musical diaries: day in the life of a classical pianist in New York City

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

What random things should I show you or talk about in my next musical diary? 🙈

[@raulcorrea2171]

Stuff with a back story. Maybe a piano book, a mini sculpture of a composer, something another famous pianist gave you?

[@PokerFan72o]

You seem to like Schumann a lot, maybe juxtapose things in your life to how they remind you of pieces of Schumann, I liked what you said about melancholia and played Rachmaninoff in the background

[@lotharlundgren9509]

Anything that you want to, I'm all ears! If it's not too personal though, maybe things or goals that you want to accomplish in the future; or perhaps places you want to travel/vacation to someday and why you want to go there?!

[@akhenatenamarna484]

An Ode to Demon Slayer

[@JM-ig4ed]

I would like to know from your parents perspective what it was like for you to move to NY at such a young age - what it was like for you to leave Hong Kong - what it was like to learn English, which you do very well with no accent. I liked that one video you showed chatting with your mom while watching a soccer game together. All of these things are what led to showing what a life of a musician is really like and the steps in getting there. I started watching you during your Julliard years.

[@jaimebondoc5619]

I really love how organic this type of vlog is. Just very natural, very realistic

[@Dragunov1185]

Tiffany, thank you. Thank you for showing the mundane normal stuff of day-to-day and how it relates to your music. Seeing amazing piano performances online can be really disheartening because I feel like I can never personally get there. Watching you be a normal person, then practicing, making mistakes, etc. makes me realize that I can do it, too, at my own pace. You’re awesome, keep being you and making the content YOU want to make 😊❤️

[@ellianasun]

I just love the part where she thinks about the word “sick” in german, cantonese, and english. Languages are really cool.

[@andymilstenmusic8520]

They are, aren’t they.

[@HidekazuOki]

Interesting how Cantonese has the same character for sickness as Japanese and similar pronunciation too…

[@ellianasun]

@@HidekazuOki Yes, a lot of words can sound like the meaning; therefore, making it easier to comprehend. :)

[@hastensavoir7782]

No love for Filipino language? 😢

[@ellianasun]

@@hastensavoir7782 Haha, sorry. I had no intentions to exclude any cultures or languages. I just wanted to point out what Tiffany said in her video. 😅 Hope no one was offended…

[@divine3232]

An obsession with any genre of music is NOT a sign of mental illness at all; it's a sign of a desire to constantly be creative with it and clearly you're level headed and have great social skills in spite of how introverted you are. Classical music will always make me feel intense in at least some way even though I hardly ever discuss it with anyone that isn't already obsessed with classical music (which would be hardly anyone I know of). Has anyone ever told you your piano recordings and performances are equivalent to the quality of Murray Perahia's? I am not being sarcastic.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

That's very kind of you, thank you. To be clear, I was not talking simply about an obsession or earworm - not implying at all that a musical obsession is a sign of mental illness. There's a lot more to my experience than I can explain on camera...

[@divine3232]

@@TiffanyPoonpianist You're welcome. I also should be more observant of how lighthearted (not so intense) you sound when you're quietly describing something thought provoking even though you may not be smiling or laughing at the same time. It's great how you can allow yourself to not take everything so seriously in spite of how well focused and gifted you are while you're performing or recording. Nonetheless I just hope you will sooner than later become much more recognized to Classical Music listeners.

[@hastensavoir7782]

Way better than obsession with Horror movies and Serial killers Documentaries.

[@busyboxst7]

I can only speculate, and perhaps project from my own experience, but... It's clearly not just the obsession (as she said), and being high functioning and in control externally (able to be level headed, have good social skills, keep a straight face etc.) is in no way the same as feeling like you're in control internally. I myself have similar feelings to what she expressed, it's not about the music, it's the ability of a thing (in this case music) to amplify emotions and take you to deep states that can be difficult and perhaps feel isolated at times (not everyone seems to relate if I share about this sort of thing, for example). It's that, like grief, a person can't always control when a wave of grief comes. She *seems* to be describing feelings that come on somewhat suddenly, and not by her choice, and perhaps it's like "oh, I see, we're going to have one of those days". And conversely, even if in control, it's not easy for some of us to just distract ourselves with other thoughts and also be like "hmm, I need to process some of that but today's not the day, I'll come back to it later". Often if you try to access that place later (even talking with a trusted friend), it's hard to get back there... Again, might just be me I'm talking about.

