"Musicians are very fortunate people because in order to interpret music properly we have to know three major things: we have to know emotionally what the composer is trying to convey, we can't just play with our feelings so we have to understand intellectually everything on the printed page, and then the third thing is that's not sufficient we have to make a physical connection to everything that we feel and think. And what that means is that we're working on our person not just our talent. And that's what you take away from your practice sessions so that everything that you learn through the discipline of music you project into everything you do in life.” ~ Seymour Bernstein
We are professional student. We learn to teach and we teach to learn…. My personal motto. I am thankful for this video and this marvelous teacher … always learning.👏🏻👏🏻💚👏🏻👏🏻
@@sukholmes1066 That's the dream! 7.5hrs - amazing. I'm 34, with two kids under 2 years old...I'm lucky if I get 1 hour per day right now. Looking forward to many more hours practice when the kids are older!
I'm half way through the video and just realize that this isn't just about teaching the Prelude. He's teaching how to play the piano well in GENERAL, almost all the advice can be applied to playing any other piece, bless this man.
Everything is everything else... There is no conceivable end to thought and learning: for this reason, specialized learning exists in the realm of dualistic extremes and longs for a reasonable simulacrum of the process as a whole. This is a beautiful lesson on one of the most individually intrinsic emotive works in the canon; the No.4 E-minor prelude is deceptively simple in its stateliness, and therefore, it evokes ignorance or introspection in the plainest sense making it the perfect piece to filibuster upon the emotional minutia transfigurative demands of musicianship...
Just. Incredible. TH-cam algorithm sent me here. I haven't played classical piano in 30 years. I didn't have time for a 45 minute video. Well -- here I am 45 minutes later. First few minutes and I was sucked in by this man's passion, reason, philosophy, intelligence. I'm literally misty eyed. I could watch days of him talking and teaching music. What a wonderful human being.
Every music teacher should watch this. The last few points are the take away. Mr. Seymour puts what being a musician is all about in the clearest of terms. I'm eternally grateful. A very special lesson.
If anyone could have a single piano lesson, this one should be it. The final analysis puts it perfectly: music is a language for human emotion, but the musician must rationalize that emotion intellectually and render it physically in order to speak. That’s the most important takeaway for me, and that’s considering I’ve finally found someone put into *words* everything I’ve tried to articulate playing this piece for over 20 years.
@@Xlappahony No. Not at all. It's about emotion, language, and communication. Practice (as in playing alone) does not automatically yield those things.
I'm 80 and still teaching about 25 students...a couple of which are working on this prelude. My guess is that the book he briefly referred to is most likely Alan Walker's "A Life and Times of Fryderyk Chopin"....an Excellent read and a must if you want to truly understand Chopin and his dilemmas. This lesson was so full of wonderful detail I'm going to have to watch it again and take notes!
@@peter5.056- That book, "Chopin, Pianist and Teacher, As Seen by his Pupils", is probably my favorite book on Chopin. It was written by Eigeldinger. Highly recommended!
@@helenavondrakenstein4969 Thanks Helena! Since it's all up to genetics and luck, I can safely continue my consumption of bacon, cigarettes, alcohol, and cocaine, as well as all other manner of risky behavior. Seriously though, I do have a hunch that music prolongs the lifespan!
In this digital age where all analog information and musical wisdom of the past is bound to fade away into the depths of time, to be forgotten forever, we cannot thank Bernstein enough for his generosity to share his knowledge and wisdom with us, taking time to record these sessions. I am grateful…
Well it’s true that civilizations rise and fall and that the music theory that came into our world in the pre-renaissance era of northern Europe, I don’t think it’s necessarily true that music and music Siri will disappear forever. It could happen, but maybe not. But I am in total agreement with you that digital age music is troubling especially with the recent introduction of artificial intelligence not only writing music but deciding which songs get on the playlist. Yikes!
Nope.The real things always survive. Only the fake things are fading away. Digital is all fake. It will not last. Dont listen to this people who tell you this is the future. Smarter people dont use 90% of the crap on the market. This is for the sheep.
The depth and intensity of this "lesson" is something so rare in and on you tube. While I have hammered my way through this Prelude a number of times, Mr. Bernstein has gently shown me the damage that can be done when a musician ceases to be informed. His final words present what one needs always to do. My life, I think, is changed.
Thanks to all concerned for lending Seymour Bernstein to us for these precious minutes. I had lost touch with him for many years and always wondered what had become of him. I am so happy he is still so vividly and lucidly with us! I knew him in the mid-1980s at the music publishing firm G. Schirmer, where I served as Publicity Manger. I met with Mr. Bernstein several times because Schirmer published many of his editions of the classic piano literature, and we discussed ways to promote them. Considering all that's come down in the last 40 years I am so happy to meet him again! I wish him many more long and healthy years, and hope I'm as cognitively together as he is at his age.
When I listened to his playing and explanation of the prelude in E minor, it felt like, finally, someone had the right instinct or intuition for understanding the piece. How perspicacious of him to note that the lack of dynamic notation until the very end is to allow a free interpretation, subject to the mood of the pianist at the time of play. His own rendering of the piece is so impressive such that I felt guilty not recognizing who this man is. If he were a chef I would say, finally, someone made this popular bowl of soup just right, using the right amount of ingredients and cooked to perfection.
Finally! someone knows how to play it! This piece has been here for over 200 years. But See More, he knows, finally, how to play it........ Let's hear See More play all the Preludes.
My piano instructor was a student of Bernstein’s in Manhattan for five years. She used to often talk about how kind a human being he is and how knowledgeable he is about his craft.
Mind blown! I am teaching this right now to a 14-year-old with great capacity to interpret the Chopin prelude, but now I see how one can fall short in teaching meaningful and historically-inspired interpretation. The hairpins explanation was an epiphany! Thank you!
This is just solid gold. I feel like Berstein has reached a stage in life when he wants to pass on everything that he possibly can to benefit all future musicians - it’s a wonderful thing. I have watched this video so many times and I literally hang on every word, the way he takes the time to explain is perfect and precise, and it’s no wonder that he can project such emotion into his playing when he manages to project so much even into his teachings. Thank you Tonebase for this video. Dare I ask for more? ❤❤❤
I can listen to him all day I’m not even a pianist I am a “fallen” string player but that’s irrelevant This is just soft, rich, and full Just what my brain needs right now
Don't worry about being a fallen string player. We're all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. Once in awhile someone dares to whisper that the piano is not really a percussion instrument, but a stringed instrument.
Holy smokes! I'm 64 and just starting to learn this piece (hacking away I'm afraid) after a non artistic mostly analytic life. I'm overwhelmed. If I can eventually apply a tenth of what he gently suggests I may begin to feel like a true musician. Don't deride me for not knowing who he is -- he's obviously someone very special in the music world. My thanks that he shares his gift and insight.
I'm even older than you, playing since I was 7, and it's GREAT that you're taking on this piece at your age. You'll get so much out of it. I learned new things from Mr. Bernstein myself today. We should, all of us at every age, always keep learning!
My friends.....we Must realise that we are really really lucky what we see and hear on this video...on this Masterclass!!! I am a violin teacher but i feel a better musician after seeing this even if i am not a pianist!!! What a GEM!! Thank you Mr.Seymour!!
“Everything that you learn through the discipline of music you project into everything you do in life”. When I first started playing music as a kid, little did I know about this profound truth. Only later in life I came to a realisation on how much influence those lessons truly had on me and how much value they contributed into my life.
Nowadays, those interesting historical "discoveries" of Seymour Bernstein are actually common knowledge among pianists who also play and study earlier instruments and culture, like Erard etc. What I find astonishing is that he is 95 - he was taught, trained and raised in a very different approach, yet he still managed to doubt certain musical aspects and research them to learn more. I wish I am like that in over 60 years.
