Being a brilliant performer doesn’t mean that you can teach. He has the mark of a great, inspiring teacher - caring for his students and being delighted when they improve.
Hahahahahaha. He's so funny. But I'm crying. Because he's such an honest, articulate, wise, kind, encouraging human being. What a privilege to hear you speak, Seymour Bernstein.
This is a riveting interview. Seymour's wisdom and candor, as well as his sense of humor kept me glued to screen. I laughed aloud at the "omelette" story and the doctor story, but moreover was deeply affected by the insights into stage fright.
Thank you so much for this moving interview with Seymour, a truly inspiring human being. He radiates wisdom, love and good humour... and teaches us to be kinder to ourselves
It's amazing that the section at about 20:30 where they're talking about Kissin and how he talks about Kissin writing and playing as part of his recitals. There was an article recently saying that Kissin is getting back in to composing. I can't wait to hear what comes from him.
Great interview. Thank you for posting it. There is so much to learn from elderly people, and in music the musician of his age. Yes. You improve with age if you continue to play your instrument. I was in too big a hurry in my youth as I played the piano hurriedly Technique and strength provide pianistic control bur also enhance ability to articulate expression. I'm 73. We didn't have thrse you tube interviews years ago and few musicians spoke of dealing with stage fright. I had belly laughs over his effort to combat stage fright with egg whites. I will remember him as a person of a great heart with tremendous talent also.
I bought his book like 25+ years ago. Such a pleasurable read! It is absolutely delightful to see him now in this interview, and how his written words are somehow reverberating in this video. Truly outstanding!
I love Mr Seymour. He gives desire to play. He is a fantastic man. I am french. I am an autodidacte. I compose only since 9 months. It's incredible I play EACH morning piano. It became a need. It's a fantastic way of expressing my emotions in a creative way. I am on 4 compositions and 5 done. I 've never believed i would do that before. It is a benediction. I even write my composition with a beautiful pen on a papyrus book and write the number of my finger on each note.
Mr. Berenstain, thank you so much for your inspiring interview! Have learnt a lot from your wisdom, your life & your teaching. 🙏 😇 It's my dream to be able to meet you one day. 🙏 😇 👏 👍 ❤️ 💕 🧚♂️ 🏆 May God bless you everyday with good health, safety, love ❤️ and Happiness! 🙏 😇 Alannah Ong
So true but I only discovered this myself years after I gave up playing the piano paralysed with stage fright in advance of playing publicly. Launched into a banking career instead! and now that I know, can’t get back to the piano due to Dupuytrens in both hands! I suggest that every teacher need to speak to their pupils about this.
When he said what he loves best about teaching is “I love the feeling of making a pupil feel good about themselves”, that is the most wholesome thing ever ❤️
This is a masterclass about being human. Lovely interview, a wonderful human being. How much truth in each of his words, how much passion in the exciting art of teaching.
SB is an amazing human, and I agree with almost all the comments about him. "Lovely interview" involves two people. The younger of the two is not out of place.
I am 4 years older than Peter Pike and 10 years younger than this wonderful man. But the the evolution of what is actually considered as "classical music" worries me.
What honesty and awareness of self! Am 57 and I thought I was too old to retrain myself in my piano playing. But I persevered and it was serendipitous to come across this video.. there’s hope for me…
I am joyfully addicted to Seymour Bernstein's videos. So grateful that our classical elder is taking so much time to share heartful wisdom and music guidance!!! GRAZIE
Unbelievable that Seymour is in his nineties. He is so youthfull. Very wise suggestions about stage fright, delvering public service by being truly creative. "If you do something for someone else it temporarily distracts you from your own vulnerability." That is wisdom.
Are you sure there isn't another Bach or Beethoven? Would we even recognise them for what they are? The world is far fuller of people than it ever was. If a world of one billion had multiple such greats, how many would you a world of 7 billion to have? The same goes for pianists. Has there really never been anyone to match Liszt? Take painting. People are in awe of Rembrandt and Michelangelo and imagine those great days are gone. I think the high arts are often atavistic and unable to acknowledge what lacks the patina of centuries.
