Rachmaninoff plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

[SusieLee09]

Thank you so much for uploading this! I used to have the "vinyl" album this had been also recorded on and had given it away MANY years ago to a nursing home before a major move because I'd rather see it enjoyed by others than damaged in a move. This is a real treat! :)

[crimsonvillan]

I Love ittttt,

Makes me think of Some Highly Intellectual person.... Actcually being 1 Big Know-All.....But Excellence Prevails....

Whatever it is..Sound/Sight/Smell/Substana­nce/Safe...

[valdengo1]

Rachmaninoff died in 1943

[dwarflover63]

How John Barry was in any way inspired to compose the gorgeous score for "Somewhere in Time" , from THIS is beyond me.

[McQuarkland]

@dwarflover63

what are you implying?

[Newleet]

@dwarflover63 The piece is composed of several variations. The one you want is variation 18. Try part 2 (link is in the description), from about 5:30 on.

[dwarflover63]

@Newleet Mr. Barry must have had the patience of a saint.

[brujatx]

@dwarflover63 Not only are you a dwarflover you are a dwarfintellect to boot!

[dwarflover63]

@brujatx  Hush.

[johnbarn01]

@dwarflover63 Perhaps your comment here indicates-Probably ! Most things, that geniuses come up with, will be beyond you ! It happens !

[dwarflover63]

@johnbarn01 Was your first comment (that you deleted) really worse than the one you posted ? That doesn't seem possible. But then again.....

[darkwolflower]

This is amazing the people who got to see him play live don't know how lucky they are!!! ^_^

[goldenmarie2555]

15 people have suffered a severe head trauma

[hashalibi]

Very special performance. Thank you

[hfescorza]

Mi papá era un excelente violinista y amaba materialmente a Paganini. Yo ame mucho a mi padre y su música aun me embelesa.

Federico

[nozeadinpencizx]

If you like Rachmaninov's piano pieces, and you haven't discovered his sacred music for a cappella choir, you are in for a treat. He wrote music based on the Liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Some parts of his All-Night Vigil have nine voice parts, including very low bass and high soprano. He was indeed in touch with God!

[darkwolflower]

breath taking!!!

[robertgift]

Howonderful!

I would have been afraid to conducthis with Sergei playing.

So glad thathis was recorded.

Thank you, theoshow, for posting this.

[kukrima]

ESTA RAPSODIA LLEGA A SU PUNTO CULMINANTE EN LA DECIMO OCTAVA VARIACION

[fcg2367]

Maravilloso!!!!



[nadjansc]

He and Gershwin, oh my...

[andreatracy63]

Listen to the music. Enough of words.

[1toscany]

Rachmaninoff also helped Imperial Russian exiles coming to The United States. He leased a home for Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova on Long Island. He was very close friend with the Imperial Family.

[dwarflover63]

@1toscany Obviously,not good enough.

[1toscany]

@dwarflover63 After returning twice, she lived in the Virginia until she died in 1984.

[SteeltownSymph]

Yes I am very aware when Rachmaninoff died. Long live Rachmaninoff was intended to mean his memory and his work.

Glad your misinterpretation of my words makes me a snob

[SteeltownSymph]

I am not a very religious person but I remember clearly being in university listening to this and my roommate walked in and started talking and all I could do is yell at him "SHUT UP GOD IS SPEAKING." HAHAHA

Long live Rachmaninoff

[thellamasofdrama]

@SteeltownSymph FYI, Rachmanioff died about 60 years ago.

[MadamDoolally]

@SteeltownSymph what a snob you are. HE HE

[pickasomangoes]

@SteeltownSymph

true.he was one of gods finest...

[PublicLibraryx]

We have to study this piece in music class in a Compare and Contrast thing. Were studying this and Beethovens Piano Concerto No.3

[JoeTownley]

A definitive performance of a seminal work. Rach had it all. I must confess I modeled my own Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor after his works because he is the penultimate pianist-composer who knew how to write for both mediums (piano AND orchestra).

[elkresurgence]

@JoeTownley if rach's penultimate, then who's the ultimate pianist-composer?

[JoeTownley]

@elkresurgence Devastating mistake, elk. I thought penultimate meant "to higher degree than ultimate" Shame on me. Simply put, "nobody does it better" than Rach, except perhaps Liszt.