That’s still a very small percentage of pianists who would know something like this. This comes from…time spent researching outside of school…so yeah…it’s great information nonetheless.
I cannot but notice he produces very very beautiful piano tones. Remarkable. Also I thought he was about sixty years old... he says, ninety two! Unbelievable. And, oh, I love his final comment.
No matter how much you know in science or the arts, there's always much more to learn. Seymour Bernstein is a perfect example of the supreme student eagerly passing on his staggering knowledge to anyone who cares to listen. Fascinating, generous and rewarding.
Fantastic, engrossing, educational, artistic video! I played this piece 50 years ago. It usually assigned to young pianists because it's "not hard to play". Boy, now I see how mature a piece this is. Makes me want to take a 2nd pass! Thank you Seymour!!
It's the fourth time I've seen this masterclass from start to end. Seymour Bernstein is an authentic piano master. Is a real priviledge to have this video available.
Love this! And I was so joyfully surprised to find Seymour Bernstein himself leaving a heartfelt comment of praise at the video of Yunchan Lim's Bach Siciliano.. which made my respect for Seymour even greater!
@@lalolalala6819 He posted in the comments section of the video. link --> th-cam.com/video/wmRtH0TYkwc/w-d-xo.html&start_radio=1&rv=pRLBBJLX-dQ&ab_channel=KBS%ED%81%B4%EB%9E%98%EC%8B%9DClassic
wow...breathtaking. This man is a real teacher. I'm just speechless. I'm very grateful I happened to stumble upon this video. I just came from watching a Mortal Kombat tournament, this was the recommended next viedeo, and I watched it without a break. I probably would have never given up playing the piano, had I had a teacher with so much love for the art. It makes me a bit sad, but also happy, to know how much depth there was after all, that I could never see, because it never was shown to me like in this video. Happy just to know, there is more depth to life than i have been assuming, i guess. Maybe there is a point in art after all. And if there is a point to art, maybe there is to life too. This video made me hopeful. Thank you very much, mr Seymour Bernstein.
Thank you, Tonebase for this production. It is such a rewarding experience. Thank you Mr Bernstein for giving your heart into this. For showing us your thought process.
I love classical music but I do not play piano and never heard of Seymour Bernstein. After my first Cliburn this year, I want to learn how to evaluate performances. This teacher so clearly and sweetly explains the nuances involved and also the deeper meaning ... how the emotional, intellectual and physical connection to the music will elevate the other parts of life. Its not just about winning competitions. It is also about becoming a better person inside. Thank you, Mr. Bernstein.
Mr. Bernstein - I appreciate your online tutorials. As someone who is about to turn 70 and beginning piano lessons again after a 60 year break (took lessons for 6 years as a kiddo), it is so wonderful to learn new techniques from you while playing. Thankyou for sharing out of the wealth of your knowledge.
I’ve never heard this Prelude played so sensitively and beautifully. It often sounds gloomy, maudlin, almost glum in other interpretations. But carrying the B over from the previous Prelude into this one is a game changer.
I don't know what to say.... I'm not a pianist, I'm a choral conducter. But this is one of the most valuable lessons that I've ever seen before. There are lot of basic musical things that I always try to explain for my students. Great teacher, great musician. Thank you for the opportunity to take a part of your lessons! I really have no words to express my excitement about this video
Wow - Just wow. This is what the promise of the internet truly is. Sharing of this type of conversation with people that NEVER would have had the opportunity. Incredible. Thank you!
Hi I am in my late sixties and learning piano. Love it so much. I should have started when I was a kid but poverty and circumstances prevented me from learning music. Thank you so much for the lesson. God bless you Sir. ❤
hi a 59year old here... I was put off by an overbearing father (God Keep him close ) but here I am again merely playing for the expression of something thst cannot be articulated in any other way & the incredible way it makes me feel as 'whole' as possible. 💗
I came here to learn how to play the Prelude. I learned so much more than that in an amazingly insightful 45 minutes. A very special thank you Seymour Bernstein for sharing your experience in such a wonderful way.
This is one of those pieces that is relatively easy to play so far as hitting the right notes is concerned, but so difficult to make sound right. What a great video. What a great teacher and generous man. Many thanks
Absolutely. I play Chopin pretty exclusively and my husband doesn't understand when I say I find this piece more difficult than some of the hardest nocturnes. Anyone with rudimentary knowledge can hit the right notes, but getting the right tone and emotion is so much harder.
This is truly amazing. I was gifted the time to listen to this uninterrupted. I will do it again and again. @34 mins it reminded me of the frustration of me reading the notes, punching the notes down and not hearing the heart of the piece. I knew something was wrong. The left hand never sounded "right". Wow, no I can have breakfast in silence, to digest this. Thank you. I'm about to embark on some solo recordings. This 45 minutes, if I'm fortunate will inform those recordings.
Extraordinary! I'm really in awe how Mr. Bernstein puts so much important knowledge in 45 minutes. What a wonderful and useful lesson about music and playing the piano! Thank you Mr. Bernstein!
What an absolutely beautiful Gentleman! The softness of his voice rooted in his kind demeanor and deep sensibility made me pause and truly pay attention to this fantastic music lesson. This video is so rare! One hundred years from now people will still enjoy watching Mr. Seymour Bernstein teaching this masterclass! Save it in the clouds! ❤
This was the video that made me decide to keep using tonebase after my trial. Even though I'm just a beginner, I really appreciate being able to go into a piece with the aid of such breadth of knowledge and careful interpretation. I really love Seymour Bernstein teaching style.
Truly,I have been so BLESSED to have watched this video today,and as a piano student,to have matured immensely from all the wisdom contained in it!!. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Seymour!!It has been so refreshing for me to watch something on the internet with so much wisdom and humanity, especially in our digital age,so full of data,factoids and tons of useless info and garbage.You have done a great service here Mr. Seymour!! I thank-you!!
WHAT A GREAT PIANO INSTRUCTOR , Seymour Bernstein is. Plus he gives us the tips that it took him so long to find & or master. What a pleasure. Thank you, Sir.🇫🇷🇺🇸
92 years old! I am reminded of a lecture I went to and the speaker inquire if there were any individual's who were 90 years old. One gentleman raised his hand and the audience gave an appreciative applause. The speaker said you look wonderful, the audience laughed. The speaker went on to say keep on doing what you're doing. To Seymour I can only add, keep on doing what you're doing.
@@station2station544 (Thin White Duke?) Thank you sir. If you have a moment, I invite you to look at sub-thread just below, headed by my comment *"I'm not a piano student. Why the hell 'must' I watch this?"* and confirm for me whether my interlocutor there is an asshole.
I’m devouring every word. He has so much precision and intention with his playing, and I’m so grateful he somehow put this into words. What a wise, brilliant, and thoughtful man.
Wonderful, thank you. What he calls illusion is in fact the heart of the matter. Music is what you do not hear (with your ears), or in other words, what is between the notes.
This is a fantastic lesson and perfect timing for me personally as I've been working on a few chopin preludes, including the aforementioned E minor. It makes complete sense when you look at the evidence he presents: along with the written accounts from old masters, the hairpins and dynamic markings side-by-side would no doubt seem redundant for someone who was as meticulous as chopin. It's honestly amazing the kind of world we live in today where we can get a valuable piano lesson through youtube for free whereas people some hundreds of years probably would have had to travel extensively and find food/lodging, etc lol. I had the pleasure of seeing Seymour in person about 9 years ago in NY at a premiere screening of his biographical film created by Ethan Hawke (yes, THAT one). Many people were of course there to see Ethan, but I personally enjoyed Seymour's life story on sceeen and I'm glad to see he's still doing well!
I hope you do not forget to look at the end of the book - Op.45 in C# minor. Not to everyone's taste, but it is a special piece that is worth checking out...
