In this masterpiece by Stravinsky, Pollini seems to go beyond human limits (!) with a playing of almost unreal beauty and perfection - extreme precision, colors , power... - and an equally astounding narrative and dramatic sense. All this amazes us ! One of the most exceptional recordings ever made. Legendary !
Interpretazione leggendaria e per ora mai superata, un’intelligenza analitica eccezionale che ha messo in luce la bellezza di questa composizione di Stravinsky.
In the 1960s it was common opinion that Alexis Weissenberg made the best rendering of this magnificent and extremely difficult musical piece. And that was certainly true. But it is no more true today after Maurizio Pollini, the incredible Italian virtuoso, as set the standard for all times to come. It is the most lively take on this very typical Stravinsky piece for it expresses all of the composer's obsessions, with dolls, with the stage, Diaghilev, the pagan rituals, the Russian Jewish culture (reminiscence of Chagall's art), and so much more that belongs to intrinsic and beautiful Russian culture.
Spectacular performance. Difficult to believe this was done by ONE pianist. I don't know of any other piece which rides the instrument as hard to its limits and beyond!
One of the truly great piano recordings. Pollini's legendary performance is absolutely sensational, both technically and musically (as is the recording of Prokofiev's Seventh Piano Sonata, with which it's coupled).
Finally listened to a FLAC file version of this recording years after stashing my CD's in the garage until my kids grow older and the difference between RUclips and FLAC is like that of hearing a neighbor's radio on their porch coming through your window vs. being in the front row in a concert hall. Boy, I sure missed this recording in its stereophonic brilliance!
Thank you for having brought this to RUclips for I can't play my record of the recording anymore, my wonderful 30+ years-old Linn Sondek record player haven given up its long life:)
Hoch intelligente und zugleich kräftige Aufführung dieser Klavierversion des modernen Meisterwerks mit klarem Schlag und perfekter Artikulation. Echt genialer und unvergleichlicher Pianist!
I admit I am no fan of either Stravinsky or Pollini. But these three fragments are definitely among the exceptions. Beautiful music of great variety and power. And Pollini nails it to the last note. I have yet to hear another performance which is half as successful. Thanks a lot for sharing, David. Magnificent sound for a cassette.
I love how you put "Fireworks" as the artist. Yes, Pollini at the height of his power is a fireworks.., this is my kinda rock music. Make me jamming That Semaine Grasse... My God! Weird that the raw quality of the recording makes it even fascinating with the grit and the punches.
Yes, I think that's correct. I remember when I first touched Prokofiev when I'm more used to Bach and Chopin. Man, it was weird. Reading through Petrushka's sheet music was horrifying enough.
My brother learned it in a semester at Julliard. Of course, he practiced 8 hours a day (but that included other music), was and is a genius, and as I said, was at Julliard.
He (Rubinstein) played it, he just never recorded it. The Villa-Lobos Rudepoema was also dedicated to Rubinstein, and that piece is similar in texture and demands. Rubinstein also played that one, but never recorded it.
I just realized that Stravinsky lived through the rule of the tsars, WW1, the Russian Revolution, the poor leadership of Lenin, WW2, the dictatorship of Stalin, and the Cold War!
I kept the programme so I can tell you that he also played Prokofiev 7. I can't find the diary that I kept for that European trip where I probably recorded immediate impressions. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Oggi, in questa mezza mattinata di sole luminoso e gelido che splende su stanchezza, perplessità e preoccupazioni (dopo quando è accaduto ieri) ci vogliono l'energia di Stravinsky e la delicatezza di Pollini, per una pausa-caffè ritemprante
renato45222 signor Renato, la informo che la mia "SPREGEVOLE" e volgarissima pausa-caffè non sottrae nulla al suo aristocratico godimento né alla elevazione della sua anima (che, da quanto leggo, è talmente "elevata" da ergersi a giudice supremo dei piaceri altrui). Non legga i miei commenti e resti al sicuro nel suo mondo iperuraneo
renato45222 Mi occupo di musica da quarant'anni e la ascolto da molti di più. La faccio, la scrivo e la interpreto. Mi permetta di dire, con tutto il rispetto per il suo parere, che non sono d'accordo con lei (anche se con qualche mese di ritardo) con l'approccio "religioso" nei confronti della grande musica. Che cosa vuole che succeda se Petruschka migliora il gusto del caffè di Isabel o ne solleva le preoccupazioni? Mica si consuma! E neppure è un rito religioso. Personalmente, se ne avessi il tempo, sogno di poter passare una serata intera ad ascoltare tutti i brandeburghesi di fila con la partitura nella mano sinistra e un buon bicchiere di porto nella mano destra. Mi permetto di consigliarle l' "Anghelu Ruju", con la Grande Musica è formidabile.
