Seymour Bernstein on Beethoven: Technique & Interpretation (Interview at the piano)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 พ.ย. 2021
- Join legendary pedagogue Seymour Bernstein for a fascinating and funny interview and lesson on Beethoven, hosted by tonebase Head of Piano Ben Laude.
Ben plays two beautiful slow movements for Seymour that bookend Beethoven's oeuvre: the early 'Adagio Cantabile' from his Pathetique Sonata, Op. 13, and the Bagatelle 'Andante, Cantabile e grazioso' from his final piano work, Op. 126.
Equal parts enlightening and entertaining, Seymour targets Ben's physical and expressive approach to interpreting Beethoven at the piano, searching for just the right rubato and helping him find the most poetic way to deliver each phrase.
To view the complete interview, as well as Bernstein's many repertoire lessons click here: www.tonebase.co/tonebase-pian...
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This is what a “masterclass” should be! Intimate, dynamic, and communicative. Not a “maestro” dictating to a muted student.
As a teacher I can say those lessons are so much more enjoyable to teach as well. I need to connect better with the more muted students.
Much more appreciable than the langlang guy
Yes, well ANYWAYS...
@@PeterBezemer HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Well. For that the student has to be already sufficiently capable to carry on a significant dialogue.
This is the closest to a Jedi master in real life. What a fantastic lesson.
Isn't that Obi-wan Kenobi on the left?
@@c.a.g.3130 you must be confused. He's the old Ben Kenobi 🤫
@@JoolsGuitar My bad.
@@c.a.g.3130 🤣
Holy lmao please see my comment. I said the same but the opposite 🤪
"Hey! You didn't hear my bassoon come in!" Hahaha golden
Let's not forget he prefers it dry also
"Fatal error!" "What should my punishment be?" 🤣
I think he meant bazooka.
@@ezra6094 Got real Mozart from film Amadeus there.
Currently mindblown by the fact that there are only 100 years between Beethoven's death and Bernstein's birth. Thanks for yet another lovely, soulful, entertaining, encouraging and deeply informative masterclass ❤
Can we talk about how absolutely stunning this piano sounds and how awesome this is recorded?
Yes Jim, it does sound remarkably rich and vibrant.
This piano does sound totally awesome and resonant! Very impressive recoding.
Any idea of the model?
@@philippebertrand3820 its the SoundMaster 2000
No
"This is the dryness. It's very upsetting."
ROFL. Never will I ever let Seymour Bernstein hear MY playing.
I know this comment is a year old, but I believe he teaches in a way that tells me he is very aware of skills the student has. He is correcting him because he knows he can do it.
It's both intimidating and inspiring to watch Ben Laude, a better pianist than I will ever be, improve and refine both his technique and his musicianship, under the tutelage of a master teacher. The obvious affection these two have for each other makes the lesson a joy to watch. Thank you, tonebase Piano! More Ben and Seymour, please! :-)
Especially if we get moments like the one at 13:27. That is unmitigated joy for me.
My thoughts exactly. Here I’ve been practicing this very piece for weeks and then discover this video of someone playing way better than I ever will getting instructed by some senior to him. I’d have payed money to watch this video.
He is good, but he is not Horowitz or Argerich or Sokolov. Saying things like "a better pianist than I will ever be" is one way to put limits on your potential and make sure that you never will be that good. Why limit yourself?
@@tomrose2086 I don’t consider it as a limitation. Music is merely a hobby to me and I know that I won’t ever have the patience to practise enough to become a real musician.
@@tomrose2086 And why put limits to people's priorities? I can assure you, Ben - and probably you and the OP - are better pianists than _I_ will ever be, because I'm in my 50s, I practice in fits and starts (and I mean months or years, not 'every other day') as other things take up my time and I'm not interested in having a second/third/whateverth career as a pianist. That takes nothing away from my enjoyment at seeing and hearing others play far better than me.
“You want to play Beethoven your way, I will play it his way.” That’s it.
Except that no one actually knows "his way", do they?
This comment was originally made by Dame Myra Hess in response to how Bach was being played in her day (by a younger Gould of course)… so she answered with “You play Bach your way, I’ll play Bach his way.”
