Ravel - Le Tombeau de Couperin (Cecile Licad, 1986) 3/3

[erginakif]

The last movement that starts at the 2:45 mark is Cecile's way of saying: "Just give it up. In your BEST day you'll never be this good." Fast and furious with sustained energy all throughout the piece... It's been 25 years and nobody has played this better. Top that, bitches!

[hadsell1962]

@erginakif God you are SO right - Good luck hopefuls!!!

[HSchoenberg]

The technique is absolutely stunning, although the performance could be more refined, if the tempo was a little bit slower- listen to Yvonne Lefebure playing that piece at 76!

[gsarci2011]

PANALO ANG PILIPINAS! WOOHOO!

(PHILIPPINES WIN! WOOHOO!)

[BenMcCormack91]

Her beginning to the Toccata is the best I've ever heard it. At the ending I think she panicked a bit, though. Whether from the notes or from something else, the voicing kind of got lost in a roar, and then the final note just didn't have the sort of... finality... I was hoping for. The first part of it, though, is, as I said, stellar.

[merson21concha]

I don't know why she could perform all the complicated musical pieces from memory...Is she that talented?

[xgianpatrick]

@prandtastic

Check Ravel's metronome marks. It IS supposed to be that fast.

[pureaKero]

@xgianpatrick The tempo markings aren't Ravel's! They are Marguerite Long's, the first pianist to perform these sublime pieces.

[Baddogphil]

Her technique is astounding- how she maintains this fiendish tempo through the coda while maintaining such accuracy, well, words fail me. I am attempting the piece myself, so I admire her achievement greatly. However, pace lesrondee, I think that Gilels gives the more musical performance, warts and all. Gilels plays balls to the wall at the end, whereas her superior velocity somehow lacks passion.

[tuberobotto]

@Baddogphil sir, (at this year of recording) are you comparing a 20+ year old CL to a 50+ year old Gilels who is one of the formidable pianists to come out of Russia in this century? That's a true honor for CL. However i beg to disagree re: the last part as being messed up unless you're from the Paris Conservatoire but I believe even Casadesus (or even Cortot) would play it like so. Cheers.

[lesrondee]

among all the performances here on YT of the toccata part, this is so far the most impressive. Almost all of them, Gilels included, messed up the piece especially towards the end...

[OrangeSodaKing]

@lesrondee

I agree! I was getting annoyed about not being able to find one this good. Although David Smith's is comparable to this one, and that's here on YT also.

[agreatguy6]

a bit messy just before the end [hella better than I can do xD] but I most certainly applaud her for having the chutzpah to go at that speed!

[danbar73]

You met your goal alright - casting some doubts on CL's worthiness, and stripping her of the Leventritt prize. There's no other way to look at it. Good luck on your useless, baseless, indefensible pursuit.

[danbar73]

If it was about somebody else, what was it doing in front of CL's video for seven months. You knew about it and its implications for seven months, and did not do anything about it.

[danbar73]

I am not ignorant about the controversy issue that you are so insistent about, and I don't put much weight on your or anybody's claims about what went on among the judges behind closed doors. Those things happen everyday in America in jury rooms - heated arguments,a little jostling or armtwisting, cajoling, all means of persuation. And all these activities cannot overcome Leventrit's right to change its selection process. The controlling factor is what nobody could see - Lev's future plans.

[danbar73]

SUPPOSE I am Leventritt. With the emerging popularity of the Cliburn, the Tchaikovsky and other lucrative international competitions, I think I want to do something else. I have already produced many world-class artists and have done more than enough for Music. But before I close shop, I NEED to find a real winner to carry and honor my name for a long,long time. I've not found one for sometime now,perhaps I should change the selection process to make sure I find a real winner,not a fluke.

