Introducing myself

[piulento]

Hi there!
Don't think anybody else does this kind of stuff around here, but I just wanted to introduce myself (as a fresh newbie here), feel free to do the same.
My name is Gilad, I am 21 and live in Israel (If you don't want to know my whole life story, which I understand, skip to the final paragraph).

I started playing rather late in my life, when I was 16. I was majoring in music at the time in highschool, and after growing sick of classical guitar after about 8 years, I decided to start a new leaf and learn how to play the piano (because I like studying music - theory, harmony, etc. but just didn't want to go on with guitar). Once I started playing, I got more and more into it. I started listening to more and more piano music, practiced for at least 4 hours a day, and couldn't get enough of it. I genuinely loved it (and I still do), and really regret that I didn't start sooner.
I advanced really quickly (thanks to the fact that I was already experienced with playing and thanks to the fact that there was no such thing for me as "too much practicing"), and found myself playing pretty advanced pieces after a relatively short time of playing (my "highest point" I guess was playing Chopin's ballade no.1 after 2 years of playing). My teacher and I couldn't be happier.
Then I graduated and joined the army (in Israel you join the army for 3 years after you turn 18). Right now I'm surving in a great role, but naturally I don't get to play that often. I still try to do it as often as possible, but for the time being I guess it's just gonna stay a small part of my life (naturally, my playing has gotten much worse, and I play easier pieces right now).
After I finish serving (in about a year) I hope to get back at piano full force. I don't think I'll play it for a living (not only am I not good enough, but I also think that I should keep it as a passion and not as a way of life), but I still want to do it for the rest of my life and be the best that I can at it.
(Now the cheesy cliches are about to start):
Since I joined the army I realized how important small things like playing the piano can be. I guess it's sort of a part of me now, and it's too bad I had to give up on it. But still, when I get to do it, it makes me feel so incredible, that I'm just happy and greatful that I can play at all.

Anyway, happy to be here. Ever since I left the conservatory I really missed having fellow piano players to talk to about stuff like that (I f***ing love arguing about music).
most important musical facts about me:
The only piece I'm currently working on - Chopin's etude op. 25 no. 5 (IT'S SO HARD TO PLAY IT WITHOUT SOUNDING CHEESY).
Favorite composers - Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms, Prokofiev, Debussy and about a 100 more.
Favorite pianists - Arrau, Sokolov, Lugansky, Zimerman and about a 100 more.
Least favorite composers - Mozart, Haydn, Ives.
Least favorite Pianists - Lisitsa, Lang-Lang.
My favorites during the last Chopin competition - Marek Kozak, Hamelin, Liu, Shishkin, Kobayashi.
I'd be happy to hear about you and your musical opinions as well!
Best regards,
Gilad 

[thalbergmad]

Least favorite Pianists - Lisitsa, Lang-Lang.

You have a sound judgement for one so young.

Welcome.

Thal

[piulento]

You have a sound judgement for one so young.

Welcome.

Thal

Thanks haha, I'll take that as a good thing.

[chopinlover01]

I agree with Thal; however, I must urge you to give Mozart a second try.
Here are some highly romantic works of his; including one you could easily do now!

This isn't a piano work, but a highly romantic one nonetheless.

[swagmaster420x]

You have a sound judgement for one so young.

Welcome.

Thal

It'
s spelled judgment* by the learn-ed.

Also, it is sophomoric to praise someone for having a negative opinion of someone else.

[theholygideons]

It'
s spelled judgment* by the learn-ed.

I believe that the Queen's English, as spoken by educated people, dictates the spelling to be 'judgement', you spurious and deject American child.

[chopinlover01]

"Judgment" does not make sense really. You've taken the 'e' out of judge and nothing else..

[thalbergmad]

I believe that the Queen's English, as spoken by educated people, dictates the spelling to be 'judgement', you spurious and deject American child.

Top marks and thanks for springing to my defence.