[JoeTownley]

@elkresurgence A devastating error. I thought penultimate meant "a higher degree of ultimate". No one except possibly Liszt could approach Rach as a triple threat (composer/conductor/pianist).

[johnst66xx]

@rei161 If Chopin is the penultimate pianist, then who's the ultimate?

[NONAROSSA]

I'd love to hear Paganini playing Carnival of Venice.

[jahigh1]

It's a shame recording devices didn't exist when Paganini was alive. I'd love to hear him playing his own 24th caprice.

[rfmenyi]

3:25 dies irae

[FetrovskyGoogle]

@rfmenyi Whose Dies Irae?

[PublicLibraryx]

@FetrovskyGoogle What do you mean who?> It was a Gregorian chant about the Day of wrath, he used the main theme from that song and used it in parts of this song

[FetrovskyGoogle]

@PublicLibraryx I'm asking because there are many people that wrote music to Dies Irae. Every one that wrote a Requiem mass, for instance.

[PublicLibraryx]

@FetrovskyGoogle OOH okay i get what you mean xD sorry lol Whose as in whose dies irae was it. yeah srry.

[zorkntatertotter2]

where can one get the originaL 

[DyingSoliloquy]

13 people dislike rachmaninoff's interperetation of rachmaninoff... 13 people must be the real rachmaninoff lol

[titandown]

@DyingSoliloquy i agree

[kimattbort]

@DyingSoliloquy that doesn't make any sense

[conmon88]

@kimattbort DyingSoliloquy is saying that 13 people must think they know Rachmaninoff's music better than Rachmaninoff himself. They must be the "real" Rachmaninoff to say that this is bad, since this is Rachmaninoff playing his own music.

[TwiztedFortune]

wait.. 0:44-0:49... What?

[conmon88]

@TwiztedFortune what are you talking about exactly? Did I miss something? lol

[agreatgeat]

@TwiztedFortune What what? What's wrong with 0:44-0:49?

[baiba6]

What year was this recorded please?

[2012Ronpaul2012]

@baiba6 1934.

[deanfergy9933]

Me to oh my god

[KenBory]

awesome!

[Musiker81]

13 people are a jealous

[deanfergy9933]

The man himself , in aww , his music , him playing , please , I,m in heaven

[deanfergy9933]

Oh my god , Thank you utube , in aww

[saidincontent]

Source music for our high schools winter percussion show

[Mongo1940]

If it wasn't for Rachmaninoff and Victor Herbert, Andrew Lloyd Webber wouldn't have a career in music. He stole everything with his name on it that was worthwhile listening to.

[kiaragre]

This composer has got something that attracts me irresistibly...I could listen to his music for hours and hours...and I love him as a instrumentalist too.

Rarely complex constructions give instantly a full pleasure like his own creations do. Rach I love you wherever you are. Your music hits the three points...

[iheartmusic1230]

By the 18th variation I got the tears going full blast

[wendysmithful]

I <3 THIS SO MUCH

[choyeropitahayero]

Me encanta la musica de este gran ompositor ruso y director de música, se le brinda un gran homenaje al bautizar recientemente a uno de los cráteres más intrigantes del planeta mercurio con su nombre.

[Ihatelittlefagkids]

Interview of George Green. /watch?v=L4UZPYcdl_0

[JoeTownley]

Truly inspirational. I tried to capture this spirit of romanticism in my own "Symphonic Variations After a Theme of Cesar Franck" for piano & orchestra (available here on YT for listening) Of course I'm no Rachmaninoff but I wish today's composers would write in this vein instead of the computerized nonsense they spew, most of which is so rhythmically complex that humans cannot even reproduce it. Sad state of affairs. Rach was truly among the last of the composers that touched people's hearts.

[f33rn44nd00]

@JoeTownley totally agree, what happened to the likes of him, or Joaquín Rodrigo? Instead we get Stockhausen?

[JoeTownley]

@f33rn44nd00 Some substitute, eh f33? : (

[EmptyVee00000]

Magnificent.

[MCDONALDFARMONE]

WHOA

SECULAR

RAPTURE

THANK YOU

[HalaHadean23]

Rachmaninoff is playing Rachmaninoff.

