His 2007 performance, 17 years later, is remarkably different. It seems that he studied the score, and Islamey's Lezginka (oriental dances from the Caucus), and he highlights those oriental rhythms which really inspired Islamey's score. I personally feel that his 2007 interpretation is more in line with what Islamey intended, which is, in fact, an Oriental Fantasy. One can hear clearly the Lezginka rhythms and oriental chords.
Just a couple of comments about this concert: in my experience, having heard about 4500 piano events i the past 36 years (recitals and concerti), the 3 Liszt Etudes (Wilde Jagd, Feux Follets and the F Minor-no 10) were among the best 12 minutes of piano playing that I have ever heard - it was an unbelievable experience to hear what he did with them. The Islamey was great - but the jewel Pogorelich Islamey was on Feb 20th, 1992 - an encore at Carnegie - simply the best Islamey I ever heard.
Just to clear up a bit of confusion about this post: The concert was May 7th, 1990 at Carnegie Hall (He played the same program 6 days later at Avery Fisher) - The program was as follows: Haydn: Sonata No 19 Brahms: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117 Liszt: 3 Transcendental Etudes Intermission Scarlatti: 6 Sonatas Chopin: Mazurkas, Op. 59 Scriabin: Sonata No 4, Op. 30 Balakirev: Islamey There were no encores.
If you really knew anithing about piano playing ...
The 90-year-old walk ins't what you think it is! He is not arrogant at all. He was doing what my teacher calls "heavy breathing". A way to call himself down and control his nerves.
Have you noticed someone snoring during the recording? It is not someone from the audience, it's the Master himself!
@HotSo0P ya, i find more of the senseless, purposeless readings to be a recent development. the interpretations from the era that this recording came from were some of the most sublime piano work done in the recorded era however. his readings of gaspard from this era, and the liszt, were in a world of their own.
he is like all the great artists, a little autist, dreaming of worlds which can't be reach by everybody, it's because of that he can't play like everybody ;-)
he's a cool guy, very nice and sweet but doesnt know how to speak, speaks with his fingers, that's not nothing...
Maybe it was in 1990 when I heard him in Stockholm playing the Liszt B minor sonata. In an arrogant manner he entered the scene like a 90 year old man, walking extremely slowly, dragging his feet along the floor and (I think) without shoes. During the sonata the alarm yelled from someones watch and I will never forget him gazing slowly over the audience, full of contempt. As encore he played Islamey and I remember that I thought "have I missed something?, this is greater than Horowitz"
I had the same reaction you had upon listening to this Islamey by Pogorelich. The weird thing is that it's sort of surprising in that I'd have expected Horowitz to play/interpret Islamey like this. The grasp on the structure, the poignant middle section, demonic and volcanic storminess, and the sheer physical endurance and the cheerful/joyous finale, that's all what you'd expect out from the Horowitz temperament.
So, in total agreement. At the height of his playing, Pogorelic outshines all.
Stunning. His playing is usually on another level, but this is astonishing. what a shame the applause has been cut - would love to have heard it, as it's so much part of a live performance, especially one as spectacular as this.
Perfect and uncomparable with any of the versions as always,even from the great ones...i will be your fan 4eveer! Ti si moj idol od djetinjstva i uvijek ces mi biti,TI SI JEDINI!!! Look only at those clean flawless top cords at 5:02 - 5 04 everything is played with such a grace and power,and at the same time so gentle and without roughness and not to mention those atomic explosions at the end which you cannot hear at anyone else performance. No more capable pianist living or dead,as you said...
Awesome, just awesome. I heard him play this at about the same time in SF--it was unforgettable. This sounds like a professional recording...is it available somewhere?
Pogorelich is like Cortot he is asking philosophical,linguistic questions about the staus of sound,memory,idea,experience.What are the domains of the musical.What non-musical ideas in life can be addressed by music.The interrogations of Ayer,Wittgenstein,Carnap,Searle etc. is intuitive in this man's way.He is a natural genius.He may have never read Tractatus but he is thinking with it .
