Berezovsky Chopin Etude Op10/1 + Godowsky version

[gerardbedecarter]

wow!!!

[Pollinikrys]

great godovisky, berezovsky, and hamelin!

[Eztoez]

This guy can play.

[nfsmwrox]

So this is what they mean by "tickling the ivories"?

[UVAgirl12]

Brilliant!

[ann03071874]

I would of shit myself If I got to see that live! :D

[fredericfranc]

Chopin is often called "the right-handed genius", meaning that his brain hemispheres were damn assymetrical and a lot of the good stuff ended up played by the right hand and the LH got kinda neglected. Here Mr.Godowski redresses the imbalance, somewhat. What would Chopin have done if he got a commission to compose a LH concerto, as happened to Ravel?

[MoonMankkkkkk]

@fredericfranc

That's an absolutely absurd explanation and doesn't account for the Revolutionary Etude.

[fredericfranc]

@MoonMankkkkkk ...in the Revolutionary Etude all melodic action is in the RH, and the LH does up-and-down scales....i.e. our boy is still split between the hemispheres. For somebody who is NOT split between the hemispheres...see the Liszt etudes, by and large....

[MoonMankkkkkk]

@fredericfranc

Point taken-what about Etude 4, Op. 10?-, but to say the left hand was neglected because his "brain hemispheres were damn assymetrical" implies Chopin was deficient in this regard. If not, all your comment amounts to is, "Chopin neglected the left hand, but this wasn't the result of a defect", meaning he chose to "neglect" the left hand because using it sufficiently would have hurt his compositions, (which by their nature require a emphasis on the right hand).

[fredericfranc]

@MoonMankkkkkk ..your last conclusion is on the nose pretty much...except "using LH more would have helped his compositions", probably, but not by much because they are largely OK as they stand. Please note that etudes, by Ch. or anybody else, are highly contrived compositions, so the hand balance in them is going to be distorted by this...that Ch. had this built-in "imbalance" favoring the RH is hardly original with me...am picking it up from my more observant than me musical betters...

[twooffour]

@borisoff22

... Alla Turca showpiece (which is awesome).

They all take a piano piece... and rewrite it for the piano!! Why the hell would anyone do that?? °_°

And, you know, PS: Godowsky did write quite a bit of "his very own compositions". Look it up.

[twooffour]

@borisoff22

Liszt's transcriptions of Beethoven Symphonies... are TRANSCRIPTIONS. His opera fantasies, like the Don Giovanni one, are NOT. "Reminiscences de Don Juan" isn't just transcribing the orchestra, it does to the original pretty much what Godowsky does to Chopin - all in the line with "adding more notes and obfuscating".

Likewise, Godowsky's rearrangements of Chopin ain't transcriptions from piano to piano, neither is Hamelin's campanella (which is a work of genius) or Volodos'

[twooffour]

@borisoff22

Just because a composer happens not to enjoy others re-arranging their work, doesn't mean no one should. So no, no period. What Godowsky did with these etudes is extremely interesting and engaging, and mostly very enjoyable to me, and that alone does the job of justifying their existence.

And words can't express just how asinine the claim that arranging works for the same instrument is somehow inherently wrong as opposed to transcribing to another instrument, really is.

[fredericfranc]

@twooffour ...you want to concentrate on the distinction between "extremely interesting and engaging", which possibly might be the case, and "musically making sense", and making sense TO WHOM?, which might not be the case. The Godowski "recompositions" are certainly largely very interesting,a good thing the guy went to the trouble, etc.,but, nevertheless, they are are musical bizarreries, circus acts, lending the listener no new emotional

insights...but impressing the "pianist" in some of us..

[antok448]

Franchement si j'aurais touché a cette oeuvre ça aurais été pour la fluidifier, pour la rendre plus simple a l'écoute, la c'est de l'eau lourde.... Ce genre de morceau est déjà presque au nivaux maximum de remplissage polyphonique pour un piano, la c'est du massacre y'en a trop pour être agréable a l'écoute ....

