@ttgnaj I had the pleasure of speaking to Piatigorsky and his wife Jacqueline at a gathering in 1971. I was a bit over 6'4" (about 193 cm), and we stood eye-to-eye; he may have been a half-inch taller. He was 68 at the time. Allowing some height loss due to age, he was probably around 6-6 (about 198 cm) when younger.
Jacqueline Piatigorsky is still with us and will celebrate her 100th birthday November 6th.
I'm just postulating because I have never really studied this, but is the way he plays cello similar technique-wise to Heifitz's violin playing? I mean the way holds his bow and his vibrato...
At 3:16, when hes going up the string, he kinda messes up looking for the last few notes. It might look like hes trying just to slow down but he went up the string the same way a few seconds before without missing a beat.
@quickshots11 maybe its only because your not used to hear it like that... but hes actually doing something with the music. most others just play it...
I like this version especially since it's one of the few orchestral versions, however, I don't think it makes a good teaching tool for the rhythm of this pieces because his expression is very strong, almost syncopated at times.
(My teacher told me that the Du Pre would probably be too over the top, this is way more in that direction.)
Personally, I think both are different and shouldn't be compared.
Who better to interpret a piece from the Romantic era than someone who was born during that time? Piatigorsky was born toward the end of this era in 1903. Much respect to his musicianship!! I love how he plays this piece. I think this is historic and really reflective of his generation's music sensibilities.
Why are you all dawgin' on Piatigorsky? when ur that good at cello, you can do whatever you want...... like twitch and over do it. Once you become him, then say whatever you want! rar
the cello is a strad, i think. he owned two, but the tone doesn't come from the instrument anyway. a player with a poor tone will have a poor tone on any instrument. The arrangement is probably piatigorsky's. the performance of the elegy is a different arrangement to the original too
I met him at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico where I was a student. He rehearsed and played the Dvorak Concerto and an unforgettable performance of Strauss' Don Quixote--a life-changing performance. On the beach after rehearsals he held court and kept his fellow musicians in stitches with his tales of the early days and the characters that inhabited them.
He would come on stage with the cello over his head, held like a lance!
I saw him again later at the Kneisel Hall Festival in Maine.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
That's because Saint-Saens is a worthless hack! He unabashedly stole this piece from Brahms and claimed the composition as his own. His reputation is built upon a foundation of lies. Brahms is the true genius. Saint-Saens is nothing but an autistic, overweight fraud.
i feel that Piatigorsky plays alot of the pieces on youtube a bit faster than they should be Ex: Faure Elegie. Im playing that piece and its suppose to go much slower than he plays it. Sounds good though :)
It sounds good, but not how I would play. I am playing this piece and I don't play it like he does and I think his vibrato is a bit tight for my taste.
Yeah, you win some, you lose some. Recognize what you like and don't like and don't be afraid to change opinions over time. Who knows, maybe you will start to enjoy his triplets more in the future. Or not. Whatever...
Well all I can say is these guys dont need utube to succeed like you pricks who critic when you can only dream of such talent,get a life and enjoy all what you hear from masters of their instrument as for me I play and to watch these masters only improoves my skill on all the great cellists on utube the pricks come out of the woodwork
Which performer is "better" is a matter of personal taste. Both men were excellent cellists.
To say Piatigorsky was selfish is ridiculous. The man gave freely of his money to charity and worthwhile causes.
To state Rostropovich was more emotional and reflective in his playing than Piatigorsky is again, a matter of personal taste. I've found the opposite to be true.
Are you guys all retarded or something? Rostropovich's playing was much better and inspirational than Piatigorsky's. You guys are just stupid or something.
You're stupid. Your comment is closeminded. Both cellists are amazing and inspirational players, to compare them with words like "better" or "worse" is idiotic. Remember that Piatigorsky, like Rostropovich, had a number of pieces written for him, and that Strauss, after listening to Piatigorsky play Don Quixote exclaimed that that he had finally heard it the way he wanted to.
(continued) So unless you know better than composers such as Strauss, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Walton, etc on what is good cello playing and artistry that you think before you type something ignorant.
Have to say I agree with you =) I can't stand Piatigorskys playing, mainly because he pulls it about FAR too much and completely over-uses portamento too much for my liking. thats my opinion anyway =)
I have the score out and the rubato that Piatigorsky uses is crazy. I'm reading a fascinating biography on Rostropovich and it depicts how Piatigorsky fled Russia in 1927 and went to L.A while his brother stayed in Russia and suffered lack of knowledge lack of artistic rights. When Rostropovich went to L.A he loved it but always came back to U.S.S.R. Rostropovich is such a better cellist.
I guess you are right. I'm not calling Piatigorsky selfish but in some senses there is no other way to describe him. While he was in L. A, Rostropovich was in a little tiny appartment in Russia. His music is always more emotional and relfective. So in some senses the way he has lived his life does effect his music. But overall I do agree that Rostropovich was just a better person...
i seriously dont think any of those top famous cellists that lived are better then the other one becuause they were each really talented and make each of them unique
Just beautiful. Does anyone know of a recording (by Piatigorsky or anyone else) of the transcription he did of the Bach Concerto no. 1 in G major (after Vivaldi)? It's BWV 592 and originally for organ. Since he transcribed it, it seems like there would be a recording of him playing it, but I can't find it. Does anyone know?
This piece is crazy! And, WHOA what was that stunt at 1:37!? I was following him because I've been working on this for a while and I heard that and SHOCK! Interesting...his own little twist. It IS appassionato, but I agree with Connykitty. Personally, I prefer Du Pre as well. :)
how appropriate do you think it is for Piatigorsky to be using so much rubato that in many cases he totally distorts the rhythm of the music? particularly in the penultimate section. personally i much prefer du pre's cleaner performance.
She was a delightful cellist and doesn't deserve to be evaluated as to how she compares to anyone else. She didn't even reach her artistic maturity before she died. I don't like these contests they even have with school bands and orchestras. Because one artist is good doesn't diminish from other artists. It isn't a pulley system.