Awesome!!! One of the most under-rated pianists of our time. He completely NAILED this difficult piece, and made it sparkle like a field of polished diamonds in the summer sun. Thanks so much for posting!!!!
I still say under-rated: with a talent like he has, he should be a household name like Rubenstein or Horowitz. His energy, fire and delightful dynamics are a real treat. wonder if he'll make it to Nova Scotia any time soon?
@HolyMotherofGrid I understand what are you saying, even if you ask me he should be a household name like Horow. or Rubinst. but believe me, among musicians, everybody will say to you: that he is God and pure genius. So, people do value him. The only problem is that lately everybody, including me, is sure that he is an amazing talent and artist, but, is it right what he's doing now?!! he passed the line? he was always different, but that now he is almost rewriting composers! Hm....
@HolyMotherofGrid hm, wouldn't know about his tour dates, I've just heard him, two weeks ago, Chopin: Piano concert no.2. In Italy, the evening dedicated to Chopin. It was amazing, and then, hm, horrible...and weird because of "rewriting". But such a great thing to see him and hear him life, a really special feeling.
There is no more capable pianist living or dead. This is beyond virtuosic -- it is TRANSCENDANT.
Head and shoulders above the elite group that plays this extremely well. There's an animal energy, a lyricism -- and above all an understanding of STRUCTURE and DIRECTION I've never heard in anyone else's performance of this beast.
Ayant assisté à son concert du 23 novembre à Paris, je suis resté stupéfait par le choix du maître comme pièce de rappel pour le bis. Il a de nouveau retenu Islamey, occasion de prouver, s'il l'entend, qu'il est le meilleur pianiste au monde. Personnellement, son concert du 23 nov. fut un enchantement. Sa lecture de la 32ème sonate de Beethoven est éminemment personnelle. Les tempi sont étirés jusqu'à enfreindre toutes les conventions. Mais cela passe.
In his recent live performances in Autumn2009 (Milan, Paris) Ivo Pogorelich played again Islamey as encore! I don't know whether it sounds as brilliant as it used to be 20 years ago (this very recording) but the fact he chooses to play this hell of the job tells that Ivo's artistic and technical self-confidence is at the highest level.
@Croat4747 he doesn't have to have a technical confidence because for him everything is easy to play! playing a really easy piece or the most diffiulct one is pretty much the same thing for him. because he has NO difficulties, his hands are made from gold, amazin brain and amazing hands!
I think I was at this concert and I remember being stunned by this Islamey. If it's the one I remember, it was at Lincoln Center - Avery Fisher Hall not Carnegie and had been postponed from earlier in the season. He played some Scarlatti Sonatas, Chopin Mazurkas (weirdly) Scriabin 4th (magically) and I forget what else. Have to see if I can find the program - I'm sure I kept it. He's become a rather sad figure in recent years, but then he was one of the few who could really mesmerize.
The recital at AFH was on May 13th, the one at CH was held the previous Monday (May 7th). But I actually don't know if this recording comes from one or the other concert. Lucky you to be there among the audience.
@gtimny He played this piece as an encore in San Francisco. I was there. This man really can deliver an unforgettable concert. I remembered seeing two pianos on the stage. First half, all Scarlatti Sonatas. Second half, a few Brahms Intermezzi and Liszt B minor Sonata. Islamey was one of his encore. Simply amazing man.
Pogorelich is simply incomparable - call him a lunatic (he certainly is), or whatever you want (he's all of that), but - above all - he is a piano genius, probably the best in the last two decades.
un fichier MIDI ne "tapera jamais à côté", en fait... Bof, si on ne peut pas voir la différence entre un grand pianiste et un ordinateur, on n'aboie plus et reste à la ferme...
Thanks Ed for the link. This is a great performance in my opinion as well, probably my favorite if the sound quality was better. We all have certain things in certain passages we look for and he hit most of them for me. With it being so incredibly difficult the expectations are even higher for a "special" performance, because it becomes a rare treasure . Being live makes it even better. I applaud Pogorelich's courage and confidence to play this at Carnegie Hall. Too bad we don't have the video!
