Hey all,

I'd like gloat, to impress and to share my joy with you.

I recently found out that I'm the 1st winner of the Second International Composition Competition 'Artistes en Herbe'. The work that won the competition was "Piano Stories" for piano 4 hands.

Following is the press release:



Because of this, I found the opportunity to make a single video with all the 7 movements of the work. Without the images, without the time taking to introduce each illustration, the pianists again and again, in a single video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvrqRpZ63w4

Enjoy!

Oh...

The site of the competition: www.artistesenherbe.lu

Congrats!! I'm off to bed after a long day at work, but I'll give it a listen in the morning!

Is it premature to wonder if we're getting an answer to THIS?

(Maybe we are!)



Congratulations, Nikolas!!

Congratulations, Nikolas!

The music is definitely gloat-worthy. It's engaging, entertaining and fun to listen to. (My fave is No. 5). Way to go, man!

--Andy

Congratulations!

Very cool Nikolaos! Very cool indeed.
Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Keep on writing and lots of wisdom wished to guide you in your new judging responsibilities!

Congratulations! I remember the Piano Stories. I really loved them!

Thanks everyone!

I'm very very happy right now (and I should be).

And, yes, I'll be the judge in 2015, which means that indeed I'll have to grow more than 4 wisdom teeth in order to be pull it off... (Nay... I think I'll do fine... )

Mark: In the classical music world great composer = dead composer. I prefer to be amongst the living!

This is SO COOL.

Way to go!

AWESOME!!!

Συγχαρητήρια!!!
What a splendid achievement!

I'm listening to the music now - love it!

Big Congrats Nikolas !!

It's a lengthy piece and that can be a good thing.
I've just listened to it a couple of times , and earlier after you first posted it.

It's a wonderful composition! I hope this piece continues to be performed.
It's also great to see and hear you playing one of your compositions.

Congratulations, Nikolas!

Thank you everybody!

I would like to add a couple of more news, related to this particular work:

1. While it IS a long video, it holds inside some 7 movements, so it's not that there's a huge development going on in there...

2. On the same account, I would like to notify you that as far as I know for the 2013-2014 season there will be performances of this work in Italy, Germany, Canada, Greece of course and the States. Ok, it's as broad as it seems right now, but I hope to be able and update you as soon as possible.

(The Greek Premier should take place on the 27th of April... And there should be a video of that... ;))

Did I mention that I'm happy?

; ) Enjoy !
and keep exploring the wonder of composing ,
I look forward to hearing future compositions from you.

Wow, that is fantastic and well-deserved!! Major congratulations!

Congratulations from me too, Nikolas! Great news.

Such good news!
big CONGRATS!!!

Wow....fantastic! Gloat on, gloat on.....

Congratulations!!!

Beautiful pieces--The sparrow and a rainbow is my favorite!

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

WOW!!

Thank you all!

Still very happy! Happiness like this has lasted for a few days now, so it's a nice overall feeling! ^_^

Awesome!!!! Way to go, congrats!!!

Congratulations!!

Congrats. Love the piece. And the sketch pieces. Might buy them :P

Congratulations, this is a fabulous news! My only concern is that you may jack up the price of your music now that you won the 1st prize - I have been wanting to buy one of your duets. Dilly dallying up to now.

Woot! We knew you when Congratulations - you've worked hard and this is great!

Cathy

Great new, Congrats!

Congratulations! It sounds like a nice piece.

I wish the piano had been tuned better in the recording. I am grateful that I got sucked into the jazz world in my tuning career, which forced me to learn to tune the top octaves well.

Wonderful stories, Nikolas! All of them were very effective. Congratulations to you!

Congratulations!

Will there be a 2 piano version?

Congratulations Nikolas. I feel like I know a star. I definitely heard some Bartok and Satie in those 7 mvts.
The piano sounded great [ as did the pianists]. I loved the split screen and the blurred visual effects.

Wonderful.

rada

Thank you all!

To answer your questions:

1. I don't particularly like "just" showing two pianists playing a piece (while I see the value for other pianists, teachers, musicians, composers, etc), so at least I added some effects which in my composing-oriented mind seemed cool! As I've heard from others, the videos fit the music very well (which goes to show how my mind is wired to the music), but I've no idea how technically correct they are as far as filming if concerned...

