Liszt Ballade 2 Bonn Beethoven-Haus Lisitsa on 97 keys

[Oogabooga753]

I am certain this is the best performance of this piece that is out there right now. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

[kGmusicpage]

But really 7:50 -9:00 was fucking outstanding, the ending of that with the low octave keys sounded like thunder I bet live that was chills central

[kGmusicpage]

The best part of this video was 0:00 - 14:40

[kGmusicpage]

anyone get the impression especially the zoomed out view almost out of body like she isn't really playing it and something else is controlling her hands??

[kGmusicpage]

best piano player I have ever seen live or video

[FountainofFire]

me & my girlfriend had sex to this ballade. liszt for life!

[stewarttango]

Amazing!!



[ssprokofiev]

A brilliant performance of a great work! When one thinks of Ballade, the name Chopin comes to mind, but here is a work to stand alongside the four by Chopin. If I had to choose a handful of keyboard composers to take to a desert island, Liszt, Chopin, Beethoven, Brahms, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev would be the best choices.

[franknhonest]

Beautiful piece of music, super playing.

[MaryLipovich]

Can't stop listening to this beautiful piace over & over again. Classical music comes to life under your fingers, it's just magical! I'd very much like to see you in London this summer... If I just could come, I live in Russia. Thank you for what you're doing!

[iPlayPiiano]

0:53 just always gets me. Those chords, no sounds, or.. harmonies... They are just.. so.. hypnotic almost.

[SisisisiLi]

I think that it's amazing that you actually take the time and respond to some of the comments made here. And brava to your performances! You're a huge inspiration! Please come to Oxford music faculty and perform/give master class when you get a chance! :)

[MrRhiannonsdad]

Remarkable imagination and technichal prowess Valentina, I have heard the Liszt B Minor Ballade many, many times but your performance here hs left my hair standing on end. Your originality is more astounding than your technique. Truly wonderful.

[Supertrampstoned]

Si la oyeran y vieran tocar aquellos grandes pianistas como Liszt,Chopin,Beethoven se matarian por ella,es unica la mejor interpretaciòn desde Rubinstein.

[SuperOldschool10]

you're playing is unlike any i have ever heard before. just wonderful i dont know how you do it

[itunes333]

Awesome performance even though is pretty far form the original edition.

I strongly suggest to take a look to the Liszt Ballade nr.2 by Alessio Nanni.

Cheers!

[quirino55]

Sin lugar adudas Lisitsa es una de las mejores pianistas  del mundo, Es un placer escucharla, su interpretación de Liszt es apasionada, pero equilibrada llena de belleza y colorido.

[GSIStudios]

Fear! Awe! Wonder! What a piano! What a mind! What hands! Brings Tears! Do that analog recording... please!

[meneltar]

Oh, my god. I think my sennheiser in-ear earphones are pretty good for playing such a low register and the effect is AMAZING. I imagine how does that sound live. I felt a strong fear.

[franzliszt8]

Have you played this piece with the original ending? I'm starting to learn this piece, and I'll play it with the original ending, but I can't find any recordings of it.

[prokofievan]

Loved playing this piece. Wish more pianists would record it. Bravo!!!

[Proggydan]

Valentina, this rendition is just wonderful. A real pleasure for ears and eyes. However I heard clips for your rendition of Liszt's Sonata in B Minor and hereby I'm begging you to upload a video of you performing it. Do you think you can make this happen ? thanks in advance

[Hitherto90]

Her hands stop moving & start vibrating.

[Ekterion1]

8:25 crazy speed

[braves1171]

I've never heard the sound at 8:55 ever on a piano

[boeblingen]

This is just brilliant!!!

Thank you so much Valentina sharing this with the world.

[pouetpouetpinpon]

Dear Valentina,

Will you play on this Imperial Bosy at Royal Albert Hall next june? I would love so much!!!

[japavlic1]

Long, but not the most complex piece I've heard.

[K189T]

To write the passage at 1:11, Liszt was to be nothing less than genius.

[pouetpouetpinpon]

VALENTINA LISZTITSA !!!

