Milstein

[khira07]

His trills!!! It's... it's...!!

[m0nk3ym43r]

omg hes a beast! this is insanely great

[dgt0099]

IT IS FUCKIN AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[voon200]

epic

[gibsonpaddy]

Nothing against Milestein's playing he truly is one of the greatest but for some reason im still firmly backing Mr Heifetz as the greatest ever...

[flash7725]

@gibsonpaddy I don't think anyone on this board will fault you for loving Heifetz . . . as long as you love this too!

[MrGunterguerrero]

No words to describe Mr.Milstein's playing" Paganiniana "...just miraculous !

[mareoraft]

just watching his facial expressions, it's impossible not to love this man.

[fiddlercrab3]

I find it very interesting to compare Milstein's "undoctored" theme to Heifetz's theme statement (the original variations, but both state the original theme), also floating around Youtube. Milstein uses more open E strings, which gives a nice contrast to the 4th finger E, on which he lingers slightly, with a gentle vibrato.

Truly remarkable.

[AlessioDan]

paganini

[CrazySingingNote]

O.o

[musicpirate456]

DJGBGIUGDJKGF

Great. His, and Heifetz's of this are amazing.

As well as the violist Primrose.

[Milky111wtf]

Did he write those variations?

[victorfb01]

yes

[gulisha520]

he is...genius...

[mtava002]

you're obviously a fucktard. stick to sports plz.

[hakmirchai]

The interesting point is not that so many great violinists are Jewish but why. Intellectual prowess, cultural heritage, physical dexterity, superior muscle memory? I don't know the answer, but it would be interesting to empiracally study the question.

[phantasy1]

Cultural heritage I would postulate as the reason.

[milstein91]

Jews are the best.99% of the great violinists are jewish.

[flash7725]

Yes, it is safe to say that nearly all of the world's great violinists are Jewish. This isn't an opinion for people to rip on - it's a historical fact. Milstein, Heifetz, Kreisler, Bell, Shaham, Perlman, Zukerman, Menuhin, Oistrakh, Stern, Szeryng, Elman, and so on are all Jewish. The Jewish culture has greatly enriched and blessed the rest of the world, and we are in their debt.

[julliards]

so is my dick

[Jaesango]

Although that's true you can't say it's "jew genes"

i'm pretty sure the horrors their culture have gone through have constituted to their wanting to succeed so much

[milstein91]

Why are not the genes?I think the main reason is in their brain and education.

[Jaesango]

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But i know plenty of Jewish people that don't and can't play the violin. I'm almost certain there aren't "violin" genes too. It's probably their work ethics. Those who have the talent to succeed will through perseverence and hard work.

[denzakharov]

Jewish people succeeded not only in playing violin, but also in many other areas. Its their willing to succeed, not any "violin genes" in my opinion.

[club349]

my roommate is eating lox and bagels instead of practicing violin now... get back to work

[phgp527]

sometimes even the finest need to gnosh on lox and bagles!

[EnnaSilme]

he DOES play like a god! (L)

[Draziw777]

What a staccato! Perfect

[LasFrambuesas]

si alguna vez logro tocar la mitad de la mitad de la mitad de bien que este tipo...será mucho. Y todo un logro y un honor para mi poder interpretar esta pieza apropiadamente.

[OlivePirastro]

Much better than Hilary Hahn. The interpretation is very organized. and not to mention his amazing articulation. The clarity is unbelievable.

[chromaticglissando]

I hope the interpretation is good, he did compose this piece ;)

[Doctor550]

i love paganiniana ...but only played by milstein

[flash7725]

Salvatore Accardo does a great rendition, but Milstein's rendition is pretty much an impossible act to follow.

[stradplayer614]

niceee

[johannmilstein]

so masterfull!!!

[violinpro]

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fiddlerny66]

As just a section fiddler, I had the good fortune to play the accompanyment to the beethoven concerto for mr. milstein years ago. Be fore that was a mozart overture I wan=s not playing. Back stage mr. milstein came into our room and we talked about technique for 10-15 minutes! he was the kindest and most gental man I ever met. i learned more in 10 minutes than all the years of lessons and practice! it was amazing.

[3NUNS]

Is dat so ?

[olga2809]

I have his recording of this piece but this video is even more astonishing...

[johnhopfensperger]

He is a little younger here than in his 1970's "official" recording.

