Have you seen the film about Ashkenazy and Barenboim playing Mozart's double concerto? It's wonderful, musically. And the young Ashkenazy looks like a new born puppy, the most endearing thing you could ever see
Kalen1457 Check out the documentary from 1966 with Daniel Barenboim conducting the promotion of the English Chamber Orchestra where on the concert Vladimir and Daniel are doing the Mozart double piano concerto in E-Flat Major. It’s amazing.
I have always been obsessed with Chopin. And in 1980 I discovered albums of Ashkenazy playing Chopin which mesmerized me. For 43 years then I regarded him as my favorite pianist, but it was not until the year 2023 that I discovered RUclips documentaries showing us Ashkenazy the person. I quickly saw that he is surely the kindest and most wise pianist of our era. I love to see how much he loves his wife and children. When he walks, he has the walk of a man unencumbered by hate, anger or envy. He is a pure, good soul. And Zsolt Bognar is wonderful.
I love his modest statement ''I managed to play the Tchiakovsky Concerto reasonably well'' needless to say he played it superbly well all those years ago in Soviet Russia. A truly remarkable artist.
Such an astonishing human being by virtue of his genuine kindness and graciousness and no one plays with such april like purity transparency and grace. I am grateful for every note Vladimir Ashkenazy ever interpreted whether through piano or orchestra. Like a dream made real and beautiful beyond the power of the imagination to conceive. Also what lovely things he said about his wife and family. God bless him and his family forever for the absolute beauty and clarity he has communicated as a musical artist of great excellence and dedication. I treasure it all. His music has been a mainstay to me throughout my life.
He's such a charming and humble fellow. I had the pleasure of meeting Vladimir Ashkenazy at the Oxford Union about 10 years ago and I'll never forget our conversation. Apparently they say never meet your heroes, but I've no idea why.
To hear Ashkenazy speak after only having heard his piano performances was a real treat.. what an engaging gentleman who also shares his wisdom And love of humanity. Thanks so much!
This is such a beautifully crafted interview. I've never seen Ashkenazy so happy animated and showing how warm his personatlity is. For many years he seemed to take everything seriously and I felt sorry for the way he felt guilty abandoning his homeland - But he did the right thing and brought so much joy to the western world. I learned heaps of new things about him in this interview and I now admire him even more. His interpretations of Rachmaninoff are quite magical and with astounding depth.
He’s so special. I’ve always loved him. His Chopin is out of this world. Thank you so much for this. I first heard him in 1962 at the Royal Festival Hall. All Chopin. He was marvellous and the audience wouldn’t let him go. He played FIVE encores!
What a beautiful interview! And the comments here are so supportive and charming themselves, I feel this is a "safe space" on the Internet. Thank you, all!
I met Ashkenazy once at a concert of Evgeny Kissin. It’s the only time I’ve been starstruck. He was so nice and humble, but his F minor concerto from the time of the Chopin competition was tremendous (I think it’s a studio recording made immediately following the competition). I told him how much I admired that recording, and he dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
Listening to him talk you become so lost in his truthfulness, humility, and humanity, that you have to remind yourself you are also listening to one of the world's greatest musicians.
Vladimir Ashkenazy is one of the rare examples of a great soloist becoming a great conductor. An outstanding musician in every way. Thank you Mr. Ashkenazy for bringing so much pleasure to so many people who have the gift of appreciating one of the highest arts of mankind.
Mr. Ashkenazy, I have the highest respect for you as a pianist and conductor, and grew up listening to so many of your recordings. Thank you for all the incredible, unforgettable virtuoso performances! Your are an inspiration to so many as a musician and human being. Your wisdom, knowledge, and musical experience are very appreciated by many throughout the world. What an indelible contribution you have made to mankind with your privileged talent. Respectfully, your longtime fans who have the highest esteem and appreciation for you. ♥️🌹🥰
Thank you very, very much for this wonderful interview. For me, Vladimir Ashkenazy has always been one of the greatest in the musical world. Non-pushy, non-opinionated, filled with love for his wife and children and for his music. Really loved listening to him speak in this interview.
How can he be over correct when the statement is quite vague and the nature that is given could be the internet and TikTok and those temptations that can make you waste your life away chasing unfulfillment through a screen
What a true artist/pianist/conductor with words of depth and weight. I wish all performing artists especially the young ones will watch this and be reminded to be humble, to serve music instead of serving themselves.
Quite delightful. All the troubles of the world are temporarily eclipsed by an elegant goodness and a beautiful soul. I have enjoyed his playing - I have been favoured in life to be able to listen to him - for a very long time now. I am lucky.