“I don’t intend to be gone. But what do you want me to do when you’re gone? 😂” How do you want to be remembered, as a pianist, as a teacher…? Seymour: As a person. I love his immortal spirit. What a treasure this beautiful person is. Thank you for sharing this touching interview with us ❤
I have always believed that the cycle of Life is a circle of Love. Seymour Bernstein, both as a man and a musician, personifies this belief for me. What glorious, glorious man! I love him!
Patently false. Youth is for accumulating experience and making mistakes. That's why young people have so much energy and can recover so quickly. The sunset years are for sharing knowledge and improving the next generation using the experience you gained. The mistakes you help prevent others from making lead to further progress, which is the incremental procees that has brought us to be the closest things to God incarnate. It's no use deriding the young because you feel like you could do it all somuch better, you were once them and one day they'll be you. Also this quote is a personal peeve of mine because Wilde was an absolute degenerate.
Amazing! This interview with Seymour Bernstein was a transcendent experience for me. It was one of the finest, most illuminating and, humane interviews I've ever seen. And Seymour was perfectly right about Evgeny Kissin making that next step into becoming a composer. I asked Evgeny the same thing, "When are we going to hear some of your compositions?" (No answer, yet.)
I gotta say, his advice for stage fright is pretty good. In a prior life of mine I was a full time DJ. =Many times a week + many different audience types from formal weddings / big events in the Hollywood area to small private events like a little kid's birthday. Of all the techniques to rid of stage fright, I think the best is >> Make a mistake early on. Try to have fun with it. Best to show the audience that you are a real person. This also has an added benefit that the audience will be more forgiving. When you show them you are human they seem to be less judgmental towards your performance. This is probably more evident for a DJ caz we are supposed to get people to dance and participate. So, I would make a mistake which was very obvious. A show stopping / music stopping / vibe stopping moment. Then say something on the mic/ ask to accept my apologies >> something like >> Well, I guess we are all human.I promise not to do that again, if you promise to have the best night of your lives
It was just two days ago that I watched *Seymour, An Introduction* on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now today this interview appeared in the "Recommended for you" videos that You Tube put up. Great timing...almost makes me think someone is watching me. Seymour Bernstein has an engaging personality and this interview really drew it out. Thank you!
i tried piano lessons when i was young but hated them because i was always more interested in composing and playing my own music - but i can sympathize with the trepidation around composing for someone who truly enjoys interpreting Mozart, Beethoven, etc. considering the Mount Everest sized artifice of technical theory that so many music teachers impose upon it - what should be the most natural thing in the world (creativity) is practically strangled to death - if music teachers would allow a student to listen to the sounds within their own minds and spirits and then give the student permission to let those sounds flow out into the instrument or manuscript paper or music software program without judgment or theoretical analysis, they would compose as Mozart and Beethoven and the other greats did - the movie FINDING FORRESTER explains this well - when engaging in something creative, you DON'T THINK - the thinking can come LATER, after the creative activity
What a bright mind at 90 ! Chocolate and egg white ! I had stage fright and I drank liquor before going on stage but the stool I sat on was bancal so I got dizzy and felt really terrible probably did the worst recital of my life...
I just love this man. What a gift he is to the world, not only as a premier pianist and educator, but as a human being. I am so fortunate to hear you and learn from you.
This takes me to a time before one of my senior concerts. Im a cellist and I was asked to play the swan onstage for my friends girlfriend. I remember practicing and feeling so nervous but also remembering I had never sounded so good playing this piece for an audience cause I didn't want to disapoint. Fyi he prom posed that night to so it was extra special. Thank you for this inspiring interview I learned alot
In the old days of the theatre, some actors (John Barrymore was one) could get away with performing drunk: stumbling a bit, forgetting lines, ad libbing etc. Of course rock and roll is famous for that behavior. Classical musicians just can’t get away with that. I have a theory that being a classical musician somehow orders the brain and nervous system to a degree that few of them become addicts or binge-ers but l really don’t know.
Some great thinker (Ben Johnson?) said “I do not wish to be conversant with one who writes more than he reads”. Great musical minds are developed by exposure to profound musical experiences. The recreative process is the “unhatched egg” of the creative process. Inspiration is the necessary motivation, but it requires channeling. Musical expression is revelatory of innate intelligence, and is best received when it conforms to measurable standards.
