Originally posted by abacus:
You see a lot of these performers in competitions (Particularly Yamaha) and after a time they just become boring, as while technically they are brilliant, in truth they just memorise the notes (Or write their own songs) and play them as is, where as in the West, we play the song and use the notes as a guide, which is why there is much more feeling and variation in the music that is played.
Without being disrespectful or putting down their technical abilities, players like that are plentiful in those countries and once they win a competition you very seldom here of them again. (They practise to compete, not to perform)
Bill
I beg to differ, Bill.
A western audience might become bored because they expect a familiar repertoire. Asian audiences are different, I guess.
As for memorizing the notes, isn't that pretty much what we all do? Or do you mean that we leave room for improvisation? Listen to the average Electone or Stagea player (those that follow(ed) the Yamaha Music Academy course and you'll notice that what they play is usually an orchestral arrangement with lots of improvisation compared to the oomp-pah pah approach in the West. Also take notice that they usually play Japanese songs, orchestrated movie themes, own compostions, etc. So basically a repertoire favored by Asian audiences.
Don't you think Miss Qi Zhang oozes feeling and that there's a vast contrast in the piece she's playing? I doubt she could pull off such a great performance without emotion. Brett Wales looks like a wooden board compared to her.
You are right that players like her -well, not exactly at her level but very good - are plentiful in these parts. I consider myself lucky to have been taught this playing style by two of best players and tutors I've ever had the pleasure to know: Mr. Kobayashi(Japan) and Mr. Xiong (S'pore). And you're right again because whenever I play for expat acquaintances they ask me to play only songs familiar to them. I must bore them to death with orchestral and concert pieces. Ha! Ha! But I hate to play Moon River, Tico Tico or Rock Around the Clock and such on demand. Doesn't mean I dislike these songs but I abhor the oomp-pah pah arrangement they prefer to hear. Plus I am not a fan of the two-minute song. Give me a concert piece any time! I like to play what "I" like to play and how "I" like to play it. What's wrong with me wanting to play Ginga Densho, Sabre Dance (okay, they like that one), Scheherazade Symphonic Suite op.35, Orient(Yoshihiro Andoh composition)or Vierne's 'Pieces en Style Libre' - the 'Divertissement'.(Classical organ piece)?
Those that study at the many YMAs around the world know plenty of famous Asian players. Famous doesn't always equal being a household name, right?
Here are a couple of Asian players that are famous in Asia and well-known by many Electone players in the West as well. Most of them were winners or finalists in the Yamaha Electone Festival. So they don't all just play to compete but are established professionals that draw huge crowds.
Yayoi Hirabe
Max Takano
Yoshihiro Andoh
Elvin Ngo
Yuki Wada
...and what's the Japanese lady called again who's a star in the UK?
JMHO
Regards
Taike
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Bo pen nyang.
I started at age 7 & have never looked back 51 years later!
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