[Csibon13]

jesus boris

you crazy

[kingdave84]

@borisoff22 Yes but these Godowsky versions of the etudes are designed to be nothing more than technical studies (extreme technical studies). He didn't intend for them to be played in concert and so I don't think Godowsky thought of them as 'art' as such.

[Eztoez]

OMG. The original chopin version is staggeringly outstanding. He plays it almost casually, like its a stroll in the park, yet its phenominally difficult. Horowitz described the first etude as the most difficult of all his etudes, and thats coming from one of the greatest pianists of the 20th C

[ann03071874]

Holy fuck!

[Timmytimtimtm]

@ann03071874 you're the man

[Frozentoes1]

He and Hamelin. Unbelievable! Perhaps someone could write a piona duo version for the two masters.

[lottoformulier]

Anyone has the 2nd (only left-hand) godowsky version of this etude on video???

[moreira7daniel]

Not only outstanding! It's astounding, beyond belief! Absolute beauty and perfection.

[chantalmauro]

Bravo, Signore!

[ric55]

As always dafuckinmart I salute you and thank you. How great to see a pianist who doesn't have to bang like hell to play with a big and sonorous tone. A wonderful antidote to some other "star pianists" that the sheeplecritics think are great because they look handsome, wear the right designer clothes and have nice teeth.

[Tiefbenkel]

It sounds like storm!!! "Simfonic" Chopin!!!

[OrangeSodaKing]

I'm glad Hamelin isn't the only one that plays Chopin-Godowsky paraphrases. :)

Wonderful! I want to hear him play paraphrase #42 in A minor, a.k.a. the Winter Wind!

[iplongnin]

It's good to have other pianists playing these mostrous pieces, otherwise there is always Hamelin and Hamelin... Berezovsky is one of my favourite, pity he didn't record the entire set of Godowsky-Chopin etudes. I think he has more fire, although Hamelin is always the most technically perfect.

[yattaw]

anyone who thinks this is anything but outstanding is a retard

[Boodistic]

Couldn't agree more.

[indigoblue555]

@yattaw - well I'm fond of this rendition

but let me say that personal taste rules

(among great soloists' renditions of course) and this doesn't imply a mental

handycap omop.

[bluesyboypete]

well put!

[squoocher]

is it my imagination or is he playing this like an unfeeling thug??? he fucking is you know. what a cunt. yes, cunt. because it deserves to be played like a fountain, not a privvy!!! cunt

[lipsbach]

Wow, why do you use this video to let the world know that you have an exposed wound? Dick Cheney and Rudy Giuliani are thugs, not Berezovsky.

[Achtelnote]

dont worry,its only your imagination.has nothing to do with the reality.

[divebrakes]

Strange. I made a canon of this piece, which can be found in the UNC music library.

[squoocher]

yeah, this is the best version, i agree with the person who says he makes it look and sound easy, it shouldnt be a macho agressive thing like ashkenazay (sp?) nor should it be too slow and laboured, like a trial. this is effortlessly beautiful

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

he makes this look very easy...

[piannelly]

I love the atmosphere of this "forbidden" video (Y)

[nhkamakura]

I think that this is the best of 10-1

[anonymousQ45]

this is the original its not godowsky

[JSbeat]

He plays the original first, then godowsky's

[prodesica]

Sono senza parole!!!!! Mamma mia, adesso vado a vedere se li ha fatti tutti in concerto contemporaneamente gli studi di Chopin, e gli studi sugli studi.... é sovrumano!!!!

[Eztoez]

I love the Godowski version, and Berezowsky gives a phenomenal performance. Outstanding !!!!!!!!!

[PhilipLu3]

This doesn't sound so good, might be the recording though.

[framaulo]

Unbelievable

[StrivetobeDust]

I don't know folks. All these complaints about how horrible the Godowsky version is make me wonder if we're listening to the same music. Unlike the overwhelming majority of things I've heard THIS music gets more interesting and moving on every hearing. This is amazingly moving music and Berezovsky has played it fantastically

[lottoformulier]

I find these Godowsky versions just some raped sh*t of beautiful music

[HooksGambit]

The camera action makes it look like he's playing on the deck of the Titanic...

