Jascha Heifetz plays Brahms Sonatensatz

[jonjon1957jonjon]

This piece from 1853 bares remarkable similarities to the scherzo from Brahms' horn trio from much latter in 1879

[TheComedydude1]

why is the last person who commented from ONE year ago? if you are playing this for your diploma, thumbs up!

[MaggieFlat]

I swear he left out a page of the piece. Either that or I got behind in my following.

[HamsterCreature]

Even Hitler had banned jewish master musicians in his private record collection because he couldn't deny it was good.

[YTMovie1962]

@HamsterCreature 150,000 Jews fought in the Nazi army during WWII. What you say is untrue.

[FlamboyantSisters]

14 people play saxophone.

[mateusbelloni]

14 Like of Justin Bieber

[concertviolinist]

I played this piece when I was a youngster and even recorded it professionally for radio but I didn't find it easy. In Mr Heifetz' usual style of making things look easy, I note his God-given magnificent technical & musical power shining through in this videoclip.

[ookammi]

just seems too fast to me

[youresomodest]

You all do know there is a pianist over there working just as hard as the violinist, right?

[nohpiano]

@youresomodest

yes, and thanks for saying so. GOD!

[JHJennings]

Brahms must have been about 20 when he wrote this. It is the most enduring and significant of the entire F-A-E Sonata! This genius couldn't be stopped and aren't we lucky?! Some perform it more slowly but the work holds up at either tempo. What a great birthday tribute to Joachim!

[SugarTomAppleRoger]

Clearly brilliant. Oistrahk wins on this one though. Thes two are always one and two, two and one.

[bagdad4]

love the stock footage of captivated beautiful people

[chatastic2008]

His trills are insane. Hummingbird.

[tenglee2]

woah....

this is extradoinary.

[IlEtaitUneForet]

i like it slower but fantastic though

[plainme1231]

Just because he does not sway or move about with an abundance of facial expressions does not mean Mr. Heifetz does not have any emotion/passion. Top performers are able to put the emotion INTO the music, which is why they are the best after all. The emotion is heard, not seen. When you listen to a recording, you can't exactly see all that movement either, but is it 'cold'? Not at all. And since everyone feels differently when they play the same piece, there are different interpretations.

[bopkick5]

i like him and henryk szerying

[NorwegianViolinist]

I love the fact that the great, legendary violinists at that time had their own "touch" to every piece. Today almost every violinist play in the same way. The same tempo, the same boring fingerings (no slides...) It's a result of massive "fabric-production". A standardisation. So i love when you are discussing between eachother :D If some "normal" modern violinist would play at this tempo it would sound awful. But here you guys say "Too fast, this is not Brahms!! But I still love it......" ;D

[MikroBadass]

@NorwegianViolinist true about what you said how people seem to play the same way nowadays...I saw a live performance and a recorded performance and they both sounded very similar

[princeandrey]

Heifetz is indeed flawless, though a bit cold, no? Late Brahms is reflective and elegiac and full of banked fires which Heifetz doesn't capture. It's not Mendelssohn, you know.

[hnk777]

A bit cold? No! Like some misled critics of the past you have been fooled by his technique. Heifetz is never cold. On the contrary he is extremely emotional. Listen to the Korngold, which has been posted here as a particularly emotional performance.

[princeandrey]

So, thinking perhaps I was wrong and recognizing that I am used to the Joseph Suk performance, I replayed this. my eyes closed, and listened. I was moved. What I had been "fooled" by was not so much the speed and technique as the dignity, even nobility--of the interpretation. Thanks for the correction!

[lizmallett]

I see what you mean... there is somehting peculiarly... precise... about this particular recording. Maybe partially the tempo also. It makes it sound a bit cold

[tennisballer17]

wow....STRONGLY disagree. Heifetz is sooo emotional, and so is Mendelssohn's music

[princeandrey]

Well, perhaps you are bemused by the general emotional capacities of the violin. I have self-corrected above: he's not cold; but "soooo emotional"? Perhaps you mean sentimental, which does describe Mendelssohn, whom I like & respect, but who is for all that, not emotionally deep, merely pretty most of the time; Heifetz, though, is never superficial, nor is Brahms, who is highly emotional, even rhapsodic, and quite a rigorous composer. His depth, in other words, is both emotional and musical.

[wanimusician]

wow.....great! but I prefer the tempo to be slower though...i dunno, it's just how I feel the intensity.

[mrbratsche]

it's amazing, but not is the best version!

[taylorzhnag]

wot do u mean not its the best version?

[rodriguezclassical]

Which opus number is this?

