Is there anything Cziffra can't do?! The clarity he achieves is astounding and combined with his interpretation I have to consider this a performance of genius.
Wow!!! I have heard many laborious renditions of this piece before and I did not imagine it could sound so beautiful. You can hear every pearl of water merging into flows to create this amazing water show. Cziffra’s magic! Having every technical aspect of his craft under control, he could go well beyond simply playing a partition to produce his own masterwork and transport us to his enchanted world.
Thanks for upload the performance; a stunning reminder that there's more to Cziffra than just Liszt. It also belies the myth that he was a mere virtuoso without real musicality. It's good that Cziffra's memory is being kept alive by RUclips. He's one of the least-known great pianists. I know a man who has a doctorate in piano performance from Indiana University, which has one of the nation's top music departments, yet he was utterly clueless when I mentioned Georges Cziffra. What a travesty!
I think anyone who says Cziffra is just a technically impressive robot hasn’t actually listened to any of his music. Even his interpretations of Liszt are jam packed with emotive playing
this the most natural interpretation i know Cziffra had such immense capacities to go to the top of possibilities but he uses them in the sense the composer wanted it. Ravel would have loved that interpretation. Not often good musicality and sense for structure, respect of the text goes together with virtuosity but Cziffra has it all
merveilleuse interpretation et quelle pureté cristalline ! loin des interpretations "impressioniste" ; virtuosité et poesie: cziffra a vraiment pénétré ici l'esprit ravelien!
I've just found one of my favorite performances of this classic. Several section are the best performed ever, clearly. The five note two-hand trill immediately leaping into the black key glissando is perfection. He holds the trill, just as Ravel indicates "long", then sweeps without a gap to the glissando. I haven't heard anyone else do it this well. He employs subtle rubato throughout the piece, but never to the point of violating Ravel's instructions. So... he gently pushes and pulls, just as much that is not metronomic should be played. This performance and that of Martha Argerich are my two favorites.
So happy to hear this, I always thought Cziffra was a virtuoso show-off, but now I know he also had the ability to just play/interpret a piece really well like here!
so adverturous, mysterious, and mystical. I decribe this piece as hitchikers on a big journey, which get attacked by stormy weather, so they a pitch up a tent and wait, then continue their journey into the sunrise. This music brings out my artistic ways
@Galantski Interesting post. I really enjoyed this performance. How could Cziffra go unnoticed by this doctorate pianist? Just goes to show you that not everything is covered in school, but I'm really surprised about that one. I find Cziffra has just the right balance of technique and interpretation, as he honours the music, as his accuracy and tasteful choice of tempo allow the listener to completely enjoy the work of Ravel. Any other gems, you recommend? This is what I love about RUclips!
It's my personal opinion and I think that there's no answer in music. Of course I love other pianists, such as Rubinstein but what I said was just 'I love Cziffra the most.'
This is awesome, I've only recently become acquainted with this piece via a clip of Martha Argerich performing it. As soon as I heard her play it, I wondered how Cziffra would treat it. To be honest, I think I like Argerich's version better, but Cziffra always makes a piece interesting. Nobody can beat Cziffra on Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies and some the Transcendental Etudes.
My respect for Cziffra cannot go any higher. Oops, not true I've just watched a live performance on Gnommeriem Liszt at top speed after which he sits down for a live TV interview. Anyway, wow to Cziffra and Ravel.
@Galantski I'm glad you brought up Valentina's name, I think she's brilliant and why is she not getting more exposure?...We just had Adam Gyorgy from Hungary playing Liszt, who will be at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 13th for the 200th year celebration, and I enjoyed his performance as well...It would have been great to hear Cziffra live, though, as he's grade A+ in my books!
@mountainharry I agree! I have been listening to all versions, and Argerich was my first choice, but now, I'm leaning towards the tempo and clarity of Cziffra's... He seems to nail the precision, and brings the piece to life with the brilliance, and brightness, I wasn't feeling with Argerich. The tempo is not distracting here, and lets you focus more on just enjoying the harmonics allowing the listener to relax and paint an aural picture more clearly.
His live performance is much better, less brutal. You can find it along with some Chopin and Liszt elsewhere on RUclips. All the virtuosos, on and off the concert stage or record catalogs can play the notes, so it is what else they choose to do that makes the difference. And yes we are allowed to criticize that.
