I am getting a bit tired of every body comparing pianists to Glenn Gould. M. A. Hamelin is in my humble opinion much better in regard of emotion and techique.
Great pianist - underated for certain...however, what's up with that Circus Galop? Doesnt exactly add to his creibility. Also Alkans music, while interesting,& different is nothing great next to Chopin, Liszt, Schmann, Shubert, Rachmaninoff, et. al. sorry.
If you think this is amazing check out the first movement of Alkan's Concerto for Colo Piano op. 39. Most people just notice the last movement and overlook the first movement. It's my favorite piece of music.
Awsome! In this kind of music Hamelin rules. I wish he would record more of Alkans music because he is the pianist - now living or dead - who bring out the best in Alkans music.
Listen to Gould's Prokofieff 7th...and too, don't confuse technique with artistry. There will never be another Gould...but there will be plenty of Hamelins....can Hamelin play the A flat prelude and fugue book I and move one like a Glenn Gould? I think not. But, of course, comparing Hamelin with Gould is comparing a bouillon cube to an ox.
@chezriley1 Hamelin is an artist, though! Listen to him play slow things. His touch, tonal range, control, and thought behind everything he does is more impressive than his virtuoso technique. I love his Brahms 2 recording not because of the fast movements, but because of the slower moments! Of course, I am not trying to compare Hamelin and Gould. Another great Canadian pianist is Andre Laplante. I heard him perform Mozart concerto K. 467 live and it was amazing!!
@chezriley1 I don't know, because I understand he was really picky about what he played. I'm just wondering if he had the sort of technique for this kind of stuff, which seems to me to be very different from his Bach.
When you factor in the repertiore, skill, stamina, speed, control, touch, creativity, flawlessness, showmanship, delivery of passion, music, and making it all look easy.....it is possible that this guy is the greatest, or at least one of the greatist pianist of ALL TIME. Of course I can't prove that, but it seems very likely. WOW!!!!
Everyone start sharing this video on whatever social network you can get your hands on. I have NO IDEA why this video has less than 100k views, it most certainly deserves 100 million. Hamelin is the best pianist alive.
I would say without a doubt that Hamelin is at the near top of the list when it comes to great pianists. Sure, we don't know what Liszt or Chopin or Mozart sounded like, but I'm sure Hamelin could hold his own next to them no problem.
Ho avuto la grande fortuna di ascoltare varie volte questo grande artista su Sky, e ogni volta provo emozioni sempre nuove ed entusiasmanti. Vorrei che potesse venire a farci visita in Italia. Penso che molte persone potrebbero trovarsi d'accordo con queste mie impressioni.
holly shit..... thats all i have to say LOL... I agree that Hamelin is Probably one of the best if not the best pianist alive along with Arcadi Volodos... I am 100% sure he could replicate Hamelins performance.... Nontheless my Jaw was just like OMFG thats awsome.....
every theme is incredible and the variations are genius but in form it seems more like an etude op with several variations. still i cant get enough of the variations at
7:03 - 7:30 and how the main theme is brought back in a dif key. definitely a great masterpiece
Yes, correct, it is an etude Opus 39 No. 10. Alkan knew his music was devilishly exhausting for the pianist and the value of his music is 'greater than or equal to a masterpiece'. But he also had a perfect sense of humour; he laughes at us when he says, "I composed nothing more than just an etude, just a bit corcerto-ish, never mind". =)
@f1f1s In all seriousness, Alkan employed humor in his music. You know he also put many of his Jewish roots into this piece. That's not out of the ordinary for Alkan, because he did have other pieces with his Jewish heritage in them, but this is actually his only large work to have Jewish influence it.
This is a true virtuoso. Playing the music of possibly the best piano virtuoso of all time. It's really a shame that Alkan's music is so little known by the general public today... I just don't understand why.
I love watching Hamelin play. He makes everything look so easy, and doesn't move much, unlike a lot of others...reminds me of Horowitz. When his body does move, you know it's a really intense moment and makes the music that much more impressive. Kind of like a world class conductor who understands the art of showmanship.
The passage at 7:14 is the first time I've seen him actually look like he's struggling...amazing!
This entire recital was just ridiculous. Considering the scope of the repertoire, and how well he pulled it all off, Hamelin really should be in the running for the next "Wonder of the World".
By far the most talented Canadian since Glenn Gould, yet sadly 99% of Canadians have never heard of him.
Regardless, he's doing our nation (and of course his province) proud!
If 99% of Canadians haven't heard him, I gather that 99.999% of Americans havent heard of him. To me, Hamelin is already enshrined as one of the greatest pianists of the 21st Century. This is "sick" playing and I watch, listen and try to keep my mouth closed.
@Rheostatik I belong to the 1% group. In fact, I live about 15 minutes from where Marc-Andre Hamelin grew up in Montreal. He's been made a 'Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec' in the province. When I saw him perform at Places Des Arts the fans were delighted and they gathered in the lobby to greet him after the recital. I think he has a very strong but personal following here in Quebec. Abroad he has the envy of every pianist alive I would think!
You should come up to them and ask not about [mark andre amlen], but about [mark endru khe-me-lin] (in the manner of that filthy Grammy announcer, consult the search for 'hamelin grammy'). As a consequence, you should get the same 99 %, he-he...
