Perhaps those who complain should seek out his full recording of the work. They'll hear something entirely different. He had a time constraint on the show, and I don't imagine he was happy about the editing.
The conductor is Donald Voorhees, who was with the show for its entire 28 year run on radio and TV.
Mr. Piatigorsky's wife Jacqueline is still with us and will be (hopefully) be celebrating her 100th birthday in November.
What I can't believe is all the numbskulls who disliked this performance by one of the greatest artists who ever walked the planet. I was fortunate to have studied with him. Indeed, one of his students, Nathaniel Rosen, won the Tchaikovsky gold medal in 1978 and the two most recent winners studied with Piatigorsky's students. And as to the cuts, this was made for TV. In order to make it fit within TV time requirements, it was edited. That was not Piatigorsky's choice, it was the director's.
Should be a little slower, the playing's nice though, sometimes slows down too much at the slow places, and no its not because of my teacher, he actually wants me to go faster
They cut out a lot of parts when the orchestra would get the melody. I'm actually quite surprised because they are interpretive parts for the cellist as well!
dont you feel it? he has got something to say. maybe the interpretation is no longer "modern" but you wouldnt critizise the tempo if you wouldnt know this piece
Позиционная аппликатура - грехи большого мастера! Насколько более благородно это прозвучало бы без пошлых подъездов!!! Я за высокохудожественное качество.
Профессор Александр Смирнов - один из последних носителей школы Александра Пятигорского, который, безусловно, превзошёл своего знаменитого брата в таких коренных вопросах исполнительского творчества.
Much too fast... He has great sound, but he plays through the majority of it too fast. The crazy middle section was very well-played, however, but I wish he hadn't cut so much out and played the rest slower and with more care.
your so mechanical, at least put some feeling into it because this piece should be played slower and with feeling. I'm not so wild about your interpretation, especially the cuts :(
youve gotta be kidding to say that this is one of the best recordings of this ive every heard! you dont always have to be bleeding with emotion and spilling your feelings. sometimes its even more passionate to play from deep within and piatagorsky creates such a beautiful solemn tone doing so
omg this is not good at all! his bow changes are too fast which make the music happy not sad. and it's too fast. and his vibrato should have more variety. he needs to feel this music......
I wish I could play the elegie this fast! He's running upwards of 100 per eight note, and I can only manage about 76. Absolutely amazing. And such clean playing, too.
not every performance has to be a catharsis. there is some degree of class in understatement. anyone that has to dump their musicianship all the time is a ham. also different cellists have different things they play better. yo yo ma on Prokofiev i am amazed at. him on the bach suites he sounds robotic. lynn harrell on bloch's shelomo was gut wrenchingly amazing.
He is playing technically perfect, but too fast. I would reccomend to listen "Elegy" played by Steven Isserlis or Jacqueline du Pre. They take their time (Isserlis 6:58, du Pre 6:45) and they play with much more passion.
I feel like as Piatigorsky got older (especially in this instance) playing became less of a passion and a pure soul driven hobby and more of a way to show off and think he's better than every one else. He just seems incredibly conceited here.
And what of it? Piatigorsky's interpretation simply moves more than most others (in fact, I'd say that in comparison I find slower interpretations stagnant and too viscous).
As to your question about emotion...I think that if you have to ask no one can help you. All I know is that this is the recording I keep coming back to without fail.
I cannot believe the beauty and human passion which Fauré wrote into this piece, and the perfection which Piatigorsky breathed into its lungs.
What more can a human being ask for than to be represented among the pillars of history by his music? When the B section arrives to console our ears, knowing we suffered the sadness of the A section, it is as clouds would part to reveal the sun, only briefly.
I think you meant to say: "I don't like it, it's too fast."
Or: "I don't care about anything but the tempo and that's why I don't like this performance."
Or: "My ears cannot hear anything beyond speed of music and therefore I should say how much I am disappointed in Piatigorsky."
Or finally: "As one of the 90% of Youtube listeners who all dislike this performance because he plays faster than my teacher told me to play, I will have to say I dislike this performance."
I am not sure why you are so hostile to my loving and respectful praise of that great master, Piatigorsky. It's not too fast at all! What gave you the impression that I dislike this amazing performance?
It's sarcasm in response to the dozens of people all saying the same thing about the tempo. If nobody heard of this composition before, nobody would be remarking on the speed. Anyways, it's not a very interesting critique to me and probably reflects the musical maturity of most posters. I thought Piatiagorsky played it extremely beautifully. His tone may be unmatched among all cellists and his romantic style is unmistaken.
Excellent coment. I agree with it. It is a matter of style and sentiment. I think it is difficult to say who plays better if Jackie Dupre or Yo Yo ma or anyone else, it is different, that is all.
@aimson Personally, I love Piatigorsky's playing most of the time, and I love this piece.
However, I DO prefer it slow--the tempo is marked "molto adagio". That means "very slowly" (basically).
I think he plays it too fast here. I don't like it.
My teacher NEVER told me to play it slow. My teacher lets me read the tempo markings and decide for myself, and offer his own opinion, criticism, and thoughts.
I think it is quite rude of you to make assumptions like that, not to mention unintelligent.
I see past the performance speed and think this piece is played beautifully. Although at the beginning the problem I think people have is that there is not enough musicality in his playing and therefore it doesn't sound right, and coupled with the speed it sounds unlike how the legend Piatigorsky should have played it.
