This is indeed one of the must hauntingly beautiful and creative variations on a theme that many have adapted. It is also showcased, along with the second Piano Concerto and the Vocalise, in Hershey Felder's musical memory play about Rachmaninoff -- highly recommended.
She's so strict on dynamics, and she's absolutely revolutionizing the piano world for others. Every note is always crisp, and plays it with so much passion. I absolutely love her.
When one notices 'things' anew or afresh in the playing of this variation, then the interpretation is also anew and afresh. Such delicacy, such connection between hands, such differentiation indicates her control and understanding.
I listen to this on sunday 15 march 2020, there is a crisis in the world with the Corona virus all over the world and in my country the Netherlands, but keep faith, solidarity take care of each other: and Rachmaninoff music is stronger than Corona. I wish you all the best, good health.
This is a very beautiful piece, I first heard it when I watched the movie Somewhere In Time. Just like the music; that is beautiful what you spoke from your heart, we need encouraging words like that in the world.
I love her interpretations of Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Beethoven's music. She really understands these composers and plays their music in such natural and flowing manner. There's something really magical to her touch and interpretations and I can't even describe it. She can stroke the keys like it was a purring cat and at the same time, she can play with so much bravery and expression as if she was taming a wild beast. She's one of the most talented modern pianists. Invitation to Poland !!! :-)
This is my favorite composition in all of time. My grandmother, a spectacularly talented and well known pianist and music teacher passed this Christmas Day. This was also one of her favorites, and I found a copy of it with notations for me written all over it by her today. So, of course I have to listen to it on repeat. This pianist captures the emotion of this piece with splendor… thank you for sharing your talent, and for reviving a living memory of my grandmother for me today. ♥️
I'm going to walk down the aisle to this and I'll probably be a wreck by the time I reach my future husband but it's beyond beautiful and I can't imagine any other piece for this special moment. Thank you Valentina! :)
this reminds me of my late brother, RIP my brothr everytym i play this song al childhood memories come back, on how you stood up for me, all the times we spent, but you were gone too soon
every moment each of those musicians spent practicing their instruments was SO worth it, because it allowed them to take part in this moment. Magnificent! ❤
I watched 'Somewhere in Time' this evening. It's a great film with this music running through it. Valentina kept getting into my head with this piece of music. There were a few tears as well.
I remembered this musical piece from Somewhere in Time also. I watched the movie because I was a big Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour fan. I didn't cared much for the movie because I thought the movie was a hokey tearjerker but the acting and music was I remembered most about the movie. I liked this musical piece and I kept hearing this through the years but for the life of me I didn't know what the title was and I couldn't find out what the title was until years later.
Valentina is a powerful performer that is so down to earth yet whenever and wherever she performs, ... I feel her sound is coming from high heaven. Then her open heart play melts any that may be ostentatious or pretentious, into one "Harmoniously all Connected" Beautiful. Valentina, I think you're the down to earth Queen of the piano. Always so great. Thank you.
+Jack Kehoe I agree wholeheartedly with you. I have heard a number of performers play this piece, and this one is definitely amongst the best. I only wish it were the whole piece instead of just the 18th Variation.
Wow! Me too, as you so well put it:"I feel her sound is coming from high heaven. "__ Yes! I truly went out of body, to that welcome unknown other-world, that I visit, during such rare experiences
Something happened to me the second I heard this that reached right into my heart, and when Cameron Carpenter was playing it on the organ too. He played for some 30 minutes or better, and at times with open air, and then the sound of a golf cart passing interrupted, but for Cameron all part of it. The rhapsody traveled as it did, so wonderfully, a journey to open air places, Tanglewood. Then suddenly came the number 18 that has never been so magical a number in my 65 years, and once again right here with such a phenomenal pianist, a real troubadour. I later realized her name is in the title as I'm only amateur. It's amazing too, how an artist, Valentina, can be right on with something so subtle and with the touch of butterfly wings. It's fascinating how the conductor, and every orchestra member, take flight, follow her, and on the wings too, of their own colors.
