please don't judge me too harshly for what i am about to say, for this is only my opinion and not a general statement about what I believe to be the understated genius of Mussorgsky. Here it comes ... I adore most of the pieces to bits, especially catacombs, but it's the promenades that i find dull and out of place ... the little research that i have done shows that these weren't even created by mussorgsky. .
Well, if it's supposed to represent a sprint through an art museum, the first Promenade succeeded. The rest of it (so far) definitely succeeded - exceeded even. There is much more clarity on piano than the orchestral setting. It's almost a different composition.
I have two different recording of brass bands doing this, and they do it at about this speed. I think the strings in Ravel's arrangement just make it broader naturally. I like it at the faster pace. It's much faster than an actual walking tempo, but I like to think of the first promenade at a brisk walking pace. All of the actual movements will vary in tempo because they're not supposed to represent walking, so Gnomus, Bydlo, etc. are all up to the discretion of the performers.
What I always feel when I hear the "Pictures at an Exhibition" is that it's like a 'story', and I think this performance is making this characteristic to be well shown. Days ago, I first heard the piano version of this song, but I didn't satisfy(because the player's performance wasn't good, actually it was played by an anonymous pianist) - but....after hearing this video, the strange emotion has been cleared! Thanks Mr. Kissin! (- April)
I hate people that go around youtube telling something like: "X people disliked this! they are blablabla..." everyone is free, folks. And comments should be for other purposes, not counting the like/dislike.
@cicciontek whether or not those comments are praiseworthy or idiotic and unnecessary entirely depends on the motivation of the person commenting. As in, if what got them to dislike the video is the buzzing sound in the background, or the facial expressions of the pianist, or that they just don't like classical music, that's stupid and ignorant, and stupidity and ignorance should be pointed out wherever spotted. Though if the motivation was more real and intellectual, we have nothing to say.
@cicciontek I think the performances shouldn't be judged "liked" or "disliked", too. My opinion is, listening to performances is for listening to different styles of understanding music & enjoy. If people should count like or dislike, then the listeners should practice and play by own favorite style and enjoy it, or spend too much time in Youtube to find their favorite. I don't mean "I don't like it" or "I love this", I just want to say that some people are swearing too much toward the videos.
@SpringInTheSchool I guess it would be disrespectful to mark I LIKE your commentary, but I agree with you indeed. It`s about exploring the experience, not just about "finding" data or achievements, though that might be useful for other important purposes. We need to learn once again how to enjoy and share art....
Whether you like Pictures at an Exhibition or you don't, one thing is true: it's one of a kind, and one of the most unique pieces ever written... Nobody can argue with that !
Gnomus is possibly the hardest movement in the whole suite, especially the last part (starting with the trills and ending with the chromatic-ish flourish at the end), and Kissin has played it the greatest I've ever heard anyone play it. Bravo sir. I would love to play it like this someday.
Regardless of what the promenade is marked at, I think it just sounds better a little bit slower. Not a whole lot, just a bit. It's also marked with the quarter note at 104, which is a bit slower than he's playing it. And I could be wrong, but I think instead of 'strictly fast' it means 'fast enough'. Anyways, forgetting that, he is a great pianist, there's no denying it.
Kissin is a great pianist. Moussorgsky was a titan of a composer. In fact I think Moussorgsky is better than Tchaikovsky...I have listened to most of Moussorgsky's art songs and his operas Boris and Khvanshchina, and those along should cement his fame eternally within the classical music canons.
@dalecampbl9 his contemporaries said he was an idiot...google or wikipedia it...you can see that they thought he was talented but had poor composing technique...
@dalecampbl9 "Mixed impressions are recorded by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, colleagues of Mussorgsky who, unlike him, made their living as composers. Both praised his talent while expressing disappointment with his technique." ... never trust tchaikovsky...he's a monster...more like homonster...
i like tchaikovsky...I like a lot of tch's music...but Rimsky Korsakov? not really...sure there's Sadko and Golden Cockerrel and Sheherazadeadzeda...whatever...but his other stuff...they ain't that spectacular.
moussorgsky is by far the greatest under-rated composer in classical music. for the little he composed, he has already achieved musical immortality...what a man of musical genius...a man whose music speaks to everyone's heart
When it closes up on his face, you can tell how into this piece he is! This is one of the pieces in the world that will not go well unless you put your heart and soul into each and every key on that piano! you can tell he loved preforming this piece the way he did, and so did I!!! BRAVO!!!!
