Michael Sayers- Schumann Concerto Cadenza

[zpianist]

you will love this recording. (edit: I removed the link)

I'm learning the [] right now, and I find it really hard to practice slowly. This is especially bad when I'm learning "new pieces" - I try to "perform" when I'm not even ready yet.

So I came up with a solution: play "hard" passages like Michael Sayers would! I wonder what you think of this idea...

[dcstudio]

you fall far short of sounding like MS...there is still far too much skill in your hands.  but it's funny anyway...lol..  the page turn was great.

[zpianist]

^ I noticed that too, actually, when I was listening to myself in this recording "Oh man, I'm too good!" That's the only time I've said that about myself.

I do wonder what you think of my idea though

[rubinsteinmad]

I dont see the resemblance.

[perfect_pitch]

you will love this recording.

jk guys, it's me, zpianist/schumaniac
I'm learning the Schumann concerto right now (yes), and I find it really hard to practice slowly. This is especially bad when I'm learning "new pieces" - I try to "perform" when I'm not even ready yet.

So I came up with a solution: play "hard" passages like Michael Sayers would! I wonder what you think of this idea...

Damnit man... this is not the Michael Sayers style... this is waaaaaay too fast. Try taking it at 17 bpm.     

Then do it a quarter of that tempo.     

[iamazombie911]

Not enough rubato 

[ronde_des_sylphes]

FAR too fast! More rubato needed, and you really must incorporate more "quasi-organ" octave doubling!

[zpianist]

[deleted]

[rubinsteinmad]

I think this action was not very nice. Michael Sayers might be feeling terribly upset about all this now.

(Of course, when he was active on PS, he was more eccentric than we'd've hoped, but still, it is mean to make fun of him like this. "Michael Sayers" might feel despair and hopelessness. If "Michael Sayers" is his real name, then I think he might feel that his reputation is lost, and he must start a new life. )

Telling someone that they play the piano terrible may be very hurtful to their feelings, even if the comment was made in jest. Especially when the victim of the jest has been studying the piano for so long, it can make him feel hopeless, empty, lonely.

When he has been playing so long and (hopefully) delighting in the piano, and then dozens of people come up and tell him that his playing is ugly, retarded, and distasteful, what do you suppose he feels? As P. Wilkins said about a ancient Chinese poem, "words can barely describe this sadness." *


Well actually, I made that quote up. And a poetry-critic named P. Wilkins doesnt exist. LOL. But you get the point.

[perfect_pitch]

...and then dozens of people come up and tell him that his playing is ugly, retarded, and distasteful, what do you suppose he feels?

The need to find a better piano teacher???

Given his pompous attitude and ignorant comments, I certainly won't shed a tear over what was said.

Let the MOCKERY CONTINUE!!!

[dcstudio]

ahhhh yes... the sad plight of those who are legends in their own minds...  who feel they will grace all of us with their awesomeness and we will be amazed.  Who are often so disrespectful to their own instrument that it is impossible for us to stomach their recordings...  who believe they have been contacted by long-dead composers who wish them to transcribe Bach Cantatas.
... I do wonder though... if imaginary Liszt-ghost guy told him to actually PLAY that transcription...lol..

 MS was a strange cookie no doubt...but damn he was sure entertaining...lol

[michael_sayers]

you will love this recording.

jk guys, it's me, zpianist/schumaniac
I'm learning the Schumann concerto right now (yes), and I find it really hard to practice slowly. This is especially bad when I'm learning "new pieces" - I try to "perform" when I'm not even ready yet.

So I came up with a solution: play "hard" passages like Michael Sayers would! I wonder what you think of this idea...

Well done and not too dissimilar from how I would play it.

[michael_sayers]

I think this action was not very nice. Michael Sayers might be feeling terribly upset about all this now.

