Zimerman plays Chopin Ballade No. 1

[H1dden1s]

His beard alone could play this passably, at 4am, after being woken up with an airhorn.

[H1dden1s]

Glenn Gould doesn't "think" anything, that smug prick is dead. He had a problem with Beethoven too. That's like having a problem with blow jobs...as in you're pretty much a miserable person if you do. I bet he didn't understand jokes either

[Kuhleeen]

Thumbs up if u think the best part of vid is 7:48-8:37.......GOd Damn

[Elsenrail29]

@Kuhleeen 7:48 Appasionato il piu forte possible and the following epic section beginning from 7:56 is presto con fuoco. Just for information... I get goosebumps every time I hear these two sections... out of sheer happiness...

[heavypiola12]

Chopin viene de otro mundo, que cosa más hermosa!

[54fanni]

brillante interprétation!!

[DavidSoo398]

Best interpretation. I listen to this vid atleast 5 times a day. I am a D1 college sprinter and not even my girlfriends orgasms sound as long or pretty as this. Zimerman, i envy you and inspire to play with the perfect pedal technique, clarity, and relaxation you do some day.

[Thepeckinator]

I always get a boner when I hear Chopin. I am inclined to believe that the spirit of Chopin lives on - through my cock

[TheBarbaciano]

Bach es el padre, Beethoven el hijo y Chopin, definitivamente, el Espíritu Santo. La santísima trinidad. Sin ellos, la música sería un aburrimiento. Las Baladas, para mí, son alucinógenas. Con razón decía George Sand (su novia) que sólo pensaba en su piano. Fred, seguirás vivo mientras haya un Steinway. O un Pleyel. O un Bosendörfer. Hasta un Casiotone.

[BuildingWaves]

@TheBarbaciano What about Mozart? Is he not as holy as the rest? Without Mozart's vision Beethoven and Chopin could have never paved the way.

[TheBarbaciano]

@BuildingWaves Yes, you're right, and I thought about it when I wrote my commentary. Mozart is not my cup of tea, but is one of the greats without discussion. Strange that Bach, Mozart and Beethoven speak in german. Maybe german has some kind of musicality in its adn or something.

[colinedwardkelly]

Perhaps the greatest song ever composed, brilliant

[zolwik1397]

A ja mysle ze najlepszy jest moment 2:00 - 2:34

To jest przecudowne. :)

[Julian47609]

Według mnie najlepsze 7:48

[Strikaah]

The best part 4:47 - 5:22 !!!

[gagovich100]

the story of this ballade is about an honored christen knight that found out a secret about him-the christins have kiddnaped him when he was a baby from his villege.

.after discovering that secret he is in purpose have brouht the christins to surrender

the christins have discoverd his betreyl and ordered to execute him and when his wife didnt .agreed to escape with him he have been sucide

[IBlackRockI]

Chopin, WHY?! Y DID U NO LET IT END AT 9:11?!

[SamaelXII]

I love this song. Brings back memories of me failing miserably trying to play this. Good times.

[dadaboi777]

Youtube pleeeaassee make a gotdam repeat button!!!

[iPlayPiiano]

@dadaboi777 put infinite before youtube in the adres bar.

IE: 3xw(.)infiniteyoutube(.)com etc

[IIIHYPOK]

God its so beautiful.

[OinkYouDie]

Music from the soul

[Everio620User]

amazing performance.

[kabanshik]

Im 45 and I just started to try to play this piece...Does anyone have a problem with that?

[Jermaine1986]

Justin bieber should learn from this man

[sandroairj]

Giovanni Allevi has 177 Youtube accounts!

[king32123213]

ho i got to play polonaise heroique op 53 and i got around 5 months to learn that because it is very difficult wish me luck :D

[pnklily2]

I've listened to this piece by every performer on youtube and Zimmerman (and Horowitz, but bad recording) plays this the BEST. He plays this piece seamlessly, without flaw and full of emotion. It's hard not to click on the replay button.

