Hofmann: Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody #2 (1922)

[cynic150]

Yawn.......~! :(

[Bret6464]

Fascinating! He interprets almost identical to Rachmaninoff but Rach added his cadenza and played with much more expression. I prefer the HR2 interpretations by Rach, Moiseiwitsch and Jung Lin :-))

[giuseppe76761]

AHAHHAHAH SEBTITE QUALLA DI ZIFFRA IN LIVE 1969 NON C'E' CONFRONTO

[tchykovsky]

God forbid, this piece on Youtube has been the most over trolled piece of all time. I won't name names, but if they start trolling here then I've lost faith in humanity. Nobody, I repeat, nobody messes with J. Hofmann.

[sukangeong]

@tchykovsky Rosina Lhevinne did. She and a pupil were sitting in the audience at a Hofmann recital, and the pupil asked her about one piece, :"Why is he playing so fast?" Mme. Lhevinne responded, "Because he can't play it any faster."

[flaphalen]

Astounding.  Just breathtaking!

[Mahlerweber]

Excellent---Mark my words: the only recording that stays true to the way Liszt wrote it, not that Liszt, himself, played anything the way he wrote it, but that's another talk show....

[lovesGenet]

H. is always a big surprise. I guess this fit on 2 sides as opposed to Rach who took 3 sides. His home in Los Angeles is still there. H. maid millions and was paid more than the president of U>S> when he was at Curtis.I know he had a drinking thing but where did all that money go? I must find a bio. Rubinstein wouldn't speak to him because he walked out on his wife. Well,Ruby never played like Hofmann either but he was not the jealous type!

[baroneorsa]

Questo brano è stato composto da Tom il gatto!

[llwayneio]

I find it strange that in the book piano question answered, he is asked whether someone with small hands should attempt lizt and he says but no means should someone attempt it. But here he is doing just that lol, incredibly as well. I wonder how he could do it

[aardvaark069]

@llwayneio He had Steinway make him a special piano that had each key cut slightly more narrow than a standard width key.

[hoytthorpe9]

@aardvaark069 @llwayneio He didn't have Steinway make one - Steinway offered him a piano with narrower keys for him, and he was said to have replied something to the effect: "what makes you think I play with my fingers?"

[aardvaark069]

@hoytthorpe9 Thanks. I didn't know that. In the earlier recordings H really didn't F$%# around. Tight and pure.

[felipex1164]

Me recuerda a TOM y JERRY.... :P

excelente tema...

saludos

[anonimxwz]

@felipex1164 es que sale en un capitulo de tom y jerry xD

[Alanpini]

Bravo - Hofmann maybe the greatest pianist of all times - what a pleasure to listen to his version of Hungarian rhapsody

[aardvaark069]

All the Rhapsodies are really wonderful piano works. I don't understand why the public is only allowed to hear two or three of them all of the time and the rest sit idle awaiting their time. Too bad for Liszt and for us.

[morvensky]

Genius.

[hotuser2]

I must always think of tom and jerry muhaha

[ivoryandebony88]

What a treat to hear a recording of such historic importance! He plays so artistically, never simply showing off. Thanks!

[TheEternaut]

I've read a letter that Hofmann sent to his wife, saying how much he hated recording in a studio. Remember that the time alloted in a record was terribly limited back then. He had to cut out some bars and speed up some others. Those who were lucky enough to witness Hofmann's live performances agree that the quality of his playing was much, much better then (and this recording shows clearly that he was no amateur at all!!)

[BrendanKennedy96]

A bit fast at the start

[trolejbus01]

I will try to pass your advice to mr. Hofmann when I will meet him.

[GetMeThere1]

Again! You think you know a piece; have heard it countless times, by many great pianists.....and then Hofmann plays it and makes you forget everyone else!

[junglejim66]

Rachmaninoff thought very highly of Hofmann as a pianist. One of the best pianists ever. After he retired he became alcoholic and didn't have a piano in his last years.

Steinway made his pianos with keys more narrow than normal for his small hands.

[Laphonse]

I don`t care what people say... this rhapsody is a masterpiece

[jhoward1957]

You can almost smell the Old World aroma in the air. There is a charm and absolute command that belongs only to Hoffmann. Thank you for this wonderful smell.

[GolumTR]

Also, Bugs Bunny.

[jhoward1957]

Bugs did Ok but his ears got in the way. Not bad for a bunny though.

[ChrisWatch]

forget about bugs bunny that over rated carrot addict rabbit. I think Jerry and Tom executed the Hungarian in a breath taking performance. I think liszt would be proud of their performance.

[GolumTR]

Well, just Tom played it.

You're right though, you can hear Scott Bradley's brilliant musicianship in that whole cartoon.

[nintendowns]

its ironic how anton rubenstein had enourmous hands and taught hoffman who had small hands, and yet they are both legendary.

[MisterAgurk]

conclusion: size doesn't matter ;)

[kaperisk]

wow! one of the greatest interpretations ive heard EVER!