[danbar73]

Lenny,Rudy,Max,Leon,Eugene and 25 other judges should be able to find me what I'm looking for.Wow, this is a fine crop of pianists, and my judges were fighting like cats and dogs back there for their favorites. Bob's fav is an awesome one! Is he pushing 30? He kind of looks like a NASA scientist to me though. Rudy's fav is kind of cute,Most Outstanding Student at Curtis, and only 16? Holy cow, I don't mind entrusting my name to her if she can prove herself worthy in the next three years.

[danbar73]

I AM NOW DANBAR: So, how could anyone have seen what was really going on in Leventritt's mind, future plans,etc. I see the 1981 Leventritt as its final valedictory, and it MUST produce a real winner,not a one-event fluke, to carry and honor its name. It's decision to opt for a more reliable selection process was brilliant and a wise one. It could have not found a more deserving winner and surrogate to spread its name and good deeds in every corner of the world.

[miguellouieiii]

you're wasting your time... you better spend time practicing your piece and make it perfect like those great pianists!

[danbar73]

No, I was not being nasty, just giving you a dose of your own medicine. You said I was inventing things. You could have removed your comment about CL's 5th in Tchaikovsky (7 months unchallenged until I saw it the other  day) or you could have attached an explanation to your misleading statement.

[danbar73]

What did I invent? We got started on your sneaky invention that CL placed 5th in the Tchaikovsky, which never happened. You recanted and offered some explanation, but that invention had been there misleading everyone for seven months. My argument is very simple: if one seeks to challenge the decision of a legitimate organization, one must first overcome its basic right to conduct its business as it sees fit. It's futile and unwinnable, you're better off doing your keyboard exercises.

[danbar73]

And I said one cannot challenge the validity of the 1981 Leventritt because Leventritt has the legal right to make any changes in the selection process, contest rules,etc..provided it's not done in the middle of the competition to put any contestant at a disadvantage. The changes took place in 1976, long before CL's 1981 Leventritt.

[danbar73]

If there was a real gun in there, why didnt anybody get arrested? I presume there were heated debates, some cajoling, maybe a little armtwisting - but real guns? Now you're getting scary.

[danbar73]

The Leventritt Prize was not handed to her on a silver platter. She was picked as a potential winner based on HER abilities, and she proved herself WORTHY after three years on the fire. It's not like the prize was blindly awarded to a chimp.

[danbar73]

I have a mind of my own, my take on things and don't need to know what went on behind doors at the Lev. I cannot do anything about what envious,disgruntled pianists think. If they were that great, why didn't anyone of them win during the eleven-year winnerless drought?

[danbar73]

Right, a toothless,tired,old cat is out of the bag. Who are we to question the Lev's policy decisions or its future plans? Perhaps it was tired of its old system that did not produce a winner for eleven years,and decided on a new one to hopefully find a real winner worthy of its name. Had CL not proved herself to be the artist they were looking for after a 3-yr probationary period, they could easily have declared a no winner. Nobody was under the gun to make her win. Brilliant, wise decision !

[danbar73]

Please don't be too presumptuous about what I reveal about myself as a person. I'm not blind,deaf or dumb. I don't fault her or the judges who lobbied for her (as jurors lobbiy behind closed doors for a verdict), judges who felt secure in their belief as I do that CL truly deserved the Leventritt. I don't know of any other pianist who has done a better job of serving Music unselfishly far and wide,in affluent surroundings,in the heart of chinatowns, in humble settings, you name it.

[danbar73]

Will you stop calling yourself a fan of Cecile Licad ? She does not deserve a "fan" who grits his teeth trying to portray her as undeserving of the Leventritt. So who, in your opinion, was more qualified than CL and should have won?

[danbar73]

Of course I don't know you; you don't even know yourself. You can't even make up your mind if you are mozartian or whatever.I gave you the NYT ref for the quotes I used, and have no reason to question the writer's integrity. I'm satisfied with the reasoning given by Lev and happy with the selection of Licad who's turning out to be one of the finest and most durable of Lev winners- 30yrs on the scene, still exciting and getting better.Winner of one-event  contest is not always BEST of the crop.