Chopin-Godowsky - Studies Nos 18, 25, 33, 44, 45, 42
Alkan - Concerto for solo piano, Op 39 Nos 8-10
Shchedrin - Humoresque
Eckhardt-Gramatté - Piano Sonata No 6, first movement (left hand alone)
Chopin-Godowsky - Study No 13
Hamelin - Étude No 12, 'Prelude and Fugue'
Gnattali - Manhosamente
It was 2nd recital from his large concert tour in Japan, 1997. Lucky Japanese people! Hope Hamelin will give some concerts like those in Hungary soon :D
@cslewis623 I suppose his name is known to the people of Quebec. In other provinces, though, he's far from a celebrity unless you yourself play piano, or are generally a classical enthusiast.
@Rheostatik He's at least 1000 times as technically capable, and is an absolutely wonderful musician. His Beethoven and Chopin are just as wonderful as the best of the best, if not better. Glenn Gould is amazing, but Hamelin just can't' be compared to any other human pianist... he's from another planet.
I am so honoured to see this. From about 7.15 onwards it is just a biblical performance. I would love to meet this man. I know he misses a few notes but that is just proof that this is real! My God he is fast.
Watch how he tucks his fifth finger under his forth all the time. Run of the mill for a Virtuoso but actually very tricky especially if you need to give particular notes an accent.
I don't know what's wrong with me but I am obsessed with this piece of music. The last time I felt like this was when I heard Rach's second for the first time but in many ways this is even better.
Everytime I listen I find something new I like about it. It is a treasure trove of technique, contrast, emotion and downright brilliance.
Those chords at 7.28 to 7.35 are a piano equivalent of a nuclear bomb!
I can almost see smoke coming off that Piano as he bows!
There is nothing wrong with you good sir: this is a formidable and powerful piece by a great composer, and performed by one of the most advanced pianists of this generation... What more can one expect, apart from maybe his slightly slower and slightly more emotional audio recording?
What is the lowest note played in this piece? I think it is Low C written as B sharp because of the key. You can hear a top A at 7.35 I think. It would be nice if there was a low A too. Please examine;
Concerto for Solo PIano Op.39 No.10 Alkan Audio + Sheet Music
Just to give Piano players an idea of just how hard this piece is - listen to 2.32. Sounds like a fast trill? Wrong - it is four fingered chords in each hand sychronized to mili-seconds.
What's more (and this is ridiculous) the chords are not the same - the 4th chord is different and the fingering doesn't look straight foward either!
This piece knocks anything previous sideways and I'd say gives Islamey a run for it's money in difficulty. Someone should ask Hamelin what he thinks is hardest.
Jim, this piece is much longer than Islamey and is more musical (especially the first and second movements!)
But if you are just speaking about Allegretto Alla Barberesca, Hamelin takes this recording quickly. I believe the metronome mark is closer to Jack Gibbon's tempo. I still like this performance more, and I like his Hyperion studio recording a ever more.
Islamey has thirds and other double note sort of figures in it, which I cannot find in this.
I guess it boils down to seeing for yourself! Yes, trying both pieces. I am not quite at the technique for them yet, I may come back in a couple years and see what I can make of them.
Jim, have you given the entire "concerto" a straight run-through listen yet? I highly recommend it. =)
I can't even comprehend how much talent Hamelin has. Rubinstein and Horowitz are so far above my talent level, but at least I can somewhat understand and follow their talent. As for Hamelin, I'm just lost. He's by far the most technically advanced pianist I've ever seen live or in recording...............
He is so precise! How can he maintain such a multiplicity with so much calmness?
Just watch some difficult piano pieces by Richter, Argerich, Cziffra - all of them waved hands and looked fully inside the piece. Horowitz used to have looked a bit 'distracted and detached', but still strained at fast parts.
And only Hamelin manages to look 100 % calm and relaxed, even when hitting faraway octaves. 3:15 - 3:20 - hilarious body dance! =D Such a comprehensively genial person! Thanks for posting!
alkan is a genius, unlike other 20th century composer, use "stylish" as an excuse to use fragments, or even discordance to create music... alkan's works are greatest combination of classical and 20th century music.
Buy the way, this interpretation possess unsurpassed beauty which is beyond compare.
I would say Hamelin is probably the best Pianist alive today. Even when he plays the hardest pieces ever written he still looks like he's got 'more in the tank'.
Well, this particular performance is quite full of mistakes/sloppiness, so if you judge from the actual playing rather than how he "looks", this "more in the tank" statement might be questionable.
Yes you're right there are a few mistakes - but I wouldn't use the word sloppy - heroic more like!
Also I've got to admit, even Hamelin looks close to the limits of his extraordinary talents perhaps because of the tempo more than anything else - see 7.15 - 7.28
I like his studio recording the best. If anybody thinks that this is lacking in emotion, listen to the studio recording that's also on Youtube. It's PERFECT. And 84Fish48Fish, I'm sure many pianists could play Alkan's music if they tried.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
OrangeSodaKing:
I agree with you, everyone can play this horrible music of alkan or whatever is called. I think people don't value enough great pianists like Clayderman, a thru pianist.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Traitor! you yourself said ANY pianist, including you, I suppose, would be able to play Alkan properly... Yeah, ANY human being would be able to be like Albert einstein, should they really become commited to it? nah I don't thnk so. Anyhow, I like Liszt much more than Alkan. Oh, and Clayderman above all!! LOL
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
YEA ALKAN SUCKS! CLAYDERMAN IS THE BEST PIANIST IN THE WORLD AND WILL ALWAYS BE. HES BETTER THAN HOROWITZ, KISSIN, ARGERICH, UCHIDA, WANG, LANG, ZIMMERMAN, LI, AND SOKOLOV PUT TOGETHER times 10.
