The Greatest Musician of All Time plays Chopin Prelude 24

[AlexandreJdB]

such a modest title for a video with modest pretentions : playing chopin prelude no. 24 as slow as never before performed!!

[galexander4]

This is a great inspiration. I figure if I practiced it for a couple months, I could probably play it at about this tempo...good to know it is still beautiful at that pace!

[RealRussiansOnly]

Congratulations, you got all of the notes, that in it self is an astounding accomplishment !

[eggplant1994]

If your sound isn't quiet enough, it's probably your technique, not the piano. I hope this helps. Good luck, you seem to be doing great!

[eggplant1994]

After that, practice your pieces REALLY slowly, focusing on specifically the parts you're having trouble with. When you get to the part that's supposed to be quiet, DON'T SETTLE, play as quietly as humanly possible. I have a Yamaha upright as well, which I practiced on for a good 8 years, so I know perfectly well how hard it is to get a soft sound out of those, but trust ne, it's possible.

[eggplant1994]

Every day, to warm up, do Hanon's 42nd exercise, followed by all harmonic minor scales (white and black keys), followed by Hanon 42 again, followed by all major scales, followed by Hanon 42 again, followed by Dohnanyi etudes #1-8, in all of the keys specified if you have the patience. It may take you about an hour to get through, but I swear you will have great technique before a month is up, which will enable you to play this at twice the tempo, the speed it's supposed to be played at.

[OriginalBasaliskos]

Jesus, your hands are big. I bet you can reach an 11th step without difficulty.

I have large hands too, but most of their size is in the palms, not the finger length. : /

[dpramirez66]

Dear god your hands are freaking huge. You should learn how to play the guitar.

[llamapheonix]

it was a nice even tempo, but this song is supposed to be played faster, it was nickname the storm prelude, and for me it sounded like a light breeze, beautiful trills though.

[09273212731]

nice.

[sboscar]

muy bonito.

Me impactó tu concentración.

Ese tempo permite el lucimiento de tus dones como la expresividad y claridad de las frases. te felicito.

voy a ponerme a estudiar ese preludio. me encantó.

[CasanovaDave]

I hate people who say every song should be played a certain way - ie according to their own preconceived prejudices and tastes. thumbs up!

[princenosiatajansen]

^^ not bad. :D the greatest musician of all time is such a cool titel ^^

[dcolwell]

Your students will be proud of you. (Yes, this guy teaches piano performance at Julliard). He will be offering two-week master classes this summer at Julliard in case you guys are interested.

[hcpiano1]

wtf 2 stars? i mean he's not the greatest, but this isn't bad playing at all!

[tommy9882]

everything good,even the musically great ,but tempo sucks

[tommy9882]

nice tempo?

[dexterityhunter]

the greatest musician of all times, of course. no doubt about that. the fingers actually look well trained. the stiffness in the wrist when playing octaves and chords is part of the joke as well, i presume. and nice to have the last three notes a bit higher ...

[freeqwerqwer]

This dude's left hand is too loud, the tempo is too slow, and there needs to have dynamic contrasts.

[werq34ac]

oh good, I was hoping it was joke. Because this guy's playing IS a joke.

[manuelkatarino]

A esta manera de tocar se le llama Aporrear el Piano....

[lookacheesecake]

Haha, I like your style. :D

[11jupitercowboy8]

Seriously, doesn't anybody get a joke. The guy knows he's not the greatest. He's just having fun. Besides, most people's pianos sit there in the house gathering dust. At least he's putting it to good use. Speaking of which. Dude, you should learn some Rachmaninov! You're hands are huge! I can stretch a 10th in the left hand but it looks like you've almost got a 12th goin! Damn...

[trancosomarcus]

It's better in this velocity! Fantastic!! Hehehehe.

[AhimSaah]

what a mother fucking idiot naming himself the best pianist! Fuck you man! Some poeple practise seriously for 20 years! Go to hell!

[musicioso]

He did not say he is the best PIANIST but the geatest MUSICIAN. And yeah...can you disaprove he is not the geratest musician? You idiot!

By the way, this guy is just joking....go learn some humor....you sister fucker!

[bearcub410]

thank you

[aaabbbccc5]

Faster Bro.!

[JimmieBluffdweller]

Surely you jest....

[GirFromInvaderZim]

this guy plays at half tempo just because he cant play the runs fast enough.

[Vontropnats]

oh my god how has this guy not become rich and famous? he really is the best... noone comes close to be sure

[Bruce88keys]

u suck feet

[Sizun1]

Interesting, must have long fingers in left hand to play Ré La Fa2 Ré La2. Thanks for the slow motion, but you're playing much more faster than me and without error.