[josetato]

I have 4 months to learn this piece, wish me luck fellow musicians :) btw the coda is a bitch. Zimmerman's interpretation so far is the one that I prefer the most...even when compared to Rubinstein =/

[samtheman264]

@josetato Good luck.

[scsolutionjl]

@apodots oh! I'm not famous haha. I don't perform that much, but I do hope to have more performance / competition opportunities in the future, though. Thank you for the kind words!

[scsolutionjl]

@1Silvus1 Thanks for the tip :) To other people it probably does look like bragging so I think I should stop doing this. But my intention of the comment was to show my appreciation for Chopin's music and Zimerman's interpretation.

@wes5020 Yeah, you're right. I guess I shouldn't in the future. Now that I've started a whole argument here, I'm very sorry. It's my first time using YouTube, and when I scrolled though these comments, most people who are playing this piece are putting out their ages

[NothingMatters1991]

unbelievable

[DavidBlandinii]

Today is my birthday, and this is much more than any gift I could ask.

[Yootoo89]

iubirea , dragostea are chipul lui Chopin...muzica lui e divina... (Vanda)

[cem1891]

owns it! wow.

[perezbermuda]

Every time Zimerman plays, Chopin is smiling from above thinking how lucky he is to have his music played to perfection! The fluidity, the sonority, the nuances, the emotions, Zimerman has it all !!!

[dominik2327]

There is no more beautyfull kind of art than music...

or I just can't understand that thing...

[Elsenrail29]

Glenn Gould thinks the works of Chopin are ''empty theatrical gestures''... Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but in this case: SCREW YOU GOULD!!!

[ytertyu]

@Elsenrail29 Glenn  says "screw u too shithead" and I agree with him on this .

[TheBarbaciano]

@Elsenrail29 Gould is really unbeatable playing Bach, but personally I don't like his beethoven. And Chopin... ehem... too sustain pedal for him, maybe??. Who knows. Phenomenons like Lisitsa who can play Bach well and also Chopin and Beethoven well are hard to find. BTW, Zimerman is a master with this Ballade.

[Elsenrail29]

@TheBarbaciano Agreed Gould is unmatched with Bach. That is fact. HOWEVER I seriously think he lacks the emotional intelligence and romantic and poetic insight to play Chopin. He just does not have ''it''.

[scsolutionjl]

Amazing! I could just feel his concentration and energy as he played. There were so many different colors, but yet, they all flowed together. I'm 13 and I just started this piece today, and this video was such a great inspiration.

I loved this. Thank you.

[MrSalvaur]

@scsolutionjl nobody cares about your age.

[scsolutionjl]

@MrSalvaur I know. But is there anything wrong with saying how old I am? I just want to admire the music, not get picked on about what I say.

[1Silvus1]

@scsolutionjl

I dont think there´s a problem generally. But maybe MrSalvaur thinks you wanted to boast with being able to play such a piece at your very age. Just don´t take everything serious on youtube. especially not, what happens in the comment-section :D

[wes5020]

@scsolutionjl But why bother put your age anyway? The only reason one would do so would so that they could brag about it. I'd refrain from bleating out your age in the future if you truly are here for merely admiring the music and nothing else.

[FaulknerRushdie]

@MrSalvaur What a dick. Does picking on 13-year-olds make you feel powerful? I'm glad there are young people out there who care about classical music.

[MrSalvaur]

@FaulknerRushdie my dick in your ass

[FaulknerRushdie]

@MrSalvaur seriously, I fail to comprehend how you could be an appreciator of classical music, and at the same time, such a raging cockhammer. Aren't there any more 9/11 truther videos for you to go troll?

[MrSalvaur]

@FaulknerRushdie you failing thinking there are parameters for enjoying this.

just stfu and stop being an attention whore

[FaulknerRushdie]

@MrSalvaur "you failing thinking"? More like "you failing writing."

And how is being a massive douche about some kid's age not being an "attention whore"? You were the first one to start bitching, so why don't *you* STFU?

