Grigory Sokolov plays Prokofiev piano sonata No. 7

[noselot]

Is it just me or are the first few bars missing?

[Pianist46]

@noselot Yes, you are right. Medici TV has a nasty habit of never giving us the full performance unless we visit their website; the first two pages or so—the first statement of the theme—have been cut from the beginning of the video.

[mlr2107]

One word: Perfection

[xakoviski]

What a joke Lang Lang's version of this piece is compared to Mr. Sokolov.

Sokolov is just beyond amazing in most, if not all, interpretations, not to mention is absolutely unique touch!

[contagieux]

Brilliant! 

[RDillonMusic]

My hands get sore watching this video.

[honron21]

15 IDIOTS came across to this video.

[MaximPodolsky]

awesome, I also like Pollini's version.

[Cancrizans]

The one thing that keeps hitting me when I watch this is this is the one performance that really makes you feel like you are the target of a WW2 bombing campaign, which I think was very much the intention of the composer. Completely enthralling.

[Cancrizans]

I come regularly back to give this a listen, just insanely good!

[lossalidoas69]

It really gets the message of dynamism and determination across, hope I could play like this one day...

[DerekWilliamsMusic]

Bravo!

[robertslistening]

I haven't listened that much to Sokolov, but what got me interested was when I heard his Chopin op 25 no 12. Fast and clear. Usually either the clarity or the power seem to diminish at high speed. He was still excellent for both.

Argerich, Kissin, Pollini, Yundi Li, Garrick Ohlsson, Valentina Lisitsa, Yuja Wang, Grigory Sokolov. Some of my favorites. I find practically all good concert musicians admirable, on whatever instrument. Such wonderful high skills.

[afertyus1000]

@robertslistening hamelin volodos,

[vollmitwildenrosen]

Аааа Соколов, великолепно !!!!!!!!!!

[Delalumiere666]

Este güey esta malito.

[washedupfailure]

Wow, this is both the most unusual and the best version of this that I've ever heard...the slower tempo and the strict rhythm pay major dividends in the last two pages...I used to play this piece (not well) and it's actually a lot easier than it sounds until you get to the end...the end is really hard to hold together...a lot of pianists lose control here, and even those who don't (like Pollini) do lose a lot of drama by taking it too fast.

[smudgepots]

Anyone who can even mention the name of the appalling Lang Lang after hearing this is clearly not musical.

[Chakiejan]

Abucunezzer101 you know nothing of music. In fact you are so stupid I wish I could reach into the internets and slap you. Go on, Lang Lang is that way ------

[bratzko79]

1:47 !

[abucunezzer101]

Yuck, this is the worst. Even Lang Lang is superior, and Glenn Gould's slow pulse brings the piece at least somewhere. His flabby technique really doesn't do this brilliant toccata justice. The Horowitz and Richter recordings are definitely the best, though I guess you can't find them on youtube because they're worth some cash. Also, Maurizio Pollini's is good. But this is a travesty, with the interpretation that Prokofiev'd cringe at. Probably more than I do.

[JumpDiffusion]

@abucunezzer101 *facepalm* ....................

[classicaland]

The best!

[FDNM87043]

This is truly an electrifying performance of this piece. A M A Z I N G!!!

[Cancrizans]

I'm still trying to figure out if this is physically possible...:P 

[xrebrovx]

Thanks Gran Turismo 5 for making me interest in souch wonderful music

[spikeyredcactus]

@xrebrovx I know! i really wish id learnt to play the piano when i was younger now! I do think skolovo plays it a little to slow and 'snappier' than in the GT version, i think i kind of prefer lang langs!

[Cancrizans]

@xrebrovx Is this actually part of the GT5 soundtrack? I'd be really impressed....

[mangeHer]

Thanks for the opinions voiced below. As an amateur with the piano I was unsure if I was the only one who was unimpressed by the work of that "other artist". Since you chaps agree then I feel vindicated.

[bolhommeable]

Help me, I can't recognize the 3rd mvt of the 7th sonata. I tried to follow the score but he is not playing what's written on it.