These are wonderful programs. MY wife's family are musicians and were concert artist agents. To see such sensitive and intelligent interviews - really delightful conversations - with the musicians you talk to is a great highlight of our day. Thank you sir. @@LivingtheClassicalLife
A lovely gentleman so interesting when speaking or special when playing. I think my favourite pianist although I will never forget Van Cliburn. Thank you Mr Ashkenazy,
@@marcocresci We've interviewed a few and hope to interview more. You can see our interviews listed by category here: www.livingtheclassicallife.com/categories
Vladimir Ashkenazy basically converted my ear and mind fully to classical music a very long time ago, when I was a young teen still listening to pop. It was his London Decca recording of the Beethoven Pathetique, Appassionata, and Op. 10 #7. I will always think of him as the gatekeeper to a sound world I have never left.
Much the same for me. When I was very young and discovering "classical" music I heard an l.p. (Decca) of Ashkenazy playing Rachmaninov 2nd piano concerto, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kiril Kondrashin. I recall playing it over and over as I was fascinated by the music and the sound of the piano.
I have been listening to classical music for the better part of 12 years, and from a young age, I fell in love with the recordings of Ashkenazy, Barenboim, Böhm, Karajan, Bernstein, and Jessye Norman. They're such a magnetic group of people. Beautiful :)
Last night I was in the second row of St Davids Hall, Cardiff watching and of course listening to the orchestra conducted by Mr Ashkenazy. He seemed to me a man who was enjoying the company of other musicians. Concert over he wanted the audience to appreciate his colleagues by indicating those with prominent roles in the performance. What a gentleman.
this series makes all these great untouchables so digestible in human form. you can marvel for hours about how musical or how technically spectacular these people are, but there is seldom a chance to hear in words who they are. one thing i've taken away is how well-spoken all these artists are. it makes me understand that the essence of emotive playing is deeply understanding the emotion of a piece and being able to articulate in great and specific detail the levels of said emotion. this was a joy to watch, i've been in awe of his music but this feeling of getting to know him personally was a real treat. also bravo to the interviewer--he does marvelous work!! he asks succinct and well-thought out questions and also gives these artists all the space and time they need to answer. just brilliant, brilliant demonstrations of empathy and respect. thank you for this !
Just wanted to watch something between my practice as a break ,What a lucky guy I am.What an Incredibly Amazing person he is,And thank you for doing this interview.
Well hello their Mr. Ashkenazy, how wonderful to see you again.💖 Have you heard Alexander Malofeev (just 21 now) play? He is not only brilliant (I think) but is also humble and friendly, like you. (Holland Dec. 2022)
Thank you so much for interviewing this legendary pianist! I have been listening to and learning from his amazing recordings for many years. I truly enjoyed watching this video.
One of my favorite pianists, especially for Chopin, since I began listening 30 or so years ago. I had the privilege of seeing him conduct in Cleveland. Thank you very, very much for this.
There are other versions... but I just keep coming back, again and again, to Ashkenazy, for the Preludes, and the Etudes-Tableaux. They feel live. They feel electric. They are played with steel fingers, but with a heart on sleeve. They are accurate, fast, dramatic, interesting, they are set in a resounding acoustic that amplifies their majesty; and Ashkenazy goes just with the music and creates a completely convincing performance for each and every piece. They are wonders.
I heard Ashkenazy perform in San Francisco about 1975. He was brilliant but seemed very serious and distant and did not do an encore. I learned after that he had the flu and a high very fever!
It's so wonderful to find out that someone you've admired for decades is so sweet and kind in person. Thank you for this.
Thank you for watching, Karen Bryan! He is wonderful, isn't he?
I had the same thought.
Have you seen the film about Ashkenazy and Barenboim playing Mozart's double concerto? It's wonderful, musically. And the young Ashkenazy looks like a new born puppy, the most endearing thing you could ever see
@@livb6945 I'll look for it. I love the piece!
I couldnt have said it better. Thank you for this wonderful interview.
He's so pure and humble.
One of the greatest(if not THE greatest)living pianists.
Just look at all the repertoire he recorded, it's incredible.
The greatest ones are always the most humble ones.
Kalen1457 Check out the documentary from 1966 with Daniel Barenboim conducting the promotion of the English Chamber Orchestra where on the concert Vladimir and Daniel are doing the Mozart double piano concerto in E-Flat Major. It’s amazing.
Luke Skywalker So true!
Such a sweetheart. I love him so much.
We agree, Fbfgg Ehtgh!
