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Colby Chai
Приєднався 6 кві 2014
Welcome to my channel. My name is Colby Chai, and I'm an audio engineering student and classical pianist.
"If you can't listen to your own performance, you didn't play well enough."
-Me, 2020
"If you can't listen to your own performance, you didn't play well enough."
-Me, 2020
Liszt: Études d'exécution transcendante d'après Paganini, S.140 No. 4b performed by Colby Chai (18)
Liszt: Études d'exécution transcendante d'après Paganini, S.140 No. 4b (1838 Version)
This piece is widely considered Liszt's most technically demanding étude. I tend to agree with that sentiment. Compared to Concerto No. 1 (perhaps an apples to oranges comparison) and the S.139 version of Mazeppa, both of which I've played before, this piece requires the most physical and mental endurance by an astronomical margin. I naïvely thought I could have the world's fastest recording of it by a long shot (15 seconds faster than Petrov's). Playing it at that tempo not only destroys the texture of the chords but is also impossible for me to execute under the pressure of a recording. Even at Petrov's tempo, I struggled to get a remotely satisfactory recording. In my opinion, Petrov's recording is by far the best in existence. It would take me months of additional practice to reach that level, and this piece is so dreadful to play that I lack the motivation to continue drilling it.
Note that I don't usually treat pieces as speedruns. In fact, I have been a critic of emotionless performances for my entire musical career. I made an exception for this piece because I was sick and tired of seeing the ever-growing sea of ignorant comments claiming that it is impossible to play at a decent tempo. Rather than merely tell them, I decided to show them. Actions speak louder than words.
This piece is widely considered Liszt's most technically demanding étude. I tend to agree with that sentiment. Compared to Concerto No. 1 (perhaps an apples to oranges comparison) and the S.139 version of Mazeppa, both of which I've played before, this piece requires the most physical and mental endurance by an astronomical margin. I naïvely thought I could have the world's fastest recording of it by a long shot (15 seconds faster than Petrov's). Playing it at that tempo not only destroys the texture of the chords but is also impossible for me to execute under the pressure of a recording. Even at Petrov's tempo, I struggled to get a remotely satisfactory recording. In my opinion, Petrov's recording is by far the best in existence. It would take me months of additional practice to reach that level, and this piece is so dreadful to play that I lack the motivation to continue drilling it.
Note that I don't usually treat pieces as speedruns. In fact, I have been a critic of emotionless performances for my entire musical career. I made an exception for this piece because I was sick and tired of seeing the ever-growing sea of ignorant comments claiming that it is impossible to play at a decent tempo. Rather than merely tell them, I decided to show them. Actions speak louder than words.
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Відео
Liszt-Volodos: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13 performed by Colby Chai (16)
Переглядів 1,7 тис.4 роки тому
Liszt-Volodos: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13 This has been one of my favorite pieces since summer 2017, although I did not start learning it until summer 2019. This performance closely reflects my Northern Region Division III First Alternate prize-winning performance at the 2020 MTAC PCS Competition. The piano in this video is an Estonia L168.
Beethoven: Piano Trio Op. 1 No. 1, Allegro performed by Vienna Huang, Severin Michael, Colby Chai
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Beethoven: Piano Trio Op. 1 No. 1, Allegro ChamberFest LIVE! Piece performed by Vienna Huang (14), Severin Michael (15), and Colby Chai (14). Special thanks to Albert Huang for improved video footage. The piano in this video is a Steinway Model B. Instructors: Adelle Akiko-Kearns, Alison Lee, Dr. Katherine Lee, Steve Huber
Liszt: Trois études de concert, S.144 No. 3 "Un Sospiro" performed by Colby Chai (12)
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Liszt: Trois études de concert, S.144 No. 3 "Un Sospiro" I am playing Liszt's Un Sospiro at a recital on a Bösendorfer grand piano.
Chopin: Polonaise Op. 40 No. 1 "Military" performed by Colby Chai (11)
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Chopin: Polonaise Op. 40 No. 1 "Military" As an encore performance at my spring recital, I am playing Chopin's Military Polonaise in A major. Please like, comment, and subscribe. A quick reminder that all irrelevant comments will be removed.