@JonRobert The rigidity with which this generation hears classical music is a backlash against great art. The fact that most of the negative comments on this page (and literally dozens of my other ones) have focused on attempts to impose that rigidity towards the musician discourages me. The musician's job is not to interpret what the composer wanted but to interpret what they THINK the composer wanted. This distinction has a lot to do with personality and creativity and what makes music great.
@JonRobert The viewpoint that a musician's job is to play "correctly" has resulted in a plethora of monotonous and vapid classical musicians flooding the market all around the globe on all different instruments. It especially plagues the world of violin, where personal creativity and ingenuity have been dampened to the point of near nonexistence. The rise of music "competitions" have a lot to do with discouraging creativity because they literally force musicians to conform to a limited standard.
Why must we critique? His soul sang of peace yet when he tries to spread it we have people picking aprt his special style. The vibrato is so fast because in his era it was becoming a huge part of style when they believed every note mut be srticulated. Vibrato was thought as a constant motion never stopping but a continual motion. Listen to the soul his sound has no 1 can recreate that its original. Peace peace in the world. Those who judge will be judged! Its called free will!!!
He's from a different era, remember... his style was seriously in fashion around this time. He grew up when romantic music was at its peak, and everything he is doing here was perfectly acceptable.
wow....i know piatigorsky is famous and all, but honestly cant he look a little more into it(i mean, closing your eyes doesnt prove anything...)? and yes...he's going super fast and he has spastic vibrato.... :[
i am revisiting this piece for an audition and my teacher suggested the bow technique he uses in this recording. i have found it makes the sound come out of the cello much more if you play on the side of the hair, just like he does. also, i think that you can't really criticize his tempo. obviously faure is not here to tell us what it should sound like so you have to go with what YOU believe it should sound like. everyone has their individual interpretations.
I'm not sure how cello differs from the violin but this logic about the sound seems off. The more bow hair you have in contact with the string, the more sound that gets produced. After all, sound is generated from the friction between the bow+rosin and the string. In theory, a bow that is 3 inches wide will sound far louder than a 1 inch bow.
In fact, one can use this productively, using the side of the bow for less sound in pianissimo (also playing closer to the fingerboard) and playing closer to the bridge with the full bow for forte. The quality (not quantity) of the sound, however might be different in the way you describe. Also, I agree about the tempo - if Piatigorsky wants to play it at that tempo and knows the full consequences of it, then that is good musicianship. If it's unintended, shame on him.
I find that when I use the side of the hair near the bridge, it gives you a much brighter and piercing sound, which, for some parts of this piece, is required. And, like you said, using it closer to the finger board gives you much more control over the pianissimo. When you put the two together, it creates a good technique for the piece.
This friction you speak of only gets the string vibrating. You don't need a great amount of friction to keep it vibrating. A bow with too wide a breadth of horse hair would eventually begin to interfere with the string vibrating and would also begin to make excessive surface noise.
The sound will not increase the slightest bit with a broader hair surface. The surface does not even figure in the friction equation friction = presssure x friction coefficient (rosin here). A little physics would help.
@germantel I'm not sure this is true for strings. If that were the case, I could play with a bow with one horse hair and it would produce the same sound as 1000 hairs (or w/e there is supposed to be). Whenever my bow loses enough hair, I need to get it rehaired - no argument there. Also, consider the multiple elements of good "sound." Even if you were right about volume of sound not increasing, you haven't considered the quality of sound that is highly affected by surface area.
Try to watch the EMI DVD Archive Series featuring Piatgorsky playing Walton´s Cello concert. Wonderful. And also Piatigorsky-Heifetz and friends playing Cesar Franck´s quintet. The most musical interpretation of all (mono)
This is a hard song to interpret and I don't think people quite understand that. I respect Piatigorsky for making this piece his own. There were times when the tempo was too fast and he slipped, but all in all I think it was a good performance.
I'm not sure if anyone said this, but didn't he skip repeat of the first few measures?
It's an interesting take on the tempo, which I appreciate because I've never heard it sped up. I'm learning to play this and I like his interpretation of it. Makes it Piatigorsky's own.
Whatever happened to this GLORIOUS programming on Commercial television stations? Corporate giants like Ma Bell & Firestone supported symphony orchestras and brought artists of this calibre into our homes! So sad what's become of television today. Aside from the handful of "Live From Lincoln Center" & "Live From the Met" productions, 95% or more of what's on the BOOB TUBE today is GARBAGE!! FILTH! GUTTER-TALK! INANE DRIVEL aimed at the lowest common denominator. BRING BACK QUALITY PROGRAMMING!
I get the impression that in those days they were very big on virtuoso fireworks... hence the slightly rushed feel of the triplets, maybe? I wonder if he's upped the initial tempo so it doesn't feel quite so melodramatic - ditto the more subtle vibrato... it has such potential to be over-the-top and schmaltzy
however, I must say I'm not a fan of his tempo--there is no denying Piatigorsky has reached the point where no matter how he plays he sounds good, but I would've enjoyed to hear him play it slower. He puts feeling into it but @ that tempo I think it sounds like he didnt because the composer intended it to be a little slower (I think!)
Amazing performance though, his stage presence is incredible!
Usually I don't comment on criticism of Piatigorsky but I find a compelling need to here. You obviously have no idea about anything regarding real music. You might think so, being a teenager and all, but you don't. Come back when your ears are cleaned of filth and maybe you will have something worth saying. This is warning #1.
warning # 1? so, how is the view from that high horse of yours?
pistolenpeter1992
you are entitled to your opinion but if you have such a strong (and controversial) one, it would be wise to back it up with some sort of an intelligent analysis.
