Art Tatum plays Chopin (Valse in C# Minor, Op. 64, No. 2)

Vladimir Horowitz once said that if Art Tatum ever took up classical music seriously, Horowitz would quit the next day. This was recorded on a cheap tape recorder at somebody's home, so pardon the sound quality.

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  Music

[JazzKeyboardist1]

this would blow George Sand's skirt up

[Brian McCord]

Good Lord, everyone acts like Chopin was some sort of sacred cow. No composer or composition is. Many of Chopin's own works were reinterpretations of folk songs. He -- much like Tatum -- was also known for having a pretty damn good sense of humor, so I reckon he'd have been quite flattered to see his work played around with like this.

[brabazon10]

even with poor recording facilities, it's obvious just how fantastic Art's playing was; must have blown all the New York musicians away when he first went to the Big Apple. They probably found it hard to believe what the were hearing.

[Felipe Jacob]

Most of Chopin's work came about as refined improvisations. As a matter of pact, people used to say he was even more daring and innovative while improvising. This interpretation does justice to his legacy.

[LazlosPlane]

Interesting: at moments, it could be Liszt transcription.

[François Hofer]

no word can express this genious but genious

[imasseychambers]

Simply Beautiful ....

[Phranko91]

imitation was the highest form of flattery. I don't think Chopin would have minded one bit

[forgottenbooks]

Chopin, like many great artists, was a pain to be around. He might not have liked this much, but then he probably wouldn't have liked anyone's interpretations of his works.

[robtrodes]

There are plenty of similarities to jazz and blues in Chopin's music. Check out "To Chopin with Love" by the Victor Feldman Trio.

[Alexo1954]

Chopin would have loved this, if he was any sort of musician, and he was. We never hear of it these days but even in Beethoven's time, the better pianists could improvise. It was expected of them. There are written records of competitions involving the skill. Just google Beethoven and Steibelt for just one example. Classical piano is not jazz, but as soon as a time machine is invented, I'll book a ticket so I can go back and hear that music. That would be something to hear.