To play devil's advocate, it is safe to say that Du Pre is a better cellist than a kid in a high school orchestra, which means that one musician can be "better" than another. Also, I can say that "I LIKE Du Pre better than Rostropovich," as this is a valid personal and subjective opinion statement. Is Du Pre actually better than Rostropovich? Neither yes nor no.
I didn't mean to start an argument over who was best...Piatigorsky or DuPres. I was asked the other day who I liked bette-Menuhin or Heifetz. My answer was "both" It isn't a contest..,They are all good. Some days you like the style of one better than the other and vice versa. One more point...I know of no virtuoso concert artist who was NOT a child prodeigy. I published that statement in "Strings" magazine a few years ago and had a lot of people write in to say I was crazy.
Hes right. Just because someone doesnt start out as "artistic" doesnt mean they will be any less of a musician .. You dont know her growth potential. You shouldnt critisize her. All you have to say is that you Pia's better.
The score is merely a guideline for the performer. Sticking precisely to the score is the last thing a composer wants and is symbolic of amatuer musicianship. What makes a performer great is when he or she takes a composition and makes it his or her own. Otherwise, all interpretations would sound the same and classical music would be boring and pointless. Besides, what's the point of following the score while listening to it?
OMG he takes so much artistic license its near impossible to read the score while listening because he throws in so much improvisation and his sudden tempo changes have absolutely nothing to do with phrasing. His tonality his wonderful but if you know the piece you can't sit through listening to him play it.
(continued) That's no way to experience the music. If you can follow the score precisely while listening to a performer then you've just listened to a robot. If you try following the score for any piece of music performed by a great artist you'll find that it's usually very difficult to follow. Music can not exist on paper, if you watch Du Pre's rendition of this piece, that's exactly what she did, and hence why it is so boring.
i would bveg to differ here. I agree with what you say about score being a guidline, but I don't think you can say the Du Pre's redition is 'boring'. I found both enthralling, her's more exhilirating and his an interesting discovery of the music. I found his a little harder to feel like the music flowed, i think for my taste he's taken a few too many liberties with rubato, but at the same time,
(continued) i loved his little diversion at approx 1'37 very intersting and I'd be curious to know why he chose to do it. They are both valid interpretations and peoples tastes differ as to which sort of interpretation they prefer.
I say Du Pre's is boring because her interpretation is bland and unoriginal. Many cellists will disagree with me but Du Pre is highly overrated and Piatigorsky is highly under rated. It seems to me like Du Pre is getting more credit than she deserves as a cellist. If you think about it, she was only really good at two pieces, the elgar and saint saens concertos. Most people I know who have never previously heard Du Pre or Piatigorsky like Piatigorsky better.
Yeah but Piatigorsky used to be young also (obviously). Watch the video of him playing the mendelssohn trio with heifetz/ rubinstein. I think she's praised more because of her traumatic and depressing death rather than her actual skill.
I agree, today Piatigorsky is highly under rated. I chuckle at all the criticisms about his playing. This man is already noted as one of the legendary cellists of the 20th century who inspired the likes of Stravinsky and Prokofiev. Du Pre's interpretation does come off a little academic, but she was 16 at the time. I don't doubt were she to play this piece at a mature an age as Piatigorsky is here, she herself would also take artistic licence. That's what separates the artist from the amateur.
That only proves my point though: by the age of 16 every other virtuoso violinist/cellist who had started at a young age already had a distinct sound/interpretation style. I don't know if you like violin music but if you listen to Yehudi Menuhin's 17 year old recordings, they are phenomonal. And I swear this summer I heard a 15 year old child prodigy cellist play the dvorak concerto better than any other cellist I've heard in my life. Du Pre should have been much better by the age of 16.
You only have to listen to Du Pre when she is older to know that she was amazing! I did not know about her death when I decided that she was one of the best classical musicians of all time. Her expression and tone are amazing. How someone is at a young age does not determine if they will be great. Mikhail Baryshnikov did not start ballet until he was 15 yrs old and yet is regarded as one of the best. He did not even do ballet when he was really young.
I am 81 years old so I have been around a long, long time. Piatigorsky has had a reputation for many, many years as one of the very best. While I like Du Pres on the Elgar, she was not nearly as well known in past years as an all around fine concert artist/ I think the movie helphed establish her reputation. As a boy I considered Piatigorsky and Casals to be the best cellists.
Thank you for sharing your wise words of wisdom with us, it's good to know some one experienced considers Piatigorskt as one of the greatest. So was he really popular back in his time?
Du Pre was one of the leading concerts soloists of her time. She played with all sorts of orchestras and performed music beautifully. I think Rostropovich is the greatest cellist of all time. I think no other cellist has ever come close... I believe that Yo-Yo Ma is coming up very fast on Slava. I also disagree about the movie. I thought it told apart of her story but her reputation was well established already.
Magnificent cello playing. As a cellist myself I can really appreciate his ease in doing very difficult things. He actually played stacaatto in one place...on the cello????!!!!! Wow.
Oh wow, isn't staccato a standard part of the cello's technique then? I wouldn't know, I'm a violinist, and have only been playing ten months :S haven't played in orchestras or anything
not a great fan of Piatigorsky, I think his vibrato is too fast and rigid. Also, I've noticed that in some places he rushes, and in others he uses too much rubato. Still quite a good interpretation, but there's better
He really creates mood, it's given me a lot to think about. (I'm just about to go back to this piece after a 5/6 year absence, I played it when I was 12 and now I'm sure I'm going to have a much different interpretation). Thankyou video poster!
the right way of holding a cello is between the legs. and, btw, the only way you can recognize a good technique is by the quality of sound and phrasing. piatigorsky was a legend, in his time i'm sure he was considered a grand sensei of technique, but he can hardly compete with ex. truls mork. but he had a heart that maybe 1% of well known cellists have.
um not really if u listen to the orchestra they dont have to slow down much at all.. its called rubato dude, he steals time but gives it right back at the ends of the phrases by playing them faster. its the illusion that he is taking too much time. and how could u not be able to play along with him when he is so clear with what he wants in this performance
The sound is great, but he's holding his cello wrong... his left arm just hungs around and his cello has got to be right about his chest while he's holding it above his hips.. oO but it was awsome at all.
oh really? that's too bad, that he holds his cello "wrong." And I suppose the fact that he holds his cello incorrectly is the secret to his incredible technique? Please, having "proper" technique means nothing. All that matters is that the way the player holds his or her instrument is comfortable for them and allows them to play as well as they can. I don't care if he holds the cello with his teeth - if he sounds like that, it's irrelevant.
