the greatest finale ever written...
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 เม.ย. 2023
- Avery Fisher Hall, New York, 1978
Vladimir Horowitz - Piano
Zubin Mehta - Conductor
Horowitz was 75 years old in this recording and this was the last time he recorded Rachmaninoff's third piano concerto and maybe even the last time he performed it.
It's just...big. It's just so big. Hits everything, every voice. Thankful to both Rachy and Vlad, what a combination!
Hits everything as in all notes of the keyboard whether or not they are written? I seriously do not understand how hearing this many mistakes is easy on the ears.
🤨
It’s like a metaphysical spiritual thing for me. I don’t need perfection. Perfection is mechanical. I hear perfection in so many great young pianist. Its good to go with the flow . Those wrong notes go by rather quickly and don’t bother my ear . The excitement of the music and performer make up for these small sins.
That's what she said.
@@jellis333j7 but honestly, this recording has too many mistakes…
Horowitz is one of the all-time greats, and although I'm a pianist, there's no way I could ever play this concerto. Having said that, Vladimir makes a bunch of clams in this finale. I'm spoiled by hearing this piece played flawlessly by pianists like Yefim Bronfman, Emanuel Ax, Yuja Wang, etc. The bar is pretty high these days...
I remember being totally under the spell of this performance when I was a teenager, and I rediscovered it about a year or two ago, and was also surprised how many mistakes (or, more often, just lack of precision) I never seemed to notice all those years ago. Now, I also have never attempted to learn this piece, nor do I anticipate doing so in time to perform it at the age of 75; I don't know how much room for comment I warrant in that context.
I don‘t really think, that this is what this performance is about. He plays it absolutely flawless in his younger recordings. The man is rocking this concerto at 75 here. I think its more about what it says about musik in general: „The last romantic“ plays one of the last large romantic piano concertos, where even the composer was impressed by Horowitz playing. I think thats more the emotional value of his playing. Listen to his younger recordings and you‘ll finde (IMO) the best Rach 3 performances, with alle the technical brilliance we‘re used to.
Truly one of the best finales of all time, Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano concerto!
Indeed
Honestly Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" just outclasses this tremendously
@@mrsherlockvr6451 pls tell me you re kidding
@@ddf72778 why would I be joking
@@mrsherlockvr6451 never mind
I saw Olga Kern perform Rach 3 in Nashville years ago, and that ending utterly overwhelmed me to the point of almost hyperventilating. I sat for the longest time with my hands over my face, trying to regain my composure, as others got up and calmly left the theater. I don't understand how anyone can hear something like this live and feel nothing special. Rachmaninoff was not of this earth. I don't know where he came from, but I want to live there, forever! I recently traveled through Knoxville and stopped to visit a statue of Rachmaninoff on the campus of the University of Tennessee, commemorating his last recital, just weeks before he died. The date was April 1st, 2023 - the 150th anniversary of his birth.
lmao and to think the rach 2 finale is better
@@woodenrocks2445 That's purely subjective. As a pianist, I can tell you that Rach 3 is far more complex and intricate than Rach 2, both as a whole, and in the ending. And, as a listener, the ending of Rach 3 evokes more emotion, but overall, I find Rach 2 more accessible. It's just easier to comprehend and listen to.
@@woodenrocks2445 No, this is the topper.
When I finally "got it" with this piece, it was Rach's own recording. Exuberance beyond words. Wearing headphones, I was out walking and just stood there in a sort of stunned shock.
Michael-I share your awe-of genius. Where the hell does it come from? It seems unimaginable that a human being can create something so beautiful. And to think he had periods of self doubt. I think you are blessed to be able to connect emotionally with music. All the self indulgent critics nit pick and criticize and over analyze. The only question that should be asked after listening to music should, in my mind, be: did it move you?
"Don't you just love those big, fat chords?!!"
I forget, which movie is that quote from?
@@ruanpingshan Shine (1996), spoken by the great John Gielgud.
I saw Rach 4 with my local symphony a year ago (literally fifteen feet from the soloist, Conrad Tao) - Rach 2 is being played this June in the season finale by Kenneth Broberg. This concert includes Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony! I am very excited.