[basoprofund0]

@bolhommeable this isn't from the beginning of the score, cause this isn't the complete recording. this is somewhere from the 4th page or so i believe.

[bolhommeable]

@basoprofund0 Thanks

[karkasos]

The best performance I heard of this. Argerich's version is blasted away by this one.

[bouzbou]

Lang Lang = FAKE FAKE

[darkblueangel1956]

Eccezionale ! E che tecnica ! Peccato che esegue con la stessa spietata percussività anche William Bird, Rameau e Francois Couperin, che sono Compositori del periodo barocco !!!

[Oblomov18]

@darkblueangel1956

si certo...

[jcastillopiano]

I think that there is a level where it's impossible to say wich one is better, but Sokolov is God!

[SpR4y510]

omg...



[jbrtyn]

this is the best interpretation ive heared so far.

[lePistolero]

Master



[bonsema1]

joa doar magst du dichselbst bie insloeten. hahhaha ik bin zulf stadsgrunneger moar ik was al emigreerd veurdat dei oosterpoortzoal losging. ook was ik nooit n goud grunnegs spreker.. ik heb dain brubeck videootje eevn beluusterd , machtig schier spel. ik had zulf joarenlang les van ´n zekere mevr. Wierenga oet helpman, heur overleden man was joarenlang aon´t grunnegs conservatorium ik bedoul muziekschool verbonden. nooit wat worden bie mie dat piaonospel.....

[jedrzejjanbiedrzycki]

Why doesn't it start from the begining?

[lenniethedogsparty]

As for Sokolov - he walks on stage slightly late; his demeanour suggests gravity, depth and 'no-compromise' even before he touches the keys. Whatever might be said about his technique, his tonal palette, his power, it is on the level of thought that he must be met. You, the audience, are here to be challenged, and his performances pull you up to his world. His artistic vision or particular interpretations may not agree with every one - but what is undeniable is that here is the real thing.

[nbharakey]

From 0:20 to 1:20 I can hear 6 different instruments!

[MsMymichael]

Nice pergormance

Michael the Greek modern classical music composer

[QuintaBrigada1]

Muy bueno y todo eso, pero o el resto de los pianistas del planeta están equivocados o Sokolov está tocando lo que le sale a él de los cojones.

[jsnauwaert]

Oh my goodness. This is really out of this world.

[mjkaisla1]

One should not put Sokolov and Lang Lang even in the same sentence. Sokolov is the greatest musician of our time. Lang Lang is, at best, a showman. (See the grotesque video of LL playing this Prokofiev 3rd mvt at some world economics conference.)

[mjkaisla1]

One should not put Sokolov and Lang Lang even in the same sentence. Sokolov is the greatest musician of our time. Lang Lang is, at best, a showman. (See the grotesque video of LL playing this Prokofiev 3rd mvt at some world economics conference.)

[jsnauwaert]

@honron

You are right. I just heard Martha playing this, and she puts lots of speed into it - as we have get used from her by now - but not at all the richness of colors, phrasing and quality of sound by Sokolov. He "wins" by a long shot!!!

[jsnauwaert]

@lenniethedogsparty

Indeed. Mr. Lang Lang is probably the most overrated pianist of this century.

[lenniethedogsparty]

@jsnauwaert Lang Lang is simply the creation of the American market: always looking for the new Horowitz. They thought they'd found him in Kissin, who, despite his rather clinical manner can play, but now they've found something closer to their hearts. Horowitz, despite his brilliance, used to play some crowd-pleasing drivel and often played technically difficult passages for mere sensational effect. Lang Lang combines serious repertoire with 'having fun' - oh dear...!

[fledgehog]

never understood the appeal of prok.'s music. sokolov plays well, but to me the notes themselves are simply a dissonant mess.

[Chakiejan]

@fledgehog I think you would like Justin Bieber better.... he is that way ------>

[fledgehog]

@Chakiejan you misspelled "rachmaninoff" ;)

[lenniethedogsparty]

Lang Lang? Sokolov is a serious artist.

[helikaHDify]

lol love this for Gran Turismo 5 intro

[0Oddsocks0]

Going to see Lang Lang perform this at bridgewater hall this Friday~Cant wait!