Beethoven: Sonata Op. 49 No. 1, Andante and Chopin: Valse Op. 64 No. 2 performed by Colby Chai (11)
Переглядів 1,2 тис.9 років тому
Beethoven: Sonata Op. 49 No. 1 Chopin: Valse Op. 64 No. 2 A winning performance of Sonata no. 19 op. 49 no. 1 movement no. 1 and Valse no. 7 op. 64 no. 2 at the 47th Youth Focus California State Talent and Performing Arts Competition performed by me on a Kawai grand piano. I would like to apologize for the typo in the beginning of the video. Please like, comment, and subscribe. Enjoy!
I remember when this video was only a month old. How time flies...
@@Jartious haha, I'm glad this video means enough for you to use it as a marker of time. I'm also glad 2021-23 flew by like that; that time period was rock bottom for me. I might record and post Scherzo No. 2, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11 (first played both of these nearly a decade ago), and Mazeppa S.139 over winter break. Are there any specific pieces you'd like to hear next? Thanks for staying tuned after all these years.
@@ColbyChai Yeah I have always respected you for pulling off this piece and have watched this video tonnes of times. I'm sorry to hear how these past few years have been for you, and I hope you're doing better! I don't have any specific requests for pieces, but you seem to love Liszt (and so do I), so please keep them coming!
1:10
After 2 years this is still fucking amazing mate
bro you proved that its possible but cring eprove that with fake hands and i was sure theres people played it
Have you seen Yi Chung Huang play this at Liszt's intended speed. Please consider checking it out. It's alien-like.
Very impressive. Not nearly as nuanced of a performance as Petrov's, but I suppose that would be impossible at that tempo.
franz lizst did this with his left hand only
I found another recording of someone who played it at synthesia tempo! Some say he is the legendary la divina fanatic. I think I like the expression you added more though.
Bro tell me how long it take u to learn this piece + how long u have been playing piano asap
It took me around a month. At the time of this video, I'd been playing piano for just over seven and a half years.
What the fk did i just witness
5:25 - Sarasate's Zigeuneurweisen copies this?
Currently trying to learn this with subpar skill, one page through and I'm already not really enjoying it that much edit: after looking over it a few times and doing some slight analyzing, it really isn't that bad. starting to like it now lol
Not bad. Can't wait to hear you play this again in five years to see whether you've practiced enough to make it sound stellar.
ah yes the original!
Ouuu very easy for me thanks I’m a very promising prodigy ig my concert soloist teacher gives me free lessons:)
Absolutely gorgeous playing btw sir imma learn some more of these I forgot how good they can sound in the right mind😁the expression is there some slow practice will get the tempo completely fixed in 1-2 weeks time 2 plays a day keep it fun always enjoy playing and hearing yourself play!
excellent🤗🎹✨✨✨
The ending is a bit slow but well done!!! I can't do this without cuts.
when you just decide to play one of most difficult piano pieces. Really awesome!
Yo bro, reckon you'd be able to conquer Liszt's S.208a??
Wow your the only first person I saw in youtube who played arpeggio etude no. 4 #140 thankyou so much
heyy, see the Yi Chung Huang version
im 18 and i would have grey hair to if i was practicing stuff like this all the time. jeez
Sheet music pleasseee
Most underatted video in the history of youtube
1,25 Is the best speed
amazing
Have you played feux follets and how does it compare?
Honestly, the double notes passage is as hard or even slightly harder as 4b, but what makes 4b harder overall is that the difficult passage lasts for 4 mins and not less than a page for Feux Follets
Absolutely fantastic and brave performance. You’re one in a billion!! Wonderful job!! :)
So only 8 people know how to play this song?
@@ClassicallyPerfezionista It’s a piece, not a song. And yes, there aren’t a lot of recordings of this piece out there. Don’t take my comment too literally though, that’s weird.
@@Varooooooom ok but i keep saying this thing is a Song But Not a Piece
@@ClassicallyPerfezionista Look up the difference between “piece” and “song” please. People get really uppity about the difference between those terms; I’m just trying to help you out.
