Debussy: La Mer (Valery Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra)

[BaSsBoOst49]

Conductors hair looked nasty. Wth

[egodraconis2]

ich sah den dirigenten und der erste gedanke der mir kam, war : Fisch! xD

echt gute musik;))

[swazi5]

that conductor is sketch

[lelobm]

very very low sound in the beginning :-/

[Wahrheitsbeweis]

I miss the Barbican!! and I love the LSO - and needless to say Gergiev!

[MadSpectro7]

Thumbs up if you remember this from "The Adventures of Milo and Otis"

[takharov1]

The LSO missed an appointment with the sea on the fifteenth of April 1912 fortunately.

[EpicJulie]

The conductor is all sweaty ugh

[Chazoboist]

Don't ever try to analyze this piece. It'll make you feel VERY stupid!

[swankestdraf]

Gergiev never ceases to amaze me. His portrayal of the music is so evident in every movement. Bravo!

[veeohlehtah]

that conductor looks like a mad man

[calico992]

dear conductor: shave your head already. Seriously, when your hair gets to that point, just shave it! Debussy rocks btw

[potatoeking124]

who's the conductor...he kinda gives me the creeps

[KevinR3i]

Nostalgia,remind me when i was in the nightmare years ago, I love this so much!!

[protozerox]

owat? i was expecting NIN!

[MrAam1964]

Remarquable interprétations pleine de générosité de la part d'un chef que l'on ne présente plus. Dommage que la video soit rendue dans un format 16/9 qui tasse l' image initiale.

[SirWokenDemon]

is this recorded in the new Opera House of Paris?

[Lso]

@SirWokenDemon it's the Barbican in London, where we are resident.

[SirWokenDemon]

@Lso Oh OK sorry, it's just I've been to the new Opera House in Paris last year and when the video zoomed out here, it looked just like it (for like 2 seconds but still). None the less, a beautiful piece of music that is well played too!

[Lso]

@SirWokenDemon thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[solarberry62442]

tsunami warning

[Nimenicamine01]

Es Mejor el video del DarkRaimundo. Este director no es malo, pero es demasiado limitado como para que yo pueda seguir escuchandolo en Debussy. Ademas critico severamente el video por haber hecho solo una seleccion de la pieza, empezando por el final del 2º movimiento.

[CaSCHWANK]

hehe... i really don't mean to offend anyone... but why do the composers always seem to look slightly crazy?

[KentPVA]

@CaSCHWANK That is not a composer...it is a conductor.

[CaSCHWANK]

@KentPVA I'm sorry... syntax error. My point still stands.

[dolphinsfan1966]

@CaSCHWANK I get what you are saying, from my understanding a conductor should feel/act as the music sounds.

[CaSCHWANK]

@dolphinsfan1966 good point. after all, the best music comes from all-consuming passion.

[MyPlaymobileClaymay]

That conductor looks like a funny cartoon conductor in tom&jerry/LunneyTunes.

[Smithfieldis]

I can do that! Just let the band play by the notes and wave your arms over your head like a crazy russian ruler. And make funny scary faces! That guy eats children.

[VanGoghLipstick]

I can listen to Debussy's La Mer for hours. Debussy captured the waves. I adore him.

[arvidtom]

I completely agree with the last few comments. Gergiev does a terrible job on this piece. He is one of the most overrated conductors ever.

[MiyazakiKnight]

And wow, what a terrible ending.

Gergiev took one of Debussy's most emotional works and turned it into one of the most unemotional pieces I've ever heard.



[MiyazakiKnight]

Gergiev is a total nutter and I don't like many of his interpretations. He often treats the music brusquely, like he's thinking: "Alright, let's get this over with."

His glaring lack of personal hygiene is a testament to his lack of care for music.

He looks and conducts like an oaf. It is disappointing that he is so popular, most likely because he fits the image of the crazy, disheveled conductor.

[AtADesk]

The conductor seems baffled by this music. The long oboe melody 2:55 is unsupported, doesn't seem to go anywhere, so the oboist is left sounding redundant at 5:55. 4:52 the conductor treats like a throwaway transition in some German piece. 8:11 sounds like "we have to do it again." 8:37 one of the great moments in all brass music - does he care? 9:14 ending is noisy but unmotivated. Compare La Mer by Boulez or Van Beinum. IMHO

[andytrumpet66]

Maurice Murphy cuts through the orchestra even muted, true legend, R.I.P.

[abcabc123456123456]

lovely

[lardmonk]

just goes to show, you can put the man in the tailcoat but you cant put the tailcoat into the man but great video!

[explodingpotato7]

This guy is frickin awesome XD

[chellycheekzz]

this guy looks like he's off his rocker... therefore i knew he would do an awesome job.

