Alexei Sultanov, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2 , 1st mov., part 1

[MifuneBoBune]

He was 19.

[Christoph830]

The greatest interpretation of this piece I have ever heard

[cellestialX]

A very powerful pianist physically; he makes it look so easy. Very passionate playing without facial grimacing.

[maestrojimbo]

I remember his Liszt Mephisto Waltz at Tchaikovsky Competition where he broke a string just before the ending. He finished and pointed at the string before he left the stage. An immense talent - he will be missed by all who knew him and his artistry.

[Narul777]

can't watch this performance without tears!

[Bowie37David]

I can't quite put my finger on it but there's just something about his recording of this performance that is so magical and never fails to make me cry.

[LPianoMusic]

音樂被掌握了！連內聲部也不放過！

[mckanas]

Alexi is a prodigy. I remember watching this vid when I was in Jr. High...One of the rare gem in centuries,,, Now I'm trying to collect his performances/records...

[mckanas]

Alexi is a prodigy. One of the rare gem in centuries you'll see...

[baiba6]

This man has the right amount of passion needed to execute this piece exactly like Rachmaninov intended it to be played, in my opinion. There is something about the Russian pianists, they are just unsurpassable in their playing, and they understand exactly what the piece is supposed to be saying to the listener.

[mrkwonsony]

How old was he at this moment and what kind of competitions have this such level required pieces and is it just me that he just looks younger but actually is quite old ? Was he young ? (young like a prodigy ages)

[carevnarakuna]

@mrkwonsony Alexei was 19

[eschera]

@mrkwonsony The major competitions: Van Cliburn, Tchaikovsky, and the Chopin all feature concerto performances of this calibre or higher (Rach 3, Prokofiev 3).

Nobuyuki of the 2010 Cliburn also played the Rach 2 and Chopin 1. In addition he performed the Hammerklavier Sonata in recital?! BTW, he was also 19 years old at the time of his win!

[eschera]

1989 Finals at the Cliburn

[eschera]

"You're going to compose your concerto....You will work with great ease...The concerto will be of excellent quality..."

So spoke Dr. Nikolai Dahl, of one of the pioneers of psychiatry in Russia, and in this way he successfully restored Sergey Rachmaninov's concentration during a period of creative despair after the failure of his first Symphony. Later, Rachmaninov himself was to write: "Even though it seems unbelievable, this therapy truly helped me...."



[zotgga]

Is this clip playing in stereo? i'm asking because I can only hear the sound from my left earphone.

[freshnewday]

I just read a long newspaper article on Alexei's life. His wife is so very amazing. What a beautiful soul, and what a gift from God she was to him. And, how wonderful that we are able to enjoy his incredible artistry here.

[Goatmancheese]

@freshnewday I personally now Dece, she's such a wonderful person

[freshnewday]

I am shocked that he is gone. I watched him play and later win the Van Cliburn competition when I was 16 years old. I remember seeing him walking in the lobby, and I think I caught his eye.  I was too shy to look at him. I'll never forget his wonderful performances.

[TheOtherMusicMan]

@freshnewday Sully was 19 YEARS OLD when he won the 89 Cliburn He was a very short man and quite baby faced, still english challenged and socially shy so he appeared even younger. I recall radio-tv news and newspaper articles stating the young Sultanov was already favored to win even days before the finals. Yes he was brilliant, but what a very unfair psychological barrier was set for other competitors and we considered it very poor taste for the judges to leak their opinions so early

[freshnewday]

@TheOtherMusicMan Yes, he was 19. I was 16. :o)

All Van Cliburn competitors are brilliant & fabulous. I wish the pressure was not so terrible. I wish all could celebrate each incredible musician for their artistry & musicality and respect the incredible effort to excel at piano. I wish all harsh criticism could be done away with. The art can be forgotten & dogmatic perfectionism embraced. There has to be a winner, but may we strive to create an atmosphere of positivity & honor.

[fahnnfranzliszt]

WHo was the conductor for this performing peace

[Mapesbury100]

I saw him on TV when he won the Van Cliburn....I have it on a VHS tape. A remarkable young man

[tuxdcat]

He was born 7 August 1969.

[nicklewisatx]

He's dead, tragically. Google his name. His playing was magnificent in this one listeners opinion -- but the establishment of classical music snobbery branded him a banger, and only now has he seemed to recover. He was only 17 in this recording. It was 1989 i think.

[suremate]

I think the main problem in his career (apart from his strokes) seems to have been a lack of repetoire. If you collect his live recordings you tend to see the same pieces cropping up time and again: appassionata, chopin 4th ballade, heroic polonaise, f minor concerto, rachmaninoff c minor, mephisto waltz, danse macabre etc. I still really like his playing however.

[alexandertimofeev]

@suremate lack of repertoire - a pianist who plays with such quality can have any piece in his hands in a very short time

[suremate]

then why'd he always play the same pieces?

[chopinopus28]

@suremate dear suremate, if you search on you tube more carefully you will find out that he had a bigger repertoire than what we have in mind. scriabin preludes, rachmaniniv preludes-etudes, liszt b minor sonata,shubert impromptu, tchaikowsky seasons,bach prelude-fugue etc. i have seen programms from his concerts and his repertoire for his age was just fine. from wht i know he wanted to intepret something only when he would feel ready for it without any rush. i think this is wise.

[88alan8800]

when was this performance? anyone know?

[bassozgur]

great Uzbek pianist!

[whitecox86]

he is incredible..

[carlosr86]

he WAS incredible...

[aLLeLurrVe3]

I adore this piece.

Rachmaninov is one of my absolute favourites.

[kirill19871987]

Yes, You are right!

[liu868]

Alexei Sultanov ........The Great Russian Pianist