Tatum's interpretation here of this popular Chopin waltz is absolutely amazing and wonderfully imaginative!! I would also love to hear how James P. Johnson would have played it!
i don't give a shit about what has been said during this youtube fight, this guy is unhinged, mentally, and his music is frigging off the hook. can't listen to art tatum without swearing in disbelief - what the actually fuck did i just listen to? we will NEVER, i repeat, NEVER have someone like him. EVER. one of the kind, class of his own.
I think Art Tatum is a god, but the one thing that always bugs me about listening to him play is how after listening to thousands of hours and transcribing his music down... all of his music starts to sound the same... :( still a genius as ever, though
One can be so dazzled with Tatum's linear runs & flawless technique & miss the true gift, his fluency with harmony & voicing. The runs are often a rhythmic thing, flashy as they can seem. Listen to his solos for the voicings, seamless modulations, he's completely relaxed with a level of mastery & spontaneity even on well rehearsed solos. Incomparable genius.
Guitarists will recognise this 'speed' debate. One of Tatum's biggest fans was the late, great Shawn Lane. Lane played guitar at incredible speed at times, but always remained melodic and inventive, the ideas fountaining out of him. Tatum played speedily because that's the way his music came to him.
I find myself mystified as to why there are so many dislikes for this piece. Is it because it is a jazz interpretation of a classical piece? Is classical music somehow untouchable and closed to reinterpretation? It can't be because of his technique. To my ears it sounds close to flawless. It must be the quality of the recording that people are finding fault with because this man was a piano god.
Has no one commented upon his SENSE OF HUMOR?!! It is the fun he is having with his genius. Playing around, cascading through keys, dancing like dappled sunlight on a garden wall, like a butterfly in a summer garden...... he is dancing on the keys, joyfully - because he put the work in - the hours - the dedication, the driving compulsive force of love. Love for his instrument of expression.
I wonder if Art even cares about any of this rambling. lol
Stop trying to educate by replacing each other's opinions. If you can only "educate" others by trashing their opinion, then what makes you better than them, or more cultivated? They trash Art's opinion of this valse, and you trash their opinion of Art. We could try and learn to be human first; then we can try and pretend to be as cultivated as we want. But the other way around is pointless - and these comments are proof; mine included.
Too many of you complain about the speed that he plays at. Art Tatum was never a pianist for the public. He was a pianist for professionals. If you can't play, sing or understand the 13 scales AND have not practices more than an hour a day, you will never understand or like Art Tatum. If the people you think are amazing are always talking about how amazing Art was, then you need to do some homework and find out why.
@The83rdTrombonist Ummm, I get what you're saying, and that you're trying to defend the late great Mr. Tatum against obvious haters... but I'm not a pianist, and i DO appreciate – and love – this music. So keep an open mind.
@GhostnoteLimited Sorry but if you look at the beginning of th conversation, you'll see that it was specifically directed to an individual in order to make a point.
@The83rdTrombonist What a rough link you make between knowing all the scales,being fast and making music.Art is not a demonstration, even when it's the artist wish, they can't escape the fact that people will appreciate it in many different ways(even the simpliest one).Of course understanding an art form by a continuous pratice make you see what amateurs won't.Still I can be touched by Miles songs and Mallarmé poems even thought they wanted to reach a particular audience whom I don't fit in...
@Harvesterofmetal How many variations of art exist? Do you play music? Do you understand why some of Mozart's pieces were considered controversial in his day? Do you know why many of Da Vinci's paintings were controversial in his day? Anyone can appreciate art. But to fully appreciate in all of it's complexities. Read Art Tatum's biography or watch of the documentaries, one of them being on YouTube, and you'll here that his biggest fans were the greatest musicians, not the average joe.
@The83rdTrombonist I don't think it's necessary for me to respond since I'm not a "name-dropping" addict when it comes to culture (I'm always suspicious of people who talk a little bit to much about it as if this chitchat was the point to make in art). I don't think that our opinions are contradictory (on the contrary), it's just that I don't like the way you expressed them. The musicians you hail were also enjoying music like "average joe" before they got involved that much in music making.
@Harvesterofmetal And to fulfil my opinion I don't think these artists are ashamed of the times music was so obscure for them, because it was also fascinating and mysterious. That's what led them to know so much about it. I think it's a feeling that never left them because the more you know the more you're impressed of what you don't know (it seems bigger and bigger every further step). Average audience sense these mysteries but of course not in the accurate way of musicians.
@Harvesterofmetal If our opinions are not contradictory to each other, why then did you find it necessary to "correct" me then? What I described is an example of something I've seen to be true in the first, second and third person's perspective. Compare the reasons that you and a pro (or closer) are amazed by Tatum and you'll have a 2 lists and one of them we'll wrap a city block. A pro's perspective and a casual/basic person-of-knowledge's opinion of the state of beauty will always differ.
@The83rdTrombonist not entirely true, otherwise only professional musicians would listen to music. There has to be a middle ground. there's a difference between music being amazing and music showing technical proficiency. Amazing is when technical proficiency and beauty meet, and imo that is the real art to music. I say this because even if u can play all the scales and modes at 200 bpm, unless you use them well and think outside the box a little the music will either sound plain or over the top
@The83rdTrombonist That's perfectly true. Don't complain about hearing the best. It reminds me of being in college and the academic pinheads denigrating Hemingway or Faulkner in favor of other wimpish writers. Become an aesthete, they're much superior to pinhead academics who are always trying to find flaws in the great artists. Like Hume said, "Be a philosopher, but above all, be a man." Something like that.
Not true, I'm not a professional yet it is still possible for me admire the fact Art was able to take something that even Chopin himself had created to be "impromptu" and simply take it to another level. :)
@SFSylvester And you still proved my other point that is referenced in Art Tatum's Biography, which can be found on YouTube, that their were people who loved hearing him play BUT there were those who couldn't stand his playing because it was so complex. My comment was specifically towards them that do not like or complain of his playing. Even still, unless one is involved in music and understands music well, one cannot understand why what Tatum is doing is so amazing and I stand by that saying
Why is this pretentious nonsense comment at the top??
Sure, you need a lot to *understand* why he plays. You also can't like the subtleties you don't pick up on, obviously. But it's absolutely possible to LIKE his recordings without "understanding the scales", let alone being able to play or... sing. What does singing have to do with any of this?
I guess I'm not the best one to say this, considering that I've got perfect pitch, and know my way around the tonalities...
Utterly wrong and ridiculous. A lot of modern jazz is indeed "music for musicians" (which is why jazz is in such trouble these days), but Art's playing used to draw crowds of musicians and non-musicians alike. The sheer virtuosity and technical brilliance of his playing is hard to miss even if you don't know anything about jazz. In fact, chances are if you don't know anything about jazz and you hear Art play for the first time, you will want to find out more about this music
@rurikbird Like you said, you're utterly ridiculous and wrong. As I said before, I was making a point for one side of the fence and NOT for all sides. It is true that much of the public liked hearing him but that was not the case originally. Many people oculd not stand to hear him because of the complexity. He could play well beyond average comprehension but after bad reactions, he dumbed his playing down a bit. So bite me if you don't understand.
@rurikbird I totally agree that modern jazz is "music for musicians". Actually, it's kind of just crap now. Jazz has evolved so much from swing and even be-bop, that it has lost the joy and dance energy it had back before the "progressive" era. I feel that energy and joy is part of what had the mass public on it's side.
@Hyperclefonical598 I think 'kind of just crap' is throwing a lot of different things in the same sack. There is wonderful jazz being created. But you're mostly right about jazz having broken away from danceability. Where THAT spirit still lives, with awesome energy and joy, is in the world of LATIN JAZZ. Listen to the music of Dave Valentín, Poncho Sánchez, et al. and you will hear it there - including a lot of honoring of the jazz tradition going way back.
@PabluchoViision Yes I totally agree. I love Latin Jazz! (Tito Puente and the guys you mentioned as well as Machito and eventually Dizzy Gillespie) But, it seems like Jazz sort of went down the tubes after the Bebop era. Just my observation according to my own taste and the mass public in the 1950's.
