Liszt may have said Chopin was a greater composer, but there is a reason Chopin's entire Opus 10 set of Etudes were dedicated to Franz after Liszt's incomparable performance at first read.
This is really interesting piano playing from an historical perspective and a cultural one as well. Many Conservatory students would be severely chastised for taking any of the liberties he employs. But it's just that which gives this perfomance interest and character. We'll probably never hear this sort of playing again. Individualism seems to have been effectively eradicated in the musical institutions of the world.
@urbaninjas focus on our hands? mabe some, but not the case here... he is focused on the music and letting go! he doesn't need to focus on his hands!!
My favorite interpretations of the Hungarian Rhapsodies are largely Michelle Campanella's. He makes them sound so full and powerful in way that I've yet to hear another pianist, including Cziffra, match. Of course, that doesn't mean Cziffra's technique is any less jaw-dropping.
He is an amazing pianist. And yes, his smile is wonderful. Enjoying the music is essential. He plays like a real gypsy, so free...and I think he adds some of his own cadenzas here...
I gotta settle this Chopin vs Liszt thing. I am good at this. Chopin was not particularly Polish in his music, though he did think he was rather Polish, but he was not particularly good about figuring stuff like this out. Liszt was truly pan-European. So get this nationality stuff right out of this. Put the best of Chopin, like his Op. 35, next to the best of Liszt, which is the sonata. Noncomparable entities, you hit a brick wall. That's it.
Chopin was MORE than Polish in his music. What , did you happen to over look the Polonaises or the Mazureks? He was very Polish in his music , and its pretty insulting not to say he was not.
Both were great composers , but Liszt admitted it himself , that Chopin was a better composer than himself. I don't think you want to fight Liszt on this one..
At that last bit; Liszt hated himself and even talked of suicide, I don't think he was the best judge of his own worth and if given the chance I would have gladly fought with him over it.
@Kicero He was a very complicated man--and also very generous. He told students "don't air your dirty laundry'--ie don't make big mistakes--he wanted students to come to him free of technical problems so they could work on interpretive ones.
@ClassicMusicOnly I do think myself Chopin was better, if forced to compare-well, if you could make Chopin's work dissapear, piano music would be stolen it's heart. Still I think somehow, it doesn't make much sense to rank composers of such virtue. You always come to the argument about what s better, pears or apples. They were actually quite different, and booth very good.
@ClassicMusicOnly I am not american at all and I can teach you that Chopin was absolutely totally killed by Lizst's playing on his well-known studies. Chopin was a great composer even if his music was off the trend in 1837-39). Liszt instead helped to change the Music until 1886. Wagner robbed much of his harmonic solutions. Wagner is Wagner 'cause of Liszt. If Liszt admitted and respected Chopin as a great composer than himself it was because the GREATEST are always the HUMBLE ones.
Chopin, it is true, might have had some respect for Liszt. Bought Chopin did not identify in anyway with the romantic generation of composers. Chopin himself felt his music was outside (that is not to say it was better or worse then) that of his contemporaries, it was very distinct. Its well documented Chopin payed little attention to and did not care for the music of his contemporaries. The only exception you could argue to that is Alkan.
I dont get why some people just dont grow up... they try to compare two very different composers, thinking like this is a competition or something, when in their times, Chopin and Liszt, had respect for each other... They composed for MUSIC, not to compete... Everyone should see the beautiful aspects of each one, AND LEAVE IT THERE... both are great composers, both developed to the limit(as technically and in terms of sound and phrasing), both are genius.
A tiny thing I'd like to add to this ridiculous argument.... Chopin's instrumentation was indeed rather weak. But his composition at the piano was extraordinary. Anyone who has learned his music will know that. When I was a young man I worked on Liszt, Rachm. and Chopin (ballade #1). The two first, I felt, "sat" well in the hands, but required strength. Learning Chopin was like entering another world beyond the piano (but I am not comparing the 3 composers). It was horribly difficult.
I think we all must agree that Cziffra fail's and the octave part at the VERY VERY end. Its amazing until 5:50. He really dies out there. Still he is amazing !
He's putting down an octave each 2nd Bb octave in those bars. I think it really works, as kind of a dance, very evocative. I don't think it takes away.
I would agree with you for the most part, but you must give Mozart credit where it is due. His creations were extraordinary for his time, even if he only added any emotion after the passing of his mother.
It is true that Mozart was a great composer but the hype surrounding him is unwarranted and I like to bring him down a notch for the lulz.
And then of course his later work is deserving of all the hype he is usually given. I just get tired of hearing those who know very little about baroque/classical/romantic music praising Mozart when he is mid tier among the greats and their accolades would be better applied to perhaps Chopin for example.
Chopin is is the greatest composer of all time along with Liszt. And no he didnt no just play the fucking piano as you said. He was a composer and not a virtuoso like Liszt. Chopin is known for his great Romantic pieces and his piano concertos are one of the most amazing.. You.. have no idea what you talking about.
I'm dead serious. Saying that Chopin wasn't a virtuoso shows me that you got no idea what you're writing about. Did chopin write any orchestral pieces other than his 2 piano concertos? He revolutionized piano music until liszt came and took it to a whole new level. Liszt also invented the symphonic poem. he was more than just a piano virtuoso.
