I had dinner with Seymour back in ‘65 at a small delicatessen near the Village. The subject turned to daffodils, Sy’s favorite flower. “I love to adorn the keyboard with daffodils,” he told me. “Red daffodils, green, yellow…”. As true fans will remember, Sy would toss daffodils into the crowd before and after a performance. 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼 everywhere. I still have mine, pressed in a small composition book. This Brahms performance reminds me of those daffodils that were so much part of Sy’s persona.
Just came here after watching Mr. Seymour's video with tonebase talking about Glenn Gould's version. Though I don't agree with many of Mr. Seymour's statements about what is music, I can clearly hear the difference in interpretations. At first I thought Glenn Gould's version was beautiful, yet there is no comparison with what this version makes me feel. When listening side to side, Gould's version feels lacking in emotion.
@@gert.ronner Hmm, perhaps I should have been clearer: I don't necessarily disagree with Mr. Seymour's opinion on Gould, I am talking about Mr. Seymour's opinion on the purpose of music (or on the fact that music has a purpose).
@@gert.ronner Nope, I believe music in itself does not have a predefined meaning further than the meaning individuals are willing to give it. Therefore, saying that the purpose of music is one thing and not the other is complicated. Yes, it is true that one might believe music should always move you deeply in the heart, but that depends on what you use music for. One might just look for music as a quick distraction, as something fun, as background for other activities. It all depends on what one needs of it. That is why so many people like different types of music, and some even detest classical music.
@@gert.ronner No, I actually love classical music. I just don't share the believe that things in the world have a definite purpose (which also explains why so many people are able to resonate with Gould and musicians of all type). But I believe that very concept is liberating and beautiful because it means humans have the power to define and do with things like music what they can with their ability, .
@@gert.ronner No, I am talking about this th-cam.com/video/kOYZ4KaUlyA/w-d-xo.html there is a whole subsection of the video that tonebase has subtitled "what is the purpose of music?" in which he talks about what he thinks is its purpose.
I only recently discovered Seymour - and after 20 years away from the keyboard, his interpretations of this music had brought me back. What he can do with even simple songs is so inspiring.
I don’t think it necessary to even compare this level of music making with anyone. This performance is heartfelt and the music glows. Brahms music has a tender , consoling and majestic character and this performance captures those features.
Totally captivating. Seymour, you are a world treasure. These virtual moments I spent in your music and words are thought-provoking, inspiring and fulfilling. Thank you.
This is the first recording of yours I ever heard and I honestly have to say that this is by NO doubt the best recording I have ever heard! So moving! This is exactly how music should be played
Listening to this awakens the spirit, thank you so much for all the amazing work you have been doing, truly a great service to humanity bringing such love and light into this world 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Gould sounds depressive through all the piece, while in this interpretation I feel happiness and even in the dark passages there is some light and hope.
This interpretation reminds me of a classical guitarist, so tender and soft with such feeling in the phrasing. You can almost imagine the gentle vibrato he would put in the melody if he could.
I love this recording but also want to point the listeners to Hans Richter-Haaser's recording as its polar opposite in a good way. He literally plays it like Emil von Sauer advises us to do in the Edition Peters Brahms Klavierwerke Band II I own. Keeps a steady gentle beat with some rubato but no tempo changes apart when tempo changes are indicated. He puts more emphasis on rhythm and on vertical harmony than on polyphony. As a listener I am somewhat torn between the 2, I like the almost hallucinogenic quality of this recording but also like the straightforward approach of Richter-Haaser, especially because both approaches make sense in the light of this being a sort of Wiegenlied... both the hallucinogenic daze as well as a steady but gentle rocking rhythm are on point.
I had dinner with Seymour back in ‘65 at a small delicatessen near the Village. The subject turned to daffodils, Sy’s favorite flower. “I love to adorn the keyboard with daffodils,” he told me. “Red daffodils, green, yellow…”. As true fans will remember, Sy would toss daffodils into the crowd before and after a performance. 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼 everywhere. I still have mine, pressed in a small composition book. This Brahms performance reminds me of those daffodils that were so much part of Sy’s persona.
Just came here after watching Mr. Seymour's video with tonebase talking about Glenn Gould's version. Though I don't agree with many of Mr. Seymour's statements about what is music, I can clearly hear the difference in interpretations. At first I thought Glenn Gould's version was beautiful, yet there is no comparison with what this version makes me feel. When listening side to side, Gould's version feels lacking in emotion.
amen
@@gert.ronner Hmm, perhaps I should have been clearer: I don't necessarily disagree with Mr. Seymour's opinion on Gould, I am talking about Mr. Seymour's opinion on the purpose of music (or on the fact that music has a purpose).
