One of the most beautiful performance, every note sings. Yes Liszt was a virtuoso, as these amazing pianists, but at this point it wasn't for show, and every single note, even in the fast passages, is urging to sing. This pianist accomplishes this to great effect ❤️
Have played piano since I was 12, with an 18 year break. Heard this for the fist time two months ago at 41. I'm inspired by this piece and now have a relationship with Liszt I did not have before. Amazed this 163 year-old piece of music can be so soulful, emotive, and exciting; communicating a feeling of bittersweet longing, optimistic imaginings, and youthful energy. I'm hopeful there are other gems like this I have overlooked.
Bolet is a great favourite of mine.I am working on this piece at present and its very challenging for me (the 5 cadenzas are tough). Bolet is unusual to watch because his hands/fingers look very inflexible, but that is nonsense. The speed and agility that he has is phenomenal. I heard Bolet play the 3 Petrarch Sonnets live in Adelaide in 1977 (he was 63 as I am about to be later this year) and this recording in RU-vid must be roughly around that vintage I'd think. Perhaps he is a little older here. I have a recording of that 1977 performance which I just digitised yesterday (off the cassette I recorded off the radio!). The beginning of this piece is marked with staccatos in the left hand. He does not play them here nor in Adelaide (and interestingly neither does Horowitz in his recordings). I'm not sure why that would be. Bolet is usually very faithful to the score and Liszt was always very precise in what he wanted.
I think it might be because the staccato tenths in the left hand are hard to execute quickly unless you have very big hands - Horowitz’s hands weren’t that big and it doesn’t look as if Bolet’s were either. As for the date of this film, I think it’s the late ‘80s - I owned a videocassette of it! Must be the only time he played a Steinway instead of a Bechstein - perhaps none were available.
@@stefanufer608 well it’s not hard to roll the 10th quickly and have some detachment. He makes them very not detached here! He died in 1990 and was pretty unwell the last few years so if this is the late 80s probably just before he got sick
This recital was filmed during Jorge Bolet's tour of Australia, New Zealand and the Far East in February/March 1987. For the programme of his solo recitals, he chose as the major items Schumann’s Fantasy in C Major and Liszt’s "Venezia e Napoli" (the latter being recorded). This film was made in Rippon Lea House and Gardens, 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, Victoria 3185. Built in 1869 by Frederick Sargood and named after his mother's maiden name, Rippon. Lea is an English word for a meadow. The Australian National Trust inherited the property in 1972. In March JB also played in Hong Kong, but a concert in Singapore seems to have been cancelled (any information?)
Was practicing this and got so frustrated at myself for not doing this beautiful piece justice and even though listening to this wonderful, wonderful performance makes me realize how lacking I am, I was also extremely inspired (and may have even a few tears...) Thanks for the upload!!
I think Bolet is the only pianist understanding Liszt .. most of the pianist thinks Liszt,s music is a complicated show off music .. it is true in some extent However, none of them understand the fragility! The poetical in Liszt !! Expect Bolet Bolet is LOVE
This playing is on a whole new aesthetic plain...usually just reserved for angels close to the Source of all beauty. We are all lucky to have been given a glimpse by Messieurs Bolet and Liszt.
