Bolet - Variations Serieuses, Part 2

Jorge Bolet plays Mendelssohn's Variations Sérieuses in a PBS-broadcast performance from Indiana University in the 1970s. There are really good recordings out there, but Bolet's interpretation (there's a "cleaner" studio recording from the same time) absolutely is the "reference" for me. Watching his finger legato itself says it all.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mendelssohn
• variations
• serieuses
• jorge
• bolet

[cheeguy]

As dazzling and clean as the fast, furious variations are, I'm almost more impressed with the incredible sensitivity and intelligent reading of the slow sections.

[soami2u]

Another great Bolet performance, Bolet shows you his consummate musicianship as well as his virtuosity. Sometimes I think of Mendelssohn as a mediocre composer, but definitely not here. And how Bolet makes the music SING!

[fcGroup]

His ending (3:59+) is the best I've ever heard.

[mcrohof]

Personally I think that Hepzibah Menuhin's rendition is the most energetic and technically ravishing, more than any other performance I know of. It's on a rare Classic Archive DVD where Hepzibah accompanies her brother Yehudi, and plays this solo piece in breathtaking fashion and superior technique... Definitely way up there with the very very best! Get it from a store!

[abajour]

Perfection

[mgbrad3388]

@soami2u Mendelssohn was a magnificant composer, this piece is a testament.

Bolet's version is great, he's very sensitive to the music. Imo Jung Lin's IKIF version is the best, she absolutely makes the music sing.

[daniel15671]

@soami2u

I think it's indisputable that Mendelssohn allowed too much of his piano music to get published. His best work is first rate, but a good portion of his keyboard writing is less than top flight.

[JorPove]

@julienbencze Esta obra es conocida ,al menos por mi desde 1975 ,interpretada por Murray Perahia, en el disco MK 42401 de la casa CBS. Es una excelente interpretación,que no se encuentra en Youtube.Pero efectivamente es poco interpretada.

[afertyus1000]

a lot of people dismissed Mendelsson mainly due to his lieder ohne worte which were hackneyed salon pieces without real emotion,he composed with such ease and some were over-played which maybe led to boredom?

[soami2u]

I hardly need to "discover" Mendelssohn. I have been a professional musician (i.e., teacher of piano) since before you were born. For more years than I can count I have been teaching his piano works to my students and I have a pretty thorough knowledge of the standard literature, so I think I have a good idea as to Mendelssohn's place in 19th century piano repertoire. Mendelssohn wrote some beautiful and delightful piano music, but little of it's on the level of Chopin's or Schumann's best.

[julienbencze]

Hi Soami2u,

Putting the great Bolet interpretation apart, your comments on Mendelssohn reveal 2 things:

1. You are sensitive to Mendelssohn's music.

2. Like the majority amateur and/or even professional musicians, you don't know his work.

Conclusion: I invite you to discover him, i.e. via internet! Cheers.

[fabdango]

OMG!