Ricardo Montalban - Desde "El Salón Mexico!"

[PianoDaemon]

In an episode of - I believe - MURDER SHE WROTE, Ricardo Montalban played a concert pianist and is shown playing the opening of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. Like in the clip presented here, it definitely looked like he knew his way around a piano. I too have always wondered if he played in real life.

[varadero1839]

@PianoDaemon Thanks so much for your comment! I remember that episode, and there is a mystery there! I'm grateful hearing from you but viewing numerous comments below, It may well have been Jose Iturbi. At the time, I believe he was under contract to this studio so I wouldn't be surprised. Here's the bottom line: Ricardo looked, played, acted and commanded this piece on screen! His physical presence, acting, singing, dancing still makes him a triple threat. Que viva Ricardo!!

[oldixe]

Great - I am vindicated. I always considered him a gentleman and a scholar!

[oldixe]

Well, I have been trying to find out if he REALLY did play the piano and no one seems to know. Isn't there someone out there who REALLY knows?

[debbiechickie5]

@oldixe He seems very comfortable playing here....given his upbringing, it would seem natural his parents would have insisted on some piano lessons along the way?

[rlmendoza]

I remember the first time I "heard" this was in the process of sight reading (it did not end well). All I can say about Ricardo Montalban's performance is "Wow," just, "Wow!"

[varadero1839]

@rlmendoza Hi! If you have a few minutes, please read the comments by misheemom below. They refer to Mr. M's prowess at the keyboard. I know he could sing and dance, but I must defer to this expert as to his piano playing. Either he really could play, and/or Hollywood worked some magic again with a "finger-double!" Thanks so much for your comment!

[anoxinomin5]

I once asked Miss Williams about this amazing piece of film! She told me that although Ricardo did play the piano, it had to be the finest musical impresario at the MGM studio at that time to play that piece of music by Aron Copland. Ricardo spent weeks practicing with him,we see Ricardo on screen but on the audio track we hear the one and only Jose Iturbe playing the piano. I was lucky years ago to find this on a 45 RPM,perhaps it still can be found!

[misheemom]

@anoxinomin5 Thanks for answering that question . I knew the sound track was not him playing (at least for real on screen) but his accuracy of hitting the correct keys seemed too good for someone who did NOT know how to play. His technique is pretty good also. It's always a pet peeve of mine when actors are supposed to look like they're really playing and they just don't look like they even have any idea how the piano works!

[anoxinomin5]

@rlmendoza again,I'll let the cat out of the bag,,Mr Montalban is on screen ,but it's Joe Iturbi we hear playing the piano. He did the same for Cornell Wilde in A Song To Remember when he played Chopin! Mr. Iturbi can be seen on camera in many MGM films most noteworthy is Anchors Away when he plays for Frank Sinatra and does a :WOW" at The Hollywood Bowl with a couple of dozen kids and The Ritual Fire Dance

[debbiechickie5]

Nevermind..it's 1947

[debbiechickie5]

Ric was genetically a skinny, lanky guy. Neat to see him before his developed his physique (which was amazing!). Nice clip! what year is this movie??

[jamie1707]

Wonderful clip. Montalban is amazing.

A shame Aaron Copland's music isn't played more often. He wrote some great music, other than "Beef. It's what's for diner".

When I was a freshmen in college, I had to take a music appreciation course (like I need a course to appreciate music), and Copland's music was among some of the pieces we had to listen to and critique. The prof, a snooty two bit loser academic didn't like Copland or my take on his music. Called me hopelessly tone deaf. W T F?

[EclecticMuzik88]

@jamie1707 I hate professors that are like that >_>

[jamie1707]

@EclecticMuzik88 yes, so do I, and there were so many like him.

[MsAngelSantana]

Oh my goodness, this is an amazing clip! Ricardo Montalban was fantastic and I hope to see more of his work.

[maritere1939]

Gran hombre, gran artista, gran ser humano y guapísimo. Te recordaremos siempre.

[nmsilly]

varadero - do you actually have this movie on video? If so, would love to see another segment in the movie.

[mgoodstuff]

Sad that they omitted him along with Farah Fawcett in this year's Oscar memoriam.

[varadero1839]

I've been trying to research this, but I recently read since Mr. Montalban died in January of 2009, that he was mentioned at the Oscar telecast from March, 2009. Still can't find it in writing. Sorry...

[misheemom]

@varadero1839 He was shown in the 2009 Memorial telecast of the Oscars in March 2009. I saw it only because someone had posted a video of it here on youtube. However, I don't know if it was removed due to copywrite. I haven't been able to find it again since. (And that still doesn't explain why Farrah Fawcett was not shown in this year's memorial. )

[misheemom]

Was Montalban a pianist as well along with his many other talents? He is hitting every note and his technique is quite good. I know he used to give 100% to all he did. But even a good faker couldn't hit as many of the correct notes that he's hitting, which seems to be every one. (This coming from a piano teacher!)

He's one of a kind!

[acla9000]

I second you heartily (SIGH)...

[moshn2002]

Thanks, howcome that i didnt comment on this before... THANXX soo much

[markomacci]

i agree with you Misses Pasadena1994 you should have put misses Pasadena1800's shit...

[pasadena1994]

he is so hot

[lloydwinburn]

Thank you,

Lloyd Winburn

[varadero1839]

You're most welcome! Thanks for your comment.

[lloydwinburn]

Who can tell me the orchestra behind this??? I love it

[dallyx66]

It's the MGM Studio Orchestra.

[madholl1942]

I had a crush on Ricardo Montalban when everybody else had the hots for Elvis. And I found this video by chance. I'm enjoying the hell out of it.

[orangevonzeppelin]

@madholl1942 I'm crazy for Ricardo too, but my friends like *cringe* Justin Beiber...

I suppose we just have more sophisticated taste!

[robinaussimon]

this is a nice story about one of de best american pieces of clasical music, by maybe de best american composer, that ist, as a paradox , about mexico

[acla9000]

I remember this scene from "Fiesta", such a great one! Thanks, John!

[rossanamizunski]

Brilliant!