Comments on: moss clearance/update http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/ The Official Site of Jonathan Biss Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:22:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Stephen Smoliar http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1034 Stephen Smoliar Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:34:56 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1034 Having just read (in the FINANCIAL TIMES) about the collaboration between Wigmore Hall and Plushmedia, I have to ask if that recording was video, as well as audio, and, if so, whether it will be available on the Internet through Plushmedia. Having just read (in the FINANCIAL TIMES) about the collaboration between Wigmore Hall and Plushmedia, I have to ask if that recording was video, as well as audio, and, if so, whether it will be available on the Internet through Plushmedia.

]]> By: Jonathan http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1035 Jonathan Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:07:52 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1035 Stephen - The recording is just audio, and it was made for the Wigmore Hall's own label, Wigmore Hall Live. It's being released in the States in September. Stephen - The recording is just audio, and it was made for the Wigmore Hall’s own label, Wigmore Hall Live. It’s being released in the States in September.

]]> By: Daniel Biss http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1036 Daniel Biss Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:48:44 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1036 More animals on trains, please. More animals on trains, please.

]]> By: Don Cox http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1039 Don Cox Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:40:20 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1039 Your Viagra links are back again. Somebody needs to do something about security. Your Viagra links are back again.

Somebody needs to do something about security.

]]> By: Don Cox http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1040 Don Cox Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:03:44 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1040 I should mention that I have seen similar blocks of dozens of Viagra (etc) links on some other sites. It is hard to work out what the perpetrators gain from it, but it does show that they (or their bots) can get in and edit your site at will. I second the request for more animals on trains. :-) I should mention that I have seen similar blocks of dozens of Viagra (etc) links on some other sites. It is hard to work out what the perpetrators gain from it, but it does show that they (or their bots) can get in and edit your site at will.

I second the request for more animals on trains. :-)

]]> By: PS http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1041 PS Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:01:25 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1041 A blogpost suggestion to throw in the mix: write a few words about your experiences selecting the new Steinway concert grand for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I don't know how interesting it might be for your professional-musician readers but, as a non-musician, I found your recent talk about the process (and the accompanying inaugural recital, of course) at the ISO engrossing. Your selection methodology, the variety of sounds/behaviors from identically manufacturered instruments, deciding which ones to eliminate, factoring in the effects of later technical adjustments, the break-in period, the assistance of Steinway -- all of those aspects, and more, were fascinating. Since you've already explained it, in a way, perhaps it would be a quicker blogpost to put together. Your Kreisleriana that night was wonderful. I also heard you perform it a month earlier at your Piano Academy recital at IU. Your skill and control in infusing the alternating, contrasting moods with such appropriate and strong emotion is amazing. I don't know how a performer -- particularly one, like you, who feels the pieces so intimately as you describe -- is able to control their own emotions during a performance like that as to be able to shift back and forth, up and down, along the mood scale so often and so quickly. Finally, are you getting thinner? Eat something! A blogpost suggestion to throw in the mix: write a few words about your experiences selecting the new Steinway concert grand for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I don’t know how interesting it might be for your professional-musician readers but, as a non-musician, I found your recent talk about the process (and the accompanying inaugural recital, of course) at the ISO engrossing. Your selection methodology, the variety of sounds/behaviors from identically manufacturered instruments, deciding which ones to eliminate, factoring in the effects of later technical adjustments, the break-in period, the assistance of Steinway — all of those aspects, and more, were fascinating. Since you’ve already explained it, in a way, perhaps it would be a quicker blogpost to put together.

Your Kreisleriana that night was wonderful. I also heard you perform it a month earlier at your Piano Academy recital at IU. Your skill and control in infusing the alternating, contrasting moods with such appropriate and strong emotion is amazing. I don’t know how a performer — particularly one, like you, who feels the pieces so intimately as you describe — is able to control their own emotions during a performance like that as to be able to shift back and forth, up and down, along the mood scale so often and so quickly.

Finally, are you getting thinner? Eat something!

]]> By: Christine http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1044 Christine Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:28:28 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1044 Jonathan, I'm glad you have a blog as I've wanted to comment on your solo piano recital in San Francisco last April. First, I thought your choice of music was superb. Each piece flowed into the next--very well rounded performance. In fact (I'll admit), I almost mistook the Schubert Sonata as part of Kurtag (the chord progressions distinguished the two composers from each other). Second, thank you for introducing me to the music of Kurtag. I don't recall my "Piano Literature" teacher ever mentioning Kurtag but, for some reason, Scriabin popped into my mind when I heard you play Kurtag...on the surface, Kurtag's music appears simple...I recall one of the pieces played with one hand...I can still hear that beautiful, ethereal melody in my mind. To quote my piano teacher..."it takes a certain pianist to play Scriabin" which, I believe holds true with Kurtag. I would think not everyone can make that one-handed melody sound so exquisite--the pianist must truly love Kurtag's music to play it well. I'm very tempted to abandon Scriabin for Kurtag (both are musically challenging) though...I love playing Scriabin's music too much to ever disown him completely. Scriabin once said "harmony is melody unfurled," which I relate to Kurtag's music too. Like Scriabin and Rachmaninov, Kurtag seems to have the melody interweaving between the voices. Kurtag's music also reminds me of Schumann's "Album for the Young" at a higher difficulty level (not sure if this is true). Any thoughts on what Scriabin meant? Lastly, I was wondering if you will be having any master classes next year or are you open to holding a master class. If so, could I have a schedule of your upcoming master classes? I look forward to reading more about Kurtag! Jonathan,

I’m glad you have a blog as I’ve wanted to comment on your solo piano recital in San Francisco last April. First, I thought your choice of music was superb. Each piece flowed into the next–very well rounded performance. In fact (I’ll admit), I almost mistook the Schubert Sonata as part of Kurtag (the chord progressions distinguished the two composers from each other).

