Rzewski plays Rzewski (vaimusic.com)

[XylophoneNoir]

This was a brilliant theme, quite reflective of the music of Brecht and Eisler in style and political content. Progressives of every shade of red need to respect Rzewski and his bold piece through each struggle for social justice we encounter. You CANNOT separate the music from the revolutionary fervor here---as Rzewski intended, they are one.

[Ascotg]

I have to play this song for my exam of piano, this video helped me a lot. So thanks for posting it.

[Laudan08]

Why does he have to use score? He himself composed it...

[adelantoni]

Buenisimoooooooo

[fisarmonicista]

De pie, cantar que vamos a luchar, avanzan ya banderas de unidad, y tu vendrás marchando junto a mi, y al fin verás tu canto y tu bandera florecer la luz de un rojo amenecer que anuncia ya la vida que vendrá...

[BranSheanew]

Like it!

[Tome1973]

Maestro !!! Thanks for the tribute to Chile and Salvador Allende who gave his life on a day like today (September 11,1973) 37 years ago. Long Live Salvador Allende !!

[piano12161770]

i dig it!

[TimJakeGl]

I saw him play in Cologne about 15 years ago. Very moving performance

[Predatorwazza666]

does anyone know where can i find the piano sheet for this peace???

[antignorantes]

El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!!!!!

El himno de la Unidad Popular Gobierno derrocado por la CIA

[chexg]

I can't get this melody out of my head! I love it! Especially at 2:12 where he gets all Rachmaninoff-ish, haha. Great Composer!

[PianoplayerPaul]

You're so right. It's a very catchy tune, and a wonderful choice for variations.

I remember the controversies when Rzewski began composing like this in the 1970's, and how he was mercilessly attacked by some in academia. It was a rather sudden change in style for him, but he certainly has done an excellent job with it.

[jlaurson]

The melody isn't his, though...

"The People United Will Never Be Defeated! 36 Variations on ¡El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido! ...tells rather innocuously of human struggle for change. The theme for the Variation comes from Sergio Ortega who wrote the anthem of the same name to a pop-tune he picked up at the time. Rzewskis hour-long treatment for piano takes this tune as its ever-recurring kernel and goes far and wide with it."

[cenzi6]

I grew up on this, and I love his interpretations! He has donted so much to our Chilean history by adding his variations to our theme.

[NastyBadBird]

Rzewski's a funny guy. Definition of the word "radical chic". I don't really mind that a silk-shirt-wearing product of Harvard and Princeton shamelessly used this tune to make himself so goddamned hip in the 1970s because I don't give a shit about radical politics anyway, but these variations sure do make pretty piano music. Viva la variacion!

[antignorantes]

@NastyBadBird I dont give a shit your give a shit and

VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN

[MarcheseCadmio88]

@antignorantes The same here. At the moment, in my sad Italy, a good revolution inspired by this composition would be a real blessing!

[200715209]

ignorance, ignorance

[physicsgeek21690]

Seriously?! This is the theme upon which his "The People United Will Never be Defeated" variations are based. This is a Chilean revolutionary theme. The variations that he apparently no longer has the technical facilities to play are more virtuosic and "academic". He's old and apparently out of practice, but do not insult his compositional skills on a piece that isn't even "his". Judge the variations all you want, but this theme is a traditional song that he didn't write. Ignoramus.

[reallyhatejazz]

Um... you mean like Red Hot Chili Peppers? Are they like...evolutionary and stuff?

Anyways you've opened my eyes and I no longer think Harvard, Yale, Princeton and stuff like the way I actually did before.

I kinda begin to recognise that this old dude has a strong fanbase all over the world, even in places like you know Mexico or Europe and stuff.

Thanx alot!

[physicsgeek21690]

Red Hot Chili Peppers? What does a rock band from California have to do with my comment? And what do they have to do with top-tier universities?

The rest of your comment is incoherent.

[reallyhatejazz]

You've mentioned em (though misspelled as Chile) and their you know... evolution or something.

