She is bar none better than any including Busoni (piano roll transcription) at this amazing piece. Most surprising is that next to her, Awadajian Pratt seems closest. I think Murray Perahia is in the running, as well. Piece requires one note at the bottom of the keyboard found only on a Bosendorfer Imperial, which is why the march down to the big downstroke at the end has to retreat seven notes back up on any Steinway.
Every time a great pianist like de Larrocha performs music of this caliber, a small miracle happens. Just let your mind capture it and enjoy. May this gand dame rest in peace
@chobeethaninov It's not true that Alicia de Larrocha only reached an octave. She used to reach the TENTH. She managed to straighten her fingers and extend the opening of her hands through daily exercises all her live. She came to have her little fingers longer than normal.
In many ways the musicality and personality reminds me Rubinstein. Both were great and generous musicians who loved to do what they did: music.
Concernant technique both had that direct contact with the piano which had as result that they never failed. The only difference I think was that Alicia did work more than Arthur. The result of this work we can hear here.....
Amazing. I like to pick a piece and then find as many performers on YouTube as possible playing it. The Bach-Busoni is one of my favorites and the best interpretation, in my opinion, is Fazil Say.. A close second is De Larrocha, then Kissin and then Horowitz. It is, of course, just a matter of taste because at that level of talent each bring something awesome..
@nicoss007 I understand what you try to say, I must admit that you are right, Islamey is a wonderful piece and I really like it but most of it is empty virtuosity and crazy scales, not much emotion into that piece in some parts... but if we are talking about difficult pieces I suggest that you hear some Thalberg, much better that Liszt himself but then again too much virtuosity and not so many emotions.... Any way, keep enjoying De Larrocha's videos
@jorgeuds hehe yes it is difficult, but the most difficult pieces for piano? oh... you can see notes to Islamey by Balakiriev or Gaspard de la Nuit Ravel :)
shampist i wish i could give you a multiple thumbs up. ABM's is my favorite piano performance of all time. he achieves miracles of pianisim that still baffle me. BTW i am working on this piece now and can say it is horrendously dificult. alicia is just staggering here. i have goosebumps listening to this. i was so pissed when she died. this may be new 2nd favorite now after ABM. AWESOME POST! ty bcnjd!
I played Chaconne in d my for my degree and I have enjoyed it so much that now I am playing the Toccata and Fuga in d min by Bach-Busoni..and once again ABM inspired me!!I recommend you his performance...it's magic!
i loaned my teacher the ABM recording(which also contains the most staggering Brahms-Pagannini variations ever) and she refuses to part with it. i have learned more from watching and listening to ABM than any teacher. that first listening was something i will always treasure. a real epiphany!
i am very aware of ABM's toccata and fugue. incredible video but i wish the camera man would focus on ABM's hands instead of ancient ruins. so frustrating! actually the best transcription of the toccata and fugue in dm is by percy grainger. it has the best elements of the tausig and busoni transcriptions along with grainger's ingenious use of the piano. you should check it out. if you are interested in the score send me a message as it it is rather difficult to obtain but i do own it.
Ann I don't know if it's just me, but I don't think that nobody else touched such a incredible intensity as Michelangeli! He found Bach's soul that was having fun with Busoni...
I've tried..I swear..I've tried!! Grimaud has not power enough to build the immense architecture that Bach created and Rubinstain is great, but for other things
Female pianists?! She was one of the greatest pianists period. Male or female. As small as she was...one have to wonder how in the world she's able to play a piece like Chaconne in d minor.
i was thinking the same thing Naltino. i can span an 11th and i am 6'5". how does this tiny little woman(barely 5 feet tall) play this? it is absloutely amazing. i have to play this piece for my jury in a few weeks. i can't tell you how unbelievably difficult this piece is. FAR harder than it sounds. goddamn she is amazing! just added this to my favorites.
JUST SUPERB!!!!! ALICIA DE LARROCHA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST!!!! and some people only know her for her renditions of spanish music. IS TIME TO KNOW THAT SHE HAS PLAYED MUCH MORE THAN JUST MUSIC OF SPANISH COMPOSERS. SHE HAD A LONG REPERTOIRE (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, impressionist, etc). SHE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATES OF THE KEYBOARD OF OUR TIME!!!!! YEEEEESSSSSSS
Of course she plays more than "just" spanish composers!!!! Did you hear her Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, Shumann, Shubert, Rachmaninof 2nd and 3rd, Brahms 2nd, Chopin, Liszt, Bach, Haydn, Poulenc, Katchaturian, Faure, etc??? You should.