[danbar73]

New York Times, Section 2, October 4,1981

[danbar73]

What is biased or illegitimate about Leventritt changing its own policies and rules? What is wrong with Serkin recommending his pupil whose abilities he knew very well, who was a recipient of the Paul Mellon Award for Most Outstanding Student at the Curtis Institute?He was just one of the 30 judges. It was not all private auditions;CL gave some 60 concerts at Marlboro,Tanglewood,New York,Phila,etc with orchestra,chamber groups,eminent concert artists over 3 yrs before she was declared WORTHY.

[danbar73]

I already explained that after the winnerless 1976 competition,Leventritt decided to abolish the open,juried,one-event competition and replaced it with the new selection process that relied on the panel of 30 judges (Bernstein et al) to produce a winner or declare no winner after observing and evaluating the artist's abilities and development over a significant period of time. What is illegitimate or hard to understand about Leventritt changing its own selection process, policies and rules?

[danbar73]

A pianist who has reasonable technical proficiency, musical intelligence and reasonable capacity to feel has NOTHING to fear with Mozart's simplicity and transparency. If one cannot play Chopin with control and accuracy, play something easier or another instrument, a piccolo, a saw, a spoon or something.

[danbar73]

I'm not aware of anyone (before you) who claims CL's Leventritt award as illegitimate. Those who do are either misinformed,jealous or sore losers. Until 1976,the Leventritt was an open one-event competition. Since then,the Lev administration decided to change the selection process with new rules to save the talented young artists from the demeaning, psychologically damaging consequencies of many international competitions:.."it is undignified to subject young talent to the circus atmosphere...

[danbar73]

circus atmosphere found at many international competitions..we now rely on our panel of judges to recommend talents, and we then invite them to audition privately. Our judges include Leonard Bernstein,Leon Fleisher,Rudolf Serkin,Max Rudolf,Eugene Istomin and 25 OTHERS,some of whom are themselves past Leventritt winners. If the panel is favorably impressed by the performer, he or she is chosen as a Lev artist and plays in our series managed by Columbia Artists.This enables young people to gain..

[danbar73]

to gain exposure and experience. However,this is just the beginning of their audition,since the judges will continue to observe actual performances and periodically hear them play privately. Finally,if the impression is that an artist is worthy of embarking on a major concert career,the first prize is awarded". CL was under the microscope of these judges for 3 yrs giving about 60 "small concerts" with groups like the NY Philharmonic, Boston Symphony,Guarneri Quartet,etc. as a Lev artist before..

[danbar73]

before she was awarded First Prize. Being the 1st winner of the new Lev,CL didn't even know she was being monitored for the award: "When I began playing in the Lev series (60 small concerts over 3 yrs),I didn't know they were watching my development(artistic) and audience reaction. I was asked to play privately for conductors G Solti,CM Giulini,C Abbado,Mehta,Ozawa,Maazel..and I would often be invited for a get-together so that people like Isaac Stern or Nathan Milstein could listen to me play".

[danbar73]

Adults who avoid Mozart for "great quality of the notes" should not be playing Chopin because they are obviously technically deficient to provide the requisite transparency in his complex writing. Chopin's notes require the same respect as those of Mozart. His exposed bel canto melodic lines are just as divine. Mozart himself would have been proud had he heard CL's Chopin 4th Scherzo in Phila concert last February for its grandeur, delicacy,transparency and heavenly music.

[danbar73]

CL fans must have felt relieved with your explanation that it was not she who finished 5th in the Tchaikovsky. There is nothing shameful about 5th place at all. Vladimir Ashkenazy finished 5th behind Van Cliburn in the first Tchkvsky but came back 4 yrs later to co-win it with John Ogdon. Hope you're having an easier time as a mozartian.

