(Ohlsson)Chopin Etude Op.10,No.1

[JHighland1]

amazing technique, though Im sure his big hands help out as well

[mindcraftuser44]

sounds so chinese at 0:45 to 0:52

[dbain45]

You know the old joke that says, "2+2=5, for large values of 2".....Chopin Etude Op.10 No. 1 in C major, for large values of Middle C. Maybe they just rounded the hertz up.

Seriously, going to hear Ohlsson play next month. Amazing!

[chrismontis]

If it flips by Des-Dur, probably difficulty is likely to go up further lol

[Jamierules0]

m favourite intrpretation of this piece hands down. Pollini is also excellet

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

wonderful wrist work!

[ulviliegi]

DEO GRATIAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PianoGenius3428]

Wow that sounds like D flat major...

[TheSoken123]

@PianoGenius3428 if it really was then it's hard to imagine all the black keys..

[115SERENITY]

TERRIFIC

[Steinwaytoday]

Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 1, now in D major XD

[HerrKrask]

This is played in a different key than the original, isn't it?

A very interesting interpretation I must say :D

[About14Pandas]

@HerrKrask

its not a different key because the first note played was the C octave. its probably the recording but it sounds nice :)

[maria19857]

Chpiiiinnn ♥ Wanna play it ' & i'll do soon ♥♥

[BecuzIt]

i'm willing to bet it's just the recording that was recorded at a higher frequency making it higher in pitch than the actual performance, but just a wild guess

[BecuzIt]

@BecuzIt and/or perhaps because of the fact that it's just really old

[CammehYaBams]

That piano is incredibly sharp, haha

[WonderfulManga]

Même si cela fait 40 ans que je connais cette pièce, je suis complètement fou d'elle encore! Ce sera toujours pour moi l'étude la plus foudroyante de Chopin:

L'ÉTUDE VOLCANIQUE!

[WonderfulManga]

Même si cela fait 40 ans que je connais cette pièce, je suis complètement fou d'elle encore! Je suis encore comme un enfant! Ce sera toujours pour moi l'étude la plus foudroyante de Chopin:

L'ÉTUDE VOLCANIQUE!

[zvuk71]

G.Ohlsson is a talented hack. Nothing stirs in my soul while he's playing the 2nd Sonata by Chopin. I've just downloaded his Chopin's Complete Works, will delete it right now.

[FolderFILEneT]

i think the piano was tunned little higher

[marmasiotis]

@FolderFILEneT not the piano....the video!

[GlimpseInTheLife]

Let's sharp every key!

[bubu102]

another version of this song : watch?v=UkApPrdfW_U

[TwilightFire]

Either I'm tired or this is just too awesome because my eyes can't keep up with my ears....

[hpowerp]

audio is out-of-sync with video

[ullerichj]

LOL HellO D-flat Major! XD

[svalgossio]

Why does the music sound a semi tone higher? is the video played faster than normal or was the piano tunned a semi tone higher?

[ultracoolhomies]

@svalgossio Its because its an old recording.

[Jogab37]

Bravo

[eric68861579]

langlang is better.

[lallerooo1]

@eric68861579

i really don't believe it. infact is almost impossible to find a lang lang esec. of this piece

[twooffour]

1:39 he plays major 7th :DD

[coryjor]

Fantastic recording, despite the flub on the way down the last arpeggio. I really like he how plays it so clearly and evenly.

[mekore]

an etude that doesn't sound like an etude at all, superb!!

[keetner]

@mekore

Hm, what do you mean? I thought etudes were just study pieces to help improve a player's technique.

[keetner]

@mekore

Er, well their purpose was to improve technique, at least. 

[LAAR123]

It is easy to see here the span of Ohlsson's hands. I once played for him in a masterclass and couldn't believe my eyes when he would take an octave like a fifth.

[dustovshio]

damn ohlson is good

[MrStrav81]

Even on the third page with the horribly awkward positions, he just nails it from a technical standpoint. He doesn't look uncomfortable at all.

[1Thompsonmusic]

@MrStrav81

It's too slow, his fingers are rigid. Chopin's fingers 'flew' over the keys.

[MrStrav81]

@1Thompsonmusic

I'm sure you know Chopin personally and have recordings of all of Chopin's works performed by the composer. If so, you really should make them available. You would make a fortune.

Even if we knew that Chopin played it faster, Chopin had a different piano action to deal with in his time. It's hard to play it much faster than this on a modern Steinway piano.

I was only commenting on Ohlsson's technique, not on the music itself.

