Arturo Michelangeli plays "Andaluza" by Granados

[PersicusMagus]

How can you compare Rubinstein with Michelangeli? The only ones who can stand at Michelangeli's level are Horowitz, Zimerman, sometimes Richter.

[keybawd]

Indeed this is an amazing performance. Michelangeli just takes the music and makes you hear it as if for the first time. He could play Ba Ba Black Sheep and you'd think it the most beautiful melody in the world. Thank you so much for posting. Are there more Michelangeli performances from this period?

[777ViolettaAngelo]

There is no music is more sad the Spanish! The soul cries from melancholy and grief and even if this grief is light, in it all the same any imperceptible grief. Possession of the tool the fantastic! Thanks!

[vigilaki]

wonderful indeed.....

[joanmanuelds]

Rubistein Rules !!! forever .. The best !!!

[prince2000ful]

Many thanks to Antoniotrovato. en una versione grande. multo sentimenti ma nervo!sensibilita!

[antoniodcz]

love michelangeli, I saw him in 1987 in london and it will stay with me for the rest of my life, thanks for posting

[Altagraciadeorituco]

Wonderful interpretation!

[Barbapippo]

One can dislike Michelangeli's eccentricities or his limited repertoire, or his mannerisms ... but even these 5 minutes of paradise would suffice to place him among the greatest pianists of any time

[metteholm75]

Beautiful! Very sensitive...."spanish" or not. Actually more emotional, than the later Michelangeli permitted himself to be. Listen to another great master, Aldo Ciccolini, also. Quite another temerament.

[CarvalhoHilje]

boring. no rythm. listen to the composer himself

[CarvalhoHilje]

boring. no rythm. listen to the composer himself

[mArAzbresciA96]

Arturo Benedetti michelangeli was the best, Rubinstein the 2th.

[istreba]

supeeeeeeer

[dallaspianophile]

I think your remarks are very illuminating, Lukecash12.  You really have expressed what is genius here beautifully, and what I admire and love so much about this recording.

[MartinRaetzJr]

A very seldom and wonderful recording. Thanks for sharing.

[patriciapoop3]

i know his great great great niece.

[AnarchicRaven]

eh this is slightly less impressive than expected

[Lukecash12]

Art wasn't meant to be impressive. It's a communication tool. I find this to be highly sonorous, the subdued dynamics in the left hand to be genius, and not to mention the sweet Alkanesque tone prevailing over the whole thing; but it still sounds very Spanish.

[AnarchicRaven]

Hey, to each his own. And maybe i was wrong in my choice of words. what i meant was, this was less COMMUNICATIVE than expected. but thats just me.

[Lukecash12]

Fair enough. Have a good one :)

[AnarchicRaven]

you too

[Pogouldiwitz]

I adore this piece of music. Astounding pianism by Michelangeli, as always.

[ipmoic]

The piano itself sounds like it may need some regulating.

A very colorful, individual performance

[frederickfrederikfre]

Il suo pianoforte cantava sempre come lui voleva

[punkpoetry]

I know squat about Spanish music, yet Michelangeli's range of sonorities lies so far beyond the reach of Rubinstein that I wouldn't be dismissive of him in any repertoire. a beautiful piece of piano music, as far as I'm concerned

[baldwalrus7]

Goodness! I was shocked by this performance. Bizarre rubato.

[anaklasis]

How bad people understand Spanish modernist music! Even the self Spaniards! Granados didn't mean to copy folk music note by note, retaining rythm and pulse, but draw a watercolour. He is linked to French impressionism, after all.

Michelangeli has a deep touch for colour, so is clear in many renderings of Debussy, Ravel or even Mompou, so he does it very well with Granados.

[AnarchicRaven]

yeah no matter what granados is still very much a late romantic, early 20th century composer. his combination of nationalism with romanticism is really great

[paulostroff99]

Although there are flashes of greatness-after all it is the great Michelangeli-I too am not impressed by this performance. There is something and I've said it before-about Rubinstein playing the Spanish masters so brilliantly. Michelangeli is still one of the finest pianists of the past century.

[marcochipli]

Michelangeli super divino !

[FabioThePianist]

This is his interpretation of Andaluza, I like this performance like the other, but that have got something more, like Gould playing Beethoven

[truecrypt]

Backbeat's answer is a great example of rudeness and arrogance... If you consider this an "intelligence", so be it...

Don't worry about pianists' performing your "compositions". First you have to find one willing to play those...

[PiotrKwiatkowski22]

a example of rudeness and arrogance are you! You like maybe the middle slow part of this piece but if i listen to the start

and can not understand the disgusting

i can not help you!

[truecrypt]

Yes, I like both the piece and performance. There is nothing arrogant or rude about it.

Of course you can't help me... or anybody else...

[Catalangeli86]

For me, Michelangeli is one of the greatest artist of the piano and one of my favorites. But I really dont like this performance.

BUT, the only thing here disgusting are the comments on this video.

I agree totally with truecrypt!

[PiotrKwiatkowski22]

I can not believe Michelangeli have played this scrap!!

[truecrypt]

Really? What's so "disgusting"?

[truecrypt]

I know Rubinstein's recording and it doesn't make Michelangeli's rendition "disgusting"... unless there is no place for more than one great performance in your world...