[ilpianista89]

One of the best orchestral pieces ever!! I love it...

[FossUlrich]

Talking of wich.., this music gets me high or drunk or I dunno,what it does but it is potent!

[Clivepom]

8:30-8:50 I want to steal/borrow.....

[LLJtbone]

That comment about hip- hop was directed towards: NillaNCreme2471 not you, sorry.

[PurpleJacketBoy]

Everyone needs to stop talking about Gergiev and realize that the only reason this performance is amazing is because of the LSO. They could perform it this well without a conductor. Each musician is a genius.

As great as Gergiev is, he can only help an inevitably incredible performance so much.

[lextune]

@PurpleJacketBoy

Nonsense. There are hundreds of decisions that need to be made about the score for an orchestra to perform it at a high level.

And as the conductor ALL the decisions are Gergiev's. We are literally hearing HIS Debussy here, and his alone. 

[schnozz87]

@lextune There's a video of Gergiev giving a conducting masterclass where he even says an orchestra as good as the LSO can play all by itself, it has it's own sound and interpretation. You obviously haven't played in an orchestra at this level, otherwise you would know an orchestra isn't just a tool for a conductor to show off his ideas, it's a group of musicians bringing music to life.

[lextune]

@schnozz87

That is a rather ridiculous assertion. One need not be in a world class orchestra to understand this basic fact. One need only be a musician. Anytime there is more than one musician decisions must be made. Without them everyone's ritards would be different, without them every idea of tempo would be different. Every dynamic. On and on and on. It is the very fact that necessitates a conductor in the first place. It is his interpretation.

[whatsgoingonthen]

if he is bald what does that mean?

[LLJtbone]

@whatsgoingonthen Ok I guess we should leave him alone. He is an amazing conductor even if his hair is all whacked! I love Debussy btw. I sometimes listen to hip hop as well. Hip hop cannot even come close to the raw emotions, substance of this music.

[NillaNCreme2471]

I listen to R&B, hip- hop, but it'sonly classical music like this which gives you butterflies, time after time.

[browny333]

this is perfect. woe betide anyone who thinks otherwise...

[5000joecool]

DEBUSSY STOLE FROM JOHN WILLIAMS....

wait...

[BeauJames59]

@5000joecool LOL (literally)

[ShevanelSaeglopur]

RIP Maurice Murphy. Your impact was immense.

[jewelinbanjo1]

RIP Maurice. You are a legend.

[Chest1976]

Maurice Murphy former principal trumpet LSO in this clip at 02.16 & 02.26 passed away today October 28th 2010. RIP Maurice and thankyou for the music,.. I shall always be enternally grateful for the sound.

[polyjr]

@philopus94 good tempo, great control giving the IMPRESSION of sea movement, nice overall timber, very charismatic and british ( in a good way) presentation. Enlight me please, where is the major problem with these presentation ?

[ultracherry55]

this is a nice piece (: hahaha but 0:56 is funny

[DarkDingus]

@mortalfrog0815 Actually there are different versions of La Mer. This particular one doesn't have that part in the Trumpets.

[rainbowscustard]

I love you LSO!!! Hope to see you play someday!

[Wcburg1]

@philopus94 WHAT THE HELL how is this mediocre? i don't see anything bad about this performance. could you point out one spot to me that is so bad?

[Wcburg1]

@philopus94 could you point out to me one spot where it is that bad?

[Lso]

@icicle211 or you could buy the disc from our website or iTunes in a legal sort of way so that we can afford to carry on putting on concerts and recording videos for you to enjoy on YouTube.

[123212321]

Why do people keep commenting on Gergiev's way of conducting, rather than the result? If it works, it doesn't matter how he conducts. And in my opinion, the result is very good. Furthermore, I don't see how LSO is a mediocre orchestra.

[ThirdCultureKidTCK]

@philopus94 Sounds like you're trolling, but I have to agree that the heyday of the London Symphony Orchestra was back in the 60's under a young Sir Colin Davies.

[plop292]

Philopus94, I don't know what kind of standards you have, but Gergiev is one of the top conductors in the world right now, and he sure isn't famous by bizarre hand gestures, since every conductor conducts uniquely, plus he has bragging rights so I don't care that he does whatever the f he wants since, most importantly, his musical concepts and ideas are incredible, not to mention the depth of musicianship he inspires among musicians and the sheer brilliance yet intensifying subtlety of his work.

[MrBarsty]

This piece has one of the best final minutes ever written.... the rest of it's great too, obviously, but that coda is just awesome!

[Alexknobsob]

The first time I have heard that trumpet coda sounding natural under Gergiev, not too loud and self concious solo to finish.

