Leonid Kogan - Lalo Symphonie Espagnole (1st mov.)

[mayisaninja]

The composer was French, but it's written in Spanish style. Doesn't mean the piece is necessarily French. -_-" Anyway, this concerto rocks. I'm entering it in a competition in February. :)

[mananchik]

the best violinist ever

[sttar1982]

perfect®

[mayisaninja]

His vibrato and overall sound and technique is just amazingggg.

[pinkponyofdoom]

im playing this for my exam wish me luckkkk >__<

[odette0212]

single ladies is better lol

[888mileyfan]

@odette0212 go away go listen to your single ladies because you have no idea how to enjoy classical

[247videos247]

I love this piece.

[Dextera21]

Kogan is a great violinist, I must admit this, but the Kavakos' version is a bit more of my taste. Kogan's interpretation is a bit too "hasty" to me (I think, it's the correct word, but my english is going to leave me in trouble here :D).

[Dextera21]

@Dextera21 Oh, and I didn't said: he is truly amazing in high speed playing, but speed isn't everything. Especially when I know, that this movement is an Allegro non troppo, that means: fast, but not too much! I'm curious about how he'd play an allegro, or a presto?

[horozcorc]

flawless...even better than kavakos version...Kogan is the best of all times!

[IgneousWarrior]

This man remains my favorite violinist ever. Kogan retains so much depth of emotion in his playing even while pulling off breakneck speeds flawlessly. I am in absolute awe.

[Gekons555]

Excellent!

[TheMusician25]

For some guys the fastest is just not fast enough! :)

[IloveSirLancelot]

I love Kogan. I feel like when he plays, the music is speaking straight to my soul. His interpretation is just so PERFECT (and it doesn't hurt that his technique is flawless). Those two high notes after 4:00 especially, just... GAHHHHHHHHH MY HEART!!

[tofubombs]

o-o how fast does he wanna play it

[ZhuSM]

Best interpretation of this piece on YouTube.

[Vladutmaz]

This is the best interpretation

[Mako653]

この人のラロ大好きです!!

聴いてて心地いいです。

[TheZaksmusic]

Great job Mr. Kogan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheZaksmusic]

Great job Mr. Kogan!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!

[doublabatteries]

wooooo! :D

[MrVko94]

Kogan is the best ! ! !

[zzp1]

Heifetz and Kogan were the two top performers of this era. It is always a delight to listen to them.

But Kogan is ,however, my alltime favorite.

[refpmeaksedot]

My favorite interpretation of this piece!

[ladyEulaelie]

Very fun song to play in an orchestra. I remember it but not by name. VERY glad I came across it. Thank you for posting...awesome!

[zzp1]

There is nothing and no one to top this rendition .......

[Techfree815]

Woww!!!! This piece of music just makes my heart race

[mybloodyvalentiine]

<33

[Dogaradodia]

Certificado intergaláctico!

[mybloodyvalentiine]

L0VE iT ..Leonid Kogaans performance is the best one

[mybloodyvalentiine]

i think this is the best version.....

[jingruwang1999]

best ever!!!

[SAReub08]

Amazing! Truly unbelievable performance!

One of my faves are the 1st two measures.

[mahler151]

Conductor? Orchestra?

[mysticmansion555]

he's so in tune !

[hatsunemiku444]

im going to miss darren

[occetina]

c'est super ce violon!

[musicdevotee4life]

best one! who knows where I can get a recording of this?

[HeiligerPavianarsch]

really great...

i love kogans interpretation of this piece...

to me it's almost as great as the recording of menuhin at his early 17s with gorge enesco as conducter...

this would be the only recording i'd say could be better than kogans here

but without any doubt, this is one of the best recordings of a human being

bye

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

What a powerful audio!!!

[paganviodio]

kogan was one of the greatest technician on violin. no question about it. this recording can be compared to heifetzs and it could even top it.