I, too, feel that the promenade is overly rushed. I prefer the gravitas of a slower grander promednade. That aside, the rest of the rendition is splended. I saw my mother play this when I was 8 and she in turn taught it to me. It's still one of my very favorites. Thank you for sharing.
the problem with playing too fast is when the errors come in. but that is not with this one, he puts just as much emotion and flavor into the piece as any other tempo. so I guess it's fine with me. :]
the promenade is assumed to be slow thanks to ravel. but really, kissin plays it quite correctly. although i like the Ravel orchestration (stokowski's is better), Ravel was too influenced by light French impressionism. Mussorgsky was a true Russian who hated 'beautiful' music. he loved 'true' music that wasn't afraid to be too harsh, dark, or powerful.
I like this music very much. It is very soft for the first moment and seems to be very simple even for children. This music seems to be favorite by many people regardless of one's age.
Richter also plays very fast, though I really recommend Pogorelich for this one (this coming from a Kissin fan), he is taking it very slow, adapting the tempo to his very personal interpretation. This is just for all the slow loving people out there...
Apart from that, Kissin is a genius, the world is infinitely richer through his art!
I first heard this song through Ravel's transcription when I was 8 years old at an orchestra concert, and I thought THAT was mind-blowing. The original is just...I don't even have words. Amazing comes kinda close.
utterly perfect. this is probably the best and most emotional piano suite in existence, and i'd say this is the most amazing, epic, and profound performance i've ever encountered.
freshechidna is right, this is probably the best interpretation on youtube.
Think about it. A nigga approach an art gallery to kill some time, thinking, ok, let's do this free-ass shit for half an hour and bounce out to meet Shaquandra afterwords. But slowly he find himself drawn in, find he take an interest in what he sees all upside the walls. Walk out some time later a changed man. PEACE.
The opening walk looks like it was taken from a helicopter, nice tone, the performance could use more discovery in the delivery(passage depth), though I can understand why he didn't want to give up tone.
I don't know why everyone thinks the promenade is too fast! The tempo is marked "Allegro giusto, nel modo russico, senza allegrezza, ma poco sostenuto." Which roughly means "strictly fast , in a russian manner, without joy, a little sustained".
Also, he doesn't attack the first picture too quickly. The promenade is marked with no rests at the end and is marked "attacca". He's following the score. With any more delay it takes away from the effect.
Well, perhaps. I'm not saying it doesn't sound good, because it does. It sounds fantastic, and I love listening to it.
However, the promenade is supposed to represent strolling down the impressive halls of an art museum. I understand that it calls for allegro, however, I think this is "too allegro" to be interpreted as a saunter through a museum. It's being played as a vehicle for a virtuoso pianist. Not interpretive.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. Not at all.
@caffeine1 The promenade is "too allegro?" It's "being played as a vehicle for a virtuoso pianist"? It's "not interpretive"?
Does this mean that anything fast is just being used as a "vehicle" to show off. There is nothing technically difficult about the promenade; it would definitely not be considered a piece for a virtuoso such as Kissin to show off with. Kissin is playing it at that tempo because he has INTERPRETED it that way from Mussorgsky said on the score. Let him be.
@caffeine1 when music is "not interpretive" that is a very bad thing. And I think what you have said is incorrect. I had no trouble feeling the emotion behind the piece while being played at this tempo. Also, I think people need to stop going onto the videos of exceptional performers and dropping phrases like "not interpretive" and "soulless" as if they are suitable synonyms for "fast tempo."
@freshechidna It's kinda faster than most of Ravel's orchestrated versions, I think that's why it sounds odd when you listen to it for the very first time.
@freshechidna ....you didn't get the memo? It's apparently a death penalty offense to refrain from putting your own dumbass critique in the comment section of classical music videos on youtube, REGARDLeSS of the validity...
@freshechidna do not try to convince anyone.. I may sound a snob but these who think so are just thinking of self indulgend orchestra conductors, confusing the piano with ...whatever...
@freshechidna LOL 'Allegro giusto' verbatim means: fast, but avoiding extrems. It draws your attention on the happy medium. 'Allegro' implies playing fast. 'Giusto' points out: but not too fast.
He should take more time between the promenade and the first picture
Also, I also think the promenade is a little too fast. We are LOOKING at pictures at an exhibition, not running between them. However, this is still an impressive performance. I've played piano for nearly eight years and I still can't get this song right. BRAVO!
I think the timing between the first promenade and the Gnomus was pretty good, actually. I usually almost go straight to the Gnomus as well, to emphasize the change more. But I agree that the promenade is too fast, for my liking anyway.
I think he plays the Pomenade fast on purpose. He achieves a certain effect with that. It strikes us, because it sounds strange, compared to the traditional way in wich we hear it. But I dont think it's a mistake: it's just strange, still beautifull.
On the matter of the transition I agree: to fast.
