Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 3 - Mov 3 (Martha Argerich, 2008)

[mrplatink]

8:42 - ARGH! Prokofiev stole my idea for an operatic motive!!! I knew it was too good to be true...I guess I'll have to admit that I'm nothing but a hack...and to steal his creation, of course.

[jyseow]

@mrplatink same here DD:

[frantrig]

If you're searching for God, look no more because gentlemen these woman transmits life through music

[OceanbornSWT]

Very interesting the way how the orchestra is playing a very sweet lyrical melody during the piano is making dissonance chords.

[itsanthonyhere]

Where is the video her playing the super fast version?? I remember in the comment section it said, 'Lang lang, this is how you play prok 3!"

I can't find it!

[Stunt2one]

@itsanthonyhere

It has disappeared, it's happening to a lot of videos :(:(

[colincomposer]

The big slow theme in this movement is one of the best in all of the piano concerto repertoire.

[Hogarth4]

Is it just me or are there people speaking in Spanish over this?

[Pianista061292]

@Hogarth4 I think is Russian.....

[brandonscherrer]

03.42 Never seen that technique before.

[Smanuto]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!

[aizendarwin]

i think this is slower compared to her other versions...!!! but i really love this...!!!

[BLOP888]

The like butten was made because of videos like this

[Boston2London]

I recommend the recording, it is truly breathtaking! When I went to the store to find it, the sales person responded to my request for her as the pianst by saying "Ah, the problem child". She does have a reputation! But who cares, you don't have to live with her, and what a gift for interpretation!!

[ethositachi]

My hands get sweaty just watching this.

[coolsnak3]

she played the shit out of that..love me some martha.

[Jimmyocaca]

I love the entire concerto, it is so bibrant, full of energy, in my opinion the best of Sergei, I discovered it in 1958 when I was at Uni, has never left me.

[Laudan08]

@Jimmyocaca 1958? Bibrant?

first, i think ur old.

second, vibrant.

third. thumbs up u broke a bit of my heart.

[elgar34]

Unbelievable. Thank-you Martha! I never get tired of watching this.

[MrFedepelle]

loooooooove it!

martha the best!

[edtskyline]

9:31 She could play this asleep, hahahah, compare this with the video: Watch this and see why Martha Argerich is the greatest pianist in the world.

[koubache]

Breathtaking !!!

[elgar34]

She has done it again.  The greatest pianist after Rachmaninov, Horowitz and Richter.

[Labdude0]

whoever is that one dislike doesn't know what they're talking about :D

[kyleclef]

@Labdude0 i think someone said they did that by accident hahaa.

[mcflanette]

I think Danny Elfman must get alot of his inspiration from Prokofiev! such an amazing composer!

[fredericfranc]

When Prokofiev himself played this concerto in the thirties, the critics would say: the way he sounds, he seems to be dusting the keys. This lady, she ain't doing no dusting, she is doing the eviscerating.

[TheMikeAlpha]

I was just listening to Queen Elisabeth Piano contest were this concerto was just played, my favy, got here to compare: Martha shure got it right :-) then I went to Lang Lang because of the number of hits but my God, he forgot to read the score I think :-)

[13Josep]

Un verdadero orgasmo final!! Grande Martha!

[DoctorPlausible]

It feels like that is the music and those are the hands the piano was made for.

[dramf888]

This is my favourite orchestral work by Argerich. Her playing is so varied, yet so consistent - I dare say sparkling - and intuitive. There are secrets in her playing embedded in her mind that the uninitiated cannot get.

[Labdude0]

My favorite part is around 8:06 when the allegro starts

[popeyethedoc]

flawless. only thing, i wouldn't have slowed down at the end. i would have kept it in tempo.

[BaKXOS]

@popeyethedoc indeed this is out of prokofievs spirit, and generealy they were not all together at the few final bars! This caused a rather weak finale :-(

[Robotman42]

I don't know much about Prokofiev, but I would have liked it better if they pushed right through to the end, no slow down!

[roo159]

i think someone wrote either in this version or another of hers (equally as fantastic) that the audience was in a morgue -- good grief -- this was indeed fantastic ... full agreement with asgoodasgod and thephosorpheus

[Asgoodasgod]

What a FANTASTIC performance not worthy of such an audience, this is my opinion. 5 stars.