Second, Chopin is not just a pianist...he was a composer AND pianist.
Third, Liszt never 'came and took it to a whole new level' because theres no possible way he could. Liszt and Chopin were friends but Chopin hated Liszts music. Liszt indeed was a better pianist and his technique level was amazing but Liszt himself admitted it that Chopin was a better composer than he was.
@ClassicMusicOnly warum willst du in frage stellen ob ich eine ahnung habe was ein virtuose ist? Das waren sie beide und mir geht es darum dass Chopin nur für Klavier geschrieben hat und einfach nicht die Skills besessen hat für ein Orchester zu schreiben. Keine Ahnung von Orchestrierung und Orchestertonsatz. Das hört man an seinen Klavierkonzerten.
I ask because you seem as you don't know. Chopin's concertos are one of the most amazing and are indeed much better than many of Beethoven's or Mozart's. And now.. why shall be both argue.. if either you nor I can support our opinions? Please.. but of course.. if your German.. no wonder you will despise Polish music , because Chopin's concertos are typically Polish. Yes.. I can write in German.. only I don't want to make a laughing stock out of myself because of my grammar.
@ClassicMusicOnly I think that you hear music as a pianist and not as a musician. That's why you like chopin's concertos so much. He used the orchestra like a piano and didn't use the full potential. Now you're starting to get racist on me? What the fuck are you thinking?? Just because motherfucker was polish makes me hate his music? In fact i like most of his stuff, out of a pianistic point of view. He just didn't know how to orchestrate and i guess he knew that himself.
Excuse me I sounded racist.. I had no intentions to sound that way.
Well your correct because I indeed am a young student thats studying the piano , but I don't see a connection between the person that I am to Chopins concertos. You could right away say I like them and I am defending him because I'm Polish.. but thats not the case. Although I understand you more clearly when you state that he used it more like a piano. But.. I still stand tall to my opinion.
@ClassicMusicOnly Chopin = greatest composer, Liszt = greatest pianist in performance, technique wise. But saying that Chopin wasn't virtuoso, listen to his Etudes. He may not be as good as liszt, but still was a virtuoso
@TripleRhu no, I am simply laying down examples of his virtuosity, Latin virtus meaning: skill, manliness, excellence. There are many more like his scherzos. No doubt Liszt was better, but being virtuoso doesn't mean the best, that's why there were multiple virtuosos back then, and Chopin being one of them
His performances (not even this) are very delicious to my ear, and I like them A LOT more than others performances...Cziffra is so light and he is mastering his playing with amazing virtuosity...
I love the free-spirited sense of STYLE. He plays it with a whimsical, quasi-improvisatory flair.
I thought for a while that Cziffra was going to supplant my longstanding admiration for Horowitz's legendary recording of this great circus stunt, but Cziffra disappointed me in the last section. I thought it was a tad too fast for comfort, and was, therefore, robbed of the power and clarity Horowitz achieved.
Many have marked my comment on thums down I men't the start of the octave scetion because if you listen to others it does not sound like that...But that might be how his interpretation is. Sorry for bad english.
He who criticizes has to show that he can do it better. So - can YOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU play it better? Huh? HUUUUUUH? Come on - let's have the whole show!!!! Yeah, come on now, bring it, man! Don't talk, just bring it! If YOOOOUUUUU can do it better, prove it to us here and now!! Show us that YOOOUUUUU can do it better than Czifra!
that's retarded. few people can play on the level of Cziffra, but he can still be criticized...that's what seperates classical music from current music. interpretation, opinion, emotion...
Dear tharhodyhomieKdollaz (Whoof!!), you're absolutely one hundred percent right! What I wrote is just plain retarded moron bullshit! I did it on purpose though, just as an experiment, to see what will happen. Because, you know, whenever I or other users utter any criticism concerning someone's performance on YouTube, there will always be some smart-alek replying with "Well then, big-shot, prove that you can do it better, otherwise shut up". (to be continued)
So I thought, why not exaggerate a bit on the other end (I wasn't answering to any comment, I was simply pretending to) and see if I will get an intelligent reply. And I did - from you! It's good to know other people see it my way as well, because I was already starting to have self-doubts...I hope at least some of the "can-yooouuu-play-it-better-bigmouth"-writers read your comment.
Cziffra is very good, but he's hardly perfect. I'm constantly amused though by the number of YouTubers who like to play New York Times culture/music critic...whether or not they have the talent.
I don't quite understand what this has to do with what I wrote, but you're not altogether wrong, all the same. Only: for instance, I'm not a politician, and if anybody asks me: "Well, as you criticize the government, can YOOOUUUU do it better?", my answer would certainly have to be no. But does that mean I would have no right whatsoever to say if I felt something was lacking?
I can't possibly remember ever having said that about Czifra's performance! That wouldn't be my style anyway, because adolescent expressions like "it sucks" haven't any room when giving an opinion about the performance of a top artist, in my opinion.
Sorry, let me clarify, I personally beleive that there is a difference between saying that you enjoy/dislike something, and saying that something sucks, was ruined...etc. , (Not that YOU said that). I agree with you that just because someone cant do "something" that they dont have a right to an opinion, But really people, let's judge in ways that are fair for every other viewer. Not forcing an opinion, but offering it.
