Andrei Gavrilov plays Rachmaninov Elegie op3 No1

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

oh, good to see that pianists know Rach wrote other pieces in that opus number

[rej327]

This is my favorite version of this piece. Everybody else I've seen plays the part from 3:30 to 4:10 too quickly in my opinion. He nails it

[alejandrothefader]

@rej327 even rachmaninoff himself plays this 3 times faster... this is too slow imo

[rej327]

@alejandrothefader I understand that. I have heard him play it. This is just the first version I heard so I might be a bit biased.

[alejandrothefader]

@rej327 yeah, it's like that some times ;)

[tana571512]

GREAT!!! ♥♥♥

[nikjp89]

Wow, my favorite recording. There is such a wide range of emotions going on in this one little piece. Such an expressed longing, passion, outcry, and senses of hope all rolled in to one piece and this what you get. One would have a hard time performing this effectively with little life experience.

[BrkCrl]

bokuma benzemiş



[book2wolf]

Beautiful....

[89hedgehog]

Incredibly sensitive performance, Gavrilov understands and feels Rachmaninoff as no other pianist playing this piece! Except for Rach himself playing his Elegie and that performance is one for the ages! :) 

[MardkoMBR]

Quelle interprétation magnifique, quelle sensibilité, quelle délicatesse, quelle torture. Bravo Monsieur Gavrilov. Vous êtes un des meilleurs pianistes de notre temps. Merci d'être revenu

[pianosa1993]

hmmm I wonder if my teacher would let me play the last two notes with my hand in a fist shape like him......

[jstar3293]

yea everyone come here and try to sound as educated as possible to suggest that you are special for listening to classical music,,, just enjoy it, no one cares about how "barbaric it is to dislike a piece such as this" edit | remove

[hollyxdear]

I am learning this piece now and am so happy to hear this. Definitely my favorite interpretation. So beautiful. I just love Rachmaninov so much.

[JOZZYmusic]

Shiversss.

[psykoesj]

i tend to think this and azusa ichijo's are my favorite interpretations.



[Bildungsrebell]

Still fascinating and moving recording. Hope to hear a Rachmaninoff Solo-Recital in the next years in live :-)

[colinthepianist]

So beautiful. I want to learn this when I get the chance. It's just so full of passion and sadness. I love learning depressing music!! :)

[Natfem]

@colinthepianist In my opinion this music is not depressing. It's all kind of feelings trying to get on the surface. Depressing doesn't have a beauty. This has.

[metaljuggernaut74]

i love the part from 3:36 to 4:11! I am DEFINATELY playing this for my grade 10 RCM exam

[JorPove]

Andrei: Tempo is the key. But to reach this tempo there another key: Intelligence and Perseverance to decodify the piece. Marvelous. And Congratulations. Jorge

[zitoh]

4 years of learning piano, I can finally play songs like this. Always wish that I have learned it sooner, but I guess I am not too late.

Piano Concerto No. 2, it's gonna be you next!

[Rachopin77]

rachmaninoff rocks. nuff said.

[collystrings11]

I've always preferred this tempo. So lovely.

[SertavisSaviPianist]

A true beauty of life, I am speechless.

[yurtzenika]

its this tempo that always gets me =) so much more personal and subdued like that compared to some who love to 'blitz' through this

[luzsorial]

A very personal performance, magnificent!!

Thank you.

Luz

[Egorich06]

Jeez. I think I even like this one more the original played Rachmaninov!

[mycatsapunk]

I prefer this piece a little faster, but Gavrilov's work is beautiful.

[RedComposer]

Such a diabolical and hipnotizing melody. Brilliant and easy to listen to, great stuff. This is an excellent interpretation, although I must say that the ending was a little rough. Very Well.

[ConnHustla]

im not a professional by any means but love rachmaninov and i feel this is played with much emotion but is alittle too slow imo.

