Still recovering from a wonderful week in Miami earlier this month hosting the National Chopin Competition! I got to meet and have fun conversations with lots of amazing young pianists like Karina and Anthony here. Moving forward I’ll be posting more highlight videos from my live interviews like this one, and in the meantime I recommend you check out their amazing performances on the Chopin Foundation channel: www.youtube.com/@chopinfoundationoftheunite8079 To Chopin Podcast fans: I will be resuming the series soon. In the interest of staying sane and also varying the content on this channel, I will likely be moving to one episode per month - extending the podcast into the summer (keep in mind a single episode = ~5 videos, so there will be no shortage of Chopin…) To fans of music besides Chopin: by spreading out the podcast releases, I’m excited to return to creating video content about other great composers for the piano, starting in February!
My favorite two contestants from the entire national competition. I remember the chat being super impressed by Karina and Anthony so I’m glad to see some of their interviews that you did with them be posted.
Ben, I was SO HOPING that you would do this; that is, extract and publish your interviews with the contestants from Miami. Of course, being you, you went one better, by interweaving their performances with their words. Great stuff!!! Thank you so much! More please! 🙂
Great job Ben. I was in person for both days of the finals, thought of introducing myself, but seemed like you had your hands full. overall, it was really a great experience, both on youtube and live. And congrats to Anthony and Karina!
Thanks to everyone, performers, host and crew. Your commitment to this event is amazing and greatly appreciated. A famous story: after a concert a lady fan came up to Vladimir Horowitz and said "Id give anything to play like that Mr. Horowitz". He replied, "My dear, I've given my life". (paraphrase)
The polonaise is the perfect choice for chopin to make - Poland has always been attacked by neighboring countries, so a dance named after his country which is simultaneously meant for joyful social gatherings and militaristic would speak to the heart of his people. Let us dance and be merry and proud while being attacked and beleaguered on all sides!
Hi Ben! I think I speak for us all when I say WE WOULD LIKE MORE OF YOUR TYPICALLY HIGH QUALITY CONTENT. Perhaps you are thinking of tackling Schubert next? May I suggest the following title and method - call it "Schubert: the beautiful maniac" then basically use those themes as your framework. Make some humorous comments about how Schubert was really only a song composer (except for a few masterpieces like d664 /trout quintet/etc) up until 1824 or so when he suddenly caught syphilis and started to write both sublime and manic music (explain how no one had written such beautiful /manic music up till Schubert's time - and still hasn't up to today - interview Stephen Hough about this point since he agrees with it). Start with how the sonata in A minor written the year he contracted the disease (d 784) is so very different from the famous and utterly beautiful one he wrote previous to it (the 'little' A major one). But explain how the d664 doesn't quite have the beauty of the post d784 ones. Mention also the 1822 Wanderer Fantasy. And the March militaries for 4 hands and the Shone Mullerin song cycle etc. Then go through those post 1824 works (i.e. the g major quartet, arpeggione, 6 moments musicaux, x2 sets of impromptus and set of 3 sonatas d7684 d845 and d850) Then go on about how even those 1826/27 master works don't quite compare with the stuff of 1828 (d946 incredible klavierstucke), last 3 piano sonatas, quintet for strings, Winterreise, f minor duet, Also mention his symphonies (although the great c maj was written in 1825 or something - not 1828). Talk about the masses. One of which he wrote in 1828. I would interview the following - Charlie Albright, Tiffany Poon, Andras Schiff and others). All the best Ben. We cannot live without your excellent youtube videos!
Dear @benlawdy could you once do a video about optimal body size on the piano? In this video it is so evident, you are 2x taller and bigger than all those competitors! In my observation the optimal body size of pianists is never taller than 175 cm... Horovitz, Ashkenazy, Zimerman, Barrenboim, Gilels, Alicia de Larrocha, Joao Pirez, Argerich, Yuchan, Yuja, Liu, etc. etc., they all are small people! The only taller pianists that come to my mind are Pogorelich, Van Cliburn, or perhaps Matsuiev... I believe that at the piano tiny people can move their arms and hands in a free way, they do not need to pay attention not to hit to strongly etc. they sit naturally at the keyboard, their smaller fingers move quicker and don't get stuck between the keys... Wouldn't that be a good content for one of your videos? Thank you so much!
I think a little issue is that they probably have little or no familiarity with the Polonaise as a dance. No matter how far Chopin moved from the ballroom, he knew his inspiration. I don't see soldiers marching to death, I see courtiers, their backs arched, going through the steps with frozen smiles, knowing that failure could mean social ruin.