@thar[...]llaz: I don't think there's still anyone able to really play at this level, today and at his time too. In fact, this is not just a matter of stringing notes together, but also the way it comes and the ease he demonstrates, without talking about his incredible musicality... Of course, he had his own affinities with music, and I don't think he plays everything at best, but he is quiet easily the greatest pianist of all recording memory yet, in my opinion. And this is one illustration. :)
Anton Rubinstein didn't always play "note perfect". But he greatly impressed people like Lhevinne, Hofmann and Busoni. Rubinstein's mastery of sound and musical expression was more important than perfect finger dexterity. The above-mentioned masters remembered Rubinstein's sound for the rest of their lives.
My feeling is that it is intrinsic to his playing. I have feeling that he has habit of venturing at spur of moment to do what his technique cann't possibly tolerate. Anyway, it is NOT quality of recording. In this, you are as wrong as my English.
As you advised, I went and listened to other performance of same #6 Rhapsodie by Cziffra (upload by akagrin). Although not as bad as this performance, the same kind of clumsy octaves can be heard. If you do not believe this, go listen to it for yourself. Possibly, Cziffra was out of shape on both ocassions, but I doubt that very much.
Actually, I feel that old and crummy recordings do not affect so much how we perceive actual performance was like, I think. If you do not believe this, try listen to Lhevinne's Blue Danube, which I believe was recorded much earlier than this Cziffra Rhapsodie. (It is uploaded on youtube.)
You almost persuaded me. Sorry, you are wrong, as my English is wrong. It is NOT recording. It is performance itself. I don't know, Cziffra maybe actually super-virtuoso, as legend goes, but at least in this performance, he is not virtuoso at all.
Thank you, for replying. Really? You think it is recording? I couldn't feel so when I listened to video. Well, I will take advice and try listen to other videos. I honestly do not know much of this pianist. Do you know any imformation about GAVEAU piano? Oh, by the way, I partly agree about lang lang. He can be HORRIBLE. But sometimes, as I found on youtube, he can be magnificent. How do you know I am in love lang lang?
I think the reason Cziffra played Liszt so well was due to the fact the his training descended directly from Liszt himself. He was taught by Dohnanyi,
Sorry, excuse me my silly question. Is this Cziffra the legendary Cziffra who suppose to be super-virtuoso, or that is different Cziffra? I have not listened to this pianist, so I don't know, but this Cziffra playing rapsodie has clumsy technique, no?
I can like sound of chords at beginning only. In last part, horribely uneven and unclear right hand octaves. Listening, I even get worried if he can make it to finish line. Fingerwork not so good too. We cannot hear notes smoothly. Maybe I need to see ear doctor, but I don't hear sound of virtuoso at all. Anyway not from this rapsodie.
Please someone teach me, is this false Cziffra? Or does real Cziffra have fever something and I should listen to another recording? I like this kind playing although. No one can play this flamboyant style any more. If he plays, he cannot win competition, no? I like piano sound too. GAVEAU? I have never seen and listened to GAVEAU piano. Please teach me, does any today's pianist play GAVEAU for concert? Sorry, wrong English and many questions.
Oui c'est le vrai Cziffra. Et son interprêtation de cette rhapsodie est la mieux que j'ai pu écouter. Tellement proche de l'expression que pouvait avoir Liszt, cette nostalgie typiquement chopienne par ailleurs... Bref. Une légèreté vraiment superbement menée.
Cziffra is simply as good as they come...piano players only play differently, but not better than Cziffra-not in technique, speed, dynamic, clarity...Cziffra is my favorite neo-classical pianists!!
Quelle merveille!Pour moi,aucun pianiste ne peut rivaliser avec cette version!Cziffra possède un sens du rubato,des nuances,son piano chante...Version très hongroise!!!
Do the best performers of particular music needing to be the same nationality as the composer? As an American, I haven't heard much music by U.S. composers sound idiomatic when played by non-Americans.
Still, the Pole Chopin admitted that he didn't play his own pieces as well as did the Hungarian Liszt. The German Mendelssohn at a party once played his Capriccio in F sharp minor, only to have Liszt play it better.
Similarly, Brahms wrote many fine "Hungarian" works, despite being a German.
A true artist and outstanding performer. And by outstanding, I mean he stands out among all other artists with his incredible interpretations and passion.
hahah how long had he been playing before this piece? He's sweating like a mofo o_0. But then again he's Cziffra so he can do it all. I bet he could read a book from a mile away closed. he's just the best
Liszt may have said Chopin was a greater composer, but there is a reason Chopin's entire Opus 10 set of Etudes were dedicated to Franz after Liszt's incomparable performance at first read.
76markb 19 hours ago
Änd at least it's not a Steinway piano! Gaveau were a leading French maker and much used by artists.
fortepiano44 6 days ago
This is really interesting piano playing from an historical perspective and a cultural one as well. Many Conservatory students would be severely chastised for taking any of the liberties he employs. But it's just that which gives this perfomance interest and character. We'll probably never hear this sort of playing again. Individualism seems to have been effectively eradicated in the musical institutions of the world.
fortepiano44 6 days ago
> argerich
sditionw 3 months ago
I think the reason why he shifts he's fingers on repeated note octave from 1-4 to 1-5 is to keep his hands as close to the keys as possible.
heinzgilbert 3 months ago
what i want to see:
more hands, less hair
audreyhsux5727 4 months ago 2
He's got good technique!
g7727 4 months ago
only guy w/all the hungarian rhapsodies...i could only hear one mistake @ 4:26-ish
audreyhsux5727 4 months ago
I'm a one sixth is France and one sixth is Hungarian.