Hehe, I have achieved a new mark of fame: I now have haters! The next step is someone else besides myself posting Youtube videos of me. And then the next step is making money playing piano (oh wait I already do) and getting nice music scholarships to go to college (oh wait I already have).
I met Hamelin in Santa Fe last month. Great performance. Debussy, Berg, and Alkan. It was a great performance, and he's such a kind and modest person.
methecsgod: bullshit, how can you tell that he has no emotion? Just because he isn´t waving his his head forwards and backwards in big movements or crying at the piano?
Of course you can, never said that you cant´.... -.- But if he knows how to play this with more emotion than hamelin then he allready does, I´d be really impressed acually.
"rushed and glossily" not necessarily in a negative sense - he just doesn't take that much time with "expression" and seems to let loose and rush through the piece for greater energy/effect (in comparison to the studio recording), as in "glossily".
Alkan's music has already come a long way. Among pianists you will rarely get the blank stare upon mentioning his name. Of course there is still a great deal of work to be done because I think Alkan has been pigeonholed as this ferocious composer who is too difficult to play. So many piano players could tackle the Chantes, Esquisses or Preludes but do not consider it legitimate repertoire material. Op. 39 is Alkan's genius statement, which he did not intend to perform as he had left the platform
Lieber Francis3428, wenn dies ein dummes Stück sein soll, dann mußt Du aber ein besonders kluger Musikkenner sein, der mir erklären kann, was ein kluges Stück ist.
Ich kenne keinen Pianisten, der je so spielen konnte, basta. Und wer hier über falsche Noten spricht, der verdient einen Noten spielenden Komputer, bei dem sein "falsche Noten zählendes Hirn" endlich das Glück der Hirnmenschen von heute erleben wird: Null Fehler = sehr gut. Traurig...!
This is excellent, but I felt it was played too fast such that all the beauty was lost (listen to Smith's or Gibbon's), and he struggles at various times.
I was about 10 feet away from him in the front row when he came to our town. I know that we didn't pay much because it was sponsored as a part of the 'piano six' promotion here in Canada. Acclaimed Canadian pianists each visited a group of towns over a six year period so people who normally would have to go to larger centers to see them had a chance to enjoy them locally. He was amazing, though the piano wasn't qite up to the paces he put it through.
The first time I saw him play this live I drove from Reno, NV To Newport R.I. About 36 hours of driving non-stop. I will have to say it was work the trip, even though I was dead tired when I got there! He looked like he jumped out of the shower, he was so full of perspiration. I think we paid $25 for the tickets and were seated in the second row, with a room of only about 100 people. It was in the Vanderbilt mansion over looking the ocean with the windows open. I moth kept circling his head!
This truly is all style and no substance...Alkan sucks
BnkWrATMt1ts 1 week ago
HAMELIN IS THE BEST PIANIST ON: ALKÁN, CHOPIN-GODOWSKY, LISZT AND SCRIABIN AWAY. A DEEP AND DELICATE SOUND.
TheJuanitoPianist 2 months ago
Hamlin is the most underrated pianist in history. He (along with Kissin and Argerich) has the greatest technique in the world today.
Naltino 2 months ago
I prefer chop sticks
Or is it chop stix.
randymcknob 3 months ago
Hamelin is the future 22th century Liszt.
PointyTailofSatan 4 months ago
omfg.. this is just inhuman xD. this piece is like hell to play.. and he played it reall real good at high speed !.
i would pay a million to see him perform this xD
hjiuhfhrehui 4 months ago
@hjiuhfhrehui while he doesnt even want a thousand! what a humble person!
TripleRhu 3 months ago
This is one of the best renditions of our era.
Jim341046 4 months ago
This is not as barbaric as my favourite Allegro Barbaro)
arsviatticae 4 months ago
I am getting a bit tired of every body comparing pianists to Glenn Gould. M. A. Hamelin is in my humble opinion much better in regard of emotion and techique.
e4e5sf3sf6 6 months ago
19 people out of medicine...
konigstephan 6 months ago
If it offers anyone a little comfort, Hamelin is going way faster than Alkan's metronome mark. ;)
OrangeSodaKing 8 months ago
Alkan's music makes me scared.
CrAzzyWak 8 months ago
@CrAzzyWak
...um.... I think Liszt said the same thing...
77orchidjim 6 months ago
Maybe he's Alkan reincarnate...
s900203 11 months ago 7
16 people are sooo fucking jalous xD
hjiuhfhrehui 11 months ago 2
@hjiuhfhrehui who won't be jealous of him?
rvn10rvn17 10 months ago
Comment removed
itiah23 11 months ago
This just reminded me how shit I am :(
cloudftw93 11 months ago 2
Great pianist - underated for certain...however, what's up with that Circus Galop? Doesnt exactly add to his creibility. Also Alkans music, while interesting,& different is nothing great next to Chopin, Liszt, Schmann, Shubert, Rachmaninoff, et. al. sorry.