Thank you so much for posting this incredible performance. I've seen him play it twice live, and have given up waiting for him to commercially record it! Today, sadly, it would sound nothing like this. Do you have the rest of the recital?
Playing of this calibre just leaves me groping for words. Pogorelich's stupendous technique is merely his starting point. He succeeds in raising what, in the hands of many excellent pianists, is a hackneyed showpiece to the level of great music.
The conception is deeply musical, the sentiment noble. I have never heard the Russian quality of emotion, particularly in the middle section, conveyed more effectively.
This is beyond genius: it is god-like playing. It is art of the highest order.
@UWSResident Yes. Truly God like. He surprises me with what I think is a musical miscalculation but then I am proven the fool when the resolution comes. Everyone says this is a showpiece but man...not really! Listen. Wow. Russian music is showy but its deep and unafraid of being powerful and difficult. Just great stuff.
This is the most musical of any performance of this piece I have ever heard, and also brilliantly played; when Pogorelich was at his best, he was the greatest pianist alive. Many of his recordings and live performances have never been surpassed. His most recent efforts are extremely unmusical and disturbing; I hope he is OK.
I have been grieving the old Ivo. For the last 5 or 6 years, something horrible seems to have happened to him. The technique is clearly still there, but his once-supernal interpretations have gone strange. I am so sad.
Hundreds can play it today with no trouble, but only Pogorelich builds powerful climaxes and plays expressively. When it's just notes, it's not much of piece. Played with intelligence, imagination, great contrast, dramatic flair and HEART, it becomes breathtaking and at times heartbreakingly nostalgic for a Gilded Age of romantic pianism.
If there could ever be a "definitive" performance of this beast, surely this is it.
He has such superb control, that he's able to hold back and reserve his greatest strength and uncanny brilliance for the climactic moments where it counts most. And then the lyrical second theme is stated with such uncommon tenderness it becomes extremely touching.
This reading will never be surpassed.
That said, I urge you to hear RUPERT EGERTON-SMITH. His very musical performance also has great appeal.
He was definitely great, but I think his ego may have caught up with him. I remember reading one of his interviews where he said "New York concerts are boring. They really need someone like me".
I have NEVER heard such an incredible version of this piece! And it is even in Carnegie...Yes, a lot of to heavy notes, but he plays like hell here :D
Would it be possible to get the actual audio file of this recording? Pogorelich is a hero of mine and I would happy beyond words if I could have this recording.
I was there! This performance left me speechless! (I heard him playing Islamey as an encore also in Milan, but not as precise) I didn't now it was been recorded (and with such good quality!). Thanks for posting, Anything more from the recital?
Lucky you Andrea, I too have heard Islamey a couple of times in the past few years but, you know, it was the "new" Pogorelich and his rendition was not as dazzling as it used to be. Now his pianism is more about fall and despair than rise and glory, so to speak. I'm going to post something of the late Pogo, anyway.
This is a great recording. Pogorelich used to be a big "hero" of mine back in the early '80s when I was a young student in college. I wanted to play the Prokofieff 6th and Ravel's Gaspard just like him. What ever happened to him? I heard he shaved his head and plays everything slow and uses music with everything now. Has he lost his mind? Has he fallen of the planet?
Pogorelić gave his debut recital in New York's Carnegie Hall in 1981. Since then, he has played many solo recitals worldwide and has played with some of the world's leading orchestras Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Orchestre de Paris and many others. Pogorelić soon began recording for Deutsche Grammophon and in 1982 he became one of their exclusive artists. . He was the first classical pianist to be invited to perform in Kuwait.
I know all that. But you never said what he's doing now. All the videos and recordings of him are from the 80's. It's 20years later now. Has he quit playing or retired?