Not to Gould, of course, but it was a clear dig at his new form of Bach playing and fans of it.
@@ulengrau6357 It's Wanda Landowska
though isn't it?
@@Eliza-yd7fi Was it??? I think you're right!!!
I disengage the safety everytime I hear this. What we know of Beethoven's playing, there is not a soul who plays like him these days.
This video makes me realize that no matter how great you become at an instrument, you'll always find details to improve and drive yourself mad with, when to everyone else hearing you, it sounds fantastic.
And since that's how it goes with the instrumentalist...you can imagine how it is for the composer (note the Beethoven sketches with all the scratch-outs, lol Talk about near-madness in some of those small details of his conception!)
With Beethoven, the challenge and approach is Perpetual.
Ah but as this exchange makes so clear, this is beyond mastery of the instrument, it's about understanding the piece. Interpretation is overrated, play it as the composer intended it to be heard.
@@ralphclark as an artist there’s always a NEW way beyond the confines of “the composer’s intentions”.
@@hastensavoir7782
What you are saying could just as well be understood as "there's always a way to fuck it up and pervert the composer's intention".
If I buy a jazz rendering that's something else. But if I buy a recording of a classical performance I am buying the piece that was originally published and I expect it to be performed by somebody who fully understood what the composer meant. The difference is like night and day.
That Chopin story at the end was pure gold. It proves there's no one correct interpretation. Playing expressively and true to ourselves should be the goal.
So good. My students sometimes play their pieces, and I cheer them with joy. Then they look at me, "but I messed up right here...". I tell them that the reading isn't what really mattered. 😄
@@VexylObby Good teacher
I agree!
This. It's not about finding that one true interpretation necessarily, but to get intimate with the music to the point where it sends you somewhere.
@@r.g.j.leclaire8963 yea I think this is different tbh. Seymour was talking about the right and wrong way of pedaling Beethoven. Its like over-pedaling in Baroque or playing Romantic composers extremely dry with no pedal. There are general guidelines that need to be followed that fit the era of music and the instruments they used. And also one needs to pay respect to the score and honor the composer and what they wanted. But even after those things, there is a lot of room to interpret the music as you connect to it. Phrasing, rubato, dynamics can all be individualized to some extent or another. Which is why Chopin's student was upset, because he wanted to play it exactly like Chopin did, but soon realized depending on the day and the mood, it can be interpreted slightly differently every day. And we all have our own subjective preferences on which interpretations we like and connect to more.
Imagine being Seymour’s piano tech, routinely solving stuff none of your other customers require.
"Seymour, why are all your D note hammers lying around the floor?"
When a pianist places under the microscope the nuances of a select few notes and isolates them for technique and meaning, it can become overwhelming. Transferring that level of detail to every textural element and employing the same scrutiny to every measure in the piece seems impossible. But that is what we are called to do as musicians, and our audience has no idea how difficult it is to play the instrument, serve the composer, and communicate the artistry of the music.
Thank you for articulating this! 😊 Well said. Happy Holidays!
You can really hear the difference after he instructs him to change things. I love that the younger guy doesnt get offended either. Awesome video! :D
Well yes because he’s changing his style doesn’t mean it’s better
because Ben laude is a professional and nobody is good enough at anything to have nothing to learn… at this level everyone is learning and teaching, there is a way to play Beethoven as the man himself did, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the correct way to play it… isn’t art great
@@walterlowe7252 Yes definitely, I agree with you.
Both sides should be professional :D
The immediate "FATAL ERROR" got me😂
The next attempt in a crescendo is mind boggling!
My piano teacher used to say "play with energy not power." It took me several years to get it and he never tried to explain it. He just said "you'll know when you're doing it." The moment I paused my playing after a Forte passage we both knew that I'd finally got it. He proclaimed it with a wry smile. It made playing softly make more sense too.
Didn’t explain it because he didn’t know what he meant by it😂
@@JohnSmith-oe5kx lol I think he knew what it meant it's just not something you can physically describe. He instantly knew what it sounded like.