[bartje11]

@ConnHustla Ola! It's an Elegy! Elegies are supposed to be slow. The slower the better and the more difficult to pull off. Maestro Gavrilov is superb.

[hagop0331]

ive been playing this piece for about a year now and after hearing this interpretation it definitely gave me a whole new feel on how it should be played :) bless the piano

[WickedStixer]

Das Lied ist der Himmel auf Erden

[MrJulka11]

6:08 ist die allerbeste stelle des gesamten stücks xDD hoch lebe 6:08

ich schieß mich weg

[pianopro9]

When i first heard this piece i thought it was too slow, however i then realised something; I was wrong and Gavrilov was right. This piece is an 'Elegie', which is a piece meant to be played at a funeral. It isn't meant to be fast, it is meant to be mournful.

People who are talking about rachmaninov playing this himself, dont talk about it. We have better pianos today and much more pianists today. So, logically we SHOULD sound better. Also Rachmaninov wasnt a performer, he was a composer!

[Aristarxos85]

@pianopro9

he was both.

end.

[chrisguygeezer]

@pianopro9 No, Rachmaninov was a performer, that's how he survived in the USA. He was a composer 2nd...............unfortunatel­y.

[pianistnumber8]

i don't believe that the beginning of this piece was played too slowly. he has an amazing sense of phrasing and emotion in his playing, but i do think that at 2;24 it could have been faster. but overall a truly great performance.

[ImJustaJurk]

wooow... at the beginning a bit too slow... but.. wow! <3 .. learning it^^

[Quaigaman]

tooooooooo slow

[jewgienij100]

Chopin nocturne e-minor op.72

[Mermanof83]

I'm not a fan of Gavrilov's interpretation. He agonizes over much of the piece, which really spoils the wonderful climax that Rachmaninoff wrote.

If only we had an actual recording of Rachmaninoff playing this, and not some distorted piano roll!

Check mine out for a contrasting interpretation. It's a little flat in the beginning, but I think it's more in the spirit of the piece.

[ilwmb]

@Mermanof83 there is probably a recording by Rachmaninoff himself... just listen youself.

/watch?v=JL9PX4VkN4I

[Marchingbandgeek28]

its so sad yet happy

[chloe484]

oh my god i have to learn this and have this memorized by june :(

[mattgav23]

@chloe484 best of luck to you!

[chloe484]

@mattgav23 thanks! i'll need it!

[Mermanof83]

@chloe484 Have hope! I had it to performance quality about four months after beginning.

[Kenentigern7]

if you love music and had one crushing desire ...wouldn't it be to learn to play this properly and after20 years be able to play like this. This is so techniquely superbbreath taking he has three hands of course..

[pattipie100]

to my favs. This is glorious beyond beleif. Moms made sure I loved the piano especially. Music like this moves my very soul and fills me with the gladness of the very miracle of it....:) :) :) you bring me joy......

[martingallegos]

wow!!! superb!!

[mjettoya]

Relax the shoulders, bring up the tempo a smidge, and relax the rigidity in the note values. Mechanical-sounding is good.. if you're a computer. Having said that, it was a good performance. He loves his music, that much is evident. P.S. I hate to critique pianists who have reached this level of playing, but this just happens to be a favourite song of mine. I couldn't stand to let it go.

[sinan3jad]

@mjettoya I hate to critique cretins, but IT'S NOT A F*CKING SONG; THERE'S NO GODDAMN SINGING .But, seriously, if you're going to be a douche, don't be an ignoramus too.

[NuovoCurioso]

Uno dei capolavori di Rachmaninoff....suonato meravigliosamente....

[wilbur1960]

This is a very introspective and operatic interpretation of this work. I like it as an interesting contrast to the SVR recordings. I do miss a bit SVR's BIG climatic push in the middle section .... but, hey, that is what interpretation is all about.

[Bildungsrebell]

@jdp26

No, every single note in 1.20-1.50 ( and I think all the rest) is absolutely accurate.

What score publisher you use?

