@BerlinguerEnrico1921 well i think his "tricks" do not always work with Schubert (or Beethoven), that's why he probably never played a lot of these composers, just like Bach. This music is not supposed to be "overromanticised", imho. When Richter plays D960 the time stands still.
je trouve très intéressant l'approche que donne ce pianiste à cette oeuvre mais je préférais tout de même l'approche de Zimmerman sur les Impromptus de Shubert.
I remember being a bit later than usual to my church organist job that Sunday morning he was on because I was so fascinated with his playing. Several people commented to me afterward about the performance. My husband wound up buying the CD which is still a favorite at our house.
As much as I love Horowitz and his legendary performance techniques, I dislike this interpretation due to lack of contrast in phrasing. I do not like the interjections here as they are not noted down on the original score.
I have listened I don't know how many hours of Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and so on, all extremly genius. But damnit, this ending goes beyond everything. Seeing the face of Horowitz going into that part, nothing special in it, nothing crazy to do on piano, but its Extreme emotions, its like a story ending in front of you.
Who here claimed that Horowitz is "spicing it with blue notes"? He followed the sheet music exactly as it is written! Schubert himself would have been shocked and awed at this performance.
I think Horowitz really encapsulates the spirit of this piece, and just about any piece he performs. When I was first learning this piece, the notation suggests a much more expressive performance but it's almost as if Horowitz knows exactly what Schubert intended. Pure Simplicity. The ultimate perfection as any experienced pianist will surely know.
thousands of diff touches. a remarkable array of pp's and pianos and mf.why dont people realize we allcan move fingers -facility is nothing . Sounds are da thing!!!
For all the people comparing Horowitz to Gould I'm sorry but Gould does not even come close to Horowitz. First of yes Horowitz was a bit eccentric in his playing but he was just having fun with it and enjoying both the music and playing it. Gould was mentally unstable and had OCD when it came to playing, for example the room he played in had to be kept excruciatingly hot. Or even his constant humming while he played. Horowitz is in a whole other category.
Stop acting like Adrian Monk. The audience would stand in queue a whole night and paid thru their noses to hear the legend play, some 1000+U$ /ticket in rubels I should think, and the CD sales broke all records. It's a nice, very nice flowing earworm in Bflat, nothing more, so stop searching for some unearthly dimensions in it. Had Schubert lived today, I bet you my bottom dollar he would have spiced it with blue notes and jazz, so go eat your heart out, you pathetic, neurosis ridden purists.
wow I like what you said! See your rating. 43 thumbs up! Well said. I dun understand why some people have the need to torture themselves watching shows they think its bad. Waste their time. I like Horowitz's performance!
@Lity10 Adrian Monk like behaviour: the guy who would go all hysteric and throw a dickie here on this board about Horowitz' performance some time ago.
Sans déconner, Rubinstein a remi en cause son jeu en écoutant jouer Horowitz, prokofiev l'a qualifié de pianiste prodigieux en l'écoutant jouer ses pièces, alorscomment on peut encore le critiquer a notre niveau? c'es de la masturbation que de penser qu'on pourrait donner une meilleure interpretation que ce maitre incontesté et incontestable...
je trouve pas mal des commentaires bien pretentieux...Comment peut-on oser critiquer le jeu d'Horrowitz sous pretexte que ce monsieur n'avait pas un jeu purement conventionel? je ne comprend pas...
jsuis daccord que les commentaires prétentieux ^^ mais faut pas dire quon a pas le droit de critiquer un pianiste simplement du fait de sa réputation (meme si je vénère moi-même horowitz !) sinon tout est fini quoi, en contre-exemple regarde david fray ... !
Although I was shocked by this particular intrepretation "at the beginning",however at the end I found out that it is a well-organised and touches a much higher level of expression level regard to the "overall " performance .
Pjin, your oft-repeated comment on interpretation shows how little you know about music. You are right next to morons who say "let the music speak for itself". Try to come with similar ideas to other artists - actors, directors, painters, singers...they will fuck you off telling you are out of your mind. Ask an actor just to pronounce some letters...ridiculous!The interpretation is a basic requirement for any art.Art is subjective, not objective.You cretin should know that before shitting around
no, you have only given an example of your taste and shown that this playing does not correspond to it. However, since this is playing is regognized as great, unique, inimitable etc. by all educated people, this objective fact alone suffices to prove that your understanding or taste is poor...
Dear PJB, you seem to mix two things: MUSIC and talking about music. Just tell me frankly: is MUSIC about the composer's intention (which 'died' with the composer some 2 or 3 hundern years ago)? maybe music is about 'rubato', 'aesthetics', 'dimension' etc? No! Music is about sth else which cannot be expressed in words. in VH playing this piece music LIVES from the first note to the last, he adds spirit to matter as it were - and only few can do this!