It's not a high horse, it's called "anticipatory control." Just watching out for shit fights. You'd be surprised at how often that happens on Youtube, especially after dumb comments like this one. I really don't mind critique of meistro Piatigorsky. For example, I don't agree that the tempo is too fast but I can understand and it makes sense. However, this post is as offensive as it is thoughtless, which prompted my harsh comment.
dude i disagree with you, and what gets my attention is that you say "this is" just crap, you cannot say this is because there is not absolute point of view, it is just your point of view.
i think this is the best rendition of Faure's elegie in youtube,
"Greisha"was a wonderful cellist,and a delightful and humorous human being.The negative comments on this site makes me ill.If you don't like it,tune to the rug rats, or something like that children.
It's true. Music is freedom and his interpretation is not bad--just a little awkward at points. His sliding is too exaggerated sometimes and it is a little fast. Other than that, its a beautiful piece. I'm preparing it myself.
I think most detractors are shocked by Piatigorsky's playing because modern musical conventions frown upon taking such artistic liberties. The advent of the recording medium probably has much to do with this - people are too accustomed to a homogeneous norm.
Personally, I respect very much what Piatigorsky has done. It is very musical and free.
But seriously guys, why is nearly every comment negative? If you don't like it, don't listen all the way through! (It's really that simple, I promise.)
etoy de acuerdo contigo en que esta muy rapido, sin embargo creo que por lo demas esta perfecta, al aumentar la velocidad se pierde un poco de expresión, pero esta bien, le cambia el caaracter a una obra que por lo general siempre es tocada de la misma manera. sin mencionar que tecnicamente esta perfecta.
i agree with YTMO21807, the beginning does seem rather cold and rigid...but only for the first 20 seconds, at which point it gains all the warmth it needs.
en mi muy particular opinion creo que el estilo de este gran maestro en esta hermosa pieza esta vinculado mas al estilo del tango argenti, los glisandos el rubato casi exagerado y los portamentos son una expresion muy intima mas sin embargo a mi parecer esta fuera de estilo
Piatigorsky does not rush... He plays how he wants to play, which all great musicians do. Just enjoy or not enjoy it as you see fit. Anyways, rhythm is always relative and there is no such thing as absolute in real art.
I think it's not so much that he's rushing as the speed that he chooses to play the Elegie, because it's supposed to be a funeral thingy. This piece can be really drawn out and be much more powerfully than Piatigorsky plays it here.
no doubt piatigorsky has every inch of that fingerboard memorized. he's phenomenal. his vibrato is a little limited at times, though. but honestly, i think he meant it to be, because he looks like he has a good range of width in his vibrato.
I love Piatigorsky in this work. But I do believe that Rostropovich really struck home on this one. He played in a way that was so lyrical. But Gresha was really phenomenal...
Without seeing any expression, just by ear, can you really hear a mournful tone in Piatigorsky's interpretation? A funeral dirge, in my opinion, should be much more majestic. His vibrato could give off a much warmer tone if he widened it up. And, by choosing to take a faster tempo, the mournful expression is not fully realized.
i loved this version. the slides are pefect. although it does seem a bit held back like as if he feels the saddness of the elegy yet is holding back a little
I also prefer the piano accompaniment, which I know well and get a chance to play occasionally. One of my favorite recordings of this is by Reiner Hochmuth.
I prefer this piece played with a piano accompaniment rather than an orchestral, but it's still quite beautiful. I'm more a fan of Jacqueline du Pre's version, honestly, but Piatigorsky does it justice, I think.
I just really adore his cello, maybe because my cello looks like Piatigorsky's. Does anybody know on which cello he played? Does someone share with me the idea that the bow is way too much tightened, or is that just the camera angle?
The cello Piatigorsky is playing is the 1714 Batta Stradivari. How much the hair on a bow is tightened is a matter of personal taste. It would also depend on how stiff or flexable the wood was.
Piatigorsky didn't miss any notes. What you have to remember is that this video is from an old television tape (circa 1957). The recording technology of color television was very poor then, with a low frame-rate, and audio suffered from this. The film literally couldn't keep up with Piatagorsky's playing, which is why many of the notes in the virtuostic passages appear to be missed or brief.
Ich liebe die ru s s i s c h-jüdische Virtuosenschule: Kogan, Oistrach, Gilels Lazar Berman....
nisanus 2 months ago
incredible beautiful!!
berituka 2 months ago
Outstanding I love this peice
jakehuner 2 months ago
Perhaps those who complain should seek out his full recording of the work. They'll hear something entirely different. He had a time constraint on the show, and I don't imagine he was happy about the editing.
The conductor is Donald Voorhees, who was with the show for its entire 28 year run on radio and TV.
Mr. Piatigorsky's wife Jacqueline is still with us and will be (hopefully) be celebrating her 100th birthday in November.
TomBarrister 4 months ago
i wouldn't mind the speed so much if he chose his bowings more wisely. certain things are just not meant to be slurred
BioFamilie 4 months ago
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momentariness 4 months ago
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momentariness 4 months ago
What I can't believe is all the numbskulls who disliked this performance by one of the greatest artists who ever walked the planet. I was fortunate to have studied with him. Indeed, one of his students, Nathaniel Rosen, won the Tchaikovsky gold medal in 1978 and the two most recent winners studied with Piatigorsky's students. And as to the cuts, this was made for TV. In order to make it fit within TV time requirements, it was edited. That was not Piatigorsky's choice, it was the director's.
