He made the piano sound like an orchestra, and could even drown out an orchestra in ffff passagework. Sitting under the belly of the piano in the middle of the first row in Symphony Hall some forty years ago and hearing him play the E Flat Etude Tableau of Rachmaninoff, I was seized by the rapture of the glorious symphonic sound he tossed off, and I knew that I would never hear any piano playing remotely like that again. And I never have. The memory is a total rapture frozen in time forever.
You do know that his piano was specially voiced to be extra brilliant, don't you? And the NY Steinway already has a brighter sound than the Hamburg. Once, his technician refused to shave off any more felt off the hammers, as per Horowitiz's request. Horowitz got a lot of power from his back and shoulders, but he also got a lot of help from his super bright piano.
@@Highinsight7 I have been truly blessed to have heard -- and met -- Volodya, Rubinstein AND Van! All three great, immortal artists, and amazing men! ❤💯🎼🎵🎶🎹💯👍
ffff is fortissisimo basically playing as loud as possible right? I’m learning playing styles right now and this video is great for the change in emotion.
@@fellipegalacho1874 That's more accurate, yes - I know Horowitz effectively shrugged it off and almost looked like he wasn't comfortable with or didn't like the praise he was receiving. Just shows how much respect Vladimir had for Rachmaninoff in my opinion that he acknowledged but didn't say anything further.
Honestly, rachmaninoff was a very Humble and insecure man. Honestly, when i heard Rachmaninoff play the concerto himself, it was magical. Smth i had never felt before. Rachmaninoff's performance of his 3rd piano concerto is i believe the best one i have ever heard. Rachmaninoff May have said that Horowitz played it better, but i disagree
@@gwaynebrouwn844 I agree. Rachmaninoff was notoriously insecure about his talents, and probably quite a modest man even then. I far prefer his interpretations to those of Horowitz.
He is the supreme master of sonorities. As Isaac Stern said of him: "With two notes he could produce twenty colours." And his ability to create "the singing line" is matchless. There are not enough superlatives to describe his playing.
Of all the pianists that I've heard, few are truly incredible. But Horowitz is on a whole other plane. His playing somehow transcends beyond anything I thought possible, and I'm constantly astonished any time I hear his playing. "Incredible" is nowhere near enough to describe him. I honestly don't understand how someone could even compare Horowitz to any other pianist, living or dead. He is by far my favorite pianist, musician, artist, of all time, maybe next to Rachmaninoff as a composer. Horowitz + Rachmaninoff is bliss.
Heard him live in Massey Hall, Toronto, back in the mid 1970's. I was lucky to get a stage seat, so I was only 15 ' from him, looking at his hands the entire concert. It felt like he was giving me a personal recital.
@@GZ9090 I was there as well. It was 1982, not 1981. We now know that Horowitz was already in serious decline, leading to his disastrous 1983 Japan tour and complete disappearance in 1984, before reemerging triumphantly (and healthy!) in 1985. But this was not necessarily evident at the time. The magnetism of his musicianship was strongly in evidence. The Chopin F minor Ballade will stay with me forever. I don't think it's been played as impressively since Joseph Hofmann. The Liszt Ballade was deeply moving and incredibly atmospheric. Horowitz simply speaks Liszt's language, more than any other musician I had (and since have) ever heard. I experienced the concert as immensely exhausting because I was so concentrated on every detail of H's interpretations. He demanded that kind of total concentration. There was perhaps a certain melancholy or nostalgic air about this recital that was not present in the prior Horowitz recital I attended in May 1978, where he seemed completely sharp and completely in charge. In the 1982 recital, there was a certain mistiness about it all, even in the greatest crescendos and eruptions. Alfred Brendel, whom I remember seeing in the audience, later complained to the German music critic Joachim Kaiser that Horowitz had mostly played "sfumato." I also heard him in Paris in November 1985, when all the haze of 1982 was blown away and he was as sharp as a young man, but with the infinite experience of the old virtuoso.
David Saturz The first memory is queueing many weeks before to get tickets for this, the first concert, and the unbroadcast one a week later. I waited some 20 odd hours and the atmosphere was wonderful amongst those present as we were all keen followers and mostly musicians. I went to the first concert and sat behind the piano to the left of Horowitz, as seen here. It was hard to stay calm, my wife at that time had no knowledge of Horowitz or any true understanding of his importance. I don’t think I had the best sound behind the piano. It was unfocused and seemed to exaggerate Horowitz’s already generous pedalling. This Rachmaninov sounds better than I remember as a result! It was so hard to focus on the day - it was something like people must feel after winning a lottery. The following week was better in all these ways and I attended with my mother who ‘got’ Horowitz to the extent she painted a simple picture afterwards! In both concerts Horowitz played the same Scarlatti sonatas and these were very successful. The Liszt 2nd Ballade from the 2nd concert was full of the sound world that I associated with Horowitz so this too remains in the memory. I had the 1966 performance of this Rachmaninov in my head so I was fast making allowances for his age and later understood he had been on medication that possibly detracted from the playing. All in all those weeks were ones I shall never forget. They were undoubted highlights of my musical life.
I heard him perform this piece live in Boston in 1968. The audience was mesmerized. Other than his technical command, I was particularly impressed by his dynamic control, which was shared by very few other pianists.
Why nobody takes globalization into account, is beyond me. If you go back 30, 40, 50 years ago, you'll see that there was very few of everything, because nobody knew about anything. Today I hear all the time people saying "Wow! Why haven't I heard of this composer until now??" Globalization, that's why. I bet my ass that back in the 50s, Eastern Europe (for example) was filled with excellent pianists who never got the chance to play globally, because there was Horowitz and a few others already, which was enough for the publishers and the media. Today people have the internet and can hear hundreds of performers performing the same piece and make their mind. I, for one, don't like Horowitz that much, because, while he had a great technique, he was bad at details and often delivers his music with countless mistakes (1-2 is cute). It's sad that he continues to top the charts, and everyone else is basically ignoring every new talent. Fossils.
