Barenboim's version seems more conventional. Frankly and without disrespect, Gilels' version is cleaner and fresher. He plays the 4th variation at a swift 98 bbm.
..ok, so I couldn't resist actually listening and quickly forgot the Cb as I marvelled at this artist's ability to connect EVERY note, to sculpt the work, to recreate it freshly and spirit it across. He knew about sound, acoustic, tone and had an expressive warmth balanced by complete clarity of intellect. Utterly wonderful. I saw/hread him live only once and I so glad my memories are held up here.
It is such a great pity that the audio presents us with a continuous Cb - the most utterly alien note out of all possible disturbances. However, I watched with the volume cancelled and it was still marvellous. There were so many wonderful things in Gilels' technique; the posture for a start and the smoothest transfer of weight which created liquid gold tone, perhaps the most wonderful tone I've ever heard in a pianist.
I see it as the blueprint for Chopin's sonatas, and in particular the B flat minor Funeral March Sonata. Chopin was very familiar with Beethoven's Ab sonata, teaching as part of his curriculum.
Besides Les A'deiux having a Funeral March, Beethoven, who developed the scherzo uncharacteristically puts it here as the 2nd movement, pushing the gravitas of the work to the third movement, in this case the Funeral March.
The 2nd movt. of all Chopin's sonatas are marked scherzo.
Hooray. Someone agrees with me about Gilels. I've not heard much about him since his passing. I thought he had few or no peers. A Gilels Society used to exist in Carmel, CA but again, I've had no news lately. Gilels' attack, moods, tempi, precision, all just blew Beethoven wide open for me. Please tell me, from where are these live performances taken? Russia? Europe? USA? How old etc.? Nice to hear pieces that few play anymore. Esp. with dignity & with the March, without parody or vulgarity.
Its a pity there is that irritating buzzing noise on this video because Gilels is a fine interpreter of Beethoven's music,I have just recently bought the set of nearly complete piano sonatas and eroica variations it was absolutely fantastic a truly great pianist
What, you're calling Richter feminine? You seriously need to listen to his interpretation of Prokofiev's 5th Piano Concerto - He rips the piano apart.
Well a tigresse can rip flesh apart so I'm not saying that Richter plays in an effete way, but I will listen to his Prokofiev and get back to you if I think he needs to change planets.
GreatPianists: You are profoundly correct and understand the unique and unmatched merits of both pianists, although after hearing both artists live, I must say the Richter's intensity was staggering beyond human comprehension and, as of yet,still stands unchallenged!
hh lol yeah tell that to a deadman and by the way he played that perfectly speed is not everything in music considure that as a lesson in life or as a reccomendation from professional musician...
I waren't impressed much. He plays it too slow, so the melody falls apart sometimes. And he doesn't use all of the opportunities that the tune holds. He could have played it with more imagination.
It's an amazning performance! And look at that audience on stage, those kids too. They do not even twitch a muscle it seems. It really puts American audiences to shame...
This sonata I've played a long time. It was a favorite of Chopin, who gave it to his students. One of them described Chopin's playing of it. Chopin supposedly didn't care for the late sonatas and considered the Op. 31 E flat sonata vulgar. Interesting.
I have heard both of them live, and there is not any doubt who is the better of them. Neuhaus was their teacher, and his opinion is the same as mine. It´s time to reconsider!
Barenboim's version seems more conventional. Frankly and without disrespect, Gilels' version is cleaner and fresher. He plays the 4th variation at a swift 98 bbm.
rbutler111 2 months ago
..ok, so I couldn't resist actually listening and quickly forgot the Cb as I marvelled at this artist's ability to connect EVERY note, to sculpt the work, to recreate it freshly and spirit it across. He knew about sound, acoustic, tone and had an expressive warmth balanced by complete clarity of intellect. Utterly wonderful. I saw/hread him live only once and I so glad my memories are held up here.
vivienmerchant 4 months ago
It is such a great pity that the audio presents us with a continuous Cb - the most utterly alien note out of all possible disturbances. However, I watched with the volume cancelled and it was still marvellous. There were so many wonderful things in Gilels' technique; the posture for a start and the smoothest transfer of weight which created liquid gold tone, perhaps the most wonderful tone I've ever heard in a pianist.
vivienmerchant 4 months ago
repeat button 0:17
hijunny132 7 months ago 3
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hijunny132 7 months ago
Comment removed
hijunny132 7 months ago
Seriously think the audience is dead, especially the guy on the end, seated top of screen in the last chair. Is he alive?
30inventionman 8 months ago
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wooow.. hes not good at all
Losieusatra 1 year ago
beethoven is such a badass
MetalisLikeAwesome 1 year ago
@purbanegoro lol wtf
thomasvvvwww 1 year ago
clarity of composition ,personalizezed is impressive
12345qazx1 2 years ago 2
Gilels plaid in Austria on ossiach lake in a church Beethoven Sonatas when i was young 40 years ago... it was divine...
his sound reminds Backhaus ....
he and richter were really the most important russian pianists who could play abroad (Gilels more than Richter)
uhartchristian 2 years ago 2
Maybe it's the camera angle, but that looks like some kind of crazy 12' concert grand!
corybean77 2 years ago
Gilels is Beethoven!
choppinliszt 2 years ago 13
@choppinliszt Agreed!
flippert0 1 year ago
@choppinliszt ??? never
rva25 8 months ago
similar to schubert's impromptu op. 142 no. 2... no?
peteribored777 2 years ago 3
@peteribored777 Yes, you're 100 percent correct and I don't know why your comment has been downvoted.
DCATPYEO 2 years ago
@peteribored777
I see it as the blueprint for Chopin's sonatas, and in particular the B flat minor Funeral March Sonata. Chopin was very familiar with Beethoven's Ab sonata, teaching as part of his curriculum.
