John Ogdon - Live Recital - Great Hall Moscow - 1986

Here is the complete recital by John Ogdon as I have it. In addition to the video, the sound was also improved. This video includes the curtain calls by John Ogdon. He was such a masterful pianist and it is interesting to see his stage mannerisms as well. I would guess that he played additional works at this recital but, unfortunately, I do not have them.

Program:

Ravel - Ondine from 'Gaspard de la Nuit'
Liszt - Sonata in B Minor
Debussy - La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin
Liszt - Mephisto Waltz No.1
Liszt - Valse Oubliee
Debussy - La Danse de Puck

Video restored by R. B. Prior

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John Ogdon
• Liszt sonata in B minor
• Liszt Mephisto Waltz
• Liszt
• Ravel
• Debussy

[rainforth]

Wonderful - very rare film of John playing and much gratitude for posting it but no way is this recorded in 1986. By this time his playing was a shadow of its former self and his walk by then was slow and halting. More likely very late -60's or early 70's. At any rate recorded before his tragic breakdown. One of the mightiest Liszt sonatas I've ever heard, massive sonority and jaw dropping technique. Generous pianism of the sort you rarely (if ever) encounter today

[KeithWhalen11]

WOW! Probably the greatest thing on YouTube.

[bvbwv3]

Amazing posting. The last part of "Puck" is not even of this world! Thanks for this document.

[cubanbach]

I am deeply indebted to the poster for this truly historic performance by Mr. Ogdon...I shall remember it forever. Mr. Ogdon's soul is now a firmanent of true pianistic wonder for the ages.

[19AJB]

@rainforth

I have no doubt that it is 1986. Although he could sometimes be a little mediocre after his illness, there were also had days when he was simply astounding (a lunchtime recital at the Barbican in 1984 springs to mind) and this is one of those! I went to several of his concerts in the 1980s and this is how he looked then. Ogdon was one of the last of the 'individual' players - too many musicians play pieces a 'standard' way nowadays. There is so much to enjoy here - a great man.

[artsylovelylady]

Cool move done beautifully at 03:51.

[nearenough3]

Compared to his stupendous technique perhaps equally amazing is the way he can keep adjusting his glasses in the middle of storms of octaves. The poor guy desperately needed a qualified optometrist.

[rugby52732]

A visual comparison with his album covers from the late '60's, early '70's suggests this recital is in fact from 1986. He made a "come-back" recital at London's RAH in 1981 , toured in Russia with wife Brenda Lucas as duo-pianists in 1985, and recorded his acclaimed Sorabji "OC" in 1988. He died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1989 from un-diagnosed diabetes ( per Wiki ) . Anyone have different info ?

[classicalalways]

Not sure why Richard keeps the 1986 in the title, when it is pretty clear it is not from that time. It's black and white and the picture is not all that great, meaning 1986 would be impossible for that reason alone. BUT - what a performance - piano playing on the absolute highest level. Fearless - straight forward - and simply wonderful.

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

btw are you sure this is 1986?... the quality is from '50....

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

we need a super HD audio quality for this...

[farrtube]

@rainforth You are right. It was 1968 when Ogdon was at the height of his powers - the grasp of structure in the Liszt Sonata is marvellous, and the use of rubato really subtle. I do hope more recordings of this great musician come from ex-soviet archives over the next period.