Lola Astanova Plays Beethoven

[DanielsLionsDen]

I admit it. I saw the recent article in the NYT and thought, no way, not this beautiful woman. So, I had to see, uh, hear for myself, and now I'm floored. Lola is clearly every bit the master musician along with my favorites playing today, including Helene Grimaud, Leif Ove Andsnes, Stephen Hough, among others I could mention. I look forward to every one of her concerts and recordings I can get to.

[MrOnetrue]

Waiting for the girl in a string bikini to continue my interest.

[Kellogs43able]

i admit the only classical pianists i listen to are women and the only ones i buy...one of the salesmen at the music store i shop at caught on to this so now, everytime i come in, he's already got reccomendations of cd's by female classical musicians...i do appreciate it...

[DocGatoCinematics]

i came here for the music, i swear -_-

[BassicStorm]

Lola is 3 in 1, Hotness, Smartness, and ofc. outstanding talent

[flubished]

What a bunch of BS- all these morons discussing looks instead of art.

Heaven forbid an ugly, extremely talented pianist. She would be eaten alive by the musically-challenged sharks.

[techylah]

Thank you, Lola, for being you. If you are not entitled to present yourself as you wish, what person is? People who say otherwise just can not handle your musical brilliance, creativity, and energy and power. We, the non-messed up majority truly love your music and your look, which is always beautiful. Let them act as if you dress like Gaga; their ears can hardly tell the difference!

[brunoparis12]

Lola, I really appreciate how you listen to the music in you

[agliso]

no she does not act as herself. She would be a very talented (and good looking) pianist without the outrageous make up and cheap "hot" dressing.

Do you know any male pianist, even good looking, who feels the need to dress up as a rock star, showing his torso and muscles , playing in a glittering outfit?

[HellzNord]

@agliso who cares what people look like, as long as they can play well

[agliso]

@HellzNord of course, but it is not what a number of people think Speciallynot astanova's agent!

[aomf58]

@agliso There are quite a few of them these days - male pianists, dressed up as a rock star and showing their torso and muscles. Ytube and you will find them. Lola really plays well.

[agliso]

she should not need to give herself the look of a classical "Madonna". She is a very good musician, it is a shame she plays on the "look I'm hot musician.."

A disgrace for women interpreters.

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

@agliso That is complete rubbish. Lola is a very nice woman acting as herself. I only wish more would be the same. She is also very talented, humble and willing to pass on tips to learners. To me, she is a rare soul indeed.

[Jgraupp99]

God Damn !! is all you can say for her looks, and her talent!!

[TheClorissa303]

i do believe that this beautiful lady is amazing and extemely gifted.im glad that there are women with pretty features and also have heaven sent talent like myself.lets keep up the good work.bless u for sharing ur music with us Lola.muahs

[sorim1967]

I have just been blown over. I have heard this with all the greats. I only put it on to have some background music while working (headphones on) at the office.

I was immediately drawn by the sheer musicality of the voicing; a lot of thought has gone into this, and it works really well.

And has anyone noticed the very early 19th century authentic continuing use use of the pedal in sections where others would prefer "clarity". Very Andras Schiff, very good.

[lenzub]

This song + the picture = wooo <3

[Danithel]

Damn,she's hot!

[multijblover10]

sorry but i dont like it

[omnishubo]

Miss Goose Bumps

[MrCapacitors]

The best version.

[8Ho03EdONl1liL]

This is VERY nicely done. This was my favorite Sonata to play when I was 17, so I know it quite well and have heard many interpretations. This is among the very best, if not the best. I'd like to hear how she plays the 3rd movement.

[mrsachayoj1]

Ay lola..., pareces una diosa salsera del caribe!..., bueno, un beethoven espectacular..., salud genia!