I'm so sorry but if he slowed down i would really enjoy his songs a lot better. Listen to the song he played called "Ain't Misbehavin" for example at normal speed at first, then slow it down and you'll realize it sounds way better and you have time to process the melodies, and get a feel for it. I think why he played so neck-breakingly fast is because is brain speed was lightning fast. I think though for kindly normal people like me, it would sound much better slowed down though.
@The83rdTrombonist so you mean.. control at high speed is what's important, not speed itself? fine. but my point was that speed does not equate the ability to manipulate/emulate emotion. and that's what i value in music. not to say that i don't respect tatum, he definitely had skill in his field
@superjumpman92 I see. Nevertheless, what separates Tatum from everyone else, even his closest imitator of Oscar Peterson, was that Tatum had complete control. Tatum chose to play fast and not really because he could, at least not at first. Listening carefully, you find that Tatum is actually playing classical (in terms of control and phrasing) all the time but in the technique of stride and genre of jazz.
@The83rdTrombonist Intensity was perfected in classical but emotion was brought to the wide array of fruition thru jazz. Tatum chose to play with speed because it wasn't easy. It became easy for him but he worked hard to get to that point. Tea for Two is a prime example. Tatum even played a certain way in order to draw the emotion he wanted. True musicians admire the work of others for the complexity or the simplicity. Not because it's easily obtainable. We're in an entirely new decade...
@The83rdTrombonist ...and no one has been able to improve on Tatum and not just in speed. Even the chords he played were later emulated by artists in the bebop and avante garde eras. The things that people complain about him not doing are the same things other pros praised him for being able to do i.e. George Gershwin, The Duke, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and many classical pianists and conductors. Only those that truly understand truly appreciate it.
James P. Johnson and Oscar Peterson are incredibly skilled and awesome but this just demonstrates how Art Tatum is in a different dimension of creation and imaginative musicality, especially in interpreting classical music. Honestly, is there a pianist ever or since who has surpassed Tatum's level of appeal, ability, intimidation, technique or imagination?
You must interpret jazz, all, and I do mean all, musicians that play both will contend That jazz is the more intellectually challenging, and if not-they don't understand jazz
I will honor your response if you can tell me what the first ten chords are of this Chopin piece. If you don't know that then you are just giving your limited opinion based on feeling and no intellectual preparation.
All you would have to do is ask a chimp to play a Chopin piece then ask a human to play it. You could then see who played all the notes that were written and understood how to translate the essence of the composition. To the critique from this perspective you would have to know how to read music, know harmony, rhythm, melody, phrasing, understand composition, which would take about ten years of study. You might find out you don't have the talent to understand and critique higher forms of music.
Actually, this is slightly sloppy playing,in terms of technique. I was classically trained at age 6, and went on to jazz. Gay, problem-filled, Vladimir should keep his mouth shut, unless engaged in his oral activities. I doubt Rubenstein, who is the superior player of his day, would agree with Horowitz. Ultimately, classical AND jazz are this highest forms of music. It is hard to play both at a world-class level.
@PervisJohnson - The gentlemen we are talking about are all great. Rubenstein could not play jazz on a high level so why are we comparing people that do different things. It would be like asking Rubenstein to dance like Michael Jackson you know he would have never been able to do that so shy would you even worry about it. Enjoy them for who they are and stop comparing them. Art Tatum is a God of Jazz because jazz musicians say he is. Rubenstein is what classical musician say say he is to them.
Aye maybe Horowitz did say that he'd quit and so on and so on and oh well..., but no-one ever says, said, or remotely posits what would have happened if the wonderful Horowitz or even that other old and great peer of classical piano Rubenstein had taken up the old Jazz? There would have been a lot of jousting. Just because Tatum was monstrously marvellous does not mean that he is not surpassable, and though it seems unlikely, I would not put anything past God.
Time travel is a plausible theory whereas paralell worlds could exist simultaniously in forms of strings. One slight change affects the rest in a form of butterfly effect. No, there's no silly God.
@ImmortalSpecies theres no such thing as time travel.the 'now'; for which we've never seen and will never see!;is not some kind of turn table that you can put you finger on and reverse or lift the needle and put it at the bgeinning of time or the end.it all moves forward there is no backward time .dont let record' and memory' seduce you into dum dumm-edness.show me an instant where time actually recoiled a fucking permutation?its the master of motion.its the face of fate!we're a pionic pimple!;D
@ohmphthschwrhu Let me explain: there's no such thing as time travel now. It's a plausible theory because it can't be refuted neither proven. Almost similar to proving there's no god vica versa. I don't think there'll ever be.
@LISZTIZATION Stop talking with caps what are you a 5 year old. I like Oscar Too but hes second after Art Tatum. Oscar said himself that when Art Tatum came in the room he would fall apart. That really says a lot about Art Tatum if you realize how good Oscar Peterson was.
@LISZTIZATION Who cares if you like Oscar Peterson better? Not everyone does, but what's important is that you refrain from posting in all caps all the time. That's bad internet etiquette.
SOUNDS A BIT MANIC AND IDIOT SAVANT LIKE - ALL HIS VARIATIONS ARE COMING AT ONCE, AND HE CAN'T SPREAD THEM OUT AND DEVELOP THEM - WITH DEFINITE FLASHES OF GENIUS - IDEAS ON TOP OF IDEAS, WITHOUT THE OVER-ALL VISION OF THE TRUE MASTERS, LIKE CHOPIN THAT WROTE IT - LIKE A CIRCUS SIDE SHOW - INTERESTING, BUT NOT THE REAL CIRCUS......
JUST THINK, IF HE HAD SOME LESSONS , MAYBE, HA.....
@LISZTIZATION You sound like a idiot. Lets see you post you videos and see how great you are. I like how people post crap like this but don't post their own videos of playing if they think they are so great.
@LISZTIZATION Why u keep talkin like that are you from the medevil stone age times or something?The only true idiot is the one who post comments with nothing to back it up. Your opinion means nothing when even the greatest of pianist praised Art Tatum for his amazing and compelling ability to play the piano. You post comments yet you lack Art Tatums amazing ability to add his own style and flavor to piano pieces. If you can criticize then post up a video on how it should be played.
As much as I admire Art Tatum, I have to agree that this is not the greatest recording of this piece ever. That said, it is also a completely different style of music to what he became famous for. I very much doubt the Rachmoninoffs or the Goulds could even come close to performing the kind of feats he did in the realm of jazz.
Art Tatum has garnered tremendous admiration not only from Jazz critics and the finest Jazz musicians to exist, but as those who have shaped the titanic genre of Western classical music as well; Namely, Horowitz, Rachmaninoff, Bernstein, Rubinstein, etc.
Now, as the top comment says, what basis have you for criticizing Tatum's playing when these giants themselves admire him? Just what?
What I see is a bunch of one-sided youngsters going tantrums about how BAAD this particular improvisation is.
Listen to me, all of you. Listen to me, all those who bash this performance.
Your love for your music is heavily biased and is based on fanaticism more than anything else.
First of all, Art Tatum is said by some to be greater than Mozart. Now, before you flame me, this doesn't mean that I think he is better than Mozart; all fields need to have a "Mozart" in their own respect; in Science, we have Isaac Newton and Einstein; Muhammad Ali in boxing, Mozart in classical music; Art Tatum in Jazz.
@Santosificationable Yeah these people don't love music like I do . I like all types of music. I'm not biased or a fanboy. Tatum did things till this day that can't be matched. To truly understand music you have to appreciate what this musician has done. If you can't post up your on video playing something better than this than just shut your mouth .Everyone has a different style and to compare and say this person better is just ignorant and biased.
@860125mwj huh? I never called you biased or a fanboy. I was merely talking to the classical music-loving people who express their distaste for the "ruining" of this particular Chopin piece. I say they should probably keep their distastefulness to themselves because they are unable to appreciate how a different pianist interprets a different genre. Well, even idiots can make comments anyway, lol.