Excellent! Kenneth Broberg is a great pianist - I particularly love his Cliburn recording of the 4th Scriabin sonata.
Rach 4 is the Cinderella of the five SVR works for piano and orchestra, it's difficult to pull off, of course Rach himself and also Michelangeli I've heard.
Great finale. But personally, I think the Rach 2 finale is more thrilling, more satisfying, and just more sublimely arranged. (And I thought the thumbnail music for this video was actually the Rach 2, which is why I clicked haha.) The callback to the opening glissando passage, and then glittering cascades that hang in the silence, right before the huge melody reprises with timpani and the entire orchestra swelling in unison, while the piano plays those majestic chords over it all... and then that final dazzling series of runs at the end? It's the best Rachmaninoff finale he ever wrote.
I prefer this concertos ending but his second concerto also has a great ending!
I agree. There is a lot to love in Rach 3, but as far as the actual openings and finales of Rach 2 and Rach 3, for me Rach 2 is more satisfying. The majestic opening chords of Rach 2 must be one of the most dramatically satisfying of all piano concertos!
For me, the third concerto and the second symphony got the best endings by Rachmaninoff. The second concerto come right after them.
Agree. But then again I prefer the finale from Grieg's piano concerto over Rach 2.
@@NNnn-zc2bm That I understand - because they're nearly identical finales: big thorny complicated piano buildup resolving to... the grand reprise of the "big" melody", and then some impressive cascading flourishes on the piano at the end. It's not hard to see how Rachmaninoff was influenced by Grieg throughout that whole third movement. Of the two though, Rachmaninoff's is just more complex and next-level in terms of pianistic technical demand.
Every live videos you can watch of this masterpiece : the public is just mental at the end. Such a powerful end : give the chills every time
Omg it was such a coincidence that I also started listening to this a few weeks ago and it's because there's someone performing it on May 6 this year, and I even knew he was gonna play it before the program came out(I was a very little "friend" with him) and I now listen it every day... I'm excited to know there are many other people that like this too!
Rachmanninoffs 3rd piano concerto is glorious!
1:07 chills down my whole body !
I love his fist pumps right before he starts playing without the orchestra, Horowitz is absolutely one of my favorite pianists not only for his playing but for his personality
I heard this concerto performed in Calgary and this part gave me the most violent chills I’ve ever had in my life. Also the entrance of the piano in the beginning of the second movement. Idk why but I love that part as well.
It's performances like these that I see why Rach was so blown away by Horowitz's interpretations! ❤💯
i notice he doesn't need to stop every bar to count the ledger lines and work out what note it is
This is why Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto is one of my favs.
I am always a bit suspicious when anyone says "The Greatest of All Time." because I am not sure how you measure it.
Omg it was such a coincidence that I also started listening to this a few weeks ago and it's because there's someone performing it on May 6 this year, and I even knew he was gonna play it before the program came out(I was a very little "friend" with him) and I now listen it every day... I'm excited to know there are many other people that like this too! Edit: I like it so much that I'm pretty "afraid" and nervous to hear it live, even thinking that I'm gonna be bored when watching it, while every bit of this concerto is the absolute definition of beauty!
It's worth a mention that the final four notes, "dah di di dah," are Rachmaninoff's signature. He also used it to end other pieces.
Up there with Chopin sonata 3, Beethoven symphony 7 and appassionata, Brahms symphony 1
We all have favorites
Concordo!! Esse final de Rach 3 é sublime!!!
Best concerto 🎉
Que ímpetu en ese final!!!...El Maestro Horowitz solamente lo lograba!!!!...Único!!!!...
It's like the declaration of the lover's eternal love for his/her beloved.
So grand!!! Love it!!! Bravissimo Rachmaninoff!!!!!!!!!
Wow, your profile pic is mystic chord... I love it...❤
someone recognised it!
I'm not really worried what the greatest finale is...the experience is the whole concerto. What is so special about this finale is how is draws to a close all the emotions covered by the finale (and, indeed, the concerto): dance, nostalgic recalls, romance and many more.
Mahler : Am I a joke to you ?
