Nelson’s father had cared for him and his five siblings, Nelson’s mother who had a brain tumor and eventually passed and his second wife, who suffered from cancer and eventually passed as well. Nelson dedicated the finale, Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” mixed with “Amazing Grace,” to the ordinary superheroes of the world, such as his mother, father and his second wife. The duo’s authenticity and sincerity came through in their discussion of their family and personal lives, often referencing their children as inspiration for certain songs they played that night, such as “Kung Fu Panda: Cello Ascends” and The Greatest Showman’s “A Million Dreams.” Schmidt dedicated Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years,” which is the group’s most-watched video on Youtube, to his wife of 28 years. Musicians from Glastonbury’s Chamber Orchestra took the stage for “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets.” The Piano Guys played songs that featured other artists, such as “Peponi,” an African twist on Coldplay’s “Paradise” with singer Alex Boye and “Someone You Loved” with dance duo Charity and Andres from World of Dance. We’ve been performing together for 20 years now, and I just love him.” “We just love to roast each other,” Nelson said. They were also skilled improvisers, as seen with their improvised arrangement of U2’s “With or Without You.” He also used a kick drum, looper and the different cellos to produce the innovative parts of the songs live. In the group’s original “All of Me,” Nelson showcased the use of beating on his cello to create a unique sound, which he uses throughout many of the songs. Nelson introduced his three cellos on stage: A traditional 100-year old Italian cello, a French carbon fiber cello and a Chinese electric cello, which all create unique sound textures. The two had fun showing off their familiarity with their instruments, as Schmidt demonstrated his ability to play just as skillfully with his hands behind his back, as well as with his foot. “I feel like false advertising,” Nelson said in response. “It’s a little awkward that Steve is called a piano guy but plays the cello,” Schmidt said. Self-proclaimed “dorky dads” was the correct description for Nelson and Schmidt’s back and forth as Nelson poked fun at Schmidt’s dancing skills and Schmidt commented on Nelson’s misfortune as a cello player. The duo showcased a wholesome repartee between songs while discussing inspiration for certain arrangements and videos, their instruments and their journey. Steve Nelson plays the cello in The Piano Guys. “ the music, their banter was wholesome and funnier than Pete Davidson.” “It was entertaining in more ways than one,” Hope Dymond, a third-semester environmental engineering major, said. Pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson carried on the energizing momentum from their first song to play one of their most well-known renditions, a mash-up of Frozen’s “Let It Go” and Vivaldi’s “Winter.” Throughout the show, the back screen sometimes showed the song’s accompanying music video along with lively laser lights. “Seeing them live invoked a thrill that left me at the edge of my seat throughout the night.” “Seeing The Piano Guys was an incredible experience from start to finish that invoked all types of emotions, from laughter to sentiment,” Shreya Sreenivas, a third-semester physiology and neurobiology major, said. Their show at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday night, the center’s first show of the season, was the group’s fourth time at the university’s theater. When The Piano Guys took the stage in a burst of billowing smoke with an electrifying performance of Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars,” they set the tone for the rest of the evening: A night of magical and heartfelt music accompanied by the piano and cello duo’s fun banter. Photo by Charlotte Lao, Photo Editor/The Daily Campus The Piano Guys play modern hits at Jorgensen Center.
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