Pollini def excels when the tone and structure called for is Metalic, Edged, Brittle, Sharp, Massive Blunt chords, with extremely Metronomic Rhythms as if a computer is doing the playing. But when it comes to composers like Chopin with the possible exception of the Etudes that he recorded, he lacks the subtlety, nuance, élan, tonal sensitivities, gracefulness to give it organic Life!
Thank you for your comment. I humbly suggest you look up on my channel Pollini's performances of a few of Schubert's piano works. There is, in those recordings, more subtlety, nuance, élan, tonal sensitivity, and grace than you will find in the performances of many artists combined. Personally, I have never cared for Pollini's recordings of Chopin (other than the etudes and his 1960 performance of the E minor concerto). But in my opinion it is neither fair nor accurate to judge an artist of Pollini's stature on the basis of his recordings of the work of a single composer (i.e., Chopin). Regards, david
davidhertzberg It is true every artist has their niche that they excel in. I will listen to his Schubert interpretations at your suggestion. I also agree that the recording he made of the Chopin Concerto in E minor is also very fine, he was only 17 when he recorded it the first time. I don't know if he ever rerecorded it. The recording was part of his winning "ironically" the Chopin International Competition. I have also seen Pollini play live at Carnegie Hall.
***** I'm only recently minding the performers and maestros instead of just focus on the pieces nomes I look for. Would you suggest other names for Stravinsky? If it doesn't bother you so much, would you suggest some performers for Villa-Lobos?
***** Interesting comment. I heard Pollini play Chopin (can't remember what) in Chicago about 20 years ago and I thought it was a bit dry. That's why it was a revelation to hear his Petrushka because it gave me a totally different impression of his musicianship. I had a somewhat similar experience listening to Ivo Pogorelich playing Bach English Suite after hearing an unmemorable recording of his.
I heard Pollini play Petrushka in Paris in June 1971, just after this recording was released. His live performance was nowhere nearly as good as the record. So how much replaying and editing went into the L.P. which was DG if I recall correctly
The recording was made in September 1971 and released in 1972. In June 1971 you must have heard Pollini's trying out the piece in public. No wonder it was worse. It doesn't matter anyway. This is still a fabulous recording. Many other pianists had the same opportunities for playing and editing in the studio. None has yet come within hailing distance of Pollini in this piece.
i really like pollini's version of petrouchka and i want it badly on my phone, but i can't seemed to find the whole three movements on the net to download. i've tried the convert thing; video to mp3 but it ended bad:(
One of the MOST awkward moment in my life was when I went for the concert of "professors of conservatory"... They have a trio and they played together something and than each of them solo... And the pianist took this piece. I don't know if he got scared from my presence there.. He knew I was a student of another teacher at Prague conservatory and probably he did not expect me in the concert. Anyway - his performance was 70% wrong notes.. But not like middle tone mistakes and so... In those "jumpy places" in the third movement, it was like all the wrong notes but the correct ones... Well.. that was awkward, I did not know what to think and how to distract myself. but back to this record.. - well... what to say. - this is definitely one the best ever recorded and will always remain.. :)
Scared of your presence, a student? BS (that means bull poop). 70% wrong notes? BS. "Like all the wrong notes but the correct ones"? BS. What does that even mean? "Jumpy places"? Sure, sure. Sounds like you're not a pianist or even a musician since I've used or heard that term in my lifetime of piano from exactly ZERO pianists or teachers. Sorry to be mean, but you're full of it.