Which is the "right" way of holding a cello? If you watch the cello greats (du Pre, Feuermann, Casals, Slava, etc.), each one holds the cello differently from the others. And each one looks equally at ease with his/her own set of techniques, and plays superbly.
My teacher graduated with honors, playing Dvorák concerto in his final exam. He knows how to play the cello perfectly, believe me. And Piatigorsky played with a pin, even Casals used a wood one, like all cellists since mid XIX century.
Sorry, nobody knows how to play an instrument perfectly, even if they "graduate with honors." I think that Piatigorsky, while not perfect, definitely "graduated" with more than honors. While I can appreciate your undying respect and devotion to your teacher, I hope that later on in your life you will learn to think outside the box you have been given. This is not an insult - just something to think about :)
so whats his name? is he on youtube? maybe if piatigorsky were alive your teacher could give him some lessons yeah? Or is he giving lessons now to yo-yo ma, starker, lynn harel, etc?
I have a lot of respect for Piatigorky's playing. I'm an amateur musician and I wish I could play 10% as good as him. But if my cello teacher hears me playing with a bowing and phrasing like this, he will blame on me. He played his way, and it's OK. But please don't try to imitate him.
Maybe your teacher is playing it wrong. I'm not sure if that has actually occured to anybody criticizing Piatigorsky but don't think every single cello teacher you come across knows everything perfectly.
why is he holding the cello like that, he plays the first phrase spasticly he has no idea how to play this piece... my teacher plays better than him...
"Wow, somebody plays the cello differently than me or my teacher... imagine that! He, like, totally holds it, like, totally wrong. What was he thinking!? Somebody as incompetent as Piatigorsky should NOT be making records. Just terrible... my teacher would show HIM a thing or two!!! Hell, I'LL show him a thing or two or three, what a douche!"
i agree and disagree. he is definetly holding his cello wrong but it does not hinder his abilaty to play play the piece greatly...but im sure in definetly gave him repeatative stress injuries (much like the ones yo-yo ma suffers from)
What a great performance, even over the net he sounds great. I just read the new biography of Piatigorsky called GRISHA, and seeing him play means more since I read it. It also has great old photos of him when he was young.
How do you think they held the cello in earlier days? They didn't have a pin, but they held the cello more like this. It is his style, but in a romantic composition like the Allegro Appassionata I think it is odd to hold your cello like this, but I can recommend this position when you play Baroque. Christian Ferdinand Abel held the cello like this, the first person who played the cello suites of Bach. (1)
Oh nononononononoooooo... willn58, aimson has a serious point - before making such comments *please* look up who Piatigorsky actually was (something you really SHOULD know if you are a 'cellist anyway)
I would laugh at how preposterous your statement is, but you've just insulted a God
lol i still laugh at how he plays, you guys really have admiration for this even at this level? listen to someone with more musical taelnt... there are players who play from the heart and players who just read the music, Piatigorsky is one of those in my opinion, if you don't like it then, make your own opinion, i'm just saying that i've heard better... now stop with your silly insults
And just what makes you think you can judge who "just reads the music"? You've never met Piatigorsky, you don't know how he feels about this piece, playing cello, or music in general. Everyone has their own way of expressing emotions through music, and to say that he, who went through immense dangers to escape the communist regime so that he could expand his musical studies just "reads the music" is terribly disrespectful and incorrect.
(continued) It's not just a matter of a opinion if he in fact is feeling some sort emotion when he plays this piece (or cello in general). What is your opinion, however, is your failure to understand the emotion in his playing, and just because you don't feel it does not mean it's not there - plenty of other people can feel the emotion in his playing and would not consider this "just reading music." Think before you say something insensible and close-minded next time.
thanks, thats what i thought at first. But then the key modulated so much, and i tried to play it from ear on my cello but it didnt seem to fit with only f# and c#. Then i thought g#min or e minor. I thought it was Bbmin at one point and i got scared
You're welcome, sorry I don't have more. Well, I would have more if I ever figure out how to extract lpcm audio format. Have a whole DVD of Rostropovich and a bunch of violin stuff that might not be posted on Youtube yet. One of these days...
So good, but isn't that cello a little low? Or maybe it's a style of how to play it, I don't know. He did a great job!
eleng555 2 months ago
wonderful played!!
koljas66 2 months ago
That cello is now in the ny met in the rare instruments section. Bloody beautiful in person I must say.
ViolinPro88 7 months ago
Piatigorsky was a great cellist, and he appears to be quite tall. Does anyone know how tall he was?
ttgnaj 9 months ago
@ttgnaj I had the pleasure of speaking to Piatigorsky and his wife Jacqueline at a gathering in 1971. I was a bit over 6'4" (about 193 cm), and we stood eye-to-eye; he may have been a half-inch taller. He was 68 at the time. Allowing some height loss due to age, he was probably around 6-6 (about 198 cm) when younger.
Jacqueline Piatigorsky is still with us and will celebrate her 100th birthday November 6th.