I also hatte the fact that the Old castle is gets cut.
But it's not musik suposed to be dynamic: it's an OLD castlle, the colours are blurry, the air heavy and still. I prefer the piano Pictures than the orchestal arrangement, I guess... A matter of taste, eniway. Cheers.
This song was actually originally written for piano, then it made the transition to an orchestra. So it's the other way around, that the brass made it slower and according to you, more romantic.
i'm not weird, chief! i left that message; when youtube was having technical-difficulty. the first time that i tried to send a message, it would not go through. so, i left another one, but to my surprise, it wound up posting both. if you see the same message from a person, i'd like to believe that they had the same problem.
Nah, you didn't get it. I understand there are technical difficulties, I just think its strange that people give you 3 thumbs up for one comment and 6 thumbs down for the same one
oh my god... i never thought much of kissin, i mean, i knew he was supposed to be a great pianist and all, but i suppose i never really heard him... but after hearing this i feel TOTALLY stupid about my way of thinking. he trully is great!5 stars to all 4 parts.
Not only that, but do you see at about 8:08 he's almost driven to tears by the sheer beauty of the movement? It's also a type of silent commentary, unlike G. Gould's style of playing >:P.
Its Breathtaken. Evgeny is Genius. He has to play on piano every day, i think. I recomand you to hear Tchaikovski 1.piano concerto with this Young Genius.
did you know mussorgsky was considered musically illiterate? he couldnt even read music! he must have had one amazing imagination! the pictures ive seen of him look like a barbarian!
It's not true that Mussorgsky couldn't read music. He had little training as a composer, but he was a trained pianist. You can learn more by reading the biographies by Caryl Emerson and David Brown.
There have been a lot of people who have orchestrated this piece (also Stokowski and others) or they rewrote it for other types of ensembles (there are even rock-versions!)
u're extremely wrong, performer who move their head or other part of body, are playing with big expression. and player who doesn't move their head,that means that player doesn't play with feeling, because the moving of part of body is hard! try it yourself, it only can do when we play with our soul.
I agree and disagree, ive seen alot of pianists faking it to try and look like they are expression. Alot of body movements sometimes help to add power to ur punch. I myself am a pianist and do move around alot but just reminding it goes the other way as well. I believe lang lang is the kind to fake it to be theatrical . Now that is not to down lang lang, I think personally he is a good pianist with lots of potential to be one of the greats.
The moving of the head should express their feelings, their emotions! but I think when the musican nods so firmly its not because of the music! -> his emotion is not real! he is just doing it for the show! and it is really irritating me because I can't listent to the music I just have to look at him all the time and getting upset about him! he's a musican not an actor! and I'm getting into the music when he plays in e sensitive way, powerful and soft... not when he's nearly dieing on his chair!
14 don't like...........Allevi fans
zoppivincenzo 1 month ago
Kissin, màximo interprete actualmente de Cuadros de una exposiciòn, de Modesto Mussorgsky
gerardochileno 1 month ago
please don't judge me too harshly for what i am about to say, for this is only my opinion and not a general statement about what I believe to be the understated genius of Mussorgsky. Here it comes ... I adore most of the pieces to bits, especially catacombs, but it's the promenades that i find dull and out of place ... the little research that i have done shows that these weren't even created by mussorgsky. .
nestemata 2 months ago
oh baby
steve41557 2 months ago
He's so amazing he may very well be the best pianist in the word.
Peanutz996 2 months ago
193,882 views? why is it only showing the times I've viewed it? :D
cubspiano 5 months ago in playlist Pictures At An Exhibition 18
Well, if it's supposed to represent a sprint through an art museum, the first Promenade succeeded. The rest of it (so far) definitely succeeded - exceeded even. There is much more clarity on piano than the orchestral setting. It's almost a different composition.
wardka 5 months ago
@wardka
I have two different recording of brass bands doing this, and they do it at about this speed. I think the strings in Ravel's arrangement just make it broader naturally. I like it at the faster pace. It's much faster than an actual walking tempo, but I like to think of the first promenade at a brisk walking pace. All of the actual movements will vary in tempo because they're not supposed to represent walking, so Gnomus, Bydlo, etc. are all up to the discretion of the performers.
MastodonRockss 2 months ago
What I always feel when I hear the "Pictures at an Exhibition" is that it's like a 'story', and I think this performance is making this characteristic to be well shown. Days ago, I first heard the piano version of this song, but I didn't satisfy(because the player's performance wasn't good, actually it was played by an anonymous pianist) - but....after hearing this video, the strange emotion has been cleared! Thanks Mr. Kissin! (- April)
SpringInTheSchool 5 months ago
He looks like Art Garfunkel
tomorocko 6 months ago
Eraser Head Ha Ha!!!
thedancingcouple 7 months ago
OWESOME!
lumimoni 7 months ago
The first promenade is roughly at the same tempo as Richets promenade (on youtube), and they allso say that's too fast.
