Saint Saens Concerto no. 2 (Cecile Licad) 2nd Mvt

[LKEPiano]

what a talented young person she was!!!

[legamature]

she can move those fingers.

[davetemplonuevo]

Here is  Cecile Licad in her younger years!!!! Magaling talaga ang ale. I like her touches now, though!

Enjoy her!

[WOWdato]

hse plays really good but it's very very fast. plus of all in this concerto there's 3 times Tranquilio, you must slow these palces. she doesn;t pesrofm these.

[pianist626262]

Wonderful!!!!

[jowmozart]

Ahhhhhh! This is the Cecile Licad I remember and love. Her appraoch to playing (and this piece in particular) is just marvelous. Over the years (since her initial debut) it has seemed that her playing has become more physical and harsh. True, the nature of this movement in particular requires a bouyant suspension...but her approach sounds more delicate and nuanced, even...that is, compared to some of her recent performances I've heard...Truly remarkable performance, here!

[steinwaygrande1]

What an incredibly gifted and talented pianist. She plays with such feeling and delicacy that it gave me goosebumps just listening this movement

[Ellinidara]

Mrs Licad is a great pianist indeed,she has a vast repertory and she is so talented.Her tecnique and sound in that piece are absolutely perfect,in my opinion.

[shutupLau]

i love her!!!!

[pierrewaldn]

great !

[utubuser10]

What I find distasteful in these youtube comments are the nationalistic/ethnic/racial biases that always seem to come out. I think attributing Ms. Licad's no mean achievement to her being a Filipino does more disservice to her stature as a phenomenal musician. I know if I was Cecile Licad I'd feel somewhat ambivalent about these types of comments - I mean, what right do they have with glorifying themselves because of Licad's achievement?"

[flicfan416]

@utubuser10 I VEHEMENTLY agree. In fact I just posted a similar comment on another Licad video.

[bartok159]

"Cecile Licad only seems young to be a soloist with such premier orchestras as the New York and London Philharmonics or to be making an LP with Andre Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony. A world-class pianist who stands to make some $250,000 next year, Cecile is just 21, but she has been working her way to the top for 17 years. Her breakthrough was winning the Leventritt Medal last year, a prize that is given only to musicians of stratospheric potential ..."

{People Weekly Magazine, 11-15-1982}

[sharonvarcy777]

@bartok159 amazing

[bartok159]

"A few years before his death in 1991, [Rudolf] Serkin said of [Cecile] Licad's playing, 'Cecile has a rare talent - a wonderful technique, but it's more than that. Her personality shines through in everything she plays.'"

{Excerpt taken from article by Travis Rivers, Spokesman Review, Spokane, Washington, October 29, 1998}

Courtesy: Spokesman Review

[Sinf0nia]

Miss Arrietta working as a music teacher in long island, US. I don't think she is performing anymore.

[henrique1944]

Wunderbar! Mein liebling klavier spielerin

[joseluismx444]

Cecile Licad produjo un maremoto irresistible de tonos muy refrescantes que fueron expresivos y afectuosos.

[patcalisura]

Wunderbar!!!!...The best Filipina Pianist !!a faster rendition too!!! Indeed best in you tube!!!

[chopinasi]

What an excellent performance!  :-)

[chrislouiselins]

she is my inspiration!

[chopinasi]

This is the best Saint Saens Concert No 2 in youtube .

[chopinasi]

hey..... let's talk about her performance please?

[Cleroth]

No understanding nor appreciation in my heart for art? Hahaa..... You are the one saying he was a child molester. I honestly wouldn't know, I don't even know the guy, I was merely qualifying on what I was hearing.

[chopinasi]

Do you know what is the latest news of Cecile Licad ? I'd like to watch her performance in the Philippines someday.

[Cleroth]

He was a child molester? Yet another reason to call him a bad conductor indeed...

[chopinasi]

Cecile Licad is one of the most outstanding pianist of modern age.. She has a concert on February 27 2009 .

[junuelpianist]

cecille ur the greatest! i will forever be your fan!!!!

[Cleroth]

Bad conducer...

[chopinasi]

good performance...bravassima Ms Licad.

[BrolicD]

der spielet voll schlecht

[jabsomdoc]

orchestra not together!

