Nikolai Lugansky Performs Extracts from Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto

[twooffour]

On another note, he does look a bit like Rocco Siffredi ;) :p

[jjp009]

He is playing this so completely, so perfectly, and so accurately to the score, that I can actually hear the orchestra behind him in my head playing along. What an incredible musician this Maestro Lugansky!

[iwnathan]

Lugansky is a genious...And it's so nice to listen to the piano themes without the orchestra...great

[Bobbygr1000]

4 dislikers are better than Lugansky...

[g7727]

His musical quality is LuganSKY high! 

[merlinchanelle]

Too Many Notes!  Lolllll

[Eztoez]

I adore this video! Lugansky is a wonderful pianist. I love his soft spoken voice. The casual way he presents the music in this video makes it seem easy - but you couldn't be further from the truth. Nikolai you might just be my new piano hero! I'm going to watch this video again !

[jameslongPDX]

@6:00

[reflexpg]

:O

ummarò!!!

[Keira13]

4:47 .

that is all

[mmmmm9872345]

I'm a 16 year old Aussie kid, about to go for my Lmus, and I think this video has made me almost definitely decide that THIS is what I want to learn after my exam. Ohh my goodness. I just wanna melt. UGH.

[busylifemeto]

I disagree also about the Cadenza, I think its perfect for this work and as much as I believe overall Lugunsky does one of the best renditions of this piece and indeed Rachmaninoff period, Berman owns this Cadneza, do your self a favour and listen to it here on youtube :)

[sanjosemike]

The World is divided into two parts: Those who can play Rach 3 and those who "try" to play it. Regrettably, I am in the second category. I can play it, but not smoothly or properly: too much pedal and not articulated. I've heard it in my mind a thousand times, and ache to play it (properly). It just never happens. Maybe I'm gigantically lucky enough to be able to "read through it" and should consider myself happy at trying. OK, I know I need a shrink on this. I bet I'm not alone!

[punkypenguin321]

@sanjosemike Tosh, there are no prodigies. Only people who work harder than others. Practice takes you any where, you just have to do enough of it.

[sanjosemike]

@punkypenguin321 Respectfully disagree. I know the Beethoven Concertoes. I can play Rach 2. There are technical aspects of Rach 3 that are truly different from anything else in the literature.

Despite this, there are some people genetically more gifted than others. I think you should face that reality. I have. Despite years of slow practice, some passages are simply above me.

I'm not necessarily complaining. I have my gifts too, just not enough for this work.

[punkypenguin321]

@sanjosemike I suppose that is your prerogative. I still personally believe that anything can be accomplished through effort. I won't bother to change your view though.

[afertyus1000]

@punkypenguin321 what rubbish imperfect practice makes imperfect music all concert pianists have extra natural talent than others

[mrmonkeybuns]

do you really believe this ? how old are you ? I ask because maybe you haven't met people that certain things just come easy to them when others have to try so much harder to accomplish the same level.

for example , I have two children in piano lessons one is more driven to perfection , and the other just naturally has an ear for music and picks it up much quicker and easier ...

[swingballbros]

what is it he says at 2:02 about the ossia cadenza, it's "too violent"? perhaps if it is, that's the only thing he says that i disagree with here.

[Drunk3nFist]

@swingballbros he said there are 'two variances you can choose'

[swingballbros]

@Drunk3nFist ah yeah i hear it now, i guess that also makes a lot more sense with what he says afterwards. Cheers!

[Handeltasche]

nowadays you have to be russian or asian to be over talented :'DD

[jjp009]

It's a little scary for me to think of how significantly emptier my life would be without Rachmaninoff and this masterpiece if neither ever existed.

[IMAWriterRobJ]

What wonderful pianist, what a wonderful human being Mr. Lugansky is. Rachmaninoff could have no better champion, nor interpreter.

[Eztoez]

@IMAWriterRobJ Don't forget Rachmaninoff personally "approved" Horowitz rendition....such a shame Rach never got to meet Lugansky or Volodos or Hamelin or Argerich...wonder what he would have said about those guys.

[PhillyB702]

@Eztoez What's wrong with Horowitz's Interpretation? His technical abilities far surpass any of those people, and so does his musicality. I would agree that the 1941 recording was very rushed, but his 1951 is the best version I have ever heard from anyone.

[sammarco02]

@Eztoez Rach would have admired Argerich and Volodos. Lugansky couldn't be Rach's page turner. Hamelin? you gotta be joing man, Hamelin playing Rach will be the biggest mess ever.

[gerardbedecarter]

Magnificent.

[RemovdSande11]

rofl,, this guy looks like my father. Except my father can not play a note.

[jjp009]

I think what makes me most sickeningly jealous about watching this incredible pianist play this masterpiece is that he not only can play it backwards and forwards without thinking about it too hard, but he knows all the orchestral parts and transcribed them for the piano, too! WHO THE HELL LEARNS THE ORCHESTRAL PARTS?? This is insane talent!

