I had the opportunity to hear Andre Watts several times and was always taken back by his conviction and wonderful range of colors when he performed. I met him backstage and was so impressed by his generous spirit and kindness. He will be missed!! R.I.P. dear Andre Watts!!
I was privileged to follow Mr. Watt's career for decades, and was able attend many of his recitals and even a master class. I never understood his drive for virtuosity, but was haunted by his ability to color tones and will forever remember his Gershwin Prelude #2 which raised the hairs on the back of my neck, and a Liszt that brought me to tears of joy. In the one master class I was able attend, he was generous, kind, and so supportive of aspiring artists. He was a true gentleman, transcending a difficult early life and clearly at peace with the world: generous, whole-hearted, kind to his neighbors, strangers, and aspiring pianists. Truly a good-hearted man who worked hard, delivered the goods, and was an amazing inspiration for many of us. I know he rests in peace because he had found that peaceful spirit within himself while still alive. He had health struggles, but still shed a positive light, even while that light dimmed. His death is a loss for so many of us: not only of his amazing talent and dedicated drive, but of his great heart and generosity as well.
If Liszt were alive, he would probably play this etude as good as Mr. Watts. I can not believe the etude could have been performed any better by Liszt himself..Of course Liszt's playing was legendary.
It's all about the way he's willing to channel the energy. This music is all about electricity. The old world was quite obsessed with everything to do with energy / energies..
Not me! I am sort of a Liszt scholar, and I try to emulate Andre's style of playing of this Liszt etude. I had played scores of Liszt pieces over the past 30 to 35 years, and I was determined to master the B minor sonata of Liszt before I pass away! I am also a composer and I also did 2 reinterpretation arrangements of this etude myself!
Another treasured performance! I continue to be amazed, encouraged, and grateful for the artistry, grace, power, and musicality of Andre Watts. I continue to struggle with his absence from us
I have to add to my previous comment. I can listen to this performance and work on something else until around 3:32. From that point until the end, I have to stop and watch and listen. Something about the way Watts immerses himself into the music at that point (for me, anyway) pulls me in there as well, and I'm there to the end.
Yes, he goes into CrazyTown near the end, doesn't he? It's just as Liszt demands! Andre was amazing, kind, generous, and a wonderful man who transcended his abusive childhood and somehow found peace, joy, and kindness in life. I remember watching him in a master class, telling an intense youngster "Just tell the story. Every piece of music is a story. Let the music speak for itself." The young pianist relaxed, and his playing became transformed into a confident, fluent performance, thanks to Mr. Watt's kind advice. As a college student, I had a fantasy-crush on this guy. I chose so very well for a fantasy crush!
@gailburgess1347 I had a fantasy crush on him as well. I met him while in grad school, interviewed him (that netted me a friendly kiss a year later when I gave him a copy of my research project), and met him again years later when I took my students to meet him. I cherish those memories.
His interpretations are to me, exactly what the composer intended. Classical music, even of the romantic period is played far too stiffly. These guys had no amps or electronics, they were Rockstars from the music alone and played it to a level that would probably offend people of today
I'm surprised he didn't break a key, it's amazing how each individual finger of his here is absolutely powerful. Most pianist I see can barely play a few chords at max let alone their index or ring fingers. These are fucking concert etudes, Liszt broke countless strings playing these pieces live. IF you think this is too loud, tell that to a young 20 year old Liszt. He would probably laugh in your face.
It is funny you mentioned Liszt breaking the strings of a piano when he played...That is exactly what happened when Andre Watts played the Gershwin preludes...The reason you did not see this in that other video I uploaded , is because I had to cut that part out of the video. I did this because it took ten minutes for the piano tech man to replace the piano string that Mr. Watts broke after he played and left the stage.
Oh, Andre Watts routinely broke at least one string on the piano while in recital in Seattle, WA.. Fortunately at that time, there was a great technician who could replace it quickly and accurately before continuing. I loved his recitals there!
@@noriskky My issue is with this GOAT nonsense. Why not state this is my favorite performance of this piece that I have heard? Yes Berman was great, I heard him in Carnegie in 1976 play all 12. A great concert!
