Arthur Rubinstein - Brahms Intermezzo, Op. 118, No. 2 in A major

[HoNamDoh]

Jojobruin, clearly a troll

[Dreamofthereturn]

I heard this piece for the first time 2 days ago... I fell asleep leaving the radio on, and woke up into this music! Can you imagine what a great feeling it was? This little theme Cis B D, Cis B D terts none quart, it is still running in my ears. Egan

[TheDaanillos]

Uma das peças que eu mais gosto de ouvir. Belíssima.

[wghornsby]

One of my all-time favorites. I could listen to this every single day for the rest of my life.

[jomurg]

I imagine when I die, when the time has come for me to go, that this song plays as I make my way through the universe and on to the Heavens.

[NinfaUrania]

Bellísima, cierro los ojos para escucharla con el alma!

[206dvr]

Jojo, you can think whatever you want, but that won't change that fact that you made an idiotic comment. Why not put your energy into things that you like and appreciate? Maybe some day you'll learn to appreciate this great music.

[jojobruin]

@206dvr I do think what I want, as you can tell. I don't dispute Bramh's prowess in his mastery of harmony and composition technique. There is a place for him in the three B's in that sense. BUT, his lyricism pales in comparison to many other great composers of the Romantic Era. Schubert's Lieder and Chopin's piano reach far deeper into the human heart with the utmost sincerity and profundity. Some day, maybe you'll learn to appreciate lyricism in the true masters' legacy.

[rkniffy]

@jojobruin Brahms' skill lay in his ability to combine past styles, techniques, and harmonies in a modern way (at the time). This piece is not only VERY lyrical, but also displays, Brahms' nearly unmatched contrapuntal skill. His ability to weave multiple voices in and out of each other surpasses Chopin's easily and is competitive with Schubert's. Some day, maybe you'll learn to appreciate layered melodies with a bit more depth to them, without all the flashy superficiality.

[jojobruin]

@206dvr I sounded condescending. I didn't mean to. Just trying to make a point. I do apologize for my insolent tone.

[jojobruin]

Trying his darn hardest to be lyrical, Brahms still fails - epic fails. Murky texture, dense and lacking spontaneity - typical Brahms. Even Rubinstein can't make it work...

[77orchidjim]

@jojobruin wow. Now let's see... here is one of those comments that I can't for the life of me figure out-- whether it's an attempt at a sarcastic joke, or whether it is in fact one of the most objectivly fucking stupid comments ever posted about this piece? Hmm... I think the latter.

[jojobruin]

@77orchidjim u r entitled to your objectivly [sic] fucking stupid opinion as much as i am to mine

[Emankenvas]

@jojobruin Interesting take!

[maestrojimbo]

@donaldcallen R needed an audience. Remember that a studio recording sounds much louder because the mikes are close and te room is relatively smaller..In an auditorium the sound would be much softer and sensitive. Lupu, on the other hand, had the reverse - he sounds very intimate on cds but in a large auditorium his playing sounded too introverted (the 5 or 6 times I heard him) and his sound did not project. Both great artists, but very different approaches.

[rubestuh]

Rubinstein was born Artur Rubinstein but chose to use Arthur later in life. In fact, Arthur was the name he used on his two volumes of autobiography.

It was his agent, Sol Hurok, who insisted on using Artur for his concerts and recordings, feeling that audiences would find the Polish spelling attractively exotic.

As for suggestions that this doesn't sound like Rubinstein, I find it altogether typical of his style ... the gentle rubato, the simplicity, and the occasional lift off into rhapsody.

[scottbowers5]

There are slurs over the dotted notes, so they aren't staccato, they are portato. Means the should be held for a part of the note value, but longer than staccato



[jojobruin]

@scottbowers5 now I can finally play the potatoes correctly!!

[MissDebbieka]

I take your point. I have read that since on piano forums. The notes with the staccato markings still have to be emphasised though.  I admit to being rather unclear still on this! Rubinstein seems to make them shorter. I'm more than happy for more feedback from anyone on this! %-)

[jonbaum]

Extraordinarily eloquent

[MissDebbieka]

I have to say this is the only interpretation on YouTube I have heard of this wonderful piece where the staccato is brought out properly in the middle section before the una corda section (just around the 2 minutes mark). I'm struggling to work out how to do this accurately myself (lol!) but I have to get it right. I want to be accurate and represent what Brahms wanted. :-)

[cziffra1980]

@MissDebbieka "properly"? staccato dots don't mean staccato within a phrase mark.

[1Janny1]

This piece is very difficult to play without sounding unnecessarily dark and heavy. Rubinstein and Gould were amazingly similar in how they both allowed a more natural ebb and flow develop. Gould taking more liberty as was his usual with anything he did well. It amazes me G is such an even match (insisting he did not like the romantics) with Rubinstein.  Maybe moreso. Still this is a beautiful trophy piece of R and his genius gift.

[ippy65angel70]

I like Grimaud's myself -- but I also love Rubinstein because he plays utterly from his heart. If his heart beats too fast occasionally, it's still a huge heart.

[croussant]

But I like this very much. It's like a walk in the crisp morning air, not sleepy.

[erriex3]

HIS NAME IS

ARTUR.

NOT ARTHUR.

[tevian3]

@erriex3 Jesus how uptight are you

[erriex3]

@tevian3

He's a legend. If you can't even get a legend's name right, don't post videos.

[croussant]

@erriex3 I've read that he preferred the English spelling in English-speaking countries, he recorded as both Artur and Arthur. He's listed as Arthur Rubinstein in The Art Of The Piano (David Dubal). But you don't really mean the channel should be taken down, do you? And we should burn Dubal's book too?

[erriex3]

@croussant

oh yeah! that's exactly what I'm mean! you know me so wellll~

...

[DualThunder]

@erriex3 they are the same name but in two different languages you absolute douche. sort yourself out.

[erriex3]

@DualThunder

DOUCHE?!?!?!?!

You guys are hurtin my feelings ):

Pweeeez stop ittttttttttttttttt!

[sapphire6722]

I like H. Grimaud's interpretation quite a bit. Check it out

[100lukebaker]

ehhhh ... wrong try again rubinstein ........ WAY TOO FAST ... not all intermezzos must be slow and lush but really .... this brahms piece is very thick and sensitive not abrasive and race to the end.

[Eilos]

Huh. I expected more from Rubinstein. Too harsh/fast for this piece.

[fledgehog]

i was avoiding this cause of the comments, but now that im finally listening to it...this is definitely rubinstein, wtf guys?

[paoloXV]

Doesn't sound like Rubinstein OR RCA to me. It's overpedalled - completely uncharacteristic of Rubinstein.

[dragon84209]

why is this video so much shorter than all the rest?

[kjm777777]

This can't be Rubinstein. If it is then it must have been a bad day. It is uncharacteristically unexpressive and rushed.

[iddity]

This is disappearing; do you understand?

[bertogel]

110 e lode