Vladimir Ashkenazy plays Beethoven Moonlight Sonata

[willemkloos]

such a good tempo, would it be any slower the music would no longer exist, but right at this border, on this tap it has his full potential!

[darlss]

never knew this is what alicia keys covered!

[nunoalvesfilipe]

a lot of a lot!! lol :o)

[SongsofInnocence]

I'm no professional music critic but I like Ashknazy's playing a lot

[GrumpyMama54]

After listening to several versions and artists doing this song, I think Sofronitsky has it, in my mind. I've felt the agony of unrequited love, and it's very soul shattering and lonely, and this song stresses that feeling. Beethoven was a tortured soul, and the pianist that can bring that to the instrument is the messenger that Beethoven needed to carry his feelings outwards.

[blonde7000]

@GrumpyMama54 very well said. That quote is fantastic as is the song. I used to hear this when my dad played it as a child and i love this tune just as much as i did then. It still sounds new to me and has the same affect. Fantastic piece of music.

[dbikeguy]

watch?v=9jENOitU7Ao

mvt. 3 for all those asking.

[EliasJordan3]

Where is mvt 3 by Ashkenazy?

[paullubliner]

@EliasJordan3: YES WHERE!!!  We want to know! I keep switching over to Brendel (also excellent) to complete this aural delight without angst.

[sfkeating]

Indeed, it is music. While you do not see it, neither do you hear it; you feel it, deep in your soul. If we are able to take anything from this world when our days are done, it is the ecstasy that these sounds, tortured or triumphant, longing or fulfilled, bring to our lives.

Drink in all of it you are able; it is our greatest gift in life. It transcends time itself.

[my2cents2u]

I love this slower version, it makes me cry. This is one of my top five all time favorite classical compositions.

[SeifertPS]

THIS IS NOT A VIDEO! I'm tired of clicking on links like this one and not seeing the pianist play!

[EliasJordan3]

@SeifertPS It's music. You don't see it you hear it.

[classicalop125best]

@EliasJordan3 music has a major visual aspect as well. have you ever experienced the visual beauty of a orchestra, or even a solo piece, on any instrument? it's one of the best parts of classical music: the wonderful visual aspects. It's why bow direction is important, etc.

[sfkeating]

In some future age, devoid of human presence, beings from some distant star visit this planet and stumble upon this piece.

They imagine what a shame it is that we are gone.

[97aaroniscool97]

Dude who named it the moonlight sonata? Totally ruined the point of the piece.

[Deevers23]

@97aaroniscool97 Ludwig Rellstab. "The name "Moonlight" Sonata derives from an 1832 description of the first movement by music critic Ludwig Rellstab, who compared it to real moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne."

[MrKnnknn]

I don't like this interpretation, not enough variation in 'key pressure', I understand torture and grief, however there should still be variations.

[baesuk81]

i love vladimir along with rubinstein. but i find this little too slow. maybe little too overdramatic? maybe this is the real speed. but score sheets tell me different speed. so i am lost. but this is my favorite beethoven piece. dont get me wrong. we must listent to gould version as well. u cant tell me his version carry no emotion. he is good enough to carry all emotion inside. trust me. anyway. we must like all versions. not one. ok?

[paradoxicus]

Ashkenazy,logra aqui enesta "Quasi una fantasia",registros memorables,un fraseo fluido y una armonia dificil de igualar.

Beethoven,expresa su tormenta interior que es recogida y felizmente leida en la sensibilidad de Vladimir Ashkenazy.

[TheMrXolotl98]

@paradoxicus ¿qué me díces de la interpretación de Deszö Ránki? creo que logra expresar perfectamente los mismos sentimientos pero con una sonoridad más envolvente e introspectiva. Personalmente me gusta mucho el estilo de Ashkenazy, tengo un CD con las últimas 5 sonatas para piano de Beethoven, y pienso que su ejecución e interpretación de la última, la no. 32 Op. 111 es de las mejores que se puedan encontrar, al igual que la "Hammerklavier", pienso que vale la pena escuchar la de D Ránki. =D

[ACVB2006]

As good as Backhaus'

[meredith218461]

Lovely tone control as one would expect from this exceptional performer, however I'm a little irritated by his hesitant handling of the top line dotted notes in the 1st mvt.