@@L.C.Sweeney Fair enough, but I am sure that some sort of guidance would have been helpful! I admit to using allusive language when trying to convey musical ideas to my daughter (my only pupil). She tends to understand what I mean because we tend to operate on the same wavelength most of the time.
@@L.C.Sweeney I think it's definitely something you can physically describe. Although I couldn't do it, lol. Something about allocating arm weight, not freely dropping, only using what's necessary to go into the key (not pressing), rotation, etc. but I can't describe it exactly.
It looks like the student is humoring Seymour and Seymour is disregarding it. I wish I had teachers like that. They are one in a million.
I was brought to tears as Seymour taught this piece as beautifully rich and more meaningful than the notes on paper alone express. Profound and wonderful.
Beautiful Sentiments!
Music to my ears!
He didn't do it correctly but ok
I'm not quite certain why but this video almost makes me cry. He is such a warm and passionate teacher and musician I suppose. Or maybe it's his no nonsense approach that has zero anger and no hint of belittlement.
The subtle and respectful manner of the student's anger towards himself not fullfilling the teacher's hopes. Using it to make himself better, instead of giving up.
This is like a religious encounter through the form of music.
It's indescribably beautiful to me and I appreciate everyone involved in this video.
No hint of belittlement LOL
Probably some pent up energy. (Past encounters of similar environments but where the "social" dynamic wasn't this respectful and "mutual".)
Or a musing of cycles of nature, generations passing on a slight resolve to yonger ones... The mind grasps a certain sense of futility in the individual, that progress is essentially an empathic process and you transcend the individual.
@@darkstudios001 - maybe you are interpreting that through a different lens...maybe through past interactions with authoritarian teachers. I am pretty sure you don't get to be his student, unless he already deeply, deeply respects your ability. I think that is the pervasive context, an atmosphere of great respect...and then, within that, you know, a bit of wit to carry off the instruction. But no real demeaning attitude, just a bit of wit.
96years old .. unbelievable ♥️
This man is a national treasure
I don't even play piano and I can listen to this man all day... I love to hear the thoughts and philosophy of truly Master musicians
can we have Seymour every week please... love him so much
"The dryness is... Very upsetting." 13:50
Haha, the way he said that, and Ben's "tsk" had me cracking up.
I have to say the pianist (younger) is a very sensitive and skilled interpreter that I could listen to for hours. The master obviously has a job to do, to make this excellent playing even better, and he does.
I feel like I just spent time with a grandfather I never had. What a fantastic video
The "clarinet" and "bassoon" sections were beautifully handled.
This is gold. This is an "expensive knowledge".. Thanks for this video and educate all people about piano and classical music
Wow!!! What I'm learning after 62 years chasing after the piano!!!
When maestro touches his hands when he is playing, I'm in tears. There is no greater love than art.
Good student + Good teacher = Transcendental lesson ❤
These two have one heck of a chemistry and understanding!
Absolutely the most interesting "masterclass" I've ever seen. I loved how the "student" in this case really pushed back. May Bernstein be blessed with a long life!
The theory/logic behind such a simple concept of playing softly on the piano is amazing. I've played piano for many years, but this interview is mind blowing. Makes me love piano all over again.
its incredible how he's obsessed over these tiny tiny details for what Id imagine is decades and decades, and it shows. though the young guy played it beautifully, Seymour played it absolutely perfectly
Here is Chopin's quotation on page 126 in a footnote of p 56:
"Peru experienced this especially with op. 15/2, according to what he told Ludwika
Ostrzynska (p. 3): 'Over six months I played this Nocturne at Chopin's and every time I
began to play it as Chopin had shown me at my previous lesson, he would sit down at the
piano himself, saying "But it's not that at all!", and he would play it completely differently
from the time before.'"