[@clamayaceo]

Really enjoyed this vlog. Made me laugh when you still say that you don’t like filming blogs in public-after all these years. I’ve always enjoyed your editing. Also love the snippets of the Chopin ballade. Your interpretation is still my favorite. Feeling honored to follow along with how your life continues to unfold.

[@dankr7009]

I love this concept of a musical diary!

[@janaschellpianist4686]

Dear Tiffany, your videos are truly a blessing. Feeling bad and then watching your videos makes you aware of all the precious little things in life since you are not just posting performances but also a daily life with its struggles and tasks. Thank you for being an inspiration. God bless you!

[@ruxandrai8088]

I absolutely love this kind of videos! ❤

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Ohh really? Thank you 🙏 I couldn't stop laughing the whole time because I don't know what's interesting to film or talk about 😅🙊

[@han-wenchen289]

Thank you for bringing new pieces to my ears through your vlog! I feel more connected to the music when I see you digging into the passages, structuring program for your concert, presenting the music with the footage of your life...etc.

[@glennnanod3160]

Love this format. Meandering, but insightful. I enjoy seeing simple daily things you do. I especially loved to watch you work out your program on the Steinway. Fascinating to glimpse your internal mental thoughts. Please do more of these. I find Joy in all the different posts you do. Mahalo and Aloha. 🎶😍👏💝

[@natasharedmane]

Getting excited about the pigeons more than anything else in a city like NY is honestly my kind of vibe 🙏 /gen

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

🤗 I feel understood 🐦

[@carvield09]

I just bought a ticket for your concert in Dresden in June. I'm very excited to finally listen to you in person 😊

[@fuyu856]

I really love how you used Rachmaninoff Concerto no. 1’s as the bgm, i think it complements the moments really well. I feel like listening to it right now too lmao

[@kyzrsze]

I absolutely loved this! I hope I can hear you at a concert sometime. I hope you come to Chicago sometime. The last time I was in NY, this guy somehow got a grand piano out in Washington Square and let people lay under it while he played. He played Moonlight Sonata for me while I lay under it and saw all the mechanizations moving.

[@JM-ig4ed]

Finally - a day in the life vid - my fave kind. Thanks.

[@hartwigheine7409]

Hi Tiffany, endlich wieder mal ein neues Video, hat mich sehr gefreut und wenn Du jetzt Deutsch lernst freut mich das ganz besonders. Ich versuche mit Deinen Videos mein miserabeles Englisch aufzubessern und außerdem ist es immer wieder eine große Motivation zum Üben an meinem Blüthner. Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland.

[@I.amthatrealJuan]

Bubbly Tiffany is back! You also gaves a stream of consciousness feel to the vlog, especially with how you presented NYC. The program making process is interesting too.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Bubbles come and go... 😬🙏

[@nomusician4737]

It was fascinating hearing about the kind of rehearsal in my mind kind of things. I'm the same way, for me playing the bass at home is about mechanics and keeping up the stamina. Virtually all rehearsal I do is while doing something else. And yes, jazz musicians rehearse a lot, we just don't talk about it to keep the myth alive. 😉

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

😎 love that you can relate to classical from jazz as well!

[@reallynotpc]

I'm watching on a cold morning in the UK and thinking that your piano has a beautiful warm coat.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

I'm jealous of his coat quite often...

[@reallynotpc]

@@TiffanyPoonpianist ‘And here is Tiffany, modelling the latest from the Steinway ready-to-wear range…’

[@denmarq]

0:48 I felt this. It really helps serves to convey feelings. But for me, there are moments during moments of melancholy where music would either provide catharsis or plunge my mood deeper into gloom. It's can be a double-edged sword at times, but can't let go of it.