I've played this a few 1000 times---of course it's good-tempo is normal not amazing-----not anything a top pianist can't do. Yuja Wangs is way higher level if you need comparisons.
Pollini is a magnificent pianist. However, you cannot compare this to Weissenberg's earth shattering recording. Weissenberg tapped into something demonic and cold, yet soulful. It's a desert island recording. This is great, just not that.
You can now enjoy this same recording with the full score: ruclips.net/video/pTW8lIB3hI8/видео.html
In this masterpiece by Stravinsky, Pollini seems to go beyond human limits (!) with a playing of almost unreal beauty and perfection - extreme precision, colors , power... - and an equally astounding narrative and dramatic sense. All this amazes us ! One of the most exceptional recordings ever made. Legendary !
Interpretazione leggendaria e per ora mai superata, un’intelligenza analitica eccezionale che ha messo in luce la bellezza di questa composizione di Stravinsky.
In the 1960s it was common opinion that Alexis Weissenberg made the best rendering of this magnificent and extremely difficult musical piece. And that was certainly true. But it is no more true today after Maurizio Pollini, the incredible Italian virtuoso, as set the standard for all times to come. It is the most lively take on this very typical Stravinsky piece for it expresses all of the composer's obsessions, with dolls, with the stage, Diaghilev, the pagan rituals, the Russian Jewish culture (reminiscence of Chagall's art), and so much more that belongs to intrinsic and beautiful Russian culture.
Spectacular performance. Difficult to believe this was done by ONE pianist. I don't know of any other piece which rides the instrument as hard to its limits and beyond!
One of the classic piano recordings. He is not only human, he brings a human dimension to music that is supposed to puppet-like. Viva Pollini!
One of the truly great piano recordings. Pollini's legendary performance is absolutely sensational, both technically and musically (as is the recording of Prokofiev's Seventh Piano Sonata, with which it's coupled).
1972년, 1990년, 2000년 3회 연주한 곡이라 익숙하고 반가워 들렀습니다.
Korea National Symphony Orchestra Pianist로 일할때였는데, Polini의 연주를 듣고 공부 많이 합니다. 올려주셔서 감사합니다.
this one goes straight to my favorites
Finally listened to a FLAC file version of this recording years after stashing my CD's in the garage until my kids grow older and the difference between RUclips and FLAC is like that of hearing a neighbor's radio on their porch coming through your window vs. being in the front row in a concert hall. Boy, I sure missed this recording in its stereophonic brilliance!
Thank you for having brought this to RUclips for I can't play my record of the recording anymore, my wonderful 30+ years-old Linn Sondek record player haven given up its long life:)
Hoch intelligente und zugleich kräftige Aufführung dieser Klavierversion des modernen Meisterwerks mit klarem Schlag und perfekter Artikulation. Echt genialer und unvergleichlicher Pianist!
I admit I am no fan of either Stravinsky or Pollini. But these three fragments are definitely among the exceptions. Beautiful music of great variety and power. And Pollini nails it to the last note. I have yet to hear another performance which is half as successful. Thanks a lot for sharing, David. Magnificent sound for a cassette.
why would you not be a fan of pollini what did he do to you
Do you think Alexis Weissenberg is any less good?
I love how you put "Fireworks" as the artist. Yes, Pollini at the height of his power is a fireworks.., this is my kinda rock music. Make me jamming That Semaine Grasse... My God! Weird that the raw quality of the recording makes it even fascinating with the grit and the punches.
Maravilloso. Nivel sobrehumano. Wonderful. Superhuman level
I think I like his final 3 seconds better than any other!
real genius
200% better than the cd edition, congrats! :)
amazing
I once heard that this piece is described as 'Repulsively & Monstrously Difficult'.
Yes, I think that's correct. I remember when I first touched Prokofiev when I'm more used to Bach and Chopin. Man, it was weird. Reading through Petrushka's sheet music was horrifying enough.
It is dedicated to Artur Rubinstein. I wonder if he was able to play it?
