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 | magnatone said 183 days ago |
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Journey Shay, I'm so THRILLED you posted this!! As you already know, I totally love every second of these 11 minutes, and it still blows my mind that you performed it without ever having played parts of it before. That shouldn't be possible, or at the very least, should be illegal but it appears it only strengthened your tendency for procrastination (since you pulled it off!) As you also know, I especially love part 3 (Future), even if the timing and timing changes defy gravity to me. You are a tremendously talented composer and pianist and I'm so happy all of MJ can hear this amazing peace. Now go re-record it (and add timpani to Part 3 - LOL) |
 | MarkHolbrook said 183 days ago |
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Ok... I had just gotten up, showered, got the Fav email saying a new masterpiece had been posted by Kassia so I rushed down stairs half dressed (sorry not a pretty sight!!! Perhaps too much information!) I found the work and I hit play... I was late already to get my 12 year old up and off ready for camp... I have to admit that with many songs on MJ I listen initially to 30 seconds or so and skip around sometimes stopping short but I always come back and listen a 2nd or 3rd time or perhaps I download it and listen later if there is even a hint of interest on my part in the piece. I hope this doesn't make people mad. It's just time management. I can usually tell from 30-40 seconds of a song if I like it and I'll fav and comment. Then later I'll give it the serious listen it deserves. Futzpucker knows this as I've written back a few times to him about his pieces after listening 5 or 6 times... But Kassia... You took 11 minutes of my life this morning when I didn't have it to give!!! And for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I sat back in awe and wonderment (and a sense of sadness). The emotional content of this piano piece for me was unbelievable... See last night my wife and I discussed our plans for my little Max cat, the white cat in my profile picture. He's 16 years old and his health is fading and he seems to be uncomfortable these days. I've always been a believer that as a friend and care giver to animals if I can save them pain and discomfort when they reach elderly years it is my duty to do so... But in this case I'm so weak for never in 51 years of life has a small domestic animal affected me like this small special white cat. Next week sometime his little life will end and so will a fairly big part of me it seems... Kassia, your piano piece took me through a journey of his life. The intro so perfectly had him playing as a frantic, lovable little kitten, full of tender moments and hilarious comedy, taking on life as fast as he could. The middle part perfectly painted Max in his middle yeas. So full of love and yet still adventurous and always present. But in this middle was the sadness the recognition that he is declining. The last part was so much Max I was in tears. Here at 16 he doesn't show his pain often, he still is every bit the lovable kitten he was 16 years ago... I had to look deep, past my own emotions to see that he really was not feeling well. The music in this part showed me his spirit helped me to see the amazing cat he is and was. I know that this piece was titled Journey and it was meant for something else as you describe in your note. But one of the most beautiful and special things about music is it can mean something totally different to each listener. I hope you don't mind but in my download of this piece I have renamed it to "Max's Journey". I also know that some how might decide to read my comment will wonder what kind of idiot I am to become so emotional over a mutt domestic cat. I mean hundreds are killed each day in accidents or to control population. Whats the big deal right? It's just another cat. Well I can't really give a good answer except to say to me that domestic animals, cats, dogs, are more than possessions to me. They are my friends and perhaps I'm a little strange but I tend to interact with these animals often better than I do with humans. So thank you Kassia for 22 minutes of joy and tears this morning. I know that number will go up as I will listen to this piece for a very long time! Thank you from the bottom of my troubled heart! So enough about my pain. The piano sounds gorgeous, you play as if you were born with a piano! It is pieces like this that make me want to simply hang it all up and become a listener. I have tried for years to inject emotion into my music and I don't think I could ever even come close to this. The right music, the right keyboardist, the right composer, the right performer at a time when I needed it! It simply does not get any better. Thank you so very very much! |
 | rabittwhole said 183 days ago |
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right then absolutely wonderful |
| MarkHolbrook said 183 days ago |
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Hum... Flubs and goofs... Didn't hear a one. Simply brilliant on the 4th listen! |
 | caroline said 183 days ago |
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gosh - this is lovely... i listened to it with a prayer in my heart for mark - it is lovely and i look forward to finding out what you do with it next - thank you xox |
 | Bubowski said 183 days ago |
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Beautiful... Well played and written. Lot's of emotion coming through which is the most important in a live performance. Recording is fine, a little distant, but clean and pleasing. Nice to listen to between meetings and otherwise. Fav'd and downloaded (it's a habit of mine with your music :) )Thanks for sharing this. --Graham |
 | drakonis said 183 days ago |
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Excellent work Very strongly emotional, not only in composition, but in playing. Gorgeous and tentative first movement. The slow pause at 2:42 as part 1 comes to a close feels like a real pause in thought, I saw you looking back, thinking, before moving on. Part 2 was slow and thoughtful, wistful. The sparkles in the right hand were grounded by the solid earthy left hand bass. Nice slow morphing of the theme here. Part 3 started as a bright sunny romp, confident, upbeat. I sort of like the Rondo style, so I'm sort of attached to this part... it probably could have gone on for another hour or so, but given the energetic left-hand 16th-note banging, *you* probably couldn't do that for an hour, so I'll just have to play it again :-) I can completely understand Mark's sentiments, not only for the music, but for his family member. Mark, you're too far away just now, but you get a big warm hug from me. My cat (who passed away several years ago at 19 years) took a big chunk of me with him too. Shay, your musical talent is quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. I have run out of superlatives, so, uh, I'll just stop typing now. I'll play this for my daughter and step-daughter too. ttfn, Drakonis |
 | KissMeKate said 183 days ago |
