Lola Astanova plays Rachmaninoff Prelude Op.3 No.2 in "Midnight Dream"

[theagui100]

bravo bravo amnazing ! thru fan for life'

[berniewa2008]

very impressive ... can be interpreted as expression of a lot of social, respective cultural and existential facts

[Vesivian]

dah faq?

[russianbabiix3]

I get goosebumps every time I watch this and she takes the tape off her mouth, what an intense moment

[MsGibbone]

Useless video

[aajfranco]

She speaks with her hands and to my delight!!

[btdumford1]

What mans midnight dream is to have a woman's mouth duct taped, be force to play in see through lace, and half way through the session pull the tape of an finish because it felt so good!?........................­..umm every mans!

[corollatime]

very exciting, if she can only play my one key piano, ill be in heaven

[Dante121892]

Lola, I not only find you inspiring because of the speed of the music you play it, but I most importantly find you inspiring because of your great, wonderful, unique creativity of interpretation/story of the piece!! =D

[SUPPLEANDFIRM]

This was such a goofy video, but she is good at piano. I think dumb people like this kind of shenaningans. It gives them something to feel smart about for watching and thinking about.

[SUPPLEANDFIRM]

@SUPPLEANDFIRM Marketing strategy, that is.

[hevanibelheim]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!GREAT INTERPRETATION!!!!

[Dxchops]

great work

[PeacefulStrife]

This is THE best interpretation i've heard thus far on youtube, and i think it will stay that way for quite a long time.

[johnmar78]

nicely done Lora, thanks for your interpretation. It wa swonderful..let me remove that tape for you...lol

[A1okEZ]

Thank you for making this fantastic video.

[bfeyalcin]

It's a wondrerfull performance but I think the octaves should be played much louder, 'cause they symbolise bells.

[tegrenath]

@bfeyalcin While everyone's open to their own personal interpretation, officially nothing is symbolized in this piece. Like Chopin, Rachmaninoff was not a big fan of all the titles and symbolism pushed onto his music. It's just music.

[dalethomasdewitt]

@tegrenath Yeah, but work is work. When ya work with sound it becomes more important and death threatening. "Just Music." Interpretation is only the way of remembering for some specie. Whatever. Don't like. Don't. Obviously interpretation isn't only for performers.

[Martel211996]

I thought this was going to be a sequel to Saw..."Hello Lola..You have touched the lives of many people with your music. Today, we will put you to the test to see what you will do to live, or die..in this room you will find a Steinway Model D. You have 10 minutes to play me a Rachmaninoff prelude before the piano seals itself shut and you will forever remain in this room. Live or Die. Make your choice"

[placydil]

Art suck big time. Fucking hipsters, they all love it.

[13nalorie]

alive only in front of the piano

[killabanana84]

For the longest time I've wanted to hear you play this piece!!! I don't know why I haven't seen this till now, but nonetheless, BRILLIANT! One of my favorites by Rachmaninoff and you played it better than anyone else.

[GlamorousGhoul]

Its her passion with the piano is what thrills me to listen. She's remarkable. 

[ispinintights]

You inspired me to learn this piece. :]

[Adam67890]

Pure love.

[superathlete25]

That was some weird satanic shit right there! 

[TheCrazyHairPianist]

Its like a bad porno.

[lolitaeviston]

@TheCrazyHairPianist hahahahahahaha

[2xtrmshot]

ala hitchcock style scary dream. the piano piece though just great.

[hanikhaleel2]

wooow u r really inspiring i love the video and i love your music

[patignet1]

haha this is funny...good playing though

[ethan0807YT]

It looks like she's being treated as simply an object. She's something to unwrap (like a CD) and use when you want to enjoy her talent (and looks), then store her away when you're done. A metaphor for what we do with any artist we listen to (YouTube or otherwise).

[earlthebull]

I just love this, very artistic and surreal. The ending and elevator scene is the best. One must follow this from beginning to end. There is a lot of value in this video.

[UltimatexNarutoxfan]

I think it's a cry for more depth within art.

Modern art is no longer representing an idea or sustaining a level of complexity, Its existence now is simply for the superficial reason that one can do it and because it is. Talent is bred and that's what looked at, not the actual work.