(Of course, when he was active on PS, he was more eccentric than we'd've hoped, but still, it is mean to make fun of him like this. "Michael Sayers" might feel despair and hopelessness. If "Michael Sayers" is his real name, then I think he might feel that his reputation is lost, and he must start a new life. )

Telling someone that they play the piano terrible may be very hurtful to their feelings, even if the comment was made in jest. Especially when the victim of the jest has been studying the piano for so long, it can make him feel hopeless, empty, lonely.

When he has been playing so long and (hopefully) delighting in the piano, and then dozens of people come up and tell him that his playing is ugly, retarded, and distasteful, what do you suppose he feels? As P. Wilkins said about a ancient Chinese poem, "words can barely describe this sadness." *

No worries, rubinsteinmad - I am not emotionally offended, and in addition I am a rock solid believer in James Madison's First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

[michael_sayers]

MS was a strange cookie no doubt...but damn he was sure entertaining...lol

Then maybe I should upload more recordings? 

[perfect_pitch]

Then maybe I should upload more recordings? 

It was so peaceful without you...

[chopinlover01]

Schumaniac, you brought him back!!

[dcstudio]

Then maybe I should upload more recordings? 

   you always were a good sport Michael...and we have had some very rude people here lately.   Like I said... you are very entertaining. 

[mjames]

sayers sounds like someone who's technically very capable. I wish we could hear him play 'normally' so we can hear the full potential of his talent.

[tenk]

He's back!

Please stick around Michael, it was much more fun around here when you were active. Even if people found your recordings a little..."eccentric", they were made in good-faith. Also you managed to find some interesting articles to share with the forum.

[michael_sayers]

I am thinking about a "menu" of Debussy, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Nyiregyhazi, Grieg and Liszt, with these as minimums -

Debussy's Clair de Lune, Mozart's Fantasy and Fugue in C Major K. 394, Schubert's Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3, Chopin's Nocturne in C Minor Op. 48 No. 1, Nyiregyhazi's The Realization Thus Gained, Grieg's In de Halle des Bergkönigs, and Liszt's R.W. Venezia and Sonetto 104 di Petrarca (first edition version).

And maybe re-dos of J.S. Bach's Prelude in E-flat Major BWV 852 and Liszt's Sancta Dorothea.

And one of my own pieces - the little Homage to Liszt etude.

It was so peaceful without you...

[michael_sayers]

Schumaniac, you brought him back!!

Back to stay! 

[michael_sayers]

   you always were a good sport Michael...and we have had some very rude people here lately.   Like I said... you are very entertaining. 

I noticed the audition room thread that is locked - quite a rarity at pianostreet!

I'll do my best to be entertaining. 

[michael_sayers]

sayers sounds like someone who's technically very capable. I wish we could hear him play 'normally' so we can hear the full potential of his talent.

What I try to offer are fresh ideas which, though sometimes they may go too far, can get people and especially musicians thinking that performance decisions don't have to be as predictable as they are in 2015.

Significant changes in classical music are on the way in the next 15 - 20 years, I think, and those who anticipate the trend and who are early movers will do very well even if they aren't technically very capable.

Pianists know how to hide their technical weaknesses, and audiences don't necessarily know what is more difficult or easy technically.  The audiences want an emotionally transportive experience.

[michael_sayers]

He's back!

Please stick around Michael, it was much more fun around here when you were active. Even if people found your recordings a little..."eccentric", they were made in good-faith. Also you managed to find some interesting articles to share with the forum.

I'll stick around, though there does seem to be a shortage of interesting articles as of late.

[dcstudio]

Michael, I must say, it is GOOD to have you back..    we have spoken of you here from time to time and recounted some of your more colorful articles...  because... well, we missed you..  lol.. and that is a fact.  You have a style of playing that is uniquely your own....  and without you here to post your renditions we had to rely on other members cheap imitations..  none came close...

welcome back!

[michael_sayers]

Michael, I must say, it is GOOD to have you back..    we have spoken of you here from time to time and recounted some of your more colorful articles...  because... well, we missed you..  lol.. and that is a fact.  You have a style of playing that is uniquely your own....  and without you here to post your renditions we had to rely on other members cheap imitations..  none came close...

welcome back!

