I'm crazily deeply madly in love with Valentina Lisitsa

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Gee. Ya think?

What the heck?!!?!??!?!?!

[j_menz]

If proof be required, herewith exhibit A:

OH MY GOD!!!  I LOVE VALENTINA LISITSA!!!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Come on, it's Valentina Lisitsa AND Rachmaninoff.  There's no such thing as going overboard with those two.



That's like for you, Bach and Alkan.  Balkan?  Yeah, that's like you discovering a composer named Balkan!

[j_menz]

That's like for you, Bach and Alkan. 

Or several others, actually.  Yet I have never used the words "madly, deeply", never found the need for 99 point fonts, and saying I love Bach is rather importantly different to saying I'm in love with Bach. One is an expression, admittedly hyperbolic, that is quite commonly used as a mark of appreciation ("I love pizza", for example). The latter is, in the context, just creepy.

[outin]

One is an expression, admittedly hyperbolic, that is quite commonly used as a mark of appreciation ("I love pizza", for example). The latter is, in the context, just creepy.

Hmmm... I must admit that I think I AM madly and deeply and profoundly in love with pizza...I never get enough

[ahinton]

Come on, it's Valentina Lisitsa AND Rachmaninoff.  There's no such thing as going overboard with those two.

Given j_menz's above reference to "exhibit A" as evidence, I must counter your statement above by pointing out that, in a court case (not that there is one, I know), the fact that Rachmaninov is not only dead but has also been so for almost long enough for his work to enter the public domain, what I understand to be your implication that your broadly identical declarations about him and Ms Lisitsa should be treated equally is surely untenable, as any court would no doubt endorse.

Furthermore, the fact that thread title makes no reference to Rachmaninov weakens your argument above.

That's like for you, Bach and Alkan.  Balkan?  Yeah, that's like you discovering a composer named Balkan!

I have no doubt that there have been and are quite a few Balkan composers, although I've never encountered one with that actual surname.

Best,

Alistair

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Given j_menz's above reference to "exhibit A" as evidence, I must counter your statement above by pointing out that, in a court case (not that there is one, I know), the fact that Rachmaninov is not only dead but has also been so for almost long enough for his work to enter the public domain, what I understand to be your implication that your broadly identical declarations about him and Ms Lisitsa should be treated equally is surely untenable, as any court would no doubt endorse.



Best,

Alistair

I only used 99 point font when she was streaming the Rach 3 live.

[tchristec]

I think the 99 point font was a nice touch.  Go on being your bad self.

[j_menz]

I think the 99 point font was a nice touch.  Go on being your bad self.

Don't encourage him. 

It'll give us all RSI to scroll through some of the longer posts here if ridiculous fonts catch on.

[ajspiano]

It'll give us all RSI to scroll through some of the longer posts here if ridiculous fonts catch on.

If people misinterpret the technique threads they might get it anyway..

[j_menz]

If people misinterpret the technique threads they might get it anyway..

Given the length of some of those threads, they may get it by just reading through.

[ajspiano]

Given the length of some of those threads, they may get it by just reading through.

Part of me hopes that if they've got time to read right through that they'd choose to read one of the innumerable quality reference books (on technique or any other thing piano related).. or a teacher directory.

..I get a pass because despite reading and contributing to them I've also got several real books going.

EDIT:
And my forum technique is sufficient enough to prevent RSI.

[j_menz]

Current repertoire:
Bach's WTC complete

This hasn't gone unnoticed. Don't tease!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

This hasn't gone unnoticed. Don't tease!

Hahahaahahahah lol I knew you would be the first to notice.

[ajspiano]

Hahahaahahahah lol I knew you would be the first to notice.

I feel like after nearly a years training I just lost the pialympics..

[j_menz]

EDIT:
And my forum technique is sufficient enough to prevent RSI.

Do I smell a new thread coming?

[j_menz]

I feel like after nearly a years training I just lost the pialympics..

And Gold! Gold! Gold! to meeeee. 

Now, if only it were actually true, or even if he's played through them all.....

[ajspiano]

Do I smell a new thread coming?

Some people just post and post and post, hoping to get better.

Others focus on the content of the post, which is a better way to develop your foruming..

The best forumists are those that can post frequently while still saying something relevant, but also have an impact while posting slowly and concisely.

....

I fall into the first option.. luckily I'm naturally talented so don't cause myself too much physical damage trying to post chopin essays.