[Grisostomo06]

@Asgoodasgod

Mine too. I'd be on my feet shouting for an encore!

[ThePhilosorpheus]

@Asgoodasgod

not worthy of such an audience indeed

[Rizzoplayypiano]

This may be good but Yuja Wang playing this has a little faster tempo and a lot more passion

this version im not crazy about

[jhudd2]

Yuja is a great pianist. But just because she is more animated and dramatic does not mean she has more passion. You should not compare Yuja with Argerich. Yuja's version is uncontrolled and sloppy when you put it up to Argerich's. You are implying that your sense of music is elementary....There is no comparison

[RabidCh]

Yuck. She plays it well but compared to Argerich she is standard. Argerich makes it her own and she gets Prokofiev's humor. She's practically mastered this Concerto and not many compare at all.

The only reason to prefer Yuja Wang is the superior orchestral accompaniment although it overpowers her all too often.

[aizendarwin]

@Rizzoplayypiano: I don't think Yuja Wang can play this faster than Argerich...DO u Really know who is Martha Argerich...

[pianoman727]

they really should be standing on their feet like crazy cause i know I would be screaming!

[refrmcetsryt]

This video never gets old. I think I've seen it 200 times.

[h4x3dby1337]

Beautifully effortless...her hands are almost limp at times.

[RantingTrent]

Her interpretation of Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto is worlds different than any other I have heard thus far (I have heard many). Very unique....

[RabidCh]

Francois must be doubly worlds different then...

[RantingTrent]

WOW, I just watched Francois' interpretation of the 3rd movement and indeed it is "doubly worlds different" than any other I have heard. Absolutely bizarre.

[MrStrav81]

I was watching for how she does the cluster note arpeggios.

[wol4fram]

Me too!

[liszt80]

She has the most weird technique, using almost the whole area of the hand. Sometimes she seems to have rubber's fingers!

[SCManagement]

I agree that it looks weird. I wish my technique was as weird! Speaking of piano technique - has anyone watched Kissin play Flight of the Bumblebee here on youtube?

[annpham]

oh they have Kissin playing Bumblebee on here.? i'll have to look! thanks for the hint!

[bae215]

she plays this so much better than lang lang

[Dennischek]

Why are you mentioning about langlang ?

[SCManagement]

Lang Lang? Please don't set the bar so low for poor Martha Argerich.

[KearneyPiano]

Haha i love how you put that. So true..

[RantingTrent]

Lang Lang is nothing but a showman in my opinion.

[WOWdato]

@RantingTrent

yes but showman is a talent also ;) but martha is really great. really noncomparable her fingers

[PhedraBcn]

@RantingTrent Lang Lang is nothing but a bad showman

[NickyRamone77]

Wow. Martha is not one of my favorite pianists, but this version of the concerto is one of the best I've ever heard.

The only thing I would like more for my personal taste is more energy and fire at the end, from 9:50 to the end.

5 stars.

[peterlunow]

more energy???????? how is THAT possible?:-)

[oinetakoa]

I love the freedom that demonstrates Marta, within the classical rigor. Her sound is very clear, the piano sometimes sounds two clear in the lyrical passages (from 4'50 for instance). This video completes the one of Pompa-Baldi.

[ninjabakerDJsniper]

she is just a tank. making everything look easy.

[refrmcetsryt]

F-ing AMAZING!!!

[whit838]

can anyone tell me how she is doing those glissando like things at 8:45. some argue that she is using 1 finger for two notes but if she were there wouldnt be so much movement in her hands and her fingers would be much more spread out and if u pause it at the right time you can see that she is using 2 fingers for 2 keys. Knowing the score, i am baffled and amazed at how she does it and produces the sound she does

[cafity]

It's clustered-note arpeggios... She's the first pianist I saw doing that, it's extremly difficult!!!!!

[oinetakoa]

We all do that, with an arrangement. The one of Marta is the most commune (I do the same), the one of Pompa Baldi is different, I don't know exactly what he does (though I tried to understand, but the music goes too fast, lol). The one that writes Prokofieff is impossible. But I agree, she playes it very clearly. The piano is sometimes too clear.