@@gert.ronner Nope, I believe music in itself does not have a predefined meaning further than the meaning individuals are willing to give it. Therefore, saying that the purpose of music is one thing and not the other is complicated. Yes, it is true that one might believe music should always move you deeply in the heart, but that depends on what you use music for. One might just look for music as a quick distraction, as something fun, as background for other activities. It all depends on what one needs of it. That is why so many people like different types of music, and some even detest classical music.
@@gert.ronner No, I actually love classical music. I just don't share the believe that things in the world have a definite purpose (which also explains why so many people are able to resonate with Gould and musicians of all type). But I believe that very concept is liberating and beautiful because it means humans have the power to define and do with things like music what they can with their ability, .
@@gert.ronner No, I am talking about this th-cam.com/video/kOYZ4KaUlyA/w-d-xo.html there is a whole subsection of the video that tonebase has subtitled "what is the purpose of music?" in which he talks about what he thinks is its purpose.
I only recently discovered Seymour - and after 20 years away from the keyboard, his interpretations of this music had brought me back. What he can do with even simple songs is so inspiring.
This performance gave me the chills. I don't think I've ever heard it played more tenderly.
Carolyn
I don’t think it necessary to even compare this level of music making with anyone. This performance is heartfelt and the music glows. Brahms music has a tender , consoling and majestic character and this performance captures those features.
Exquisite colors, superb voicing and sound control. I love the shaping of the phrases and the rubato is just right. Heartbreakingly beautiful!
You make it sound like a song without words. Breathtakingly beautiful!
I love your playing Mr. Bernstein. I hope one day I can play as thoughtfully and compassionately as you. May God bless you.
Totally captivating. Seymour, you are a world treasure. These virtual moments I spent in your music and words are thought-provoking, inspiring and fulfilling. Thank you.
This is my favourite recording of yours as well as this intermezzi, it’s incredibly soulful and full of love❤
This is the first recording of yours I ever heard and I honestly have to say that this is by NO doubt the best recording I have ever heard! So moving! This is exactly how music should be played
Every moment of your playing Mr. Bernstein is pure beauty! Your playing purifies the soul!
Incredible! So much emotion. Just perfect.
Listening to this awakens the spirit, thank you so much for all the amazing work you have been doing, truly a great service to humanity bringing such love and light into this world 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
I needed that, thank you, it's just Sublime.
Gould sounds depressive through all the piece, while in this interpretation I feel happiness and even in the dark passages there is some light and hope.
This interpretation reminds me of a classical guitarist, so tender and soft with such feeling in the phrasing. You can almost imagine the gentle vibrato he would put in the melody if he could.
This is so beautiful…🥹🥹🥹🥹I’m in tears…
So beautiful. My parents just told me about this recording.
Andrea Loewy Thank you Andrea for your generous appraisal of my playing. Deeply appreciated.
Seymour Bernstein
Beautiful rendition, Seymour! I agree with you on Gould, it's flat when it should be alive, and it's pompous when it needs to beathe.
Herzlichster und gut gespielt
I love this recording but also want to point the listeners to Hans Richter-Haaser's recording as its polar opposite in a good way. He literally plays it like Emil von Sauer advises us to do in the Edition Peters Brahms Klavierwerke Band II I own. Keeps a steady gentle beat with some rubato but no tempo changes apart when tempo changes are indicated. He puts more emphasis on rhythm and on vertical harmony than on polyphony. As a listener I am somewhat torn between the 2, I like the almost hallucinogenic quality of this recording but also like the straightforward approach of Richter-Haaser, especially because both approaches make sense in the light of this being a sort of Wiegenlied... both the hallucinogenic daze as well as a steady but gentle rocking rhythm are on point.
@jzito11
Tony, I can't tell you how moved I am by your reply. I recorded this and uploaded it to TH-cam only today. Thank you so much.
Seymour
You have added kind of a new dimension (or more...) , thank you
4:26. Sublime! Beyond!!
@birgitnj
Wow! Such a superlative response! I'm most graterful.
Seymour
Such a delicate touch…beautiful rendition…the fraseggio is superb…I wonder which piano Mr Bernstein is playing on…
Beautifully executed 😍
Bravo...
@SeymourBernstein is there a way to contact you?
Divine
❤
This is wonderful, so much better than Gould's version
aaaaand i'm crying again, damn i'm a bit too sensitive to bramhs
i still prefer gould old man, but nice job