It's not that people don't realize talent. To understand the beauty behind something that at first seems chaotic needs for someone to put effort into understanding it. People need to understand that the musician has all the technical skill and creativity to feel comfortable enjoying the music. At first I thought that this guy was an idiot until I saw that he really did have immense technical/creative skill...I was then able to allow him to take me on his journey
@1ucasvb You just don't understand the talent of this dude. He's been through all of that technical bullshit, and now he's doing what he wants to do, which is just truly expressive
Anyone saying this isn't music or it's noise obviously can't appreciate how amazing and complex it is. You would probably have said the same about Rachmoninoff....or even later Frank Zappa's classical work.
You are fired Mr. Lewis!! I am sending you a bill for damaging that fine Steinway Concert Grand that you have destroyed!. If you don't stop playing like a silly idiot instead of a musician and grow up don't ever touch a piano again. You are an insult to every great piano player!!!!!!!!!
Mr Lewis is capable of playing the piano very well, and I did enjoy the one piece he performed when he was standing up, however it was all percussive and no coloring with the sustain pedal! Damaging fine instruments is not conducive to producing beautiful music!!
What's one of the truest things for music? It's supposed to be an extension of your emotions. Look at his face. Either he's crazy, or he's happy... either way, he's happy.
@hippitybippitybop yeah! he should grow up, and then maybe he can play with someone like wynton marsalis, or maybe someone like the late great elvin jones! or maybe he could even win the thelonious monk piano competition! wait.....he already did all that.
im sorry, but could you please explain this statement?
if its his interpretation of how music should be, how is that "fucking up the music"? because its different from your conception of what music should? is he horowitz? no but does he have to be horowitz or kissin to be great? isn't that being awfully close-minded? please, if you don't enjoy the music thats entirely fine and your opinion, but dont insult modern musicians be calling what we do garbage because it doesnt fit in your reality.
I am a musician so I can judge him-If Mr. Lewis would lose the trash he could be as great as Oscar Peterson and the"Monk". I stick to my statement-Trash is Trash and damaged Steinways that cost $60,000 and white noise aint where it is at! Can you dig it bro?????
this guy actually isn't great...really self-indulgent and quite melodramatic. he's not even doing anything new or interesting - just treading over territory already covered with a lot of showmanship and not a lot of craft. ooo, picking the strings in the piano - keith jarrett was doing that in the 60s, and he probably wasn't even the first. and most of this is pretty simple harmonically.
Some people aren't really worried so much about originality and who's done what. Some times it's about how it's done. And how this guy plays is just so entertaining. He completely gets lost in it. I don't see it as self-indulgent at all. He'd be playing like this if nobody cared to listen. But people do.
This must have been very impressive as a live performance given the incredible instrument that piano seems to be and the confident, passionate manner of the player.
With there only being a limited number of notes in our harmony, there probably can be no more innovation harmonically, so the only thing we have left is vibe and rhythm, and so the innovation missing the major component of harmony will not be as large of a step as, for instance, when Bebop first hit the scene or when "Giant Steps" first fell on listeners' ears etc.....
well we can use different tuning systems. there is microtonal music and also other harmonies based on different ratios between successive notes. i sound like i'm talking through my ass because i don't know much about it, buti know it's there... so.. yar. you're right to an extent of course
That is why I said in our harmony, our harmony is the 12 tone system, if you wanna do a 10 tone system then that would put you outside of accepted Western harmony that is studied in every accredited institution in America, so it is not only to an extent. I mean how many jazz concerts have you gone to where cats where playing instruments based on 15 tones?
He has plenty of emotional facial expressions, but apparently not the chops for jazz or classical, and so he noodles around in one key for several minutes. I am not impressed.
LoL all of his facial expressions made it seem as if he just orgasmed. Good for him, I tried to play the piano but every time I played a note it sounded as if I was punching a burlap sack full of fighting kittens.
Admittedly, many of these concepts have been explored before by composers like Debussy and Messiaen, and more recently John Adams. But this is still masterfully executed, and full of passion! 5 stars!
oh, by the way, flattail, you don't know SHIT about music. This isn't avant-garde in the least.
let'sbe honest : the only reason the audience clapped is becuase they were supposed to, and the standing began because someone (the pianist cousin or something) stood up i the audience.
simply... amazing! 3 stars and a half!!??? wtf?? some people just cant understand real talent and creativity.... i love it when he puts the hand over the strings of the piano to get a different sound! i knew in guitar there was that technique, but never thought of doing that on the piano!! very innovative!! 10/5 stars!