[frenchmusician12]

Sounds wooden and mechanical. Just listen to the left hand!

[office2dolly]

you're full of yourself, greatest musician of all time my ass. Thanks for wasting my time.

[Perkeno]

Come on, lighten up, it's self-derision. It's pathetic but kind of funny.

[qwerty31194]

this is very good, but listen to Jorge Bolet play it. Keeps it in tempo and is at full speed. Very good though, better than most I've seen.

[w3sp]

How can we hear the C major run end on a C, while he plays it until an F? 1:43

[echlyn]

This prelude, like many from Chopin, are meant to sound almost ugly. This is a much better interpretation, albeit could shade the theme a little more.

[akbarbaby]

Chopin doesn't deserve this.

[javacisnotrecognized]

In every other interpretation of this, I have thought the music felt a bit "cramped" - now I realize it was because of the breakneck tempo. This piece definitely makes more sense at this speed. Thank you for sharing this, do you plan on uploading any more videos ?

[tdavis2797]

daniel appears to be a very competent musician. in his performance, i found NO tempo incongruencies, clear distinction of pitch with each successive note resounding about flexible rhtyhmic structure of the treble, and unwavering technical facility. though i disapprove of his execution of the octaves on account of the tension response rousing the position of his 3rd finger, i cannot fault him in this aspect (i have the same error). the thirds need to be refined, but otherwise, masterfully played.

[afertyus1000]

yup i agree, good way to practice but needs loose wrist for octaves

[S0NNABEND]

I think it's not as bad as some people means. Sounds interesting in this speed.

[callenishss]

looks like footage from scene setting from rob zombie`s horror movie devils rejects i think, where theyre in countryside and he beats the shit out of some guy outside a barn and asks WHERES GOD i dont see him coming?

[minino55]

jajajajajajajajajajajajajajaja­jajajajajajajajajjajajajajajaj­ajajajajaa

[simnos1]

I would critique it.. if it wasn't so obvious you were taking the piss.

[heroicpolonaise]

emm.. i think is not a good interpretation, u know the principal reason right?

[Gustaffo07]

The word clunky leaps to mind

[prestomoltoagitato]

lol.

[jcyl141104]

is this a joke? -___-

[bilboraggins]

At last, Chopin as Chopin intended! I can finally die knowing I have lived.

[KearneyPiano]

greatest musician of all time i think not........

[mattandtrissy]

You suck pal.

[cross147]

greatest????? really???? i don't think so...i write i polish....ciężka prawa ręka, twardy dźwięk prawej....*

[Ckorn123]

Dude, you hardly have to move your left hand (they are quite large). So why the hell are you playing this at a fucking snail pace? Take a chance man, IT'S MUSIC!!!!

[jefftam1234]

a grandma with arthritis can play better than you

though I am impressed by your wrist's ability to stiff up in the manner of rigor-mortis

[KearneyPiano]

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa lmfao

[CharlestonArtist]

There is a brilliance here which many of the snobs - insecure in their zeal to prop the status quo - are not wise enough to perceive. The mournful, progressive tempo at the start is in greater harmony with the spirit of the piece than the full-acceleration, standard interp. The dark room, the out-of-tune piano, the uncertain camera - mon dieu; could a more suiting context be imagined for this prelude? Do we really need another brightly-lit, glossy, player-piano imitation version? Five stars.

[suremate]

congratulations, you're an idiot. And a pretension one at that. Kinda sad really.

[suremate]

that should be pretentious

[CharlestonArtist]

A secure and mature person with a different perspective would jump at the chance here to articulate their views. Those with - how shall we say - different qualities would, in turn, do something quite different - as we have seen here.

[gtimny]

Excuse me, Charleston? "The mournful, progressive tempo at the start is in greater harmony with the spirit of the piece"???

Since you clearly haven't bothered to look, allow me to tell you that Chopin's tempo indication is Allegro appassionato! This version is a slog through a muddy swamp. I say: practise slowly by all means, but don't inflict it on the rest of us.

[CharlestonArtist]

The piece has been done allegro apassionato a hundred thousand times by ten thousand performers. There is room enough in this world for another interpretation. The three hammerstrokes at the end of this version are in defiance of shrieking diktats such as yours - which are condemned not only to obey orders at all costs, but to heckle any other creature with the temerity to follow their artistic instincts even when they might differ from your own.

[gtimny]

LOL - Right down to "diktats!" Good grief! I'm apparently talking to Ignatius J. Reilly!

[CharlestonArtist]

Sorry, wrong yet again.

