Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 11 (Emil Gilels, piano)

Legendary recording with Eugene Ormandy, conductor and Philadelphia Orchestra (recorded Dec. 31, 1964)

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[voland60]

Actually, tigerian's last comment makes sense to me. I don't want to acquire enemies, however. I wouldn't consider muscomap ignorant on this issue either. It takes a while when a musician can actually earn a solid reputation, and in the past people could convince (without complexity of their personality) the public of their musical wisdom and maturity. Gilels had a spark even when he won the famous competition. The majority of pianists that win now have nothing particularly interesting in them.

[liszt6]

@MISHA1119

I think what tigerian means is this particular piece, which was never touched by Richter. Of course, other pieces had something to which Richter could have added, which is why he played them. And he DID play and record Chopin's 2nd concerto, in case if you did not know. It would be ridiculous to conclude that he did not like the 1st concerto, if he had recorded the other one. I agree with the fact that he did not have enough guts to admit that Gilels was amazing. Rivalry is to blame.

[tigerian84]

Even Richter was not honest enough to declare the real reason for not performing this concerto. It was obviously not due to the interpretation of Neuhaus playing this piece, as he once mentioned. Gilels, on the other hand, mentioned to the audience to "wait until you hear Richter". It's a pity that the latter was not as brave in this respect. Speaking of this recording - the interpretation stops here. Forever. We should keep this recording as a treasure for everyone to enjoy the real Chopin.

[ma18zel]

heaven, magic. wow. what a symphony of pure bliss

[georgepreda40]

adevarata muzica, adevarata interpretare

[CaradhrasAiguo49]

@greggy34: indeed I am impressed by the great integrity of the tempi as it relates to the structure of the movement, and as always and am touched by his golden tone, which lends extra elegance here that so many performers only superficially display.

[josefkesselring]

I like this much better than Stockhausen.

[Bret6464]

@MISHA1119

The "age" and environment does matter - but it is overwhelmingly that creative spark inside, the gift that makes a pianist a true artist :-)

Have to agree with Voland60, most competition winners today show little of that spark inside, but any young pianist that does not conform to the "norm" (and that norm is mediocre these days) is squashed! the acclaim goes to those who play perfect notes..and nothing more :(

Everything Gilels performed is surreal, not only his Chopin !!!!!!!

[onepartofone]

most majestic!

[muscomap]

@tigerian84 Exactly. This guy Misha thinks he is the smartest living person on this planet. Yet, he makes a crucial mistake when he names a pianist based on the fact that he was only 16 when he won something important. How ridiculous is that? This obviously shows his lack of knowledge in music. During Liszt's time contests were solely on improvisation. The whole concept of today's competition is bullshit. Competition gives you a chance to prove yourself, but it does NOT mean you already did.

[tigerian84]

@MISHA1119 I agree with muscomap, because a great musician is proven not by the fact that he won a great competition, but through a recording that you hear right here above. Gilels is not superb due to victory in Brussels, it is by all means achieved through this splendid rendition. I can name you hundreds of people that are well-known through competition victories that are a 'joke' in their performances. So, your point makes You rather ignorant. Again, unfortunately you are Russian.

[MISHA1119]

@demosj: Both inner and outer realities shape art and the modes of expression it takes. Of course the inner world is where concepts develop into

something tangible that expresses itself in the performance (or composition) of the music, and the primary emphasis should lie there. But I endorse your comment about wasting time at the mall or on the Internet - Rosina Lhevinne used to talk about this, positing that even the architecture around us has an influence on how we play.