Do you think looking at your "favorites" will make up for an intelligent answer? ;)

[Matteo7419]

@PiotrKwiatkowski22 I think Michelangeli was really incapable of playing something in a "disgusting" way.

[Catalangeli86]

Yes, it sure is ABM recorded 1943 for EMI Music Italy. It was recorded along with Mompous "cancion y danza no.1" and Marescottis "fantasque"

[wolkowy1]

It does not seems to me to be A. M.'s way of playing, nor his piano's sound, but who am I to judge? Anyway, it is an interesting interpretation.

[himitsunosallychan]

Sorry, I can understand Mr or Ms Contrappunto, for because there are fakelike Michelangeli on youtube. Like Liszt La Campanella, which StefanoF87 uploaded and I feel sound is like scrambled eggs and not Michelangeli at all. If I were wrong, I must see ear doctor. Sorry, wrong English, but I could never guess this as Michelangeli blindfold too.

[Contrappunto]

Michelangeli? Doubtful...but I would be delighted to be proved wrong!

[truecrypt]

Search Google for "michelangeli granados"...

[ccb22ccb22]

你死我活

[chacoteris]

Very beautiful! Thank you truecrypt.

[JohnGavin]

Michelangeli was 19 when he recorded this. It's a completely different take on the piece from De Larrocha who plays it more metrically. Michelangeli's is more overtly seductive, romantic, with his trademark beautiful sound.

The rubato is beautifully controlled and patrician - it's a unique and beautiful interpretation.

[Backbeat84]

pick a tempo and stick with it...rubato is nice but holy crap that's god awful

[truecrypt]

Life would be so boring without advisers like you! ;)

[Backbeat84]

It's not advice, it's a fact dude, this sounds like excrement, the piece looses it's fluidity complete when it is herky jerky like this

[truecrypt]

What you say is not a "fact" - barely an ignorant and *stinky* opinion.

[gurucow]

the timing seems erratic. i can't believe this is michelangeli.

[truecrypt]

Yet, it's Michelangeli!

Nothing erratic here!

If you have ever listened to Spanish folk music (especially guitar playing), you would instantly recognize the beauty of rhythmic flexibility and unshakable internal pulsation.

[gurucow]

this spanish dance no. 5 was one of the first pieces i played on the guitar. we are very strict on timing though... i can't believe michelangeli did this! i hope this is a joker who is spoofing michelangeli!

[truecrypt]

Just because this piece was one of the first you've played, it doesn't make you an expert in Spanish music or Michelangeli's interpretation. You confuse *rhythm* with *meter*. Your playing might be absolutely strict and on time, yet lack the spirit and expression. Michelangeli's sense of timing here is impeccable!

As for "joker spoofing", please learn the subject.

[gurucow]

have u read the score?

[truecrypt]

Yes, I can read music scores.

[gurucow]

btw, if u call that a pulse, i call that atrial fibrillation. check out the scores and some other recordings.

[truecrypt]

You knowledge of medical terminology is commendable but diagnostic skills are weak. Pulse can be uneven (depending on emotional conditions) - Michelangeli's interpretation is a good example of HIGHLY ORGANIZED AND LIVE PULSE.

You confuse "pulsation" with "atrial fibrillation" (a disorganized heart rhythm). It's a mistake. Don't get frustrated though - it takes time to become a good doctor or musician.

[gurucow]

obviously, you seem very learned and is an expert on spanish music. may we hope that u post some of your playing on the web for us to enjoy. you can listen to some of my playing of bach's lute suites around.

[truecrypt]

I'm "learned" enough to understand my own limitations and appreciate great masters. When you say "we" - do you relate it to yourself or speak on behalf of group of people? So far I didn't notice any comments supporting your point of view.

It's nice you can play a little. I hope when you learn more about music and performance your views might change accordingly.

[gurucow]

obviously, you have not studied the scores, nor know spanish. so don't tell me that his "sense of timing here is impeccable". try and listen to alicia de larrocha for what spanish music is, in terms of rhythm and compas. try asking anyone who play flamenco what he thinks of the timing over here. and u should try learn to appreciate what music is than just to recognize some big names.

[truecrypt]

So, I need to speak Spanish to appreciate Spanish music? :) Do you hold a monopoly on "score knowledge"? Do you think De Larrocha would change my opinion on Michelangeli?

"Anyone who plays flamenco" has no authority to judge Michelangeli's interpretation...

19th century Polish peasants were not experts in Chopin's mazurkas...

Beginner guitar player (even if he's played this piece) is not necessarily a knowledgeable critic. So, let me re-address your own words to yourself.

[Monchitchi]

I checked your chaconne.....dude, you play like MIDI or something...you need to get musicaly mature Mr. Metronorm.

[Monchitchi]

The message is for you gurucow

[Josephineeeeeeeee]

i think you are quite right!!

[inthePequod]

Could anyone post Granados's 8th spanish dance? Thanks!

[lazarogeorg]

Could you please post the date of this recording ? Thanks a lot

[AntonioDGO]

Superb, thank you.

[paulostroff99]

Bravo-Two of my all time favourites. TY

[Dobrib]

Stunning.TY

[lestyselavy]

precioso!gracias por subirlo!

[bafr1]

5*****