TomBarrister 6 months ago
I'm just postulating because I have never really studied this, but is the way he plays cello similar technique-wise to Heifitz's violin playing? I mean the way holds his bow and his vibrato...
aznbacon321 10 months ago
i like this i have to play this solo on a tenor saxaphone for district solos in highschool and it does sound anything like this i better get to work
Mrtenorking 1 year ago
Listen to Casals version around 1920-both of these great cellists had passion.
TheCourtwick 1 year ago
At 3:16, when hes going up the string, he kinda messes up looking for the last few notes. It might look like hes trying just to slow down but he went up the string the same way a few seconds before without missing a beat.
barelycoolenough 1 year ago
Thank you Grisha.........
cheekycello 1 year ago
I don't think the triplets should be slowed down but I guess it does add more "emotion to the piece" really really good overall
moondennis 1 year ago
Are these how the triplets meant to be played?
ngy1010 1 year ago
Nice. Something to aspire to.
cyalrgst 1 year ago
for me this is the best interpretation of this piece i've ever heard.
it's a great piece of music he's playing there... he makes me want to pick up my cello and play hours and hours.
appreciate!
Kalagath90 1 year ago
@Kalagath90
well i'm not cellist but i also think this is the best version, just sounds right to me! :)
maliciouSSoul 1 year ago
@maliciouSSoul i dont like it at all...im playing it currently and it doesnt sound right to me at all
quickshots11 1 year ago
@quickshots11 maybe its only because your not used to hear it like that... but hes actually doing something with the music. most others just play it...
Kalagath90 10 months ago
Well, I like it. I have right to like it, haven't I? If anybody thinks otherwise, let me know your adress and choose weapon...
tomenicus 1 year ago
I like this version especially since it's one of the few orchestral versions, however, I don't think it makes a good teaching tool for the rhythm of this pieces because his expression is very strong, almost syncopated at times.
(My teacher told me that the Du Pre would probably be too over the top, this is way more in that direction.)
Personally, I think both are different and shouldn't be compared.
RA3NM 1 year ago
words can't tell....
by far the best interpretation of this piece
Kalagath90 1 year ago
Indeed, any person whose language's romance...and of course, knows about his grammatics and stuff, can tell you it should end with an 'o'...
About the interpretation, Piatigorsky does an extraordinary job, but I like Du Pré's Rendition more... TO ME, sounds better.
GothicalSOberhauser 1 year ago
not need to be italian, any romance speaking person can say it should end with O. spanish, french, portuguese, etc... Saint saens is really good.
omgtkseth 1 year ago
Who better to interpret a piece from the Romantic era than someone who was born during that time? Piatigorsky was born toward the end of this era in 1903. Much respect to his musicianship!! I love how he plays this piece. I think this is historic and really reflective of his generation's music sensibilities.
neyopa 2 years ago 4
Why are you all dawgin' on Piatigorsky? when ur that good at cello, you can do whatever you want...... like twitch and over do it. Once you become him, then say whatever you want! rar
russeeemily 2 years ago
А что вы здесь пишите!?
jula021 2 years ago
appassionatO
believe me: I'm italian..
iutiubfede 2 years ago
I'm not arguing with you, I'm assuming Appassionato is the correct spelling of the word:
but I've played this song before and the title at the top of the page was "Allegro Appassionata". Might be because it's a transcription but still.
xobucky 1 year ago
Come on Folk! This a GREAT bit of celloing!
AlamoCityCello 2 years ago 6
he's overdone this piece too much---his interpretation gives me shudders. he is a great cellist, but his interpretation is way way way too much
videoposter1410 2 years ago
Мне понравилось!
jula021 2 years ago
The correct name of the piece is "Allegro Appassionato" (final letter is "o" rather than "a").
I'd like to know the year in which this piece was recorded.
PhillipFeldman 2 years ago 2
He's good, but he's reeeeaaaallyyy twitchy!!
LlamaLlord21 2 years ago
I do not care for this interpretation very much at all.
patriciapoop3 2 years ago
omg what kind of cello is that, the tone is so beautiful and what arrangement is that if anyone know because it is not the same as mine
DSACELLIST 2 years ago
i believe it's a stradivarius
LlamaLlord21 2 years ago
the cello is a strad, i think. he owned two, but the tone doesn't come from the instrument anyway. a player with a poor tone will have a poor tone on any instrument. The arrangement is probably piatigorsky's. the performance of the elegy is a different arrangement to the original too
munkybrain 2 years ago 2
he is truly a genius! especially in his bow technique, as we see in for example 1:38!
cellogeek95 2 years ago
My cello teacher Terry King was his Protege It's amazing to work with someone who knew this great cellist.
CarnegieRochs3 2 years ago
So Happy to have heard him as a teenager!!! Suezenne
suezenne 2 years ago
what a bow technique
Cayo255 2 years ago
I met him at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico where I was a student. He rehearsed and played the Dvorak Concerto and an unforgettable performance of Strauss' Don Quixote--a life-changing performance. On the beach after rehearsals he held court and kept his fellow musicians in stitches with his tales of the early days and the characters that inhabited them.
He would come on stage with the cello over his head, held like a lance!
I saw him again later at the Kneisel Hall Festival in Maine.
ipmoic 2 years ago 2
where did you hear him?
iloverondos 2 years ago
Look at the breadth of that bridge from the shots from up above! This must be the Montagnana Sleeping Beauty cello!
iloverondos 2 years ago
1:37 to 1:40 that was awesome
kevylei 2 years ago
Do you see how big the cello is? This must be the Sleeping Beauty Montangana. Does anybody know?
iloverondos 2 years ago
Listen to his soul. He makes the cello cry with lush overtone , soft sweet and far carrying. The special quality of gut.
jacquelinescellist 2 years ago
hahah that orchestra is playing in the dark! or at least thats what it looks like.
that man is a fantastic cello player.. he's not an actor either.. he's just playing it and loving it. that takes a lot more than technique
ydrapdivad 2 years ago
Wonderful tecnique!!!! i really admire him!! : )
Lalscell90 2 years ago
thanks for posting such an astonishing and historic video!
alvarobitran 2 years ago
Such big hands and such a big heart. It was my great fortune to hear him live--and his storytelling was almost as good as his playing!
ipmoic 2 years ago
where was that?
iloverondos 2 years ago
WOW I never knew Anthony Quinn played cello!
