I've got a new toy!

[SkyViking]

I have finally gotten what I've wanted for many years: A digital piano, so that I can practice anytime without disturbing the rest of the house. ;)
I was initially set on a Yamaha CLP-470, but tried quite a few models and eventually settled on a Kawai CS7 (http://www.kawai.de/cs7_en.htm), which is an absolutely superb instrument. I found the Kawai's key action far superior, and it really makes a difference. Interestingly the Kawai also offered more sounds and options than the Yamaha's in the same price range, so in the end it was an easy choice.

Here is a sample, my first recording on the new piano:
Franz Schubert's Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3 in G-Flat Major: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPTIWW8ThAE

Comments are welcome, are there any fellow piano players lurking here? :)

Regards,
Rolf

[Kunama]

That's what this forum needs, a bit of class and culture, thanks for posting.
We have the Casio Celviano 22S which has kept the kids busy for 15 years.

Interestingly my son who is a Metallica fan, gets on the piano and only plays the classics, Mozart, Bach, Chopin etc.

[Forgey]

Nice purchase!

I was quiet the piano player when I was younger. My favorite was Beethoven's "Fur elise". I can barley play it now as I haven't played the piano for at least 15 years. I wish I had kept playing I really enjoyed it.

[peter_4059]

Wish I could do that. Great piece Rolf. Congrats on the new toy.

[rmuhlack]

Lovely playing Rolf, and the Kawai sounds great. I have a Technics P30 digital piano, and dabble with jazz blues and contemporary, but I cant read sheet music very well which is a bit of a limitation for classical (I tend to improv from a lead sheet or fake book). Your playing looked effortless, and I really enjoyed your video

:)

[Jon]

Lovely, Rolf. Both the instrument and the interpretation. It's the only piece in G flat major I know. And an impressive performance from memory. I played the impromptus myself, years ago.

[Disclaimer: I've spent most of my working life as a lecturer in (mostly classical) music]

Has it ever occurred to you that capturing and reproducing the musical structures of a mind that had been dead for centuries is not completely dissimilar to capturing and rendering photons from objects hundreds of light-years away?

[LewisM]

Brilliant Rolf! You are a very multi-talented man.

[SkyViking]

Thanks all for listening and thanks very much for your comments! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and good to hear there are some pianists here on the forums :D
I've attached a couple of photos to the original post.


Thanks Jonathan, yes G-Flat major is certainly not a common key! I believe there is a G major edition as well, but... that's cheating ;)
Did you play all the Schubert Impromptus? I'm practising Op 90 No 4 now, what a masterpiece.
I love playing Chopin too, my all time favourite composer. Here are a couple I recorded on my old acoustic upright:

Impromptu No. 3 Op 51 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJagJO8XwjM)
Etude Op. 25 No.1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4EgcEe20w)

And for something completely different, there's nothing quite like a Ragtime:

Scott Joplin's 'Country Club' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MO987ffED0)



Yes it's really quite fascinating!

[MattT]

Very nice Rolf.
Most classical musicians I know would rather play in f sharp than g flat...sorry can't find the correct symbols on this computer.
Matt