I do really like this guy, but had anybody heard of him before the documentary was made? Did he contribute to any legendary recordings of the 20th century? I'm genuinely curious, I would like to hear some of his recordings; because I wasn't familiar with him until a few years ago.
Thank you, Seymour and Zsolt, for this mesmerizing interview! Also, I'm wondering which musician doesn't have stage fright. I'd love to watch or re-watch that episode.
Some people have the innate ability to perform well in front of people. Many people, unfortunately, were not born as confident performers. I agree with Seymour, we MUST prepare really well. This will improve confidence.
Seymour Bernstein's story about the violinist, Michael Raban, dropping his bow on purpose is superb. It suggests that when we face our fears, when we allow 'the worst' to happen (and we find that it is not the end of the world) old doubts fall away . . .
I never had the discipline to practice my assignments and was constantly noodling and creating my own little pieces The correlation between performance and composition is necessary to advance in either case
Wonderful to listen to this man. I have read his book "with your own hands" and it did miracles for me. After a short time I took up piano lessons at the age of 68 and I am profiting so much of his message that practicing can be already joy. I still have 20 years when I will be able to "give" instead to "take". Right now I am the taker: from the knowledge of my teacher and of many inputs otherwise.
Just to clarify (for people who might be interested in reading the book you refer to), the title is "With Your Own Two Hands", not "With Your Own Hands". Great book, highly recommended!
Being a brilliant performer doesn’t mean that you can teach. He has the mark of a great, inspiring teacher - caring for his students and being delighted when they improve.
Hahahahahaha. He's so funny. But I'm crying. Because he's such an honest, articulate, wise, kind, encouraging human being. What a privilege to hear you speak, Seymour Bernstein.
To be honest in every way...talk about your fear and limitations is very in itself very liberating...
I cried too, i wish everyone is like him in his or her profession.
Seymour gives a brilliant answer to the final question, “how would you like to be remembered when you die? And he replies, “as a person.”❤
Yes! It is a consummation devoutly to be wished …
What a great interview and a beautiful person and artist.
Thanks for watching, Eleni Rum!
In helping slow readers I found the technique of making the child feel good about themselves almost always yielded success.
34:12 soooo beautiful! "when you do something for someone else, it temporarily distracts you from your own vulnerability"
This is a riveting interview. Seymour's wisdom and candor, as well as his sense of humor kept me glued to screen. I laughed aloud at the "omelette" story and the doctor story, but moreover was deeply affected by the insights into stage fright.
I will remember you always ,because of you kindness, sweetness, wisdom,,... etc , .... and for that fantastic ,wonderful, softness of your playing .
Seymour is a true gem
Thank you so much for this moving interview with Seymour, a truly inspiring human being. He radiates wisdom, love and good humour... and teaches us to be kinder to ourselves
I am really blessed to see this. Speechless ...
It's amazing that the section at about 20:30 where they're talking about Kissin and how he talks about Kissin writing and playing as part of his recitals. There was an article recently saying that Kissin is getting back in to composing. I can't wait to hear what comes from him.
"As a person!" What a beautiful human being. I am touched and inspired. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Great interview. Thank you for posting it. There is so much to learn from elderly people, and in music the musician of his age. Yes. You improve with age if you continue to play your instrument. I was in too big a hurry in my youth as I played the piano hurriedly
Technique and strength provide pianistic control bur also enhance ability to articulate expression.
I'm 73. We didn't have thrse you tube interviews years ago and few musicians spoke of dealing with stage fright. I had belly laughs over his effort to combat stage fright with egg whites.
I will remember him as a person of a great heart with tremendous talent also.
Love this! Such a spirited man with a mischievous glint in the eyes.
I bought his book like 25+ years ago. Such a pleasurable read! It is absolutely delightful to see him now in this interview, and how his written words are somehow reverberating in this video. Truly outstanding!
@@michellemonet4358 The title is:" With Your Own Two Hands: Self-Discovery Through Music"
So happy to be aware of this wonderful human being. ( And just look at his beautiful hands - the fluidity!). Bless you Seymour. ❤️
Always a lot to learn listening to this guy
I love Mr Seymour. He gives desire to play. He is a fantastic man. I am french. I am an autodidacte. I compose only since 9 months. It's incredible I play EACH morning piano. It became a need. It's a fantastic way of expressing my emotions in a creative way. I am on 4 compositions and 5 done. I 've never believed i would do that before. It is a benediction. I even write my composition with a beautiful pen on a papyrus book and write the number of my finger on each note.