I'd list timings of parts that inspired emotions in me and challenged the way I understood melody and harmony, but that would be most of the piece. Just because you don't get it doesn't mean it's bad--did you ever think that maybe YOU are the reason you don't "get" this piece? Good music takes time, attention, creativity, a little problem solving, but most of all intelligence and depth of thought to understand.
the fact that you say it's not musical proves that either you know nothing about music or you weren't listening. everything in his music is threaded together with incredible theoretical composition and improvisation.
The piano is a beautiful instrument. Simply hearing the sounds it can produce is a lovely experience. I think balancing chaos with random shards of order and gorgeous melody is one of the best ways to hear the piano reach its complete potential. I recently started listening to Keith Jarrett, and his solo material is similar, but in my opinion light years beyond what anyone else has ever been able to do with a piano.
It's a nice piano jam. something people do when just flowing with it, to clear their heads.
Not brilliant, not special.
If you'r really into the mathematical intricacies of chaos and harmony I would recommend psychedelic music, liquid trance and other type of "deep electronics".
I personally thought the piece is god; i can't really say that he's bad, because i'm not even a tenth as good...The one aspect which i hated though was that the piece was very and i mean very self indulgent.
This is weak. I do this shit all the time. He's got me on technical facility, but I'd never pay to see this. I do this to "wipe the slate clean" when I'm about to compose.
Its like hes trying to play death metal on a piano... now just throw in some gutteral screaming and it will be complete... DUUURRR DURR DURRR DURR DURRRRRR!!!!!!!! WRAAAAAAAAAGHHH!!!!!!!!
I think his fingers were dislocated long before this particular performance. Probably as a result of playing the exact same piece somewhere where people value music and respect other people's instruments.
this is a successful piece of music because evokes an emotional response from me, the listener... I keep wanting to hear an orderly, flowing rhythm, but it is constantly getting distorted and broken up. This is frustrating but beautiful at the same time. Bravo sir...
People can make music for many different reasons. A nice tune to hum along to, a pounding base to dance to, music to create particular emotions. Here the stated intention was to create "a tribute to ocean and sky " and to that aim it succeeds well it did capture the fealing of being thrown about in a storm very well. If anything I would say it was a little tame there is much which is more out there.
I just don't think it did capture ocean or sky. This is what modern art often attempts to do - capture huge subjects like "the ocean". That is a monumental undertaking and he has failed. Composers would usually only attempt specific moods of the sea or sky, like "moonlight" not just the sky in all it's forms. The sea is harmonic not chaotic like this piece.
For me this cadenza has always captured a raging ocean (not a tranquil one) Especially from 0:50.
well ok, he didn´t capture the ocean by his tones... that would be kinda arty farty! It´s a good song thou, I think you are overthinking it, it´s just music
I thought it was fairly poor. I tried to keep an open mind throughout, I'm sure he is a brilliant pianist, but this composition was just poor. The listener should not be forced to search for beauty, it is up to the composer to create beauty for the listener - that is the whole point in my opinion. xXx
well I think the work was nice, if u really listen deep inside the music u can tell there is not just random hand hitting... I think is a real good work... bu there is something must be said.. if someone know the guy... please tell him to stop doing faces, is underestandable that MAYBE it was part of the perform, but made it seem sooooooo fake!!!!
Someone needs to cut the audio from this and put it to "Jizzed in my Pants" because there are like countless moments where he looks like he's prematurely popping a load under that Steinway--and managing to look like a creep while doing it, too. He's what Stevie Wonder would have been if he had been able to see . . . and smoked 20 rocks of crack.
by the way, i don't like this music either, but it is definitely music, not crap. listening to it more often helps, because there is a lot to discover.
When stravinksy composed "le sacre du printemps", people didn't think that was music either. Comparing Eric Lewis with music you do understand, is the same as what happened to stravinsky. Dont hate progression.
As a composer he is uninteresting and over the top.
A good performance. But the only things I've seen him perform are his own compositions, if this is all he does - he is not a versatile performer - not a good performer.
