Gilels - Schumann concerto I.Allegro affettuoso (Part 1)

[pia0506]

なんか、この時代のロシアの人たちは何なんだろう

背負ったものが大きくて、それを慰問で弾かされる

リヒテル。ギレリス。ペトロフ。ラフマニノフ。

凄い、感動と絶望感を与えられ涙が止まらない、

ギレリスがこんなに感情をこめて弾くのも珍しく現代でこのSch­umanと同等に弾ける人がいるのだろうか。。。

[Tiszt]

This version truely shows what affettuoso means

[cigtt]

its too slow!!! i mean it probably isn't... but its hard to listen to if you've already listened to some great faster versions.

[loboris1995]

francly the first time that I heard this performance I can stand it because I got used to others,bad habits,lol

[phe957]

I hate childish comments like so as so is greater than so and so. We all have our favorites, and we all have artists whom we do not like or even maybe can't stand. Argerich, Gilels, Haskil, Richter, Arrau and others are on a level where they are all great, but as I said evryone has a preference for a particular interpretation over another one.

[loboris1995]

still prefer Richter and Perahias,but this is great^^

[Bret6464]

Gilels is the true disciple of Rachmaninoff, Rach said it :-)

In the history of piano, Gilels artistry, expression and his golden tone are unmatched but by Rach and Horowitz in his late years, IMO. Thank you for sharing this extraordinary performance :-)

[Nick250692]

Gilels is the slow expressive type which suits Schumanns pieces perfectly because they're incredibly fast for no good reason...like kreisleriana. I bumped into Gilels through youtube and I honestly am quite stuck with him.. he is very expressive!

[letmeinterrupt]

so many knows about Argerich and so little about Haskil. But Clara Haskil is the greatest woman-pianist EVER!!!! Her interpretation of this piece is amazing!

Gilels is great! Thank you for the video!

[MrSammyConcepcion]

He obviously missed quite a lot of notes. Also too slow.

[ConcertoArt]

Thank you very much, Elfinsafety for posting a video of this great musician.

[herisauer]

sairamnagarajan what is wrong with the tempo? piano playing is not all about speed. it is manly about telling a story, about emotion and interpretation.

[paopaomanalansan]

6:56-6:57 This part shocked me very much!

[gtimny]

He plays so beautifully and with such a gorgeous sound that I'm almost convinced by the very slow tempo,,,, almost!

[FlashyCat2008]

Look to Lipatti, then look no further.

[Mralibabarooibakkie]

@FlashyCat2008 yea, but this guy is also absolutely fabulous.

[sairamnagarajan]

Lovely, but what the hell is wrong with the tempo? He similarly slows down the Rach Concertos..

[welldunneav]

Gilels is one of my all time favourites. He plays everything with so much soul.

[andiii666nothere]

hei, but what do you think about his tempos? this is unreal someway...

[Maestoso28]

He's at such ease, like the music is a part of him.

[gimichi]

beauty& intensity beyond words

[julesdarwich]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING

[Ruchfun]

Sin,for me,having discovered

Gilels only after his death!

[UGTownsend]

Gilels truly understands this concerto.

[fsharpminor63]

this is one of the greatest piano concertos ever written in that it is masterful and also expansive in its mastery, very much akin to beethovens 4th.

simple beautiy..............

[fsharpminor63]

gilels goes beyond the comprehension of most musicians and especially non musicians, very much to the core of music, but very important, a personalized interpreptation, which is the essence of the genius of what a performer can be.

[bernard1422]

Gilel plays with body and soul

[AgnesRegina]

Wow. The utter tenderness with which he plays this is astounding. If I ever learn this (which I plan to) I hope to come somewhere close to this glory...

[fatalerrorguy]

This master could play the piano in the way of which not only many modern "pianists" (ha ha) but also quite many "old" pianists could only dream!

[PhilPhilUSA]

Gilels - one of the very greatest.

