Like Liszt himself...playing the piano in a free and showy manner...spontaneity and willingness to let loose, to express...this, I think, is the spirit of Liszt's art. Liberace was gracious enough to pay tribute to the great composer...at 2:31 you see the bust of the great Liszt. Splendid!
He will go down in history as one of the greatest pianists to have entertained millions of people all over the world. He could play classical , jazz, boogie woogie, ragtime and anything else you could have asked of him. I got to see him with my family back in 1984 when we were living in Melbourne. It was standing room only and against fire rules. Fortunately no fires broke out, other wise there would have been mass panic.
I'm a classical piano student, and let me tell you, from my viewpoint, the way this guy is playing the tune is more authentically done than most classical pianists do today. This is because he is "improvising" over the theme and playing in a salon environment...he is by most accounts similar to the master Franz Liszt himself, who was the one to popularize piano playing without a score. Liszt, I think, was not like most classical pianists today...people who are forced to stick to standardized methods of pianistic skill. It's not supposed to be about the ability, it's supposed to be about the artistry. Also, I REALLY like how he made the piano "turn around". It's a REALLY clever way to explain what Liszt did in the 1800's of making the piano performer visible to the audience for the first time.
From what I have read Liberace's father was told by a concert pianist that his son had a great talent and should be taught by a master. Not long after his father took off so Lee never had the chance. Liberace himself said he was not a great pianist, and I thought his technique was rough. However, he did more to popularize classical music than anyone of his time. He obviously loved to play, loved the classics as well as modern music. Hats off to Liberace.
Like the great Liszt, Liberace submitted himself to the art of free expression...in a manner I feel to be more authentic to the Romantic spirit than most classical pianists of today.
As a person from his era, and a graduate from Juilliard with BM and MA degrees(1970), as really great as this performance is, and I really did enjoy it, there are so many pianists even in school that can play this and some perhaps even better, (as I think Liberace realized back then). There are/were many pianists back then and even now with similar skills but I really have to admire Liberace both for his playing, and also his ability to appeal to audiences, his creativity and drive to use every stage technique to make each performance more special and enjoyable to his mass audience. His entire creative package from being an excellent pianist, to his constantly growing stage gimmicks, and his personality reached and appealed to more people than any classical musician could ever hope to achieve. More people will probably remember him, long after they have forgotten people like Rubinstein and Horowitz. Lee, I am extremely impressed with it all! I LOVE what you did! As one music critique said, "Liberace was no Rubinstein, but Rubinstein was no LIBERACE!!!" RIP!
Beautifully played, and it certainly shows his abilities with straight, classical music. The only change I would make is to hold back the canned applause for a second or so, at the end.
Some of the gentlest playing I heard from him later he evolved into playing more roughly and only playing parts of songs. All the way to the bank though.
@bobbit1042 To my knowledge Liberace never played his oversized, Bluthner grand piano on his TV show. Sadly, it was sold at the Liberace Estate Auction in 1988 in LA.
You will enjoy reading this article from Rolling Stone which speaks of the painowww.rollingstone.com/music/features/its-all-wunnerful-for-liberace-19811001
You notice how, in this age of 'authentic performances' no-one wants to record on an old-style piano: they all go for the modern concert grand. The reason is that the pianos of Liszt's and Beethoven's day sounded pretty crappy compared with those of today, and this is an older piano, even when this recording was made. Presumably, it was chosen to be in keeping with the idea of a return to the time of the composer. (Liszt was said to have wrecked several pianos in his time, just by playing them, which shows how feeble they must have been.)
Indeed...I consider Liberace to be paying tribute to the great composer here...he is submitting himself to the art of free expression, a principle that Liszt himself brought alive in his spontaneous performances back in the 1800's. And no, I don't think the piano is awful.
Like Liszt himself...playing the piano in a free and showy manner...spontaneity and willingness to let loose, to express...this, I think, is the spirit of Liszt's art. Liberace was gracious enough to pay tribute to the great composer...at 2:31 you see the bust of the great Liszt. Splendid!
He will go down in history as one of the greatest pianists to have entertained millions of people all over the world. He could play classical , jazz, boogie woogie, ragtime and anything else you could have asked of him. I got to see him with my family back in 1984 when we were living in Melbourne. It was standing room only and against fire rules. Fortunately no fires broke out, other wise there would have been mass panic.
I can only say he draws every sound out of a piano that it's capable of giving! He's so enjoyable to listen to.
The best. I love Liberace. He shows us what mastery and commitment looks like. Both are skills required for success.
Forgot just how stunning his playing can be. Really, this is the best interpretation I've listened to, ever.
Anthony Behrends I agree! I found it on vinyl as well!
I'm a classical piano student, and let me tell you, from my viewpoint, the way this guy is playing the tune is more authentically done than most classical pianists do today. This is because he is "improvising" over the theme and playing in a salon environment...he is by most accounts similar to the master Franz Liszt himself, who was the one to popularize piano playing without a score. Liszt, I think, was not like most classical pianists today...people who are forced to stick to standardized methods of pianistic skill. It's not supposed to be about the ability, it's supposed to be about the artistry. Also, I REALLY like how he made the piano "turn around". It's a REALLY clever way to explain what Liszt did in the 1800's of making the piano performer visible to the audience for the first time.
Well said! Both men understood that the audience was essential to the performance.
Very true.