[kpgomez]

Filipino pride!

[Jude12]

this piece is so much fun! she plays it excellently, i just wish she showed some playfulness while performing.....she's too serious. it doesn't look like she's enjoying herself....maybe crack a smile...or loosen up a little bit? that's just me, though

[TomBarrister]

This was broadcast by CBS (the emcee is none other than Walter Cronkite himself) on December 5, 1981.  Others honored were Helen Hayes, Cary Grant, Jerome Robbins (an outstanding choreographer) and Count Basie.

[stephenTGV]

She is a much better pianist than Serkin ever was. Serkin's phrasing was always erratic. Superb performance.

[otterhouse]

Thanks! Her performance of this concerto was the first I ever heard (on LP). Is she still performing?

-----------------------------

Rolf, Netherlands.

I am a collector of classical 78's and lp's

Click "otterhouse" above to see (and hear!)

some of my collection.

[tiklado07]

Watch her concert in Germany or in Switzerland this May 2008.

[MadamePukengkay]

@otterhouse She's not active anymore in the performaing arena.

[marlonization]

did i heard it correctly that she was only 12 years old in this video when she performed this???

[tiklado07]

Throughout the 24-minute piece, TSO conductor George Hanson gave Licad room to let her playing breathe. In the third movement, particularly, Hanson paced the orchestra in sync with Licad, then pulled back when she launched into a flashy, bravura finale. When Licad finished playing, the audience bolted to its feet — most were standing before Licad had a chance to rise from the bench — with shouts of "Bravo!" and "Yeah!" A few fans even whistled, which is a rare response at a symphony concert.

[tiklado07]

"She refocused her energy in the second movement to playful exuberance. At times when she shifted her weight on the piano bench, she looked like she was bobbing to the melody."

[tiklado07]

"Licad deftly countered her muscular introduction in the first movement with a poetic grace as the piece moved to the main theme. When the orchestra entered, she wisely did not shy away. The sound of the strings behind her seemed to invigorate her to play with even more energy."

[tiklado07]

"The 46-year-old Licad, outfitted in a red gown, set the tone from the opening notes. Her gestures were grand but not grandiose. Her play was expressive but never boastful. She allowed herself balletic hand gestures and a few dramatic head tilts, but she never lost sight of the audience loosely filling the hall."

[tiklado07]

"This is indeed high praise because we have seen more than our share of extraordinary pianists on stage with the TSO. But none in recent memory caused quite the stir Licad, who last played with the orchestra in 1989, did. Much of the excitement came from the piece she played, Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2. "

[tiklado07]

Musicians, audience awe-struck by pianist

By Cathalena E. Burch

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Review

"The musicians continue to perform without a ratified contract.

Cecile Licad's fingers were flying so fast her hands were a blur.

Technically flawless, stunningly expressive, virtuosic to degrees that boggle the mind.

This pianist took our breath away. "

[secretlyradical]

when was this? do you have a video, please post thanks ;-)

[aspacguy1]

The review was on her performance April,2008 in Tucson,Arizona. I wanted to go but a bit too far from me.

[clem4705315]

maybe it wud have been a wonderful experience if i had seen her back then in her peak. her old videos are terrific! very far in musical taste and intent from her current playing. but her technique has remained impeccable.

[secretlyradical]

wow!!! been dying to see this video again. i saw this like about 20 years ago??

for me, Cecile's version is the best so far i heard. i once had a casette tape recording of her playing Saint Saens and Rachmaninoff with the London Philharmonic - a gift from my dentist ;-) i cannot afford to by me a CD then :-( now that i can, the CD can't be found anywhere. i wish to get at least mp3 ;-)

[gemininer]

Gawd, her fingers just floats on the the keys. When is she going to perform here in LA?

[vrljikkerssfesst]

it's not a keyboard.... it's a piano....

[Corrust]

I'm sorry Cicile, but you completely killed this song in my eyes. She played the song without and personal flavor. *sigh*

[MyEleventhFinger]

You are the only one who does not hear & see the greatness of this performance. I wonder what kind of taste you got?

[Corrust]

Well, I've been playing piano for 17 years and I've heard this same song performed by many pianists. This performance has no unique sound to it. I felt like the pianist was just going through the motions without adding anything of herself in its performance. It's merely a matter of experience and personal taste.

