Your playing is always filled with so many surprises Valentina. I hope one day I can see you perform live. I'll wait for the day you make it to Boston.
This comment on this video and seeing it on this specific part of RU-vid is amazing. I have been subscribed for a few months now (to Kyle Landry) and seeing this is awesome. What’s up? 🇬🇧👍🏻🇬🇧
Introduced in 1913 by Chilean pianist Rosita Renard, who was already making a promising career in Europe, Claudio Arrau became a pupil under the legendary Maestro Martin Krause (Lipsia 1853-Berlin 1918), himself a former pupil of Franz Liszt, at the renowned Julius Stern Conservatory of Berlin
Valentina es una artista que sabe elegir su repertorio, virtuosa y expresiva en el manejo del teclado, transmite una fuerte personalidad artística. Se luce maravillosamente en esta sonata.-
Lady Lisitsa! It seems that You'de studied for long time only for this purpose "Liszt Sonata". It was my biggest surprise in life: You found the way to interpret ate this enormous piece!!! I am rally astonished about Your technical skills! I*m following You long time in internet: You seemed to be one of the most interesting Ladies of modern piano. But never dared to dream of Your interpretation of Liszt Sonata! Thank Youevery much! I am really i the mood to cry... Jürgen, old german musician
Introduced in 1913 by Chilean pianist Rosita Renard, who was already making a promising career in Europe, Claudio Arrau became a pupil under the legendary Maestro Martin Krause (Lipsia 1853-Berlin 1918), himself a former pupil of Franz Liszt, at the renowned Julius Stern Conservatory of Berlin
I have been waiting for this moment since you first released Totentanz and this is definitely worth the wait! Thank you so much Ms. Lisitsa, and as always we wait for more of what is becoming the best repertoire an artist can dream of!
Grande admiratrice de Valentina Lisitsa depuis des années...Mais là, je suis complètement époustouflée par son talent, elle est incroyable dans cette sonata B de Liszt...Une grande virtuose . Merci...
I can't even... I'm speechless. Flawless technique, amazing interpretation, what else do you want from a pianist? You once again showed me why I like you're interpretations the best. Thank you for uploading this. Thank you for sharing such awesomeness with the world. I hope you'll come to Germany this year. :)
We can read much about Franz Liszt, the man, the composer, the artist, the performer yet we have no recordings. We have no idea how he would have played his own masterpiece. I have been familiar with this amazing work for nearly fifty years and have admired every realisation of it - yet I've always wondered "Where is THE Franz Liszt?" Today, Valentina, you have shown me how he would have played it. Thank you SO much!
Rune Jørgensen Some pieces are soulless on a Steinway. Even Val can't do this justice on one of them. Three greats together. Liszt Bosendorfer Lisitsa.
@@markrymanowski8400 :: I am not sure that this holds water. To me there are different kinds of problems w Steinway as well as other instruments: Are they responsive enough? I hear video-talk by T.Poon RU-vid where she complains that a Steinway she is going to use for a concert (latest c.) did not respond well, it was not so fast, so she had to adjust. Especially trills suffer under unresponsiveness or slowness. I don't understand why it is impossible to make modern ultra-light instruments - pianists would queue in order to play them!
Ms Lisitsa , I had to get used to your edgy precipitous tempo but you made the case for it most eloquently. Your playing has for me a sparkling clarity and passion that is the essence of this music. I hope you are coming to Boston or Cape Cod sometime soon.Thank you for rounding out my tradition of Saturday night Romanticism. All the best to you.
Вы, словно белокурая волшебница, зачаровываете и подчиняете себе клавиши фортепиано своею волей и нежностью. Вы вдохновляете и будоражите, спасибо вам за это! (#^.^#) P.S. Благодарю за новое видео!
dear Valentina, when you play Liszt I can feel perfectly Liszt's soul in every note. thank you for sharing your music, I learned a lot from you and I'm sure I will. Hug from Italy!
Valentina, I am a raving fan! I was overcome with awe watching you perform this at Bravo Niagara last night. Thank you for sharing your talent on RU-vid so I can relive the experience.