As a lay music lover there are only two types of music-good and bad. This guy was piano master. So take a chill pill all you pompous windbags. Jazz is good clasical is good depending on the mood you are in.
It's kinda funny that alot ofclassical purists spend time dis-respecting jazz guys that imrov over some classical tunes, when they could be practicing their improvisation chops, they would soon say to themselves,,, wow I should of done this a long time ago,lol
I don't think you are meant to feel the same way about this rendition as the you do the original... The are really different.. swung rhythms and improvisation...
everyone needs to calm down and enjoy enjoy some ingenuity
I love Art tatum, though I must say the beauty of the melody has been lost in this particular rendition, though the quality of the sound may contribute to my opinion.
LET GET ONE THING STRAIGHT Art Tatum is one of the most skillful pianists ever AND this improvisation requires both skill and understanding of piano.
HOWEVER: The BEAUTIFUL MELANCHOLY of the original piece is severely distrupted by the overspeed and improvisation. When listening to this one does NOT feel the feelings on the original waltz. This is more playful and happy. This impro. can be more difficult than the original but the original the feeling on the original waltz is waaaaay above it.
people can post negative comments anywhere. Of course we wouldn't want that, as they may incite flaming. However, keep in mind that saying "shut up hes still better than you" is a bit...illogical.
Anyone can comment, criticize, label, etc. from their point of view (even if it is a point of view of a dumbass).
Just so you know.
But anyway, I personally wouldn't want them doing crap like that.
Perhaps with jazz (particularly bebop), you have to think brilliantly and harmonically on your feet with good or great technique, with classical you learn what's in front of you, then play, memorize it, then interpret; I believe most of the compositions in classical are brilliant but it's on the messenger or interpreter to represent those works, whether they are featured instrumentalists or conductors; with this, it's about the muse, & the gifts one is blessed with, of course.
Horrowitz and Rachminanoff both gave praise to this performer. Unless you're credentials are on par with those two then negative comments are meaningless.
Art Tatum, one of the greatest pianists of any genre ever. Period.
@Koweela not to exaggerate too! is not the biggest pianist of all time! jazz maybe! but do not confuse the white to black! another classical jazz pianist else!
@Koweela Bullshit. I don't need credentials to criticize music or any other art form precisely because it is an art form which means there is no right or wrong. There is only good and bad, which is ultimately a subjective opinion. 2+2=4 is a fact, but that Chopin played better piano than a retarded chimp is a mere opinion. Can you PROVE that he played better piano? Yes? HOW? By asking a bunch of other people? It's still going to be their collective subjective opinion and not a proof.
@CHATRUCSONG right. The piece lost its .....essence. WITH THIS PIECE I AM SIMPLY NOT FEELING THE EMOTIONS I AM FEELING WITH THE ORIGINAL ONE. And I am quite sure I am not alone...
What's with these pretentious classical musicians on here trying to tell everyone that their opinion is worth more because they have a degree? There are some jazz and ragtime pianists that nobody at these colleges will ever even hear of that blow away any classical pianist in terms of pure technical ability. Just be thankful these "novelty" pianists don't look down upon you the way you look down upon them.
"Improv" has been around forever and feel really sorry for the purists. I guess the insight and elucidation that Rachmaninov AND Godowsky did on Chopin are krap as well?!
@kfb998p How couldn't he (Chopin) have loved it?? ANY (reasonable - ego aside) top flight musician has to love this...ya just have no choice! So bloody awesome!!
@NatKingCole46 ..give up...some will never know..period ! you either got ears or you haven't..it's still the same old story...some hear some don't ...Art Tatum was the BEST jazz pianist ever.
The wonderful Martial Solal, whose music captures the spirit of Tatum (though stylistically marvellously diverse), has made a very different but equally compelling version of this wlse, on his Cd 'Just Friends'.Worth listening to!
An amusing piece of well-meant vandalism, for sure. Still, one must marvel at the fellow's idiosyncratic technique, almost as much as at how jazz retains an unparalleled facility to make just about anything sound trivial.
@roethkeroethke That's rather condescending of you. I don't understand how the god of jazz piano is "amusing" to those who probably couldn't even dream of playing as he does. If you could defeat every known professional pianist in today's world and do it with astounding technique, flawless execution and rapid creativity, then you have the right to call anything played by Art Tatum "well-meant vandalism".
just shows Art's brilliance. He once played 21 variations on 'LIZA' for George Gerswhin. Chopin would probably have enjoyed Art varying Chopin's music too?
(previous post should read "attended" instead of "intended")
I must say, I don't agree with the few comments that say that jazz harmony is more complex than classical harmony (I've noticed that dotted around, inbetween Bazzatt's awful posts.) Classical harmony can be very complex indeed - as can Jazz harmony for that matter. If you want, Bazzatt - I can give you a few much-needed lessons to improve your analytical skills, as they are obviously lacking!
@Racehazard I couldn't agree more. These broad generalizations about the complexity of respective music theories are destructive and inaccurate. While there are certainly very simplistic classical pieces (Brahms' Lullaby anyone?), there's also the twelve bar blues (111144115411 duuh). On the other side of the spectrum, you get Paul Hindemith and Thelonious Monk.
Just because I'm a "concert music" composer doesn't mean I can't appreciate jazz. I absolutely love this video.
@zagreen Wow - I think we just shared brains for a second there! I completely agree. I'm a "concert music" composer too - at least, I'm trying to be! And I have an interest in jazz - I play it, and I'm really trying to make both careers work simeltaneously. I find that both disciplines bleed into one another - and I've made that an intentional feature of my "concert music" (which are jazz influenced) and my jazz improvisations (which are contemporary classical influenced!)
@Racehazard True. Too many people abuse the chord extensions. I distinctly remember listening to a Chopin piece where he used a minor 7 at one point in the piece and made it sound more beautiful and significant than just about anything I've heard. It's about form and structure and voice leading and phrasing. It's so much more than what some people think.
masterpiece. whatever you say, it's simply amazing. don't care about the quality, 'profanation' od Chopin etc... Notice: "Art Tatum plays Chopin", improvising on waltz 64/2, original recording. yes, I can't believe it too.
I BET ON ANYTHING THAT IF ANY OF THESE" jazz players" WOULD HAVE SEEN A RECITAL OF FRANZ LISZT OR PAGANINI, AFTER THAT NONE OF THEM WOULD EVEN DARE TO TOUCH THE PIANO OR VIOLIN.,.,.LOL,.,.,.,..,
@bazzatt1 Tatum, Ellington, Pops, Bird, Mingus, Coltrane (I could go on) were the equal of the great composers. Anyone who cant accept this fact is either tone deaf or a racist.
IF ANY OF YOU "jazz lovers" WOULD'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE REAL PIANISTS,CONDUCTORS IN FRONT OF YOU LIKE I HAVE THEN YOU ALL WOULD UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
NOT ONLY THAT PEOPLE LIKE;KARAJAN,CELIBIDACHE,AND RICHTER HIMSELF TAUGHT AT THE CONSERVATORY AND ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN EUROPE WHERE I ATTENDED BUT I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SOME OF THEIR PUPILS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THERE IS NO MATCH FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC,PERIOD!!!!!!!!
@bazzatt1 Dear Bazzatt - you are an idiot. I'd like to know which Conservatory/Academy you went to in Europe - as I have a Bachelor's and Master's in Music from a top European Conservatoire, and I'm currently looking for PhD programmes. I want to avoid the Academy you intended AT ALL COSTS because it clearly breeds musicians, like yourself, with very VERY musically conservative view points.
@bazzatt1 You know nothing of my level of music. (I didn't realise music had levels...) I really DO understand classical music in depth - and jazz too. I'm a Bachelor's and Master's graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music, in England. Which European Conservatoire did you attend? My Masters dissertation was an in depth analytical study of Mark Anthony Turnage's music - a composer who writes jazz influenced classical music. I WILL go play jazz in a bar - and write a symphony if I wish.