I loved this lesson! Mr. Bernstein is such a great teacher and musician who brings to life the meaning of being a real interpreter. Thank you so much for this invaluable knowledge.
Wow! This lesson is priceless. One can learn the piano on a technical level but to incorporate the human element is where the magic is. It’s that combination that moves people. Having said that, to have the master of both do a class for us commoners is a privilege that doesn’t come by that often. Much respect and gratitude to you, Mr Bernstein.
regretably I do not play the piano. Still, I found myself smiling all through this great presentation. Such pleasure coming from this man. Thank you Mr. Seymour Bernstein. Thank you Tonebase.
An absolute treat. Thank you so much for sharing this video. I wish I had taken piano lessons from a great teacher when i was a child. My life would be infinitely more enriched. I'm 57 but it's never too late. I believe I'll start.
Wow! This video moved me beyond words. ❤️❤️ I couldn't help but hang on your every word. Started playing piano at around 6-7 years old when we got our first piano. Have loved playing all my life. I'll be 70 in December. You, sir, mesmerized me.
What a lesson about piano, music and life. This video is one of the most profound analysis I've ever seen of a piece of music. I now see I was completely missing the point when I was playing this piece. I hope I will be able to convey his message, or at least part of it, next time I interpret this prelude. I have watched the last 2 minutes of the video 3 times.
Every little detail of his teaching is worth absorbing but that last bit about music helping you to work through your emotions and come through them as a better person. That really makes me appreciate the gift of learning to play piano.
What a lovely gift to be able to have this lesson on youtube. As a self-taught pianist these videos or gold-dust. I am only wondering about his "crescendo in the right hand" - I worked this out to an extent on my own (to stop the "banging" effect", but I still feel that the left hand should crescendo itself occasionally (even without the tune) for particular effects. For example - when learning the piece myself - I listened to María João Pires playing the Schubert Impromptu Op90#4, and her balance betewwn left and right hands I found to be superb - very subtle shades in BOTH hands I felt. Of course the right hand mostly, but not always... If anyone has thoughts about this I'd be very intrested!
I just watched this out of curiosity but discovered a nugget of gold. What a privilege it would be to be a pupil of his. The discussion on 'hairpins' and the research to back it up astonished me and was an eyeopener. At 77 years of age and involved with music in one way or another all my life I see I am but a novice. I could not help remembering an old African saying as I listened to Mr. Bernstein, " When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground". I hope we are blessed with Mr. Bernstein for many more years but how true, one sad day, that will be. Thank you so much.
This is such a fantastic video. One of my first teachers was about his age and spent so much time with me and hand position and relaxation and producing tone the same way. I watched this video and immediately went downstairs to play this prelude. I did one thing right, I have always held that D# down until I play the D natural a few notes later to get that dissonance. There are about 5 or 6 great lessons in this one video.
I could listen to Seymour for hours at a time, his knowledge and peacefulness resonate with me deeply and profoundly. Thank you for this beautiful lesson Seymour
Ah, a gentle massage for the brain! I had put this piece to one side, because I didn't know how to play what I heard in my head, and now I do. I have to start with it from the very beginning. Thankyou Mr. Bernstein for such inspiring communication! You are lovely!
I was privileged to have lived in the apartment next door to Seymour in the 90's. I learned that he was a star, the best player of Chopin in the 50s/60s/70s. It's true. He gave me a CD of his playing, "Retrospective", and told me how it came about, which is another interesting story.. Anyway, I was a jazz guitar player at the time. Chopin, of all composers, 'got it!' in terms of how to alter V chords (b9,#9,b5,#5 etc).., and I always loved Chopin, and then Seymour. He would invite me to listen to his pupils (the best players in Manhattan - and the world) play recitals in his place, on his rosewood Steinway, (which he would not let me play! :) I don't know,.. Since I'm not a piano player, maybe he thought I would hurt/defile it :) Anyway... I watched him teach his students. He was so full of love. What are those lines from the Bible? -" Love is patient, love is kind...." etc.. That was Seymour teaching people. - And his insight into music in general, the great composers, the technique of piano playing and how to bring the best out of anyone, musically or personally, was beyond words. Even this video that I just watched - I learned a biggie. Those (what he calls 'hairpins' that look like crescendo/decrescendo) are not dynamic instructions but actually a kind of rubato marking?. Huh? Who knew?! Every day my girlfriend and I would walk our dog in the park. When returning home my dog would insist on knocking on Seymour's door. Seriously. We had to stop. The dog insisted. Seymour would always open the door and love up my dog with biscuits and kind words. What an absolute treasure you are Seymour. I miss you. I don't know if you'll remember me, but I hope to see you again the next time I'm in town.
@@michaelmorin6235 Does (I must assume) he and other classical players know that that first C to B is screaming out a dominant b9 to the B in Em? I'm not a scholar in the genre but as I mentioned above, Chopin, to me, seemed like the first jazz composer. That note to me isn't just a note involved with descending E harmonic minor. It seems like Chopin's music was so full of altered dominant 9s and 5s and their resolutions back home or wherever they were going. Like it's all more about "going somewhere." More not about where you are but more about where you are going. It keeps the motion/music alive. (Maybe that is simple and understood by 'classical folks)... I don't know.
The reason I ask is that I hope young students know the theory behind these tunes. I also wish that more talented young classical students of any instrument would compose their own music. It seems to me like composition has been a bit forgotten. Everyone is so consumed with playing the masters' works. There is still so much that can be done, and I'm speaking about tonal music with gravity and cadences and phrases that fit a form... But then again, I don't think I could compete with Bach... - How did that guy live 65 years, have a dozen kids, make a decent living playing organ in a local church, while writing sooo many great works of music, books, how to tune the 'piano' of the time, etc?.. But there's still a lot to be done. Most modern composers, and I love them, - ( I was just listening to Arvo Part on my stereo, beautiful stuff, Requiem).. So much still to do. Rock & roll has been staying alive for decades, somehow surprisingly with (at least not in copyright violation) new melodies over the same few chords... (Not that there's anything wrong with that). You schooled guys should write more!
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to watch this beautiful lesson by this great teacher. So profound and and was deeply touched. Thanks for sharing this. 🙏
This is wonderful and a lesson for everybody. I am a saxophone player, and I've been at it for decades like this master. But the same goes for all musicians: Once you know what you're doing and have the confidence to do it, then the piece is yours from start to finish; the notes are just a guide, a suggestion. It's up to you to find, within yourself, where the music resides.
A great lesson thanks Mr Bernstein. I love this prelude-played it for my honours program many years ago. I never had a lesson like this, so you've given me many new insights re touch and weight control on the notes, hairpins as rubato, voicing, all of which was most interesting and made so much sense for a performer. I'd have loved to have had you as a teacher 65 years' ago-you can really teach unforgettable lessons.
I came from the family of Russian musicians. Mom, aunt, uncle, cousins... Im not a musician myself, but I went to music school for 7 years as a traditional thing. I quit the music school. I was good, but not so dedicated and very lazy. Now at 58 i know why: I didn't have you as a teacher. Thank you so much for such a great class. I've learned a lot from you today Mr. Bernstein. Pleasure to listen to you talk and play. You are wonderful. Im russian living in Canada. Doctor by my first education. My best regards to you. Thank you.