Thal

[ahinton]

It'
s spelled judgment* by the learn-ed.

It is not, actually - and, for that matter, "learned" is spelt without a hyphen by most people irrespecitve of the extent of their learnedness; please check reliable dictionaries before making rash pronouncements on Thal's use of what is, after all, the language of his own country.

Best,

Alistair

[theholygideons]

@ swagmaster420x

lmao. You just got schooled by Sorabji's side kick.

It is not, actually - and, for that matter, "learned" is spelt without a hyphen by most people irrespecitve of the extent of their learnedness; please check reliable dictionaries before making rash pronouncements on Thal's use of what is, after all, the language of his own country.

Best,

Alistair

...I always found it quite funny how a person, so cultured and the gatekeeper to transcendent works of art, would choose to get involved in the triviality and pettiness that some users bring to this forum.

[emill]

My name is Gilad, I am 21 and live in Israel (If you don't want to know my whole life story, which I understand, skip to the final paragraph).

Least favorite Pianists - Lisitsa, Lang-Lang.  

You have a sound judgement for one so young.

Welcome.

Thal  

                     

Hello Gilad,
Welcome and looking forward to any post in audition room.

[emill]

@ swagmaster420x

lmao. You just got schooled by Sorabji's side kick.

...I always found it quite funny how a person, so cultured and the gatekeeper to transcendent works of art, would choose to get involved in the triviality and pettiness that some users bring to this forum.

Frankly I feel that with varying degrees, "serious" people would like to sometimes get mixed-up in trivialities and even in inanities for the humor, the nonsense, the satire and the wit of it.  It is my observation through the years, in the case of Alistair .... he likes to mix it up for the wit, the satire and whenever Thal (thalbergmad) is around!  

[dcstudio]

Shalom

it's been my experience that those who say--"I don't think I will ever play for living -- I am not good enough--I want to keep it as a passion--I started too late" -- are exactly the same people who end up being more than good enough and  end up playing for a living.  They aren't concert pianists but they are happy well-paid professional players none the less.

the fact that you are separated from the piano right now gives you a unique appreciation for it and I predict that when you are again able to practice freely you will be come an obsessive player just like the rest of us. 

You love to argue about music?... you will have plenty of opportunity to do that here.

[piulento]

I agree with Thal; however, I must urge you to give Mozart a second try.
Here are some highly romantic works of his; including one you could easily do now!

This isn't a piano work, but a highly romantic one nonetheless.

Hey there!
It's not that I hate Mozart's music. There are actually some pieces he wrote that I really like (nice picks by the way  ). But usually, I just find his music too frivolous. Even when he's being serious, I sometimes just get the feeling that he's mocking me in some way with his light-mindness. I never get these kinds of feelings with Bach or Brahms.
But to tell you the truth, in the past few months I started disliking him less

[piulento]

Haha, pretty sure both "judgement" and "judgment" are cool:
https://grammarist.com/spelling/judgment-judgement/
If I really wanted you to fight I'd pull out the old "color vs colour" debate 

[piulento]

                     

Hello Gilad,
Welcome and looking forward to any post in audition room.

Already working on it... once I get to play 

[piulento]

Shalom

it's been my experience that those who say--"I don't think I will ever play for living -- I am not good enough--I want to keep it as a passion--I started too late" -- are exactly the same people who end up being more than good enough and  end up playing for a living.  They aren't concert pianists but they are happy well-paid professional players none the less.

the fact that you are separated from the piano right now gives you a unique appreciation for it and I predict that when you are again able to practice freely you will be come an obsessive player just like the rest of us. 

You love to argue about music?... you will have plenty of opportunity to do that here.

That could be a nice future, but as long as I get to play, I'll be happy either way - as a pro or as an amateur.
I could only hope that that day would finally come! Can't wait to catch up with the rest of you!
I can argue over just about anything, but music is a personal fave 

[dcstudio]

as long as I get to play, I'll be happy either way - as a pro or as an amateur.

great attitude