[Cavepainting1]

Shhh...close your eyes and...listen...and be transported. Several minutes after the end of the piece, open your eyes...slowly...and marvel at what is before you: the rare combination of virtuosity and beauty, impossibly, yet magically...in the same body. Lola could be a homeless woman in rags, or the bejeweled daughter of a Duke, it would not matter in the least.

[TrojanEpic]

@Cavepainting1 If she is a homeless woman in rags, then her beauty is gone. Then where would your optimism be about the "rare combination of virtuosity & beauty"? Contradict yourself much... o.O

[SuperGracelouise]

This is amazing.. Great talent.

[tyrantsbane]

As beautifully played as she is! Slutty?! With the talent she has, who cares!

[gouloum2222]

i think if she was less like... hmm ...sluty ,people would take her more seriously. she's very good but i don't know understand why she'sdressing like that to play piano?? i mean there 's a difference between being elegant and being coarse. we're not living in a bisounours world, clothes shouldn't affect people opinion but it does. thats it.

[sclymer]

@kasey: a) yes they could, and they did regularly. b) that's not actually what I meant anyway.  I'm talking about classical music and sex, as that's what he/she referenced. I'm saying that classical music meshes very well with sex. Yes it's an opinion, but I know many people agree with me.

[49kasey]

@sclymer Sure, it does now, we have recorded music but not possibly back then because they would have had to do it in public or with a pianist in their home which would have been totally perverted and forbidden!

[49kasey]

Is this maybe a bit too dynamic and aggressive?

[sclymer]

@spyderhat: you think they weren't having sex in Beethoven's time? You don't think women were a constant inspiration for him? Have you ever had sex to classical music? I would say you couldn't be farther from the truth.

[49kasey]

@sclymer They couldn't have sex to music in Beethoven's time! Is that what you're thinking?

[msgol1]

her name should be lola supernova :D

[leftout4u]

good thing you stuck with the lessons,even though you probably wanted to go outside and play.

[diva4aday]

ave.Ivan the tohes from Russia comment : this is great...

[gianpaga11]

Wonderful playing. Awersome!!!

[spyderhat]

Wonderful playing. Would like it more with a picture less provocative. Classical music does not mesh well with sex. Listening to classical music requires all of one's attention. That is hard to do when you put on the plate something more than just the music.

[TomZentra]

@spyderhat Get with the times. The old, stuffy gray-haired classical guys are the has beens of a forgotten era. Musicians like Lola are the present and future of classical music. Either join us or you will be left behind.

[spyderhat]

@TomZentra Lola wearing some respectable clothing is a far cry from "a stuffy gray-haired classical guy".

[gouloum2222]

@TomZentra LOL thats the stupidest and saddest comment i've ever seen on youtube. classical music doesn't need to be loved by supercial people like you. go listening to brtiney.

[SuperSweetBabez]

@gouloum2222 I am sorry but your comment is rather stupid. Who are you to say or know what classical music needs? People like him and like me did go away to listen to "Britney" and you are sitting with your "dignity" in an empty hall. I play piano and I don't see a lot of interesting artists who are modern, Lola is one of them and I like her. She is a great pianist and her style is cool too. Whats wrong with that?

[gouloum2222]

@SuperSweetBabez its wrong because your interest goes to her "style " as you said not to the music. if you don't "see" a lot of interesting artists today, it's because you need to "see" some glitter on their hands. and what the heck does a modern pianist mean ? what doeeees it meaaannn ?

[SuperSweetBabez]

@gouloum2222 1) That is not what I said. 2) If her playing wasn't great nobody would be interested in her style to begin with. I said she has both talent and style. 

[gouloum2222]

@SuperSweetBabez yes why not :)

[EKGB1]

hay Lola Lola lolita i wish i was as good as you

you have a gift ooooooo

and by the way i like the pic too

muy sexy :)

[earlthebull]

Da Lola! it likes. Thank her big. Spasiba dear Lola and nice photo. Perr :) Nikolaev/Seattle. xo

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

I always find the piece from 1:49 to 1:57 hard to get right. It is favorite segment. Lola has the exactly the right touch and phrasing on those chords. Of all the works I have heard from Lola, this one for me is her best. Of course all the others are superb also.