@bazzatt1 Did they not teach you about how to use the Caps Lock button properly in Berlin? The RNCM IS a Conservatoire - the terms "college", "conservatoire" and "academy" are interchangeable. However, the RNCM has a finer international reputation than any of your schools, not that it matters. Your opinions are close-minded and ignorant, regardless of the quality of your education. I know many people from many conservatoires... never heard the term "lost people". Sounds very sinister though ;-)
There is nobody who can play like anyone else. Thats the point. We are all unique... How COMPLETE you are is another question... And when it comes to be completely Art art is completely himself. All you can wish for as an artist is to achieve balance and Art Tatum seemed to do that rather well!
@bazzatt1 Okay, since you obviously revere classical music over jazz...do a chord analysis of any classical piece you want and then do a chord analysis of Tiger Rag by tatum and tell me which one was easier. Classical music follows easy to pick up patterns, sonically and mathematically perfect they may be. Jazz is beautiful in it's use of imperfection to create more powerful resolutions, the theory is farrrr more complex.
OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT I KNOW.I'VE DONE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN MUSIC SCHOOL BEFORE I GOT A SCHOLARSHIP AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN EUROPEI WAS AND I'M NOT IMPRESSED.
YOU DO AN ANALYSIS ON RACH 3,PROKOFIEV OR GEROGE ENESCO OR PUT A JAZZ IDIOT PLAYER TO MAKE A REDUCTION FOR PIANO FROM RACHMANINOFF SYMPHONY,WAGNER,BERLIOZ OR DEBUSSY AT REAL TEAMPO,.AT" PRIMA VISTA" (MEANS THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THAT PIECE BEFORE).
@bazzatt1 Obviously didn't a scholarship in grammar...or discretion. I've done plenty of analyzing believe you me. Any adept musician would be able to realize the beauty in both jazz and classical music and the differences theory wise. Both are extremely difficult to master in their own right, as you said a jazz pianist couldn't reproduce a great classical piece, however neither could a classical player reproduce the work of the great jazz pianists. You're a pretentious dick.
@bazzatt1 If you think classical pianists are better than jazz pianists, can you show me a classical pianist reproducing the work of Art Tatum's Tiger Rag?
lol horowitz would quit the next day
thenamesfrancisco 10 hours ago
Arguably the greatest musician that ever walked around planet Earth.....Or anywhere else in the universe for that matter!!
dexxxhunt 3 days ago
from :54 to :58 - he's quoting something else - I think some other piece?
frankbraker 2 weeks ago in playlist Liked videos
Tatum's interpretation here of this popular Chopin waltz is absolutely amazing and wonderfully imaginative!! I would also love to hear how James P. Johnson would have played it!
Hyperclefonical598 3 weeks ago
fucking hipsters. just enjoy the music. do you really think artists think about what you're talking about when creating? this is pointless.
fdubmusic 3 weeks ago
i don't give a shit about what has been said during this youtube fight, this guy is unhinged, mentally, and his music is frigging off the hook. can't listen to art tatum without swearing in disbelief - what the actually fuck did i just listen to? we will NEVER, i repeat, NEVER have someone like him. EVER. one of the kind, class of his own.
jaywbe 1 month ago
I think Art Tatum is a god, but the one thing that always bugs me about listening to him play is how after listening to thousands of hours and transcribing his music down... all of his music starts to sound the same... :( still a genius as ever, though
roflattheworld 1 month ago
@roflattheworld You TRANSCRIBE his music? Can I have some of them?
Santosificationable 1 month ago
One can be so dazzled with Tatum's linear runs & flawless technique & miss the true gift, his fluency with harmony & voicing. The runs are often a rhythmic thing, flashy as they can seem. Listen to his solos for the voicings, seamless modulations, he's completely relaxed with a level of mastery & spontaneity even on well rehearsed solos. Incomparable genius.
Shmecklecka 2 months ago
astonishing
rolipoli 2 months ago
Guitarists will recognise this 'speed' debate. One of Tatum's biggest fans was the late, great Shawn Lane. Lane played guitar at incredible speed at times, but always remained melodic and inventive, the ideas fountaining out of him. Tatum played speedily because that's the way his music came to him.
GreenDistantStar 2 months ago
as a classical pianist, i can say that chopin would be honored.
sambocyn 2 months ago in playlist Art Tatum
I find myself mystified as to why there are so many dislikes for this piece. Is it because it is a jazz interpretation of a classical piece? Is classical music somehow untouchable and closed to reinterpretation? It can't be because of his technique. To my ears it sounds close to flawless. It must be the quality of the recording that people are finding fault with because this man was a piano god.
truverdigirl 2 months ago
Has no one commented upon his SENSE OF HUMOR?!! It is the fun he is having with his genius. Playing around, cascading through keys, dancing like dappled sunlight on a garden wall, like a butterfly in a summer garden...... he is dancing on the keys, joyfully - because he put the work in - the hours - the dedication, the driving compulsive force of love. Love for his instrument of expression.
melissavardey 2 months ago 7
Gould and Tatum are my two favourite pianists. SO fast, both of them.
MissyHolland 2 months ago
I wonder if Art even cares about any of this rambling. lol
Stop trying to educate by replacing each other's opinions. If you can only "educate" others by trashing their opinion, then what makes you better than them, or more cultivated? They trash Art's opinion of this valse, and you trash their opinion of Art. We could try and learn to be human first; then we can try and pretend to be as cultivated as we want. But the other way around is pointless - and these comments are proof; mine included.
thaesino 3 months ago 2
Too many of you complain about the speed that he plays at. Art Tatum was never a pianist for the public. He was a pianist for professionals. If you can't play, sing or understand the 13 scales AND have not practices more than an hour a day, you will never understand or like Art Tatum. If the people you think are amazing are always talking about how amazing Art was, then you need to do some homework and find out why.
The83rdTrombonist 3 months ago 9
@The83rdTrombonist Ummm, I get what you're saying, and that you're trying to defend the late great Mr. Tatum against obvious haters... but I'm not a pianist, and i DO appreciate – and love – this music. So keep an open mind.
GhostnoteLimited 2 months ago
@GhostnoteLimited Sorry but if you look at the beginning of th conversation, you'll see that it was specifically directed to an individual in order to make a point.
The83rdTrombonist 2 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist What a rough link you make between knowing all the scales,being fast and making music.Art is not a demonstration, even when it's the artist wish, they can't escape the fact that people will appreciate it in many different ways(even the simpliest one).Of course understanding an art form by a continuous pratice make you see what amateurs won't.Still I can be touched by Miles songs and Mallarmé poems even thought they wanted to reach a particular audience whom I don't fit in...
Harvesterofmetal 2 months ago
@Harvesterofmetal How many variations of art exist? Do you play music? Do you understand why some of Mozart's pieces were considered controversial in his day? Do you know why many of Da Vinci's paintings were controversial in his day? Anyone can appreciate art. But to fully appreciate in all of it's complexities. Read Art Tatum's biography or watch of the documentaries, one of them being on YouTube, and you'll here that his biggest fans were the greatest musicians, not the average joe.
The83rdTrombonist 2 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist I don't think it's necessary for me to respond since I'm not a "name-dropping" addict when it comes to culture (I'm always suspicious of people who talk a little bit to much about it as if this chitchat was the point to make in art). I don't think that our opinions are contradictory (on the contrary), it's just that I don't like the way you expressed them. The musicians you hail were also enjoying music like "average joe" before they got involved that much in music making.
Harvesterofmetal 2 months ago
@Harvesterofmetal And to fulfil my opinion I don't think these artists are ashamed of the times music was so obscure for them, because it was also fascinating and mysterious. That's what led them to know so much about it. I think it's a feeling that never left them because the more you know the more you're impressed of what you don't know (it seems bigger and bigger every further step). Average audience sense these mysteries but of course not in the accurate way of musicians.
