Schumann: Klavierkonzert ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Khatia Buniatishvili ∙ Paavo Järvi 

When you spend decades relentlessly perfecting your technique but people appreciate you for your butt.

I've been playing piano, classically trained, for almost 50 years. I believe I have earned the right to have an opinion as to the "greatness" of a pianist. Khatia is an incredibly gifted and passionate pianist whose interpretation of Rach 2 is refreshing. People who criticize either do not truly know or understand music from the perspective of the pianist or they are just cruel and jealous of the talent others possess. Many people may think people are merely born with a gift. Yes it's true there MUST be a certain amount of raw, natural talent involved - this is obvious - but what people don't see are the thousands and thousands of hours one practices to achieve greatness. It's a discipline most are never willing or capable of achieving. So a word to "critics"....once you are honestly able to say you spent your childhood, teen years, and many adult years hovering over a keyboard of other musical instrument, playing until your hands hurt, wanting to stop yet can't stop because the passion that compels you to play exceeds any physical pain or social price you pay for missing out on many things..hen you can have a platform and a right to criticize a true musician. Until then, you need to be very careful. When one lays their hands on a musical instrument to play in front of others- they are actually laying their soul bare to show the world. It's a vulnerability few can ever understand and certainly something small minded people can not respect.

Khatia's music is as beautiful as she is gorgeous. Incredible performer.

This woman has everything.

don't know what's more amazing, that a person is able to hit so many keys in the right order at that speed or that there was somebody who actually did it all in his mind before it was written down.

I love how she always thanks the orchestra with applause before she takes a bow. Class act all the way.

Love how most replayed part of video, is just her standing up... for all of us...

A beautiful woman playing beautifully. What a wonderful performance.

Dear Kathya, ,,, At 68,,I’ve play the piano by ear more than 55 years ,,, I can tell when a classical pianist by training can fly above the partition with a loving perfect emotion « dans le doigté de sa main » and this is what you do best.,,,Bravo madame

What I enjoy so thoroughly about her orchestral performances is how she actually enjoys the performance of the orchestra, often turning and making eye contact with various members who perhaps are playing a solo line. She is actually a member of the orchestra, rather than a mere soloist.

Superb concertul, Schumann genial compozitor! Katia este toata transfigurata, simte muzica prin toti porii. Minunata interpretare, cata forta, pasiune si talent! Dirijorul si orchestra de exceptie!

Where have I been? This was ten years ago. I only recently found Khatia and have fallen in love with her performances. I die to see her! ❤️

Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-moll, op. 54: 00:29 I. Allegro affettuoso 15:40 II. Intermezzo. Andantino grazioso 20:50 III. Allegro vivace 33:07 Franz Liszt: Liebestraum Nr. 3

The finger pressure on each key is superbly perfect - it gives an awesome emotional flow.

Amazing pianist! My entire family, my husband and two sons love listening and watching this special pianist. Khatia is among the very few pianist musicians with such great talent, so sensitive, so technical, so musical. To this, she also has great taste and carries herself with unique dignity, and in a very distinguished manner. Her qualities are so abundant! We thank Khatia for her music! She was born at the right time, so that we can also enjoy her good music. Gabriella 👍

Khatia Buniatishvili - несомненно, входит в число самых ярких, самых талантливых пианистов современности. Она обладает полным набором необходимых качеств. Мне очень нравится, как она играет романтиков, Schumann в их числе. Но и музыку других направлений она исполняет убедительно! Спасибо!

The pianist is in a trance..... I was watching the emotions on her face as she was playing the piano.... Truly lost in her art... Amazing

What an exceptional performer and woman. Breathtaking with the eyes open or closed.

La fin est cataclysmique et prodigieusement chef d'œuvrale .... Les mains survolent le clavier dans un état second , elle se fige, le temps s' arrête... Les musiciens retiennent leur souffle. les regards hypnotisés s'accrochent à la jolie tête brune. Ce soir là dans la salle il s'est vraiment passé quelque chose .... Seule la musique interprétée par une divinité est capable d'une telle intensité émotionnelle ...Merci Khatia

Breathtakingly beautiful, as is her playing.