My brother learned it in a semester at Julliard. Of course, he practiced 8 hours a day (but that included other music), was and is a genius, and as I said, was at Julliard.
He (Rubinstein) played it, he just never recorded it. The Villa-Lobos Rudepoema was also dedicated to Rubinstein, and that piece is similar in texture and demands. Rubinstein also played that one, but never recorded it.
I just realized that Stravinsky lived through the rule of the tsars, WW1, the Russian Revolution, the poor leadership of Lenin, WW2, the dictatorship of Stalin, and the Cold War!
I love his plays.
当時最高に完璧といわれる技巧でひきこなしいた。イタリアから突然このような才能が飛び出してきたのには驚いた。ポリーニはやはり現代曲がもっともしっくりくるように思う。ショパンなどはあまりに切れ味が鋭く、違和感のある人もいるだろう。ルビンシュタインの要望で編曲されたが、できれば「春の祭典」の生け贄の踊りなどもピアノ編曲で聞いてみたい。
is he human?
Bartok lover of een andere keer dan ook de reden van de breuk tussen een
Good question. A couple of guys told me there was a huge editing on the studio recording (btw: much more difficult those day than today).
Yes, he is.
Magnifique!
I kept the programme so I can tell you that he also played Prokofiev 7. I can't find the diary that I kept for that European trip where I probably recorded immediate impressions. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Perfezione allo stato puro.
Oggi, in questa mezza mattinata di sole luminoso e gelido che splende su stanchezza, perplessità e preoccupazioni (dopo quando è accaduto ieri) ci vogliono l'energia di Stravinsky e la delicatezza di Pollini, per una pausa-caffè ritemprante
renato45222
signor Renato, la informo che la mia "SPREGEVOLE" e volgarissima pausa-caffè non sottrae nulla al suo aristocratico godimento né alla elevazione della sua anima (che, da quanto leggo, è talmente "elevata" da ergersi a giudice supremo dei piaceri altrui). Non legga i miei commenti e resti al sicuro nel suo mondo iperuraneo
renato45222 Mi occupo di musica da quarant'anni e la ascolto da molti di più. La faccio, la scrivo e la interpreto. Mi permetta di dire, con tutto il rispetto per il suo parere, che non sono d'accordo con lei (anche se con qualche mese di ritardo) con l'approccio "religioso" nei confronti della grande musica. Che cosa vuole che succeda se Petruschka migliora il gusto del caffè di Isabel o ne solleva le preoccupazioni? Mica si consuma! E neppure è un rito religioso. Personalmente, se ne avessi il tempo, sogno di poter passare una serata intera ad ascoltare tutti i brandeburghesi di fila con la partitura nella mano sinistra e un buon bicchiere di porto nella mano destra.
Mi permetto di consigliarle l' "Anghelu Ruju", con la Grande Musica è formidabile.
Isabel Archer ... chapeau... :-)
+renato45222 a renato sei un vecchio astioso e anche patetico, quei vecchi tirchi che al supermercato ti fanno dire ma dove cacchio vai
Certo certo, che astio ah ah ah. Ma non ti angustiare, vivi sereno
I try to listen evey music Which Elisa Jinga likes.Probably she Will make Classic Music lover from a monster!!
I love it...
fabulous
Outstanding!
thanks mr. davidh Wonderful
Why is there an AD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SONG??!! O Lord deliver me.
Two Mad Scientists at work!!!
الللله على جمالك يا سترافنسكي احنا في السعوديه نستمتع بموسيقاك
Pollini def excels when the tone and structure called for is Metalic, Edged, Brittle, Sharp, Massive Blunt chords, with extremely Metronomic Rhythms as if a computer is doing the playing.
But when it comes to composers like Chopin with the possible exception of the Etudes that he recorded, he lacks the subtlety, nuance, élan, tonal sensitivities, gracefulness to give it organic Life!