[solaesthetic]

it's amazing how banal commentaries can be - in contrast to the genius of the music and performance. Americans shouldn't be allowed to comment on nowt - people with no heart and soul.....

[CookstarSi]

@solaesthetic I'm American and I think it's a wonderful performance of a beautiful piece from one of my favorite composers. Don't paint us with such a broad brush.

[philopus94]

@solaesthetic I am not an american but an embarrassed englishman

[brent78900]

Debussy's a Dick.

[Alexknobsob]

@brent78900

There are Dicks and Dicks. Debussy if you don't mind.

[PurpleJacketBoy]

HAHAHAHAHA YES

[Lso]

@philopus94 we also replied to your other comment, but writing here too so others can see. We will leave this comment in the spirit of the open internet, but wanted to point out that we read all comments...

[rolandrog]

unless he's having a good hair day

[LLJtbone]

Nice low brass. This guys hair is always Jacked up looking. He should just cut it so it's not all over the place!

[xHuntedGunzPCGx]

@LLJtbone He needs it..it's like so characteristic...if he was bald he would look awkward

[LLJtbone]

@xHuntedGunzPCGx Haha.. I am with the other person. Dudamel's hair is awesome! I don't know? He could trim it and make it look a bit more well groomed. Just my 2 cents on it though!! The orchestra is spectacular though :-)

[xHuntedGunzPCGx]

@LLJtbone A slight trim would make it look much better....but who cares...that musique!

[LLJtbone]

@xHuntedGunzPCGx Yeah I agree, let's focus on the musique!!

[melodicdeath1212]

The Golden Ratio!

[freshhh1994]

awesome hair

[kwtsorina]

the music is wonderful..i love it..i wish i could play it!!

[musicstandanddeliver]

You can always tell that anything is good when Lorna is playing flute!!

[vereiana]

Fantastic..Thank you very much..

[goingtobe]

to Debussy lovers. maybe you would like this concerto.

just write the word FREAKOLLO, and you would get to a 2 parts concerto enjoy.

[Jafaarify]

Reminds me of that cockroach alien from Men In Black....You know, just with no hair and a suit. ;)

[gabita1376]

missed playing the horn and in an orchestra

[trombonejuggle]

I saw the Philadelphia Orchestra perform this last weekend (April 10th, 2010.)  Seeing/hearing it live was such a treat.

[LJBSasha]

Wonderful!! Gjérgijev (given that he's an Ossetian - otherwise, were he a Russian, it would certainly be Gjórgijev) has truly made me listen to this excerpt (mainly 3rd movement) anew - this is beautifully done and individual, yet not idiosyncratic!!! Bravo!!

[S1587915G]

I always like to imagine the Indian sitar replacing the harp in the last bit of the 2nd movement of 'La Mer'. :)

[SNAzzALi]

which movement is this?

[S1587915G]

@SNAzzALi

The first minute and twenty seconds are from the last bit of the 2nd movement ('Jeux de Vagues' or 'Play of the Waves'), while the rest is the 3rd movement ('Dialogue du Vent et de La Mer' or 'Dialog of the Wind and the Sea').

[8244600]

orchestra instructors always look mean for some reason

[flyingtadpole]

@8244600 How else can a conductor get all those rugged individualists/soloists to work together? AND they keep the manacles, whips and racks hidden...

[djungbremen]

Can someone please tell me from which source this video comes? Is there a DVD available?

[StevenTylerIsMyLife]

He has that look about him that you know the guy knows what he's talking about and I love it.

[awesomefrank1]

that oboe player got ADD

[chopsofsteel37]

Oh please. People do that for a couple reasons: some find it helps them play expressively. This guy probably more likely moved just to make sure the section played exactly together. ...and it's an OBOE.

[psyseb19]

wow i can really see the sea!!!

[yourforte]

Sumptuous piece.

[LogicSmash]

8.37 looks like the typical 70's TV Music.

[IoanGruffudd]

Where is Valery Gergiev from??

Great performance!

[psweep]

The Shinning? :P

[mikesvoboda1]

Russia

[keebr]

mother russia

[7minus9isminus2]

@IoanGruffudd

he is from Rassia. The city's name is Vladikavkaz. Its located in Caucasian mountains region. This my hometown as well.

Valery is even greater in real life....

[crawfordsjamie]

@IoanGruffudd Russia

[steadric]

i wish this video was louder my volume is cranked to the max

[engineersinyourear]

Very cool to see this performed! Huge fan of Debussy, Valery Gergiev, and the London Symphony Orchestra!

[iwanabana]

where's his bato....toothpick?

