Added: 4 years ago
From: tbkurz
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  • Mozart is my favorite too.

  • OMG Rachmaninoff.

    thanks.

  • I'm glad you enjoyed it, benjosephcuyacot!

    Aaron

  • @tbkurz

    are you in some music school now?

  • Wow, they were acting pretty mean to him...in a inocent way, if that makes sense.

  • Comment removed

  • You are MAGNIFICENT, this performance was Outstanding, you are a born genius,

    and I heard the best pianists alive, Ashkenazy, Arrau,(dead already)Pollini,etc

  • Dear hathor100,

    Your compliment is truly amazing! Thanks so much for those kind words and for watching my video!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • You make a crappy piano sound like a steinway with your skills.

  • Thanks so much for the compliment, DMusic96!

    Aaron 

  • Aaron, I love watching your videos-and I love this piece. You were 11 at the time-but arn't you now 15 or close to it?

  • Dear jayb1964,

    I'm glad you enjoy my videos! You're correct, I was 11 in this video and am currently 15 years old.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • SUPER!!

  • Thanks, ghdgeorge!

    Aaron

  • Aaron, why didn't they let you play the whole Rachmaninoff prelude? You seem to have a lot of potential at such a young age, such a shame they only gave you a limited amount of time to play. Perhaps you could have chosen a shorter piece, that is also famous?

  • Dear Martel211996,

    They didn't let me play the whole prelude as I was restricted to about four minutes of playing. At the time, the Rachmaninoff (even excerpted) was definitely my most advanced piece.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • but a beautiful performance by a 11 yearold boy, and truly a great piece of talent.

  • Thank you so much, edmondrachmaninov! Thank you also for your suggestions on improving the piece. I always try to take those kind of things into account, but I can't for this piece as I'm not performing it anymore.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Wonderful performance. But i dont think you should skip the beginning because clearly 1:14 is a dull part and a kind of solemn march in which without the support of the introduction, had a reduced effect. Great choice 1:29 to start with a slow tempo and accelerate, i personally like it, but i think you should give some emphasis one the base C# and for the 1:57 part, i think it would be better to give some more power and pace on it. The 2:40 part should be ffff to give contrast to the last pp bit

  • Wow, Rachmaninoff at age 11, that's... unbelievable! Great job!

    Just one question: Did you play this piece in Carnagie Hall, too?

    Anyway, the audience must have been so impressed by you! You've got such a huge talent!

  • Dear MusicMeddy,

    Sorry I took so long to get back to you! I did in fact play this piece in Carnegie Hall. Thank you so much for your compliments and for continuing to watch my videos!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Damn! This kids great. As for the schmucks with the mics...let me just say my butthole spews out more intelligent shit than they do.

  • this is beast.

  • Nice job dude! Thumbs Up for you man!

  • hey aaron. im just curious, how long do you practice on average? 

  • unfortunately the sound guy in that studio didn't know what he was doing but the piece Aaron played whas perfect to showcase his technique and virtuosity....

  • I have all of Mozart's piano concertos on my ipod and I love it! nice playing btw!

  • I'm glad you enjoyed my video, celebrei!

    Aaron

  • Wow, that was amazing. I think you have quite a bright future ahead of you!

  • Thank you so much, guitarwizard6!

    Aaron

  • Great kid with an incredible degree of understanding for his age and what a tone!

    HOWEVER! what in gods name did the tv company think they were doing with the piano,,,an out of tune YOUNG CgANG? I know standards have dropped but that's pretty bad. That piano woulld not be out of place in a bordello,,,

    Would like to hear this young man on a good steinway,,,

  • Thank you so much for your compliments regarding my video! While I would have liked the piano to have been better, I still really appreciate the opportunity that I was given. The show normally doesn't have pianists on it so I understand why their piano wasn't top-notch.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • is this you?

    cute and very nice playing!

  • Thank you, nico13112008!

    Aaron

  • Congrats, Aaron! 5 stars!

    You didn't answer my emails haha.

    Regards.

  • Thank you, tyuzynho! Thanks for watching, too!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Great Playing, it is a shame the TV station couldn't budget a piano tunning though.

  • Dear tnmtemerity,

    I'm glad you liked it! I agree with you in the sense that the piano wasn't as good as I had hoped, but I still really enjoyed the experience and am grateful for the opportunity.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Its soooo cool that you were on tv!!!

