When listening to him playing chopin’s waltz, I feel as if I’m imagine delightful memories, or sweet dream that I don’t want to wake up from. Some people really don’t like Cziffra’s own interpretion of chopin because it’s too unique, but for me his playing of chopin is like a true utopia. Thank you for this treasure.
This superlative and virtuous interpretation by Gyorgy Cziffra of Chopin's Waltzes was performed in 1962 for Philips, dazzling and superior to the subsequent 1978 interpretation performed for EMI. This refined interpretation - the best among those of Chopin's historical interpreters, in my opinion - was digitally remastered and included in the Le Annees Philips box set, containing 4 CDs with also works by Liszt.
Cziffra melts my heart. Not only was he a genius of virtuosity but the sheer amount of works he recorded is staggering! And on top of this they always shock me. You never know fully how he will interpret something he is just a different creature. Greatest pianist to ever be recorded.
This is really different. Many wolf down their portion. He tastes every bit, rolling it round his tongue. I've heard these so many times that I almost became inured to them. He has me tasting every note. Old stories are rediscovered to me and enhanced by his retelling.
0:00 Grande valse brillante in E♭ major Op. 18 5:11 Waltz in A♭ major Op. 34 n. 1 11:05 Waltz in A minor Op. 34 n. 2 17:12 Waltz in F major Op. 34 n. 3 19:42 Grande Valse in A♭ major Op. 42 [broken :( ] 24:05 Waltz in D♭ major Op. 64 n. 1 ("Minute waltz") 26:06 Waltz in C♯ minor Op. 64 n. 2 29:52 Waltz in A♭ major Op. 64 n. 3 33:26 Waltz in A♭ major Op. 69 n. 1 ("L'Adieu") 38:20 Waltz in B minor Op. 69 n. 2 43:06 Waltz in G♭ major Op. 70 n. 1 45:20 Waltz in F minor Op. 70 n. 2 48:02 Waltz in D♭ major Op. 70 n. 3 50:46 Waltz in E minor (posthumous, without Opus number) B 56, C 222
Ineffable beauty, crystal clear like a lake reflecting the skies and clouds of a divine mind, it is perhaps the best recording of Chopin Waltzes by any pianist dead or alive.
I've said this for years now, namely, the written composition is merely a roadmap; it is not the territory. The music is not on the page; it is in the ear. And Gyorgy knew this. The truth is self-evident. Liszt knew it. Chopin knew it. Ivan Moravec knew it and yes, there are a few on this planet who know it. Thank you all for sharing a true master's hearth-felt intentions with the whole damn world !!!!! Blessings
I was astonished at the remarkable beauty, polish, aristocratic refinement, great tenderness, and deeply personal identification with these all-too familiar works. My opinion of this particular artist has changed forever -- and for much the better. There is an INTIMATE quality about these readings that seems more “right” than the usual extroverted, ultra-brilliant sort of thing we usually get -- even from the best players. This is very great salon music played, as I think Chopin intended it to be.
If you enjoy Cziffra's Chopin Waltzes then please listen to his account of Chopin's Polonaises 1-6 which I have also uploaded. They also date from 1963 a time when Cziffra's star shone brightly.
Anca Balian I agree with you totally - a personal response to every Waltz not just notes on the printed page. The light and shade and colourings he brings to these pieces is remarkable. Also at this time in his career Cziffra played a Steinway piano.
piano345 Les enregistrement de ces Valses ont été réalisés en 1962 au Studio des Dames sur piano Gaveau, comme toute la série Phillips de 1962 et 1963. Aucun Steinway ne peut rivaliser avec la rondeur de son de ces magnifiques instruments, notamment dans les basses. Ce sont les plus belles valses de l'histoire de l'enregistrement ! Certaines des photos de ces vidéos ont été faites par Roger Pic au domicile de Cziffra à Cormeilles en Parisis (visibles sur BNF Gallica : gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9001739w) The registration of these Waltz was made in 1962 at the Studio des Dames in Paris onGaveau piano, like all Phillips series 1962 and 1963. No Steinway can compete with the roundness of sound of these magnificent instruments, including the bass. These are the most beautiful waltzes of the history of the recording ! Some of the photos of these videos were made by Roger Pic's home Cziffra in Cormeilles en Parisis (visible in BNF Gallica:gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9001739w)
don't underestimate the skill involved in playing even the first waltz here. the most challenging thing to do on a pianoforte is hit the same note in succession.
cziffra is a genius of piano. I wonder why he didn't compose more. Not to mention, his arrangments are that of what i expected to come out of great composers. such a shame.