I attended that very recital (London May 1982). What else can be said of the iconic Horowitz that has'nt already been said? I consider myself to have been one of the privileged few in the UK.
I was there. In the 50's and 60's I went to every Horowitz concert I could afford. I served tables, shelved library books, taught students, painted houses... It was all worth it. What a true musical genius and giant ! Whatever you do in life, spend your few dollars on great performances that will last your lifetime.
When I was your age, I discovered Rachmaninoff's music for the first time. I tell you, Rachmaninoff's music will stay with you for a lifetime, during your high times and your low times. His music, to quote Hugo, can express that which cannot be stated in words.
Music can express that which cannot be stated in words. That's true for any music.Rachmaninoff's music can express that which any other music cannot express !
The finale movement will always be permanently etched into my memory... Especially that almost cataclysmic ending at 22:53... Almost like the whole universe collapsing in on itself
Yes! The final two chords are utterly perfectly judged. It is hard to put into words how natural and appropriate they sound after the final rush of notes.
Horowitz is unique, incomparable and will always be! I heard him live several times, knew him personally and played his Steinway. No further comments are necessary. Absolutely immmortal!
His romantic sense of taking passages faster, slower, and leaning into dynamic changes so well makes me feel this piece in a whole new way. In a way I always needed to. Man. I wish I saw him live.
This is even more impressive than the 1968 Carnegie Hall recording. I'm sure Horowitz wasn't concerned with playing fast or loud, because you can see his intention: to instill every phrase with such rich emotions
Wow, changing from fortissimo to pianissimo and back to fortissimo from 5:00 till 6:00 into the piece, I've never heard such a range in sound from the piano in Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Sonata. Horowitz was a genius.
Im 15 yrs old and i wish i was born before,for see and hear live this great pianist..i would go all around the world for a Horowitz`s concert..most of today music can`t be called music..
Oh wow, how much classical music is a treasure... I'm also 15 years old right now, I wish I was older so I could better experience this sensation, 7 years later, the popular music now is even more harsh...
I'm 59 and wish I had heard Rachmaninoff and Hoffman perform live (but I did get to see Horowitz twice at Chicago's Orchestra Hall; once in 1979, and then again in 1980; also got to hear Serkin, Brendel, Pollini, Ashkenazy, Radu Lupu, Ponti, Abbey Simon, etc.). And then there's plenty of folks who heard Rachmaninoff and Hoffman who wish they'd heard Chopin and Liszt. And Chopin probably wished he'd heard Mozart and Bach. So, I guess we all have to appreciate the musicians of our time. Because surely somebody in the future will look back at our time and say, "I wish I had lived in the 2020 years because then I could have heard Hamelin and/or Trifonov. So there are still great pianists today and we must appreciate all of them.
@dawn dawn, I remember when Horowitz died. I was in grad school and I walked into the DNA research lab where I was conducting my investigations. One of my fellow lab workers, Lorri, had cut the article out of the newspaper and showed it to me as she knew I play piano and loved classical music. She asked me, "Did you know who this was?" That was when I found out Horowitz had passed.
As a boy of 10 years old, Horowitz gave a recital for Scriabin in 1915. Scriabin is fantastic stuff; he skips a lot of the intro and end of pieces, a kind of shorthand he uses. I have Horowitz's recordings of Scriabin. Really great recordings. Such modern pieces and over 100 years old, and still sounds modern.
Simply amazing performance by a legend, on his Steinway handkerchief holder. The high notes on this piano ring like bells, the low notes are rich, powerful and clear but not overwhelming. With Horowitz's technique, and his intimate knowledge of the music and its composer, the effect is magic.
Who gives a damn about a few mistakes when the music playing is great? Small minded people who are jealous of geniuses who attain world fame and renown and great musical accomplishment as Horowitz did. He did not get away with anything, and he did not interpret as you say he did. His greatness resided in the fact that he performed the music exactly as Rachmaninoff dreamed it, lesser "less lazy" note perfectionists interpreted and played the music as lesser than it was
Nowadays, there are some very fine pianists who can do both. It's much more small-minded to assume that Rachmaninoff would not have liked the interpretations of others ;) and I don't see how it is jealousy to opine that others have surpassed Horowitz's interpretation. Something everyone also seems to miss is that Rachmaninoff died in 1943, forty-five years before Horowitz did. Horowitz played very differently in his old age to when he was younger (he was 40 when Rachmaninoff died! How old is he here?)-and he played much better, in my humble opinion, when he was younger.
For an example, look for Horowitz's interpretations of Rachmaninoff's Op. 39 No. 5 from 1962 and 1975 and compare. In just 13 years, his interpretation changed that much. In terms of tone quality, dynamics, and yes, accuracy, I certainly know which one I prefer.
I love how he’s never afraid to take a bit more time over things- bass notes at 22:31 and 12:57 just stood out to me. He takes a breath without letting it interrupt the flow of the music. Masterful.
This is just so much better than anything else on the internet... Hamilton, Lugansky the lot just aren't comparable. Wish he was still around to play like that... and this is it him not at his best
This piece just has monster written all over it, I'm not sure what the other you tubers are not hearing as far as melody. What I'm hearing is amazing, I've never heard anyone else play it with such electricity.
@@franksmith541 ah- i was just about to comment this! it feels as though (and forgive me for saying this) kocsis had a better understanding about this piece
@@evslol1153 Horowitz was not his best during this phase, over medicated and alcohol a bad combination. Wanda refused to accompany V.H. He knew, but miracles happen. Then he cleaned up his act and we have his final years, the home videos, Moscow return, Vienna, Hamburg, Mozart Concerto etc,,,,
Great interpretation, the very first line is absolutely mesmerising. You can hear the whole piece very clearly. He doesn't rush through it, he takes time and makes the music clear. The adagio as a composition itself is wonderful, sounds like an elegy. And the ending is a wonderful contrast to the thundering first movement, reminiscent of Rachmaninov's piano concerto finales.