[Chakiejan]

Who the fuck just said Lang Lang?

[TailsSR]

@Chakiejan Lang Lang's performance is better.

[bouzbou]

@TailsSR get outty here

[Chakiejan]

@TailsSR You imbecile..... Lang Lang is the most OVERRATED pianist in history. Notice how 90% of his "followers" are under the age of 18? Yea.... that says it all.

[paulostroff99]

@Chakiejan -Nobody listening to this did. This man is awesome.

[MsThisNameIsTaken]

@Chakiejan You did

[GameMusicCompiIation]

lang langs is better

[nbharakey]

@GameMusicCompiIation

Yeah! He is faster, isn't he?

[jsnauwaert]

@GameMusicCompiIation

Ok, we don't say you just made an absolute fool of yourself. No, we don't say that at all  :D

[peppersax]

This performance proves unequivocally,that this piece does not have to be performed at a break neck pace to be effective. Bravo!!!!

[LightBlueMasta]

Meh.... Lang Lang's is better

[Oblomov18]

@LightBlueMasta

Mah.... Shut up

[fenz23]

My personal favorite interpretation of this piece, while Pollini and Argerich also have a masterful handle on Prokofiev... I think Solokov felt like the beginning of the piece was to explain the intricacies of the controlled chaos that was about to happen later, until he is literally hammering away on the piano into the final notes, rather than just staying at the same loud and fast dynamic throughout.

[gemballi]

Grande maestro !

excellente performance  !

[aeolianartists]

This is the best version of this movement of Prokofiev's 7th piano sonata third movement I have ever heard and I have heard most of the great pianists play this repertoire. He is a master...

[rigodom73]

Joooooooder qué máquina!!!! Hace un par de años le ví en directo y es una cosa increíble. No es el más rápido al tocar... ni falta que le hace. Su sonido es lo más limpio que he oido nunca... Y con piezas tan difíciles como ésta, sigue teniendo ese sonido tan limpio. Es digno de pasar a la historia. Olé.

[McSmYtHuRs]

thumbs up if u play gt 5

[MademoiselleSiya]

Это потрясающе!!! Я бы сказала, дьявольски!!!

[mlr2107]

This is fricking unbelievable.

[fabiopalma]

Lang lang plays it very well too. With lots of musicality. Search it

[callychamp123]

This is an incredibl;e peformance! Bravo! So intense and quite simply brilliant!

[alexmanzo19]

can it be played better?

[davecotuit]

@alexmanzo19 no, but as well, just in a different manner. try to get the horowitz performance from his 1953

25th anniversary concert. it s on RCA, now sony.

[jsnauwaert]

@alexmanzo19

No way. This is as good as it gets.

[pianistysh]

Gorgeous! I wish to hear him live and no regret in my life!

[aeolianartists]

I have never heard this piano movement of this sonata played this way, he is nothing short of astounding!!

[brozors]

Man he is going to town on that piano.

[martimtavares]

his voice leading in this somewhat chaotic score is simply epic. My epitaph will feature the fact that i saw this legend live twice.

[mmoynan]

A phenomenal way of play this sonata. Kudos to Sokolov for going in a completely different direction than most interpretations I have heard. A class act!

[Keytaster]

THIS IS NOT LESS THAN MINDBLOWING!

[alexmanzo19]

This is amazing!!!! people who write bad comentaries do it because they love Jani or claiderman and think that this is s.h.i.t!! but let me tell you: what is wrong is your brain!!

[Chopofiev]

Does this guy even realise he played the piece flawlessly?!

[rectalspike]

You're the idiot, friend.  Don't you mean "thumbs up?"

[madfish369]

which 10 idiots have put a thumbs down for this video???? Have you lost your mind.....do you have ears? I'd visit an ENT if I were you. This is a ridiculous rendition of Prokofiev!!!

[TheSingingCello]

seems like childs play, I meen that in the best way possible.

[LarsenPiano]

Wow

[Opoczynski]

Slower tempo for clarity. 

[csidio]

I really need the Sheet!!!!