Best wishes, fun with playing this great piece, roman

[jdp2606]

i swear there's a wrong note in the bass part at 1:33? Anyone help me out here? I've always played a different note here - it sort of sticks out as being wrong, though I could have always played it wrong...?

[gonzalosanchezch]

@jdp2606

Great interpretation! but yes, there is a wrong note (twice, in the return of left hand) there...he plays a "G" and it has to be a "Gb".....

[Schkalaka]

@jdp2606 you're right, he plays f but there's g flat in the score

[jessicadrewfilms]

Good good good! In my opinion a bit slow, but amazing! I'm learning this ;)

[kasramusique]

it's beyond description....

[TheBlueDiamond85]

er spielt mit einer großartigen hingabe, wunderbar,

sehr musikalisch

allerdings auch ganz anders als der komponist selbst

[Jagerbizzle]

Stunning.

[Puchjok]

@flbnice1 I did:) he played recently in Wien pity you were not there.

It was great 4 concerts in Musikverein with orchestra.

he soon will be again in Austria at Liszt Festival.

[scriabinopus9]

@Puchjok

hi! would you be so kind to tell me when shall it take place, that festival?? thank toy v. m.

[00pian0man]

ugh this is WAY too slow. its an elegy, not a lullaby. rachmaninov's version is much more interesting

[pulsecloud]

Puchjok, could you tell us where this video is from? Is it from a DVD of recordings from Gavrilov? If so, could you say it's name/link to Amazon?

Thanks a bunch! :)

[Puchjok]

@pulsecloud It was a big German TV

production ( 1991 ) for ZDF channel ( like 2.5 hours of music and talks ).

ZDF is a second big German TV station.

They were selling this for some time on video tapes in 90-s. Since Andrei

went of the way of "mainstream media artists" it was never issued any more.

S.K.

[MrSilversaxophone]

My favorite interpretation. 3:57 - 4:10 is amazing! He understands it as Inconsolable torture. Bravo, Gavrilov!

[Puchjok]

Rachmaninov himself would never open his heart while playing this piece. He played all his compositions with a great distance to the material. He always was waiting for other romantic pianists who will not have complexes to be "overemotional" and yes vulgar - the two accusation Rach was hearing all his life! And last but not least - this "Elegie" dedicated to his only love which he lost. He never loved anybody else in his life ( he told that to one friend ) and this wound never heeled.

[natalialialia]

@Puchjok @Puchjok I'm not quite sure where you get the information from, but this was written and dedicated to Anton Arensky....

[FeanorCurufinwe87]

@natalialialia As far as I know, all opus 3 was dedicated to Arensky; but, listening to this Elegie, I suppose it is really possible its subject is Sergej's lost love.

On the other hand, it's rare that (e.g.) a book just "tells" about the person/people to whom it is dedicated.

[alexgentra]

@Puchjok Dahling, it was dedicated not to "to his only love which he lost" but to Arensky. Why do people make up those snotty romantic and totally unreal stories?

[Puchjok]

@alexgentra In the score yes. I have some private sources from the Rachmaninov family, sorry.

[MicrobeObliteratorMo]

i listened to this recording a lot when i was learning this piece....

by the way i just uploaded me playing this piece, would anyone care to give me some feedbacks??

[johnnyblue34]

Wonderful interpretation! I like it a lot. Unfair to any artist to compare to SVR himself :-)

[pianoislife100]

@johnnyblue34 I totally agree with you except in the case of Alexei Nasedkin, compare his performance of rach's op.39no.2 to Richter's and I'm sure you'll agree it is lightyears better.....no wonder Neuhaus said he was his favorite pianist.....and I'm sure you guys will agree

[Puchjok]

@johnnyblue34 That's right, SRV plays quite rarely adequate his

compositions.

[paganiniGOGO]

@Puchjok

Stevie Ray Vaughan plays Rachmaninoff?