I have never heard such playing - even from the greatest of today and yesteryears! Where did he find the strength and endurance - and indescribable feeling moments - to play like this at his age. Truly a remarkable achievement!! No one today - and there are many great ones - can play like this. I just wish the ads did not interrupt this marvelous playing.
I actually like Horowitz's version of the second movement more than both versions of this Sonata. I think that it flows much more nicely, still retaining all the most beautiful parts.
Of all of VH's Rach 2 mashups, this is by far my favorite version. The second movement "mathematically works" better than his other versions. The whole piece feels much more structurally sound to me.
23:oo on--He really was the greatest. In his face: "I'm coming down the home stretch of this marathon...not bad for an old man...I really loved Rachmaninoff and his music".
Thank you so much for this video!!! I have listened so many times to the 1968 recording. And now there is a video. Horowitz's playing really changed through the years, for example at the beginning, he plays much slower. Again, thank you very much and keep up your great work.
I'm not crazy about this sonata but Horowitz always made/makes you listen until the ending. He could make any composition sound digestible, interest, more interesting than it was/is, and always really convincing and beautiful. Bravo Maestro!!!
Not being crazy about this sonata just means you haven't listened to it enough :) I used to be the same, but it has definitely grown on me ( A lot like Wagner's music ). Try listening to Alexander Malofeev's
@@thierryranger2230 I have listened to it enough to know that I'm not crazy about it :) I listened to it again because it's Horowitz. Time is precious I prefer to listen to something that doesn't have to grow on me. Something I really like... Alexander is a talented young pianist. He does interesting things for his age...
@therightmusic7639 I am with you on this sonata. However, I had this performance on a VHS tape and watched it many, many times. It has stood for me as an ideal (for decades now!)of a great creative genius at work in actual performance. Horowitz's focus, depth of understanding, freedom, and imagination are all so inspiring to me. BTW, many years ago I got a chance to play the very piano Horowitz used in this recital. It didn’t feel anything like what I expected. It was quite heavy and didn’t sound under my fingers anything like what you hear here! : )
f1f1s It was Rachmaninoff, himself, who allowed Vladimir Horowitz to combine the 1913 & 1931 versions of his 2nd Sonata. They were really good friends, when he did this, and this, as a matter of fact, was important to Rachmaninoff. as well as Horowitz.
Es como si fuera el mismo Rachmaninov tocando este estallido y romanticismo . Estupenda versión.... la mejor versión de la historia. Tendría que renacer Rach otra vez para superar eso. Nadie más hace esto como Horowitz.
Such magnificent music, such a brilliant performance! When you start to consider what went into this work... two incredible musical minds -- Rachmaninoff and Horowitz. The genius of the composition... a stunning interpretation... even memorizing such a work is a feat of genius.
Amazing, truly fascinating to see the dynamics change so fast and beautifully. Truly a genius. But I must say that this is quite surprising, I don't know how he didn't break a few strings here and there playing this loud honestly
I mean this in total seriousness: Watching Horowitz play is a piano lesson for me. I learn so many things. I have to be mentally and emotionally prepared for it because it's otherwise like drinking from a firehose.
Truly a GREAT piece, and, obviously, a TRULY great performance. I bought the Columbia live cording of Horowitz playing this piece in the 1970s. I listened to it nearly every day for months, until I could har the whole thing in my head. This is epoch-naking, life-changing music. For me.
Mind blowing A full exposition of the possibilities of pianistic technical feats Must be an ordeal to master,but always passionate and alive and very strong
He literally said that he can either play it musically with mistakes or not very musically and play every note perfect. I can relate to this, actually, though obviously I'm not nearly as good. So, yes, I'd say he definitely prioritized communication over technical precision.
You can always differ technical flaws from splashes , like here, by sound quality. If it's well founded , but you hear wrong notes here and there , you'll always forgive it. And vice versa- if the pianist doesn't feel the bottom with his fingers, you always hear it, and understand he's technical difficulties.
11 ปีที่แล้ว +8
A melodia dissolvida é sugerida como o açúcar na água. A harmonia passa a existir paralela, porém, não ligada diretamente ao canto que se insinua. As dissonâncias se compõe como uma agonia sempre presente, numa época que a alma já passou e se lembra apenas como flashes de um sonho. Lindo.
Quando Lui suona, una infinita tavolozza di colori ti avvolge... Ondate cromatiche ti colpiscono, ti accarezzano e ti percuotono, ti baciano e ti schiaffeggiano....altro non puoi fare che, immobile, ascoltare, stupirti, spaventarti, chiederti in quale Universo ti sei proiettato, in quale fantastico Mondo ti sei perduto , Spettatore Innocente!
Да...В свои годы этот человек совершил артистический подвиг сыграв так Сонату Рахманинова, как никто еще не играл (даже в наше время я ничего подобного не слышал). С таким блеском и размахом! Фантастика какая-то...время не властно над этим великим артистом, Владимиром Горовцем!
One can watch this performance again and again add somehow be transported by the clarity of melody and the " on the edge" delivery. Perhaps Vladimir is the only pianist who somehow overrides any slight mishap or indiscretion without it making a jot of difference!
I attended this recital and the one the following week which was neither recorded or broadcast. We now know that Horowitz was not in good health at the time and possibly on medication that affected his playing. The consensus is that his playing improved by the time he made his return to Moscow. The best things in this recital were the Scarlatti sonatas. The following week (still at the RFH) Horowitz gave a rare but amazing performance of the Liszt second Ballade. It's possible that my change of seat for the second performance affected my judgement but I felt that these performances were distinctly better. Nevertheless both occasions were intensely special. There was a palpable air of anticipation in the air that I have not felt before or since. I queued for tickets for 36 hours and the shared thoughts amongst those waiting were special in themselves.
an eccentric and messy performance alright. I'd pay not a few debtbucks to hear a recording of Horowitz playing this piece at the height of his powers, say, the early 1950's. Alas, there is none
David Luck The "Horowitz plays Rachmaninov and Liszt" CD (I actually own the vinyl recording so I assume it is the same), was a much better played version of the Rachmaninov B flat Sonata. I recommend checking that out.
sober, coherent and restrained interpretation of a work that few know as Vlad. Whereas it was not at its best even today is excellent and no Korean pianist could aproach him.