[FirstPublicChannel]

@PhilPhilUSA indeed

[nikolaimedtner]

The most beautiful version i have heard. The tempo is simply perfect

[beethomozart]

although dedicated to pianist Ferdinand Hiller, it was Clara Schumann who premiered this concert on january 1st, 1846 at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, being at the beginning a fantasy for piano and orchestra that the author wrote for his wife in 1841, adding the other 2 movements 4 years later. Schumann himself said that he was unable to write a composition for a virtuoso, well he was right this is a concert that appeals more to the sensibility of the interpreter rather to the tecnique

[fabrE30]

i read that in a biography, but i am playing this concerto, and it is really really difficult(I dont mean that i am a virtuoso) but i agree, it is but difficult musically, but the concert by himself is terribly difficult, see you

[rva25]

well, I think Walter Gieseking with Furtwangler is the best! Thats real Schumann:s spirit!

[Sinfoniette]

Mine is Richter and Lipatti! Gieseking is also great, though.

[kingjonnyvii]

.....i prefer Argerich when she is older by the way

[kingjonnyvii]

wait a second it was rva who said 'no poetry... BOREDOM'.... He was the one who dismissed him. Personally i find most of Gilel's recording thorough and considered in a profoundly sensitive manner. There are very few pianists who are as consistent as him over a long period of time. I am surprised rva would like clara haskil and not Gilels, not Argerich and Gieseking, however.

[rodrigobrizuela]

I can't understand why a few of you believe this interpretation is "non-romantic", or "non-expressive".

[rva25]

Gilels is piano poeter? Well... it doesnt convince me at all

[Sinfoniette]

I like Richter for this concerto; he has the good stuff needed for this concerto. I find Gilels good in the virtuoso concerto repertoire, the ones like Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saens and stuff. His late Chopin recordings are pretty good, probably because it was when he got softer. I think he recorded the Chopin 1 a bit earlier, but anyway its not my favorite. That Mozart guy may describe Gilels poetic and stuff, but I describe him as strongheaded and powerful.

[rva25]

I cannot agree with this. And this is not about if you play fast you play better. Of course no! I am speaking about Schumann style, about romantic...and I think many other pianists played this concerto much better... but of course it:s a matter of taste... telling the truth gilels never was my favourite pianist... always too much academician...

[rva25]

Just compare this"genius" with incredible Clara Haslil, Walter Gieseking Julius Katchen and Argerich interpretations... his Schumann looks like dumb student... no romantis soul, no poetry...BOREDOM

[kingjonnyvii]

what a load of rubbish! you are just too impatient!

[Sinfoniette]

If he is impatient, how can he enjoy the other recordings so much?

[martivarlint]

Kyleclef, if you think Gilels seems to look like 10 years old in front of Argerich version, you have no brain and no ears! It's not because the tempo if slower, it is like a child! But to say that about one of the greatests pianists of the XX century, you reveal you have the intelligence of a 10 years old person. It's amazing the number of absurds things we can read on youtube. Eh poor guy, Just try to ear one phrasing of this genius!

[Sinfoniette]

martivarlint, there are many renditions of this; Lipatti, Richter, Hess, Haskil, Arrau, Argerich and many, many others. To say that kyleclef is an absurd man is basically saying everyone who has a different opinion from you stupid. I personally don't like both of them; the tempo is ok, but its just doesn't pay off too much; Schumann can be played faster. What shall you say of someone said the same thing to you?

[001fatalerror]

@martivarlint Argerich is total crap in comparison to the great Emil Gilels. Sorry, but she has nothing to express in her playing whatsoever except some animal instinct and a motor in her ass! Her only virtue has been speed and her motto "play fast and don't think".

[Mralibabarooibakkie]

@001fatalerror hahahahahaha. motor in her ass. hahahahahaha. brilliant!

[kyleclef]

martha argerichs version makes him look like he is 10 years old playing piano.

[rva25]

Just terrible! Great schumann concerto in the soviet style... very, very typical for gilels

[petie32]

Gliels knows this is entirely within his competence. He decides to play this especially slow just to be different. It is technically perfect, but how could it be anything else. No risk, no balls.