[danbar73]

5th in the Tchaikovsky? CL never participated in that or any other competition that's adjudicated in 2 or 3 weeks. She was the recipient of the Leventritt Gold Medal(after 10 years without a winner), after having been closely observed for a period of 3 YEARS by a panel of distinguished concert artists and music educators to make sure that her artistic excellence and development truly deserved the very prestigious award. Your claim of 5th in Tchkvsky is incorrect. You said you're a fan of CL?

[Ruacello]

i love the menuet, is mu favourite movment, sure i like more with orchestra jajaja but this interpretation is really great :D

[afertyus1000]

i wish i had her and argerich [when she was about twenty] play on my panpipe together

[rach3master]

Incredible. I'm especially amazed at how her hands appear to move very little considering the fast-paced virtuosity of the Toccata. No energy wasted or traces of excessive movement whatsoever here!

[wildknight1103]

I count myself among Cecil Licad's fans, and I am looking forward to becoming better acquainted with her playing. Nevertheless, her performance of the toccata is TOO FAST. It feels like a race, and lacks the elegance and grace that Walter Gieseking, among others, bring to this piece. At the end of her performance, all I could say was, "Whew!"

[kowalityjesus]

I like the ending of the menuet, the trill fades into nothing; quite novel.

Very impressive rendition of the Toccata, Although she wants for clarity, it was not at all mechanical. Good Job

[Grigor99]

Rowena also competed years ago in the Maryland competition before it became the William Kapell. I don't know if she placed that year but played very well. Nice to hear that she is doing well!

[ricseste]

nice impeccable playing especially the toccata. I'm studying it. Wish I could play as fast as her

[FrankMazeppa]

nice contrast to the Gilels version, of which I also like very much.

[jero13595]

OK each time I see your comment I just can't stop laughing!

[slothvader]

superb, young lady. one of my favorite sets, and i don't think i've heard it better.

[77katsumoto]

Briliant tocata! Cecile Licad is one of my favorite pianists, mainly after I assist the 2nd movement of her Rach 3.

[KevinFromSD]

Are you referring to Richard Clayderman? He's just a pop music player (although classically trained).  So you should know the answer to your own question.....

[gemininer]

So Licad it is. There's another filipina who, I've heard is also quite good. Her name is Rowena Arrieta. Have you heard of her? I heard she won a couple of competitions in Germany or something.

[KevinFromSD]

Rowena Arrieta placed 4th in the Tchaikovski competition in Moscow in 1981(?) and 1st in the Jose Iturbi Competition in Spain some years later. Unfortunately her concert performing career did not take off, and I've heard that she is now just teaching piano in NY. It would have been nice to see her and Cecile Licad both shine in the international classical concert scene. Oh well.....

[FilipinaAn9e1]

I am a student of Rowena Arrieta, and although she didn't launch a concert performing career like Licad, I don't think saying that she is "just teaching piano in NY" gives justice to how much so many have learned from her. I am incredibly blessed to have had her as a piano teacher.

[myfocusisongod]

is she filipino?

[gemininer]

yes she is.

[Grisostomo06]

"I don't think she was even looking at the keys, was she?"

I don't think Ray Charles ever looked at the keys either.

[KevinFromSD]

It is not fair to compare Cecile Licad with Ray Charles. First, CL plays the piano from the score, where exact notes have to be struck; RC plays only by ear, where exact notes don't have to be struck. Second, CL plays much more complex and serious music, while RC plays pop or non-serious music. Finally, CL has had decades of intense & disciplined training before performing in public; RC only had cursory musical training. The difference between CL and RC is several light-years.

[Grisostomo06]

I was being facetious. I didn't mean to make a direct comparison between Ray Charles and Cecile Licad. Obviously Charles being blind couldn't rely on a score, he had to play by ear. Cecile closes her eyes and looks up and about so she obviously doesn't need a score to play this piece either. She's played it so many times she can hear it in her head.

[ROCKING79]

Hahaha, man this is funny!

[KevinFromSD]

I don't think she was even looking at the keys, was she?