🤣 🤣 🤣 Get out its my national dance 😂5 th symphony mahler
Which one?
Or Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Beethoven, etc…
Rachmaninoff was intonation and ritm Russiaan music, example - folk dances
@@ALEXANDER6888 All (but especially 2 and 8).
I love this video. I think that his second piano concerto is absolutely wonderful, all three movements, and I don’t even like the 3rd piano concerto as a whole. However, I have always said the last 2 minutes of the Rach 3rd are 2 of the most beautiful minutes in all of music full stop! (But I do think this particular version is a little rushed.)
I completely agree. Of the ones I have listened to, this finale is my goat.
Agree , it is the greatest finale ever written!
I was one of those people who saw a PC3 in a theater, and my skin crawled and I became very sentimental.
fire 🔥
Oh my god I went to see the BBC Philharmonic play this last weekend, front row, and fully broke down into tears at this part. But then it was over SO quick I was just sat there applauding with tears rolling down my face, trying not to make eye contact with anyone😭👋 . Life-changing experience though, seriously unlike anything I’ve ever experienced
yes I was there also. It was amazing
@@RhysScores oh cool haha!! Side note - wasn't the principle cellist amazing?? We were sat right in front of him and his tone was something else honestly
@@marnieholdsworthgreen8449 Yes he was great, he felt every part even though he wasn’t the soloist. I especially thought that he was amazing in the Sibelius too
Sorry, I don't think you can't claim any piece has that title- There too many fantastic finales out there, especially if you hear the entire piece first. Mahler 2, Dvorak Cello Concerto and Brahms 2nd symphony come to mind, but everyone has their own favourites!
check part 2 for the mahler
Mine is the finale of Mozart's Symphony #39--breathtaking!
The best is Mahler
@@stephenmoore8697 mine is Tchaikovsky's first piano concert finale)
Also Alexander Scriabin 1st piano concert is genius.
I saw this on TV, and H and M live in LA.
Riesce in un concerto così difficile ad essere più chiaro e potente che ogni pianista attuale tra i più virtuosi,cari pianisti credo che non è sufficiente che voi guardate o ascoltate questi pianisti del passato x volerli superare, nemmeno da anziani..................
Wow
Are there any recordings of anyone doing the ossia ending? I would love to know what the fast 8th note chords would sound like there. I bet it’d be amazing.
Yes...I have a recording of Andre Watts playing the ossia ending on a Columbia vinyl recording made circa late 1960's to early 70's...truly stunning...I don't recall the orchestra or the conductor (could've been NYPhil)...it was disappointing though because they decided to cut out that very famous, fiendishly difficult middle section...I think you know what I'm talking about here...which I'm very certain Watts knew and could easily pull off...just so they could fit the selected pieces on one disc...on a personal preference note: I like switching it up a bit...I play the the first part of the ending as written with the descending triplet quarter notes, then the second part of the ending beginning at 79 marked piu vivo, I play the descending 8th notes a la what's indicated in the ossia, my own transcription. It gives the piece a certain sense of a majestic rush to the finish line!
@@thejils1669 You're talking about the part in E-flat where there are so many 16th and 32nd (and maybe 64th? I don't recall) notes that the page is more ink than not ink? :D
@JoEbY-X Yep...I love that section...one of the more outstanding, memorable passages that the Rach put on paper...were you able to track down the Watts recording?
Yes
Utterly wondrous. This should have been in the movie SHINE.
I LOVE your notation... sooo darn easy to read... I have BOTH the G Schirmer and the International... BOTH... the notation is so damn small ... and very hard to read... I need a BIG note version of this...
Thank you! You can find it on imslp!
Good old Rachmaninoff!
You're right.
It's a very different piece of music from a different era, but the finale in Mozart's Jupiter Symphony is spectacular, as are many of the final movements in his piano concerti (though they might be termed rondo etc. instead of finale).
Mozart’s endings of his pieces are not even close to Rachmaninoff’s endings (and some of other composers of romantic and post-romantic era).
@Dylonely Orchestras in the Classical Era were much smaller, so no, Mozart's movements didn't end with a big bang. I love Mozart's movements as a whole, not for the last couple of minutes or so.