Piano was my first instrument at the age of 5. I’m 39 last month and just started to play again. We are so blessed to have this caliber of instruction available to us like this. It took my nearly 35 years of playing various instruments like guitar, bass, drums, hand percussion, singing, electronic music production to come full circle and realize how piano is a hybrid of all instruments. It is percussive like a drum, melodic like a harp, sings like a choir, and stringed like a guitar. The dynamic and rhythmic possibilities are endless. The potential for hemispherical coherence is unparalleled. It was actually my study of brain plasticity and neuroaesthetics that brought me back to this balanced divine instrument. Thank you. Blessings to everyone who is on their journey of expressing their essence and finding understanding and meaningful inquiry of the cosmos through our collective one song. (Universe)
I'm 35, been playing self-taught for one year. Prelude in E minor is one of my best pieces so far. And it's just humbling, inspiring, and jaw dropping to watch this video. I have so far to go still, but I see that was an awesome thing: I have so much more adventure ahead. I also love seeing an elderly man play such beautiful music because it reminds me that age is unlikely to rob me of this hobby the way it will hockey and other sports. Finally, I _love_ the feeling of when I see others play a piece and I gain ideas by how they play it. Almost like, "here's a whole new sub-adventure for you to take on your journey through this piece."
i’m a rock guitarist from the 80’s Yngwie van Halen etc. but i have found in the last 5 years to enjoy immensely the classical music world of the masters and educators and biographers.
Very similar story. I played a rock guitar in 90s. Was big fan of Eddie and Yngwie as well. Then I went deeply into romantic and baroque music. Started to learn piano and was able to play quite difficult Chopin etudes. Then in a short time I understood that Yngwies playing is nothing but just superficial runs and passages in harmonic minor scale. Its like a powder covering lack of valuable, deep content. But Eddie was different. Eddie is still alive in our hearts as rocking genius.
@@Notturno81 So true - classical musician here. Eddie was incredible, but I can't understand why Yngwie is revered so much amongst rock guitarists. You've pretty much summed him up. Have you heard his "concerto suite" for guitar and orchestra? Unbelievably bad...!
@@jadeothen6057 Oh such a long story. To answer this, why young guitarist are so much attracted to Y.M I can give my example. I was 16 when I heard him and was overhelmed. The main reason was I couldn't resist this passion and insanely beautiful, agressive vibrato. Younger people love the brilliant technique as well. The first album I heard was Magnum opus and it is still magnificent. Then I heard Rising force and deny it or not: This sounded and sounds fresh even today. The problem is, what happened later. He inprisoned himself in a kind of a bubble he lives in. He believes to be a second Paganini without knowing, why he never was and will never be him. Plays endless secondary dominant cadences with 32th notes believing to be incorporation of Bach. And wasn 't even close a lightyear to him He missed the border between a classical and rock musicain claiming, he's never had a band. He just wrote music for the orchestra, like Beethoven did. Sad and pathetic. The concerto you mentioned is good example. I can't bear it when he replaces a single note in a melody with a blast of constant dimished arrpegios. This is more embarrasing when you actually recognize the fact, that he is able to play long juicy lines (listen to the solo in Cross the line. Pure beauty) But he is just devastating his every idea. I could write about this wasted talent the whole day and night....
@@Notturno81 Mmmm...I think I have a lower opinion of him than even you do. He appears to not be musical in the slightest. He cannot create anything that sounds musical and he can't phrase anything. His ego is so massive. I don't think his technique is very good at all - it is in fact very sloppy. If you slowed down his fast runs it would sound terrible with missed notes and general sloppiness. He is beyond a joke imho with his claims to be some sort of Bach reincarnation lol. My husband is a rock guitarist and saw him live about 30 years ago and said it was amazing, the atmosphere that was generated etc. But since then - garbage.
@@jadeothen6057 Couldn't agree more. I wanted to point out, that it went in good direction in the beginning, when he played with Alcatraz. He could have recorded 3 solo albums and it would be fine. He is recording the same album for 30 years instead. He mentions very often about two things, which are visible from the space: The chinese wall and his Marshall amps wall. I'd rather say: His enormous ego. He calls it confidence but to be honest, he is not the most intelligent person on this planet. That's why he wasn't able to lead his career in a smart way.
As an organist I have another confirmation of the hairpin interpretation Mr Bernstein was talking about. I see a lot of Germany 19th century organ music that uses hairpins, but most 19th century German organs did not have swell boxes used to adjust the volume. I could never really understand why the composers used them when it was impossible to achieve, now every thing is clear. There is a famous piece by Raubke that has these but booth feet are playing notes thus even with a swell pedal (controlled by one foot) it would be impossible.
I learned more in this video than I did with two piano teachers, two choral conductors, a history of music instructor, a counterpoint theorist, an orchestration professor and two harmony and composition professors, combined. And two amongst those tenured educators were Pulitzer laureate composers. I thank you proportionately, Professor Bernstein, with eternal hairpins. You are proof for me of "nobilis ars et scientia experientiae." I hope that good fortune grows from the Apr 24th we share!
"Musicians are very fortunate people because in order to interpret music properly we have to know three major things: we have to know emotionally what the composer is trying to convey, we can't just play with our feelings so we have to understand intellectually everything on the printed page, and then the third thing is that's not sufficient we have to make a physical connection to everything that we feel and think. And what that means is that we're working on our person not just our talent. And that's what you take away from your practice sessions so that everything that you learn through the discipline of music you project into everything you do in life.” ~ Seymour Bernstein
"I'd like to think that I'm a student forever, even though I'm 92." A sentiment we should all aspire to!
Yes you always will be a student … all of us teachers and students
We are professional student. We learn to teach and we teach to learn…. My personal motto. I am thankful for this video and this marvelous teacher … always learning.👏🏻👏🏻💚👏🏻👏🏻
Same here. I'm 67, retired.
Practiced the piano 7.5 hours today.
@@sukholmes1066 That's the dream! 7.5hrs - amazing. I'm 34, with two kids under 2 years old...I'm lucky if I get 1 hour per day right now. Looking forward to many more hours practice when the kids are older!
I agree! Here I am old, house bound, failing heath, and brushing up on my music theory in the middle of the night. Life is good!
I'm half way through the video and just realize that this isn't just about teaching the Prelude. He's teaching how to play the piano well in GENERAL, almost all the advice can be applied to playing any other piece, bless this man.
Wait'll you get to the end! When he applies it all not just to other music but to LIFE! L'chaim!
Everything is everything else... There is no conceivable end to thought and learning: for this reason, specialized learning exists in the realm of dualistic extremes and longs for a reasonable simulacrum of the process as a whole. This is a beautiful lesson on one of the most individually intrinsic emotive works in the canon; the No.4 E-minor prelude is deceptively simple in its stateliness, and therefore, it evokes ignorance or introspection in the plainest sense making it the perfect piece to filibuster upon the emotional minutia transfigurative demands of musicianship...
Nice I’m a spend time with this today with my practice
He’s not trying to get off topic, this is what real passion looks like, I think so atleast.
Almost all his videos impart similar, that's why we love him!
Never before have I been more happy to have the Internet
Just. Incredible. TH-cam algorithm sent me here. I haven't played classical piano in 30 years. I didn't have time for a 45 minute video. Well -- here I am 45 minutes later. First few minutes and I was sucked in by this man's passion, reason, philosophy, intelligence. I'm literally misty eyed. I could watch days of him talking and teaching music. What a wonderful human being.
Same man. So good!
I agree.
Me too! Drawn in.
❤🙏
Agreed. Simply incredible! So fortunate to have TH-cam to bring us this treasure.
Every music teacher should watch this. The last few points are the take away. Mr. Seymour puts what being a musician is all about in the clearest of terms. I'm eternally grateful. A very special lesson.
Every teacher of ANYTHING should watch this!
Should a teacher of percussion n in the classical Indian Raga tradition watch it?
No one has taught what 'being a musician is all about' if they have not discussed gigs and payment.
@@zapazap Of course. Emotion, intellect, and physics applies to virtually everything, but no where more than music.
@@SpitfireRoad Have you anything to back that claim sir?