P. 56 text:
I am entirely indebted to him for the ever-different expression he taught me
to obtain in my playing of his works. That is why I so often wept after having
worked on one of his pieces which he would then play for me; to show me the
style, he would make me hear it in an entirely different way from the previous
time. And yet it was wonderful each time! [ ... ] How often have I seen him
rise from the couch where he was lying and take my place at the piano in order
to play, as he felt it, the piece that I had played - badly - that is to say, in an
entirely different manner, though I had worked long and hard on it! That
finished the lesson, for I did not want to forget this experience to which I had
so religiously listened. At the following lesson, almost satisfied with the
imitative fashion in which I had worked on the piece, I would play it again.
Unfortunately, when I had finished, Chopin, once again stretched on his
Technique and style
couch, would rise and, with a brusque reprimand, seat himself at the piano,
saying, 'Listen, this is how it should go', and he would proceed to play it yet
again in an entirely different way.ll3 I could respond only with tears to this
demonstration which in no way resembled the first one. Discouragement
filled my whole being. Then he felt sorry for me, saying, 'It was almost good,
only not the way I feel it.'
Do you mind sharing the title of the book?
@@christianjanes972 Chopin : Pianist and Teacher : As Seen by his Pupils by Jean - Jacques Eigeldinger.
Captain oh captain, thank you very much!
@Arturo’s Michelangeli Chopin did play LVB' sonata op. 26 "Funeral march". It's very natural that he did teach Beethoven alongside with Bach, Mozart or even Hummel.
I don't have enough superlatives to say how wonderful, fascinating and entertaining this video was. Mr. Bernstein is an awesome teacher and Ben Laude is a great pianist and great host.
He knows about every tone and every note. Such a profesorship! Really a grandmaster!
How is this free? This is some of the most valuable content on all of TH-cam. Wow.
Shhhhhh j/k
:P
What a treasure to find this. Ben Laude is incredible and Bernstein is funny and amazing with each and every comment.
For those of us who are not so intimately involved with the nuances of piano performance, this is an eye ( ear? ) opener !
Who knew ??
These videos with Mr. Bernstein reach my inner soul and touch me deeply. The humanity he brings to the music is palpable. It's like Beethoven is whispering in his ear while he's teaching.
So magnificent to watch, even for a non-pianist 🥲
I do not understand how this channel does not have over 500k subscribers. The camera detail captures the social expressiveness between the two is profoundly good.
Of all of Beethoven's works, this sonata is the truest representation of his soul. It's both romantic and haunting, soft yet powerful.
pathetique sonata
Not a song. A sonata.
I find many all of his pieces have this similar thing about powerful and beautiful, soft and strong, he's by far my favorite classical composer
From 16:05 to 16:15 for me, the difference in the way you played it felt so much more alive. Got chills hearing it that time around. It's amazing how much dynamics can add to the emotion of a piece.
8:50 “in principle, I am not against anything”.
That’s the difference with Bernstein. He is very clear on trying to pursue author’s intent first. Not “anything goes” or “I will do what I like” approach.
The piano..what a exceedingly beautiful instrument.
Beautiful work and words, i learned a lot just by listening you two
"you play Beethoven your way, and Ill play Beethoven His way" best part :)
I keep coming back to this video because these Pathetique passages (after Seymour’s corrections) are just about the best I’ve ever heard. Ben, please give us a full recording of the sonata!
the build up and break down as I hear it ebbs and flows with my breath and it inspires me so much! Really appreciate their sense of humor as well, amazing video
this is gold, i love the stories of musicians
My wife's Grandfather was the first Australian pianist to play the complete cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas in public (At Sydney Opera House no less). I'm sure he would have loved this video if he were still with us.
What a terrific video, proving no matter how good you are, you can always learn something from a master. So wonderful to see the back & forth. Well done! Thanks
I love these two together! So wonderful to hear this.
This was an absolute delight to watch. So moving and inspirational and educational.
This reminds me so much of piano instruction with my dear professor in college. My God, we had a wonderful rapport.
thank you both so much. this is life changing for me
I can’t believe how endearing and captivating Seymour Bernstein is.
This is so amazing! Absolutely wonderful to see the interaction. Kudos to both for their honor and humility!
Most master class I watched before is student just sit there and follow whatever teacher said with no conversation but this one is really fanatic.
It is really inspiring, and I really mean that. That is what all teaching should be. Thank you both (and folks at Tonebase) for an opportunity like this.
