I once heard Dina Yoffe's recital that she gave in Japan--somewhere in Tokyo, I think, though exactly where and when I no longer remember. It was an all-Chopin program, and her performance of the Polonaise-Fantasie was just stunning, absolutely thrilling. So much so that I actually wrote a "fan letter," though I have no idea if it ever reached Ms. Yoffe. In any case, a truly inspired performer of Chopin's music!
Wow! The visceral moment when Ms Yoffe connected with her younger self. Experience and life suddenly meeting head on with another time, another era. Deep, personal, existential. Chopin.
This is so wonderful I can't tell you. Watching her brought tears to my eyes wondering what she was thinking. To see her look back at her life and younger years must have been a profound experience. Of course she was criticizing herself while watching but it was an amazing, beautiful performance. I wonder what I would have thought looking back at myself 50 years ago on my life? WOW! Great video. Thanks.
Really love all this attention on this B Major Nocturne; when I first heard it I knew I felt like I had discovered buried treasure. What sublime, elegant beauty. I'm equally in love with its E Major partner!
To see the current Dina, juxtaposed her a a young performer was profound. You also show a great respect for age. You never know who the person sitting next to you is or was. Especially someone as humble as she . I live in Miami so might just show up at the 2025 competition!
With respect to 10:00 -- wondering if Yoffe had made exactly what kinds of gestures, then you would have said something like "you were about showbiz and facial gesticulations"?
Too many music competitions. We don't have a crisis of great musicians. We have a crisis of great composers. Most of competition winners quickly fall into oblivion,.. such as Dina Yoffe.
It's so true. I wonder what the problem is. The only time we get music that is even remotely in a similar plane to classical is for film and game score. You know what I think the advent of the drum set ruined music. I feel like ever since it came about EVERY single song had to be just a loop of a phrase held up by a drum beat.
Probably used movie quality film stock. See the camera in the wide shot. That’s no handheld video cam. And a real cameraman operating it, not somebody off the street holding up,their cellphone and letting the automatic settings do all the work.
What strikes me in this performance, beside its sheer and beautiful sincerity, is the lack of dynamics. The different tempi are rightfully respected, but the sound volume remains pretty equal from start to finish. From that aesthetic standpoint, I wish there were more variations (but I don't forget that this is also a stressful piano competition). I'm convinced that a great use of dynamics (and pedals also) is what tend to differentiate legendary pianists from every other piano player. For example, just listen to Horowitz's rendition of this nocturne...
@@justadude641 Thank you for your kind reply but, in my opinion, the most badly recorded performances (for having listened to quite a few of them) don't erase changes of sound volume when pianists actually use dynamics.
@@kunfupapa8162I was going to vehemently defend her and pontificate about how TH-cam compresses the sound, further exacerbated by phone/pad/laptop speakers. But, then I went and listened to the Horowitz recording on my phone, and yes, you are 100% correct. But, is it really fair to compare anyone to Horowitz? 😆
would love to have heard her rendition of scherzo 4 she said she also played. For me it is one of his best. it's my favourite. I'm sure she played it well. I think it's ok for women to make faces as they play - however men should all be stony faced and never smile or move their bodies at all.
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
"My sound is my life." Wow--so true. Didn't realize it until she said it.
I once heard Dina Yoffe's recital that she gave in Japan--somewhere in Tokyo, I think, though exactly where and when I no longer remember. It was an all-Chopin program, and her performance of the Polonaise-Fantasie was just stunning, absolutely thrilling. So much so that I actually wrote a "fan letter," though I have no idea if it ever reached Ms. Yoffe. In any case, a truly inspired performer of Chopin's music!
Pires also said, 'The way you play is an extension of who you are in life.' It seems to be a common theme among genuine artists.
Ben, it's just incredible that you release these wonderful videos for free, they are like precious jewels. So a big thanks to you.
No doubt. Channel's pure gold.
Wow! The visceral moment when Ms Yoffe connected with her younger self. Experience and life suddenly meeting head on with another time, another era. Deep, personal, existential. Chopin.
This is so wonderful I can't tell you. Watching her brought tears to my eyes wondering what she was thinking. To see her look back at her life and younger years must have been a profound experience. Of course she was criticizing herself while watching but it was an amazing, beautiful performance. I wonder what I would have thought looking back at myself 50 years ago on my life? WOW! Great video. Thanks.
Really love all this attention on this B Major Nocturne; when I first heard it I knew I felt like I had discovered buried treasure. What sublime, elegant beauty. I'm equally in love with its E Major partner!
Her performance is so pure and beautiful. What a joy.
Gorgeous rendition. The control of the different lines with regard to dynamics is marvelous. Clear, transparent, fully musical.
Love what you're doing with your channel, Ben. Good Yontif!
People just sitting on the floor, everywhere. Not that safe of course, but the atmosphere seems to be amazing.
Beautiful Artistry. Interesting for performer to look back over 50 years….
To see the current Dina, juxtaposed her a a young performer was profound. You also show a great respect for age. You never know who the person sitting next to you is or was. Especially someone as humble as she .
I live in Miami so might just show up at the 2025 competition!
Wonderful. And how exalted is the current level of playing.
what a lovely nocturne that first one is she plays (though it is longer than the longest nocturne anyone can imagine a nocturne to be).
Having pianists reflecting on their performances is a great format
Beautiful!
Wow - stirring video.
With respect to 10:00 -- wondering if Yoffe had made exactly what kinds of gestures, then you would have said something like "you were about showbiz and facial gesticulations"?
Too many music competitions. We don't have a crisis of great musicians. We have a crisis of great composers.
Most of competition winners quickly fall into oblivion,.. such as Dina Yoffe.
It's so true. I wonder what the problem is. The only time we get music that is even remotely in a similar plane to classical is for film and game score. You know what I think the advent of the drum set ruined music. I feel like ever since it came about EVERY single song had to be just a loop of a phrase held up by a drum beat.
Such unsophisticated music.
Can’t believe that crystal clear footage was almost a half century ago… technology and time really fly!
Probably used movie quality film stock. See the camera in the wide shot. That’s no handheld video cam. And a real cameraman operating it, not somebody off the street holding up,their cellphone and letting the automatic settings do all the work.
What strikes me in this performance, beside its sheer and beautiful sincerity, is the lack of dynamics. The different tempi are rightfully respected, but the sound volume remains pretty equal from start to finish. From that aesthetic standpoint, I wish there were more variations (but I don't forget that this is also a stressful piano competition). I'm convinced that a great use of dynamics (and pedals also) is what tend to differentiate legendary pianists from every other piano player. For example, just listen to Horowitz's rendition of this nocturne...
It was probably recorded in mono, not in stereo. Anyhow, recordings don't do justice to live performances, she probably sounded better in the hall!
@@justadude641 Thank you for your kind reply but, in my opinion, the most badly recorded performances (for having listened to quite a few of them) don't erase changes of sound volume when pianists actually use dynamics.
@@kunfupapa8162I was going to vehemently defend her and pontificate about how TH-cam compresses the sound, further exacerbated by phone/pad/laptop speakers. But, then I went and listened to the Horowitz recording on my phone, and yes, you are 100% correct. But, is it really fair to compare anyone to Horowitz? 😆
@@eiagmusic Oh I'm glad you went to the Horowitz recording ! I definitely agree with you, he is quite incomparable... Thank you for your feedback !
second
would love to have heard her rendition of scherzo 4 she said she also played. For me it is one of his best. it's my favourite. I'm sure she played it well. I think it's ok for women to make faces as they play - however men should all be stony faced and never smile or move their bodies at all.