In this video(London 1892) he is playing a mashup of Rachmaninoff’s original and revised version of the No.2 Sonata, and it works perfectly well. He has his own unique way to understand and interpret Rachmaninoff’s works as always. Edit: Some time pins 2:007:20 Very beautiful sub-themes of 1st movement 12:10 - 13:15 The most beautiful part 20:4722:57 is literally bombardment
The first time I have watched this particular piece of music, Horowitz (despite old age)is formidable at the keys...I'm dying to find any (if exist) of his first performances when he was in his prime, it will be a thrill to watch.
This is great! How does one memorize almost a half hour's worth on notes and perform it so smoothly and elegantly with such poise ill never know. I can agree that there are few mistakes, but all songs played can produce mistakes and the man is 78! I dont see a lot of 70 year old men playing this much music... I like it!! Thumbs up! 5 stars! Now back to listening....
I reckon that's exactly how he worked. Some people get picky about his "mistakes" but I think those "mistakes" are a consequence of him fully internalising it and "owning" it. Better to own it with mistakes, than to merely imitate it (however accurately) IMO!
I tried playing this piece it is something worth working at....And there is a lovely melancholic sound that is therapeutic to the ear, in its healing qualities....Hard to explain but although haunting at first more as being drip fed some marvellous drizzle essence that sparkles in ones head
I was there! In a £10 seat up in what's now called the balcony. Excellent atmosphere- if I recall Charles and Diana were there, and Horowitz played the National Anthem when he first came on stage.
Wonderful contrasts, and, of course virtuosity. And I just heard an extraordinary-and often different-conception of this piece recently posted, performed by Sidney Foster, in the 1970s.
That second movement brought me to tears. That is real music, interpreted by a real musician. It made me feel things that I didn't even know I could feel.
Any one who has naysayed this icon in piano history should and must listen to this performance; it is an ultimate in terms of musical and physical perfection and attainment; it demonstrates the dark and fully passionate long suffering Russian soul in its fullness of joy and sorrow. Horowitz at his best was a wizard, sorcerer, very great musician and greater than great pianist. His Scriabin and Rachmaninoff performances are in their own marvelous way absolutely incomparable.
Very special. THe made this piece to be understandable. If somebody want to be critical for this video, do it against Rachmaninoff not Horowitz. This piece has the maximal quality up to this level. Even this quality was possible because of this marvelous pianist.
Una gran transcripción (pese a ser solo un puñado de compases) la sensación exacta de que Horowitz escribió lo que en realidad le faltaba a esta sonata.
This performance contains many different variations of his, which didn't appear in his other renditions. Definitely not simply smush the two editions. I particularly like that he highlights the Chopin polonaise part in the second movement. That one choice is so brilliant.
@@ianmoore5502 don’t know whether you still are interested, but it is somewhere between 13:23-14:00. This part is from the first edition that pays homage to Chopin polonaise. It’s removed from the second edition
Do you really mean that Horowitz played this sonata BETTER in 1982 than in 1968????? And do you really mean that the Rachmaninov second sonata is GREATER than Beethoven op. 110 or 111??????
20:50 - 20:55
Went from FFFF to PPP. Man, I love Vladimir Horowitz .
his trade mark
I can go from ffff to pppp playing as loud as possible to... playing as quiet, so not playing at all.
@Bacn momenr
@Schuyler Bacn ok
He made the piano sound like an orchestra, and could even drown out an orchestra in ffff passagework. Sitting under the belly of the piano in the middle of the first row in Symphony Hall some forty years ago and hearing him play the E Flat Etude Tableau of Rachmaninoff, I was seized by the rapture of the glorious symphonic sound he tossed off, and I knew that I would never hear any piano playing remotely like that again. And I never have. The memory is a total rapture frozen in time forever.
You’re a lucky bastard
I THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO HEAR HIM LIVE IN PERSON !
You do know that his piano was specially voiced to be extra brilliant, don't you? And the NY Steinway already has a brighter sound than the Hamburg. Once, his technician refused to shave off any more felt off the hammers, as per Horowitiz's request. Horowitz got a lot of power from his back and shoulders, but he also got a lot of help from his super bright piano.
@@Highinsight7
I have been truly blessed to have heard -- and met -- Volodya, Rubinstein AND Van! All three great, immortal artists, and amazing men! ❤💯🎼🎵🎶🎹💯👍
ffff is fortissisimo basically playing as loud as possible right? I’m learning playing styles right now and this video is great for the change in emotion.
About Horowitz, Sergei Rachmaninov himself once said: "He plays my second sonata better than his composer."
As Horowitz once corrected an interviewer during an interview... "Third Concerto, yeah. Yeah he liked my playing."
@@fellipegalacho1874 That's more accurate, yes - I know Horowitz effectively shrugged it off and almost looked like he wasn't comfortable with or didn't like the praise he was receiving. Just shows how much respect Vladimir had for Rachmaninoff in my opinion that he acknowledged but didn't say anything further.
Honestly, rachmaninoff was a very Humble and insecure man. Honestly, when i heard Rachmaninoff play the concerto himself, it was magical. Smth i had never felt before. Rachmaninoff's performance of his 3rd piano concerto is i believe the best one i have ever heard. Rachmaninoff May have said that Horowitz played it better, but i disagree
@@gwaynebrouwn844 I agree. Rachmaninoff was notoriously insecure about his talents, and probably quite a modest man even then. I far prefer his interpretations to those of Horowitz.
@@Maffchops Yes! It was Charles Kuralt of CBS the Maestro corrected prior to the Moscow concert in 1986.
He is the supreme master of sonorities. As Isaac Stern said of him: "With two notes he could produce twenty colours." And his ability to create "the singing line" is matchless. There are not enough superlatives to describe his playing.
