The first time I heard this piece I was babysitting with permission to use the parents' phonograph, and this piece mesmerized me. It's been 45 years since, and it still enthralls me. It is a shame that it is not heard often, in comparison with the rest of the Rachmaninoff concertos. Listening to this tonight brings me back to a simpler time, long before life got weird.
I'm always floored in any performance at what happens around 6:56-7:20. It's like Rach was like "alright all that tension I've been building? I'm turning the dial up to 11 and then gonna give you an exquisite rease." Andsnes is phenomenal here And I can't even describe with words its reprise in the finale at 26:00
A quite impressive performance of one of Rachmaninoff,s lesser known great piano concertos ! This pianist and the conductor and the fabulous orchestra do an outstanding job with this , Bravo !!!!!
Mr Andsnes is insurmontable playing the piano and this work proves it. This Rachmaninov concerto raises my soul to the highest level I can reach. The larguetto is, as always I said, music the angels sings. By the way, I recommend his Mozart' K491 here in RU-vid.
After hearing his Rach 111, has been one of my favorites, this artist exudes mastery of technique, memory, and artistic expression. This performance typifies all these and makes the listener feel as secure as the artist.
Thank you. Streaming it on tv as usual. Fascinating Piano Concerto 4. Leif Ove Andsnes brings out sparkles.Incredible orchestra conducted by wonderful Andres Orozco-Estrada.
@@user-eb7fi6lx3yMichelangeli is no doubt a superb player but the trick is he's not a man of the North and thus he fails to bring out the subtle Nordic undertones permeating Rachmaninov's music.
Great performance! Pianist and Orchestra were just super! It's hard to point to just/only one section in this performance and highlight as the most impressive of all, but I would draw your attention the 3rd movement 24:40-25:06. Listen to the rhythm of the piano, the orchestra and the interplay between them... It is very very impressive!
Such a great performance by Andsnes. I was lucky enough to see him perform this concerto with the Bergen Philharmonic a few years ago, and it totally blew me away! Not only the technique (which was flawless), but the interpretation as well. Happy to see this again! (a bit sad that the audio is out of sync, there are so many piano videos out there with this exact problem, and it shouldn't be that difficult to fix)
My first acquaintance with this most excellent pianist. Leif poured his heart and soul into #4, and it showed magnificently ! Too much presentation has been allotted to female pianists at the expense of the numerous very qualified males -- this needs to change .
Ole Sergei Rachmaninov pulled everything together for a conceptual symposium to gather the best and top off his concerto genre splendid and true. Small wonder this is my favorite of the four. PWG
That's an interesting opinion for my first feeling is that The Fourth has been built from the unused scraps of the 2nd and 3rd. It lacks those awesome, exciting and exhilarating melodies that sweep me away whenever I listen to the 2nd and 3rd concertos. Fourth is more rhapsodic, maybe that's why I feel that way. Or perhaps I need to listen to it more to be able to trace the melodic ideas more clearly.
A perfect 1st movement. Period. The 2nd movement.. often derided as “3 blind mice” is, instead a most beautiful, tightly constructed but elegant played by all… and at 16:21 onward… RAVISHING.
The reason that this Fourth Concerto is the least performed is, no doubt, the lack of memorable or ingratiating themes or melodic content in general, making it quite unlike Rachmaninoff's other three. It's as if he purposed to write this one with nothing to endear it except for its technical aspects. It's not that he lost his melodic genius, well attested to by his Symphonic Dances. Having said that, I've always enjoyed hearing it for the qualities it does have, not the least of which is heartfelt emotion expressed with consummate musicianship.
@@forresthancock1939 Since your comment is so thoughtful and erudite, I was inspired and encouraged to listen again and reevaluate Rachmaninoff's Fourth Concerto, and I'll admit that my ear was, temporarily, transformed into that abominable metal, so that I bypassed much of its melody. Perhaps my relative unfamiliarity with this Concerto caused me to not consider it on its own merit; I'd hate to think that my lack of musical appreciation was any more than temporary. The question does remain, however, as to why this Concerto is his least known and performed; do you have any ideas regarding that, other than that the great popularity of the 2nd and 3rd (especially) has left practically no room for it?
@@ronaldbwoodall2628 First, let me apologize for my sarcasm, Ronald. You didn't deserve that. I've been listening to Rach from 5 years old. Military brat with the post library our only outlet. So considering I'm 68, I am familiar with all classical music and I can be a smart ass. Learning more about this man is the most wonderful ride I can imagine. "Isle of the dead" "The Rock" , Symphonic Dances"...If You haven't been there, you are lucky because you get to hear them for the first time. Oh, don't forget the "tableau". To answer, The 2nd, and Third, simply have more long melodic themes that seem to fit in movies. ..as a major movie theme or even background. The 1st and 4th have shorter, haunting themes with constant modulation. I imagine the singable or hummable melodies would be the best known by the most. Please forgive my brashness. Honestly I should be grateful for even talking about Rachmaninoff. Very good day sir.
