Ravel Gaspard de la nuit. Ondine. HQ

[AnOrganCornucopia]

Wonderful playing and wonderful to hear this wonderful music played on such a wonderful instrument. Truly Bösendorfers are the king of pianos. To hell with overrated, overpriced crappy Steinways... I just adore Bösendorfers. Plus, unlike Steinways, they just get better with age. Mine dates back to 1917 and, if anything, it sounds better than this one. I wouldn't part with it for anything. Pity I can barely play it!

[hotbebimauz]

this is really brilliant. i had goosebumps at 1:00. the climax at 3:38 is the best ive ever heard. so powerful but still clear. at argerich's, michelangeli's and many others interpretations it sounds just noisy.

[1Coonass]

You are right though, His craziness did sound like something we hear in our dreams, (those of us enlightened enough to have color sensitivity, God, Archangles, ghosts, vampires, and demons in our dreams, and know enough of the spiritual realm to cast the latter out... I am sorry that i misnamed this beautiful woman in an earlier post, calling her Niccolo, LOL a misname she would probably take as an ultmate complement... Valentina, were you only not married !!! I adore you girl !!!

[Will84ABA]

Ravel was really crazy! Sounds like dream!

[Horse1888]

A beautiful piece flawlessly performed!! I hear echos of this in some of John Williams' music for the original Superman movie.

[PianoPsych]

Beautifully played. Thank you!

[ZincTYC]

look at her left hand go at 3:30

lol makes me do a double take every single time

and instant musical nerdgasm at 3:37

[mikiwink]

wow! bravo! her fingers give the appearance of dancing on the piano. truly amazing!! i can clearly picture what ravel wanted to convey in all 3 movements of this piece. this is one of my favorites by Ravel. i love all 3 movements. very well done!

[iPlayPiiano]

My sister called...

She wants her barbie back.

[toucansdeath]

Are her eyes closed sometimes -.-' Amazing

[steventunnicliffe81]

When I watch Lisitsa play I genuinely get the impression that her hands are possessed, lol. I don't think I can think of another pianist who hands such technically challenging material with such an apparent lack of effort. Remarkable. Regarding the interpretation, the only thing I really didn't like was the pace of the descending chromatic thirds around 3'20". Only a minor complaint though; otherwise it was stunningly beautiful!

[nezyrr]

ooh the piano sounds a bit lean doesn't it?? You can really hear the action and the impact noise.

[ZachEatonMusic]

I've recently become very fond of Ravel's music -- this piece as well as the other 2 in the trio are very beautiful. I LOVE the scales that start at the 1:00 mark -- it's truly haunting, and mesmerizing! You play this so wonderfully, VL, despite the pink dress (which, awful though it is, is strangely fitting for this piece of music, as well as the other two.)

[willeizlini]

she is channeling this piece for sure, so one with it ! 

[torven137]

She loves, what she does. She is so loving, what she does ... She is, what she does, and i love it.

[PaulWhite743]

The shimmering accompaniment is played with a flexibility and evenness which amount to a stunning feat of technical brilliance. Over this the melody is interpreted with a natural and effortless charm which perfectly evokes the spirit of the mermaid's song.

[huzzzzzzahh]

Her technique would make Liszt do a double-take.

[PianoManChuck]

Sheer perfection!

[tubatenorsax]

Martin Luther King rightly once said, that a life with nothing worth dying for in it, is a life not worth living. Ultimately the greatness of music is in terms of its message and this is why J S Bach is in a class of his own. I can understand pianists liking music that stretches out their technical potential, but that is not music with a vital message that makes us better people. The day Valentina plays something like Bach's chacone in D we will have the best of both worlds.

tubatenorsax.

[NathanPhungMusic]

@tubatenorsax Bach is a godfather of music, but this is a completely different musical language from Bach. Ravel's style of composition was more image oriented- the image here is of a water nymph. I personally think that it's well-conveyed, and it has its own message. Music does not have to be transcendental in nature to be good- it has to simply relate to our imagination. Just my two cents.

[Triskelion202]

HOW CAN HER RIGHT HAND NOT GET TIRED????????????

[MrCapacitors]

Best pianist in history.Stunning.Should come to Sweden and play.Stockholm is

the most beautiful place in the world.

[DanieloIndispensavel]

Ah..... Ondine, Muse of the Water, how I miss you

[nylonhead116]

This is criminally underviewed.