0530pianist 6 months ago
I can listen for hours.
bpbartek0 7 months ago
3:29 Bobby de Niro!! :D
twooffour 8 months ago
That was amazing.
mikex01234 9 months ago
Lúdas Matyi zenéje!!! :D:D csak megtaláltam :D
Tao1519 10 months ago
gyonyoru,koszonom
doraiovicin 1 year ago
Tökéletes az összhang, Cziffra György érzi, amit Liszt Ferenc... és én is érzem
Perfect consonancy, Cziffra feel what Liszt feel... and I also do
dudolofly 1 year ago
Words are stupid
annarosian 1 year ago
Cziffra ist immer noch de PESTE!!!!
csingo100 1 year ago
Cziffra ö a második Liszt !! Hiszen nem csoda a Liszt Rhapsódiák is a cigányszenészeknek köszönhetjük!!
csingo100 1 year ago
@csingo100
Igen. Szaz szazolik igoz!
Gerald555able 1 year ago
I love it when us musicians focus so much on our playing and our hands that we lose control of our face
urbaninjas 1 year ago 4
@urbaninjas focus on our hands? mabe some, but not the case here... he is focused on the music and letting go! he doesn't need to focus on his hands!!
alejandrothefader 1 year ago
7 people are just so jealous
TripleRhu 1 year ago
This is Magyar rapszódia!:)
001ArtistJoker 1 year ago
Brilliant!!
douskara 1 year ago 2
Only Magyars can do this to the pianoforte, it's in their blood!
TheCourtwick 1 year ago
nickoicool
Wrong.
Musical genius!
pooperscoopr69 1 year ago
Technical genius :)
nickoicool 1 year ago
have to watch this! is amazing
(w w w) youtube.com/watch?v=AdrtKjgDxto
hallomrjohn 1 year ago
youtube.com/watch?v=AdrtKjgDxto
hallomrjohn 1 year ago
*_* pure genius.................. god!
petrof4056 1 year ago
Magnificent and free, like cheetahs on a prairie under the sun!
iOnlySignIn 1 year ago 10
A bit hard to see where his fingers are moving, seems like the camera was not fast enough! He plays it so good, that it is unbelieveable!
Simply: Brilliant.
KoviRobi 1 year ago 2
My favorite interpretations of the Hungarian Rhapsodies are largely Michelle Campanella's. He makes them sound so full and powerful in way that I've yet to hear another pianist, including Cziffra, match. Of course, that doesn't mean Cziffra's technique is any less jaw-dropping.
tititata 1 year ago
amazing control on the octaves! holy crap!
chutdigadut 1 year ago
He is an amazing pianist. And yes, his smile is wonderful. Enjoying the music is essential. He plays like a real gypsy, so free...and I think he adds some of his own cadenzas here...
MrBenhoven 1 year ago
The best interpret of Liszt's music....
LisztBusoni 1 year ago
vírtuóz!!!
indigidum 1 year ago
I gotta settle this Chopin vs Liszt thing. I am good at this. Chopin was not particularly Polish in his music, though he did think he was rather Polish, but he was not particularly good about figuring stuff like this out. Liszt was truly pan-European. So get this nationality stuff right out of this. Put the best of Chopin, like his Op. 35, next to the best of Liszt, which is the sonata. Noncomparable entities, you hit a brick wall. That's it.
fredericfranc 1 year ago
@fredericfranc
Haha , how would a American know that?
Chopin was MORE than Polish in his music. What , did you happen to over look the Polonaises or the Mazureks? He was very Polish in his music , and its pretty insulting not to say he was not.
Both were great composers , but Liszt admitted it himself , that Chopin was a better composer than himself. I don't think you want to fight Liszt on this one..
ClassicMusicOnly 1 year ago 7
@ClassicMusicOnly
At that last bit; Liszt hated himself and even talked of suicide, I don't think he was the best judge of his own worth and if given the chance I would have gladly fought with him over it.
Best composer is a very difficult topic.
Kicero 10 months ago
@Kicero He was a very complicated man--and also very generous. He told students "don't air your dirty laundry'--ie don't make big mistakes--he wanted students to come to him free of technical problems so they could work on interpretive ones.
windstorm1000 4 months ago
@ClassicMusicOnly I do think myself Chopin was better, if forced to compare-well, if you could make Chopin's work dissapear, piano music would be stolen it's heart. Still I think somehow, it doesn't make much sense to rank composers of such virtue. You always come to the argument about what s better, pears or apples. They were actually quite different, and booth very good.
daseladi 8 months ago
@ClassicMusicOnly I am not american at all and I can teach you that Chopin was absolutely totally killed by Lizst's playing on his well-known studies. Chopin was a great composer even if his music was off the trend in 1837-39). Liszt instead helped to change the Music until 1886. Wagner robbed much of his harmonic solutions. Wagner is Wagner 'cause of Liszt. If Liszt admitted and respected Chopin as a great composer than himself it was because the GREATEST are always the HUMBLE ones.
ross2burr 3 months ago
@ClassicMusicOnly Shut up. Liszt is the greatest ever! that is read and accepted by really many important person throughout the history.
oterdverg 2 months ago
@oterdverg [citation needed]
TripleRhu 1 month ago
@TripleRhu ehm! ehe!
oterdverg 1 month ago
@ClassicMusicOnly
Still Liszt made the best composistion.