One may be a good theoretician but quite an ordinary artist - the case of brendel in my view. If one follows your logic, there should be no innovation in interpretation whatsoever, in fact, there can be no interpretation as such - everything is predetermined by the late composer's 'last will'
Brilliant; it's just sad he makes dozens of mistakes in the penultimate leggiero variation. I know this he makes up a lot for this by his incredible musicianship; but he would have been hoping for a more technical performance I'm sure. :(
I take it your talking about the 2nd variation no? Either way your actually right about the mistakes but honestly I heard this before I started playing it and i didnt notice the mistakes until after I actually started playing the piece and listning to this again.
Yes I do refer to the 2nd Va. I hate talking about mistakes - it makes me feel all technical and (dare I say it) chinese! :$ But I feel Schubert is about precision and composure, and he only has one of those postulates.
I think he played around with the tempo, rushing and slowing at will. I don't have the score in front of me so I am speaking solely on my vague recollection. Very daring, I will say.
Horowitz wasn't above taking liberties on occasion but I'm not sure if it extended actually altering notes in the score. He was well into his 80's here and not nearly the beast of the keyboard as when he was younger. Maybe what you were hearing were mistakes ?
Very interesting interpretation.. He is by far my favorite pianist, but here I find many of his ideas too radical. I prefer the more patrician approach such as Brendel's. Horowtiz made the whole piece rather quicksilver. For ex. the 3rd var. could be a bit more dark and contemplative.
However there are beautiful moments. I esp. like his light touch on the 2nd var.---suits the playful nature very well.
However, whether you agree with Horowitz or not, his genuine originality is admirable.
I think his playing of the 4th var. was fine given that he clearly depicts the alternative melodies between the two hands. Even in the 3rd I thought there were beautiful moments (at 4:55 and 5:21 when he softly caresses the RH melody), just that overall the mood was not what I would've conceived.
However, the genius of Horowitz is that even when his ideas are disagreeable (usually simultaneously unique), he delivers them with such conviction and confidence that listeners can't help but see that he IS serious about his ideas and that they are not spawned meaninglessly & capriciously.
A statement from a popular & authoritative figure can always get more endorsement easily even if it is wrong. But then, when an idea is genuine and sincere, people will tend to keep a more open mind.
ok, he isn´t my favourite pianist at all - I love Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (what is the biggest difference possible). I don´t think Horowitz is radical here, he is like ever: as he is using the tunes for his own showmanship. Thst was a normal attitude in the 19th century where he comes from (as he was educated like that). So it´s like playing in the way from times long ago.
That´s hard to do with these limited lines. Like I wrote he comes from a different era of musicians that put themselves and their views into the nucleus. Today´s musicians are much more concentrated to perform the composer´s intentions. So he takes a lot of freedom in his interpretation.
And then look where he uses this freedom: mostly on those parts that feature brilliant runs or thrills (that he takes even faster) as well as melancholic slow parts where he can show his romantic side (that he takes even slower). Besides that he often uses very tiny stops to give the following tones a heavier pronounciation. - As a result I never have the impression that this tune was written by Schubert (or someone else), there´s too much Horowitz in it. If you want more, we have to use PNs.
Thank you, I understand - despite of the limited lines. :) I'll have to research other pianists playing this piece. I'm only just getting into Schubert.
Mitsuko Uchida recorded an excellent version of B flat impromtu, even though album itself only got mixed reviews. The variety of tones she brought to this piece is amazing. Edwin Fischer recorded an amazing version in 1938. The sound is awfu (constricted mono) l but the pianism is great.
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the theme based on "rosamunde overture" by schubert,listen to this overture into the orchestra and compare this to the horowitz rendition:its no "biedermeier style"as it supposed to be,and his rubato is such as stereotype....but dont worry i use to appreciate mr. horowitz very much as u probably know:))
Kajohada, with respect.I don't want to offend you and this is not a discussion with a goal of being negative. But your views may not be right. "Listen to overture into the orchestra"...yes, but orchestra is XX century orchestra conducted by a modern conductor in who knows what style. Why would you suppose such a conductor would know better than Horowitz?
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in which way? - die "lower levels" umfassen demnach die gesamte musikentwicklung bis zu schubert.man hat interpretatorisch gewisse "valid parameters",nach denen man sich richten kann und die aus dem verständnis der jeweiligen musikalischen epochen ergeben.i didn say that horowitz has no understanding in schubert,but in this case,he has no understanding to play the impromptu in b flat major,and by the way its more a question of musical taste of course,he prove no good one i think!
Horowitz is a unique artist so his interpretations are going to be exclusively *his* and not those of a peculiar establishment or canon of interpretation. How does one interpret Schubert "well"? Has anyone alive heard Schubert play? No. So exactly who are the authorities on this matter?
Thank you for this comment! I could not agree with you more! Horowitz was a genius who had his own laws. He was deeply hurt when his Schubert D. 960 from the early 1950s was panned by the 'purists'. This group has, ever since, made such comments about Horowitz in the Viennese repertoire. His Mozart Concerto in A was pounced on, remember? Horowitz never played a piece twice in the same way; sometimes his experimentation worked, and at other times, well...! But he was a great gift to pianophiles.