SierraNeef 9 months ago
Richter plays this piece fast too an evryevone says is too fast.
DadoD999 9 months ago
just beautiful....calms my mind completly
sweetstress 9 months ago
Mussorgsky rocks my rocks!
RevMerritt 9 months ago
jewgenij? like jew? lol.
1black1small1moon 9 months ago
@1black1small1moon No. Obviously like something else.
Tsusho1 8 months ago
Everything about this performance is beautiful.
teddyfreeloader 9 months ago
I cant believe it 12 DISLIKES???!!! Who is that outrageous???
Thats 12 people who dont understand music...
mariachibuster 9 months ago 2
@mariachibuster
I hate people that go around youtube telling something like: "X people disliked this! they are blablabla..." everyone is free, folks. And comments should be for other purposes, not counting the like/dislike.
cicciontek 8 months ago
@cicciontek whether or not those comments are praiseworthy or idiotic and unnecessary entirely depends on the motivation of the person commenting. As in, if what got them to dislike the video is the buzzing sound in the background, or the facial expressions of the pianist, or that they just don't like classical music, that's stupid and ignorant, and stupidity and ignorance should be pointed out wherever spotted. Though if the motivation was more real and intellectual, we have nothing to say.
yuhamkoha 6 months ago
@cicciontek I think the performances shouldn't be judged "liked" or "disliked", too. My opinion is, listening to performances is for listening to different styles of understanding music & enjoy. If people should count like or dislike, then the listeners should practice and play by own favorite style and enjoy it, or spend too much time in Youtube to find their favorite. I don't mean "I don't like it" or "I love this", I just want to say that some people are swearing too much toward the videos.
SpringInTheSchool 5 months ago
@SpringInTheSchool I guess it would be disrespectful to mark I LIKE your commentary, but I agree with you indeed. It`s about exploring the experience, not just about "finding" data or achievements, though that might be useful for other important purposes. We need to learn once again how to enjoy and share art....
Ocongate 3 months ago
This is a brilliant interpretation of this amazing piece of music!
jubjub2112 10 months ago
Whether you like Pictures at an Exhibition or you don't, one thing is true: it's one of a kind, and one of the most unique pieces ever written... Nobody can argue with that !
lizakopelman 10 months ago
Gnomus is possibly the hardest movement in the whole suite, especially the last part (starting with the trills and ending with the chromatic-ish flourish at the end), and Kissin has played it the greatest I've ever heard anyone play it. Bravo sir. I would love to play it like this someday.
yalieeee 10 months ago
Regardless of what the promenade is marked at, I think it just sounds better a little bit slower. Not a whole lot, just a bit. It's also marked with the quarter note at 104, which is a bit slower than he's playing it. And I could be wrong, but I think instead of 'strictly fast' it means 'fast enough'. Anyways, forgetting that, he is a great pianist, there's no denying it.
PigPenguin91 11 months ago
Kissin is a great pianist. Moussorgsky was a titan of a composer. In fact I think Moussorgsky is better than Tchaikovsky...I have listened to most of Moussorgsky's art songs and his operas Boris and Khvanshchina, and those along should cement his fame eternally within the classical music canons.
dalecampbl9 11 months ago
@dalecampbl9 I agree with you.
OrangeSodaKing 11 months ago
@dalecampbl9 his contemporaries said he was an idiot...google or wikipedia it...you can see that they thought he was talented but had poor composing technique...
JamesTR4 11 months ago
that's why you never trust your peers
dalecampbl9 11 months ago
@dalecampbl9 or that's why he sucks lol
JamesTR4 11 months ago
but moussorgsky was great?!?!
dalecampbl9 11 months ago
@dalecampbl9 Yes, definitely. Back then though it was too ambitious, and, do you they think they might've been a hint jealous of his unique ideas?
Pianist46 11 months ago
@dalecampbl9 "Mixed impressions are recorded by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, colleagues of Mussorgsky who, unlike him, made their living as composers. Both praised his talent while expressing disappointment with his technique." ... never trust tchaikovsky...he's a monster...more like homonster...