[JustinK078]

that was CRUNK!!!! makes me want to pick up my violin and compose something!

[Aquarys]

Wowowow I can't stop listening to this. Such an amazing song and so amazingly played. We're actually learning how to play this in (high) school.

[euch27]

@Aquarys As an orchestra? Separately?

[Aquarys]

As an orchestra. I play second violin.

[fireice1996]

I like this song. I'm playing it right now, but it...kind of sucks!

Out of 100, i'd rate tis a 144! Tres Bien!

[MrTHepAtH]

Impressive! Far superior to any of Heifetz renditions! Another violinist to add to my "Best Violinist List."

[charmingemily]

haha heifetz plays everything so harshly.  he killed the cuteness of the lalo third mvment.

vengerov is also gd for lalo's spanish syphony

[lilsandbaby]

Beautiful c:

[Knightofpiano]

Its a best performance i've ever heard guys.Thanks for positing!))))

[lalo7017]

lalo es genial

[ddaafffii]

lalo is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is my favourit piece

kogan is very amazing!!!!!

[Diernestov]

Que buena interpretación de esta bella obra!!! Me gusta mucho, definitivamente...sin palabras!!!

[Carloprieto]

Muy Bueno!!!!

[11777766]

Why not just say this is a superb performance of a fine composer, Lalo.

[themusicdr]

for me this is the best lalo

[toddcs]

@themusicdr Well, isn't it just plain **obvious** that for any X and Y soever, X-ians haven't the vaguest clue how to interpret Y-ian music.

[themusicdr]

@toddcs ?hey? i havent the vaguest clue what you are saying

[scientistpatrick]

It's a good speed, but personally i think it's just a little rushed.

[pcheaven101]

This is, believe it or not, actually the marked tempo, at least in my Francescotti edition. I do agree it seems a little fast though.

[gavaness]

Many thanks ultimateviolin for posting this. I do have the same recording and had in mind to post it. I am glad you took the initiative. Kogan as usual displays musical and technical excellence. The orchestra is great too. No coloring, no frills and no sweetness. Those who are new to the art of violin playing, often wonder which is the best rendition. IMHO this sets the standard at least for this concerto. Everything else so far has been second class and lower.

[petrof4056]

it's a very correct interpretation of this piece. Kogan had no idea how to play it causing by his geographic situation and geographic culture particulary. However, he gives us something which is not bad finally!

[calloffthedogs]

are you saying russians dont have any idea how to interpret spanish music? If that is what you mean, then I strongly DISagree.

[petrof4056]

i did'nt say that, that depends of the performer. And this is not spanish music but french music!! it's very important to know it

[07fantine]

@calloffthedogs it's french music...lol

[mayisaninja]

@07fantine No it's not... o.o Symphonie ESPAGNOLE. lolol

[Kepi97]

@mayisaninja Lalo is french

[wick1895]

@mayisaninja It's a French composer trying to write in the Spanish style. During this time period Spanish music was really coming into its own, and many composers drew much influence from it.

[dyu1231]

@mayisaninja yeah its french lalo was a french composer.....go to the wikipedia page

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

I'm not sure why people gave you thumbs down. What you said is strange and lacks any sort of written reasoning/evidence but in the end you praised Kogan's performance of this piece lol.

[billyguns2]

I wasn't aware that Kogan gave us "bad" interpretations; for me, he is one of the five or six greatest violinists I ever heard, and his recording of this and the Tchaikovsky Concerto with Silvestri are two of my favorite recordings of these pieces. Overall, I suppose Heifetz, Rabin, Szeryng, Neveu and Oistrakh might be better in certain other repertoire, but Koghan is definitely in my "top ten."

[menofrance]

His tchaikovski in russia and in live is really far better thant with Silvestri. Unfortunately, the recording is of poor quality and orchestra isn't as good as French.

A very good Lalo interpretation I like as Kogan is Ferras interpretation.

