Jeep Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/05/16/Arts/mutepianist050516.html (edited to add original BBC link:) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4550069.stm It could almost be any one of us, ("there, but for the grace of God, go I") Despite the seriousness of this fellow's predicament, the factual evidence ironically lends itself to all shades of speculative humour...... So, what's your take on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 That'll be me, next year. Or maybe I'll make it another 10 before going off the deep end! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe P Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Maybe it's somebody who doesn't have enough time to practice as much as he wants because he's cutting the grass or going to birthing classes, or building a yoga studio in his garage, or cooking meals, or pulling weeds, or taking care of the pool, or washing vehicles, or changing oil on vehicles, or writing monthly checks, or doing the banking or taking out the garbage or fixing the dryer or AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John O. Lennon Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 All I know is, to paraphrase, "It ain't me, babe". There's a bit of German folklore about a fellow named Kaspar Hauser who just appeared one day in a town square with no known background [his story's detailed in a Werner Herzog film]... I wonder if this might be a way to become famous. One day yer Rog Layabout, edging some time in between building a yoga studio (where the live piano room should be), cooking meals, or doing the garden , pulling the weeds ... next up, it's The Famous Mystery Piano Man Show starring you as the Now-Famous Mystery Piano Man. Overnight success! Gee, Doctor, I think I'm beginning to remember somethings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Wonder if he could play piano before? Maybe I need a "shock." "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Originally posted by Ricochet: Wonder if he could play piano before? Maybe I need a "shock." It says they brought in interpreters from Eastern Europe, but perhaps they should try interpreters from the US. Bet its not DB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudeep Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 bizarre story. Yes i was thinking about that as well...what if finally he does come ie. remembering his name identity etc. i would imagine he would be in great demand to give performances and concerts wouldnt he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJimJim Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Yep, it's gotta be a publicity stunt! As much as the whole Dave Helfgott thing was interesting and feelgood, all his publicity - including the film Shine - is run by his wife. And must make a ridiculous amount of money. But the fact of the matter is, the dude just aint that amazing a player. I mean he's obviously good, and does it in spite of his disability or whatever, but I have friends who play very well the same apparently ridiculously hard pieces he does; i've never seen him live but a tutor of mine reckons he actually made blatant mistakes in concert, which is pretty unheard of! Ok that was a big negative rant, i'm probably being too harsh... but yeah. Do they actually mention that this guy is any good at playing? It's still a cool story huh. Sometimes i think going mad would be quite enjoyable. Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Fiala Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Hmmm....it doesn't look like Billy Joel.... Tom F. "It is what it is." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Originally posted by JimmyJimJim: Do they actually mention that this guy is any good at playing? Yes, the story mentions that he plays classical music "very well". The press of course chooses to use the word "virtuoso" but that's meaningless... I find it interesting though that this individual who is reportedly "unapproachable" and "skittish" has been photographed looking directly into the camera. I'd guess that someone in that state would appear a little more furtive. My initial thought was that this was a publicity stunt... I'm even more convinced of it now. Cheers, SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3keys Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 My first thought was "Now we know what happened to Billy Joel in rehab!" Maybe it's John Tesh! or Yanni! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3keys Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 My first thought was "Now we know what happened to Billy Joel in rehab!" Maybe it's John Tesh! or Yanni! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3keys Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 My first thought was "Now we know what happened to Billy Joel in rehab!" Maybe it's John Tesh! or Yanni! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3keys Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Sorry for the multiple posts. PC is going crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Ever notice that you never hear about Accounting Man or RetailClerk Man? "Yeah, this guy who doesn't know who he is or anything showed up at CompUSA last week, and since he arrived our sales have doubled! He's a retail GENIUS!!!" I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Yeah, and shortly after that the Four Horsemen will ride in... I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Horne Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I am glad I am not the only cynic. My money's on a publicity stunt ... along with the book and the movie rights. Crop circles anyone? No guitarists were harmed during the making of this message. In general, harmonic complexity is inversely proportional to the ratio between chording and non-chording instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben One Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Maybe this could be a reality show in reverse? Maybe the cameras are not all from journalistic organizations but also from a reality TV production company which will show us in a future program how they (tried to) fool the world? Eddie Jobson Tribute Projects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben One Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 ..but if it is a hoax, then it would be a bad thing. I just heard on NPR that the guy has been treated in two hospitals, so if someone is playing a trick, it'd be really cruel and wrong. Actually, I'm hoping that it's not a hoax at this point. Eddie Jobson Tribute Projects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I I mjrn Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I&I'd rather it be a publicity stunt than someone actually gone missing & loopy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike g Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 They just ran this story in a local newspaper today! They say he's not a virtuoso but a very good amuature player. They said he plays the same tunes over and over again. Something ain't right with this cat. I don't think it's a publicity stunt, I think he's got real issues. It if he is trying to pull one over on us, he's going to look the fool. I think he'll be committed, but that's my opinon. Step out of the box and grow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmp Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 He's bigtime. MSNBC Abrams Report for an entire segment with a shink and a retired FBI profiler speculating about the fellow. About as much info as the links here. I'm just guessing here, but I think the poor fellow is really having a hard time. --wmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravena Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 Originally posted by Joe P: Maybe it's somebody who doesn't have enough time to practice as much as he wants because he's cutting the grass or going to birthing classes, or building a yoga studio in his garage, or cooking meals, or pulling weeds, or taking care of the pool, or washing vehicles, or changing oil on vehicles, or writing monthly checks, or doing the banking or taking out the garbage or fixing the dryer or AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Regards, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Just saw an update to this story on CNN.com . Cheers, SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyman_sam Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 I think this would work : Someone should play all wrong notes in the piano in his room. if he gets agitated, we know he still has some sense in his brain. Then someone who's better than him in playing, should play the piano and challenge his playing skills. that'd look totally cool! Dont follow me....i'm lost too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Originally posted by keyman_sam: I think this would work : Someone should play all wrong notes in the piano in his room. if he gets agitated, we know he still has some sense in his brain. Then someone who's better than him in playing, should play the piano and challenge his playing skills. that'd look totally cool! I'm going to play guidance counsellor here and strongly suggest you not pursue a career in any medical field... Cheers, SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 Just in - update: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4172662.stm http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/050822/w082228.html Anybody else heard anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Hughes Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 The unfortunate victim of a really mean prank by his mates? All the labels missing from his wet clothes? No I.D./docs? Drugged and intentionally stranded, perhaps? I might be traumatized enough to go mute after something like that. . . . Technical Editor Keyboard Magazine More people pay for Keyboard than any other music-tech magazine. Period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnegrad Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Originally posted by Ken Hughes: The unfortunate victim of a really mean prank by his mates? All the labels missing from his wet clothes? No I.D./docs? Drugged and intentionally stranded, perhaps?Isn't that what they do to paranoid and socially inept developers of piano samples? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daBowsa Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Originally posted by cnegrad: Originally posted by Ken Hughes: The unfortunate victim of a really mean prank by his mates? All the labels missing from his wet clothes? No I.D./docs? Drugged and intentionally stranded, perhaps?Isn't that what they do to paranoid and socially inept developers of piano samples? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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