This is wonderful. Thank you immensely for producing and sharing this.
gorgeous interview. Thank you kindly
Much love Maestro ❤️❤️❤️ and congratulations on your sharp mind
What an incredible guy
Wonderful! And what lovely long fingers!
5:52 The art of the perfect combover
love you seymour!
A mench! Such sensitive music. Not everyone does that. Honestly!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mr. Berenstain, thank you so much for your inspiring interview! Have learnt a lot from your wisdom, your life & your teaching. 🙏 😇 It's my dream to be able to meet you one day. 🙏 😇 👏 👍 ❤️ 💕 🧚♂️ 🏆 May God bless you everyday with good health, safety, love ❤️ and Happiness! 🙏 😇 Alannah Ong
What is it about the Bernstein family? There's Leonard, there's Elmer and now for the first time I hear about Seymour!
Malcolm Dale AND none of them are in any way related.
@@sarahjones-jf4pr He didn't mention George!
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
“Doing something for someone else distracts you from your own vulnerability... the ego ceases to exist... you’re no important”. What a teacher!!
outstanding and true, the same lesson I heard from a jewish doctor.
So true but I only discovered this myself years after I gave up playing the piano paralysed with stage fright in advance of playing publicly. Launched into a banking career instead! and now that I know, can’t get back to the piano due to Dupuytrens in both hands! I suggest that every teacher need to speak to their pupils about this.
Amazing !
When he said what he loves best about teaching is “I love the feeling of making a pupil feel good about themselves”, that is the most wholesome thing ever ❤️
This is a masterclass about being human. Lovely interview, a wonderful human being. How much truth in each of his words, how much passion in the exciting art of teaching.
SB is an amazing human, and I agree with almost all the comments about him. "Lovely interview" involves two people. The younger of the two is not out of place.
Every time I hear Seymour speak, I feel like I’m not only learning so much about music, but also learning about life.
I know right? I learned more about life than piano from my teacher.
How refreshing to learn something new at 76.I still have 14 years to improve.
We're never done learning. Thanks for watching and commenting, Peter Pike!
I am 4 years older than Peter Pike and 10 years younger than this wonderful man. But the the evolution of what is actually considered as "classical music" worries me.
13
@@deadmanswife3625 lol
In what way?
What honesty and awareness of self! Am 57 and I thought I was too old to retrain myself in my piano playing. But I persevered and it was serendipitous to come across this video.. there’s hope for me…
You're a youngster. I'm almost 80 and just started taking lessons again. My teacher says I'm talented!
I am joyfully addicted to Seymour Bernstein's videos. So grateful that our classical elder is taking so much time to share heartful wisdom and music guidance!!! GRAZIE
What a life lesson! What a touching wisdom! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In three weeks. I am reaching 90 and I am impatient to start life once more too.
Wonderful human being!
So marvelously Jewish as well!!
Unbelievable that Seymour is in his nineties. He is so youthfull.
Very wise suggestions about stage fright, delvering public service by being truly creative.
"If you do something for someone else it temporarily distracts you from your own vulnerability." That is wisdom.
Are you sure there isn't another Bach or Beethoven? Would we even recognise them for what they are? The world is far fuller of people than it ever was. If a world of one billion had multiple such greats, how many would you a world of 7 billion to have? The same goes for pianists. Has there really never been anyone to match Liszt? Take painting. People are in awe of Rembrandt and Michelangelo and imagine those great days are gone. I think the high arts are often atavistic and unable to acknowledge what lacks the patina of centuries.
He is an international treasure and a total gem! Thank you for sharing❤❤❤
I wish I had a grandfather like Seymour. What a wise and gentle soul.
He is VERY sharp for a 90 year old.
Absolutely. Brain training IS better than Body exercise to be healthy and lucky and getting older ....
He speaks like a 60 year old ,and like a wise professor
“I don’t intend to be gone.
But what do you want me to do when you’re gone? 😂”
How do you want to be remembered, as a pianist, as a teacher…?
Seymour: As a person.