[@jessiedp1576]

my heart is happy watching you play!

[@antoniyousef612]

tiffany's videos put me in such a mood that i usually save them and watch them at morning times lol

[@tombufford136]

Thank you Tiffany, Interesting to see around New York with you. Wonderful piano music, enjoyed very much the Chopin Ballad practice and Eric Satie. Very large cake slice your bakery served !

[@karenryan3588]

Love watching you in NY but especially your thinking , what you’re thinking and how it affects your music❤️

[@Jonathan-Avila]

That shot right at the beginning of the video passing through 23rd St station brought me so many good memories about the time I used to work in Manhattan, it connected with me throughout the entire video, thank you for such an authentic and genuine feeling vlog. I hope to go see you performing in NYC anytime soon. Keep up the good work!

[@lguo41]

I like this kind of musical historical quizs. Please do more.

[@massimorusso4997]

What a beautiful, wholesome vlog. I loved this. Thank you for sharing this day in the life, and the editing feels warm and inviting. It’s almost as if your editing style is its own writing ‘font’ - if the comparison makes any sense haha Also, your commentary while walking through New York was so funny, and I almost felt like I was the friend holding the camera strolling the city with you :)

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Glad you enjoyed the stroll through construction sites :)

[@hughlazarus7806]

I love your videos and musical ideas I think about classical piano all the time even when I’m not practicing ❤

[@BrunoADuenas]

Thank you ♥ I missed "Being Human Pianist" series for so long :)

[@benjaminjones5744]

the ending is a masterpiece i needed that after a horrible trip

[@nandovancreij]

random vlog footage randomly thrown together, my fav type of video :) (genuinely these videos are so enjoyable)

[@topturretgunner]

Hello. Good morning Tiffany. I find nothing at all obsessive about your passion for music 🎼 and piano. People who are passionate about an interest in life are often driven to analyze, critique or, jyst think about their endeavor in order to improve and excel. Thus is the love of that passion motivating them to improve. From a person point of view I think that you are a gifted pianist well talented and are constantly striving to improve. Nothing wrong with that. At my age 71 I do confess to a few regrets. One being that my parents never encouraged or enabled me as a child to pursue piano and that I didn’t in later years do so myself. I love classical music and piano along with several other genres of music. I do so enjoy your videos and find your openness and sincerity charming and refreshing. Thank you so much for sharing Tiffany as I am then vicariously able to experience my unrequited dream of being a concert pianist. I wish you continued success in your endeavors along with peace and joy.

[@hegemege]

Looking forward to your concert in August here in Finland. The venue is surrounded by picturesque Finnish nature next to a lake, hopefully a great inspiration

[@LelandMaurello]

Aww, thank you you sweet Tiffany! I've been following your vlogs for several (4? 5?) years now. I didn't equate you with NYC. I love it here. And I'm glad to know you are fascinated with it too. It's gritty but there is so much lovely as well. I grew up with musicians, many as dedicated as yourself, so I feel a bond of knowing you - in a way - and it's good to see you as just that person as well. I hope you inspire many to follow your path, at least in interest if not in profession. And maybe into profession. Thank you for teaching us what it is really like to be a professional.

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Wow, 4/5 years?! Thank you! I hope you've been enjoying classical music along the way.

[@lotharlundgren9509]

My favorite part of the video is when you played along with the hold music 😂 I do the same exact thing on my guitar 🔥

[@siddharth-gandhi]

Long time no see! Welcome back once again! I think this is a sample of a literal vlog, having both the boring and interesting parts of the day in it. Quite nice!

[@jakereuben9397]

Well Tiff. Praise Him @ For He is The Only one Able, to forgive ALL of our sin, And to present us right before Him. Hallelujah!

[@lotharlundgren9509]

Tiffany, I'm the same exact way regarding the various moods that I sometimes feel, and I always seek out the music that enhances those feelings! I think we're a type...

[@27jegs]

That was great fun. I grew up on Long Island and now live in Vienna, Austria. A little tour of "home". I always look forward to you playing the piano.