When she's wrapped up just like the pianos, it's comparing her to nothing other than a product of music. Then, when thrown out, she's done her job, overstayed her welcome, and deviated from the set path.

[JoeyKeys85]

@jamasterjd Perhaps...but I love over-analyzing things. That IS how I enjoy art, much the way you enjoy picking apart House. One could even argue that House is a form of art as well.

[ReturnOfTheStienway]

omg.... this video is so amazing!!! I loved this... very cool and the music makes it even greater! =)

[whispsmith]

commander of the sound ship

[R1skArb]

hank you for dedicating this to Alexei. I'm sure he'd be very proud.

I'm no pianist but a few years ago I was inspired by Alexei to learn one of the pieces he played best.... Rach2.... (I think he used it to win over his wife who remained steadfastly devoted to him throughout everything) ..... just work in progress but welcome yours/others critique (posted above as video response)

[computerboy1672]

wish i had half the talent she has in one finger

[GreyAlexander913]

I've been always frustrated with classical music videos because music itself always seemed like an afterthought. In this one, I like the choice of music because this prelude seems to support the dark and complex meaning of the story. My perception of this prelude has changed after watching this video. Guess I would call this progressive Rachmaninoff.

[JoeyKeys85]

I was just thinking, maybe the next contemporary music cover Lola does could be a Muse song.

Some Muse songs are heavily inspired by Rachmaninov, and I think it would be astounding to hear how an original Rachmaninov piece would sound if it were covered by Muse and then turned into a virtuosic masterpiece by Lola Astanova.

You know, I know, and she knows it would be awesome, but the question is HOW awesome??? :)

[guitarwizard6]

I'm disappointed that she didn't play it with her fingers taped instead of her mouth.

[jeffatross]

Classical music and musicians are fast becoming mere forgotten collectors of dust in a society filled with misdirection as to what true music happens to be. It is time to once again uncover the esoteric, aesthetic beauty of emotional expression through voice and instrument. It is time to illuminate that which has remained for so many years, locked deep within. Give new visage and voice to those younger generations and allow them to know their purpose is great but their possibility even greater.

[escorts2008]

very powerful

[p8ntballoc13]

you're my favorite pianist

[Martel211996]

I DONT KNOW about you all, but Id rather make Lola do something else than play piano if I had her tied up. Just kidding haha

[belegSJ]

JoeyKeys85 did indeed present an interesting view to this video!

[teslaphysics]

Wow! That was soo beautiful! A very cool video! I like it a lot! I think its one of my most favourite Rachmaninoff pieces!

[drshah0]

what an interpretation!..

[agent8698]

Wow, Lola, that was great! There are perhaps a number of possible 'meanings' behind the actions. What JoeyKeys85 said below about his interpretation is interesting. It feels to me like the questions are more important than the answers. Strong acting Lola, intense communication and / or expression without speaking a word. An obvious (successful) mind-meld between your acting and the Rachmaninoff prelude. I am very impressed. Also the camera work and lighting all follow the same idea it seems.

[JoeyKeys85]

A caveman-grammar version of my interpretation to fit the character limit:

Shoved on the piano = beginning of Lola's career

Tears off "pretty pink dress" = she rejects traditional clothing

Begins Rachmaninov's "Moscow Bells" prelude = first performance in trendy/hip clothes in Russia

Rips off tape; powerful octave-chords (does that term exist?) at climax of piece = open rebellion in classical music world

Taken away from piano and thrown out = not taken seriously; cannot perform

Just a guess

[dopemcee]

@JoeyKeys85 you cavemen and your grammar....smh

[jamasterjd]

@JoeyKeys85 its art just enjoy it. you sound like me picking apart an episode of house.

[PeacefulStrife]

@jamasterjd It is just art, but there is also a reason why Lola has these items and doing something about them...if they weren't there it wouldn't make much sense. I'm not sure about you guys.

[Dante121892]

@JoeyKeys85 I LIKE THAT!!! =D LOL!

[techwizzy]

3:24 for actual song, lol

[alex37303]

@techwizzy You just saved me three minutes, thank you.