Brilliant,something, which is eternally true
I agree with you!
Thank you. It became my belief that inimitable. LIBERACE is reincarnation of Master Franz Liszt. Prove me wrong. :-D
From what I have read Liberace's father was told by a concert pianist that his son had a great talent and should be taught by a master. Not long after his father took off so Lee never had the chance. Liberace himself said he was not a great pianist, and I thought his technique was rough. However, he did more to popularize classical music than anyone of his time. He obviously loved to play, loved the classics as well as modern music. Hats off to Liberace.
That great pianist could make a piano talk.
Mindblowing.. Thanks for sharing!!!
Excellent piano technique and touchtone!
He must've worked damn hard to maintain that technique.
I love his improvisation
Like the great Liszt, Liberace submitted himself to the art of free expression...in a manner I feel to be more authentic to the Romantic spirit than most classical pianists of today.
It is said that the room he's in is Liszt's apartment. There's a sculpture of him on his right, and that piano also belonged to Liszt
I suppose that the 1000 people clapping at the end were sitting in the dining room, eh?
@@garyjonah22 true lol
It’s staged to be the apartment. But with an identical or the real Liszt piano
Charming & talented : Liberace - half Polish & half Italian !
Mother was part German. Lee told us that in a tour film.
As a person from his era, and a graduate from Juilliard with BM and MA degrees(1970), as really great as this performance is, and I really did enjoy it, there are so many pianists even in school that can play this and some perhaps even better, (as I think Liberace realized back then). There are/were many pianists back then and even now with similar skills but I really have to admire Liberace both for his playing, and also his ability to appeal to audiences, his creativity and drive to use every stage technique to make each performance more special and enjoyable to his mass audience. His entire creative package from being an excellent pianist, to his constantly growing stage gimmicks, and his personality reached and appealed to more people than any classical musician could ever hope to achieve. More people will probably remember him, long after they have forgotten people like Rubinstein and Horowitz. Lee, I am extremely impressed with it all! I LOVE what you did! As one music critique said, "Liberace was no Rubinstein, but Rubinstein was no LIBERACE!!!" RIP!
One of a Kind very unique no one has not matched up to his professional music on the piano rest in peace Liberace
My God, I have never heard such power in this piece. He has found new angles within it, so beautiful. What a man, what a master.
Absolutely superb, as always with Liberace thank you
Wow has time passed
The memories ❤️
No music I front of him ever! Then after this he can play Beer Barrel Polka , amazing!!.I'm
A lovely piece played by the greatest pianist ever. Thank you for posting this.
Love this the master of the piano. Marlain
Great arrangement and performance
Today, tomorrow and forever
Wonderful !!!!!❤💖💖💖💖💖
EXTRAORDINARIO PIANISTA, UNICO SIN IGUAL Y TAMBIEN UN GRAN "SHOWMAN"
I played this song moons ago...
I'm a showman at heart!
To entertain my audience is my life's greatest treasure.
From my piano, and soul, to you.❤️
Beautifully played, and it certainly shows his abilities with straight, classical music.
The only change I would make is to hold back the canned applause for a second or so, at the end.
Some of the gentlest playing I heard from him later he evolved into playing more roughly and only playing parts of songs. All the way to the bank though.
just discovered this guy, very refreshing phrasings and dynamics... damn
Love this,so beautiful. Marlain
Mein abendmusic und sie mein lieberstraum.
@bobbit1042 To my knowledge Liberace never played his oversized, Bluthner grand piano on his TV show. Sadly, it was sold at the Liberace Estate Auction in 1988 in LA.
hermosa melodía de Franz Liszt tocado por el famoso pianista Liberace
two dislikes? must be cavemen!!
estupendo, fascinante
Liszt Ferenc is in his veins...
ninguém tocava como liberace único
someone should make the midi or sheet music of this version, its the best :O
Sublime
3:41 nice
Does anyone know if he ever played his Bluthner oversized grand on his tv show?
You will enjoy reading this article from Rolling Stone which speaks of the painowww.rollingstone.com/music/features/its-all-wunnerful-for-liberace-19811001
@@hattiesgrandaughter4463 NO you won't enjoy that article....pure jealousy n hate on juvenile description
Listen to Rubenstein's version at th-cam.com/video/nkXOrkeZyqQ/w-d-xo.html . It's completely, totally different. But they both are great.
does anyone know anyw ay i could get sheet music for this ? :'(
Yes
Go to musescore
awful piano, but truly played in the style of Franz Liszt himself. Liberace really carried on the archetype
You notice how, in this age of 'authentic performances' no-one wants to record on an old-style piano: they all go for the modern concert grand. The reason is that the pianos of Liszt's and Beethoven's day sounded pretty crappy compared with those of today, and this is an older piano, even when this recording was made. Presumably, it was chosen to be in keeping with the idea of a return to the time of the composer. (Liszt was said to have wrecked several pianos in his time, just by playing them, which shows how feeble they must have been.)
Indeed...I consider Liberace to be paying tribute to the great composer here...he is submitting himself to the art of free expression, a principle that Liszt himself brought alive in his spontaneous performances back in the 1800's. And no, I don't think the piano is awful.
Avisos que se han producido en la historia de la humanidad por la unesco 9
Hmm, the cadence seems too fast on this one.
Well, this is his own style
I'll be honest, I break the rules while reading sheet music too
Sounds allot like Rubinsteins recording of it