[ferrari4sale]

Beethoven would think she is a hooker with that picture.

[GreyAlexander913]

@ferrari4sale He would freak if he saw you without a wig, dressed in jeans typing on your computer. He also would freak if he saw today's fashion in general. Yes, by the way cars on the streets and planes in the sky would certainly freak him out in a major way. Get the point? It's 2010, wake up medieval Beethoven's spokesperson.

[ferrari4sale]

@GreyAlexander913 that's why i said he would think she a hooker in that picture. Am i wrong?

[deepspacewanderer]

Fell in love with your playing the very first time I heard you play.You are Number 1 in my view, a Star is born!!! lots of luck!!!

[baiba4]

At last a pianist who understands and appreciates the true spirit of Beethoven, very very satisfying, thank you Lola.

[TheFeldenkraisMethod]

The Instrument on which Lola Astanova is playing sounds like no other heared until now: it sounds like an orchestra. May be also the recording is contributing to this quality. In any case I have yet never heard such an expressive and rich sound as in this recording.

[PianoTHIS]

this is really nice. she rox!

[YouPrizm]

very nice!!!!! joyful ending!!!!! thanks!!!!!

[mlankaod]

Perfect playing.... to my ears.

[markov2b1]

well played . bravo, lets get a shot of youre playing

[123eldest]

Really impressive. Perfectly played!

[SEXePAGAN]

Faved

[jimbozaify]

amazing

[jimbozaify]

an excellent piano who would look lovely bouncing up and down on my totem of doom

[Theonedue]

I would really like to hear you play Beethovens piano sonata 14, mv 3.

[DarkCode]

I've been looking around but can't seem to find out what im looking for. There was a tv special about 4 I think it was siblings that were gifted pianist. It was aired on tv a few years ago. They all had their own unique styles. The oldest one a man played the most chaotic masterful music and i wanted to know where are they now ect Can anyone tell me, does anyone know?

[Uepman]

Maybe you are thinking of the 5 Browns? 5 siblings, not 4 tho.

[cswineh]

i think I know what you're talking about! did they have several pianos in their house and did all of the kids end up going to julliard?

[DarkCode]

@cswineh I'm not sure. I though it was the browns but I though the Older brother sibling was the one who played a Chaotic Style. I'm not sure if its the browns since he is not the oldest sibling. Can anyone help me find out? I would appreciate it : )

[cliveatvagg]

A beautiful woman with a unique skill. She does not need to dress like a tart.

[Billnn54]

@cliveatvagg, I am not so sure that it is so much a tart as it is a beautiful, sexual, sensous young woman. I am not offended by her dress, but I am oh so damned impressed by her playing.

[Anonymous71688]

true but i wont complain ;)

[yt033059]

Her talent is enormous, no doubt. But this person has "handlers", agents riding the rail to the bank. And why not? Call a spade a spade. This is pure exploitation.

She without has a great gift but somone somehow is going to milk this talent to death ....isn't it all about money? Sorry for the cinicism but it's all around us, n'est pas?

All her technique points to Lola...i.e.  Chopin sounds like Beethoven, sounds like etc. etc.

[RunWalkRace]

Yes, I agree. But she's such a great performer I don't notice that she's drop-dead gorgeous! Yes, this is a great performance of the Tempest, no. 17.

[joeyisfunny]

Of course she doesnt, but she chooses to show off what shes got. Get over it.

[TomZentra]

@cliveatvagg Lola dresses the way SHE wants, NOT the YOU want. Stop being a selfish child and grow up already.

[SuperSweetBabez]

@TomZentra You are totally right. She lives today and I personally think her dress is awesome. I guess thats why u only see singers in magazines, b/c pianists are mostly boring and conservative. Thumbs up Lola!

