Benno Moiseiwitsch plays Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor

[RemovdSande11]

This is the most brilliant piece I have ever heared from Rachmaninov. This stunning performance, which comes closes to perfection, made this piece shine and sing like a divine voice.

[rgrannell1]

wow, that was great. One of the few good interpretations of this piece IMO.

[kyleclef]

This is my favourite interpretation. I love the exile...Rachmaninov said that was what this piece was about...and Moiseiwitsch has captured it perfectly.

[mehulpanditful]

Personally i find this piece played the best by Vladmir Ashkenazy the best...

[thegoddescomposer]

One of the saddest Piano work EveR

I love it

[ffelegal]

It's from The Art of The Piano... one of the best there.

"it's the return..." he said

i haven't listened to anything like that... and i have listented to A LOT OF stuff...

i wonder how someone can create such a beautiful sound....

[djmonacella]

If this piece doesn't move you, you just haven't heard it enough times yet! Best recording of this piece I have ever heard!

[Bret6464]

Benno Moiseiwitsch is one of the greatest pianists in history, he "created" when he performed - like Rach, Gilels, Horowitz and Richter. We are infinitely priviledged to hear his performances :-)

What do acting skills have to do with a pianist's greatness? The answer is nothing! Those who admire facial and other expressions, go watch a Charlie Chaplin movie!

[6lues6rother]

Here i extracted the history that Moiseiwich tells, of him, this prelude and Rachmaninoff

watch?v=iFobyhwznng

[looney1023]

this is only the second half, you know. oh well its still one of the best performances of the second half i've seen.

[AnthonyDarnellHill]

He looks so intimidating.

[saturne46]

Un des morceaux les plus impressionnants de Rachmaninov par sa forte dose de nostalgie, à la limite du sentiment de déréliction. L'interprétation de Moiseiwisch est magnifique, comme toujours.

[Keytaster]

2:51 It's like a sunbeam shining through a dark sky...stunning

[Bruce88keys]

Too bad he had a personality like a bank clerk-wonderful pianism

[MegaBlackrussian]

@Bruce88keys Too bad you didn't know him. I did, because he was my father, and if Bruce88keys sticks his head where the sun never shines he may learn a little about life and people.

[Bruce88keys]

@MegaBlackrussian -the bank clerk quote was from Artur Rubinstein auto bio when he was talking about the great playing of his colleagues-save for their somber demeanor. @MegaBlackrussian -American Impresarios pushed pianists w/ acertain stage temperament. Many artists of high calibur, like Gabrilowitsch, Levitzski, Lhevinne, did not enjoy great success of say a Rubinstein & Horowitz- the brief tv spot of Moiseivitch discussing b- Rach Prelude show him as a somber sort.

[alexlliszt]

greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttt­ttttttt

[thphaca]

A few inconsistencies but good voicing and overall keeping up the tempo in the midsection. Interesting how he doesn't physically hold all the notes in certain areas, yet an average pianist would be ridiculed for it.

[aardvaark069]

The performance posted by nonnon86 of this by Moiseiwisch is a much better performance i think.

[phortion]

Oh why oh why didn't Horowitz ever record this piece?!!! Can you imagine what he would do with it?

[GregLile]

Horowitz did record a piano roll of this piece. . Not the same though, I know.

[armpiano]

Yes it would be a massacre

[alittlelightmusic]

Hi. I love Horowitz and I find him a true (unsurpassable in many recordings) wizard. But I wonder if he could reach Moisewitsch's achievement in this video. This is perfection, true perfection, and a fair posthumous crown for a genious pianist that is relatively unknown by the new generations. It is one of the 'untouchable' recordings of music, and it is a pitty that it is not complete.

[visionfugitiva]

that depends of who is listening, I love also Moisewitschs interpretetion ..but---. there are so many wonderfull pianists and who decides whats "true perfection"??...thank god that doesnt exist at least in the human condition, I bet he may played even deeper in his own house in some lightened musical moment with himself! ... try leaving beheind the concept of "perfection" and you will surely live a wider expirience in music

[beingforitse1f]

I imagine that he would produce a recording with the name "Horowitz" attached to it that likely would be of lower musical quality than the Moiseiwitsch recording.

[Nodytsu]

A wonderful prelude. Is that the prelude who Moiseiwitsch says he was the favorite of Rachmaninoff ?

[RidleySS18]

@Nodytsu Yes, Rachmoninoff said that moiseiwitsch played this piece better than he played it himself! I performed it for a competition a few years ago, one of my favorite preludes for sure.

[mikejr41387]

does anyone know if there are any other videos of Moiseisitsch playing?