This interpretation stands out as truly unique, beautiful, and stirring. All of the artists I have heard until now portray this piece as a double minded person’s cataclysmic inner struggle between good and evil; almost to the point that it makes one wonder how far the darkness went in Liszt. After all Liszt’s Mephisto waltz is one of the most alluring and seductive works of temptation ever put to music. Valentina on the other hand has uncovered a whole different side to Liszt’s sonata. Rather than depicting the old Faustian drama of the tormented soul longing for redemption, her playing resembles a noble warrior who is indomitable in battle when it comes to protecting that which he/she loves, but greatly prefers to be left alone to live a life of peace and kindness. I doubt that VC could have achieved her technique without having the heart of a poet and the guts of a warrior.
Such thoughtful playing, again. Thanks for bringing another of the greatest composers of music to life again! Such generosity of soul, and the way you take the time to connect with your fans is admirable. Just LOVE your work! x
I must admit I'd never heard this great piano sonata before, but I must say I've never heard anybody play so wonderfully, with such perfect expression and sensibility. After hearing this I'm now one of your many fans.
Valentina Lisitsa fait une nouvelle fois étalage de son immense talent dans l'interprétation de cette œuvre magnifique. Beaucoup de respect pour vous Madame.
This woman is an absolute piano killer. Compliments to the one having tuned the Bosendorfer. Since only 2 weeks I listen to music of Valentina Lisitsa - I just discovered her on You Tube. Amazing talent. I didn't know the piece of Listz either although I very well heard of it. There is so much......violence in it. And at the same time incredible subtle passages. I'm a great lover of classical music, play the piano my whole life, LOVE Listz's etudes and other work of him but this one....quite incomprehensible. It's to extreme. Develish! But Miss Lisitsa undoublty showed us these ingredients in an unforgettable way. Thank you! Greetings from Henk Wilbrink, Philippines
Just received this video. I have always believes classical works have a story behind them - Tchaikovsky's Pathetique as an autobiography probably, Berlioz a great love story in hi Symphonie Fantastique, Beethoven and his remarkable Eroica, Chopin in his many piano works - as with Liszt. I wonder what the tale is behind this Sonata with it's transitions from the melancholy, to the dramatic, to the love melodies? And if we cannot know these stories, most of us accede to the demands of out imaginations and develop our own stories for the music we love. This performance was fine, as is common to most of your work. The dexterity, the sensitivity, and the emotion you yourself displayed provided us with a fine package of heartfelt music - Franz would be proud of you. Thank you for sharing.... Ron
I agree! Wonderful performance +ValentinaLisitsa (beautiful emotion in your playing and facial expressions) and such an intriguing piece. Interesting that it's based on Faust. This article mentions that it was written as"absolute music" with no program: www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204555904577169271863013882 (interesting article, anyway). It sounds like the last "B" is played down at the extra octave of the Bösendorfer. Maybe I'm just hearing things. Could only do that with a Bösey! Thanks for sharing this Uncle Ron.
Peter Vantine That's a very interesting essay Pete. Not sure why Valentina indicated it was from Faust, although it has a "Faustish" flavor to it - but so too do some of Beethoven's sonatas. Anyway, that is a very interesting look at Liszt and his sonata, which seems a bit different from the norm. Well written essay too.
Ron Crooker I don't think ever that Liszt made any programmatic reference to the Sonata, but it is tempting to call it a Faust Sonata, since there is a Dante Symphony and a Dante Sonata but only a Faust Symphony (and no Sonata). You can at least interpret it as a self-portrait of Liszt.
ruramikael There may or may not be a programmatic-announced tale provided by the composer. Still, the beauty of classical music - or any music for that matter - is that you can put your own story - theme - to the music - a tale of your imagination, or of your real life experiences - or your dreams. We could really come up with a wonderful tale or two for this piece - as well as Ms' Lisitsa is performing it. Perhaps though, our interpretation or tale or imagined program might not match her skills.... quite probably wouldn't... but it is within our own minds that we do such programming, so who would know???? I love classical music....
She's an ANGEL, a Gift form God to me, and The Best... EVER!!! When I was young i used to hear renditions on Wilhelm Backhaus, Clara Haskil, Myra Hess, Claudio Arrau; later on I listen Martha Argerich, Wilhelm Kempff, Sviatoslav Richter, among other amazing musicians... But VALENTINA... She´s DIVINE!!!