  • wow. that host is very annoying.

    but youu

    are great : D

  • Dear diddlybop,

    I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • She's a typical all-looks, no brains talk show bimbo. Calling him a kid, her reaction to what he was going to play (duh??) - she's never heard of Rach?

    Well, he'll have a career with his talent that she would never dream of having herself.

    He may be a kid, but there is already a separation of class here.

  • The hosts are very condescending. "Was the audience nice to you? Good!" He was playing at Carnagie hall, not the Apollo.

  • Great performance. A lot of musicality for someone of your age :O The hosts were kind of annoying.

    I'm a violinist myself (played since i was 4), so it's usually pretty difficult for me to distinguish between good pianists and amazing pianists, but this is like night and day. Grats on all your accomplishments.

  • Dear Evilmanta,

    Thank you so much for your compliments regarding my performance! I'm so glad that you liked my interpretation. I did find that the hosts sort of treated me like a baby, but I was 11 and I still really enjoyed it.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • ^^ you should play Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 102, the Allegro or Schumann Piano Concerto op.54 in A Minor if you ever get a chance to learn them and have a video of it. I'd love to hear your renditions of them.

  • A very talented young man playing on an inferior instrument.

  • Dear 58pianos,

    I'm glad you enjoyed my performance! As many observers, it was not one of the best pianos I have played on. I do, however, still greatly appreciate the opportunity that I was given.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • He's good

  • Thanks!

    Aaron

  • fuck fox news, you are a great pianist though

  • I love how they ask "Who's your favorite composer," and he says "Mozart," then they ask, "What's your favorite... 'fun' music," and they couldn't seem to wrap their heads around the idea that classical music is "fun" for some people.

    People...

  • i hear that

  • The host looks like Teddy Atlas... :P

  • beautiful rendition, I love this wonderful masterpiece

  • Thank you so much!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • DearAaron,You sounded great! I'm amazed that you can play so well at a young age.I am 8 and play piano too but not as good as you and listening to you made me practice a lot more. My piano teacher might not be able to play as well as you! Have a great time playing.Let your heart out on the piano! Congrats Sophie

  • Dear Sophie,

    I'm so glad that you liked my performance! Thank you so much for the encouraging words! I really appreciate it.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • That woman was so patronizing, how could you stand it?

  • absolutley, so rude. " you like mozart??" i told somebody once i liked classical, especially beethoven and satie, and they looked at me like i had two heads.

  • @x0legenddddx0

    Of course they did. Because those two aren't classical composers!

  • @x0legenddddx0 Its incredible actually that some people can not grasp this fact. Beethoven is my most listened to through itunes just in front of Chopin.

  • Dear paddyotay,

    Thank you for your compliment! Since I had only been booked to play on the show for a week, I think Fox didn't have enough warning to get a Steinway, which led them to use a piano they kept backstage.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • the worst sounding piano i have ever heard, pianist ok tho

  • That was really cool to listen to! Too bad the piano wasn't really in tune...but you made the piano sound better than it probably is.

  • oh come on that was such a shame you were so taleneted but the piano was Young Chang and souned awful , It would have sounded much better on a Yamaha or Steinway

  • Dear hallangell12,

    It was not a great piano, but it was sufficient for what I was playing. I did hope that I would have a better piano, however.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • I thought that FOX could afford a tuned piano...

  • Dear SirArmengol,

    The piano was not as good as I had hoped, but the video quality makes it sound much worse than it actually was.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • I got goosebumps dude!! That was great.....

  • Thank you so much!

    Aaron

  • that's a terrilbe-sounding piano

  • Dear libetta,

    The piano that I played on was actually kept in the back of the Fox studio, so it wasn't particularly in tune. This video also has poor quality in some areas.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Dear Aaron,

    I am so interested in knowing how you have been taught?Especially when you just started?When did you start piano?and How were you taught to read music?

    Best Regards

  • I love how the camera staff gave us some great close-ups of your hands. :) Great playing! as always Aaron!!!