Martha Agerich is right, Pogorelich is a great genius!
blnli10 2 weeks ago in playlist Islamey
best interpretation ever!!
simon051093 1 month ago
It was an encore also in Milan, Italy, Teatro La Scala, two years ago, after 2nd Concert by Rachmaninov!
alpianoforte 3 months ago
Incredible....super-humnan....
carlhopkinson 3 months ago
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His 2007 performance, 17 years later, is remarkably different. It seems that he studied the score, and Islamey's Lezginka (oriental dances from the Caucus), and he highlights those oriental rhythms which really inspired Islamey's score. I personally feel that his 2007 interpretation is more in line with what Islamey intended, which is, in fact, an Oriental Fantasy. One can hear clearly the Lezginka rhythms and oriental chords.
kalpubinc 4 months ago in playlist kalpubinc's favorites
Comment removed
kalpubinc 4 months ago in playlist kalpubinc's favorites
Just a couple of comments about this concert: in my experience, having heard about 4500 piano events i the past 36 years (recitals and concerti), the 3 Liszt Etudes (Wilde Jagd, Feux Follets and the F Minor-no 10) were among the best 12 minutes of piano playing that I have ever heard - it was an unbelievable experience to hear what he did with them. The Islamey was great - but the jewel Pogorelich Islamey was on Feb 20th, 1992 - an encore at Carnegie - simply the best Islamey I ever heard.
JoePatrych 4 months ago
JoePatrych 4 months ago
if you listen carefully, the gliss that announces the start of the coda around the 7 minute mark is followed by stunned gasps from the audience
the2dmin 6 months ago
@the2dmin Really? I didn't hear it but I could sure believe it :)
bejamillion2 6 months ago
HE USED TO BE SO FUCKING HOT
eacz12 7 months ago 2
He broke one string of the piano, while playing this. Really.
Bochum96 8 months ago
HOLY SHIT THAT WAS... I dunno what can be better?
Laudan08 9 months ago
@bucciflash
If you really knew anithing about piano playing ...
The 90-year-old walk ins't what you think it is! He is not arrogant at all. He was doing what my teacher calls "heavy breathing". A way to call himself down and control his nerves.
Have you noticed someone snoring during the recording? It is not someone from the audience, it's the Master himself!
Greatings from Portugal.
TrueMasterPieces 10 months ago 4
i thank God this recording was captured. A historical 8 and half minutes. There has never been, and probably never will be, a greater islamey.
hl83127 10 months ago 3
Some of Pogorelich's interpretations have just been senseless, purposeless. This is the opposite.
HotSo0P 11 months ago
@HotSo0P ya, i find more of the senseless, purposeless readings to be a recent development. the interpretations from the era that this recording came from were some of the most sublime piano work done in the recorded era however. his readings of gaspard from this era, and the liszt, were in a world of their own.
ggalexhutchings 1 month ago
Best rendition of Islamey.
kzelmer 11 months ago 2
One word : GENIUS
PhillipLWilcher 11 months ago 5
How do u pronounce this song? Is it pronounced as it looks like? (Is-la-may)
xx1420 1 year ago 2
Ivo isn't arrogant
he is like all the great artists, a little autist, dreaming of worlds which can't be reach by everybody, it's because of that he can't play like everybody ;-)
he's a cool guy, very nice and sweet but doesnt know how to speak, speaks with his fingers, that's not nothing...
moforibalait 1 year ago
Maybe it was in 1990 when I heard him in Stockholm playing the Liszt B minor sonata. In an arrogant manner he entered the scene like a 90 year old man, walking extremely slowly, dragging his feet along the floor and (I think) without shoes. During the sonata the alarm yelled from someones watch and I will never forget him gazing slowly over the audience, full of contempt. As encore he played Islamey and I remember that I thought "have I missed something?, this is greater than Horowitz"
bucciflash 1 year ago
I had the same reaction you had upon listening to this Islamey by Pogorelich. The weird thing is that it's sort of surprising in that I'd have expected Horowitz to play/interpret Islamey like this. The grasp on the structure, the poignant middle section, demonic and volcanic storminess, and the sheer physical endurance and the cheerful/joyous finale, that's all what you'd expect out from the Horowitz temperament.