I am a bit of a Liszt scholar, and this was the 1851 or so version of that etude that Andre did. There are two other versions of that etude. There is the 1830 version for intermediate level pianists, but I was sure that Andre's perfect Liszt technique to master another 'monster' - the 1840 version of the same transcendental etude, which involves superoctave broken leaps in the R hand in the middle of that etude. I never had seen video footage of him playing the 1840 version of that etude, but I am going to have to do more research to find that! Ian Hobson, another famous pianist, did perform that 1840 version at the Krannert Center from my own eyes (Urbana, IL). His technique was not exactly spot-on but sufficient. Andre's would have been much better in that 1840 version. And sadly, Andre Watts' fans, you probably know that he died yesterday. WE ALL LOST HIM! He was 77 years young.
Informati sullo studio e il senso dello studio poi sai come si suonano certe cose di chopin molto più veloci quindi studia e informati prima di dare pareri superficiali..
@Dragon Soundworlds Oh yeah you know nothing about what makes a great performance lol. The pianists who play this too fast don't understand the piece. They play it just to show off and it ends up sounding terrible. Watts played it brilliantly - starting it at a slower tempo and gradually increasing the intensity.
I had the opportunity to hear Andre Watts several times and was always taken back by his conviction and wonderful range of colors when he performed. I met him backstage and was so impressed by his generous spirit and kindness. He will be missed!! R.I.P. dear Andre Watts!!
A long life dedicated to this unique vehicle of self expression....a master, truly blessed!!!
André Watts is one of the GOATs. No question there.
One of the "Greatest of all Time!" I totally agree!
I was privileged to follow Mr. Watt's career for decades, and was able attend many of his recitals and even a master class. I never understood his drive for virtuosity, but was haunted by his ability to color tones and will forever remember his Gershwin Prelude #2 which raised the hairs on the back of my neck, and a Liszt that brought me to tears of joy.
In the one master class I was able attend, he was generous, kind, and so supportive of aspiring artists. He was a true gentleman, transcending a difficult early life and clearly at peace with the world: generous, whole-hearted, kind to his neighbors, strangers, and aspiring pianists. Truly a good-hearted man who worked hard, delivered the goods, and was an amazing inspiration for many of us. I know he rests in peace because he had found that peaceful spirit within himself while still alive. He had health struggles, but still shed a positive light, even while that light dimmed. His death is a loss for so many of us: not only of his amazing talent and dedicated drive, but of his great heart and generosity as well.
RIP Andre. You were one of the greatest pianists.
Wow!! What an amazing pianist! We will miss him dearly!!
best interpretation of this etude by far, so much emotion, power, as well as incredible technique 👏🏽👏🏽
If Liszt were alive, he would probably play this etude as good as Mr. Watts. I can not believe the etude could have been performed any better by Liszt himself..Of course Liszt's playing was legendary.
It's all about the way he's willing to channel the energy. This music is all about electricity. The old world was quite obsessed with everything to do with energy / energies..
Rest in Peace, Maestro. Thank you...
Wonderful, many pianists play this etude, just few of them understand this music. BRAVO!
Not me! I am sort of a Liszt scholar, and I try to emulate Andre's style of playing of this Liszt etude. I had played scores of Liszt pieces over the past 30 to 35 years, and I was determined to master the B minor sonata of Liszt before I pass away! I am also a composer and I also did 2 reinterpretation arrangements of this etude myself!
Superb! Not rushed as most pianists but with true feeling, power and sweep.
WHAT AN AMAZING SOUND!!!!
Another treasured performance! I continue to be amazed, encouraged, and grateful for the artistry, grace, power, and musicality of Andre Watts. I continue to struggle with his absence from us
Extraordinario!!!!! Te extrañamos mucho, genio!!!! D. E. P. 😢❤❤❤
This is absolutely brillant! So much emotion
Incredible
Mind-blowing performance. Just wish the sound was better. Thanks for uploading this gem!
If you watch this video on your TV, the sound will be much better......
He played the f#$k out of this.
Love his choice of meter.
2:23 "My finger"
Standing ovation 👏🏻
Astonishing!
Bravo! ❤❤❤
What a great, great pianist !!!!!! Unfortunately nots o well known in Europe.
I don´t think he has ever did anything less than superb performance.
Caspita che grinta!!😳superbo!
I am especially missing André today on this anniversary of Liszt’s death. 💔
I think this is what Liszt had in mind.
I have to add to my previous comment. I can listen to this performance and work on something else until around 3:32. From that point until the end, I have to stop and watch and listen. Something about the way Watts immerses himself into the music at that point (for me, anyway) pulls me in there as well, and I'm there to the end.