Debatable in these modern times.
No, Itzhak Perlman.
@@TimMik135 modern pianists don't even come close to these legends
He played this piece so wonderfully despite feeling unwell. Amazing man. I am always such an enormous Horowitz fan.
This was at London's Festival Hall in 1982.Prince Charles was in the audience.
Thank you for sharing that
@Herbert Hall his unwellness was still controlled, luckily
Of all the pianists that I've heard, few are truly incredible. But Horowitz is on a whole other plane. His playing somehow transcends beyond anything I thought possible, and I'm constantly astonished any time I hear his playing. "Incredible" is nowhere near enough to describe him. I honestly don't understand how someone could even compare Horowitz to any other pianist, living or dead. He is by far my favorite pianist, musician, artist, of all time, maybe next to Rachmaninoff as a composer. Horowitz + Rachmaninoff is bliss.
Heard him live in Massey Hall, Toronto, back in the mid 1970's. I was lucky to get a stage seat, so I was only 15 ' from him, looking at his hands the entire concert. It felt like he was giving me a personal recital.
1981 - I was there. He did another unrecorded concert exactly a week later.
Please tell us your experience of this recital. It must have been incredible to be there in person.
David Saturz Agreed
@@GZ9090 I was there as well. It was 1982, not 1981. We now know that Horowitz was already in serious decline, leading to his disastrous 1983 Japan tour and complete disappearance in 1984, before reemerging triumphantly (and healthy!) in 1985. But this was not necessarily evident at the time. The magnetism of his musicianship was strongly in evidence. The Chopin F minor Ballade will stay with me forever. I don't think it's been played as impressively since Joseph Hofmann. The Liszt Ballade was deeply moving and incredibly atmospheric. Horowitz simply speaks Liszt's language, more than any other musician I had (and since have) ever heard. I experienced the concert as immensely exhausting because I was so concentrated on every detail of H's interpretations. He demanded that kind of total concentration.
There was perhaps a certain melancholy or nostalgic air about this recital that was not present in the prior Horowitz recital I attended in May 1978, where he seemed completely sharp and completely in charge. In the 1982 recital, there was a certain mistiness about it all, even in the greatest crescendos and eruptions. Alfred Brendel, whom I remember seeing in the audience, later complained to the German music critic Joachim Kaiser that Horowitz had mostly played "sfumato."
I also heard him in Paris in November 1985, when all the haze of 1982 was blown away and he was as sharp as a young man, but with the infinite experience of the old virtuoso.
David Saturz The first memory is queueing many weeks before to get tickets for this, the first concert, and the unbroadcast one a week later. I waited some 20 odd hours and the atmosphere was wonderful amongst those present as we were all keen followers and mostly musicians. I went to the first concert and sat behind the piano to the left of Horowitz, as seen here. It was hard to stay calm, my wife at that time had no knowledge of Horowitz or any true understanding of his importance. I don’t think I had the best sound behind the piano. It was unfocused and seemed to exaggerate Horowitz’s already generous pedalling. This Rachmaninov sounds better than I remember as a result!
It was so hard to focus on the day - it was something like people must feel after winning a lottery. The following week was better in all these ways and I attended with my mother who ‘got’ Horowitz to the extent she painted a simple picture afterwards! In both concerts Horowitz played the same Scarlatti sonatas and these were very successful. The Liszt 2nd Ballade from the 2nd concert was full of the sound world that I associated with Horowitz so this too remains in the memory. I had the 1966 performance of this Rachmaninov in my head so I was fast making allowances for his age and later understood he had been on medication that possibly detracted from the playing.
All in all those weeks were ones I shall never forget. They were undoubted highlights of my musical life.
such beautiful playing... by a man who KNEW Rachmaninoff... and whom RACHMANINOFF admired a GREAT deal...
I heard him perform this piece live in Boston in 1968. The audience was mesmerized. Other than his technical command, I was particularly impressed by his dynamic control, which was shared by very few other pianists.
Wow!!!
Amen!
Why nobody takes globalization into account, is beyond me. If you go back 30, 40, 50 years ago, you'll see that there was very few of everything, because nobody knew about anything. Today I hear all the time people saying "Wow! Why haven't I heard of this composer until now??" Globalization, that's why. I bet my ass that back in the 50s, Eastern Europe (for example) was filled with excellent pianists who never got the chance to play globally, because there was Horowitz and a few others already, which was enough for the publishers and the media. Today people have the internet and can hear hundreds of performers performing the same piece and make their mind. I, for one, don't like Horowitz that much, because, while he had a great technique, he was bad at details and often delivers his music with countless mistakes (1-2 is cute). It's sad that he continues to top the charts, and everyone else is basically ignoring every new talent. Fossils.
u lucky one, i wish i`ve heard Horowitz live ..
@@alanpotter8680"To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable." - Mad Man Beethoven.
0:07 - I. Allegro agitato
10:11 - II. Non allegro - Lento
16:50 - III. L'istesso tempo - Allegro molto
[23:05 - Applause]
Nice now i can listen to the applaude on repeat
I attended that very recital (London May 1982). What else can be said of the iconic Horowitz that has'nt already been said?
I consider myself to have been one of the privileged few in the UK.
When I was a young pianist I so wanted to hear him in person. Never got the chance, but so thrilled to find this recording.
I was there. In the 50's and 60's I went to every Horowitz concert I could afford. I served tables, shelved library books, taught students, painted houses... It was all worth it. What a true musical genius and giant ! Whatever you do in life, spend your few dollars on great performances that will last your lifetime.
When I was your age, I discovered Rachmaninoff's music for the first time. I tell you, Rachmaninoff's music will stay with you for a lifetime, during your high times and your low times. His music, to quote Hugo, can express that which cannot be stated in words.
Music can express that which cannot be stated in words. That's true for any music.Rachmaninoff's music can express that which any other music cannot express !
Is 19 too late to discover this
@@vijaykrishnan7797 so X
E
@@000Crete ?