+Odile Reneleau Yes Odile a performance full of charm, colour, character and brilliance. I hope that you enjoy my other uploads of Cziffra, Cherkassky and other favourite works.
These interpretations have received a very scathing review in The Gramophone magazine and justifiably so because they do not fit the conventional Chopin interpretations but if Cortot could get away with so many liberties then why not Cziffra? So if you’re open to something radically different it’s a must listen.
Critics often have a fixed idea about how certain pieces should be played. They leave out imagination, individuality and style. Photocopy artists often please critics but Cziffra was never that dull. How fortunate we are to have great artists such as Cziffra, Horowitz and Cherkassky et al
+Emiliano Dean Atran (L'haflack) Lets pupil this a bit further. Cause they were actually the pupils of pupils of the pupil of Czerny, how incidentally was a pupil of Beethoven, who was a pupil of Haydn. Lest just say Haydn ws the boss, but their was no doubt about that.
WalyB01 Yes but the fact that Liszt was their grand master and not other pupils of Czerny is what makes their sense of technique so good. I have trained under a pupil of Cziffra, and what I've been shown is what Liszt has shown next geberation with his bear hands. I have the Cziffra's fingering on the Chopin Etudes...=) (and no-one else does muahahaha except for like 10 souls in the universe)
+Erika Pollák You might be surprised to know that when this recording was first reviewed by one well known magazine in 1962 it received negative comments. The critic said that Cziffra 'invented counter subjects' and that the playing was,'mannered.' So much for insensitive unmusical reviewers.
+piano345 thank You. It is interesting. I think he plays so differently from the others, mainly at that periode. His interpretation is not "classic", sure, but very strong. Those people who had the chance to be at his concerts saying that he had an extreme radience, force what they could feel. He almost never struck a false note and was able to play the impossible. He played during many years in bars under the communist repression. Once a famous pianist went to hear Cziffra, entering, he asked: " But where is the seconde pianiste? " He was the only one...The music is somthing very personal, I feel the message of Cziffra.
Glenn, strangely enough, really didn't like music. He was more like that guy in "Rain Man". A savant ... and really not a ...... God bless him where ever he is. CVD
Cziffra and me have musically a lot in common in terms of musical ideas but I don't have his charm, dignity and confidence and I'm born in the wrong era. These waltzes are better than Lipatti.
Piano345 simply cannot take criticism and I recall that early 1960's review of Cziffra's Chopin Waltzes came at a time when it seemed both Cziffra and Horowiitz were trying their level best to out do each other. The performances are rather mannered although this approach works nicely with some waltzes and generally causes little problem for me. As for "invention of counter subjects" there is much truth here but on this occasion Cziffra has fortunately not gone overboard and the effect can be interesting. There are better recordings of Chopin's Waltzes available but Cziffra's disc rightly takes it's place as a genuine 1960's historical document.
Horowitz knew he couldn't really play Chopin. He said his fingers turned into glass and then began to brake. Horowitz couldn't sustain the emotional control related to the full content of most of Chopin's major works. Few actually can. Ivan Moravec did. In fact, I'm not so sure, Ivan Moravec wasn't Chopin (reincarnated) . Interesting comment. Thanks, CVD
Czifra pianista leggendario. LO CREDO ha la potenza di un carroarmato che schiaccia un topolino. Di più non posso dire, qui non sono né in aula di Accademia né di Conservatorio.
I can to think that for the valzer of Chopin can to be the best pianist the pianist Annie Zhou. Not easy to play very good all the 14 valzer of Chopin that i know from 50 years.
Czifra it's 50% more A.B. Michelangeli To play these valzer of Chopin it's like to play method Beyer. So when he play Chopin,he use the 70% of the tecnique that use for to play Liszt_music But the people prefer the Chopin- music because full of feelings.
As a child I listened to Gyorgy Cziffra playing Chopin, it is one of my treasured LP’s. He plays with such heart not just technicality.
When listening to him playing chopin’s waltz, I feel as if I’m imagine delightful memories, or sweet dream that I don’t want to wake up from. Some people really don’t like Cziffra’s own interpretion of chopin because it’s too unique, but for me his playing of chopin is like a true utopia. Thank you for this treasure.
This superlative and virtuous interpretation by Gyorgy Cziffra of Chopin's Waltzes was performed in 1962 for Philips, dazzling and superior to the subsequent 1978 interpretation performed for EMI. This refined interpretation - the best among those of Chopin's historical interpreters, in my opinion - was digitally remastered and included in the Le Annees Philips box set, containing 4 CDs with also works by Liszt.