[theBlabbs]

am i the only one that sorta kinda likes the dress?

[siLlyChuB]

ur very man like..... transvestite maybe?

[niru54321]

@siLlyChuB wtf transvestite?

[OriginalBasaliskos]

As BelegSJ said, it's about how she couldn't become a ballerina, at least that's my guess. It says "I can't be a ballerina? Well watch me beast it up on the piano while a wear a tutu." It seams like a slap in the face to whomever told her she couldn't be a ballerina.

[hymnofashes]

She wears that absurd dress to compensate for her godlike playing in the same way that I drive a beat-up old Saturn to compensate for my enormous penis.

[JohnEBPiano]

@hymnofashes hahahahaha I wish I was as champ as this guy

[diandenmark]

Yeah, the dress is weird. But I have never heard such magnificant renditions of Gaspard de la nuit pieces! And about the hands - did you notice here - and in Scarbo (I haven't found Le gibet yet) that she can do all of those repeated notes without having to switch fingers - she seems to have magical wrists..

[belegSJ]

Lol, that (imho quite charming :D ) pink dress is the reason why the dvd is called "black and pink" - but it also reminds me of her never-achieved ballet career (even though I think she didn't actually want to dance). "Ballet? This fat girl? And look how tall she is!" --- thank god the ballet teacher said that, otherwise we wouldn't have Valentina's AMAZING music! Thank you so much for you work and especially for this YouTube-channel! Hopefully your concerts will someday reach my country...

[niru54321]

@belegSJ it will never reach my country....... thats for sure -.-

[gianpaga11]

Magnificent! An adrenaline rush after another !

[caravagio77]

I see the fingers shake as classical dancers. Gold is the interpretation

[ianhawke]

The dress is really bad, but she plays very good. Takes a lot of risks with all of that wrist jumping but she is flawless. Very nice execution.

[cmgreen4]

this song is incredible! such a distinct tone and odd variations yet a clear message and beautiful unity. everything comes together so perfectly. and the pianist is such a relaxed yet precise player

[raa4566]

of all the pianists, i like her hand postures the most! so easy and playful

[Stukov16]

I like her playing, but what's up with the dress?!!?!?!?!?! In other videos she wears common clothing and looks very mature and visually comfortable.

[TheHeroesdeath]

@Stukov16 im pretty sure its too match the feeling of the song. it has to do with a fairy. you know how thesong is based of that poem. well the third part of it (scarbo) she dresses alot darker because its about a evil gobin..

[bsd300d]

Damn girl, i know you're making some cash now, get some boobs in that pink dress. Either way, you rock :)

[NuovoCurioso]

...sei fantastica Valentina...insuperabile....me­ravigliosa...

[sayyumhayyum]

wow. shes so great...

but, i really wish she wore something else than her pink, fairy dress... 0_0

[ktm64]

@sayyumhayyum lmao she made me think of the good witch from the wizard of oz in that dress; a witch that can kick Ravel's ass.

[beluab96]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!5*****

[SurfeurBleu42]

Such a feeling ! A great version from this woman which has right translated both the water effect and the purity of the Ravel's "impressionist" music.

[mrbrianmccarthy]

I think this my favorite of the 3 "Gaspard de la nuit" pieces. This woman is a goddess---what a great pianist.

[hotbebimauz]

this is so beautiful, both to hear and to look at. you nearly stroke the keys, the movements of your hands are so smooth, they flow like water, so fluid. from the beginning on i felt like in another world.

[mlopezlago7]

parfait

[DDzOne8]

i think my mind is being warped to other dimension at the moment @_@

[muertabo]

great stuff, but you can play smoke on the water?

[Anoush23]

@muertabo certainly she could. chord progessions are one of the easiest things ever.

[ivionday]

flawless in all respects

[shannong86]

Hopefully I can be forgiven for the insane jealousy I feel whenever I watch this (quite a few times by now). Mere mortals such as myself can only imagine what it must feel like to have the ability to play with such expression and beauty!

[DonMarchello1]

ohne worte!!!!!!!!!

[BozoTheBear]

the most beautiful music i've heard in a long time :)

[hessu3]

her pianoplaying is fine!

But why does she have to look like a barbie-doll?