[MrSalvaur]

@FaulknerRushdie you are a fucking idiot , not wasting my time with you. go suck a cock

[apodots]

@scsolutionjl honestly, you should be VERY good player to play it on 13. People usually plays it at 18 if they have studied piano since 4 years old. this ballade starts easy but the end has so many jumps and it's really difficult. Well maybe you are a genius and you can get it, but I haven't heard about you on the TV or Internet. I recommend you to play easier pieces and play them WELL than spoilt hard pieces.Good luck and cheers!

[pawelad]

Kiedy sobie popije...i włącze balladke1, rozpierdala mnie na atomy za każdym razem.

[dnb47]

1:28 = Eargasm

[47951876]

Splendid!

[king32123213]

its a really sad movie about a man who is a pianist and his familly-the are all jews and  they were send to some germans concentration camp.... ---i wonder if i didnt make any mistake ---watch it i recommend it to you... :(

[king32123213]

 from the movie THE PIANIST :)

[qwertical]

@king32123213 Nope, The Pianist came out 2002. Chopin composed this in 1836.

[TheDoucheChanel]

@king32123213 i am actually stunned that there are people who actually believe this ballade came from The Pianist...

[ericjaames]

@TheDoucheChanel They don't think it "came from" The Pianist they just recognize that it was featured in the movie

[radioCure4]

amazing!



[redwatkins85]

ha. he messed up

[XlololoLo]

How awesome!

He's the best player!

from japan

[modestrook]

pretty sure 2,450,000 of the views are mine

[MrHamzaalnajjar]

@modestrook no they are mine

[1Thompsonmusic]

Chopin's music is magical and makes me cry

[Tanoch96]

What are you doing down here? you are missing the video!!!!!!!!!

[GiangioBangio]

Why i can't put it on replay for 10 hour? Damn utube.

[peinscoot]

This kind of music really proves that humans ar not animals.

[suitabledude]

@peinscoot we are animals, we're just a very special kind.

[operaboi1992]

It's clear that you know exactly what you're talking about.

[soontobe14]

so epic...

[raulprima]

i used to play the piano, then i took an arrow to the knee.

[BlackMasterJoe89]

@raulprima

You can still play though. When you take one in the elbow then its a problem lol.

[raulprima]

@BlackMasterJoe89 I just thought the internet joke should expand, you know lol

[bboo88]

@raulprima Oh, how the great power of sarcasm doesn't transfer well through the internet.

[phaikia13]

@BlackMasterJoe89 It's a problem if you can't step on the peddles anymore :P

[BlackMasterJoe89]

@phaikia13

Touche lol! You can still use one pedal at a time. Just use the sustaining pedal.

[mvs13I2]

@raulprima it just had to reach this particular video

[SamuelBeakergaw]

He died at the age of 39, thank the Lord he learned piano at such an early age and was able to compose so many pieces before he died. It's of a spiritual nature how incredible his works are.

[9Christina9]

Its sooooo beautiful!!! chopin is truly a genius!!!! I cant express how much i LOVE this! and zimerman is brilliant

[34CMOON]

my face watching this video...O.O

[Montyleeny14]

Horowitz is better!

[1011aleksandra]

@Montyleeny14 never

[ericjaames]

This is probably my favorite interpretation of this piece. But I CANNOT watch him hahah. SO much over dramatic movement it's confusing. Brilliant playing though.

[operaboi1992]

@ericjaames How is his movement over-dramatic?

[ericjaames]

@operaboi1992 If you don't see how it is, there is literally no way I could possibly explain it to you LOL.

[tierzuchtZentral]

@ericjaames That is no dramatic at all I would say and shurely no over dramatic. It's really felt emotions. Or would you demand to leave the pianist away while playing... ???

Watch Lang Lang, THATS OVER DRAMATIC

[nanaj0205]

What makes this performance so appealing are Zimerman's sense of this music, his touch, and his honesty with music. Bravo!

[gulcinish]

Chopin iyki varolmuş ve Zimerman'a teşekkürler!

[Violinmaster1735]

Not only is he an incredible pianist, but he's an incredible magician! He managed to switch his piano bench during his flawless performance.Look at 3:30 and 8:24, check out what he's sitting on.