[vcupiano]

I think I remember reading that most of the 20th century pianists considered hofmann's technique the best

[paulostroff99]

vcupiano-They all or almost all did.This include Horowitz who called him one of the three best ever,or was it of the century. Nobody around ever heard Liszt play. He would be the main competition-most likely. For my part-I doubt whether he was better. Paderewski was also very flamboyant like Liszt is reputed to have been. Lhevinne was also marvelous,as was of course Rachmaninov. These were the other two named as the three greatest by Horowitz.

[lovesGenet]

This is one of those Wetleplayer pianos. but the personality does remind me of Hofmann( the greatest mind,musician,talent,mechanism that we have playing live in the 30's).hardly any of Liszt's students except Sauer and Rosenthal made decent real recs.anyway,nice to be able to hear this. One of better Welte's I've heard - very surprised. didn't have that bumping keys quality.R we sure not an actual recording8:00really is him, his ends of phrasesand tempo changes and tech surety

[Rohit0406]

Notice the absence of mikecaffey in this video.

[Rohit0406]

("no pianist in the 20th century except kastle has a note perfect recording of the ending")

[pandawatch87]

Yeah, lets hope that idiot caffey never finds this video. He has commented on Hofmann's playing of this piece. Unsurprisingly he found something wrong with it.

[dpkaiser]

Who the hell is this Richard Kastle to whom mikecaffey always refers?

[pandawatch87]

He's just a pianist and composer that caffey seems to think is the greatest thing since sliced bread for such reasons (among others) as "he's appeared on the tonight show and jay leno". As we all know those are the benchmarks that all great concert pianists aspire to.

[vcupiano]

a bad composer at that

[K189T]

He's nothing to say :)

[gerardbedecarter]

I have, on mp3, Liszt pupil ARTHUR FRIEDHEIM playing this piece. It is played back on a Yamaha grand piano from a DUO-ART ROLL played on a custom-made Duo-Art vorsetzer. Timing: 8:42. I plan on putting this on CD. Rather a "classical" approach, like this wonderful disc recording by the great Josef Hofmann.

Tovey wrote "trust Beethoven and play what he writes". I might add "trust Liszt and play what he writes". This is the best guide to interpetation: then make it your own piece.

[mac6eth]

so beautiful!!

[guapobear]

oh..... how sweet it is...the most graceful sound i've ever heard...

[liu868]

what about langlang's Hungarian Rhapsody 2??

[JimiHendrixANDVADER]

Lang Lang's interperetation is a fucking piaece of shit. He is the worst pianist ever! Your a dumbass for thinking it's beter to any other pianist who plays it.

[K189T]

We cannot say lang is a pianist: He's more an actor than a musician, but he's a good piano player, see the difference...

[JimiHendrixANDVADER]

Well sure he is a good pianist, I cant play the Rhapsody yet. Your opinion on him being an actor is well spoken. I just dont like him,

[K189T]

I say an actor, because to me, he makes gestures with the aim to impress his public, instead of making music.

[JimiHendrixANDVADER]

Well, I see you and I meet eye to eye

[gspaulsson]

Have you ever read any stories about Liszt? There's nothing to say you can't be a great showman AND a great pianist too.

[K189T]

Both are incompatibles: my teacher told me that.

[gspaulsson]

Showmanship is a matter of personality, musicianship is a matter of musicality. The two have nothing to do with each other. Liszt was both the greatest and the most flamboyant pianist of his age (maybe any age) - Paganini similarly. "Classical" music suffers from a stuffy image; if people like Lang Lang and Vanessa Mae can get more young people interested, then who cares if they are the best or maybe only the 20th best.

[K189T]

You're right.

[paulostroff99]

gspaulsson- Well said. Greatness is greatness,and the rest is simply subjective.

[Ankhsnammon]

thanks,Sir Paulo,as ever...you have the exact touch for to wonder me!

this registration is so perfect!

Ankhsnammon

[paulostroff99]

Ankhsnammon- The more I listen to this awesome performance-the more new and wonderful delights open to me. It is truly miraculous playing. Makes me wonder if it would delight even Liszt.

So glad that you too enjoy it. Best wishes.

[Ankhsnammon]

Sir Paulo...not in vain I ever put your posts and chosen videos in my Swords of Beauty...

Nina(ankhsnammon)

[paulostroff99]

Ankhsnammon-Thank you so much for that great compliment! Best wishes always.

[Ankhsnammon]

The Swords of Beauty are my most beloved treasure...

Thanks for your words!

nina

[paulostroff99]

Ankhsnammon-Thank you. I'm indeed honoured!

[Ankhsnammon]

Sir,as i have some problems with my computer,i couldn't reply to you until now.thanks,sir...you're a true gentleman.

nina

[voolare]

K189 and what about Arthur Rubinstein, W. Horowitz, Glenn Gould (he hated the public but was indeed a great showman) and going back: Liszt, Paganini and even Mozart. they were all great showmen,great performers and in some cases also great composers. Stop repeating what your biased teacher says and make up a mind of your own!

[K189T]

I wasn't talking about Hofmann: He's breathtaking!

