So, how can we just leave music alone? A fast-paced culture together with beeping gadgets and state-of-the-art computers have created a phenomenen known as ‘music in a bottle syndrome’ which is basically ubiquitous music that you can access quickly and easily sometimes even with the push of a button. Sometimes, going to a piano recital today is like going to a butcher’s shop and asking for 2 kilograms of Rachman’ lard and 100 ml of Prokof’ vinegar. OK, I agree that Rachaminoff’s second sonata is a great piece of piano literature, but how many times do we have to hear it butchered in the same dull fashion, until it becomes so nautious that even a tired, old grub found in the corner of one’s basement seems more interesting?
July 10, 2010
February 2, 2010
Polish Patriotism
I am proud to be of Eastern European origin – Poland to be specific. It is exciting to know how to speak two different languages fluently and to have extra holidays in the calendar. Polish people love to make a holiday out of everything. For example, there is not only a Mother’s and Father’s day, but also a Grandfather’s, Grandmother’s, and a Ladies day! Poles like to take every opportunity they can to get away from work. There is even a names day where each first name is placed somewhere on the calendar. ‘Daniel’s day’ falls on every December 10th, so you can feel free to lavish me with gifts on that day 
Poland is also a country with a remarkable history. It has some of the most breathtaking castles (the largest is the Wawel Castle in Krakow) and theatres I have ever seen in my life. The national theatre has the deepest stage than any other theater in Europe.
July 10, 2009
An Adventurous Life
Can you remember the days when you were still in school and everyone was awaiting that last day of school? Everyone was getting frustrated and edgy about the mountainous pile of homework assisgnments, exams to study for, having to see the teacher’s face for the xxx’th time this year. But you knew that after that last day, everything would be over with.
April 7, 2009
Chief what
Taken from the old website. Original post date: July 9, 2005
I am often asked to repeat his name…
Cziffra – Gyorgy Cziffra.
(OK, so it’s not as easy to remember as Bond – James Bond.)
But I am very pleased to see the revival of Cziffra amongst today’s listening audience. Gyorgy Cziffra was a Hungarian composer/pianist who lived at the heart of the 20th century’s greatest virtuosi. Although he was born in 1921 to a poor family of gypsy musicians, it wasn’t until 1947 that he was able to grow his career due to military services and even being a POW. In spite of wide acclaim, he (like Horowitz at one point) abandoned his career until the early 1990s when he gave a concert in Paris.
My new piano
Taken from the old website. Original post date: June 5, 2005
Recently I purchased a new concert grand piano. I was extremely picky about finding an instrument that would match all my needs. I am one of those notorious customers that will spend hours trying a product only to say “I’ll think about it” at the end.
Jumping off a cliff – Great Pianists
Taken from the old website. Original post date: June 19, 2005
I’ll start with an old Jewish joke:
A man was walking in the mountains just enjoying the scenery when he stepped too close to the edge of the mountain and started to fall. In desperation he reached out and grabbed a limb of a gnarly old tree hanging onto the side of the cliff. Full of fear he assessed his situation.
Lake from God
Taken from the old website. Original post date: March 20, 2005
The day I decided to drive down the Del Dios hiway was the day I truly understood the meaning of paradise. There was something so unique about the high rolling hills, and the small town of Del Dios (literally “From God” in Spanish) nestled between mountains and a gorgeous lake.
Pianoholics Anonymous
Taken from the old website. Original post date: June 12, 2005
One of the most common questions a pianist can ever be asked is: “How much do you practice?”
Years ago, I decided to permanently remove the word ‘practice’ from my vocabulary. Somehow that word has always conjured up images of an oxygen-deprived cubicle consisting of a student repeating passages over and over again until they resound in complete hysteria.
Demise of Piano Competition
Taken from the old website. Original post date: June 15, 2005
If someone had told me at an early age what the music business entails, I would have moved to Tibet and become a monk. But it’s too late now!
From Palms to Pines
Taken from the old website. Original post date: June 27, 2005
This was to be my dream trip for the summer and it ended up being the dream trip of my life. In 5 days, we saw more California than most people see in 10 years! It was to be a trip in superlatives; from the lowest point in North America – 282 feet below see level – to breathtaking glimpses of tall, ice-capped mountains in the distance, we felt like Indiana Jones embarking upon adventure after adventure while cruising fearlessly with our little 4WD jeep.
