Hofmann: Chopin Berceuse Op 57 (1918)

[Haioification]

A bit to mechanical

[Noshirm]

It's difficult to suffer gladly the idiots who've hate-rated this magnificent performance. Perhaps they would have applauded it had it been twice as long? Hofmann had rules that only he could follow, and he was a genius. If Rachmaninoff stated that Hofmann was the greatest of them all, who are we to carp about this interpretation? Bravo, Hofmann!

[TheStatue1]

wish I could play at that amazingly fast tempo, but I like a much slower tempo for this particular work of musical art.

[boxanova66]

I prefer Gieseking's touch better, softer sounds, flows better...

[MISHA1119]

Yes,Virkur, it's jaw-dropping, but you obviously don't know the piece well enough to realize that the lightning fast tempo seriously violates the sense of dreamy nocturnal fantasy and childlike serenity Chopin is trying to convey. The Berceuse is the wrong venue to demonstrate that you have one of the greatest mechanisms in pianistic history. Hofmann generally put that awesome technique into the service of high art, but this is not musical - it is simply bizarre.

[W0lfman0]

@MISHA1119 Except that the piece was originally titled 'Variations Brilliante" by Chopin - it was his publisher that changed the title to "Berceuse".

[HeifetzBeatsOistrakh]

I wonder if the recording mechanism could only allow 3 min and 20 sec. of music before it had to be flipped or changed... his usual phenomenal pulse and rubato seem less evident here...

[BreezyGraffiti]

Hofmann was one of the greatest pianists of his time obviously, but this is a travesty. Even if argued that he is playing at the Andante tempo of the ms., it's still way to fast. I cannot imagine the poet Chopin intending such beautiful melodies and variations to be tossed out with such speedy disregard. Hofmann makes it a technical display like as to an etude, when it is not that. Love Hofmann but Rubinstein/Ashkenazy were revelations on this piece. Hofmann is usually a consumate poet.

[1fattyfatman]

@BreezyGraffiti Told to speed things up a bit to fit on record. 3 and a half minutes goal 4 minutes max

[saturncrescent]

Hofmann was one of the greatest pianists ever, probably the greatest of his time. But his Bercuese has always bothered me, it makes me nervous. I partly agree with sirvio666. It's not too fast but there's too much focus on the notes. But astonishing, for sure,

[junglejim66]

Strangely, the "Golden Jubilee" version of this by the same artist is slower and more satisfying. Hofmann remains one of my favourite pianists of all time.He (same as Rachmaninoff) made up his own rules, but seemed to get away with it. When one is that good.....

[ToccodelDestino]

Just listen to Michelangeli's version. Then compare.

[hooooooman]

interesting, but very robotic, and ultimately a disservice to this incredible "Lullaby"

[NightClash909]

very lively

[dnggitg]

I love ancient recordings; they're my favorites. They sound like someone playing in a gazebo during a spring shower.

[paolichert]

@dnggitg That's one of the best descriptions I've come across regarding the acoustically recorded sound. My way of putting it is that these old 78's sound "distant". I, too, prefer 80 year old recordings as opposed to today's harsh, digital sound.

[foxfirebrand]

Hard to listen to Satie after hearing this much earlier masterpiece, and not hear how immense a debt he owed to Chopin. As for tempo, I don't believe it violates the license Chopin himself, with his emphasis on tempo obbligato. The Brahms lullaby cannot be played with audacity and bravura-- all those fulsome chords would wake the baby! But the Chopin can, and I enjoy this rendition immensely-- it doesn't, after all, render the more traditional interpretations invalid.

[sirvio666]

Too fast for me. This piece should "sing" you to sleep.

[marcind1]

just genius (:

[tibe2003]

pure trash, fast and total no soul!!!!

[mackbox123]

It is anything but trash~! The top line is so caressing and brilliant and the accompaniment is so gentle, isn't it what Chopin's music about, balance of tone?

[BrendanKennedy96]

Too fast.

[junglejim66]

Different, yes, but a genius at the keyboard who evidently knew no difficulties. One sees why Rachmaninoff thought Hofmann a great pianist.

[junglejim66]

The Golden Jubilee concert perfromance by Hofmann(on Youtube) is slower and more relaxed than this.

[aspacguy1]

fast because he adapted to the recording medium and not the other way around. 1918 is WW1 no cd's, no hifi,, not even vynil...

[kempff95]

the recording sound fast because this recording is so LATE.

I THINK when he played at the concert the music not was so fast.............

[nicodagger]

TOO TOO TOO FAST!!!!! I mean, really......it's as if all the heart and soul has been bleached out in a flurry of notes and technique.....if this was a lullaby it would scare the crap out of any kid and give her nightmares for a week!!! No sleep in that house. Chopin would vomit.

[davidgray2]

I disagree. There is a sublime simplicity in this version. You have to see it through his eyes, and put yourself in that time period.

[BrendanKennedy96]

I Notice that all old videos like Emil von Sauer, Raoul Pugno and Josef Hofmann.

But it seems to be this tune that they play fast

[LutzKranenborg]

Much too fast. But nonetheless a virtuoso performance that deserves attention.

[yourpianoteacher]

And this is a lullaby? Hoffman, as great as he was as an objective interpreter, lacked the heart and soul for such sensitive repertoire.

[shmackloc]

This is supposed to be a lullaby. in my opinion best played with a little rubato. A very skillful player has managed to drain this piece of it's beauty and soul

[RabidCh]

"supposed to be a lullaby"... ha! Does it put you to sleep?