I missed you all as well!  Admittedly this place is a lot of fun - and hopefully I can contribute to it. 

[kawai_cs]

@michael_sayers, welcome back! Good to have you here you again!

[emill]

Interesting even for a non-pianist ... like me.

We have had many interesting personalities in the past like fredericfrancoisch whom I suspect morphed into slow_concert_pianist and they both succeeded in getting almost everyone irritated and really "pissed offtt" .  You should listen to their La Campanella and his post : https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=33032.0

Having missed Michael Sayers,  I went through 2 of his posts and must say he is "different" in his playing style and interpretation but cool and composed in the way he answers some scathing remarks.
At least that is the impression I get so far, which is so different from the personalities of old.  Ahh, I should read more about Michael_Sayers this weekend.  

[michael_sayers]

@michael_sayers, welcome back! Good to have you here you again!

Hi kawai_cs!  I might not be as active as before but I'll be around.

[michael_sayers]

Interesting even for a non-pianist ... like me.

We have had many interesting personalities in the past like fredericfrancoisch whom I suspect morphed into slow_concert_pianist and they both succeeded in getting almost everyone irritated and really "pissed offtt" .  You should listen to their La Campanella and his post : https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=33032.0

Having missed Michael Sayers,  I went through 2 of his posts and must say he is "different" in his playing style and interpretation but cool and composed in the way he answers some scathing remarks.
At least that is the impression I get so far, which is so different from the personalities of old.  Ahh, I should read more about Michael_Sayers this weekend.  

 

I do my best to play it cool.

Maybe La Campanella would sound better on a piano like this where it can be on the slow side without sounding plodding.

[dcstudio]

no no no...  now lets not reduce the eccentric Michael Sayers to the likes of  "french fred. "   Although Michael's choice of tempo, dynamics, texture, and things of this sort may ruffle some feathers....  he generally is pretty accurate note wise.   He is also, like you said, far cooler when responding to the scathing comments...  gotta respect that..

[michael_sayers]

no no no...  now lets not reduce the eccentric Michael Sayers to the likes of  "french fred. "   Although Michael's choice of tempo, dynamics, texture, and things of this sort may ruffle some feathers....  he generally is pretty accurate note wise.   He is also, like you said, far cooler when responding to the scathing comments...  gotta respect that..

Playing it  .

[pencilart3]

Hi Michael Sayers!!

[dcstudio]

I do my best to play it cool.

Maybe La Campanella would sound better on a piano like this where it can be on the slow side without sounding plodding.

I am afraid that not even the world's greatest piano would redeem "frenchfreds" La Campanella ...   it is sad because FrenchFred really believed he "had it" and we were, all of us, just jealous..  we have had more than a few of those types come through here.

Michael, your claims maybe a bit unusual... but never have I heard you claim to be "world's greatest pianist"--and something has been missing since you left us.   

[michael_sayers]

Hi Michael Sayers!!

Hi pencilart3!  Did you ever do the experimental recording of Chopin's Op. 28 No. 1 with a 10000% tempo reduction? 

[michael_sayers]

I am afraid that not even the world's greatest piano would redeem "frenchfreds" La Campanella ...   it is sad because FrenchFred really believed he "had it" and we were, all of us, just jealous..  we have had more than a few of those types come through here.

Michael, your claims maybe a bit unusual... but never have I heard you claim to be "world's greatest pianist"--and something has been missing since you left us.   

Hi dcstudio, I don't think there ever has been a pianist who claimed to be the world's greatest pianist - except at pianostreet! 

[trifonov]

This was beautiful!

[pencilart3]

Hi pencilart3!  Did you ever do the experimental recording of Chopin's Op. 28 No. 1 with a 10000% tempo reduction? 

Well actually, kind of...
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=59413.0

A similar topic that I made can be found here...

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=59433.0

[dcstudio]

Well actually, kind of...
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=59413.0

A similar topic that I made can be found here...