And anyone who tries to put Alicia down for "not being to reach an octave" only needs to listen to this piece starting at 2:22. She owns the octaves !
it's a myth that she can't even reach an octave! You can google a new york times interview where she says she used to be able to reach a 10th but now in old age only a 9th.
I haven't heard anyone "put her down" for it. People claim this in order to laud her talent for "overcoming" small hands and playing, for example, a stunningly great rendition La Campenella. Obviously, this doesn't even make sense since pieces like that are physically impossible if you can't reach an octave. She used to stretch a 10th.
Stunning!! This is a tour de force...de Larrocha superbly brings out all the colors and tension in the music and builds it to that exciting climax. This is one of the best I've ever heard...along with the great Michelangeli recording
This is another example that Alicia de Larrocha is much more than just spanish music. Mozart, Beethoven, Scarlatti, Grieg, Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Brahms, Shumann, Shubert, etc, etc, etc. I had the chance to be in many of her live concerts and, believe me, she has been one of the best pianist of our time. Good bless you, Alicia!!!!!!!!
Yes I believe it is right what you said about de larrocha. I never heard for instance the Schumann Fantasy op. 17 so beautiful and touching the soul as by this great pianist of our time. indeed , God bless her!
I think that, per usual, misogyny is a culprit in her being underrated and underappreciated. I saw her in a farewell recital in Chicago a few years ago, and she was, even at 77, magnificent.
Claire Hunagci blows this away.
MrMegazuki 2 months ago
you would think a GIANT was playing! impossible to comprehend how such a tiny lady could produce such colossal sounds!
marcohorowitz8 3 months ago
She is bar none better than any including Busoni (piano roll transcription) at this amazing piece. Most surprising is that next to her, Awadajian Pratt seems closest. I think Murray Perahia is in the running, as well. Piece requires one note at the bottom of the keyboard found only on a Bosendorfer Imperial, which is why the march down to the big downstroke at the end has to retreat seven notes back up on any Steinway.
onaroll3 5 months ago
@onaroll3 Don't forget ABM (Michelangeli) who is unbelievably good, but of course de Larrocha is my favorite!
OrangeSodaKing 2 months ago
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Every time a great pianist like de Larrocha performs music of this caliber, a small miracle happens. Just let your mind capture it and enjoy. May this gand dame rest in peace
MrJlalmazan 5 months ago in playlist bach chaconne
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MrJlalmazan 5 months ago in playlist bach chaconne
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MrJlalmazan 5 months ago in playlist bach chaconne
How she managed to play this piece with her octave sized hand is beyond me! Stunning!
chobeethaninov 7 months ago
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@chobeethaninov It's not true that Alicia de Larrocha only reached an octave. She used to reach the TENTH. She managed to straighten her fingers and extend the opening of her hands through daily exercises all her live. She came to have her little fingers longer than normal.
She was an exceptional pianist. One of the best!!
lisilisin 6 months ago
A outrance... BRAVO
jafigueroa41 1 year ago 4
In many ways the musicality and personality reminds me Rubinstein. Both were great and generous musicians who loved to do what they did: music.
Concernant technique both had that direct contact with the piano which had as result that they never failed. The only difference I think was that Alicia did work more than Arthur. The result of this work we can hear here.....
uhartchristian 1 year ago 5
I loved her since I heard her interpretation of Beethoven's 3rd concerto. The Bach-Busoni-Ciacona she plays in spanish-style somehow :-)
And now she is in heaven - together with Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and Glenn Gould... OMG.
R.I.P.
willweeverknow 1 year ago
Amazing. I like to pick a piece and then find as many performers on YouTube as possible playing it. The Bach-Busoni is one of my favorites and the best interpretation, in my opinion, is Fazil Say.. A close second is De Larrocha, then Kissin and then Horowitz. It is, of course, just a matter of taste because at that level of talent each bring something awesome..
mrskylar2u 1 year ago
@mrskylar2u
Horowitz never recorded this piece.