JamesTR4 11 months ago
i like tchaikovsky...I like a lot of tch's music...but Rimsky Korsakov? not really...sure there's Sadko and Golden Cockerrel and Sheherazadeadzeda...whatever...but his other stuff...they ain't that spectacular.
dalecampbl9 11 months ago
@JamesTR4 lol good one. You're an idiot.
khbgkh 10 months ago
OMG
andresh9 1 year ago
moussorgsky is by far the greatest under-rated composer in classical music. for the little he composed, he has already achieved musical immortality...what a man of musical genius...a man whose music speaks to everyone's heart
dalecampbl5 1 year ago 25
Comment removed
LoveExists777 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
We do Asian marriage service now lushfmlk.info
madonakuse 1 year ago
too much reverb in the soundtake . bad, because it's a brilliant interpretation.
rogoney 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
When it closes up on his face, you can tell how into this piece he is! This is one of the pieces in the world that will not go well unless you put your heart and soul into each and every key on that piano! you can tell he loved preforming this piece the way he did, and so did I!!! BRAVO!!!!
TheBusDriver111 1 year ago
Comment removed
TheBusDriver111 1 year ago
I think he does the perfect version of Gnomus, it still scares me every time.
CanRarities 1 year ago 3
Outstanding performance! I really Pictures at an Exhibition. I like the orchestrial version. This piano version is very good too.
TspesVladD 1 year ago
I, too, feel that the promenade is overly rushed. I prefer the gravitas of a slower grander promednade. That aside, the rest of the rendition is splended. I saw my mother play this when I was 8 and she in turn taught it to me. It's still one of my very favorites. Thank you for sharing.
Margaux3200 1 year ago
This is astonishing.
I think only a russian pianist can play it like this...
Like an exploding volcano, that covers and burns everything...
Elijah198 1 year ago
the problem with playing too fast is when the errors come in. but that is not with this one, he puts just as much emotion and flavor into the piece as any other tempo. so I guess it's fine with me. :]
goodcommentguy 1 year ago
Bravo! Simply magnificent! Played with all the assertive vigor that the Russian piano demands. Beautiful, explosive, brooding. Words fail.
wcwirla 1 year ago
the promenade is assumed to be slow thanks to ravel. but really, kissin plays it quite correctly. although i like the Ravel orchestration (stokowski's is better), Ravel was too influenced by light French impressionism. Mussorgsky was a true Russian who hated 'beautiful' music. he loved 'true' music that wasn't afraid to be too harsh, dark, or powerful.
classicalnut1 1 year ago 2
Meraviglioso.... Kissin miglior pianista Al mondo !
MrAlfonsotod 1 year ago
Kissin is a fraud! He is not playing the piano, he brought in a phenomenal orchestra and is conducting them! Can you not hear??
Oh, wait... ;)
THANKS FOR THE UPLOAD! THIS IS MAGNIFICENT!
OrangeSodaKing 1 year ago
3:10 sense of unreality..the moment of estrangement..
steffenz110 1 year ago
What orchestra is this?
atecia 1 year ago
@atecia
A great one, called a piano. . .and brought to life by a genius.
phys5293 1 year ago 2
I like this music very much. It is very soft for the first moment and seems to be very simple even for children. This music seems to be favorite by many people regardless of one's age.
txdiversity 1 year ago
@txdiversity What is simple there? Did you listen more than 25sec.?
fainshmekers 1 year ago
Richter also plays very fast, though I really recommend Pogorelich for this one (this coming from a Kissin fan), he is taking it very slow, adapting the tempo to his very personal interpretation. This is just for all the slow loving people out there...
Apart from that, Kissin is a genius, the world is infinitely richer through his art!
ritamargherita 1 year ago 5
very good!
Pingwinchikstyler 1 year ago
I first heard this song through Ravel's transcription when I was 8 years old at an orchestra concert, and I thought THAT was mind-blowing. The original is just...I don't even have words. Amazing comes kinda close.
pogmofoil 1 year ago
I don't really care what it says on the score, the first bit would be better played slower
OhYeWithLittleFaith 1 year ago
that hairdo works perfectly with the first picture
gojedason123 1 year ago 2
Too fast!
elwiemo 1 year ago
utterly perfect. this is probably the best and most emotional piano suite in existence, and i'd say this is the most amazing, epic, and profound performance i've ever encountered.
myfrees 1 year ago 3
Also when this performance took place?
modernpianist105 1 year ago
Can anyone tell me what concert hall he is playing in and where it is?
modernpianist105 1 year ago
too fast!
the intro must be slowly, gently and warm!!!
and later in the hard part a bit faster
but he plays too fast
its worse! sry!
0t0nic 1 year ago
I think it's incredible, amazing how he fells the music into him...
pursiter 1 year ago
mussorgsky is one of the best russians romantics...his prelude to khovanshchina is one of the most beautiful preludes to any opera
dalecampbl9 1 year ago
I'm glad I finally heard this on solo piano! This guy is unbelievable. And his hair is great.