The finale movement will always be permanently etched into my memory... Especially that almost cataclysmic ending at 22:53... Almost like the whole universe collapsing in on itself
Yes! The final two chords are utterly perfectly judged. It is hard to put into words how natural and appropriate they sound after the final rush of notes.
Как это можно играть по памяти😒
Horowitz is unique, incomparable and will always be! I heard him live several times, knew him personally and played his Steinway. No further comments are necessary. Absolutely immmortal!
So lucky!
I am so jealous, yet happy for you, One of my life's regrets
You must have some special hidden talents as well to be part of his League.
@@michaeltaylor4752 damn
There, there now. There's better talent today. Don't become fanboys.
His romantic sense of taking passages faster, slower, and leaning into dynamic changes so well makes me feel this piece in a whole new way. In a way I always needed to. Man. I wish I saw him live.
One of the most beautiful things i ever heard
Horowitz puts music together in a completely new way. His originality is bottomless.
This is even more impressive than the 1968 Carnegie Hall recording. I'm sure Horowitz wasn't concerned with playing fast or loud, because you can see his intention: to instill every phrase with such rich emotions
Wow, changing from fortissimo to pianissimo and back to fortissimo from 5:00 till 6:00 into the piece, I've never heard such a range in sound from the piano in Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Sonata. Horowitz was a genius.
Im 15 yrs old and i wish i was born before,for see and hear live this great pianist..i would go all around the world for a Horowitz`s concert..most of today music can`t be called music..
Oh wow, how much classical music is a treasure... I'm also 15 years old right now, I wish I was older so I could better experience this sensation, 7 years later, the popular music now is even more harsh...
I'm 59 and wish I had heard Rachmaninoff and Hoffman perform live (but I did get to see Horowitz twice at Chicago's Orchestra Hall; once in 1979, and then again in 1980; also got to hear Serkin, Brendel, Pollini, Ashkenazy, Radu Lupu, Ponti, Abbey Simon, etc.). And then there's plenty of folks who heard Rachmaninoff and Hoffman who wish they'd heard Chopin and Liszt. And Chopin probably wished he'd heard Mozart and Bach. So, I guess we all have to appreciate the musicians of our time. Because surely somebody in the future will look back at our time and say, "I wish I had lived in the 2020 years because then I could have heard Hamelin and/or Trifonov. So there are still great pianists today and we must appreciate all of them.
@dawn dawn, I remember when Horowitz died. I was in grad school and I walked into the DNA research lab where I was conducting my investigations. One of my fellow lab workers, Lorri, had cut the article out of the newspaper and showed it to me as she knew I play piano and loved classical music. She asked me, "Did you know who this was?" That was when I found out Horowitz had passed.
As a boy of 10 years old, Horowitz gave a recital for Scriabin in 1915. Scriabin is fantastic stuff; he skips a lot of the intro and end of pieces, a kind of shorthand he uses. I have Horowitz's recordings of Scriabin. Really great recordings. Such modern pieces and over 100 years old, and still sounds modern.
Simply amazing performance by a legend, on his Steinway handkerchief holder. The high notes on this piano ring like bells, the low notes are rich, powerful and clear but not overwhelming. With Horowitz's technique, and his intimate knowledge of the music and its composer, the effect is magic.
There is so much joy in Horowitz's playing.
Vladimir Horowitz was a truly accomplished classical pianist who played so beautifully. I could listen to him all day❤️
Who gives a damn about a few mistakes when the music playing is great? Small minded people who are jealous of geniuses who attain world fame and renown and great musical accomplishment as Horowitz did. He did not get away with anything, and he did not interpret as you say he did. His greatness resided in the fact that he performed the music exactly as Rachmaninoff dreamed it, lesser "less lazy" note perfectionists interpreted and played the music as lesser than it was
Nowadays, there are some very fine pianists who can do both. It's much more small-minded to assume that Rachmaninoff would not have liked the interpretations of others ;) and I don't see how it is jealousy to opine that others have surpassed Horowitz's interpretation.
Something everyone also seems to miss is that Rachmaninoff died in 1943, forty-five years before Horowitz did. Horowitz played very differently in his old age to when he was younger (he was 40 when Rachmaninoff died! How old is he here?)-and he played much better, in my humble opinion, when he was younger.
For an example, look for Horowitz's interpretations of Rachmaninoff's Op. 39 No. 5 from 1962 and 1975 and compare. In just 13 years, his interpretation changed that much. In terms of tone quality, dynamics, and yes, accuracy, I certainly know which one I prefer.
I love how he’s never afraid to take a bit more time over things- bass notes at 22:31 and 12:57 just stood out to me. He takes a breath without letting it interrupt the flow of the music. Masterful.
This is just so much better than anything else on the internet... Hamilton, Lugansky the lot just aren't comparable.
Wish he was still around to play like that... and this is it him not at his best
This piece just has monster written all over it, I'm not sure what the other you tubers are not hearing as far as melody. What I'm hearing is amazing, I've never heard anyone else play it with such electricity.
I prefer the late Zoltan Kocsis in the uncut original version. Fingers of steel.
@@franksmith541 ah- i was just about to comment this! it feels as though (and forgive me for saying this) kocsis had a better understanding about this piece
@@evslol1153 Horowitz was not his best during this phase, over medicated and alcohol a bad combination.
Wanda refused to accompany V.H.
He knew, but miracles happen.
Then he cleaned up his act and we have his final years, the home videos, Moscow return, Vienna, Hamburg, Mozart Concerto etc,,,,
Great interpretation, the very first line is absolutely mesmerising. You can hear the whole piece very clearly. He doesn't rush through it, he takes time and makes the music clear. The adagio as a composition itself is wonderful, sounds like an elegy. And the ending is a wonderful contrast to the thundering first movement, reminiscent of Rachmaninov's piano concerto finales.
I have never heard such playing - even from the greatest of today and yesteryears! Where did he find the strength and endurance - and indescribable feeling moments - to play like this at his age. Truly a remarkable achievement!! No one today - and there are many great ones - can play like this. I just wish the ads did not interrupt this marvelous playing.