If anyone could have a single piano lesson, this one should be it. The final analysis puts it perfectly: music is a language for human emotion, but the musician must rationalize that emotion intellectually and render it physically in order to speak. That’s the most important takeaway for me, and that’s considering I’ve finally found someone put into *words* everything I’ve tried to articulate playing this piece for over 20 years.
it's basically stating once more that you HAVE to practice
@@Xlappahony No. Not at all. It's about emotion, language, and communication. Practice (as in playing alone) does not automatically yield those things.
Practice thoughtfully and intentionally.
Play it again. But this time... with feeeeeeeling!
Nothing new...JAZZ MUSICIANS HAVE KNOW THAT...THEY TAKE RISKS IMPROVISING MOMENT TO MOMENT
I'm 80 and still teaching about 25 students...a couple of which are working on this prelude. My guess is that the book he briefly referred to is most likely Alan Walker's "A Life and Times of Fryderyk Chopin"....an Excellent read and a must if you want to truly understand Chopin and his dilemmas. This lesson was so full of wonderful detail I'm going to have to watch it again and take notes!
The book in which I read that fact about Chopin playing lots of Bach was "Chopin, Pianist and Teacher.."
@@peter5.056- That book, "Chopin, Pianist and Teacher, As Seen by his Pupils", is probably my favorite book on Chopin. It was written by Eigeldinger. Highly recommended!
This is not related to your comment really, but do you have any advice to keep your health at such an age?
@@yeetyfreety6938 a combination of genetics and luck!!!!
@@helenavondrakenstein4969 Thanks Helena! Since it's all up to genetics and luck, I can safely continue my consumption of bacon, cigarettes, alcohol, and cocaine, as well as all other manner of risky behavior. Seriously though, I do have a hunch that music prolongs the lifespan!
In this digital age where all analog information and musical wisdom of the past is bound to fade away into the depths of time, to be forgotten forever, we cannot thank Bernstein enough for his generosity to share his knowledge and wisdom with us, taking time to record these sessions. I am grateful…
Well it’s true that civilizations rise and fall and that the music theory that came into our world in the pre-renaissance era of northern Europe, I don’t think it’s necessarily true that music and music Siri will disappear forever. It could happen, but maybe not. But I am in total agreement with you that digital age music is troubling especially with the recent introduction of artificial intelligence not only writing music but deciding which songs get on the playlist. Yikes!
As é graças a "essa era digital" que temos esse vídeo e todo tipo de informações democráticamente.
Nope.The real things always survive. Only the fake things are fading away. Digital is all fake. It will not last. Dont listen to this people who tell you this is the future. Smarter people dont use 90% of the crap on the market. This is for the sheep.
The depth and intensity of this "lesson" is something so rare in and on you tube. While I have hammered my way through this Prelude a number of times, Mr. Bernstein has gently shown me the damage that can be done when a musician ceases to be informed. His final words present what one needs always to do.
My life, I think, is changed.
Thanks to all concerned for lending Seymour Bernstein to us for these precious minutes. I had lost touch with him for many years and always wondered what had become of him. I am so happy he is still so vividly and lucidly with us! I knew him in the mid-1980s at the music publishing firm G. Schirmer, where I served as Publicity Manger. I met with Mr. Bernstein several times because Schirmer published many of his editions of the classic piano literature, and we discussed ways to promote them. Considering all that's come down in the last 40 years I am so happy to meet him again! I wish him many more long and healthy years, and hope I'm as cognitively together as he is at his age.
When I listened to his playing and explanation of the prelude in E minor, it felt like, finally, someone had the right instinct or intuition for understanding the piece. How perspicacious of him to note that the lack of dynamic notation until the very end is to allow a free interpretation, subject to the mood of the pianist at the time of play. His own rendering of the piece is so impressive such that I felt guilty not recognizing who this man is. If he were a chef I would say, finally, someone made this popular bowl of soup just right, using the right amount of ingredients and cooked to perfection.
I love the culinary analogy. Great way with words
And here is me, casually detuning the piano.
th-cam.com/video/5QALGuZ7n9s/w-d-xo.html
Just play the music. Stop with the great insight that only YOU know!!!!
Finally! someone knows how to play it! This piece has been here for over 200 years.
But See More, he knows, finally, how to play it........ Let's hear See More play all the Preludes.
what's perspiration mean?
My piano instructor was a student of Bernstein’s in Manhattan for five years. She used to often talk about how kind a human being he is and how knowledgeable he is about his craft.
Mind blown! I am teaching this right now to a 14-year-old with great capacity to interpret the Chopin prelude, but now I see how one can fall short in teaching meaningful and historically-inspired interpretation. The hairpins explanation was an epiphany! Thank you!
This is just solid gold. I feel like Berstein has reached a stage in life when he wants to pass on everything that he possibly can to benefit all future musicians - it’s a wonderful thing. I have watched this video so many times and I literally hang on every word, the way he takes the time to explain is perfect and precise, and it’s no wonder that he can project such emotion into his playing when he manages to project so much even into his teachings. Thank you Tonebase for this video. Dare I ask for more? ❤❤❤
I will NEVER play this piece the same again! I am a new person.
I need coaching like him! Lol
❤❤❤ Agreed!
I just learned years' worth of music instruction in 45 minutes. This man is accomplished both in playing and teaching
I never knew learning music from someone knowledgeable could feel this heavenly.
I can listen to him all day
I’m not even a pianist
I am a “fallen” string player but that’s irrelevant
This is just soft, rich, and full
Just what my brain needs right now
Hi there. Same here
Don't worry about being a fallen string player. We're all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.
Once in awhile someone dares to whisper that the piano is not really a percussion instrument, but a stringed instrument.
Astonishing. What a teacher. He had me hanging on every word. So much to digest. Thank you, Mr. Bernstein.
Holy smokes! I'm 64 and just starting to learn this piece (hacking away I'm afraid) after a non artistic mostly analytic life. I'm overwhelmed. If I can eventually apply a tenth of what he gently suggests I may begin to feel like a true musician. Don't deride me for not knowing who he is -- he's obviously someone very special in the music world. My thanks that he shares his gift and insight.
I'm even older than you, playing since I was 7, and it's GREAT that you're taking on this piece at your age. You'll get so much out of it. I learned new things from Mr. Bernstein myself today. We should, all of us at every age, always keep learning!
Keep hacking away.
We all begin by hacking less and less each day.
Great teacher and pianist!
No derision at all. The fact you identified how special he is without first knowing who he is, speaks very well of you!
I got chills on that transition into the e minor prelude
My friends.....we Must realise that we are really really lucky what we see and hear on this video...on this Masterclass!!! I am a violin teacher but i feel a better musician after seeing this even if i am not a pianist!!! What a GEM!! Thank you Mr.Seymour!!
“Everything that you learn through the discipline of music you project into everything you do in life”.
When I first started playing music as a kid, little did I know about this profound truth. Only later in life I came to a realisation on how much influence those lessons truly had on me and how much value they contributed into my life.
That’s way beyond teaching, that’s poetry, philosophy, history and more. Thank you !
Nowadays, those interesting historical "discoveries" of Seymour Bernstein are actually common knowledge among pianists who also play and study earlier instruments and culture, like Erard etc.
What I find astonishing is that he is 95 - he was taught, trained and raised in a very different approach, yet he still managed to doubt certain musical aspects and research them to learn more. I wish I am like that in over 60 years.
That’s still a very small percentage of pianists who would know something like this. This comes from…time spent researching outside of school…so yeah…it’s great information nonetheless.
@@Parallelfifthsblog small, but growing!:)
❤️🥹
He is 95, born in 1927
That is a very nice point. He has certainly carried on learning!! I also intend to do just that...
Stern face straight at camera: "Chopin is never redundant". I love it.
I want to make more youtube accounts just so I can like this multiple times.
This completely changed my perspective on the E minor prelude, I'll never play it the same. Thank you so much Seymour!