[goggyli]

where's the begining?

my god, havent heard a better one of this yet

[kiracore84]

wonderful. shame it's not complete

[canaantzi]

Este era el preludio favorito de Rachmaninoff, y Moiseiwtisch lo tocaba de una forma maravillosa. Con gran expresion y un control perfecto del tempo. Para tocar esto es necesario pensar como un hombre de 200 anios de madurez. El mismo Rachmaninoff preferiera escuchar su musica interpretada por Benno, y estoy completamente de acuerdo con el. Bravo Moiseiwitsh!!!! Que hariamos sin pianistas como tu!!!!!?

[aardvaark069]

Benno had such a big heart and it comes through in his playing. such generous playing. very great musician. pupil of leschetisky.

[hellomate639]

So Rachmaninov said similar things about this guy as Horowitz...

Horowitz and Moiseiwitsch look similar right in the bottom jaw, cheeks, somwhat in the eyes and facial expression.

[ChrisWatch]

-_-... what are you trying to say... just come out with it. come on tell me what are you trying to say?? Don't beat around the bush!! JUST SAY IT. I would like to know ^_^...

[hellomate639]

It's funny that they're similar, that's all.

[paulostroff99]

hellomate639- I suppose you mean that they both look Jewish. I don't see why not,as they both were Jewish.

[saturne46]

Magnifique et poignant. Splendide artiste.

[nojstradamus]

im in the process of learning this piece.its a beast!

this is my favorite interpretations.

[Poohahaha]

is the full video available? I really prefer to see this video as a whole.

[lifeisasoundtrack]

i don't know if there's a video on here of him playing the whole thing... but this one cuts off a good page of music. i have a cd with him playing this on it, and it is beloved to me.

[scrumhalforegon]

You can buy it on DVD. It is called Art of Piano and is a must-have for any fan of the instrument, regardless of whether you play it or not. Great footage of many of the masters.

[amirmot]

this one is actually the one taken from the art of piano!so there should be another way of watching him playing the whole thing.

[lifeisasoundtrack]

why is the beggining cut off??? great to see a video of it though... he plays it the best of anyone i've ever heard. such a powerfully moving piece. i started crying hysterically every time.

[Rickmaninov]

On the Art of Piano documentary the beginning is cut off. Moiseiwitsch recorded the whole piece (on audio), but I don't know if the full video of his performance is available. Aside from Moiseiwitsch, the only other pianist's interpretation that I feel fully captures the power of this prelude is Richter's.

However, there is a full video of Moiseiwitsch playing the Wagner-Liszt Tannhauser Overture. It's phenomenal.

[ChrisWatch]

There is also constance keene whom you will find my profile.

[102938z]

One of the best performances of this piece (or of any piano piece in my opinion) I've ever heard. Moiseiwitcsch is a real master. His colors and build-ups are amazing. Does anyone know where I can find the complete video, and not just the selection played on Great Pianists of the 20th Century?

[Nexodaedalus]

Absolutely fantastic.

Rachmaninov really knows how to write music...

... and Moiseiwitsch really knows how to play it.

[GreatPianists]

Yes, Moiseiwitsch was Rachmaninoff's spiritual heir, after all. Rach himself admitted that Moiseiwitsch played his works better than he himself did.

[hellomate639]

Ditto with Horowitz though...

I want to hear Horowitz play this.

[vbogdan22]

He probably played it hundreds of times, that's why you dont't see nothing on his face, plus in those times people were more decent and restrained not like today when some pianists look like they are having sex, drugs and rock and roll and make a fool of themselves.

[billyguns2]

Thank you for your comments; I am weary of the self-indulgences of today's young pianists. Audiences go in for this kind of circus freak show, alas! We are nearing the end of times, anyway; the Mayans said the world ends in 2012. How lucky we were to have had the likes of Moisiewitsch, Michelangeli, Horowitz, Rubinstein, Cortot, Rachmaninoff, Richter, Schnabel, Lipatti, Kapell, Cliburn, Arrau, Hess, Janis, and so many others.

[paulostroff99]

billyguns2-I spend my January's in the Yucatan. Thank you for the warning,as I hope to be in a different world when that happens. The Maya are just too accurate with their predictions when they can predict on which stone of a pyramid the sun will shine at a given day and hour. My question is-did they ever make allowances for rain-as in rain checks?Ha,ha. Well it is the baseball season!

[amirmot]

where the hell is gould then?!lol

[zkool5]

They have those extra mannerisms because their art has nothing to show for.

[GraigRussell]

Wow. Beautiful.

[luiarthur]

i'm astonished by the small number of people who have viewed this video, whereas videos by virtuosos who don't express a very deep sense of musicality get all the viewing. what a pity.