[@Scoundrel1144]

Tiffany, your videos are very artful...no surprise. Love to see you playing piano as well as clips of your daily life. Keep your vids as-is.

[@DavidBigandt]

Good mix of outdoors and indoors thanks

[@vipassana72]

Wonderful. Always a good surprise to find your recommendations waiting. Discovered I only like following female piano players. Not as a rule with regards to music appreciation but piano players on KZbin. Do not know why and am not investigating why but am glad your reflections are part of them. This was a wonderfully intimate one. Thank you and have a wonderful learning curve. Whatever that learning curve may be. * * * Fossil fuel traffic systems confound our good health. I hope the city of New York can get its act together and ban the use of these polluting networks. Lots of generations of good people deserve to be rid of them from their circulatory systems. It saddens me to think we have developed the technology and alternative choices but refuse to divest completely. Thank you for your appreciations and encouragements. It is a great privilege to hear the learning from your choice in life.

[@rinlyn-sv3gs]

It was super fun to see more sides of your personality and daily life in this vlog!

[@thomasbrown7980]

Your videos always make me smile!

[@ranchrods1]

love your videos :) loving your longer hair too.... little surprised you focused on pigeons and not your usual squirrels lol ... keep doing what you do ... hugz from Canada

[@fabiocalzavara6493]

NB: Good morning miss Poon. A perfect musical background to portray a breakfast at Tiffany's : Mancini's "Moon River". Cheers.

[@thomasbunner734]

That was all fascinating! Thanks for sharing!❤

[@forcelightningcable9639]

Coming from a mental health background, I think it’s perfectly fine to joke about our individual mental health quirks, even if they tend to get in the way or cause harm. Personally, making comedy of my mental health has helped me feel okay about those difficulties, even if they otherwise cause detriment to my own mental health. The dopamine trade-off in making light of it more than makes up for any bad feelings. Everyone’s mileage may differ, of course, so where ever you (royal) are in your mental health journey, I hope y’all find some solace.

[@hjlee1991]

Now I want to play Schubert Kinderszenen ( ordered the sheet music) that I never learned before.. thank u:)

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

Schumann* :) Yay!

[@071949]

Hi Tiffany, I enjoyed the walking tour of Manhattan*, and watching/listening to you play the snippets of works by various composers. *(About NYC, it has been a long time since I was there; would like to go back someday and see the High Line...)

[@richiebeirach3671]

you have such a great affinity for schumanns music !! i see you immerse yourself instantly into the first measure ,,its wonderful to see it ,,keep it up ,,but dont forget to have a good time along the way ,,love you

[@dimitrovboeleepianoduo]

Your video just inspired me to practice thank you!

[@elyescat3518]

This is so sweet !! It's like the old Tiffany Vlogs !! Thank you for sharing

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

👧🏻🙈🥰

[@tombufford136]

Good to watch a fine musician and have a look around New York with them briefly. Do remember lots of arduous telephone conversations arranging Wedding music with a Brides father. Your professional telephone Call sending your Concert music program to the Festival Director showed how efficiently you work.

[@BlackHermit]

It's funny how in the part where there was "nothing going on" you were the most alive and animated! 😂

[@antoniog2854]

you sound glorious on the Model B!

[@TiffanyPoonpianist]

He says thank you

[@AlotusNine]

I love this blog❤❤❤

[@levim.3505]

off-topic i know, but i haven't tuned in for a while and just wanted to compliment your new hair cut, suits you so well!

[@tomaslaskovsky722]

Yes, there are multiple layers to our consciousness and they all work at the same time... sometimes something comes up from the so-called subconscious, even though we think we are not thinking about it anymore. If you know what I mean. And a classical music fact that I don't think many people know: Beethoven's Für Elise was not found until 35 years after his death.

