Chopin Valse op 69 No 1 in A flat major. Valentina Lisitsa

Now available on itunes!

[Chakiejan]

I've never seen anyone play with a more relaxed, effortless technique. Just fantastic.

[christopherhosford]

To all those who complain that Lisitsa plays this piece too fast, I have three comments:

1) Anybody can play anything they want anyway they want. But ...

2. Lisitsa is observing a very common metronome marking across many editions. The piece is marked Lento, but Alfred publishers (edited by Palmer) puts the tempo at 138 per quarter note ... about EXACTLY where Lisitsa is in this video. A very early edition by Meissonnier fils also has it at 138, as does the venerable Schirmer edition edited by Mikulli. One edition edited by Kullak asks for 144, even faster!

3) Lastly, I have a personal opinion: Many pianists play this piece like they're sniffing lilacs. It can get really boring really fast, in particular with the repeats. Besides being faithful to the score's various editions, Lisitsa plays with uncommon musicality and passion. I like it.

[dphotomeister]

soft, subtle, fragrant and playful - a perfect cup of tea!

[bubbles]

it's so interesting to see great pianists play this piece differently!

[УправляющаякомпанияТОРГрупп]

Now the Goddess is playing... utterly magnificent, Danke!

[Leonid]

Thank you Valentina for you are existing, playing and giving us so much joy. It is very important for us here in Eastern Ukraine during the Civil War. Your performance is utterly perfect.

[lopresiento]

i havent heard a single interpretation of this piece that sounds the same. some sound too mechanic, others expressionless, but this one is my favorite interpretation. its so light and soft, and pleasing to listen to. thank you for this amazing playing! ♡

[hadriancicero]

Dear Ms Lisitsa, Thank you for bringing so much inner peace and joy to so many people. Personally, your Artistry touches my soul. All I can say is, Thank you.

[joedythurston]

Valentina, I'm so glad I found you on YouTube!  I never thought I'd have a favorite pianist.  But you're definitely my favorite right now! I love the way you play.  You have such unique technique.  Thank you for inspiring me to take my piano playing to the next level!  

[max]

Hi Valentina

I wake up during the night hearing your beautiful rendition of this Valse playing in my head.

So sublime, it makes the world a beautiful "space" to be in.

Thank you

[yooj]

Will there ever be someone out there in this type of time who will invent music as good as this?

[pianolady]

Beautiful as always! I learned this piece years ago as a teenager; life changed, and I was without a piano for a while, and then just plain out of practice. I'm finally more settled again and I have a piano and have been relearning this one...I knew that if I searched YouTube I'd surely come across a video of you playing it! This gives me something to aim for in my practice...you play Chopin as beautifully as you play Beethoven. Wonderful! Thanks!

[hhsrrrr]

Valentina, you have a lovely touch! Thanks for sharing this. Chopin would be impressed!

[pubgplayer]

I love the tempo. The runs really come out more expressively at this tempo only. I would not like it any slower. The urtext editions I see show exactly 138 crotchets per minute, which is exactly what she plays at.

[lioncaptive]

Good taste and comfort... thank you for indulging me with Valentina's gracious piece of Chopin's Valse.

[Alleksandr]

Как красиво! Ошеломительно красиво! Прям даже настроение поднялось. Миллион благодарностей исполнительнице!

[krugos]

This is my favorite from Chopin valses. Beautiful performance, thanks for sharing!

[patriziacoppo]

la sua leggerezza, la sua eleganza nel suonare 😍

[paolak]

Am i the only one searching pieces i know to play to listen what they actually sound like

[prokrastnation]

I’ve found that this is the most difficult waltz to interpret… given everything going on in his life at the time. It seems like many pianists fail to truly feel and express the sorrow and sadness, juxtaposed with moments of bliss only to be reminded of darkness. This is a very sad piece- I would argue that this is one of the most significant insights we have into Chopin’s soul- his relationship with George Sand and struggle with impending death. This interpretation is one of the better ones out there.