Refreshing interpretations!!
Cziffra melts my heart. Not only was he a genius of virtuosity but the sheer amount of works he recorded is staggering! And on top of this they always shock me. You never know fully how he will interpret something he is just a different creature. Greatest pianist to ever be recorded.
TOTALLY agree!
This is really different. Many wolf down their portion. He tastes every bit, rolling it round his tongue. I've heard these so many times that I almost became inured to them. He has me tasting every note. Old stories are rediscovered to me and enhanced by his retelling.
Beautifully put.
"He has me tasting every note" - that's exactly how I feel when I hear Cziffra playing!!! ❤
Best waltzes interpretation that I know of...
Denis Kaplan
Bar none!
u need to listen the Arthur Rubinstein's interpretation :)
@Dilettante yeah... But for me Lipatti is a king
@@asdfasdf-gm5uk Lipatti was a metromoronic mechanical idiot!
0:00 Grande valse brillante in E♭ major Op. 18
5:11 Waltz in A♭ major Op. 34 n. 1
11:05 Waltz in A minor Op. 34 n. 2
17:12 Waltz in F major Op. 34 n. 3
19:42 Grande Valse in A♭ major Op. 42 [broken :( ]
24:05 Waltz in D♭ major Op. 64 n. 1 ("Minute waltz")
26:06 Waltz in C♯ minor Op. 64 n. 2
29:52 Waltz in A♭ major Op. 64 n. 3
33:26 Waltz in A♭ major Op. 69 n. 1 ("L'Adieu")
38:20 Waltz in B minor Op. 69 n. 2
43:06 Waltz in G♭ major Op. 70 n. 1
45:20 Waltz in F minor Op. 70 n. 2
48:02 Waltz in D♭ major Op. 70 n. 3
50:46 Waltz in E minor (posthumous, without Opus number) B 56, C 222
11:05 Waltz in A minor Op.34n.1
Here the error should be corrected as follows:
11:05 Waltz in A minor Op.34n.2
@@ГалинаТ-ж9з done, thank you!
@@Sky84rm Please and thank you for your comment on
Chopin's waltzes))
I LOVE YOU
For a moment I thought something weird was happening when I heard that noise... 19:42
Ineffable beauty, crystal clear like a lake reflecting the skies and clouds of a divine mind, it is perhaps the best recording of Chopin Waltzes by any pianist dead or alive.
I've said this for years now, namely, the written composition is merely a roadmap; it is not the territory. The music is not on the page; it is in the ear. And Gyorgy knew this. The truth is self-evident. Liszt knew it. Chopin knew it. Ivan Moravec knew it and yes, there are a few on this planet who know it. Thank you all for sharing a true master's hearth-felt intentions with the whole damn world !!!!! Blessings
Wow...very profound.
Der Beste auf der ganzen Welt!!!!!
AHHHH I didn't even know these recording existed.
Thanks for the shareing
I was astonished at the remarkable beauty, polish, aristocratic refinement, great tenderness, and deeply personal identification with these all-too familiar works. My opinion of this particular artist has changed forever -- and for much the better. There is an INTIMATE quality about these readings that seems more “right” than the usual extroverted, ultra-brilliant sort of thing we usually get -- even from the best players.
This is very great salon music played, as I think Chopin intended it to be.
Agreed.
I concur....forever immortal this man.
If you enjoy Cziffra's Chopin Waltzes then please listen to his account of Chopin's Polonaises 1-6 which I have also uploaded. They also date from 1963 a time when Cziffra's star shone brightly.
So marvelous and prodigious virtuoso!!!!!❤
Again and again .... listening this jewel ! Thanks dear Piano 345 for your splendid choices as ever !
Thank you Odile - please have a look at my most recent Cziffra upload -
Magnificent !!!! Brillant Performance, Georgy Cziffra Great Pianist !!!!
La classe è superlativa quanto il pensiero in questo pianista immenso!
Super,merci !
Delicious rendition to listen at wake up . Thanks dear Alan for this unforgettable Maestro .
Totally agree with you Odile - each Waltz characterized with Cziffra's unique style.
Have a nice Sunday evening dear piano 345 .
Thank you Odile - just relaxing and listening to beautiful music.
When Cziffra plays a piece you remember it. It is his version of the written note. It has character.
Brilliant performance !!! only Cziffra can play Chopin the way supposed to be playing,
beautiful interpretation...he feels every key on the piano .
