Horowitz vs 7 Pianists: Chopin First Ballade

0:00 Chopin's Ballade no. 1 in G minor
1:04 Opening: Horowitz 1982
3:55 Opening: Rubinstein 1963
5:33 Opening: Argerich 1981
7:30 2nd Theme: Horowitz 1982
9:53 2nd Theme: Sultanov 1983
12:06 2nd Theme: Cortot 1933
14:20 Learn Chopin's First Ballade!
14:50 Development: Horowitz 1968
17:34 Development: Michelangeli 1967
19:46 Development: Hambourg 1928
23:10 Coda: Horowitz 1968
24:35 Coda: Richter 1960
26:32 Coda: Argerich 1981
29:02 Tony's 2nd Theme

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[iampracticingpiano]

This kind of talk has a long tradition amongst piano students, from sitting in the dorm room comparing LP records to imitating the greats in the practice room. These two pianists are charming and I very much enjoyed this good old-fashioned piano gab fest!

[mjleger]

I auditioned for Vladimir Horowitz as a child of about age 8 or so, in Los Angeles when I was a member of the National Fraternity of Student Musicians. My parents started my piano lessons at age 4, to give me something to do every day, since I was getting into everything! I didn't realize the significance of performing for notable musicians at my young age, but he gave me high marks on my card and that was what thrilled me! Later, I heard him play in concert, my parents took us to numerous concerts when they appeared in L.A. I also played for Artur Rubinstein during that period of my life, (he gave me high marks also) and heard him play in concert. Both were very nice as I remember, literally a lifetime ago!

[Capybarristan]

It almost feels like a crime not including Zimerman’s interpretation. His ballade interpretations are simply legendary

[ZKLofiTone]

One fun fact about Horowitz' interpretation of this piece is that he had a tendency to play it at different tempos in various performances, sometimes significantly deviating from the composer's indicated tempo markings. This flexibility showcased Horowitz's unique style and artistic freedom, allowing him to infuse the piece with his own emotional intensity and expressiveness. His renditions of Chopin's Ballade No. 1 were always a subject of fascination for audiences and music critics, as they never quite knew what tempo he would choose, making each performance a distinct and unforgettable experience.

[AshishXiangyiKumar]

Fantastic video! It always amazes me how much recordings (old, but also the newer ones) reward close listening and comparison. It sounds like it ought to be a dry, technical exercise, but it’s just loads of fun.

[bekhruzniyazov]

Love the fact that Alexei Sultanov's performance was included, though an older one. He is truly one of the most underrated pianists.

[mstalcup]

25:33 The reason Richter goes in immediately with the accented chord on the second beat is that's what's in the score. Many pianists play this wrong and add an extra beat, probably because of the eighth rest and because of the awkward difficulty involved with following the score strictly.

[NarendraU]

The coda played by Richter moved me by surprise, I actually got tears in my eyes haha.

[virtuosomwiti]

Aurelia's and my good friend Tony's passion for music is so infectious. ❤ They are such great musicians 🎹

[terenssotiri]

To me Michelangeli takes everything to another level of perfection. His repertoire was small, but yet perfectioned in every detail... so elegant

[beatlessteve]

Vladimir Horowitz is my first classical.pianist Love and his personality just forces its way through his performances...no one in my mind is better..but we all know art is subjective..and we all have different tatstes but for me ..he is the best and i have listened to them all.

[MaxLima]

I've listened to Martha's recording a thousand times, YET I am always surprised by her playing of the coda

[GeraldDonovan]

What a privilege it was to be at that London recital. I still have the program and some grainy black and white photos I sneakily took!

[thorenjohn]

The expressions of their faces and body movements were so revealing and enjoyable. They are connecting with what they are hearing in a way this non-pianist cannot. I wish I could understand their laughter when listening to Hambourg, but it was fun to see. And their faces during Argerich's last segment were priceless. All that in addition to the wonderful presentation of this content.

[guyandahalf]

Horowitz’s 1968 recording of Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 is my all time favorite recording of anything at all

[nandovancreij]

havent had this much fun on youtube in a long time, great video

[МаринаЛаричева-чч]

Алексей Султанов играет в свои 14 лет, еще фактически ребенок, как абсолютно зрелый музыкант, при этом слыша настройки Высшего порядка, это и есть гениальность - знание, чувствование за пределами, это невероятно.

[HorowitzScores]

Impressive video presentation. The legendary 1968 concert featured within has surpassed the half-century mark. It is both heartening and remarkable to observe the enduring fascination that this archival footage continues to command among contemporary audiences.

Certain instances within Horowitz's rendering of Chopin's compositions could aptly be labeled as 'reference' interpretations—take, for instance, the Nocturne in F minor, which, in my estimation, embodies this notion. However, for the most part, his approach to Chopin's works ventures into the realm of the audaciously unconventional. His performances of the Rondo, Ballade No. 4, Mazurka in F minor, and notably, Ballade No. 1 stand as particularly remarkable instances of this divergence; he undertakes a complete deconstruction of the piece, infusing each passage with his distinctive timbre, much like an emphatic stamp. No pianist, whether from the past or the present, has approached the piece in this manner. In the eventuality that the artist were to participate in the esteemed Chopin Competition, it is conceivable that such an idiosyncratic interpretation would meet with a less than favorable reception; this 'heterodox' interpretation, in essence, is the exclusive province of Horowitz—an interpretation that transcends convention and finds its embodiment only in his virtuosity. While questions linger about its alignment with Chopin's original intent, what emerges unmistakably is Horowitz has delved deep into the composition, assuming mastery over it with his ineffable musicality. It is unlikely that the world will witness another performer of his caliber. I thank you for sharing this exquisite video presentation.

[brozors]

For myself, it's clearly Richter. Just has this mesmerizing dreamlike quality throughout and the ending with the coda is just this nightmarish reality.

[JoeBlue]

I love this and would like to see more of these comparisons. There used to be a program on one of the classical station in New York in the 1970’s that did comparisons like this. It’s so informative and entertaining.