While listening to this I noticed something familiar. This music is so weird but I was sure I've heard this type of music before. I didn't know what exactly it was until I looked up Eric Lewis on Wikipedia...
Jazz, so chaotic but still pleasant to listen to. This one is sure a very "unique" kind of jazz.
this comment deserves the nobel peace prize it made me so happy.
Though, I have to admit I do appreciate the exploration, and I think it's well done for the purpose it was trying to accomplish. but I dont plan on watching this again :P
This is freaking AWESOME. I love how he plays piano. He gives character to everything he plays.
I can see how some people wouldn't like it. But I find his style very interesting, engaging, and musical. People seem to watch him play and think that he's randomly slamming the keys. That's clearly not the case. Maybe it takes a bit of musical training to recognize it.
I'm sure pianists like him also envy Segovia or John Williams. All musicians wish to play the other's instrument. I'm sure he is admiring someone like yourself.
well, there sure was some chaos in that....I liked the harmony parts much better though, I do like structure...but it was different, something i haven't seen before anyway...the opening was very...violent?
AAAAAARGH!!! This is NOTHING NEW, and it is NOT unique!!!!
It's been done before noumerous time, and it all sounds the fucking same. Just because you people haven't heard of this before it doesn't mean that he's the only one doing it!!!
We had a diskussion about wether this kind of music is "art" or not in musik lessons in highschool. That was 12 years ago, it wasn't a new and innovative Idea back then and it most certainly isn't now!!!
Calm down. Of course its not a new concept to play music the way this guy did, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't play it if he enjoys it. The fact that you say it all sounds the same is strange. Do you mean all music that is without harmony is the same? If so, then you are simply wrong.
Also, perhaps you should have paid attention in more than just music class in high school, judging from your comment.
Hint: When typing, the words with red lines under them are usually spelled wrong.
It's not that people don't realize talent. To understand the beauty behind something that at first seems chaotic needs for someone to put effort into understanding it. People need to understand that the musician has all the technical skill and creativity to feel comfortable enjoying the music. At first I thought that this guy was an idiot until I saw that he really did have immense technical/creative skill...I was then able to allow him to take me on his journey
crudhousefull 1 month ago in playlist More videos from TEDtalksDirector
one of the only people who TRULY know how summon thunder in the piano. i have heard him in person. he his very special. geek down.
jinalanguniafrika 2 months ago
He's playing what we're all thinking?
CooCurrent 4 months ago
@CooCurrent Hmmm, maybe subconscious
CooCurrent 4 months ago
Wonderful. Good to see interesting music these days...
Rickles 5 months ago
I prefer when he plays on yamaha pianos... they suit his style much better.
flya750 5 months ago
brilliant...
switchmark 6 months ago
Really 140 dislikes??? WTF!!! this guy is awesome!!!
TheGeekSheek 6 months ago
@TheGeekSheek They live in 'merika
tcdahn7 6 months ago
How could this ever be written or read. Nuts!
myzterious111 6 months ago
anyone else see all the numbers comming from the sounds?
TheKandeyne 7 months ago
wow!!!!! pushin enveopes. if ur ear is open enough to catch what hes doin, its perty dam deep!
sqottslahuud 7 months ago
if the wholething wasnt octave banging it could be something. there is some structure in the harmonies. but its really just wreckless banging
anonymousQ45 7 months ago
Masturbating the piano
gabbadoez 8 months ago
Comment removed
andyrooney12 9 months ago
Best face on the planet at 3:49
ScientiaVeritasEtLux 1 year ago
This guy doesn't deserve to be touching a Steinway & Sons.
1ucasvb 1 year ago
@1ucasvb You just don't understand the talent of this dude. He's been through all of that technical bullshit, and now he's doing what he wants to do, which is just truly expressive
panamanian911 4 months ago
this stinks
PivotProMaster 1 year ago
@PivotProMaster you smell like ass
princeashtonsdad 1 year ago
@PivotProMaster you smell like ass bitch
princeashtonsdad 1 year ago
@PivotProMaster you smell like ass bitch boner
smallmajority 1 year ago
wth? does he realize that that piano is like 120 grand?