[Snezhinka9]

This is my favourite. Very quiet, slow. My first music teacher, a wonderful teacher, she told me that there is "nothing" on the surface here - it's all inside, internal torment. So there should be no superficial speed, no explosions of noise - it should be quiet, introvert, speaking of solitude.

[steveortegamusic]

does somebody has this amazingly played song in hq?

[spmontgomery]

@steveortegamusic I have the CD if you would like a copy.

[steveortegamusic]

@spmontgomery I would love that, cause I think Ashkenazy plays this piece the best.

[aschkani]

ich mag Ashkenazys version aber auch Lisitsa. alle beide sind der hamma.

[charloteen]

ouaouh, i realised how lucky i get that my mum, who's in love of Richard Clayderman, obliged me to learn piano at six, asking me like a military chief, playing in the way of her lover in dreams, fortunately for me she didn't know Vladimir Ashkenazy, i have escape of a hard torture . . . i prefer listen now and i love his soul of touch

[ghettopianist219]

Vladimir is the best interperter of the Moonlight Sonata

[EricTheRed03]

You mean Vladimir Horowitz?

[MandyJams]

So beautiful

[turnosol1984]

es maravilloso , cuando yo muera quiero que alguien toce esta pieza en mi funeral !!

[Krepsii]

I love this piece, and I love the way Vladimir Ashkenazy plays it.

[cattleman6420012000]

Superbly played.

[chefjaike]

Hmmm, I have to comment again.....in response to other ppl here...

I think it's pretty clear that Beethoven wrote this piece as he was in love with Guilia Guichardi. He wrote it for her. If not her, then some other woman.

Love is what this piece is about. Every emotion of yearning and desire is expressed throughout.

[chefjaike]

A little too fast for me, but it's Ashkenazy...so who cares?! :)

[abrahamu]

7:00

[pianodesu]

It's played so calm.

I can imagine the moon in the night.

Good interpretation for Those who had hard day.

[NoirHammer]

This is the best version of moonlight and the reason I say that is because Ashkenazy has captured the tortured soul that is Beethoven. He's the only one who's gone into Lugwig's body and soul and played the piece as it should be played.

I imagine Beethoven playing just like this. The others play with a speed that kills the piece completely.

[akm5176]

I can't say I have ever heard this piece played even some what quickly. I've actually heard it played even slower than this. Anyways, don't you think it's a little far to say he expressed beethovens anguish when no one has any idea really what type of person he was besides for a few pieces of literature (words) he wrote. Theres no such thing as "the best" only the best for you. Anyways its titled moonlight sonata, not My Anguish, dont you think he may of had the moon in mind, not himself?

[NoirHammer]

You're right in saying Ashkenazy couldn't have possibly known Beethoven's anguish. However, based on accounts given by the people who knew him and that fact that he lost his hearing for the most part, I reason he was a tortured soul.

I just think a man like that wouldn't have played this piece in a quick manner because the tones speak of sadness, in my opinion.

It all comes down to empathy with this piece and imagination. I may sound like I'm off base here but I feel he captured the mood.

[akm5176]

I suppose there's a good bit of truth. Beethoven actually wrote something about how losing his hearing forced him into a depression. Recalling that some one would said they heard a flute but he couldn't hear it himself. But keep in mind, he's the only famous composer to have continued to write music while deaf, I'm sure he must of been very happy that though he was deaf, he could still write brilliant music that people loved. Though even when he had hearing, he was a bitter person.

