is this the best america can do?

[ingagroznaya]

A lot of the best music schools are in America

You are so strongly remind me of my former American husband. Sir, you have been brainwashed.

[ingagroznaya]

I live in the US, this is rather offensive.

Well, suck it up.
We aren't in America here, thanks God . Your post is ridiculous. Most of "American" schools are loaded with russian teachers and asian students. Both - first generation immigrants. I would not call THAT American yet.

[pianistimo]

hey, we even have unnaturalized people who don't speak english yet.  but i consider them american.  what is your problem ingagroznya.  are you jealous of a free nation.  our border isn't even secure yet.  i bet that if someone tried to cross yours they'd be dead a lot sooner.  i once watched a pbs documentary that even the free citizens of russia are ruled by thugs who often steal their stuff.  not that we don't get stuff stolen here - but, aside from credit card and identity theft - we don't have

well, let me think about that.  the last time our family stayed in a hotel i was missing afew things. 

in any case - you don't just travel to russia with all your belongings.  especially brand name tennis shoes or handbags.  unless you want it stolen.  you people are thieves and think that it is a form of compliment.  excepting you, ingagroznya, who actually works instead of drinking and complaining how bad things are.  the only time i felt sorry for the people of russia was when siberia was hit last winter with downright wicked winter weather and some people didn't have heat. 

sorry to go on - i am done with my rave.  now, sit down and we will have some 'borscht.'  i have this really good recipie for pierogi, too.  and, you can help me brush up on my russian.  the american russians don't steal.  you should become american.  we'll sip some vodka, too.  then, you will tell me all about rachmaninov and the moscow conservatory, and a bit about your chicken farm, and we'll hear some glinka. and, then we'll go hear all kinds of choral music.  russian baritones/ bassos are the best in the world.  ivan rebrov was unbeatable.

come to think of it, russians are also some of the most generous people in the world.  a lady whose husband came to visit on a grant/scholarship in mathematics gave me a beautiful wooden spoon that was decorated, and some of those cupi dolls that sit inside each other.  she had long long hair and a little son who was about my son's age at the time.  despite not knowing much russian - she learned english faster than i learned russian. 

[rimv2]

Well, suck it up.
We aren't in America here, thanks God . Your post is ridiculous. Most of "American" schools are loaded with russian teachers and asian students. Both - first generation immigrants. I would not call THAT American yet.

That is American.

America is 99.99999999999999998% Immigrant.

Just because it doesnt add up to whatever preconceived or stereotypical ideas you have about America doesnt mean it isnt so

[lau]

I was watching this show again and this guy was like "I have never heard anybody play as many notes or as fast as me" and he played this little jingle that would work a lot better as just an accompaniment. I don't know why the real piano players go on! why don't you?? i'll just go on.

and another sick thing, I always see these CDs in stores titled the greatest classical music ever. and it's fur elise, clair de lune, alla turca, and poop. How can they do that??

[Bob]

and another sick thing, I always see these CDs in stores titled the greatest classical music ever. and it's fur elise, clair de lune, alla turca, and poop. How can they do that??

Because someone will buy it.  I believe I have a few.  Some new artist makes a CD with easier piano music.  I haven't seen the "poop" listing though.  lol

[lau]

but they can't call it the greatest music of all time!  and wouldn't people buy more CDs if they actually had the good music on them.

[Bob]

I think those people just want background music.  I got some as gifts from people who don't know a lot about music but wanted to get me a piano CD.

They're usually cheaper too. 


I did find a nice piece that way.  They do seem like the same pieces over and over though.

It's just a title.   I'm waiting for "Extreme" piano music.  I'd buy those right away of course.  Or "Ultimate extreme" because that would be even better.

[quasimodo]

I think those people just want background music.  I got some as gifts from people who don't know a lot about music but wanted to get me a piano CD.

They're usually cheaper too. 


I did find a nice piece that way.  They do seem like the same pieces over and over though.

It's just a title.   I'm waiting for "Extreme" piano music.  I'd buy those right away of course.  Or "Ultimate extreme" because that would be even better.

I suggest "Ultimate Hardcore Piano uncensored".

[prongated]

I happened to be flipping through the TV tonight and saw this young girl playing on "America's Got Talent."  She played the famous Bach Tocatta in D minor.  But she didn't play the whole thing, she made noticable mistakes, and had no real emotion or feeling to her interpretation (despite her dizzying swaying). 

What must America think about the future of classical music?  It seems to me so unfortunate that classical music is portrayed like this to mainstream Americans at such low quality when, for example, a show with young musicians of finer quality on NPR (From the Top, hosted by pianist Christopher O'Riley) does not get such attention. 

Anybody else think this is wrong? 

...a friend of mine did get through to the final of the Australian version...he played Chopet 10/4, Bumblebee, and Rhapsody in Blue along the way...

...so I had the pleasure of knowing who to root for, and seeing other people do 'interesting' things in the show - especially audition stages ^^. No inferences whatsoever are made re: the australian classical music scene...I think...

[...that toccata is probably cut for time purposes? She probably played the whole thing in the actual session? Down here, they even managed to find spots to cut chopet 10/4!!!]

[iumonito]

What we need is American Idol, the Van Cliburn edition.

Go to a bunch of cities, have screening recitals video taped, pick the best 30 from around the country, and have a competition on a piece by piece basis. Instead of Paula Abdul and the other two dudes you get Helen Grimaud, Awadagin Pratt and Menahem Pressler.

How many times will you get Islamey, Gaspard and the third mov of Prokofiev 7?

I would very much tune in.

[pianistimo]

me, too.  even if some of it was only virtuosities sake stuff - i'd like to play something slow and still place 7th or something.  make sure it has no age limit, ok.

secretly will go and polish at least one piece that is extreme virtuosity.