(by the way, I LOVE the way you maintain sustain from 08:52 to 09:45... Amazingly brilliant!

[95Lolloso95]

WOW THIS IS EPIC!!! I hope i can play this some day

PD I didn't get what's the title of this composition, or maybe these are many compositions... ahahah cuold you explain me this please?

[stevef095]

i wish i could see you in royal albert hall...too bad i live in australia.

[sssatrunnn]

Valentina, you are a unique pianist, a genius!

[johncatba]

Valentina - Thank you so much for coming to perform in NYC - you are always a delight to see on line and an absolute blessing to see/hear you perform in person. It was particularly special to have you discuss the pieces last night. I have a higher respect for Liszt's music thanks to your clever insights -they were very much appreciated.

Oh, and whilst beggars can't be choosers... I'm still hoping for that Beethoven cycle on DVD!

[ChibiSF]

Thank you for coming to NYC again for your Neighborhood Classics performance. I enjoyed it very much.

[marisolurrutia]

i love you valentina! i wish u could sometime come to mexico i would really love to know u and hear you playing!

[masancoro]

Your hands fade away :D

[TheJackHarkness]

9:15- ....... I haven't heard a sound like that yet.... I opened my eyes wide when I heard it. Amazing performance.

[Ray0X0]

@TheJackHarkness Just listen this ... watch?v=L74UGJo0JqQ :)

[TheJackHarkness]

@Ray0X0 Thank you! I quite enjoyed that and that was an amazing performance for a man of his age, but I like Valentina's version better, mainly because of that sustained pause that I commented on where you can hear those rare low notes that produce a sound that's almost omnious! But thanks :) I understood the composition better due to that other version.

[FrankRMusic]

Happy Birthday Franz Liszt!!

Great performance, thanx for uploading!

Frank

[Maralegar2009]

This piano is just Enormous !!!!

Thanks a lot for sharing

[sunamiassault]

I think Lisitsa should play some play some Prokofiev. Prokofiev sonata no.8.

[myself90g]

fantastic as always!!!

Dear Valentina I am a fan of you and I was just wondering if you have any video of you playing piano as a child. it would be really pleasure to watch something like that!! :)

[michael10894]

THE BEST PIECE I'VE EVER HEARD.... THANKS FOR UPLOADING IT VALENTINA.. :-) GODBLESS

PS: have you tried playing CZIFFRA's THE FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE (Vol du Bourdon)???

[johnpkling]

Valentina has never posted any of the Bach Organ works played on the Piano. These too often provide an opportunity to show of the Bosendorfer's extra keys.

[johnpkling]

If the extra keys are so infrequently used, is having them  like having the 16th cycle on the wash machine?

[RomainDenuit]

i want to see you perform in paris so bad. You're a model to me. You're so talented and yet so modest and friendly. And being in a conservatory (maybe that's just in france), i can tell pianist in general are so egocentric, always criticizing the playing of others and talking about how great they are. I hope i never become that way.

I hope i get to meet you one day. it would mean so much to me.

One question, when you write Beethoven-Haus Lisitsa, do you mean you arranged it in some parts ?

[001Asoer]

HELL YEAH! All pianos should have 97 keys!

[SuperJeffcarter]

you need to come to birmningham alabama it would be a sold out show!!

[carychow888]

Beautiful performance, Valentina. I love the sense of integrity it has. A real musician playing, as opposed to 'just' a pianist.

Best wishes,

Cary

[TheMrEllipsis]

YEAH LIS"Z"ITSA PROJECT! Can't wait.!!

[321maar]

I'm so glad I subscribed to Valentina's channel. I get the updates right in my email as a little surprise to wash away the stress of the day. Thanks Valentina!

[brandondockery1]

Wow, that Bosendorfer has a reeeeaaally powerful bass! That Ballade has never sounded better! Fantastic job, Valentina! :)

[javierlopeza]

You blow my mind... I never enjoyed Liszt until I heard your playing!

[nunicorng]

Careful, Earth Angel at work!

[flubished]

At 7:30 the storm cometh, the four horses of the Apocalypse galloping across the skies!