[joeyisfunny]

The fuck is this shit? Just play the song.

[techwizzy]

@joeyisfunny lol

[partylikapianist]

i think im in love O_O

[CruznVette]

Awesum!!!!!!!!!

[casiemichon]

It's ABOUT TIME! I've been a subscriber for a long time, I'm SO glad your talent got taken to a higher level and appreciated enough to get some darn credit ~ !!

[MellowCypriot]

Very powerful imagery, the sound effects were great, both of them combined produced a haunting experience. Great/creepy job as the lifeless shell, and beautiful playing!

And I was amused to see that you now have a makeup/hair movie credit to your name...

[nojstradamus]

marry me?

[MilesDatdude]

This was really cool Lola great playing!!!

[Piggieelaydee]

beautiful piano...beautiful pianist...beautiful piece...what more can you ask for?

[albertdebeer1]

Brilliant - as usual!

Albert de Beer

[newbliss29]

awesome! what is the music in the credits?

[ainurabaiseitova]

Lola congratulate!!!!! Amazingly.....

[NuovoCurioso]

Bello...interessante ...suggestivo!...brava Lola!

[bottleracket]

You know, talent being equal, men may hit the keys with more force, but I think woman are generally more in touch with emotion, and can channel the feeling of the song more aptly through the piano.

[SFsFinest1]

very cool video.

[mosk666]

Congrats on a job very well done!

[gcat4u]

Lola S&M ?

[Sword1479]

Two people have been wrapped in plastic before.

[rshope888]

Wow! Hauntingly Beautiful. 

[BrentAudi]

Very Cool!

Brent

[JohnLRice]

Fantastic by all involved! I hope to see more quality productions like this in the future! :-)

[bigtarrose]

every mans midnight dream a lola astanova blow up doll. the electrical tape adds a kink to it. happy halloween lola

[EnveBeats]

But yes this is very creepy and negative feeling so dont let your kids watch it,,unless you want them to be disturbed

[leondertien]

I love it in the end ( 7:20 ) when she's still enjoying the ressonance of the last calm notes and the guy suddenly comes to pick her up.

This is awesome, Lola! Congrats!

[mjconnollyIII]

LOLA,'S SPIRIT AND SOUL, HER HEART IS CONNECTED WITH AND TO THE PIANO, MUSIC IS THE EPHEMERAL WHICH INUNDATES, PERMEATES AND SURROUNDS THE VERY THRONE OF GOD HIMSELF..! LOLA'S SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF THE GOOD AND PERFECT WIFE, SHE IS ONE HUNDRED PERCENT FAITHFUL, DEDICATED TO HER HUSBAND WHO IS GOD, HIS SPIRIT FOR HER IS IN THE PIANO, SHE GENTLY AWAKENS HIM AND TOGETHER MAKE PERFECT IMPASSIONED LOVE, THE SONG OF ALL SONGS WHICH IS SOLOMONS THEY TOGETHER DANCE AND SING..!

[LovesTheWay2Go]

woah, kinda a creepy video.

[yankarushkausa]

AMAZING.

I'm going to try to find these sheets, and I'm gonna learn it too...That's just amazing.

Молодец, Лола!

One in a million!

GIFTED PERSON!

[IisMimi]

such beautiful music! such beautiful steinway!! <3 great film~!!

[musicguy119]

That was really cool.

[EmperorAtahualpa]

Wow I'm blown away by the beautiful piece...and also by the great camerawork!!

@LolaAstanova: Are you also going to release this video in HD?

[tamadrumer666]

Am I really the only one that finds this a little weird?

[kiliakova]

@tamadrumer666 You are not alone.

D:

[ForcesOfRandom]

wow this is crazy

You are the perfect example that pianists don't have to be machines...

[EnveBeats]

@ForcesOfRandom Exactly my friend...people have commented on her other videos saying she has no feeling and emotion just speed,,if u ask me the players who are classical trained who just sit there are robots...she shows people how you play when u FEEL the music

[Pianofy]

Lola Astanova: She comes to life to play the piano, then rests.

[maxauto44e]

BRAVO!

[bhfam]

beautiful!

[moonstaff1234]

first!