(Joking)

[Bret6464]

@Puchjok 'Johnnyblue34' meant it's unfair to compare any pianist to Rachmaninoff performing his own compositions - and all other composers' - very few others have come close to Rach the pianist:-))

Andrei is wonderful :-)

[Puchjok]

@Bret6464 You obviously did not get what I meant. Rachmaninov as many other pianist-composers don't let out in own pieces a lot of emotion and other deep feelings and thoughts due to of all composers inferiority complex "to be too open" in front of the audience. Rachmaninov had huge complex of that sort and usually plays locking himself as a safe deposit box.Composer ( even such a good pianist as S.V.R. ) never can play his own work congenial to what he put on the paper.

[Bret6464]

@Puchjok Sorry to say I disagree with you :-)

Rachmaninoff's performances of his compositions are surreal and extraordinary, never to be even approached by any other pianist, past or present or future.  To me Rach's performances are the highest achievement in expression of emotion and beauty :-))

[Puchjok]

@Bret6464 Question of taste and philosophy:) - for me he plays very old fashioned, noble, reserved and, when not his works, very often dead wrong. Time is passing by. Many great things of certain time becoming funny and ridiculous. Lived he now - he would play completely different.

[JuyoNi]

its a little slow for me... and he draws thing out too much, he is a great pianist no doubt, but i like powerful phrase resolutions like rachmaninov played himself

[mosichat]

FiberMuffins/ Rachfanbachfan - You'e so full of it.... talk about blowing smoke!!! Gavrilov did an excellent job! An Élégie is a lament, sad and somber in attitude. I found no better interpretation than Gavrilov carefully concentrating on each note w/o rushing like a sad and somber essence. Damn, what a great job. If you guys think you can do better - put your money where your mouth is and let's hear it babe! I won't be holding my breath folks!!!

[pianoislife100]

I always thought rachmaninov didn't get any better than Alexei Nasedkin (neuhaus's pupil)......especially his luminative interpretation of rachmaninov's 39 no2 but this comes very close.............. Gavrilov understands the soul of rachmaninov

[antyo]

In my opinion, Rachmaninov's best piece.

Beautiful interpretation by Gavrilov.

[enter1]

it's sooo impressive performance ... I like this a lot !! I can understand the mourning that Gavrilov feels it very quietly just inside himself, without exposing it !! I enjoyed this style of playing !! ;)

[Dankbarkeit1980]

Wow! this interpretation is realy amazing!

[ann03071874]

I almost melted listening to that!

[zkool5]

He creates so much anticipation here, a feeling of seeking solace, but not finding it. I have a difficult time expressing this, all I can say is it's amazing.

[lovemiffy77]

So beautiful & great performance!!

[Erge08]

Wonderful! Gavrilovs interpretation of this beautiful and unique melancholic piece of music sounds just absolutely perfect to me that it hurts. Dark, tragic and yet so warm and outbalanced. Gav dedicates himself totally to this.

[zajorax]

The music of one genius in the hands of another. Absolutely incredible.

[Dqkata]

You are absolutely right

[N495QS]

To everyone who thinks they can play the piano: Watch and learn!

[MrHicks091]

@N495QS I can play the piano, but *nothing* like this!

[LazyQ8i]

5:55 ~ 6:09 means alot

[cvhdrd]

amazing attempt, this causes such desperation, it's killing me.

[pslogge]

the tempo used by Gavrilov makes much more sense and impact in me than the one used by Rachmaninov himself. I admired a lot the making of the initial phrase.

[igor073]

Oh, Dear Andryusha, I think Rachmaninoff himself could not do it better then you. It is so clear from your music what despair is all about for a man, and how against all normal logic he finds courage and unhuman will to overcome whatever evil brings to our lives. Your name comes now in the same row with Rachmaninoff and Scriabin themselves. What a Company!

[f1Nazayu]

I feel extremely envious you, Ms. rainbowfeather !

Listening to his piano, I always wish this moment would never out.

