Zimerman - Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 - I Allegro (2/3)

[dinulipati]

@musikpiratch: Would like to add that even cadenzas reach the climax when the orchestra comes in again and relieves the tension.-

[dinulipati]

Right you are, musikpiratch! Where would the finest soloist be without the orchestra's accompaniment? I regret to see many soloists who always shake hands with the director, often with the concertino and sometimes with the second violin but seldom, very seldom do they invite the orchestra to share the applause.

...They make the "Emperor" shine as if it were the most natural thing in the world...

I think these are unusual but not supernatural performances. Lucky us!

Greetings.-

[777wallaby777]

8:09 - 8:23 0_0, so beautiful !!!

[dukane14]

Magnificent!!



[TommyHaegin]

Two people don't like magic... I feel sorry for you guys.

[Fernando31611]

@Pirotechnik1995

It is not only his impecable technic wich makes him one of the most reconiciged pianist of this generation. He has a magestic interpretation, and a very deep way of transmiting the composer´s intentions to the public.

Music is not a speed race, se he is not the BEST (no one is), but he is truly one of the greatest pianist alive.

[habana999]

beethoven is the most profound ... zimerman does it - totally 

[dinulipati]

@peakman2006: ...sublime... and it made Bernstein smile to Zimerman. On top of their talents, I love the way they communicate. Do you agree that it adds a dimension to the performance?

[MusikPiratCH]

@dinulipati

Don't even forget one of the most outstanding orchestras in the world (VPO = Wiener Philharmoniker)! They all made the "Emperor" shine as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I can recommend all three CD's.

[pf92a]

I love from 0.18

[Ray0X0]

I like to see pianists interpretate with their different techniques. For example, from the part in 4:07 (and other too), Zimerman immediately lifts his hands from the keyboard after hitting the keys, this fact produces a sound somehow harsh and metallic, unpolished... Before seeing this video I was hearing Arrau's «Emperor» and in the same part from the concerto, Arrau keeps his hands on the keyboard after hitting the keys... I think this produces a rounded and complete sound... interesting

[peakman2006]

6:13- 7:00 gives me shudders. Sublime.

[348Frate]

@peakman2006 3:15 - 5:00 is sublime as well.

[Jangle2007]

@348Frate In truth, the entire piece, Zimerman's performance, the orchestra and Bernstein's conducting, is beyond words. What a convergence of talent!

[brianbela]

@Jangle2007 I couldnt agree more---This is the best performance I've heard of this---and I've heard a lot of different orchestras do it.

[GuruhMr]

Estupendo! Muitas gracias..

[TheAlbix91]

Master!

[eutherpe12]

Dio mio! ha il tocco magico in quelle dita!

[274Laurence]

So brilliant and beautiful it makes me cry every time.

[midari11]

it's like his fingers aren't even doing much... they're just gliding across the keyboard... he makes everything look so easy!

[princenosiatajansen]

beet MUST me such a good piano player!.... i am fucked up :D

[iguarni]

I love Zimerman so much. Now he's my favourite pianist and i think he's the best living pianist today but in my opinion the best performance of this incredible piano concerto was by Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli.

[pleasantblue]

Perfectly managed chord progressions, it's just like Bernstein, Zimerman and Wiener Philharmoniker are leading us to a world inside Beethoven's mind.

[z7ch]

lol I just came back to listen to this recording 2 months after my comments and noticed I got 5 thumbs down just for saying I felt something sounds rushed? I did say it was an otherwise absolutely fantastic performance. Seems like nothing other than complete praise is acceptable on this video. I reckon censorship is well and alive not only in the real world but also on the net, when even the mildest of criticisms were delivered in a civil manner.

[z7ch]

To answer your questions in like numbering:

1. I only have a humble ABRSM Grade 8 certificate with distinction for piano, which I obtained 12 years ago to speak of.

2. There are several performances by other orchestras and pianists which produces such an effect, but Claudio Arrau's version come to mind as just one of the examples (I'm not endorsing this or indeed any other performance as the most perfect rendition of the Emperor, as I'd imagine that'll become a long drawn-out discussion).

[iroveashe]

Saying 5 thumbs down is censorship is a bit of a stretch. And by a bit I mean a lot.

[weichenxi]

Censorship is when your comment was taken down in addition to not being liked by all of 5 people. You delivered a criticism and yet can not take any yourself. Let me guess: you are an American Republican against health care... right?

[z7ch]

@weichenxi

I originally expressed my MINIMAL dissatisfaction and I said how it could possibly be better. Naturally I was disappointed to see that my input to the discussion of a fascinating performance has been voted down and potentially, not read. I can't see comments if it is voted down 6 times.