@@ClassicallyPerfezionista I have only found 4 on YT. Probably a few more that aren't recorded on YT. But yes, there are very very few people who can play this.
The audio is really crisp, whatever you're recording on is great. That being said, it would be nothing without your amazing preformance!
if you speed it to 1.5x up it actually sounds like the original impossible tempo
wow... your playing is really clear sound and INGENIOUS!!! 😍
listening again... and dropping a comment to prove i was here 👍 great work just took a peek at the rest of the channel... from canon in d to this, you definitely grew up huh 🥹
Your hands look like Octopus
This piece is absolute monstrosity
Wow brilliant performance 👏👏
this is cool any thoughts on playing the s. 137 set? funnily enough i think the existing recordings of s. 140 are better than existing recordings of s. 137
Thanks. As for S.137, I don't think I'd have much to offer. It would take me years to produce a recording of the same caliber as Wenbin Jin's. To improve further upon that would be a monumental task for me.
I’m considering learning this piece in the future, any specific tips or advice on it?
I don't have advice specific to this piece per se. All I can say is to take it section by section and to spend sufficient time polishing it (unlike me).
@@ColbyChai Thank you, I’ll try my best 🙏 Also, great job on learning this piece! I know it wasn’t perfect but that fact that you learned it this well in a month is amazing!!
The absolute most painful etude in existence.
how did u manage to play that
By practicing.
lol ,,, can u try mereaux etude
Absolutely stunning. You are one of the probable handful of people on this planet that can play this etude. I'm debating on trying it myself as I think it's such a cool piece but my good god the thought of attempting this is making my head hurt already. I cant fathom out the fingering at all the double notes make it so hard I can reach an 11th just about but I've seen stretches of 13ths or more I think? Also the octave slides and chorded arpeggios. Jumps of like 30 notes or more it's insane. I think that one section with the chorded arpeggios was meant to be played with one hand 😂 to call this an etude is just trolling from the 1800s😂 you'd pull of s137 no 5 if you can play this you can defo do that. Great job
How did you practice this piece?
I primarily used slow practice, around half a page at a time. I also used rhythms occasionally, but I found that to be less effective than slow practice. You'll have to experiment; what works for me might not work for you, and vice versa.
Wow, excellent!
Have you heard of Felipec's rendition? His voicings are pretty good too
I definitely can't argue with that. However, for me personally, Petrov's interpretation is more pleasing to listen to (but that's obviously subjective). To be completely honest, it's difficult for me to put a finger on exactly what I prefer more about Petrov's performance over Filipec's.
What’s the biggest interval your band can reach
An 11th.
@@ColbyChai all I can reach is a 10th (with 5 seconds of stretching) lol but I am only 14 so maybe it’ll grow
@@ioiomichalicki2911stop flexing 😢
So underrated jesus
Incredibly nice! This is concrete proof that this piece is not as impossible as everyone thought it was
The con bravura section is actually way easier than you‘d anticipate. Annoying jumps, sure, but possible for sure. Maybe even at the tempo of the original caprice if you’re precise enough and give it enough practice.
This is incredible, one of the best versions I´ve heard of this piece!
2:14
You are courageous indeed to undertake this! Best regards, Alan
what a blessing playing 4b
Amazing playing 🔥👍
Hi Colby, it's Tony again. I haven't made any progress on Mazeppa. Out of the limited time I have outside of work, I am working on unsuspiro slowly. I saw your performance of that the other day. Back to this version of the etude, why is it that this version is never played in live concert? I would think this would be an unbelievable showpiece for someone like Wang Yujia or Lang Lang.
I've had that same question before. Firstly, this piece lacks musicality. It might be pleasing to listen to for its melody alone, but it lacks sophistication. The more probable reason is that this piece isn't exactly a crowd pleaser. Most people can't even comprehend the difficulty of this piece, as evidenced by the braindead "play it at 1.5x speed" comment that gets parroted on pretty much every human performance of it. There are countless pieces that are less technically demanding (difficulty learning is not the issue, but rather being able to consistently execute a clean performance is) but would do a better job of wowing the crowd.