Steinfeld101 5 months ago
they shouldnt post incomplete pieces here, and yeah it is very easy to like the cello even if it plays the piece so arbitrarily, and incomplete :-(
xdudet 5 months ago
i don't like this performance.
NtrMssionHurricane 5 months ago
The playing is much too unpredictable for my liking, the orchestra should be brought out more, and... it's not even the whole song.
TheExarion 5 months ago
Should be a little slower, the playing's nice though, sometimes slows down too much at the slow places, and no its not because of my teacher, he actually wants me to go faster
martinshung1 6 months ago
unsyncronal?
thewildcellist 6 months ago
how can 50 people dislike this??...
MsLexx99 6 months ago
@witeboyscanwrap he probably replied to the wrong comment
bendmybanana1 7 months ago
They cut out a lot of parts when the orchestra would get the melody. I'm actually quite surprised because they are interpretive parts for the cellist as well!
Regardless, this was gorgeous.
aseretkavon 10 months ago
not only that he plays it too fast, he totally changes the tempo in some parts and is extremly unsyncronal with the orchestra...
Philboy50 10 months ago
great!
dont you feel it? he has got something to say. maybe the interpretation is no longer "modern" but you wouldnt critizise the tempo if you wouldnt know this piece
Kalagath90 11 months ago
I KNOW IVE HEARD THIS BEFORE, ah its driving me insane
dawoof 1 year ago
so fast for me :( by the way, it's okay !
OrpheoDerLR 1 year ago
He is REALLY feeling it.
LiuGondor 1 year ago 2
well i think he plays it beautifully!
lovemusic0lovelife 1 year ago
interesting interpretation...
Beatlesfanforever100 1 year ago
I never heard Faure Elegie before and I thought this was beautiful beyond my comprehension
BBZZZZZ 1 year ago
Позиционная аппликатура - грехи большого мастера! Насколько более благородно это прозвучало бы без пошлых подъездов!!! Я за высокохудожественное качество.
Профессор Александр Смирнов - один из последних носителей школы Александра Пятигорского, который, безусловно, превзошёл своего знаменитого брата в таких коренных вопросах исполнительского творчества.
VIVATCELLO 1 year ago
he looks like spock.
Mizzles240 1 year ago
I just started playing this piece. so good
I'm playing the Cello/Piano duet version though, not the orchestrated one. Tis beast
jozzaud 1 year ago
this was written for a funeral, not a nascar race.
LlamaLlord21 1 year ago 3
Much too fast... He has great sound, but he plays through the majority of it too fast. The crazy middle section was very well-played, however, but I wish he hadn't cut so much out and played the rest slower and with more care.
celloxlove 1 year ago
your so mechanical, at least put some feeling into it because this piece should be played slower and with feeling. I'm not so wild about your interpretation, especially the cuts :(
platypusfredrik 1 year ago 2
@platypusfredrik i do hope you said "your so mechanical" knowing that your grammar's wrong and that piatigorsky's been dead for over 33 years.
pyun123 1 year ago
@pyun123 well I didn't know that he has been dead for 33 years and you don't have to be so rude about me saying "your so mechanical"
platypusfredrik 1 year ago
@pyun123 well I didn't know that he has been dead for 33 years and you don't have to be so rude about me saying "your so mechanical"
platypusfredrik 1 year ago
@platypusfredrik wow! you know you are addressing grigor piatigorsky here?
flathills 1 year ago
this is absolutly horrible! put some feeling in it!
Juliusabcd 2 years ago
youve gotta be kidding to say that this is one of the best recordings of this ive every heard! you dont always have to be bleeding with emotion and spilling your feelings. sometimes its even more passionate to play from deep within and piatagorsky creates such a beautiful solemn tone doing so
celloplayr313 2 years ago
omg this is not good at all! his bow changes are too fast which make the music happy not sad. and it's too fast. and his vibrato should have more variety. he needs to feel this music......
aamish911 2 years ago
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suzukicello 2 years ago
@suzukicello this is horrible he is playing it too fast and the cuts suck
MrBiggunsbobby 1 year ago
@MrBiggunsbobby he played it faster, but his interpretation is really passionate. It's my favourite :P (and i'm cellist)
vergilbass 1 year ago
lol, the look at the very end
triviumlambofgod 2 years ago 2
@triviumlambofgod lol!
platypusfredrik 1 year ago
MMMMMMM......one of the great Faure´s compossitions gone to the toilet because of the cuts!!!!
towavred 2 years ago 2
I am gonna play this in two days!!! :)
Boozbiiz 2 years ago
I wish I could play the elegie this fast! He's running upwards of 100 per eight note, and I can only manage about 76. Absolutely amazing. And such clean playing, too.
youngmastermagican 2 years ago
I dont like how fast he plays it..
chickenchild007 2 years ago
not every performance has to be a catharsis. there is some degree of class in understatement. anyone that has to dump their musicianship all the time is a ham. also different cellists have different things they play better. yo yo ma on Prokofiev i am amazed at. him on the bach suites he sounds robotic. lynn harrell on bloch's shelomo was gut wrenchingly amazing.
Polermo 2 years ago 4
you're right
Nekronn 2 years ago
Lynn Harrell is in my top 5 (favorite cellists) :) He truly is amazing
Jangof3tt 2 years ago
Faure originally intended this piece to be played with piano and cello, and played with the correct level of intimacy, I think it sounds better.