DanDaMan2794 1 year ago
@DanDaMan2794 youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !! ;)
ELEWTube 1 year ago
I would hate to be the piano... he kills pianos, especially when hammering the same notes repeatedly like that
jsthorne24 1 year ago
nice
warrenmusic 1 year ago
Anyone saying this isn't music or it's noise obviously can't appreciate how amazing and complex it is. You would probably have said the same about Rachmoninoff....or even later Frank Zappa's classical work.
gentlefury 1 year ago 11
@gentlefury youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
sounds like something that would be in FF. or type of game like that.
AG415LINK 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@AG415LINK youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !
ELEWTube 1 year ago
You are fired Mr. Lewis!! I am sending you a bill for damaging that fine Steinway Concert Grand that you have destroyed!. If you don't stop playing like a silly idiot instead of a musician and grow up don't ever touch a piano again. You are an insult to every great piano player!!!!!!!!!
hippitybippitybop 1 year ago
my comment to miquelfiesta applies to you as well.
Orpheus1356 1 year ago
@hippitybippitybop
Its funny becuase I really enjoyed his music.
In my opinion this sounds like 'music' something more random and expressive will always be more meaningful to me.
ge1org1e 1 year ago
Mr Lewis is capable of playing the piano very well, and I did enjoy the one piece he performed when he was standing up, however it was all percussive and no coloring with the sustain pedal! Damaging fine instruments is not conducive to producing beautiful music!!
hippitybippitybop 1 year ago
also @ hippitybpippitybop
What's one of the truest things for music? It's supposed to be an extension of your emotions. Look at his face. Either he's crazy, or he's happy... either way, he's happy.
That's music.
fightliferockin 1 year ago
@fightliferockin youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !!!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
Comment removed
ELEWTube 1 year ago
@ge1org1e youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
You, sir, are just an insult you youtube.
The most beautiful things in music are often the most ugly. A true musician would know that, sir.
fightliferockin 1 year ago
@hippitybippitybop yeah! he should grow up, and then maybe he can play with someone like wynton marsalis, or maybe someone like the late great elvin jones! or maybe he could even win the thelonious monk piano competition! wait.....he already did all that.
flipadiddle 1 year ago 2
How can anyone think this is great? I'm getting depressed by hearing it. And really mad. How dares he to fuck music up like that. I'm chocked
miquelfiesta 1 year ago
im sorry, but could you please explain this statement?
if its his interpretation of how music should be, how is that "fucking up the music"? because its different from your conception of what music should? is he horowitz? no but does he have to be horowitz or kissin to be great? isn't that being awfully close-minded? please, if you don't enjoy the music thats entirely fine and your opinion, but dont insult modern musicians be calling what we do garbage because it doesnt fit in your reality.
Orpheus1356 1 year ago
I am a musician so I can judge him-If Mr. Lewis would lose the trash he could be as great as Oscar Peterson and the"Monk". I stick to my statement-Trash is Trash and damaged Steinways that cost $60,000 and white noise aint where it is at! Can you dig it bro?????
hippitybippitybop 1 year ago
I feel sorry for you... I really do.
miquelfiesta 1 year ago
see now thats a non insulting opinion, you learn fast. thank you
Orpheus1356 1 year ago
Your language is as insulting as Mr. Lewis tash white noise!! Can you dig it?????
hippitybippitybop 1 year ago
lol, you mean my quoted text? where i quoted miquelfista?
wow, im not upset at u anymore bro, i understand ur not intelligent enough to have a true appreciation for music.
u wont get any more comments from me lol
Orpheus1356 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Orpheus1356 youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !
ELEWTube 1 year ago
Wow now that's different..Love his expressions XD
Shimraeen 2 years ago 2
@Shimraeen youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
@ELEWTube Wow thanks so much for that recommendation it was really amazing but once again MEGA LOL at his expressions xD
Shimraeen 11 months ago
@Shimraeen I REALLY AGREE hahaha xD
makulitkaha 11 months ago
Wow, brilliant. Didn't know a piano could sound quite like that.
rbj2001 2 years ago
@rbj2001 youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
that was amazing!! wow.. I've got no words, actually. Wish I could play that song too...
HSM4lives 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
@HSM4lives youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA !!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
this guy actually isn't great...really self-indulgent and quite melodramatic. he's not even doing anything new or interesting - just treading over territory already covered with a lot of showmanship and not a lot of craft. ooo, picking the strings in the piano - keith jarrett was doing that in the 60s, and he probably wasn't even the first. and most of this is pretty simple harmonically.
cursestar 2 years ago 2
Some people aren't really worried so much about originality and who's done what. Some times it's about how it's done. And how this guy plays is just so entertaining. He completely gets lost in it. I don't see it as self-indulgent at all. He'd be playing like this if nobody cared to listen. But people do.