[Angel94angel94]

Wider he looks like Michael Jackson

[CornetHornet]

you can always tell a good conductor from his hair

[titchymcmidget]

@CornetHornet lol!

[MusicBeautyLove]

@CornetHornet HAHA You are awesome! That is so true! I love it!

[tailsaint]

@CornetHornet lol this is so funny

[musiccat888]

@CornetHornet so true, like Dudamel! Love his hair...

[muzomanoz]

@CornetHornet How would you rate Eschenbach then?

[DarkZekeX]

@CornetHornet or her hair >_>

[obizin]

@CornetHornet what if he's bald?

[DancingDickhead]

@CornetHornet - Yeah the mad scientist look with the straggling wispy bit

[ilpresentatore]

@CornetHornet  like Marturet or Dudamel!

[ilpresentatore]

@CornetHornet like Marturet or Dudamel!

[Roby1151]

@CornetHornet

:DDDD

[lardmonk]

@CornetHornet that and if it looks as though he hasn't bathed in a loooong time lol

[tango2330]

I prefer a drunk conductor with bad hair who conducts like Gergiev to someone whose appearance is impeccable but whose music is boring. What it really matters, it's what I hear. Gergiev's subtlety and creativity are amazing. Thank you for the posting.

[boyway2603]

@tango2330 So u mean dont judge conductor by his hair :D

[rayclentchris]

@tango2330 HA!

[Auletes1990]

whats up with the conductors hair???

[dajohnthomas69]

Gergiev is in fact maybe the last "romantic" conductor who never holds a baton. If you listen carefully, he always does something unexpected as regards to the tempi. That on-concert-improvising, creating on the spot during performance, is extremely hard to do and it sometimes isnot good for the details, but what charisma the man has! Who cares about details when you need to get across a vision, a message, an experience by way of something as eerie as music? Always exciting to listen to Valery!

[tommyk77]

Esa-Pekka Salonen sometimes doesn't use a baton

[TheCoventrykid]

Mr Murphy trumpet legend makes it sound so easy wow!

[trumpetman]

I know he's supposed to be a great conductor, but must he look so much like a vagrant in a tuxedo? lol

[plonsdrums]

maybe robbie williams or beyonce suit your taste? the beautiful people are so talented and interesting

[trumpetman]

The point is not that he's a bad conductor he's great, just a bad looker. I guess you could get a job looking like that right? I don't think so. Clean yourself up buddy...

[LSOviolinist]

I love this orchestras sound

[sebastianblack96]

Hmm....

Is that appropriate?

[tzhuff]

it is common on utube to have the video lag the sound. there are far worse examples than this.

[etiterum]

I really wonder if this kind of representation is able to attract people.

[hurbini]

Please, I would much appreciate if you could inform me what kind of people you refer to.

[etiterum]

someone complained about the bad sound, and I just asked if this kind of display is able to attract listeners to classical music, and to the LSO in particular.

[comaradella]

con todo respeto, tomaré lo mismo que esté tomando el Sr. Director

[ThaSchwab]

Did anyone else notice that Gergiev never, ever ends on the final note of a piece? As in, he's never in sync?

[ihadaralf]

He lets the note 'live'. The orchestra may have stopped, the note hasn't.

[ThaSchwab]

It's not that. Whenever the not ends, it's as if Gergiev is behind the orchestra and just gives them the "command."

[starcevicg]

Moj najomiljeniji dirigent sadasnjice !

[ichliebelieben]

wow there are only so many words you can use for a piece like this and one is amazing!!

[ScienceCommitter]

Excellent! Simply excellent.

[SaxaphonePlayer115]

the conductor scares me

[TechnoBIan]

He is quite eccentric, but he's awesome at what he does.

[RICKI231]

same ere lol :P

[juanmaMCMLXXXII]

Joer ¿Cómo me puede gustar tanto esto?

[mikeyrose94]

i love the mystery of this piece

[amistrymister]

this is the one for youtube symphony, i do believe? i mean for the oboe auditions?

[joethemusician]

yes this is one of the possible oboe excerpts and probably a smart choice if you plan to audition

[amistrymister]

why do i get minus 4? lol theres no reason! yeah it looks good i may audition. i love your username btw.

[joethemusician]

i dont know why you have -4 that seems dumb. I hope you do audition! I have an undergrad/masters in saxophone/clarinet but i've been playing mostly oboe for the last 2 years so I have been preparing and hoping for the best as an oboe audition. Maybe i'll regret not doing clarinet but oboe is so much more fun!!!

[amistrymister]

yeah you're pretty famous on youtube man - and i love your tutorial! really useful.

[joethemusician]

gosh you're awfully nice!!! Thanks!!!!! Did you audition? If so good luck!