I also find Mr. Bernstein to be extremely lively for a man of his age, and wish him many more energetic years.
this teaching is at another level though.. its like a super master teaching someone that has full mastery of the piece and instrument already.... and they're talking about how one would "interpret" the color/intent of the composer.. You can't say all teaching is like this.. teaching like this only works in such a circumstance as I've described..
He's only 42. His students have aged him.
Wow, this is incredible, the smallest differences yet the biggest changes in feeling
Watching this again - Mr Bernstein is a national treasure.
Thank you for your study, gentlemen, and sharing the master session. It’s great to see the mechanical discussion cross with the emotional terrain.
The talent of these 2 musicians is just amazing to me. The understanding and passion they both have ...
I studied this sonata many years ago. This has inspired me to return to it!
Beautiful playing and interaction. I enjoyed this so much.
Amazing teacher and even better student! What a masterclass
Beautiful so real and so true to the music, no pretense no artifice
Oh my god when you did the bassoon note it's just blew me away. Amazing.
Seymour is such an inspiration - what a privilege to have him as a mentor.
What a delight to watch these two interact with seriousness but with humour. I love these guys! They rock!❤❤❤❤❤
It took me a few videos to warm up to Seymour's wry humor but now I'm utterly obsessed. I feel like he encapsulates so much of the craft and history of piano, I'm glad somebody is putting him in front of a camera.
What an amazing level of coaching.
What a privilege to listen to this great Master Professor Seymour Bernstein. Thank you for all you do and continue to do.
I listen to classical music from time to time, I was paying attention to differences in playing before, but in this video, the difference was intense and it's importance become much more obvious to me. I liked it, I will go to more concerts from now on. Thank you.
When teaching becomes more than just an exchange of information. The human dimension of it is pleasant to watch.
You just have to love this man...Seymour, Sir, you are a gift to music. I learn so much from you.
He's so wonderful. What a soul.
My goodness...how intimidating would that be! You did amazingly. I love how humble and respectful you were with your disagreements. You have gained a lifelong subscriber.
Seymour brings the music to life as if it’s the first time I’ve heard it
Such virtuous introspection and sensitivity
So many gems in this video
Amazing pedagogy. Fabulous and patient master. Thank you to both of you. Bravo. 😊
Thank you both, such gentle mutual respect, and elucidating to my ear for Beethoven. I'm no expert, and no pianist, but seeing the intimacy of attention you each pay to every single subtlety just increases my respect and understanding of what and how a musician is.
Im not even a pianist but I'm so inspired by this man. If only I can give it more likes. The last story was great!
So good. I'm grateful for Mr. Bernstein sharing his knowledge.
Legato without pedal together with that beautifully nuanced and sensible phrasing💕
I never understood this movement as much as I do now this video is amazing
I am not familiar with either of these gentlemen, but this was absolutely wonderful to watch. Mr. Bernstein reminds me of the best qualities of my favorite art teachers. I am in awe...'nuff said.
Magnifique! What a precious moment.
That was simply beautiful! Thank you!
I have zero idea what's going on here but I still can't stop watching it. Perhaps I need... or am missing... a worthy tutor teaching me something, anything... and perhaps I feel the need to be worthy of such a tutor...
Not every top pianist is automatically a good pedagogiest, but Mr. Bernstein is an exceptional pedagogiest we ever witnessed, thank you for uploading this moment, will turn to be a historical piano education documentary.
You could just say “teacher.” Holy cow…
If I may, there is a higher level nuanced difference between the words. It doesn’t have to be pretentious. 😊 My humble opinion.
One of the most interresting masterclass
Loved every moment of this masterclass!
As a teacher and performer, these videos with Bernstein and Laude are pure gold. They are so inspiring, wholesome and more educational than any book. Thank you for making these open for anyone to watch!
Wow, as a drummer I really enjoying it and considering to learn piano now.
Thanks for inspiration.
I love this master class. Thank you for post !
When you have a strong firm finger, then you can control the softness abd depend in your fingers.... that really helped me a lot