Ms. Lisitsa, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come back to Rapid City, South Dakota!! Last time you came I was only 4 years old so I obviously didn't attend. But if you were to come again, I would buy a ticket for myself, my family, all my friends, all my extended family, etc... and we would all come watch... I've only seen 3 really really really good pianists live. (Krystian Zimerman, Sean Chen, Vadym Kholodenko) I would love to make that number 4. :) Please consider Rapid City please please please
Hi! I have only 13 years old and i starter to play piano two years ago. I am from Romania and i don't Speak English very well (if you find a wrong Word ). You are an Angel and i wanna be like you but i started too late and not like the other children from five years that they started younger than me.I think you understand me :)) I found you on facebook în video when you sang "moonlight" !! I was like : o my God ... you are my idol :)))) !! And i ask my piano teacher when i Can sing that and She says that if i will go for lessons to her. .. next 10 years :)) i was so sad but it is normally. I love you so much and in a good day.. i will be Good but not as good as you. Sorry for the wrong words ! Thanks a lot for readding my "letter" :)
Wow!!!! I have seen this piece so many times and played by so many people right in front of my eyes. But I have to say, Liszt came alive in this one, this sounds like something out of Liszts crazy head. This is it, this is what he wanted when he wrote it.
I've been waiting for this since I saw you play the Sonata in Torroella de Montgrí (Spain). I hope to see you performing near Barcelona soon! It was absolutely amazing! =)
Interpretar a los virtuosos solo está reservado a otros virtuosos como Valentina, Yuja, Arrau, Mitsuko, Richter, Horowitz... ¡fabulosa interpretación, Valentina, puro nervio y sentimiento!
I enjoyed this completely insane performance immensely. It encompasses everything you want in this showpiece of music, from subtle and delicate passages, to overwhelming thunder, and never without hearing the inner voices. At one point, so much is happening at ffff, but the theme in the left hand still comes through. A testament to SERIOUS technique that allows her to have incredible strength, but never tire. One word; BRAVO!
Liszt's emotion Gilels's delicacy Valentina's logic and soul You have a something special beyond the music. I have loved you and your light from your finger and your mind since I was 13 year-old boy. I am already 32 years old. Love you! 🇰🇷
Je vous ai entendu à la Salle Pleyel l'année dernière. Je préfère le piano Pleyel, bien sûr ; ce monstre autrichien est excessif, mais votre interprétation de Liszt a été merveilleuse. Félicitations.
I genuinely can't believe people are saying this performance lacks emotion. Like wtf? This literally radiates emotion at every minute. The musicality. The softness at lyrical parts and the sheer power at the apocalyptic parts cannot be measured. I wasn't arrogant, I listened to Horowitz and all other pianists critics are linking to. Not one of them was more musical than Lisitsa. Here are reasons why this performance tops them all: 1. This performance is by far the most contrasting one. Lisitsa's dynamical control is extraordinary 2. Lisitsa's rendition of the lyrical parts is some of the most beautiful, most human, most emotional, most tear-jerking music I've ever listened too. Stop trying to shove pianists like Horowitz down the throats of those who aren't blinded by musical bias. I've went over his rendition many times. The lyricism doesn't even come close to Lisitsa's. 3. People are saying she's rushing way too much. I genuinely can't believe anyone would think that this insane sonata should be play metronomically. I've heard those renditions and they're the definition of boring: no suspense or tension whatsoever. Lisitsa builds tension masterfully. If you take the time to actually analyze her choices, you will see that she mostly accelerates before a climax, building up energy, released like an explosion at every climax It's simply breathtaking. Don't get me wrong for what I said earlier, Horowitz is a legendary pianist. I respect him, and his rendition of the Rach 3 is simply... I can't even express its beauty with a language. But your comparisons aren't legitimate arguments. They're merely attempts to bring Lisitsa down. And seriously, it's pathetic
Tom Marvolo Riddle I had stopped being active in the world of classical music. Looks like the world of it is still the same. Filled with beautiful, universal music....And the people who don't understand that music shouldn't be taken so seriously. Let music like this sing. And let pianist like Valentina play the music with every fiber of their entire existence.
Magnificent comment. I agree with every word of it. Among a crowded and competitive field, Valentina is the most richly talented classical pianist on the face of the earth.