RabidCh 1 year ago
@mrskylar2u
Do you know the recording with Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli?
willweeverknow 1 year ago
im hearing alot of overtones...ne one else or is it just my speakers?
emai13 1 year ago
@nicoss007 I understand what you try to say, I must admit that you are right, Islamey is a wonderful piece and I really like it but most of it is empty virtuosity and crazy scales, not much emotion into that piece in some parts... but if we are talking about difficult pieces I suggest that you hear some Thalberg, much better that Liszt himself but then again too much virtuosity and not so many emotions.... Any way, keep enjoying De Larrocha's videos
TikiFury 1 year ago
I love this piece - and sensitive performance by Laroccha.
yourforte 2 years ago 2
a nuanciating performance, with respect to both Bach and Busoni,and the piano itself !!!
12345qazx1 2 years ago
brutal piece! Bach is brilliant
deLarrocha R.I.P.
we lost one of the greatest pianist around the world
jorgeuds 2 years ago 3
@jorgeuds why brutal? :)
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
@AnnMarry19 one of the most difficult pieces for piano
jorgeuds 2 years ago
@jorgeuds hehe yes it is difficult, but the most difficult pieces for piano? oh... you can see notes to Islamey by Balakiriev or Gaspard de la Nuit Ravel :)
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
i didnt say the MOST one! ;)
yeah, islamey it's difficult, like Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit ...but for me
the most difficult piece is original cadenza(without ossias) Rach 3
Godowsky's arrangement of Chopin's etudes are...
This is really B R U T A L ! !
;)
jorgeuds 2 years ago
@jorgeuds thanks for answer :)
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
6:00 - 6:23 the best moment, amazing wow :) I love this piece!
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
It's amazing...but nobody played it as good as the king Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and nobody will!
shampist 2 years ago
shampist i wish i could give you a multiple thumbs up. ABM's is my favorite piano performance of all time. he achieves miracles of pianisim that still baffle me. BTW i am working on this piece now and can say it is horrendously dificult. alicia is just staggering here. i have goosebumps listening to this. i was so pissed when she died. this may be new 2nd favorite now after ABM. AWESOME POST! ty bcnjd!
brianCIM 2 years ago 3
I played Chaconne in d my for my degree and I have enjoyed it so much that now I am playing the Toccata and Fuga in d min by Bach-Busoni..and once again ABM inspired me!!I recommend you his performance...it's magic!
shampist 2 years ago
i loaned my teacher the ABM recording(which also contains the most staggering Brahms-Pagannini variations ever) and she refuses to part with it. i have learned more from watching and listening to ABM than any teacher. that first listening was something i will always treasure. a real epiphany!
brianCIM 2 years ago
i am very aware of ABM's toccata and fugue. incredible video but i wish the camera man would focus on ABM's hands instead of ancient ruins. so frustrating! actually the best transcription of the toccata and fugue in dm is by percy grainger. it has the best elements of the tausig and busoni transcriptions along with grainger's ingenious use of the piano. you should check it out. if you are interested in the score send me a message as it it is rather difficult to obtain but i do own it.
brianCIM 2 years ago
@shampist Rubinstein, Grimaud? :)
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
Ann I don't know if it's just me, but I don't think that nobody else touched such a incredible intensity as Michelangeli! He found Bach's soul that was having fun with Busoni...
shampist 2 years ago
I've tried..I swear..I've tried!! Grimaud has not power enough to build the immense architecture that Bach created and Rubinstain is great, but for other things
shampist 2 years ago
@shampist hehe ok :) Maybe in the future I play this piece very well ( my dream :P ) and I'll send you my performance, sorry for my English :)
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
ho ascoltato per la prima volta la "chacconne" da Alicia, mi ha fatto amare questo pezzo meraviglioso. L'ho portato per il diploma
delfano 2 years ago
Not bad at all. My favorite rendition is still Pletnev's. Not that this is not good.
morvensky 2 years ago
Wow, the clarity blown me away! *jealous* :D
lst9162 2 years ago 3
Dear andreea1407, do not worry, your opinion is as respectable as any other else. Helene Grimaud was also a great pianist.
cooperalia 2 years ago
..i like how she plays it BUT i think helene grimaud put more soul in it when she plays.. ITS JUST AN OPINION ....
andreea1407 2 years ago
Female pianists?! She was one of the greatest pianists period. Male or female. As small as she was...one have to wonder how in the world she's able to play a piece like Chaconne in d minor.