As for you, how about getting your facts right before attempting to criticise me? Anyone who sees my profile will know if I'm American at all. Reply only when you have something useful to contribute.

[z7ch]

An otherwise absolutely fantastic performance has probably been tarnished by the lack of a slowing down, however slight, before the main melody resumes at 6:10. If that was done, it'd have given said resumption much more impact, and not sound rushed, as I felt listening to it.

[z7ch]

To further define slowing down, I meant the last note before said resumption, and the note itself at 6:10 should have been delayed in execution.

[ronpaulbot]

Where I lived was with my Dada and Mum in municipal flat block 18-A Linear North. It had been a wonderful evening and what I needed now to give it the perfect ending was a bit of the old Ludwig Van.

Oh bliss, bliss and heaven. Oh it was georgeousness and georgeosity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest spun heaven metal, or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship gravity all nonsense now as I slooshied I knew such pretty pictures.

[deadly990]

@ronpaulbot Ah a clockwork orange...... what a nice book (not really i just had to read it for my senior final paper in English)

[classicalmusic29]

I recently watched all of the Beethoven Piano Concerti with Bernstein and Zimerman for #3-5 and just Zimerman conducting and playing for #1-2 and it was fantastic. It was really an inspiration for me to aim for perfection in piano

[CocolutoBeans]

I'm a violinist and often I'm not to heavily impressed by the big names of strings because I know the hard word that goes into practicing and the graspable possibility of performing in a similar fashion.

But when I watch a gifted pianist like Zimerman (who's in a completely different realm than strings), I just get blown away! It looks so complex!

Beautiful!

[ctspradlin]

What, are you here again, habana999? Just kidding, I am here a lot as well. This is a great place to be.

[habana999]

@ctspradlin heheh yes i am ... just cant get enough of beethoven, bernstein and zimerman!

[habana999]

@ctspradlin i meant to give you a thumbs up!! grrr and yes i love beethoven, bernstein and zimerman combo.... and I will be back again soon!!

[ronpaulbot]

I love Zimerman's technique. And he makes all the difficult passages look so easy!

[habana999]

so true.... he's a genius

[habana999]

8:45 awesome!

[TwelfthRoot2]

absolutely! So is the little passage leading up to it at 8:10

[habana999]

@TwelfthRoot2 absolutey..... perfect!

[I254527]

So "Emperor" ;)

He is so great.

[NigelTempleton]

Absolutelin in love with this man and his exquisite music.....

[Dogaradodia]

Certified Intergalactic!

[yeahweiting]

beautiful, but beethoven is more then that

[Ray0X0]

I agree with you...

[TheGreatPerahia]

Bernstein, inspirational conductor, Zimerman, incredible pianist, what more could you ask for.

[pianofolle]

celibidache & michelangeli

[maimasta]

@TheGreatPerahia to be honest, there is nothing more to ask when it comes to music. This one is a masterpiece not only due to genious of Beethoven but also thanks to, as you pointed out, inspirational conductor and incredible pianist.

[Excrey]

Zimerman plays perfect. He is the best pianist in the world.

[SergeiReiter]

Well he is not the best, but belongs to one of the best(s)! It is truly exceptional if u talk about his style!

[qkrzazzang]

you can't say who is the best and who is not the best. It really depends on people's style. Everyone has different favorite pianists.

[beaver7756]

That's true! For example, in Beethoven or Liszt, I prefer Zimmerman, but in Ravel or Rachmaninov, I prefer Martha Argerich... and I love them both playing Chopin!

[Excrey]

look at his remarkable transparency, technique, phrase, pure sound... even pauses saunds great.

[pianofolle]

dont worry. almost under every good pianist's video on youtube there's a comment that says he's the "best pianist in the world". it's compulsive

[pookiehohn]

But Zimerman actually IS.

[habana999]

he is ... at least at this piece!

[habana999]

anyway its not just about him ... its the whole thing!

[Breathless20]

Oh yes he is!

[Pirotechnik1995]

@Excrey he is the best because he plays perfect? it's a bit too less.

[clyvemontague]

@Excrey so fucking true!

[clyvemontague]

@Excrey it doesn't matter what he plays either, any piece from any era he does better than anyone

[mathpianist93]

I own a Fleisher/Szell recording at home, and this interpretation is very comparable to the one I own. Bernstein commands such power and sublimity out of the orchestra, and Zimerman is mesmerizing because of his sharp, clear tone!