[mekore]

@MrStrav81 agreed, commenting on how chopin himself play a piece is pointless and ridiculous

[twooffour]

@MrStrav81

Vladimir Soultanov plays it much faster on a modern piano ;)

[twooffour]

@MrStrav81

Um, not if it's played fast, AND WELL. Soultanov's doesn't sound "nervous", it sounds free-flowing and energetic. The increased speed blends together the separate notes and transforms them into a seamless movement, while shining a light at the structure of the up and down movements and chord changes.

[1Thompsonmusic]

Another boring rendition of a masterpiece.

[GN001FTW]

@1Thompsonmusic here's a thumb down punk

[1Thompsonmusic]

@GN001FTW

Ahh fuck off

[ultracoolhomies]

i like how it zooms in on his hand at the end like dramatic chipmunk

[tomdeneckere]

Can you be more specific about the competition. Or did you mean THE 1970 competition?

:-)

[proteas1992]

OH MY GOD... IT'S REALLY SICK!!! PERFECT!!!

[MrMattAgar]

it sounds like it's in D-Flat due to the quality of the audio equipment, i think.

[133742069]

yee

[vova47]

Atta Garrick!

[wrigleyx]

so perfect

[f1f1s]

Insane hand calmness! These hands seem not to stretch as hard as it is played sometimes!

My piano teacher says that hands in such passages (also in Alkan Hands Reunited, the nuts-driving last measures with vast leaps) must remind of a jelly-fish that collapses instantly and then gets soft for a second, then again collapse in a millisecond. Cziffra's hands reminded of an agressive beach crab, which is great, too.

00:49-00:52 - just magnificent!

[urbanizacionvalmoral]

@f1f1s Nice example ¿who is your teacher?

[f1f1s]

@urbanizacionvalmoral

Olga Igorevna Potekhina.

[TJFNYC212]

stunning performance  awesome!

[piano6861]

Beautiful!

[Karminapie]

I love it!!! And i can't believe just 1 person missed the like button.

[Grigor99]

Whole video is probably sped up cause his hands stay pretty much in sync with the sound. Does sound good in D flat though!

[NitraicAcid]

damn, i had the chance to see this guy perform live, I chose not to. FUC

[aspergershawn]

I think a lot of youtube videos have a pitch shift (must be something in the way they get processed after upload). yeah, d flat major lol

[Bananenkoenigshatz]

WTF -.- i had german exams today -.- and i couldn´t concentrate because i had always this song in my head -.- WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH -.-

[Bananenkoenigshatz]

hmm, i´ve tested it. it is true C# !

it´s because some Pianios and Organs are transposed a semitone up to get a higher briliance or something like this, for a better sound ^^

[Raed103]

Very nice playing !!

The piano tuning is actually in C sharp Major ! Not in C. And it's very beautiful :)

Thanks for posting this video :)

[Bei0001]

rofl gotta love the pitch change

[NeilWilliamAnderson]

Nice in D-Flat!

[FreeTheJambon]

Che fico

[Sword1479]

I heard Garrick Ohlsson play only a few month's ago! He played a Beethoven Sonata, Liszt's Sonata in B minor, and all of Chopin's preludes. It was stunning!

[cattleman6420012000]

Fabulous playing. Around January 1973 he played a Liszt piano concerto with Ashkenazy conducting. I was a member of the orchestra. Well he played incredibly brilliantly. The audience went wild. I will never forget that night. He is one of the greatest pianists around.

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

you're very lucky! and you had an interesting life as a cellist, I guess...

[cattleman6420012000]

@newFranzFerencLiszt I still play cello very much; but I very much miss not taking part in symphony concerts. This man absolutely thrilled me with his playing. He was unbelievably great.

[addeex1]

Very nice, perfect legato. The only thing i don't like is that this sounds like Db.. -.-

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

@addeex1

you're right.. have you got the perfect pitch?

[addeex1]

Yes i have ^^ I was like "Yaaay C major" then i got *O__o*

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

you're very lucky

[addeex1]

Really? But I think it isn't too hard to practise it up, the hard part is patience....

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

@addeex1

really

[addeex1]

Yeah I know several people that has trained up there ears for a perfect pitch

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

@addeex1

I tried too myself, but it's impossible.

Well, it can be comfortable if you don't have the piano near you and you want to write something...

it was just this morning when a little "tune" came into my mind and tried to be expressed in music... but of course, I don't know anything about composition and how to "recognise" notes and I could do anything...

[addeex1]

If you learn your music theory you'll need no use for perfect pitch, if you wanna learn composition. I believe it's easier to get a perfect pitch too with the theory.

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

@addeex1

yaeh, absolutely. The majority of composer had not this unbelieavable quality. Chopin and Liszt for ex too, but the composed wonderful pieces the same...

well, maybe this particular ability has its own negative faces: you seemed weird when you listened this "C Major" piece sounded like a Db flat one, isn't it? ;)

[addeex1]

Yeah it can get disturbing, such as acapella singings... sometimes everything goes down slightly...

