Help!! I can't breathe after listening this!! It doesn't matter whether it is a fast or slow Scarbo, for that I feel perspiring while sitting there and listen, that's enough!
I too prefer the slower tempo interpretation of this piece by Alicia. Like many I have heard the daredevil interpretation by Argerich, who is brilliant in her own right. Yet I must admit, de Larrocha shows elements of this work I hadn't heard before. A whole new level of musicality and atmosphere that gets brushed aside in favor of bombast and technical showmanship was revealed. This slower tempo allows her to really weave a tale here. She truly captured Scarbo, the maniacal puppet here.
@FameThreeTimes the great beauty of Alicia's "slower" approach (which never removes the excitement) is that the all-important RYTHMIC TENSION is actually enhanced..i love that about Alicia's playing in ravel and spanish music. she never sacrifices the rythmic details and subtleties of tension by just playing "fast". amazing artistic and musical Discipline from one of the Greats.
I have heard this piece played a bit faster before. But in all honesty (and modesty!!!) I enjoy this slower tempo (though it still is quick!!). It was easier to hear what was going on IN the music. Very convincing indeed!!!:)
I disagree that this tempo is too slow. I think it's a very, very convincing performance, both technically and musically. It's right up there with some of the best interpretations I've heard. There isn't anything that Alicia couldn't play well!
I dont think she plays 'too slow'. This piece is technically the most impossible out of all 3 movements. I suppose you listened to Argerich's interpretation before? Alicia's speed is totally acceptable to me.
Another things I've always loved about Alicia is her no-nonsense performing style; there's none of the over-dramatic hand gestures and comical facial expressions you see from so many other pianists, including some very famous ones (Bang-Bang takes the prize in this regard, not that he is even in the same league as a pianist as was De Larrocha). She was as enjoyable to listen to as she was to watch...
@Malcolm64 who's "bang-bang?" haha..anyway-I always loved Larrocha's Gaspard, especially her Scarbo and Gibet's hypnoticism..i thought Agerich at HER best in the Ondine..
but the REAL revelation to me, after so many years (of listening to versions and having played this piece too) - was the Scarbo of Gina Bachauer..now -- THAT is an unbelievable rendition..not just in virtuosity and coloration but in suggestions of sonoroties beyond the piano with such a HUGE "no-bang-bang" sound it really knocked me off ..i recommend Bachauer's to every one..it makes many players sound "tiny" or just brittle...i guarantee.
Fantastic! What a find! By the way, about the time of this telecast she recorded Gaspard, Valses and Alborado for Epic. I await to see this remastered on CD soon!
This performance of Scarbo while certainly impressive, is upstaged by an even more technically daring live Carnegie Hall performance from around 1968. Something about the best of her live performances brought out a "throw-caution-to-the-wind" aspect to her personality and playing that's generally missing from the studio recordings of the same works...What's amazing about her is that regardless of her mood, she was never less than completely musical.
TastyZwieback, 'Real snoozville' is where YOU belong! It must come from all the toy piano performances and Amy Winehouse tracks you deaden your senses with. That's the sort of drivel YOU should stick to. You clearly haven't the least clue of what it is to appreciate artistry on this high level.
This is a late '60s performance. Alicia, like any great artist, as she matured, she was changing the concept she had of the musical pieces. Listening to this interpretation in recent years, she was far from satisfied, saying that would play it very differently now ... Throughout her long career as a pianist, she played this work many times. In his recordings you can see differents points of view depending on the time in which she performed.
Dear TastyZwieback , I think you have a serious problem. You are bored with all that most people enjoy. A tip: go for a walk and give you fresh air. Breathe deeply several times ... How sad it must be feel yourself so bored!, Courage!
Help!! I can't breathe after listening this!! It doesn't matter whether it is a fast or slow Scarbo, for that I feel perspiring while sitting there and listen, that's enough!
pianistysh 6 months ago
Do you have 'Le Gibet' (the second movement) available for upload? It would be wonderful to hear the entire performance.
markarama23 8 months ago 2
I too prefer the slower tempo interpretation of this piece by Alicia. Like many I have heard the daredevil interpretation by Argerich, who is brilliant in her own right. Yet I must admit, de Larrocha shows elements of this work I hadn't heard before. A whole new level of musicality and atmosphere that gets brushed aside in favor of bombast and technical showmanship was revealed. This slower tempo allows her to really weave a tale here. She truly captured Scarbo, the maniacal puppet here.