[MsAppassionata]

I'm just curious. I was wondering, not being a pianist myself, what pieces by which composers are the most difficult to play on the piano? Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, etc.? And please, I only want to hear from pianists who can actually play well. Thank you.

[irie10888]

@MsAppassionata What is claimed to be the most difficult piano piece ever was written by the First American Piano Virtuostic composer Lousi Moreau Gottschalk but unfortunately I do not know the name of the peace... I recommend The Union look for it here on youtube

[rdoister]

maybe it's The Banjo

[gillwilkinsongw]

@MsAppassionata My mother was a concert pianist during the war with ENSA (every night something awful) the forces entertainment organisation, and was a piano teacher during all my childhood.She always maintained that Tchaikovsky's piano concertos were the most intricate and difficult to play. Others may disagree.

[ProkofievRules]

@MsAppassionata Rachmaninoff's 3rd and 4th, and Prokofiev's 2nd get tossed around in such debates quite frequently.

[amsterm8]

Magnificent! And yeah, who would know this music better than the composer Himself!

[zeedrippyvessel]

Sussexpenguin - AMEN! I have a set of 78's of Rachmaninoff playing his stuff and it's wonderful!

[allisew]

an animated and complex conversationbetween instruments....how entertaining and engaging! The world is much the richer thanks to Paganini and Rachmaninoff....

[piano0011]

I love to play music composed by Rachmanioff! I have uploaded a prelude in G minor. Please feel free to listen and comment!

[handycappo]

very nice, i jus uploaded the same thing but its differentelly arranged,, i think, cause i can hardly recognise the theme of mine as oposed to yours,, ha its no in the same key ,, that wierd 

[valdengo1]

Horowitz stated on a TV special 30 years ago that Rachmaninoff told him music is enough for a lifetime...but a lifetime is not enough for music...

[MCDONALDFARMONE]

DID WE MENTION THE AMERICAN IDLE?

THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

[obleix2000]

do you need a hum-jay?

Maybe not!

[paulostroff99]

@MCDONALDFARMONE

[pieguyfry22]

@MCDONALDFARMONE

[shackleton12]

Well, I've got a badge certifying I'm a genie with a high statue, and I'm not 100% about this interpretation. Maybe it's the dodgy recording, or the background noise of reach-arounds and slobber coming from the comments section.

[oyapeg]

What? You mean you're not allowed to play your own music? What a strange notion! When you are a genius of this man's stature, then you can criticize. Otherwise, go hide in a hole somewhere.

[Bmxboylikesktlz]

Does anyone know how to pronounce "Paganini" ?

[joshbob32]

@Bmxboylikesktlz Sure, it's like this, "Paganini."

[Bmxboylikesktlz]

@joshbob32 Ohh, ok. Yeah see I always thought it was "Paganini."

[jbw470]

@joshbob32 I respectfully disagree with you - I do believe it's pronounced "Paganini". I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

[deerculler]

@Bmxboylikesktlz

Pag-Are-Knee- nee

[cadu1995]

@deerculler Pag-a-nee-nee not Pag-are there is no ARE. In pag a ni ni -no are's get it?

[jokeistman]

this is to complex for me

[Gargantupimp]

Very Liszt like in the repetition of phrases in this composition.

[hippie6996]

trained pianist, knowledge of composers, left handed, perfect pitch..... and huge hands. lucky mother fucker. i love his music.

[MrBirdy7]

Well said Sussex Penguin, I concur, wholeheartedly!

[herautdeDieu]

i am addicted to it!

[philipvanlidth]

I first heard recordings of Rachmaninoff playing his own works in the library at Curtis when I was a student there and was dumbstruck by his own take on his own compositions. Not that I believe his is the only way to interpret them, but at least we know how he wanted them to sound in his own mind. The mark of a masterpiece is, in my opinion, that many people can see other things in them than the creator did when first coming up with them...

[PineyWhitepine]

absolutely breathtaking !

* wipes away my tears*

I am delighted to have found these recordings!

Andre Previn was the only one to carry this sound & talent forward!

So glad I have his early recordings!

[damoosie123]

some of his decendants go to my school in illinois. its pretty cool to be friends with them. They are twins, and im sure people expect them to be really good at piano as well. I know i want to hear them play some time soon.