[hellomate639]

@luiarthur

You should see what preceded this in the video that this recording was extracted from. Moiseiwitsch describes his encounter with Rachmaninov. It is one of the most profound encounter's I've heard of.

I already play this piece, but that interview makes me want to learn it as perfectly as possible.

Rachmaninov described this piece as "The Return." He said that it can be summed up in one word: exile.

[ZacharySmith89]

@luiarthur Or they see that it's 3:17 long and think that he rushes it like these show-off virtuosos you speak of.

[tnmtemerity]

@ZacharySmith89 Well, this video is clearly missing the first 60 seconds or so...

[piano345]

facial and body contortions are unecessary and a waste of energy in a long recital or concerto. besides they are distracting if filmed in close up or on TV. some pianists have facial contortions but listen with your eyes closed and the emotions aren't there. the feelings should come from the music.

[classicalpiano92]

I don't understand how he can look so nonchalant about this piece. I mean, he plays it beautifully but idk, but when I play a piece as heartwrenching as this, it's usually reflected on my face. Thank you for posting this, one of my favorite preludes. =)

[yekhaty]

face shows nothing because he is superbly coordinated master pianist. moving face does nothing to sound. only master pianist can achieve this freeing of emotional tension from physical tension.

[MartinVanBoven]

@yekhaty I'd say not showing physical or facial expressions is more a matter of style and choice, for any good pianist, than something that can only be achieved by the very best. Interesting in this video is by the way, that you can STILL see his emotional tension in his physical demeanour: his emotions quite clearly show in the way he he moves hands and fingers and how he "attacks" the keys.

[ProkofievRules]

Rachmaninoff's face never changed when he was playing. Horowitz's face never changed either, with the odd exception when it looked like he was making an intruiging point. What does making a face do for your sound?

[pitschi2001]

Hi calno4,

Really interesting story!

It was recorded 1963 (the year he died?)

[pitschi2001]

Well, it was recorded in London according to the booklet. Is his house in England, I guess ?

[calno4]

Do you know which year it was recorded?

[Roxyitalia]

E' stato un grande pianista dimenticato, molto amico di rachmaninoff. Bellissima è la sua interpretazione di Suggestion Diabolique di Prokofiev. Grande Benno!

[rothko0000]

I once heard that, just like the case of his isle of dead, this piece was also inspired by the picture of Bocklin. Does someone know the title of the picture of Bocklin ?

[brychar66]

Yes the Bocklin painting is called The Isle of the Dead! You can find it on the net.

[rachmaninov2004]

Great preludium it was his favorite. He said that "the preludium of the return"(in Russia).

[ManlioGiordano]

What I wrote previously about this pianist's imparting detail into the score needs a comment. It would be more appropriate to say that he achieves that level of detail that is right for his conception; thus, the customarily "thick" middle section is not given much detail at all, as he plays it. This highlights the eternal importance of "thinking before you play"; the number of tones played at once, or per second, does not reflect the "musical importance" of a section, of course.

[rachmaninov2004]

This preludium was his favorite (for Sergei). It was the preludium of the return (in Russia).

[ManlioGiordano]

He imparts a wonderful amount of detail into the score. His rendition of the main theme when it returns at 1'58, for instance, is invested with so many flavours that can never be captured "in writing" by any composer. A great many people have become caught in the contemporary fallacy that lack of detail in the score necessarily means lack of detail also in the performance.

[ManlioGiordano]

Does anyone have the complete recording? I have been looking for this very moving and interesting performance for a long time. It has been many years since I saw it (as part of a documentary; it was cut then, as well).

[danandjohn]

Brilliant playing, thanks for posting it. There's apparently a video of Moiseiwitsch playing the Tannhauser Overture that is incredible - I hope someone posts it one day.

[pitschi2001]

I'm very sorry @steinway1901! I accidentally removed your comment. But I will check out Claudette Sorel recording which you've mentioned.

There is a passage which precedes this video, where Moiseiwitsch talks about an encounter he had with Rachmaninoff. I will maybe upload it separately.

[ManlioGiordano]

An upload of the interview that you mention would be appreciated greatly. Exactly what documentary is that? (Probably it is the one that I just mentioned in another comment.) He said something of extreme interest in that interview: that the (baffled) composer had confirmed that he had decrypted the main message of the score - what it was about - correctly.

[billyguns2]

One of the greatest pianists and musicians of the 20th Century, woefully unknown and underappreciated; thanks you so much for posting this. If any more footage exists of this great man, please share it with us!

[sagalat]

Too bad the beginning is missing. But it's not a hard prelude to learn. Just fudge the 01:40 part. Great performance. How can he mount a crescendo over so many bars? Very mature interpretation. No histrionics. Elegant. Thanks.