Personally I think that Hepzibah Menuhin's rendition is the most energetic and technically ravishing, more than any other performance I know of. It's on a rare Classic Archive DVD where Hepzibah accompanies her brother Yehudi, and plays this solo piece in breathtaking fashion and superior technique... Definitely way up there with the very very best! Get it from a store!
Another great Bolet performance, Bolet shows you his consummate musicianship as well as his virtuosity. Sometimes I think of Mendelssohn as a mediocre composer, but definitely not here. And how Bolet makes the music SING!
I hardly need to "discover" Mendelssohn. I have been a professional musician (i.e., teacher of piano) since before you were born. For more years than I can count I have been teaching his piano works to my students and I have a pretty thorough knowledge of the standard literature, so I think I have a good idea as to Mendelssohn's place in 19th century piano repertoire. Mendelssohn wrote some beautiful and delightful piano music, but little of it's on the level of Chopin's or Schumann's best.
a lot of people dismissed Mendelsson mainly due to his lieder ohne worte which were hackneyed salon pieces without real emotion,he composed with such ease and some were over-played which maybe led to boredom?
I think it's indisputable that Mendelssohn allowed too much of his piano music to get published. His best work is first rate, but a good portion of his keyboard writing is less than top flight.
@julienbencze Esta obra es conocida ,al menos por mi desde 1975 ,interpretada por Murray Perahia, en el disco MK 42401 de la casa CBS. Es una excelente interpretación,que no se encuentra en Youtube.Pero efectivamente es poco interpretada.
As dazzling and clean as the fast, furious variations are, I'm almost more impressed with the incredible sensitivity and intelligent reading of the slow sections.
I'm learning this at the moment. Quite a challenging piece, more difficult than it could seem. Bolet gives a very beautiful interpretation, doesn't seem too fast for me (try Richter if you want to hear what "fast" sounds like!!). Very clean and clear. A reference version to me!
I had no interest in this piece until now. I took the trouble to look up the score and I noticed only one change in the score. Bolet adds a left hand part to the diminished seven arpeggios at the end. Bolet changes the endings to many of the pieces he performs, invariably for the better.
His ending (3:59+) is the best I've ever heard.
fcGroup 3 months ago
Personally I think that Hepzibah Menuhin's rendition is the most energetic and technically ravishing, more than any other performance I know of. It's on a rare Classic Archive DVD where Hepzibah accompanies her brother Yehudi, and plays this solo piece in breathtaking fashion and superior technique... Definitely way up there with the very very best! Get it from a store!
mcrohof 4 months ago
Perfection
abajour 11 months ago
OMG!
fabdango 2 years ago
Another great Bolet performance, Bolet shows you his consummate musicianship as well as his virtuosity. Sometimes I think of Mendelssohn as a mediocre composer, but definitely not here. And how Bolet makes the music SING!
soami2u 3 years ago 7
Hi Soami2u,
Putting the great Bolet interpretation apart, your comments on Mendelssohn reveal 2 things:
1. You are sensitive to Mendelssohn's music.
2. Like the majority amateur and/or even professional musicians, you don't know his work.
Conclusion: I invite you to discover him, i.e. via internet! Cheers.
julienbencze 2 years ago
I hardly need to "discover" Mendelssohn. I have been a professional musician (i.e., teacher of piano) since before you were born. For more years than I can count I have been teaching his piano works to my students and I have a pretty thorough knowledge of the standard literature, so I think I have a good idea as to Mendelssohn's place in 19th century piano repertoire. Mendelssohn wrote some beautiful and delightful piano music, but little of it's on the level of Chopin's or Schumann's best.
soami2u 2 years ago
a lot of people dismissed Mendelsson mainly due to his lieder ohne worte which were hackneyed salon pieces without real emotion,he composed with such ease and some were over-played which maybe led to boredom?
afertyus1000 1 year ago
@soami2u
I think it's indisputable that Mendelssohn allowed too much of his piano music to get published. His best work is first rate, but a good portion of his keyboard writing is less than top flight.
daniel15671 1 year ago
@julienbencze Esta obra es conocida ,al menos por mi desde 1975 ,interpretada por Murray Perahia, en el disco MK 42401 de la casa CBS. Es una excelente interpretación,que no se encuentra en Youtube.Pero efectivamente es poco interpretada.
JorPove 1 year ago
@soami2u Mendelssohn was a magnificant composer, this piece is a testament.
Bolet's version is great, he's very sensitive to the music. Imo Jung Lin's IKIF version is the best, she absolutely makes the music sing.
mgbrad3388 1 year ago
I like Bolet's play. But i think that this piece is "written" for Richter... especially that last 4 minutes
ClaudioArrau 3 years ago
Superb! Bravo! TY.
paulostroff99 3 years ago
Beautiful interpretation. Pristine technique. Thank you for posting this!
trschaefer 3 years ago 2
this isn't an virtuosity piece it's an expressive piece so the speed isn't the main factor
ieronim2003 3 years ago 3
Ave o Bolet
IgnazMoscheles 3 years ago
As dazzling and clean as the fast, furious variations are, I'm almost more impressed with the incredible sensitivity and intelligent reading of the slow sections.
cheeguy 4 years ago 9
I'm learning this at the moment. Quite a challenging piece, more difficult than it could seem. Bolet gives a very beautiful interpretation, doesn't seem too fast for me (try Richter if you want to hear what "fast" sounds like!!). Very clean and clear. A reference version to me!
pianolover81 4 years ago 4
incredible
kikoolesnamis 4 years ago 5
Too fast for me. But not wrong.
zsufa 4 years ago
I had no interest in this piece until now. I took the trouble to look up the score and I noticed only one change in the score. Bolet adds a left hand part to the diminished seven arpeggios at the end. Bolet changes the endings to many of the pieces he performs, invariably for the better.
jdbrown371 4 years ago 2
He also added an A on the right hand at the start of the "timpani roll" bit. The arpeggios for both hands were also recommended by Cortot.
orcamocha 3 years ago
i noticed that too! lol.
goodridgewinners 3 years ago
Terrific !!!! Thnaks for posting!!!!!!!
Hofmann1937 4 years ago 2