I have always been obsessed with Chopin. And in 1980 I discovered albums of Ashkenazy playing Chopin which mesmerized me. For 43 years then I regarded him as my favorite pianist, but it was not until the year 2023 that I discovered RUclips documentaries showing us Ashkenazy the person. I quickly saw that he is surely the kindest and most wise pianist of our era. I love to see how much he loves his wife and children. When he walks, he has the walk of a man unencumbered by hate, anger or envy. He is a pure, good soul. And Zsolt Bognar is wonderful.
These are my observations exactly. What a beautiful soul that seems to radiate in his playing. Thank you Zsolt!
What a thoroughly lovely person. And of course, a colossal pianist.
I love his modest statement ''I managed to play the Tchiakovsky Concerto reasonably well'' needless to say he played it superbly well all those years ago in Soviet Russia.
A truly remarkable artist.
One of my favorite pianists of all time. He plays Chopin like nobody else 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
What a lovely man!
He is not only a huge pianist and great conductor but also an inredibly nice chap.
What a lovely person Mr Ashkenazy is ...
so modest and profound,
It made me happy to see this video.
It makes us happy to hear that it made you happy, Henk Knaap!
Such a kind, understanding, philosophycal and universal soul. If we had more role models like him the world would be a better place.
Such an astonishing human being by virtue of his genuine kindness and graciousness and no one plays with such april like purity transparency and grace. I am grateful for every note Vladimir Ashkenazy ever interpreted whether through piano or orchestra. Like a dream made real and beautiful beyond the power of the imagination to conceive. Also what lovely things he said about his wife and family. God bless him and his family forever for the absolute beauty and clarity he has communicated as a musical artist of great excellence and dedication. I treasure it all. His music has been a mainstay to me throughout my life.
What a wonderful person ,. You put the world in a better place.
A truly beautiful person.
They are so rare these days.
John Williams is another example.
And his mention to the late Sviatoslav Richter was a surprise.
Panzerino
Such a pleasant man! I would like to have piano lessons with him, I wish!!😊
What a beautiful interview, and beautiful man...I mean, soul.
Thanks for watching, Pennies From Heaven!
He's such a charming and humble fellow. I had the pleasure of meeting Vladimir Ashkenazy at the Oxford Union about 10 years ago and I'll never forget our conversation. Apparently they say never meet your heroes, but I've no idea why.
To hear Ashkenazy speak after only having heard his piano performances was a real treat.. what an engaging gentleman who also shares his wisdom
And love of humanity. Thanks so much!
@Living the Classical Life : Thank you so very much for this wonderful interview ! (Holland Dec. 2022)
what a sweet person and great musician!
We agree!
Oh yes, he won my heart right away. Thank you for this interview!
I kind of had a crush on him just by his performances and recordings but wow now I definitely have it. What a charming man
This is such a beautifully crafted interview. I've never seen Ashkenazy so happy animated and showing how warm his personatlity is. For many years he seemed to take everything seriously and I felt sorry for the way he felt guilty abandoning his homeland - But he did the right thing and brought so much joy to the western world. I learned heaps of new things about him in this interview and I now admire him even more. His interpretations of Rachmaninoff are quite magical and with astounding depth.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Cosens-Prior!
Happy 85th Birthday Mr Ashkenazy it is such a pleasure to listen to your music and to your interview! God bless you!
He’s so special. I’ve always loved him. His Chopin is out of this world. Thank you so much for this. I first heard him in 1962 at the Royal Festival Hall. All Chopin. He was marvellous and the audience wouldn’t let him go. He played FIVE encores!
Besides being a great musician he is a wonderful person.
What a beautiful interview! And the comments here are so supportive and charming themselves, I feel this is a "safe space" on the Internet. Thank you, all!
I met Ashkenazy once at a concert of Evgeny Kissin. It’s the only time I’ve been starstruck. He was so nice and humble, but his F minor concerto from the time of the Chopin competition was tremendous (I think it’s a studio recording made immediately following the competition). I told him how much I admired that recording, and he dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
@@LivingtheClassicalLife The very best.
Another comment: you are a brilliant interviewer.
Good Point👍
Ashkenazy is one of those rare artists where even his words, as well as his music, breathe so much life, colour and wisdom.
So humble, so genuine
Richter was saying he had nothing to teach him. Great man. I have a new respect for him.
What a wonderful man. A great artist. He represents the best of us at the best of times. Thank you for the video.
Listening to him talk you become so lost in his truthfulness, humility, and humanity, that you have to remind yourself you are also listening to one of the world's greatest musicians.