[@ivanzanev8745]

Hello, Tiffany. In this day and age I usually skip-forward videos, but Your video made an impression. Let me share my thoughts with You. Regarding music coming in and out of Your head, I can say it's the same for me and probably for a lot of people. I don't think it's related to profession or skills or background. Nowadays I get parts of ballade no. 3 coming into my head. Years ago it was Nocturne op. 15 no. 2 on repeat. So maybe it's about being more mature than before or maybe it's some social phenomena that is binding all of us together, I don't know. And also I think compositions are complex and composers spent years to perfect them. There are levels of understanding and being able to play it is one level, but being able to grasp it fundamentally and what it means to You, personally, is a different level. I noticed that sometimes the music kind of 'falls in place' and it stops repeating like a broken record whenever I understand a bit more about it. Maybe Chopin had been right to say that every difficulty slurred over would be a ghost in the repose later on. I also wish to ask You if the music stops being enjoyable when You have reached that level of a concert pianist. Is it just work and have You lost Your sense of fulfilment when You play or is it still there.

[@potkula1]

I just bought tickets to the concert in Mänttä

[@Melanie-gu4cl]

Tiffany, you're so lucky to have perfect pitch.

[@michaelrollo6518]

missed you I am always greatful for your inspiration it helps me to stay focused and to create new works if I don't listen to others music unless it is Verdi or Wagner keep playing love always in Christ of course

[@Eva_Piano]

Было интересно!Благодарю за видео ❤

[@l0rdgreenwood]

Oh you learn german, that’s awesome! Actually it would be super interesting to see your approach on learning a language :) Very cool VLOG! :)

[@soundhill1]

I'm not answering your question but my ears today say thanks for the exciting sounds.

[@soundhill1]

In one of her interviews Yuja said she wished she had stayed in China internalising repertoire until she became 18 years old, when she said words to the effect that most of it is in you by then. Tiffany, how much comes from you and how much from your teachers and what was the emigration like? Don't really bother to answer it, a difficult question. Things like your beautiful tempi in Widmung and Scarlatti Sonata in E Major. And for fun a Canadian dubbing over her piano playing, teaching herself. I am thinking about your comments you write on your practice sessions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4KcmH-hbdKXZ5I

[@Carpincho904]

loved this video

[@TransLifeChannelRight]

好开心体到做音乐既Cantonese,hope you doing everything well.

[@Adrian-zw6sc]

(10:41) "..the purpose of having perfect pitch..." 😄 Cool party trick🎹 And btw yeah, those mobile network co. can definitely get me 😤. I should learn to be more composed like yourself.

[@busyboxst7]

I feel like I relate quite a bit to the 0:45-2:30ish part (minus the memorizing part, I'm not classical in my music ventures). I also get it at times where I'm hearing soundtracking to how I feel and it's music I've never heard before. I can listen to it in my head like a CD is playing in the room, if I pay attention to it that is (sometimes it starts doing it on it's own and then I become aware it's happening, without my trying, and then I try to listen to it, sometimes it's quite interesting, and a fine line between it's playing on it's own and then am I making it play? It's weird to be able to listen to all the different parts though, different instruments). But more at an emotional level, yes, music intensifies the emotions and it's very much just going on up in my mind, and anyone else around is of course oblivious to this unless I say something (which is rare). You're a rare bird Tiffany. Hope that you find people in life who relate to the world that's inside your head. Relating to people on similar external interests, that's much easier to find than people who really get what your specific pinball machine inside feels like, thinks like, etc. Blessings.

[@fergusbabb9722]

Chopin Ballade No 2 was dedicated to Schumann - that would be a really nice way to tie them together!

[@larrybear2382]

Looks like fun.

[@donaldaxel]

I love this video, this talk about how you work, and that practice is not everything - stark contrast with another video where you said you spent 20 or 60 minutes on a Schumann passage to get it to sound as delicious as you wanted it to sound

[@myklkay]

I wish I could arrive at a point one day where I can ask myself "what do I want to play ?" without having to check if I can play it or not....

[@wbiro]

Your encore should be your video theme music, not because of the music alone, but because of your deep connection to it, 'connection' being what the audience is always most curious about, and what they most want to 'experience'. (in fact, your encore (your deepest connection) may be what they will be waiting for throughout the entire recital)... Another thought was to always be taking lessons from prominent teachers, if only to fill-out your resume (good for marketing, which is what venues often go on, especially when promoting you) (i.e. who you 'studied' with) (absorbed things from)...