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but its really obvious that he takes too much rubato and this in a non organic and schematic way.from the point of style this interpretation is pretty bad!
Dear K: Yes, he uses rubato and other interpretative techniques that suit his playing style -- the style he has developed due to artistic dictates. I don't know "non organic" and "schematic" means. Maybe "schematic" signifies a certain way of playing, hence a pre-thought out scheme. So? I'm sure many play Schubert "straight" like maybe Brendel and Schnabel. Nothing wrong with that or other ways as long as the result is pleasing in some way.
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i dont mean his playing style but the stylistic elements of the vienna classic epoch.imo u cannot ignore the valid parameters if your interpretation should be serious.also it´s a question of taste and i think,contrary to other schubert pieces,that here mr.horowitz proves a bad one.
What you are saying is H has bad taste. Very subjective. Veering from "standard" practice" and saying it is bad taste occurs in all the arts, Just look at the visual arts in the past 100-200 years. We would still have the "academies" with us instead of the impressionists; Mozart always instead of Debussy, etc. With Horowitz we have the composer AND H, and that's a good thing.
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in this case horowitz is an interpreter and he doesnt create any substantial news.instead he manipulates the tempo in a sentimental way.every phrase is accelerando and ritardando always the same and there is a discrepancy between the schubert spirit and his own conception:he doesnt go into this music,the varations re played too fast and schematic and fugitive.this is not horowitz at his best i only can say,but listen to impromptu in g flat which is played pretty amazing;))
"stylistic elements of the Vienna Classic epoch" as you represent them (judging from your comments)were invention from mid-XX century. Modern research proves this to be wrong. If you study reports and sources about how Beethoven performed and how he taught his music, you will discover that Horowitz's approach is much closer to the original than some considered "pure", like Pollini's or Brendel's
Buddhist wisdom says there are several levels of spiritual development. Higher levels can comprehend the lower ones, but lower ones can not understand higher ones. I guess kajohada compares to Mr.Horowitz as a lower level compares to a higher level- which is to say, he doesn't understand what was going on. No desire to offend though...it is a natural process
I guess that's fair to a point. But don't you think it's self-evident that Horowitz does not faithfully follow the text? And isn't that at least justification for saying that it's not what Schubert intended? Some "authorities" have made this criticism.
Dear CB: I am sorry I don't have the score and I am not an expert. I just have followed VH over the years, carefully, and do play the piano. Do you know he wanted to be a composer as a youth but was "forced" to concertize to support his family after financial disasters. I don't agree with everything he does; he can certainly exaggerate. But he is unique and therefore we let him play.
I'm just saying that if there is an authority then its certainly Schubert (by way of his score.) I completely understand some people's feelings when the score is not "respected." Even if others like to hear a piece played more freely.
Horowitz doesn't interpret Schubert's works well, as also shown in his playing of Impromptu D.899 No.3 in G-flat Major. He makes it a little bit too romantic and rubato. I think the rhythm of Schubert's works is a kind of neat and tidy, not too much use of rubato. I can just say Schubert isn't suitable for Horowitz, but he plays Chopin and other romantic pieces well. And, Brendel's interpretation of Schubert is total excellence and perfection.
In the 2nd half of XX century critics were swearing by Pollini,Brendel and Michelangeli when talking about interpretation of Beethoven. With the development of modern scholarship today we know Beethoven's performance practice was very different, and in some cases, diametrically opposite. The same stands for Schubert and Brendel
in what way...I thought it was too fast...I thought the first variation should be more sweet and dreamy..much slower. Is he also making mistakes or is this a different edition to mine? Very different interpretation of 3rd vari...I thought this should be more slow and deep and meaningful especially with the quite dark chords in the left hand accompanying those passionate melody in the right hand. Then the 4th variation lifts you out of the darkness eventually the light skippy playful 5th vari?
I think Horowitz understood nothing of Schubert!In fact he once retired for 12 years after a terrible execution of D960!
BerlinguerEnrico1921 3 weeks ago
@BerlinguerEnrico1921 well i think his "tricks" do not always work with Schubert (or Beethoven), that's why he probably never played a lot of these composers, just like Bach. This music is not supposed to be "overromanticised", imho. When Richter plays D960 the time stands still.
010fatalerror 3 weeks ago
je trouve très intéressant l'approche que donne ce pianiste à cette oeuvre mais je préférais tout de même l'approche de Zimmerman sur les Impromptus de Shubert.
HUMBERT33220 1 month ago
Bravo!
1979Musicfan 1 month ago
If only video cameras were invented in the 1800s oh how many wonderful things we would see today. Its a shame :(
lenzub 1 month ago
his pianissimi are marvellous
newFranzFerencLiszt 1 month ago
WTFFFF?!?!?
Pierclassic 1 month ago
I remember being a bit later than usual to my church organist job that Sunday morning he was on because I was so fascinated with his playing. Several people commented to me afterward about the performance. My husband wound up buying the CD which is still a favorite at our house.