[jouetsdudestin]

the scores says she should be using 1 finger for two notes, but martha is martha, she can do anything and the worst thing: she makes it looks easy. i agree that there is too much movement in both hands, but the camera position doesnt help us to find out what she is doing with precision...

[belledeballe]

Pourquoi l'orchestre ralenti sur les 2 derniers accords ??? Frustrant car le reste est tres bon

[oinetakoa]

C'est exactement ce que je pensais!!! Les dernières mesures ne doivent JAMAIS être ralenties, au contraire!!! Tu vas crever le mur du son, ralentir est une hérésie.

[SickForest]

10:00!!! how is it possible that people at 10:34, for example, get so bored or inmuted... (Sorry my english).

[simsa21]

I agree...

[abrahaman]

Martha Argerich Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ycw339]

10:34

o my god...

[her0esfan]

who's that?

[naumandolphin]

These are all funny to me.

Anyone been out there?

The critics need therapy.

[jasonb5311]

I have loved this piece since I was a child. Seeing her play sends chill down my spine.  I would have loved to have been there in person.

[Laurisa718]

Beautiful!!! She is amazing!!!

[vk92007]

You tube had uploaded the version with her conductor/husband Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony. I loved that one as well. For some reason I can't find that version on the U tube anymore!

[michal1810]

1967 version is so better

[Higgins2723]

I don't think her 1967 reading was necessarily "better," but different in wonderful ways. In this performance I thinks she brings much wisdom and experience to the table. Both are astonishing feats.

[NickjamesC]

dude, what a lame applause! Her performance was awesome, and they should've been standing up for her!

[Higgins2723]

I gotta agree on this. They should have been raising the ceiling before the echo of the last note died. I am amazed at what a pedestrian response she received.

[marrieter08]

martha argerich is prokofiev

[aizendarwin]

wat a reincarnation?

[frederickfrederikfre]

Adoro questo concerto,soprattutto questo terzo tempo

[salviati]

Martha owns Prokofiev !

[medmai]

alucinante

[keepitacrime]

enjoy this concerto but my favourite is Liszts Totentanz

[fracche]

at 2:08 it seems that the conductor press a piano key..XD

[jorgeandresossa]

ya pienso que este concierto y el nº 2 de prokofiev son uno de los conciertos mas difícles del repertorio pianistico.......

ahora sique no es tan famoso como el de lizt o el emperador... es cierto....pero es que este conciertop no es parte del poupurri de la musica clásica esto de verdad es musica académica y es musica para el que sabe no para un para aficionados

[justsaynoway]

Great performance. Also just heard that Cecile Licad has learned this concerto, and will play it in the Philippines soon.

[davehs23]

This performance - an utter disgrace - a desecration of the memory when Argerich could still play the piece. Pull out the old recording with Abbado if you do not trust me. A UBS Verbier one in Houston was not much better. At least it had someone halfway competent on the podium for this - emphasis on halfway. This one doesn't, exc. intermittently. Dynamics ignored,. There isn'tt a clear beat or shape to half the phrases.I'll check the score and get back on this if need be - but I doubt it.

[hungaryhotshot1]

LAST ANGRY MAN!

[foreignboy221]

...how... wow...

that was amazing lol

[seanohagan]

This is really great! Has anyone heard Gutierrez's recording of #2 and #3 with Jaarvi? His are my favourites (they were my first). Can anyone tell what fingering she uses for the glissando parts? Love this concerto!!

P.S. Can anyone point me in the direction of other modern piano concertos? Who are the great composers of the last 40 or 50 years?

[kyleclef]

i'm spose to be playing this as an excerpt in a concert very soon, and i would love to know the fingering, so if you find out, could you let me know please?

at minute i'm just doing a 3 octave e minor arpeggio starting and finishing on the right notes to suffice. ;)

try the nyman piano concerto, its the best piece of music i've ever heard, its brought together of the 'the piano'soundtrack.

[seanohagan]

My score has the following LH: C-5 DE-4 F-3 GA-2 BC-1, RH: DE-1 FG-2 AB-3 CD-4 E-5 and the same back down again.

However, I found this too difficult, so I'm using LH: C-4 DE-32 F-1 GA-43 BC-21, RH: DE-12 FG-34 AB-12 CD-3 E-5.