[34zepp]

Gran mentiraaa...ilusos...obvio Heifetz es el rey de los violinistas!! ni Oistrakh, por favor!!

[OriginalMoonbeam]

Thanks for sharing!!!!

[EmpireOfMyVampire]

Gran maestro, pero David Oistrakh siempre sera el rey de los violinistas...

[infectedxkira]

Perfect

[TomBarrister]

This is from a staged "concert" at Pomona in 1951. It was supposed to be made into a movie, but the producers never completed it.

I've never heard anybody who listed to Heifetz without watching him or knowing who was playing accuse him of being "cold" or "impersonal".

[cwldoc]

I believe people who say Heifetz performances are 'cold' are reacting to the fact that he did not show much facial expression or body movement when playing, in contrast to some violinists. However, there is nothing cold about the sounds he produced. His interpretations are extremely expressive, warm, and exciting, with incredible tone and many nuances.

[olga2809]

Yes for some people the way violonists play is never okay. They either have to many facial expressions (Kremer) or they are 'cold' because they don't seem to have any facial expressions (Heifetz).

Please listen to their playing instead of commenting about the way they look! Their playing makes them musicians, not their behaviour.

[vc343]

awh dang how could u dis heifetz and brahms in the same comment, those are my two fav guys!

heifetz is the best, period. and brahms, now brahms is just plain awesome

[pffpffpfff]

I think he play it too fast... it has no charakter so typical for Brahms.

[tttoscanini]

It is too fast indeed...

[Piperette363]

I agree

[GSnaker]

Yeah, too fast - Oistrakh has much better tempo here on Youtube.

[jelsuperstar]

@ 2:54 i think he does a marvelous job with his trill...

fast fingers! i lyk his vibrato too!

[jelsuperstar]

i have played this song before and i am only 12..

but i think that he does a very very good job with it,

better than I would ever be able to do! bravo! he's one of my favorites!

[devaraja42]

It's not a song, not being a vocal composition.

Heifetz was one of the greatest violinists of his time, though some critics accused his music of being "cold".

[otterhouse]

Is this version "cut"? The Scherzo from the FAE sonate is one of my favorite Brahms pieces. Fast, secure and sweet toned performance!

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

Rolf, Netherlnds.

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

Click "otterhose" above to see some of

my collection.

[yogurt3000]

It certainly is cut - it's missing the repeat of the first half of the A section. Nice catch!

[apollo1742]

Yes it is cut. I think he has dropped the repeats in consideration of time.

[lovelessshadow]

WHy the hell do you insult Jascha with your idiotness?> You know something? F-U! go give head to yourself.

[OtherWorld]

Please wear aluminum foil on your head so I will know who you are when I see you in person.

[oowgnasTY]

i just have a question

why is heifetz such a baller?

[mikejones1770]

this dude was before my time..but the artistry is just amazing..who cares if the tempo is fast..the tone is like angels singing honestly..

[HeidiHo2001]

But such ground work he laid for the future!! Think of Elman-beautiful sound, wonderful violinist, but much of what he played was fairly slow. Not bad, but slow. Heifetz was so quick and clean. Perlman, Zukerman, etc are much inbetween.

[LocalVideos]

I didn't really like this... Felt really rushed

[copdmaman]

I have never heard a violinist who could compare to heifetz. I have heard recordings of almost every violinist of the twentieth century, and some may have one recording that is better than one of heifetz's, but no one is even close to being his equal.

[DualThunder]

surely Kogan?

[copdmaman]

Kogan is the only one that I would dare compare to Heifetz. Szerying, Oistrakh, and several others were fabulous violinists, but not to Heifetz' and Kogan's level.

[govibe]

that is just your opinion that szeryng and oistrakh weren't at heifetz and kogan's levels... They were all fantastically skilled and to say one is better than another is just up to personal taste..

[copdmaman]

It is opinion, but Szerying was not the technician that Kogan and Heifetz were. There are many recordings of Szerying that I prefer to Heifetz or Kogan. However, I think overall he is not quite as skilled.

Oistrakh, I just disagree with him musically too often. I admit that that is a matter of taste.

[govibe]

How about Ferras?

[copdmaman]

I haven't heard enough of his recordings to judge.

[govibe]

listen to his sibelius concerto on youtube

[BloodyPoncho]

I agree with copdmaman, Oistrakh and Kogan were fantastic, but Heifetz was at another level (of course each had individual strengths and styles). Szerying and Milstein were great as well, but not as good as Heifetz in terms of skill. And then we'll go into Ribbon, Menuhin, Stern, Perlman, Kremer, Grumiaux, Shaham, Ferras of course-all great, but not at the same level as Heifetz.