[budzillab]

you could not be more right

[callenishss]

this guy has huge hands, big guy

[trigalg693]

You have a nice camera lol.

[BloodRedGlassMoon]

I hate the godowsky version, by that, I mean I hate learning and playing it, but it does sound awesome.

Honestly, making the chords even more complicated to pull off as well as adding in scales.

*shudders*

It's freakishly hard to do.

[KearneyPiano]

uncontrolled? thats the stupidest comment ive ever heard on youtube lmao! and ive seen some fairly crazy ones bashing pianists about some crazy things.but i dont think any have ever been as stupid as that lmao

[eirikpilot]

Why are these bootleg videos on here?! This is crap. I agree about Berezovsky's playing though, wonderful, but this video makes him AND youtube look stupid.

[starkey7uk]

The camera work isn't that good. It looks as though the pianist is playing on a ship that's on stormy seas. The camera should be kept still with respect to the stage, not with respect to the pianist.

[DualThunder]

just thought i would tell you, its not meant to be a professional recording. So i dont understand why you're expecting quality camera work.

[starkey7uk]

Well no, perhaps I should be less scathing. The only problem with the camera work was the bizarre look of the piano rocking up and down. Other than that it's certainly no fault of yours if people get in the way, etc etc.

[JSbeat]

so it would be better for you if you couldnt see this video??

[indigoblue555]

to eirikpilot - I can't get your point ...

quality sucks but you could enjoy a fabolous performance though.

Can't really see anything stupid in this

posting.

[Eztoez]

Phenomenal technique. Bravo !!!!!

[framaulo]

WOW great powerful rendition ! Thanks!

[01016385]

MY god ! you should chop that head !

[XDarKMogX]

I love the Godowsky version's ending.

[scordatura]

When your average amateur plays this study, by the end his/her right hand is ready to drop off. This guy swings into the godowsky version with barely a pause - amazing endurance.

[cedmck]

his technique is absolutely flawless

[pietstamitz]

Wow, i am very impressed, of course this Chopin etude doesn't need any more notes, but Godowsky did a very

good job, and now both hands are trained!

What about his arrangement of the thirds- sixths and other

studies? Thanks to Godowsky!!

Tomorrow i start studying......

[OorvakanSar]

I feel like I'm on a ship on stormy waters.

[fdaltrey]

I am fond of both Hamelin and Berezovsky's rendition of this piece, but I somewhat prefer the latter. In the liner notes that accompany the former's Godowsky CD, Hamelin comments that Godowsky transforms the piece more turbuelently. In my humble opinion, Boris's version here befit's Hamelin's description more aptly.

[auerod]

Agreed wholeheartedly. I have almost worn out the Hamelin CD set since its release. I also saw Hamelin perform this Godowsky etude as an encore in NYC. I thought Hamelin was untouchable when it come to Godowsky-Chopin etudes but Boris...Oh my sweet Jesus! Oh my sweet Lord! This is knuckle-busting virtuosity at its absolute zenith. Oh God!

[rvn10rvn17]

yes.. i have the cd of Hamelin playing this.. but boris' version is more alive to me and closer to the original Chopin's version.. (speed)

[Tortelier18]

OHH MY GOD

GENIUS

[sadara2000]

Visones nutriti, qui ex caveis effugerunt aut fraudulenter a tutatoribus animalium liberati sunt, diversitati naturae Finnicae magna damna faciunt.

Pullos avium et ranas comedentes visones fugitivi effecerunt, ut harum populationes in insulis archipelagi corruerunt.

Vescuntur etiam talpis, quarum deminutio multiformitatem herbarum restringit!!

[givemetime123]

Prodigieux, encore une superbe version de cette étude de Chopin , la transcription de Godowski est belle aussi... quelle technique et quel talent !

