Chopin Etude Op 10 No 1 / Debussy Arabesque 1 - Calvin Lee, MD

Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 1 / Debussy Arabesque No. 1 | Calvin Lee - Surgeon & Acupuncturist, living in Modesto, CA.

I work with Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tammy Wu in her Plastic Surgery & Wellness Center where I perform acupuncture, general surgery, and vein procedures.

If you're looking for my violin "video" it's the other one that says "Calvin Lee Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTYUkw_DO40
It's basically my violin playing sound track set to a bunch of distracting pictures. Orchestra on the sound track is the Brown University Orchestra back in the early 1990's (yikes!) The pictures are from about a year ago. Nevermind that video, focus on this one!

This video was specifically made for the Van Cliburn Amateur Piano Contest on YouTube.

I try to apply what I know from the violin to my piano practice. I've had great violin teachers. I'm pretty new to piano (just got the piano 2 years ago), so all comments and criticisms appreciated. I did play a bit as a child before I could even reach octaves, but my teacher thought it was best that I stopped piano and focus on violin - well, I took that advice and stopped piano (also before I could reach octaves) and did just that - focused on violin. Through time (sadly decades) the piano just disappeared from my life.

Don't get me wrong. I love the violin. But now I want to make up for lost time on the piano. I've had three lessons so far since starting piano again. I've been mainly practicing on my own at odd hours.

Thanks to everyone who has commented and encouraged me.

The other contestants can be found at:
http://youtube.com/groups_videos?name=cliburncontest

To vote you have to sign the guest book at
http://www.cliburn.org
They will mail you a ballot a day or two later.
I think the latest you can sign the guest book would be May 13 or 14, 2008.

More info about me? Go to
http://www.risingpianofire.com (piano)
http://www.modestotummytuck.com
http://www.modestoacupuncture.com
http://www.bigveins.com
http://www.modestosurgery.com
http://www.botox-buddies.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• chopin
• etude
• 10/1
• debussy
• arabesque-1
• calvin
• lee
• piano
• modesto
• ca
• surgeon
• acupuncturist

[jackcylee]

Hi Calvin,

You are just like another Paul Potts, but much more fortunate. Hope your talent can spread further to cure the sufferings....as your profession.

[risingpianofire]

Much too kind. Thank you. I'll do my best. I'm no Paul Potts! - I wish!

[risingpianofire]

I couldn't help but notice that I have 9990 views. Just a few more to earn that extra digit!

[veenbeen]

awesome!! I can't beleive you play like this having just started

[risingpianofire]

I played as a kid, but not that much - but I think everything helps. I got "fired" from piano lessons - rightfully so, I just couldn't get myself to practice. I just restarted, because my wife wanted to get a piano - I figured, I can use it sometimes too! We got the piano in 2006, if I remember correctly. I really wish I could have more time to practice and play!

[mdoub]

you would brilliant if you started the piano earlier

[risingpianofire]

Well, Thank you! Better late than never, though!!

[susanxlee]

you are ..amazing..

[LVB1770]

yuwong1000,

Better than Ashkenazy?Devoid of emotion? Please get your ears cleaned, you must be joking! risingpianofire can certainly play well but I'm not feeling the intense dynamics or emotion that this Chopin etudes requires. Though I wish I could play at least as good as risingpianofire does. It's a very difficult piece to play well! Peace.

[EtrofOnaip]

You've got the needles on the right place !!

[Geopholus]

You play with so much understanding of the music and very open musicallity that really let's the composer speak . Masterful!!!!

[ams5995]

you should invest in some better audio and dare i say video recording equipment. we want to see and hear what kind of piano that really is.  and we want to hear how it really sounded. that is the gist of the youtube comments from what i can tell.

[cciemail]

great playing! check your levels on your recording. it seems to be a bit too high.

[batemon85]

You play with such power and emotion! Thank you for sharing your talent with the world!! Absolutely beautiful!!

[zimnaya]

I love the way you just appear to 'throw out' the notes of the Chopin...extraordinary fire and power. Absolutely wonderful. And the way you caress the Debussy Arabesque. Teaching Chinese children in Hong Kong I am almost used to their plethora of talents, but you are something else. Magnificent. You made me cry. Thank you.

[AlexanderVankan]

Very gifted. Keep it up!

[aimsoft82]

Your performance of Chopin's 10/1 is very good! For an amateur it's perfect! I'm also an amateur piano player and I can play a few Chopin's etudes, but 10/1 is far beyond my limits. 

[malbuono]

genial



[buddydog1956]

I thoroughly enjoyed your Arabesque....I love your tempo! Excellent rendition! Bravo!

Your Chopin was very good as well!

Thanks for posting!