[rodrigobrizuela]

It isn't only technically perfect. It's musical and lyrical and expressive in a very personal way. I don't believe his choice in tempo is because he "has no balls" or because he just wants to be different. The bottom line is that his performance is incredible, who cares if it's "slow"

[Sinfoniette]

Slow can pay off many times, a good example is most of Arrau's playing. But the slowness here doesn't pay off well enough, or at least thats my opinion.

[kingjonnyvii]

this is allegro affettuoso, not presto! performers playing too fast is far more commonplace than the other way round. gilels does play riskily, he does make slips. playing fast doesn't mean you are a good pianist! in fact it often means you drive over any detail. he doesn't lose the phrase structure and he gives the music enough space to breathe!

[fsharpminor63]

if you think the tempi is to fast your too into the modern world and need to take a break from your computer.

[deluzon]

Was fuer eine grossartige Interpretation - trotz einiger Fehlgriffe (2:05, 2:21,7:05 und danach). Faszinierend anzuhoeren und anzuschaun. Trotzdem, ich hatte immer Angst sein Stuhl koennte ihm nach hinten wegrutschen.

[alexongcs]

THANK YOU for posting this!!!!!!!

[kellnergram]

I've never seen Gilels play before, what a really pleasure. Thank you so much for posting. As MussoGorski asked, is it from a DVD?

[Elfinsafety]

yes it is, it was first released in Japan several years ago. Recently, some months ago, it was also issued on VAI and you can now get it from online retailers such as Amazon :)

[MussoGorski]

Can anybody tell me which DVD is this from? I would like to get it.

[OrangeSodaKing]

Gilels is draggin' his wagon.

But he is still my all time favorite pianist, he can do whatever the flip he wants!

[muurtalo]

Slow... But great nonetheless.

[GeorgeMaxwellDuPre]

Martha is a bit too fast for my tastes in the opening "Allego affettuoso". To me, in her speed, she loses the affettuoso. But this is a bit to slow for me as well! Five me then, Grimaud or Anton Kuerti. Unfortunately, neither is on here.

[galshalev]

I have the utmost respect for Gilels but there are way too many mistakes here. I have played this piece and he is really struggling with most of the fast bits in the 1st movement. That being said he does play with plenty of pathos.

[tlanigan]

it's almost tooooo slow at the beginning

[BenDalmont]

The theme by the orchestra is really behind. Lacks a bit of ... intuition.

[callenishss]

where and when was this filmed

[tawtsai]

I don't know when was this filmed, but I am pretty sure this is the Great Hall in the Moscow Conservatory.

[callenishss]

beautiful place

[dmcII]

BTW, an interesting little tidbit - Gilels & Richter both studied under the same piano professor - Heinrich Neuhaus. Sounds like that guy new how to develop talent !

[exponentu]

and Radu Lupu

[kusuna7]

and Elisso Virssaladze

[dmcII]

This is great. But no one has mentioned the orchestra. Anyone know who it is and who is conducting ?

[timsackbutt]

The conductor is Vladimir Verbitsky. Orchestra??

[Linksfuss555]

Thanks a lot. Do you have the second movement also?

[enantiodrom]

Elfinsafety says something very interesting and true: the leonin paws of Gilels on the keyboard.

[amyparking]

actually, that's smth of a topos in the discourse on this king of pianists: I've heard/read it countless times, usually as "leonine prowess" or "leonine attack"

his fingers are also frequently likened to sausages...

[klosemiroslav]

I thought it was faster than this...

[OrangeSodaKing]

martha argerich plays it faster, and i like it that way

but i think gilels knew what he was doing. he's just that good

[Haeronthegreat]

Oh my god, that tempo after he plays the theme... it makes the piece so different. And wonderful.

[angicat88]

I always listened it faster, but it's not bad!

[Ckorn123]

That comment was directed to SCHUMANNasaSACRILEGE, sorry.

[ratws]

Das ist so unendlich schön, das kann man mit Worten nicht beschreiben. Wenn man Glück hat, findet man ein Verstehen ohne Worte.

