Youri Egorov plays Bach Prelude and Fugue No.24 in B Minor, BWV 869
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- The great Youri Egorov plays Bach's Prelude and Fugue No.24 in B Minor, BWV 869 from Book I of the Well-Tempered Clavier in a rare studio recording from 1975. His magnificent tone, crystal-clear articulation, and broad tempo are all remarkably accomplished - time stands still as he phrases with an expansiveness that brings sacredness to his performance.
it is the slowest interpretation in the world! Very different and mysterious Bach. "Wonderful" in the words deepest sense .like a chorale at night in an old Christian monastery
the more is left unspoken, the more is said. our pain, our shortcomings, our ultimate failure as humans, it is all there, exposed, naked. kyrie,eleison.
Such a beautiful calm poised tempo for the prelude. Lets the walking bass walk, every entry come in bell-like, every inner part have its own life and space, every suspension sing... gorgeous, simply perfect. The long silent breaths between sections... so expressive, so spiritual. The fugue is beyond ... beyond everything.
A piece that tells me the meaning of life again.. Thank you for sharing.
I had gone to a concert of his, actually two. First in Amsterdam (the Concertgebouw), then he played Brahms first concerto in Utrecht: I went to get his autograph and a really rambunctious lady who I recognized having been at Amsterdam walked into the green room, planted a kiss on him and asked for lessons. So I also asked for lessons, and he gave us his phone number. Apparently she had other ideas, but I actually was interested in music. And he's still with me.
Hi, I didn't know this. I had three or four lessons with Youri at his apartment in Amsterdam myself (1979 and 1980). I was studying at a conservatory, but he was a much better teacher than they had there.
He could actually just relieve your worry, your distress (as this performance does). There was one section I was trying to make more difficult than it was (in A Chopin concerto), and he simply said: "this isn't difficult for you" quite resolutely. And I had no difficulty when I tried, then.
It seems there's an unseen realm, a world beyond the ordinary--but within reach--that expresses itself through great music. Bach and Egorov were in touch with that realm. To quote Egorov: "…there must be something here within this world or universe which controls the lives in it….it is a creating force; it’s creating you…as Arrau once said, ‘It’s like something written in the stars.' "
Such a tender bass line in the prelude.
I'm reading Jan Brokken's novel "In het huis van de dichter" (In the House of the Poet), a novel about Brokken's close friendship with Youri Egorov. In this book, Brokken cites Egorov's answer on a student's question about performing Bach. I'll try to translate it from Dutch "Bach? You should play him like watching a summer sky and see white clouds sliding over each other." Youri's remark reminds me of this great perfomance.
Thank you for this superb remark, Frans. It fits very well with this interpretation.
I read the same book last summer. One of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
Вроде бы, Юрий ответил, " играть так, будто бы вы раздвигаете облака руками.."❤
...non posso che piangere all' ascolto ! Jurij è stato ed è un grande !
Wow, that was the best interpretation of that fugue I've come across. That's one for the history books. Bach is here on another level, looking into eternity. Notice how the sad theme is replaced by the counter theme of acceptance and joy, showing us that there is hope amidst all death.
Absolument magnifique. Quelle profondeur de jeu
Masterful, artistic, lovingly and gently elicited and sung through this piano. Not a measure of undecided playing. Expressed by a beautiful soul, mature beyond his years. This work and fine playing move me much. Thank you The Piano Files and my grandson for directing me to this!
Какая удивительная музыка...Сколько в ней невыразимой светлой печали и Любви...Разве человеческое сердце может столько вместить?Божественное исполнение...🌹🌹🌹...
Bach donne Dieu❤
Правда!!! User-sn3vd5lw8l!!
time and time again, I find myself coming back to this recording. The most thoughtful and honest recording of them all.
WOW!! What a wonderful testament to a great pianist... thank you for sharing!! I love hearing how encouraging and supportive he was...
If mankind had this fugue as the only piece of music ever been written it would actually have been enough...
harpsiguitarman
I agree.
Ok I also agree and would complete -- -- -- heard on thatch interpretation from the really great Youri...once more the bests goes in the heaven tooooooo soon. Many thanks to having posted this diamond of interpretation. Even if the technique of recording is may be a little bit old and probably doesn't correspond on some modern ears spoiled by new technique of recording. This recording of a divine interpretation stay like a jewel in a majestic crown for all time.