I swear, at 8:50 - 8:54 there must have been more hands, invisible hands, playing! The piano seemed to be making music by itself. How is this done?

Angelical, just angelical.

[flubished]

After Valentina Lisitsa all other pianists feel insipid!

[Pianista061292]

I LOVE YOU.... THIS IS THE MOST CLEAR VERSION OF LISZT'S BALLADE #2 I'VE EVER HEARD... AND OMG THOSE OCTAVES ON 8:00 WERE INCREDIBLE!!!!!

[foodiste]

I am so glad you have performed this. Im a Liszt fan and this is one i've never heard! And i like it too... Beautiful performance!

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@foodiste this is one of pieces that suffered a lot with advent of CD. It used to be very popular -but the impact it has in live performance , or on LP is 10 times as big as in digital. The sonority Liszt envisioned is just amazing.

[freitasnetuno]

9:00 that's the aftersound of an explosion!

[villainmack]

I have problem playing this from 00:00 to 14:40

[pianomangabe]

just brilliant. 

[soulechene]

Rien à dire d'autre que superbe, point final. Merci Valentina Lisitsa

[cedricrlongreen]

12:05 - 12:19 has always been my favorite section

[cedricrlongreen]

I loved this piece the first time I heard it in 2007. Stephen Hough (my favorite pianist) was playing it.(recording)

[JAGEVISE2012]

Por favor regrese a Monterrey Mexico la extrañamos mucho

[martinadler73]

What a shame I missed this concert. I am living in Bonn, but I just was not aware of it!!! Thanks for the wonderful recording and upload.

[zdevol7]

díky za poslání tohoto nádherného videa- překrásná skladba a Valentina - ta je úžasná vždy !!!!

[JOELPARAIBANO]

LINDÍSSIMA!!!

[Rodintube]

I really hope I can see you live one day!!! What a great day it would be.

[mfiadeiro]

Kudos for you Valentina! Fastastic!

Bosys are fantastic but they become epic when you are playing them.

I love your work! Can't thank you enough for your Youtube channel.

[ingenieriacivil00]

Thank you Valentina...No words

From Colombia.

[skapsilis]

Is there any chance to see you playing in Greece any time? We would love you to!

[metalfucker82]

Sooooooo powerful from 2 sek to 38............ Great!

[Sekundes666]

<3 You <3

[CambridgeBoy777]

whew! (8:50) sounded almost like thunder. Simply amazing Ms. Lisitsa! Brava! :)

[Monrealese]

Now I know what you mean by hearing this live. Between 8:00-9:15 I only heard Krrrrrgggghh! from my speakers.... :p What a beast this Imperial! :D

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@Monrealese My small pair of speakers are making funny faces, like they ate a lemon :-) Raelly funny...

The effect in the good hall gives guaranteed goosebumps

[luis1261]

hace años que no miraba y escuchaba una interpretación tan grande y especial como esta. he estado muy cerca de pianistas, uno de ellos, el primer pianista graduado del conservatorio naciona de música de guatemala, que era mi tio y no había vuelto a sentir una interpretación tan especial.

[smnnbdy]

I wish you came to the George Enescu festival.I would pay 1 billion dollar to hear you,i could learn so many things from you!Please don't miss next edition of the festival.Romanian people would love to see you!

[motogriso1]

so beautiful, so powerful. thank you Valentina. The piece brings tears to my eyes.

[Gerald555able]

A "Liszt project" cannot be complete without the sonata in si mineur (B minor in English and H moll in German). I have a special thing with this sonata and possess over ten different interpretations. But I am missing the best one: yours! When will you treat the music-lovers (mélomanes) who follow your performances, either on stage or here on youtube to this monument of romantic music?

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@Gerald555able I wanted to do more or less forgotten and abandoned pieces that used to be popular before. I will do Sonata in a due time - I didn't want to tie it to any anniversary. Too many people did just that - paly Sonata when they ahve no buisness touching it

[Gerald555able]

@ValentinaLisitsa How I agree with your last sentence! However, interpretations by Richter, Cziffra, Arrau, Fiorentino are worth listening to (IMHO). I also heard last year Pierre Laurent Aimard play it in concert with late pieces such as "Nuages Gris" and "Unstern" . That was a wonderful evening (at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg). Speaking of Liszt, I am sure you have read the monumental biography of Liszt by Alan Walker. Another way to get closer to this monument of romantic music.