[TimGBone]

Oui, c'est vrai! Je n'ai pas de mots!! C'est incroyable!!

[dontchacyp]

daaaaaaaaamn just fantastic awsome

[kirz0]

I don't like his version.

[K189T]

tell me why. Is he too heavy?

[kirz0]

Was a piece of great music. Turned into an etude. Senseless.

[kirz0]

Talking about Berezovsky's own version.

[K189T]

not about Godowski? I don't understand (I'm French :P)

[parule]

This looks/sounds like a world battle!

[indigoblue555]

Pers.op. - g r e a t =

[CarloMSantos]

I wish that he actually did a recording of these etudes for the market so that I could purchase them on iTunes...too bad.

[loves2listen]

there is... but i only find it on the german website of warnermusic.. or just check out on amazon they got it

[lhc89]

this audience can't be anything far off from dead, this guy deserves A LOT more 'audible' support than that

[xianning]

I really like this piece. Such an excellent workout for the right hand.

[heroicpolonaise]

it sounds really strange, but its cool (Y)

berezovsky RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mvs1312]

yo looks a little bit like bill gates LOL!

[jeremyajani]

OH MY GOD

[mathbits]

Well, I like this performance. But what do you expect? He's Russian.

[unklefutura]

does anyone know if Berezovsky will be playing in new york city, any time soon?

[vitellia]

One of the most spontaneous and masterful interpretation of Op.10-1. He made it sound like a fun precious "tune". As for the Godowsky version of it, I found it less successful than the other paraphrases are (as for Godowsky's work, I mean).

[MagicDonDino]

Mi è venuta la pelle d'oca.Mio o dio ma ha 10 dita vero?

[foghorn73]

Oh my god. The guy is a legend. Totally relaxed. Makes it look like a walk in the part.

[sppe769]

for once a godowsky version sounds nice!! the one for #2 wasn't any better than #4

[indigoblue555]

According to my pers.taste this is the best Op.10/1 :

power,technique,musicality,fee­ling,really involving=

Thx for posting =

[Frozentoes1]

He can play the Godowsky version almost as well as Hamelin. A tad too heavy with too narrow a range of dynamics and tone. However, pretty hard to beat Berezovsky overall.

[babaz2]

FASCINANT !

[CarloMSantos]

Simply Amazing, too bad the recording equipment used wasn't the best-like equipment that's actually supposed to record Godly interpretations such as these :/

[yaniamor]

this man won the Tchaikovsky competition in 1991, he was in a very difficult financial situation in Russia, full of problems and still played an amazing Rachmaninoff's COncerto#3... I love his playing ever since.

[clarki333]

I love his performance of the study, is really difficult, hypnotyc i dunno...in you tube really he is the unique man who knows plays exellent Chopin, the piano sounds so good.

[dolceano]

Fantastic! :))

[danielito1979]

this is simply incredible. this guy is fantastic

[nadyart]

Awful!

[CarloMSantos]

Let's hear your interpretation and let's compare it to this video which in fact used horrible recording equipment.

[kmeboard]

One handclap and one cough. Really greatful audience.

[vcupiano]

damn he makes it look easy

[luganskymichelangeli]

what a rich bass

[indigoblue555]

Too much criticism all around this and other great pianists.Let's enjoy music,beyond personal taste-

Of course I have my fav.but I disagree with extr.

and sometimes unpolite judgements=

[CarloMSantos]

Agree.

[robertoparuzzo]

And now?

[indigoblue555]

to robertoparuzzo: pls go on=

[jpiano1]

yes yes i makes me happy

yes he's having fun

specially the inserted octaves in the meddle of the arpegg,...krasy cat the composer and the piano player

fun fun thanks so much!

[starkey7uk]

On the contrary, this is the most brilliant recording I've heard of these two pieces - even if Boris looked totally exhausted by the end!

[ringogiving]

I'm sorry to be the odd man out here, but this is the most perfunctorily bland "good" playing I have heard. All that technical skill to waste! What a shame.