Finally! Someone that agrees with me regarding rushing the entire song! I cannot stand it when this piece is rushed... It has no emotion or interpretation whatsoever in my opinion put into the preformance
@stellartunes - I think the problem for Valentina could be a number of things: poor management, an out-of-the-limelight preference (she's Hilary Hahn's accompanist, not winning a big piano competition or some combination. I checked out a Gyorgy performance of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in Budapest (on RUclips), and while it was good, I found it a bit mechanical. A work that difficult takes all one has to just play it right; he's young, so the art should come later.
Chopin, although he lived only for 39 years, managed to compose music as grandiose and poetic as Liszt's music, sometimes even better . I really wonder what he could have composed if he lived longer.
@stellartunes - Maybe he was putting me on. Sometimes those with advanced degrees like to toy with the rest of us. LOL I'll credit him for being convincing in his feigned ignorance. Yet Cziffra's greatness IS criminally under appreciated, perhaps as he didn't get to the States much. Other gems? I love his take on Liszt's Grand Galop (PianoProduction's upload is my favorite for the intensity). A great modern pianist unjustly languishing in obscurity is Valentina Lisista. Check her out!
A very good performance. Without wanting to be too critical, I would prefer to hear it on a piano with softer hammers. Also, it could be less accented and more "fluid", literally. Yes, it is very clear, but Cziffra seemed to be intent on showing the virtuoso side of all piano works. Although I cannot do it, I would want it to sound like a fountain, constantly flowing subtly. I think the translation of "Jeux d'eau" should be "The play of water".
The difference between Bach and Ravel is that, as you said, the term Baroque was invented much later, whereas Ravel heard of "impressionistic music" and expressedly said that he didn't belong to it. Also, I don't like to think of Ravel as impressionistic; it just doesn't fit for me.
if cziffra would have been born ten years later and made his career with an american disc producer he would have been more known than Horowitz and Rubinstein . his hungarian origine was politically a handicap.
@amanda92079988 impressionism* If you're going to make criticisms of some of the greatest pianists at least try to "fake" your knowledge of the pieces and eras by using correct spelling
Too fast ??? Absolutely rididulous ! Except for Samson François who plays very slowly, all the great pianists play faster than him, Richter, Argerich, Lefebure, etc... Watch Ravel's score (144/) before saying clueless comment....
Is there anything Cziffra can't do?! The clarity he achieves is astounding and combined with his interpretation I have to consider this a performance of genius.
Surprisingly imaginative rendition, what a delight
Yes!what a delight !
Wow!!! I have heard many laborious renditions of this piece
before and I did not imagine it could sound so beautiful. You can hear every
pearl of water merging into flows to create this amazing water show. Cziffra’s
magic! Having every technical aspect of his craft under control, he could go
well beyond simply playing a partition to produce his own masterwork and
transport us to his enchanted world.
Monique Haas
@@ObscureAuteur Robert Casadesus
This is absolutely unique...we can hear the water flowing !!!!!!
I was moved to tears.
I love the way that cziffra defies expectation and plays it slower than other pianists, like his feux follet, and brings out the beauty of the piece
Exquisite. I am playing this piece right now, and Cziffra seems to have captured the very essence of "Dieu fluvial riant de l'eau qui le chatouille".
Thanks for upload the performance; a stunning reminder that there's more to Cziffra than just Liszt. It also belies the myth that he was a mere virtuoso without real musicality. It's good that Cziffra's memory is being kept alive by RUclips. He's one of the least-known great pianists. I know a man who has a doctorate in piano performance from Indiana University, which has one of the nation's top music departments, yet he was utterly clueless when I mentioned Georges Cziffra. What a travesty!
I think anyone who says Cziffra is just a technically impressive robot hasn’t actually listened to any of his music. Even his interpretations of Liszt are jam packed with emotive playing
I've been looking for this recording. My favorite performance of this piece
this the most natural interpretation i know Cziffra had such immense capacities to go to the top of possibilities but he uses them in the sense the composer wanted it. Ravel would have loved that interpretation. Not often good musicality and sense for structure, respect of the text goes together with virtuosity but Cziffra has it all
Wonderful Interpretation! It has so many different rooms and i really like the surprise and spontanity of Cziffra!
wow, hearing this interpretation (and recording quality) made me realize how important a crisp articulation is for this piece above almost all others!
so many contrasting phrases, nothing is predictable in his music. It's so....enigmatic, yet wonderful. That's its lure.
Thank you, Cziffra always interesting and wonderful - a pianist of genius. His imagination is so great - and then that technique!....