Rastaleus2 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If you think this is amazing check out the first movement of Alkan's Concerto for Colo Piano op. 39. Most people just notice the last movement and overlook the first movement. It's my favorite piece of music.
youtube.com/watch?v=5hQ1D-6nZ7c
Hamelin is playing. Audio plus music
cedricrlongreen 1 year ago
Comment removed
cedricrlongreen 1 year ago
It sounds like too many notes even for 2 pianists
Jim341046 1 year ago
3:10 That's what i call enjoying Alkan.
Laudan08 1 year ago 2
Super impressive
cedricrlongreen 1 year ago
really fast lol
abokadoSM 1 year ago
Awsome! In this kind of music Hamelin rules. I wish he would record more of Alkans music because he is the pianist - now living or dead - who bring out the best in Alkans music.
k72j72 1 year ago
This video and sound are real cheap.
Sound is from the camera. Wouachhhh also mic(s) tooo far from the piano.
Did anyone call this quality video?
Marc-André Hamelin need an absolute super Audio/Video quality.
clarification007 1 year ago
since 2:37 - absolutely epic! :)
AntonNidhoggr 1 year ago
Listen to Gould's Prokofieff 7th...and too, don't confuse technique with artistry. There will never be another Gould...but there will be plenty of Hamelins....can Hamelin play the A flat prelude and fugue book I and move one like a Glenn Gould? I think not. But, of course, comparing Hamelin with Gould is comparing a bouillon cube to an ox.
chezriley1 1 year ago
@chezriley1 Hamelin is an artist, though! Listen to him play slow things. His touch, tonal range, control, and thought behind everything he does is more impressive than his virtuoso technique. I love his Brahms 2 recording not because of the fast movements, but because of the slower moments! Of course, I am not trying to compare Hamelin and Gould. Another great Canadian pianist is Andre Laplante. I heard him perform Mozart concerto K. 467 live and it was amazing!!
OrangeSodaKing 1 year ago
Please never confuse Hamelin with the great Glenn Gould....
chezriley1 1 year ago
@chezriley1 They're both great.
Laudan08 1 year ago 6
@chezriley1 You think Gould could have played this?
steveaulie 1 year ago
@steveaulie Do you think Gould would WANT to play this?
chezriley1 1 year ago
@chezriley1 I don't know, because I understand he was really picky about what he played. I'm just wondering if he had the sort of technique for this kind of stuff, which seems to me to be very different from his Bach.
steveaulie 1 year ago
Alkan, you madman. Thanks for composing things only less than 1% of pianists can actually play.
OriginalBasaliskos 1 year ago 2
Want to know how scary hamelin is?
he opened the music, and decided to play it.
TripleRhu 1 year ago
When Hamelin plays Alkan he embodies everything a pianist should aspire to.
mahler151 1 year ago
wooooow
majic82 1 year ago
8:15
HOLY SHIT
thunder1909 1 year ago
Comment removed
hadsell1962 1 year ago
8:40 - Looks like we're getting Hamelin-o-mania!
tomekkobialka 1 year ago
@FrnkFly
Horowitz beats Hamelin at Rach and Brendel beats him at Schubert. But Hamelin beats everyone at Alkan and his technique is incredible.
hellomate639 1 year ago
@FrnkFly
Horowitz has Rachmaninov on Hamelin, Brendel has Schubert on him. But Hamelin has the best technique I've ever seen.
hellomate639 1 year ago
I like how this makes Chasse-Niege look easy....
hellomate639 1 year ago
Hamelin has technical mastery of the piano.
cammywatt95 1 year ago
When you factor in the repertiore, skill, stamina, speed, control, touch, creativity, flawlessness, showmanship, delivery of passion, music, and making it all look easy.....it is possible that this guy is the greatest, or at least one of the greatist pianist of ALL TIME. Of course I can't prove that, but it seems very likely. WOW!!!!
hooooooman 1 year ago
Have seen M.A.H. live in Holland and he made one hell of an impression on me.
As to Alkan, there are composers who chose to stay out of the sight of the public but who wrote pretty damn good music!
naiadeforta 1 year ago
Everyone start sharing this video on whatever social network you can get your hands on. I have NO IDEA why this video has less than 100k views, it most certainly deserves 100 million. Hamelin is the best pianist alive.
paulturtle92 1 year ago
the video quality sucks, and youtube puts a 240p option.
Laudan08 1 year ago
absolutely inhuman ... albeit the best humanity will achieve
eponymos 1 year ago
Beyond Virtuosity ! ! !
BrunoCt86 1 year ago
I remade Alkan's grande sonata 30 ans more like modern music. Please check it out and rate it :)
jbandal96 1 year ago
I would say without a doubt that Hamelin is at the near top of the list when it comes to great pianists. Sure, we don't know what Liszt or Chopin or Mozart sounded like, but I'm sure Hamelin could hold his own next to them no problem.