FameThreeTimes 11 months ago 6
@FameThreeTimes the great beauty of Alicia's "slower" approach (which never removes the excitement) is that the all-important RYTHMIC TENSION is actually enhanced..i love that about Alicia's playing in ravel and spanish music. she never sacrifices the rythmic details and subtleties of tension by just playing "fast". amazing artistic and musical Discipline from one of the Greats.
tedly10027 2 months ago
I have heard this piece played a bit faster before. But in all honesty (and modesty!!!) I enjoy this slower tempo (though it still is quick!!). It was easier to hear what was going on IN the music. Very convincing indeed!!!:)
funkycatglasses01 1 year ago 3
I disagree that this tempo is too slow. I think it's a very, very convincing performance, both technically and musically. It's right up there with some of the best interpretations I've heard. There isn't anything that Alicia couldn't play well!
JLFpianist 1 year ago 2
I dont think she plays 'too slow'. This piece is technically the most impossible out of all 3 movements. I suppose you listened to Argerich's interpretation before? Alicia's speed is totally acceptable to me.
justmartha 1 year ago 3
Another things I've always loved about Alicia is her no-nonsense performing style; there's none of the over-dramatic hand gestures and comical facial expressions you see from so many other pianists, including some very famous ones (Bang-Bang takes the prize in this regard, not that he is even in the same league as a pianist as was De Larrocha). She was as enjoyable to listen to as she was to watch...
Malcolm64 1 year ago 2
@Malcolm64 who's "bang-bang?" haha..anyway-I always loved Larrocha's Gaspard, especially her Scarbo and Gibet's hypnoticism..i thought Agerich at HER best in the Ondine..
tedly10027 4 months ago
Comment removed
Malcolm64 4 months ago
@tedly10027 Bang-Bang = Lang-Lang, who else?
Malcolm64 4 months ago
but the REAL revelation to me, after so many years (of listening to versions and having played this piece too) - was the Scarbo of Gina Bachauer..now -- THAT is an unbelievable rendition..not just in virtuosity and coloration but in suggestions of sonoroties beyond the piano with such a HUGE "no-bang-bang" sound it really knocked me off ..i recommend Bachauer's to every one..it makes many players sound "tiny" or just brittle...i guarantee.
tedly10027 4 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
too slow!
misspeckpeck 1 year ago
Fantastic! What a find! By the way, about the time of this telecast she recorded Gaspard, Valses and Alborado for Epic. I await to see this remastered on CD soon!
brtherjohn 1 year ago
boring people are bored.there is so much to admire here .
but those who are lazy &uninformed and uncurious.- who even cares that u exist?
lovesGenet 2 years ago 3
wow :) this is amazing! I love the pace she takes it at, unhurried, every detail so clear, what a refreshing interpretation
dawidmysle 2 years ago 2
This performance of Scarbo while certainly impressive, is upstaged by an even more technically daring live Carnegie Hall performance from around 1968. Something about the best of her live performances brought out a "throw-caution-to-the-wind" aspect to her personality and playing that's generally missing from the studio recordings of the same works...What's amazing about her is that regardless of her mood, she was never less than completely musical.
Malcolm64 2 years ago 3
TastyZwieback, 'Real snoozville' is where YOU belong! It must come from all the toy piano performances and Amy Winehouse tracks you deaden your senses with. That's the sort of drivel YOU should stick to. You clearly haven't the least clue of what it is to appreciate artistry on this high level.
Noshirm 2 years ago 2
This is a late '60s performance. Alicia, like any great artist, as she matured, she was changing the concept she had of the musical pieces. Listening to this interpretation in recent years, she was far from satisfied, saying that would play it very differently now ... Throughout her long career as a pianist, she played this work many times. In his recordings you can see differents points of view depending on the time in which she performed.
Anyway, anywhere, anytime, ALWAYS BRAVA , Alicia!!!!
cooperalia 2 years ago 4
How can you be so dull? ;)))))))
lisilisin 2 years ago 4
Dear TastyZwieback , I think you have a serious problem. You are bored with all that most people enjoy. A tip: go for a walk and give you fresh air. Breathe deeply several times ... How sad it must be feel yourself so bored!, Courage!
lisilisin 2 years ago 11
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Dude: you are nuts. You don't make any sense at all. None.
TastyZwieback 2 years ago
Por Diós, qué maravilla!!!!!
lisilisin 2 years ago 8
Por Diós, qué maravilla!!!!
lisilisin 2 years ago 2
Por Diós, qué maravilla!!!!!!!!
lisilisin 2 years ago 2