Without histrionics.Void of arrogance and self-indulgence.Pure. The most perfect and ultimate combination of technical mastery, sublime musicianship and maximum integrity. BG is the real deal.
I've never heard the Chopin 1st Ballade done quite like that, and that's saying something as surely it has been over 100 times I've listened to it. Refreshing, and exciting! The attention to some beforehand completely ignored left-hand voices is nothing short of revolutionary! BRAVO! As for Mompou, who dare play Mompou in concert? Forgotten for so long! Yet here he is bold and fresh, the old genius of old Spain. Yet here he is in new hands, beautiful and meaningful! As if he has always been there in his rightful place. Thank you youngster for reminding us of the beauty of the old master who contributed so much to the spirit of Faure and Satie. You remind us, of what we have shamefully forgotten! Then off we fly on your beautiful wings to old Russia and the fairytales that only Metner can tell. And tell us you do! When have I heard such detail, discipline, and controlled expression in the telling! (I so wish the cameraman had given us a glimpse of your magical pedal work!) I must say the energy in those rapid repeated "marching" in the Paradins is hard to comprehend! Such precision and spirit! Surely no one has topped this performance of the Op. 14#2! Again I have to be astounded as the sonorities of my favorite, Ravel bounds forth! Yet wait, are these the old valses I once knew? How can it be they are so different in my ear? Different, yes, yet I hear myself say, "exactly as they were meant to be!" Grace, elegance, and astoundingly tasteful beauty comes to mind! I think the old obsessive-compulsive Frenchman would applaud too! But the winner of the valse isn't Ravel - no no, it's those perfect fierce octaves of the Liszt-Gounod Faust! That left hand in racing octaves is just breathtaking! WHAT HANDS you have my dear young genius! I wonder if even the old supreme pianist Liszt played it that well! If that's not enough, could even Yuja Wang play Dohnanyi like that! Whereas her fire is so much show-off, young Grosvenor, you play it, IMO, even better without the distastefulness. No pretense here, just pure pyrodynamics as it should be! I think the 2nd gen Lisztian Dohnanyi could not have done it any better! Surely but a handful of pianists including he and those hence have risen to this level! But you're not finished with us yet. To end this amazing musical adventure you top this cake with the icing of a not-so-long-ago American genius - who remembers Abram Chasins? Student of no less the pianist some have called the greatest of all - Jozef, Hofmann! Chasins after graduating from Julliard then studied with Hofmann at Curtis! Hencewith, now our young Ben raises the bar again...talk about a piece to challenge the best of them! What runs and speed! WOW! That's an encore that need not be followed!
Wonderful! Best performance of the Medtner Paladin Tale I've ever heard. He tells the Tale so well, and with such fantastic articulation. This piece can sound like nonsense, even in very capable hands. He renders the intricate counterpoint and unexpected twists and turns in a completely comprehensible way. I hope he records more Medtner!
Oh Benjamin! The list of adjectives are insufficient to enumerate the colors, moods, tempi, musicality, etc., and you have left us awestruck. It goes without saying that you are singularly gifted by God. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Know that you are loved, regardless of those gifts too. Warm hugs and affection. Ken.
He's an excellent musician. I remember watching him in Young Musician years ago, then more recently seeing him playing Brahms/Cziffra as an encore in the Proms. Both times I was amazed.
Even for a natural, marvellous and talented musician like Grosvenor, Chopin's Ballade in G minor can be...for bunch of seconds..a reason to be tense during a live performance...however I admire and appreciate Grosvenor's art!!! Anli Pang
Rush Hour in Hongkong reminds me to Shura Cherkassky who used to play this piece as an encore at the end of his concerts. Loved his touch and sound very much!
Would have been cool to have Ben and Earl meet and exchange playing tips on that sort of repertoire. Grosvenor was undoubtedly familiar with the Wild recording. I hope Grosvenor will do the Robert the Devil paraphrase someday.
Belo Recital, gosto muito de recitais ao vivo, mostra a grande capacidade que os pianistas tem em memorizar as grandes peças para piano solo, obrigado por postar, e de muito bom gosto, fico muito satisfeito quando vejo e ouço recitais, parabens ao pianista Grosvernor, foi incrivel ver e ouvir.
this piano program is just excellent: i came back to listen to him play medtner op.14 if im not mistaken, ive seen this video before, and especially the medtner makes me come back once again for this eminent video
Chopin Ballade No.1 Performed by Arthur Rubinstein is still THE best of the best versions. Benjamin is one of my favorites, but with this piece he made mistakes and did not reder the emotions adequately. Keep it up. God bless you
Really old tired Rubinstein compared to this? I so disagree! What mistakes? Are you HEARING what I hear? I suggest your "emotional light switch" has been turned off if you weren't moved by this far better rendition! lMO, Rubinstein's work is boring in comparison!
