Cyprien Katsaris plays his Fantasy on “Happy Birthday to you” for Yehudi Menuhin’s 70th birthday 

Rare genius ! In the era of Liszt , every pianist on the stage was expected to create improvisation like jazz in the modern time. But this kind of classical musicians already disappeared in this century.

Its difficult to appreciate how incredible this composition really is and how many hours would have gone into making it.

Loved it. I find this to be both entertaining and highly informative. Of what I know in the old days of Liszt classical piano music was much like this. Performances during that time didn't have the standardization and formalistic detachment we have in many concert halls today. And people LOVED the music. It manifested their sentiments. Music was not just "appreciated", it was really experienced. And you can see how Mr. Katsaris simulates the master - a performance by music of a great composer (Beethoven) followed by his own exciting variations/improvisations on a familiar tune. Today all classical music is objective and everybody already knows how it's gonna sound like. I prefer it like this. The setting isn't too big, there is someone to dedicate the music to as an act of friendship, and there is REALLY a connection to the audience. This is why I like even Liberace, despite his over-the-top grandiosity. In the past music was A THING OF THE PEOPLE. Now it's just FOR STUDY. The only flaw in the past is that classical music was highly exclusive, listened to large only by the elite few (aristocracy, clergy, etc.). But if we could somehow emulate the way music was seen and felt before - coupled with today's accessibility to any form of music - then that would be awesome. That's just what I think.

I want a b-day song from Katsaris

Simply genius, Lisztian style.

That's a nice gift for an old friend. Very clever performance

I wanted to comment on so many parts of this, the dramatic playing at 0:44 with the very serious (almost angry) look he had on his face even though he's playing 'happy' birthday; hilarious. Then I really, really enjoyed the Tango, it was so delicious, played in minor, but seemed so jolly; sweet and sad at the same time. This seemed to be much more than just music being played, but rather, a story being told.

Now, I have enjoyed this SO many times, that my brain replays it, when I am half asleep in the night.

Wow I have no words.. there is no one on the planet alive today who could arrange something so special.

Katsaris is fantastic !!!

0:20 Mozart 0:44 Beethoven 1:04 Tango 1:23 Brahms or Prokofiev 1:36 Film Music 2:22 Chopin improvisation on Chopin's "Fantasie impromptu" 3:24 Chopin Waltz op.64 No.2

What a talented musician , this is rare nowadays...

He is a true musician indeed 🙏🎶✨💞 Perfection

this is the best arrangement on happy birthday.

Bravissimo! 天才に失礼かもしれないけど、お二人ともかわいい。いたずらっぽい百面相カツァリスさんの、音楽の歴史総出のバースデーソングの仕掛けに、うれしそうに目を輝かせて反応したり、次は何かなと小首を傾げるメニューインさん。最後のお二人のかわいすぎる笑顔。とっても素敵。

Stunning! True musicianship at work!

He shows me there are lots of improvization With same melody 👏

I love his wonderful performance!

Wonderful ! This is absolutely amazing ! Bravo, Mr Katsaris !

Truly Magnificent - Mind blown.

Only a genius could do this!🤩 - at this level.

I love him!!!!!!!

This shows an incredible pianistic and musical excess!

Wunderschön

You are a genius in poetry!

Love it!

I fell in love after watching this video…!💓💓💓 What a wonderful friendship, kind humor, and service mindedness…✨🍀🎶 I respect Mr.Cyprian Katsaris from the bottom of my heart…!💓💓💓💐

One of a kind! ❤🎹

Wow!! It's so good to hear and to watch this..!

Não é para qualquer um! Katsaris é um grande improvisador, de magistral técnica e senso musical.

Wow! I love this.😊

ΤΟ "ΕΞΑΙΡΕΤΙΚΟΣ" ... ΕΙΝΑΙ ΛΙΓΟ. ΘΕΙΟ ΧΑΡΙΣΜΑ !!!!

Perfekte Liszt-Adaption!!

Very, very beautiful!

Wonderful!

Espectacular Happy Birthday, con unos geniales y originales arreglos.

Fantastic!

His performance is the culmination of joy

Genius Katsaris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If this was an actual improvisation, i'm so excited

すばらしい！

how lovely 😄

Great!!!

Great Artist

Molto bravo esegue con facilità cose molto difficili

charming !

genio!!

Modern day Liszt, in every sense of the word.

Wow. Wow wow wow wow. All I can say is wow.

This video reminds me of Victor Borge's great performance.

Genius!

outstanding Beethoven's playing

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

April 22nd, 1986.

wait yehudi's 70th birthday means that its 1986 and cyprien is born in 1951 ... so he is 35 in this video???? he looks way older wtf...

Please someone link the sheet music if you have it I'm begging

Da traf Menuhin auf einen nicht minder Würdigen. Genialer Katsaris!

i like this thing he does fom 1:51 to 2:05 , anyone knows where he got that from?

Beethoven style lowkey bangs

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

1:26 is that the starting of Pastoral symphony ?

he was the man who re-incarnated of beethoven+chopin+liszt 😳

Such a splendid trascription...Is there any sheet music of this?

ファンタスティック!　fb友さんから ご案内いただきました（笑）。

For the record, Victor Borge started his own variations on Happy Birthday way back in the 1950s. Since then many pianists have tried to follow in Mt Borge,s footsteps, but none have ever come close . Sure there are some good performers such as Cyprien who does an incredible performance. But the winner is still Victor Borge

Does anyone know the name of the song starting at 4:00?

At 1:05 what's the piece he's improvising?

i see a opera by chopin.its a walts

what did he do from 1:57 to 2:05 to get that sound? I'm lost.

can we get rid of this irritating web advert? This mouther seems to have hijacked a number of good videos. It is a great nuisance to have to switch onto mute and time it until we can get to something worthwhile!

8D

ЛЕСК с любой точки зрения!!!!!!!!!

I actually see several habits of chord using vary from classical musicians to new age,with a blend of creative arrangements whilst the rythm matches to each other,of course,theres no way to get a glimpse of his trainning day after day...

1:57

fantastic performance but i do think the end is relatively weak.

Menuhin looks so happy, it's a shame he also looks 95

70th? Menuhin Looks like a 80 Old man.

Para mi que es trampa,,,, cgi

Not from this world 🙆👑

Au début s'est la chanson d'anniversaire mai après s'est quoi n'importe quoi

Il s’éclate!!!!! Excellent

is Cyprien of the Diaspora?

Liberty without the printed score. Best Katsaris performance.

3:23 That was dirty

THE ARTISTRY WAS SENSATIONAL.👏👍🌠 (HE WAS DRESSED AS EITHER A GRANDMOTHER OF ANTIQUITY, OR A "DRAG QUEEN."🙈🙀😩😖🤔)

Denis Matsuev is better xxd