[Celicious]

@hessu3

Barbie Ondine! xD

[davisbone]

her hands are like 2 swans dancing under the evening cloud that sails in the twilight of my dreams

[cymondo]

@davisbone calm down

[daeastshan]

aucune poésie, dénuée d'ame

[gouloum2222]

@daeastshan non, tu n'es juste pas sensible a son jeu.

[hotbebimauz]

sorry but she cant beat argerich

[demosj]

She doesn't need to.

[demosj]

4:05-4:15 is so poignant.

[cidorefa2009]

she is real undine

[donottawaguitar]

heavy piano more sustain!

[happyboy86]

j'appuie, trop de rubato un peu partout, beaucoup trop pressé, le son sonne plus debussy que ravel, et elle enlève des notes à 3:39

[gouloum2222]

haha tu dois vraiment detester son interpretation pour poster le meme commentaire sur ses deux videos ...

[dedelemusicien]

elle ne fait pas sentire lorsque que le thème transforme les accords de la main droite en accord de neuvième majeure au début (le entends elle d'ailleurs?)

elle n'a ausune conduite du son dans le récitatif et , horreur, elle ne tient même pas les notes avec sa main mais avec la pédale ce qui brouille les harmonies et supprime le côté dépité d'Ondine qui pleure.

Et je n'ai pas assez de place pour continuer ce triste inventaire...

C EST LA PIRE INTERPRETATION !!!

[LachrymosaDVA]

Oh my god she's effortless! It's as if she's improvising it.

[TikiFury]

I can't even get pass the right hand "trill" at the start!! BRAVO!! I love to see how those fingers fly across the ivories!!

[maddorox]

try doing rhythms on the right hand in the beggining .... it helps alot in strenghthening the hand to play those chords and notes at a higher speed and also allows you to play more evenly

[mebbio]

Let me concede: I still prefer Michelangeli and Argerich. But what a pleasure this rendition!! This woman can play everything with such physical and mental ease. Great !

[poulenc11]

nice interpretation

[p4qu3r3tt3]

si la pluie tombante pouvait donner une mélodie , ce serait proche de ça !!!

[jonprak]

How old is your Bosendorfer? Or when was it built? I'm just curious....Thanks!

[Powerslider]

at 2:08 it sounds so different than everybody else i've heard. awesome stuff :D great playing!

[argerich68]

AMAZING!!!!!!5*****

[MissAPierce]

I think. Ravel would approve. Fantastic rendition.

[butchsad]

Fantanstic performance! Celestial sounds and ballet of the hands.

[butchsad]

Fantistic performance! Absolutely celestial sound and ballet of the hands.

[murraytaylor123]

Bosendorfer suits Ravel amazingly! Such incredible tone.

[DORFMONT]

@murraytaylor123 Try it with a Bluthner.

[medknower]

I`ve fallen in love...absolutely stunning!

I think Valentina Lisitsa is one pianist who doesn`t get the respect and attention she deserves!...hope, that`s going to change!

[OMRLPdedicate]

Her arpeggiated passages are so fluid!

[ACE29q]

Like Water

[dwgalviniii]

This is by far the best interpretation I have ever heard of this piece. I can almost see Ondine's glistening curves as she flips her tail to catch sailors. VERY effective right hand!

[insertoriginaluser]

I LOVED the way you brought out the bass at 3:28 - 3:43!! It's something I found lacking in many other interpretations. I like banging basses too, I like the dark, chaotic, awesome feel it gives. :D

My favorite interpretation, for that reason.

[trevino1946]

Perhaps you should post a performance of yourself and show us what you mean.

[trevino1946]

Perhaps you should post a performance of yourself and show us what you mean.

[grits011]

Stunning! I love this piece and you play it beautifully! Yes, it is fast, but I love new interpretations, it makes the music fresh. I have to disagree with some of the comments. I don't hear you losing control of ANY dynamics, your touch is so light and brilliant. I can't tell you how many different piano players I've heard attempting this piece, and this is my favorite. I can't stop listening to it! Overwhelming. Bravo!

[shaermy]

so much effortlessness...you've got ALL my respect! This is such a difficult peace and you've mastered it so fantastic!

when do you come to Germany?

best greetings

[minkhmin]

Marvellous! Who is this lady? I'd like to know who she is. Will please someone tell me her name?

