Isler On Youtube!

[Donald Isler]

Thanks to the expertise of my friend from long-ago days in high school, Dan Kravetz, there are now some excerpts from a piano recital I played in 1994 on Youtube. A few more works will be added in the next few days. So far, Bach/Busoni and Rachmaninoff are offered.

You can find them by going to: http://www.youtube.com

and then putting my name in the search function.

Hope you enjoy the performances.

Or see them right here:
Rach Sonata #2

1st Mvt:


2nd Mvt:


3rd Mvt:


Bach-Busoni Chaconne

1st part


2nd part

[Chalkperson]

Wow...awesome...you were young, so was I...

[Gary]

"Wunnerful, Wunnerful!" as Lawrence Welk used to say. My favorite Rach sonata, too.

[Agnes Selby]

Donald, your playing is beautiful and I thoroughly
enjoyed listening to you.

Regards,
Agnes.

[Seán]

Oh well done Donald, I enjoyed watching and listening to you play.

Seán

[piston]

Fantastic, Donald! What a great way to start my day.
Do/did you have more Rach in your repertoire?

[Holden Fourth]

I love the Bach Donald - such a sense of structure for the work but poetry as well.

[Teresa B]

Thanks for posting, Don--Very nice!

I'm learning the Bach F minor keyboard concerto to play in the spring. It's far less challenging than that Bach-Busoni Chaconne (incredible piece of music), but with all the rapid counterpoint, the funny thing is, the hardest part to me is getting the 2nd movement right--it's a sustained melody with a lot of pizzicato string accompaniment, and on the oboe or violin would be a cinch. But on the piano...not so much!

Anyway, great work!
All the best,
Teresa

[Ricordanza]

Thanks for posting this, Don. I started with the Chaconne, and you deliver a stirring performance of this grand work!

[Donald Isler]

Thanks for your kind comments!

Actually, I never played much Rachmaninoff; mostly the Sonata and a few Preludes. But I always loved hearing, especially, the piano works as my teacher, Constance Keene, was such a terrific interpreter of his music.

[TopoGigio]

Thanks,very rewarding,bbut ...the piano is Youtube?

[Corlyss_D]

About 10 years ago, I was on a Rumi jag and found the perfect soundscape was Rach's preludes.

[Steinway]

Donald..

I was really moved by your playing. I have played the Chaconne and know it well and your performance was splendid!

The Rachmaninoff looks brutally difficult and very difficult to control, but you were in command throughout and I commend you.

We know what a tough profession it is and I have heard a pianist that deserves to be in front of many audiences!

My sincere best wishes for a job well done! Thank you for making this videos available.

[Ralph]

Wonderful AND congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Donald Isler]

Thank you all very much, again, for all the nice things you have written about these performances!

In the meantime, two more clips, with music of Godowsky and Saint-Saens, have been added.

Corlyss tried to explain to me how to add new clips here but I didn't get it. So, if interested, you're all welcome to go over to Youtube to see them, unless she graciously adds these new ones to the thread here.

[SaulChanukah]

Donald

I have listened to the first movement of the Rach Sonata.

The biggest virtue of your playing is that you are connected with the music. You became one with it. You are not making faces, and your not trying to act. This was a natural performance.

About the music itself, I think that this sonata needs more power, thunders, more passion. I don't know if you had listened to Horowitz's performance , but it would be a good example of how to perform it.

You have good technique, and I could see that you really enjoy performing. Yet bringing this piece to a different level would be the right thing to do.

Please listen to this Horowitz recording of the Sonata.

Oh those crushing chords in the beginning, thunders of passion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRdjhnDmLYg

Thanks for posting your performances here.

I will let you know about the Bach Busoni piece later on.

Best Regards,

P.S I would love to hear you perform a Mendelssohn piece.

[Donald Isler]

Glad you liked some of it, Saul, But WHO CAN PLAY LIKE HOROWITZ??!!

[Teresa B]

Glad you liked some of it, Saul, But WHO CAN PLAY LIKE HOROWITZ??!!

Maybe you could suggest to Saul that he compose a bit more like Beethoven!

[SaulChanukah]

Glad you liked some of it, Saul, But WHO CAN PLAY LIKE HOROWITZ??!!

Well, its always good to learn from the greats.
Even though we won't reach their achievements, still they can teach us a great deal.

[Agnes Selby]

Glad you liked some of it, Saul, But WHO CAN PLAY LIKE HOROWITZ??!!

Well, its always good to learn from the greats.
Even though we won't reach their achievements, still they can teach us a great deal.

Not always, Saul.

Tom Parker represented both Horowitz and my daughter Kathy
at Harold Shaw management. Tom Parker was keen to have Kathy take
lessons from Horowitz, so the kind old man agreed to have Kathy
come to his apartment and have a master class.

It was an unforgettable moment for Kathy. Mrs. Horowitz entertained
Kathy with an excellent cake, Mr. Horowitz told Kathy some marvellous
stories from his past. Mr. Horowitz gave Kathy a little concert and
returned to the coffee and cake. It was a wonderful experience
but no masterclass. However, Mrs. Horowitz gave Kathy her
cake recipe which Kathy's daughter, Anna baked for us yesterday.

So the tradition continues!

Regards,
Agnes.

[SaulChanukah]

Donald.

I'm enjoying your Bach-Busoni.
Truly wonderful playing.

Thank you.

[Donald Isler]

Thank you very much, Saul!

[SaulChanukah]

You're Welcome, Donald.