[toomanyheartsx3]

compared to kogan, the orchestra sounds really loud and fast...

[rozetta9]

people...this is not a song is violin concert......

[themusicdr]

kogan = superb!

[isym444]

I luv this song but mayb its cuase I play it hehe :) anyway...this interpretation I don't like that much its too fast and it has that sense of rush :( I prefer a slightly slow tempo and the soloist to do have some rubato but still keepin with orchestra. Anyway I do respect that this is Leonid Kogans interpretation but anyway...thx peace out :)

[JKS2macd]

i feel the same way; it's slightly too fast

[Slushie3704]

love this song! and great soloist! teacher gonna me play this piece next though

[mnb123321]

luv this violin player, hate this song

[jake66664]

Why do you hate this song?

[mnb123321]

I guess it's not that bad a song. Actually, I would probably like it if it were my first time hearing it, but I hear it soooo often that now I've come to hate it :(

[petrof4056]

lol i played it so many times and now i'm in the same case

[minasgekos]

i totally agree with that. It's an overrated concerto, and an overrated composer.

[gavaness]

Absolutely excellent. There is a russian TV production of Paganini's life made in late 70s early 80s. Some segments are posted on youtube. Kogan is the performing violinist in the series. Anyone who is suggesting Kogan was off his peak should listen to him perform. You will soon change your mind. I have had a lot of pleasure listening to his recordings. God bless him. Thanks UltimateViolin for posting this.

[yoghurtverse]

kogan all the way !!!!!!!!!!!!

[admiralthrawn999]

Wow! Kogan is really impressive (all the time). It really helps to have a great orchestra though, they smashed this piece!

Stellar performance all around.

[kittyluvr12]

WOW!! AMAZING!!!

[HoneyFinn]

It's perfect!

I love this very much!

[cogermax91]

superbe !!!!!

[theViolinDreamer]

I finaly know how I should play this !!

[calloffthedogs]

good luck! go contact RCA Red Seal when you have it down! I'll buy your CD!

[theViolinDreamer]

...sorry ? ..

[likemyviolin]

I think Kogan's playing became better and better by the time, his developing never ended. Sad that he died before his time. God bless him.

[calloffthedogs]

I disagree. I think his peak was in the late 50's to about 1975. After that I think his enormous technical powers began to wane a bit.

[yellotheemcee]

not his fault... he got old

[VieuxSagedesmotagnes]

amazing! I would like to play it but....

thank you for this wonderful record

[OriginalMoonbeam]

This is fabulous...thanks so much for posting!

[ytaddicted]

A lovely recording of lalos S.e. -- I love Kogan, specially his very special bowing technique!

[RadiumA]

Holy shit, that's amazing, it's a dramatic difference, I believe it does work for all videos, though I am uncertain

[mexindian1]

Kogan was beyond gifted. He understood every piece of music he ever played, as if he had written it himself. And such truly awesome technique!!!! Thank you for posting this.

[theViolinDreamer]

His interpretation of this passionate concerto is delightfull.

[UltimateViolin]

I've created a playlist which not only autoplays all 5 movements but also outputs HQ audio. See the infobox for the link and please let me know if you think this is an improvement.

My own judgment is that the audio is significantly improved, much closer to original quality.

I've done this for all concertos I've uploaded.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

I think it is better. Bless you for this treasure.

[UltimateViolin]

Alas, I've been thwarted again by YouTube...as soon the playlist switches to the next video, it exits HQ mode. Damn...for now, the only thing anybody can do is type &fmt=18 after the video id.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

Pleeeeeeeasse upload the Paganini!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I beg u! I have a 1950 recording.

[UltimateViolin]

Alright, I'll get to work cutting it up for YouTube. The first movement will unfortunately have to come in 3 parts, as I understand it, it's the first uncut recording in the West.

Is there anyway you could send me the 1950 recording? I don't have anything that early of his and I'd really love to listen to it.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

It is possible that we are talking about the same performance. My recording is from the 10 CD Leonid Kogan collection. I would gladly share it with you. Unfortunately I lack techical/mechanical ability to do so.