Vladimir Ashkenazy is one of the rare examples of a great soloist becoming a great conductor. An outstanding musician in every way. Thank you Mr. Ashkenazy for bringing so much pleasure to so many people who have the gift of appreciating one of the highest arts of mankind.
Great musician!
Mr. Ashkenazy, I have the highest respect for you as a pianist and conductor, and grew up listening to so many of your recordings. Thank you for all the incredible, unforgettable virtuoso performances! Your are an inspiration to so many as a musician and human being. Your wisdom, knowledge, and musical experience are very appreciated by many throughout the world. What an indelible contribution you have made to mankind with your privileged talent. Respectfully, your longtime fans who have the highest esteem and appreciation for you. ♥️🌹🥰
Besides being wonderful musician, he seems to be such a lovable person.
Bravo.
Great pianist great virtuosity.
Thank you very, very much for this wonderful interview. For me, Vladimir Ashkenazy has always been one of the greatest in the musical world. Non-pushy, non-opinionated, filled with love for his wife and children and for his music. Really loved listening to him speak in this interview.
We appreciate your words, Oudtshoornify! Thank you again!
Very modest....He is 150% correct "nature gives you something...and you just follow what nature gives"....
How can he be over correct when the statement is quite vague and the nature that is given could be the internet and TikTok and those temptations that can make you waste your life away chasing unfulfillment through a screen
@@celinema7505 You know, sometimes you just gotta keep it simple. Don't try to overcomplicate it.
What a true artist/pianist/conductor with words of depth and weight. I wish all performing artists especially the young ones will watch this and be reminded to be humble, to serve music instead of serving themselves.
A complete musician... with an astonishing repertoire! 👏👏👏
A great and fine musician and gentleman.
Heard him play live when he was younger and I enjoy many many of his recordings......wonderful personality & ideas....seems a Romantic
What an inspirational human being, so gentle too. He has a relaxing, calming influence, wonderful to listen to his story.
I remember well meeting him at the RFH in London in the 70s. After the concert Bernard Haitink introduced him to me, a wonderful moment.
Thanks for sharing that moment, Book Stuart!
I love you , and thank you for your wise words.
Great interview. What a lovely personality wonderful musician he is.
Ashkenazy way of playing the piano is always inspiring and musical. Great pianist and person.
My favourite! ❤
One of my favorite pianists... of all
Quite delightful. All the troubles of the world are temporarily eclipsed by an elegant goodness and a beautiful soul. I have enjoyed his playing - I have been favoured in life to be able to listen to him - for a very long time now. I am lucky.
These are wonderful programs. MY wife's family are musicians and were concert artist agents. To see such sensitive and intelligent interviews - really delightful conversations - with the musicians you talk to is a great highlight of our day. Thank you sir.
@@LivingtheClassicalLife
A very enlightening interview. Ashkenazy humbly mentions you must be born with certain gifts in order to succeed.
Outstanding human being. A genius and one of the kindest person in the classical world.
We agree, Luís Rabello. Thanks for watching!
Inspiring interview with not only a great artist but also a wonderful human being!
I was lucky to play under his baton for several years. So humble. So friendly. Best years of my life.
Pe6ek I WANT TO MEET THIS MAN!!!
A lovely gentleman so interesting when speaking or special when playing.
I think my favourite pianist although I will never forget Van Cliburn.
Thank you Mr Ashkenazy,
Nice interview with a surprisingly humble musical giant. Thanks Zsolt!
After this video I like his playing even better.
Super (extremely charming) interview. Always one of my favorite musicians.
What a great artist and humble man. Words of wisdom to match his wonderful musicianship.
Yes, but man's wisdom falls short. To give credit to nature, which is creation, instead God, the creator, isn't wise, but a common foolishness.
So nice to see Ashkenazy! A legend of the piano, his records always have something special to say. His Rachmaninoff is especially divine!
Respect, he is Great Musician.
i love the way he plays chopin
Totally agree. I have listened to the 24 preludes op.28 a thousand times, just the best.
Fabulously gifted pianist and a great guy....a really nice guy.
Aaaaaa..... what a legend!!!
Warm greetings and enormous thanks. Ide CB
what a lovely person, great interview.
Wonderful Man! Wonderful Artist!
I Love Ashkenazy! He's my FAVORITE Beethoven performer!
Wonderful style of conducting the interview - and Ashkenazy is such a pleasant and interesting guest!
A great interviewee, of course, but also a remarkably well-informed and sensitive interviewer.
What is his name? Do you know his background? Thanks in advance!!
0808JCS Lee Zsolt Bognár. He is also a pianist.
Wow , time flies , I was there when you made your debut in London. We have both grown up ........