[claveman99]

If there is any doubt about NM, buy and listen to the hours on end, the EMI box set "The art of Nathan Milstein" and report back. He could play with bad had and finger at age 82 and still improvise. Others may have been better, but playing for 70 years from age 11 he got the most on record and film and did not need a remix or second take.

[cheetos4me]

I think its wrong to say that any violinist is better than another, since they have their strengths and weaknesses

[scientistpatrick]

true but too many weaknesses that are strenghts on the other violinist will cause one to be 'better'.

[equinshadox]

Aaahh, the lines are so fuzzy...

[chuqutty]

There is no words to describe his level of playing. Pure, simple, yet full of excitement and compelling emotions! He is a true virtuoso who will not be forgotten...

[misterbg1]

lol i think u described it with words pretty well actually.

[whitemexnumba1]

ha, i don't think that the word "simple" is the right adjective for this type of playing.

[boogiemonster06]

has to be one of the hardest pieces to play

[flash7725]

I searched long to find him playing Paganiniana on CD, but this version is far superior to what I bought. Does anyone have any idea where I could get a hold of this? Thanks.

[MissBelgianBeauty]

all geniuses are jews ...

[Aglaopheme]

what about bach?

[MnEmonicist]

hey MissBB, you must be some kind of an agent provocateur or as stupid as your name would indicate

(( all true beauties are shallow, you know ;) ))

[fedeminici]

I really like to know what people like Milstein, Oistrakh or Menuhin says about any kind of coment like yours.

[jsnauwaert]

very stupid remark. Not good publicity for the intelligence of miss BB.

[funnyviolist]

Well, she's right! (coming from a true brilliant jew)

[STRLOL]

it's a shame he had to die... one of the best musicians ever!

[MacApp1966]

Grandioso!

[fiddlinmatt]

Man, the old masters. I love these guys, they take what we would call unconventional or sloppy technique today and turn it upside down and make it brilliant, I guess that just goes to show that the sound is all that matters in the end

[likemyviolin]

One of my favourite Mistein-performances.

Thanks.

[makarna1976]

heifeitz is the best for me.

[whitemexnumba1]

this is his own composition called paganiniana which is based on the #24 theme, but includes the motifs from caprice #16, witches dance, #6, #14, #21 and stuff that i dont feel looking up. i think that he just came with it.

[milstein91]

It doesn't have the number 16

[BenChanViolin]

Milstein is brilliant. I played the Bach g minor fugue and put it up on my YouTube profile, and Milstein's Bach was very largely my inspiration.

Btw, which Paganini 24 arrangement is this? I noticed Heifetz played yet a different one, and the one commonly distributed in caprice compilations is another one still.

[KoganSvetlanov]

Is his own composition, as whitemexnumba1 says he include themes from those caprices, also from concerto nº1 , he made kind of paganini salad! Caprice 16 , 21 , 14 , 6 etc...

[Rephrat]

the king again !!

[rossariffin]

Amazing playing by an old master! By the way..I am appalled at some of the crap language used sometimes and for that who did it here..is a total moron! Get a life moron! Next time..use your brain and say something constructive instead of spoling for the rest of us who actually appreciate good music such as this! Otherwise bugger off and go somewheere else like a porn site where you can get off!

[TomBarrister]

The violin is the (ex) Goldman Stradivarius, which Milstein owned from 1946 until his death in 1992. It now belongs to retailer Jerry Kohl, and is probably on loan to deserving violinists.

[yankeeshogun]

Thank goodness for rich people ;-)

[MyshunoGuy]

I play violin, and to do that I might need to practice a little... :-)

[cfeAncient]

The bow is supposed to be that way.

It helps with bowing and such.

Cellos and bass do it in the opposite direction. The top of the bow points towards them, while the violin bow as you can see is pointed outward to hide the white bow-hair.

[Zhou9]

His fingers are also very close together. His bowhand is very loose and free though, and he makes a great sound.

[matcormpuff]

It would be boring if everyone played the same way.

[Zhou9]

Hmm... THe bow isn't straight.

[shawkobezhu]

It's the lens....I've noticed that happening in numerous old video recordings.

[Doctor550]

Yes fuck you.

