Sokolov plays Chopin Etude Op.25 No.12

[roarcer]

Me parece que toca como loco!

[darkkerrigan]

While he may be brilliant with technique, this hurts my ears....too harsh :(



[sasha42196]

I could have sworn from 1:45 to 2:00 there's an orchestra playing behind, so much harmonics!

[cvassilev]

This is unbelievable. I have never heard such a performance. It is absolutely on a higher level, an imposiible level in comparison to all other performances I know. It moves to tears for it's depth and musicality, fire, technique ... all words are useless. This is a genius. Shame that I never heard it before. The "bad" side is - that it is beyond achievement by a "normal" pianist ... like me.

[TMiKiLLZoMbieZ]

WRONG WRONG WRONG

[mrpolaroid123]

@TMiKiLLZoMbieZ Yes, you are

[TMiKiLLZoMbieZ]

@mrpolaroid123 No im not , okay its the correct keys but its just so unpassionate and fast

[mrpolaroid123]

@TMiKiLLZoMbieZ The only person who is wrong is you, just because YOU don't like it doesn't mean it's wrong. If you said 'WRONG WRONG WRONG' to Sokolov after this performance, he'd laugh in in your face and probably ask you to play it better yourself! Ha! It aint gonna happen!

[simondurrant1]

Wow, I don't think I've heard it this fast in any other recording. That's some technique on show. Bravo!

[Rodintube]

Sokolov's "Ocean" is a tsunami!

[MrGriis1988]

There´s only 1 Grigory Sokolov !!!!!

[Euniland]

Un Camino tortuoso...

[stockcar5472]

Sokolov has electricity for nerves! Astonishing.

[Jarnobh]

A bit too fast, but very good performance.

[RpianoV]

Sorry but I don't like his Chopin - Etude 25/11 and 25/12. Detail and nuance are lost because it's just too rushed.

[m8a1x2]

@RpianoV TRUE !

[mistrzu2007]

I truly believe that Chopin's etudes are the best etudes in the world. They are not necessarily meant to have beautiful melody, but his are just so great! Maybe we should play it for Bieber? Maybe he'll just go away :)

[fuscomblindo]

sokolov è in assoluto il più grande pianista vivente

[HomerJ666]

awesome, but i think 1:37 - 1:50 should be played forte-fortissimo its the most powerful part in this piece in my opinion :p

[dagadbm]

M-M-M-M-M-M-M-MMONSTEEER WIIIIIIIN

[Sofoclaudio]

Is like a gun machine that shoots notes transforming war in music... Sokolov seems to be a demiurge that move the immaterial creating a great positive energy...

[DzikenS94]

Great, but Gyorgy Cziffra... his version is powerful.

[LionMrSimba]

Strepitoso. Meglio del live ufficiale di Parigi. è possibile sapere se questo studio è tratto da un'esecuzione della serie o Sokolov l'ha fatto come bis? Grazie!

[thetunr]

@LionMrSimba

Mi risulta fosse un bis.

[4785689]

@LionMrSimba Programma:

Brahms Sonata No.3

Rach: 3 Preludi

Stravinsky: Petrouchka

bis:

Chopin Etude Op.25 No.12

[LionMrSimba]

@4785689 Grazie tante a entrambi.

[Sahanai]

So powerful........he plays this ocean etude like a hurricane!!!! Breathless ..........

[AdamPage18]

MADNESS!!!!!!!!! great.

[rinpoche256]

Bravo!

Bravo bravo bravo ... wonderful!

[mindovermattjr]

Is this an album recording? Just wondering because I am sick of youtube videos that destroy my ears with terrible recording quality(my own included) and this one is pretty good. Sokolov is kind of a beast.

[thetunr]

@mindovermattjr

There's a commercial recording of Sokolov playing Chopin's Etudes Op.25, but this one is a private recording.

[mindovermattjr]

@thetunr do you know what kind of recording setup was used?

