Please vote for me in this competition! (link/video inside)

[fuzzy8balls]

Here's my audition video playing Chopin's Grande Polonaise Op. 22:

Hello all, I've entered into a rather unique competition. It's an amateur competition sponsored by Orchestra Nova in San Diego. I am in the semi-final round and they count 40% of it by Internet voting. The other 60% will be a live audition next Sunday.

I'm actually a systems engineer during the day and a pianist in the evening/weekends. I only studied privately and have never played with an orchestra before so this is my chance. I have been practicing 3 hours a day for the past 11 years to get to where I am now and I think my chances are good.

Vote for Gorden Cheng (me) https://www.orchestranova.org/voting.shtml

Here's a list of the other 8 contestants with their videos (singers, violins, pianist, the whole bunch): https://www.orchestranova.org/next_star.shtml

If you really think one of them is better, then vote for them but hopefully you'll at least vote for a pianist =).

[nanabush]

I voted 

Good sound quality on your video!

[perfect_pitch]

Here's my audition video playing Chopin's Grande Polonaise Op. 22:

..........

Here's a list of the other 8 contestants with their videos (singers, violins, pianist, the whole bunch): https://www.orchestranova.org/next_star.shtml

If you really think one of them is better, then vote for them but hopefully you'll at least vote for a pianist =).

You know what - I voted for you... because you weren't begging for votes (like some people have in the past). And the fact that you said that if we seriously thought one of them was better - vote for them... It shows that you are modest enough not to ignore the thought of the other competitors.

So I for one hope you win... Nice playing of the Chopin Etudes by the way.   

[richard black]

Nice one! I voted for you. To be honest I didn't listen to all the competitors but you strike me as easily the best of the half dozen I did hear. And I like the fact that you don't try to exceed your abilities - lots of people play that polonaise faster, but a lot less well, and I don't think it _has_ to be hair-raisingly fast. In fact I suspect Chopin may not have approved of super-fast tempi.

I particularly appreciated your pedalling, by the way.

[fuzzy8balls]

Hey thank you all for your comments and support. I know the way I made the post may have seemed pretentious but since I am biased towards myself, that's why I asked =).

Naturally you all should vote for who you think is best and not take my word for it. However so far since you all agreed with me, thanks for your support!

[slow_concert_pianist]

Hey thank you all for your comments and support. I know the way I made the post may have seemed pretentious but since I am biased towards myself, that's why I asked =).

Naturally you all should vote for who you think is best and not take my word for it. However so far since you all agreed with me, thanks for your support!

I have listened to your performance and it is "vanilla". The tempo is fine, why criticise it? It is a pollished performance in every way and you certainly have the technical range. The problem is the interpretation as presented in this cobbled "vision" of varied well known performers. I WANT TO HEAR GORDON CHENG and not Radu Lupu, Pletnev.....or whoever you've referenced. TAKE SOME RISKS!!!!!! There were some wrong notes in your performance. The great Alfred Cortot played many more {wrong notes}.

The point of the Andante Spianato Grand Polonaise Brilliante is its contrast in tone. There must be huge dynamic shifts in the polonaise....CREATE SOME TONE!!!!!! The opening sounded like some hotel pianist. It needs to represent an entire orchestra. We must fall off our seats before the theme begins. And what a theme....in my opinion....one of the finest Chopin has ever conveived!!! Yet I hardly heard it in your performance, Gordon. This is a polonaise...not an ecossaise!!!

Please, let me digress, your tempo was fine, your memory had but few blemmishes. If you had been playing in front of Lang Lang at the Shangrila Bangkok I am sure the audience would have revered you as the next great virtuoso, but here many can do what you do [though perhaps not as well]. My concern is not with your technique & sensitivity, but your appreciation of Chopin. Chopin is an interesting composer. He only ever offers a dynamic, tone or expression marking IF he thinks he might be misinterpreted. So when you play his music you should be saying "why?" at each of these markings.

I did not refer to a score, but it was clear that you have missed a great deal in your performance. I am happy to give you a critical analysis, but this would take me several hours so I am reluctant if you only wanted "endorsement" from this exercise.

You are certainly in reach of my vote, but not suffient for me to feel you are ready to make the concert podium. So I did not vote, but I may well vote in the future if I see worthy progress. Keep the good work up

[fuzzy8balls]

slow_concert_pianist: hey thanks for the feedback and I appreciate every word you put into it.

When looking back at the video I did realize that I kind of just plowed through some parts, and other parts could be shaded better and what not. Since December I also started studying with a univ professor from USC and he pointed out things like I wasn't really playing in the style of a polonaise, which you should be able to dance to.

I think I know what you are talking about and do agree with you on the opening as did my professor. We can take the discussion to PMs or whatever but if you want to dish it out, let me see some of your videos too =) it goes both ways.

Needless to say I've been practicing a lot since I made the video and I go in for the semifinal audition this Sunday.

[slow_concert_pianist]

I have made very poor recordings of Ballades 2 & 3 for this forum. You will all get your chance to beat me up when I upload them lol. I will be presenting all the Ballades and then maybe some Beethoven sonatas and a few other things!

And please I would like to add that your performance was not even close to bad. It is very good - some might argue - stunning. Your "interpretation" is where your problems lie.

[chopianist123]

Hi there, I voted for you ! I thought your interpretation of this Chopin work was very good ! Good luck !

[berniano]

you got my vote yesterday