TheJohnMayor 1 year ago
@TheJohnMayor youtube.com/watch?v=kjGcehoUEaA! RRRROOOAAAARRR !!!
ELEWTube 1 year ago
Brings to mind Jimi Hendrix's woodstock rendition of "star spangled banner"
iKnowYouSeeThis 2 years ago
and you thought guitar players made funny faces
myguitardidyermom12 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
shit
worriedaboutlife 2 years ago
This must have been very impressive as a live performance given the incredible instrument that piano seems to be and the confident, passionate manner of the player.
GlichGlichGlich 2 years ago 2
this is brilliant.
Siowish 2 years ago 2
With there only being a limited number of notes in our harmony, there probably can be no more innovation harmonically, so the only thing we have left is vibe and rhythm, and so the innovation missing the major component of harmony will not be as large of a step as, for instance, when Bebop first hit the scene or when "Giant Steps" first fell on listeners' ears etc.....
LouisKeys 2 years ago
well we can use different tuning systems. there is microtonal music and also other harmonies based on different ratios between successive notes. i sound like i'm talking through my ass because i don't know much about it, buti know it's there... so.. yar. you're right to an extent of course
clubsandwedge 2 years ago
That is why I said in our harmony, our harmony is the 12 tone system, if you wanna do a 10 tone system then that would put you outside of accepted Western harmony that is studied in every accredited institution in America, so it is not only to an extent. I mean how many jazz concerts have you gone to where cats where playing instruments based on 15 tones?
LouisKeys 2 years ago
yeah sorry sloppy wording, you are right
clubsandwedge 2 years ago
I knew Eric when he was playing like Bud Powell, he is incredible now and he was incredible then.....
LouisKeys 2 years ago
This was the worst rendition of Beethoven's 5th I have ever heard
caseygtr 2 years ago
He has plenty of emotional facial expressions, but apparently not the chops for jazz or classical, and so he noodles around in one key for several minutes. I am not impressed.
mortald 2 years ago 2
he was like having sex with piano
anandmongol 2 years ago 17
@anandmongol
LoL all of his facial expressions made it seem as if he just orgasmed. Good for him, I tried to play the piano but every time I played a note it sounded as if I was punching a burlap sack full of fighting kittens.
andyrooney12 9 months ago
Admittedly, many of these concepts have been explored before by composers like Debussy and Messiaen, and more recently John Adams. But this is still masterfully executed, and full of passion! 5 stars!
oh, by the way, flattail, you don't know SHIT about music. This isn't avant-garde in the least.
origamimadness 2 years ago 3
I guess it's too avant garde for my liking--interesting and original but I did not connect with it.
flattail 2 years ago
Wow! I love him! I love 2:20 and on!
Bananastar56 2 years ago
really good it makes you dream and it's awesome. really cool images come to me! very evocative and full of energy!!!
Animalll2003lll 2 years ago
wow 2:11 and on is really really good!!!! incredible.
Animalll2003lll 2 years ago
let'sbe honest : the only reason the audience clapped is becuase they were supposed to, and the standing began because someone (the pianist cousin or something) stood up i the audience.
so not touching
baptistic 2 years ago
simply... amazing! 3 stars and a half!!??? wtf?? some people just cant understand real talent and creativity.... i love it when he puts the hand over the strings of the piano to get a different sound! i knew in guitar there was that technique, but never thought of doing that on the piano!! very innovative!! 10/5 stars!
alexbemposta 2 years ago 2
come on dude where in his performance did he touch your soul and inspire an emotion in you (as a good improvisationalist does)???
baptistic 2 years ago
I'd list timings of parts that inspired emotions in me and challenged the way I understood melody and harmony, but that would be most of the piece. Just because you don't get it doesn't mean it's bad--did you ever think that maybe YOU are the reason you don't "get" this piece? Good music takes time, attention, creativity, a little problem solving, but most of all intelligence and depth of thought to understand.
pbyshelley 2 years ago
I came.
pookiehohn 2 years ago
mr smart guy..... ok im joking mayb he is good
zoranest 2 years ago
seconded.
patienceking 2 years ago
Very, ...innovative!