Totentanz! I'm soooo obsessed with the piano transcription... The orchestral too, of course, is stunning!!!
Let's face it, Chopin was a horrible orchestra composer....
Kinjutsuu 1 week ago
I can't call him great ......... because he is more than GREAT
bachkwt 1 year ago
Chopin, it is true, might have had some respect for Liszt. Bought Chopin did not identify in anyway with the romantic generation of composers. Chopin himself felt his music was outside (that is not to say it was better or worse then) that of his contemporaries, it was very distinct. Its well documented Chopin payed little attention to and did not care for the music of his contemporaries. The only exception you could argue to that is Alkan.
andrew17660 2 years ago
I dont get why some people just dont grow up... they try to compare two very different composers, thinking like this is a competition or something, when in their times, Chopin and Liszt, had respect for each other... They composed for MUSIC, not to compete... Everyone should see the beautiful aspects of each one, AND LEAVE IT THERE... both are great composers, both developed to the limit(as technically and in terms of sound and phrasing), both are genius.
Tatsu999999 2 years ago
Extraordinary man... =0
PrincessZelda216789 2 years ago 5
A tiny thing I'd like to add to this ridiculous argument.... Chopin's instrumentation was indeed rather weak. But his composition at the piano was extraordinary. Anyone who has learned his music will know that. When I was a young man I worked on Liszt, Rachm. and Chopin (ballade #1). The two first, I felt, "sat" well in the hands, but required strength. Learning Chopin was like entering another world beyond the piano (but I am not comparing the 3 composers). It was horribly difficult.
Malaka57 2 years ago 2
Mozart, the most overrated composer of all time!
gozhn 2 years ago 2
@gozhn
i disagree
PianoForteAndrew 2 years ago
Gyönyörű, az ember szívét simogatja.
oregpapi 2 years ago 2
what the hell happened 1:19 - 1:20?
PianoMan1836 2 years ago
Um.
Nothing. Its a really strong improv.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago 2
hahahaha i know
liszt100 2 years ago
@PianoMan1836 He made noise.
legamature 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
5:20 - 5:22 I just LOVE it!
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
I'm sure it sounded much better than it did in this recording. It must be over 40 years old.
sirvio666 2 years ago 3
Probably , but still the sound it great! Much better than other ones that are younger!
Airliners101 2 years ago
egyszeruen gyonyoru buszke vagyok hogy magyar vagyok:)
luiswega 2 years ago
His habit in the first part of the octave section of elongating the quaver at the end of the semiquaver runs is irritating.
Haeronthegreat 2 years ago
I think we all must agree that Cziffra fail's and the octave part at the VERY VERY end. Its amazing until 5:50. He really dies out there. Still he is amazing !
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
He's putting down an octave each 2nd Bb octave in those bars. I think it really works, as kind of a dance, very evocative. I don't think it takes away.
MEpianist 2 years ago 2
What's up with 4:27?
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago 2
Some mishape I guess.
Airliners101 2 years ago
I love his own variation at 2:55 - 3:04! So... touching!
f1f1s 2 years ago
i love his confidence during his performances, like in the beginning of the piece he was looking up for a few seconds. bravo !!
lizarthopinsky 2 years ago
How dare you compare that hack Mozart with the likes of Liszt, Chopin and Stravinsky...
dasklavierleben 2 years ago
the hell did you just say?
lizarthopinsky 2 years ago 4
I would agree with you for the most part, but you must give Mozart credit where it is due. His creations were extraordinary for his time, even if he only added any emotion after the passing of his mother.
sirvio666 2 years ago
It is true that Mozart was a great composer but the hype surrounding him is unwarranted and I like to bring him down a notch for the lulz.
And then of course his later work is deserving of all the hype he is usually given. I just get tired of hearing those who know very little about baroque/classical/romantic music praising Mozart when he is mid tier among the greats and their accolades would be better applied to perhaps Chopin for example.
dasklavierleben 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Chopin didn't really compose. he just played the fucking piano. listen to his piano concertos. terrible orchestral writing.
LazyBastard69 2 years ago
Haha.. your joking right?
Chopin is is the greatest composer of all time along with Liszt. And no he didnt no just play the fucking piano as you said. He was a composer and not a virtuoso like Liszt. Chopin is known for his great Romantic pieces and his piano concertos are one of the most amazing.. You.. have no idea what you talking about.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
I'm dead serious. Saying that Chopin wasn't a virtuoso shows me that you got no idea what you're writing about. Did chopin write any orchestral pieces other than his 2 piano concertos? He revolutionized piano music until liszt came and took it to a whole new level. Liszt also invented the symphonic poem. he was more than just a piano virtuoso.
LazyBastard69 2 years ago
No, your wrong.
First off , do you even KNOW what a virtuoso is?
Second, Chopin is not just a pianist...he was a composer AND pianist.
