Jascha Heifetz Plays Zapateado

[fredhainen]

Anyone who feels that this performance is not exciting must be dead. If some modern performances seem better, is probably because Heifetz has inspired the younger geration of fiddlers to perfect their art to new standards. Violin strings have greatly improved sine Heifetz's time as well as recordings.

[hobbitgnr]

jajajaja el zapato!! XD

[claraakane]

.....mr. heifetz is far more handsome than justin bieber.....

i was gawping at his picture for the last three minutes, haha....

[TomBarrister]

I believe that this performance was from March 25, 1946.

The Bell Telephone Hour ran from 1940 until 1958 on radio and from 1959 until 1968 on TV. The show aired on Monday nights during most of its radio run. Donald Vorhees was the conductor throughout the show's entire 28 year history.

[BadBlueBoy213]

Josef Hassid played it much better in my opinion, but this is also very good! =)

[wks1978]

Heifetz seems to have a great ability to make an exciting piece of music sound like a dull, lifeless technical exercise.

[carrottoponcrak]

@wks1978 you've obviously never heard Heifetz's Ziguinerweisen

[JimboUru]

General consensus on Mr. Heifetz playing is, that he was in fact a very dramatic and exciting interpreter among the many musical qualities he possessed. If this is not an exciting live performance, maybe you could be so kind to point out one.

[2ndviolinist]

@JimboUru It was once the general consensus that the world was flat and the center of the universe.

[JimboUru]

@2ndviolinist Oh yes, sorry, of course u are right, and I'm sure also in this case history will prove consensus wrong. But in the meantime, maybe you could be so kind to point out an exciting performance of Zapateado?:)

[2ndviolinist]

@JimboUru From a quick survey - Sarasate, Kubelik, Szeryng (video), Oistrach, Hassid, all on YT.  They are more nuanced and better played as well. I'm positive there are many more from early last century, I just don't have them. I know Heifetz fans are rabid so I'm signing off.

[Xerioniaxer]

@2ndviolinist it is not a good comparison. Evidence of the Earth's shape and placement in the Universe was lacking then in early Astronomy. As with violin-playing, all you need to observe is already there. There is no 'great future discovery' like telescopes or space ships that will change what most people think of Jascha Heifetz. Don't make such ridiculous comparisons to prove a point.

[2ndviolinist]

@wks1978 So well and succinctly put!

[juiop9000]

@wks1978 I guess your name is Mr. Stupid.

[davesy22]

@wks1978 The beauty of the zapateado is in its rhythm. Watch spanish dancers who pull of this dance and you'll notice the rhythmic consistency not only drives the momentum but creates the excitement. I think Heifetz hones in on the rhythmic necessities of the Sarasate and in that creates the excitement of the piece. Sarasate's interpretation is also very driven, with very few if any rubati. Check out examples of zapateados on youtube to better appreciate the style.

[davesy22]

@wks1978 People have the right to their opinions, especially on the internet. But it seems that because we can say whatever we want, we speak without thinking instead of thinking to speak. We have our opinions and we have the opportunity to say them, but is it really necessary? People need to think about the effects their opinions will have on others. EX: Should you go on a Heifetz video, made for heifetz fans and trash the man? YOu don't like him, don't listen to him. But don't generalize.

[davesy22]

@wks1978 By generalizing the way you did, it seems you are more interested in forcing people to accept your opinion rather than simply expressing yourself. Frame the question better. Fights start on youtube, because people in their rush to let the world know how they feel forget that this is still a medium in which tact and polish is still necessary. So either frame it better next time, or simply don't go on a heifetz video for fans and bash the man. You don't actually have to listen to him.

[davesy22]

@wks1978 And yes, I am fully aware of the negative effect that my comments to you will have on you. Don't want an argument.

[Coolcat607]

@wks1978 I feel like everyone thinks this way now, but perhaps back "in the day" there was a different kind of sound people interpreted as emotional and exciting, and this was it.

[elainebmack]

Gee, Heifetz was handsome!

[winrx]

1:48 His "Erroll Flynn " phase? lol Anyhow, he certainly was one devastatingly handsome fellow in his earlier years.

[TheTucsonJeff]

Thanks for posting this! The photos are great, and many of them I have never seen before.

[symfotroll]

Yes.

[justnorikomaymay]

wow..... it's really COOL !!!

Thank you for posting it !

[mawler357]

It amazing how fast and how accurately he can play this piece. Truly incredible.

[rheumer]

Totally awesome and supernatural (but natural for Heifetz!). Great slideshow. Many thanks.