of us mere mortals even trying? You could sell this as a professional recording, and I'd buy it in a heartbeat. And listen to it over and over in the dark. It's that good.
Mike White -- I don't particularly care for this specific piece of music, so I won't comment on your performance as such. I don't know that I wouldn't think you were God's gift to piano music if you'd played anything other than this. But if you got that by ear off a YouTube video, then wow. I'm impressed.
Ken. -- I think I like this Monk fellow! I was missing some of the 'effortless flow' feeling that I usually associate with this kind of jazz, but that just made it clear to me that playing this music is anything but 'effortless'. Good on you for tackling it!
FarmGirl -- Well, I have no idea what you sound like when you're breathing right and sober, but absent evidence of the opposite, I'd say you're making a great case here for recording while slightly out of one's mind. Maybe I should try that some time. Nice performance!
Mar_red -- Well, what do you know. This is the kind of 'effortless flow' jazz I was talking about earlier. When executed well (and this was, very much so), I could listen to it for hours on end. And, like Monica and Mr. SH and a few others here, you get my admiration by default, because you're self-taught and still this good!
Jazzwee -- ... And another contender in the same category. Everything I wrote above applies to you, too. Except you get a couple extra points, because this sounds like a live recording and if it is, that's impressive. With a live audience in the room, you only get one take, and this one sounds darn near flawless. My hat goes off to you, sir!
windywindy -- Oh wow. You so opened the floodgates of nostalgia for me! My mother is a classical ballet teacher. When I was little, I used to spend hours and hours sitting in a corner of the room, behind the mirrors, watching her as she taught. It was cozy and safe there. This particular Chopin Waltz came back often during the slow 'plié' and 'ronde jambe' exercises. You brought a lump to my throat that I'd forgotten was ever even there. Wonderful sensitive performance. Thank you!
lyricmudra -- Unfortunately, this recording is really much too quiet for me to pass proper judgement on it. But based on the few strains of it I could hear, I'm sure it's lovely. And even if I'm wrong, well ... it motivated you to get back to playing, which makes everything else about it pale in comparison
.
Sam S -- Recently, I read a comment somewhere on these boards, where someone said of you: I aspire to be as awful as you are, one day. Let me now slightly amend that statement: I aspire to one day be exactly as prone to mistakes in long pieces as you are. And I will consider that a major accomplishment, if it ever happens. It is great that you are a perfectionist. That will only help you on your piano journey. But once in a while, you have to sit back, relax, and pat yourself on the shoulder for a job well done. Now seems like an especially good time for that. Well played, Sam!
Copper -- You managed nicely to capture the nostalgic quality that has made this song into such a timeless classic. Thanks for sharing.
Kenjazz -- Less is more, indeed. I think your greatest strength here lies in the fact that you know your own weaknesses, and work nicely around them to create something quite beautiful. I wish I could be a little bit more like that!
PianoStudent88 -- Ah, another piano for the 'could do with a tuning' bin! But that aside, thank you for the introduction to Khachaturian! It was lovely, and a little off the beaten path, which I always appreciate. This music sounds interesting. Worth exploring further!
carlos88 -- Pity that your lessons were discouraging and just ended for that reason. But it sounds to me like you already have a very solid foundation upon which to build further on your own, should you not wish to find another teacher right now. Definitely keep at it. You have what it takes.
GrouchoMarx -- Ah, another incorrigible perfectionist, I see. You do realize what it means when you submit a piece like this, up to that standard, after three years of playing, and then add that you don't particularly like your interpretation of it, right? It means the rest of us are chumps for even trying. But I realize you probably don't see your own talent, and you likely never will. So: congratulations, Groucho. You are really something!
BillM -- And here comes the effortless jazz again. That's a win by default, for me. But as an added bonus, you have a lovely, charming singing voice as well. Thanks. That was fun!
Pavel. K -- Really? 13 months on the bench, and you're playing this? That's it. Now I'm definitely doing one, too. Look for me to submit Nocturne number 1 in the August recital
. Oh, by the way, Pavel: while you're right that it can still use some spit and polish here and there, it's really quite enjoyable to listen to already. Good job!
Allard -- Hartstikke goed, man! (For those uninitiated: that was me, a Dutch-speaking girl from Belgium, doing a rather cliched impression of what I imagine someone from the Netherlands might sound like when telling someone else from the Netherlands that he did a great job.) Which you did, Allard. A great job, I mean. I'm even more impressed than I otherwise might be, given your relative lack of experience. You have great dynamic range here. I loved it!
MileHi Steve -- I apologize for this, but I really can't stand that Stage Rhodes sample (I suppose that's what it was?). Didn't listen to the end. But that's no reflection on your abilities. Just ... wrong sound for me. Ack! Keep on keepin' on, I'm sure others will love it!
aTallGuyNH -- I really wanted to give you an epically awesome review, in exchange for your kind words about my meager entry, but alas. I can't hear you. Will try again Sunday, with better headphones. Sorry!
AimeeO -- I didn't think 'Beethoven' and 'cute' were words I'd ever use together in the same sentence. You proved me wrong. Thank you! I enjoyed listening to that.