Gilels plays Rachmaninov: Vocalise op.34 no.14

The great Russian pianist of the Soviet period Emil Gilels plays Richardson's transcription of Sergei Rachmaninov's Vocalise op.34 no.14
From the recital at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• Sergei
• Rachmaninov
• Rachmaninoff
• Vocalise
• Emil
• Gilels
• piano
• Klavier
• solo
• recital
• pianist
• Richardson
• Сергей
• Васильевич
• Рахманинов
• Эмиль
• Григорьевич
• Гилельс
• вокализ
• Ричардсон

[TheGor8000]

Gilels is actually Ukrainian, not Russian as stated in the description. :)

[KlassikFan2007]

@TheGor8000 Well, I changed Russian to soviet now. Does this make more sense? ;-) I think the place of birth does not matter much in this case, actually. Horowitz is often referred to as a "Russian-American" pianist, although he was born in Ukranine, too (see wikipedia, for example)

[Bret6464]

@KlassikFan2007 Well... Gilels was absolutely anti-Soviet in everything, he rejected all things Soviet particularly in his pianism and artistry! It is grossly insulting to place the label "soviet" on Gilels :-)) Gilels is the true disciple of Rachmaninoff as Rach ackknowledged!

[KlassikFan2007]

@Bret6464 Well, maybe he was "anti-Soviet" in his art (if this makes sense at all), by he nevetheless received a dozen of highest Soviet prizes and awards during his lifetime, did not protest against the regime openly and was not forced to leave the country like Rostropovich or Solzhenitsyn ;-) Imho he was concerned with pure Art.

[Bret6464]

@KlassikFan2007 "Soviet" art is a rejection of individual creativity and artistry, and strict adherence to dogma stated as "utilitarian". It is fact that Gilels was anything but "utilitarian" in his pianism. It absolutely follows that he is anything but "Soviet" :-)) Gilels was foremost an artist and musician who placed expression first, in the extraordinary tradition of Rachmaninoff, Horowitz and Moiseiwitsch, and Gilels was acknowledged by Rachmaninoff as his disciple - that says all :-))

[KlassikFan2007]

@Bret6464 I see where the problem lies: I used the word 'soviet' to refer to the historical period rather than to describe Gilels in any other way... Just like many call Shostakovich 'a soviet composer'. It would be more correct, of course, to call Gilels 'the great Russian pianist of the Soviet period' :-) I will adjust the video description accordingly.

[shilloshillos]

Only Rachmaninov could come up with music like this. Beyond words, beyond beyond, beyond....

[Brahmsain]

@MegaMk2010 Прежде, чем сказать, сначала подумай, а уж потом - молчи! ;) Во-первых, это транскрипция Ричардсона, а не оригинал, а во-вторых, он играет ГЕНИАЛЬНО. И не стыдно такую чушь пороть? Повзрослей сначала, а потом будешь судить о Гилельсе! Думать научись, а то, похоже, пока только мнение иметь горазд.

[Bret6464]

@ss18ss1 We have a difference in opinion, nothing personal. Have a great day

[ss18ss1]

@Bret6464 What about Gilels, who was born, lived and worked in Soviet Union all of his life?

Rachmaninoff never was banned in SU.

Solzhenitsyn is rat.

[Bret6464]

@ss18ss1 I don't know what other description better fits "Soviet art" that absolutely had the be approved by the State. Further, Rachmaninoff was banned by the Soviets, and Rach is the personification of the highest level in INDIVIDUAL creativity that humans can hope to attain in music. I am making a distinction between "art of the collective" and "art by the individual". One shining example of a true artist during that era that survived soviet suppression is Solzhenitsyn :-)

[ss18ss1]

@Bret6464

>Soviet" art is a rejection of individual creativity and artistry, and strict adherence to dogma stated as "utilitarian".

It's an outrageous lie

[RECurseTO]

It feels like at 0:28 melody takes wrong turn and goes back to 18 century.

[Bret6464]

@NOSEhow2LIV It's incredible you chatted with Gilels, more so that you probably had multiple opportunities to see him live - there is a multitude out there feeling envy :-)

I absolutely agree that Gilels' immense artistry say it all - still I believe that Rach did say Gilels was worthy to be called his successor in pianism. And Moiseiwitsch absolutely merited Rach calling him his spiritual successor, and Horowitz merited all the praise Rach heaped on him. Best regards

[NOSEhow2LIV]

@Bret6464 Well,fair enough if you wish.. However,having read most books on Rach,(the author of the major work(1990)is a old friend,we have frequent conversations),having had two chats with Gilels,(last time in 1984,in heeavily accented eengglyesh!),&working with ex-soviet musicians,(Russian,Lithuainian­,Armenian..)intimate with Gilels Moscow circle,i've learned that Internet is not the best means to deepen your knowledge! All the best.

[Bret6464]

@NOSEhow2LIV I do not think the "GilelsFoundation" site is neo-soviet - to the contrary if you read the Gilels biography on that site, you will see it has a decidedly anti-soviet and anti-Neuhaus slant, and it hits the nail on the head about Neuhaus promoting Richter as the anti-Gilels! :-)

On the site, you can see a photo of the "Anton Rubinstein" medal that Rach willed to Gilels, presented to him by Rach's family in 1955, the first time Gilels was allowed to perform in the USA!!

[NOSEhow2LIV]

@Bret6464 You may have fallen victim of a neo-soviet propaganda,a"GilelsFoundation"­site,rather selective on info!Rach specialists who've trawled all the Library of Congress letters find nothing corresponding to this.Gilels himself never mentioned it to anyone close to him.The only candidate Rach mentioned as"spiritual heir"was Moiseiwitch(another Odessan!).Gilels' immense artistry doesn't need this sort of posthumous puff. Of course the Russians adored Cliburn;he had all they'd lost!

[Bret6464]

@NOSEhow2LIV

Rachmaninoff said "Gilels is the only pianist worthy to be called his successor in pianism", Rach also gave Gilels the Anton Rubinstein medal Rach was given as the successor to Anton Rubinstein and also wrote Gilels name on the certificate that accompanied the medal. This is historical FACT. Interesting that Gilels gave Cliburn 1st prize in the first Tchaikovsky competition, Cliburn was taught by the Lhevinnes ("Old Russian School", Juilliard, New York) :-))