I just love how he plays the final chord of the piece. It sounds like diving into water
Great Cziffra! I love you!
I can imagine crystal-clear water with this music. :)
thanks for posting. This glowing performance made my day.
Fantastic Cziffra clarity !
This piece has such a cooling effect on even the hottest summer days.
Can I listen to this every day? Wow...
merveilleuse interpretation et quelle pureté cristalline ! loin des interpretations "impressioniste" ; virtuosité et poesie: cziffra a vraiment pénétré ici l'esprit ravelien!
I've just found one of my favorite performances of this classic. Several section are the best performed ever, clearly. The five note two-hand trill immediately leaping into the black key glissando is perfection. He holds the trill, just as Ravel indicates "long", then sweeps without a gap to the glissando. I haven't heard anyone else do it this well. He employs subtle rubato throughout the piece, but never to the point of violating Ravel's instructions. So... he gently pushes and pulls, just as much that is not metronomic should be played. This performance and that of Martha Argerich are my two favorites.
i love how people critique shit like they can play it any better. This song is dope. Cziffra did good. Good chap!
beautiful amazing pianist !
HOLY SHHHHHH*********TT
cziffra is unbearable weight of beauty
Iridescent and sparkling - I would have loved to have heard Cziffra play the Ravel concertos.
A perfect vehicle for his astonishing abilities.
c es tres beau!! superbe modulé ...pas de précipitation ni de lenteur excessive.. l évidence est là ...et cette interprétation est vraiment habitée...
awesome!
So happy to hear this, I always thought Cziffra was a virtuoso show-off, but now I know he also had the ability to just play/interpret a piece really well like here!
so adverturous, mysterious, and mystical. I decribe this piece as hitchikers on a big journey, which get attacked by stormy weather, so they a pitch up a tent and wait, then continue their journey into the sunrise. This music brings out my artistic ways
Just beautiful. Reminds me of Mr. Rogers
@Galantski Interesting post. I really enjoyed this performance. How could Cziffra go unnoticed by this doctorate pianist? Just goes to show you that not everything is covered in school, but I'm really surprised about that one.
I find Cziffra has just the right balance of technique and interpretation, as he honours the music, as his accuracy and tasteful choice of tempo allow the listener to completely enjoy the work of Ravel. Any other gems, you recommend? This is what I love about RUclips!
I think Cziffra is the best pianist in the world...
Timothée Ivoire 音の輝きが他のピアニストと違って居て、とても輝いていますね。参考にして演奏します。
Maybe...but what about Ritcher? or Kissin? or Weisenberg
It's my personal opinion and I think that there's no answer in music. Of course I love other pianists, such as Rubinstein but what I said was just 'I love Cziffra the most.'
僕もこの曲を弾く時にシフラの演奏を多く参考しました。
By the way do you really think that Kissin in better than him?
Monsta playing of this song. Very scrummy!
Ravel + Cziffra = Heaven
Omg this girl in my music theory class played this,smh i HAD to find it =))
love it!
@MichelleSerenaXo Me too - and I've listened to it at least 50 times.
beautiful.
I really enjoy this song, and I think Emi Gilbert does great job of playing it!
Egy csoda volt.
@MichelleSerenaXo Cziffra just has the most amazing ability
Love the description
DAZZLING!!
I can see lots of people walking about in a big city with trams and model T fords - lots of metal, wood and cotton. No plastic.
Utterly surprised to find a piece interpreted by Cziffra that I play at almost the same speed
NHK FMから来ました
清らかなうねりを感じる
This is awesome, I've only recently become acquainted with this piece via a clip of Martha Argerich performing it. As soon as I heard her play it, I wondered how Cziffra would treat it. To be honest, I think I like Argerich's version better, but Cziffra always makes a piece interesting. Nobody can beat Cziffra on Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies and some the Transcendental Etudes.
My respect for Cziffra cannot go any higher. Oops, not true I've just watched a live performance on Gnommeriem Liszt at top speed after which he sits down for a live TV interview. Anyway, wow to Cziffra and Ravel.
and yet some people say he was just a great techician. But please ...
Love Cziffra and Argerich's versions
Thanks for your comment. Please subscribe and visit our promotion video. Thanks.
ruclips.net/video/Z1HgTIF5UwE/видео.html
@Galantski I'm glad you brought up Valentina's name, I think she's brilliant and why is she not getting more exposure?...We just had Adam Gyorgy from Hungary playing Liszt, who will be at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 13th for the 200th year celebration, and I enjoyed his performance as well...It would have been great to hear Cziffra live, though, as he's grade A+ in my books!