BINGO same with me! The 1st crescendo and not letting the keys in the left hand all the way up is a game changer
I cannot but notice he produces very very beautiful piano tones. Remarkable.
Also I thought he was about sixty years old... he says, ninety two! Unbelievable.
And, oh, I love his final comment.
No matter how much you know in science or the arts, there's always much more to learn. Seymour Bernstein is a perfect example of the supreme student eagerly passing on his staggering knowledge to anyone who cares to listen. Fascinating, generous and rewarding.
92 Years young. Amazing.💓
Fantastic, engrossing, educational, artistic video! I played this piece 50 years ago. It usually assigned to young pianists because it's "not hard to play". Boy, now I see how mature a piece this is. Makes me want to take a 2nd pass! Thank you Seymour!!
It's the fourth time I've seen this masterclass from start to end. Seymour Bernstein is an authentic piano master. Is a real priviledge to have this video available.
Love this! And I was so joyfully surprised to find Seymour Bernstein himself leaving a heartfelt comment of praise at the video of Yunchan Lim's Bach Siciliano.. which made my respect for Seymour even greater!
Yunchan's Siciliano was stunning indeed.. he must be 180 years old inside to be able to express those deep emotions so beautifully
could you please leave the timestamp?
@@lalolalala6819 th-cam.com/video/wmRtH0TYkwc/w-d-xo.html this video!
And here is me, casually detuning the piano.
th-cam.com/video/5QALGuZ7n9s/w-d-xo.html
@@lalolalala6819 He posted in the comments section of the video.
link --> th-cam.com/video/wmRtH0TYkwc/w-d-xo.html&start_radio=1&rv=pRLBBJLX-dQ&ab_channel=KBS%ED%81%B4%EB%9E%98%EC%8B%9DClassic
wow...breathtaking. This man is a real teacher. I'm just speechless. I'm very grateful I happened to stumble upon this video. I just came from watching a Mortal Kombat tournament, this was the recommended next viedeo, and I watched it without a break. I probably would have never given up playing the piano, had I had a teacher with so much love for the art. It makes me a bit sad, but also happy, to know how much depth there was after all, that I could never see, because it never was shown to me like in this video. Happy just to know, there is more depth to life than i have been assuming, i guess. Maybe there is a point in art after all. And if there is a point to art, maybe there is to life too. This video made me hopeful. Thank you very much, mr Seymour Bernstein.
What a true legend. This man is such a gift to music.
Dear Seymour Bernstein you are a treasure beyond compare. Thank you for sharing, simply sublime. Many thanks.
I Do Not understand what he means
Thank you, Tonebase for this production. It is such a rewarding experience. Thank you Mr Bernstein for giving your heart into this. For showing us your thought process.
I love classical music but I do not play piano and never heard of Seymour Bernstein. After my first Cliburn this year, I want to learn how to evaluate performances. This teacher so clearly and sweetly explains the nuances involved and also the deeper meaning ... how the emotional, intellectual and physical connection to the music will elevate the other parts of life. Its not just about winning competitions. It is also about becoming a better person inside. Thank you, Mr. Bernstein.
Leiden
O my soul.....I am so lucky to be able to listen to your ideas mr Bernstein. Million thanks to tonebase.
Mr. Bernstein - I appreciate your online tutorials. As someone who is about to turn 70 and beginning piano lessons again after a 60 year break (took lessons for 6 years as a kiddo), it is so wonderful to learn new techniques from you while playing. Thankyou for sharing out of the wealth of your knowledge.
Wonderful, wonderful human being this Mr Bernstein. So wise, intelligent and warm. Thank you very much for this great lecture. 🙏❤️
He speaks as soft as the music he’s playing, love it!❤
I’ve never heard this Prelude played so sensitively and beautifully. It often sounds gloomy, maudlin, almost glum in other interpretations. But carrying the B over from the previous Prelude into this one is a game changer.
I don't know what to say.... I'm not a pianist, I'm a choral conducter. But this is one of the most valuable lessons that I've ever seen before. There are lot of basic musical things that I always try to explain for my students. Great teacher, great musician. Thank you for the opportunity to take a part of your lessons! I really have no words to express my excitement about this video
Wow - Just wow. This is what the promise of the internet truly is. Sharing of this type of conversation with people that NEVER would have had the opportunity. Incredible. Thank you!
Hi
I am in my late sixties and learning piano. Love it so much. I should have started when I was a kid but poverty and circumstances prevented me from learning music. Thank you so much for the lesson. God bless you Sir. ❤
hi a 59year old here... I was put off by an overbearing father (God Keep him close )
but here I am again merely playing for the expression of something thst cannot be articulated in any other way & the incredible way it makes me feel as 'whole' as possible. 💗
I came here to learn how to play the Prelude. I learned so much more than that in an amazingly insightful 45 minutes. A very special thank you Seymour Bernstein for sharing your experience in such a wonderful way.
This is one of those pieces that is relatively easy to play so far as hitting the right notes is concerned, but so difficult to make sound right. What a great video. What a great teacher and generous man. Many thanks
Absolutely. I play Chopin pretty exclusively and my husband doesn't understand when I say I find this piece more difficult than some of the hardest nocturnes. Anyone with rudimentary knowledge can hit the right notes, but getting the right tone and emotion is so much harder.
This is truly amazing. I was gifted the time to listen to this uninterrupted. I will do it again and again. @34 mins it reminded me of the frustration of me reading the notes, punching the notes down and not hearing the heart of the piece. I knew something was wrong. The left hand never sounded "right". Wow, no I can have breakfast in silence, to digest this. Thank you. I'm about to embark on some solo recordings. This 45 minutes, if I'm fortunate will inform those recordings.
Extraordinary! I'm really in awe how Mr. Bernstein puts so much important knowledge in 45 minutes. What a wonderful and useful lesson about music and playing the piano! Thank you Mr. Bernstein!
What an absolutely beautiful Gentleman! The softness of his voice rooted in his kind demeanor and deep sensibility made me pause and truly pay attention to this fantastic music lesson. This video is so rare! One hundred years from now people will still enjoy watching Mr. Seymour Bernstein teaching this masterclass! Save it in the clouds! ❤
This was the video that made me decide to keep using tonebase after my trial. Even though I'm just a beginner, I really appreciate being able to go into a piece with the aid of such breadth of knowledge and careful interpretation. I really love Seymour Bernstein teaching style.
Marvelous. Thanks so much for making this wonderful class available for all of us!
Thank ToneBase for the lesson with Seymour, the wisdom and insight to playing is appreciated kind regards Worrell Robinson
love Chopin and Bernstein's 'old-school' teaching.. such a meaningful interpretation with many nuggets of wisdom..
Truly,I have been so BLESSED to have watched this video today,and as a piano student,to have matured immensely from all the wisdom contained in it!!. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Seymour!!It has been so refreshing for me to watch something on the internet with so much wisdom and humanity, especially in our digital age,so full of data,factoids and tons of useless info and garbage.You have done a great service here Mr. Seymour!! I thank-you!!
My teacher instructed these exact same techniques for voicing. Thank you for sharing your experience and research!
WHAT A GREAT PIANO INSTRUCTOR , Seymour Bernstein is.
Plus he gives us the tips that it took him so long to find & or master. What a pleasure. Thank you, Sir.🇫🇷🇺🇸
"Working On Our Person, Not Just Our Talent"🙏 ; wise words of wisdom from a master at his craft Mr., Seymour Bernstein💪
92 years old! I am reminded of a lecture I went to and the speaker inquire if there were any individual's who were 90 years old. One gentleman raised his hand and the audience gave an appreciative applause. The speaker said you look wonderful, the audience laughed. The speaker went on to say keep on doing what you're doing. To Seymour I can only add, keep on doing what you're doing.
I've never truly paid attention to the chord progression in this piece. It's GENIUS!