MadameAlto 3 months ago
its a complete shambles, lets be honest
chrish12345 3 months ago
not too keen on all those random bass stacattoes
chrish12345 3 months ago
30 people have their balls stuck under the piano lid with their teacher sitting on it.
krokigrygg 3 months ago
He makes it so dramatic, it's like he's playing Chopin!
izzyjamm4 3 months ago
Listen to Valentina Lisitsa and then this; Horowitz makes it a whole new piece!
izzyjamm4 3 months ago
As much as I love Horowitz and his legendary performance techniques, I dislike this interpretation due to lack of contrast in phrasing. I do not like the interjections here as they are not noted down on the original score.
Montyleeny14 3 months ago
Waning powers, and fading memory, but still fascinating to listen to - so much imagination and charisma...
MarkHeller13 4 months ago
Listen to fx Valentina Lisitsa playing the same piece.
gert0174 4 months ago
I Love it, when his hand seems to fly and the piano seems to be playing on his own...
funkie1221 4 months ago
each maestro has his/her own take on these pieces
There is more than one perfection!
for me THIS one reaches heaven.
pietalpha2 4 months ago
AWFUL!!! THIS WAS NOT THE INTENTION OF SCHUBERT !!!
IT IS A ROMANTIC PIECE - WHY THAT RESTLESSNESS ??? IT'S A SIMPLE MELODY ...
tat6368 5 months ago
@tat6368 how do you know what intention the great composer had?
This as good a rendering you'll ever get!
waywardtycoon 4 months ago
@waywardtycoon
see 12rosebud12 below...
tat6368 4 months ago
ปู่จะยานคางไปไหนเนี่ยะ?
sallymed14cud37 5 months ago
never saw and heart a so delicious last note..wondeful 9:15
Waldstein65 5 months ago
Interestingly, Schumann hated this impromptu... He said that it spoiled the set...
cheradinine8 5 months ago
@cheradinine8 shumann or schubert.. ?
renaudgg 5 months ago
the best. that's it. the best
can't believe it
MrKendoro 6 months ago
Un régal!!!! Merci!
etiam161036 7 months ago
his fingers are barely doing anything!!! they are also very straight, and not bent like most people when they play
Artemisia494 7 months ago
Too fast. I prefer zimerman's version.
chynwuy 7 months ago
Master of ppp
Aria132 8 months ago
You can hear Schubert breathing.
I'm blown away.
zwirn00 10 months ago
I totally loved that last look he gave - "oh you thought it was good too? mm."
BodyDoubleAlarm 10 months ago
quando la musica diventa letteratura...
maxtanz 11 months ago
@maxtanz forse il contrario
DafniElissa 11 months ago
8:43 - 9:21 is the best Ending of all times.
I have listened I don't know how many hours of Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and so on, all extremly genius. But damnit, this ending goes beyond everything. Seeing the face of Horowitz going into that part, nothing special in it, nothing crazy to do on piano, but its Extreme emotions, its like a story ending in front of you.
gg Schubert !
renaudgg 1 year ago 6
he played minor variation mostly without sustain pedal. It's a different playing.
SzopenPan 1 year ago
between 4:02 -5:50 one of the most powerful musical arrangements of all times
kwastormayt 1 year ago 2
thanks again master
kwastormayt 1 year ago
I love the dynamics in this. His interpretation gives such a wonderful feeling of fleeting beauty.
arcturian627 1 year ago
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TMur1991 1 year ago
A legend.
LEOPARDTWO 1 year ago
Horrible distortions of the theme put me off but it did improve and I mostly enjoyed the relaxed and 'unique' approach.
chrish12345 1 year ago
Why all the fuss? Horowitz was so ordinary unless you listen to other pianists;).
Bravissimo VH
65attila 1 year ago
And they say communism didn't work...
NavinJohnson90 1 year ago
@NavinJohnson90
I'm yet to know a communist who liked Horowitz.
pxtokarev 1 year ago
I am musician from Vienna.
Horowitz does not play music, he plays LOVE...
Margareten1050 1 year ago 3
Schubert was not a musician.
HE WAS MUSIC.
The55555SSSSS 1 year ago 8
Some others would do well to study the economy of movement of his hands.
bjeany 1 year ago
Who here claimed that Horowitz is "spicing it with blue notes"? He followed the sheet music exactly as it is written! Schubert himself would have been shocked and awed at this performance.
otonanoC 1 year ago 3
I think Horowitz really encapsulates the spirit of this piece, and just about any piece he performs. When I was first learning this piece, the notation suggests a much more expressive performance but it's almost as if Horowitz knows exactly what Schubert intended. Pure Simplicity. The ultimate perfection as any experienced pianist will surely know.
PrawDuhJee 1 year ago
I totally agree! This is just unsettled and not Schubert...
tat6368 1 year ago
@tat6368 Horowitz does a masterful job of making this sound like a true impromptu.
yimbecile 1 year ago
thousands of diff touches. a remarkable array of pp's and pianos and mf.why dont people realize we allcan move fingers -facility is nothing . Sounds are da thing!!!
lovesGenet 1 year ago
big pincridible performance, he have a magical touch, on se sent tellement mieux aprés l'écoute, grandiose ce toucher de piano
camelitto1 1 year ago
Stunning performance......Horowitz proving he is a master of the subtleties of the piano yet again!
