Heavens above
Wow, I think I have found another pianist I like. His name is Liberace, have you heard of him??
Actually, as a pianist he seems to play fairly well. It sounds like he practised quite a few hours sometimes. Perhaps his repertoire was not very demanding though. But it's not bad. To me, it is amazing just to hear someone who can get up and down the piano as easily as throwing a rubber duck in the bath, particularly these days. PS It may have been a rubber duck but there were probably diamonds on it too.
It was Paderewski who advised Liberace to use just his last name for the stage. And Paderewski may have been quite right about that, of course. Paderewski got so very very famous, it would be unbelievable to see it now. I guess he knew a thing or two about publicity.
It is a rather dubious practice to put your own importance above that of the music. On the other hand, one must admit that Liberace was in no way mediocre. He certainly did what he wanted - and that is his biggest 'plus' in my eyes.
From a musical point of view, the pieces are mostly quite far-fetched, but if that is a fault then why is the world suddenly a more vivid place when it is lit up by his exuberance and star-shining theatrical fantasy? If you have a listen, you may feel it is much much too vivid, vivid enough to make you ill, but so what. You felt something for a moment, didn't you. There was no grey anymore.
Wladziu Salvatore Liberace that was, look down on us with kindness. Put your hand on our shoulders when we feel bad, like you felt bad yourself. Let your jewels shine like sunlight into our hearts. And here where everyone we see lives as nobodies, call us forward to stand out and step into the spotlight. Let us live as men and women at last, burning bright, sparkling, shining and unforgettable.
Actually, as a pianist he seems to play fairly well. It sounds like he practised quite a few hours sometimes. Perhaps his repertoire was not very demanding though. But it's not bad. To me, it is amazing just to hear someone who can get up and down the piano as easily as throwing a rubber duck in the bath, particularly these days. PS It may have been a rubber duck but there were probably diamonds on it too.
It was Paderewski who advised Liberace to use just his last name for the stage. And Paderewski may have been quite right about that, of course. Paderewski got so very very famous, it would be unbelievable to see it now. I guess he knew a thing or two about publicity.
It is a rather dubious practice to put your own importance above that of the music. On the other hand, one must admit that Liberace was in no way mediocre. He certainly did what he wanted - and that is his biggest 'plus' in my eyes.
From a musical point of view, the pieces are mostly quite far-fetched, but if that is a fault then why is the world suddenly a more vivid place when it is lit up by his exuberance and star-shining theatrical fantasy? If you have a listen, you may feel it is much much too vivid, vivid enough to make you ill, but so what. You felt something for a moment, didn't you. There was no grey anymore.
Wladziu Salvatore Liberace that was, look down on us with kindness. Put your hand on our shoulders when we feel bad, like you felt bad yourself. Let your jewels shine like sunlight into our hearts. And here where everyone we see lives as nobodies, call us forward to stand out and step into the spotlight. Let us live as men and women at last, burning bright, sparkling, shining and unforgettable.
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