This guy is my hero and I respect him immensely.
cfwpiano 1 year ago
increible, maravillozo
naxolobo 1 year ago
Ho avuto la grande fortuna di ascoltare varie volte questo grande artista su Sky, e ogni volta provo emozioni sempre nuove ed entusiasmanti. Vorrei che potesse venire a farci visita in Italia. Penso che molte persone potrebbero trovarsi d'accordo con queste mie impressioni.
luciaganzerli 1 year ago
holly shit..... thats all i have to say LOL... I agree that Hamelin is Probably one of the best if not the best pianist alive along with Arcadi Volodos... I am 100% sure he could replicate Hamelins performance.... Nontheless my Jaw was just like OMFG thats awsome.....
damgoodballers 1 year ago 3
What a monster pianist!
Huffinearts 1 year ago
every theme is incredible and the variations are genius but in form it seems more like an etude op with several variations. still i cant get enough of the variations at
7:03 - 7:30 and how the main theme is brought back in a dif key. definitely a great masterpiece
anonymousQ45 1 year ago
@anonymousQ45
Yes, correct, it is an etude Opus 39 No. 10. Alkan knew his music was devilishly exhausting for the pianist and the value of his music is 'greater than or equal to a masterpiece'. But he also had a perfect sense of humour; he laughes at us when he says, "I composed nothing more than just an etude, just a bit corcerto-ish, never mind". =)
f1f1s 1 year ago
@f1f1s In all seriousness, Alkan employed humor in his music. You know he also put many of his Jewish roots into this piece. That's not out of the ordinary for Alkan, because he did have other pieces with his Jewish heritage in them, but this is actually his only large work to have Jewish influence it.
OrangeSodaKing 1 year ago
Amazing...incredible
fireballtw 1 year ago
This is a true virtuoso. Playing the music of possibly the best piano virtuoso of all time. It's really a shame that Alkan's music is so little known by the general public today... I just don't understand why.
fishwithoutwings 1 year ago 30
@fishwithoutwings It's not well known because so very few pianists can even play it, let alone play it to an audience.
AmalgamOfMeat 1 year ago
@fishwithoutwings Because his music doesn't appeal to many. It focuses more on virtuosity than on actual music.
OriginalBasaliskos 1 year ago
@fishwithoutwings
i also dont understand why :D. thats why i do everything to promoting music when i give concerts :D
hjiuhfhrehui 11 months ago
I love watching Hamelin play. He makes everything look so easy, and doesn't move much, unlike a lot of others...reminds me of Horowitz. When his body does move, you know it's a really intense moment and makes the music that much more impressive. Kind of like a world class conductor who understands the art of showmanship.
The passage at 7:14 is the first time I've seen him actually look like he's struggling...amazing!
Rheostatik 1 year ago 4
Comment removed
rusz 1 year ago
he is better than i am
pianolistenerk 1 year ago 4
ummyeah.... wow.
WhoresOfTijuana 1 year ago
JOHNNYWADTON "I have no piano videos uploaded and I know how to use cuss words! If only I had a life!" :D
OrangeSodaKing 1 year ago
the only thing glenn gould has over marc-andre hamelin as an apprently impenetrable fortress of pretentiousness.
I mean really, just fucking listen to the video.
dasklavierleben 1 year ago
hmm...and that has to do with Alkan because....
bbtoob 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Great playing, but unfortunately, this is a bastardization of the style of the great master, Frederic Chopin. I reject this completely.
organman52 1 year ago
the only other performance that comes close to hamelin's is that of Jack Gibbons, and still, it is faaaar from hamelin's
patricioapaez 1 year ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
perfect technique and tone quality, but there isn't anything that makes him stand out. he will forever be in the shadow of glenn gould.
teccomin 1 year ago
This entire recital was just ridiculous. Considering the scope of the repertoire, and how well he pulled it all off, Hamelin really should be in the running for the next "Wonder of the World".
By far the most talented Canadian since Glenn Gould, yet sadly 99% of Canadians have never heard of him.
Regardless, he's doing our nation (and of course his province) proud!
Rheostatik 2 years ago 54
If 99% of Canadians haven't heard him, I gather that 99.999% of Americans havent heard of him. To me, Hamelin is already enshrined as one of the greatest pianists of the 21st Century. This is "sick" playing and I watch, listen and try to keep my mouth closed.
ChesterFanningChorno 2 years ago 3
Who is the most talented Canadian pianist of all time? I think I know the answer...
Jim341046 1 year ago
@Jim341046 yeah sure glenn gould
keeponrockin123 1 year ago
@Rheostatik I belong to the 1% group. In fact, I live about 15 minutes from where Marc-Andre Hamelin grew up in Montreal. He's been made a 'Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec' in the province. When I saw him perform at Places Des Arts the fans were delighted and they gathered in the lobby to greet him after the recital. I think he has a very strong but personal following here in Quebec. Abroad he has the envy of every pianist alive I would think!
KeithWhalen11 1 year ago
@Rheostatik
99% of french Canadians, here in Quebec, know who M.A.H. is.
Maybe it's a problem with english Canadians?
muserik 1 year ago
@muserik
You should come up to them and ask not about [mark andre amlen], but about [mark endru khe-me-lin] (in the manner of that filthy Grammy announcer, consult the search for 'hamelin grammy'). As a consequence, you should get the same 99 %, he-he...
f1f1s 1 year ago
@Rheostatik What was the entire program?
