Cziffra plays Mendelssohn - Liszt A Midsummer Night's Dream

[chobeethaninov]

Love Cziffra's playing as always!

[uhartchristian]

compared to Horowitz there is the same quality of sound and intention of interpretation although there are big differences in execution. Cziffra was as exciting as Horowitz and will stay a milestone in the history of pianomusic.

[fredericfranc]

If you are trying to say that this pianist is some kind of a unique phenomenon, sort of instantly recognizable from his sonic signature, yes, you got it.

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

I really feel like I'm hearing Liszt right now =)

[Airliners101]

Amazing!

[rudolphjack]

Technique is important, but the ability to hear the music and make it your own is what made

Cziffra's and Horowitz's such great pianist,

You can only play up to what you hear.

What you hearing might extend the range of the

music beyond what the composer originally

intended. This is what made Cziffra and Horowitz so exciting. How are they going to hear the music tonight?

[f1f1s]

Well... I'm sorry to disagree with you, sirs, but it seems this is REAL Cziffra. Compare the grandpiano sound, the style of right-hand passages and especially intersecting fingers at 6:30 and left hand arpeggio for more than 2 octaves at 9:05. The overall piece sounds in genuine "List-Cziffra" style like many other pieces.

By exclusion, who else could have performed this in such technique? Not Horowitz. Arrau, Neuhaus, Richer, Argerich didn't make arrangements. So... If not Gyorgy, then who?=)

[morvensky]

Sorry but I have to say Richter had as good of a technique as Cziffra. Richter's was just more reserved and he did not show it off. No need to compare techniques or artistry though.

[SevenCircles]

RIchter had a more impressive repertoire.

Cziffra was cleaner but Richter´s repertoire was propably twice as large.

[ClassicMusicOnly]

Well its great to play alot of pieces but HOW you play them is important.

[ClassicMusicOnly]

Thats like saying Horowitz was better than Rachmaninov :)

[oregamienainokasugu]

I think highly of  him.

[MartinVanBoven]

@oregamienainokasugu That is wise :). On top of his "normal" great technical prowess, Cziffra here also shows deeply subtle musicality; almost the whole piece he "holds back", even during the fortissimos. Very special.

[piano345]

Genuine Cziffra recorded in 1959! Wonderful long held trill and delicate touch for the elves music. Original recording a bit tinny.

[Frenchandproudofit]

Thanks for other,genuine videos you've shared.

This is NO Cziffra. A good average pianist, no more.

Of course, it's possible you're not being dishonest, but somebody sent you this mediocre video as Cziffra's.

If so, please check on your sources.

[ykrahs666]

i dont' know what you're talkin about dude...but this IS cziffra...i have the exact recording. if you think this is just an AVERAGE pianist...i must laugh at such a statement.

[mombeekmarcel]

hi there, if you know cziffra's art good, you will know that is could be only cziffra. I knew cziffra personally, and his "touch" was not different in the 80 years as in the 50°

[Jim0734]

@mombeekmarcel Knew him personally?? Are you kidding??

[ffurgy]

I wish you could have seen him perform, if you hadn't. He was every bit as delicate, bombastic, whatever was required, as you imagine, just listening. He always enjoyed listening to his own playing as he performed...IMHO

[cygnusne]

Sheer Magic !!!

Thanks for sharing!!

[cygnusne]

Awesome!! He has it all !!

Great pianist!!