Harvesterofmetal 2 months ago
@Harvesterofmetal If our opinions are not contradictory to each other, why then did you find it necessary to "correct" me then? What I described is an example of something I've seen to be true in the first, second and third person's perspective. Compare the reasons that you and a pro (or closer) are amazed by Tatum and you'll have a 2 lists and one of them we'll wrap a city block. A pro's perspective and a casual/basic person-of-knowledge's opinion of the state of beauty will always differ.
The83rdTrombonist 2 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist not entirely true, otherwise only professional musicians would listen to music. There has to be a middle ground. there's a difference between music being amazing and music showing technical proficiency. Amazing is when technical proficiency and beauty meet, and imo that is the real art to music. I say this because even if u can play all the scales and modes at 200 bpm, unless you use them well and think outside the box a little the music will either sound plain or over the top
bassobeats 2 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist That's perfectly true. Don't complain about hearing the best. It reminds me of being in college and the academic pinheads denigrating Hemingway or Faulkner in favor of other wimpish writers. Become an aesthete, they're much superior to pinhead academics who are always trying to find flaws in the great artists. Like Hume said, "Be a philosopher, but above all, be a man." Something like that.
MrRickywallace 2 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist
Not true, I'm not a professional yet it is still possible for me admire the fact Art was able to take something that even Chopin himself had created to be "impromptu" and simply take it to another level. :)
SFSylvester 1 month ago
@SFSylvester And you still proved my other point that is referenced in Art Tatum's Biography, which can be found on YouTube, that their were people who loved hearing him play BUT there were those who couldn't stand his playing because it was so complex. My comment was specifically towards them that do not like or complain of his playing. Even still, unless one is involved in music and understands music well, one cannot understand why what Tatum is doing is so amazing and I stand by that saying
The83rdTrombonist 1 month ago
@The83rdTrombonist
Why is this pretentious nonsense comment at the top??
Sure, you need a lot to *understand* why he plays. You also can't like the subtleties you don't pick up on, obviously. But it's absolutely possible to LIKE his recordings without "understanding the scales", let alone being able to play or... sing. What does singing have to do with any of this?
I guess I'm not the best one to say this, considering that I've got perfect pitch, and know my way around the tonalities...
twooffour 1 month ago
@twooffour Don't too much care what you think. Enjoy.
The83rdTrombonist 1 month ago
@The83rdTrombonist
The validity of an argument doesn't depend on who says it, and mine was valid. So enjoy ;)
twooffour 1 month ago
@The83rdTrombonist
... but seriously, you don't need to that to enjoy it.
twooffour 1 month ago
@The83rdTrombonist
Utterly wrong and ridiculous. A lot of modern jazz is indeed "music for musicians" (which is why jazz is in such trouble these days), but Art's playing used to draw crowds of musicians and non-musicians alike. The sheer virtuosity and technical brilliance of his playing is hard to miss even if you don't know anything about jazz. In fact, chances are if you don't know anything about jazz and you hear Art play for the first time, you will want to find out more about this music
rurikbird 3 weeks ago
@rurikbird Like you said, you're utterly ridiculous and wrong. As I said before, I was making a point for one side of the fence and NOT for all sides. It is true that much of the public liked hearing him but that was not the case originally. Many people oculd not stand to hear him because of the complexity. He could play well beyond average comprehension but after bad reactions, he dumbed his playing down a bit. So bite me if you don't understand.
The83rdTrombonist 3 weeks ago
@rurikbird I totally agree that modern jazz is "music for musicians". Actually, it's kind of just crap now. Jazz has evolved so much from swing and even be-bop, that it has lost the joy and dance energy it had back before the "progressive" era. I feel that energy and joy is part of what had the mass public on it's side.
Hyperclefonical598 3 weeks ago
@Hyperclefonical598 I think 'kind of just crap' is throwing a lot of different things in the same sack. There is wonderful jazz being created. But you're mostly right about jazz having broken away from danceability. Where THAT spirit still lives, with awesome energy and joy, is in the world of LATIN JAZZ. Listen to the music of Dave Valentín, Poncho Sánchez, et al. and you will hear it there - including a lot of honoring of the jazz tradition going way back.
PabluchoViision 5 days ago
@PabluchoViision Yes I totally agree. I love Latin Jazz! (Tito Puente and the guys you mentioned as well as Machito and eventually Dizzy Gillespie) But, it seems like Jazz sort of went down the tubes after the Bebop era. Just my observation according to my own taste and the mass public in the 1950's.
Hyperclefonical598 5 days ago
@The83rdTrombonist “Everyone wants to understand painting. Why is there no attempt to understand the song of the birds?” - P.Picasso
"To like" is not dependent on "to understand"(the way you used the term).To love even less.
TheStefanNestor 2 weeks ago
Martin loves Chopin and Art Tatum, pleas listen to his performance too and please comment
Sabine
broadwood1830 4 months ago
I'm so sorry but if he slowed down i would really enjoy his songs a lot better. Listen to the song he played called "Ain't Misbehavin" for example at normal speed at first, then slow it down and you'll realize it sounds way better and you have time to process the melodies, and get a feel for it. I think why he played so neck-breakingly fast is because is brain speed was lightning fast. I think though for kindly normal people like me, it would sound much better slowed down though.
16yearoldwhiteboy 4 months ago
wait, so speed is all that serious piano players really value?
superjumpman92 4 months ago
@superjumpman92 No, not speed. Control. Art Tatum had control at speeds that you would normally hear only when two pianists played together.
The83rdTrombonist 3 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist so you mean.. control at high speed is what's important, not speed itself? fine. but my point was that speed does not equate the ability to manipulate/emulate emotion. and that's what i value in music. not to say that i don't respect tatum, he definitely had skill in his field
superjumpman92 3 months ago
@superjumpman92 I see. Nevertheless, what separates Tatum from everyone else, even his closest imitator of Oscar Peterson, was that Tatum had complete control. Tatum chose to play fast and not really because he could, at least not at first. Listening carefully, you find that Tatum is actually playing classical (in terms of control and phrasing) all the time but in the technique of stride and genre of jazz.
The83rdTrombonist 3 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist Intensity was perfected in classical but emotion was brought to the wide array of fruition thru jazz. Tatum chose to play with speed because it wasn't easy. It became easy for him but he worked hard to get to that point. Tea for Two is a prime example. Tatum even played a certain way in order to draw the emotion he wanted. True musicians admire the work of others for the complexity or the simplicity. Not because it's easily obtainable. We're in an entirely new decade...
The83rdTrombonist 3 months ago
@The83rdTrombonist ...and no one has been able to improve on Tatum and not just in speed. Even the chords he played were later emulated by artists in the bebop and avante garde eras. The things that people complain about him not doing are the same things other pros praised him for being able to do i.e. George Gershwin, The Duke, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and many classical pianists and conductors. Only those that truly understand truly appreciate it.
The83rdTrombonist 3 months ago
James P. Johnson and Oscar Peterson are incredibly skilled and awesome but this just demonstrates how Art Tatum is in a different dimension of creation and imaginative musicality, especially in interpreting classical music. Honestly, is there a pianist ever or since who has surpassed Tatum's level of appeal, ability, intimidation, technique or imagination?
Hyperclefonical598 4 months ago
He should play it a little faster
surfrdude2112 4 months ago
It's an interpretation in jazz mode
Chopin would not recognize it
but he might be inspired by it
Mark18240 4 months ago
You must interpret jazz, all, and I do mean all, musicians that play both will contend That jazz is the more intellectually challenging, and if not-they don't understand jazz
overlordspencerman 4 months ago
what the fuck
spartan1081990 5 months ago
I will honor your response if you can tell me what the first ten chords are of this Chopin piece. If you don't know that then you are just giving your limited opinion based on feeling and no intellectual preparation.
DonHarMusi 5 months ago
All you would have to do is ask a chimp to play a Chopin piece then ask a human to play it. You could then see who played all the notes that were written and understood how to translate the essence of the composition. To the critique from this perspective you would have to know how to read music, know harmony, rhythm, melody, phrasing, understand composition, which would take about ten years of study. You might find out you don't have the talent to understand and critique higher forms of music.
