Helpful Links

TedTalk video on "How playing an instrument benefits your brain":
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-playing-an-instrument-benefits-your-brain-anita-collins#review

NPR story on how learning music helps language development:
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/09/10/343681493/this-is-your-brain-this-is-your-brain-on-music

TIME on "How Music Can Change Your Brain":
http://time.com/3634995/study-kids-engaged-music-class-for-benefits-northwestern/

Research shows that learning piano is a "workout" for the mind, requiring the use of all parts of the brain, which in turn strengthens the connections between brain cells and strengthens the mind:
http://www.berksmusic.com/whymusic/whymusicbrain.html

Correlation between Piano and Math learning:
http://www.artscope.net/NEWS/news060299-3.shtml

Great Performances

Have a listen!  And enjoy!

Yuja Wang, Emanuel Ax, etc. play Vivaldi's Four Seasons on four pianos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5hR8ojqE

Murray Perahia plays Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, 3rd Movement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=352qLWqKN-U

Krystian Zimerman plays Chopin Ballade No. 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_PBTGfhWD8
 
Vladmir Horowitz plays Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 at the White House:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYG-Q-TlC8E
 
Martha Argerich plays Ravel's Jeux d'eau:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_36x1_LKgg

Andras Schiff plays (collection) Bach's French Suites, French Overture, and Italian Concerto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHnphUd4oxg 

Arthur Rubinstein plays (collection) Chopin Nocturnes Op. 9 thru Op. 72:
http://www.youtube.com/user/arrubmusic?feature=results_main 

Helene Grimaud plays "Adagio" from Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8e0fBlvEMQ

Van Cliburn plays Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M7M4UoqBpA