So, in total agreement. At the height of his playing, Pogorelic outshines all.
demosj 8 months ago
BEST.
tombennettpiano 1 year ago
Stunning. His playing is usually on another level, but this is astonishing. what a shame the applause has been cut - would love to have heard it, as it's so much part of a live performance, especially one as spectacular as this.
garyjpreston 1 year ago 3
@InTootingBec
Pogorelich has got some sort of autism I believe, maybe Asperger´s syndrome.
That´s the reason why he may seem arrogant.
In a recent interview the reporter brought up the name Lang Lang and Pogo had never heard the name. lol.
SevenCircles 1 year ago
great!!
helenlinpiano 1 year ago 3
One of the rare people of whom I'm proud to share nationality with :) Hooray for amazing Croats!
maukomusic 1 year ago
I am completely obsessed with this interpretation
What a shame he never recorded it in studio
jialuolu 1 year ago 2
Besides: just imagine - this performance is an Encore! after a demanding and exhausting at least 90-minutes Recital.
tirolerhut79 1 year ago
Just perfect!!!
mffyt216 1 year ago 2
never in my 16 years of life have i ever something as breathtaking as this...bravo to the pianist and the composer for writing it :)
mikiriseidou 1 year ago
Every time I listen to this I just wish I had seen it in person. Truly awesome. His chops are beyond compare.
bennettpiano 1 year ago
5 minutes before I watched Lang Langs performance of Islamey, this one is soooo much better!!! Pogorelich is a true master of interpretation
GermanPianoMan 1 year ago 3
his middle section is so amazing. Wow. Just awesome.
bennettpiano 1 year ago 5
Perfect and uncomparable with any of the versions as always,even from the great ones...i will be your fan 4eveer! Ti si moj idol od djetinjstva i uvijek ces mi biti,TI SI JEDINI!!! Look only at those clean flawless top cords at 5:02 - 5 04 everything is played with such a grace and power,and at the same time so gentle and without roughness and not to mention those atomic explosions at the end which you cannot hear at anyone else performance. No more capable pianist living or dead,as you said...
nOObR3dUct10n 1 year ago
Its too bad that he nolonger knows how to play the piano. He was once a giant, as this preformance clearly shows.
RIP to the career of Ivo Pogorelich.
50shina 1 year ago
ivo fucking pogorelich, man!
EquisTox 1 year ago
that is really music-BRAVO MAESTRO
pianistike 1 year ago
Awesome, just awesome. I heard him play this at about the same time in SF--it was unforgettable. This sounds like a professional recording...is it available somewhere?
guitarwizard6 1 year ago
Pogorelich is like Cortot he is asking philosophical,linguistic questions about the staus of sound,memory,idea,experience.What are the domains of the musical.What non-musical ideas in life can be addressed by music.The interrogations of Ayer,Wittgenstein,Carnap,Searle etc. is intuitive in this man's way.He is a natural genius.He may have never read Tractatus but he is thinking with it .
lovesGenet 1 year ago
Best performance of this piece ever. Go Ivo
homich00 1 year ago
truly brilliant
PeterShrodinger 1 year ago
perfect in every way! and yes... it's transcendant! i have nothing to add... god of piano!
polykso 2 years ago
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!
conductorizationist 2 years ago
Awesome!!! One of the most under-rated pianists of our time. He completely NAILED this difficult piece, and made it sparkle like a field of polished diamonds in the summer sun. Thanks so much for posting!!!!
HolyMotherofGrid 2 years ago
@HolyMotherofGrid UNDER RATED?! what are you talking about?!
he IS rated.
gnomenreigen7 2 years ago
I still say under-rated: with a talent like he has, he should be a household name like Rubenstein or Horowitz. His energy, fire and delightful dynamics are a real treat. wonder if he'll make it to Nova Scotia any time soon?