I actually like Horowitz's version of the second movement more than both versions of this Sonata. I think that it flows much more nicely, still retaining all the most beautiful parts.
Of all of VH's Rach 2 mashups, this is by far my favorite version. The second movement "mathematically works" better than his other versions. The whole piece feels much more structurally sound to me.
23:oo on--He really was the greatest. In his face: "I'm coming down the home stretch of this marathon...not bad for an old man...I really loved Rachmaninoff and his music".
20:55 the change in dynamics holy shit
Thank you so much for this video!!! I have listened so many times to the 1968 recording. And now there is a video. Horowitz's playing really changed through the years, for example at the beginning, he plays much slower.
Again, thank you very much and keep up your great work.
That's called an overflow of applause that just burst forth in sheer enthusiasm
The work of satan dwarfs this christian loving rubbish
I'm not crazy about this sonata but Horowitz always made/makes you listen until the ending. He could make any composition sound digestible, interest, more interesting than it was/is, and always really convincing and beautiful. Bravo Maestro!!!
Not being crazy about this sonata just means you haven't listened to it enough :) I used to be the same, but it has definitely grown on me ( A lot like Wagner's music ). Try listening to Alexander Malofeev's
@@thierryranger2230 I have listened to it enough to know that I'm not crazy about it :) I listened to it again because it's Horowitz. Time is precious I prefer to listen to something that doesn't have to grow on me. Something I really like... Alexander is a talented young pianist. He does interesting things for his age...
@@therightmusic7639 That's alright :) The music we like changes and evolves all the time anyway :)
@@thierryranger2230 Wise reply :)
@therightmusic7639 I am with you on this sonata. However, I had this performance on a VHS tape and watched it many, many times. It has stood for me as an ideal (for decades now!)of a great creative genius at work in actual performance. Horowitz's focus, depth of understanding, freedom, and imagination are all so inspiring to me.
BTW, many years ago I got a chance to play the very piano Horowitz used in this recital. It didn’t feel anything like what I expected. It was quite heavy and didn’t sound under my fingers anything like what you hear here! : )
f1f1s It was Rachmaninoff, himself, who allowed Vladimir Horowitz to combine the 1913 & 1931 versions of his 2nd Sonata. They were really good friends, when he did this, and this, as a matter of fact, was important to Rachmaninoff. as well as Horowitz.
Es como si fuera el mismo Rachmaninov tocando este estallido y romanticismo . Estupenda versión.... la mejor versión de la historia. Tendría que renacer Rach otra vez para superar eso. Nadie más hace esto como Horowitz.
Such magnificent music, such a brilliant performance! When you start to consider what went into this work... two incredible musical minds -- Rachmaninoff and Horowitz. The genius of the composition... a stunning interpretation... even memorizing such a work is a feat of genius.
Thank you for sharing. I cannot stop listening to his piano.
His dynamics! Soooo great!! I love Horowitz interpretations!
Amazing, truly fascinating to see the dynamics change so fast and beautifully. Truly a genius.
But I must say that this is quite surprising, I don't know how he didn't break a few strings here and there playing this loud honestly
I can't get enough of 21:34 it's so beautiful, and can only play that well by Horowitz himself.
Love it every time...absolutely brilliant!
I mean this in total seriousness: Watching Horowitz play is a piano lesson for me. I learn so many things. I have to be mentally and emotionally prepared for it because it's otherwise like drinking from a firehose.
Truly a GREAT piece, and, obviously, a TRULY great performance. I bought the Columbia live cording of Horowitz playing this piece in the 1970s. I listened to it nearly every day for months, until I could har the whole thing in my head. This is epoch-naking, life-changing music. For me.
Mind blowing A full exposition of the possibilities of pianistic technical feats Must be an ordeal to master,but always passionate and alive and very strong
Probably the most introspective and nuanced interpretation I have heard of this extraordinary piece played by an extraordinary artist.
He literally said that he can either play it musically with mistakes or not very musically and play every note perfect. I can relate to this, actually, though obviously I'm not nearly as good.
So, yes, I'd say he definitely prioritized communication over technical precision.
You can always differ technical flaws from splashes , like here, by sound quality. If it's well founded , but you hear wrong notes here and there , you'll always forgive it. And vice versa- if the pianist doesn't feel the bottom with his fingers, you always hear it, and understand he's technical difficulties.
A melodia dissolvida é sugerida como o açúcar na água. A harmonia passa a existir paralela, porém, não ligada diretamente ao canto que se insinua.
As dissonâncias se compõe como uma agonia sempre presente, numa época que a alma já passou e se lembra apenas como flashes de um sonho. Lindo.
So many feels from this music
Magnificent! His fingers are like "glued"to the piano.
Quando Lui suona, una infinita tavolozza di colori ti avvolge... Ondate cromatiche ti colpiscono, ti accarezzano e ti percuotono, ti baciano e ti schiaffeggiano....altro non puoi fare che, immobile, ascoltare, stupirti, spaventarti, chiederti in quale Universo ti sei proiettato, in quale fantastico Mondo ti sei perduto , Spettatore Innocente!
Да...В свои годы этот человек совершил артистический подвиг сыграв так Сонату Рахманинова, как никто еще не играл (даже в наше время я ничего подобного не слышал). С таким блеском и размахом! Фантастика какая-то...время не властно над этим великим артистом, Владимиром Горовцем!
Totalmente deacuerdo
Блестящий комментарий!
One can watch this performance again and again add somehow be transported by the clarity of melody and the " on the edge" delivery. Perhaps Vladimir is the only pianist who somehow overrides any slight mishap or indiscretion without it making a jot of difference!