Yes, he goes into CrazyTown near the end, doesn't he? It's just as Liszt demands! Andre was amazing, kind, generous, and a wonderful man who transcended his abusive childhood and somehow found peace, joy, and kindness in life. I remember watching him in a master class, telling an intense youngster "Just tell the story. Every piece of music is a story. Let the music speak for itself." The young pianist relaxed, and his playing became transformed into a confident, fluent performance, thanks to Mr. Watt's kind advice. As a college student, I had a fantasy-crush on this guy. I chose so very well for a fantasy crush!
@gailburgess1347 I had a fantasy crush on him as well. I met him while in grad school, interviewed him (that netted me a friendly kiss a year later when I gave him a copy of my research project), and met him again years later when I took my students to meet him. I cherish those memories.
Bellissima interpretazione
His interpretations are to me, exactly what the composer intended. Classical music, even of the romantic period is played far too stiffly. These guys had no amps or electronics, they were Rockstars from the music alone and played it to a level that would probably offend people of today
I'm surprised he didn't break a key, it's amazing how each individual finger of his here is absolutely powerful. Most pianist I see can barely play a few chords at max let alone their index or ring fingers.
These are fucking concert etudes, Liszt broke countless strings playing these pieces live.
IF you think this is too loud, tell that to a young 20 year old Liszt. He would probably laugh in your face.
It is funny you mentioned Liszt breaking the strings of a piano when he played...That is exactly what happened when Andre Watts played the Gershwin preludes...The reason you did not see this in that other video I uploaded , is because I had to cut that part out of the video. I did this because it took ten minutes for the piano tech man
to replace the piano string that Mr. Watts broke after he played and left the stage.
I think he DID break a string. Go to about 3:10....maybe it's me or the recording
Oh, Andre Watts routinely broke at least one string on the piano while in recital in Seattle, WA.. Fortunately at that time, there was a great technician who could replace it quickly and accurately before continuing. I loved his recitals there!
Thanks for dropping an "F-bomb" on us.😬😫
Definetly the best interpretation of this etude.
So you've heard EVERY performance/recording of the Etudes to make this ridiculous statement?
@@frankromano9064he didn’t hear Berman yet probably 😂
@@noriskky My issue is with this GOAT nonsense. Why not state this is my favorite performance of this piece that I have heard? Yes Berman was great, I heard him in Carnegie in 1976 play all 12. A great concert!
@@noriskkythe original "bang bang". Berman definitely mastered speed and volume
delizioso
He was half Hungarian. It was in his blood, and it shows!
this audio recording is registred with a nokia 3310
THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not loading!! Please?
Is this recording from 1976?
This concert was from 1988.
@@MoebiusTripper Thank you, I was confused with trying to find when it was recorded just on the web.
Liszt had to have ingested a Iarge amount of stimuIants right before he came up with that :O
Transcendental not transadental
I am a bit of a Liszt scholar, and this was the 1851 or so version of that etude that Andre did. There are two other versions of that etude. There is the 1830 version for intermediate level pianists, but I was sure that Andre's perfect Liszt technique to master another 'monster' - the 1840 version of the same transcendental etude, which involves superoctave broken leaps in the R hand in the middle of that etude. I never had seen video footage of him playing the 1840 version of that etude, but I am going to have to do more research to find that!
Ian Hobson, another famous pianist, did perform that 1840 version at the Krannert Center from my own eyes (Urbana, IL). His technique was not exactly spot-on but sufficient. Andre's would have been much better in that 1840 version.
And sadly, Andre Watts' fans, you probably know that he died yesterday. WE ALL LOST HIM! He was 77 years young.
Mr Liszt Scholar the first set of studies were published in 1826 NOT 1830.
E che espressione supera chiffra
Clidat's is still the best interpretation. This is still very good though
And yet, who besides you has ever heard of Clidat?
Every Liszt fan has... 🥱
I don't believe there is a recording of EN playing this is inferior
Such a fantastic performance, and such a terrible engineered audio recording.
Too slow.. this Is Liszt, not Chopin
Informati sullo studio e il senso dello studio poi sai come si suonano certe cose di chopin molto più veloci quindi studia e informati prima di dare pareri superficiali..
Meh
@Dragon Soundworlds Oh yeah you know nothing about what makes a great performance lol. The pianists who play this too fast don't understand the piece. They play it just to show off and it ends up sounding terrible. Watts played it brilliantly - starting it at a slower tempo and gradually increasing the intensity.
@@jimmyjones4396 a bit unrefined and ham-handed
@Dragon Soundworlds a bit unrefined and ham-handed
@@AlfieTheProducerwho
@@herobrine1847 Daniel