(Joke)
Piatigorsky Rules!!
AlamoCityCello 3 years ago
Is Brahms in any way related to this piece? because i have heard this before but it was by brahms(at least thats what was written)
cruisedaseas 3 years ago
No, this piece was written by Saint-Saens. I guess they had copyright laws back then.
xKrnMapler 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
That's because Saint-Saens is a worthless hack! He unabashedly stole this piece from Brahms and claimed the composition as his own. His reputation is built upon a foundation of lies. Brahms is the true genius. Saint-Saens is nothing but an autistic, overweight fraud.
dogtransport 2 years ago
bah humbug
purple0rhino 2 years ago
This is so incredibly genius.
dazvc1 3 years ago
i feel that Piatigorsky plays alot of the pieces on youtube a bit faster than they should be Ex: Faure Elegie. Im playing that piece and its suppose to go much slower than he plays it. Sounds good though :)
jungleboy425 3 years ago
I also think that there is a little too much rubato.. :S
CelloRosin 3 years ago
Indeed ,sounds great and full of passion in the tempo which I think is needed and boy does he fit that in.
bilstew 3 years ago
l love him, a great cellist!.
joanabanyeres 3 years ago
It sounds good, but not how I would play. I am playing this piece and I don't play it like he does and I think his vibrato is a bit tight for my taste.
heckya105403 2 years ago
I'm playing this on my cello
It sounds so beautiful when he plays it:)
It's a fun piece
OutOfThsWorldAgility 3 years ago
I had to play this song on tenor sax for a solo and ensemble competiton!It's a really fin song to play!
TheLizardKing2000 3 years ago
great, just the best!
doezi 3 years ago
my teacher (georg pedersen) learnt cello from piatigorsky :D
vegetablet 3 years ago
my teacher (barbara woolley) knows georg pederson!!!!!!
purple0rhino 3 years ago
how did the orchestra peopoe see their music? its so dark.!! did they memorize it too?? LOl
dabombsdabomb 3 years ago
that's what the stand lights are for just like a musical pit orchestra. You can see them on the stands
kpn2productions 3 years ago
you my friend are a compleat retard why are yo watching these videoes if you dont know shit about tis stuff
colinrms 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
LOL FIRST OF ALL. it's funny how you can't distinguish a joke from seroiusness and it's hilarious how you can't spell simple words.
dabombsdabomb 3 years ago 3
oh my god is he using a 3/4, or is Piatigorsky just a huge man... i mean look at his hands compared to the fingerboard....
Fredank 3 years ago
he was over 2 meters height. he had a disorder called acromegalia too.
svejelka 3 years ago
Lol, Piatigorsky shakes his head a lot....
-coughcough-
I thought that this was a great performance. Piati's technique is top notch, like that little stunt at 1:37 (amazing o.o).
(However, personally, I still prefer Du Pre's interpretation. :D)
arcturian627 3 years ago
Very good!!! that such a ricochet from the 1:36 minute
mimeemim 3 years ago
the down bow staccato that he does in the first half of the piece was his little 2 cents on the piece. The technique is amazing
BassplayerTCL 3 years ago
I'm not especially fond of the way he hangs on to the first note of the triplets. But that's artistic license, I guess.
bookishmuch 3 years ago
Yeah, you win some, you lose some. Recognize what you like and don't like and don't be afraid to change opinions over time. Who knows, maybe you will start to enjoy his triplets more in the future. Or not. Whatever...
aimson 3 years ago 9
I dont like some of the things he does, but you have to admit, the way he plays it keeps you on the edge of your seat. :]
syren345 4 years ago
I guess that's why it's called appassionata.
aimson 3 years ago 2
thats incredible! i just wish i could play like that, this guys is awesome! :3
xBlared 4 years ago
Well all I can say is these guys dont need utube to succeed like you pricks who critic when you can only dream of such talent,get a life and enjoy all what you hear from masters of their instrument as for me I play and to watch these masters only improoves my skill on all the great cellists on utube the pricks come out of the woodwork
romleaharding 4 years ago
true that man
colinrms 3 years ago
Love how he leans on the f-sharp to c-sharp. such longing comes through in this interpretation. just look at his face.
bookishmuch 4 years ago
Which performer is "better" is a matter of personal taste. Both men were excellent cellists.
To say Piatigorsky was selfish is ridiculous. The man gave freely of his money to charity and worthwhile causes.
To state Rostropovich was more emotional and reflective in his playing than Piatigorsky is again, a matter of personal taste. I've found the opposite to be true.
TomBarrister 4 years ago 2
Are you guys all retarded or something? Rostropovich's playing was much better and inspirational than Piatigorsky's. You guys are just stupid or something.
PhilipKettler 4 years ago
You're stupid. Your comment is closeminded. Both cellists are amazing and inspirational players, to compare them with words like "better" or "worse" is idiotic. Remember that Piatigorsky, like Rostropovich, had a number of pieces written for him, and that Strauss, after listening to Piatigorsky play Don Quixote exclaimed that that he had finally heard it the way he wanted to.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
(continued) So unless you know better than composers such as Strauss, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Walton, etc on what is good cello playing and artistry that you think before you type something ignorant.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
well strauss said that about tortellier first
mrn93 4 years ago
Tortelier was a great cellist also.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago 4
Have to say I agree with you =) I can't stand Piatigorskys playing, mainly because he pulls it about FAR too much and completely over-uses portamento too much for my liking. thats my opinion anyway =)
TheTradge 3 years ago
i love piatigorsky.
rostropovitch... i don't love.
jazzonkim 4 years ago
wow i think thats the first! i dint hear any one say they dont love rostropovich! nothing wrong with that its all opinion right.
hellopie18 4 years ago
ok.
thats sound pretty stupid to say that.
y do u not like rostropovich.
i admire both of them very much.
aznjustinrulz 4 years ago
I have the score out and the rubato that Piatigorsky uses is crazy. I'm reading a fascinating biography on Rostropovich and it depicts how Piatigorsky fled Russia in 1927 and went to L.A while his brother stayed in Russia and suffered lack of knowledge lack of artistic rights. When Rostropovich went to L.A he loved it but always came back to U.S.S.R. Rostropovich is such a better cellist.
cellodude1 4 years ago
"Rostropovich is such a better cellist."