I attended this recital and the one the following week which was neither recorded or broadcast. We now know that Horowitz was not in good health at the time and possibly on medication that affected his playing. The consensus is that his playing improved by the time he made his return to Moscow. The best things in this recital were the Scarlatti sonatas. The following week (still at the RFH) Horowitz gave a rare but amazing performance of the Liszt second Ballade. It's possible that my change of seat for the second performance affected my judgement but I felt that these performances were distinctly better. Nevertheless both occasions were intensely special. There was a palpable air of anticipation in the air that I have not felt before or since. I queued for tickets for 36 hours and the shared thoughts amongst those waiting were special in themselves.
an eccentric and messy performance alright. I'd pay not a few debtbucks to hear a recording of Horowitz playing this piece at the height of his powers, say, the early 1950's. Alas, there is none
David Luck
The "Horowitz plays Rachmaninov and Liszt" CD (I actually own the vinyl recording so I assume it is the same), was a much better played version of the Rachmaninov B flat Sonata. I recommend checking that out.
sober, coherent and restrained interpretation of a work that few know as Vlad. Whereas it was not at its best even today is excellent and no Korean pianist could aproach him.
He seems playing so effortlessly with ease.
In this video(London 1892) he is playing a mashup of Rachmaninoff’s original and revised version of the No.2 Sonata, and it works perfectly well. He has his own unique way to understand and interpret Rachmaninoff’s works as always.
Edit: Some time pins
2:00 7:20 Very beautiful sub-themes of 1st movement
12:10 - 13:15 The most beautiful part
20:47 22:57 is literally bombardment
The first time I have watched this particular piece of music, Horowitz (despite old age)is formidable at the keys...I'm dying to find any (if exist) of his first performances when he was in his prime, it will be a thrill to watch.
Amazing. What confidence and command of the instrument he has!
საოცრება,როგორც ყოველთვის უკვდავი გენიოსი,შეუდარებელი ჰოროვიცი
8:43 all the colours of a complete orchestra ...... unbelievable , and quite paranormal ... only "him" ....
21:30 to the end is magic, especially 22:20 to 22:30 - the dynamics!
This is great! How does one memorize almost a half hour's worth on notes and perform it so smoothly and elegantly with such poise ill never know. I can agree that there are few mistakes, but all songs played can produce mistakes and the man is 78! I dont see a lot of 70 year old men playing this much music... I like it!! Thumbs up! 5 stars! Now back to listening....
You made a few grammatical mistakes, i.e., the man WAS 78, not IS
78. And it's DON'T,
not DONT.
@@miltonmoore8369 you missed, “ill.”
What about pianists who have memorized all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas?
@@mikern2001 memorised all 32 Beethoven sonatas but are they musical performances that lift you out of your seat.
The Arrau performance of all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas does
Tremendous......The old virtuoso plays it like he owns it.
I reckon that's exactly how he worked. Some people get picky about his "mistakes" but I think those "mistakes" are a consequence of him fully internalising it and "owning" it. Better to own it with mistakes, than to merely imitate it (however accurately) IMO!
😭😭I cried
Thank you so much for this video.....Horowitz was so great !
This is amazing!
I tried playing this piece it is something worth working at....And there is a lovely melancholic sound that is therapeutic to the ear, in its healing qualities....Hard to explain but although haunting at first more as being drip fed some marvellous drizzle essence that sparkles in ones head
I was there!
In a £10 seat up in what's now called the balcony.
Excellent atmosphere- if I recall Charles and Diana were there, and Horowitz played the National Anthem when he first came on stage.
Wonderful contrasts, and, of course virtuosity. And I just heard an extraordinary-and often different-conception of this piece recently posted, performed by Sidney Foster, in the 1970s.
The master at work!
That second movement brought me to tears. That is real music, interpreted by a real musician. It made me feel things that I didn't even know I could feel.
My favorite version of my favorite piano piece
Any one who has naysayed this icon in piano history should and must listen to this performance; it is an ultimate in terms of musical and physical perfection and attainment; it demonstrates the dark and fully passionate long suffering Russian soul in its fullness of joy and sorrow. Horowitz at his best was a wizard, sorcerer, very great musician and greater than great pianist. His Scriabin and Rachmaninoff performances are in their own marvelous way absolutely incomparable.
Very special. THe made this piece to be understandable. If somebody want to be critical for this video, do it against Rachmaninoff not Horowitz. This piece has the maximal quality up to this level. Even this quality was possible because of this marvelous pianist.
Una gran transcripción (pese a ser solo un puñado de compases) la sensación exacta de que Horowitz escribió lo que en realidad le faltaba a esta sonata.
Fantastic!
12：15〜あたりからの盛り上がりの部分が泣けてくる！！
Yes bravo maestro thanks
Marvelous! Gorgeous! Wonderful!
Fabulous ! God blessed him in life, and our souls to hear his "vision" from Rach !!!
My favorite is the lento @ 10:12 . Just lovely!
Wow, that was just wow
Best version of this piece...
Nothing like this--the ecstatic!
Love the music of Rachmaninov and if Horowitz is playing then that is double the love for me....
The master at work......
He played with such simplicity and humility.
Merveilleux!
Прекрасно!! Бывают же такие гении!
This performance contains many different variations of his, which didn't appear in his other renditions. Definitely not simply smush the two editions. I particularly like that he highlights the Chopin polonaise part in the second movement. That one choice is so brilliant.
time stamp??
@@ianmoore5502 don’t know whether you still are interested, but it is somewhere between 13:23-14:00. This part is from the first edition that pays homage to Chopin polonaise. It’s removed from the second edition
He mixed parts from last and first version... But sounds is wonderfull... Great... Fantastic....
The greatest performance of the greatest piece by the greatest composer by the greatest pianist on the greatest instrument.
😂 exact!!! Yes!
Do you really mean that Horowitz played this sonata BETTER in 1982 than in 1968????? And do you really mean that the Rachmaninov second sonata is GREATER than Beethoven op. 110 or 111??????
@@ulfwernernielsen6708 yes, emphatically
@ulfwernernielsen6708 In my opinion, it is better than Op. 110 and is the equal Op. 111.
The performance of a lifetime!
In questa sonata si avverte pienamente la personalità romantica di Horowitz