Nothing wrong with this particular version. He takes it faster than others, but that's not really a problem.
darkpdxwolf 2 years ago 4
There are cuts. That's one of the reasons it's shorter.
higginsbsamighther 2 years ago
He is playing technically perfect, but too fast. I would reccomend to listen "Elegy" played by Steven Isserlis or Jacqueline du Pre. They take their time (Isserlis 6:58, du Pre 6:45) and they play with much more passion.
gurgele 2 years ago
This being my first time hearing this piece, I think Piatigorsky played it beautifully and I noticed nothing wrong with the tempo.
becauseican01 2 years ago
I feel like as Piatigorsky got older (especially in this instance) playing became less of a passion and a pure soul driven hobby and more of a way to show off and think he's better than every one else. He just seems incredibly conceited here.
patriciapoop3 2 years ago
too fast !
marcelaa27 2 years ago
oh please
theanswer00 2 years ago
where's the emotion in any of this. he speeds through the intro to the central theme very quickly. gosh. makes me cringe
pokerface127 2 years ago
And what of it? Piatigorsky's interpretation simply moves more than most others (in fact, I'd say that in comparison I find slower interpretations stagnant and too viscous).
As to your question about emotion...I think that if you have to ask no one can help you. All I know is that this is the recording I keep coming back to without fail.
OzzyKingofKings 2 years ago
agree
Ezkiel777 2 years ago
I cannot believe the beauty and human passion which Fauré wrote into this piece, and the perfection which Piatigorsky breathed into its lungs.
What more can a human being ask for than to be represented among the pillars of history by his music? When the B section arrives to console our ears, knowing we suffered the sadness of the A section, it is as clouds would part to reveal the sun, only briefly.
Such a golden sound!
ThomasHospitaller 2 years ago 22
I think you meant to say: "I don't like it, it's too fast."
Or: "I don't care about anything but the tempo and that's why I don't like this performance."
Or: "My ears cannot hear anything beyond speed of music and therefore I should say how much I am disappointed in Piatigorsky."
Or finally: "As one of the 90% of Youtube listeners who all dislike this performance because he plays faster than my teacher told me to play, I will have to say I dislike this performance."
Need I go on?
aimson 2 years ago 12
I am not sure why you are so hostile to my loving and respectful praise of that great master, Piatigorsky. It's not too fast at all! What gave you the impression that I dislike this amazing performance?
ThomasHospitaller 2 years ago
I think aimson's comment may have been directed to "Ecapa1" below...
Anyways, I have no words to describe Grisha's playing here.
OzzyKingofKings 2 years ago
It's sarcasm in response to the dozens of people all saying the same thing about the tempo. If nobody heard of this composition before, nobody would be remarking on the speed. Anyways, it's not a very interesting critique to me and probably reflects the musical maturity of most posters. I thought Piatiagorsky played it extremely beautifully. His tone may be unmatched among all cellists and his romantic style is unmistaken.
aimson 2 years ago
Excellent coment. I agree with it. It is a matter of style and sentiment. I think it is difficult to say who plays better if Jackie Dupre or Yo Yo ma or anyone else, it is different, that is all.
Maigua08 2 years ago
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patriciapoop3 2 years ago
@aimson Personally, I love Piatigorsky's playing most of the time, and I love this piece.
However, I DO prefer it slow--the tempo is marked "molto adagio". That means "very slowly" (basically).
I think he plays it too fast here. I don't like it.
My teacher NEVER told me to play it slow. My teacher lets me read the tempo markings and decide for myself, and offer his own opinion, criticism, and thoughts.
I think it is quite rude of you to make assumptions like that, not to mention unintelligent.
mrslimbeck 1 year ago
@aimson I don't think you understood him.
witeboyscanwrap 7 months ago
@aimson
I see past the performance speed and think this piece is played beautifully. Although at the beginning the problem I think people have is that there is not enough musicality in his playing and therefore it doesn't sound right, and coupled with the speed it sounds unlike how the legend Piatigorsky should have played it.
JonRobert 4 months ago
@JonRobert The rigidity with which this generation hears classical music is a backlash against great art. The fact that most of the negative comments on this page (and literally dozens of my other ones) have focused on attempts to impose that rigidity towards the musician discourages me. The musician's job is not to interpret what the composer wanted but to interpret what they THINK the composer wanted. This distinction has a lot to do with personality and creativity and what makes music great.
aimson 3 months ago
@JonRobert The viewpoint that a musician's job is to play "correctly" has resulted in a plethora of monotonous and vapid classical musicians flooding the market all around the globe on all different instruments. It especially plagues the world of violin, where personal creativity and ingenuity have been dampened to the point of near nonexistence. The rise of music "competitions" have a lot to do with discouraging creativity because they literally force musicians to conform to a limited standard.
aimson 3 months ago
He plays it too fast to feel emotion.
cellodaniel1 4 months ago
Maestro Piatigorsky is great, though this version dissapoints me a bit because of the tempo.
Ecapa1 2 years ago
I think it's a bit too fast...
mees04101993 2 years ago 4
he is really good, i can not play this song that fast XD
xxLostInThe60sxx 2 years ago
i play this piece for my final exam this year
but i could never play it as fast as he does, it's just not human. he must be very good to be able to play it like that!!