[Johnfrooshlover]

@Violinmaster1735 Good eye. Did you also notice there were no microphones either? :P

[tierzuchtZentral]

@Johnfrooshlover HEELPPP What is going on here?? hahhahahaaaaaaaaaa

[tierzuchtZentral]

@Johnfrooshlover Microphones???? Where shall be microphones?? Haven't found them... Am I blind?

[Johnfrooshlover]

@tierzuchtZentral hahaha It's either just a room mic that cannot be seen in the shot (which I doubt) or it's just like a music video (which I think is more likely)

[CtlBrandon]

@Violinmaster1735 stop bringing this up

[tierzuchtZentral]

@Violinmaster1735 hääääääääää???? What has happened???? He cannot have been able to push it down himself so far while playing??? *shock*

[SirSardonic]

@Violinmaster1735 Good eye! I wonder why he would switch the bench though; I'm sure there's a reason for it. But it's not really uncommon for editing using multiple takes to be done for studio recordings. He's an artist, and he wants it to sound exactly perfect when he has the means to do so (i.e. when he's not playing live).

[ericjaames]

@SirSardonic Wanting it to sound perfect doesn't make him an artist, it would make him a perfectionist... The most important thing to an artist is the emotional connection through the music and to the audience.

[SirSardonic]

@ericjaames Hmmm. I disagree somewhat. You're entitled to your opinion, but for a studio recording, I think the artist has a right to make every note sound the way he imagines it should sound. In a live performance, it's almost inevitable that there will be some notes that aren't played exactly as the performer would like them. I don't think it's a big deal if the artist uses modern technology to allow him to create his "perfect" vision of the piece.

[ericjaames]

@SirSardonic I didn't say he doesn't have a right to want it to sound perfect. I said that's not what makes someone an artist. Perfection is the furthest thing from art because it isn't real. A live performance isn't perfect but it is far more artistic than a studio recording because a live performance is real, and it's honest. The mistakes don't matter if the artist is connected.

[ophelius111]

7:18 mm hmm, myess, good...

[soryy708]

Thumbs up if The Pianist brought you here, or if you have recognized this piece in The Pianist.

[Vesivian]

@soryy708 The pianist didin't bring me here. My love for Chopin did.

[jasonohmad]

@Vesivian haha someones already used that one. Im sure you knew that though haha

[GiangioBangio]

@soryy708 Idiot, every Pianist, know this piece, ande every pianist love Chopin.

[uUUu314]

@GiangioBangio So true

[pianonextdoor]

wonderful

[redshark618]

this guy always looks like he's gonna fall asleep, of course no offense to you Mr Zimerman

[gssaitou123]

(+o+)

[Elsenrail29]

I know it is almost impossible to believe but there is actually a more exalted version of this piece. Check out perlemuter...

[lucasiskewl]

More than science, politics or culture, music, specifically music like this, is the greatest achievement of the human race. Anyone can figure out science, it's there for us to figure out, the equations will never change, politics is petty and always changing, so is culture, but music takes creativity. This ballade wasn't discovered by Chopin, nor was it composed as a political or cultural statement that divides people. It was created for its beauty and will always be. I'm a scientist by the way.

[Montyleeny14]

I prefer Horowitz' version!

[SperoAeternam]

Great feeling!

[alterego2288]

And I'm responsable of the other half!!!!

[fraid123]

Zimerman should compose

[Interista94Jnny]

@fraid123

I agree. :P

[MrRaphaelBM]

@fraid123

True !

[screamstaker]

@fraid123 Composing is a whole different dimension...

[tsoiyeelam]

this is music.

[Goof904]

Sexy

[Simonxp911]

At 5:24 it's just scary how he can move his fingers!

[Corsackify]

Wonderful melodiousness, elegance and restrained panache – all that Chopin is about.

[stj0124]

it must be so cool to be able to play this. Music is really something else, expecially when it is arranged so well like this.

[Erajonit]

Am i the only one who prefers this one to Horowitz's interpretation ?

[misiaczek991992]

@Erajonit I love like Horowitz plays final of ballade g, it's amazing, but i prefer Rubinstein's interpretation ;p

[MadameDequoila]

@Erajonit

Nope! 