Interesting. Actually some of them are familiar with the polonaise as a dance, and the Chopin foundation has put on events that some of the competitors participated in where they’re taught the dance. But of course it’s far removed from Chopin’s intimate knowledge of the dance. On the other hand, I don’t think it’s required to experience and convey the many emotional and dramatic facets in the music, and to interpret in novel ways.
2:08 I'm not sure about this interpretation of soldiers marching to their death - Chopin wouldn't want to discourage the Polish soldiers like that would he?
9 дней назад+3
Yeah, I don't agree with that. Plus, the music sounds actually encouraging, though a little misterious.
Unfortunatly, in Conrad Walenrod from Mickiewicz thats their final destiny... But Chopin used it in Ballade nº1... It's a good poem and very important to know the struggles of the Pollish people, identity and military background.
Interesting. I hadn’t imagined the polonaise as any kind of memo or directive to Polish soldiers, so encouragement or discouragement didn’t occur to me. Especially if Chopin is still thinking about the events of the Warsaw uprising and its aftermath (which would have been in the recent past while composing this). I’m not sure I agree with Kobrin (and it sounds like Karina doesn’t either) that the B major section depicts a self-conscious march to the death, but it’s a provocative idea. For me, it’s the E-flat minor sections that depict that kind of doomed and desperate forward march (although there are counterstrikes), and the B major section is a memory or a dream. In any case, I see Chopin as more generally evoking the mix of hope and tragedy and dreams that come in a time of war, and different polonaises lean more tragic or more heroic than others.
@@Tbop3 actually yes, although not blindfolded. There was a discussion about putting a screen in front of the jury for this competition, but it ended up not being timely or practical in this case, and arguably not even desirable in a competition for concert pianists whose stage presence is a factor in their appeal. Blind auditions are more standard for orchestral musicians.
Great video Ben! We should consider that the polonaise was hardly Chopin's invention. It is probably the single most popular piece for a composer to compose (because it is so easy to imitate the 'heroic' or 'march-like' qualities of a polonaise). Some of the many composers who have breath-taking examples of genius in You tube are - JS Bach, CPE Bach's, Wilhelm Friedmann Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert... Just take a look at this example by Beethoven - ruclips.net/video/0zV_OUXODMw/видео.html or this one by myself - ruclips.net/video/NDnJNk17q8E/видео.html
Of course. I immediately think of the polonaise in Bach’s e major French suite, or in Beethoven’s triple concerto. But Chopin’s experience was more native, and far more interesting
@@benlawdy Indeed - I shouldn't really have written that the composers I mentioned had 'breath-taking examples'. In comparison to Chopin's masterpieces they are really rather boring. Excepting my little masterpiece... As regards Chopin's I like best the op 44 but also that early one that has another written at the same time just like that early one (like its twin but in a different key). I also like the Heroic and the Andante Spianato of the Grande P B. (I used to love the whole thing but became bored by how it's not as compact as some others). According to Feutchwanger, Argerich used to call the Grande Polonaise Brilliante the 'Great grey Mayonnaise'... P.S. it's a pity that Angeline Ma didn't win, isn't it...
I enjoyed watching all the talented competitors. I posted a new video on my RUclips channel about why pianists simplify Liszt. The brain tells the fingers, hands and arms what to do by firing out signals. Pianists need to be trained to fire out custom signals like composers do. Everyone is trained to fire out well rehearsed signals and that's not enough if your goal is to be as good a virtuoso as Liszt was. I make the point by comparing recordings by Horowitz and Matsuev.
Still recovering from a wonderful week in Miami earlier this month hosting the National Chopin Competition! I got to meet and have fun conversations with lots of amazing young pianists like Karina and Anthony here. Moving forward I’ll be posting more highlight videos from my live interviews like this one, and in the meantime I recommend you check out their amazing performances on the Chopin Foundation channel: www.youtube.com/@chopinfoundationoftheunite8079
To Chopin Podcast fans: I will be resuming the series soon. In the interest of staying sane and also varying the content on this channel, I will likely be moving to one episode per month - extending the podcast into the summer (keep in mind a single episode = ~5 videos, so there will be no shortage of Chopin…)
To fans of music besides Chopin: by spreading out the podcast releases, I’m excited to return to creating video content about other great composers for the piano, starting in February!
Based
We are waiting for Kate Liu's episode from Chopin podcast..!
@ good things come to those who wait!
@@benlawdy Thank you!!
@ and i can't wait any longer :(
My favorite two contestants from the entire national competition. I remember the chat being super impressed by Karina and Anthony so I’m glad to see some of their interviews that you did with them be posted.
