Liszt -- Andre Watts -- Paganini Etudes Nos. 1 (Trémolo) and 2 (Octaves)

[Gary2837]

What great playing by Mr. Watts. I could listen to him all day; correct, precise. His notes simply ring!!! Thanks for posting.

[Chopin1974l]

This seems rather amateurish when compared with Kissin. The latter's strength and brilliant articulation imbue this étude with the requisite fire it needs. Watts plays it somewhat too slow and a little sloppy.

[JClayCast]

It's more impressive and enchanting to hear the Trill Caprice (actually No. 6) on the violin.

[Cancrizans]

@JClayCast I think this is a wonderful piece in that it sounds true in both the original violin and the piano transcription. They both bring out unique aspects of the music, I like both for different reasons.

[fapestar]

Watts is playing Hollywood Bowl in March 2011!!

[fapestar]

Whoever gave Watts a bad review for this and lost their job, could have gotten disability...FOR HIS IMMENSELY ABNORMALLY GIGANTIC BALLS.

[CziffraTheThird]

im so sorry to say but . . . Kissin wipes this guy clean off the board with his interpretation of No.2. if you want to hear what Liszt sounded like, search Evgeny Kissin Liszt Etude. theres proof.

[steveaulie]

Andre Watts played an all Liszt recital in Ann Arbor, Michigan around this same time to an overfilled Hill Auditorium. As he finished the final Paganini Etude, the place erupted into absolute pandemonium. I'll never forget it.

[demeglio]

@steveaulie Hey Steve, I was at that concert, too. I'll never forget how the audience seemed to rise and fall with the cresc / diminuendo on the two-hand d# trill - it was breathtaking. Nor will I forget the furor over the negative review Watts got the next day - I think the reviewer lost his job over that one - do you recall his name?

The wife of one of my UMich profs bootlegged a cassette recording. Unfortunately the tape quality has degraded past repair.

[randomdude1020]

epic scowl @ 0:30

[Cancrizans]

I remember during the 90s when Andre Watts was all over PBS, he did so many concerts on Live from Lincoln Center, etc. He seems to have kinda gone stealth a bit, but I think we need more Andre Watts on TV again. This is definitely one of the best Tremolos I've heard, I also like his Transcendental 10, though a lot of people think it is idiosyncratic, I find it far more in the romantic idiom than most of the technically oriented  blah that passes for interpretation these days.

[hadsell1962]

Listen to the trill at 7.54 - the fastest in history?

[skimask777]

The best parts the camera man only showed his face... I sure would have like to talked to guy.

[concerto35]

I had this recording many years ago in the 60's. I hope that they make CD's of his Liszt-Paganini Etudes and the Liszt Sonata in B minor which were on the old- time records. In my opinion, he is one of the greastest pianist of the century. Even though he is getting older, he had already established an enduring legacy many years ago. He need not compete with anybody to prove anything.

concerto35 1 sec ago

[jazzforadd]

@concerto35 I have a cd of these recordings. It is from Sony Classical: Essential Classics. CD title:

Liszt

Piano Sonata in Bminor

The Six Paganini Etudes played by Andre Watts Don Juan Fantasy

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 10 played by Charles Rosen

type in SBK 62664 in google to find

[nelsyeung]

These footage are immense! I want to see watts doing all 12 transcendental etudes now. :(

[alexzander6969]

Been looking for this for years. Love the subtle slow down around 2:40. Watts does these Etudes better than anyone.

[hadsell1962]

@alexzander6969 No dount about that - even after all these years...