Nutcracker Suite, “Russian Dance,” with piano intro to an orchestrated gymnastics exhibition

This is a collaborative effort, but just a snatch. I introduce Tschaikovsky's "Russian Dance" on the piano, (a tad behind tempo) as prelude to an orchestrated accompaniment to Olympian gymnasts swinging from high bars, doing back flips and straddle jumps, slipping, falling, rebounding, and re-mounting the balance beam. It's a riveting choreography, synchronized to the…

Everyone plays the Bach Prelude no. 1 in C (You Tube video embedded)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMwi6agdB1k Is this the latest hit among classically minded You Tubers? How many have flocked to upload Bach Prelude 1 from the Well- Tempered Clavier. Perhaps it's because playing this first one, and singing the "Ave Maria" over it elevate the player to new spiritual heights. Spun out broken chords between the hands lay a…

Is the Acoustic Piano Culture at Risk?

I'm worried. I drove over to Fresno Piano on Ashlan this afternoon after my return from the Bay area. With an instant camera tucked in my pocket, I would prove my point that acoustic pianos were on their way out and digitals were fast taking over the marketplace. Even before I reached my destination, I…