[thetunr]

@mindovermattjr

No, I don't. Given the strong dynamic compression it could be from a radio broadcast.

[robertslistening]

There is the better clarity, that comes from a good pianist. One of the highest skills of great pianists is the ability to listen closely to what they are playing...the dynamics, articulation, sustain, tempi, etc. It's what sets there playing apart from the norm.

[lovelastsforever1000]

i think this is the performance i am looking for.....so far, it's the best i've listened to i think

[Barbapippo]

The best performance of this etude (and of almost all the others) is by Maurizio "The Giant" Pollini. STOP

[sshuck]

This etude was written at a time when it pushed the limits of the audience's ability to even hear detail. But now that a million renditions of Rach 3 are available on CD, people are trained to expect every tuplet and subdivision to be articulated clearly.

So you've got this problem: How do you play Chopin? The traditionalists get bored with "clarity", and the CD-listeners recoil if they can't hear every note.

(Zimerman satisfied both camps, but notice how he plays like one piece a year.)

[pyroprince78]

your last comment is interesting.... does he really play such a limited repertoire? if he's such a perfectionist, maybe this is possible.

[davecotuit]

yes, VERY limited. i asked him--are you going to record the chopin third sonata? his answer: NO!!!!!!

[classicalalways]

@sshuck There are plenty of people that Zimerman has not satisfied, especially his most recent recording of the Chopin Concertos where he tune certain pianos (yes plural) that he used for the recording differently depending on the register. Zimerman's best playing may in fact not be Chopin, as his fellow Chopin Competition winners Argerich and Pollini have produced much more definitive recordings of Chopin's music.

[AlwayzCurious101]

Simply beautiful. I love his very passionate interpretation!

[miliona1re]

Just Le Figaro could say a bullshit like this :) .Zimerman is Chopin is the greatest pianist ever.Only to imagine Zimerman playing this etude i could faint.

[espirito999]

Il y a Sokolov, et il y a les pianistes. (Le Figaro, 2007) - There are great pianists, Krystian Zimerman, Lang Lang etc., but Sokolov comes from another planet...

[gitprofnikat]

Espirito:

With all due respect, I completely disagree with you about Lang "Squared", unless you are speaking solely about pianism.

[freeqwerqwer]

sloppy interpretation

[anonymousQ45]

it really was i expected better from him

[Aul1kki]

Interesting how only highest notes can be heard separately otherwise it's pretty much like a mist. It sounds funny!

[juancillo]

aul1kki, i don't think chopin wrote this etude thinking that every single note as an individual should be heard for separate, with fast notes he tried to get a sound efect, this etude is ment to be played very fast, so u hear the wave movent and the harmony, not every single note separately. and sokolov understands this veyr well i thing

[Aul1kki]

But the thing is to play so accurately that even single notes can be heard separately through harmony and the effect. That's what I meant. I'm not saying sokolov isn't doing that, but maybe it's the recording or quality that hides others. It can be played like harmonies only, but it demands much more if u want to play every note separately making still amazing effects and harmony. Also why this would be etude if chopin want to hide something?

[anonymousQ45]

listen to Ashkenazy. its a bit slower but very clear

[odoenov]

Absolute rubbish, hands do no stay together most of the time. Charlatan

[thetunr]

Thank you for the Monday morning laugh.

[bozotheda]

May I suggest you have your ears examined?

[smudgepots]

Playing beyond criticism, beyond reproach, beyond words. Phenomenal!

[GAMLAPATTE]

Oh my Gosh. F*ckin insane energy

[MrToulis93]

excellent..my favorite

[348Frate]

I'm sure Chopin really wanted it to be played this fast Sokolov! your missing the picture... I couldnt even listen to the whole thing...

[unkdaved]

Sokolov is simply overwhelming here. Absolutely fantastic. The tradition of Gilels and Richter is alive and well. Thanks for this post.