[milstein91]

loooool

[guilobcast]

unbeliavable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yogurt3000]

Heifetz is a mistery: His right hand was incredibly stiff; he held the bow as though it were disgusting. However, Heifetz' intonation is divine. Compare his live (sic!) recording of the Paganini 24th Caprice. In front of a live audience, there is not a single note which is out of tune. The passage in thirds is nearly menacing.

Oistrakh is truly the king of the bow: Everything is relaxed, he guides the bow over the strings, but never holds it, which makes for the best sound production.

[sstutter]

Heifetz's right hand isn't as stiff as Milstein's.

[PaperGrape]

Hmmm... I'm not so sure. Often, Milstein's technique is much cleaner than Heifetz. Though he may look stiff, he just interacts with the bow differently. Milstein's philosophy was 'Less is More'. If you notice, his bowhold is with near minimal movement. To be too relaxed in certain parts can be disastrous. My dad told me a story of when milstein threw his bow into the audience during a concert... how's that for relaxed? XD

[GreatPianists]

Heifetz is indeed a mystery. But perhaps it's better that way. What really matters is that he was a godly violinist.

And Oistrakh's bow arm is so relaxed, the path of his bow never slides, and it's lightning fast and SO easy-looking. Just extraordinary.

[Palikee]

Heifetz stiff????????Lol ........you fuckin blind...LOL.....and stupid...what a shame.Better don't watch music videos,'cause you can't SEE

[ItzhakRoxMySox]

Hmmm... maybe he's a Perlman lover, like I am. But anyone would seem to have a stiff right arm next to Perlman, because you can't deny that he has the most relaxed bow arm and best bow control of the greats. But that guy sure is dumb for calling Heifetz stiff, I must agree

[Viocas]

I agree that Perlman has an incredibly relaxed bow arm, but when it comes to bow control I would say that David Oistrakh is possibly even better.

Whether it really matters is another thing...

[ItzhakRoxMySox]

True, everything you say. What really matters tho, is that they're both awesome and better than both of us and everyone else on this page will ever be. So I guess that matter is quite indifferent.

[Viocas]

Probably, but you can always dream and work hard ;)

[ItzhakRoxMySox]

Very true, its certainly possible to reach their level, though i dont know if it will happen, haha.

[nathanbob12]

so good! A lot cleaner than heifetz!

[buddapeople]

I hate how in these videos they have to zoom in on some part of him, especially when its his face. cause there's so much to learn from him just watching him play, and that defenatly takes away from that.

but regardless, it was incredible. I always have to watch these a few times just to get every detail, amazing, and milstein is a brilliant violinist.

[flooothepooo]

i think god can play better ;) awsome

[negroid44]

starting at 1:44, he hypnotizes me!

[Z0751]

That part at 4:18-4:38 is awesome.

[GreatPianists]

That's mindblowing precision and accuracy for ya.

That left hand...

[qixoty]

i know you admire his left hand ("dexterity"...remember?)

That i found among the old posts: "Milstein is sometimes called the king of the bow/king of the right hand... how can you all novices question his right hand"

you probably don't count among those "novices"...but i found it of interest

[GreatPianists]

Obviously, someone like Milstein would be possessed of an extraordinary technique in both hands, and I see nothing wrong with his right hand/arm whatsoever.

However, that phenomenal cleanliness and accuracy in his playing has a lot to do with his left hand, the fingers moving as little as possible, so meticulously.

And also, for me the "king of the bow/king of the right hand" would either be Heifetz or Oistrakh (most likely Oistrakh). Nothing against Milstein, though. One of the greatest.

[gnatural]

slay me now!!!!!!!! incredible!

[gigamax1978]

Is Milstein violin 3/4?

Looks too small.

[ipmoic]

Milstein was a fabulous violinist. But I understand from his former accompanist that he literally had to be pushed on stage because he suffered from SEVERE stage fright. He had a rather small tone. In his work with full orchestra this was apparently quite discernable. I am also told by those who knew him that he has a breathtakingly beautiful wife--so there!

[starcati]

obviously. talent is secondary. to anyone play good the violin must work hard.

[oldschoolcomedy]

plays like god, yes. But, one teacher says to me once "no work, no miracle". Milstein is talent and hard work

[ellegin88]

if this is a summary of paganini's caprices... wheres all the staccato...?

[happyfunnyfoo]

In the second variation at 0:35 smartie

[ellegin88]

lol... thats spiccato... staccato are the on the string up ups lol...

[duhhh86]

what a wonderful summary of paganini's caprices!