  • You are really amazing...now i have a new favorite piano player to listen to. :D keep on playing

  • Dear JonasBrothers4ever11,

    I'm so glad that you enjoy watching my videos!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • At first, I didn't like this interpretation. Huge Rachmaninov fan, so I've heard a lot of versions of this... But it's growing on me. I like it! Wonderfully played. And even though the beginning isn't on this video, it's on the other video, and I think my favorite interpretation of the introduction. Thank you!

  • Dear Hosenfeld24601,

    I'm glad that you enjoy my playing and my interpretation of the Rachmaninoff prelude! I really appreciate your wonderful compliments!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Thats great...though why didn't he start at the beginning?

  • Dear Kalen1457,

    I'm glad that you enjoyed my performance! I didn't start at the beginning because my part of the show had a time limit and without cutting off the beginning, I would have gone over it.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Wonderfull, this kid :) I think hes even more adult than we think. And hes not only talented, hes a genious.

  • Dear Sanitoeter666,

    Thank you for the wonderful compliments!

    SIncerely,

    Aaron

  • Haven't thought you are reading all that. I guess you are going to be a legend like horowitz.

  • This IS my favorite piece that you play.

    Well done as always.

  • Dear eminboztepe,

    I'm pleased that you enjoyed the piece!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Dear eminboztepe,

    I'm glad that you enjoyed the piece!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Aaron, I love this piece. I enjoy watching your videos and thank you for posting them.

  • Dear jayb1964,

    Thank you for watching my videos! I will be posting new ones soon.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Aaron- It is such a joy to watch your performances on YouTube. My 9 year old was so inspired by you. He taught himself Rondo Alla Turca over Christmas break and surprised his teacher . Mozart is his favorite too! He thinks he has a little of his DNA - lol- Thank you for sharing your gift .

  • Dear swallpromo,

    Thank you so much for the support! I'm glad that your nine-year-old likes Mozart; he is my favorite to listen to and play. I hope he continues having fun with piano!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Are your hands not big enough for the ties and slurs for this piece? Sadly i only made it as far as the agitato part before accepting defeat. I played the Elegy instead. Ill go back to the prelude, lol.

    Can U post you playing the elegy or vocalise, please?

    thanks dude, you rock! carnegie at 11. jeez

  • Dear Rachturne,

    At first, when I was learning the piece, I couldn't reach all of the chords. By the end, however, I think I was able to reach all of the ties and slurs. I have never played the Elegy before nor have heard it before, but I will look it up as I am curious.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • You're quite a star, aren't you? =D

    Natural talent! You're a genius.

    You'll make it big one day as long as you won't forget your roots. ;)

  • Dear checkthatman,

    Thanks for all of the compliments! I'm not sure if I'll make it big one day, but I really appreciate the vote of confidence!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Excellent performance!

  • Thanks!

    Aaron

  • Aaron you are incredible. I just found you playing another piece so I went on your videos. I played this video having no idea what you were going to play, and I find you playing the song that is simply my life at the moment. Thank you.

  • OMGSH!! HE GOES TO MY SCHOOL!! HE'S IN THE GRADE ABOVE ME :) :)

    hes amazazing in person

  • Thank you!

    Aaron

  • you´re right, but its still genius how you play it with eleven years, i show this video my parents

    and they cant believe it.

    I am learning Requim for a dream at the moment.

    If i finish this piece, i will start learning rachmaninovs prelude.

    Dima

  • Dear Krusnin,

    I'm really glad that you enjoy my videos! I hope you have fun learning the Rachmaninoff prelude and that you continue to watch my videos!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Thank you!!

  • Dear Krusnin,

    Your welcome. I forgot to mention to you that the Rachmaninoff piece was an excerpt and not the entire piece. Due to time constraints by the network, I was not allowed to play the whole first piece, so I omitted the opening section.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • What 's the name of this piece.

    This sounds awesome!

    Realy realy good

  • Dear Krusnin,

    Thank you so much for your compliments on my performance. The two pieces that I played were Rachmaninoff Prelude in C# Minor, Op. 3 No. 2, and O Polichinelo by Villa-Lobos.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • lolz My fun music is Mozart too

  • I'm glad you like Mozart!

    Aaron

  • Nice, very nice

    But you din't play the very beginning?...

    ...

    I play the piece to now, im 14, I completely finished it and i'm gonna put a video of me on youtube soon, ... my old one sucks xD but um... realy you're very good, Keep it up !

