The background on Debussy v. Prokofiev

Favorite Comments:

Prokofiev/Trump vs. Debussy/Ben Carson


Debussy has never really spoken to me before this. I have found a new friend.


A completely wicked Awesome performance [72 year old!]


The piano has become more exciting for me! Thank you.


Debussy is like being in a long term relationship, so comfortable that you somehow miss the part between the beginning and end, and you are left wondering what happened when it's gone.


Prokofiev sounds like cinematic car chase with breaks for fisticuffs


Prokofiev astounded me. I never heard his work so intimately (2nd row) or personally or movingly. Yes, percussive but also sweet, reverent, gentle, angry, melodic. You go Prokofiev!

All Comments:

  1. ✓Deb: Relaxing, melodic. Pro: Hurried, structured

  2. ✓Great way to engage with the music. Made me think more about and feel the music.

  3. ✓I admit it. I'm a sucker for Clair de Lune

  4. ✓I am impressed that your hands haven't fallen off with playing Prokofiev! A lot of work for his style. I only liked the last one of his. But still like him overall.

  5. ✓Love both - different music for different times in my life

  6. ✓loved the variety

  7. ✓more melodic and peaceful (Debussy)

  8. ✓Phenomenal! What an amazing concert!

  9. ✓Prokofiev is too intense for me. I do appreciate the differences in style.

  10. ✓Thanks for showing the softer side of Prokofiev. I have always thought he was angry, but now I see the percussive quality. I love the pictures that Debussy puts in my mind.

  11. ✓Wonderful program - thank you!

  12. ✓A completely wicked Awesome performance

  13. ✓Fantastic

  14. ✓Great show. Enjoyed the class this AM

  15. ✓I enjoyed this. It really made me listen differently.

  16. ✓I very much enjoyed your masterclass this morning. I'm a classical singer and work with pianists. Really enjoyed your playing tonight too!

  17. ✓Love Debussy, particularly Clair de Lune. However, I felt the Prokofiev piece was strong and moving. Love the excitement of Prokofiev, but couldn't listen to it for long periods. Debussy is much more soothing. Thank you for a wonderful experience!

  18. ✓Loved the teachable moments. I listened to the different sounds. Superb!!! So enjoyable. No sheet music! Wow!!! Thank you

  19. ✓Outstanding

  20. ✓The masterclass was great! Fun program.

  21. ✓This is an interesting way to learn about music.

  22. ✓Wonderful concert!! I liked the voting. It made me listen more thoughtfully and critically.

  23. ✓Wonderful!

  24. ✓#1 - P jarring to my ear: D peaceful. #2 - P technically challenging, masterfully played. #3 Truthfully, neither dominated, but first D let my mind drift. Your playing proficiency is exemplary.

  25. ✓A marvelous concert! Although I have appreciated Prokofiev very much, I had to vote and straight Debussy ticket cause he's my boy! Yours was a magnificent Presentation!

  26. ✓Debussy for the evening. Prokofiev for the morning

  27. ✓Debussy makes me happy and sad all at the same time.

  28. ✓I met you on the street today in downtown Concord and recognized you from your website. That brief encounter inspired me to come to the concert. It was wonderful. Thank you!

  29. ✓Prokofiev/Trump vs. Debussy/Ben Carson, Kasich

  30. ✓Really enjoyed the masterclass in the AM. Masterful performance!

  31. ✓Your hands are amazing! We hope you come back to Concord again.

  32. ✓Fantastic - I wish you would have had a better piano

  33. ✓Great music. Thanks very much!

  34. ✓Great performance! Thank you Frederic.

  35. ✓juxtaposed we learn so much. Thank you. Total intense joy

  36. ✓Prokofiev - cross those hands!!

  37. ✓Prokofiev rescued Russian music from the hypersentimentality of Tchaikovsky. I find Debussy formless and directionless

  38. ✓Prokofiev sounds like cinematic car chase with breaks for fisticuffs

  39. ✓thank you for bringing such beautiful music to Concord.

  40. ✓Thank you for the lesson and for the introduction to Prokofiev - wow - such power. I can see how you are enamored of him.

  41. ✓Very interesting concept to have to choose one composer over another. PS. You are marvelous!!!

  42. ✓Although I felt Prokofiev was much more challenging to the pianist, I enjoy Debussy more. Method of voting a focusing touch.

  43. ✓Although I voted for the Debussy, the Prokofiev must be glorious as I don't understand it all. DO you use a metronome specially designed - HA!

  44. ✓Amazing performance! I've now got some new repertoire on my to-play list. Those pieces were so impressive. I saw in a place where I could see your hands, which was really interesting. It certainly seemed like you had your mind, heart and body under control. Thanks again for a wonderful masterclass this morning, it was an honor to get to work with you. Good luck in Louisiana!

  45. ✓AWESOME concert!

  46. ✓Debussy is like being in a long term relationship, so comfortable that you somehow miss the part between the beginning and end, and you are left wondering what happened when it's gone. Anyway - thank you for introducing me to 2 lovely composers.

  47. ✓Enjoyed both composers. Listening to the tones of Debussy is moving and pleasurable. Loved the excitement dynamic energy of Prokofiev and particularly watching you play it.

  48. ✓Enjoyed the comparisons - differences - between the two composers. Debussy is more relaxing (at least what I'm used to!) and Prokofiev is very vibrant. Thank you for bringing us this wonderful program! Please come back!

  49. ✓Excellent performance

  50. ✓Exciting program, loved everything so fresh, so interesting.