GregLile 1 year ago
Haydn - Piano Sonata in C major, Hob XVI: 50
Chopin-Godowsky - Studies Nos 18, 25, 33, 44, 45, 42
Alkan - Concerto for solo piano, Op 39 Nos 8-10
Shchedrin - Humoresque
Eckhardt-Gramatté - Piano Sonata No 6, first movement (left hand alone)
Chopin-Godowsky - Study No 13
Hamelin - Étude No 12, 'Prelude and Fugue'
Gnattali - Manhosamente
It was 2nd recital from his large concert tour in Japan, 1997. Lucky Japanese people! Hope Hamelin will give some concerts like those in Hungary soon :D
madlovba2 1 year ago 3
@Rheostatik WHAT! HIS OWN PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HIM? THAT IS SAD!
cslewis623 1 year ago
@cslewis623 I suppose his name is known to the people of Quebec. In other provinces, though, he's far from a celebrity unless you yourself play piano, or are generally a classical enthusiast.
Rheostatik 1 year ago
@Rheostatik He's at least 1000 times as technically capable, and is an absolutely wonderful musician. His Beethoven and Chopin are just as wonderful as the best of the best, if not better. Glenn Gould is amazing, but Hamelin just can't' be compared to any other human pianist... he's from another planet.
MasterAzunai 4 months ago
a little melody wouldn't go amiss amidst the sturm und drang . good fingerwork though !
fingerscarr 2 years ago
Yea, so sad there's no melody anywhere amidst the... wjatever.
twooffour 1 year ago
this guys is so great and has so much talent that it explodes into an aroma of piano music with his hands
TheJgutierrez 2 years ago
I am so honoured to see this. From about 7.15 onwards it is just a biblical performance. I would love to meet this man. I know he misses a few notes but that is just proof that this is real! My God he is fast.
Watch how he tucks his fifth finger under his forth all the time. Run of the mill for a Virtuoso but actually very tricky especially if you need to give particular notes an accent.
Jim341046 2 years ago
I can't find a harder playable piano piece on youtube.
Jim341046 2 years ago 2
Hamelin's Alkan is just overloaded with awesome.
demosj 2 years ago 6
I've got a slower recording by Gibbons but I prefer this one. I love the way he 'goes to work'. No prisoners are taken in this performance.
Jim341046 2 years ago 3
I don't know what's wrong with me but I am obsessed with this piece of music. The last time I felt like this was when I heard Rach's second for the first time but in many ways this is even better.
Everytime I listen I find something new I like about it. It is a treasure trove of technique, contrast, emotion and downright brilliance.
Those chords at 7.28 to 7.35 are a piano equivalent of a nuclear bomb!
I can almost see smoke coming off that Piano as he bows!
Jim341046 2 years ago 5
There is nothing wrong with you good sir: this is a formidable and powerful piece by a great composer, and performed by one of the most advanced pianists of this generation... What more can one expect, apart from maybe his slightly slower and slightly more emotional audio recording?
AlexDGR8no2 2 years ago
Question.
What is the lowest note played in this piece? I think it is Low C written as B sharp because of the key. You can hear a top A at 7.35 I think. It would be nice if there was a low A too. Please examine;
Concerto for Solo PIano Op.39 No.10 Alkan Audio + Sheet Music
Jim341046 2 years ago
Comment removed
Jim341046 2 years ago
Just to give Piano players an idea of just how hard this piece is - listen to 2.32. Sounds like a fast trill? Wrong - it is four fingered chords in each hand sychronized to mili-seconds.
What's more (and this is ridiculous) the chords are not the same - the 4th chord is different and the fingering doesn't look straight foward either!
This piece knocks anything previous sideways and I'd say gives Islamey a run for it's money in difficulty. Someone should ask Hamelin what he thinks is hardest.
Jim341046 2 years ago 3
Jim, this piece is much longer than Islamey and is more musical (especially the first and second movements!)
But if you are just speaking about Allegretto Alla Barberesca, Hamelin takes this recording quickly. I believe the metronome mark is closer to Jack Gibbon's tempo. I still like this performance more, and I like his Hyperion studio recording a ever more.
Islamey has thirds and other double note sort of figures in it, which I cannot find in this.
(To be continued)
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago
Yes, I love the Hamelin studio recording as well - but it's also great to watch him playing - those hands are magical.
Jim341046 2 years ago
I guess it boils down to seeing for yourself! Yes, trying both pieces. I am not quite at the technique for them yet, I may come back in a couple years and see what I can make of them.
Jim, have you given the entire "concerto" a straight run-through listen yet? I highly recommend it. =)
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago 2
I can't even comprehend how much talent Hamelin has. Rubinstein and Horowitz are so far above my talent level, but at least I can somewhat understand and follow their talent. As for Hamelin, I'm just lost. He's by far the most technically advanced pianist I've ever seen live or in recording...............
TwelfthRoot2 2 years ago 2
HOW DID HEY FREAKING DO THAT!!!!!!!!
TheJgutierrez 2 years ago
He is Genius!
AITVTIA 2 years ago
He is so precise! How can he maintain such a multiplicity with so much calmness?
Just watch some difficult piano pieces by Richter, Argerich, Cziffra - all of them waved hands and looked fully inside the piece. Horowitz used to have looked a bit 'distracted and detached', but still strained at fast parts.