[DualThunder]

fucking awesome. I love milstein's tone xD

[NunyaBizznis]

does anybody know what violin he uses?

[flash7725]

His main one was a Stradivari, which he re-named the Maria Teresa, after his wife and daughter. I don't know if that's the one he's playing in this video. This does look a little different from the others I've seen him play.

[PaperGrape]

It (his main one, if this is indeed it) was indeed a Strad. The year was 1716.

[musicmatt09]

Played violin for 3 years and recieved a full scholarship to perform at the International Conservatory of Music - so lets not boast. Further, Paganiniana was not considered by Milstein to be the hardest - he believed the 'Mephisto Waltz' a transcription from a piece by Liszt was the hardest he'd ever played.

[happpiday]

didn't he (miltein) write this piece?

[alien3456]

Yes he did. It's based off Paganini's 24th and other caprices.

[masael255]

Oh no no, I'm not a professional at all! I'm just a guy who loves music and was lucky to meet the right people at PBS who did a story on me. Did I come off as a professional? X_X I hope not...Though I will say I didn't go through "normal" training...I stopped lessons after a year and worked on my own developing differently from most mainstream violinists...By the way, mind if we move to private messages? I think we're too off topic here! xD

[masael255]

Um...I am Antonio Esmael...you saw my "My story"...or am I infamous in the second cheese state? (California's the better cheese state! xD)

[musica53217]

really? professional violinist/3.5 years?

that's odd. everyone in the top level of the YOUTH orchestra (senior symphony) has played at least 5 (my brother)

and I would have to disagree with the cheese comment! Go to Door County someday, and attend a chesse/wine tasting.

[musica53217]

yeah, yeah. there are a millioner - er 36 - comments on how he played. But the thing I noticed is that a growm man is using what looks like a 1/2 size instrument. what's up with that? oh, but he does play like a GOD.

[masael255]

Um...that's a full size. You know what they say about cameras; adds 20 pounds to people and drops sizes to instruments...xD

[musica53217]

must be the excess of 7th position. yeah...cool. but it only has 1 fine tuner. ha!

[masael255]

You're probably right about that with the 7th position...oh and I love the one fine tuner...something about it makes me less apt to blame my instrument's tuning and, rather, work on my own intonation...xD

[musica53217]

lol! someone is being...sorta like me! :P. only open strings would be out of tune, all else you have control over. they could argue that, but I guess if you make a musical sound, they don't care as much. ha. that's my experience, at least.

[masael255]

Yup, as long as it sounds musical that's ALL that matters. It's like I say; I never hit a wrong note...it's just my own arrangement! xD

[musica53217]

originality, not "incorrect"

that makes me feel slightly better. I made a mistake at the quartet performance I did last night at a dinner party. Whatever. $200 was worth everyone staring.

[masael255]

Even the greatest musicians make mistakes! I have heard Andre Rieu make a mistake live (he messed up on Silent Night) and during a live performance with Rachel Barton her other soloist and herself lost timing from each other for about 8 measures! That's why I like solo work...easier to hide mistakes are "original workings."

[musica53217]

andre rieu???

whoo-weee! he performed in Milwaukee (I live in Wisconsin, the "cheese-state") and I went. He squeaked once while in 7th, but no one got lost.

I am a great musician. I make mistakes. Lol...I wish. another couple decades of practicing would do it, though. How long have you played?

[masael255]

Three and a half years myself but, like you I'm sure, I have put WAY too much time into practicing...I'm working on Paganini's 24th right now and man is that a pain but I love doing left handed pizz...It's such a fun show off move! How long have you played?

[musica53217]

I'll be honest. not arrogant/lying idiot. honest. I've played for 2 years and I am working on the hoffmeister concerto in d. (for viola). piano, I've played 6 years and am working on a bartok concerto.

ha! show off move...wait 'till you see my stand partner's "vibrato". he vibrates the basses across the room with that crazy show-off-shake,

when you finish working on it, will you post?

[masael255]

Wow, impressive for two years. Blech, I should have focused more on sheet music and less on my ear and maybe I'd be doing that stuff too...x_x

That's some crazy vibrato through. CRAZY. But yeah...once I get it don't I'll try to post it..but don't expect it soon...it's really giving me a run for my money! xD

[musica53217]

yeah...i started piano by ear, but then the left hand got to hard to hear.

have you ever heard of Antonio Esmael?