Third, Liszt never 'came and took it to a whole new level' because theres no possible way he could. Liszt and Chopin were friends but Chopin hated Liszts music. Liszt indeed was a better pianist and his technique level was amazing but Liszt himself admitted it that Chopin was a better composer than he was.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
@ClassicMusicOnly warum willst du in frage stellen ob ich eine ahnung habe was ein virtuose ist? Das waren sie beide und mir geht es darum dass Chopin nur für Klavier geschrieben hat und einfach nicht die Skills besessen hat für ein Orchester zu schreiben. Keine Ahnung von Orchestrierung und Orchestertonsatz. Das hört man an seinen Klavierkonzerten.
LazyBastard69 2 years ago
I ask because you seem as you don't know. Chopin's concertos are one of the most amazing and are indeed much better than many of Beethoven's or Mozart's. And now.. why shall be both argue.. if either you nor I can support our opinions? Please.. but of course.. if your German.. no wonder you will despise Polish music , because Chopin's concertos are typically Polish. Yes.. I can write in German.. only I don't want to make a laughing stock out of myself because of my grammar.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
@ClassicMusicOnly I think that you hear music as a pianist and not as a musician. That's why you like chopin's concertos so much. He used the orchestra like a piano and didn't use the full potential. Now you're starting to get racist on me? What the fuck are you thinking?? Just because motherfucker was polish makes me hate his music? In fact i like most of his stuff, out of a pianistic point of view. He just didn't know how to orchestrate and i guess he knew that himself.
LazyBastard69 2 years ago
Excuse me I sounded racist.. I had no intentions to sound that way.
Well your correct because I indeed am a young student thats studying the piano , but I don't see a connection between the person that I am to Chopins concertos. You could right away say I like them and I am defending him because I'm Polish.. but thats not the case. Although I understand you more clearly when you state that he used it more like a piano. But.. I still stand tall to my opinion.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
@ClassicMusicOnly Chopin = greatest composer, Liszt = greatest pianist in performance, technique wise. But saying that Chopin wasn't virtuoso, listen to his Etudes. He may not be as good as liszt, but still was a virtuoso
anonymousaccount100 9 months ago
@anonymousaccount100 so, if one is able to play his etudes, he's a virtuoso?
TripleRhu 8 months ago
@TripleRhu no, I am simply laying down examples of his virtuosity, Latin virtus meaning: skill, manliness, excellence. There are many more like his scherzos. No doubt Liszt was better, but being virtuoso doesn't mean the best, that's why there were multiple virtuosos back then, and Chopin being one of them
anonymousaccount100 8 months ago
HAHAHAHA.... oh wait your trying to be serious.
0/10
dasklavierleben 2 years ago
No words for you lazybastard69 .... only Ignorant.
simipiano 2 years ago 3
lmao,
Mozart, hack?
The bloody hell, that's an oxymoron mate.
ArvindanT 2 years ago
Admit it, mozart was the pop musician of his day :P
dasklavierleben 2 years ago
Maybe. But there were many others. Mozart was very young full of ideas. Thats why he became famous so quickly. Others were already done.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
Right. And to be entirely honest I am a fan of some of his later works he composed near his death.
dasklavierleben 2 years ago
His performance is just so happy :)
morvensky 2 years ago 3
Only true musicians can pull off that hair-do >_>
MajesticFerret 2 years ago 52
ya his performance is definitely the "cleanest" all notes are clear
IsamuTakekura 2 years ago 3
LOVE HIS STYLE!!!
Davonlos 2 years ago 4
His performances (not even this) are very delicious to my ear, and I like them A LOT more than others performances...Cziffra is so light and he is mastering his playing with amazing virtuosity...
Kapomafioso 2 years ago 3
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Martha Argerich plays this better! This is shit
Liebromeistal 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Idiot
arpiblog 2 years ago
you are a fucking hater :P
florduende 2 years ago
Write it ,if you can play it at least in the same level!you are shit!A big couple of it!
lantaykalman 2 years ago
I love the free-spirited sense of STYLE. He plays it with a whimsical, quasi-improvisatory flair.
I thought for a while that Cziffra was going to supplant my longstanding admiration for Horowitz's legendary recording of this great circus stunt, but Cziffra disappointed me in the last section. I thought it was a tad too fast for comfort, and was, therefore, robbed of the power and clarity Horowitz achieved.
Still great nonetheless.
Pischnaholic 2 years ago 6
Many have marked my comment on thums down I men't the start of the octave scetion because if you listen to others it does not sound like that...But that might be how his interpretation is. Sorry for bad english.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
just his pinky finger is about the size of an index finger.
MIFFLISH 2 years ago
This is amazing , but for me it sounded like a TON of lost notes , I may be wrong , but it those sound like that.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
liszt is all about tons of notes
stagesix6 2 years ago
Please develope that for me..
addeex1 2 years ago
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MoebiusTripper 2 years ago
"*any-amateur-pianist-or-not* plays it better"
No way.
maxdesp 2 years ago
non romantic version
xiaoghx 2 years ago
He who criticizes has to show that he can do it better. So - can YOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU play it better? Huh? HUUUUUUH? Come on - let's have the whole show!!!! Yeah, come on now, bring it, man! Don't talk, just bring it! If YOOOOUUUUU can do it better, prove it to us here and now!! Show us that YOOOUUUUU can do it better than Czifra!