[mistrzu2007]

Personally, I never warmed up to the choppy classical pieces.

[MMSZwickauKlavier]

MANN IST DAS GUT! HAMMER! HERRLICH FANTASTISCH! GROßARTIG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Schwere Kost für Einsteiger, aber es ist einfach unfassbar schön der komponierten Improvisation des Stückes in seiner Steigerung zu folgen. HERRLICH GÖTTLICH!!!!!!! WAHNSINN. @ Grigory Sokolov Thank you for the Music, it s GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go ON !

[dardanus85]

Fantastico!!

[XxGreenTeaxX]

gt5!!!

[flurmflam]

Argerich makes short work of this fellow.

[Murrocks]

Given that this was a send up of the then Soviet Leader Stalin and his infamous stammer, this is an excellent and poignant version of the piece and captures the darkness and sarcastic wit that Prokoviev concealed in his pieces. Shostokovitch remembered his friends in each piece, Prokoviev attacked his enemies with pieces like this. A brilliant version.

[cherylcolefanxx1]

type gift in front of youtube on url

[GilgameshFFpianobuff]

I would give my right arm to be able to do that... Oh wait?

[Grigor99]

This is quite simply an heroic performance.

[mlr2107]

You can absolutely picture guns firing everywhere..seriously this is so good, it is frightening..world war 1 at its finest right here thank you prokofiev and sokolov!

[mlr2107]

@mlr2107 I ment world war 2 lol!

[Seanze329]

@mlr2107 There was a lot more constant shelling in WW1

[lextune]

@mlr2107

World War 2.

The sonata was composed between 1939-1942 and premiered January 18, 1943 by Richter, (learned in four days from manuscript no less, lol).

[meredith218461]

His cast iron rhythm is exactly what this extraordinary mvt demands.

[SmackUp7778888]

Everyone shut the hell up and listen to the best pianist alive. The nine people that disliked this smoke crack.

[vaxx2007]

it's just impossible to imagine.

i dont know how i would feel being there at the hall. fear from the hell

[FelipeCalderon666]

yehaa orgasmos me vine

[kliklikloo]

Silly russian patriots on this point. This is no question of origin! Sokolov is a great player, yes, but not due to the fact he's russian!

[cfwpiano]

He doesn't rush it like most other pianists. Great tempo!

[EquisTox]

@cfwpiano really? i prefer it a bit faster. pollini is the man for this sonata, imo

[cfwpiano]

@EquisTox Check out Richter's recording too... he was the pianist that debuted this piece. Of course every pianist has their own interpretation, I just like ones that are a tad slower. Though Pollini and Argerich are really good too. :)

[MrBrahms210]

És tal e qual o Daniel Ribeiro: um génio!!!!!

[FutureAbe]

his abilities amaze me, but not as much as prokofievs ability to write this o.o

[Sveccha93]

@FutureAbe THANK you. I actually shed a tear the first time I saw this recording for both reasons.

[gonrolgonrol]

I just realised that Sokolov is one of my top favourite pianists.

[argimenes]

It's clean and precise - but driven - playing like this that makes you wish Mr. Sokolov would play the Alkan Concerto or Four Ages Sonata.

[tonycosworth]

@argimenes with such a tempo, it's easier to be clean anf precise !

[honron21]

@tonycosworth yes but no one else can play this with such an amazing quality of sound, colors an phrasing.

[tonycosworth]

@honron21 J'ajoute que si le tempo de Sokolov parait, à froid, inexcusable et carrément pénible, la qualité du son, les couleurs, le phrasé (comme vous le dites su bien) et la puissance, en font une version finalement assez fascinante (même si ce n'est pas du tout ma préférée).

[Gogolsuite]

The cold in Russia makes you play, study or what else better... maybe less in outdoor sports. -70ºC is something that makes you stay in home training or studiyng.

[chinaboy1991]

lol, slow and steady and pwns a billion of the faster versions---mind you, played by other Russians.

It's more of a era thing I think.

[Martel211996]

Would anyone care to disagree that the best pianists mostly come from Russia?