  51. ✓fantastic performance! Debussy all the way!

  52. ✓I appreciated the "peacefulness" of Debussy's works

  53. ✓I came in with a bias toward Debussy. Prokofiev won me over in round 2 with the contrast of the beauty that emerged out of the boldness/tension.

  54. ✓I prefer a more varied program. Too much Prokofiev! Amazing talent! Virtuosity!

  55. ✓I prefer D. Because I think for long term listening he will be more pleasant comparatively. Prokofiev is exciting to hear and must be fun to play! Great program.

  56. ✓I prefer more melodic pieces and familiar pieces like Claire de Lune.

  57. ✓Not a fair fight: both. All rounds to Debussy, overall to Prokofiev. If I was taking off in a rocket, I would want Debussy playing.

  58. ✓Thank you for the explanations - both in program and spoken, and then to hear your remarkable playing showcasing these composers' music.

  59. ✓This was very exciting - I am feeling incredibly stupid because I never thought of the piano as a percussion instrument - but of course it is!! I do prefer Debussy obviously, he's more melodic.

  60. ✓Too hard to choose! My favorite is the one I am listening to. Thank you.

  61. ✓Very enjoyable concert! You are amazing!

  62. ✓While Prokofiev tends to be more impressive, in the end I prefer my piano music to be soothing.

  63. ✓A uniquely wonderful night of music! Thank you so much. Terrific commentary! Please text why you used a folding chair instead of a traditional piano bench (piques my curiosity!)

  64. ✓A wonderful program. Thank you!

  65. ✓Ach! Very difficult to choose (vote) but totally engaging. Thank you!

  66. ✓Different moods made it difficult but I think I like the rhythmic drive of Prokofiev and also the joy of watching you play them with superb technique! Watching hands was exciting!

  67. ✓Enjoyed your morning workshop - very thought provoking. Wonderfully dynamic concert!

  68. ✓Excellent performance! Thank you for a wonderful evening!

  69. ✓I chose Prokofiev the whole time because to me it had more excitement.

  70. ✓I LOVE Prokofiev's daring to take his music beyond! And your interpretation of it. However, Debussy touches my heart.

  71. ✓I was impressed by the energy and speed of P. but the romantic, lyrical quality of D won me over for pure listening pleasure. What a wonderful concert!!

  72. ✓I've enjoyed this concert tremendously! Thank you for an AMAZING performance.

  73. ✓Interesting idea! Neither is "better" both exquisite within the exploration

  74. ✓Prokofiev forces you to be an active listener!

  75. ✓Thank you! Merci Beaucoup! A la prochaine

  76. ✓The overall program was outstanding. It is difficult to choose which I liked the best. Prokofiev's music is very difficult

  77. ✓The piano has become more exciting for me! Thank you.

  78. ✓This was a fun idea. There were so many challenges to choosing in the 1st round. Debussy was beautiful, Prokofiev was energizing. Your enthusiasm for both composers was clear.

  79. ✓What a wonderful idea - get me to listen more closely. Thank you for such creative programming. Your playing brings out the brilliance of the piano - beautiful!

  80. ✓You are presenting 2 of my favorite composers! hard choices!

  81. ✓Your presentation gives a new perspective to both composers - and your playing is fantastic!

  82. ✓Wonderful memory, novel and interesting way to present the program. Thank you for sharing your talent and years of practice with us.

  83. ✓Debussy has never really spoken to me before this. I have found a new friend.

  84. ✓Debussy is light and airy; Prokofiev is dark and somber. Debu is relaxing - Prokf makes me feel like I should be marching round the room.

  85. ✓Enjoyed listening to your skillful artistry. Also the background info on the composers was interesting.

  86. ✓Fun experience. Either for President!

  87. ✓I would prefer to listen to Debussy but to watch the Prokofiev. The difference is slight.

  88. ✓Interesting commentary

  89. ✓preference for melody - Debussy was strongest here

  90. ✓Round 2 so technical, so relaxed, so flowing. Have always loved the tone paintings of Debussy but you educated me on percussive aspect of Prokofiev. Thank you!!!

  91. ✓Scriabin v. Ives

  92. ✓A great playing. Thank you.

  93. ✓Amazing show!

  94. ✓Can tell composers after one minute between the two.

  95. ✓Great program. Hope you return

  96. ✓How about Smackown between Ravel and Debussy/Prokofiev and Mussorgsky? How does the order of playing impact the results? How does the familiarity of various pieces affect selection? Very nice idea - thanks for a lovely concert.

  97. ✓I am not as familiar with Prokofiev. Seems more raw emotion. To make a comparison is like Monet vs. Picasso or Gauguin

  98. ✓I'd have a lot of trouble trying to learn any of these

  99. ✓Prokofiev astounded me. I never heard his work so intimately (2nd row) or personally or movingly. Yes, percussive but also sweet, reverent, gentle, angry, melodic. You go Prokofiev!

  100. ✓Show format made me listen more closely to the music than I ever had. Thank you!

  101. ✓Wonderful! Thank you

  102. ✓A very soul-filled evening. Last minute decision. Heavenly. Enjoyed watching your hands playing Prokofiev. Liked sound of piano.

  103. ✓Wonderful

  104. ✓You are a talent!

  105. ✓I love the vitality of Prokofiev. Exciting and energetic. I also love Debussy. What I heard was a little too percussive. Perhaps it was the piano (second half was better).

  106. ✓Wonderful concert! Loved it. You play beautifully.