I love his immortal spirit. What a treasure this beautiful person is. Thank you for sharing this touching interview with us ❤
I have always believed that the cycle of Life is a circle of Love. Seymour Bernstein, both as a man and a musician, personifies this belief for me. What glorious, glorious man! I love him!
"Nothing helps stage fright, except two things: preparation and performing experience. "
Youth is wasted on the young, and Seymour is a prime example of this! What a wise man.
What does it mean youth is wasted on the young
@@artwatch-y9j - It means that youthful people have energy, but not the wisdom to make the best use of it.
Patently false. Youth is for accumulating experience and making mistakes. That's why young people have so much energy and can recover so quickly.
The sunset years are for sharing knowledge and improving the next generation using the experience you gained. The mistakes you help prevent others from making lead to further progress, which is the incremental procees that has brought us to be the closest things to God incarnate.
It's no use deriding the young because you feel like you could do it all somuch better, you were once them and one day they'll be you. Also this quote is a personal peeve of mine because Wilde was an absolute degenerate.
Amazing! This interview with Seymour Bernstein was a transcendent experience for me. It was one of the finest, most illuminating and, humane interviews I've ever seen. And Seymour was perfectly right about Evgeny Kissin making that next step into becoming a composer. I asked Evgeny the same thing, "When are we going to hear some of your compositions?" (No answer, yet.)
Loved the chocolate covered story about Horowitz, not to mention the egg white episode.
I gotta say, his advice for stage fright is pretty good. In a prior life of mine I was a full time DJ. =Many times a week + many different audience types from formal weddings / big events in the Hollywood area to small private events like a little kid's birthday.
Of all the techniques to rid of stage fright, I think the best is >> Make a mistake early on. Try to have fun with it. Best to show the audience that you are a real person. This also has an added benefit that the audience will be more forgiving. When you show them you are human they seem to be less judgmental towards your performance. This is probably more evident for a DJ caz we are supposed to get people to dance and participate.
So, I would make a mistake which was very obvious. A show stopping / music stopping / vibe stopping moment. Then say something on the mic/ ask to accept my apologies >> something like >> Well, I guess we are all human.I promise not to do that again, if you promise to have the best night of your lives
I love him ❤️ re-creative and creative!
Incredible, he looks about 70!!
Beautiful! The parts about the pleasure of teaching are precious! Beautiful!
What a teacher he is. And I'm not talking about piano!
I watch this again and again. So moving!!
It was just two days ago that I watched *Seymour, An Introduction* on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now today this interview appeared in the "Recommended for you" videos that You Tube put up. Great timing...almost makes me think someone is watching me. Seymour Bernstein has an engaging personality and this interview really drew it out. Thank you!
With all of the world's problems these days, I'm very concerned about the kind of world we will be leaving to Seymour Bernstein.
Love this, every minute of it! Thank you very much for sharing the remarkable Seymour Bernstein with us. Your programmes impart great wisdom at times.
If everyone was as interesting as Mr. Bernstein people would stop ordering from Amazon and go to the store just so they could have a conversation.
"I Want To Be Remembered In Terms Of Human Relationships": Seymour Bernstein💪
Why on earth 🌎 did they give Seymour such a short chair!?
Delightful interview. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, Seymour. What an inspiration you are to so many people!
He looks so young for 90!! Amazing!!
I enjoyed the interview. Mr. Bernstein is an amazing person.
We have until our Nineties at least to "See More".
What an incredible interview.
Thank you Seymour for all your online videos, they help me so much!
May you live to be one hundred... and God bless Ethan Hawke. Such loving wisdom... and articulation beyond the scope of my imagination.
I truly adore him as a person. He has all the wisdom and brilliant insights about being human and living a gift of life.
Thank you for this, so, SO moving, this man is pure light, a pearl of interview.
i tried piano lessons when i was young but hated them because i was always more interested in composing and playing my own music - but i can sympathize with the trepidation around composing for someone who truly enjoys interpreting Mozart, Beethoven, etc. considering the Mount Everest sized artifice of technical theory that so many music teachers impose upon it - what should be the most natural thing in the world (creativity) is practically strangled to death - if music teachers would allow a student to listen to the sounds within their own minds and spirits and then give the student permission to let those sounds flow out into the instrument or manuscript paper or music software program without judgment or theoretical analysis, they would compose as Mozart and Beethoven and the other greats did - the movie FINDING FORRESTER explains this well - when engaging in something creative, you DON'T THINK - the thinking can come LATER, after the creative activity
What a bright mind at 90 ! Chocolate and egg white ! I had stage fright and I drank liquor before going on stage but the stool I sat on was bancal so I got dizzy and felt really terrible probably did the worst recital of my life...