PrincessJulie345 2 years ago 2
Why must we critique? His soul sang of peace yet when he tries to spread it we have people picking aprt his special style. The vibrato is so fast because in his era it was becoming a huge part of style when they believed every note mut be srticulated. Vibrato was thought as a constant motion never stopping but a continual motion. Listen to the soul his sound has no 1 can recreate that its original. Peace peace in the world. Those who judge will be judged! Its called free will!!!
jacquelinescellist 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I hated this
zingthing321 2 years ago
wonderful tone....
halipoetu 2 years ago
he is one of the 5 great cello giants . All the rest is just trying to gell closer. Feuermann,Cassals,Du Pre and Fournier are the others.
Rephrat 2 years ago
He's from a different era, remember... his style was seriously in fashion around this time. He grew up when romantic music was at its peak, and everything he is doing here was perfectly acceptable.
Jonesy611 2 years ago
sounded too fast to me but im no expert
n3v3rteamed 2 years ago
it is a lot faster then the normal speed
johnnye 2 years ago
Ah but what is the "normal" speed, only the composer can define that
athancandlss 2 years ago 3
wow....i know piatigorsky is famous and all, but honestly cant he look a little more into it(i mean, closing your eyes doesnt prove anything...)? and yes...he's going super fast and he has spastic vibrato.... :[
blackjellybeans8 2 years ago
the piece is too fast, yet the lower the note the SLOWER the vibrato, the higher of the note FASTER but he's like going crazy on the vibrato!
chemicalromancegeek 2 years ago
urgh i hate his accents and this is way too fast also his glissandi is disgusting.
willn58 2 years ago
there's one of jacqueline du pre up now if you didn't know and it's amazing
munkybrain 2 years ago
shut up you know nothing
lcathal1 2 years ago
i think that he goes a bit fast too... 0:44-0:46 is a bit too fast in my opinion, and sounds slightly out of sync with the orchestra
drakeiii44 3 years ago
Elegie is like a eulogy which are given during or before a funeral.
I absolutely hate this version. he goes too fast(for me), and he skips about 8 measures which should start after 1:52.
:(
reda12010 3 years ago
This Elegie is for loss of love, not loss of life.
bachstabber 3 years ago 2
yes, but i always thought like the death of someone special. whom you would love.
reda12010 3 years ago
An elegy is not a eulogy.
dogtransport 2 years ago
his vibrato seems a bit too tight its to much like violin vibrato.
thejfactors 3 years ago
is the most beauty version of the faure's elegy
animalo86 3 years ago
I think thats it is much too fast, either.
xxjonny92xx 3 years ago
I'm learnin this piece so I know,he skipped parts. And the tempo was too fast for this piece.
athinasophia 3 years ago 2
i am revisiting this piece for an audition and my teacher suggested the bow technique he uses in this recording. i have found it makes the sound come out of the cello much more if you play on the side of the hair, just like he does. also, i think that you can't really criticize his tempo. obviously faure is not here to tell us what it should sound like so you have to go with what YOU believe it should sound like. everyone has their individual interpretations.
megk7992 3 years ago
I'm not sure how cello differs from the violin but this logic about the sound seems off. The more bow hair you have in contact with the string, the more sound that gets produced. After all, sound is generated from the friction between the bow+rosin and the string. In theory, a bow that is 3 inches wide will sound far louder than a 1 inch bow.
aimson 3 years ago
In fact, one can use this productively, using the side of the bow for less sound in pianissimo (also playing closer to the fingerboard) and playing closer to the bridge with the full bow for forte. The quality (not quantity) of the sound, however might be different in the way you describe. Also, I agree about the tempo - if Piatigorsky wants to play it at that tempo and knows the full consequences of it, then that is good musicianship. If it's unintended, shame on him.
aimson 3 years ago
I really appreciate all of the artists' performance and they are extremely good. Most of people do not understand depth of their music.
If you don't enjoy, you have choice of others instead......
kanani771 1 year ago
I find that when I use the side of the hair near the bridge, it gives you a much brighter and piercing sound, which, for some parts of this piece, is required. And, like you said, using it closer to the finger board gives you much more control over the pianissimo. When you put the two together, it creates a good technique for the piece.
megk7992 3 years ago
This friction you speak of only gets the string vibrating. You don't need a great amount of friction to keep it vibrating. A bow with too wide a breadth of horse hair would eventually begin to interfere with the string vibrating and would also begin to make excessive surface noise.
bachstabber 3 years ago
@aimson
The sound will not increase the slightest bit with a broader hair surface. The surface does not even figure in the friction equation friction = presssure x friction coefficient (rosin here). A little physics would help.
germantel 1 month ago
@germantel I'm not sure this is true for strings. If that were the case, I could play with a bow with one horse hair and it would produce the same sound as 1000 hairs (or w/e there is supposed to be). Whenever my bow loses enough hair, I need to get it rehaired - no argument there. Also, consider the multiple elements of good "sound." Even if you were right about volume of sound not increasing, you haven't considered the quality of sound that is highly affected by surface area.
aimson 1 month ago
Try to watch the EMI DVD Archive Series featuring Piatgorsky playing Walton´s Cello concert. Wonderful. And also Piatigorsky-Heifetz and friends playing Cesar Franck´s quintet. The most musical interpretation of all (mono)
lamsalgado 3 years ago
This is a hard song to interpret and I don't think people quite understand that. I respect Piatigorsky for making this piece his own. There were times when the tempo was too fast and he slipped, but all in all I think it was a good performance.