[voolare]

I'm talking about what you said concerning showmanship and musicality

[K189T]

J'ai ma propre opinion. Je suis aussi d'accord avec mon professeur. Concernant Rubinstein et Horowitz, on peut dire qu'ils sont on ne peut plus stoïques au clavier. Et cependant, il parviennent à sortir du piano un son étonnament subtil. Gould est un phénomène: il se qualifiait de musicien ou de compositeur qui s'exprimait par le piano, mais pas de pianiste... Son goût pour la solitude l'a éloigné du public, mais ses interprétations regorgent de sensibilité et de créativité...

[vittu22]

@K189T interesting book... Miroslav Demko: Franz Liszt, compositeur slovaque

[K189T]

... pour moi, sa présence physique est alors justifiée: il me semble que la présence physique est simplement la conséquence de la musique que l'on fait, ce n'est pas un masque qu'on met pour plaire ou pour impressionner le public. Elle doit être naturelle. On ne peut pas et on ne doit pas la calculer. A propos de Lang, je ne dirai pas qu'il n'est pas musicien, et j'admire sa virtuosité, mais je le trouve "commercial". Pourquoi?

[K189T]

...Il l'avait dit lui-même lors d'une interview, son public est de plus en plus exigeant: c'est en effet le seul pianiste chinois hors pair (excepté Yundi Li peut-être), et il représente en quelquesorte un emblème, un symbole du dynamisme de la Chine. Cela l'oblige à conserver son public, ce qu'il fait grâce à une présence physique et des gestes qui me semblent calculés pour impressioner les gens. Je pense que ce n'est pas le but d'un pianiste...

[dustovshio]

@K189T who are u to say lang isn't a pianist

[K189T]

Good comment, but he's not even a pianist. Do you know how my teacher call him? A clown.

[kuckorama]

@JimiHendrixANDVADER Come on, why is it that so many people have a problem with someone playing in a fashion that's unlike everthing that's been done to death for about a hundred years? I certainly wouldn't play it like Lang Lang, but I find it entertaining and refreshing that he isn't a boring competition machine like so many performers. Jung Lin is a fine example of ample technique, boring result. Hoffman's La campanella is one of the most amazing things ever.

[sammarco02]

@kuckorama ARE YOU JOKING! Jung Lin's HR2 is full of fire, passion, emotion, musicality, not just supreme technique. Hofmann was a tech genius but where is the emotion or musicality in this?

[paulostroff99]

Sensational! I'm usually bored stiff when listening to this Rhapsody,but not by

Josef Hofmann! Bravo! TY.

[palcsi]

Hofmann was in a pianistic league of his own.

[TheMetzMachine]

This is the best recording I have ever heard of this piece.

[NGS712]

TheMetz: Doesn't say much for the rest of them, does it?

I mean this was made over eighty years ago, yet is better than almost any other version on YT which were usually made in the last several decades.

[sebare]

the best in youtube

[audiophile71]

Best performance of this piece that I have ever heard. Bar none.

The recording, in some respects, was far better than most modern recordings;)

[mackayde]

very excellent. Keep in mind that the recording equipment was not of today's standard. What I do like is the restraint with rubato.

[CoolJay77]

They don't play music like this anymore!

[oktalp]

Horowitz's favorite pianists were Rachmaninoff, Hofmann, Lhevinne.

[Darklord12356]

and Richter...

[K189T]

better than Maxim's.

[tiggxtreme]

This is PRECISELY the way I like this song played.

[samometal]

Yeah, me too.

[CoolWJL]

Incredible. No muddling of notes what so ever even when he's taking things at hair raising speed at around 7:20. You can still hear every single note. Unbelievable playing.

[estudiosinluz]

Is he playing it as liszt wrote it without changing anything?

[stradavarius]

cool one!

[pandawatch87]

The best version of this piece I have heard on here! Stunning - and that with low(ish) sound quality.

[NGS712]

If this is an early recording, how did they manage to get the whole piece? Is it a cylinder or a disk record?

[Laprevotte]

What absolute control of the time! Near perfect.

[NGS712]

Laprevotte: 'Near perfect.'?

[Laprevotte]

Totally agree. I am generally hesitant to call anything perfect, so I guess, when I say near perfect, I actually mean PERFECT. Too bad, he is not appreciated as much as he deserves to be.

One of the best pianists of all times.

[NGS712]

Laprevotte: Oh, I'm sure he's appreciated. Just by the classical music crowd though. ;)

[NGS712]

Why'd I get a neg. 1?

[stradavarius]

i appreciate this.

[NGS712]

stradav: Who watching this wouldn't?

Well maybe those idiots who intentionall look of vids of things they don't like then criticize them.

[Rohit0406]

Maxim fanboys.

[NGS712]

Rohit: How True. ;)

[demosj]

I believe you mean fangirls. They're the only reason Maxim got his career.

[NGS712]

I think this is the best version of the piece I have heard on YT!

[K189T]

Absolument merveilleux!

[phenylphenol]

Oh wow. Stellar.

[SJEFRH]

wiiiiii my favorite rhapsody =D

[topspinwu]

unbelievable

[derhawk]

Simply amazing! This interpretation is so sophisticated

[arwena55]

isn't it?

[arwena55]

The best pianist ever!!! 10 stars

[MUNJOLO55]

Wow! I love it too!!!