DonHarMusi 5 months ago
Actually, this is slightly sloppy playing,in terms of technique. I was classically trained at age 6, and went on to jazz. Gay, problem-filled, Vladimir should keep his mouth shut, unless engaged in his oral activities. I doubt Rubenstein, who is the superior player of his day, would agree with Horowitz. Ultimately, classical AND jazz are this highest forms of music. It is hard to play both at a world-class level.
PervisJohnson 5 months ago
@PervisJohnson - The gentlemen we are talking about are all great. Rubenstein could not play jazz on a high level so why are we comparing people that do different things. It would be like asking Rubenstein to dance like Michael Jackson you know he would have never been able to do that so shy would you even worry about it. Enjoy them for who they are and stop comparing them. Art Tatum is a God of Jazz because jazz musicians say he is. Rubenstein is what classical musician say say he is to them.
DonHarMusi 5 months ago
Wonderful how he incorporates the stride genre to his interpretations of classical music.
Santosificationable 6 months ago
This is an amazing piece of shit! Absolutely well done...
I couldn't even think of this would be possible.
atpanula 6 months ago
Aye maybe Horowitz did say that he'd quit and so on and so on and oh well..., but no-one ever says, said, or remotely posits what would have happened if the wonderful Horowitz or even that other old and great peer of classical piano Rubenstein had taken up the old Jazz? There would have been a lot of jousting. Just because Tatum was monstrously marvellous does not mean that he is not surpassable, and though it seems unlikely, I would not put anything past God.
vimana19 6 months ago
Time travel is a plausible theory whereas paralell worlds could exist simultaniously in forms of strings. One slight change affects the rest in a form of butterfly effect. No, there's no silly God.
ImmortalSpecies 6 months ago
@ImmortalSpecies theres no such thing as time travel.the 'now'; for which we've never seen and will never see!;is not some kind of turn table that you can put you finger on and reverse or lift the needle and put it at the bgeinning of time or the end.it all moves forward there is no backward time .dont let record' and memory' seduce you into dum dumm-edness.show me an instant where time actually recoiled a fucking permutation?its the master of motion.its the face of fate!we're a pionic pimple!;D
ohmphthschwrhu 6 months ago
@ohmphthschwrhu Let me explain: there's no such thing as time travel now. It's a plausible theory because it can't be refuted neither proven. Almost similar to proving there's no god vica versa. I don't think there'll ever be.
Thanks for having me listen to this piece again.
ImmortalSpecies 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION Now you've gone too far! And why the CAPS?
squashpianoman 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION Stop talking with caps what are you a 5 year old. I like Oscar Too but hes second after Art Tatum. Oscar said himself that when Art Tatum came in the room he would fall apart. That really says a lot about Art Tatum if you realize how good Oscar Peterson was.
860125mwj 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION IF YOU LIKE THE 1800'S SO MUCH THEN BUILD A TIME MACHINE AND GO THERE.aHA TAKE THAT! YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN USE CAPPPPPSS!
860125mwj 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION Who cares if you like Oscar Peterson better? Not everyone does, but what's important is that you refrain from posting in all caps all the time. That's bad internet etiquette.
Santosificationable 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION
this.. trolling... its...... its beautiful... dear god...
ragglefraggle09 6 months ago
SOUNDS A BIT MANIC AND IDIOT SAVANT LIKE - ALL HIS VARIATIONS ARE COMING AT ONCE, AND HE CAN'T SPREAD THEM OUT AND DEVELOP THEM - WITH DEFINITE FLASHES OF GENIUS - IDEAS ON TOP OF IDEAS, WITHOUT THE OVER-ALL VISION OF THE TRUE MASTERS, LIKE CHOPIN THAT WROTE IT - LIKE A CIRCUS SIDE SHOW - INTERESTING, BUT NOT THE REAL CIRCUS......
JUST THINK, IF HE HAD SOME LESSONS , MAYBE, HA.....
LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION You sound like a idiot. Lets see you post you videos and see how great you are. I like how people post crap like this but don't post their own videos of playing if they think they are so great.
860125mwj 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION Why u keep talkin like that are you from the medevil stone age times or something?The only true idiot is the one who post comments with nothing to back it up. Your opinion means nothing when even the greatest of pianist praised Art Tatum for his amazing and compelling ability to play the piano. You post comments yet you lack Art Tatums amazing ability to add his own style and flavor to piano pieces. If you can criticize then post up a video on how it should be played.
860125mwj 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
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LISZTIZATION 6 months ago
@LISZTIZATION Yeah, but do you realize that Horowitz, Rubinstein, Bernstein, Godowski, and Gershwin all gave praise to his musicianship?
Santosificationable 6 months ago
kind of sucks
mikeusat 6 months ago
pure genius. all improvisation right there. most people would have to sit for days to compose what he just played
MCalixte89 6 months ago
As much as I admire Art Tatum, I have to agree that this is not the greatest recording of this piece ever. That said, it is also a completely different style of music to what he became famous for. I very much doubt the Rachmoninoffs or the Goulds could even come close to performing the kind of feats he did in the realm of jazz.
JwebGuru 6 months ago
Finally, I advise you, it would be better for you to piss off and go listen to Jazz.
If you return with these comments still, you would be likely qualified as village idiots.
Santosificationable 7 months ago
Art Tatum has garnered tremendous admiration not only from Jazz critics and the finest Jazz musicians to exist, but as those who have shaped the titanic genre of Western classical music as well; Namely, Horowitz, Rachmaninoff, Bernstein, Rubinstein, etc.
Now, as the top comment says, what basis have you for criticizing Tatum's playing when these giants themselves admire him? Just what?
What I see is a bunch of one-sided youngsters going tantrums about how BAAD this particular improvisation is.
Santosificationable 7 months ago
Listen to me, all of you. Listen to me, all those who bash this performance.
Your love for your music is heavily biased and is based on fanaticism more than anything else.
First of all, Art Tatum is said by some to be greater than Mozart. Now, before you flame me, this doesn't mean that I think he is better than Mozart; all fields need to have a "Mozart" in their own respect; in Science, we have Isaac Newton and Einstein; Muhammad Ali in boxing, Mozart in classical music; Art Tatum in Jazz.
Santosificationable 7 months ago
@Santosificationable Yeah these people don't love music like I do . I like all types of music. I'm not biased or a fanboy. Tatum did things till this day that can't be matched. To truly understand music you have to appreciate what this musician has done. If you can't post up your on video playing something better than this than just shut your mouth .Everyone has a different style and to compare and say this person better is just ignorant and biased.
860125mwj 6 months ago
@860125mwj huh? I never called you biased or a fanboy. I was merely talking to the classical music-loving people who express their distaste for the "ruining" of this particular Chopin piece. I say they should probably keep their distastefulness to themselves because they are unable to appreciate how a different pianist interprets a different genre. Well, even idiots can make comments anyway, lol.
Santosificationable 6 months ago
just awful !!!!! It is shameful some masterpieces of classical music is a crime to subvert.
geoarp 7 months ago
Starting at 1:42, it just goes staight to your heart...
92ddavid 7 months ago
Damn! Tatum Smoked Chopin (with humor & respect...).
Did he ever take on Liszt? (Who also smoked Chopin, all respect).
Shmecklecka 7 months ago
As a lay music lover there are only two types of music-good and bad. This guy was piano master. So take a chill pill all you pompous windbags. Jazz is good clasical is good depending on the mood you are in.
nastyblkman1 7 months ago 7
Where's Marc-Andre Hamelin when you need someone to learn to play this?!
SalQrazy 7 months ago
@SalQrazy hahahaha
ReturnOfTheStienway 7 months ago
classical music + jazz = nikolai Kapustin. I don't see a problem at all, it actually improve both, classical and jazz
azarpp 8 months ago
It's kinda funny that alot ofclassical purists spend time dis-respecting jazz guys that imrov over some classical tunes, when they could be practicing their improvisation chops, they would soon say to themselves,,, wow I should of done this a long time ago,lol
JazzKeyboardist1 8 months ago
Haha really people.
