Thank you for coming to Texas and playing for us, Jan. Imagine my day: First I discover you on RUclips for the first time, and listened to many of your videos. Then after a Google search, discovering your website. Curious to see your concert schedule, I checked your website Calendar. Then on April 29th, that same day, you're performing in a small Texas town university only 110 miles from me. I raced to get ready and driving in the worse thunderstorm of the season, I'm heading to see your performance with tornadoes only miles from me. Nothing could stop me from being there. It's a mystery why you would perform for our small town audience in Texas; however, it was such a blessing you did. Let me say how profound your performance was, especially the encore. I was 5 rows from the stage and saw the sweat beading down your face, and how you rarely opened your eyes. You were the music, and the piano was a perfect extension of your spirit. Many times during your playing, the hairs on my arms literally stood up. Jan, you have a talent not from this world. The electricity you create is beyond magical. Thank you for giving me one of the finest moments in my life. Please Jan, return to us soon. I'll be there. From your new fan in Texas.
1:54 - Jan, please ALWAYS keep that wonderful disposition of putting the music first as you progress in your career. Too many musicians on all levels forget that it's about the music and not themselves. You have this great wisdom early in life - hold on to it forever. You are magnificent, and this selfless, generous spirit you possess is one of the most important qualities any great musician can have. Best wishes for continued success!
God.. this kid reminds me so much of the way my parents raised me... I hope he keeps this up, there is nothing better for a person than to forget their accomplishments and let their passion carry them to new heights, lest they become idle leaning against the same wall their trophies rest on. Can't wait to see where he goes.
At such a young age, he was already able to look at himself objectively and maintain himself from falling into the dept of vanity. Not only is his playing extraordinary but his values and perspective as well. A man of many charms! How terrifyingly exciting! :)
The young man says he does not want to be called a prodigy, so what does the news man call him? A “reluctant prodigy”!!! STOP it. Because he asked you not to do it! Control yourself, Canada. This kid is a delight, works hard, has a great talent and is a deep musician. Respect that, and don’t try turning him into a freak - like you did with Glenn Gould.
3:39.... well, gee, start anyone at 5 doing something for TEN YEARS, they are likely going to be very good if they have some propensity toward it AND they like it AND they stick with it. How is the [that, I meant to type] genius? It's just how it works. If he had sat down one day and just out of the blue began this, then I'd say HOLY CRAP! That is a raw genius, a freak of nature. This is a BRILLIANT chap who spent 10 years of his life learning and getting better. Even he dismisses the "genius" label.
+TruthSurge I've always thought the genius label should be reserved for creative artists not performers. But he showed inherent superior skill from an early age (6) as his teacher said.
I think that he's given the label of prodigy because of his innate ability to play so musically and beautifully. Anyone can learn to play technically well, but his musicality can't be learned.
+TruthSurge I was a classical pianist until a hand accident. I have lost count of the number who said, "I'd give anything to play like that." I'd ask, "Would you practice 6-7 hours every day? Would you spend money for excellent teachers, compete in competitions and undertake a broad study of every aspect of the piano?" Here's the deal. Some folks could practice every day of their life and never approach what this boy has. There is a genius but it has to do with the ability to interpret, understand, absorb complex music. As for doing things for 10 years, many of us still drive badly after 10 years, still can't write legibly after 40 years, can't sing on tune after 50 years.
There are many thousands of pianists who spend their entire lives striving to be the best. They all start young, like it, and stick with it, but very very few make it to the elite level that this kid has achieved at such a young age. Until you've done anything remotely close to this, leave your judgement to yourself.
oh, nice video! Great job in Kansas City, I was definitely inspired by your performance and the fact that we are the same age :) I want to hear you make your own song sometime! Try your hand at composing?
If his family stayed in Poland he may have become a Polish pianist instead. Anybody think he is somehow related to or be a distant relative of Chopin? Besides parents pushing we'd all like to know the formula to get someone playing Chopsticks up to the level of Beethoven Concerto of Chopin Etude. We all have our favorite pieces. When you play something that is highly technical, it is hard to find beauty in it. When you become world famous, you don't go to school without raising an eyebrow.
Wait a minute here... how did Mozart get compared to Michael Jackson!??!! Mozart was the better musician (and child prodigy) by several million orders of magnitude.
Indeed most musically inclined people are from musical families. He is an exception like Arturo Toscanini. There have been others but they are extremely rare. Being Canadian I am sure he has heard Glenn Gould play the piano. He needs to keep a level head because fame is fickle. I wonder whatever happened to Andre Watts?
lol that video tears me away because I want to listen to what the man says and tell him to shut the hell up and let the music speak at the same time :p
Has he composed anything? Created something? No. Then let's save the prodigy/genius label for the real ones. Those who actually create stuff rather than performing/using what other has created. "His music will blow you away" His music? He is skilled though and I wish him good luck and a happy life.