Well?
I'M WAITING!!!!!!
12holiday12 2 years ago
that's retarded. few people can play on the level of Cziffra, but he can still be criticized...that's what seperates classical music from current music. interpretation, opinion, emotion...
nowadays harder to find...
tharhodyhomieKdollaz 2 years ago 12
Dear tharhodyhomieKdollaz (Whoof!!), you're absolutely one hundred percent right! What I wrote is just plain retarded moron bullshit! I did it on purpose though, just as an experiment, to see what will happen. Because, you know, whenever I or other users utter any criticism concerning someone's performance on YouTube, there will always be some smart-alek replying with "Well then, big-shot, prove that you can do it better, otherwise shut up". (to be continued)
12holiday12 2 years ago
So I thought, why not exaggerate a bit on the other end (I wasn't answering to any comment, I was simply pretending to) and see if I will get an intelligent reply. And I did - from you! It's good to know other people see it my way as well, because I was already starting to have self-doubts...I hope at least some of the "can-yooouuu-play-it-better-bigmouth"-writers read your comment.
12holiday12 2 years ago
Cziffra is very good, but he's hardly perfect. I'm constantly amused though by the number of YouTubers who like to play New York Times culture/music critic...whether or not they have the talent.
desertdawg41 2 years ago
I don't quite understand what this has to do with what I wrote, but you're not altogether wrong, all the same. Only: for instance, I'm not a politician, and if anybody asks me: "Well, as you criticize the government, can YOOOUUUU do it better?", my answer would certainly have to be no. But does that mean I would have no right whatsoever to say if I felt something was lacking?
12holiday12 2 years ago
I have to agree and disagree. it is one thing to enjoy/dislike a performance, but it is something different to say it "sucks"
kastlesucks 2 years ago
I can't possibly remember ever having said that about Czifra's performance! That wouldn't be my style anyway, because adolescent expressions like "it sucks" haven't any room when giving an opinion about the performance of a top artist, in my opinion.
12holiday12 2 years ago 6
Sorry, let me clarify, I personally beleive that there is a difference between saying that you enjoy/dislike something, and saying that something sucks, was ruined...etc. , (Not that YOU said that). I agree with you that just because someone cant do "something" that they dont have a right to an opinion, But really people, let's judge in ways that are fair for every other viewer. Not forcing an opinion, but offering it.
[Some people might not understand thins comment]
kastlesucks 2 years ago
wtf
Davonlos 2 years ago
Just one thing more: read tharhodyhomieKdollaz' comment - it's very good.
12holiday12 2 years ago
@thar[...]llaz: I don't think there's still anyone able to really play at this level, today and at his time too. In fact, this is not just a matter of stringing notes together, but also the way it comes and the ease he demonstrates, without talking about his incredible musicality... Of course, he had his own affinities with music, and I don't think he plays everything at best, but he is quiet easily the greatest pianist of all recording memory yet, in my opinion. And this is one illustration. :)
Wyndorel 1 year ago
@Wyndorel Yes. Yes. Yes. His playing is unique and just plain "cool". I can't get enough of it.
tombennettpiano 11 months ago
gyönyörüen játszik
socialgirl0574 2 years ago
lol thats quite a bit a sweat there
caocao8u 2 years ago
Cziffra ALWAYS smiles when he plays :] It adds such a nice effect, it's easy to tell it's real, not forced.
CLASSICAListheWAY 2 years ago 29
Anton Rubinstein didn't always play "note perfect". But he greatly impressed people like Lhevinne, Hofmann and Busoni. Rubinstein's mastery of sound and musical expression was more important than perfect finger dexterity. The above-mentioned masters remembered Rubinstein's sound for the rest of their lives.
horatiodreamt 3 years ago 5
who best to interpret a gypsy music but a real to the bones gypsy himself.. the great cziffra...
those who think otherwise.. go back to school or see a shrink
aspacguy1 3 years ago 2
Comment removed
morvensky 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I dont like his octavies.
laqin007 3 years ago
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well thats just too bad isnt it
artygunnar 3 years ago
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yep, he looks like shit when the hard parts comes. listen to Argerich's. much better than this, or Horowitz.
laqin007 3 years ago
Comment removed
MihDiV 3 years ago
This is real classic.
tiandaye 3 years ago 10
He isnt even looking at the jesus notes!
Great pianist, i love him
sabakubakemono123 3 years ago 7
fa pauraaaaaaa
rachm06 3 years ago
My feeling is that it is intrinsic to his playing. I have feeling that he has habit of venturing at spur of moment to do what his technique cann't possibly tolerate. Anyway, it is NOT quality of recording. In this, you are as wrong as my English.
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
As you advised, I went and listened to other performance of same #6 Rhapsodie by Cziffra (upload by akagrin). Although not as bad as this performance, the same kind of clumsy octaves can be heard. If you do not believe this, go listen to it for yourself. Possibly, Cziffra was out of shape on both ocassions, but I doubt that very much.
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
Actually, I feel that old and crummy recordings do not affect so much how we perceive actual performance was like, I think. If you do not believe this, try listen to Lhevinne's Blue Danube, which I believe was recorded much earlier than this Cziffra Rhapsodie. (It is uploaded on youtube.)
