I pity that once again so many people here seem to listen only for the mistakes and not for the music.. Yes, he missed a few notes.. doesn't take away from the astonishing interpretative quality. And as you might notice: This isn't a studio recording with 20 takes where every mistake can be eliminated.
It's funny that most pianists play this section metronomically but Cziffra gets spicy with the pulse a bit. Some people will probably hear it as being sloppy - but I hear it as being colourful and exciting. The magic of Cziffra!
Back then there was so much more freedom in playing. The focus was on the performance and the general expressions. These days thing have really gone too far the other way
It blows my mind that you're right, people who can't play even a single Chopin etude would dare call this sloppy. It's amazing how hyper critical we have become
Totally agree. If you’re a knowledgeable listener, his tempo fluctuations are clearly intentional and meant to add flare… great stuff as always from a sides!
If I remember this, I think Cziffra was rehearsing this before a recital. Think that's the score setting on top of the piano there. So he may have omitted some notes in the left or right hand to put emphasis on the melody or something.. it's just a thought.. his studio recording of the Brahms' set is incredible!
Cziffra is one of the 20th century's greatest virtuoso pianists and a consumate musician. Even in death he should be respected for his great god-given gifts that were as nectar to a listening audience.
Cziffra was sentenced to several years of labour after a failed attempt to flee from Hungary. That work severely damaged his hands and he needed months of physiotherapy to be able to play piano again. He wore the wristband to support his tendons until the late 60s
@@herobrine1847 the notes which Cziffra miss are the lowest ones except the first lowest of each bar. If recording issues were the cause of that miss hearing, also the first lowest note of each bar would remain imperceptible, which doesn’t happens in this case. Clearly Cziffra doesn’t plays several low notes, generaly all except the first ones of each bar, he should be ashamed.