Amazing, wonderful Seymour!
What an unexpected inspiration I got from this wonderful man and interview!
I just love this man. What a gift he is to the world, not only as a premier pianist and educator, but as a human being. I am so fortunate to hear you and learn from you.
I would have loved to have studied with Bernstein. It would have been fun!
This takes me to a time before one of my senior concerts. Im a cellist and I was asked to play the swan onstage for my friends girlfriend. I remember practicing and feeling so nervous but also remembering I had never sounded so good playing this piece for an audience cause I didn't want to disapoint. Fyi he prom posed that night to so it was extra special.
Thank you for this inspiring interview I learned alot
In the old days of the theatre, some actors (John Barrymore was one) could get away with performing drunk: stumbling a bit, forgetting lines, ad libbing etc. Of course rock and roll is famous for that behavior. Classical musicians just can’t get away with that. I have a theory that being a classical musician somehow orders the brain and nervous system to a degree that few of them become addicts or binge-ers but l really don’t know.
Wladimir’s wife wasn’t a kind of a monster, she loved Horowitz , respected, above all they we .....content.😏
Some great thinker (Ben Johnson?) said “I do not wish to be conversant with one who writes more than he reads”. Great musical minds are developed by exposure to profound musical experiences. The recreative process is the “unhatched egg” of the creative process. Inspiration is the necessary motivation, but it requires channeling. Musical expression is revelatory of innate intelligence, and is best received when it conforms to measurable standards.
Mr. Bernstein, you are so late! I am also a 'late bloomer', and for me life is beginning 64 1/2... actually, it started yesterday morning.
I do really like this guy, but had anybody heard of him before the documentary was made? Did he contribute to any legendary recordings of the 20th century? I'm genuinely curious, I would like to hear some of his recordings; because I wasn't familiar with him until a few years ago.
Thank you, Seymour and Zsolt, for this mesmerizing interview! Also, I'm wondering which musician doesn't have stage fright. I'd love to watch or re-watch that episode.
And there was an OMELETTE on the keyboard!
I cannot stop laughing
Some people have the innate ability to perform well in front of people. Many people, unfortunately, were not born as confident performers. I agree with Seymour, we MUST prepare really well. This will improve confidence.
This was so lovely…tears…..beautiful… 🥹
Mr. Bernstein is absolutely charming!
Zsolt Bognar, you are wonderful
Thanks for watching, Catherine Cangiano!
…and propranolol
Seymour Bernstein's story about the violinist, Michael Raban, dropping his bow on purpose is superb. It suggests that when we face our fears, when we allow 'the worst' to happen (and we find that it is not the end of the world) old doubts fall away . . .
I never had the discipline to practice my assignments and was constantly noodling and creating my own little pieces The correlation between performance and composition is necessary to advance in either case
Such a beautiful interview!! Thank you so much for it.
Thanks very much for watching and commenting, Giselle Moraga!
He Opa, lebst du noch???
Absolutely fascinating. I found myself hanging on his every word.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Ruben Greenberg!
im sure that he had planning to say "is it over?" at the end :]
like he's playing with the possibilities yet know the thing alongside
Wonderful to listen to this man. I have read his book "with your own hands" and it did miracles for me. After a short time I took up piano lessons at the age of 68 and I am profiting so much of his message that practicing can be already joy. I still have 20 years when I will be able to "give" instead to "take". Right now I am the taker: from the knowledge of my teacher and of many inputs otherwise.
Thanks for watching, and for sharing your experience, Hans Hartmann!
Mr. Hartmann, I was incredibly glad to read your post here. Wonderful!!
Just to clarify (for people who might be interested in reading the book you refer to), the title is "With Your Own Two Hands", not "With Your Own Hands". Great book, highly recommended!
Does anyone know where he gets these fantastic velour garments? He's onto something.