Second, thank you for introducing me to the music of Kurtag. I don’t recall my “Piano Literature” teacher ever mentioning Kurtag but, for some reason, Scriabin popped into my mind when I heard you play Kurtag…on the surface, Kurtag’s music appears simple…I recall one of the pieces played with one hand…I can still hear that beautiful, ethereal melody in my mind. To quote my piano teacher…”it takes a certain pianist to play Scriabin” which, I believe holds true with Kurtag. I would think not everyone can make that one-handed melody sound so exquisite–the pianist must truly love Kurtag’s music to play it well. I’m very tempted to abandon Scriabin for Kurtag (both are musically challenging) though…I love playing Scriabin’s music too much to ever disown him completely.

Scriabin once said “harmony is melody unfurled,” which I relate to Kurtag’s music too. Like Scriabin and Rachmaninov, Kurtag seems to have the melody interweaving between the voices. Kurtag’s music also reminds me of Schumann’s “Album for the Young” at a higher difficulty level (not sure if this is true). Any thoughts on what Scriabin meant?

Lastly, I was wondering if you will be having any master classes next year or are you open to holding a master class. If so, could I have a schedule of your upcoming master classes? I look forward to reading more about Kurtag!

]]> By: Letitia Rowe http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1062 Letitia Rowe Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:17:59 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1062 Jonathan, Having just got home from hearing you play with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Melbourne Arts Center I was blown away. Beethoven was beautiful but the Mozart piece you played was magnificent I haven't heard Mozart played that well in a long time and my attempts certainly don't compare. I hope you come back to Australia to play again because it would be fantastic to see you play some more. It is easy to see the joy you have in music through your playing, thank you for making it a magnificent evening. Letitia Jonathan,

Having just got home from hearing you play with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Melbourne Arts Center I was blown away. Beethoven was beautiful but the Mozart piece you played was magnificent I haven’t heard Mozart played that well in a long time and my attempts certainly don’t compare. I hope you come back to Australia to play again because it would be fantastic to see you play some more. It is easy to see the joy you have in music through your playing, thank you for making it a magnificent evening.

Letitia

]]> By: Hank Zauderer http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1096 Hank Zauderer Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:32:09 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1096 01/23/2010 Jonathan... At ~ 5AM today, I listened very carefully to your playing of the Beethoven Op. 109 on Mr. Barenboim's DVD of all 32 sonatas. I love your playing! And it was quite meaningful and interesting to hear the comments and suggestions made at that master class by DB... I also enjoyed your biography at your Blog! Interesting to read about your musical family, too. I seem to recall your mother's name... I lived in Jerusalem 1939-1950; perhaps I heard her name there (??) From your schedule, it looks like you'll be giving a concert tomorrow in Europe. Enjoy! Once you are done and feel like doing something different, explore my Blog: http://www.myclassicalnotes.com Hank Zauderer Aptos, California (~ 100 miles South of San Francisco) 01/23/2010

Jonathan…

At ~ 5AM today, I listened very carefully to your playing of the Beethoven Op. 109 on Mr. Barenboim’s DVD of all 32 sonatas. I love your playing! And it was quite meaningful and interesting to hear the comments and suggestions made at that master class by DB…

I also enjoyed your biography at your Blog! Interesting to read about your musical family, too. I seem to recall your mother’s name… I lived in Jerusalem 1939-1950; perhaps I heard her name there (??)

From your schedule, it looks like you’ll be giving a concert tomorrow in Europe. Enjoy! Once you are done and feel like doing something different, explore my Blog:

http://www.myclassicalnotes.com

Hank Zauderer
Aptos, California (~ 100 miles South of San Francisco)

]]> By: Bob Rachlis http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1106 Bob Rachlis Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:16:54 +0000 http://jonathanbiss.com/home/2009/07/21/moss-clearanceupdate/#comment-1106 First, Thank you for your hospitality after your concert in Colorado Springs and a wonderful presentation of the Brahms 2nd. After our conversation I went to Wikipedia and found the timeline of your Grandmother's schedules that included TownHall NYC recitals in Jan '46 and '47 and suggestions that these were annual events. Obviously my memory was flawed or creative in thinking that I had attended her NY debut, but I am still quite sure that the recital I attended included a Prokofiev piece brought to NYC for its' first performance. I look forward to the opportunity to hear you again. First, Thank you for your hospitality after your concert in Colorado Springs and a wonderful presentation of the Brahms 2nd. After our conversation I went to Wikipedia and found the timeline of your Grandmother’s schedules that included TownHall NYC recitals in Jan ‘46 and ‘47 and suggestions that these were annual events. Obviously my memory was flawed or creative in thinking that I had attended her NY debut, but I am still quite sure that the recital I attended included a Prokofiev piece brought to NYC for its’ first performance. I look forward to the opportunity to hear you again.

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