[jcyl141104]

idiot

[dagadbm]

/cuts wrists

[MitchelWeaver]

The person working the camera is really good.

[reaperman2004]

Oh Jesus - For FUCKS SAKE... DON'T BUTCHER A MASTERPIECE BY PLAYING IT AT A THIRD OF THE GOD DAMN SPEED!!!!

Now I know that idiotic title of yours is just your form of humour (which truly... sucks... almost as bad as the performance you gave.) but that doesn't mean you can still butcher this brilliant piece of music.

You play like shit... when you get the damn thing up to speed... then feel free to upload it to youtube...

Till then - don't waste our fucking time.

[formido]

LOL. Wow, you're a dick. Judging by the rest of the comments on this board, you have plenty of company. No wonder classical music enthusiasts have a lot of trouble getting laid.

[reaperman2004]

Mmm... you obviously don't know too many of them then...

If he played the piece of music at the right speed, we wouldn't be having this conversation... but it's like playing fur elise and play it so slow it reaches 10 mins long... there's slow and expressive... and then there's boring as shit.

The second this guy plays it at a proper speed... I will be the first to congratulate him.

[eriksatie9]

it's a wonderful piece but I think that saying "the greatest musician of all time" it's a bit excessive, isn't it? anyway all of us have to respect your interpretation...music is the only magic position of being, we can't argue also about that! congratulation for the courage. greetings. ☻

[scarletxix]

....faster, perhaps??

[gp1389]

dynamics?

[FutureAbe]

I can't believe some people take this title seriously

[Chad0987]

The greatest musician couldn't play the piece at the right tempo -.-

[spookyben]

All the soul of an organ grinder, congrats.

[IWillWalkOn]

Please sir, before assuming a presumptious title such as "greatest musician of all time", take some time to listen to others such as Alexander Kobrin and Glenn Gould.. or even the teenager up the street.. and one can surely tell that this title is assumed with a grave error.

Rhythm is off, interpretation is shady at best, please learn the instrument, and learn from the masters, rather than haughtily assuming you are priveledged to join their ranks.

[Chopin1986]

A true musician never claims that he or she is

"The Greatest Musician of All Time"

even if you think, it is a joke or something it is not funny at all. Musicians live their music and their pieces just to feel the perfect moment. They don't to show off!!!

[1905gsgs]

is it greatest musician :p he plays good but he isn be wonderful

[giorgos00k]

I don't mean to be rude but the "greatest musician" in the title is really provocative:

I'd rather actually *be* deaf than have to listen to this annoying playing!!

[timmy2x1977]

very well said galaxyrainguy!

[ssl6p]

wayyyyyy too slow and too much variation in tempo

[neverforeverkate]

I can't play this prelude, but I can play others. For one thing kudos for attempting this difficult prelude. Second, your rhythm is sligtly off. Your right is great though, but it must conicide with the left. :-) I'm sorry I love Chopin's music.

[martbrahms]

That was brilliant :______

[galaxyrainguy]

I'm not sure if this whole thing was meant as a kind humor, if it was it was a magnificant success.

[Combine32]

left hand is too loud. Think pianissimo. The repetitive nature of the LH is going to drown out the right hand no matter how loudly or fiercly you play it because of the compounding bass notes.

[corgihound]

WHOA!!!! SLOW DOWN!  Way too fast!!!

ARF< Arf!

[felgon123]

why do the fucking Asians think their so superior to everyone else, especially when if you look at a group of the best pianists in the world, it is one of the most diverse fields out there?

[Dannyellow88]

sorry mate but I think you made that stereotype there,Asians never thought they're superior...we just happen to enjoy classical music more. =) so stfu with your racism n put up with it, everybody's equal.

[felgon123]

You just said Asians enjoy classical music more than everybody else. What do you call that? I'd like to see the research that went into that comment.

[Dannyellow88]

Dannyellow88*:we just happen to enjoy classical music more. This is a statement which was said by my piano teacher...she's in her 70's and she's English.

and I agree with her because she shows respect to everyone, any age, any race. She's also slightly embarrassed for being English because of people like you.

[Dannyellow88]

You on the other hand obviously like to be stuck up. Accept the fact that classical music is for everyone whoever enjoys it. It's not the matter of who thinks they're better than who.

*felgon123*: why do the fucking Asians think their so superior to everyone else. Seems like you have a more negative comment and that your seems more insulting.

[karciarz42]

You must play faster.

[fichan25052505]

at 1:41 1:32, what I hear is a C.. when ur in fact playing an F??!! =S how does that work??! LOL

btw.... ur playing is good for slow practice.. not a performance. =]

[lonelyshinobi]

then again..... I'm Asian to it might be an unfair advantage.