Could have uploaded Yunchan Lim's live recording
Although I love his, I much prefer this one. Although, seeing the other comments, I'm in the minority.
I approve.
I heartily agree! Is there a 'Grande Romantic Gesture' anywhere to equal this one??? I don't think so.
This is very good. But Finale of Alkan's concerto for solo piano is my most favourite finale ever.
By which performer? I only know the M A Hamelin recording on hyperion, and it is really good in my opinion.
Everyone has their own tastes.
‘Un poco meno mosso’ I don’t hear in this frantic rush to the end.
Allah yrham kaba et bonne continuation hamza
I agree about the greatness of this finale, but this performance by Horowitz is atrocious. Yes, I know what Rachmaninov said about Horowitz’ playing of his concerto. But here, he sacrifices melodic line and rhythmic accent on the altar of speed and volume.
I must agree with you.
And he can’t count.
It's a far far far inferior to his 1940 recording, at least performance wise.
Mehta Looks Lost
@@presto7largo How he and the orchestra even slightly kept up with Horowitz during that performance is beyond me.
Prokofiev Piano Concerto 3:
Huh??
Hard to believe Hollywood was a swamp when this “cast of thousands” soundtrack was written. But yeah it gets my rocket man going for sure! Очень хорошо!
It would have been nice if you had shown the full video of the pianist and orchestra playing instead of the music score.
you can find it on youtube!
Agreed
Why so little of Horowitz, the video image?
When I first heard this, I jumped out of my chair and screamed like an idiot for 3 full minutes.
you really could’ve picked a better recording, in my opinion, Volodos’ is the recording which has the best version of this finale
Nahh.. i think Horowitz and Eugene Ormandy's finale is the best version of this concerto in music history
@@tajimahal661 naah it’s volodos and levine
@@fredericchopin7332 Naahhhh lol😂 but i can agree that you have a very high level of musical taste!!
I love that version too😉
@@tajimahal661 seriously? The ending is way too fast, I don't feel anything when I hear that
Dylonely: with the great SR as soloist of course!
Truly great ending and my favo concerto of all. But I would have pickes a different pianist for this example ;)
Tchaikovsky: What about Me?
Are you kidding? Mahler 2,3,8? Wagner’s Tristan, Parsifal, Gotterdammerung?
hyperbole
Rach solos
@@MildSatire squadwipe
Tannhäuser too
Yeah those are easily infinitely better than this finale. Especially Mahler 2, Parsifal and Götterdämmerung-which are my favorite endings by far.
I’m getting tired of all these Rachmaninoff/Chopin people…
That opinion title though
Anyone have the finale of Prokofiev 3 cause their heart rate to double? Absolutely fantastic.
good idea...
You are lucky he plays good for his age
Don't forget Ballade No:1
Why sooo fast??
I got 10 fingers, I play with 10 fingers...
🇮🇷. Bellísimo ❤. Yunchan 🙏 también. 🎹😂
Best symphonic finale ever? Why, the 2nd movement of Gottschalk's "A Night under the Tropics" Symphony, of course!
The same thing happened to Menuhin. I remember he played a totally dreadful Bruch violin concerto. And people were lauding him in the comments. Here too, it's pretty much a wreck and people are showering it with praise (in the comments of the original video). Yes he's old (however, Martha ...). Yes it's hard. But call a duck a duck. It's not good. Shows that if you're famous and beloved, some people will call your s**t genius.
personally, i care more about the sound rather than the clipped mistakes and the thing that draws me to Horowitz is his large sound. Maybe it could just be the recording, but I still think it's the best interpretation of the dozens I've heard. Yes, Martha Argerich is old which is probably one of the reasons why she doesn't play this concerto anymore. So I do still believe it's impressive for him to play this work at his age, not to mention the same year his daughter died and his performances and mental health took a toll. Either way, thank you for your comment.
@@RhysScores About Martha, I'm saying she's older than Horowitz and playing better than he was (imo of course). Of course it's impressive he's playing this at that age. I didn't know about his daughter. Makes it even more impressive. But, to me, impressive or not in regard to his age, remove everything except the music, as cruel as that might be, this is not the most capable interpretation to me, nor the most emotionnal or impressive. I wish I could hear his interpretation at his prime. But thanks.