Also, this song isn't too long. It's actually too badass.
enthusiastoftoast 1 year ago 4
He looks very tired...
taylorconscious 1 year ago
Comment removed
rierieoo 1 year ago
@rierieoo well i suppose if you have the attention span of a goldfish it's not for you my friend
afertyus1000 1 year ago
7:35
zethryus 1 year ago
I love the sound of this piano. So clear and powerful.
avb20540 1 year ago
So beautifully played =) This is an example of putting one's soul into the music. Simply Amazing.
dazzleme0001 1 year ago
this piano has a great sound
kevycanavan 1 year ago 6
Can any please tlel me which ones he plays here... Need Answers FAST
yeahso0578 1 year ago
It does not sound fast at all.
taylorconscious 1 year ago
Russians play Russian music the best.
TheFantasticCorndog 1 year ago 13
@TheFantasticCorndog He is Jewish from Russia
evg217865 4 months ago
@evg217865 Oh, so he was Russian? cool, thanks
TheFantasticCorndog 4 months ago
it sounds better the faster
killerdelivery 1 year ago
The Promenade is so beautiful...
VYcanisminoris 1 year ago
@VYcanisminoris
I agree.
fagelsinnet 1 year ago
I am trying to learn this. I hope someday I can play 4:08 up to speed...
unknownkingdom 1 year ago
Im starting to think hes the best pianist
TrollApproaches 1 year ago 5
Sounds very tinny performance
stockcar5472 1 year ago
a phenomenal performance. the promenade was amazing and gnomus was flawless! ive heard other performances by Kissin. He is a true piano master!
classicalnut1 1 year ago 4
when he plays "gnomus" his fingers move like spiders. goosebumps!
Xam271 1 year ago 6
Damned, the way he plays "Gnomus" is magical
magma5555 2 years ago 6
@magma5555, isnt he awesome!
markmarshall39 2 years ago
Kinda looks like Borat without a mustache...this piano intro is probably one of the most beautiful melodies of all time.
OrisLover 2 years ago
freshechidna is right, this is probably the best interpretation on youtube.
Think about it. A nigga approach an art gallery to kill some time, thinking, ok, let's do this free-ass shit for half an hour and bounce out to meet Shaquandra afterwords. But slowly he find himself drawn in, find he take an interest in what he sees all upside the walls. Walk out some time later a changed man. PEACE.
Elcore 2 years ago 29
@Elcore not only is this one of the greatest comments i've ever seen, it's also the truth
straight up
bunny242 1 year ago
@Elcore
I commend you for reading my mind.. albeit in another ethnicity.
soririiquy 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The opening walk looks like it was taken from a helicopter, nice tone, the performance could use more discovery in the delivery(passage depth), though I can understand why he didn't want to give up tone.
Overlapse1000 2 years ago
I agree... promenade is too fast
n10juan 2 years ago 3
I don't know why everyone thinks the promenade is too fast! The tempo is marked "Allegro giusto, nel modo russico, senza allegrezza, ma poco sostenuto." Which roughly means "strictly fast , in a russian manner, without joy, a little sustained".
Sounds good to me...
freshechidna 2 years ago 161
Also, he doesn't attack the first picture too quickly. The promenade is marked with no rests at the end and is marked "attacca". He's following the score. With any more delay it takes away from the effect.
freshechidna 2 years ago 78
@freshechidna
Well, perhaps. I'm not saying it doesn't sound good, because it does. It sounds fantastic, and I love listening to it.
However, the promenade is supposed to represent strolling down the impressive halls of an art museum. I understand that it calls for allegro, however, I think this is "too allegro" to be interpreted as a saunter through a museum. It's being played as a vehicle for a virtuoso pianist. Not interpretive.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. Not at all.
caffeine1 1 year ago
@caffeine1 Did you know that Evgeny is russian? He is, so he probably knows better than you how it should be played! ;)
fainshmekers 1 year ago
@caffeine1 The promenade is "too allegro?" It's "being played as a vehicle for a virtuoso pianist"? It's "not interpretive"?
Does this mean that anything fast is just being used as a "vehicle" to show off. There is nothing technically difficult about the promenade; it would definitely not be considered a piece for a virtuoso such as Kissin to show off with. Kissin is playing it at that tempo because he has INTERPRETED it that way from Mussorgsky said on the score. Let him be.
Pianist46 1 year ago
@caffeine1 when music is "not interpretive" that is a very bad thing. And I think what you have said is incorrect. I had no trouble feeling the emotion behind the piece while being played at this tempo. Also, I think people need to stop going onto the videos of exceptional performers and dropping phrases like "not interpretive" and "soulless" as if they are suitable synonyms for "fast tempo."
khbgkh 10 months ago
@freshechidna
agreed.