I played as pure amateur this piece may be hundred of times on horrible electronic home organ because am I not able to play other master pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach the king of compositors. As you know the “wohl temperiertes Klavier” was composed long before a “Lang Lang” and others had on her disposition Steinways and other well tempered pianos a queue. That's why if Bach himself could appreciate he interpretation of Youri he would probably also had been in the heaven even before he got in by deaths as I am each time I listen to Youri. And that specially as it was told other ways in the commentaries “ If mankind had this fugue as the only piece of music ever been written it would actually have been enough. “by harpsiguitarman.
Could you give me more information please about " the trio sonatas of the day" I don't understand exactly what you mean. Thannk's in advance.
Heinrich Wagner i dont know what he means either.. its just a form two upper voices and a bass so trio!
But if you want to say this than no music would have existed if it was not for antecedent music so a bit pointless
It's difficult to imagine that the pianist we hear here is a young 21 year-old man...What a tragedy such an artist died so young.
This music gives hope.
I have listened to this particular recording many times, and cannot listen without tears in my eyes. The impossibly slow pacing combined with the inescapable destiny of the b minor cadence feels like a judgment from above. This is a unique recording when viewed across all repertoire and thank you for sharing this.
Indeed a magnificant performance, so deep & thoughtful that it exceeds his big inspirator Svyatislav Richter, who recorded the same piece 6 years earlier. An incredible performance
This sounds deceivingly simple to play; but in reality, and not unlike most of Bach’s piano works, it is incredibly difficult to pull off perfectly. This one is a truly masterful and passionate interpretation.
"unlike most of bachs piano works". Thats a statement i cant agree on. Nearly Every Bach piece is extremely difficult to pull of perfectly, because its so difficult to shape the many different lines at the same time on their own perfectly. And bach almost always is contrapuntal music. so i'd say bach is one of the most difficult of all composers to play perfectly.
@@L1102 You have not understood Alex's comment. You don't in fact disagree with him at all!
This is difficult but not more than other preludes and fugues. The structure is extremely logical and the voice highlighting is facilitated by Bach's use of three rhythmically contrasting ideas.
Sacred!
I want to know how he got that impossibly pure tone at the first repeat. This has an unearthly quality about it.
I was struck by that same moment. I've heard baroque on baroque on baroque and it's still stunning.
strepitoso!!! Un grandissimo artista -musicista-pianista!!!Grazie!!!!
This is without any doubt the "deepest" Bach interpretation I ever heard...
A few years ago I ran across this man's recordings and completely forgot his name. I knew from the moment I heard the first few notes it was him. The tempo, the tone. Thank you.
Am so glad we have as much as we do of this great artist... well, comparisons *can* be informative, but the key with Egorov is that his playing *was* divine (and still is in his recordings) ...
С большим уважением и любовью с Родины Егорова Юрия Александровича его соседи, коллеги и друзья . Помним и любим. Казань, Татарстан, Россия 🇷🇺
Transcendental... Sheer beauty... This is what it's all about.
If I had to be caught in a moment in time for the rest of eternity, this would be it.
Deep musician with tragic fate..Thank you so much,it is a best interpretation of this prelude and fuga i ever heard.Thank you for your channel!
Absolutely my fav interpretation ever.
Beautiful!
A true artist! I'm only now getting to know his extraordinary playing. Much to look forward to.
Thank you Yuchan Lim for pointing me in this direction.
Sublime, inarrivabile.
Magnifique interprétation! tout est intériorisé!
@musichiere70 Isn't it?! I find it hypnotic and ethereal... what an artist!
Tan simple, tan facil, tan complicado, tan dificil. Una delicada y fragil pieza de Bach se convierte en la conexion entre el alma la mente y el corazon.
Bravissimo.¨!!!!!!
When I heard this record for the first time, I believed it was unique, so I started wondering about all the records and everything about this pianist, Youri Egorov is a very great pianist, unfortunately he is too Leave us early to go forever.
Needs no comments, just listen this revelation.
