Saint Saens Concerto no. 2 (Cecile Licad) 2nd Mvt

Throughout the years, the Kennedy Center Honors has upheld a tradition of recognizing the lifelong accomplishments and extraordinary talents of our nations' most-prestigious artists. In 1981 pianist Rudolf Serkin was accorded this honor. Ms. Cecile Licad was there to pay tribute to her teacher by performing the second movement of the Saint Saens - Piano Concerto no. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 with Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich conducting.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Licad
• Serkin
• Rostropovich
• Concerto
• Argerich
• Kissin
• Langlang
• Pollini
• Zimerman

[otterhouse]

Thanks! Her performance of this concerto was the first I ever heard (on LP). Is she still performing?

-----------------------------

Rolf, Netherlands.

I am a collector of classical 78's and lp's

Click "otterhouse" above to see (and hear!)

some of my collection.

[tiklado07]

Watch her concert in Germany or in Switzerland this May 2008.

[tiklado07]

Throughout the 24-minute piece, TSO conductor George Hanson gave Licad room to let her playing breathe. In the third movement, particularly, Hanson paced the orchestra in sync with Licad, then pulled back when she launched into a flashy, bravura finale. When Licad finished playing, the audience bolted to its feet — most were standing before Licad had a chance to rise from the bench — with shouts of "Bravo!" and "Yeah!" A few fans even whistled, which is a rare response at a symphony concert.

[tiklado07]

"She refocused her energy in the second movement to playful exuberance. At times when she shifted her weight on the piano bench, she looked like she was bobbing to the melody."

[tiklado07]

"Licad deftly countered her muscular introduction in the first movement with a poetic grace as the piece moved to the main theme. When the orchestra entered, she wisely did not shy away. The sound of the strings behind her seemed to invigorate her to play with even more energy."

[tiklado07]

"The 46-year-old Licad, outfitted in a red gown, set the tone from the opening notes. Her gestures were grand but not grandiose. Her play was expressive but never boastful. She allowed herself balletic hand gestures and a few dramatic head tilts, but she never lost sight of the audience loosely filling the hall."

[bartok159]

"Cecile Licad only seems young to be a soloist with such premier orchestras as the New York and London Philharmonics or to be making an LP with Andre Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony. A world-class pianist who stands to make some $250,000 next year, Cecile is just 21, but she has been working her way to the top for 17 years. Her breakthrough was winning the Leventritt Medal last year, a prize that is given only to musicians of stratospheric potential ..."

{People Weekly Magazine, 11-15-1982}

[bartok159]

"A few years before his death in 1991, [Rudolf] Serkin said of [Cecile] Licad's playing, 'Cecile has a rare talent - a wonderful technique, but it's more than that. Her personality shines through in everything she plays.'"

{Excerpt taken from article by Travis Rivers, Spokesman Review, Spokane, Washington, October 29, 1998}

Courtesy: Spokesman Review

[LKEPiano]

what a talented young person she was!!!

[sharonvarcy777]

@bartok159 amazing

[MadamePukengkay]

@otterhouse She's not active anymore in the performaing arena.

[legamature]

she can move those fingers.

[davetemplonuevo]

Here is Cecile Licad in her younger years!!!! Magaling talaga ang ale. I like her touches now, though!

Enjoy her!

[WOWdato]

hse plays really good but it's very very fast. plus of all in this concerto there's 3 times Tranquilio, you must slow these palces. she doesn;t pesrofm these.

[pianist626262]

Wonderful!!!!

[jowmozart]

Ahhhhhh! This is the Cecile Licad I remember and love. Her appraoch to playing (and this piece in particular) is just marvelous. Over the years (since her initial debut) it has seemed that her playing has become more physical and harsh. True, the nature of this movement in particular requires a bouyant suspension...but her approach sounds more delicate and nuanced, even...that is, compared to some of her recent performances I've heard...Truly remarkable performance, here!

[flicfan416]

@utubuser10 I VEHEMENTLY agree. In fact I just posted a similar comment on another Licad video.

[steinwaygrande1]

What an incredibly gifted and talented pianist. She plays with such feeling and delicacy that it gave me goosebumps just listening this movement