  • Dear Charlaweyd,

    Thank you for the compliments! The reason that I didn't play the beginning was because there was a time limit for my performance and I couldn't fit in everything that I wanted to.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • DudeI've been playing the piano for a year, and for u to be that good, thatz crazy! Im still playing the Maple Leaf Rag..

  • Dear SingersHeart2,

    I wasn't able to play the Maple Leaf Rag after one year, so I would say that you are good!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • you play very good!!!!!!!!

  • Thanks!

    Aaron

  • Dear tavarichrusky,

    Thank you so much for your support and kind compliments. Por favor visitas mi Web site pronto porque yo tambien voy a tener mas videos nuevos pronto. Miras yo tocando Debussy en mi Web site?

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Btw my name, it sounds like Keira Knightly's name. :P

    XOXP Kira

  • oh my god. Excuse that. But WOW! O.O! That was amazing! How old are you now, 12? 13?

    Thats Crazy! I can't even get past the first line with out messing it up, and I am like, in seventh grade. Thats purely crazy! Amazing I love it. You are truly a musical angel, and prodigy. And oh boy, i am like, running out of the right words to say. I think you are absolutely amazing. The video of Igudesman and Joo Called Rachmaninov Had Big Hands, cool. But you are AMAZING!!!

    XOXP Kira

  • Dear h0ck3ygirl17,

    I'm thirteen years old now. Thanks for the very kind words about my performance.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Five Stars

  • :) :) :) :) :)

    Thanks!

    Aaron

  • wow.

  • Beautiful job, Aaron, and congratulations!

    Debbie :)

  • Dear Debbie,

    I appreciate the good wishes.

    Thank you.

    SIncerely,

    Aaron

  • Excellent job! I learned this one last year, and I'm no where near as good as you, but I am a lot older.

    Keep it up, good luck on your career!!

  • Thank you, EDBARC.

    Sorry it took so long to respond....

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Je trouve que tu joue très bien, mais que tu n'écoute pas ce que tu joue...

  • Hi Magnus,

    I congratulate you for your performances and your talent. Just one question : Are you right or left-handed ?

    Thanks,

    Dimitri

  • Dear Dimitri,

    This video isn't of Magnus but of Aaron Kurz(which is me). This video was done when I was 11 years old and I think that Magnus is 9 years old now. I know Magnus because we both have the same piano teacher.

    Sincerely, Aaron

  • Sorry for the mistake, Aaron, I mixed up your two names. But my question was actually for you : I wonder if you're right or left-handed...

  • Dear dimimousse,

    I am actually left-handed.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Dear Aaron, what a great accomplishment. You have a wonderful tone. Your shoulders look a little bit tense to me, like a little bit hunched up. I think maybe try to relax your shoulders a bit. That's cool you could learn on a 7/8 piano, until recently I didn't know such things existed, which I always felt was unfair advantage for string players. Excellent.

    Nick

  • Dear Nick,

    Thank you for your compliments and for your suggestions. When this was recorded, I did sometimes play with my shoulders tense, and it looks that way in this video.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Dear Aaron: I have known a little more about you through your messages, I am very proud of knowing you, I encourage you to be always doing these wonders you do everytime you play the piano, with such a discipline and at such a young age!, I look forward being in one of your concerts, I'd be wonderful that you come to my country (Venezuela), you'll be welcome.

  • hes kinda cute....but kinda a dork.....but hes awesome at piano :o

    sincerely,

    JEALOUS

    (aka Devon B. <33)

    im 14 btw.

  • Dear guaniamo,

    Thank you so much for your compliments and encouragement. I really appreciate them! I do not have any concerts planned in Venezuela, but it is not unlikely that I could play there within the next few years.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Congratulations for your performance in Carnegie Hall, Where are you studying music now?

  • Dear Guaniamo,

    I take lessons from the Chair of the Piano Department at Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • how'd you get the rachmaninoff chords down at such a young age?

  • cuz he ROCKS!

  • Dear mustafus,

    When I first started the piece, I couldn't reach the chords. I practiced the piece on a 7/8-size keyboard, and eventually I began playing it on a full-size piano. Learning it on the 7/8 made it easier to reach the chords on a regular piano.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • it is a simplefied arrangement for small hands

  • Dear Ivypuppy,

    Although this piece was excerpted due to time constraints required by network television,it was not a simplified arrangement. Although one chord which covered ten keys was played more like an arpeggio, the rest of this Rachmaninoff prelude was played as written.