But top tier? Look, I don't speak german well. I know  "das Tier" is like "an animal", but "top tier"? What is this, king of the beasts?

Anyways, "why would I want to make music that makes sense when none of the world makes sense" Good point. Why? I just don't get it. It makes no sense. No reason, no coherence, no nothin, you know like arty stuff and things like that.

[physicsgeek21690]

-I'm speaking English, not German.

-I have no idea what the Chili Peppers being "evolution or something" means. And I didn't bring them up, you did.

-Top tier universities are universities that are among the best in the world.

[physicsgeek21690]

Umm...yes...um...OK. Chile is a South American country. Chili is a spicy pepper. One is a county and the other is a food. Hence, a Chilean revolutionary theme is a theme that originated in the nation of Chile.

"Revolution" is when a people overthrow their government, which is how my country came into existence. The same thing happened in countless countries: France, China, Russia, etc.

Gee, you are smart.

[physicsgeek21690]

Clearly you neither speak English well nor have ever taken a legitimate history class. The American, French, and Russian (Bolshevik) Revolutions were some of the most important events in Western history.

[reallyhatejazz]

I think you overrate the importance of rebellion, language, history, sense, coherence, compositional skills, universities, animals, Ortega, top gun, and chili.

I don't want to spoil your fun, but huh. You are a tough one.

[pianomarius]

oh god, thats such a brilliant discussion :D

reallyhatejazz youre awsome

[philnoll]

@pianomarius

I can't see how anyone could really hate jazz. I think I'll go listen to some now

[pianomarius]

@philnoll

me too.

hiromi uehara <3

[philnoll]

yes, that's it. But some of her stuff like kung fu campion is not my taste

[robbiethemann]

wtf is wrong with you physicsgeek

don't feed the trolls

[darkdss]

composers are not performers. not this one anyway.

[flammesombres]

He was when he was younger, don't be so disrespectful. This guy was one of the few people who could play the Stockhausen Klavierstücke no. 10.

[Tacitus87]

u stupid fuck,can t u see he s old?.pay some respect to one of the greatest living composers

[hirstern]

Is he Polish or Russian?

[qtpipi]

Polish-American

[jlaurson]

American.

[robbiethemann]

ahhh cringeworthy ending. that was tragic. the worst time to make a mistake.

not the best way to end an hour long piece aaaaagh

[gnsksj]

민중이여 단결하라! Peoples be united!

[ShwangShwing]

The melody sounds like one song of the bulgarian band Nova Generacia from 91. Search "Patriotichna pesen" and tell me your opinions.

[hirstern]

The beginning is really similar, but later It's diffrent.

[Irelandlass7789]

I can listen to this a hundred times and not get sick of it! Simply amazing!!!

[charlesalkan]

Simlpy Stunning!!!!!

A divine privilege listening to the composer himself playing his own holy and great OPUS!

SUPERB!!!

[EilisErina]

that is lovely indeed!very good !!

[goldberg72]

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING

[christian6657]

Baaaa-Voooooooooooo! That was sweeet! what a privilege to us all to listen to this!!!!

[ipmoic]

One of America's greatest 20th century composers. To attend a Rzewski concert is to have a never forgotten evening. Thanks for letting me know your music for the last 33 years. Onward and upward Frederick.

[Chopinesque]

This composition is brilliance. I am interested to hear the rest from the composer himself!

[AHN5D]

As a pianist, he has a very warm tone. His music reminds me of the poem of Walt Whitman somehow. Thanks for posting.

[celach]

Its ironic, I like Hamelin's version of this better than the actual composer's. lol

[rvn10rvn17]

me too.. i feel Hamelin interpreted the song more lively and passionate..

[MrRockin]

All Composers arent pianist.

[sagalat]

Very interesting.  Never heard of him til now. Thanks

[nikolaclar]

AMAZING!

[boomchuckaboom]

thanks for sharing...you have great taste!