Anca Balian I agree with you totally - a personal response to every Waltz not just notes on the printed page. The light and shade and colourings he brings to these pieces is remarkable. Also at this time in his career Cziffra played a Steinway piano.
piano345 I have the 40 CD box set that contains all of his studio recordings between 1956-1986. Cziffra is the best!
MrClassicalMusic1 I have the box set too - wonderful!
piano345 Do you know which CD's are the Phillip recordings, and which are the EMI? I also have a few of his LP's.
piano345 Les enregistrement de ces Valses ont été réalisés en 1962 au Studio des Dames sur piano Gaveau, comme toute la série Phillips de 1962 et 1963. Aucun Steinway ne peut rivaliser avec la rondeur de son de ces magnifiques instruments, notamment dans les basses. Ce sont les plus belles valses de l'histoire de l'enregistrement ! Certaines des photos de ces vidéos ont été faites par Roger Pic au domicile de Cziffra à Cormeilles en Parisis (visibles sur BNF Gallica : gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9001739w)
The registration of these Waltz was made in 1962 at the Studio des Dames in Paris onGaveau piano, like all Phillips series 1962 and 1963. No Steinway can compete with the roundness of sound of these magnificent instruments, including the bass. These are the most beautiful waltzes of the history of the recording ! Some of the photos of these videos were made by Roger Pic's home Cziffra in Cormeilles en Parisis (visible in BNF Gallica:gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9001739w)
Thank you very much for sharing Cziffra's wonderful interpretation!
Delicada, sensible y personal versión de los valses de Chopin... Me gusta...
Beautiful ! Thanks for sharing!
don't underestimate the skill involved in playing even the first waltz here. the most challenging thing to do on a pianoforte is hit the same note in succession.
cziffra is a genius of piano. I wonder why he didn't compose more. Not to mention, his arrangments are that of what i expected to come out of great composers. such a shame.
greatest pianist since liszt.
True indeed. Így van, ez nem is lehet kérdéses.
Great interpretation!!!!
Why cziffra is complained about lack of musicality? He is in fact very poetic and romantic.
Mostly unimaginative boring critics.
Didn't think anyone could match Trifonov's splendid Op 18 recording... I am very happy to stand corrected.
My favourite Chopin waltzes
Csodálatos.....
Splendid rendition played by a magician ! Thanks a lot dear Alan Thorpe for your great choices ! Soon with great pleasure !
+Odile Reneleau Yes Odile a performance full of charm, colour, character and brilliance. I hope that you enjoy my other uploads of Cziffra, Cherkassky and other favourite works.
Good evening dear Alan , always happy about all your choices ! Thanks again and again dearest !
+piano345 Later , I'll listen to Cherkassky and others !
+Odile Reneleau Many thanks Odile.
Grata por tanta BELEZA !!!!!!!!! (Malu / Brasil)
Sim - muito bonito. A wonderful pianist.
Amazingly amazing. Thank you for the upload. Shared.
Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!
очень светлая трактовка вальсов. Богатое звучание.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B R A V O !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tHANKS
Please listen to my other Cziffra uploads of Chopin, Liszt and Tchaikovsky etc.
Sublime!
Inarrivabile
Thanks very much for uploading.
You are welcome - I am happy that you enjoy my uploads.
Amazing
Jeongeun Kim be with me
The front picture looks like a merge of Cziffra+Chopin faces
For me the best for Carneval op. 9 of Schumann it's Cziffra and now Tiffany Poon.
Right next to Werner Haas. Both are my favourite in the waltzs
These interpretations have received a very scathing review in The Gramophone magazine and justifiably so because they do not fit the conventional Chopin interpretations but if Cortot could get away with so many liberties then why not Cziffra? So if you’re open to something radically different it’s a must listen.
Critics often have a fixed idea about how certain pieces should be played. They leave out imagination, individuality and style. Photocopy artists often please critics but Cziffra was never that dull. How fortunate we are to have great artists such as Cziffra, Horowitz and Cherkassky et al
Go's rigth next to my Rubinstein recording. Stuff of greatness.
WalyB01 Yes - Rubinstein was a wonderful pianist and artist. I heard him twice play the Brahm's B flat concerto with Barbirolli and the Halle.
***** Couldn't agree more
+WalyB01 Rubinstein discovered Arrau, all pupils of pupils of Liszt
+Emiliano Dean Atran (L'haflack) Lets pupil this a bit further. Cause they were actually the pupils of pupils of the pupil of Czerny, how incidentally was a pupil of Beethoven, who was a pupil of Haydn. Lest just say Haydn ws the boss, but their was no doubt about that.