This would have been impressive as a stand-alone theme. But it blows me away that it was derived (variation of) the famous Paganini theme! Rachmaninov was a superb melodist who had mastered the art of variation as with all other great composers. To compose and play the piano like he did under all the difficulties he faced in life makes me admire him immensely!
I have never before seen a piano player caress the keyboard so lovingly. Though, if any piece of music ever deserved to be played that way, this one is it. It always brings tears to my eyes. You must have a beautiful soul to be able to feel the music flow through your hands and into the piano in such a fashion. Any artist who loves music that much MUST be heard; as I promise you, the music will be incomparable. This musical number provides sanctuary for the soul. As such, I crawl into it, curl up, relish the chills running up and down my spine, and ultimately feel the tears roll down my face. This recording truly is that beautiful. I will listen to it a few hundred times more, and perhaps I will make it through another day. **SIGH** Music is my salvation, though depression almost took it away forever. Without beautiful music such as this, I would not still be here. Thanks, Rachmaninoff, Paganini, and most especially, Valentina Lisitsa, for this incomparably beautiful music. PS: Not that you need my approval, but it makes me feel more comfortable in my clothes to see that you wore YOUR comfy clothes, too, to play this piece. This is like "chicken soup" music-for-the-soul (take as much as you need), and it requires comfort all around truly to be able to appreciate it fully. Then, like me, you just relax and let the tears flow. Oops! I had better put on my headphones so as to immerse myself fully in the music... **AHHH!** Peace at last!
this melody is like visiting your grandma as a kid. getting tucked in to the guest bed which is just the right temperature, with plenty of quilts and pillows, while watching spongebob on your ipad. just happy to be living in that moment. your soul at ease.
This is like what plays in your head when watching old vhs tapes of when you were a kid, playing outside in the summertime, then the camera pans to grandma sitting in front of the house just soaking up the sun and watching the kids play, then a shot of seeing mom being bashful through the kitchen window preparing lunch. Sigh.
I want this played at my funeral. It is the first piece of music I ever remember hearing. I would have been 2 or less, in a sun-filled sunroom overlooking the Rosedale Ravine in Toronto in the late '40's. One of my mother's favourite memories was seeing Rachmaninoff live in Eaton's Auditorium before the war.
This piece is hard for pianist and orchestra to keep good timing and this performance (recording) is absolutely stunning! Goosebumps and tears. Beautiful. So emotional. Thank you thank you - x -
She is peerless, very educated, clever and wise, she is the Alpha of all world pianists. Beyond all, she is very humble and has a God given beauty. That's too much load for anyone to handle, but not this kid.
Watching God given talent at its highest potential is one of the greatest joys in life. Whenever I need a pick me up I always revert back to this video.
Don't be a douche. She has talent, but practiced for endless and endless hours in the Soviet system. Give her some credit and not the god that cares less for 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty.
@@sfsfewrewsdafs6915 WTF? Satan! Do you have invisible enemies? Phelps has talent and spent untold hours in the pool as well. Not all athletes/performers have the resources to do that. Learn something about the Soviet system and stop talking shit.
@@jjaus If everyone is rich, there would be no room for helping one another. The reason why they are poor is because people like us who can help them chose not to and instead focus on our lives. Do not say anything bad to God because everything that you are enjoying right now started from good people believing in God who hoped to make lives better. You must be living a really sad life by the words you're saying.
@Messenger Charles LOL, so, who is your potter? Vishnu? Odin? Poseidon? Zeus? Do tell. You pottees are all insane. Doesn't matter who the potter is, you sound the same. You all think you are right, yet that is impossible. LOL
FOOD FOR THE SOUL!!!!!!! This performance is THE BEST of all I've heard--moving me to tears of great joy. Being an all-time favorite, I've heard hundreds. This piano has a special quality: exceptionally well tuned, voiced, with gorgeous tonal characteristics. This pianist performs from deepest emotional inspiration that is palpable!!! Even her fingers, hands and arms move gracefully, like finest, floating, fluid movements of ballet, while yet commanding the gentleness or great force required by the piece. She caresses the keys as if respecting them as part of her own being; yet also demands the max from them. This is RARE, passionate artistry! (The deaf, unable to hear, can see and FEEL her incomparable expression.) Accompanied with Stellar ensemble musicians! AWESOME! KUDOS!!!!
