Ryuichi Sakamoto – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (Piano Cover by Josh Cohen)

[mattiaabad]

When I was in high school I used practice this piece on an old piano my grandfather fixed for me. He'd listen to me practice and practice for hours every week. It felt so good when I was able to perform the whole piece to him. I'm writing a eulogy for him now, playing this cover because it's my favourite, and it just brings me to tears so easily.

[rossconran]

Sakamoto is sadly under recognized for his brilliance. Listening to this cover is second only to listening to the composer himself

[danieltov]

In memory of Ryuichi Sakamoto😔😔
R.I.P

[minitureash]

You make me understand why people fall in love with musicians. The way you play is just so dream like it almost doesn't feel real.

[joshcohenmusic]

I’ve been doing some thinking recently about this channel and a thought popped into my mind overnight. It’s been a really interesting journey sharing my love of the piano with everyone all over the world. It still trips me out that I spend an afternoon recording a track (it has to be the afternoon for those curious about the process, as the piano is lit by natural light – it’s best between 1pm – 4pm in the room that I’m recording in), sitting by myself in front of a piano in my music school, and that people from all over the world get to experience a very private moment of my creative process.

What I find particularly interesting though is when I listen back to these interpretations, there’s a pretty strong disconnect between playing/recording the tracks and hearing them back. Without a drop of ego, I personally enjoy listening to these tracks either late at night to help me fall asleep, occasionally in the morning when I wake up to find some more motivation about working on my Radiohead songbook, but my favourite time would definitely be when I’m travelling, especially in airports or on planes, and also on public transport. As there are a lot of returning subscribers and listeners on this channel, my question to you is this: Where and when do you listen to these tracks? What are you doing? Working? Studying? Travelling? Eating breakfast? Passing out? What time of day is it? What do you see? How does it make you feel?

I’d be very curious to hear your thoughts, so hit me up.

As always, thanks for supporting the channel and for incorporating this music into your lives. Man, the internet blows my mind sometimes x

[Dodo-zhi]

얼마나 조심스럽고 공들여서 연주한지 알겠음. 이 곡 많이 들어봤지만 이 연주만한 느낌을 받은적이 없었다. 좋아요.

[shedix]

Came back to this after hearing the news. Rest in Peace, Ryuichi Sakamoto!

[nineshinoda]

This particular song has a immense presence in my life. I just randomly found it on youtube and somehow got me listening as many versions i could get my hands on. I'm the kind of guy who locks himself out every time i have a hard issue and need time to work on. This very song and Thousand Knives are my ultimate relief. When times were the hardest, and after hours and hours of overthinking these 2 songs were what hugged me in the dark and made me feel everything's will come just fine. So i have a very strong bond with them. The weird thing is, I've never knew they were from a movie! So after watching it, after feeling how Ryuichi wrote the song around the characters in the movie and their feelings... Man, that was a fucking shock. I truly discovered that what this song means to me is just impossible to describe.

[adlibby]

I don't know this one but I'm glad to hear it. I can imagine snow falling in a city at night.

[pepsisisu]

wow, one of the most expressive cover I have ever heard. The first few notes feels like soft rain drops. You are a master Pianist

[sezisace]

I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU'VE COVERED THIS I LOVE THIS SONG

[PDN]

Ryuichi Sakamoto composition/score is so moving, it really helped me learn more on the piano -a few years back, and Josh's interpretation is fabulous. Hats off to the composer and the pianist.. Beautiful sound.

[chun-bonntang]

I like your version of this master piece. I think it has the proper pacing and dynamic.
I remember watching Sakamoto playing solo at a concert and a few parts of it felt a bit slower than he composed for the movie.

[anthonykeywood]

You know it’s good when it makes you wanna cry 2022 who’s listening this never gets old 🙌🏻

[sandunicolae]

A UNIVERSAL MASTERPIECE and a Great Performance in interpretation !!!

[longwelsh]

You’ve absolutely nailed this for solo piano. I’ve been playing small bits but your arrangement really covers it

[ILikeVideos]

Sheet music, please!!! Your arrangements are such a nice blend of minimalist, new age, jazz, classical, even rock

[GreenPrestige]

would love to see more Ryuichi Sakamoto

[goood]

I watched his playing this song, was so emotional with its feeling.

[detlefeilers]

This music will haunt me until the very end. Excellent interpretation.