ModeBassTreble 2 years ago
piece of shit...
leovailati 2 years ago
Watch this.
watch?v=5VPmJpB2EIo
yuothineyesasian 2 years ago
Love the chaos, an electrifying performance:D
sismian 2 years ago
what's the point of this?
BboyProcessPro 2 years ago
I lol'd at his face. Trying to hard.
Kazikox 2 years ago
was this an improvisation?
intelliGENeration 2 years ago
this is the kind of piano music i have been looking for!
ge1org1e 2 years ago
if anyone found this performance interesting from a musical point of view I'd recommend Stravinsky
watch?v=NDZYK8NyxOg
MEpianist 2 years ago
pound those keys!!! it looks like he is trying to read the notes out of the sky
CarrieRulesTheBlock 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ugh . . . that sucked . . . and it's not because I don't understand it. It's just not pleasing, interesting, evocative, or particularly musical.
RustyIronloins 2 years ago
the fact that you say it's not musical proves that either you know nothing about music or you weren't listening. everything in his music is threaded together with incredible theoretical composition and improvisation.
27lafee 2 years ago
yeah there's incredible harmony there, what the hell r u talking about?
Henrin 2 years ago
I could listen to that all night, ... but I'm not going to.
davehorne 2 years ago
I got a better name for this: "The Rape Overture in F you minor"
Funkypotat0 2 years ago 17
Wow, classy!
sergiolopezOU 2 years ago
Don King plays piano now? hahahah that was pretty good
anjingkuda 2 years ago
The piano is a beautiful instrument. Simply hearing the sounds it can produce is a lovely experience. I think balancing chaos with random shards of order and gorgeous melody is one of the best ways to hear the piano reach its complete potential. I recently started listening to Keith Jarrett, and his solo material is similar, but in my opinion light years beyond what anyone else has ever been able to do with a piano.
Raunvisindi 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't see how this mono-type sound of a single instrument can be any match for the richness of modern composition in digital music.
Unless you'r a tedster sheeple, and think that pianos are somehow more "prestigious" or something.
get the fuck out of the 19 century culture of elitism and join the 21'th.
superdiza 2 years ago
well great music is composed for mostly the piano. unfortunately... even i think this song blows ass.
ritherz 2 years ago 4
great music is Composed. period.
if one believes that there is a need to be palyed by a piano in order to be great, than that's my point exactly.
Tedster elitist oldschool sheeple.
Let's try to do a pepsi test on this piece, upload it to a non TED branded website, and we'll see how much ass it blows..:)
superdiza 2 years ago
dont spit out your opinions like they're facts
ConnerKleister 2 years ago
It's a nice piano jam. something people do when just flowing with it, to clear their heads.
Not brilliant, not special.
If you'r really into the mathematical intricacies of chaos and harmony I would recommend psychedelic music, liquid trance and other type of "deep electronics".
I can recommend Astral projection..
superdiza 2 years ago
Everyone who thumbed you down doesn't know what an investment practicing piano is.
MEpianist 2 years ago 2
am i supposed to be impressed?
styrofoamsquirrel 2 years ago
Love the steinway....so does he by the look on his face.....great sound!!
petewrightrecords 2 years ago 2
I personally thought the piece is god; i can't really say that he's bad, because i'm not even a tenth as good...The one aspect which i hated though was that the piece was very and i mean very self indulgent.
fishbonetaher 2 years ago 2
This is weak. I do this shit all the time. He's got me on technical facility, but I'd never pay to see this. I do this to "wipe the slate clean" when I'm about to compose.
Kailus1217 2 years ago
that is jealousy right there. Don't hate. They is great.
tozo81 2 years ago
Jesus Christ everyone gets a standing O at TED!
LTcrew 2 years ago
I want to audiosurf this one ;D
camperkid 2 years ago
Its like hes trying to play death metal on a piano... now just throw in some gutteral screaming and it will be complete... DUUURRR DURR DURRR DURR DURRRRRR!!!!!!!! WRAAAAAAAAAGHHH!!!!!!!!
ashtray45 2 years ago 7
amen amen and amen
skyemail 2 years ago
Intense!
gerantgerant 2 years ago
did he dislocate his finger while playing?
dragonstorm83 2 years ago
I think his fingers were dislocated long before this particular performance. Probably as a result of playing the exact same piece somewhere where people value music and respect other people's instruments.
namnack 2 years ago 2
hahahahaha
skyemail 2 years ago
this is a successful piece of music because evokes an emotional response from me, the listener... I keep wanting to hear an orderly, flowing rhythm, but it is constantly getting distorted and broken up. This is frustrating but beautiful at the same time. Bravo sir...