[UltimateViolin]

No, I've done some searching, and his 1950 recording was done with Vasili Nebolsin, whereas my 1955 recording is with Charles Bruck and is from the new EMI 4 CD collection.

If it's a matter of uploading the music files, there are several sites for that.

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

Man, thank you for the &fmt=18 tip, I use it for literally every video I watch now, it's awesome!

[issagele]

Heifetz plays this better

[UltimateViolin]

I must admit that for the 1st movement, I do prefer Heifetz's gloriously heroic phrasing and absolutely incredible aggressive tone. However, he does sound somewhat harsh and hurried elsewhere in the concerto, and I think Kogan's 5th movement beats out Heifetz's.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

interesting that Heifetz opts for the safe harmonic at the end of the first run of the first movement. Kogan goes for broke and nails the top note with powerful vibrato.

[Zhou9]

At their respective levels, it has to do with phrasing, not whether each can hit the note and vibrato.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

no shit

[Zhou9]

Then it's not a "safe harmonic."

[NestorAudinotviolins]

I dont disagree with you. hitting a high note with vibrato is more gutsy than a harmonic. of course phrasing is a cardinal element. I just think that you have stated the obvious. I wasnt saying that Kogan's version is better or worse than Heifetz. I just thought it interesting that Heifetz opted for a safe harmonic when Kogan went for broke. Heifetz is a god.

[Zhou9]

Sorry, your tone of speaking seemed to be romanticizing Kogan, as if Heifetz couldn't do the same.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

Heifetz can do it, but just did not in the recording I heard. Heifetz is a god. There is no dispute on that point.

[UltimateViolin]

It's just a matter of taste, the Mendelssohn concerto has almost the same exact situation. Kogan didn't play this piece exactly the same every time either, I have a recording of him around 1955 playing Lalo, and while it is technically flawless, it still has vestiges of student playing and having to fight against the orchestra. Naturally, I chose to upload his superior edition.

Please take a look at the playlist I mentioned above.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

I actually think Kogan was at his peak in the mid to late 1950s. He declined somewhat after the age of 45. Well, at any rate, I love everything the guy played and the way he played it. He had Milstein's technical accuracy with more of a modern presentation and a better vibrato. Astonishing violinist to say the least.

[UltimateViolin]

Well, this was recorded in Feb. 1959, so that certainly fits into your timeframe. I may be wrong, but didn't he achieve worldwide recognition around 1954-55 after winning the Queen Elizabeth competition which Oistrakh sent him to?

[NestorAudinotviolins]

Kogan won the Queen Eliz. competition in 1951! (at the age of 27). I think his playing was very mature then. As you may or may not know, he performed the Paganini Concerto in the finals with such stunning virtuosity that it has been said that his performance of that piece has NEVER been equaled before or since. I agree with that assertion.

[UltimateViolin]

Thanks for clarifying that...I actually have his 1955 recording of the Paganini D Major concerto, been debating whether or not that should be my next upload...I'm not sure if he recorded it ever again, you see.

[theViolinDreamer]

Does anybody have the recording with him in that performance?Thanks

[NestorAudinotviolins]

Leonid Kogan had a way of turning these old "war-horse" concertos (Bruch, Mendelssohn and Lalo) into something very fresh and unique. Anyone who has ever studied violin seriously vividly recalls slaving aways at these pieces. This performance is simply a marvel of left/right hand coordination. Second to none violin virtuosity by my favorite violinist.

[UltimateViolin]

Of course, we shouldn't forget Kondrashin...the way he handled the orchestration, which usually sounds submissive to the soloist, and interacts with Kogan is simply amazing...both of them breath new life into this work.

[NestorAudinotviolins]

agreed. He is one of the best at getting the members of the orchestra to play in unison and in tempo with no lag.