33:00 - Encore: Liebestraum No.3 (Franz Liszt ) At the end, everyone held their breath, not wanting to break the spell. Magnificent!

Some comments believe she is showy or flashy and that "classical music needs no frills and posturing." I disagree. In a live performance, the "performer" is part of the performance. If Khatia is "flashy" here, then Beethoven was s a horror as a much sought-after pianist in Vienna of his days there. Don't like what you see? Just close your eyes and listen (of course you'll miss seeing her excellent fingering and her touch on the piano and necessary body movement, if you happen to be a piano player). I have listened to classical music for more than 60 years now, and I find Khatia's interpretation of Schumann's piano concerto authentic and true to the Romantic spirit of Schumann. Clara Schumann, herself a superb pianist, would most likely have approved of Khatia's performance as recorded here. Personally, I wanted to cite just one specific passage that begins about 5:17, where the piano has a "dialogue" with the clarinet and then with other instruments. That, to me, is Schumann's love song to Clara, if not a lyrical gift to all of us. I'd recommend a similar lyrical "dialogue" between the oboe and the bassoon in the opening passage of the 3rd movement of Schumann's 2nd Symphony. We are blessed to be able to see and hear Khatia perform live for us.

Excellent pianist might have 1M $ but Khatia's passion and performance creates 40M $. And hours of enjoyment on many levels.

Only a muse like Khatia Buniatishvili is able to add to a great piece of music created by a male composer, all the feminine qualities that turn it into a complete masterpiece: elegance, sensuality, refinement, joy, and passion.

Sorry, it makes me laugh to read most of these comments. Firstly, she is an outstanding pianist. Secondly, she is young and attractive. She is showing both values. She was born to become like that. It's altogether fantastic. A tender volcano.

Magnifique concerto pour piano et orchestre. Interprétation remarquable. Bravo Khatia !

She is AMAZING! She makes me appreciate classical music more and more.

A chaque fois que je l'écoute dans divers concerts, je suis fasciné par le magnifique jeu de cette charmante pianiste. MERCI mille fois....

What a marvellous pianist and gorgeous lady !!! I do like her dress, too !!!

Khatia, what an incredibly magnificent pianist your are, and your beauty is just as magnificent. Thank you for performing for us.

A great dress. I couldn't help noticing. Talent in abundance too.

World class and still beautiful. (from Vinhstudio Hà Nội)

She is wild, she is free, she is splendid and she knows how to enchant the listener's spirit. Schumann's Klavierkonzertt is fascinating and it is a GEM!. There is dynamism, emotion, a rich spontaneous wealth of lyrical melody, the contrast between lightness and power are well emphasized in the composition. The brilliance in the composition is clearly given the fire and intensity by the concert pianist Kathia Buniatishvili. An awesome Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Paavo Järvi.

Schumann is one of the first super romantic composers, so Buniatishvili's musical expression matches the appropriate style. Her clothing seems to attract attention from some commenters. What her nearly backless dress shows is the perfect rams-rod straight posture of a fine pianist. She not only shows this foundational aspect of her pianism, but has finger accuracy and speed and well controlled wrists. That she is communicating expressively can be seen on the faces of some of the orchestral players who respond physically to Buniatishvil as they listen when not playing. At the conclusion, the orchestral players were all smiles and applauded. Believe me, orchestra members can't be fooled. They'll keep their hands in their laps if they think the soloist is a fraud! I've seen it several times. Here we had an enthusiastic orchestra who clearly knew they had just accompanied the real thing.

Thank you for this magnificent rendition of Schumann!

She's playing with her eyes closed! Love her!!! Amazing orchestra and music

It reminds me of the time I was in Webster Hall and a girl wore this next to nothing dress. I said the the female bartender "she's so brave to wear that." She replied, "Men are brave, Women are bold."

This woman is top shelf. Are people dumping on her because she is beautiful? I would guess YES! A blindfold test with some of these trolls would reveal the truth, but cowards never put their money where their mouths are. The first time I heard this was w/o video and I had no idea who it was; all I knew was that it was some of the best piano playing that I had heard in years.