I was also there. Wasn’t that concert fantastic!
This interview was truly beautiful. I recently discovered your channel. What a gem. Thank you
Thanks so much for watching, Alain Washnevsky! We appreciate it!
Beautiful conversation. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Marco Cresci!
@@LivingtheClassicalLife Thank you. I wish you could interview composers too :)
@@marcocresci We've interviewed a few and hope to interview more. You can see our interviews listed by category here: www.livingtheclassicallife.com/categories
@@LivingtheClassicalLife Thank you! I'll have a look...
Vladimir Ashkenazy basically converted my ear and mind fully to classical music a very long time ago, when I was a young teen still listening to pop. It was his London Decca recording of the Beethoven Pathetique, Appassionata, and Op. 10 #7. I will always think of him as the gatekeeper to a sound world I have never left.
Much the same for me. When I was very young and discovering "classical" music I heard an l.p. (Decca) of Ashkenazy playing Rachmaninov 2nd piano concerto, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kiril Kondrashin. I recall playing it over and over as I was fascinated by the music and the sound of the piano.
I have been listening to classical music for the better part of 12 years, and from a young age, I fell in love with the recordings of Ashkenazy, Barenboim, Böhm, Karajan, Bernstein, and Jessye Norman. They're such a magnetic group of people. Beautiful :)
A wonderful human being and artist I have many of his recordings on vinyl and CD.
Such a giving person. Kudos!!!
Beatiful interview and content. Thank you
I love when he said: "Czajkowski wasnt for my hands (octaves) ", , but he played Rachmaninoff so fast and beautiful like not many pianists can do...
Lovely interview. A great pianist and most importantly, a great human being. :)
Thanks for watching, Lucila Cantu!
So modest.
Last night I was in the second row of St Davids Hall, Cardiff watching and of course listening to the orchestra conducted by Mr Ashkenazy. He seemed to me a man who was enjoying the company of other musicians. Concert over he wanted the audience to appreciate his colleagues by indicating those with prominent roles in the performance. What a gentleman.
So enjoyable
What a wonderful person! ❤
Excellent interview.
A wonderful person and great pianist. One of the best for a long time!
Thanks for sharing this inspiring interview!
this series makes all these great untouchables so digestible in human form. you can marvel for hours about how musical or how technically spectacular these people are, but there is seldom a chance to hear in words who they are. one thing i've taken away is how well-spoken all these artists are. it makes me understand that the essence of emotive playing is deeply understanding the emotion of a piece and being able to articulate in great and specific detail the levels of said emotion.
this was a joy to watch, i've been in awe of his music but this feeling of getting to know him personally was a real treat. also bravo to the interviewer--he does marvelous work!! he asks succinct and well-thought out questions and also gives these artists all the space and time they need to answer. just brilliant, brilliant demonstrations of empathy and respect. thank you for this !
Just wanted to watch something between my practice as a break ,What a lucky guy I am.What an Incredibly Amazing person he is,And thank you for doing this interview.
Well hello their Mr. Ashkenazy, how wonderful to see you again.💖 Have you heard Alexander Malofeev (just 21 now) play? He is not only brilliant (I think) but is also humble and friendly, like you. (Holland Dec. 2022)
Thank you so much for interviewing this legendary pianist! I have been listening to and learning from his amazing recordings for many years. I truly enjoyed watching this video.
Thanks for sharing! Wonderful interview! Sincerity, humility and modesty of Mr. Ashkenazy, such a great artist! Thanks also to the interviewer.
One of my favorite pianists, especially for Chopin, since I began listening 30 or so years ago. I had the privilege of seeing him conduct in Cleveland. Thank you very, very much for this.
one of the GOATS
Great interview and personality
Thanks for watching, Frank Porter!
His interpretation of Rachmanimoff works is simply one of the best.
There are other versions... but I just keep coming back, again and again, to Ashkenazy, for the Preludes, and the Etudes-Tableaux. They feel live. They feel electric. They are played with steel fingers, but with a heart on sleeve. They are accurate, fast, dramatic, interesting, they are set in a resounding acoustic that amplifies their majesty; and Ashkenazy goes just with the music and creates a completely convincing performance for each and every piece. They are wonders.
Thank you for this incredible interview
I heard Ashkenazy perform in San Francisco about 1975. He was brilliant but seemed very serious and distant and did not do an encore. I learned after that he had the flu and a high very fever!
I love this incredible artist
Great interview. I'm a piano student at McGill University and it's refreshing to hear him say "Go for the music!"
Thanks for watching and commenting, aknightofcamelot!