[j_menz]

I fall into the first option.. luckily I'm naturally talented so don't cause myself too much physical damage trying to post chopin essays.

I take the Hanon/Czerny approach to foruming and just cut and paste the same drivel every time. No chance of injury, except to other's intelligence.

[j_menz]

Shhhh!

It should be past his bedtime.


 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Shhhh!

It should be past his bedtime.


 

*Reads your title*


WHAT THE FREAKING HECK?!?!?!?!?!

[j_menz]

*Reads your title*

Why are you still awake? It's a school night!
 

[ajspiano]

(GIANT)WHAT THE FREAKING HECK?!?!?!?!?!(/GIANT)

Why are you still awake? It's a school night!

I'm guessing he's had too much red bull.

[ahinton]

I only used 99 point font when she was streaming the Rach 3 live.

What sort of reason is that? In any case, shouldn't you have been concentrating on listening?

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

I'm guessing he's had too much red bull.

The actual colour of the bovine appears to me to be of vastly less consequence than the sheer quantity thereof that has emerged from the source concerned...

Best,

Alistair

[pytheamateur]

Not only am I unable to perceive the point of this thread, I cannot even see what the above has to do with it! If any thread's well outlived any usefulness that it may once have had (not that I think it did have any such), it's surely this one!

You are not the only one who thinks this is a pointless thread, but who, ironically, cannot stop himself from following it and commenting on it.  I repeat my earlier request, can someone please show me how to unsubscribe from this thread.

[ahinton]

You are not the only one who thinks this is a pointless thread, but who, ironically, cannot stop himself from following it and commenting on it.  I repeat my earlier request, can someone please show me how to unsubscribe from this thread.

I can quite easily stop myself from contributing to it by simply desisting from doing so but that does not of itself necessarily have to mean that I should not comment on the pointlessness of it should I so choose.

You do not have to "unsubscribe" to this or any other thread; if you do not want to read contributions to it, you have simply to avoid clicking on it.

Since it appears to have become the prerogative of various forum members to alter the thread title when so they choose (not that so doing has helped in any way to justify the thread itself or make any of its contents more meaningful or enlightening), I've made what is probably the most tasteless amendment of them all on behalf of rachmaninoff_forever, for which I make no apology other than to those whom it might offend but who are either incapable of recognising, or unwilling to subscribe to, the aforementioned pointlessness of this thread; just in case anyone still feels that they have something useful to contribute to it, may I recommend very strongly that the thread title be once again changed to something more appropriate?

Best,

Alistair

[rachmaninoff_forever]

may I recommend very strongly that the thread title be once again changed to something more appropriate?

Best,

Alistair

What's wrong with the title?  I really like Valentina Lisitsa, so I thought that I should share some of her videos with people who live on pianostreet!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I'm guessing he's had too much red bull.

Hey, I was studying for a freaking computer science test!

[ajspiano]

What's wrong with the title?  I really like Valentina Lisitsa, so I thought that I should share some of her videos with people who live on pianostreet!

Did you read Alistair's title? ..carefully?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Did you read Alistair's title? ..carefully?

What the heck is going on?!

I thought Alistair was complaining about my title, but he changed it to something more inappropriate!  Then when I made my last post, the title freaking changed on its own!

What the heck?!

[unholeee]

he also changed the content of one of his posts to be a much elongated version instead of the original witty reply.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

OH MY FREAKING GOD she's playing the Tchaikovsky 1 in Munich!


Too bad it's not recorded live...  There's an except on youtube of her playing it, and I think she does a pretty good job.  My favorite.  But of course, that is to be expected of Lisitsa.  

With the exception of her Gaspard and Rach 2...

[chopin2015]

I did not enjoy her Rach 3 as much, but I think she is a great pianist. *wonders if she plays mephisto valse no 1* I love her Beethoven btw

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I did not enjoy her Rach 3 as much, but I think she is a great pianist. *wonders if she plays mephisto valse no 1* I love her Beethoven btw

Yeah, I was disappointed with her Rach 3 as well.  I also REALLY hate the Bosendorfers she plays on.  I think they're horrible pianos, unless if someone is playing Beethoven, Mozart or Bach on one.

[chopin2015]

I can see why she would practice on one- they have a very mellow, blended tone. Not too many highs or lows, sounds good in a house. But the piano she played on at the venue sounded terrible! I completely agree.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I can see why she would practice on one- they have a very mellow, blended tone. Not too many highs or lows, sounds good in a house. But the piano she played on at the venue sounded terrible! I completely agree.

