Islamorada, Florida

January 11, 2024

Thanks to my good friend Jeff, I was able to present Heart and Soul Smackdown in the Florida Keys for an appreciative off-season audience. The reception was so warm and enthusiastic, it really showed me how much this kind of Classical Piano experience was needed here.

The contest was very close, looking at the results from a round by round perspective. Debussy won by 1%. It was a different story looking at the Overall Concert votes, however, with Prokofiev winning 55% to Debussy's 45%.

Age differences were very clear with under 40s going more for Prokofiev, and over 40s going for Debussy.

And as very often is the case, Piano players skewed towards Prokofiev. The appreciation of the technique and modernity is enhanced by some amount of empathy for the task of playing.

I'm looking forward to doing other Smackdowns here! Thank you, Islamorada!

Favorite Comment: Debussy is the kind of music they play in barns so cows will produce more milk. Prokofiev is so the bulls will make more cows

Best music I've heard

Delightful. Hope we can have another performance soon.

Fantastic performance

Fun, exciting, such a great treat for Islamorada. Thank you. Bravo.

Grateful for this experience, and to be introduced to Prokofiev

I'm not a classical music expert, but I enjoyed the concert immensely

Incredible concert. Enjoyed both composers Debussy won tonight. Thank you for sharing your talents

Loved the performance. Thank you

Loved your pairing and I loved all the learning

outstanding - I'll treasure this experience forever - amen

Really had a great experience, thank you!

So great to meet you and hear you play

Thank you for a truly spectacular experience. Wonderfully inspirational

Thank you, lovely, moving

thank you!

Thank you. You are amazing

Thanks for coming to the Keys to play.

Truly a wonderful experience tonight

Unreal. Please come back

Very enlightening!

Wonderful performance! So inspiring. I'll take a beautiful jellyfish over a heavy football player any day!

Wow

Amazing!!! You are genius, Brilliant Technique

Exceptional Pianist

So beyond grateful to have watched you play! Thank you!

wonderful talented relaxing interesting gifted artist

You are amazing. Thanks for coming to the Keys

You! You have a great idea! As Jeff said, your hands blur!! I've not seen hands crossover and play like that too. Love your comfortable, easy personality with audience. This was special! Thank you

Your technique made me appreciate Prokofiev more than ever before

Beautiful! Excellent idea to present the two composers in this format. Thank you for visiting and gracing us with your performance. Please return.

Debussy piano like a string instrument, hands on the keys like ballet, carries you away, controlled, constrained. Prokofiev - hands tap dancing on the keys, demands attention, carefree, unrestrained - madness in the genius or genius in the madness? Uses piano like a percussion instrument. 

Does Prokofiev have a personality disorder? He is violent. He does not create beauty

I admire Prokofiev but tonight in a Debussy mood

It was difficult to choose. Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet is my favorite ballet and Debussy is in so many ways the music of my childhood. It's a tie! Merci, C'Etait Excellent!

Prokofiev demands my attention but doesn't give me enough for granting my attention. The last piece was the most rewarding

Prokofiev makes me have butterflies and smiles all at the same time

Prokofiev showcased your amazing talent, but I enjoyed the relaxing Debussy music. Thank you for a wonderful concert.

They were all good!