WalyB01 Yes but the fact that Liszt was their grand master and not other pupils of Czerny is what makes their sense of technique so good. I have trained under a pupil of Cziffra, and what I've been shown is what Liszt has shown next geberation with his bear hands. I have the Cziffra's fingering on the Chopin Etudes...=) (and no-one else does muahahaha except for like 10 souls in the universe)
Superb!
Boa interpretação. Mais técnica.
People have given thumbs down to their IQ level.
Greatest pianist of 20. century. Yes, he feels every key on the piano. Every other interpretation seems to be imitation, exept for Glenn Gould.
+Erika Pollák You might be surprised to know that when this recording was first reviewed by one well known magazine in 1962 it received negative comments. The critic said that Cziffra 'invented counter subjects' and that the playing was,'mannered.' So much for insensitive unmusical reviewers.
+Erika Pollák ehi, nice to meet you. I'm from Italy and my last name is the same as yours. you're welcome.
+piano345 thank You. It is interesting. I think he plays so differently from the others, mainly at that periode. His interpretation is not "classic", sure, but very strong. Those people who had the chance to be at his concerts saying that he had an extreme radience, force what they could feel. He almost never struck a false note and was able to play the impossible. He played during many years in bars under the communist repression. Once a famous pianist went to hear Cziffra, entering, he asked: " But where is the seconde pianiste? " He was the only one...The music is somthing very personal, I feel the message of Cziffra.
agreed, only Glenn Gould can achieve that sound too.
Glenn, strangely enough, really didn't like music. He was more like that guy in "Rain Man". A savant ... and really not a ...... God bless him where ever he is. CVD
Ух ты, какой цыган! ❤
Cziffra and me have musically a lot in common in terms of musical ideas but I don't have his charm, dignity and confidence and I'm born in the wrong era. These waltzes are better than Lipatti.
I Think the Ab 42 is the Brian Eno version
Piano345 simply cannot take criticism and I recall that early 1960's review of Cziffra's Chopin Waltzes came at a time when it seemed both Cziffra and Horowiitz were trying their level best to out do each other. The performances are rather mannered although this approach works nicely with some waltzes and generally causes little problem for me. As for "invention of counter subjects" there is much truth here but on this occasion Cziffra has fortunately not gone overboard and the effect can be interesting. There are better recordings of Chopin's Waltzes available but Cziffra's disc rightly takes it's place as a genuine 1960's historical document.
Horowitz knew he couldn't really play Chopin. He said his fingers turned into glass and then began to brake. Horowitz couldn't sustain the emotional control related to the full content of most of Chopin's major works. Few actually can. Ivan Moravec did. In fact, I'm not so sure, Ivan Moravec wasn't Chopin (reincarnated) . Interesting comment. Thanks, CVD
Czifra pianista leggendario.
LO CREDO ha la potenza di un carroarmato che schiaccia un topolino.
Di più non posso dire,
qui non sono né in aula di Accademia né di Conservatorio.
Im my computer has appeared a sound fail, more or less between 22' and 24'. Please verify that.
Euro Oscar Sorry I had to remove these Waltzes for copyright reasons.
ok, thanks, I understand.
Please subscribe to my channel uploads page.
+piano345 Of course my dear Alan !
thought its subjective I'd personally rate this slightly above rubenstein's version.
Classical Music Remixes 432hz Rubinstein version his boring, only "élégante"
There is an audio issue from 20:06 to 24:05
I had to remove some Waltzes because of copyright issues - sorry.
20:04 Not cool, I legit thought my computer was crashing.
Oh good i thought i was the only one LOL
👍
piano345 do you know Horowitz ?
Yes of course. One of my favourite pianists.
How about Lipatti’s interpretation?
Not better or worse but different. That's why interpretation is so interesting.
@@piano345 Which one do you prefer
What year was this!
Recorded in 1962. Received negative reviews at the same time as the Etudes Op. 10 and 25 were praised.
kinda cuts off lol...
I can to think that for the valzer of Chopin can to be the best pianist
the pianist Annie Zhou.
Not easy to play very good
all the 14 valzer of Chopin
that i know from 50 years.
Czifra it's 50% more A.B.
Michelangeli
To play these valzer of Chopin it's like to play method Beyer.
So when he play Chopin,he use the 70% of the tecnique
that use for to play Liszt_music
But the people prefer the Chopin- music because full
of feelings.
cjoipn bad
Too fast