BrentCW1489 2 years ago
and when was art supposed to be frustrating instead of uplifting and inspiring?
skyemail 2 years ago
when the artist feels like it
KlaraMargret 2 years ago
very ravel-like
jmakobi 2 years ago
Not bad.
CharlieBaltazar 2 years ago
People can make music for many different reasons. A nice tune to hum along to, a pounding base to dance to, music to create particular emotions. Here the stated intention was to create "a tribute to ocean and sky " and to that aim it succeeds well it did capture the fealing of being thrown about in a storm very well. If anything I would say it was a little tame there is much which is more out there.
SalixAlba256 2 years ago
I just don't think it did capture ocean or sky. This is what modern art often attempts to do - capture huge subjects like "the ocean". That is a monumental undertaking and he has failed. Composers would usually only attempt specific moods of the sea or sky, like "moonlight" not just the sky in all it's forms. The sea is harmonic not chaotic like this piece.
For me this cadenza has always captured a raging ocean (not a tranquil one) Especially from 0:50.
watch?v=dCYIJbQt6HQ
curzmg 2 years ago
well ok, he didn´t capture the ocean by his tones... that would be kinda arty farty! It´s a good song thou, I think you are overthinking it, it´s just music
KlaraMargret 2 years ago
Sorry if I hate you for saying 'it's just music'. Your life is 'just your life' people are 'just people' - who gives a shit.
curzmg 2 years ago
I thought it was fairly poor. I tried to keep an open mind throughout, I'm sure he is a brilliant pianist, but this composition was just poor. The listener should not be forced to search for beauty, it is up to the composer to create beauty for the listener - that is the whole point in my opinion. xXx
curzmg 2 years ago
very good. i agree.
skyemail 2 years ago
I don't think this is music
Azureim 2 years ago
this song is like the most bad ass Final Fantasy boss fight ever.
Neuroelectronic 2 years ago 5
wow, I'm surprised people can be so jaded as to listen to this then talk shit about it. try listening to it more then once at least.
Neuroelectronic 2 years ago
Can people please dislike something you don't?
Thanks.
namnack 2 years ago
I gave this 5 stars. Try to listen to it with your eyes closed.
m0eb1us00 2 years ago
I can see and feel the energies that he is trying create. It actually is pretty powerful, just not music i'd listen to regularly.
kingfreddys 2 years ago
find the beauty in the disonance...
zorac91 2 years ago
Yeah, he definitly on something, acid or shrooms. ;)
wackdeafboy 2 years ago 5
LOL
popitypop 2 years ago
but that shit was ill though, it started off pretty questionable, but he took it in the right direction
chainzdown2dadik 2 years ago 4
haha yo dude must be on acid or somethin
chainzdown2dadik 2 years ago 5
This is why most people think jazz is crap.
Bocbo 2 years ago
well I think the work was nice, if u really listen deep inside the music u can tell there is not just random hand hitting... I think is a real good work... bu there is something must be said.. if someone know the guy... please tell him to stop doing faces, is underestandable that MAYBE it was part of the perform, but made it seem sooooooo fake!!!!
friedcesar84 2 years ago
well... not this same song....
NiNJack 2 years ago
this was already posted by ted before...
NiNJack 2 years ago
Rated ***** at making stupid faces.
alejosky 2 years ago
rubbish !
CORNELchiarEnumeDEom 2 years ago 2
Someone needs to cut the audio from this and put it to "Jizzed in my Pants" because there are like countless moments where he looks like he's prematurely popping a load under that Steinway--and managing to look like a creep while doing it, too. He's what Stevie Wonder would have been if he had been able to see . . . and smoked 20 rocks of crack.
GreenMaster8 2 years ago 2
Funny....
rationalpower 2 years ago
he is a cross between obama and gnarls barkly... with a fro
leanonme1 2 years ago
I always play so when I'm extremly bored...
NamNguyenMusic 2 years ago
Okay, did he put his sheet music on the ceiling?