NinjabeBLACK 3 years ago
You skip parts! I don't like the interpretation i'm sorry
JOOS1993 3 years ago
If by "you", you're referring to Piatigorsky, I'll have to do him the favor of informing you that he's been dead since 1976.
bachstabber 3 years ago
I'm not sure if anyone said this, but didn't he skip repeat of the first few measures?
It's an interesting take on the tempo, which I appreciate because I've never heard it sped up. I'm learning to play this and I like his interpretation of it. Makes it Piatigorsky's own.
Gaarageeksrule 3 years ago
Excellent, but surprisingly fast, I would probably say too fast for this piece.
Logan2192 3 years ago
crap! i hav 2 play this in my orchestra and im their best cellist! iv only been playing cello for only 6 years. fuk! nice video
dragonz1415 3 years ago
Now this is the sex! I love it!
zizuzazezo 3 years ago
Whatever happened to this GLORIOUS programming on Commercial television stations? Corporate giants like Ma Bell & Firestone supported symphony orchestras and brought artists of this calibre into our homes! So sad what's become of television today. Aside from the handful of "Live From Lincoln Center" & "Live From the Met" productions, 95% or more of what's on the BOOB TUBE today is GARBAGE!! FILTH! GUTTER-TALK! INANE DRIVEL aimed at the lowest common denominator. BRING BACK QUALITY PROGRAMMING!
kraftpr 3 years ago 14
i actually prefer it much slower and "schmaltzy"
it has so much more power and angst that way, at least thats how I felt when I played it :)
shellygonewild 3 years ago
i agree, webber does perform this better.
and he was out of tune in a few spots.
jesusfreak951321 3 years ago 4
I have to say, nice tune, however, the tempo is a little quick. (it is marked at eight note equals 60, i believe)
Personnaly, I dont like how he sounds on the 32nd triplet runs. But I dont play cello...
I like Webber's version better.
ashton9183 3 years ago 2
I get the impression that in those days they were very big on virtuoso fireworks... hence the slightly rushed feel of the triplets, maybe? I wonder if he's upped the initial tempo so it doesn't feel quite so melodramatic - ditto the more subtle vibrato... it has such potential to be over-the-top and schmaltzy
postmodernhousewife 3 years ago
Incredibly huge hands. His cello sounds like it is crying. It's so good.
mrsonsai 3 years ago 3
His intonation is lovely, and really accurate :)
however, I must say I'm not a fan of his tempo--there is no denying Piatigorsky has reached the point where no matter how he plays he sounds good, but I would've enjoyed to hear him play it slower. He puts feeling into it but @ that tempo I think it sounds like he didnt because the composer intended it to be a little slower (I think!)
Amazing performance though, his stage presence is incredible!
syren345 3 years ago
Im sorry but this is just crap. its just the real contra of what this music means!
its horrible! no musical feeling in it!
im really sorry bein this hard but sry.. so it is :-/
pistolenpeter1992 3 years ago
Usually I don't comment on criticism of Piatigorsky but I find a compelling need to here. You obviously have no idea about anything regarding real music. You might think so, being a teenager and all, but you don't. Come back when your ears are cleaned of filth and maybe you will have something worth saying. This is warning #1.
aimson 3 years ago
aimson
warning # 1? so, how is the view from that high horse of yours?
pistolenpeter1992
you are entitled to your opinion but if you have such a strong (and controversial) one, it would be wise to back it up with some sort of an intelligent analysis.
bblue82 3 years ago
It's not a high horse, it's called "anticipatory control." Just watching out for shit fights. You'd be surprised at how often that happens on Youtube, especially after dumb comments like this one. I really don't mind critique of meistro Piatigorsky. For example, I don't agree that the tempo is too fast but I can understand and it makes sense. However, this post is as offensive as it is thoughtless, which prompted my harsh comment.
aimson 3 years ago
dude i disagree with you, and what gets my attention is that you say "this is" just crap, you cannot say this is because there is not absolute point of view, it is just your point of view.
i think this is the best rendition of Faure's elegie in youtube,
Cayo255 3 years ago
not my tempo but ok. his vibrato is also rather narrow for this piece /w/e
dxhaloxc 3 years ago
I agree not my tempo ether(some years ago,I would guess)
rudly 3 years ago
"Greisha"was a wonderful cellist,and a delightful and humorous human being.The negative comments on this site makes me ill.If you don't like it,tune to the rug rats, or something like that children.
mightyrome 3 years ago
I found this to be the most controlled and elegant rendition of all the ones on here. I return to his verison time and again.
sein12 3 years ago
It's true. Music is freedom and his interpretation is not bad--just a little awkward at points. His sliding is too exaggerated sometimes and it is a little fast. Other than that, its a beautiful piece. I'm preparing it myself.
jmrox228 3 years ago
I think most detractors are shocked by Piatigorsky's playing because modern musical conventions frown upon taking such artistic liberties. The advent of the recording medium probably has much to do with this - people are too accustomed to a homogeneous norm.
Personally, I respect very much what Piatigorsky has done. It is very musical and free.
But seriously guys, why is nearly every comment negative? If you don't like it, don't listen all the way through! (It's really that simple, I promise.)
pupusman 3 years ago 5
Cold, rigid, too fast.
Not pleasing
YTM021807 3 years ago
This is white hot, it is overpowering!! what were you listening to?
morph47 3 years ago
etoy de acuerdo contigo en que esta muy rapido, sin embargo creo que por lo demas esta perfecta, al aumentar la velocidad se pierde un poco de expresión, pero esta bien, le cambia el caaracter a una obra que por lo general siempre es tocada de la misma manera. sin mencionar que tecnicamente esta perfecta.