I've also read that some pianists just do actual glissandos here.

Thanks for the Nyman suggestion, I'll definitely check it out!

[Hervinbalfour]

If you want to see how this is supposed to played clearly do a search here on YT for Natalia Trull from the 86' Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. You can see that they aren't actually played like a glissando. Trull plays them as written. Doing actual glissandos is cheating. ;-)

[seanohagan]

Thanks for the suggestion. I really liked her interpretation. I've not seen that particular fingering before. Can you figure out what she's doing there? (I've only seen actual glissandos in "The Competition".)

[gahero31]

Yes i notice that, The Competition is my favorite movie because of the Prokofiev, I wonder how it written in the music, glissando or playing everything with the fingers, i suppose Martha does it the right way.

[seanohagan]

That movie is the reason I now listen to Prokofiev Piano Concertos 2 and 3 almost everyday! Different scores have different fingerings (not glissandos), but it's quite hard to tell what Argerich is doing - so fast!

[gahero31]

She is playing everything, you can see it better in other versions, the camera is on the other side. Me too, I also play this concerto almost everyday, when i clean my room too, it gives me a boost, Prokofiev's n 1 is also amazing! remember if is not fast is not Argerich, but she is the best!

[seanohagan]

My favourites are 2 and 3, but I like them all. The one for left-hand is very cool too, and fun to (try) to play.

[gahero31]

Are you sure? you are not talking about Ravel's left hand Concerto?

[seanohagan]

Yup, there are a few left-hand concertos out there. Check out Prokofiev's. I think it's No. 4.

[gahero31]

sorry : i meant I LISTEN this concerto, i don't play it on the piano.

[JumboCod91]

I can't help you with the fingering,

I'm a violinist, but I can tell you the

piano concerto by Maurice Ravel is

very much worth a look at, It's probably

one of my favorites.

[seanohagan]

Thanks! I'll give it a listen.

[JumboCod91]

If you like Ravel, and I think you will,

then I sujest you look up a video I

uploaded, Ravel: Menuet Antique,

played by Entremont it really is a treat.

[seanohagan]

Yes, I know this one. Great version!

[seanohagan]

Which one? Left hand?

[hungaryhotshot1]

How about the Bartok No 3 ? Perhaps you know it?

[seanohagan]

Thanks! I don't know it, so I'll give it a listen. Any recommended recordings?

[hungaryhotshot1]

greetings!

Surprised you haven't heard it. One of the greatest of the 20th century.

Recordings: Martha has a good one on EMI with husband Dutoit conducting. If you want a thoroughly authentic one go for

Andreas Schiff with Ivan Fischer cond. on Warner Classics.

I almost forgot the Schonberg concerto,

with Mitsuko Uchida/ Pierre Boulez. it's sensational. You can enjoy a talk on it with the pianist on YouTube.

[seanohagan]

Thanks again! I will definitely check them all out.

[kyleclef]

best pianist alive, or ever for that sake, fantastic performance, love 4:51

[hungaryhotshot1]

Yes, she is fantastic, but have you heard of Grigory Sokolov?

[civilbb]

Wow it is so funny at 2:09, the hand was the conductor's but it seems that he helped to play a few notes on the piano!

[partitasa89]

i just came back from her concert in london!! It was amazing!!!!!!! MARTHA I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! and thanks for playing 2 encores! =D

[jblue2pro]

the reason why i love her so much, besides the fact that she is an amazing pianist, is that she always always always acknowledges the conductor and orchestra. It's a team effort performing a concerto and a pet peeve of mine is when pianists finish their song and bow bow and take all the glory not even turning back and thanking the orchestra.

[Hervinbalfour]

You are so correct!

[kyleclef]

i personally think this is her best recording of it

[kyleclef]

the bit at 4:50 is so unbelievely hard!

[partitasa89]

why??

[kyleclef]

which comment were you replying to? it doesn't say on my youtube, but anyway...i'll answer them all

i think its her best recordng because she does the slow bit so much more emotional than her usual way of playing it, and i love this way more....

4:50 is so hard because its the only bit i've tried and have trouble with, all the rest i'm ok-ish.