[dustovshio]

holy fuck, this guy's good

[ivrykeys]

I like these recordings much more than his Liszt Etudes video recordings. He seems to have much more control over his technique in these videos. Thanks for these uploads! Berezovsky is starting to make my list of favorite pianists that are still alive.

[karakallatore]

This is absolutely brilliant. Richter used to play this roll without hitting the first notes and this is the second one I hear as good.

[nahwnitsuj]

if you like this you'll love watching him play Liszt's transendental etudes, all 12 are posted!

[jungwirthmartin]

incredible, the best I have ever heard, much better than Pollini, great, he is one of the best pianist of the world, the problem is eg. Lang Lang or Volodos probably have better marketing or agent?

[goobleglob]

please dont compare lang lang to volodos or pollini....he isnt up there with them. its like comparing donuts to french pastry.

[dnephi]

Two responses:

A. Incredible pianist. Amazing. Flawless.  Powerful. Daring. Etc.

B. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA D aGENISU

[dsamogray]

phenominal pianist

[Wergild]

Force of nature.

[Rob48]

bezt vid on youtube

[loves2listen]

This guy is awesome. such a passionate playing and still very controlled. just great. like his liszt etudes

[chai35]

Gosh! What a monster performance! And he is also very musical, too!

[supergt26]

just shoot me. best ever.

[lovesGenet]

I say never compare but this man is closer to Richter like a bear where Hamelin is so elegant and clean . elemental like a force of nature . Only thing is if we saw him in something easier would there be more finesse and spontaneity . I'd still rather hear Argerich,Horowitz ,moseiwitsch,Friedman in schumann Kinderszenen than repeated listenings of godowsky. must listen to his cd op.25 #7 and 10 no.9 or 11 .chance to make MUSIC .da dude can sho lite a tune .

[daeviydt]

this video (in particular the second half) makes me suicidal...

[daeviydt]

the chopin is excellent -- but the godowsky/chopin OH MY GOD is just unbelievable!!!

[canardroti]

oh man...that's one of the best version i'v ever heard.

Berezovsky is a God.

[gogolflagen]

Berezovsky is not a god....he is merely the angelic messenger. Chopin and Godowsky are the gods....

[Perkeno]

No, Chopin is a God. Godowsky's transcription is only interesting bcs it's pianistically challenging. Musically, there's not much.

BTW, Berezovsky IS a piano god. One of the best out there.

[goobleglob]

godowsky was better. and what's music besides emotionally charged, controlled sounds pleasing to the ear? also, ive noticed that the people condemning godowsky do so only because they cant emulate him. same thing happened with cziffra.

[gojewla]

I'm sure some people genuinely don't like his music! Besides, I don't think you could really compare the two composers - one who transformed piano writing, the other of who primarily was an arranger. Incidentally, I don't agree with the previous comment that this piece is only interesting on a technical level. I think that some Godowsky's transcriptions have a lot of music merit, though their technical demands are certainly part of their fascination, much like the Don Juan Fantasy by Liszt.

[metal248]

i have to say, Godowsky did add much musically to chopin's etudes. For example in this one, the left hand eventually branches off and provides a second melody and the right hand differs much from the original etude, which were mainly just arpeggios.

[suremate]

legendary. Rezpec da mart and dizrespec fo da mofo with da hair (pozz da genie?) blocking da camera.

[andreigocan]

Apart from this being illegal, this is bloody fantastic!!!

[cziffra1980]

The Godowsky version is illegal?

[andreigocan]

No, the recording. Sorry, I was unclear.

[dnephi]

The fury is far beyond what's legal... The gov't couldn't handle its extreme jealousy. I'm sorry, I had to say it.

[stxer]

Your comment makes absolutely no sense. Try again.

[dnephi]

It was a joke, making a pun off the fact that a business man named Boris Berezovsky who is a very wanted man.

Sorry for making it unclear lol.

[bergovitz]

ia te uita unde se gasi maestrul gocan sa-si dea cu parerea:)