You mean a better person? I can't see the relationship between music-making and selfishness (I think)
cello4ever 4 years ago 2
I guess you are right. I'm not calling Piatigorsky selfish but in some senses there is no other way to describe him. While he was in L. A, Rostropovich was in a little tiny appartment in Russia. His music is always more emotional and relfective. So in some senses the way he has lived his life does effect his music. But overall I do agree that Rostropovich was just a better person...
cellodude1 4 years ago
Rostropovich was an incredible person, harboring blacklisted author in his own home...
mrn93 4 years ago
i seriously dont think any of those top famous cellists that lived are better then the other one becuause they were each really talented and make each of them unique
k73f 4 years ago
Just beautiful. Does anyone know of a recording (by Piatigorsky or anyone else) of the transcription he did of the Bach Concerto no. 1 in G major (after Vivaldi)? It's BWV 592 and originally for organ. Since he transcribed it, it seems like there would be a recording of him playing it, but I can't find it. Does anyone know?
classicalbunny 4 years ago
wonderful technique but I will rather choose du Pré's interpretation.
Apalexpe 4 years ago 4
This piece is crazy! And, WHOA what was that stunt at 1:37!? I was following him because I've been working on this for a while and I heard that and SHOCK! Interesting...his own little twist. It IS appassionato, but I agree with Connykitty. Personally, I prefer Du Pre as well. :)
Still a great performance! /applaud
wingedhamham 4 years ago 3
I've played that by myself and I think Jaqueline du Pre is better, because Piatigorsky makes to much of emotion. he exaggerates.. sry
But in all other cases he's good.
connykitty 4 years ago 2
i prefeer du pree
flamitass 4 years ago
how appropriate do you think it is for Piatigorsky to be using so much rubato that in many cases he totally distorts the rhythm of the music? particularly in the penultimate section. personally i much prefer du pre's cleaner performance.
wilkest 4 years ago
wow those stradivarious cellos sounds very unique
ultimate1man 4 years ago
She was a delightful cellist and doesn't deserve to be evaluated as to how she compares to anyone else. She didn't even reach her artistic maturity before she died. I don't like these contests they even have with school bands and orchestras. Because one artist is good doesn't diminish from other artists. It isn't a pulley system.
2934703 4 years ago
To play devil's advocate, it is safe to say that Du Pre is a better cellist than a kid in a high school orchestra, which means that one musician can be "better" than another. Also, I can say that "I LIKE Du Pre better than Rostropovich," as this is a valid personal and subjective opinion statement. Is Du Pre actually better than Rostropovich? Neither yes nor no.
aimson 4 years ago
I believe Rostropovich is better. To me the answer is yes. To you no.
cellodude1 4 years ago
Yeah this isnt about whos better... Its just about making beautiful music.
If you like DuPres version better or Piatigorskys better.. then just say that. Dont down the other one.
No ones saying either ones better or anything.
Rini2 4 years ago
I didn't mean to start an argument over who was best...Piatigorsky or DuPres. I was asked the other day who I liked bette-Menuhin or Heifetz. My answer was "both" It isn't a contest..,They are all good. Some days you like the style of one better than the other and vice versa. One more point...I know of no virtuoso concert artist who was NOT a child prodeigy. I published that statement in "Strings" magazine a few years ago and had a lot of people write in to say I was crazy.
2934703 4 years ago
Hes right. Just because someone doesnt start out as "artistic" doesnt mean they will be any less of a musician .. You dont know her growth potential. You shouldnt critisize her. All you have to say is that you Pia's better.
He is underated - Ok we get that
Rini2 4 years ago
Artistic license is the right of the performer.
TomBarrister 4 years ago
ok well i can't :/ i wish he had stuck more closely to what was actually written
cellochik19 4 years ago
The score is merely a guideline for the performer. Sticking precisely to the score is the last thing a composer wants and is symbolic of amatuer musicianship. What makes a performer great is when he or she takes a composition and makes it his or her own. Otherwise, all interpretations would sound the same and classical music would be boring and pointless. Besides, what's the point of following the score while listening to it?
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
OMG he takes so much artistic license its near impossible to read the score while listening because he throws in so much improvisation and his sudden tempo changes have absolutely nothing to do with phrasing. His tonality his wonderful but if you know the piece you can't sit through listening to him play it.
cellochik19 4 years ago
(continued) That's no way to experience the music. If you can follow the score precisely while listening to a performer then you've just listened to a robot. If you try following the score for any piece of music performed by a great artist you'll find that it's usually very difficult to follow. Music can not exist on paper, if you watch Du Pre's rendition of this piece, that's exactly what she did, and hence why it is so boring.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
i would bveg to differ here. I agree with what you say about score being a guidline, but I don't think you can say the Du Pre's redition is 'boring'. I found both enthralling, her's more exhilirating and his an interesting discovery of the music. I found his a little harder to feel like the music flowed, i think for my taste he's taken a few too many liberties with rubato, but at the same time,
cza249 4 years ago
(continued) i loved his little diversion at approx 1'37 very intersting and I'd be curious to know why he chose to do it. They are both valid interpretations and peoples tastes differ as to which sort of interpretation they prefer.
cza249 4 years ago
I say Du Pre's is boring because her interpretation is bland and unoriginal. Many cellists will disagree with me but Du Pre is highly overrated and Piatigorsky is highly under rated. It seems to me like Du Pre is getting more credit than she deserves as a cellist. If you think about it, she was only really good at two pieces, the elgar and saint saens concertos. Most people I know who have never previously heard Du Pre or Piatigorsky like Piatigorsky better.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
The reason why Du Pre is so praised is because shes young.. Your forgetting the age difference and experience here...