2. Hakki: To be honest, I don't see a reason for a 2 piano rearrangement. I'd prefer to work on new works instead... After all I do think that as it stands they sound very very rich and full, so not sure I see the point either...

3. BDB: It was rather well tuned (*ahem*), but there was 1 of the 3 strings in a high Ab that kept bugging me. Especially since we used the una corda pedal, and as such it was the only string hitting... Very audible in "A rather innocent Incubus".

4. Farmgirl: I already feel that the scores are a tiny bit expensive for the American market, but it's impossible to lower them any further, since I'm in Greece. Still I'm very much in favor of offering as much as possible, especially when contemporary music is concerned (if you think about it this is why Editions Musica Ferrum was created in the first place), so take your time; the prices can go down, but not up!

Congrats, Nikolas!!! Amazing!

I really enjoyed those of your "Piano Stories" that I listened to already. Hopefully we (i.e. the world of piano) also may expect some more solo piano pieces from you in the future!

pianovirus: I serious hope so myself! I am working on several ideas already, but nothing I can share with you (the public) right now.

BTW, I will be in Frankfurt for the Messe on April 10th - 12th. If you're around (not sure how far is Stuttgart) perhaps we can meet for a beer or... a beer?

Perhaps I'll just get RNCM library to order it in for me :P

Tanti complementi, Nicolas!

This is a very well-deserved recognition, proving that, at least in Europe, it still requires talent, knowledge, talent, skill, talent, long-term dedication, and (did I mention?) talent to succeed.

I very much enjoyed the few sections that you posted previously, but my new favorite is Meteor!

I would like to take credit for some of this, asserting that you benefited from the scores I sent you, BUT I know they arrived long after this was written!

Unbelieveable writing, great playing, and (I have to admit) a nice video as well. By all means, let us know the venue and date of the USA and Canadian performances. (CasInItaly, Landorrano, and I may also be interested in the performance in Italy.)

Best wishes!
Ed

debrucey: If you do get around asking them to order it for you, you might as well propose that they order everything! That's be much better, no? :P

(But honestly, if I may say so myself, this IS a beautiful score with Pieros illustration, so it's a score worth owning... *ahem*)...

Ed: Gracia mon ami!

Nice video, huh? I'm so glad that I'm getting good at this! But yes, I will let you know about any performances I hear about (and in general, not just this work, since more performances are coming in... The one that I DO know about is one in Arlington, TX, in July the 13th... But more to come later on (trying to find a way to come, so... I'll pass through NYC for sure! :))

Yeh, I'll definitely do that. They have never rejected a request for purchase so far.

Really?!?! That's surprising...

In any case I'd be obliged if you could get me in touch and I'll deal with the rest... Cause I don't actually have too much access to uni libraries right now (just a couple that I've used in the past and know the people in the inside).

BTW, to all:

Someone in the teachers forum said that it would be a good idea to have sample pages of the scores.

If you visit the link of the work here: http://www.musica-ferrum.com/catalog/viewitem.php?show=47 and click on 'preview' there's five (5) pages for preview purposes.

Just in case it's not clear...

Thanks everyone!

Nicholas, that's wonderful news! Your postings show how much your music means to you so you must be filled with joy! What a great way to have your talent validated! Kudos to you!

Congratulations! Very cool!

Congratulations!!!! What a well deserved honor!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Nikolas! You're awesome!

I came across these videos from another direction, without knowing about this thread/award, and thought they were some of the best new music I'd heard in a long time.

Nikolas that's just fantastic! Great news.

Here's to many more accolades to come, and performances too!

Nikolas, hearty congratulations! I listened to the entire recording and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I'm active in a local pianists' group that includes some very talented musicians, and I'm thinking about buying the score and persuading one of my colleagues to perform it with me.

I live within a 30 minute drive from Arlington, Tx, and I'd love to attend that upcoming performance. Could you either post the details here or PM me.

Again, congratulations!
Chris

Thank you all.