Well, chord progression is well over half of it. You must have been paying it some attention before.
@@zapazap took the words out of my mouth. SIngle note melody line - the chordal bass is most of the piece.
@@station2station544 (Thin White Duke?)
Thank you sir. If you have a moment, I invite you to look at sub-thread just below, headed by my comment
*"I'm not a piano student. Why the hell 'must' I watch this?"*
and confirm for me whether my interlocutor there is an asshole.
I’m devouring every word. He has so much precision and intention with his playing, and I’m so grateful he somehow put this into words. What a wise, brilliant, and thoughtful man.
“Chopin knew he was dying” … this hits me like a ton of bricks. I discovered this video today -for a reason, I’m sure.
Berliosz said that Chopin was "dying his whole life" .
@@gtd9536 Aren't we all! However, his expression of the process is uniquely, and beautifully poignant
@@gtd9536 Good one
@@gtd9536 awesome
@@marya.wilkowski2931 😅 I'm sure the comment was made by a youngster. Best!
Wonderful, thank you. What he calls illusion is in fact the heart of the matter. Music is what you do not hear (with your ears), or in other words, what is between the notes.
This is a fantastic lesson and perfect timing for me personally as I've been working on a few chopin preludes, including the aforementioned E minor. It makes complete sense when you look at the evidence he presents: along with the written accounts from old masters, the hairpins and dynamic markings side-by-side would no doubt seem redundant for someone who was as meticulous as chopin. It's honestly amazing the kind of world we live in today where we can get a valuable piano lesson through youtube for free whereas people some hundreds of years probably would have had to travel extensively and find food/lodging, etc lol.
I had the pleasure of seeing Seymour in person about 9 years ago in NY at a premiere screening of his biographical film created by Ethan Hawke (yes, THAT one). Many people were of course there to see Ethan, but I personally enjoyed Seymour's life story on sceeen and I'm glad to see he's still doing well!
And here is me, casually detuning the piano.
th-cam.com/video/5QALGuZ7n9s/w-d-xo.html
I hope you do not forget to look at the end of the book - Op.45 in C# minor. Not to everyone's taste, but it is a special piece that is worth checking out...
I loved this lesson! Mr. Bernstein is such a great teacher and musician who brings to life the meaning of being a real interpreter. Thank you so much for this invaluable knowledge.
Wow! This lesson is priceless. One can learn the piano on a technical level but to incorporate the human element is where the magic is. It’s that combination that moves people. Having said that, to have the master of both do a class for us commoners is a privilege that doesn’t come by that often.
Much respect and gratitude to you, Mr Bernstein.
regretably I do not play the piano. Still, I found myself smiling all through this great presentation. Such pleasure coming from this man. Thank you Mr. Seymour Bernstein. Thank you Tonebase.
An absolute treat. Thank you so much for sharing this video. I wish I had taken piano lessons from a great teacher when i was a child. My life would be infinitely more enriched. I'm 57 but it's never too late. I believe I'll start.
That was the best piano lesson I’ve ever had. And it was free!
Wow! This video moved me beyond words. ❤️❤️ I couldn't help but hang on your every word. Started playing piano at around 6-7 years old when we got our first piano. Have loved playing all my life. I'll be 70 in December. You, sir, mesmerized me.
What a lesson about piano, music and life. This video is one of the most profound analysis I've ever seen of a piece of music. I now see I was completely missing the point when I was playing this piece. I hope I will be able to convey his message, or at least part of it, next time I interpret this prelude. I have watched the last 2 minutes of the video 3 times.
That Gmajor into E minor part, I heard that in my heart. The touch he plays with is gorgeous.
Every little detail of his teaching is worth absorbing but that last bit about music helping you to work through your emotions and come through them as a better person. That really makes me appreciate the gift of learning to play piano.
What a lovely gift to be able to have this lesson on youtube.
As a self-taught pianist these videos or gold-dust.
I am only wondering about his "crescendo in the right hand" - I worked this out to an extent on my own (to stop the "banging" effect", but I still feel that the left hand should crescendo itself occasionally (even without the tune) for particular effects. For example - when learning the piece myself - I listened to María João Pires playing the Schubert Impromptu Op90#4, and her balance betewwn left and right hands I found to be superb - very subtle shades in BOTH hands I felt. Of course the right hand mostly, but not always...
If anyone has thoughts about this I'd be very intrested!
I just watched this out of curiosity but discovered a nugget of gold. What a privilege it would be to be a pupil of his. The discussion on 'hairpins' and the research to back it up astonished me and was an eyeopener. At 77 years of age and involved with music in one way or another all my life I see I am but a novice. I could not help remembering an old African saying as I listened to Mr. Bernstein, " When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground". I hope we are blessed with Mr. Bernstein for many more years but how true, one sad day, that will be. Thank you so much.
This is such a fantastic video. One of my first teachers was about his age and spent so much time with me and hand position and relaxation and producing tone the same way. I watched this video and immediately went downstairs to play this prelude. I did one thing right, I have always held that D# down until I play the D natural a few notes later to get that dissonance. There are about 5 or 6 great lessons in this one video.
I could listen to Seymour for hours at a time, his knowledge and peacefulness resonate with me deeply and profoundly. Thank you for this beautiful lesson Seymour
I didn’t mean to watch the whole video now, but I couldn’t stop watching - and learning. Wow.
Ah, a gentle massage for the brain! I had put this piece to one side, because I didn't know how to play what I heard in my head, and now I do. I have to start with it from the very beginning. Thankyou Mr. Bernstein for such inspiring communication! You are lovely!
This is magnificent. I could listen to Mr Bernstein teach for an eternity
One of my favourite videos on all of TH-cam - I can watch it any number of times.
I don't even play the piano and found this fascinating. What masters, both Chopin and Bernstein.
I was privileged to have lived in the apartment next door to Seymour in the 90's. I learned that he was a star, the best player of Chopin in the 50s/60s/70s. It's true. He gave me a CD of his playing, "Retrospective", and told me how it came about, which is another interesting story.. Anyway, I was a jazz guitar player at the time. Chopin, of all composers, 'got it!' in terms of how to alter V chords (b9,#9,b5,#5 etc).., and I always loved Chopin, and then Seymour. He would invite me to listen to his pupils (the best players in Manhattan - and the world) play recitals in his place, on his rosewood Steinway, (which he would not let me play! :) I don't know,.. Since I'm not a piano player, maybe he thought I would hurt/defile it :) Anyway...
I watched him teach his students. He was so full of love. What are those lines from the Bible? -" Love is patient, love is kind...." etc.. That was Seymour teaching people. - And his insight into music in general, the great composers, the technique of piano playing and how to bring the best out of anyone, musically or personally, was beyond words. Even this video that I just watched - I learned a biggie. Those (what he calls 'hairpins' that look like crescendo/decrescendo) are not dynamic instructions but actually a kind of rubato marking?. Huh? Who knew?!
Every day my girlfriend and I would walk our dog in the park. When returning home my dog would insist on knocking on Seymour's door. Seriously. We had to stop. The dog insisted. Seymour would always open the door and love up my dog with biscuits and kind words.
What an absolute treasure you are Seymour. I miss you. I don't know if you'll remember me, but I hope to see you again the next time I'm in town.
how lucky are you. He is amazing I just recently found him
@@michaelmorin6235 Does (I must assume) he and other classical players know that that first C to B is screaming out a dominant b9 to the B in Em? I'm not a scholar in the genre but as I mentioned above, Chopin, to me, seemed like the first jazz composer. That note to me isn't just a note involved with descending E harmonic minor. It seems like Chopin's music was so full of altered dominant 9s and 5s and their resolutions back home or wherever they were going. Like it's all more about "going somewhere." More not about where you are but more about where you are going. It keeps the motion/music alive. (Maybe that is simple and understood by 'classical folks)... I don't know.