Хатия - гениальная пианистка...Её игра завораживает, могу её слушать бесконечно...Браво, Брависсимо!

She's Gifted and So Talented, and of course so Gracious and BEAUTIFUL!!! I Love KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI!!!

The Encore is absolutely unbelievable. This simple piece by Liszt so marvelously interpreted, so fresh, so alive ...

She has the body of a goddess and an incredible work ethic. Everything I want to be.

Georgian soul and temperament can be felt in every sound!🇬🇪♥️ ყოველ ბგერაში ქართული სული და ტემპერამენტი იგრძნობა!🇬🇪♥️

Khatia is Awesome. Beautiful music and gorgeous Performer. Unglaublich❤❤❤

Khatia Buniatishvili plays Schumann brilliantly.

Khatia is one of the greatest I have ever seen, and please look up her other videos, all posted on RU-vid. It si absolutely amazing, that in each case, she performs perfectly with no music notes in front of her--it's all from memory! FANTASTIC performer!

Great orchestra, amazing performance! I admire Kathia, she is such a talented, devoted pianist, and she's really hot in this dress as well :)

i think... that her wardrobe choice is just an expression of her taste, temperament and personality. It's part of what she wants to give to the world as a person and as an artist. I know I wouldn't be able to bear the weight of everybody's eyes on me, but she does, cause everybody's different and free to do as they please, and that's wonderful!

F I N A L L Y !!!! A classical performer that brought fashion to the stage. Yes, this is a concert hall - but a concert hall in modern times. I love to see fashion and love great musicality together. I think she played beautifully and SLAYED!!!!

I always have to stop everything and just listen, when Khatia is playing. I feel all kinds of emotion from the expressive story that she is playing for us.

Gracias Katia por tu gran aportacion al mundo de la música .Bellísima interpretación como siempre .

I'm a great fan of Schumann and Buniatishvili, together one of the best combinations in the world!

I heard the sound on music wile my wife was watching the stereo, the sound of piano was so beautiful that without turning my head to see who can be playing the piano so marvelously, I told myself that it is khatia playing the piano , never mind it was Khatia this wonderful piano playe who cout the piano at fire she can also create a world of ecstasy for listeners.

This is my favorite performance of this piece. Marvelous incredible !!

I think it's amusing how so many viewers are focused and/or disturbed by what Khatia is wearing. The point is that it's a magnificent piece of music, played by a great orchestra, conductor AND a soloist who is not only physically attractive, BUT IS ALSO a consummate technician who injects life, soul and passion into Schumann's work. Why not simply enjoy the music instead of letting the world know what your insecurities are?

I swear her interpretation of liebestraum is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

Very beautiful and intimate version of this concerto.... both Pianist and orchestra beautifully playing.

Un concierto brillante en su más amplio sentido, exige un solista de muy buen nivel que no sólo toque bien sino que interprete bien. Tocar es técnica. Interpretar es sentimiento

I keep coming back to this... 🥰 Easy on the ears, and on the eyes😍 Rare ❤️

Just watched a Yuja Wang rendition of this. I'm struck as to how 2 pianists can see the same notes and interpret them so differently. Love both for different reasons

Gracious sakes!! Unreal, this beyond belief beauty!! miraculous technique, phrasing, everything!!!

A gifted performer and conductor makes for a most enjoyable concert.Bravo!

Isn't it wonderful to see the orchestra so animated and 'lost' in the music, of course the pianist is phenomenal.

Perfect technique and Clear phrasing by Khatia, and Emotionally rich orchestra's performance and Clearness of the respective phases of music,well controlled under Mr.Jarvi's conducting. She plays with great passion and sensitivity but that is completely unclouded by sentimentality. Jaarvi's support is exemplary and the clarinet and oboe actually listen to each other and the pianist .The passion and the power. Full stop. Beautiful!

Grande intérprete! Ausgezeichnete Ausführung! Fantastique sensibilité!

Beautiful, music for my soul. Thank you ❣

I had never ever heard of her until listening to this concerto on the radio. It wasnt played by her, but decided to see who plays this on the Tube. A wonderful and stirring performance. BRAVO Her encore was simply exquisite. Have heard other butcher it to death. This was played with her heart and soul.