Rini2 4 years ago
Yeah but Piatigorsky used to be young also (obviously). Watch the video of him playing the mendelssohn trio with heifetz/ rubinstein. I think she's praised more because of her traumatic and depressing death rather than her actual skill.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
I agree, today Piatigorsky is highly under rated. I chuckle at all the criticisms about his playing. This man is already noted as one of the legendary cellists of the 20th century who inspired the likes of Stravinsky and Prokofiev. Du Pre's interpretation does come off a little academic, but she was 16 at the time. I don't doubt were she to play this piece at a mature an age as Piatigorsky is here, she herself would also take artistic licence. That's what separates the artist from the amateur.
neyopa 4 years ago
That only proves my point though: by the age of 16 every other virtuoso violinist/cellist who had started at a young age already had a distinct sound/interpretation style. I don't know if you like violin music but if you listen to Yehudi Menuhin's 17 year old recordings, they are phenomonal. And I swear this summer I heard a 15 year old child prodigy cellist play the dvorak concerto better than any other cellist I've heard in my life. Du Pre should have been much better by the age of 16.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
You only have to listen to Du Pre when she is older to know that she was amazing! I did not know about her death when I decided that she was one of the best classical musicians of all time. Her expression and tone are amazing. How someone is at a young age does not determine if they will be great. Mikhail Baryshnikov did not start ballet until he was 15 yrs old and yet is regarded as one of the best. He did not even do ballet when he was really young.
cellomind 4 years ago
Well maybe she just wasn't a prodigy of any sort
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
I am 81 years old so I have been around a long, long time. Piatigorsky has had a reputation for many, many years as one of the very best. While I like Du Pres on the Elgar, she was not nearly as well known in past years as an all around fine concert artist/ I think the movie helphed establish her reputation. As a boy I considered Piatigorsky and Casals to be the best cellists.
2934703 4 years ago
Thank you for sharing your wise words of wisdom with us, it's good to know some one experienced considers Piatigorskt as one of the greatest. So was he really popular back in his time?
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
Du Pre was one of the leading concerts soloists of her time. She played with all sorts of orchestras and performed music beautifully. I think Rostropovich is the greatest cellist of all time. I think no other cellist has ever come close... I believe that Yo-Yo Ma is coming up very fast on Slava. I also disagree about the movie. I thought it told apart of her story but her reputation was well established already.
cellodude1 4 years ago
...and please excuse my poor grammar/puntuation. I just reread my comment...it's shocking!
cza249 4 years ago
amazing dexterity at this age...the ledgend Piatigorsky
ghostpianist 4 years ago
Magnificent cello playing. As a cellist myself I can really appreciate his ease in doing very difficult things. He actually played stacaatto in one place...on the cello????!!!!! Wow.
2934703 4 years ago
Oh wow, isn't staccato a standard part of the cello's technique then? I wouldn't know, I'm a violinist, and have only been playing ten months :S haven't played in orchestras or anything
thelightisahead 4 years ago
not a great fan of Piatigorsky, I think his vibrato is too fast and rigid. Also, I've noticed that in some places he rushes, and in others he uses too much rubato. Still quite a good interpretation, but there's better
TheTradge 4 years ago
He really creates mood, it's given me a lot to think about. (I'm just about to go back to this piece after a 5/6 year absence, I played it when I was 12 and now I'm sure I'm going to have a much different interpretation). Thankyou video poster!
YouveStolenMyEyes 4 years ago
wow he really is extremely good, and can really capture the style and feeling of this piece
i am currently learning this work, and let me tell you it is not easy piece
ultimate1man 4 years ago
great!
fancycello 4 years ago
the right way of holding a cello is between the legs. and, btw, the only way you can recognize a good technique is by the quality of sound and phrasing. piatigorsky was a legend, in his time i'm sure he was considered a grand sensei of technique, but he can hardly compete with ex. truls mork. but he had a heart that maybe 1% of well known cellists have.
brandoukov 4 years ago
um not really if u listen to the orchestra they dont have to slow down much at all.. its called rubato dude, he steals time but gives it right back at the ends of the phrases by playing them faster. its the illusion that he is taking too much time. and how could u not be able to play along with him when he is so clear with what he wants in this performance
SoCalTrojan 4 years ago
that was good but i've heard better. but that's an older cello so i don't really expect it to be sounding perfect the way i want it
FrithAbove 4 years ago
huh? older string instruments generally sound better than new ones...
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
odd. I thought that this Stradivari sounds quite nice. What cello do you use?
Cellopro 4 years ago
Piatigorsky, may the Happy One bless your soul.
handofgod111 4 years ago
and he has to stop changing the speed all the time. the orchestra isn't synchronous to him everytime...
Ashima666 4 years ago
Also, he's doing a solo.
He has the right to change speeds.
Not crazily and suddenly, mind you, but he can if he wants.
iHaveFeelingsToo 4 years ago
The sound is great, but he's holding his cello wrong... his left arm just hungs around and his cello has got to be right about his chest while he's holding it above his hips.. oO but it was awsome at all.
Ashima666 4 years ago
oh really? that's too bad, that he holds his cello "wrong." And I suppose the fact that he holds his cello incorrectly is the secret to his incredible technique? Please, having "proper" technique means nothing. All that matters is that the way the player holds his or her instrument is comfortable for them and allows them to play as well as they can. I don't care if he holds the cello with his teeth - if he sounds like that, it's irrelevant.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
u make a really good point Absolute. its really does not matter how you hold or how you do any thing really. as long as it sounds good.
