Beethoven Sonata Op 57 'Appassionata' Mov3

Rehearsal run before recital in Musikverein, Vienna

[Shegofox]

It is ridiculous the way some people pathetically criticize her playing here. She has precision, fluidity, grace, and focus. But some say that she's TOO precise and technical and has no passion or emotion. Then when she's "passionate and emotional" they complain that she's sacrificing precision and technicality. She's damned if she does, damned if she doesn't. Give it a rest! She's a phenomenal pianist with more talent, beauty, and strength in her pinkies (literally) than her incorrigible "critics" have in their whole bodies.

[justin_de_leon]

After participating in so many masterclasses, I learned that the passion and emotion is in the sound and not in the facial expressions. This is why I admire Valentina Lisitsa’s playing. Every single millisecond of it is intentional and sincere, and she isn’t milking out “extra music” from the piece. Neither is she falling under the requirements. Her technique is pristine for a reason, and one of them is because she cares for the ultimate clarity of tones, runs and all other passagework. I think her playing is absolutely fantastic, I mean, it’s organic. Her hands lyrically flail at the right times. I think she is just embodying what she was taught by her Russian teachers. They’re looking for sound and not a matching face. She’s not up on the stage to make you say “oh she’s a good performer and she’s so expressive”. She’s up there on that stage to convince you to say “this music is divine.” It was divine for me.

Thanks Valentina, I continue to pick up my old pieces, the Appassionata included. My soul was set on fire after hearing how you brilliantly turned the finale into a thunderstorm.

[christopherphillips]

I AM COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED. Beethoven would be proud of her. What a talent!

[richardforshaw]

Every note means something. I always feel excited when I hear her play. 😍

[abladeofgrass]

I love how she's hunched over.. and her fingers are like witchy scary magic fingers. Her arms.. her face.. this is insane good!!! This is beyond amazing.

[AlexandrosTria]

Beethoven was a pure prodigy, no words just feelings. Valentina is an absolute master at her craft.

[DaveWhitmore]

The way her fingers fly over the keyboard.  Breathtaking to watch.  And to listen.

[rocklooney]

This woman never fails to remind me of what it means to be alive.

[anasmohamed]

I was listening to it while comfortably sitting on a chair and studying. At the end of the piece, I found myself in hospital diagnosed with high blood pressure!!

[korosensei]

Nothing like a HD piano recital rehearsal in the morning to cheer you up.

[chrissoames]

The story goes that Beethoven first played this to someone on the day that particular someone became the first to notice that he was going deaf. He was out walking with his assistant, who heard someone playing a flute and commented on how beautiful it was, before turning to Beethoven who didn't know what he was talking about. After hiding his encroaching deafness for years, and realising that the cat was finally out of the bag, he returned home with his assistant, and then proclaimed angrily "NOW I shall play you something" and bashed this out in a fury. Must have been a hell of a thing to witness.

Fantastic playing, by the way.

[pliniovellas]

In my opinion, Lisitsa is by far the best interpreter of this movement. The other day I watched Lang Lang playing the same piece. He seems to be slightly more precise and technical, but Lisitsa wins by far because she's not only precise and technical, but also makes much better decisions on dynamics, which results in a higher artistic performance. The first time I've watched this video was on March 2016. Since then, I came back here a hundred times or so.

[andrewwall]

I know I'm nutty, but I play this nearly every night. A momentary escape from the everyday ugliness of life, to the beauty and genius of humanity.

[panachaiinthakul]

THIS IS JUST PERFECT. she plays just at the correct speed, not too fast. Every notes she played are really clear. Bravo!

[TampaCEO]

There is no logical reason for anyone clicking the "dislike" button for this piece. Perfect simply doesn't begin to describe it.

[Dannymacskitchen]

I can't stop coming here to hear this. Well this piece and the 3rd movement of moonlight sonata. I love her playing!

[moonstenebrocity]

valentina has been one of my favourite pianists for years & i only JUST discover her performance of appassionata?! it is GORGEOUS

[SkataIites]

I probably know this Sonata better than any other piece of music. I've played it and I've listened to dozends of interpretations. This is as clean and honest as it gets. No pretentiousness, just the music speaking for itself. Thank you very much, your performace is amazing!

[jc]

Valentina must be the person with the most inner calmness. Music relaxes people and she creates gorgeous ALL day long on her own. She never looks stressed. As soon as she hits the piano, an expression of love comes over her face. She is not just a pleasure to listen to but a delight to watch as well. She is perfection.

[dirtypawsdetecting]

That's crazy good. I've seen a lot of pianist, but she is one of the best.