Topic: Pianoteq made my 2020 just a bit better
Just before this historical year ends, I'd like to send my utmost thanks and gratitude to Philippe, to the whole Modartt team, and to everyone in this community... Pianoteq honestly saved my 2020!
When the pandemic struck my country (Philippines) and we went into full-on lockdown with an enhanced community quarantine for the first half of the year, my work as a university instructor suddenly stopped. No longer would I be seeing my students in the classroom nor could we continue working in the usual setting. So like everyone, I stayed at home, kept myself sane with anime and YouTube, and then thought to myself of playing the piano again after not doing that for quite a while (like for 4 years, since I moved countries for my master studies).
I then found Pianoteq in the forums and blogs that listed the best piano VSTs available. After trying out the demo version in May, I decided to take the plunge in June and bought a Standard license, choosing the Steingraeber, Antonin Petrof, and Blüthner pianos for my first set (I prefer the European sound more than the American one). And then it went better from there. Pianoteq's playability and modular nature meant that I can make my "own" piano suited to my own tastes reflected on a particular piano model – whether that's the organic clarity of the Petrof, the lightness of the Steingraeber, or the coolness and clarity of the Blüthner (this is the sound that brought me to Pianoteq in the first place). It's really like cooking! (Funny, since at this time I started doing more cooking, particularly Japanese-style beef curry, mapo tofu, and pasta) And since then I bought the Steinway B, the C. Bechstein D 282, and the U4 models…
With that I really hope that I'll grow as a pianist once more with Pianoteq as my trusty guide: whether that's into contemporary classical, anime soundtracks, pop song covers, or into simple musical sketches.
Finally, here's a list of my favorite piano covers recorded and posted in my YouTube account for the enjoyment of everyone; most of them are anime song covers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8hzpR6t9M
("Always Together", soundtrack song from the anime "Is the Order a Rabbit?" using the Blüthner model – this was the first song I learned in my comeback)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LodTAjssFKU
("Tomodachi", from the anime "A Place Further than the Universe, using the Ant. Petrof model)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IakwbJMf3A
(Episode 12 soundtrack from the anime "Sing 'Yesterday' with Me, using the C. Bechstein model)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N1JdWrGKR0
("Yasashisa no Riyuu", the first opening theme song from the anime "Hyouka", using the Steingraeber model)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FNgBNC_FjY
("Mai-san", soundtrack song from the anime "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny-Girl Senpai", still using the Steingraeber model)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo_S57x-KsM
("Sekai wa Koi ni Ochiteiru", the opening song from the anime "Ao Haru Ride", using the Steingraeber model)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV4ZbNd9TsA
("Look at the Sky", song from Porter Robinson's upcoming album "nurture" that he featured in the Secret Sky 2020 livestream, this time using the Pianoteq U4 model)
And with that I wish everyone a safe yet meaningful holidays, and let's continue to take care of each other and our musical curiosities in the New Year 2021.
