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Update #9: The CD package is "in the oven"...
Hello to you kind, supportive, and encouraging people I've known, or come to know (and all DEEPLY appreciate) via (the always very cool) KickStarter.com...
An update about the "Hidden Voices of the Grand Piano" project that you've all helped make happen, is in order.
The music for this project is done; etched into a glass master, and delivered to the manufacturing facility. The artwork for the packaging has also been completed and submitted to the manufacturer, and the final 'sign-off' on the whole 'package' has been given, as of last Thursday (2/24/11). The entire project is in a building in New Jersey, being stamped-out, printed, folded, cd-inserted, wrapped, boxed, and is on its way to being shipped to me in approximately one week. I will have several crate-sized boxes of CDs here in my possession by no-later-than March 10th.
The music itself (in electronic format(s)) was placed online (as a hidden 'pre-release') a few weeks ago, and most of you have downloaded your e-files by now. Some of you have taken the time to write me some very kind notes, saying how much you're enjoying the music, and I have been thrilled to receive those notes. Thank you ALL, SO VERY much...!
(And please, if you're expecting to receive CDs (and other fun things) and have not yet sent me your shipping address, please send that along ASAP. And if you've not downloaded your pre-release electronic files, and want to, please check your inbox for the code email - maybe it went through a filter and into a 'spam' folder?)
The 'official release date' I've been working with has been "end of February, 2011", and in the spirit of 'leap day' (one of my favorite people's birthday :), I'm saying that it was yesterday the 28th, and/or today, March 1st. What this means is that I feel comfortable enough at this point to have activated the 'buy it now' button on my website (http://music.ferdinandmaisel.com), whereon one can purchase the CD (and/or an immediate download of the files), with a CD 'ships-on date' of March 17th. As the CDs are expected to arrive in my hands no later than 3/10/11, this gives me a little bit of 'buffer' time, just in case there are any problems in the manufacturing/shipping processes. If there are no such problems, you will likely be receiving your CDs on or before the 17th of March. I will email you all individually on the day your package is sent.
So, this part of the project is DONE (at least as far as I can impact it). And it is DUE TO ONLY YOU ALL that I can say this. If you had not contributed to this project, I can honestly say that it's likely that I would be behind schedule, distracted by another 50 things in my life, and prone to procrastinating accordingly. THANK YOU for making this HAPPEN.
Since it's now 'available to the public', I invite you to tell thousands of your friends that 'you can buy it now'. Email them. - Tell them on the FaceBook - and the Twitter - and the Blog... That would be wonderful, if you're so inclined. - And if you don't want to tell others, that's okay too, because your support has been SO GRACIOUS already, in helping me get this far with this project. You've done more than you may ever know, or realize.
Keep in touch with me...
FaceBook: 'Inside the Piano"
Twitter: @insidethepiano
Web: http://ferdinandmaisel.com
Music: http://music.ferdinandmaisel.com
Email: ferdinand.maisel@gmail.com
And I will keep in touch with you. - Likely to be another 'project-related post' from me (via a KickStarter Update like this) in about 2-3 weeks. (And if you're expecting CDs and/or "merchandise", you'll hear from me sooner.)
So many projects, so little time. - So much to say, too many words to choose from to express it. - You have ALL been SO AMAZING. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. (And thank you KickStarter.com... you good peoples are THE awesome-ist on the web...! :)
Until the next time that you hear from me, do take good care.
--Ferd
image-cd
Update #8: Hidden Voices Update
For backers only,
Posted on February 1, 2011
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Update #7: Project Ends with SUCCESSFUL Funding...!
For backers only,
Posted on January 15, 2011
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Update #6: 'Speechlessness' comes to mind...
For backers only,
Posted on January 10, 2011
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Update #5: Wow... 101% with 4 days remaining...!
Just. Wow...!
How amazing. And wonderful. And *seriously* exciting...! :)
101% funded, with 4 days remaining.
I am humbled, yet thoroughly encouraged. :)
MANY Thanks to you ALL for your pledges of support for this unique piano-music project. (And *many* thanks to KickStarter for the great opportunity that they - the whole staff - have provided.)
I've been under headphones for the past few days, performing final touches and mixes of the music, and in my humble little opinion, this CD project from 'inside of the piano' is *WAY* cool... :)
I trust that you all will enjoy listening to it as much as I have enjoyed making it. :)
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH...!