HolyMotherofGrid 2 years ago 2
@HolyMotherofGrid I understand what are you saying, even if you ask me he should be a household name like Horow. or Rubinst. but believe me, among musicians, everybody will say to you: that he is God and pure genius. So, people do value him. The only problem is that lately everybody, including me, is sure that he is an amazing talent and artist, but, is it right what he's doing now?!! he passed the line? he was always different, but that now he is almost rewriting composers! Hm....
gnomenreigen7 2 years ago
@HolyMotherofGrid hm, wouldn't know about his tour dates, I've just heard him, two weeks ago, Chopin: Piano concert no.2. In Italy, the evening dedicated to Chopin. It was amazing, and then, hm, horrible...and weird because of "rewriting". But such a great thing to see him and hear him life, a really special feeling.
gnomenreigen7 2 years ago
Masterful!
huggiebear226 2 years ago
There is no more capable pianist living or dead. This is beyond virtuosic -- it is TRANSCENDANT.
Head and shoulders above the elite group that plays this extremely well. There's an animal energy, a lyricism -- and above all an understanding of STRUCTURE and DIRECTION I've never heard in anyone else's performance of this beast.
Pischnaholic 2 years ago 46
cioè nel senso che diaciamo colpisce il suono molto forte ecco
eloisacascio 2 years ago
c'è un'energia tremenda...poi si sente proprio che respira nella parte finale,la prima volta a sentirlo fa quasi male direi.
eloisacascio 2 years ago
Ayant assisté à son concert du 23 novembre à Paris, je suis resté stupéfait par le choix du maître comme pièce de rappel pour le bis. Il a de nouveau retenu Islamey, occasion de prouver, s'il l'entend, qu'il est le meilleur pianiste au monde. Personnellement, son concert du 23 nov. fut un enchantement. Sa lecture de la 32ème sonate de Beethoven est éminemment personnelle. Les tempi sont étirés jusqu'à enfreindre toutes les conventions. Mais cela passe.
TheSzwajcer 2 years ago
In his recent live performances in Autumn2009 (Milan, Paris) Ivo Pogorelich played again Islamey as encore! I don't know whether it sounds as brilliant as it used to be 20 years ago (this very recording) but the fact he chooses to play this hell of the job tells that Ivo's artistic and technical self-confidence is at the highest level.
Croat4747 2 years ago 3
@Croat4747 he doesn't have to have a technical confidence because for him everything is easy to play! playing a really easy piece or the most diffiulct one is pretty much the same thing for him. because he has NO difficulties, his hands are made from gold, amazin brain and amazing hands!
gnomenreigen7 2 years ago
The hyena laughter at the end is hilarious.
demosj 2 years ago
Good old Ivo...
trandinhnamanh 2 years ago
I think I was at this concert and I remember being stunned by this Islamey. If it's the one I remember, it was at Lincoln Center - Avery Fisher Hall not Carnegie and had been postponed from earlier in the season. He played some Scarlatti Sonatas, Chopin Mazurkas (weirdly) Scriabin 4th (magically) and I forget what else. Have to see if I can find the program - I'm sure I kept it. He's become a rather sad figure in recent years, but then he was one of the few who could really mesmerize.
gtimny 2 years ago 8
The recital at AFH was on May 13th, the one at CH was held the previous Monday (May 7th). But I actually don't know if this recording comes from one or the other concert. Lucky you to be there among the audience.
thetunr 2 years ago
@gtimny He played this piece as an encore in San Francisco. I was there. This man really can deliver an unforgettable concert. I remembered seeing two pianos on the stage. First half, all Scarlatti Sonatas. Second half, a few Brahms Intermezzi and Liszt B minor Sonata. Islamey was one of his encore. Simply amazing man.