[afertyus1000]

@jjp009 yes why do we bother?

[pianomatteo]

im ashamed to say i am (was) a pianist (was attending conservatory but now i sing mostly) and I just discovered this man this last week. I am absolutely astounded by his musicianship, unreal technique, and kind and genuine heart toward beautiful music. I really hope to hear more from this man. I dont think he has recordings of the concerti? anyone know?

[theshjt1]

@pianomatteo yes he does. try to search it here-youtube

[semicolin]

sigh. saw him play this today in philadelphia, going again tomorrow... i am smitten. i'd never heard such a tender, lyrical interpretation of this concerto; i cried through most of it. :) exquisite hands!

[Martel211996]

@semicolin Hi, I also attended this concert on the 29th at 8pm, i sat front row in aisle G. i am actually a close friend of Mr. Lugansky. During the climax of the 3rd movement it was so beautiful. And he played it slower than regular tempo and it was just beautiful.

[aslanov]

i have a feeling lugansky would be one of the best accompaniments for a 2 piano version of a concerto; he plays the orchestral parts so naturally; it sounds like its made for the piano

[cpanati]

Adore Lugansky.

[odinnshred]

It's not until you see the work on the piano, and hear the part on it's own that you learn just how great Rachmaninov's writing for the piano really was. The quality of piano scoring in this concerto outranks any of the solo works, but a lot of the finer detail is hidden by the orchestra (not that I'm complaining, the orchestration is also phenomenal).

Lugansky is a brilliant pianist who understands the spirit of this piece, and deserves the utmost praise for his work as a musician.

[planmix]

Thanks for the upload :)

[demosj]

This man learned this concerto in three days. Lugansky you bastard, it's taken me three YEARS and I've only just started on the third movement.

Outstanding talent.

[Theonedue]

All the movements in three days?

[Theonedue]

How did you find out about that? Also just because he learned the movements in three days dosent by definiton mean he would be comfortable playing them at a concert.

[afertyus1000]

@demosj yer i give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gtrbasse]

@demosj That he learned this beast in three days seems impossible! -it's insane, superhuman... Are you sure?

[demosj]

@Gtrbasse I am absolutely sure, straight from his mouth in an interview. It's an insane feat, but pianists of his caliber of talent have done that and more. Like Jozef Hofmann learning pieces by *hearing* them and already being able to play them at performance level. Arkady Volodos also learned this concerto in under a week.

[Theonedue]

Do you mean memorized in three days? 

[Evaldas521]

@demosj

Where does this information come from?

[demosj]

@Evaldas521 Interview with Harriet Smith, the June article of "Gramophone", 1996.

[Theonedue]

So he was like 24 when he learned this concerto?

[Theonedue]

Where did you hear that?

[demosj]

@Theonedue Read the comments.

[Theonedue]

Yeah, I did. I forgot to delete my previous comment.

[cappko]

@demosj it is not AS MUCH talent as it is the work which he has sacrificed in order to get these amazing technical abilities

[kiwipuppy6]

@demosj LOLLLLLL 3 Days! That explains it all!!! XD

[94jmcorrea]

@demosj wow! how do yuo know that?

[afertyus1000]

@demosj i done  it in two hours

[fierydog]

@demosj And yet the third is the hardest movement yet! I feel your pain brother.

[decemberbenjamin]

@demosj he learned this in three days? god.

[656of1000]

Which cadenza do you think he prefers to play in concert? I may see him perform in Philadelphia in May, and I would love to hear the ossia live, but he did seem rather proficient with the other cadenza.

[sackwhacker]

@656of1000

obviously he prefers the original one, or the one with the toccata-like style

[nancylam82]

He is a monster! Extreme technical skill, but never showoffy; almost freakishly error-free for such a demanding concerto. Remind you of anyone?

Philharmonia also (once again) proved they are London's premier orchestra.

It took a good while after Pletnev & Lugansky walked off before they came on again for the first bow. I'd LOVE to know what was said...

[finewines]

I loved the way they both walked on ever so slowly!!!

[Matelad]

Indeed, I agree, a total monster. However, I'm a bit intrigued. What would you consider to be showoffy?

[Jim341046]

Cziffra?

[KlassikFan2007]

what beautiful hands... like Glenn Gould's :)

[jjp009]

@KlassikFan2007 Hey Klassik! Uhh, I've seen all of your Rachmaninoff, too, and you have some pretty wonderful hands yourself, mister! (My personal favorite is the C major Moment Musical)

[Drunk3nFist]

I'm going to see Lugansky play this on Sunday! And I have a recording of him playing this concerto at the 2008 Proms! Go on my profile to see it!

[vladimirhorowitz]

How was it? Did he do the Ossia cadenza or what?

[FungoBoy]

spelling =D

[mario54671]

Probably my favorite piano concerto ever. I actually have the recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Esa-Pekka Salonen with Yefim Bronfman playing! Good stuff..