(And don't hesitate telling everyone that you know, again even, about this music project. Every little squeak, peep, blog, and Tweet about it is *enormously* helpful, and is greatly appreciated.)
I'll be in touch towards the week's end, as the project draws to a close.
Do take good care!
--Ferd
85
Backers
$2,763
pledged of $2,488 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 15, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
(The B MAJOR Pledge) - I will send you a thank-you email, and play a special chord on the piano, in your honor.
Pledge $8 or more Pledge $8 or more
(The C MAJOR Pledge) - You get HQ digital download files, 2 weeks before the 'official' release date. And the special chord on the piano, played in your honor, as seen above.
Pledge $28 or more Pledge $28 or more
(The F MAJOR Pledge) - You get the HQ digital download files, and TWO (signed) CD's! - (One for you, and one for a friend!) - (And, a REALLY AMAZING chord played on the piano, just for you!)
Pledge $48 or more Pledge $48 or more
(The E MAJOR, +7 +#9 Pledge ;) - You get all of the above, PLUS a T-shirt or coffee mug (your choice) adorned with the project-theme graphics. (See image and description on the bottom left of this page.) AND, you'll get bonus download tracks (recordings from my youtube videos, and additional miscellaneous tracks of the "hidden voices of the grand piano",
Pledge $88 or more Pledge $88 or more
(The C# MAJOR Pledge) - You get all of the above, and I will buy you coffee at your favorite coffee shop (within 2 hours of the Baltimore area), where we can chat, and I'll bring along a key from my piano for you to sign. (I want YOUR autograph at this level of pledge! - And what better place than on (the side of) a key from my piano! :) Or...
Pledge $88 or more Pledge $88 or more
(The G MAJOR Pledge) - You get the electronic files, two signed CDs, the shirt or the coffee mug, AND you can drop in with your internet machine for one of five 30-minute pre-scheduled live-streamed sessions at the piano (as seen in my KickStarter video.) (Dates/times of the sessions to be determined. Limit 5 connected listeners per session. First come, first served basis.) - You can see this session with just about all commonly used web browsers, and/or your iOS4 iPhone, iPad,or iPod touch device.
Pledge $188 or more Pledge $188 or more
(The A MAJOR Pledge) - Your own one-hour personal streamed concert, wherein we can chat, you can have input into what I'm doing, ask questions, and we can basically talk about whatever you'd like, as I compose and improvise at the piano. (Best if we can type-chat via whatever method works best for you, while the music/video is streamed to you.)
Pledge $488 or more Pledge $488 or more
(The WOW MAJOR Pledge) - I will come for a 90 minute performance, in a venue of your choice, within two hours of the Baltimore Area. (Must have a tuned grand piano, with permission for me to temporarily install a pickup, touch the strings, tap the cabinet, etc. - Date and details to be arranged.)
Pledge $1,188 or more Pledge $1,188 or more
(The WONDERFULNESS MAJOR Pledge) - I will come for a 90 minute performance, in a venue of your choice, anywhere in the continental US. (Must have a tuned grand piano, with permission for me to temporarily install a pickup, touch the strings, tap the cabinet, etc. - Date and details to be arranged.)
Project By
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I am a composer, pianist, keyboardist, and technology enthusiast/geek from Baltimore, Maryland USA. My first CD, ("alternity"), was released in 1988, and music from it found it's way into television commercials, films, documentaries, radio, dance performances, and other media venues. My second CD, ("far end din") was released in 1996, and met with worldwide critical acclaim, finding it's way into playlists with the music of Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, and other well-known progressive/alternative artists. It also spurred an interest from Cirque du Soleil. Indeed, I was honored.
In March of 2010, I was awarded a Maryland State Arts Council "Individual Artist: Solo Performance" Award, for the preliminary performances/recordings of this 'hidden voices of the grand piano' music. This award has been very helpful in making this recording project reach its current state. I am thrilled to have received the award, and was inspired by it to spend the time, money, and energy to release a compilation of this music.
On a personal note, - I love to hang out with my loving family, our cute fuzzy dog, and my vast array of interesting friends. I also enjoy making new friends (and influencing them in no particular way). And I enjoy laughing. - Often. :)
Send me an email. - Ask me any question you have about the project. Make me laugh. :)
(ferdinand.maisel@gmail.com)