In a perfect world, this would be on television and people would be able to serendipitously encounter it. Thanks, Ben.
Those days are gone. Serendipity has been rogered blue by an algorithm.
Ben; your interaction with these young, intelligent artists was great!. Your contribution to the Competition was much appreciated. Thank you!
As for "his" polonaise, Anthony hit the nail on the head - brawo, tak trzymaj!
Probably the most convincing performance of this piece I've heard. The boy's good!!
5:44 Love the imagery and visual overlay
Ben, I was SO HOPING that you would do this; that is, extract and publish your interviews with the contestants from Miami. Of course, being you, you went one better, by interweaving their performances with their words.
Great stuff!!! Thank you so much! More please! 🙂
Thanks! I’ll keep posting highlights, but also I’ve got to return to the pod and also produce something not Chopin related at some point 😂
Wow. Just when I thought I had nothing meaningful to do with my weekend, Ben brought Carina's talent to my rescue. Much thanks to everyone involved.
Fantastic playing and I really appreciated the interviews.
Great job Ben. I was in person for both days of the finals, thought of introducing myself, but seemed like you had your hands full. overall, it was really a great experience, both on youtube and live. And congrats to Anthony and Karina!
Thanks to everyone, performers, host and crew.
Your commitment to this event is amazing and greatly appreciated.
A famous story: after a concert a lady fan came up to Vladimir Horowitz and said "Id give anything to play like that Mr. Horowitz". He replied, "My dear, I've given my life".
(paraphrase)
Honey, come quick! It's a Polonaise episode! Sweet, two amazing Ops. My introduction to Chopin was through his Polonaises. Many underplayed gems.
Interesting interpretations...
And Op 26 and Op 44 are my favorite to play.
These young performers have so much to share with the world!
The polonaise is the perfect choice for chopin to make - Poland has always been attacked by neighboring countries, so a dance named after his country which is simultaneously meant for joyful social gatherings and militaristic would speak to the heart of his people. Let us dance and be merry and proud while being attacked and beleaguered on all sides!
And perhaps also appeal to the belligerents and aspire to transcend nationalisms on all sides
I didn't get all the jokes, but great stuff. Best Chopin channel out there ❤
I am glad you posted a video cuz I was getting used to your frequency
Needed to reset after lots of work in Miami. Slowly heating back up and you can look forward to high frequency resuming soon through into the summer.
Hi Ben! I think I speak for us all when I say WE WOULD LIKE MORE OF YOUR TYPICALLY HIGH QUALITY CONTENT. Perhaps you are thinking of tackling Schubert next? May I suggest the following title and method - call it "Schubert: the beautiful maniac" then basically use those themes as your framework. Make some humorous comments about how Schubert was really only a song composer (except for a few masterpieces like d664 /trout quintet/etc) up until 1824 or so when he suddenly caught syphilis and started to write both sublime and manic music (explain how no one had written such beautiful /manic music up till Schubert's time - and still hasn't up to today - interview Stephen Hough about this point since he agrees with it). Start with how the sonata in A minor written the year he contracted the disease (d 784) is so very different from the famous and utterly beautiful one he wrote previous to it (the 'little' A major one). But explain how the d664 doesn't quite have the beauty of the post d784 ones. Mention also the 1822 Wanderer Fantasy. And the March militaries for 4 hands and the Shone Mullerin song cycle etc. Then go through those post 1824 works (i.e. the g major quartet, arpeggione, 6 moments musicaux, x2 sets of impromptus and set of 3 sonatas d7684 d845 and d850) Then go on about how even those 1826/27 master works don't quite compare with the stuff of 1828 (d946 incredible klavierstucke), last 3 piano sonatas, quintet for strings, Winterreise, f minor duet, Also mention his symphonies (although the great c maj was written in 1825 or something - not 1828). Talk about the masses. One of which he wrote in 1828. I would interview the following - Charlie Albright, Tiffany Poon, Andras Schiff and others). All the best Ben. We cannot live without your excellent youtube videos!
❤❤❤ thanks ❤❤❤
Dear @benlawdy could you once do a video about optimal body size on the piano? In this video it is so evident, you are 2x taller and bigger than all those competitors! In my observation the optimal body size of pianists is never taller than 175 cm... Horovitz, Ashkenazy, Zimerman, Barrenboim, Gilels, Alicia de Larrocha, Joao Pirez, Argerich, Yuchan, Yuja, Liu, etc. etc., they all are small people! The only taller pianists that come to my mind are Pogorelich, Van Cliburn, or perhaps Matsuiev... I believe that at the piano tiny people can move their arms and hands in a free way, they do not need to pay attention not to hit to strongly etc. they sit naturally at the keyboard, their smaller fingers move quicker and don't get stuck between the keys... Wouldn't that be a good content for one of your videos? Thank you so much!
