John discovered his passion for music at the tender age of 7, learning to play the piano on an old Nickelodeon in the basement of his Long Island, New York home. His talent blossomed over the years, culminating in the recording of his interpretations of Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu, which won the Music category at the Long Island International Film Festival in 2017, and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. In addition to classical pieces, John also showcased his versatility with an original song he wrote in 1995, "El Pipo y la Piña," where he both played the piano and sang in Spanish. Currently, he is diligently working on a series of Bach sonatas, aiming to release them to the public by the end of 2024.
chopin
This film, Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu, won "Best Music Video" at the 2017 Long Island International Film Festival in New York. The piano is an unrestored 1929 Knabe baby grand. It was filmed on Long Island, New York. The film was recorded and videoed on a hot August afternoon, in a small room in a small cottage with no air-conditioning. The stacks of wires were routed into the tiny kitchen where the recording engineer set up shop. And the cinematographer had to manipulate around the room like a contortionist to avoid showing the microphones and the directors with their backs pressed agains the wall to avoid being shown in the film. The performer is John E. Potente. For the full version of this film, Chopin Fantasia Impromptu , that includes an interview click here.
beethoven
The sheet music at the beginning of this video was given to me by a thoughtful older guest at a resort in the Catskill Mountains when I was 16 years old. She requested I learn it to play it for her the next time we met. I have loved playing it ever since then. And often marvelled at the fact that it was written by a 30 year-old youth. This video is my attempt to honor the music and the possible inspiration of love and frustration that Beethoven may have drawn upon, during the time he wrote it. These are emotions that are universal and the music he wrote seems to capture them and retell and relate them over and over for generations. I thank my friends who agreed to take their first try at acting for a film and play the roles of Beethoven, Giulietta and her mother and father in this video to help act out the tale.
el pipo y la piña
The music for this video was inspired by watching the many young lovers, splashing in the waves and sitting on the sands of Costa Rica. And seeing them eating slices of pineapple and sipping coconut. The video was done on Jaco Beach by the palm trees. And in my Tico friends' garage outside of San José. The recording of the music took place in New York in a small studio of Johnny Zyck. Special thanks goes to my sister Maza, who coached me and gave me the confidence to sing and record my voice in a sound booth for the first time.