[kajohada]

1.mouvement a bit too slow,perhaps the respond of mr.gilels tendency forcing the sound when it´s going dramatic and passionate and relying on his stupendous technique,but the 1.schumann mouvement must be played passionato not so dreamful and more flowing of course!

[mathpianist93]

but do you notice that the tempo marking is "Allegro affetuoso," not allegro appassionato? Thus Gilels is very rightly justified to make his intrepretation more tender than anyone else in the world can make it.

[SCHUMANNasaSACRILEGE]

I AWARD THIS 2 DRESDENS..."He may be mesmerizing to watch",as this channel proudly proclaims,BUT...he certainly isn't mesmerizing to hear.THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A FINE PLAYER AND A CULTURED MAN WHO IS SO PRIM AND PROPER...NOT A FEELING ENTERED INTO IT...Unless you regard boredom as such.

[Ckorn123]

How can you say this performance has no feeling you uncultured fuckhead. Stick those Dresdens up your ass you idiot.

[rzpiano]

i second that and anyone who can even try and compare themselves or anyone with this musical god, i hope those dresdens give them a life long constipation!

[rzpiano]

this was in agreement with ckorn123

[amyparking]

this demented stooge pollutes classical music comment pages using about 5 different accounts. sometimes he's pretty funny...

[kingjonnyvii]

you're too impatient!

[banway]

Bravo , Maestro !!!

[301250]

Thanks for this post. Gilels golden tone is peerless; he was truly one of the greatest pianists that ever lived. Richter too did a wonderful rcrdng.of this work with the Monte Carlo Orch. sd goh (malaysia)

[Ranec16]

Phillip Wilcher >>> I'm pretty sure W. Blake wrote that ;) Emil Gilels was fantastic, one of my favourites !

[chopin65]

Wonderful! This is the one famous for causing slips right? In the third movement. Not in his case of course.

[PhillipLWilcher]

"To see a world in a grain of sand

And heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour..."

(T.S.Eliot)

Bless you Emile Gilels, wherever you are. Heaven, no doubt!

Phillip Wilcher

[aredbok]

Absolutely amazing playing!!!

Very poetic and hypnotic!

Unfortunately many pianists today are playing only fast and laud...(in general)

The most important is to say something in this magic music language.

Great artist!!!

[kajohada]

...but at least it must be flowing,the 1.mouvement is definitely too slow!

[kingjonnyvii]

it definitely flows! it's slower than pretty much all pianists could get away with .... but not him!

[ayazrafak]

The most beautiful version of the Schumann! Emil is making love to the piano-that is how the affetuoso ought to be!xoxox

[mathpianist93]

I like this one, because he took "affetuoso" to such a far degree.

[sammie444]

WoW!

I've never heard this concerto played this slow before but i think this version by the great pianist like Gilels is simply wonderful and they say this is what Schumann intended his only concerto to be.

[sviatoslavberezovsky]

my god...this is far the most beautiful version i have heard, i couldn't even breathe while he played the theme. the tempo is absolutely perfect

[solveaproblem]

Man that opening theme (after the chords) is slow! But I like.

[ahlan3g]

Who's teh conductor ?

[ahlan3g]

What intensity !

You DON'T NEED DRAMATIC facial expressions, Mr. LANG

Learn from the Master

[huhas1]

To:Elfinsafety

I absolutely agree with you. Saw and heard him live many times including his last two performances in New York and Toronto. Soon after he died. He was incredible pianist,with HIS qualities,so much Gilels' qualities like nobody elses. And great and honest man. (In Soviet Union not everyone could afford it).

[galapz]

I do have to tell you at the same time with no intention of diminishing his greatnes as an artist and a pianist, but from people that knew him personaly he was not the most honest man at all. And again in my opinion one if not the greatest pianist of all time

[Elfinsafety]

He was very honest musically, at least ;)

I think that, like Richter too, Gilels could play a work in a way that may be quirky, yet totally convinces. No cheap effects or empty virtuosity; just honest musicianship. And that was part of what made them both so great, in my opinion :)