Besides Les A'deiux having a Funeral March, Beethoven, who developed the scherzo uncharacteristically puts it here as the 2nd movement, pushing the gravitas of the work to the third movement, in this case the Funeral March.
The 2nd movt. of all Chopin's sonatas are marked scherzo.
ScroobyTuesday 1 year ago
Comment removed
AREK100001 2 years ago
He's lucky he didn't fall of the stool. It looks like he's sitting on air!
PapiJohn51 2 years ago 23
E nemmeno lui realizza gli sforzati del tema scritti in partitura.
plonati 2 years ago
sure noble
cherryblossomstruth 3 years ago
Excellent is all I can say. Wow!
GeorgeMaxwellDuPre 3 years ago 2
NICE
cherryblossomstruth 3 years ago
Hooray. Someone agrees with me about Gilels. I've not heard much about him since his passing. I thought he had few or no peers. A Gilels Society used to exist in Carmel, CA but again, I've had no news lately. Gilels' attack, moods, tempi, precision, all just blew Beethoven wide open for me. Please tell me, from where are these live performances taken? Russia? Europe? USA? How old etc.? Nice to hear pieces that few play anymore. Esp. with dignity & with the March, without parody or vulgarity.
pakuapete 3 years ago
I think it was recorded at the Moscow Conservatoire but I'm not sure.
ArcisCineris 3 years ago
It is Moscow Conservatorie.
roncx 2 years ago
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my ears! what is that noise? it sounds horrible together with the piece
maddindafirst 3 years ago
The noise is in minor, the music in major.
legamature 3 years ago
Yeah? So what?
Rhesusftw 2 years ago
Oh God, I love this piece! My girlfriend used to play this piece!
mishaco 3 years ago
I love this interpretaion of the "Funeral March" Sonata,Op.26.Ther is such depth of feeling and soul.
mikejunior80 3 years ago 3
Its a pity there is that irritating buzzing noise on this video because Gilels is a fine interpreter of Beethoven's music,I have just recently bought the set of nearly complete piano sonatas and eroica variations it was absolutely fantastic a truly great pianist
TheGreatRichter 4 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this was my master class, Im the guy in the middle playing the piano...
terminator007007 4 years ago
n0t......stupid mother er get a ing life you ing retard
knightguy72 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Gilels from Mars, Richter from Venus
wiccalite 4 years ago
What, you're calling Richter feminine? You seriously need to listen to his interpretation of Prokofiev's 5th Piano Concerto - He rips the piano apart.
saintdracula 4 years ago 3
Well a tigresse can rip flesh apart so I'm not saying that Richter plays in an effete way, but I will listen to his Prokofiev and get back to you if I think he needs to change planets.
wiccalite 4 years ago 3
There is no need fighting over these two pianists - they both are genious: everyone in his way but I like your metaphors and your sence of humor.
ananhiskia 3 years ago
gosh, the atmosphere..
elineangelica 4 years ago 2
A wonderful performance - thank you for posting this. Greetings from Scotland.
ArchieWW 4 years ago
GreatPianists: You are profoundly correct and understand the unique and unmatched merits of both pianists, although after hearing both artists live, I must say the Richter's intensity was staggering beyond human comprehension and, as of yet,still stands unchallenged!
RealRussiansOnly 4 years ago
Бетховен получается у него великим. Открываются не чувства, а целый мир. Это то что надо!
alexshr 4 years ago 8
wunderbar.
codyII 4 years ago 2
Grazie!
gianpaga11 4 years ago
Why are some people seated on stage??? Couldn't they have bought glasses instead?
jannokas85 4 years ago
I like the string section although I am a pianist at heart!
jannokas85 4 years ago
I like Gilels whithouth doubt, but I LOVE how Radu Lupu plays this Sonata. Do you know this version?
Venus980 4 years ago
hh lol yeah tell that to a deadman and by the way he played that perfectly speed is not everything in music considure that as a lesson in life or as a reccomendation from professional musician...
jingeshan24 4 years ago
argh i hate how he plays the 2nd variation. the melody should be in the left hand, the right hand is wayy too loud.
closetgroupie 4 years ago
I waren't impressed much. He plays it too slow, so the melody falls apart sometimes. And he doesn't use all of the opportunities that the tune holds. He could have played it with more imagination.
vintekla 4 years ago
I love this!
suzy0928 4 years ago
It's an amazning performance! And look at that audience on stage, those kids too. They do not even twitch a muscle it seems. It really puts American audiences to shame...
Malgosial 5 years ago
This sonata I've played a long time. It was a favorite of Chopin, who gave it to his students. One of them described Chopin's playing of it. Chopin supposedly didn't care for the late sonatas and considered the Op. 31 E flat sonata vulgar. Interesting.
stan724 5 years ago
yeah right. Gilels had a far greater conception of what constitutes 'good sound'. That should be common knowledge!
Iain0408 5 years ago
I have heard both of them live, and there is not any doubt who is the better of them. Neuhaus was their teacher, and his opinion is the same as mine. It´s time to reconsider!
samsonno 5 years ago
I think Neuhaus was his mentor not a teacher... His teachers were Tkach and Reingblad - they did the foundation not Neuhaus...
pianotalent 4 years ago
Richter plays like a strong man, Gilels plays like a God.
dgaranin 5 years ago 3
Gilels has a more rich tone than Richter in my opinion.Go Gilels darlin.
chad410 5 years ago 2
Gilels seems to have a more sensitive touch, whereas Richter has more of a fire
libetta 2 years ago 4
Gilels is good, but hear out Richter´s recording and listen to it the way it should be played! It is so much better!
samsonno 5 years ago
nice I'm learning this, great to hear Gilels performing it
achilless 5 years ago