The background on Debussy v. Prokofiev

Favorite Comments:

  1. •Love this! Such an interesting way to present composers and their music, and to involve your audience. I'm in a weird mood tonight, having fought traffic all day! Therefore Prokofiev.

  2. •Debussy painted beautiful pictures of sound. Prokofiev, technically brilliant but dark. Debussy - Form and direction, Prokofiev - Abstract and intense. I would prefer to make love listening to Debussy. Debussy and dinner by candlelight, Prokofiev during a food fight. You are brilliant!

  3. •Debussy lulls, Prokofiev jerks you awake

  4. •Prokofiev has the subtlety of a cossack calvary charge

All Comments:

  1. •You are a brilliant pianist and I enjoyed you very much.

  2. •Fantastic concert! I appreciate your conversation with the audience. You are so gifted!

  3. •Love this! Such an interesting way to present composers and their music, and to involve your audience. I'm in a weird mood tonight, having fought traffic all day! Therefore Prokofiev.

  4. •Both are commanding in their own way. The mood difference makes for a difficult choice.

  5. •A wonderful educational evening. Come back! Thank you.

  6. •Great

  7. •Rd 1: Debussy kind on the ear. Prokofiev more varied, technically more challenging. Rd. 2: Lively, aggressive (Prokofiev) Debussy less discordant Rd 3: Same as Rd 2. Overall I just find Debussy more enjoyable to listen to. Prokofiev much more challenging to play? Overall a Brilliant performance! thank you!

  8. •Love the "Vs" concept - helps me focus on the music. Beauty vs. fireworks

  9. •fantastic Program

  10. •excellent performance

  11. •My favorite composer is Philip Glass! I have chosen Debussy in this smackdown and feel his pieces are more melodic than Prokofiev. There is a comfort level with Debussy - some of the pieces could be maps for Glass - Prokofiev just does not do it for me!!

  12. •I enjoyed Prokofiev in Round 2 but melody still won out. Rd 3 - Prokofiev - "the chosen" or runaway train? Masterful but doesn't speak to me.

  13. •Debussy was beautiful but Prokofiev was far more fascinating. Wonderful concert!

  14. •Debussy painted beautiful pictures of sound. Prokofiev, technically brilliant but dark. Debussy - Form and direction, Prokofiev - Abstract and intense. I would prefer to make love listening to Debussy. Debussy and dinner by candlelight, Prokofiev during a food fight. You are brilliant!

  15. •Thank you for a stunning evening! A very intellectually stimulating choice from each composer.

  16. •It is a tremendous contrast. Votes were very close.

  17. •It is hard to imagine composing, scoring, and playing Prokofiev's Toccata, but it's too much banging for me. But I am amazed at your musicianship. Thank you!

  18. •Thoroughly enjoyed the program - thank you! So difficult to choose between two pieces when you are familiar with one and not the other!

  19. •You are truly gifted. Beautiful concert!

  20. •Debussy's music is brooks, breezes, and strolls along the river. Prokofiev tells interesting stories with great plots and characters full of emotion!

  21. •Fun and you played beautifully. Thank you

  22. •An excellent program

  23. •Hard to choose, but I auditioned for Sadlers Wells Ballet School as a youth - hence my leaning (for Prokofiev)!!

  24. •Prokofiev takes me to ballet class and is a winner forever.

  25. •Prokofiev pieces were very exciting, but perhaps time of day, my mood, etc. influenced my choices

  26. •Debussy lulls, Prokofiev jerks you awake

  27. •I loved the way Debussy achieved an orchestral sense in his music. Prokofiev's music was tumultuous, I preferred Debussy 's more contemplative style. You were amazing performing both! Thank you for this incredible musical moment.

  28. •Great concept!! Very entertaining.

  29. •enjoyed the difficulty of Prokofiev but like listening to Debussy

  30. •loved your playing of both composers' works!

  31. •Prokofiev - Wonderful, powerful. But I would prefer to listen to Debussy wonderful performance!!

  32. •While Prokofiev was exciting - I prefer the elegance of Debussy. Very interesting evening. Beautiful!!! Thank you.

  33. •Phenomenal! My preference is for Debussy. I love his music, beautiful to listen to. I enjoyed Prokofiev's aggressive style.

  34. •wonderfully performed

  35. •Wonderful concert!!

  36. •Beautiful, I really enjoyed listening to you play

  37. •Hard to compare such different pieces and styles. One reaches your head and darker emotions and the other your heart and soul and imagination. In my old age I prefer inspiration to confrontation. Like other Prokofiev works better than these.

  38. •Thank you for sharing and articulating your educated views on these composers. Very interesting.

  39. •Debussy - more melodic, easier to enjoy, love the melodies. Prokofiev - technically more difficult, harsh, loud, pounding at times, requires more talent - love the dynamics

  40. •Outstanding performance

  41. •It is really good

  42. •Debussy - classic, safe, pretty - used in classic NYC movies. Prokofiev - raw, edgy at times angry, use for remake of a classic play/movie by a younger director. Round 2 was too different to judge fairly for me.

  43. •Fabulous Performance

  44. •Fabulous! Thank you! The first round was the most difficult decision for me. I really felt your passion when you were playing Prokofiev

  45. •I liked it all, you are an incredible pianist. Thank you for coming here to play for us. I do like the more modern sound and the percussive sound of Prokofiev.

  46. •Loved it!

  47. •Old home week. Played with the MIT concert Band, this was nostalgic

  48. •Prokofiev has the subtlety of a cossack calvary charge

  49. •Thank you for this special performance. I discovered Prokofiev tonight!

  50. •Thanks!!!

  51. •Your playing was fantastic!! Thank you!!