[palcsi]

I never seem to be able to criticize Hofmann's playing.

[lala4879]

i dont believe it needs rubato, it just needs to be slower. i think he is playing it much to fast to give it its full meaning.

[antoinezygfryd]

Aux yeux de certains même Dieu aurait une barbe mal taillée...excusons-les.

MEME EUX auront droit d'entrer dans le Royaume des Cieux.

Un jour,un jour....

[joebpool]

Wow! I've never really bothered to listen to classical music before i'm more into the electronic side of things but i swear that was amazing. can somebody name any other similar lullabys by chopin or any other stunning pieces of classical piano for me to listen to?

[Veddelwatch]

Try this one. I bet you´ll like it.

Beethoven - Piano sonata op 111 movt 2 (2) - Annie Fischer (search in youtube). Greetings

[galaxyrainguy]

Johahnes Brahms wrote a lovely lullaby as well. There is also lovely keyboard music by Couperin, Mozart(some of the string quartets are breathtaking, and Gabriel Faure composed a poem for orchestra somewhate in this manner. If you can stretch towards impressionism Debussey wrote many lovely pieces, try listening to Images, Miroirs, and L'Isle Joyeause, beautiful music.

[paulostroff99]

Superb!

[SwePianoholic]

is this a computer ? :D

[63Attila]

SwePianoholic

I do not know why the thumbs down. I wondered whether this was a piano role. Hoffman and many other great pianists recorded on them.

Maybe the fast tempo here is because of the time limitations of the piano role.

Even if this were a standard vinyl recording, maybe the time limit per side was not even 4 minutes yet. Can any musicologist answer these questions? This does not seem to be a poetic recording maybe because of the recording techniques.

[Dominicussen]

it's a vinyl recording and it's definitely not a computer: It's Hofmann!

[SwePianoholic]

No of course it is´nt an computer, I made a joke. I think he plays mechanically and the comment from 63attila is fully plausible.

[gspaulsson]

This is way before vinyl. Baekelite, I think.

[decencyEnough2resign]

this piece is marked ANDANTE by Chopin, not allegretto. gr8 technique, BUT! guess he was in a hurry, which is too bad since this is such a beautiful piece when played andante.

[bw2082]

people play things too slowly in recent years. I like more aggressive tempos

[arwena55]

perfect speed, perfect interpretation, charming, gentle and playful. Wonderful!

[Razaak]

This is uncannily similar to Ignaz Friedman's performance - which times around 3:17 as I recall - I prefer Frieman's ever so slightly, it has just a touch more warmth and charm and is more elegantly phrased, though this too is quite beautiful, not to mention amazing. Others worth mentioning, who take their time a little more are Solomon, Kissin, Katsaris and Michaelangeli.

[sfkcbf]

I wish I had the ability to play the Berceuse like Hofmann ... and then play it like Michaelangeli.

[jacek9291]

Absolutely phenomenal technique, almost unsurpassed. But this is a lullaby, for Christ's sake! Yet it sounds like a march. Listening to Hoffman's performances it seems to me that they were all recorded too fast (old technology?). Its like playing the old 45 vinyl on 78 speed. Similar story with old Rubinstein's recordings yet, the most recent before his death, sound fine.

[berti48]

I think this is not a lullaby. This piece was originally conceived by Chopin as "variations"

over a thema. Personally I think Benedetti Michelangeli has gone to the celestial origins

but...who can say?? Yr opinion?

[jacek9291]

I am sorry. I have not heard Michelanglei's interpretation. However, Berceuse op. 57 (released together with Sonata B Minor op. 58) was definitely descibed by Chopin as "Lullabay" in his later years. He did called initial phases of this piece "VARIANTS" initially. Chopin did struggle to find "proper" names for his innovative and ahead-of-his-time pieces (like Polonaise-Fantasy op 61)for a long time

[jacek9291]

Now, having heard Michelangeli's interprtetation, I do agree with you. M. is divine. But, this is exactly the intricacy that makes the difference. M. plays the piece in 4:36 while H. takes only 3:12. This is a HUGE difference. Makes the piece sound completely different and, potentially, change the intention it was supposed to serve.

[BreuschPagan]

please take the time to inspect Rubinstein's recording of this.

he brings such wonderful tone and colour and turns it into an irresistably fragrant bouquet that lulls you slowly into a dream.

[StrivetobeDust]

Mmm, Yes, Rubinstein's version is very nice, but no one comes close to Cortot's 1954 recording of it for EMI. It takes you to a world of midnight dew and leaves fluttering in gentle midsummer night breezes.

[panaosei]

like a machine no more than that

[amirmot]

I think it is really bad,TOO fast,you should be able to sleep or at least relax while listenning to it,I could not even think about relaxing while WASlistenning to it!RUBBISH!I urge everyone to listen to tamas vassary interpretation of this wonderful piece!

[berti48]

I suggest you to listen to the Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and compare with Tamas Wasary. Which one you prefer?

[mltube]

Wonderful. I love his Chopin, especially PCs with Barbirolli. Incredible imagination and tone.

[virkur]

Comments should be disabled for this one: there are no words to describe it; it's simply....jaw-dropping and in a class far above all others.

[berti48]

pls deatil in few words element bringing this interpratation over any other but pls compare with Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli one. Thank for yr return answer

[2ndviolinist]

@virkur Have you listened to d'Albert or Paderewski for that matter?

[StrivetobeDust]

That is the fastest I've ever heard that piece played. It's usually over 4 minutes.

[anubis3300]

breathtaking