Agenamigo 3 months ago
Avez-vous pris la peine d'entendre et d'écouter la beauté de ses sonorités?
antoinezygfryd 2 years ago
Pogorelich is simply incomparable - call him a lunatic (he certainly is), or whatever you want (he's all of that), but - above all - he is a piano genius, probably the best in the last two decades.
zporobija 2 years ago 15
Comment removed
gipehache 2 years ago
@gipehache votre commentaire est incompréhensible quant au fond.
antoinezygfryd 2 years ago
Comment removed
gipehache 2 years ago
Oui,il est clair que vous n'aimez pas la musique !!
antoinezygfryd 2 years ago
un fichier MIDI ne "tapera jamais à côté", en fait... Bof, si on ne peut pas voir la différence entre un grand pianiste et un ordinateur, on n'aboie plus et reste à la ferme...
trandinhnamanh 2 years ago
Comment removed
gipehache 2 years ago
Yes. This is awesome! Especially in comparsion with Lung Lung :-). Maybe the best here.
sejra 2 years ago 2
there's no comparison, really.
supermanifold 2 years ago 4
this is true evidence that islamey can be played not just in a big tempo. pogorelich plays it great.. i like the most the end ... -FINALE. :D
GREEEAT!!
ErminTkalec 2 years ago 5
woha man!!!
vanessapastor 2 years ago 3
Awesome performance.
You can hear his breathing and gasping in some parts. It sounds kinda creepy lol.
Coscinen 2 years ago 6
Very beautiful. Will send this to my brother in Dallas for his comments. Thanks for posting.
TorontoEd7 2 years ago 4
Thanks Ed for the link. This is a great performance in my opinion as well, probably my favorite if the sound quality was better. We all have certain things in certain passages we look for and he hit most of them for me. With it being so incredibly difficult the expectations are even higher for a "special" performance, because it becomes a rare treasure . Being live makes it even better. I applaud Pogorelich's courage and confidence to play this at Carnegie Hall. Too bad we don't have the video!
ellisnew 2 years ago 9
Thank you so much for posting this incredible performance. I've seen him play it twice live, and have given up waiting for him to commercially record it! Today, sadly, it would sound nothing like this. Do you have the rest of the recital?
guitarwizard6 2 years ago
Playing of this calibre just leaves me groping for words. Pogorelich's stupendous technique is merely his starting point. He succeeds in raising what, in the hands of many excellent pianists, is a hackneyed showpiece to the level of great music.
The conception is deeply musical, the sentiment noble. I have never heard the Russian quality of emotion, particularly in the middle section, conveyed more effectively.
This is beyond genius: it is god-like playing. It is art of the highest order.
UWSResident 2 years ago 38
@UWSResident Yes. Truly God like. He surprises me with what I think is a musical miscalculation but then I am proven the fool when the resolution comes. Everyone says this is a showpiece but man...not really! Listen. Wow. Russian music is showy but its deep and unafraid of being powerful and difficult. Just great stuff.
bennettpiano 1 year ago 4
This is the most musical of any performance of this piece I have ever heard, and also brilliantly played; when Pogorelich was at his best, he was the greatest pianist alive. Many of his recordings and live performances have never been surpassed. His most recent efforts are extremely unmusical and disturbing; I hope he is OK.
billyguns2 2 years ago 2
I have been grieving the old Ivo. For the last 5 or 6 years, something horrible seems to have happened to him. The technique is clearly still there, but his once-supernal interpretations have gone strange. I am so sad.
salviati 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't know how true it is..but I've heard something about hepatitis or AIDS :/
Anyone know if this is true?
BreuschPagan 2 years ago
He makes it look easy with his sharp technique but in fact this piece was once considered impossible to play!! It's a beast!
JustAPianoPlayer 2 years ago
Hundreds can play it today with no trouble, but only Pogorelich builds powerful climaxes and plays expressively. When it's just notes, it's not much of piece. Played with intelligence, imagination, great contrast, dramatic flair and HEART, it becomes breathtaking and at times heartbreakingly nostalgic for a Gilded Age of romantic pianism.
This is ART not just piano playing.
