(I did 'study' piano, long time ago, but it didn't stick; DID stick to my brother, who has our Baby Grand.) Would LOVE to play, but don't.

So I play a single note instrument (flute, oboe, or bassoon).
I’ll never understand how pianists play.

Both hands and both feet (the latter of which they can’t even see).
Respect.

I stuck with piano only seeing as he was teaching me at age of 3, but played some clarinet on the side. I was okay with the stick, but I enjoyed piano so much more. I’m sure learning early gave me a more innate feeling for using both hands playing multiple notes together.

IMSLP

The original link doesn't work at DU, so I use the link tag.

I think I know how you feel. Rather than build up from simple pieces, I go for the elephants.

If I fall short, it's at least good practice.

I took lessons as a kid and kept an amateur interest through college and career. Distinctly UN-professional, but that means I enjoy it without the pressure and nerves.

I did have a mind-fart at a recital ages ago, but seem to have survived it. Just started over and it went well.

There's a movie Madame Sousatzka, about a young student who has a brain-fart during the Robert Schumann Piano Concerto. (SPOILER)

For music by women and people of color, grab https://kusc.org on the internet or their app, and from 8-12 PM Pacific time, Lara Downes has a great program. She is a talented pianist herself. Dvorak New World Symphony is on right now.

Wish I could say more about Clara Schumann.

I don't watch youtube or other videos. It seems that everyone has longer fingers than I do. So I cut a corner here and there.

Like you, I went to music school where I earned B.Mus. and M.Mus. degrees from Manhattan School of Music in Composition. I minored in Conducting, Piano and Trumpet. The sheepskins are probably two of the most classic "underwater basket-weaving" degrees in terms of employment. (Ironically, I've done pretty okay!)

Because of my years of music production work, I have a ridiculous collection of electronic musical instruments. At the peak of my craziness, I had three separate small studio set-ups. I've accumulated 14 keyboards including a Baldwin upright, 1974 Fender Rhodes, 1975 Wurlitzer Electronic Piano, Hammond B-3, MicroMoog, Korg PolySix (with MIDI/memory upgrades), Yamaha DX7-II, Korg M1, Yamaha Clavinova, several controllers, drum machines, samplers and a bunch of modules. The funny thing is that I'd be working on a project and someone would say, "Hey, do you have this sound?" So I'd go to the music store and buy the piece that made that sound then never use it again! Because a lot of the stuff is older, it has limited value today except for collectors... and REAL musicians.

These days, I mostly play the Rhodes, Wurly and Baldwin for fun and never in public any more; the fingers don't have the dexterity they used to have!

Music has been generous to me. It has filled my life with creativity, interesting and challenging projects and a career. I've been very fortunate. Now I need to get rid of all this gear!

And knew a prof at Manhattan School of Music...

I too bought a few things I've had no use for, but I'll never regret my antique Mason & Hamlin.