[chokeonapole]

I kept waiting for her picture to move ...

[chokeonapole]

She's better than Liberace.

Hell, I'm better than Liberace -- cause he's dead.

[EdiEllerymissing]

LOL!

[Scriabinly]

so, did you see Beethoven play?

[jenny14485]

Very well Lola...Congratulations

[SyraxB]

I prefer her interpetation to the one of Barenboim alos on youtube

[YellowStringStudios]

Beatiful music, beatiful woman.

[claude69mama]

swanningaround fight with kids and little children on mariah carey xmas videos everybody and is a homosexual.

go look up mariah silent night and joy to the world

[sharpnova2]

wut

[JuyoNi]

ehhh agogic is different yes, but all thats different is release, i think she plays nicely

[swanningaround]

I can't believe it ! There is even a version from Wilhelm Kempff here on youtube!

I found it after I wrote the statement about Kempff's playing.

"Beethoven's Tempest Sonata mvt. 1 -- Wilhelm Kempff"

Compare the two and see what I mean.

[swanningaround]

McGrigor. I would be very interested in what Lola has to say about this. I am sure that she knows exactly what she is doing. As you say, it is down to personal taste at this level. I would never question anything Barenboim does, as he has a great wealth of knowledge, is mentoring others, and is also learrning more and more. For me also, it is a continuous learning experience. Suddenly you realize that a small collection of notes that you never thought about much take on a huge significance.

[MrGrigor99]

Yes exactly. And, you also start realizing that other pianists who are very capable do not have the same ideas or approach on a passage or group of notes. And that's ok too, because it is a matter of taste mostly. If I were to offer my own version of the piece, I am sure that there would be some very good comments and some opinions about a few things that could be a little better or different. That's great! we're all learning!

[jcammo123]

AGREED!

[swanningaround]

jcammo. :)

[swanningaround]

Very nice. This sounds like Wilhelm Kempff's playng.

[juggyjr123]

that was great

[demosj]

Awesome Tempest interpretation, gGreat progressions and effective voicing.

[Grigor99]

Very nice playing but needs more agogics.

[swanningaround]

Grigor. Why do you say this? Can you give a finer example with more agogics? In my mind, I agree with the others and think this version is sublime.

[Benny209]

she accents perfectly if you ask me

[MrGrigor99]

They are not accents that I am referring to. An agogic is completely different from an accent and are an integral part of Beethoven's style.

[Benny209]

Thought it was a WAY of accenting through duration instead of dynamics

[MrGrigor99]

Actually yes. It is a very slight gap in sound at certain points in the music which are NOT ever written in the music. They are considered "performance practice"

[killingppl]

@MrGrigor99 How can you actually know that Beethoven played like this at all? You ever seen him play before?

[MrGrigor99]

As I said, it is called "performance practice". It is the same idea that tells us we can't play Beethoven with the same rubato we use in Chopin or Schumann.

[hcpiano1]

well you CAN. you just shouldn't

[MrGrigor99]

Let's not confuse my reference to rubato. I merely was making a correlation between ideas. Obviously one should not use the same type of rubato in Beeth. as in Chopin. But, Beethoven needs strong agogics in very precise places where the music calls for it. Through study and experience, pianists know where these should happen. Lola exhibits a very good knowledge of Beethoven's style, but just needs stronger agogics to bring out the melodic syntax better and delineate the structures more clearly.

[KennYWooD2]

This sonata is not a late Beethoven work.

[thesongremainsthesam]

i don't see a ring

[Listener3]

Exactly the right speed and the right mood! Not only a virtuoso but also a most promising artist.

[nerfmanOK]

@Listener3 ii have no idea what you just said

[apokalipsa91]

hmm, i olso play that...

[ed1856]

Wow ! You are good , Do you play alot of Beethoven.

[Theonedue]

Tre sexy!

[legamature]

You are the piano world's answer to Ofra Harnoy ( the beautiful cellist ).