Please 💀💀💀
Both wonderful pianists but zarina is sooo special. Had the privilege to hear them in person.
Anthony is so fun, I like him
I am also eager to acquainted myself with Anthony's style of performing Chopin.
I think a little issue is that they probably have little or no familiarity with the Polonaise as a dance. No matter how far Chopin moved from the ballroom, he knew his inspiration. I don't see soldiers marching to death, I see courtiers, their backs arched, going through the steps with frozen smiles, knowing that failure could mean social ruin.
Interesting. Actually some of them are familiar with the polonaise as a dance, and the Chopin foundation has put on events that some of the competitors participated in where they’re taught the dance. But of course it’s far removed from Chopin’s intimate knowledge of the dance. On the other hand, I don’t think it’s required to experience and convey the many emotional and dramatic facets in the music, and to interpret in novel ways.
2:08 I'm not sure about this interpretation of soldiers marching to their death - Chopin wouldn't want to discourage the Polish soldiers like that would he?
Yeah, I don't agree with that. Plus, the music sounds actually encouraging, though a little misterious.
Unfortunatly, in Conrad Walenrod from Mickiewicz thats their final destiny... But Chopin used it in Ballade nº1... It's a good poem and very important to know the struggles of the Pollish people, identity and military background.
Interesting. I hadn’t imagined the polonaise as any kind of memo or directive to Polish soldiers, so encouragement or discouragement didn’t occur to me. Especially if Chopin is still thinking about the events of the Warsaw uprising and its aftermath (which would have been in the recent past while composing this). I’m not sure I agree with Kobrin (and it sounds like Karina doesn’t either) that the B major section depicts a self-conscious march to the death, but it’s a provocative idea. For me, it’s the E-flat minor sections that depict that kind of doomed and desperate forward march (although there are counterstrikes), and the B major section is a memory or a dream. In any case, I see Chopin as more generally evoking the mix of hope and tragedy and dreams that come in a time of war, and different polonaises lean more tragic or more heroic than others.
Oh those 19th-century nationalists got all hot under the collar at the thought of falling for their homeland! The Taliban had nothing on them!
Has it ever been discussed whether the jury should be systematically blindfoded during such prestigious contests?
@@Tbop3 actually yes, although not blindfolded. There was a discussion about putting a screen in front of the jury for this competition, but it ended up not being timely or practical in this case, and arguably not even desirable in a competition for concert pianists whose stage presence is a factor in their appeal. Blind auditions are more standard for orchestral musicians.
Great video Ben! We should consider that the polonaise was hardly Chopin's invention. It is probably the single most popular piece for a composer to compose (because it is so easy to imitate the 'heroic' or 'march-like' qualities of a polonaise). Some of the many composers who have breath-taking examples of genius in You tube are - JS Bach, CPE Bach's, Wilhelm Friedmann Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert... Just take a look at this example by Beethoven - ruclips.net/video/0zV_OUXODMw/видео.html or this one by myself - ruclips.net/video/NDnJNk17q8E/видео.html
Of course. I immediately think of the polonaise in Bach’s e major French suite, or in Beethoven’s triple concerto. But Chopin’s experience was more native, and far more interesting
@@benlawdy Indeed - I shouldn't really have written that the composers I mentioned had 'breath-taking examples'. In comparison to Chopin's masterpieces they are really rather boring. Excepting my little masterpiece...
As regards Chopin's I like best the op 44 but also that early one that has another written at the same time just like that early one (like its twin but in a different key). I also like the Heroic and the Andante Spianato of the Grande P B. (I used to love the whole thing but became bored by how it's not as compact as some others). According to Feutchwanger, Argerich used to call the Grande Polonaise Brilliante the 'Great grey Mayonnaise'...
P.S. it's a pity that Angeline Ma didn't win, isn't it...
I enjoyed watching all the talented competitors. I posted a new video on my RUclips channel about why pianists simplify Liszt. The brain tells the fingers, hands and arms what to do by firing out signals. Pianists need to be trained to fire out custom signals like composers do. Everyone is trained to fire out well rehearsed signals and that's not enough if your goal is to be as good a virtuoso as Liszt was. I make the point by comparing recordings by Horowitz and Matsuev.