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
You almost persuaded me. Sorry, you are wrong, as my English is wrong. It is NOT recording. It is performance itself. I don't know, Cziffra maybe actually super-virtuoso, as legend goes, but at least in this performance, he is not virtuoso at all.
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
Thank you, for replying. Really? You think it is recording? I couldn't feel so when I listened to video. Well, I will take advice and try listen to other videos. I honestly do not know much of this pianist. Do you know any imformation about GAVEAU piano? Oh, by the way, I partly agree about lang lang. He can be HORRIBLE. But sometimes, as I found on youtube, he can be magnificent. How do you know I am in love lang lang?
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
I think the reason Cziffra played Liszt so well was due to the fact the his training descended directly from Liszt himself. He was taught by Dohnanyi,
UGC001 3 years ago 3
among others while at the Liszt Academy, who was a pupil of Liszt himself.
UGC001 3 years ago
Sorry, excuse me my silly question. Is this Cziffra the legendary Cziffra who suppose to be super-virtuoso, or that is different Cziffra? I have not listened to this pianist, so I don't know, but this Cziffra playing rapsodie has clumsy technique, no?
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
I can like sound of chords at beginning only. In last part, horribely uneven and unclear right hand octaves. Listening, I even get worried if he can make it to finish line. Fingerwork not so good too. We cannot hear notes smoothly. Maybe I need to see ear doctor, but I don't hear sound of virtuoso at all. Anyway not from this rapsodie.
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
Please someone teach me, is this false Cziffra? Or does real Cziffra have fever something and I should listen to another recording? I like this kind playing although. No one can play this flamboyant style any more. If he plays, he cannot win competition, no? I like piano sound too. GAVEAU? I have never seen and listened to GAVEAU piano. Please teach me, does any today's pianist play GAVEAU for concert? Sorry, wrong English and many questions.
himitsunosallychan 3 years ago
Oui c'est le vrai Cziffra. Et son interprêtation de cette rhapsodie est la mieux que j'ai pu écouter. Tellement proche de l'expression que pouvait avoir Liszt, cette nostalgie typiquement chopienne par ailleurs... Bref. Une légèreté vraiment superbement menée.
maxdesp 3 years ago
Cziffra is simply as good as they come...piano players only play differently, but not better than Cziffra-not in technique, speed, dynamic, clarity...Cziffra is my favorite neo-classical pianists!!
zaf511 3 years ago
LoL!
hailkayy 3 years ago
That point-system marking up or down one's comment's constantly making me laugh, lol !
hailkayy 3 years ago 3
Quelle merveille!Pour moi,aucun pianiste ne peut rivaliser avec cette version!Cziffra possède un sens du rubato,des nuances,son piano chante...Version très hongroise!!!
Katiuszkasanda 3 years ago
Do the best performers of particular music needing to be the same nationality as the composer? As an American, I haven't heard much music by U.S. composers sound idiomatic when played by non-Americans.
Still, the Pole Chopin admitted that he didn't play his own pieces as well as did the Hungarian Liszt. The German Mendelssohn at a party once played his Capriccio in F sharp minor, only to have Liszt play it better.
Similarly, Brahms wrote many fine "Hungarian" works, despite being a German.
Galantski 3 years ago
the Pole Chopin admitted that he didn't play his own pieces as well as did the Hungarian Liszt?
Actually I read that Chopin didn't like Liszt's playing. I don't think Liszt could understand Chopin's Mazurkas...
But it's a good topic.
for instance, Flamenco played by non-spanish? Sounds strange...
Still, a non-spanish can get other shades of flamenco, in a way a Spanish would never think about...
popleonardo 3 years ago
His technique is simply insane
ShearZone101 3 years ago 6
Cziffra is a crazy piano player
favat456 3 years ago
I have one word for you: Rubinstein
yellingLoL 3 years ago
i love Liszt !!
cancampus1 3 years ago 5
A true artist and outstanding performer. And by outstanding, I mean he stands out among all other artists with his incredible interpretations and passion.
thepianomaniac 3 years ago 3
Cziffra is one of the greatest.
Excellent interpretation! I think Liszt would have approved.
AwesomeArpeggios 3 years ago
A most excellent job; I especially love the improvisations.
DarkDomnu 3 years ago 5
Cziffra really puts his heart and soul into his music - it almost looks like he's about to cry during the more solemn parts of the song.
PooPooPerson 3 years ago 6
the only way i can explain this is that he sold his soul to the devil
antoineph 3 years ago 5
fenomenal...the best
massy1111 3 years ago 6
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the octave part .. he didn't get every note sound and correct, a large proportion of loss ...
The other things are all nice enough!
visualpiano 3 years ago
my god that action on that piano is a dream! how i wish my piano keys can come up that fast.
godsloved3 3 years ago 5
Beautiful!
OriginallyInspired 3 years ago 5
Intoxicating. A Liszt to marvel
wironalga 3 years ago 4
He seems to be playing the octave repetitions alternating 1 4 and 1 5. Some people play Schubert's Erlking that way.
jdbrown371 3 years ago 4
hahah how long had he been playing before this piece? He's sweating like a mofo o_0. But then again he's Cziffra so he can do it all. I bet he could read a book from a mile away closed. he's just the best
godsloved3 3 years ago 7
Did he play "Feux follets" in this concert??
felix0911176727 3 years ago