[opzv3000]

Gavrilov recorded the same piece in a much faster tempo for the middle section. Also with a lot of fire and bombardment toward the end of the piece. It's a surprise that he played in this video with a different rendition. Both versions are pleasing to my ear.

[agrandb]

huge hands??

[MicrobeObliteratorMo]

beautifully played and wonderfully sensitive...... now im ganna be depressed for the rest of the day...X.X...

im learning this piece too...it's hard to have a smooth left hand.

[ChrisWatch]

Don't be afraid to use your right hand every once in awhile MicrobeObliteratorMo :).

Surely, the music and message in this piece is more important than how many arms or which side your hands are.

Andrei plays this like he found something beautiful, eloquent, powerful, meaningful. Truely the friendship he found with this piece; the peace and calm realm he sits himself in this, is truely inspiring.

While many pianist fight to find their friend in such music. Andre, here, is living with his.

[rainbowfeather]

I am honored....thank you!

I give you my attentive ear and love of the music you perform so well.

[rainbowfeather]

Your interpretation is beautiful!

I love the feeling you put into the piece.

Your technique is awesome. I could listen to you....forever.

[Puchjok]

I told about your comment to Andrei and he immediately replayed - "And I will play for her forever!"

S K

[igor073]

Dear rainbowfeather, I understand exactly how you feel, I listen to this performance hundreds of times myself, and adore every note of it.

[f1Nazayu]

Dear igor073, I listened to his 'Lyric Pieces' over thousands of times.

How do you feel about Andrei's performance of Grieg?

[igor073]

Hej f1Nazayu, it does not ring a bell. I don't think I have ever heard his Grieg. Do you mean the piano concerto or small stuff like March of Dwarfs, Spring or something like it?

[f1Nazayu]

Dear igor, it doesn't ring a bell?

It has released from DG, which became a sensation here in Japan.

Munch on cover front, 24 tracks(small stuffs only).

Gavrilov plays many pieces with various expression, it's soooooo beautiful.

[bariguru]

Now that was wonderful!!

[waldoelchulo]

The best interpretation I've heard.

[herbatadom]

Certainly my favorite performance of this piece, he really captures the essence of an elegy.

[f1Nazayu]

His interpretation is filled with beautiful darkness, which was derived from previous some dark experiences.

Filled with chaos.

[clevernickname70]

well, it's a beautiful interpretation, but if you listen to Rachmaninov play it, he plays the whole thing in under 5 min.

[Puchjok]

He was always escaping the great deal of details in such pieces to avoid any offense at him for being sentimental.

Never take as an example warmest pages of his literature with him as a soloist - it will always be slightly dry and remote by the same psycho complexes.

[herbatadom]

I love his Rachmaninov!

[Lizaichik]

Pourquoi un jour vient au monde cette séquence des sons qui traduit ces arbres descendant vers l'étang , ces marches en pierre grise touchées par ces pieds, ce cimétière sur la coline juste au dessu - vu par lui.

Un jour j'ai écouté un vieux vynil ou il jouait la marche funebre de Shopin... Ce n'était pas un piano mécanique, c'était lui...

La même philosophie, le même espoir,...

Bravo Andrei - c'était une partie de lui.

[deflowendepepper]

Beautiful interpretation! Love it

[miliona1re]

This elegie is absolutely a masterpiece.

[cattleman6420012000]

This is heavenly playing!!

[jaapaap5]

To me the best pianist of our time.

[adrypiano]

Listen to Cherkassky's recording of this piece. He plays as "slow" as gavrilov. I think it's perfect for the elegiac atmosphere of the piece

[Puchjok]

The question of your taste, you must be very "fast" in your feelings..

Why do you think that the composers interpretation is optimal? Usually quite opposite..

[MarianneAlkonost]

Actually we do not posess an acoustic record of Rachmaninoff playing the Elegie. The one you know is mechanic, and the speed there is very questionable. May be Rachmaninoff played it the same way - slow! Otherwise everybody would play it as fast as he did.