MastodonRockss 8 months ago
>in a russian manner, without joy
not only the russians are depressed
SonicArchives 2 years ago 6
because its not about the score...
karazh 2 years ago
@freshechidna It's kinda faster than most of Ravel's orchestrated versions, I think that's why it sounds odd when you listen to it for the very first time.
fald33 1 year ago
@freshechidna ....you didn't get the memo? It's apparently a death penalty offense to refrain from putting your own dumbass critique in the comment section of classical music videos on youtube, REGARDLeSS of the validity...
BeauJames59 1 year ago
@freshechidna do not try to convince anyone.. I may sound a snob but these who think so are just thinking of self indulgend orchestra conductors, confusing the piano with ...whatever...
Mostly amateurs...
MariaCaIIas 1 year ago
@freshechidna Actually it means "With a little parmeggiano, not to salty, slight garlic taste, well cooked served cold"
zawzero 9 months ago 5
@zawzero Haha, amazing!
oldhornyman 8 months ago
@freshechidna LOL 'Allegro giusto' verbatim means: fast, but avoiding extrems. It draws your attention on the happy medium. 'Allegro' implies playing fast. 'Giusto' points out: but not too fast.
karshook 9 months ago
like it by orchestra more really...dont know why...play piano my self...i wonder how it would sound by sax..
Lubeeez 2 years ago
whoa there! nice power walk! exceptional playing, though
XEA6L 2 years ago
He should take more time between the promenade and the first picture
Also, I also think the promenade is a little too fast. We are LOOKING at pictures at an exhibition, not running between them. However, this is still an impressive performance. I've played piano for nearly eight years and I still can't get this song right. BRAVO!
peaklegend 2 years ago
I think the timing between the first promenade and the Gnomus was pretty good, actually. I usually almost go straight to the Gnomus as well, to emphasize the change more. But I agree that the promenade is too fast, for my liking anyway.
madgamer23 2 years ago
Everybody has their own interpretation, this is personally my favorite (of those that I've heard).
Ps. it's not a song :)
aslanbc 2 years ago 4
Thanks for recognizing the song form! Know one seems to understand that!
b8sam6cash 2 years ago 3
I think he plays the Pomenade fast on purpose. He achieves a certain effect with that. It strikes us, because it sounds strange, compared to the traditional way in wich we hear it. But I dont think it's a mistake: it's just strange, still beautifull.
On the matter of the transition I agree: to fast.
I also hatte the fact that the Old castle is gets cut.
Pardon my spelling.
SierraNeef 2 years ago
I actually prefer it fast when played on piano, because the romantic effects of the brass is missing, so the dynamics need to be made up.
b8sam6cash 2 years ago
But it's not musik suposed to be dynamic: it's an OLD castlle, the colours are blurry, the air heavy and still. I prefer the piano Pictures than the orchestal arrangement, I guess... A matter of taste, eniway. Cheers.
SierraNeef 2 years ago 3
I totally didn't understand any of that...
b8sam6cash 2 years ago
Comment removed
AirforceAce7 2 years ago
This song was actually originally written for piano, then it made the transition to an orchestra. So it's the other way around, that the brass made it slower and according to you, more romantic.
NoNameLikeThisOne 2 years ago 10
Comment removed
freshechidna 2 years ago
einfach zu geil
Lauchilein 2 years ago
i am learning to play this and he playesit so well!!!! XD XD
ArtyKing12345 2 years ago
He is playing like a machine - compare with the version of Richter 40 years ago!.
mlkoln 2 years ago
like a machine ? are you sure ? I dont think so
01AlexZor 2 years ago
I think HE tried to play it as rezignation! And he did it the best!!!!!!!!!!!No machine!
ondrejjko 2 years ago
What a ridiculous comment.
organman52 2 years ago 3
Isn't this a promenade and not a speed walk lol
In all seriousness tho, this is great. (though I much prefer Victor Merzhanov's performance)
DrStrangefate 3 years ago
fantastico!
7damiano7 3 years ago
if he cut his hair he would look quite a lot like brendan frasier.
organboi 3 years ago 3
i'm speechless. shockingly great beyond words. the greatest pianist alive by far.
organboi 3 years ago
I prefer Keith Emerson's version.
mooghammondb3 3 years ago
so to I, better phrasing, and in my opinion the technology creates and interesting sound.
rushfloydzeppelin 3 years ago
Absolutely.
mooghammondb3 3 years ago
i am learnig about the russian music. i am brasilian
sofista86 3 years ago
wow..
AruceusDarkrai 3 years ago
Какой замечательный пианист!!!
piedijon 3 years ago
He gets so excited he can't hold back. It's kind of funny to watch. Also his hair is funny.