He is one of those people that highlight and bring out the masterful intention that the composer had, and that they are the people to bring it to life. Also, don't you know that interpretation is also an art?
The terms "prodigy" and "genius" aren't reserved for those who actually write music. The terms are used to describe his interpretations of the songs he plays. "His music will blow you away" as in his interpretations.
Jan: I really dislike being called a prodigy
News Reporter: THE RELUCTANT PRODIGY!
Thank you for coming to Texas and playing for us, Jan. Imagine my day: First I discover you on RUclips for the first time, and listened to many of your videos. Then after a Google search, discovering your website. Curious to see your concert schedule, I checked your website Calendar. Then on April 29th, that same day, you're performing in a small Texas town university only 110 miles from me. I raced to get ready and driving in the worse thunderstorm of the season, I'm heading to see your performance with tornadoes only miles from me. Nothing could stop me from being there.
It's a mystery why you would perform for our small town audience in Texas; however, it was such a blessing you did. Let me say how profound your performance was, especially the encore. I was 5 rows from the stage and saw the sweat beading down your face, and how you rarely opened your eyes. You were the music, and the piano was a perfect extension of your spirit. Many times during your playing, the hairs on my arms literally stood up. Jan, you have a talent not from this world. The electricity you create is beyond magical. Thank you for giving me one of the finest moments in my life.
Please Jan, return to us soon. I'll be there.
From your new fan in Texas.
1:54 - Jan, please ALWAYS keep that wonderful disposition of putting the music first as you progress in your career. Too many musicians on all levels forget that it's about the music and not themselves. You have this great wisdom early in life - hold on to it forever. You are magnificent, and this selfless, generous spirit you possess is one of the most important qualities any great musician can have. Best wishes for continued success!
Excuse me, I'm going to go practice now.
Such modesty and maturity at a young age. Bravo!
Great pianist. Also very well spoken. Jan will definitely go places
God.. this kid reminds me so much of the way my parents raised me...
I hope he keeps this up, there is nothing better for a person than to forget their accomplishments and let their passion carry them to new heights, lest they become idle leaning against the same wall their trophies rest on.
Can't wait to see where he goes.
Finally someone of my age being an artistic prodigy!
At such a young age, he was already able to look at himself objectively and maintain himself from falling into the dept of vanity. Not only is his playing extraordinary but his values and perspective as well. A man of many charms! How terrifyingly exciting! :)
Canada... I forgive you for Bieber then.
Kids like him put Justin Bieber to shame !
A friggin' DUCK can put THAT little asshole to shame.
Thank you for making my eyes and ears happy. Youre beautiful and wonderful.
Unreal talent for 14, very smart and humble kid too. He's going to be very successful.
Doesn't hurt that he has the face of an angel! Performing artists do need to not be an eyesore.
The young man says he does not want to be called a prodigy, so what does the news man call him? A “reluctant prodigy”!!! STOP it. Because he asked you not to do it! Control yourself, Canada.
This kid is a delight, works hard, has a great talent and is a deep musician. Respect that, and don’t try turning him into a freak - like you did with Glenn Gould.
How delightful to see young generations still have some talented ones among them. :D
Mature and intelligent beyond his years. And breath-takingly humble.
This boy is really astonishing. Speachless.
He's so humble! Part of the reason why I'm his fan now haha!
Jan...you have great parents... And You have been blessed...
keep going Jan. You are amazing. Joan Duderow.
"at least two or three generations apart" guy must be keeping his eyes closed
Such a humble person, he is amazing.
Thank you, very much, for making me feel like a terrible pianist. But you are amazing and were the same age i blieve..
Real musicians put real emotion into the music, like him.
3:39.... well, gee, start anyone at 5 doing something for TEN YEARS, they are likely going to be very good if they have some propensity toward it AND they like it AND they stick with it. How is the [that, I meant to type] genius? It's just how it works. If he had sat down one day and just out of the blue began this, then I'd say HOLY CRAP! That is a raw genius, a freak of nature. This is a BRILLIANT chap who spent 10 years of his life learning and getting better. Even he dismisses the "genius" label.
+TruthSurge I've always thought the genius label should be reserved for creative artists not performers. But he showed inherent superior skill from an early age (6) as his teacher said.
floxy20 The term is subjective, imo. Some people are probably geniuses in some respects and not in others.
I think that he's given the label of prodigy because of his innate ability to play so musically and beautifully. Anyone can learn to play technically well, but his musicality can't be learned.
+TruthSurge I was a classical pianist until a hand accident. I have lost count of the number who said, "I'd give anything to play like that." I'd ask, "Would you practice 6-7 hours every day? Would you spend money for excellent teachers, compete in competitions and undertake a broad study of every aspect of the piano?"
