Peter Bispham plays Brahms Rhapsody in B minor

[friend1823]

When you get a distance from "classical" music, you can see more clearly in a way. Many classical musicians need to get out and listen to folk music, etc. - though it might take years to clear out the cobwebs. Bravo to you for being a real musician.

[friend1823]

At last, someone plays this like music. I haven't played classical music for a while and it is interesting to hear this piece played by many other well known classical players who, with no apparent awareness, walk all over the music but seem to be satisfied with a certain clerical exactness.

[PhillipLWilcher]

Dear Peter : I agree with Raymond's comment (rsmullyan) below. I have no real problem here with the piano being out of tune - you should hear mine! Real musicians can listen through anything to the overall intent anyway - yes?

I adore Brahms, the somewhat structural ambiguity and his entwining ideas, their content always commensurate with their length. You understand his temperament well, his introversion, his conversation with self. B minor also happens to be my favourite key! A pleasure Peter!

[chrstfntc2875]

i understand, don't feel as if i'm insulting, i was simply trying to give you some pointers since i know you're in it for the van cliburn competition - pretty stiff competition, anyway, i hope you do well, i wish you all good luck

[chrstfntc2875]

by the way, all your transitions are by complete silence, experiment with something different, the transitions need to be smoother, around 708 more left hand, although it may be the recording quality, around 727 keep up your energy, you start this section all fiery and then lose your energy, the scales should be more like waves of sound than scales, although you

[chrstfntc2875]

dont bang at 221, 245 careful, are your wrists relaxed? it would help with clarity of notes around 3 30, its very musical, i like your phrasing for the most part, its boring around 530, contrast your phrases, or make the phrases part of one giant phrase,

[chrstfntc2875]

tune your piano before you record, it sounds horrible,

[doelman]

Nicely done!

[jes9015]

What beautiful playing! Immensely musical, no doubt due to your impeccable pacing and phrasing. Thanks for this performance.

[wildejag]

Beautiful expression. I enjoyed listening. Your phrasing is very relaxing to listen to. You speak like a poet. Crisp pedaling... I prefer it in this piece maybe more than say Op. 119 #1.

[larchmontmark]

I'm returning for a second comment.......

Y'know, these things are funny. As positive as the comments here are, my feeling is that your performance is being perhaps somewhat underappreciated. To me this deserves the highest and widest praise. Perhaps in the middle it goes off into the dream world a little too far, but then again, is there such a thing as too far?

Thank you for this great performance.

[rsmullyan]

ThatRachGirl prefers a more classical interpretation, but Brahms was one of the last great romantics, and so your superb romantic interpretation is just what is called for. Peter, I have heard you play before, But I didn't realize that you are THAT good!

[ThatRachGirl]

Whoa, the piano's out. You seem to take to it pretty well, though. Love the darkness, the overall feel. My personal taste would prefer a more classical Brahms with less rubato. But everyone's opinion is unique, so don't take me too seriously. The last thing I would want is to interfere with your grand idea (since it is plain you've put a lot of thought into this). It's just something to think about.

The d minor modulation at 1:56 especially made me sit still and listen. Amazingly well done.

[littorine]

très bon piano, mais peut-être à cause d'une mauvaise prise de son, le chant de la main droite est souvent trop superficiel.

[MichaelWilliamsTO]

Wonderfully musical, dramatic, dark, powerful. Great choice and great performance!

[hbasarab]

I love this performance. Your playing is fearless, exciting, and tells a story. I'm amazed by how easily you present Brahms' wildly varying moods.

[robertpetoe]

An emotional, empathetic and beautiful interpretation. I didn't feel bothered by the piano. I've found, what I need in music.

[unamyzarc]

Very good performance !

About the piano, it needs at least a good tuning...

Good luck in the competition

[equitater]

Superb!!!

[bobekelund]

Thank you for posting this wonderful composition. You give it the "agitation" it requires in just the right places. It is a personal interpretation but I've found that to be true of almost all Brahms! Good luck. Bob Ekelund

[larchmontmark]

Wonderful performance, with great expressiveness and range.......lots of "controlled explosiveness" and overall a fine impression of spontaneity.

By the way, I'm an old acquaintance of your teacher and his wife Debbie......feel free to say hi from Mark Cannon!

[PeterStuttgart]

ups first comment..

zeus needs the olymp

boris becker a center court

this guy a true piano

thx for posting

good luck in the competition