[Sim882]

first time I heard the concerto - liked third movement most

[kyleclef]

one of the best piano performances i have EVER watched. (well to be honest all the best piano performances i have ever watched/heard belong to her!)

[mikejr41387]

DAMN! martha is BRINGIN IT! fuck yeah! that was awesome

[SirArmengol]

This is the BEST piano concerto ever written and Argerich is the best player for it

[hungaryhotshot1]

sorry, but there is no such thing as the best concerto ever written. How about Beethoven's Emperor or Liszt No1 in Eflat.?

[SirArmengol]

Sorry, It may not be the best, but it's my favourite one. Althoug beethoven's 5 and Liszt's 1 are also reeeeally nice !

[hungaryhotshot1]

Prokofiev is a great one. you have good taste. But I don't play favorites. My favorite is always the one i am listening to at the moment. But nothing is the best.

Au revoir Janos

[Buldaner]

Martha competes with Richter for technique AND feeling. Enough said.

[FreddysHamster]

I'm going to see her play this at the Royal Festival Hall in April, P3 is amazing but nothing on Martha!

[SirArmengol]

I'm going too!

[partitasa89]

me too!!! anyway do we have to wear formal or just casual wears?

[kyleclef]

I WANTED TO GO TO THAT CONCERT, BUT NO ONE WILL TAKE ME!!!! ARGH....I CAN'T TRAVEL ON MY OWN *cry*

[partitasa89]

hey kyleclef, i went to london today on my own for her concert!! you should have go! It's simply amazing! hahaha

[kyleclef]

so it was good then? did she play as good as in this video???

i wasn't aloud, i'm only 14 lol, i've got school! haha, i would have died to go!

[partitasa89]

yeah, but definitely there must be some difference btwn live and recordings. Yet she's just simply amazing, the colour changes everything! can feel the excitement especially for the ending of 3rd movement! and her pedaling is totally crazy! I was noticing her legs throughout the concert. She could just press on it for about 3 to 4 times in a second! Yet i don't understand why is she doing so. haha

[kyleclef]

its called flutter pedal, on a piano as big as a steinway, unwanted resonance will store in the piano, so doing that with the pedal gets rid of it apparently :) glad you enjoyed the concert :) i'm hopefully going to seeya her at the bbc proms in august, can't wait! shes playing ravel piano concerto, and prokofievs no. 1.

[partitasa89]

ohh, thanks for the info dude. I tried that on the piano, is kinda difficult. haha. I hope she would play rach3 or tchai1 again someday in uk within this year or next year. I'm actually an overseas student, so it had been a dream for me to watch her concert live! lol

[kyleclef]

yea i know!!!! argh i love rach3, although, prokofiev3 is my favourite of all the piano concertos....mind u, i love rach2 aswell, i wish martha would play that!

[hungaryhotshot1]

You're lucky to be 14. Enjoy it. I am 72, but heart Martha live twice. First when she was young, in 1970 or so and second time in the 90's.

[partitasa89]

I LOVE YOU MARTHA! Have you been to any of her live concerts kimolerik?

[vocalpianist]

this and the rach 2,

there my favorites =] I must learn them!!!

[daeward]

I think that out of the ~8 recordings I've heard of her playing this concerto, this one may rank second for me in terms of her playing (not the orchestra's), coming after the 1965 recording with Abbado.

Aaaamazing. <3

[vocalpianist]

the 1965 abbado recording is brilliant, I agree, probably her best

[fionasapple]

stupid b1tch isn't clapping at 10:40!! wtf? i would've clapped my hands to shreds had i been there!

[Ellinidara]

She's incredible and plays like a man....:)

[gc65531941]

So you think music(-making) is gendered..?

[Ellinidara]

No,I mean that she's so strong,muscolar,her technique and sound not always feminine,'cause she can;other legendaryes solists,(men)such her teachers,aren't better than Martha,personal opinion.

[luxienai]

You haven't met my piano teacher, female pianists can be crazy strong.

[kyleclef]

same here, shes can make so much more sound i can, but i have to bang the piano!

[cattleman6420012000]

Such a fantastic pianist always.This is an excellent performance.

[vocalpianist]

wonderful wonderful,

your my favorite channel Kimolerik!!