2911de 1 year ago
horowitz is definitely one of the cooles guys ever.
eiskorn12345 1 year ago 2
A marvelous love affair between a superb pianist and his piano! Thank you!
CanadaPisces 1 year ago
THIS is music.
snoops4ever 1 year ago 2
I love the guy in the balcony with the microphone! Busted!!!
Grigor99 1 year ago
so unique
LegendaryPenetration 1 year ago
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TheChurchOfVladimir 1 year ago
I've looked through Schubert's score. I've looked closely, and I'm sure that NOwhere does it say "here just clown around."
TheChurchOfVladimir 1 year ago 2
no, no, nooo, is terrible!!!, bad.
alopez295 1 year ago
For all the people comparing Horowitz to Gould I'm sorry but Gould does not even come close to Horowitz. First of yes Horowitz was a bit eccentric in his playing but he was just having fun with it and enjoying both the music and playing it. Gould was mentally unstable and had OCD when it came to playing, for example the room he played in had to be kept excruciatingly hot. Or even his constant humming while he played. Horowitz is in a whole other category.
maternalheart66 2 years ago 4
I agree Horowitz is the best!!!
TheRussianPianist 1 year ago
maternalheart66,
well, at least they OUGHT not come together. So much hot air in one room would really be too much.
TheChurchOfVladimir 1 year ago
Amazing technical facility for one in his eighties.
Actually, amazing to play so beautifully at any age!
I wish I'd been able to see him play live.
Thank goodness we have, for posterity, some recordings on film of this great pianist.
God bless Vladimir Horowitz and Franz Schubert.
pianostruggler 2 years ago 21
Loving this, it just keeps getting better the more I listen to it! :0)
ByrneBelew 2 years ago 2
Stop acting like Adrian Monk. The audience would stand in queue a whole night and paid thru their noses to hear the legend play, some 1000+U$ /ticket in rubels I should think, and the CD sales broke all records. It's a nice, very nice flowing earworm in Bflat, nothing more, so stop searching for some unearthly dimensions in it. Had Schubert lived today, I bet you my bottom dollar he would have spiced it with blue notes and jazz, so go eat your heart out, you pathetic, neurosis ridden purists.
12rosebud12 2 years ago 132
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hehe,very true i agree completely!!
berlinzerberus 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
wow I like what you said! See your rating. 43 thumbs up! Well said. I dun understand why some people have the need to torture themselves watching shows they think its bad. Waste their time. I like Horowitz's performance!
AceSeno 2 years ago 11
@12rosebud12 who's acting like Adrian Monk now?
Lity10 1 year ago
@Lity10 Adrian Monk like behaviour: the guy who would go all hysteric and throw a dickie here on this board about Horowitz' performance some time ago.
12rosebud12 1 year ago
thumbs up
dirtyfrets 2 years ago
Sans déconner, Rubinstein a remi en cause son jeu en écoutant jouer Horowitz, prokofiev l'a qualifié de pianiste prodigieux en l'écoutant jouer ses pièces, alorscomment on peut encore le critiquer a notre niveau? c'es de la masturbation que de penser qu'on pourrait donner une meilleure interpretation que ce maitre incontesté et incontestable...
californy13 2 years ago
Yes! Right!
88Woland 2 years ago
je trouve pas mal des commentaires bien pretentieux...Comment peut-on oser critiquer le jeu d'Horrowitz sous pretexte que ce monsieur n'avait pas un jeu purement conventionel? je ne comprend pas...
californy13 2 years ago
jsuis daccord que les commentaires prétentieux ^^ mais faut pas dire quon a pas le droit de critiquer un pianiste simplement du fait de sa réputation (meme si je vénère moi-même horowitz !) sinon tout est fini quoi, en contre-exemple regarde david fray ... !
maternelle01 2 years ago
Although I was shocked by this particular intrepretation "at the beginning",however at the end I found out that it is a well-organised and touches a much higher level of expression level regard to the "overall " performance .
creativemuzik 2 years ago 6
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Pjin, your oft-repeated comment on interpretation shows how little you know about music. You are right next to morons who say "let the music speak for itself". Try to come with similar ideas to other artists - actors, directors, painters, singers...they will fuck you off telling you are out of your mind. Ask an actor just to pronounce some letters...ridiculous!The interpretation is a basic requirement for any art.Art is subjective, not objective.You cretin should know that before shitting around
88Woland 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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Another GROSS distortion. And why the occasional POUNDED bass notes? Is he trying to 'bring something out?' Disgusting.
organman52 2 years ago
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i would say:
1.horowitz is a great great artist!
2.from the point of interpretation or style it´s not so well done,his g flat major however is really gorgeous.
