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IamA professional pianist who can improvise on any holiday song in any style of music. I'll play your requests! AMA.
Hey guys, back again! My name is Bernie Katzman and I'm a professional pianist, singer, and composer. I've been playing for over 65 years and it's my life!
Proof: http://imgur.com/wq4eBmL
edit: sorry i was gone so long guys, went to have lunch! i'm going to keep taking your requests and churn out those songs! :) in the meantime, take a listen to a christmas love song i wrote!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHd6dZP4fvU
edit 2: if you'd like to purchase any song for personal use, or an album you'd like me to create for you, send me a message! :)
edit 3: wow! i have a lot of people who want these songs in an album! unfortunately, i didn't expect such a large turnout! if you would like to donate to the creation of the 'Reddit Holiday Album" i would be so eternally grateful! :)
edit 4: next week, a Reddit Holiday Album will be available on my website www.turahe.com i had such a wonderful time today playing your requests, and will continue to do so! :) please check it out next week, i'm sure you'll love it!
final edit: Thank you all SO much for your kind words, support, and great requests! It's past midnight now, and I should get some sleep, although I really could stay up throughout the night and do more! My wife is making me stop so she can sleep! However, I will record more tomorrow! :) Goodnight and happy holidays!<3
eugene_n_rusty960 karma
...but can you play any piece of music in a holiday style?
Can I get Chopin's "Funeral March" as played by Vince Guaraldi?
The_Posh_Plebeian787 karma
Deck the halls in the style of late Beethoven perhaps? Or just Beethoven-style in general. Would be greatly appreciated!
chupacabra178 karma
I would buy an album of your songs, not just Christmas ones, that had this theme. Brilliant.
dadudemon586 karma
/u/BernieKatzman, I have no suggestions. I am also a pianist (not a professional) and, without a doubt, you are a very educated and very talented professional.
Thank you for bringing these moments of joy to me.
El_Cholo122 karma
These are incredible!! As another (amateur) pianist, just curious: what are you working with? Do you have basic renditions of these holiday songs in certain keys and you're improvising from there? Or just totally playing by ear?
I'm dumbfounded, you are amazing!!
EDIT: and while I'm at it, can I request O Holy Night in the style of Dvorak's Humoresque Op. 101 (specifically No. 7-- don't even know if that's possible or logical!)
Dododude2523 karma
It's good to hear from you again, Bernie! Could you please play Carol of the Bells as a slow somber requiem? Like Chopin's Prelude 4 in e minor.
BernieKatzman1156 karma
enjoy! :) tell me what you think!
BernieKatzman1103 karma
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/let-it-snow-for-oostdykr
let me know what you think! :)
BernieKatzman687 karma
let me know what you think! :)
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/rockin-around-the-christmas
PsychoSharkBait264 karma
"Frosty The Snowman" but as if it was a dramatic crescendo. Extra points if it's in F sharp.
Also, I've gotta say you're incredibly talented. A fine pianist.
BernieKatzman385 karma
enjoy! tell me what you think :)
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open
Dead_Moss146 karma
Hope I'm not too late. 12 days of christmas as a fugue by Bach. I don't know a lot of English holiday songs, but I would love to hear you take on pretty much any holiday song like this
BernieKatzman269 karma
I hope you love this! This is one of my favorites! ;)
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/12-days-of-christmas-for
LogicalTimber137 karma
You, sir, are an accomplished musician. How much time are you spending figuring out how to play each piece before hitting the record button?
grimelda113 karma
can you play something calm by rachmaninoff like Mozart's 'Eine kleine nachtmusik'? :D
BernieKatzman256 karma
let me know what you think! :)
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/mozart-rachmaninoff-mix-for
nelfichu93 karma
How bout Greensleeves/What Child is This in jazz? Or Peanuts style? Or reggae? You know what, you pick the style, I just like Greensleeves.
GuidoPoptarts79 karma
Can I get Jingle Bell Rock in the style of Tchaikovsky?
Make my day Bernie.
BernieKatzman146 karma
enjoy! i hope your day will be made! ;)
BernieKatzman76 karma
here's a version! :)
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/god-rest-ye-merry-gentleman
BritishBrownie28 karma
You are an amazing pianist! Could you do a swing 'White Christmas'?
guitardude91124 karma
What about a Chanukah song! Could you do The Dreidel Song (dreidel dreidel dreidel, I made it out of clay...) in Jazz/Swing?
jessicay24 karma
To piggy-back here on a Chanukah, request, can you do Ma'oz Tzur in a slow jazzy style? I'm picturing a piano line under Billie Holiday.
BernieKatzman61 karma
here's one i did!
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/pokemon-theme-for-beach4k
Plecboy12 karma
So sad to only find this now. Amazing stuff! You're awesome! If you return please try a rendition of The Beatles With a little help from my friends in the style of Stravinsky (Rite of Spring style). I'm just so curious to know what it would sound like! Either way, I've been denying Christmas up until I listened to your pieces! Amazing!
BernieKatzman30 karma
don't be sad plecboy! :) i hope you enjoy this!
https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/with-a-little-help-from-my
Il_Duce10 karma
I couldn't remember my login info for my account, so I went through the recovery process so that I might be able to bestow upon you my single upvote. This is seriously wonderful; you're an amazing player!
crit_D6 karma
No question. I just want to say you're an exemplary human, and I love what you do.
poopdaloop968 karma
This is the best post ever and you are the best person ever for doing it.
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