[martinadler73]

@ValentinaLisitsa Many thanks for saying this! I love this Sonata very much and this year there were so many interpretations of this piece without any emotional connection to it. And I think it is a very dubious thing to put the Sonata on the list of mandatory pieces in a competition as has been done this year. Liszt's eternal masterwork deserves a better treatment.

[mpakos18473]

I adore Valentina Lisitsa the Great !!!

[Albertoferro68]

Wonderful!!!!

[xakoviski]

I was wondering if you're ever going to play Liszt - Tarantella?

Would be nice to add it in the "Liszt Project". :)

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@xakoviski Which one , from Soirees or Annes ??? :-) I did Rossini and it is a riot to play , so much fun .

[amanda92079988]

Talking about hurricane..at the start of the piece, the left hand notes ARE indeed a hurricane :)

[PhilPhilUSA]

What a thing to hear - and what a performance! Hats off! If you might forgive this digression... Valentina your cool North Carolina 'hurricane' ballade 2 (which i loved) rekindled my belief that Liszt's pictorial imagination 'anticipated' cinema. This performance makes this so evident ... with the sound of this grand instrument you are showcasing Liszt's music in a way that raises it to the rarified level that it has always deserved. The music 'zu kommen' is finally here! A heartfelt: Bravo.

[kubicam]

Wow, it's really nice to see the Imperial's extra range be used...and what an effect!

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@kubicam I wish Youtube sound could show the real impact of the sound. It is 100X more , sending shivers up the spine.

[lupash]

Wonderful. What's the story of this Ballade?

[alotus9]

I enjoy watching your videos. They are just so relaxing and inspiring.

[Buffoon1980]

Have you ever played in Australia, Valentina, or considered coming out here? I'd definitely be in the crowd.

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@Buffoon1980 I am really hoping one day to make it to Australia ! It would be so good :-)

[Gerald555able]

This is fabulous, Valentina! Even on the bass notes within the normal range, one hears the depth of the Bösendorfer Imerial. This piano really deserves its name and with you behind it, one reaches as yet unheard of levels of music.

[mikejr41387]

why play liszt at beethoven's house? no hammerklavier?

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@mikejr41387 I did play Beethoven there. But i was asked for a variety program . hence : Mozart Fantasy C Minor , Beethoven Moonlight, Schubert Impormptu B Flat , Strauss-Godowsky Fledermaus intermission Chopin 3 nocturnes , Liszt Ballade , Verdi Aida, Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody #12 and Totentanz , Beethoven For Elise. Does it answer your question? The audience didn't complain :-)

[chonny1987]

Every time I have a bad day, I just listen to your music and I am at peace.

[RenanGarciaMoura]

Omg, i just fucking love it! Bravo Val!! :)

[MrMrMikayel]

Bravo!!!

[CaptainSrzBznz]

great as always valentina! I have a question for you though, how did you get over stage fright (if you ever had it?). I can play by myself just fine, but when it's in front of people, even my family, i feel myself being shaky and anxious... any tips? :D

[FrankRMusic]

Wonderful performance....great huge sound.

[love4nana707]

So, when are you comming to Italy?? Turin, to be more precise? I have to see you live! So I'm waiting for your concert!! Please??

[donthuis]

Wonderful in color and phrasing! You equal Howard, THE Liszt solo specialist up till now. Strange that you emphasize the technicalities of the piano being used so much. Interpretation is for me the essence and the extra keys just a bonus for dramatic effect. Of course the Bösendorfer helps, because it still attuned to finesse and character, while Steinway just goes for volume in the Concert hall.