3.technically i was pretty surprised that he layed all the piani or at least the pianissimi "con sordino" with left pedal.
i had been always a fan of horowitz´ great lower dynamics---->listen and look the theme.
4.i must say that these schubert variations are somewhat brittle and very difficult to play
berlinzerberus 2 years ago
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*played
berlinzerberus 2 years ago
Ultimatives Schubert-Musizieren. Er läßt die Tasten singen. Wer kann es so wie er?!
Annie27849 2 years ago
Horowitz was a real gentleman and an unique pianist of the past like no one is nowadays.
maurisk78 2 years ago 57
@maurisk78 A Gentleman?... You shouldn't be able to prove that...
vansinniger 1 year ago
@maurisk78 Is this Liberace or Horowitz?
Haioification 1 year ago
@Haioification Horowitz
SophiaSu52 1 year ago
the last movement is so pure and magic
mikgazine 2 years ago 8
Melodies of gold...
krokigrygg 2 years ago 3
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PJinBston 2 years ago
the difference btw you and him is that he can play & you only talk bullshit
Brahmsain 2 years ago 6
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PJinBston 2 years ago
no, you have only given an example of your taste and shown that this playing does not correspond to it. However, since this is playing is regognized as great, unique, inimitable etc. by all educated people, this objective fact alone suffices to prove that your understanding or taste is poor...
Brahmsain 2 years ago 20
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
Dear PJB, you seem to mix two things: MUSIC and talking about music. Just tell me frankly: is MUSIC about the composer's intention (which 'died' with the composer some 2 or 3 hundern years ago)? maybe music is about 'rubato', 'aesthetics', 'dimension' etc? No! Music is about sth else which cannot be expressed in words. in VH playing this piece music LIVES from the first note to the last, he adds spirit to matter as it were - and only few can do this!
Brahmsain 2 years ago 28
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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pianoman082388 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
One may be a good theoretician but quite an ordinary artist - the case of brendel in my view. If one follows your logic, there should be no innovation in interpretation whatsoever, in fact, there can be no interpretation as such - everything is predetermined by the late composer's 'last will'
Brahmsain 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
Too idiosyncratic for me. I much prefer Brendel's or Perahia's interpretation.
Barqu3ntine 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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Shut up.
paideianow 2 years ago
at 7:13 he gives a look thats just magical
TheOneWingAngeI 2 years ago
Horowitz wasn't a simple musician: he was some of magician and devil in his hands.
volodya2 2 years ago
An excellent description !
dmcII 2 years ago
He play this impromptu with a different style. I cannot say I'm find with all movements but its who am I to comment m. Horowitz.
mikgazine 2 years ago
Brilliant; it's just sad he makes dozens of mistakes in the penultimate leggiero variation. I know this he makes up a lot for this by his incredible musicianship; but he would have been hoping for a more technical performance I'm sure. :(
jazzlover06 2 years ago
I take it your talking about the 2nd variation no? Either way your actually right about the mistakes but honestly I heard this before I started playing it and i didnt notice the mistakes until after I actually started playing the piece and listning to this again.
ThaBolks 2 years ago
Yes I do refer to the 2nd Va. I hate talking about mistakes - it makes me feel all technical and (dare I say it) chinese! :$ But I feel Schubert is about precision and composure, and he only has one of those postulates.
jazzlover06 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
Music ain't just about reading the score, in fact it's nowhere near. You're the one who chooses to play however you want to play. ~
DewberryIce 2 years ago
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PJinBston 2 years ago
Great performance of one of the best musicians ever..
krokigrygg 2 years ago 4
he sing from the piano like proffeseniol singer!
GEM
kempff95 2 years ago
That last variation always makes me smile.
Buldaner 2 years ago 3
Is it my imagination or is he throwing in his own note here and there?
Buldaner 3 years ago
I think he played around with the tempo, rushing and slowing at will. I don't have the score in front of me so I am speaking solely on my vague recollection. Very daring, I will say.
yarngleei 2 years ago
Horowitz wasn't above taking liberties on occasion but I'm not sure if it extended actually altering notes in the score. He was well into his 80's here and not nearly the beast of the keyboard as when he was younger. Maybe what you were hearing were mistakes ?
dmcII 2 years ago
he has contrast feelings,is very great!!!sounds very very happy
shiadani 3 years ago
Very interesting interpretation.. He is by far my favorite pianist, but here I find many of his ideas too radical. I prefer the more patrician approach such as Brendel's. Horowtiz made the whole piece rather quicksilver. For ex. the 3rd var. could be a bit more dark and contemplative.
However there are beautiful moments. I esp. like his light touch on the 2nd var.---suits the playful nature very well.
However, whether you agree with Horowitz or not, his genuine originality is admirable.
ajlee1216 3 years ago
I really am not sure about the 3rd and even more for the 4th variation...... do u think that they are way tooooo bizzare?
If it would be a young pianist playing like this and not Horowitz would you find them too untasteful?