And only Hamelin manages to look 100 % calm and relaxed, even when hitting faraway octaves. 3:15 - 3:20 - hilarious body dance! =D Such a comprehensively genial person! Thanks for posting!
f1f1s 2 years ago 5
who gives a damn if someone "looks calm" while playing fast passages, has nothing to do with nothing.
Daazer1 2 years ago
having a period? :S
addeex1 2 years ago
Yes I love his 'doing the chicken' bit at 3.15 too!
From about 7 mins he simply destroys the opposition with speed, timing and precision that is unmatched in the world today.
Jim341046 2 years ago 3
this is insane
shadecross 2 years ago 2
alkan is a genius, unlike other 20th century composer, use "stylish" as an excuse to use fragments, or even discordance to create music... alkan's works are greatest combination of classical and 20th century music.
Buy the way, this interpretation possess unsurpassed beauty which is beyond compare.
ch252525 2 years ago 4
INCREDIBLE
SlyStallone208 2 years ago 3
I would say Hamelin is probably the best Pianist alive today. Even when he plays the hardest pieces ever written he still looks like he's got 'more in the tank'.
Jim341046 2 years ago 53
Well, this particular performance is quite full of mistakes/sloppiness, so if you judge from the actual playing rather than how he "looks", this "more in the tank" statement might be questionable.
twooffour 2 years ago
Even so, I still prefer his tempo to Gibbons who seems pedestrian by comparison. The best clarity of this piece is if you type in;
Concerto for Solo PIano Op.39 No.10 Alkan Audio + Sheet Music
Jim341046 2 years ago 2
Yea well, that's the studio recording :)
twooffour 2 years ago
Yes you're right there are a few mistakes - but I wouldn't use the word sloppy - heroic more like!
Also I've got to admit, even Hamelin looks close to the limits of his extraordinary talents perhaps because of the tempo more than anything else - see 7.15 - 7.28
Jim341046 2 years ago
So effortlessly played...
johndoe1990 2 years ago 2
I like his studio recording the best. If anybody thinks that this is lacking in emotion, listen to the studio recording that's also on Youtube. It's PERFECT. And 84Fish48Fish, I'm sure many pianists could play Alkan's music if they tried.
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
OrangeSodaKing:
I agree with you, everyone can play this horrible music of alkan or whatever is called. I think people don't value enough great pianists like Clayderman, a thru pianist.
JOHNNYWADTON 2 years ago
Horrible? I beg to differ; Alkan's music is not only good but ESSENTIAL, just like the other romantic composers.
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago 3
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Traitor! you yourself said ANY pianist, including you, I suppose, would be able to play Alkan properly... Yeah, ANY human being would be able to be like Albert einstein, should they really become commited to it? nah I don't thnk so. Anyhow, I like Liszt much more than Alkan. Oh, and Clayderman above all!! LOL
JOHNNYWADTON 2 years ago
u is funny!! lolhaha. wait whos this list guy?
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
YEA ALKAN SUCKS! CLAYDERMAN IS THE BEST PIANIST IN THE WORLD AND WILL ALWAYS BE. HES BETTER THAN HOROWITZ, KISSIN, ARGERICH, UCHIDA, WANG, LANG, ZIMMERMAN, LI, AND SOKOLOV PUT TOGETHER times 10.
mvs13I2 1 year ago
See? Finally, a true music asmter like me. Thanks man, Clayderman rocks, Alkan and orangesodaking sucks balls big time.
JOHNNYWADTON 1 year ago
@JOHNNYWADTON
Hehe, I have achieved a new mark of fame: I now have haters! The next step is someone else besides myself posting Youtube videos of me. And then the next step is making money playing piano (oh wait I already do) and getting nice music scholarships to go to college (oh wait I already have).
OrangeSodaKing 1 year ago
@OrangeSodaKing
Yes thats why you are so world famous and play piano better than Hamelin, retard, suck balls bitch
JOHNNYWADTON 1 year ago
HAMELIN is God.
DO not need any more,,
200min 2 years ago 2
Hamelin is one of the few pianists with the ability to play Alkan pieces.
84Fish48Fish 2 years ago 7
Incredible. He must have been hurting his hands at the end...
titusbeertsen 2 years ago
I met Hamelin in Santa Fe last month. Great performance. Debussy, Berg, and Alkan. It was a great performance, and he's such a kind and modest person.
TheAtma 2 years ago 3
Acting out on the piano does not convey emotions. Pay attention to the music.
Naltino 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He plays with no emotion. Although I don't know if you can keep it up at that difficulty level...
methecsgod 2 years ago
methecsgod: bullshit, how can you tell that he has no emotion? Just because he isn´t waving his his head forwards and backwards in big movements or crying at the piano?
addeex1 2 years ago 8
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I meant, emotion in the music of course...
methecsgod 2 years ago
Well, even if you think so, THIS is his interpretation. I you want, you can upload a vid of you playing this and show us how its done?
addeex1 2 years ago
guys, your comments are so vicious! granted, methecsgod's comment was rather.....insensitive, but no need for such flaming, right?
LetTheMusicFlow1 2 years ago 2
well, Hamelin is still considered as one of the greatest pianist of our time. To even question his playing is like, ye I have no words....
addeex1 2 years ago
well ALL art is subjective; even the most widely accepted statement cannot be proved true.