So beautifully dreamy, introspective. I love this iteration. :)
Merci
Very interesting insights... thank you for sharing your personal recollections!
.......amidst all other disappointments - at least there is this.
мой любимый мальчик! покойся с миром!!!я люблю тебя и помню.
G'day, Piano Files! I have to say, that is the most beautiful fugue I have ever heard. Frohe 338th Geburtstag, Johann Sebastian Bach!
Wat een tragedie dat deze man zo vroeg gestorven is. Wat een diep muzikaal inzicht .Een prachtig gedicht wordt hier verteld, alsof Schubert in zijn laatste jaar hier kennis maakt met de grote Bach en dat met zijn laatste krachten in al zijn vezels opzuigt en troost vindt en .
Ik ben dankbaar dat wij RUclips hebben.
Wat een ontroerend mooi kunstenaar is Youri Egorov
I totally agree with you. What language do you speak? It is so similar to english+german.
@@dina.organist It's Dutch.
schitterende uitvoering boven elke beschrijving verheven in alle perfekte eenvoud!
This piece has been played in very different tempi by different keyboard players. Here is a sample from various renditions of RUclips: Gould, of course, is an outlier, playing the whole thing in only 5 mins 58 secs. Then follow Czech (10.08), Schiff (11.03), Hewitt (11.22), McGregor (12.00), van Asperen (12.30), Ugorskaja (15.05), Richter (15.18), and this rendition by Egorov being the slowest (17.30).
Actually - he died more than a decade later... this is a very early recording of him. And contrary to popular knowledge, he didn't fully die from AIDS: he was dying from the disease and so chose to have himself euthanized. He had a party with his friends, and then afterwards had himself injected... a very sad end to an amazing talent.
Невероятно чисто и красиво
Very S. Richter-like … contemplative … spiritual….
His tone and legato - a light touch of pedal or half pedal or simply finger legato - are to be wondered at.
+kEYBAWD I so agree
Defo agree. Love the mystery.
This is heaven on earth.
This is not music.
Is God telling us that only beauty will save us.
And now I understand the concept of eternity.
Gentile Signore Rodigari, la musica e' non che ci salva. La salvazione e' solo fra il Signor Gesu' Cristo e suo sangre.
Dear Mr. Rodigari, music is not what saves us. Salvation is only through the Lord Jesus Christ and His blood.
エゴロフ氏の演奏は、天界の音楽芸術。人知を超えた表現に、感服致しました。
Удивительно, как при таком медленном темпе и умеренной динамике этот исполнитель так держит внимание слушателя...
I think Youri could hate the media, and having to answer stupid questions about what was his favorite piano piece etc.. He actually, after one lesson, gave me his free ticket to a recital of Kristian Zimmerman. They were on the same series, and so he had a free ticket I could retrieve at the box office. No critic on Kristian, But he kind of scoffed at this whole idea of someone being "a great pianist." Maybe Youri was, but that's not what he was about, and that's now how he did what he did.
magic
OK, but how is Youri supposed to communicate to people, when he is "divine" in comparison to others. Rather than music being something innate to the human condition that everyone shares (EVERYONE including the listener), it becomes some sort of separation. That wouldn't communicate and isn't what Youri does. And in his teaching he communicated really simple things. It was about the music. And he had great integrity in this.
Beethoven even quotes this fugue directly in a late string quartet.
And "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier" was the only score Chopin took with hem when travelling to Mallorca
@fredhandl yes - amazing pacing...
Ich ruf zu dir Herr Jesu
Genau das ist es was Bach hiermit will und meint ein Kreuzgang musikalisch.
美しい……。
とても美しいですよ！
A little bit statistics
58 242 times listen on ( may some hundreds of ! I certainly 30 )
332 thumbs high (6 down to be correct!)
63 commentaries
beware I doesn't read all but:
OK I also agree on all positives I read and specially on this of “harpsiguitarman” and would complete -- -- -- heard on thatch interpretation from the really great Youri...once more the bests goes in the heaven tooooooo soon. Many thanks to having posted this diamond of interpretation. Even if the technique of recording is may be a little bit old and probably doesn't correspond on some modern ears spoiled by new technique of recording. This recording of a divine interpretation stay like a jewel in a majestic crown for all time.