You seem to be well versed so I'd appreciate your opinion. Thx
Dchrisanthakopoulos 3 years ago
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ajlee1216 3 years ago
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I think his playing of the 4th var. was fine given that he clearly depicts the alternative melodies between the two hands. Even in the 3rd I thought there were beautiful moments (at 4:55 and 5:21 when he softly caresses the RH melody), just that overall the mood was not what I would've conceived.
ajlee1216 3 years ago
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ajlee1216 3 years ago
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However, the genius of Horowitz is that even when his ideas are disagreeable (usually simultaneously unique), he delivers them with such conviction and confidence that listeners can't help but see that he IS serious about his ideas and that they are not spawned meaninglessly & capriciously.
A statement from a popular & authoritative figure can always get more endorsement easily even if it is wrong. But then, when an idea is genuine and sincere, people will tend to keep a more open mind.
ajlee1216 3 years ago
@ ajlee1216
ok, he isn´t my favourite pianist at all - I love Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (what is the biggest difference possible). I don´t think Horowitz is radical here, he is like ever: as he is using the tunes for his own showmanship. Thst was a normal attitude in the 19th century where he comes from (as he was educated like that). So it´s like playing in the way from times long ago.
anonymusum 2 years ago 4
anonymusum, can you elaborate on that? What exactly do you mean by "using the tunes for ones own showmanship"?
GebhardLied 2 years ago
That´s hard to do with these limited lines. Like I wrote he comes from a different era of musicians that put themselves and their views into the nucleus. Today´s musicians are much more concentrated to perform the composer´s intentions. So he takes a lot of freedom in his interpretation.
anonymusum 2 years ago
And then look where he uses this freedom: mostly on those parts that feature brilliant runs or thrills (that he takes even faster) as well as melancholic slow parts where he can show his romantic side (that he takes even slower). Besides that he often uses very tiny stops to give the following tones a heavier pronounciation. - As a result I never have the impression that this tune was written by Schubert (or someone else), there´s too much Horowitz in it. If you want more, we have to use PNs.
anonymusum 2 years ago
Thank you, I understand - despite of the limited lines. :) I'll have to research other pianists playing this piece. I'm only just getting into Schubert.
Have a great weekend. :)
GebhardLied 2 years ago
Thanks - same for you.
anonymusum 2 years ago
Mitsuko Uchida recorded an excellent version of B flat impromtu, even though album itself only got mixed reviews. The variety of tones she brought to this piece is amazing. Edwin Fischer recorded an amazing version in 1938. The sound is awfu (constricted mono) l but the pianism is great.
kittydukakis 2 years ago
Bravissimoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ombrerosse2008 3 years ago
beautiful 2nd and 4th movments, hard not to cry
*****
amidunet 3 years ago 4
in the second variations there is a good few obvious mistakes
joeyboi87 3 years ago 2
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the theme based on "rosamunde overture" by schubert,listen to this overture into the orchestra and compare this to the horowitz rendition:its no "biedermeier style"as it supposed to be,and his rubato is such as stereotype....but dont worry i use to appreciate mr. horowitz very much as u probably know:))
kajohada 3 years ago
Kajohada, with respect.I don't want to offend you and this is not a discussion with a goal of being negative. But your views may not be right. "Listen to overture into the orchestra"...yes, but orchestra is XX century orchestra conducted by a modern conductor in who knows what style. Why would you suppose such a conductor would know better than Horowitz?
88Woland 3 years ago
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in which way? - die "lower levels" umfassen demnach die gesamte musikentwicklung bis zu schubert.man hat interpretatorisch gewisse "valid parameters",nach denen man sich richten kann und die aus dem verständnis der jeweiligen musikalischen epochen ergeben.i didn say that horowitz has no understanding in schubert,but in this case,he has no understanding to play the impromptu in b flat major,and by the way its more a question of musical taste of course,he prove no good one i think!
kajohada 3 years ago
Horowitz is a unique artist so his interpretations are going to be exclusively *his* and not those of a peculiar establishment or canon of interpretation. How does one interpret Schubert "well"? Has anyone alive heard Schubert play? No. So exactly who are the authorities on this matter?
nearenough3 3 years ago 5
Thank you for this comment! I could not agree with you more! Horowitz was a genius who had his own laws. He was deeply hurt when his Schubert D. 960 from the early 1950s was panned by the 'purists'. This group has, ever since, made such comments about Horowitz in the Viennese repertoire. His Mozart Concerto in A was pounced on, remember? Horowitz never played a piece twice in the same way; sometimes his experimentation worked, and at other times, well...! But he was a great gift to pianophiles.