Thank you for your comment. I humbly suggest you look up on my channel Pollini's performances of a few of Schubert's piano works. There is, in those recordings, more subtlety, nuance, élan, tonal sensitivity, and grace than you will find in the performances of many artists combined. Personally, I have never cared for Pollini's recordings of Chopin (other than the etudes and his 1960 performance of the E minor concerto). But in my opinion it is neither fair nor accurate to judge an artist of Pollini's stature on the basis of his recordings of the work of a single composer (i.e., Chopin). Regards, david
davidhertzberg It is true every artist has their niche that they excel in. I will listen to his Schubert interpretations at your suggestion. I also agree that the recording he made of the Chopin Concerto in E minor is also very fine, he was only 17 when he recorded it the first time. I don't know if he ever rerecorded it. The recording was part of his winning "ironically" the Chopin International Competition. I have also seen Pollini play live at Carnegie Hall.
Nordic Healer, heal thyself!
***** I'm only recently minding the performers and maestros instead of just focus on the pieces nomes I look for. Would you suggest other names for Stravinsky? If it doesn't bother you so much, would you suggest some performers for Villa-Lobos?
***** Interesting comment. I heard Pollini play Chopin (can't remember what) in Chicago about 20 years ago and I thought it was a bit dry. That's why it was a revelation to hear his Petrushka because it gave me a totally different impression of his musicianship. I had a somewhat similar experience listening to Ivo Pogorelich playing Bach English Suite after hearing an unmemorable recording of his.
ME ENCANTA
I heard Pollini play Petrushka in Paris in June 1971, just after this recording was released. His live performance was nowhere nearly as good as the record. So how much replaying and editing went into the L.P. which was DG if I recall correctly
Hard to say... its possible that he was willing to take more technical risks in the studio. Just a guess.
Funny: I wondered whether he was able to duplicate the technical perfection of the recording live. Sad: I really wanted to believe he could do it.
The recording was made in September 1971 and released in 1972. In June 1971 you must have heard Pollini's trying out the piece in public. No wonder it was worse. It doesn't matter anyway. This is still a fabulous recording. Many other pianists had the same opportunities for playing and editing in the studio. None has yet come within hailing distance of Pollini in this piece.
من اجمل الموسيقى هاذه المقطوعه
i really like pollini's version of petrouchka and i want it badly on my phone, but i can't seemed to find the whole three movements on the net to download. i've tried the convert thing; video to mp3 but it ended bad:(
Thank u!!
I'ts very wonderful!
역시 이곡은 폴리니의 연주가 최고
One of the MOST awkward moment in my life was when I went for the concert of "professors of conservatory"... They have a trio and they played together something and than each of them solo... And the pianist took this piece.
I don't know if he got scared from my presence there.. He knew I was a student of another teacher at Prague conservatory and probably he did not expect me in the concert. Anyway - his performance was 70% wrong notes.. But not like middle tone mistakes and so... In those "jumpy places" in the third movement, it was like all the wrong notes but the correct ones...
Well.. that was awkward, I did not know what to think and how to distract myself.
but back to this record.. - well... what to say. - this is definitely one the best ever recorded and will always remain.. :)
Scared of your presence, a student? BS (that means bull poop). 70% wrong notes? BS. "Like all the wrong notes but the correct ones"? BS. What does that even mean? "Jumpy places"? Sure, sure. Sounds like you're not a pianist or even a musician since I've used or heard that term in my lifetime of piano from exactly ZERO pianists or teachers. Sorry to be mean, but you're full of it.
why do we care about your opinion and anecdote which only distracts sort of like your fuzzy focus
めっちゃくちゃかっこいいけどこれは私の技術ではまだ弾けないだろうな........
I've played this a few 1000 times---of course it's good-tempo is normal not amazing-----not anything a top pianist can't do.
Yuja Wangs is way higher level if you need comparisons.
Way better than wang, truly marvellous playing
Bachauer's should be compared
Pollini is a magnificent pianist. However, you cannot compare this to Weissenberg's earth shattering recording. Weissenberg tapped into something demonic and cold, yet soulful. It's a desert island recording. This is great, just not that.
I much prefer this version to the Weissenberg version. Always have.
I, for one, way prefer Pollini. For me, the piece holds together better, a sense of continuity and coherence that the Weissenberg recording lacks.
a bit too intense