[NemoProkofiev551]

@newFranzFerencLiszt:

It actually is feasible. I'm taking a course right now to get perfect pitch.

It won't work if you try too hard to rationalize it. You have to listen in a different way- effortlessly. Everything in music has to come effortlessly. Through diligent practice yes, but without strain. If you force it seems impossible, but it's not. You just have to listen.

[Charm874]

@NemoProkofiev551

absolutely true.

[FearRain]

Do patterns? lol,

[FearRain]

That's true...

[addeex1]

@FearRain what is true? :D

[Ellinidara]

agree.

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

I'm speechless... stunning

[sari4sari]

音質の出し方から驚きました。とても素敵な弾き方ですね。

[dialecticon]

Those hands are incredibly relaxed, and one can see the workings of a great american follower of the Russian piano school. Notice how his elbows go up and down releasing tension all the time. This is one of Rosina Lhevine's best pupils, also a formidable scholar who puts great effort into understanding Chopin compositionally. He has spent lots of time studying the original manuscripts.

[Liszt0322]

映像では移調してないみたいなんで音響があれなんですね

半音高い(~o~)

[robertslistening]

I was wondering why I liked this so much. I didn't realize he had won the 1970 Chopin competition. I find his bass very complimentary, like Pollini. An excellent overhead view of his fingers at work also.

[HebinoMetaru]

lol :)

[itsanthonyhere]

Taubman style-

[KenJWC]

SO VERY CLEAN TOO!

[TJFNYC212]

breathtaking performance WOW

[ElEsquisProductions]

amazing legato

[Squerlli]

Wow... just wow.

So clean and precise you could literally 'feel' every note played.

[scotcking]

Sounds great in D-Flat major!

[OrangeSodaKing]

The original audio and audio are probably a tad too fast, resulting in the pitch being raised a half step.

[utubeuser50]

You can see his hands playing C major, but it sounds higher! Perhaps the viedeo is played too fast, so the Tone is to high?

[karazh]

@scotcking its the same sound

[jakubcz91]

@scotcking yeha you're right. Its in D-Flat major!!! I'm hearing absolutely!!!! haha ;)

[jordankuprij]

@scotcking are you ABSOLUTELY sure??coz the notes look C major to me!!if this is really D flat major,imma worship this guy...

[jaycethepianist]

@jordankuprij the piano is raised a semitone to make it sound like its in D flat major I think. He is playing the same notes as the C major etude.

[ItzhakRoxMySox]

@jaycethepianist It is very common for some older recordings to sound a half step above their original key.

[pchk1]

@jordankuprij

The notes sure look C major, but the actual SOUND is most definitely C# (Db) major. Use a tuning fork or a well-tuned piano and you'll hear it.

I think it's the keys of that piano that were entirely out of tune by one semitone sharp.

[ryanmcclure4]

@pchk1

i think its the device they used for recording. old recordings usually dont have great quality so it probably changed the pitch and made it sound higher. im pretty sure they would make sure the piano was tuned correctly for a competition...

[zurzica51]

@scotcking like Godowsky's version.. lol

[redddlord]

Must be the recording; he's playing it in the original key.

[mcbainst]

@scotcking Yea, but it sounds even better in C# major!

[themagicman321]

i'm trying to learn this piece at the moment, just wondering if anyone has any advice from having learned it before.

[avalanche183]

relax those hands :)

[psychowolf271]

nice tho transposed a bit sharper might be the reel taping of it more Db than C natural tho B would be somehow better

[chiz143]

He looks like Schubert. LOL

[HebinoMetaru]

There seems to be an error note at 1:52 / 1:53, can't anyone else hear that?

[backwardsnamestaken]

yes.

[HebinoMetaru]

thank You, it seemed strange no one else pointed it out in the comments.

[Klinkibergi]

i can hear it, too

[mdoub]

he has paws for hands

[Lenochka1107]

I heard him in live concert tonight - it was amazing!

[jeesuhsbeans]

Yeah, I know. I saw him last month playing the Schumann A minor piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony .

He really is an amazing pianist.

[Pischnaholic]

About as good as it gets. Fine solid sound and wonderfully even articulation throughout. I like his very subtle dynamic changes and near perfect control of pedaling.

However, I have heard more colorful, imaginative daring and exciting performances than this. Cortot and De Pachmann come easily to mind. Also Rupert Egerton-Smith. Yes, I know they don't get all the notes and don't play so evenly, but all three play with IMAGINATION, GRANDEUR and a sense of DRAMA. Pachy finds great inner voices.