[Minanto91]

I left a comment on the post where he talks about the album with Hilary Hahn! Cross your fingers! I am Italian so the issue touches me personally! Without label I could not buy your wonderful album = (

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@Minanto91 Fingers crossed :-)

[zachattack19942]

Thanks for another upload! awsome. :)

[virtuosisimo]

added to favorites

[RamenoodIes]

8:50 sounds like an earthquake happened and the dust is clearing...

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@RamenoodIes Exactly !!!! Or a giant explosion or something of this sort....

[mamakokonao]

Ms.Val. I was right, and you accomplished concert upload in Beethoven-Haus again.

I like the ballad second of this Franz List very much as I wrote it before.

The damage of the typhoon was given recently in Japan, but the hurricane of North Carolina seemed to be great. But your performance is greater. You're very beautiful.

I always always appreciate that I impress you so much.

Please upload various music.

A postscript: I ordered a CD of the Duo of you and Hilary Hahn!

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@mamakokonao Our hurricane was of course nothing in comparison to Japan earhtquake. The death and suffering is incomparable of course. I was so sad and depressed to see what was happening in Japan. I thought of it when I was sitting at home during the storm and imagined how people must have felt during that disaster - only 1000 times worse.

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@mamakokonao Oh my ! I just saw in news that very dangerous typhoon is heading Japan's way . I hope and pray you re going to be OK.And all the people !

[mamakokonao]

@ValentinaLisitsa

It is Aichi here. Typhoon 15 is near immediately. I am in the workplace and do care of the leak. A brave man is glad at all of me by your warm email. In Japan, a lot of typhoons come.

We endure it for a while Lay up for a rainy day.

Thank you Val!

[Jolteon206]

I love the way the piano continues to resonate at 9:00!

[daniel15671]

Valentina, That was simply marvelous. This, for me, is one of Liszt's greatest works, and you do it justice. A very moving performance. Brava!

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@daniel15671 Thsi is one of Liszts best - and most under-underappreciated works. And by the way , it is not as hand-breaking as many others. Highly reccomend :-)

[daniel15671]

@ValentinaLisitsa

Thanks for your response, and the encouragement as well. I need to freshen up my repertoire, so I like the idea that it's not a "hand-breaker"!

[maxkomponist]

What is the secret to play Liszt this way? You are amazing!

[Minanto91]

Valentina, I and another group of guys we are planning to send an email to Deutsche Grammophon! Your last videos have inspired us!

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@Minanto91 I am affraid they don't read e-mails .... One thing they do read - media. If you know Norman Lebrecht's blog , Slipped Disc - it is the most read classical music blog and Mr, Lebrecht is the most respected ( and feared ) music critic and writer. Last week I was surprised and dleighted to read his blog entry about my YT channel. People started ask questions right there , in comments to his posts. The best it to write your comments there.Search "Slipped Disc Lisitsa"

[Minanto91]

Valentina, io e un altro gruppo di ragazzi ci stiamo organizzando per inviare una mail alla Deutsche Grammophon! I tuoi ultimi video ci hanno ispirato! 

[belegSJ]

Oh, I forgot to praise the Bosy and it's wonderful extra keys :-) Though I was holding my breath at 9:00 after the stormy part, I'm sure that the effect is even more stunning when heard live... There's no match for Bosies !

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@belegSJ Yes , the effect is by far more stunning live . Those were just simple mics , nothing fancy. When I played Totentanz with extra keys in Musikverein I remember this funny feeling that the walls are shaking :-)

[mortalfrog0815]

@ValentinaLisitsa when did you play totentanz in the musikverein and why wasn't i there? ;)

[belegSJ]

I've never heard this ballade before this video and your recent hurricane 'music video' (shame on me...) But it's nevertheless very enjoyable piece! Valentina, you make me all confused - when you uploaded the Shostakovich sonata, I wanted more Shostakovich. When you uploaded the Mozart fantasy, I wanted more Mozart. Now I want more Liszt! I don't even know what I'd like to hear anymore, all of these pieces are so great! :-)

[fevercovers]

Dear Valentina, you're amazing. I'm your great fan! Anybody play de Rach 1 cadenza better than you.. ♥

[IBlackRockI]

amazing! :D

[TehChiken]

feerst