Van CLIBURN plays RACHMANINOV 3d Concerto VIDEO Moscow 1958 (5-5)

[paulybarr]

Cliburn's renowned gentle humanity is evident both in his performance and in his demeanour afterwards. What a wonderful man he is.

[JoeTownley]

Incredible for its value as archival footage of a seminal event, but I don't think this performance could win a competition today. It's just not ferocious enough in an era when we've come to expect pianists to literally "devour" the piano when they play this---though Cliburn's performance would be among my first choices because I favor a more mellow approach rather than the "Horowitz/Coates" where Horowitz's technique and electric energy just overwhelm the music.

[MartinPadderborn]

Van Cliburn's performance in Moscow of the Tchaikovsky is the greatest performance of that work ever given; I say that obviously without having heard all other performances because nobody's able to beat perfection. However, he is far too loud in the forte passages of the Rachmaninov although as an historical document it's worth watching; especially the passages showing his enormous hands. I don't think I have ever seen anyone with such long fingers.

[progressive59]

Unbelievable. I'm crying right now.

[pagaopodrera]

4:18 david oistrakh on right..lol

[iwnathan]

audience at 4.18 looks overwhelmed with emotion, ready to burst into applaud.

[iwnathan]

3΄48 and forward. It is just so magic I can't help singing the melody and getting so emotional.

[kevinluu2003]

One word...intense

[bho1976]

Watching this legendary performance gave me chills.  Thanks for putting it up!

[cuteshox]

This performance is absolutely electrifying!!! WOW!!!

[annajeehee]

Wow

[satyu131089]

even rachmaninoff wouldn't kiss the conductor after a performance! funny....

[Sim882]

haha ok - yeah i think it's the best performance of this concerto. Oddly, the most masculine version is Argerich which is also great. It's a shame the best versions of the ossia cadenza (this and Kissin) have bad sound recording, although this > Kissin on emotion

[fierydog]

@Sim882 I agree, Argerich is so powerful. That was probably my first favorite I heard. But the way Van Cliburn plays this cadenza... Just wow.

[paulybarr]

@Sim882 Check out the astounding performance by Bronfman on youtube, both the recording with the Philharmonia and the live concert footage- he doe the ossia cadenza and it's the most electrifying performance I've ever heard- he's my new favourite pianist!

[Sim882]

@paulybarr thanks - Bronfman and that version is fantastic!

[satyu131089]

what a treat for those who watched it live! may be one of the best Rach3 performances ever and yet to come...

[gerardbedecarter]

THIS IS THE BEST. NO IFS, BUTS OR MAYBES. I almost wore out my black vinyl back in the 1960s. I is tremendous to have the video now. Thanks for uploading!!!!!!!!!1

[annajeehee]

Bravo -too bad your carer was short -cause being gay had to have affected you ESP back then

[PavelSoviak1]

grace and manners...wonderful..

[edgarae1]

Great performance and the kiss is so sweet.

[SSSLAWWWA]

@fierydog Yes, of course you're right, it's definitely no good at all...

[iwnathan]

@SSSLAWWWA ?? where's the big deal? 

[sarrapianist]

@fierydog Yes...But Kondrashin was such a great CO-Performer ...That kiss was just a very spontaneous and sincere expression of the deepest gratitude to the Conductor! Anyway, that video made me cry...Great moment! Great performance! Great Power of Art! THANK YOU, SSSLAWWWA, SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sim882]

@fierydog he gives one of the greatest performances ever, and this is ur comment lol.

[fierydog]

@Sim882 Lol dude I watch this performance nearly every day I love it so much. No need to state the obvious that it's the BEST PERFORMANCE EVER!

[iwnathan]

@fierydog I can't believe some people still confuse a person's talent and achievements with sexual orientation. Get used to it, there is no normal or abnormal. Expressing one's emotions is what is normal.

[fierydog]

@iwnathan Oh shut up, this is some stupid pro-gay straw-man argument because I simply made an observation that has absolutely nothing to do with one of the best interpretations of the Rach 3 I have heard.... I am not confusing anyone's talent with anything. Get used to what? Gay people? They are all around. Yes it is abnormal, since when does a pianist kiss his conductor on the lips? I guess the answer would be, only after one of the most epic performances ever.

[fierydog]

@iwnathan Listen, I just felt offended because I am nearly the opposite of homophobic and the last thing I want is for people to believe that I discredit Van Cliburn's talent because of his sexuality. Thank you for your compliment, because good music no matter who or how it is played is all I care about and sorry if I was overly vigorous in my own defense. I should have given you more respect.

[iwnathan]

@fierydog Thanks for your kind response. I understand why you felt offended, no worries. It was a misunderstanding and I hope you understand the reason for my intensity in my first response. And yes good music is the most wonderful thing, no matter who and how it is played. You take care.

[satyu131089]

@fierydog no way! rachmaninoff himself has played this concerto but has not been reported to have kissed the conductor! so have horowitz, ashkenazy, argerich, boris berezovsky, etc...

[FrazPan]

@fierydog That's a russian habit in very special circumstances..He just wanted to be friendly according with an ancient russian tradition...

[Earaem]

But he kissed the conductor on the mouth!!

[PeteTheSnowDog1]

@Earaem : It is a confirmed fact that Van Cliburn is "out of the closet" (being gay) so maybe that will answer your question

[Earaem]

@PeteTheSnowDog1 Well ! Thanks.. Ι guess he did have an affair with the maestro or a really good friendship. But still, it's 1958! In Russia.

[Ettoredipugnar]

@PeteTheSnowDog1 After playing that concerto ,do you think him being gay if what made him great ? Sucking a cock is how you measure the acheivment of a man ?

[edtskyline]

This performance is just AMAZING =D!! About 5:07 O.O!! Is that normal??? xD!

[iwnathan]

@edtskyline What exactly do you find abnormal edtskyline? Would you mind explaining?

[edtskyline]

@iwnathan The kiss.

[ulsbolde89]

The love permeating the hall is almost tangible. This is one of the greatest moments in music history.

[SSSLAWWWA]

@ulsbolde89 Absolutely!..

[YRebBugleman]

A performance beyond belief! A wonderful orchestra and wonderful soloist performing as one...Would that we all could "play" as one!

[sbranami]

due artisti assolutamente incredibili! thank's for this good concert

[shusarik]

So THIS is the 1958 performance where he won the competition. It's still not as good as the New York Performance later that year--but it's really good. Thanks for this video!!!!!

[tenorismo]

@shusarik Its just a good a performance as NY. The difference is the second of disbelief on the audiences part at what they had just heard . The  explosion of the appluse makes the recording.

[hilocomtoot]

Does he have a current teleprompter on the ceiling throught-out the concerto?

I've seen Cliburn in many a concerts and he is the epitome of humility after the last note is played, always thanking others way the hell before he accepts any recognition, one class act and have nothing but fond memories of this wonderful pianist!

[pianoenthusiast11]

what a fantastic document

thank you for uploading the entire concerto!

[dtyobber]

his patience from 2:50 to 3:35 is great to hear/see .. most performances here do not build a well as this does. Also, the tempo throughout is pleasing ... maybe janis is a little more powerful but the emotion with v.cliburn is infectious.

[kasyapa]

an amazing document.