[gemininer]

Can you please post your video playing this piece, so we would all know how it should be played uniquely. I'm sure this piece is a piece of cake for you and I am ready to be your fan =) After I hear you play this piece of course =) If you can't, then I think you should keep your bitter opinion to yourself =)

[MyEleventhFinger]

It is sad that for a guy playing the piano for 17 years but still you never developed real musicality and keen ability to listen and appreciate a real artisitc performance. Your prejudice to this performance and maybe to lot of others is either due to your lack of talent or sheer jealousy. You are just a typical You Tube blabber!!!

[Corrust]

It's merely an opinion of mine on this particular performance. I've heard other performances of this song in the past that I liked better. Flame on.

[aspacguy1]

name one. so we can be enlightened by your awesome experience and omnipotent wisdom

[Corrust]

Saint Saens Piano Concertos 1-5

Pascal Rogé (Pianist)

Conducted by Charles Dutoit

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Produced by London/Decca Double Decker

There you are.

[aspacguy1]

Google is such a great tool, isn't it?

[Corrust]

Are you kidding me!? It is widely sold for a reason.

[aspacguy1]

Without saying 'killing a song in your eyes', can you describe the merits ( technical as well as artistic) between that and this recording? I assume since you already have 17 yrs of excellent piano playing you will be more descriptive. It's already a given that Roge and Saint Saens are both french. In other words put more meat than saying 'I'm the greatest 17 yr pianist par excellance and I don't like Cecile's interpretation.' And post some kind of video.Where's your major orchestra debut?

[zstadt]

I can name two: Emil Gilels and Artur Rubinstein. This gal looks as if possessed by unholy demons; alright to listen to, but I have to look at something else or it's ruined.

[aspacguy1]

Alright to listen to.. look at something else or else ruined?

and possessed by unholy demons?

Very whimsical statement. It doesn't even deserve a response. Then I saw a couple of your vids.. don't let me leave any message there is all I can say.

[carlokalua]

cecile you are so good.......please come back to Amsterdam

[meriam35]

kababayan ko yan... pinoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

we are proud of you cecil........ ang tindi mo...

[juancillo]

unbelievable pianist¡¡¡

[allegro925]

bravo!

[francoom]

Bravo Licad on this extraordinary performance and impressive interpretative achievements!!! Mabuhay ang Pinoy!!!

[afertyus1000]

DIDO,i was just commenting on the way she moved which can be likened to a robot,in no way was i disparaging her,she is a brilliant genius

[danbar73]

dido93---my comment below was intended as a reply to your comment four days ago about the performances of Ms. Licad that you did not like. I believe that she was trying to recreate the concert idea advanced by the Isabella

Gardner Museum of Boston in which Ms. Licad demonstrated the modern piano's orchestra-like sonority.

[KevinFromSD]

There must be something wrong with your heart, Mr. Depatoshita. Please see a cardiologist ASAP.

[111alexander111]

Excellent - flawless performance.

[afertyus1000]

she looks like a lovely robotic doll

[dido93]

afertyus...I think it's her way to move...sitting by the piano... I listened to other pieces of Mrs Licad and I didn't like them (ex. Liszt Legends, Chopin Scherzo or some Chopin Preludi...).

But in this performance and above all in Tchaikowsky Concerto she's (in my opinion) at her best...and "here" she plays such a true "Virtuosa"...!!! Apologies only for my bad English...:-)

[danbar73]

The selections that you did not like were from the 2003 Minneapolis concert. By some indications such as heavier touch,more robust sonority and the use of octaves in the finale of the SCHERZO, Ms. Licad was demonstrating the capability of the modern piano to produce orchestra-like sounds. Check out online ISGM Music: The Concert Podcast which you can download for free. Select Podcast # 10 & # 5. Your English is OK with me.Will appreciate your comment here.

[dscrt48]

The splendor of Cecile's giftedness. Thanks for posting her performances. I see the genuineness and purity of her awesome artistry. Please add more of this.

[KevinFromSD]

She's still quite young here, still chubby

with her baby fat!

[libetta]

there's rudolf serkin! and young cecile! bravo!!!!!!!!!!