[edtskyline]

Valentina Lisitsa, search her channel, she has many great piano videos=D

[zilchhiro]

Valentina Lisitsa

[eimokk]

ValentinaLisitsa

Click her Youtube ID on the right, you will be directed to her Youtube channel.

[rurikrussi]

Sin comentarios. Simplemente brillante

[4u2b1ib12]

She touches every drop, in a gentle rain.

[PaperPlanes4138]

that's very poetic... but thats the best way to describe how she plays

[ChaosSteven]

WOW.

The climb at 5:05 is depressing-good.

HOW ARE YOU SO AMAZING?

[Angel94angel94]

This is pianist is great!

[teramike11]

This is the best performance of Ondine ever made for video. Perfect tempo and interpretation. It is Ravel's dream of the ideal. Thank you for sharing your talent and your elegant physical beauty. Please share more Ravel and Debussy.

[shakebansari]

Wish i couldve showed you a YouTube Video(removed a month ago, What a loss!) played by Vlado Perlemuter(student of Ravel). Playing at the age of 92, suffering from Orofacial Dyskinasia( something like parkinsons), and almost falling over the piano,playing teh most haunting version of Ondine( which is the way it should be ) , and yet as slick as his versions in 1980's. check him on iTunes

[anica1079]

@shakebansari you're right. Perlemuter is incredible and my favourite version of Gaspard de la Nuit. But Valentina Lisitsa is really good, too.

[musicencyclopedia]

So much in love again! Outstanding!

[huyt8]

Wonderful...

[sll10]

Incredible!

[flic71]

una delle + belle interpretazioni di questo meraviglioso pezzo, assieme a quella insuperabile di Martha...

strepitosa Valentina!

[lipsbach]

Even Berezovsky is winded and sweating by the end of Gaspard. Here it is done effortlessly. Truly extraordinary.

[reddoghud]

Valentina, I love watching your hands play the many pieces that you bring to life. You're an inspiration to piano students like myself, and I think it's fantastic that we can interact with you through YouTube like this. Thanks!

[rennabell]

I prefer Perlemuter.. I think it captures the mysteriousness better...

[tomestubbs]

Incredibly phenomenal playing and interpretation of Gaspard de la Nuit.

[manuelfernandezkrk]

too fast, too fast she plays all from the beginig to the end the same, but not this piece, really all....she has only fingers...

[pianolord]

couldn't agree more.....

[pianodog81]

Valentina, your interpretation of Ravel is stunning. Have you ever considered recording Le Tombeau de Couperin?

[SolarJakee]

a bit too fast for me and i feel she loses some control over the lightness of her touch in order to gain such a fast tempo.

Argerich and Pogorelich suit me much better.

[Ho0chie]

lovely use of the golden ratio in this peice :) not to mention the lovely playing

[rennabell]

really?? explain s'il vous plais! :D i'm always interested to golden ratio spot. :D

[Ho0chie]

well Ravel uses the golden ratio in terms of time on this piece.

The climax of this piece falls quite deliberately on the golden point so to speak - 345 sec / 1.61803(golden ratio) = 213 sec = 3min 33 (well give or take a few secs in the vid)

[oozt]

skills undoubtely

[ValentinaFan]

I'm not very familiar with Ravel but it seems like a very different kind of piano music to me and this set of videos from Valentina have left me with very strong impressions - reminds me of art galleries in Paris when we saw some incredible paintings. Correct me if I'm wrong but I feel a very strong parallel with impressionist paintings. Maybe Valentina conjures that magic, with her incredible and staggeringly fluent artistry. Just a gut feel - I'm no musicologist :)

[mimibyrd]

You're actually quite on point. Ravel is a composer of a style of classical music referred to as impressionism. He and Claude Debussy are the two most famous impressionistic composers. I relate them to Claude Monet's art almost instantly. ^_^

[mimibyrd]

You're actually quite on point. Ravel's brand of classical music is in fact referred to as impressionism. He and Claude Debussy are two of the most famous impressionistic composers. The name goes in conjunction with the artistic style of impressionism too. I listen and relate it to Claude Monet's paintings a lot. I love their pieces very much, and Lisitsa's interpretation is phenomenal. ^_^

[scottturner1994]

The best interpretation I've ever heard!

[aardvaark069]

try michaelangeli's. I think it's much better although I think that this is pretty good.

[wldochl]

she looks like ANGEL:) beautiful song!!!

[LigiaPucci1]

soooo delicate. =)