The first video is called "appassionata". Its normally a Piano piece (3rd movement). He is an excellent player and I listened to it right through.

The problem for me is that Electones have their own unique sound (which is not a bad thing in the right context), and to my ears that sound has changed little since the 90s. Its the mid range of the strings and brass that are most noticable.

Don't get me wrong, i would happily sit through a 30 minute concert with this guy. But I do not believe the electone sound is compatible with the rest of the world. It wouuld not be suitable to contemporary popular music. And I believe that is why we don't have them outside japan.

Anyway when I listened to the videos above (and I avoided watching them to try and imagine an orchestra) It took me back to the 1990s and I can still picture the MC/HS/EL series. And thats what I mean by dated - its a brilliant arrangement played by a very tallented keyboardist, but it still sounds like an Electone. And in this day and age (outside of Asia at least) if you are going to play a piece like this, I believe it should sound like an orchestra.

TWD

[This message has been edited by Tonewheeldude (edited 03-23-2010).]