[superkumquat1]

Actually, Beethoven didn't name this the "moonlight sonata". That name was added later by a critic. The real title was "Quasi una fantasia" or "Almost a Fantasy", talking about unrequited love. Sounds pretty sad to me.

[classicalop125best]

@superkumquat1 most names are a result of critics, so it is not inaccurate or anything. For instance, Beethoven's fifth symphony was named "Fate" by a critic.

[Posterboy777]

@superkumquat1

"sounds pretty sad to me"

You'd be right, as "Quasi una fantasia" doesn't necessarily mean it's talking about unrequited love. A "fantasy" usually refers to a composition with a free-forming feel to it (almost improvisational).

[claudiocsharp]

I love the modesty that ashkenazy interprets music, he is wonderful. I agree with you however mr. Rubstein does justice to the piece. Mr. Barenboim plays far too slowly for me and Kempff plays too fast, howerver I love the way kempff frases it.

[paganiniGOGO]

Beethoven did intend for it to be played much faster than most pianists chose to interpret it

[NoirHammer]

@paganiniGOGO

Well, if that's the case, then one shouldn't deviate from authorial intention.

[spmontgomery]

@NoirHammer I totally agree. The first time that I heard this I felt a feeling of hopelessness and totally disconsolate. That was when I read the story behind the music and found that Ashkenasy had portraid to me the feelings that Beethoven had when he composed this music. No other performer has quite captured that same expression of feelings. It remains one of my very favourite CDs

[NoirHammer]

@spmontgomery Also, the other pieces on the CD are played just as well with the same sensitivity or attack that's needed to capture the piece.

Thanks for the offer, Steve, but I bought my copy in 90's and have taken good care of it. One never knows when things go out of circulation. I'm glad your a "sensitive" when it comes to music, most don't allow the tones to really sink in.

[ccdg1066]

@NoirHammer It is one of the best versions I've ever heard, and the first version that totally sold me on

Vladimir Askenazy as a genius in interpretation. I was fortunate enough to have heard him at 2 concerts in Montreal before he succumbed to arthritis in his hands. I also like one of Emil Gilels' versions, probably equally well.

[NoirHammer]

@ccdg1066 I didn't know he succumbed to arthritis of the hands. Nature can be cruel at times. That must be devastating when you think about his passion for his craft and the endless hours he spent practicing. I hope he finds an effective medical solution that will allow him to interpret more works of the great masters.

[lostpebble]

@NoirHammer I agreed. The way he played the bass notes are amazing. It's so somber, dark and heavy. I think that set him apart from other performances. Other good performances sounded sad, but this one gave a sense of deep sorrow.

[wholikebeethoven]

@NoirHammer

I SO ANGRY WHEN HEAR U SAY LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AT 0:35 U CAN HEAR "DOUBLE NOTE" ,IS IT GOOD? IS IT REALLY LIKE BEETHOVEN?

VERY EASILY FOUND ALOT OF MISTAKE IN THIS PERFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M SURE THAT BEETHOVEN 'LL GIVE U A PUNCH!

BEST VERSION OF THIS PIECE ?

NOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

EVEN,U SAY BEETHOVEN PLAYING LIKE THIS????

NO,NO U SO FOOL

[Alexjr1543]

@wholikebeethoven I'm sorry. Could you please be a little bit more coherent, and fix your caps lock key?

[NoirHammer]

@wholikebeethoven LOL! Hysterical much? It's one of the best I've heard so far. If I'm such a fool, why don't you list the performers who do a better interpretation of Moonlight so I can judge "you." You talk crap but you don't put up. So shut up!

[decoball]

So intens!!!!the music is going straight to the soul...

[MandyJams]

beautiful

[ps3light]

wondeful.!

[BachirRita]

La poesie du clair de lune est si transparente... Alex apprecie.

[AnneHeicke]

Vladimir's interpretation of this piece is wonderful. I love his restraint.

[hsudr]

beautiful. this is one of the best of this lovely piece that i have heard. Thank you for posting.