[tierzuchtZentral]

@Erajonit No :D

[s20061341]

I think no any pianist who can play better than him for it as it is absolutely beautiful and fantastic !!!!!!

[PhalangitePower]

i learned like the first half of the song....and part of the ending...im not mature enough to learn it tho lol..im 16..and after a bit of practice ill start thinking of something totally off topic..such as food

[sunandclouds98]

so beautiful!

[Artemusicstring]

AWESOME!

[javierlopeza]

My favorite version - no doubt!

[tierzuchtZentral]

Herzchirurg am Klavier

[asdfsafdsalf]

This is my favorite song in the world to play, I am actually playing it for a scholarship

[noumenonman]

@asdfsafdsalf goodluck man!

[asdfsafdsalf]

@noumenonman Haha thanks

[MrSmey009]

I love the way he does the light sections, but to me the quiet interludes are somewhat under-stated. I found myself wanting more sadness.

[noumenonman]

yummy

[MissYinKS]

bravo



[yanalizer]

i agree, there is no other explaination... they must be deaf

[lominadze123]

maybe this 173 people can play better music ? =)))

[doomless198]

@lominadze123

correction 173 reasons to wear condoms :)

[dodomomoko]

Once, I thought Zimerman's performance was so exact that it wasn't so emotional. But to listen to this ballade, I must change my opinion, becuse his interpretation reminds me that Chopin's music is the most complete and constructive. The art of Chopin exists in a complete performance.

[daffanja]

always makes me cry...

[apluspianist]

Wow! I am deeply shocked by the Polish spirit in Chopin's songs, and the clarity, uprising and the sadness of the ballade did by Zimerman.

[Bcutter]

I remember the first time that 4m47s made me cry, I was 11. It still does it everytime. The build up and the transition, it's the best passage in music history.

[luigipichu4928]

for those who disliked this video:

Look at the dislike bars length......... now look at your penis... see the similarity?

[darkkeness666]

he was sleeping at the begining XD

[alanlej]

I could loop forever on 4:47 :) so much intensity, and it sounds so chopin

[Parnellcakes]

Trying to listen to Chopin for the first time. The orgasm face of every pianist is throwing me off.

[SiMoN6873]

@Parnellcakes

Thank you, my friend, for taking the time to give Chopin a go. As for your problem, remember: The music is what matters. Not the image :)

[Bristlehoth]

@Parnellcakes Stick with Chopin, he's amazing and you'll fall in love with him.

[Aphrayd]

@Bristlehoth bro, that was beautiful..

[MrRaphaelBM]

@Parnellcakes

....haha lol what an excuse

[gregsees]

are we not capable of failure, of forgiveness also? Romans Ch 1 V. 18--His invisible attributes

[gregsees]

are we not capable of failure, of forgiveness also?

[bengily]

La interpretación más impecable y serena que he visto de esta balada.

Muy sincero Zimerman!



[GIGA3559]

this is why i believe in god

[stp52x]

@GIGA3559

This is why I have lost hope in humanity: To believe that man cannot create beauty if deprived of the influences of superstitious and fanatical belief.

As much as I am fond of this music, and dozens upon dozens of observations over the course of the past few months stand testament to this effect, if God did in fact yield this creation of beauty, I would much rather live in a world devoid of art and suffering, than in one present of both. Let him display beauty where it is needed!

[GIGA3559]

(Portuguese) Eu compreendo a tua ideia, entrentanto também é por isso que eu acredito em reencarnação. É preciso que se conviva com o sofrimento e com as dores para que, assim, possamos evoluir. Não creio que Deus seja um velho sentado em um trono no céu, mas, sim, uma energia universal alicerçada em algumas leis básicas, como a ação e reação, por exemplo. Hoje em dia a Física Quantica também nos explica algumas outras leis que regem o mundo físico e espiritual. leia o livro dos espíritos de A.K

[jasonohmad]

@GIGA3559 Haha why did you reply in Portuguese?

[GIGA3559]

@jasonohmad because my English is from google translator =S