Documentary: Valentina Lisitsa's Rachmaninoff Project 3/3

Third and final part of my documentary on Valentina Lisitsa's stunning recordings of Rachmaninoff's piano concerti. Impressions of the recording sessions combined with interviews with Valentina Lisitsa, conductor Michael Francis and producer Michael Fine.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Valentina Lisitsa
• Western classical music
• Pieter de Rooij
• Rachmaninoff
• Rachmaninov
• piano
• concerto
• concerti
• concertos
• interview
• documentary
• report
• interviews
• best
• Steinway
• pianist
• pianists
• Bosendorfer
• Ravel
• Beethoven
• Schubert
• Liszt
• Chopin
• Ukraine
• United States
• Kiev
• 2009
• 2010
• talk
• talking
• Michael Francis
• Michael Fine

[fredericfranc]

Valentina talks up Rachmaninov's own interpretation, and puts down the Russian School all she can, but actually she has a classic Russian School sound, and it is a good thing too, because trying to sound like R. himself today is entirely unrealistic, it would not be compatible with the reproduction systems, with what the audiences want, the critics would butcher you, and you would not have any kind of a sale. Listen to Rakh right here, on the Tube, and figure...

[PieterdeRooijHolland]

@fredericfranc : I totally disagree with your opinion that really represents the famous 'exception to the rule'. Guess we needed that as it is a statistical necessity :)) Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[florisuga]

Are the recordings yet available on CD? Thanks for making this great documentary!!

[PieterdeRooijHolland]

@florisuga : No, the recordings are not yet available, guess we have to be patient. Thanks for your kind words :)

[MellowCypriot]

A big 'thank you' for this documentary, Pieter. It is wonderful that you have devoted such energy to such a worthy cause, I know her fans are grateful. Also, thanks for recommending this documentary during the 'etudes' Ustream program...I have new ideas about Rachmaninoff after watching this.

One last question: do you know when she will be live on the radio in Chicago? She mentioned something about a recent radio performance it but I was not able to write it down before it disappeared...

[PieterdeRooijHolland]

@MellowCypriot : just got the information from z1Amii that Valentina will be playing live on WFMT Chicago radio on tuesday Sept. 7th.

[jamerzuh]

I absolutely love her! She is a wonderful musician and she seems to have such a great personality. I definitely agree with BBaudelaire. I would love to meet her. :]

[BBaudelaire]

Awesome, Valentina is not just the most or one of the most brilliant pianist on earth, but she's also a incredible person, she's so friendly and she's always smiling, she has a great energy. Her kindness and wisdom are clear as crystal. She's defenitly my idol, one day I would like to meet her just to congratulate her and say, from the bottom of my heart, that she is a outstanding human being.

[rickideemus]

Like the man said: on the edge of a breakthrough. Valentina, all your YouTube friends are behind you 100 percent. ;->

[dziady1]

YUK !

[ASAngelo]

Magic.

[metstudioversions]

the most cheerful person ever! :D

[RudyRza]

I cried when I watched this. I'm so inspired.

[madeddi]

@fredericfranc I think she just wants to play his music in a way he would have liked.

Doesnt seem so bad to me.

[mossayeb9]

Dearest Valentina. Your soul is an inspiration. It inspires humility, love and the deepest of human emotion. May God bless you forever.