Pischnaholic 2 years ago 8
If there could ever be a "definitive" performance of this beast, surely this is it.
He has such superb control, that he's able to hold back and reserve his greatest strength and uncanny brilliance for the climactic moments where it counts most. And then the lyrical second theme is stated with such uncommon tenderness it becomes extremely touching.
This reading will never be surpassed.
That said, I urge you to hear RUPERT EGERTON-SMITH. His very musical performance also has great appeal.
Pischnaholic 2 years ago
Rap an Hip-Hop??
WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!
jubulalau 2 years ago
O_O unbelievable...
loxpower 2 years ago
He was definitely great, but I think his ego may have caught up with him. I remember reading one of his interviews where he said "New York concerts are boring. They really need someone like me".
BachScholar 3 years ago
Geez. Hardly anybody can play it that intense with that much clarity
Can I have the audio file please?
OrangeSodaKing 3 years ago 11
I agree :)
AnnMarry19 2 years ago
He's been performing islamey in his concert many times. I really hope he records this piece soon.
psychodiver15 3 years ago 2
Terrific Interpretation
dsamogray 3 years ago 2
今までに聴いた、最高の"Islamey"です。
oyajiken 3 years ago
sempre straordinario ivo!!
sugarve 3 years ago 3
fantastic!
oyajiken 3 years ago 5
I have NEVER heard such an incredible version of this piece! And it is even in Carnegie...Yes, a lot of to heavy notes, but he plays like hell here :D
electrocompany 3 years ago 3
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Pogorelich nolonger plays the piano.
He only bangs it.
Much like he bangs the conclusion of Islamei.
mishima1974 3 years ago
He still performing world wide and is great demand ( source : WIKIPEDIA )
steinwaygrande1 3 years ago
Thank you very much.
dinoimeri 3 years ago
most interesting recording ever of this piece
Pogorelich is propably the most interesting pianist alive.
SevenCircles 3 years ago 9
Would it be possible to get the actual audio file of this recording? Pogorelich is a hero of mine and I would happy beyond words if I could have this recording.
Pogouldiwitz 3 years ago 5
I was there! This performance left me speechless! (I heard him playing Islamey as an encore also in Milan, but not as precise) I didn't now it was been recorded (and with such good quality!). Thanks for posting, Anything more from the recital?
voolare 3 years ago 2
Lucky you Andrea, I too have heard Islamey a couple of times in the past few years but, you know, it was the "new" Pogorelich and his rendition was not as dazzling as it used to be. Now his pianism is more about fall and despair than rise and glory, so to speak. I'm going to post something of the late Pogo, anyway.
thetunr 3 years ago
This is a great recording. Pogorelich used to be a big "hero" of mine back in the early '80s when I was a young student in college. I wanted to play the Prokofieff 6th and Ravel's Gaspard just like him. What ever happened to him? I heard he shaved his head and plays everything slow and uses music with everything now. Has he lost his mind? Has he fallen of the planet?
BachScholar 3 years ago
Pogorelić gave his debut recital in New York's Carnegie Hall in 1981. Since then, he has played many solo recitals worldwide and has played with some of the world's leading orchestras Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Orchestre de Paris and many others. Pogorelić soon began recording for Deutsche Grammophon and in 1982 he became one of their exclusive artists. . He was the first classical pianist to be invited to perform in Kuwait.
steinwaygrande1 3 years ago
I know all that. But you never said what he's doing now. All the videos and recordings of him are from the 80's. It's 20years later now. Has he quit playing or retired?
BachScholar 3 years ago
From what I last read he is still playing , but not as much as he used to, but making recordings.
steinwaygrande1 3 years ago
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All I know is that his Brahms 118 / 2 is SO slow that it's simply MAGNIFICENT....The Gold Standard!
sagalat 2 years ago
Slow? I think his Brahms 118 / 2 is SO slow that it's simply MAGNIFICENT....The Gold Standard!
sagalat 2 years ago 2
Unfortunately, I have just the Balakirev.
thetunr 3 years ago