Naltino 2 years ago 7
i was thinking the same thing Naltino. i can span an 11th and i am 6'5". how does this tiny little woman(barely 5 feet tall) play this? it is absloutely amazing. i have to play this piece for my jury in a few weeks. i can't tell you how unbelievably difficult this piece is. FAR harder than it sounds. goddamn she is amazing! just added this to my favorites.
brianCIM 2 years ago 2
she will be missed!
cembalo2007 2 years ago
JUST SUPERB!!!!! ALICIA DE LARROCHA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST!!!! and some people only know her for her renditions of spanish music. IS TIME TO KNOW THAT SHE HAS PLAYED MUCH MORE THAN JUST MUSIC OF SPANISH COMPOSERS. SHE HAD A LONG REPERTOIRE (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, impressionist, etc). SHE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATES OF THE KEYBOARD OF OUR TIME!!!!! YEEEEESSSSSSS
cooperalia 2 years ago 9
This comment has received too many negative votes show
well...let's not push it
pianofolle 2 years ago
Comment removed
andreea1407 2 years ago
Good to hear, that she plays more then only Spanish composers!
Greetings from the Netherlands, Rolf
( Twitter -> @otterhouse )
otterhouse 2 years ago
Of course she plays more than "just" spanish composers!!!! Did you hear her Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, Shumann, Shubert, Rachmaninof 2nd and 3rd, Brahms 2nd, Chopin, Liszt, Bach, Haydn, Poulenc, Katchaturian, Faure, etc??? You should.
cooperalia 2 years ago 6
Truly one of the greatest female pianists around!
jcwk87 2 years ago 32
@jcwk87 One of the greatest pianists, period!
kiisaka 10 months ago 5
Wonderful !
And anyone who tries to put Alicia down for "not being to reach an octave" only needs to listen to this piece starting at 2:22. She owns the octaves !
dmcII 2 years ago 4
it's a myth that she can't even reach an octave! You can google a new york times interview where she says she used to be able to reach a 10th but now in old age only a 9th.
bw2082 2 years ago 2
I haven't heard anyone "put her down" for it. People claim this in order to laud her talent for "overcoming" small hands and playing, for example, a stunningly great rendition La Campenella. Obviously, this doesn't even make sense since pieces like that are physically impossible if you can't reach an octave. She used to stretch a 10th.
aaa1232123 2 years ago 2
I absolutely love Busoni's arrangement. Alicia never fails to deliver - bravo!!!!
Lisztomaniacgal 3 years ago 3
Stunning!! This is a tour de force...de Larrocha superbly brings out all the colors and tension in the music and builds it to that exciting climax. This is one of the best I've ever heard...along with the great Michelangeli recording
soami2u 3 years ago 33
@soami2u
yes both play fantastic but nothing tops the feeling that Rubinstein awakens (for me atleast) !
RemovdSande11 8 months ago
She looks like me the great artist Vanda Landovska
bobon47 3 years ago
I don't know of anyone who doesn't adore the playing of Alicia de Larrocha
karlakor 3 years ago 7
This is another example that Alicia de Larrocha is much more than just spanish music. Mozart, Beethoven, Scarlatti, Grieg, Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Brahms, Shumann, Shubert, etc, etc, etc. I had the chance to be in many of her live concerts and, believe me, she has been one of the best pianist of our time. Good bless you, Alicia!!!!!!!!
cooperalia 3 years ago 6
Yes I believe it is right what you said about de larrocha. I never heard for instance the Schumann Fantasy op. 17 so beautiful and touching the soul as by this great pianist of our time. indeed , God bless her!
pilpie 3 years ago 9
I think that, per usual, misogyny is a culprit in her being underrated and underappreciated. I saw her in a farewell recital in Chicago a few years ago, and she was, even at 77, magnificent.
MrFrenchBulldog 3 years ago 2
This reminds me of my mother. She used to play this around the house when I was a kid, and it was a religious experience to hear her play this piece.
toscadonna 3 years ago