And don't get me started with the audio problems...

[ahinton]

Yeah, I was disappointed with her Rach 3 as well.  I also REALLY hate the Bosendorfers she plays on.  I think they're horrible pianos

I can't comment on the Rachmaninov 3 performance but I don't agree about Bösendorfers!

Best,

Alistair

[rachmaninoff_forever]

but I don't agree about Bösendorfers!

Best,

Alistair

Well I did say with the exception of Beethoven, and pretty much any other composer from the classical area and earlier.

[ahinton]

Well I did say with the exception of Beethoven, and pretty much any other composer from the classical area and earlier.

So do you not think that the modern Bösendorfer is suitable for much Romantic and post-Romantic repertoire, then?

Best,

Alistair

[rachmaninoff_forever]

So do you not think that the modern Bösendorfer is suitable for much Romantic and post-Romantic repertoire, then?

Best,

Alistair

Pretty much!

[ahinton]

Pretty much!

Then, much as I disagree with you your view, it represents a rather serious indictment of a modern piano manufacturer that has been in business since before Steinway even got started, wouldn't you say?! Speaking as a composer who has written a fair amount for piano, the modern 290 is just about the best instrument that I've ever encountered and suits what I write very well indeed.

Best,

Alistair

[pytheamateur]

I can quite easily stop myself from contributing to it by simply desisting from doing so but that does not of itself necessarily have to mean that I should not comment on the pointlessness of it should I so choose.

I understand what you are saying.  I drink 3 pints of beer every day.  I can quite easily stop myself from drinking by simply desisting from doing so but that does not of itself necessarily have to mean that I should not drink and comment on the pointlessness of alcohol should I so choose.  Welcome to Lisitsa Anonymous.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

since before Steinway even got started, wouldn't you say?!

Best,

Alistair

That's irrelevant.  

Just because Bosendorfer has been around before Steinway, doesn't mean that it's a better brand.  

You may think they sound good, but I think they sound terrible.

[mikeowski]

That's irrelevant.  

Just because Bosendorfer has been around before Steinway, doesn't mean that it's a better brand.  

You may think they sound good, but I think they sound terrible.

The best piano I've ever played on was a Bösendorfer. It sounded so good you didn't need to play a piece, just one note was sufficient to please your ears. The action and key feel were also unbelievable. Like literally I couldn't believe playing piano can feel and sound this good.
And yes, I have tested other pianos, steinways more expensive than that bösendorfer too, but this was the only one with such a huge wow-factor.
So don't say nothin' bad 'bout them Busendorferz!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

The best piano I've ever played on was a Bösendorfer. It sounded so good you didn't need to play a piece, just one note was sufficient to please your ears. The action and key feel were also unbelievable. Like literally I couldn't believe playing piano can feel and sound this good.
And yes, I have tested other pianos, steinways more expensive than that bösendorfer too, but this was the only one with such a huge wow-factor.
So don't say nothin' bad 'bout them Busendorferz!

You can't use one piano to present any statistical significance.

[mikeowski]

You can't use one piano to present any statistical significance.

true, but if they can build something as good as this then surely they are better than terrible.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

true, but if they can build something as good as this then surely they are better than terrible.

EVERY brand has good pianos!

[mikeowski]

EVERY brand has good pianos!

Maybe calling it good was too much of an understatment. This thing became my gold standard for judging piano greatness.
Perhaps they just got lucky with this one, although I kind of refuse to believe that.
P.S.: I've played other Bösendorfers too and I liked them a lot aswell. Pretty much at the level of the steinways I played.

[pytheamateur]

And yes, I have tested other pianos, steinways more expensive than that bösendorfer too, but this was the only one with such a huge wow-factor.

Are you sure?  I think Steinway is not the most expensive brand.  From what I know, Bechstein, Bluthner, Bosendorfer and Fazioli all price their pianos higher than Steinway.  And I'm talking about Hamburg Steinways too.

I'm talking about the price quoted in catalogues/showrooms.  It might be that it is in practice possible to get huge discounts on Bechstein, Bluthner, Bosendorfer and Fazioli pianos, but not on Steinway pianos, so Steinway piano still work out to be more expensive than the others.  I'm just guessing as I have no experience of buying such expensive pianos.