[@sohamprasad6696]

Tiffany's got a "friend" who films her now!!

[@keevynscholl689]

My thoughts exactly! Who is this lucky guy!

[@spa11199]

Rachmaninoff while doing kitchenware shopping is awesome!!!! they should play classical piano piece in the kitchenware shops.... ;)

[@DavidBigandt]

me and Mamie O'Rourke Tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York

[@PedroHenrique-wl8yt]

Just love the video. By the way, NY is just buildings in construction? 😂

[@luisdavidguzman9247]

This is so cool. Hope you can come back to Mexico one day! :)

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Hey, you pronounce 'krank' (and 'Bach') very well! The film-making is getting pretty sophisticated, but go easy on the bacon sandwiches. Maybe check out how Shura Cherkassky practised . . .

[@reallyanotheruser7290]

My favourite english-german translation is 'poison'->'gift'

[@patiargi649]

You should also play Rachmaninoff this year...at 1.4.2023 is his 150. birthday... All the best for your concerts, in bocca al lupo !

[@sunkenindeaf]

12:21 --- If not mistaken, in works of Satie, a) mostly, time signatures are not to be taken strictly, b) his musical directions (such as "don't eat too much" or "like a nightingale with toothache") leave much to the pianist's understanding and creativity. If preparation for Satie should include listening to other pianists' recordings, may I suggest to make sure that the late Reinbert De Leeuw is there. ---Waving from Istanbul.

[@henrikmulders8633]

Satie often wrote no bar lines, but the structure of the music is quite clear about where the bar lines would be. The three Gymnopedies (1888) have bar lines, the three Gnossiennes (1890) do not. The funny comments in the music are for the performer. He was very much against reading them out loud. Greetings from Freiburg, Germany

[@Hervinbalfour]

Playing Rachmaninoff always gets me in my feelings.

[@BambooNtertainmentIsEpic]

Best hold music ever

[@stanwalker4656]

For a concert in Finland, Finlandia (for solo piano of course) might be an inspiring piece considering the events happening in Europe.

[@r.j4449]

what events?

[@stanwalker4656]

@@r.j4449 Finland wanting to join NATO because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

[@Joe_Peroni]

Y😳U are a brilliant pianist. I wish you would give ME a few lessons. But first I'd have to find a piano, then find Y😜U with this!

[@ninisky2706]

Wow this is so professionally filmed and edited ! Your videos are always good but this is another level, did you change any equipment ? Keep going ❤

[@JP-ku5hw]

“There’s nothing brisker than her life when in motion” “ There’s nothing sweeter than her peace when at rest”

[@Vivaldilover]

I have a strong feeling that you have found a significant other. Your giddyness is showing exactly that... And you thought it was a secret!!

[@I.amthatrealJuan]

I see hints in her posts for quite a while, but it's good that she's becoming comfortable with this aspect of her life.

[@divine3232]

I can't believe I was oblivious to this observation, given how all of her other vlogs were filmed by herself.

[@valandhol9four680]

When are you coming to Sweden? Stop by after Finland! :)

[@dummag4126]

notturno means by night...a paint show a night panorama, a music remember night

[@yagiz885]

10:01 I get it you like that excerpt..

[@Dannyetten]

Hi Tiffany, I've been playing the piano for about three years now and love watching your KZbin videos and drawing inspiration from them. Now I also see that you regularly give concerts and my question is: when will you come to the Netherlands? We have the “Concertgebouw Amsterdam” here. I think you will feel at home there! Sincerely, Danny (38)

[@bernardgerardin7584]

Comme j'aime ! Comme j'aime !...

[@esreve1]

If I were Liszt I would give you four thumbs up for this vlog.

[@antoniajagodic]

however - you're living a dream ♥🥰

[@sunnyng1645]

Interesting daily lifes. Lovely and cute. Showing totally mental wellness not illness!