I played as pure amateur this piece may be hundred of times on horrible electronic home organ because am I not able to play other master pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach the king of compositors. “En quelque sorte comme une prière “
As you know all the “Das wohl temperiertes Klavier” was composed long before a “Lang Lang” and others greats had on her disposition Steinways and other well tempered “pianos a queue.” That's why I think if Bach himself could appreciate he interpretation of Youri he would probably also had been in the heaven even before he got in by death. Like as I am each time I listen to Youri. And that specially as it was told other ways in the commentaries “ If mankind had this fugue as the only piece of music ever been written it would actually have been enough. “by harpsiguitarman.
What piano is he playing on? And yes "is" not "was" because this inspiration feels almost eternal and ethereal.
La grâce
@Erik83474 I'd concur...
@angersd1 oui, tout a fait...
Mr Piano Files, I guess this is track B2 from Youri's LP "Youri Egorov plays Bach", released by EMI in 1976, later released on CD by Astoria and still available on e.g. Marktplaats. Are you sure this track was recorded in 1975?
I have it on another CD that lists it as a radio recording - I have never seen this released by EMI ... it's certainly not included in their box set of Youri's legacy (I wish that it were). I checked on Google and found the LP that you mention. I'm currently traveling and will check the date and other details on the CD that I have when I am back home. Thank you for your inquiry.
I just ordered a second-hand CD of that EMI album, which includes Bach's Italian Concert and 3 Preludes&Fugas from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier (including this wonderful No. 24 BWV 869). I will check if it is the same version as yours and let you know. The CD is still for sale e.g. on www.marktplaats.nl . By the way a wonderful performance. Last year I bought the famous Richter version of Book I from 1970. No doubt Youri was inspired by this album. No. 24 quickly became my favourite. Its melody slowly finds its way upward to.....Heaven....
Youri has a very similar approach as Richter: pianissimo with very steady pace, but he is much slower, which gives an even stronger impression. Very contemplative.
Those are indeed the contents of the CD that I took this from, so they are surely the same performances - glad you found it... it's *fantastic* playing (as you can hear here)!
Mr Piano Files, yes I got the CD now "Youri Egorov plays Bach", released by EMI in 1976, later released on CD by Astoria, and indeed it's the same track. Why do you call it in the intro of your clip a "rare 1975 studio recording"? It's just a track from this well know album....
I assume you mean the LP from EMI in 1976 (as there were no CDs then) - this EMI vinyl was only released in Belgium, never internationally; on CD it was only released on the obscure labels Astoris and Pavane, which are most definitely not well-known or readily available, and never by EMI - that is why it can be considered rare. It is most certainly not well-known - many Egorov fans are unaware of this performance.
Да это рихтеровское исполнение! Попробуйте отличить!!)))
1975
Are you referring to the recording date? I put it in the description below the player window and also on the preview screen before the recording ...
@@ThePianoFiles was rather marvelling at the recording date and wanted to leave a comment which as you know makes it more likely someone else will be lead to your site. Not perhaps the most imaginative compliment.
@@deanedge5988 Understood! Very glad if you enjoyed the performance and want to draw more people to it and the others!
9:25
By bringing him back from the dead, he sadly died of AIDS less than a year after this was recorded...
Iris, if this recording is indeed from 1975, then he died 13 year later
like richter
Fugue 9:25
Totally not like Richter, Richter very much emphasized all theme entries volume wise and Egorov plays like they should be played, all voices equally in volume like Bach intended, but he managed somehow to get the subjects out in a different way. Respect!
it was undoubtedly inspired by Richter's version. Egorov himself said that Richter was his major influence. also, how do you know what Bach intended?
Prelude far too ponderous considering the depth and magnitude of the fugue. It almost needed stirring. Brilliantly transparent playing in the Fugue, but if you wait 45 minutes for a Bus...........
Очень тихий звук. Представить произведение во всей его красе не получается.
whatever, pak maar wat uit de koelkast
Am so glad we have as much as we do of this great artist... well, comparisons *can* be informative, but the key with Egorov is that his playing *was* divine (and still is in his recordings) ...