What do you expect? Jazz is not the "beautiful, fantastique, melodic" feel of your average Classical composer.
You're comparing two different things. Please stop criticizing Jazz as you're basically comparing apples to oranges.
Santosificationable 8 months ago
HERP DERP IM RIGHT YOURE WRONG
janmorez 8 months ago
I don't think you are meant to feel the same way about this rendition as the you do the original... The are really different.. swung rhythms and improvisation...
everyone needs to calm down and enjoy enjoy some ingenuity
yoursjay 8 months ago
I love Art tatum, though I must say the beauty of the melody has been lost in this particular rendition, though the quality of the sound may contribute to my opinion.
alvinkuo777 8 months ago
LET GET ONE THING STRAIGHT Art Tatum is one of the most skillful pianists ever AND this improvisation requires both skill and understanding of piano.
HOWEVER: The BEAUTIFUL MELANCHOLY of the original piece is severely distrupted by the overspeed and improvisation. When listening to this one does NOT feel the feelings on the original waltz. This is more playful and happy. This impro. can be more difficult than the original but the original the feeling on the original waltz is waaaaay above it.
Elsenrail29 9 months ago
Look, just so you know,
people can post negative comments anywhere. Of course we wouldn't want that, as they may incite flaming. However, keep in mind that saying "shut up hes still better than you" is a bit...illogical.
Anyone can comment, criticize, label, etc. from their point of view (even if it is a point of view of a dumbass).
Just so you know.
But anyway, I personally wouldn't want them doing crap like that.
Santosificationable 9 months ago
why does it have to be jazz vs. classical? can't it just be good music?
michaelveach 9 months ago 22
@michaelveach
Perhaps with jazz (particularly bebop), you have to think brilliantly and harmonically on your feet with good or great technique, with classical you learn what's in front of you, then play, memorize it, then interpret; I believe most of the compositions in classical are brilliant but it's on the messenger or interpreter to represent those works, whether they are featured instrumentalists or conductors; with this, it's about the muse, & the gifts one is blessed with, of course.
lonhillyer 5 months ago
@michaelveach I know right! so annoying!
ColdIceMedia 3 months ago
Horrowitz and Rachminanoff both gave praise to this performer. Unless you're credentials are on par with those two then negative comments are meaningless.
Art Tatum, one of the greatest pianists of any genre ever. Period.
Koweela 9 months ago 31
@Koweela not to exaggerate too! is not the biggest pianist of all time! jazz maybe! but do not confuse the white to black! another classical jazz pianist else!
geoarp 7 months ago
@Koweela But you still have the right to your own taste (addendum)
JanMelet 6 months ago
@Koweela -Rubinstein had similar praise for AT.
paulostroff99 6 months ago
@Koweela-Without a doubt.It's been said that of all music played -only AT was alone at the very top.
paulostroff99 6 months ago
@Koweela Bullshit. I don't need credentials to criticize music or any other art form precisely because it is an art form which means there is no right or wrong. There is only good and bad, which is ultimately a subjective opinion. 2+2=4 is a fact, but that Chopin played better piano than a retarded chimp is a mere opinion. Can you PROVE that he played better piano? Yes? HOW? By asking a bunch of other people? It's still going to be their collective subjective opinion and not a proof.
CommonAtheist 5 months ago
@Koweela -Absolutely no doubt of that.
paulostroff99 4 months ago
Also fuck off classical fanboys.
You clearly don't understand music.
Santosificationable 9 months ago
this rendition is an insult to Chopin
annie0311014 9 months ago
@annie0311014 Shut up.
Santosificationable 9 months ago 2
a joke,a bad joke,horrible!!!!!!!!
CHATRUCSONG 9 months ago
@CHATRUCSONG right. The piece lost its .....essence. WITH THIS PIECE I AM SIMPLY NOT FEELING THE EMOTIONS I AM FEELING WITH THE ORIGINAL ONE. And I am quite sure I am not alone...
Elsenrail29 9 months ago
@Elsenrail29
That's because he's obviously mocking, with brilliance & respect, the piece & the genre. The piece has been played verbatum to death.
Tatum was hugely influenced by the Romantics, but wasn't all sentimantality.
He was more Liszt than Chopin.
Shmecklecka 7 months ago
@Shmecklecka If anyone (including Tatum) thinks he can mock with Chopin, he is a big joke himself.
Elsenrail29 7 months ago
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Santosificationable 7 months ago
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Santosificationable 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Elsenrail29 Except that Tatum was allegedly better than Mozart.
Santosificationable 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Elsenrail29 Except that Tatum was allegedly better than Mozart.
Santosificationable 7 months ago
What's with these pretentious classical musicians on here trying to tell everyone that their opinion is worth more because they have a degree? There are some jazz and ragtime pianists that nobody at these colleges will ever even hear of that blow away any classical pianist in terms of pure technical ability. Just be thankful these "novelty" pianists don't look down upon you the way you look down upon them.
Harmonyww 9 months ago 3
@Harmonyww I don't know, jealousy, maybe? I mean crap Rachmaninoff admired this guy.
Santosificationable 9 months ago 2
"Which notes does his majesty suggest I remove?" Amazing how this interpretation pulls you right in and renders the poor sound quality irrelevant.
EdFugg 9 months ago
joder que mania de joder las piezas clasicas
jazzdanijazz 9 months ago
32 mtv fans )
TheGosplan 10 months ago
The way he resolves at :59 is pretty as heroin.
bluesinorbit 10 months ago
God is in the house (c) Fats Waller
TheGosplan 10 months ago
it doesn't matter what you know about classical, or jazz music. this is great music, & if you cant appreciate, youre an fool
honorboi34 10 months ago
This the most amazin sht
listen how his brain just adds and removes all the notes, the rythms, its crazyy.
Art totum is the best.
df13 10 months ago
im sure chopin would have enjoyed this compared to say liszt playing it
cardhang 11 months ago
"Improv" has been around forever and feel really sorry for the purists. I guess the insight and elucidation that Rachmaninov AND Godowsky did on Chopin are krap as well?!
musclpete 11 months ago
Would Chopin have liked this.... I leave this to your humble opinions. I say yes.
kfb998p 11 months ago
@kfb998p How couldn't he (Chopin) have loved it?? ANY (reasonable - ego aside) top flight musician has to love this...ya just have no choice! So bloody awesome!!
KingHopeMusic 11 months ago
The best of the best...
tw69hands2 11 months ago
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PianoStudio94301 11 months ago
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PianoStudio94301 11 months ago
Absolutely surreal :))
PianoStudio94301 11 months ago
Art Tatum the man who made Horowitz disappear for 10 years!
95superbad 11 months ago
Art Tatum the man who made Horowitz disappear for 10 years!
95superbad 11 months ago
garbage. really.
hedgehod 1 year ago
@hedgehod I agree
Fuglebolle 11 months ago
@hedgehod you are garbage yourself! Art Tatum was the BEST pianist ever.
NatKingCole46 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@NatKingCole46 ..give up...some will never know..period ! you either got ears or you haven't..it's still the same old story...some hear some don't ...Art Tatum was the BEST jazz pianist ever.
pinkieldred 10 months ago
these comments are making me depressed. why does everyone have to be such a pretentious dickwad
jcracker 1 year ago 3
@jcracker I really need to constrain myself not to burst into a 100 megaton F-bomb against every idiot I see posting here...
janmorez 8 months ago 2
The wonderful Martial Solal, whose music captures the spirit of Tatum (though stylistically marvellously diverse), has made a very different but equally compelling version of this wlse, on his Cd 'Just Friends'.Worth listening to!
tristano3 1 year ago
An amusing piece of well-meant vandalism, for sure. Still, one must marvel at the fellow's idiosyncratic technique, almost as much as at how jazz retains an unparalleled facility to make just about anything sound trivial.
roethkeroethke 1 year ago
@roethkeroethke That's rather condescending of you. I don't understand how the god of jazz piano is "amusing" to those who probably couldn't even dream of playing as he does. If you could defeat every known professional pianist in today's world and do it with astounding technique, flawless execution and rapid creativity, then you have the right to call anything played by Art Tatum "well-meant vandalism".
josiah566 1 year ago
2 sloppy
Gargantupimp 1 year ago
just shows Art's brilliance. He once played 21 variations on 'LIZA' for George Gerswhin. Chopin would probably have enjoyed Art varying Chopin's music too?
brabazon10 1 year ago
(previous post should read "attended" instead of "intended")
I must say, I don't agree with the few comments that say that jazz harmony is more complex than classical harmony (I've noticed that dotted around, inbetween Bazzatt's awful posts.) Classical harmony can be very complex indeed - as can Jazz harmony for that matter. If you want, Bazzatt - I can give you a few much-needed lessons to improve your analytical skills, as they are obviously lacking!
