Here's the little dialogue between Jacques Chancel, the programme's moderator, and Cziffra: - Georges, Georges Cziffra, je verrais très bien maintenant Barcarolle de Chopin. C'est bien? Ça va? Ça peut venir à ce moment-là? - Ah oui! Absolument! J'adore cette œuvre. Je suis amoureux. Une des plus grandes œuvres de Frédéric Chopin...à mon avis...plus importante...opus 60. Il a composé sa vie un tout petit peu dans cette œuvre...Ecoutez-le! - Georges, Georges Cziffra, what about Chopin's Barcarolle now? Would it be ok? Would now be a good time? - Ah yes! Absolutely! I love this piece. I'm in love. One of Frédéric Chopin's greatest works...to my mind...most important...opus 60...He put a little bit of his own life in this piece...Listen! The way they managed to catch Junior's rapture at watching his father play makes for really great television. Varázslatos pillanatok!
His interpretation is unparalelled! It is very touching to see him almost cry at the end. After all the hardship he’d gone through to be appreciated abroad as a concert pianist of this caliber must have been a profoundly moving experience. The very fact that he was able to play again, not talking about the technical and poetic level of his playing is a noble example of human resilience and grandeur. Maybe his extreme life experience also added to the depth of his playing. This video need more views!
Mean-spirited critics defined Cziffra by appearances her made with a circus at the age of five. This did not keep some of Hungary's greatest teachers from wanting to develop him. At the same time, it is no insult to say that Cziffra's experience entertaining in nightclubs made him more relaxed and communicative than any pianist I know. I'd liken it to Chopin playing not in formal halls but in salons surrounded by audiences of the most refined taste. You get something of the same atmosphere here. And of course seeing young Cziffra transported by his adoring father, knowing the young man's sad fate, is heartbreaking. Thank you.
and, similar to your theme, Art Tatum was a pianist who had all the technical skills and amazing ability with harmony, that he often played in a club type setting. If he'd been white he almost certainly would have chosen a classical career, which wasn't open to him in the US social environment then.
The cziffra is such a perfect pianist. Everyone knows his formidable technique without me mentioning it, and the lyrical melody he creates is so beautiful. It was such a perfect performance.
wow.... sooo true... and genuine... Chopin would have LOVED this!!!! No wonder he's on sooo many GREAT pianist top 10 greatest pianist of all time LISZT...! old world beauty we never hear any more...
There is no more perfect or beautiful work than the Chopin Barcarolle. And to hear it played the great Cziffra is extraordinary. I doubted he could do it justice as so many before and after him have crashed and burned on the Barcarolle.
@ Gregg Michalak I have to agree, it’s mature Chopin at his peak. Right before the devastating breakup with Sand which crushed him. Even if I love all his works (including the last years), he hardly gets back his bright, brilliant and hopeful tones after that. He hardly even composes any more. So sad.
Fabulous composition---should be in every great pianists repertoire for sure. Cziffra is inimitable & most assuredly 1 of a kind. His book "Cannons & Flowers" remind me of the duality Glenn Gould had ,whose book is aptly titled " The Agony & the Ecstasy " Such is the plight of all we pianists!
Como lo quiero a George, esa pasión y carisma q daba en sus interpretaciones, esa cara de hombre bueno, y esa técnica y sonido emotivo q generaba en el piano. Su hijo dándole un cariño y apoyo con sus ojos y mirada de amor, ese hijo q falleceria en 1981 u 82 en un incendio en su casa de París, un gran director de orquesta y pianista tb como su padre Pobre George sufrió mucho y no lo mereció porque era una estrella q idolatraba Francia y mucha gente y no mereció en vida tantas amarguras q tuvo, un pianista de 1era y se notaba un hombre bueno y querido.
A differenza di Michelangeli ,chiuso nella sua glaciale perfezione ,nella sua eburnea torre,questo grande pianista trasmette umanita',semplicita' e sensibilita' d'animo , con un pianismo stratosferico.
Read: "Haunting Paris", by Mamta Chaudhry. Her first Novel. Chopin's Barcarolle is "sink" with the story. A Novel but also a study of Paris and France. Both with so much heart!
I can never appreciate Cziffra's pyrotechnic and acrobatic virtuoso displays. But in all fairness, his Chopin is always a model of good taste and even restraint. I would not say his Barcarolle is the best ever, but it is certainly very good.
Is there any information about this concert you can provide in the description or by comment? I can’t figure out the setting. Like they requested Barcarolle from this incredible pianist and he just complied with such an eloquent rendition. Amazing!
This performance is so moving... couldn't help but cried :') thanks for the upload!! btw, the title says HIGH you mean he was high while playing ? or high is bonded to another context? i don't mind psychoactive use, everyone is free to do what ever with theirs bodies and life, it just make me wonder. sorry for the bad english. i speak spanish
Agree with David ! Almost sure that was his son who died so tragically,what an unknown loss to the World,I believe he was also talented as a classical music Conductor,his loss was deeply felt by Georgy.Rene
David Quiroga George Jr., Mr. Cziffra’s only child, died in an apartment fire in Paris in 1981 at age 38. Mr Cziffra never fully recovered from the loss and though he lived another 12 years he rarely played again, and then mostly in the recording studio.