I didn't like it, too random.
TGGeko 2 years ago
amazing!!!
bredd77 2 years ago
and how is this not expression?!?!?
by the way, i don't like this music either, but it is definitely music, not crap. listening to it more often helps, because there is a lot to discover.
bkjbs762 2 years ago
To those people who don't get this music:
When stravinksy composed "le sacre du printemps", people didn't think that was music either. Comparing Eric Lewis with music you do understand, is the same as what happened to stravinsky. Dont hate progression.
bkjbs762 2 years ago
As a composer he is uninteresting and over the top.
A good performance. But the only things I've seen him perform are his own compositions, if this is all he does - he is not a versatile performer - not a good performer.
codecomposer 2 years ago 2
Powerful skills to be able to be chaotic and organized too. So moving.
nivsha 2 years ago
While listening to this I noticed something familiar. This music is so weird but I was sure I've heard this type of music before. I didn't know what exactly it was until I looked up Eric Lewis on Wikipedia...
Jazz, so chaotic but still pleasant to listen to. This one is sure a very "unique" kind of jazz.
BlackAlpha6666 2 years ago
i can hardly relate to this as music! are we talking about the piano's expressive power here? or its destructive power?! lol.
arjunsajeev 2 years ago
It's called "Chaos and Harmony"
dedbusted 2 years ago
i think my cat and i wrote something like this when i was in 5th grade
reivilo 2 years ago 4
He also wrote this piece with his cat. But alas, his cat died. Fortunately he got it stuffed and now seemingly wears it as a headpiece..
retepvosnul 2 years ago 2
this comment deserves the nobel peace prize it made me so happy.
Though, I have to admit I do appreciate the exploration, and I think it's well done for the purpose it was trying to accomplish. but I dont plan on watching this again :P
JTOdesign 2 years ago
Hehe, you use big words, you smart =) DARRR I'm DA WATER BOY DARRRRRR
kaioshinex2 2 years ago
If he wasn't hammering down on every single note like he had jackhammers for fingers we might be able to hear some expression in the piece.
Waranoa 2 years ago 6
Experts can communicate in detail...individuals do in subjectiveness...emotion....An expert explains technique....both do justice
dedbusted 2 years ago
I'm a critic, a teacher, a composer...I won't go into detail...but I enjoy this...is that good enough?
dedbusted 2 years ago
It is more then good enough.
therobanata 2 years ago
This is freaking AWESOME. I love how he plays piano. He gives character to everything he plays.
I can see how some people wouldn't like it. But I find his style very interesting, engaging, and musical. People seem to watch him play and think that he's randomly slamming the keys. That's clearly not the case. Maybe it takes a bit of musical training to recognize it.
787Bisurdaddy 2 years ago
this kind of music is on final fantasy games... maybe not exactly the same but really awesome series of video games and rlly awesome music too.
azinvazn123 2 years ago
You know I didn't realize it but you are definitely right. It feels familiar to me and it isn't hard to appreciate it.
shiggityx2 2 years ago
I certainly don't regret choosing to learn guitar instead of piano, but hearing stuff like this definitely makes me jealous.
jaspertine9 2 years ago
I'm sure pianists like him also envy Segovia or John Williams. All musicians wish to play the other's instrument. I'm sure he is admiring someone like yourself.
dedbusted 2 years ago
well, there sure was some chaos in that....I liked the harmony parts much better though, I do like structure...but it was different, something i haven't seen before anyway...the opening was very...violent?
ExpiredxMilk 2 years ago
AAAAAARGH!!! This is NOTHING NEW, and it is NOT unique!!!!
It's been done before noumerous time, and it all sounds the fucking same. Just because you people haven't heard of this before it doesn't mean that he's the only one doing it!!!
We had a diskussion about wether this kind of music is "art" or not in musik lessons in highschool. That was 12 years ago, it wasn't a new and innovative Idea back then and it most certainly isn't now!!!
DancingInChains 2 years ago
Calm down. Of course its not a new concept to play music the way this guy did, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't play it if he enjoys it. The fact that you say it all sounds the same is strange. Do you mean all music that is without harmony is the same? If so, then you are simply wrong.
Also, perhaps you should have paid attention in more than just music class in high school, judging from your comment.
Hint: When typing, the words with red lines under them are usually spelled wrong.
JaeEffingKae 2 years ago