But yeah, it's totally amazing.
ohbabyohbaby13o489 3 years ago
SO GREAT
sdfjklri 3 years ago
Wow, where is this performance? I like the background on the stage.
alkaster 3 years ago
Kissin started playing when he was exactly a year and a half...
HappyKljave 3 years ago
favorite song
legofreak4 3 years ago 2
He plays Il vecchio castello so beautifully
olga2809 3 years ago 3
can you say musically-driven?
devastatind 3 years ago
one time you get 3 thumbs up and 6 thumbs down for the same comment. weird people...
GreggaryPeccary 3 years ago
i'm not weird, chief! i left that message; when youtube was having technical-difficulty. the first time that i tried to send a message, it would not go through. so, i left another one, but to my surprise, it wound up posting both. if you see the same message from a person, i'd like to believe that they had the same problem.
devastatind 3 years ago
Nah, you didn't get it. I understand there are technical difficulties, I just think its strange that people give you 3 thumbs up for one comment and 6 thumbs down for the same one
GreggaryPeccary 3 years ago
yeah that's pretty weird
legofreak4 3 years ago
I love this Mussorgsky's piano work very much.
strdvr 4 years ago 6
oh my god... i never thought much of kissin, i mean, i knew he was supposed to be a great pianist and all, but i suppose i never really heard him... but after hearing this i feel TOTALLY stupid about my way of thinking. he trully is great!5 stars to all 4 parts.
johnbaptistlulu 4 years ago 12
i love how he softly twitch his fingers every time they hit the keys
notblondeswede 4 years ago
Not only that, but do you see at about 8:08 he's almost driven to tears by the sheer beauty of the movement? It's also a type of silent commentary, unlike G. Gould's style of playing >:P.
CrazyPianist122792 3 years ago
not just technically brilliant, but he makes love to the piano
hotsummerboy 4 years ago 9
Utterly aMAzing, five stars plus!!
poetnik 4 years ago
Brillant.
FreeAgain2 4 years ago
Its Breathtaken. Evgeny is Genius. He has to play on piano every day, i think. I recomand you to hear Tchaikovski 1.piano concerto with this Young Genius.
Greetings from Prague
GiorgioniCZ 4 years ago 3
Totally impressive performance. Ravel did a great job staying true to the original, but with his own unique colors. Kissin is amazing.
gab1279 4 years ago
did you know mussorgsky was considered musically illiterate? he couldnt even read music! he must have had one amazing imagination! the pictures ive seen of him look like a barbarian!
scottbos68 4 years ago
It's not true that Mussorgsky couldn't read music. He had little training as a composer, but he was a trained pianist. You can learn more by reading the biographies by Caryl Emerson and David Brown.
MICHKAC 3 years ago 2
how would he write the score if he couldn't read music?
forrestisnotmoody 3 years ago
sorry guys it won't let me post replies to comments...
forrestisnotmoody 3 years ago
is the original version of "pictures of an exhibition" a piano piece or an orchestral??
cause i haven't heard this one before
pozzowon 4 years ago
originally written for solo piano orchestrated by ravel
scottbos68 4 years ago
It was originally written for piano and later orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.
88smypassion 4 years ago
Sorry Scottbos68 didn't see your response
88smypassion 4 years ago
There have been a lot of people who have orchestrated this piece (also Stokowski and others) or they rewrote it for other types of ensembles (there are even rock-versions!)
olga2809 3 years ago
u're extremely wrong, performer who move their head or other part of body, are playing with big expression. and player who doesn't move their head,that means that player doesn't play with feeling, because the moving of part of body is hard! try it yourself, it only can do when we play with our soul.
puppybaby 4 years ago
I agree and disagree, ive seen alot of pianists faking it to try and look like they are expression. Alot of body movements sometimes help to add power to ur punch. I myself am a pianist and do move around alot but just reminding it goes the other way as well. I believe lang lang is the kind to fake it to be theatrical . Now that is not to down lang lang, I think personally he is a good pianist with lots of potential to be one of the greats.
TheMadman2006 4 years ago
he's pretty well but i HATE when pianists move their heads during playing! its just not real!
vici7 5 years ago
what do you mean "not real"?
robbiethemann 4 years ago
The moving of the head should express their feelings, their emotions! but I think when the musican nods so firmly its not because of the music! -> his emotion is not real! he is just doing it for the show! and it is really irritating me because I can't listent to the music I just have to look at him all the time and getting upset about him! he's a musican not an actor! and I'm getting into the music when he plays in e sensitive way, powerful and soft... not when he's nearly dieing on his chair!
vici7 4 years ago