[lonelyshinobi]

a little to hard....sorry....lol

what I meant, was play faster -_-

he...hehe -.-;

[lonelyshinobi]

you call THAT junk one of Chopins works? Play the original and I'd be more happy.

Chopin wouldn't be happy if he were to hear this. I'm 13 and I play 10 times better! go practice!

[Iamgavin]

As always, hate the pompous comments regarding classical music videos. It's not as fast as it's meant to be, though it's good to watch if your trying to learn the piece. Kind of like a slowed down instructional video.

[Xardan]

omg

[mightyquincy109]

Wow. I'm not going as far to say that "this interpretation has no musical value." I think to say that is very snobby and could never apply to Chopin's music. To each his own. However, I do believe a little modesty could do you and Daniel a lot of good. And I think that he should listen to other recordings of the piece or simply refer to the music to get an idea of how the music may be interpreted... for lack of a better word, correctly. Give it some thought.

[NickScottsdale]

People take themselves & their opinions way too seriously - especially musicians & fans of musicians. Check my other videos of Daniel which are humorous skits: watch?v=wK7NwoXzeSc or watch?v=3XTR3G47xN0 or watch?v=F2Pld70_27s. Muhammad Ali is famously called goat (greatest of all time), yet he lost 10% of his fights (won 56, lost 5), and Rocky Marciano was undefeated (won 49, lost 0). Even Andy Rooney said, "Muhammad Ali couldn't have laced up Joe Louis's gloves." Who is to say who the GOAT is?

[Kleut]

"the greatest musician of all time. If, after listening to these videos, you disagree, then the only logical explanation is that you are deaf."???? Are you serious? If so, I hope there will be someone in your neighbourhood to give you a reality shock, because it seems you have never been outside of your house to see and feel the world, let alone to listen to real musicians. Please stay in your own world, don't harrass the web.

[NickScottsdale]

Kleut, 1>"Are you serious?" that you judge Daniel as not a real musician? 2>Are you one of those persons who doesn't follow his own advice (practice what you preach)? I do not harass anyone by bringing up the standards of musicianship in an enthusiastic positive way, but your words intentionally harass by design: you demonstrate harassment. 3>Why don't you demonstrate: Real & Musician? (Where are your videos?) 4>My neighborhood listens to rap & pop music; if yours is classical, that would shock!

[manitou1997]

I'm sorry, I've been trying not to rise to this, but from reading your comments on this (and the other) videos, it actually seems like you think this pianist has more than a basic ability to hit the notes in the right order.

This 'interpretation' has no musical value, bears very little relation to Chopin's notation, and can be bettered by most high-school standard piano players.

Please - buy some recordings by Schnabel, Rubinstein, Cortot or Cziffra, and hear how Chopin *should* sound.

[NickScottsdale]

manitou, who are you addressing your comment to? Also, I notice that you already posted a negative comment to this video over 3 months ago--if you don't like Daniel's rendition of the Chopin Prelude #24, why do you keep coming back to listen to it? Finally, your opinion that "this interpretation has no musical value" is a dogmatic self-assertion that is obviously disproved and contradicted by the many positive comments left by others; your egotistical feedback only makes YOU look like the fool.

[guilaume105]

hahaha

[balbus2]

This is intentional knucklehead!

[mayelajay]

Sin comentarios

[LMorgan1234]

Don't you have cramps in your hands??? You may have fingers on certain keys, but it sounds like a child banging his fist on the keyboard. Do you know how to modulate? You play like pop singers "sing." All scream--all the time. Do you read the dynamics written in the piece? Must be all "fff"

[aaabbbccc5]

Allegro Appasionato??? But it´s good anyway!

[KoreanMusicReviewer]

lebernardin, Perhaps you should go back to Kindergarten to relearn how to count and learn how to feel. I am amazed by the psuedointellectual superiority you display -- is that how you make yourself feel better because you can't hear or understand simple rhythm concepts (or math)? However, you do at least show character by explaining your ignorance, unlike other commenters who cowardly leave curt cryptic feedback. Take my reply as a wake-up call to re-evaluate your own life.

[heyho64]

lento pero interesante!!

[akagrin]

Inspiring...

[sswizard]

i like this it was a nice change from the usual way i here this played

[disolk]

the C-major scale ends with a F in the video. LOL

[jefftam1234]

i am loving this mutual masturbation-feast by u, the self-proclaimed 'music elite who can extract music out of crap'

[Kelimu]

Dont play that again

[ranr14127]

yeah , this video IS a bad joke...