Deborah: I'm a tiny bit ashamed to say that it feels exactly that: Having my music validated. It's one thing for someone to like your music, another for someone to buy a score, another for someone to performed, and a whole different level for a jury to decide your work is the best! So... YAY!

tangleweeds: Fluttered! Thank you so much. I'm not sure from where you've reached the video(s) but I'm glad you did. It means that something is working around and pointing there eventually...

Chris: Sure thing. Once I know a few more details I'll let everyone know about the Arlington, TX thing... And any other to come. About the score: I will admit that 1-5 are not too difficult or damning in technical terms. They are a bit challenging on musical terms. And they are rather tonal. But 6-7 are quite a bit more difficult in every account. Still I'd love to see other takes for this music. It's 'classical music' and as such deserves to be played live, rather than on youtube, or an mp3, or something like that...

Thank you, once more, all!

Congratulations! You must be on top of the world.

This is great news. Thanks for sharing it. The recognition is well deserved.
Thanks for the performance video too. The scrolling transparent score is a nice touch. My favorite among the movements is the sparrow.

Congratulations!

Good on you Nikolas. I hope this opens the gates to further performances and recognition.

Hi Nikolas,

Sorry I missed this until now. A very hearty congratulations! Enjoy the moment, you certainly deserve it. The music is awesome (I'm in Meteor fight now), a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. Best wishes to you for continued success.

Nikolas -

I just finished listening to the entire video. Fantastic !!! You and Ms. Akrivou are a solid team. The music is extremely engaging (loved movements 5 and 7 in particular). The video effects are effective (yes, you are getting good at that), and the overall recording quality is excellent !!

Easy to see why you won first prize !!!! Good to know that the work will be getting some exposure in both Europe and the US. It deserves to heard !!!!

CONGRATULATIONS

Thank all once more!

Steve: Especially thanks for your comments, since I really appreciate you as a composer!

carey: Thanks bud! ^_^ 5 and 7, huh? It's quite interesting that every movement captures some people from the audience, so there's no 'lost' or 'weak' movement, which surprises me... But while studying them I did come to realize exactly that: They all work equally well (ok... mumbling about my own works... brrr...).

And I loved working with the video. Hope to be doing more in the (not so near) future...

I loved 3, 5 and 7 among all the movements. I think it will be fun to play this next year in the 2nd annual Arizona piano party next year. Sort of like an Arizona premiere of the acclaimed work of the young composer Nikoras. I will have to see the most approacheable one for me. But I do know at least 3 people who can sight read very well. I hope others like this idea. It will be fun. If this thing happens, I will invite you via the Skype (sorry, I don't have enough money to get your airfare).

that would be AWESOME farmgilr...

I can tell you straight away that 6 and 7 are the harder (7 for primo, 6 for secondo I think). As they progress the difficulty gets further up... 3 is rather approachable, but not too easy either...

They are catchy, aren't they?

and skype would be HUGE fun, if I can't make it over... But never say never as they say...

Congratulations, Nikolas!! That's a tremendous accomplishment. I enjoyed listening to the pieces... jaunty and bold!

Monika,

Thank you so much for this... And the opportunity to find out what 'jaunty' means!

No doubt that, the work is excellent as it is now.
It is just that we (with my brother) are planning a piano duo concert this year, hence the question.

Wouldn't any 4-hand piece also work on 2 pianos? Like Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole or La Valse?

Oh dear... Hakki...

Now you've got me thinking for two pianos... (honestly).

When would you like the score at most? EDIT: I mean if I was to compose something specific for you and your brother...

(on another side, what OSK says is perfectly true. It'd work fine, due to its very full sound I think... Or play on a single piano, for this particular work (showing how much you love it, and me as well, blah blah... )

Nikolas,

It would be too daring to ask for a specific version for us.
(we are two amateur pianists)

On a second thought (and since you, the composer, say it is fine) we can try certain stories on two pianos as written.
(the recital is due in late April/early May, date not specified yet)

Thank you for the insight.

You are most welcome to try them on two pianos and let me know how they work out!

Congratulations! Also, that is definitely the prettiest score I've seen in a while.

Aawww... Thank you teenagepiano!

It's true that I love music scores and find them to be a completely new form of art (more or less anyhow)... Even without the illustrations some scores simply look fantastic! But in this case I will add that Piero's work has done miracles, once more!