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=59433.0

Michael... might I suggest you click these links and check out his recordings... they are brilliant!!   Pencilart3 has a rare and special talent.   You and I are both immortalized through these very clever and personal interpretations.  lol...  then check out the famous pianist interpretations he does... they are truly priceless.  I was LMFAO... you will too.    

Noah... you remind me of KyleLandry--(the YT sensation) when he was your age.  He and I have chatted now and then for about 9 years.  He had/has those rare and special abilities just like you... and now he has 442K subscribers and a YT fan fund with $11k in it (last time I checked, anyway.)    I said to you once that "your future's so bright--I gotta wear shades."  I meant it--and I said the same thing to Kyle about 8 years ago.

[michael_sayers]

Well actually, kind of...
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=59413.0

A similar topic that I made can be found here...

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=59433.0

All of them are very good!  I don't know if you've heard any live recordings of Ivo Pogorelich from recent years.  It might be entertaining to have a go at emulating his current style.  This is a live recording of I.P. from 2014 -

.

[michael_sayers]

Michael... might I suggest you click these links and check out his recordings... they are brilliant!!   Pencilart3 has a rare and special talent.   You and I are both immortalized through these very clever and personal interpretations.  lol...  then check out the famous pianist interpretations he does... they are truly priceless.  I was LMFAO... you will too.    

Noah... you remind me of KyleLandry--(the YT sensation) when he was your age.  He and I have chatted now and then for about 9 years.  He had/has those rare and special abilities just like you... and now he has 442K subscribers and a YT fan fund with $11k in it (last time I checked, anyway.)    I said to you once that "your future's so bright--I gotta wear shades."  I meant it--and I said the same thing to Kyle about 8 years ago.

There are a lot of a ways a young and assertive person can make a fair bit of money nowadays.  I'll be supportive of N.J. all the way.  Maybe he can do some public recitals with each piece performed a few times in the style of various pianists.

[rubinsteinmad]

Michael... might I suggest you click these links and check out his recordings... they are brilliant!!   Pencilart3 has a rare and special talent.   You and I are both immortalized through these very clever and personal interpretations.  lol...  then check out the famous pianist interpretations he does... they are truly priceless.  I was LMFAO... you will too.    

Noah... you remind me of KyleLandry--(the YT sensation) when he was your age.  He and I have chatted now and then for about 9 years.  He had/has those rare and special abilities just like you... and now he has 442K subscribers and a YT fan fund with $11k in it (last time I checked, anyway.)    I said to you once that "your future's so bright--I gotta wear shades."  I meant it--and I said the same thing to Kyle about 8 years ago.

UGH DONT MENTION KYPIANO!!!!!

jk Im pretty sure kypiano is not Kyle Landry lol

[pencilart3]

Haha thanks DC, I will continue down the path and see what lies ahead!

@Michael hmm.... Ivo could be fun.... check for it in the audition room! Maybe another batch will be coming up!

[rubinsteinmad]

Haha thanks DC, I will continue down the path and see what lies ahead!

@Michael hmm.... Ivo could be fun.... check for it in the audition room! Maybe another batch will be coming up!

How about you try to do Yuja Wang (w/ video please lol)

[pencilart3]

How about you try to do Yuja Wang (w/ video please lol)

Oh dear haha

[dcstudio]

Yuja doing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in octaves     that's one of her less difficult pieces...lol.  She's got some blistering chops that one...yikes.   

[siveron]

A bit to fast for my taste, very good anyhow.

[rubinsteinmad]

Yuja doing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in octaves     that's one of her less difficult pieces...lol.  She's got some blistering chops that one...yikes.  

Oh, I wasnt referring to her chops, I was referring to her clothing...

[rubinsteinmad]

Oh dear haha

I understand. 

[dcstudio]

Oh, I wasnt referring to her chops, I was referring to her clothing...

well, Noah, that is a different direction to go in, that's for sure...lol. I bet that would get a few views, too.  I am tempted  to scroll through her vids and pick out my favorite  outfit for you to wear in the vid... while you play Flight of the Bumblebee in octaves.

hmmm what do you think rubinsteinmad?