Quinnpk 4 years ago
Why should it matter how he holds it if he plays it that well.
I play bass and I'm barely 5 feet tall, so I should assume that playing a 3/4 size should prove a little problematic, and I'd hold it wrong.
You should hold it to your comfort to achieve optimal playing.
iHaveFeelingsToo 4 years ago
Which is the "right" way of holding a cello? If you watch the cello greats (du Pre, Feuermann, Casals, Slava, etc.), each one holds the cello differently from the others. And each one looks equally at ease with his/her own set of techniques, and plays superbly.
GreatPianists 4 years ago
there is no right way, i almost always play in a different way, the right is the best for u
Cayo255 4 years ago
My teacher graduated with honors, playing Dvorák concerto in his final exam. He knows how to play the cello perfectly, believe me. And Piatigorsky played with a pin, even Casals used a wood one, like all cellists since mid XIX century.
dion82 4 years ago
Sorry, nobody knows how to play an instrument perfectly, even if they "graduate with honors." I think that Piatigorsky, while not perfect, definitely "graduated" with more than honors. While I can appreciate your undying respect and devotion to your teacher, I hope that later on in your life you will learn to think outside the box you have been given. This is not an insult - just something to think about :)
aimson 4 years ago
so whats his name? is he on youtube? maybe if piatigorsky were alive your teacher could give him some lessons yeah? Or is he giving lessons now to yo-yo ma, starker, lynn harel, etc?
vlnpiggy 4 years ago
wow that was awsome!
tlapicka 4 years ago
I have a lot of respect for Piatigorky's playing. I'm an amateur musician and I wish I could play 10% as good as him. But if my cello teacher hears me playing with a bowing and phrasing like this, he will blame on me. He played his way, and it's OK. But please don't try to imitate him.
dion82 4 years ago
Maybe your teacher is playing it wrong. I'm not sure if that has actually occured to anybody criticizing Piatigorsky but don't think every single cello teacher you come across knows everything perfectly.
aimson 4 years ago
wow...i just got done playing this song with my teacher (now on the Faure Elegie), and loved this...i like how he goes up an octave at 1:40
flushpuppy 4 years ago
wow that was awsome!
davidcellobass 4 years ago
why is he holding the cello like that, he plays the first phrase spasticly he has no idea how to play this piece... my teacher plays better than him...
willn58 4 years ago
"Wow, somebody plays the cello differently than me or my teacher... imagine that! He, like, totally holds it, like, totally wrong. What was he thinking!? Somebody as incompetent as Piatigorsky should NOT be making records. Just terrible... my teacher would show HIM a thing or two!!! Hell, I'LL show him a thing or two or three, what a douche!"
aimson 4 years ago
I thought you like Piatigorsky a whole lot.
cellodude1 4 years ago
i agree and disagree. he is definetly holding his cello wrong but it does not hinder his abilaty to play play the piece greatly...but im sure in definetly gave him repeatative stress injuries (much like the ones yo-yo ma suffers from)
davidcellobass 4 years ago
What a great performance, even over the net he sounds great. I just read the new biography of Piatigorsky called GRISHA, and seeing him play means more since I read it. It also has great old photos of him when he was young.
msgough 4 years ago
How do you think they held the cello in earlier days? They didn't have a pin, but they held the cello more like this. It is his style, but in a romantic composition like the Allegro Appassionata I think it is odd to hold your cello like this, but I can recommend this position when you play Baroque. Christian Ferdinand Abel held the cello like this, the first person who played the cello suites of Bach. (1)
rulleverulle 4 years ago
Oh nononononononoooooo... willn58, aimson has a serious point - before making such comments *please* look up who Piatigorsky actually was (something you really SHOULD know if you are a 'cellist anyway)
I would laugh at how preposterous your statement is, but you've just insulted a God
Androsa 4 years ago
Unless your teacher is another virtuoso cellist I seriously doubt your teacher plays better than this, this is a spectacular performance!
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
gj willin; you just made yourself sound like a dumbass
ggyoulose 4 years ago
lol i still laugh at how he plays, you guys really have admiration for this even at this level? listen to someone with more musical taelnt... there are players who play from the heart and players who just read the music, Piatigorsky is one of those in my opinion, if you don't like it then, make your own opinion, i'm just saying that i've heard better... now stop with your silly insults
willn58 4 years ago
And just what makes you think you can judge who "just reads the music"? You've never met Piatigorsky, you don't know how he feels about this piece, playing cello, or music in general. Everyone has their own way of expressing emotions through music, and to say that he, who went through immense dangers to escape the communist regime so that he could expand his musical studies just "reads the music" is terribly disrespectful and incorrect.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
(continued) It's not just a matter of a opinion if he in fact is feeling some sort emotion when he plays this piece (or cello in general). What is your opinion, however, is your failure to understand the emotion in his playing, and just because you don't feel it does not mean it's not there - plenty of other people can feel the emotion in his playing and would not consider this "just reading music." Think before you say something insensible and close-minded next time.
AbsoluteZ3R0 4 years ago
Does anyone know what key this piece is in?
xlegiofalco 4 years ago
b minor
Androsa 4 years ago
thanks, thats what i thought at first. But then the key modulated so much, and i tried to play it from ear on my cello but it didnt seem to fit with only f# and c#. Then i thought g#min or e minor. I thought it was Bbmin at one point and i got scared
xlegiofalco 4 years ago
wahhhh I watched my friends play this but he gives it.
pazaz.
yukograce 5 years ago
I'll stay tuned!
HalWeller 5 years ago
Thank you so much, Aimson, for these treasures! How wonderful!
HalWeller 5 years ago
You're welcome, sorry I don't have more. Well, I would have more if I ever figure out how to extract lpcm audio format. Have a whole DVD of Rostropovich and a bunch of violin stuff that might not be posted on Youtube yet. One of these days...
aimson 5 years ago