And here's the kicker ... I have never seen her with a sheet of music. She makes me want to be a better man.

Meravigliosa interpretazione! Un meraviglioso concerto! Ti adoro Khatia! ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏

very pure and technical performance of the work, and high-quality recording. Thank you very much!👑

What a performance by Khatia. I listen this concerto once and again. And the orchestra, heavenly !

Ce qui me frappe ici, c'est la très belle attention de l'orchestre au jeu de Buniatischvili. Notamment les différences de vitesse, ou surtout de volumes. Ce n'est pas toujours le cas. Une très belle unité entre Järvi et la pianiste, c'est très impressionnant à voir... et à entendre !! Ils s'écoutent de façon exceptionnelle ! Bravo à tous !

Ein wunderschönes Konzert, tolle Technik und Ausdruckskraft.

Great interpretation. All respect to her and the orchestra

A beautiful interpretation. I enjoyed her performance from start to finish along with that of the entire orchestra. Wonderful!

I watch Khatia frequently on my HD tv her performances are unique and magnificent, such a beautiful and talented young lady whom I have great respect for.

Khatia is WONDERFUL! I've listen the way she's playing Tchaicovsky's piano concerto number 1. Marvellous! A women beautiful like a goddess, very sensible, putting all her soul when she's playing. God bless her! Thank you Godess!

Genius, beauty, and elegance. Inimitable!

Wow! Great emotional capacity and interpretative powers on pianist's part, and on orchestra's part as well. I have been listening to only this record for last one month for Schumann's piano concerto.

If Khatia Buniatishvili could not play or was an average pianist criticism about her attire might be warranted, however, her talent, skill, performance and appearance are all exceptional. Her dress is a formal classic styled evening gown for a young woman. There is nothing tasteless about it or her. If she had tattoos all over her body and body piercings, that would be a travesty of the classical discipline and art form. I have seen older great women and men classical pianist who don't even care about their looks. Their hair unkempt and dry and flying wildly about the place. Khatia's appearance is exquisite.

She's a lioness with such powerful and such grace.

Khatia's playing is always breathtaking. Well directed video.

I can't explain how I feel but I can't help listening to this playing.

Que bello toca, no dejo sustraerme de ver incontables veces su atuendo. Es bellísima.

Stunning again by Khatia, what beautiful playing wonderful.

Maravillosa interpretacion Bellisima, gracias

I truly appreciate how Ms. Buniatishviili is able to bring out the gentleness of the more lyrical passages.

Everything about this performance was beautiful!

Hi Khatia! Thank You For Your Wonderful Musical Performance. tom t

Beautiful peace, and you can tell how much Khatia feels the music, and my what a stunning woman!😍

Khatia, Your encore is so beautiful!

The most amazing music, I hear it over and over and never get tired of it. Wonderfully played piano by Khatia. Lovely.

I love her. She’s fascinating to watch and it’s her trademark. She’s a Steinway. Brilliant.

Was für eine perfekte Aufnahme!

This is music!!! The passion and the power. Full stop. Beautiful!

Wow she’s gorgeous! The passion in her playing, I ❤️ it!

Fantastic, wonderful, so beautiful Khatia.

Those lips, that dress, that skin, that hair.... Good God. What a woman.

I first heard the Schumann sixty years ago at the age of sixteen and it has remained my favourite piece of music of any genre since then. This a fabulous performance - but I’ve fallen in love with that flautist!

I'm unclear as to whether I'm watching the same video as some of those who have commented after me. The chord punctuation at the start IS together. She is not a "rubbish unmusical pianist". Have you been listening to Liberace's version of this? She plays with great passion and sensitivity but that is completely unclouded by sentimentality. Jaarvi's support is exemplary and the clarinet and oboe actually listen to each other and the pianist. And what do you suggest she wear? She's young and attractive and I see no reason why she should dress like a nun. I think many of you are being very mean here. And, dare I say it?, one or two commentators don't write as if they know much about pianos, pianists, orchestras, concertos or Schumann. Shall we all grow up a little...?