@@solaufein3029 Fair enough! There are relatively remastered recordings of him playing this concerto in his early years, but I myself have never listened to them to the end. Argerich does also have a great interpretation of this in her younger years and her cadenza is one of the greatest I’ve heard. I think the main thing that draws me to Horowitz is just his sound and how he makes the melody and sometimes the other voices so clear over the madness. Thanks for your comment!
If you like schmaltz.... you LOVE this....
I just wish that the synchronization between soloist and orchestra had been better.
I have to agree. I love the interpretation but Horowitz was never one for watching the conductor…
Yechh.
Saw this video and thought of this wasn’t each three there’s something wrong; and now I see that nothing is wrong and all is great!!
what are you saying ?
@@bozzigmupp510 i had a stroke reading their text
Wagner Götterdämmerung: May I have a word with you?
This is Rach 3 3rd movement it is so relaxing yes it is (Rachmaninoff)❤❤❤❤😅😢😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ .it's fortissimo then pianissimo a pattern . Peace rises above the world when Rachmaninoff plays and true love is coming it's the lucky era Rachmaninoff a genius he dies meanwhile the world cries for they lost a true genius. It's my poem of Rachmaninoff.Thank you for playing my piece . Im an genius at playing Rachmaninoff (find Rachmaninoff play Rachmaninoff in TH-cam)
🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Lmao, it turns out you are a genius for choosing this recording and getting a bunch of people (including myself) to light up the comments
Volodya is unsurpassable.
0:42 LOL
Tchaikovsky: I wrote the greatest piano concerto's finale ever!
Rachmaninoff: Hold my beer please...
Dylonely:...Mahler conducted the premiere of Rach3 in N.Y........it's the only time travel that would interest me!!!😮😂
It is a great finale and Horowitz was of course an icon, but this recording doesn’t really do this bit justice, lots of wrong notes, bad ensemble and it’s taken too fast mostly. Just my two cents.
The greatest piano concerto coda is 100% without question Prokofiev 3, Ginestera 1 is a close 2nd. Rach 3 is still one of the greatest piano concertos though.
Heard Gerrick Ohlsen performed this and Stephen Hough performed no 2 recently. Have to say I prefer no 3's finale more.
coincidentally I was also present at last weeks Rach 3 by Ohlsson if that’s what you’re referring to. At the Bridgewater Hall? He was amazing.
@@RhysScores yes, I was there too.
Who needs a gym when you can work out by playing Rachmaninoff.
big handz
00:43 - dreadful wrong notes...
Horowitz classic, such an overrated pianist
@@pablofeynman3619 ???
Horowitz is always overrated... Also accords in the beginning of this video in solo part... No even one clear accord...
I can play parts of this work. Never well enough to perform, but I can actually play the finale. I agree. Rach 3 is his greatest work, and this finale always gives me (and my wife) wonderful heartrate increase at the end. You can read anything you want to in this post.
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
the second concerto too
And the second symphony !
надо ж так мазать
Extraordinary artists playing one of the greatest moments in music history, absolutely ruined by a piss poor audio reproduction.
I don’t care who I offend, 0:43 is unforgivable and makes this completely unlistenable to me
makes him more human!
@@RhysScores I prefer the number of humans that can actually hit the right notes!
@@danielwilkins6302 Fair enough, although I do doubt a single pianist has ever played through this piece exactly as written.
@@RhysScores I've heard some near perfect recordings.
That's the only thing that makes this unlistenable??
Hardly.
It's good but that title to me goes to Prokofiev's first violin concerto, it's just fireworks in the form of an orchestra
Beethoven's 9th Symphony finale: Am I a joke to you?!
Second greatest, only to his Second Piano Concerto
Absolutely riddled with errors good Lord.
Gave me a 4th degree burn
Anyone else hear a wrong notes at 0:43?
1:04 - 1:11 thumbnail
Best piano concerto ending written! However, I think Horowitz decided to make up his own ending here and hoped for the best that the conductor would follow him.
If orcs could fly.