LetTheMusicFlow1 2 years ago
meh, just cause someone can't play it doesn't mean they can't criticize.
celach 2 years ago
Of course you can, never said that you cant´.... -.- But if he knows how to play this with more emotion than hamelin then he allready does, I´d be really impressed acually.
addeex1 2 years ago
I don't find this particular performance particularly emotional, it's rather rushed and glossilly (in comparison to his studio recording, also).
Of course, the bad quality might play some role, as well.
twooffour 2 years ago
"rushed and glossily" not necessarily in a negative sense - he just doesn't take that much time with "expression" and seems to let loose and rush through the piece for greater energy/effect (in comparison to the studio recording), as in "glossily".
twooffour 2 years ago
Don't watch....close your eyes, listen, and then tell us this piece was played devoid of emotion.
asmoasmo2 2 years ago
Hamelin is an incomprehensible master!
PawelAlbinski 2 years ago 8
Nothing short of Astounding.
smopoo 2 years ago 4
Alkan's music has already come a long way. Among pianists you will rarely get the blank stare upon mentioning his name. Of course there is still a great deal of work to be done because I think Alkan has been pigeonholed as this ferocious composer who is too difficult to play. So many piano players could tackle the Chantes, Esquisses or Preludes but do not consider it legitimate repertoire material. Op. 39 is Alkan's genius statement, which he did not intend to perform as he had left the platform
KeithWhalen11 2 years ago 6
Indeed.
pookiehohn 2 years ago
perfect
theblackpiano 2 years ago 5
ein absolut dummes stück
francis3428 2 years ago
Lieber Francis3428, wenn dies ein dummes Stück sein soll, dann mußt Du aber ein besonders kluger Musikkenner sein, der mir erklären kann, was ein kluges Stück ist.
nafetsolev 2 years ago
Ich kenne keinen Pianisten, der je so spielen konnte, basta. Und wer hier über falsche Noten spricht, der verdient einen Noten spielenden Komputer, bei dem sein "falsche Noten zählendes Hirn" endlich das Glück der Hirnmenschen von heute erleben wird: Null Fehler = sehr gut. Traurig...!
nafetsolev 2 years ago
mein lieber russe lerne erstmal deutsch bitte
francis3428 2 years ago
Von deutscher Grammatik scheint Herr Francis ebensoweit entfernt zu sein, wie ich von Rußland. Haha...
nafetsolev 2 years ago
3:18 lol, he's grooving! :D
Rachmanomaniac 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
kastlesucks 2 years ago 2
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This is excellent, but I felt it was played too fast such that all the beauty was lost (listen to Smith's or Gibbon's), and he struggles at various times.
zkool5 2 years ago
Mmhmm, it's a little on the speedy side. And after listening to his recording, I can hear when he misses notes.
But when was this? He probably plays it much better now, and this already really really good.
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago
I don't know exactly when this video was made (the video poster might have an answer). I'm sure his playing is more refined now.
Too bad there are too few pianists who've recorded this. Then again, it's such a monumentally daunting task that I'd still applaud their efforts.
zkool5 2 years ago
We must bear in mind this is the final movement of this hour-long piece, an extremely tough hour of some of the hardest piano music.
Yamsareverytasty 2 years ago 10
his studio recording is a bit slower. hamelin usually lets it loose in live performances
celach 2 years ago
Along with the Alkan concerto for solo piano? Sure thing!
OrangeSodaKing 2 years ago
how much would it cost to see this live?
anonymousQ45 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
it is too rough touch...
His touch makes many noise sounds...
(i don't say about this video file's quality)
Of course, His fingers like ghost's it
Hamelin is the super virtuoso.
yes, it is. but.. it's too many concert videos that have low quality performance
choi0909 2 years ago
No. The camera that recorded this had a volume equalizer on. Everything was leveled out to the same volume.
celach 2 years ago
I love at 3:15 the little head bounces as he gets into the groove of the music.
Brilliant performce still :D
GustavMinski 2 years ago 2
S U P E R B ! ! !
hyperklavier 2 years ago 4
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i think jack gibbons playes this with a better tempo...this is a bit too fast in my opinion...
kiitoob 2 years ago
This is INSANE!!! Breath-taking performance.
mnmliang 2 years ago 16
No-one plays, and will ever play, like Hamelin!
tomekkobialka 2 years ago 12
I was about 10 feet away from him in the front row when he came to our town. I know that we didn't pay much because it was sponsored as a part of the 'piano six' promotion here in Canada. Acclaimed Canadian pianists each visited a group of towns over a six year period so people who normally would have to go to larger centers to see them had a chance to enjoy them locally. He was amazing, though the piano wasn't qite up to the paces he put it through.
bbtoob 2 years ago
I was in row 5, seat 13
khadsell 2 years ago 2
I would pay GOOD money to see this guy perform live.
arc27 2 years ago 14
The first time I saw him play this live I drove from Reno, NV To Newport R.I. About 36 hours of driving non-stop. I will have to say it was work the trip, even though I was dead tired when I got there! He looked like he jumped out of the shower, he was so full of perspiration. I think we paid $25 for the tickets and were seated in the second row, with a room of only about 100 people. It was in the Vanderbilt mansion over looking the ocean with the windows open. I moth kept circling his head!
khadsell 2 years ago 4