The reason I ask is that I hope young students know the theory behind these tunes. I also wish that more talented young classical students of any instrument would compose their own music. It seems to me like composition has been a bit forgotten. Everyone is so consumed with playing the masters' works. There is still so much that can be done, and I'm speaking about tonal music with gravity and cadences and phrases that fit a form... But then again, I don't think I could compete with Bach... - How did that guy live 65 years, have a dozen kids, make a decent living playing organ in a local church, while writing sooo many great works of music, books, how to tune the 'piano' of the time, etc?.. But there's still a lot to be done. Most modern composers, and I love them, - ( I was just listening to Arvo Part on my stereo, beautiful stuff, Requiem).. So much still to do. Rock & roll has been staying alive for decades, somehow surprisingly with (at least not in copyright violation) new melodies over the same few chords... (Not that there's anything wrong with that). You schooled guys should write more!
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to watch this beautiful lesson by this great teacher. So profound and and was deeply touched. Thanks for sharing this. 🙏
This is wonderful and a lesson for everybody. I am a saxophone player, and I've been at it for decades like this master. But the same goes for all musicians: Once you know what you're doing and have the confidence to do it, then the piece is yours from start to finish; the notes are just a guide, a suggestion. It's up to you to find, within yourself, where the music resides.
This is pure gold. I can’t believe I’ve had this opportunity! Thank you!
Wow wow wow! That’s is the best classical piano lesson on TH-cam. Every pianist should watch this video.
Absolute perfections. From the player and from the composer.
A great lesson thanks Mr Bernstein. I love this prelude-played it for my honours program many years ago. I never had a lesson like this, so you've given me many new insights re touch and weight control on the notes, hairpins as rubato, voicing, all of which was most interesting and made so much sense for a performer. I'd have loved to have had you as a teacher 65 years' ago-you can really teach unforgettable lessons.
This is a priceless amazing music lesson, multi-dimensional, and explained with such clarity and simplicty. I am in total awe of this great Master.
I came from the family of Russian musicians. Mom, aunt, uncle, cousins...
Im not a musician myself, but I went to music school for 7 years as a traditional thing. I quit the music school. I was good, but not so dedicated and very lazy.
Now at 58 i know why: I didn't have you as a teacher.
Thank you so much for such a great class. I've learned a lot from you today Mr. Bernstein.
Pleasure to listen to you talk and play. You are wonderful.
Im russian living in Canada. Doctor by my first education.
My best regards to you.
Thank you.
Genius, passion and a deep understanding of the musical and compositional arts. Bravo!!!!
Piano was my first instrument at the age of 5. I’m 39 last month and just started to play again. We are so blessed to have this caliber of instruction available to us like this.
It took my nearly 35 years of playing various instruments like guitar, bass, drums, hand percussion, singing, electronic music production to come full circle and realize how piano is a hybrid of all instruments. It is percussive like a drum, melodic like a harp, sings like a choir, and stringed like a guitar. The dynamic and rhythmic possibilities are endless. The potential for hemispherical coherence is unparalleled. It was actually my study of brain plasticity and neuroaesthetics that brought me back to this balanced divine instrument.
Thank you. Blessings to everyone who is on their journey of expressing their essence and finding understanding and meaningful inquiry of the cosmos through our collective one song. (Universe)
I'm 35, been playing self-taught for one year. Prelude in E minor is one of my best pieces so far. And it's just humbling, inspiring, and jaw dropping to watch this video. I have so far to go still, but I see that was an awesome thing: I have so much more adventure ahead. I also love seeing an elderly man play such beautiful music because it reminds me that age is unlikely to rob me of this hobby the way it will hockey and other sports. Finally, I _love_ the feeling of when I see others play a piece and I gain ideas by how they play it. Almost like, "here's a whole new sub-adventure for you to take on your journey through this piece."
This is the single best music lesson I have ever seen in my entire life. greatest lesson of all time
i’m a rock guitarist from the 80’s Yngwie van Halen etc. but i have found in the last 5 years to enjoy immensely the classical music world of the masters and educators and biographers.
Very similar story. I played a rock guitar in 90s. Was big fan of Eddie and Yngwie as well. Then I went deeply into romantic and baroque music. Started to learn piano and was able to play quite difficult Chopin etudes. Then in a short time I understood that Yngwies playing is nothing but just superficial runs and passages in harmonic minor scale. Its like a powder covering lack of valuable, deep content. But Eddie was different. Eddie is still alive in our hearts as rocking genius.
@@Notturno81 So true - classical musician here. Eddie was incredible, but I can't understand why Yngwie is revered so much amongst rock guitarists. You've pretty much summed him up. Have you heard his "concerto suite" for guitar and orchestra? Unbelievably bad...!
@@jadeothen6057 Oh such a long story. To answer this, why young guitarist are so much attracted to Y.M I can give my example. I was 16 when I heard him and was overhelmed. The main reason was I couldn't resist this passion and insanely beautiful, agressive vibrato. Younger people love the brilliant technique as well. The first album I heard was Magnum opus and it is still magnificent. Then I heard Rising force and deny it or not: This sounded and sounds fresh even today. The problem is, what happened later. He inprisoned himself in a kind of a bubble he lives in. He believes to be a second Paganini without knowing, why he never was and will never be him. Plays endless secondary dominant cadences with 32th notes believing to be incorporation of Bach. And wasn
't even close a lightyear to him
He missed the border between a classical and rock musicain claiming, he's never had a band. He just wrote music for the orchestra, like Beethoven did. Sad and pathetic.
The concerto you mentioned is good example. I can't bear it when he replaces a single note in a melody with a blast of constant dimished arrpegios. This is more embarrasing when you actually recognize the fact, that he is able to play long juicy lines (listen to the solo in Cross the line. Pure beauty) But he is just devastating his every idea.
I could write about this wasted talent the whole day and night....
@@Notturno81 Mmmm...I think I have a lower opinion of him than even you do. He appears to not be musical in the slightest. He cannot create anything that sounds musical and he can't phrase anything. His ego is so massive. I don't think his technique is very good at all - it is in fact very sloppy. If you slowed down his fast runs it would sound terrible with missed notes and general sloppiness. He is beyond a joke imho with his claims to be some sort of Bach reincarnation lol. My husband is a rock guitarist and saw him live about 30 years ago and said it was amazing, the atmosphere that was generated etc. But since then - garbage.
@@jadeothen6057 Couldn't agree more. I wanted to point out, that it went in good direction in the beginning, when he played with Alcatraz. He could have recorded 3 solo albums and it would be fine. He is recording the same album for 30 years instead. He mentions very often about two things, which are visible from the space: The chinese wall and his Marshall amps wall.
I'd rather say: His enormous ego. He calls it confidence but to be honest, he is not the most intelligent person on this planet. That's why he wasn't able to lead his career in a smart way.
Pure class. If one can learn a lot from just one session with him, what it must be like for his students who have spend a lifetime learning from him.
As an organist I have another confirmation of the hairpin interpretation Mr Bernstein was talking about. I see a lot of Germany 19th century organ music that uses hairpins, but most 19th century German organs did not have swell boxes used to adjust the volume. I could never really understand why the composers used them when it was impossible to achieve, now every thing is clear. There is a famous piece by Raubke that has these but booth feet are playing notes thus even with a swell pedal (controlled by one foot) it would be impossible.
I learned more in this video than I did with two piano teachers, two choral conductors, a history of music instructor, a counterpoint theorist, an orchestration professor and two harmony and composition professors, combined. And two amongst those tenured educators were Pulitzer laureate composers.
I thank you proportionately, Professor Bernstein, with eternal hairpins. You are proof for me of "nobilis ars et scientia experientiae." I hope that good fortune grows from the Apr 24th we share!