Emil Gilels Plays Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 (1/4)

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

much better than the 1st one.

[crbrico]

Oh, music, the salt of the soul, the balsam of all wounds, a full reason to exist. Pitty of those who do not understand the utmost beauty of Melpomene´s gift

[TJFNYC212]

It is a great concerto but I would not go so far as to say that it outshines the 1st in B flat.

[wrstfg]

@TJFNYC212 The 1st one is so famous, that anyone who doesn't even understand anything about music knows it.

The second one is not so often played, but -as I think- composed more geniusly.

But thats personal opinion and thats just one of the great things of music, the individuality to be fascinated from different music!

I think it's very important to also have the opportunity to listen this one!!!

:D

[KlassikFan2007]

Wonderful performance!

[KlassikFan2007]

Bravo Maestro!!!!!

[gunmenow]

In my opinion the piano concerto no2 is much better than his first one, in a sense of imagination, colour and sense of pure beauty.

[TJFNYC212]

@gunmenow Indeed, it is a shame that is sits on the shelf.

[dommboi69]

a seriously underated piano concerto...

[walkingwithlordfusaw]

i love Gilels's performance,especially Grieg. i've never heard of this song,Tschaikovsky piano concerto nr.2. it's the first time,well......WoW! it's a Tschaikovsky!!!!! 

[xerxes52]

@walkingwithlordfusaw It isn't a song

[KearneyPiano]

@xerxes52 the only thing worse than calling a piece of music a song, is correcting someone that has done so.

[Labdude0]

I like his beard :3

[immapubrec]

I completely love this Piano Concerto. It has a mix of so many qualities, just unbelievable. Pogorelich did an amazing job with it. If you would like to listen to another great composer YouTube the Great Great Grandfather in Composition of Peter I. Tchaikovsky:

Iosif Andriasov

You will not be disappointed

[drfawlty]

Hi adambomb30

I've been trying to find that recording for 30 years (Svetlanov). Any idea how I can find it. It would be much appreciated. That recording is probably the finest display of artistic virtuosity I have ever heard. If I'm correct, it the one where he has a complete memory slip in the 3rd mov?

Cheers Richard

[drfawlty]

@drfawlty

I did some research and this is not the recording I was referring to. This was done by a amateurish orchestra (probably small town). The pianism is so spectacular all other Tchiak 2 of Gilels I've heard are incredibly tame.

[adambomb30]

@drfawlty It's out of print so you'd have to look around for a used copy. I found mine on amazon from a used cd seller in the UK.

[werq34ac]

the theme at 2:24 is perhaps one of the most beautiful moments in music ever written. It's a shame this concerto isn't performed more often.

[RichardMartin2]

@werq34ac Yes; and does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the chord at 6:20-6:21 is?

[her0esfan]

Gilels makes it so musical

[postmodernschism]

wow he's so good he can play without even moving!

[newportvtman37]

@postmodernschism and in black and white how did he do that?

[Qumak13]

For those interested in Igor Zhukov's version, here are the co-ordinates:

Igor ZHUKOV, piano;

Mikhail Tcherniakhovsky, violin in part 2;

Victor Simon, solo cello in part 2;

USSR RTV Large Symphony Orchestra

Gennady ROZHDESTVENSKY, cond.

Recorded in Moscow, 1968

2CD Twofer, BMG Records after MELODIYA

[chu71]

@Qumak13  thks! zhukov is briliiant

[Qumak13]

One of the most underrated piano concertos of all times! The other one being that of Antonin Dvorak. I adore it and consider a much more mature piece than the B minor concerto. This version by Emil Gilels, whose interpretation is absolutely great, has one major vice - the slow movement is the one cut by Alexandr Ziloti. The original version can be found eg. on Igor Zhukov's recording for Melodiya Records, which is equally brilliant!

[thesilvershining]

I adore the 2nd piano concerto, as well as his 3rd. All three are similar in their showmanship and glorious sweeping melodies. While the 1st is romantic, beautiful and passionate, the 2nd is sentimental, intelligent, and melancholy. Pure love for them both <3

[adambomb30]

There's also a live recording of the Tchai 2nd piano concerto with Gilels and Svetlanov/USSR symphony orchestra.. it's hard to find but very much worth having!

[Sinfoniette]

That recording sounds awesome - any chance of posting it or uploading it somewhere?

[pianotalent]

This Moscow performance is much better than that of London's. Gilels played much better at home at Moscow rather than abroad...I value and keep many copies of it.

[adambomb30]

Another problem with the recording with the London Philharmonic is Lorin Maazel. He's one of the most consistently uninspired conductors around.

[uhartchristian]

@pianotalent well of course its more easy to play at home where he knew the piano and the concert hall and had a great partner for it. Its not that easy to handle the travelling around, different food, hotels, no time to prepare and so on.....

[squadala994]

@adambomb30 I have another version of the 2nd concerto played by Gilels with The Leningrad Symphony Orchestra, Kiril Kondrashin as conductor. This is a live recording, published by Olympic Records 1974 on vinyl. The original recording is at least 20 years older though, it's a monaural recording.

I also have a version with Gilels/Maazel, 1st concerto though.

[raadek89]

have you noticed that there's no connection between first and second part of the video? probably a part of 1st movement is cut :(

[jetmadchic]

does anyone know when this was recorded?

[adambomb30]

1972

[PianoMazter]

great

[marrieter08]

just great.........................­........

[kempff95]

this is incredible !

[220392123]

this is very good indeed. i love gilels and tchaikovsky!

[SSSLAWWWA]

That's one of my favourite recordings!

[kajohada]

doubtless this is the best version of tschaikowski´s second concerto.here u can listen to a great virtuoso who is skilled enough to overcome the greatest difficulties.the power of his touch and the spiritual abilities are very amazing.

[deandusk]

incredible recording of an incredible piece.

thank you

[ArturoAlejandroS]

Thanks a lot for post this wonderful and great concerto!

[EuropeanArchive]

Thanks, the second concerto deserves to be known better. On the Archive, we have a very nice Mewton-Wod performance of it

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Greetings,

Rolf

Historical classical recordings

European Archive, Paris