Noshirm 3 years ago 3
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but its really obvious that he takes too much rubato and this in a non organic and schematic way.from the point of style this interpretation is pretty bad!
kajohada 3 years ago
Dear K: Yes, he uses rubato and other interpretative techniques that suit his playing style -- the style he has developed due to artistic dictates. I don't know "non organic" and "schematic" means. Maybe "schematic" signifies a certain way of playing, hence a pre-thought out scheme. So? I'm sure many play Schubert "straight" like maybe Brendel and Schnabel. Nothing wrong with that or other ways as long as the result is pleasing in some way.
nearenough3 3 years ago 2
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i dont mean his playing style but the stylistic elements of the vienna classic epoch.imo u cannot ignore the valid parameters if your interpretation should be serious.also it´s a question of taste and i think,contrary to other schubert pieces,that here mr.horowitz proves a bad one.
kajohada 3 years ago
What you are saying is H has bad taste. Very subjective. Veering from "standard" practice" and saying it is bad taste occurs in all the arts, Just look at the visual arts in the past 100-200 years. We would still have the "academies" with us instead of the impressionists; Mozart always instead of Debussy, etc. With Horowitz we have the composer AND H, and that's a good thing.
nearenough3 3 years ago 2
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in this case horowitz is an interpreter and he doesnt create any substantial news.instead he manipulates the tempo in a sentimental way.every phrase is accelerando and ritardando always the same and there is a discrepancy between the schubert spirit and his own conception:he doesnt go into this music,the varations re played too fast and schematic and fugitive.this is not horowitz at his best i only can say,but listen to impromptu in g flat which is played pretty amazing;))
kajohada 3 years ago
"stylistic elements of the Vienna Classic epoch" as you represent them (judging from your comments)were invention from mid-XX century. Modern research proves this to be wrong. If you study reports and sources about how Beethoven performed and how he taught his music, you will discover that Horowitz's approach is much closer to the original than some considered "pure", like Pollini's or Brendel's
berlioz1830 3 years ago 2
Buddhist wisdom says there are several levels of spiritual development. Higher levels can comprehend the lower ones, but lower ones can not understand higher ones. I guess kajohada compares to Mr.Horowitz as a lower level compares to a higher level- which is to say, he doesn't understand what was going on. No desire to offend though...it is a natural process
berlioz1830 3 years ago
I guess that's fair to a point. But don't you think it's self-evident that Horowitz does not faithfully follow the text? And isn't that at least justification for saying that it's not what Schubert intended? Some "authorities" have made this criticism.
CornBroccoli 2 years ago
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CornBroccoli 2 years ago
Dear CB: I am sorry I don't have the score and I am not an expert. I just have followed VH over the years, carefully, and do play the piano. Do you know he wanted to be a composer as a youth but was "forced" to concertize to support his family after financial disasters. I don't agree with everything he does; he can certainly exaggerate. But he is unique and therefore we let him play.
nearenough3 2 years ago
I'm just saying that if there is an authority then its certainly Schubert (by way of his score.) I completely understand some people's feelings when the score is not "respected." Even if others like to hear a piece played more freely.
CornBroccoli 2 years ago
He plays Schubert like it's Dvorak.
DieSonneSinkt 3 years ago 3
You can agree or disagree with his interpretation but it's so vivid and interesting... No words - Horowitz is a MASTER!!!
tamarahisk 3 years ago
Horowitz doesn't interpret Schubert's works well, as also shown in his playing of Impromptu D.899 No.3 in G-flat Major. He makes it a little bit too romantic and rubato. I think the rhythm of Schubert's works is a kind of neat and tidy, not too much use of rubato. I can just say Schubert isn't suitable for Horowitz, but he plays Chopin and other romantic pieces well. And, Brendel's interpretation of Schubert is total excellence and perfection.
pleasantblue 3 years ago 3
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nonsense!!
kajohada 3 years ago
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Horowitz interprets Schubert excellently, just as he plays everything great. Brendel's interpretation of Schubert is far less accomplished
88Woland 3 years ago
...you have got to kidding! Brendel IS Schubert!
ionawr 3 years ago
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In the 2nd half of XX century critics were swearing by Pollini,Brendel and Michelangeli when talking about interpretation of Beethoven. With the development of modern scholarship today we know Beethoven's performance practice was very different, and in some cases, diametrically opposite. The same stands for Schubert and Brendel
88Woland 3 years ago
i'm currently learning this piece. like this performance very much.
dalecampbl5 3 years ago
Il y a beaucoup à dire sur l'art du piano d'après Horowitz!
J'ai mis plus de quarante ans pour le comprendre et découvrir sa subtilité.
Rien n'est conventionnel,et puis ses nuances innombrables reposent sur un contrôle quasi parfait des différents timbres.
Il apprend à écouter...autrement des oeuvres que l'on croyait connaître.
Merci pour ces enregistrements!
antoinezygfryd 3 years ago 3
all my respect for Horowitz, i really love him ..but this is bad.
Rani9000 3 years ago 14
in what way...I thought it was too fast...I thought the first variation should be more sweet and dreamy..much slower. Is he also making mistakes or is this a different edition to mine? Very different interpretation of 3rd vari...I thought this should be more slow and deep and meaningful especially with the quite dark chords in the left hand accompanying those passionate melody in the right hand. Then the 4th variation lifts you out of the darkness eventually the light skippy playful 5th vari?
siralchemistuk 3 years ago 2