[Bruce88keys]

@unkdaved Sokolov is a revelation amongst pianists......

[smudgepots]

In tears - absolutely overwhelming. Pianism of genius!

[shaermy]

Sokolov looks here a little bit like Gerard depardieu^^

[v4liumfrance]

too fast

[MMesh89]

I have a recording of him playing the whole Op 25 live in 1987. He plays this piece even better, probably the best version I ever heard.

PS: I'm going to see him live tomorrow. Yup! :)

[zurzica51]

omg.. exceptional

[karoleczek113]

Little to fast... but its ok

[coaster1000]

Incridible!! Sometimes when he plays it it "sings" so much it actually sounds like there an orchestra supporting him. But he does it on his own... Absolutely stunning.!

[Br0ti]

best one ive ever heard! and ive heard alot...

[jcastorina]

I can't decide between this and Horowitz...

[chaudpain]

You don't have to decide ...both are unforgettable ;-)

[billyguns2]

What about Richter, Cortot, and Backhaus? They each find the beauty and melodic singing line in this piece in a way that neither Horowitz or Sokolov do.

[aaa1232123]

What about Lugansky? I love his.

[debussy84]

Not again. Dear Lord, what is your obsession with beauty. Who are you to say that the great Horowitz couldn't find the beauty compared to x (fill in whoever you like) Let me guess, i'm misinterpreting you again..? BWAHAHA DOMINATED!

[billyguns2]

My dear, you suffer from that malady called 'hero worship," falsely believing that EVERYTHING that a famous artist does is of transcendental greatness and above reproach! These artists are human, fallible just as you are ( although I am sure you think you're perfect ), and not everything do is wonderful. I mostly love Horowitz and Sokolov's work, but even they had off days. Who am I? One of the most respected conductors, voice coaches, and pianists on the planet.

[debussy84]

LOL! to your last statement. And, oops, you'll find months before our conversation i've posted my distain to many of his works. If you look at his Opus 10 2 clip i said "this version sucks" 7 months ago, and that "Cziffra is trash" on his 10 1 posting. I've deleted some of my over-the-top slams on him. THEN i came across 25 24 and admitted, ITS AMAZING. My ability to be objective is recorded. But since you don't hero worship i await you to direct me to a criticism of your beloved trio...

[billyguns2]

Yopu are mentally ill and I don't know why I even bother to deal wiith your craziness. However, being objective, I foind Richter's Faschinschwank aus Wien brutally aggreessive and pounding, Backhaus' later recoredings full of mistakes and faulty technique, and Cortot's Schumann Concerto virtually unlistenable and wrong-headed. What are all these animal sounds you make in your comments by the way? Are you 5 years old?

[debussy84]

Animal sounds..? Way to reveal your age. I knew you were elderly based on your obsession with your trios interpretation. Looking at my posts, LOL is laugh out loud, and BWAHA is laughter. It's called net lingo, tard. You must be slow. Why would you NOW post criticisms only after i called you on it? HERO WORSHIPPER! I love how easily i dominated your recent theory about me loving Cziffra (i'm not a fan, but love that version). PAWNED! (and no, that's not an animal sound either, LOL!)

[123mortimer456]

billyguns2 - So you are "One of the most respected conductors, voice coaches, and pianists on the planet"? Hardly. As a rule, those people (unlike you) know how to spell "Faschingsschwank."

[FerozaLaBonne]

May I know your good name? I do believe you are correct ....as the saying goes, even Homer nods. Not every single oerformance a great artist does is the very best....they are after all, only human!

[perdipe]

gooooooood

[pianojake94]

Very good, but I prefer just a little slower

[dmavrichiei]

les montées très bien

les descentes parfaites

[piannelly]

lol

[Masmorra84]

just unbelievable

[nleytman]

One of the best.

[familymio]

it is the best :D

[piannelly]

he is very fast Wow!!

But I prefer the charm of Horowitz ^_^'

[v4liumfrance]

yes