Racehazard 1 year ago 6
@Racehazard I couldn't agree more. These broad generalizations about the complexity of respective music theories are destructive and inaccurate. While there are certainly very simplistic classical pieces (Brahms' Lullaby anyone?), there's also the twelve bar blues (111144115411 duuh). On the other side of the spectrum, you get Paul Hindemith and Thelonious Monk.
Just because I'm a "concert music" composer doesn't mean I can't appreciate jazz. I absolutely love this video.
zagreen 1 year ago 3
@zagreen Wow - I think we just shared brains for a second there! I completely agree. I'm a "concert music" composer too - at least, I'm trying to be! And I have an interest in jazz - I play it, and I'm really trying to make both careers work simeltaneously. I find that both disciplines bleed into one another - and I've made that an intentional feature of my "concert music" (which are jazz influenced) and my jazz improvisations (which are contemporary classical influenced!)
Racehazard 1 year ago 5
@Racehazard True. Too many people abuse the chord extensions. I distinctly remember listening to a Chopin piece where he used a minor 7 at one point in the piece and made it sound more beautiful and significant than just about anything I've heard. It's about form and structure and voice leading and phrasing. It's so much more than what some people think.
HuggumsMcgehee 1 year ago
masterpiece. whatever you say, it's simply amazing. don't care about the quality, 'profanation' od Chopin etc... Notice: "Art Tatum plays Chopin", improvising on waltz 64/2, original recording. yes, I can't believe it too.
pmsmorga 1 year ago 36
THIS IS GOING TO BE MY LAST COMMENT HERE,.,.
I BET ON ANYTHING THAT IF ANY OF THESE" jazz players" WOULD HAVE SEEN A RECITAL OF FRANZ LISZT OR PAGANINI, AFTER THAT NONE OF THEM WOULD EVEN DARE TO TOUCH THE PIANO OR VIOLIN.,.,.LOL,.,.,.,..,
bazzatt1 1 year ago
@bazzatt1 Tatum, Ellington, Pops, Bird, Mingus, Coltrane (I could go on) were the equal of the great composers. Anyone who cant accept this fact is either tone deaf or a racist.
pigbagable 1 year ago 2
IF ANY OF YOU "jazz lovers" WOULD'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE REAL PIANISTS,CONDUCTORS IN FRONT OF YOU LIKE I HAVE THEN YOU ALL WOULD UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
NOT ONLY THAT PEOPLE LIKE;KARAJAN,CELIBIDACHE,AND RICHTER HIMSELF TAUGHT AT THE CONSERVATORY AND ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN EUROPE WHERE I ATTENDED BUT I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SOME OF THEIR PUPILS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THERE IS NO MATCH FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC,PERIOD!!!!!!!!
bazzatt1 1 year ago
@bazzatt1
If Bach were around today, he'd be a jazz player. So would Mozart. At the very least, they'd smack you around for failing to appreciate great music.
philosoraptor88 1 year ago 2
@bazzatt1 Dear Bazzatt - you are an idiot. I'd like to know which Conservatory/Academy you went to in Europe - as I have a Bachelor's and Master's in Music from a top European Conservatoire, and I'm currently looking for PhD programmes. I want to avoid the Academy you intended AT ALL COSTS because it clearly breeds musicians, like yourself, with very VERY musically conservative view points.
Racehazard 1 year ago 7
@Racehazard
You are an idiot who clearly doesn't understand classical music in depth.
I am sure with your level of music none of European Conservatoires would accept such an idiot.
Go play some jazz in a bar or something,.
bazzatt1 1 year ago
@bazzatt1 You know nothing of my level of music. (I didn't realise music had levels...) I really DO understand classical music in depth - and jazz too. I'm a Bachelor's and Master's graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music, in England. Which European Conservatoire did you attend? My Masters dissertation was an in depth analytical study of Mark Anthony Turnage's music - a composer who writes jazz influenced classical music. I WILL go play jazz in a bar - and write a symphony if I wish.
Racehazard 1 year ago 5
@Racehazard
YOU ARE THE ONES THAT WE CALL IN THE CONSERVATORIES "LOST PEOPLE"
I'VE STUDIED IN BERLIN,WIEN AND BUCHAREST AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC NOT SOME COLLEGE
AND HAD TEACHERS LIKE CELIBIDACHE,SERGIU COMISSIONA AND PUPILS OF ENESCU
GO FIGURE..
bazzatt1 1 year ago
@bazzatt1 Did they not teach you about how to use the Caps Lock button properly in Berlin? The RNCM IS a Conservatoire - the terms "college", "conservatoire" and "academy" are interchangeable. However, the RNCM has a finer international reputation than any of your schools, not that it matters. Your opinions are close-minded and ignorant, regardless of the quality of your education. I know many people from many conservatoires... never heard the term "lost people". Sounds very sinister though ;-)
Racehazard 1 year ago
Love Tatum's Chopin !!!
illidnarg 10 months ago
There is nobody who can play like anyone else. Thats the point. We are all unique... How COMPLETE you are is another question... And when it comes to be completely Art art is completely himself. All you can wish for as an artist is to achieve balance and Art Tatum seemed to do that rather well!
cochicmcintosh 1 year ago
It's the worst interpretation of Chopin I've ever heard,..,.,,.
bazzatt1 1 year ago
That dumb comment about Horowitz is completly out of context.
He said that to be nice.This jazz pianist could not stand any chance in the classical music with all the great pianists around.
It's ridiculos to even mention it.
bazzatt1 1 year ago
@bazzatt1 Okay, since you obviously revere classical music over jazz...do a chord analysis of any classical piece you want and then do a chord analysis of Tiger Rag by tatum and tell me which one was easier. Classical music follows easy to pick up patterns, sonically and mathematically perfect they may be. Jazz is beautiful in it's use of imperfection to create more powerful resolutions, the theory is farrrr more complex.
MetallicaBLS 1 year ago
@MetallicaBLS
OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT I KNOW.I'VE DONE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN MUSIC SCHOOL BEFORE I GOT A SCHOLARSHIP AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN EUROPEI WAS AND I'M NOT IMPRESSED.
YOU DO AN ANALYSIS ON RACH 3,PROKOFIEV OR GEROGE ENESCO OR PUT A JAZZ IDIOT PLAYER TO MAKE A REDUCTION FOR PIANO FROM RACHMANINOFF SYMPHONY,WAGNER,BERLIOZ OR DEBUSSY AT REAL TEAMPO,.AT" PRIMA VISTA" (MEANS THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THAT PIECE BEFORE).
GO AND WATCH GEORGE ENESCO DOCUMENTARY
bazzatt1 1 year ago
@bazzatt1 Obviously didn't a scholarship in grammar...or discretion. I've done plenty of analyzing believe you me. Any adept musician would be able to realize the beauty in both jazz and classical music and the differences theory wise. Both are extremely difficult to master in their own right, as you said a jazz pianist couldn't reproduce a great classical piece, however neither could a classical player reproduce the work of the great jazz pianists. You're a pretentious dick.
MetallicaBLS 1 year ago 2
@bazzatt1 If you think classical pianists are better than jazz pianists, can you show me a classical pianist reproducing the work of Art Tatum's Tiger Rag?
14words4ever 11 months ago