You know when you’re improvising at the station piano and some other guy butts in…

You know when you’re improvising at the station piano and some other guy butts in…

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norman lebrecht

December 28, 2015

paris piano

And then the thing goes viral with seven million Youtube hits.

Yes, that kind of Paris day.

After the video was shared, the two guys made contact. One is called  Gerard Pla Daró, the other Zaouche Nassim.

 

Comments

  • John says:

    Terrible playing. Even worse, the majority of those watching are so uneducated they think it might have some musical value. We need a proper music curriculum in schools to avoid this continued ignorance of high culture.

  • Patrick says:

    When videos like this one go viral, it reminds me that viruses are to be avoided.

  • Julian Rowlands says:

    This is why they shouldn’t have pianos in stations.

  • Gerald Robbins says:

    In other words, this “performance” which is a poor attempt at “minimalism” could be called anti-musical paralysis.

  • RW2013 says:

    As if it isn’t annoying enough waiting for a train in a crowded station…

  • Dana says:

    I find this touching. Okay, so they aren’t pros, not even good amateurs–they are just having fun, and it amuses the crowd. It’s not Kissin and Argerich, but so what? It is the spur of the moment connection, the sense of fun and play that makes this charming, not the music. (New Years Resolution for me: Find and spread more joy in simple things and brush off the bitter) Thank you for posting this video.

    • Maud Crossing says:

      Excellent reply. Only those who rate themselves among the musical hierarchy think they know all the answers to everything about music – except enjoyment. Even the so called ‘music purists’ must listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.
      There is no such thing as a right or wrong way of enjoying music because “music is a
      language which the soul alone understands, but which the soul can never translate.
      ~Arnold Bennett (1867 – 1931)~

      • Patrick says:

        It is entirely possible the naysayers aren’t such a snooty bunch at all. Maybe we just don’t think it’s any good. I’ve certainly heard worse playing. My objection is with the notion that their playing deserves to be shared around the world in a video-gone-viral.

  • Dave T says:

    Phillip Glass is on the phone with his lawyers.

  • John Borstlap says:

    Apart from the musical result, it’s quite cute. One does not expect super music in a train station.

  • JT says:

    It beats hearing für Elise. They had fun and they were creative.

  • Ute says:

    For goodness sake: Isn’t it lovely that two strangers create something together, communicate through music, and at the same time entertain the crowds around them. I think it’s fabulous to have pianos at stations. If you want excellent playing then you spend money to go to a concert hall…

    • Roel says:

      Thank you for your comment. I am shocked over the negativity here over 2 boys having fun en communicate thru music. They dont even speak the same language. We all should think thats amazing. Spain and Algeria coming together. I simply love it….

  • R.Belfiore says:

    Please !!! That’s not an improvisation. It’s the soundtrack of “Intouchables” by Einaudi called “Una Mattina”. And it’s played really badly… This reminds of the guys that buy a guitar and play only one song in order to impress girls.

    • Patty says:

      What a snarky unhappy bitch you are.

      • R.Belfiore says:

        Hey, as a huge music fan, musician and musicology student, I find this video way more insulting than your comment. I’m pleased to say you’re right about me, I’m unhappy with this ; ignorance is bliss.

        • R.DRUMMER says:

          ‘ignorance is bliss’. You know what you sound like? You sound like a pretentious bitch, but I guess that does not matter to you since you are more insulted by the video.

          • Roel says:

            You are so right about the Music fan, Musician and student. Pretentious he is…

    • Roel says:

      O please, these 2 strangers just had fun. You must be bitter in life

    • Baiju says:

      Your opinion matters. But the people are just having fun. Just join in and maybe not slice through the little components of music here. Just take a time off this busy life we have here.

  • William Safford says:

    The criticism of these two guys is so off the mark. It’s as if two guys decided to pass a football (soccer ball) back and forth, and people criticized them for not being up to Manchester United standards. Sheesh.

  • tsortrr says:

    I don’t know if all any of the critics will read this post…I feel we need these kinds of videos going viral. Two people having a go of it and a bit of fun in a train station at a piano. Are they or the music perfect? No, are you? Is it sweet, unexpected and charming. Yes, are you? With videos going viral of horrific scenes in our public places all over the planet….please take a breath and relax and try to enjoy the sweet quirky moments in this world. With over 7 million hits I’d bet the video is providing joy to many people. Maybe you should question yourself as to why you can’t see the beautiful and simple human connection but feel the need to throw it on the rocks?

  • Denis says:

    This is an example of how music can bring people together and make us smile. Perfect or not, to judge this by its inaccuracies is crazy. Judge it by the human connections. These two men are having fun playing music, not killing people! Too much hate these days, not enough (never enough) smiles.

  • Tom Pankratz says:

    Thanks to the two pianists that made my day better. All the rest, please take you talent and make someone happy… then you can smile too!

    Life is not perfect, but some moments are!

  • P. Brown says:

    I am shocked by the snobbery on display in some of the comments on this post. I realize they’re old (the comments) but holy cripes.

    I’m so glad I was never classically trained as apparently ‘knowing’ something about ‘proper’ music divorces you of any ability to just sit and enjoy music in ALL its forms.

    What a sad world where all you can hear are the wrong notes and mistakes, instead of just enjoying the moment and rejoicing that music is being shared for and with all the people.

    • Jill Fairfax says:

      I was classically trained and have a degree in music and find this one of the best piano videos on youtube. These guys are having fun and enjoying music. Music is meant to be enjoyed, not dissected, analysed, it is meant to bring pleasure and a smile. These two achieved just that.
      I could find a million faults in what they played, but why? Look at them, enjoying their talent. Good for them, it was awesome and I loved it.

  • Stacey says:

    Ignore the all the horribly rude posts!! They’re just jealous of your awesome talents….thank you so much for sharing it with the world!! Please make more music together!!?? Looks like so much fun ….good job!!

  • laymen says:

    the spirit of song is alive in this moment, the critics and experts commenting have no idea what the spirit of music is…

    • Jill Fairfax says:

      Well said Laymen. I can find hundreds of faults with that performance but why? This is music as it is meant to be. Being enjoyed and bringing people together. Look at the smiles of everyone listening and the players themselves.

  • Josie says:

    The music sounded great … I listen to this in the mornings just to put a smile on my face… 2 strangers creating sometime together so people enjoy it. Thank you for posting this video..

    ** what is the name of the song ? my 4 and 6 year old now want to get a keyboard to try learn how to play .

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