[govibe]

OK, maybe technically Heifetz may be better than all except for Kogan or Rabin maybe, but musically, Heifetz isn't for everyone (including me).

[govibe]

szeryng is much better than heifetz... He never played to show off, and he never made any mistakes (heifetz has made a ton)

[kaikobird]

LOL Please. Say that to a professional and see their reaction.

[HeifetzSucks]

I thought you were the person who kept having spasms due to oistrakh's non-perfection? Try listening to heifetz's bruch, it contains tons of errors

[PaulPhillipsFromSMU]

Are you deaf?!

[HeifetzSucks]

I am not deaf, due to my ability to find errors in heifetz's playing than most fanboys can

[PaulPhillipsFromSMU]

From now on, I think you should listen only to midi files. These days the sound is almost real, but perfect!!!

[kaikobird]

Heifetz' genius isn't about his technique. It is about his musicality and character.

[HeifetzSucks]

you are obviously an idiot, and you have something wrong in your ears if you cant hear the robotic-like playing and rushed playing.

[kaikobird]

The entire music world tends to disagree with you.

[HeifetzSucks]

The entire music world is filled with idiots (ever hear of people like britney spears, even incompetant violinists like Joshua Bell?)

[kaikobird]

Fine, then I guess the teachers at all the major world conservatories are idiots, and you know more than them.

[IsaacDelarge]

OistrakhMilstein, you are a funny guy. You never use logic. Britney Spears is not famous for her musicianship, she's famous for being hot. Heifetz didn't become the most respected violinist of the 20th Century out of sheer luck. Almost everyone who's ever listened to Heifetz disagrees with you because you don't have a logical argument.

[battleblades]

Wow, someone insulting one of my favorite violinists there.........listen, if your name is HeifetzSucks and you only comment on these videos to post monotonous criticisms, why do you post? You obviously look for these videos to post on them; if they aren't your cup of tea just don't listen to them, it's quite simple. I know I'm not deaf and I'm not an idiot and I think he plays beautifully.

Also, for the record, I believe Bell is a fine violinist and a great guy.

[horsefreak314]

yeah, idiots like you.

[swanningaround]

I think Oistrakh does. I love this guy's playing. Heifetz and Oistrakh have different styles. Heifetz is more "correct" and Oistrakh "inspirational". They are both maestros. When anyone discusses the voilin, these two names are always mentioned along with the great Paganini.

[waxenwings89]

"There were violinists, then there was Heifetz."

[eshed888]

um, i liked it, thanks.

[issastemler]

i guess i can elaborate: when someone is one of the greatest violin masters in all of history, it is very silly for the mediocre amatuers to observe whatever imperfections that can find. It makes it hard for me to view classical viedeos on youtube, I know there will be scores of annoying, music major wannabes trying to sound like they know something or are entitled to share their opinions. No one is asking! Thanks for posting this great footage. :p

[issastemler]

you are all retarded

[terry0705]

Interesting bowing

[govibe]

You guys just like it because its rushed and played too fast!

[wodanowitz]

You little MTV kid, go watch TV.

[vlnking]

shut up govibe you are a fucking moron.

[govibe]

and having an opinion makes me a moron? Interesting logic...

[SamLee0519]

An opinion is an opinion, but saying that people like it because it's rushed and played too fast? I dunno, people have opinions too. You're not the only one that's allowed to have an opinion.

[vlnking]

in your case govibe, yes, your opinion are all uninformed and you have proven to be an immature ignoramus.

[DualThunder]

sean i see your point. But its a strong opinion. I also like Rabin and milstein, but I wouldnt put heifetz any lower

[scottbos68]

I prefer the Kogan video but this is very cool.

[DualThunder]

heifetz was a legend... please. dont put him down :P

Known across the musical world, Heifetz achieved much that many havnt been able to.

and sean, i would like to see you post a video of yourself playing flawlessly so that we can bask in your adoration and bow at your feet, in order to praise you eternally for your immense skill, talent, and emotion :D (!)

[seannyandme]

I am not better than Heifetz... And I have flaws, man, like your or anybody else... I'm just saying that Heifetz has also, and all of the greatest and to me he was not the best of the great masters... To me the best are Rabin, Oistrakh and Milstein. I'm posting my opinion, and that doesn't change Heifetz's greateness, he doesn't need anybody to defend him... Also, by critizising we can learn many things, man...

[aimson]

Keep in mind that Heifetz always seemed to play faster in concerts than in studio recordings. Nobody seems to have noticed this but it is very very true.