[paulocapella]

It´s my first time hearing this piece played by him. It´s somewhat rigid in comparison to the version I always heard, with Tamas Vasary, or the version of Rubinstein. Rachmaninoff is a composer I love so much. I like also Rachmaninoff´s version of Chopin Nocturne Op 9.

[sackwhacker]

another top notch performance by the composer himself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he should have been immortal

[sammarco02]

@sackwhacker Rach IS immortal !!!!

[sackwhacker]

@sammarco02

lol how come I don't see him these days?

[sammarco02]

@sackwhacker :)))))

[paulostroff99]

As good as it gets..

[bunny242]

y'all come on youtube to fight about some music?

c'mon..

[cyberlarry7]

God this is great. Thank you for putting this up. I never heard him play this particular piece, and it's amazing beyond belief that it exists, and in such a wonderful state of recording. I love listening to his interpretation - it's a helluva learning experience in how Rachmaninov Should be played, compared to some of the crazier, and poorer, intrepretations. Again, many thanks!

[heightide]

is this bathroom music

[djstkora]

@heightide yep.... have you written anything better....... I'm really bored when taking a shower......

[allisew]

@heightide do your write richer and more complex music? If so, maybe you could share it, and otherwise, keep your moronic comments to yourself.

[TheAmarach]

1) How many Rachmaninoff works did you study (yes, I wrote "study" and not "hear")?

2) Here's a great "Russian" contemporary great Rachmaninoff player: Howard Shelley

3) Russian piano music is mostly (and not only!!!) played by Russians because they usually have what it takes to play it.

4) I do like Paganini either

5) I understand your point of view, some of us master the art of commenting without thinking...

[astroedic]

Paganini is unparalleled when it comes.... and you are unparalleled too....in your idiocy

[JohnEBPiano]

'Paganini is unparalleled when it comes to music superiority!'

This is either someone trying to goad an angry response, or an idiot.

[gatabella3]

The hell knows who is saying here Rachmaninov was not worthy of something and that he was not great....

[quornholio]

Wow, you're a dillhole.

[9406117]

@brassmonkeyjew Yeah thats why Rach 1,2 and 3 are considered part of the standard rep for piano you smart ass bastard.

[TomBarristerX]

@brassmonkeyjew : As a performer, you're comparing apples and oranges. Paganini's forte was the violin, Rachmaninoff's the piano. As musicians they were among the best at their respective instruments. As a composer, Paganini was certainly excellent, but it's ludicrous to put him in the same category as Rachmaninoff.

[uhartchristian]

Rachmaninoff comes with the technique he learned from a pupil of liszt !!!!!!!!! his sound is smooth not that hard as we hear often today. elegant also and intelligent I would describe his play. A fast tempo was no problem for him. Of course he understood the structure of his work !!!!!!!! So its a good version and interesting for any pianist to study this recording !!!!!!!!!! The discussion about if you like or not is not important here. Its the composers intentions which are important !!!!!!!

[wrxjd]

check mine out! thanks

[sophiah88]

This is a wonderful piece and to be able to hear the composer play it as he did conceive it is a privilege. Aunt Suzies spaghetti sauce is better than Mamas for some, but Mamas set the bar to surpass. I feel honored to hear him do this as he FELT it. On anothers keyboard it might

need more salt or less pepper. Another taste. Criticism is uncalled for. He was GREAT !

[mmaurer76]

I guess overall, we can give thanks that reviewers (especially professional ones) don't always cut short or end careers-it goes for alll genres of music, gourmet food (I cringe at the comments on Top Chef/Iron Chef, etc) literature, etc. Constructive criticism is always great and welcomed-Great job here-of course-and well-here I go-like Rubenstein's version (oops)

[mmaurer76]

Ms RightThing

RIGHT ON! We all hear different versions of great works (just look at the billions of covers on youtube-and many-not worth the bandswidth. Maybe a certain player didn't have the expertise to play faster or a misguided conductor wanted it HIS/HER way-but sorry-this is the composer-and a great talent. Maybe someone's neighbor plays a nice version-that is nice-but when you have the real deal-on any work-fantastic!! No one cares what versions any of us like or dislike-

[lilyryo]

me gustaaaaaaaaaaaaa

am es no se m gusta no puedo describirlo

[MonsoonWinds6]

Gorgeous! I love Rachmaninoff :)

[MsRightthing]

I also can't believe that reviewers complain about the way he played HIS OWN WORK! Seriously people!!!