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I started to fall in love when listening to this suite Years ago, when Shay and I were just getting to know each other, she let me listen to the piece and I was blown away. I HAD to get to know the soul that had such music inside of her, flowing through her fingers and onto the keys. "Past" is my favorite, and my most favorite music in all the world is in the middle of it, from 4:47 to 6:06. |
 | tokai said 183 days ago |
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wow great journey, played with style and finesse. Beautiful arrangement and it did take me away to better places. A proper mucho craft piece...well done |
 | michael2 said 182 days ago |
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wow this is intense. you play so beautifully and I love the chord changes in here. this makes me feel like a complete hack. really impressive. i think anything under 11 minutes would be shortchanging the song. i'm blown away. plus i'm jealous that you live in the santa cruz mountains. |
 | saymme said 182 days ago |
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smilin.....softly...... i got to hear this again....thankyou so much what a pleasure..WOW beatuful picture as well ( : lena |
 | rsorensen said 182 days ago |
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outstanding wow. i was going to say that was time well wasted, but there was no waste of time involved whatsoever. really great piece. the build is phenomenal in that first part, then it keeps getting better from there. really - great job. |
| said 182 days ago | |
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Journey Great work. Simply gorgous. You must have a beautiful heart to make angel music like this. Thank you for sharing. |
 | Skatehorn said 181 days ago |
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Simply Fantastic Just took in the full 11 min 7 secs and was just blown away with this. What a wonderful piece (or pieces)of music. From the comments you've already had it sounds like this became a soundtrack after all. If you reach people at that level you have to be doing a lot of things right I really hope you do take this to the next stage. It may seem scary, but scary is good if it takes you forward. I'd be certain that any future versions will be as least as good as this....and this is brilliant !! |
 | dreadmon said 181 days ago |
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Wow! As my first exposure to your music, this was simply breathtaking. There were no distractions to pull me out of the reverie - it was a delight to be guided through so many emotions in one piece. And the fact that you pulled this off live just makes it all that much more compelling. I see you live in the SC hills, where I'll be performing and teaching in a couple of weeks. I've already downloaded this tune and am really looking forward to getting a few more onto my iPod for the long trip there. It would be great to meet you. Excellent composition and performance! |
 | lavalamp said 181 days ago |
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very pretty Hope all is well back home, regarding the fires. I mean, what can I say, you've got some real talent here. Go for it! Dave |
 | Roxylee said 180 days ago |
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A Journey, indeed with much feeling and power. Wonderful playing, as always, and a very enjoyable way to welcome the sunset this evening. Wow, Shay, you are amazing at painting piano stories! :-) |
 | thetiler said 180 days ago |
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Enjoyed Wow what a pic too! Enjoy the flow of this, has a nice chordal structure. Again the pic adds alot to it I think, help gives drama I think. Enjoy the contrasts in the music! Thanks for adding so much to the Macjams music scene! |
 | josephgvincent said 179 days ago |
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Journey This is a very nice song Shay. I heard it just once so far and it is a very beautiful heart felt song. I could hear orchestra strings in this. Something to consider for this song. It is like movie music. Awesome Shay...Keep up the great work!.......jgv |
 | kclements said 177 days ago |
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Just wonderful I agree - this could never be a waste of time. Such feeling in your playing and emotion. It is just a pleasure to listen to. I think with all of the modern recording software and samples... we sometimes forget how simply beautiful a solo instrument can be. It is like when the power goes out, and all of a sudden you remember what silence is like - without the fridge motor sound, and the tv and the phone. Just simple silence. This track reminds me that there is beauty in simplicity. I lesson I often forget. Thank you for sharing this with us. It is truly a wonderful 11 minutes spent with an old friend. |
 | LunaTrick said 176 days ago |
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I've been away a while... and this was nice to come back to. Lovely playing.. build up.. and some nice transitions... Cheers! |
 | peacepiano said 158 days ago |
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Sound Sound is just fine. This is an excellent performance. Your playing covers the wide range of what is expressible on the piano. Your touch and dynamics sound so relaxed and natural. Bravo! Thanks Bill |
 | notsosweet said 130 days ago |
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Superb I absolutely love this piece. 2nd part is just breathtaking - so very contemplative and meaningful. Nothing wrong with a live recording, but if you ever do re-record, please promise that you'll post it!! |
 | VicDiesel said 43 days ago |
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quite a trip For as far as I can judge from my small speakers here in my office there is not a lot wrong with this recording. It sounds natural and very dynamic. Great performance! Regarding your composition. I just read your interview, the remarks about your love for new age music and your teachers' horror at that preference. Maybe I can see their point. Most classical piano music can have pretty drastic changes in mood and speed from measure to the next. Also, there is precisely identifiable melodic material that undergoes lots of development. In pieces such as yours the concern seems to be with setting a consistent mood that lingers for an appreciable time. You have some clear motifs, but development doesn't seem like the prime concern. It's a bit like the difference between those fussily precise old paintings and modern canvasses which can have large monochrome fields. So what do I think of it? I must say that I like the first movement best because the key changes drive some sort of musical narrative. The second and third movement are a bit static to me. Each individual phrase is lovely, but I'm not sensing the overall architecture. That's probably not the point of the pieces, but I miss it a bit. Still, lots of loveliness here, and your piano playing is very good. |
especially when something is this beautiful. It really is a journey, though I'm not sure where it took me.
For an amateur *live* recording, it's not bad at all. I mean... there's no hiss or clipping... and I can hear the piano clearly. *shudders at own attempts and sobs in a corner*