@Classisch oh ja ..? in france maybe?
@filippeo85 decription: no, i think it's guitar
deeep in my brain
@mountainharry I agree! I have been listening to all versions, and Argerich was my first choice, but now, I'm leaning towards the tempo and clarity of Cziffra's... He seems to nail the precision, and brings the piece to life with the brilliance, and brightness, I wasn't feeling with Argerich. The tempo is not distracting here, and lets you focus more on just enjoying the harmonics allowing the listener to relax and paint an aural picture more clearly.
His live performance is much better, less brutal. You can find it along with some Chopin and Liszt elsewhere on RUclips. All the virtuosos, on and off the concert stage or record catalogs can play the notes, so it is what else they choose to do that makes the difference. And yes we are allowed to criticize that.
Richter's sounds like water, Cziffra's like hail, though I do admire Cziffra a lot.
Indulged
@3:16-beautiful recapitulation
Finally! Someone that agrees with me regarding rushing the entire song! I cannot stand it when this piece is rushed... It has no emotion or interpretation whatsoever in my opinion put into the preformance
@stellartunes - I think the problem for Valentina could be a number of things: poor management, an out-of-the-limelight preference (she's Hilary Hahn's accompanist, not winning a big piano competition or some combination. I checked out a Gyorgy performance of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in Budapest (on RUclips), and while it was good, I found it a bit mechanical. A work that difficult takes all one has to just play it right; he's young, so the art should come later.
Chopin, although he lived only for 39 years, managed to compose music as grandiose and poetic as Liszt's music, sometimes even better . I really wonder what he could have composed if he lived longer.
@Franz Schubert what do you mean ?
@stellartunes - Maybe he was putting me on. Sometimes those with advanced degrees like to toy with the rest of us. LOL I'll credit him for being convincing in his feigned ignorance. Yet Cziffra's greatness IS criminally under appreciated, perhaps as he didn't get to the States much. Other gems? I love his take on Liszt's Grand Galop (PianoProduction's upload is my favorite for the intensity). A great modern pianist unjustly languishing in obscurity is Valentina Lisista. Check her out!
Ravel did never consider himself impressionistic, though. And Satie... really?...
Ecstasy.
A very good performance. Without wanting to be too critical, I would prefer to hear it on a piano with softer hammers. Also, it could be less accented and more "fluid", literally. Yes, it is very clear, but Cziffra seemed to be intent on showing the virtuoso side of all piano works. Although I cannot do it, I would want it to sound like a fountain, constantly flowing subtly. I think the translation of "Jeux d'eau" should be "The play of water".
Cziffra plays like..a GAME of water. Yes; Argerich plays like impressionisum..
98657
The difference between Bach and Ravel is that, as you said, the term Baroque was invented much later, whereas Ravel heard of "impressionistic music" and expressedly said that he didn't belong to it. Also, I don't like to think of Ravel as impressionistic; it just doesn't fit for me.
effort
if cziffra would have been born ten years later and made his career with an american disc producer he would have been more known than Horowitz and Rubinstein . his hungarian origine was politically a handicap.
@amanda92079988 impressionism* If you're going to make criticisms of some of the greatest pianists at least try to "fake" your knowledge of the pieces and eras by using correct spelling
correct spelling Lisitsa.
Riusciva a passare da un suono violento e rovente ad atmosfere celestiali e impalpabili...
I'd always thought that Argerich's performance was the best... but now...
Sorry Martha... :(
That was a bit rushed - I mean metal, bricks, fabric, leather, glass, concrete but no plastic
richter suck but he is still better than Warat Tongbunsing
too fast, just a little bit slower.
+Harry van den Berg wait, i´ll tell him...
Argerich is faster.
Richter is faster.
It’s not too fast. Ravel indicates 144 for eighth notes.
Absolutely not too fast, many great pianists (Richter, Argerich, ....) are faster then him....
Too fast. Too fast. Cziffra's tempi were always a circus of glibness. Just ridiculous. Virtually all pianists agree with me.
Too fast ??? Absolutely rididulous ! Except for Samson François who plays very slowly, all the great pianists play faster than him, Richter, Argerich, Lefebure, etc... Watch Ravel's score (144/) before saying clueless comment....
@@SELMER1947 this guy must be the oldest troll ever to leave a comment on youtube