Cayo255 3 years ago
i agree with YTMO21807, the beginning does seem rather cold and rigid...but only for the first 20 seconds, at which point it gains all the warmth it needs.
lordofmoria 3 years ago
This is much to fast, - I do not like this, and it is also out of tune.
fippling 3 years ago
he doesn´t make all the beats. i feal unconfortable.
cristiaansevilla 3 years ago
Jazz singing must make you really uncomfortable, then...I think Mr. Piatigorsky can have a little freedom in a piece like this.
violinista53 3 years ago
to fast
kevalenoxx 3 years ago
You are ridiculous! Not worth even reacting...
nmrkg 4 years ago
his cello is way to low and his vibrato is to jittery
LlewPla 4 years ago
it's low because he is tall hand has such long arms - look at his bow position....
postmodernhousewife 4 years ago
Comment removed
TheTradge 4 years ago
rostropovich = perfect technique
pollitin16 3 years ago
excelente soniidoo ..muy buena afinacion
heavypiola12 4 years ago
en mi muy particular opinion creo que el estilo de este gran maestro en esta hermosa pieza esta vinculado mas al estilo del tango argenti, los glisandos el rubato casi exagerado y los portamentos son una expresion muy intima mas sin embargo a mi parecer esta fuera de estilo
singuinito 4 years ago
Style of the tango? Yeah, right...
Hopfensperger 4 years ago
Comment removed
TheTradge 4 years ago
Piatigorsky does not rush... He plays how he wants to play, which all great musicians do. Just enjoy or not enjoy it as you see fit. Anyways, rhythm is always relative and there is no such thing as absolute in real art.
aimson 4 years ago
I think it's not so much that he's rushing as the speed that he chooses to play the Elegie, because it's supposed to be a funeral thingy. This piece can be really drawn out and be much more powerfully than Piatigorsky plays it here.
It's a matter of interpretation.
rawRiMabunniE 4 years ago
This piece has nothing to do with a "funeral thingy".
bachstabber 3 years ago
I think Lloyd Webber plays this much better!
davidorient 4 years ago
Thank you! I completely agree.
PhilipKettler 4 years ago
no doubt piatigorsky has every inch of that fingerboard memorized. he's phenomenal. his vibrato is a little limited at times, though. but honestly, i think he meant it to be, because he looks like he has a good range of width in his vibrato.
hazdybel 4 years ago 3
I love Piatigorsky in this work. But I do believe that Rostropovich really struck home on this one. He played in a way that was so lyrical. But Gresha was really phenomenal...
cellodude1 4 years ago
Comment removed
ttiik 4 years ago
How could you say that??
Did you not see the expression on his face, hear the warm vabrato, and the flowing, mornful tone to his notes?
Sayaira 4 years ago
Without seeing any expression, just by ear, can you really hear a mournful tone in Piatigorsky's interpretation? A funeral dirge, in my opinion, should be much more majestic. His vibrato could give off a much warmer tone if he widened it up. And, by choosing to take a faster tempo, the mournful expression is not fully realized.
People are fully entitled to their opinions.
rawRiMabunniE 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
fuck u!
aznjustinrulz 4 years ago
thanks! i can say what i want, and you don't have to agree.
rawRiMabunniE 4 years ago
Mm.. You do have a point.
However, with that being said I still think Piatigorsky played quite well.
Sayaira 3 years ago
Again, this is not a "funeral dirge."
bachstabber 3 years ago
he has the most beautiful shifts i have ever heard
cellocraze 4 years ago
i loved this version. the slides are pefect. although it does seem a bit held back like as if he feels the saddness of the elegy yet is holding back a little
cellochik19 4 years ago
I also prefer the piano accompaniment, which I know well and get a chance to play occasionally. One of my favorite recordings of this is by Reiner Hochmuth.
TomBarrister 4 years ago
I prefer this piece played with a piano accompaniment rather than an orchestral, but it's still quite beautiful. I'm more a fan of Jacqueline du Pre's version, honestly, but Piatigorsky does it justice, I think.
xiooua 4 years ago
i do think his bow is tight , but not " too tight " ;; he's piatigorsky for pete's sake !
orangehead877 4 years ago
I just really adore his cello, maybe because my cello looks like Piatigorsky's. Does anybody know on which cello he played? Does someone share with me the idea that the bow is way too much tightened, or is that just the camera angle?
Kouweshaatder 4 years ago
The cello Piatigorsky is playing is the 1714 Batta Stradivari. How much the hair on a bow is tightened is a matter of personal taste. It would also depend on how stiff or flexable the wood was.
cleojdhh 4 years ago
*Does all professional cellist have perfect intonation?*
Epmonito 4 years ago
nah, but close enough, lol
cellocraze 4 years ago
I think this is also a truncated version, in addition to kind of rushed...
thatsmypeanuts 4 years ago
I'm about to cry
choulapine 4 years ago
Comment removed
TheTradge 4 years ago
Piatigorsky didn't miss any notes. What you have to remember is that this video is from an old television tape (circa 1957). The recording technology of color television was very poor then, with a low frame-rate, and audio suffered from this. The film literally couldn't keep up with Piatagorsky's playing, which is why many of the notes in the virtuostic passages appear to be missed or brief.
TomBarrister 4 years ago
The greatest !!!
Rephrat 4 years ago
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! One of the gratest
0zerox0 4 years ago
I admire