I don't know what you're responding to but I hope you're not denying that Horowitz made the greatest recording ever of this Sonata. His 1932 recording, in which he played the sonata in 26--without any rushing - -remains unmatched by anyone. Lisitsa is a couple of ranks down from Horowitz, obviously. One can enjoy this performance without saying she is the best ever
Valentina, what an exciting and beautifully played piece of music... I could listen to you play all day... You are consistently one of the best pianists in all categories... Thank you for sharing this with us...
My favorite pianist playing the music of one of my favorite composers. The best of both worlds! Valentina, You are so wonderful I literally weep sometimes watching you.
conceived on a grand scale. She plays the faster passages with almost desperate abandonment which is then balanced out by immaculate beauty in the more poetic and lyrical sections. Had the good fortunate of running into her at restaurant after a performance of Brahms 2nd piano concerto and had a very nice muscial conversation over a glass of wine. I can tell you she is very personable without any hint of pretentiousness about her.
Yes!! Yes!!!!!! I've been waiting for this video ever since I saw Valentina play the Totentanz. I relish in the sweeping energy and intent from her interpretations. An unstoppable force seeps through every passage. What a gift to the RU-vid community!
Исполнение Ваше, дорогая Валентина, как всегда - великолепно. Я в восторге от качества видеозаписи - удачный двухкамерный ракурс, глубоко тёмный дымчатый задний план, безупречно выставленные свет и микрофоны, завораживающее своей прелестью одеяние. Мне всё очень понравилось.
kudos on a bravura performance. very challenging at times to articulate the main line(s) with all the piano pyrotechnics going on simultaneously, but who could fault you? please don't take this wrong, but I believe you are a madman--in the best sense of the word possible. your speed and dexterity, and accuracy, are incredible. as is your romantic expressiveness and tender, though sure, touch in the quiet, melodic passages. not to mention your focus, concentration and stamina. again, incredible. this composition occupies a singular place in all of piano literature, and just to tackle it is a huge accomplishment. you've done much more than that, of course. for me, Van Cliburn's famous recording is the ultimate performance of this piece in all of history, but as soon as i saw the link to this, I knew it was going to make my day, considering how fond i've been of many of your other videos.. and you did make my day, Valentina. thank you. BTW, that Bosendorfer seems like a beast of sorts, to me. very tough to tame. the bottom end is...wild.
This is really beautiful! It seems that each day I come upon another example of your brilliance. Thank you for brightening the world with your wonderful talent and your kind and generous spirit. Please hurry back to Longwood Gardens, or at least come to Philadelphia and honor it with your glow.
You really touched me with this performance Valentina! ;). I listened to it with the sheetmusic in front of me. And what I think is very nice is that you play the slow parts very passionate and the fast parts, especially when the score says 'energico' as like you are taming a lion, so much energy!! And what I think is remarcable is that some pianists don't follow the score exactly. I was surprised at some parts, do you need to play it that hard? And than I watched the score and it said forte, while a lot of pianists played that same part in pianissimo. As Liszt would listen to this, I think he would be very happy ;)
The way it´s meant to be played... Finally.. I never thought I would live to see this happen.. Amazing Valentina :) Greetings from Slovakia, we love you!
Introduced in 1913 by Chilean pianist Rosita Renard, who was already making a promising career in Europe, Claudio Arrau became a pupil under the legendary Maestro Martin Krause (Lipsia 1853-Berlin 1918), himself a former pupil of Franz Liszt, at the renowned Julius Stern Conservatory of Berlin
A very individual, own and emotional interpretation on highest technical level, although some notes are not well distinct or even missed or partially misplayed. Nevertheless, I love it so much... just like the Rachmaninov pieces
one of the most demandng, most exciting performances ever done, I was listening to it over my big speakers (ok, smaller than an imperial): I am aware that I am listening to three geniuses: one genius is Franz Liszt, one genius is Valentina - and third genius is the bosy imperial !
I've been waiting a long time to hear your take on this again. This piece is encompasses everything a work for piano ever possibly could, IMO, it eclipses all others. Very seldom do even the greatest pianists understand this masterpiece Liszt left us, but I think you really do. My father would have enjoyed your interpretation, Val.
