Ravel Concerto 1st movement (Haochen Zhang Master Class) [VIDEO]

[orangesodaking]

I can play the others, I promise...

But here's me performing the first movement for Haochen Zhang, when he gave a master class to some of the University of Louisville students. I will edit with some footage from the master class soon (I'm at home right now, and my computer here is slow, grr... Shouldn't have left my laptop at school!)

Oh well, hope you enjoy.

[demimondegirl]

Gawd, that piece...even possesses the potential for spine-pleasure when arranged for 2 pianos! I have regularly enjoyed your videos, and share your unfettered enthusiasm for Ravel (though not so much Alkan, heh)! You have progressed a great deal, I think...but Gawd! That piece! Any chances for (ahem) a post of that "little-known" second movement? (You know the one I mean??? )

-Kat

[orangesodaking]

Thanks! Not everybody likes Alkan, of course, but that goes with every composer.

I hope to post recordings of both the second and third movement when I submit my audition recording for a concerto competition in late January.

I seem to be on a Ravel frenzy. Last year I learned Le Tombeau de Couperin. This summer I learned the complete Concerto. This semester I learned the Rapsodie Espagnole duet (primo), and I'm now learning La Valse, solo version! But of course, I have plenty of other repertoire I'm learning to balance it all out.

[birba]

A MASTER class with a 20 year old Chinese?!
At any rate, as always, I loved your unabashed enthusiasm and flare in your playing!

[furtwaengler]

Well done, orangesodaking! I can't wait to hear you with orchestra. That will give it a good boost of energy. You're a very refined, poised player, and your Ravel has a good bit of charm to it. Good stuff all around. 

[orangesodaking]

A MASTER class with a 20 year old Chinese?!
At any rate, as always, I loved your unabashed enthusiasm and flare in your playing!

Yes, and here it is. Turn up your volume a little.

[birba]

Exactly.

[orangesodaking]

Exactly.

What? I mean, I don't think he is going around giving these... my university asked him to do one in addition to his recital.

Or did you mean something else?

[birba]

I was sort of being tongue in cheek.  The term "master class" has lost it's original meaning.  I see nothing wrong with playing for this chinese guy and sort of talking things over and giving impressions of each other's playing, etc.  But to put it in terms of a master class seems to be going a bit overboard.  I found nothing of what he said to be words from a master.  A master imparts years and years of experience and wisdom and has a much more profound effect on the student.
AT any rate, keep up the good work!  You're going to go places someday!

[orangesodaking]

...You do know who Haochen Zhang is, right?

[birba]

Yes, but I don't think winning first prize at the van cliburn makes you in anyway, a "master".  I still don't think you have any concept of what a master "is".  For example, I had master classes with Guido Agosti, Wilhelm Kempff, Leon Fleischer, Raymond Lewenthal, etc. -  musicians and pianists with a "past".  Something to to tell.  Experience to impart.  I don't think you have a whole lot to learn from a 20 year old who has just won the van Cliburn.

[birba]

On the other hand, maybe you did! 

[orangesodaking]

I know exactly what a "master" is. I've had master classes with Dmitri Paperno, Karen Shaw, Sergei Polusmiak, and a couple not-as-big names, but still older and with quite a "past" and with lots of experience to impart also.

Now I see what you're getting at. You're talking about the term "master" being applied to someone so young.

Well, compared to the artists you just named (and the ones I just named also), I agree there! But that's just the term people have stuck with, so oh well...

And just to let you know, I did learn enough to really improve how I play this movement, especially the slow parts. And who's to say I may not play this in a master class with a "master" in the future?

[birba]

I'm sure you will! 

[orangesodaking]

I sure hope so!