> What I would be interested to know... compared to a propper performance,
> does my rendition sound "recognisibly" like the real time?

Yes, it is recognizable. I couldn't tell you the name if you didn't tell 
me, but that is because I don't listen so much to classical music at home 
(But for some time I went to performances of the local symphonic 
orchestra (it was cheap as a student) and my sister played piano. I think 
I have a good musical memory.).

> 
> I always think that if a tune is similar enough that people recognise
> what it is, that's a solid way to start.

It sure is! I would think that already the different response of the keys 
makes it a completely different (and more difficult) to play. Do you have 
chance of getting there more often and getting used to the instrument? 

> 
>> I play trombone myself. I know, that compared to some other "more
>> professional amateur" trombone players it's probably not "good enough",
>> but I enjoy doing it. It gives me something, which I miss, if I don't
>> play for some time. And I keep steadily improving.
> 
> The truly astounding thing about this toccata is just how far I've come.
> When I first started trying to play it, it was painfully slow and
> mechanical. There were parts of it where I knew the notes but I
> literally couldn't play those parts because it was just too hard.

Yeah, muscle memory is amazing, isn't it? But without it I guess you 
really couldn't play time critical parts on any instrument - it is just 
to fast to think about it.

> And
> look at me now! I played the entire thing, end to end, with no gaps at
> all. (OK, actually I missed about half a bar at the end. So shoot me!)
> Parts which seemed impossibly hard just weeks ago now slow past with
> effortless grace.
> 
> I haven't reached that stage with all of the score yet. My next
> challenge is getting both hands working. I've made some good progress.
> Maybe I'll post a video for that too...

Do you take (or took) classes or are you learning completely on your own? 
Maybe it would help to take some lessons (not necessarily regulary, but 
sometimes it is good to get some hints and correct some mistakes).

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