Here's the deal. Some folks could practice every day of their life and never approach what this boy has. There is a genius but it has to do with the ability to interpret, understand, absorb complex music. As for doing things for 10 years, many of us still drive badly after 10 years, still can't write legibly after 40 years, can't sing on tune after 50 years.
There are many thousands of pianists who spend their entire lives striving to be the best. They all start young, like it, and stick with it, but very very few make it to the elite level that this kid has achieved at such a young age. Until you've done anything remotely close to this, leave your judgement to yourself.
Wow. This young man has some serious musical power.
Мы любим и знаем тебя, Лисичка. Привет из России !
Hi Jan, You are just amazing!
oh, nice video! Great job in Kansas City, I was definitely inspired by your performance and the fact that we are the same age :) I want to hear you make your own song sometime! Try your hand at composing?
I just saw 1:25 and I thought "WTF!" ... This guy can play so extremely good ...
he is such a sweet and modest kid....
Such beautiful music, he flows wonderfly
POLAND!
I will say you are gifted
I saw him last night he was amazing
If his family stayed in Poland he may have become a Polish pianist instead. Anybody think he is somehow related to or be a distant relative of Chopin? Besides parents pushing we'd all like to know the formula to get someone playing Chopsticks up to the level of Beethoven Concerto of Chopin Etude.
We all have our favorite pieces. When you play something that is highly technical, it is hard to find beauty in it.
When you become world famous, you don't go to school without raising an eyebrow.
What a neat basement
He's Polish Canadian. Proud of this kid. :)
amazing!!!
Maybe not prodigy but extremely gifted!!!
He also chose his parents well!
loved the anecdote about yo yo ma. shows this kid has a sense of humor.
omg, he's amazing!
Well anyway keep up the good work! JAN.
And by the way I you are in the piano academy right?
I've seen you before!
His mother should be proud of him though.. he almost seems ashamed of it because of her but he loves it too much to give it up.
Wait a minute here... how did Mozart get compared to Michael Jackson!??!! Mozart was the better musician (and child prodigy) by several million orders of magnitude.
HAPPY BDAY
Ｉthink it'd be very interesting to meet him, I live in the same city that he does too!
Ｉｔｓ ｎｉｃｅ ｔｏ ｋｎｏｗ ｔｈａｔ ｈｅ＇ｓ ｍｏｄｅｓｔ ａｂｏｕｔ ｉｔ ｔｈｏｕｇｈ! aha.
I want to be like you ^-^. I'm working on it :D
Indeed most musically inclined people are from musical families. He is an exception like Arturo Toscanini. There have been others but they are extremely rare. Being Canadian I am sure he has heard Glenn Gould play the piano. He needs to keep a level head because fame is fickle. I wonder whatever happened to Andre Watts?
Proud to be Polish!
anyone else notice how sparky his tie is at 2:14?
@ashtisd07 Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Second Movement. :-)
I remember when I used to talk like that.
lol that video tears me away because I want to listen to what the man says and tell him to shut the hell up and let the music speak at the same time :p
His teacher Colleen Athparia examined me.
♥
he should try guitar hero :)
Quincy Jones said of Emily Bear that she plays like a 40 year old
what is the name of the piece at 0:27
I think that piece at 0:27 is the opening of a Beethoven concerto. At least, it sounds like a piano concerto to me!
Chopin piano concerto no. 1, 2nd movement : romanza. One of my favourite pieces:)
Divine. :)
Yes but without orchestra.
better than bieber.
he called Carnegie Hall Carnaygie Hall....how dare you sir
better than bieber.... :bd
his parents are Polish ;p
Canada........ Poland
Is no one going to mention that his piano desperately needs tuning? :P
Canadian? More like Polish
he's both
fuck I knew it
so amazing
lol he's lowkey cute but anyway it's too bad you don't like being called a prodigy because you are one
Excuse me ...Polish-Canadian
he should get into jazz
why is he wearing lipstick?
Has he composed anything? Created something? No. Then let's save the prodigy/genius label for the real ones. Those who actually create stuff rather than performing/using what other has created.
"His music will blow you away" His music?
He is skilled though and I wish him good luck and a happy life.
He is one of those people that highlight and bring out the masterful intention that the composer had, and that they are the people to bring it to life. Also, don't you know that interpretation is also an art?
Exactly. Replicating another's creation does not a genius make, in any way. He is a fine player, though.
.
yup
The terms "prodigy" and "genius" aren't reserved for those who actually write music. The terms are used to describe his interpretations of the songs he plays.
"His music will blow you away" as in his interpretations.
what’s the song at the beginning?
What's the piece at 3:27?