[masael255]

Um...I am Antonio Esmael...you saw my "My story"...or am I infamous in the second cheese state? (California's the better cheese state! xD)

[firebreathone]

? who says Andre Rieu is among "the greatest musicians" ?

[arielpesach]

So beautifully played. The sound that he gets out of his violin is just amazing in every single note.

I agree that such violinplaying deserves standing ovation for hours.

Isn't it great that we now have this possibility to study all these great musicians and SEE how they are playing. We can stop and repeat and see the bowings, the fingerings, everything.

I think, all these videorecordings will bring new ideas in teaching of music in general. It already has.

I'm grateful for this!

[bryanmurray]

i love nathan milstein

[dagdas01]

a frikin mazing... i loved it it was amazing! AMAZING!!!

[nbaballer8227]

pretty lame applause for such a wonderful performance.

[bulboflight]

totaly agree, i'd be shtting myself xD

[bulboflight]

actually in fact, i'd like to beat up all those who didnt give him a standing ovation...

[Doctor550]

ME TOO

[tdyjak]

Wow! ...If I could do that I'd get laid!

[monster1116]

what the fuck?? he's amazing!!!! I love that combination!!!!

[artoftheviolin]

well OistrakMilstein is sort of right

it isn't the hardest piece

but still it's challenging for "mortals" like me

and i think milstein did fabulously in this recording

[robertvgupta]

GOD.

[orfe125]

Thank you for a rare one.

[kenkim5]

SICK...

[waistoi]

Milstein is sometimes called the king of the bow/king of the right hand... how can you all novices question his right hand

[oedible]

are the caprices variations of this, or is this made of variations of the caprices

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

Damn is this like the hardest piece written for violin or something?

[felixmendelssohn]

A lot of people would put it up there, along with Ysaye's "Ballade," the Bartok solo sonata, etc.

[OistrakhMilstein]

nope... The hardest pieces are some of paganini's solo violin pieces (god save the queen, etc...) Erlkonig by Ernst, or 6 polyphonic etudes by Ernst

[jp2a2m]

Truly sublime.

[trevorpinnocky]

imagine some repugnant critic remarking about Milstein's bow arm. He not called the "Prince of the Bow" for nothing.

; )

[AbsoluteZ3R0]

it only looks bent bc of the distortion of the video. obviously he has excellent bowing technique lol

[cgzH]

Milstein was a great musical mind. He never bothered about fingerings and bowings, for he almost always used different ones everytime he played. Somehow, they'd always worked well. A critic blasted him for this once, and Milstein responded by playing the whole of the Dvorak concerto the following night - with reversed bowing.

[jeongalex]

i would have to disagree about "never bothering about fingerings" when he was 82-performing the chaconne, it said he had to revise his original fingerings to play it

[cgzH]

Hmm. I think my comments still stand. He did not change his "original fingerings", for he had none - BUT he did have to go through all his pieces in preparation for his last recital, for he had to play only with 3 fingers, having woken up in the morning with pain and stiffness in his left index finger.

[cgzH]

Though there exists a published set of scores for this composition of his, none of his recordings/performances of this were ever the same; he always added and changed things on the spot to his liking.

[tiappy]

this was composed by milstein himself. he took a whole bunch of themes by paganini and jumbled them together like a salad, adding his own variations. this is the result. amazing thing is that during performance, the variations are done impromptu. food for thought huh. fantastic. unarguably one of the greats.

[jeongalex]

which paganini piece is this? (wow that sounded dumb)

[XieXie3]

o freaking...obviously the audience weren't musicians, he deserves a standing ovation. I love his unique style and his way of expressing himself through Niccolo Paganini. Beautiful.

[jenny49658]

watch them at the end of the performance.

[jenny49658]

the audience couldn't care less! lol

[jenny49658]

nice

[arnak]

dumb asses, paganini playes better, and jascha haifetz and issac stern !!! and some other hehehehe

[Angyalka01]

Milstein, he is one of the best violinist.

Great post sissy!!!

[vioguru]

OMG! This is how Paganini should be played!

[felixmendelssohn]

MILSTEIN IS GOD

[marking99]

incredible performance!! Milstein is one my most admired violinists, and certainly his technique is faultless in this difficult piece. Milstein demonstrated the way how a violin should sound.