  • Wow! you are awesome! I played same piece when i was at a very young age. But you are still amazing! I play four insturments: violin, mandolin, piano, and guitar.

  • Dear kiki66565,

    Thanks for the very supportive words. Playing 4 instruments is very impressive too!!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Dear tbkurz,

    Hi, i have posted a video of me playing this same piece. and i have to say its nothing compared to yours... i was 13 when i played this and have been practicing a lot. you have really inspired me to get back on classical music. wonderful...

  • Dear budzillab,

    Thank you very much for the compliments and support. I'm honored that my playing inspired you to get back to your music!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • Very good and nice

  • Thanks!

    Aaron

  • 10/10 !!!

  • Aaron, keep it up - you're already a fabulous pianist. You already play with such skill and spirit, even at a young age.

  • Dear murpheeplaysflute,

    Thank you so much for your encouragement!

    Aaron

  • how long do you practice each day? honestly?

  • Dear suppdiggydawgz,

    When this program was made, about one year ago, I practiced an average of 90 minutes daily. But, before competitions and performances I will focus only on the needed pieces and usually practice an hour longer for several days beforehand. In the last 9 months my practicing has increased to about 2 hours daily.

    Aaron

  • A wonderful piece played magnificently.

    Very Impressive, well done.

  • Dear farleigh17,

    Thanks for the support!

    Aaron

  • Wonderful performance, deserving of much respect, and a decent microphone!

    I loved it. Good to hear you play.

  • I appreciate your compliment, Springbok2006!

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • This is a very impressive performance!

    Congratulations Aaron!

  • Thank you very much!

    Aaron

  • Hi Aaron,

    The mic placement ruined your expertise, not your fault, your a marvel. TV shows are aimed at way below your intelligence level, I sympathise with you having to tolerate idiots like her.

  • Dear yyyzzzz,

    Thanks for understanding that the mic placement affected the tonal quality. I appreciate your understanding and compliments.

    Sincerely, Aaron

  • that new lady was very annoying, as a musician there is a level of sophistication that follows, and talking to an 11 year old as though he is 7, when he posses the musical maturity for someone well in his latter years, is kind of sad/belittling, but overall beautiful performance, bravo and keep up the with the inspiring interpretations

  • Thank you very much, imlazee247, for all of the compliments. I appreciate your thoughts.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron Kurz

  • I wish I could play the piano like that! way 2 go hope to be able to meet you in person some day! Lucky person! :)

  • Dear DoGz1121,

    Thanks so much for the compliments.I appreciate it!

    Regards,

    Aaron

  • i know its for a show but cut half of it how disgusting to insult rachmaninov with just the fireworks,also piano is way out of tune,poor kid

  • Hi afertyus1000,

    Yes, my son was only given enough time to play an excerpt of the Rachmaninov -- that is the way it goes on tv. Also, the piano had a mic in it which contributed to some sound distortion; but, I think that Aaron made the best of it and it was an exciting event. We were grateful for the opportunity.

    Thanks for the knowledgeable comments!

    Terry Kurz, the pianist's mom

  • Congratulations on an amazing talent =]

    I have a question for Aaron though, why choose Mozart as a favourite over Rachmaninoff?

  • Dear 4c00h,

    Thanks for the compliment and your interest. I chose Mozart over Rachmaninoff because I like the melodies more and that makes it more fun to play.

    Sincerely,

    Aaron

  • in italain television this program is not possible to se!!

  • 11 and going to 7th grade?

    Which did he skip?

  • Aaron didn't really skip a grade but tested early into grade school after going to preschool. He actually went into first grade when he was 5.

    Terry Kurz, the pianist's mom

  • Dear tbkurz,

    I'm not sure if you would believe me, but I was at the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition as a contestant: I won't reveal my name. I heard you (or Aaron, if you are his mom) play. I remember debating with my piano teacher who would win the competition (I didn't have enough time to prepare my repertoire, so we just gave up hope on me winning.), and my teacher said, Colton Peltier (you should know him) will win, and I said, Aaron Kurz.