[MrGrigor99]

I agree here with Pischnaholic. This is very fine playing, but it is a bit "stock" in character.

[ginocretino]

wow! his technique is so fluid and smooth

[mdoub]

lovely in C# major

[rvn10rvn17]

there is no C# major, i believe..

[mdoub]

D flat major

[gc65531941]

mdoub: makes it all the more impressive, I guess.

[pookiehohn]

Yes, Quite odd.

[Deimosxsz]

I always loved Ohlsson performances. I think he is little known for being such a good pianist.

[organman52]

A magnificent performance such as this never fails to remind me of one very important thing - the genius who created this in his head actually knew it would work on the piano. This music is so great that it could not have been conceived AT the piano - as so much 'new' music is. I have seen living 'composers' at work. Almost all of them are frauds.

[Barbapippo]

it's strange, but listening the performance again... i hear 16 notes groups, :|

[Barbapippo]

Listening all these 4 notes groups rather than the much more fluent groups ot 16 notes is disappointing (in any case, not a bad performance, of course); IMO, the perfect rendition of this etude is that by Pollini of almost 40 years ago; granitic and flowing at the same time, a real thecnical masterpiece.

[billyguns2]

This is one of the Chopin Etudes that just defeats me, and Ohlssohn makes it seem as easy as child's play. He must have big hands. I, on the other hand, excel at Op. 10, Nos. 2 and , and the Etudes that require small, crabby gestures.

[organman52]

I think it is wonderful to acknowledge our limitations, rather than playing pieces that are technically beyond our reach.

[DzikenS94]

fantastyczne wykonanie!

[paopaomanalansan]

He has nice eyeglasses!

[PeterInglisGuitar]

The excellent camera work on this clip gives us a good look at the right hand in motion.

[skimmusic]

SICK.

[pchk1]

@skimmusic

Why?

[KeithWhalen11]

Did Horowitz ever record Op. 10 No. 1? I cannot seem to find a recording anywhere!?

[redrothko]

He did not. I believe he said it was the most difficult etude for him of the 24/27 and that physically his hand was not cut out for it. Something to that effect, someone here may be able to give you the exact quote.

[jghancockjr]

@redrothko I seem to remember reading he thought the Winter Wind was the most difficult; it paralyzed his right hand or something like that.

[KeithWhalen11]

One of the handful of pianists to have recorded the Busoni concerto as well. This interpretatio is very good.

[johnalt16]

Absolutely stunning. I prefer the colour of this higher pitch

[galapz]

Amazing

[LincolnPhoenix]

Wow, I am stunned. I didn't think I would cross this suddenly while always listening to Ashkenazy or Pollini. You have to give Ohlsson credit. His interpretation is amazing.

[AnnaderWald]

Il est très agréable de pouvoir regarder attentivement le travail difficile de la main droite.

Un jeu propre et brillant.

Merci mainlymuzik.

[himitsunosallychan]

What huge hands! He holds octaves like sixths. That is maybe one reason that he has such delicious tone. Thank you, I loved the expansiveness of his play.

[givemetime123]

Je ne connaissais pas cette version : elle est remarquable, de plus, la prise de vue permet de bien voir la position des mains. 5*

Merci pour cette vidéo

[achilless]

haha, one step up...old recording I guess?

[QianQianJoey]

weird tone

[Sanrus]

Grande Garrick!!

[stienwayz]

Such clarity in his playing!

[txbobs]

I studied many years to be a concert pianist, have played the Chopin Etudes - bot not like this!! At my Best!! He is unbelievable - on all levels!! His interpretations, Technique, Dynamics (soft/loud) - I really think he is one of the greatest piantsts, ever!!!

[wickedjimmy33]

Thanks for this!

At last Ohlsson on video!

For me one of the best Chopin interpreter : he create an amazing sound of enchantment and he can brings very delicate and complex colours.

I would like to see more video of him playing Chopin

[hcb092508]

Garrick Ohlsson probably in the best [pianistic] shape of his life; showing his usual amazing insights into his most important composer. For Chopin, I would model myself upon Ohlsson's style above all others. A close second might be Van Cliburn.

[Sinfoniette]

Not that I'm a pianist, but Rubinstein's Chopin is one of the best. You should listen to him if you haven't. He's generally considered the master of Chopin.

[hcb092508]

Okay :) Thank you for the suggestion. I think I remember reading that Ohlsson said he based his style on Rubinstein's and Horowitz's. I'll try to explore that.

[etude73]

Amazing, except it's in the key of D flat!!!

[go9zu]

Amazing!!!!!

[cattleman6420012000]

Absolutely fantastic.