[arielpesach]

If there is a violinist who plays as perfectly in tune as it's possible for a human being, it is Heifetz.

He intonates high, but that is his type of personality and he knew what he did. He can express what he wants in this scherzo; so, it's not rushing. The last movement of the Mendelssohn concerto is very fast, but it's wonderful as he has mastered it. With other violinists, perhaps, it wouldn't work as they can't be so presize in rhythm and articulation as Heifetz.

[issastemler]

you are absolutely right!!!

[zigeunerviolin]

Actually, if speaking purely of intonation, I would say Hillary Hahn is cleaner but she is nowhere close to Heifetz on all other levels.

[seannyandme]

AceUnlimited, I respect your opinion.

[KMC1986106]

when a player goes off-tune by accident, it's sometimes sharp and sometimes flat. If someone goes slightly sharp all the time, it's not an accident. It's either deliberate, or due to the recording quality. In fact, I think it takes some skill to be slightly sharp. Try it yourself. Play a piece slightly sharp on every high note. Never flat, never too sharp, always only slightly sharp.

[seannyandme]

yes, it's always better to play sharp than flat, I know... thanks anyway

[AceUnlimited000]

To Seannyandme: You say he plays with no emotion. your idea of it most be somewhat limited. In my opinion, he does play emotion, just his style/view of it. You generalize his performance of this piece.

[nsimington]

No emotion? Some people only feel something if the violinist grimaces, sways wildly, and sprays sweat across the room. Others enjoy music.

Heifetz isn't my favorite violinist, but come ON - "always sharp, no emotion," who do you think you are? I've known many greats and none spoke of Heifetz with less than reverence!

[SamLee0519]

Well said.

[nsimington]

Some of my favorite violinists left relatively poor recordings, like Enescu for example (although his Chausson Poeme is a knockout, one of the best ever disked IMHO.) Yet Casals said that Enescu was the greatest musical talent since Mozart. You can't ignore a comment like that.

Heifetz - woman want him, men want to be him. "Always sharp and fast," from someone who hasn't played Carnegie Hall, whatever! :)

[seannyandme]

;-) Have you??

[seannyandme]

;-) Have you played in Carnegie Hall?? Does that have anything to do with this??

[kavatr]

Thanks a lot for your posting.

[seannyandme]

but then the whole thing should sound sharp... well anyway it's not a big deal...

[ellegin88]

david oistrakh the musicality king noted heifetz's intensity in the brahms and emotion in saint saens rondo capriciosso in a documentary

[seannyandme]

I'm pretty sure he mentioned LIVE performances and not the recordings, but in any case, I don't care, I don't have to share anybody's opinion, not even Oistrakh's... To me Rabin is the best, but this is only my point of view... sorry...

[seannyandme]

mmm maybe...

[Tomviolinist1986]

Yes Seanny i maybe know why his sound sharp..because he put the microphone very close...

[seannyandme]

then explain why the other great masters DON'T sound sharp even in their early recordings

[KMC1986106]

Different recordings are treated differently. Some are raised more than others. Some are even raised a whole semitone.

[seannyandme]

not really... he tends to be sharp.

[ztefieh]

Heifetz only sounds sharp because of the quality of the recording. Listen to any of his later recordings (post-1950's?) and you will notice that he is exactly in tune.

[seannyandme]

He plays like a robot...no emotion at all...What's the point of music?;just play fast,rhythmic and in tune (although he is always sharp in the high notes,but everybody knows this)??There's something more to me:making music!!Is this so difficult to understand??At least a robot would be more in tune than Heifetz...

[OistrakhMilstein]

I agree with you seannyandme

[seannyandme]

;-) you're the man!

[KMC1986106]

You can only say that you can't hear any emotions, but you can't say it doesn't exist. Other people can hear emotions. Listen carefully. When you fully appreciate Heifetz's playing, you won't even NOTICE his technique! I'm serious. You'll be distracted by the musician (not the technician) in Heifetz.

[KrzysztofRucinski]

"Close your eyes and listen" said Gitlis

[OistrakhMilstein]

very fast but no emotion

[otilia46]

Thank you for posting this video

[mictrix]

From what I have heard, Heifetz liked to show off. This may explain why he rushed to impress people by playing so fast. Considering this is Brahms, Heifetz is taking it too fast, lacking the deep and board sound most musicians like to produce. But every musician perform differently, so.........

[emtube]

Heifetz rushing again. But maybe that was just the style of the era. Toscanini also favored fast tempi. An end to the "fondly lingering" Romantic era, and welcome to the Machine Age? Maybe...