Cziffra was MUCH better a musician than his circus numbers with some of Liszt music let us imagine... In fact, he could really be as noble and aristocratic as Chopin's music often requires: this wonderful performance proves it. As to Pollini, I don't understand why so many people fail to realize that keeping faithful to the score is just one (and, in fact, not the most important) of the many qualities of this wonderful musician
as far as this performance goes - imo, this Cziffra giving himself to chopin. that's what counts. he loses himself in chopin ..and that is , in its own CHOPIN speaking THROUGH cziffra. we should be thankful there were "interpreters" of his kind, imaginative, creative , and above all, personal rather than just "slaves" to the notes.
how SURE are people a pollini is "as chopin wanted" EXACTLY just because pollini follows "tempi, articulation, etc" JUST as chopin's score said? when cziffra "lingers too much" , for example, on a particular note in a phrase , might it NOT be that Chopin himself wrote the note as an INDICATION of the lingering needed IN that phrase? and that cziffra , more than pollini probed into the HEART of chopin's music ? just my opinion of course.
I TOO consider the elegance of Rubinstein perhaps the greatest chopin "standard" and love his playing above all others'. BUT I also think that when a player gives everything he has to the music, as cziffra DOES, and SAYS something with his personality to add to the music -- THAT IS the point of playing ANYTHING...what is the point of being "accurate" when you really have NOTHING to say but "just let the music speak" ?
@marcelmombeekpiano thank you so much for sharing your video of Cziffra..i have known these works all my life..and am aware of different "schools of thought" about "proper interpretation". in the END -- it is a matter of an artist, such as cziffra SAYING SOMETHING of his OWN "about" the music, regardless of what one or another "faction" considers "proper". a Pollini recording is "accurate to the notes and lets the music say it" as many claim -- but what does THAT really mean?
@marcelmombeekpiano The pauze between the opening bars and the intro of the left hand pattern could also have been more carefully observed.That pauze ,if understood well can provide a magical feel.Pitty he missed that.Chopin is romantic music but should not be played in an oversentimental way,like Cziffra does.Rubinstein and Pollini f.e. understand this very well.I am sorry Marcel but also I am entitled to an opinion.But without using abusive and insulting language.Cziffra deserves his credits.
@marcelmombeekpiano I listenede but wont listen again.He is missing the point completely.At 6:00 het neglects and does not understand the importance of the first note of this incredible lyric line.Dont get me wrong here..Cziffra is a fantastic pianist bout should not have touched pianomusic that requires a profound understanding of the material.To me the readings of Lipatti,Cortot{even with all his wrong notes} and Pollini are superior.Why doe he always need to look to the right at the audience?
This must have been one of the very last recitals Cziffra gave in Paris. Although picture and sound quality are poor it still captures much of Cziffra's style and sound. Thanks for posting this rare document.
@onlymusiciansallowed Thank you very much for your brilliant remarks, I really needed something to laugh at....
Barbapippo 1 week ago
Gavrilov was/is biased towards Richter for very personal reasons.Please take this into account.There is nothing more to say.
abmsghost1 1 week ago
Cziffra was MUCH better a musician than his circus numbers with some of Liszt music let us imagine... In fact, he could really be as noble and aristocratic as Chopin's music often requires: this wonderful performance proves it. As to Pollini, I don't understand why so many people fail to realize that keeping faithful to the score is just one (and, in fact, not the most important) of the many qualities of this wonderful musician
Barbapippo 1 month ago
@Barbapippo Exactly!Btw..please check out Michael Pletnev in the Barcarolle here on youtube!!! Supreme mucisianship and pianisme.
abmsghost1 1 week ago
as far as this performance goes - imo, this Cziffra giving himself to chopin. that's what counts. he loses himself in chopin ..and that is , in its own CHOPIN speaking THROUGH cziffra. we should be thankful there were "interpreters" of his kind, imaginative, creative , and above all, personal rather than just "slaves" to the notes.
tedly10027 5 months ago
how SURE are people a pollini is "as chopin wanted" EXACTLY just because pollini follows "tempi, articulation, etc" JUST as chopin's score said? when cziffra "lingers too much" , for example, on a particular note in a phrase , might it NOT be that Chopin himself wrote the note as an INDICATION of the lingering needed IN that phrase? and that cziffra , more than pollini probed into the HEART of chopin's music ? just my opinion of course.
tedly10027 5 months ago
I TOO consider the elegance of Rubinstein perhaps the greatest chopin "standard" and love his playing above all others'. BUT I also think that when a player gives everything he has to the music, as cziffra DOES, and SAYS something with his personality to add to the music -- THAT IS the point of playing ANYTHING...what is the point of being "accurate" when you really have NOTHING to say but "just let the music speak" ?
tedly10027 5 months ago
@marcelmombeekpiano thank you so much for sharing your video of Cziffra..i have known these works all my life..and am aware of different "schools of thought" about "proper interpretation". in the END -- it is a matter of an artist, such as cziffra SAYING SOMETHING of his OWN "about" the music, regardless of what one or another "faction" considers "proper". a Pollini recording is "accurate to the notes and lets the music say it" as many claim -- but what does THAT really mean?
tedly10027 5 months ago
@marcelmombeekpiano The pauze between the opening bars and the intro of the left hand pattern could also have been more carefully observed.That pauze ,if understood well can provide a magical feel.Pitty he missed that.Chopin is romantic music but should not be played in an oversentimental way,like Cziffra does.Rubinstein and Pollini f.e. understand this very well.I am sorry Marcel but also I am entitled to an opinion.But without using abusive and insulting language.Cziffra deserves his credits.
abmsghost1 5 months ago
@marcelmombeekpiano I listenede but wont listen again.He is missing the point completely.At 6:00 het neglects and does not understand the importance of the first note of this incredible lyric line.Dont get me wrong here..Cziffra is a fantastic pianist bout should not have touched pianomusic that requires a profound understanding of the material.To me the readings of Lipatti,Cortot{even with all his wrong notes} and Pollini are superior.Why doe he always need to look to the right at the audience?
abmsghost1 5 months ago
@marcelmombeekpiano Why didn't you posted it earlier and on your own channel.
abmsghost1 5 months ago
Chopin would appreciate Mr. Cziffra's playing..!!
tingchenchang 8 months ago
This must have been one of the very last recitals Cziffra gave in Paris. Although picture and sound quality are poor it still captures much of Cziffra's style and sound. Thanks for posting this rare document.
piano345 1 year ago
Never thought I would get to see a video of this... such a unique sound every time!
ReturnOfTheStienway 1 year ago