I heard this many many years ago, when as a.small child. I'm close to.60 now. Brings back many memories. This is a beautiful piece of music but to me it contains sadness perhaps because when I heard it as a child there were much sadness surrounding my life.
i got an explosion of electricity in my brain when I listened to this.. Maybe she just produces better sound quality for her videos then other pianists, or maybe its just the quality of her sound from the piano. Love her videos. She is awesome and an inspiration that keeps me practicing.
Go see a doctor kid, because I had the same condition once with her play. That's bewitching @ high voltage I was told, it creates a short circuit in your brain . . .
Rachmaninoff was a real genius of the XX century...deserving all the attention (little by little) people nowadays are beginning to demonstrate him. His music is so enchanting and intoxicating with nostalgia and romanticism...what a music!
I love how at the flick of a switch she goes from a wonderful singing tone, straight to a full bodied percussive tone, molding the instrument exactly to her desires! Virtuosity at its finest!
So beautiful. I always feel like I knew this theme from when I was a young child, but no one in my family was a classical musician or listened to classical music; it is just so familiar to the heart. Going to iTunes now!!
I was listening to this piece at maximum volume & my next door neighbor liked it so much that he threw a brick through my window so he could hear it better! I feel so honoured by their genuine appreciation for this masterpiece. 🎇
How lucky to have such a like-minded neighbour. Next time he plays something you find equally unmissable then don't hesitate to reciprocate - as a gesture of friendship return his brick.
For anybody interested in learning to play this themselves, especially if you don’t know how to read sheet music, or if you read very slowly, there's a pretty easy-to-follow piano tutorial I’ve made for this piece on my channel. I can't put the link because I'll be flagged as spam, but feel free to have a look!
Valentina, I love watching you play this gorgeous piece of music. I love watching your long fingers lovingly caressing the keys, like making love to the piano, not striking or beating on it. Your musicianship and performances are always magnetic. Thank you!
The most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Although I am no where near your level, the way you played the piece gave the piece a chance to speak to me, and relate to those listening. I am forever inspired by you, Mrs. Lisitsa, and I wish to become a pianist as dedicated and talented as you.
Ever since I first heard this & every time after this is the only piece of music that always brings a tear to my eye & a lump in my throat. There must be a heaven.
Rachmaninoff, one of the last great geniuses who left for the golden world. Variation 18, a last sweet memory of my mother, the incredible interpretation.
Bravo! Bravíssimo, Valentina. Você é uma pianista que toca, interpreta e transmite emoções em todos seus traços fisionômicos. Suas emoções são visíveis. Parabéns.
How have I never noticed the transition from 2:25-2:40?! That's sounds like a huge structural part of Rhapsody In Blue! (Now to compare scores and time for analysis!)
it reminds me the Opening of Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) Program in the Philippines. While listening to this piece, it always reminds me the verse in Jeremiah 6:16. You'll truly find peace on your souls.
Her volume and dynamics ..to blend so perfectly w the strings like that is sooooooo difficult to do unless you have it in your blood. She was born to do this.
Valentina, the energy and articulation you bring to your performances, both live and in the recording studio, is phenomenal. This recording gives me chill bumps! I sincerely hope to see you perform in person one day.
I have heard and watched so many pianists playing the 18th variation of Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on the theme of Paganini. I mush say your interpretation is the most touching, smooth and musical. I have to say you are even better than Pletnev no doubt !
This piece brings so many different emotions to my inner being. Only you Valentina could do that. The way you immerse yourself with the piano makes me feel like I'm there too. You have just made a 21 year old love classical music. Thanks for sharing