[roandreiuk]

Yes!! ...it sounds diffrent, but nice too this slow!!

Thanks for accepting my response!! Good luck on your studies!

[balbus2]

All you whiners can listen to the two limp wristed versions in the frame to the right. If classical music is played femme, then the audience will always be microscopic. I prefer Daniel's nut cracking style.

[balbus2]

Furthermore, If you like your classical music cranked up into a modern interpretation, check out jerryc and Canon Rock Version 2.....Now, can we have more music please Daniel? It's been a while.

[Peter1955x]

Nick, thank you for video documenting Dan's playing and taking a stand in calling him "The Greatest", making fun of all the arrogance in commercial celebrity players. I can appreciate what you are doing. But besides, Dan really is an incredible find of true classical musicianship in a small marketplace of fierce competition where players battle and compromise the music with false showmanship for a deaf ear public which "hears" only speed. Dan demonstrates 24-carat feelings.

[BelindaWakumi]

Now this here is a Man with passion for music and life! I listened to the "professionals" (noted hence) - they play like girls; they rev up their little Honda engines but only produce fluff - what a turn off.

Daniel is a powerhouse that growls & purrs in all the right places, biting & nibbling, stalking & pouncing. He captured me from the first note to the last - I am turned on by his energy, beauty, enthusiasm, and courageous heart in a superficial world of cosmetic musicianship.

[Opoczynski]

Analytical!

[SoloVampire]

if he didnt' put "Greatest musician of all time" i would not want to frame him but.... your left hand man dam, the thumb is so heavy

[jamespmul123]

Is this video a joke? You have no musicality or technique. This is Chopin, not chopsticks- it needs grace, shape, and color, not a harsh, one-dimensional, and somewhat painful treatment. Why attempt this piece, let alone post it? This is among the worst piano videos I've seen on youtube... ouch(p.s. I never would have dissed you if its wasn't for your title- at least be honest w/ us)

[manitou1997]

Good god, man, it's Chopin!!! Where's the cantabile? Where's the feeling? My computer plays MIDI files with more feeling than this.

[tdavis2797]

that pinky stretches for miles

[damildlyshreddah]

Hahahahahahaha a bit sl*w

[Rob48]

hahaha find this point tru

[damildlyshreddah]

u agree? 8) respectfull hahahahahaha daim

[roandreiuk]

....hey man,

just watch out not to change what it is written!! (Chopin´s Words!)

[roandreiuk]

For me, Alexander Kobrin´s performance of this prelude is the best. Profound, Expressive, Excellent technique development, dynamics.... not too fast, not too slow. Perfect!!

[Erik76LV]

Allegro...not largo, and appassionata...not boring.

Obviously lacking the technical facilities to perform this work properly. I wouldn't have bothered commenting, though I couldn't resist since the self-proclomation, 'greatest musician' - which gave me quite a laugh as I listened to the horribly inaccurate recording.

You walk in the shadow of Richter, Michelangeli, Cziffra...lose the arrogance.

[Bartkei]

Are you autodidact?

[datruzepp]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH A TRU CG LEGEND

[Yaniss]

I totally agree with you...speed is used when insecurity...

i gotta play this piece this year in the conservatory...and i think i´ll play that slow

thanks for posting!!! great help for me!

keep in touch

[balbus2]

Daniel is a master pianist.He blows away everyone else. I want to hear more. Does he have a website?

[MoonTribe]

Too slow for my taste... Still, good job on getting the notes down.

[NickScottsdale]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your respectful feedback in indicating that for Your Taste: it is too slow. I am sorry, but I have to disagree. Many contemporary pianists play too fast out of an insecurity and need to show off instead of choosing a tempo that best expresses the music for its beauty and emotion.

[NickScottsdale]

For comparison, listen to Alexander Kobrin, the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition winner, as he trivializes this piece ( watch?v=NHY_LbixgBM )

In listening to Daniel's performance, in my opinion, the magnificent melody and tormenting passion of the music comes alive. Yes, Daniel got the notes down as well -- and they can be heard clearly because he did not play it too fast.

[MoonTribe]

You have a good point here and I must say, the more I listen to Daniel's performance; I like it more and more. I was used to listen to this Prelude played with fast and furious speed, but now I must say that I kinda like it slow too.

[tikiman098]

well all i can say is that here, chopin's notes are by no means beautiful and emotional. it sounds as if the pianist is afflicted by a technical insecurity more than anything else. btw, a skilled pianist can play notes clearly and quickly (and emotionally, and beautifully)at the same time. in addition, the self-proclaimed title is quite the misnomer.