Vladimir Horowitz at the White House TV Special (1978) 4K

Final version after tinkering with this or that for a bit in excerpts.

[jeffmuenster]

Something else we can all thank Jimmy Carter Horowitz into our living rooms for this terrific performance. A rare treat back then, and certainly now!

[yrag]

This is what youtube is for. Preserving historical events

[advadvadvadvadv]

Beethoven said it:
"To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable".

And Horowitz may be one of the most passionate ones that graced us with his music.

[foreststewart]

I remember getting up very early in the morning (5 a.m.?) to watch Horowitz perform live from Moscow. It was a great & moving performance, but this... he was truly in his prime, in terms of skill, strength, & artistic maturity. A wonder to behold.

[jaydee]

What bliss ! An American President who thinks enough of beautiful music to have a world class artist like this entertain at the White House. How I miss those days.

[helenmak]

This was when White House still appreciated extraordinary music.

[yaronilani]

0:50 - Star Spangled Banner
2:45 - Chopin: Sonata in B Flat Minor, Opus 35
28:53 - Chopin: Waltz in A Minor, Opus 34 nr. 2
35:05 - Chopin: Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Opus 64 nr. 2
39:15 - Chopin: Polonaise in A Flat Major, Opus 53
46:56 - ENCORE 1: Schumann: Träumerei from Kinderszenen
50:22 - ENCORE 2: Rachmaninoff: Polka de W.R.
55:00 - FINALE: Horowitz: Variations on a Theme from Bizet’s ‘Carmen’

[GymBodyAtlanta]

I was a junior in high school in 1978 and remember this being a VERY BIG deal. It was also in the days of a White House performance being highly dignified and an elegant affair. Of course, Horowitz was the best of his day--along with Van Cliburn. I miss the days of great pianist who don't do all the physical dramatics you see today (ie "ballet" finger lifts, excessive leaning over the keyboard, throwing their heads back and other distracting antics). Notice how concentrated Horowitz is withoug the physical antics aforementioned--perfection! And that piano! Horowitz always traveled with his own Steinway wherever he was performing regardless of cost or logistic complications. It is so nice to see a classic satin ebony Steinway Model D and not some tacky shiny finish that most have today. Of course it was the Kennedy's who started promoting the performing arts at the White House with Pablo Casals and the fine arts continued at the White House through the Raegans and started to dwindle down afterwards. Once you let standards drop--it's hard to come back up. A BIG thanks for posting this. I havent' seen this since 1978. Wonderful!

[theophicen]

It's so moving to see a man who becomes the music that he loves deeply and communicates this to us. And great to see Jimmy Carter loving every single second of it. ❤

[composer]

*timeline

0:48 Smith - Horowitz: "The Star-Spangled Banner"

Chopin-

piano sonata n.2 op.35
2:44 Grave - Doppio movimento
10:07 Scherzo
17:32 Marche funebre. Lento
26:34 Finale. Presto

28:50 waltz op.34 n.2
35:03 waltz op.64 n.2
39:13 polonaise op.53 Ab "Heroique"

Encores
46:54 Schumann: "Kinderszenen" op.15 n.7 "Träumerei"
50:20 Behr - Rachmaninov: "Polka de W.R."
54:57 Bizet - Horowitz: "Carmen Variations"

[calebhu]

Besides the President and adjacent individuals, there were a number of famous artists at this concert, including Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovich, Byron Janis, Samuel Barber William Schuman, and Billy Taylor.

[justinandmaxgames]

Such a different era - when our country had some real class. Long gone...

[Ravenelvenlady]

Astounding performance from one of the greatest who ever played the piano. Thanks for sharing.💖🎶💖🎶💖🎶

[Louis_Cypher]

The best pianist in the world. Feelings overwhelm, they come first, no soulless mechanicalness. Bravo, genius!

[DaleHubbard]

What an amazing historical record. Totally jaw-dropping. Thank you!

[christopherhogan-npxb]

Absolutely utterly fantastic..!!
Horowitz..( like Heifetz) ..one of a kind..

[paulm]

Stunning video quality. Thanks for this upload. How lucky we are to be able to do a simple search on a phone and watch this at will.

[ct]

Thank you for this. What a beautiful, cozy and intimate setting for a performance even with all the formalities. Miss VH. His smile is the next best thing to his music.

[dontimonerejr]

I'm a rock n roller. I don't know how I found this but its some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. Big Vlad fan now. The looks from my friends when I play this 😅. They'll get it someday.

[florafortuna]

Ho riascoltato il grande Horowitz, e le sue grandi mani, il suo immenso insostituibile talento mi hanno dato i brividi che pochissimi pianisti mi sanno donare. Lui era semplice, le sue interpretazioni erano riconoscibili in quanto uniche, tanta delicatezza poi, il rombo di tuono per la grandiosità, la capacità di rendere quel pianoforte una intera grande orchestra: ora mi manca molto la sua capacità di riportarmi alla grande musica, non da perfezionista del comune pianismo...ma dalla musica che sgorga solo da quel suo tenero cuore, ingenuo come un bambino e immensamente grande come lui a chi lo ha riportato ancora fra noi❤