Pure genious.

[chapter24]

@MsRightthing Why? Is it supposed to be good anyway if someone plays his own work?

[yuripompino]

Thank you so much for this video I used for my playlist "COMPOSERS PLAY THEMSELVES" along with 65 other videos by 65 different composers !

[afhtk]

one word only.... SPLENDID!

[sussexpenguin]

I've read some neg comments on some of these "Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov" vids. I can't possibly explain how angry those comments make me.

How LUCKY are we to have an opportunity to here a composer of such famous and well liked works play his own stuff.

I'm all for everyone to interpret the work in their own way, but here we hear the master play it the way HE wants it.

[1954phialin]

to "hear" dahling!!!

I am with you here...

[pepperlander]

I could not agree more.

[ThePiano1991]

Agreed, this is such a treat. We are all so lucky to hear the master himself! Hes up with the big names such as Chopin and Liszt, and what I would do tpo be able to hear them like this!

Amazing!!

[deanfergy9933]

@ThePiano1991

[Deathyman]

@sussexpenguin Yes, it's nice and all, but some of us prefer different versions of it. For example, I dislike the way Rachmaninoff played his Piano Concerto No.2 . I Feel it was played too fast, but when I heard the New York Phil play it, I wanted to die I was so happy.

[rafsta93]

@sussexpenguin hear*

[sussexpenguin]

@rafsta93 Yes we all make "typos", thank you SO much for pointing it out.

[dia33386]

@sussexpenguin : Like you, I've read neg comments here re

"Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff"! Unbelievable! Simply

think they are mental idiots & have dismissed their inane comments!

Thanks to YouTube & "theoshow2" -we're able to actually see &

listen to Sergei Rachmanioff playing his great works!

[EllieJable]

@sussexpenguin made by idiots who don't appreciate great music

[djblackadder]

@sussexpenguin i agree wholeheartedly with you, we are incredibly lucky to be able to experience the music of Rachmaninov as he himself intended it. It doesn't de-value interpretation, and this is consistent as Ashkenazy's equally expert performances of the 18th variation for example demonstrate. Times change and the style of music with it, but that does not mean we can devalue the contributions of these musicians in performance , as they are the basis by which we surely progress.

[sussexpenguin]

@djblackadder wise words friend.

[mysterychemistry]

@sussexpenguin

some ppl just dont understand the difference between what is written on paper and what the composer wanted to express

[sussexpenguin]

@mysterychemistry : You're so right friend.

[JClayCast]

@sussexpenguin Well, to a certain extent. He had to play some of his works (Piano Concerto 2) faster than desired due to the recording space on old records. Of course, the general interpretations are probably how he liked it.

[magicwandaful]

I couldn't have put it better myself - absolutely agree with you!

[cander49]

Great song, love it. Too bad state-of-the-art recording equipment didn't exist when Rachmaninoff was around. :(

[mustovoi]

It's not a song, it's a composition !

[quincykim1]

@cander49 State-of-the-art recording equipment DID exist, but it was the state of the art at that time, not of our time.

[MarlitaLinda77]

@cander49 I agree with you.

[MarlitaLinda77]

@cander49

[gerardbedecarter]

Wonderful to hear this again. In the early 1960s I got from overseas LPs of Rachmaninoff himself playing his four piano concertos and this Rhapsody. They have since been put onto CD, of course. Rachmaninoff's playing is distinct - very rhythmic and incisive.  This Rhapsody is incredibly popular with pianists and audiences alike - more so now than ever !!

[yinyincui]

I love this edition~~ very musical~

[bjroberts65]

magnificent

[aromatherapy89]

super utwór, jest co grać !

[LordBazaar]

which variation is this?

[eandrewshelley]

variation 24

[LordBazaar]

thanks

[telavasapela]

Thumbs up! I believe you are right, I hear Paganini's caprice 24 for the violin in the introduction.

[dan58doo]

j'aime beaucoup ce musicien?

[thays35244]

Maybe it's just the quality of the recording, But I think Ilana Vered's version is better.

[gzaenker]

tha better? how do you measure? a yardstick? nobody can play this like R

[shogl]

R plays beautifully and writes exquisitely