[hotbebimauz]

he perfectly brings out the feeling in this sonata. he understands the text while other pianists think "play as fast as possible" but thats not the point of this movement. this was so brilliant, i have no words.

[Humleification]

he is the music

[hiomioman]

I love Prokofiev's piano pieces. There is something very spontanious abut them.

[shosta007]

Astounding. What a great spirit and skill.

[TamayoAnthony]

MAGNIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

[eboomer84]

It can be a geographic thing. Norwegians have the best skiers, more so than other countries with snow. Similar situation for hockey, auto racing, soccer, baseball, etc. In countries that are better at such stuff, you're held to a higher standard and have more skilled and experienced instruction, and more people are interested in it, so there's a larger pool of natural talent to draw from.

[AllegroDemolish]

feel the current, its crazily godly well played.

and btw only steinway can sustain this kind of power lol.

if it were yamaha, it would be hahahahahaaaaaaaa~

[bouzbou]

Amazing!

LOL @hypocrita

[aylowe]

does anyone know where on youtube to find the full version of this performance? i know it's on here somewhere.

[yamgau]

神級。

[Meitnerium109]

He's hitting the keys like a mad man, but it's all for a good reason.

[NathanaelSaintCyr]

Brilliant.

[mradipatti]

titusbeertsen

did sokolow in fact play at oosterpoort. ??

that would mean he rates with eduardo del pueyo and clara haskil. good company. those would play at harmonie was Harmonie in " Kijk in´t Jat staat ??

[titusbeertsen]

@mradipatti I don't know, I haven't seen them unfortunately. Sokolov did in fact play in the Oosterpoort, I also saw Paco de Lucía there. We got some awesome musicians here in our little Groningen. :)

[lovesGenet]

no better playing is about training and culture.

[melitongue]

Glenn Gould would have admired this performance, not to mention the pianist. Sokurov is great as so few are at that instrument.

[melitongue]

@melitongue Sorry for the slip...obviously not Sokurov.

[iorgbrutus]

Went to his concert last night. He played Bach and Brahms. I am still impressed. Thank you for posting this.

[titusbeertsen]

@iorgbrutus Groningen, Oosterpoort? His Bach partita was incredible, the way he played all the voices... 't was like angels floating around.

[clarashumann]

INCREDIBLE!!!

[MalditosLunes]

:-0

[RenegadeExpressVideo]

Great job; really clean.

[Kisarez]

Amazingly played! 0_o

[Consciousish]

Perfect blend of chaos and order is what makes me love prokofiev so much...

[ACDCtheTHIRTEENTH]

sounds like a war is happening in this piece like the piece is telling about this war

[Baddogphil]

Incredible!

[ACDCtheTHIRTEENTH]

that man better not get arthritis in his hands or he wont play incredible music ever again

[ACDCtheTHIRTEENTH]

during the war russian composers had to make their music loud so the audience could hear the music

[ACDCtheTHIRTEENTH]

he played this while the germans were bombing true fact

[AllegroDemolish]

this is so musical yet so exciting.

technique and poetry concurrent within sokolov...

so powerful, so awesome, its too great.

oh my god.

[gabito1287]

Grande Sokolov!!!

[katchum]

I like the way it's played so playfully.

[ipvac1]

In that piece when pianist can keep the tempo until the end, is making the real "precipitato" sensation. Is not about fastest or not.

Bravo Sokolov!!!

[wilkiemart]

this is sooo awesome!!!!!!

[violink39]

SIMPLY THE BEST!!!

[seremerow]

不管看幾遍，都瞠目結舌!!

[nycounterpoint12]

oh. yes. FANTASTIC!

[GatoGatto]

Try to play better! The best pianists come from Russia.

[hypocrita]

@GatoGatto Yeah, the best pianists come from Russia... right. Must be because of the good soil or water. Better playing is obviously a geographic issue.

[WaldemarKoszlowsky]

No, the best Pianists were German like the best Backhaus or Fischer, Eschenbach, Kempff, Demus, Kreuzer, Schnabel, Bülow, Beyer, Hoffmann, Schmidt-Leonardy, Reimann, Sauer, Reger, Vogt...