My immediate reaction: “Jesus Christ, wow.” The tempo is blindingly fast. The touch is delicate, but fierce. She hammers at the keys, but never too hard. The utter balance of her playing style lends itself to Beethoven’s works so very well. They demand so many different emotions, and she is able to bring them all out when she needs to, and then in the next breath is able to delicately play the lightest of musics...but where she truly excels is when she has free reign to play as fast and as powerfully as she can get away with, and then the true zest for the music comes out. “Appassionata” is one of the best Beethoven pieces to showcase this propensity of hers. I am so glad I live in an age where I can just watch a world class pianist perform a legendary piece of music instantly...as many times as I like...at any time I like...truly we should all take a moment to be grateful for the lives we live.
I thought the tempo was perfect, but if you do like things played extra-slow, you might like the "Authentic Sound" channel. Before you go, so make sure you know where your 👎🏻 and ← buttons are. The performances over there are completely devoid of life 🙉.
@@katrinabryce My general standard of performance for the Beethoven Sonatas is Barenboim. This is significantly faster than his version, hence my comment about the tempo.
Barenboim is such a master of Beethoven, just can't get enough of him but valentina brings a new fire to sonatas like appasionata. Barenboim always feels very controlled and correct and he brings out the colours and emotions in such a beautiful way. There is more freedom in valentina's playing which gives her work it's own style. The different tempos reflect this imo. One thing that's difficult to disagree with, though, is that they are both completely phenomenal and it's so difficult to choose who is the better artist for this sonata. All comes down to preference imo
Who here thinks this is the way Beethoven would have played it. When I listen to whatever Lisitsa plays it seems (to me anyway) that she is channeling the composer. I don't get that impression with any other pianist.
She plays the piece so precisely and cleanly, without seeming in any way mechanical, because she still brings out the amazing pathos and emotion of this masterpiece. Unbelievably good performance.
Lisitsa is giving us a marvelous, complete cycle of the Beethoven Sonatas. They are all brilliantly played, recorded and photographed, and will become a permanent record for others to aspire to match. Sort of like Schnabel, almost 90 years ago, but adjusted for the modern technological ages. Congratulations for an important, definitive project. Well done.
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata” 00:00 - I. Allegro assai 09:36 - II. Andante con moto 15:33 - III. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto Colloquially known as the Appassionata, meaning "passionate" in Italian, Sonata 23 is among the three famous piano sonatas of his middle period (the others being the “Waldstein”, Op. 53 and “Les Adieux”, Op. 81a). It was composed during 1804 and 1805, and perhaps 1806, and was dedicated to Count Franz von Brunswick. The first edition was published in February 1807 in Vienna.
I instantly loved Valentina's music, the first time I heard it; it was the 3rd movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and I cried. It's still my favourite interpretation to this day, so powerful and delicate... Then I discovered what kind of person she is. I'm so happy people like her exist in this world.
The sound is so connected... Your Beethoven pieces are simply otherworldly. Beautiful. An absolute pleasure to listen to. Thank you for uploading them for free.
Valentina brings this piece to a whole different level. It's sometimes warm in some places and very scary in others. She is undoubtedly one of the best pianists of the 21st century. She feels Beethoven really well.Her interpretations are emotionally touching and are the best out there.
Her playing has more clarity than anyone else I have heard with this piece. She delineates individual notes in phrases that I had never previously noticed, Really amazing.
I have listened to many, many interpretations of this magnus opus, but this one shines miles above all the others. This is the perfect performance of this work and the epitome of music. It just doesn't get any better than this. I feel this entire piece as an expression of my soul. Words cannot describe how perfect this performance is. A life without Beethoven is not a life worth living. All the "music" we hear today will be long forgotten in 100 years...but as long as humans can hear, Beethoven will live on. This is the best performance of the best piece of music ever written.
The performance is there but - to my ears - this interpretation does not take the step beyond a great "performance". Too clinical, lack of soul. Brendel or Perahia took this extra step.
@@alanleoneldavid1787 Thanks for sharing this recording/interpretation, I didn't know it/them. Absolutely stunning although it's a bit too much of a high tempo / forte reading of this piece to my ears
In my opinion, this version surpasses existing ones ... an extraordinary sense of nuance, sound architecture ... not to mention the legendary touch of Valentina! A rediscovery of the work!
I personally think its played way to fast which doesn't let much room for many nuances. (Not that I could it do it better, it's still absolutely impressing.) But I prefer the version of Daniel Barenboim.
I’m going along with the other commenters who were NOT impressed with her playing of this piece! (I’ve been a classical pianist and organist for more than 1/2 century, and her playing does nothing for me - perhaps I’m just being biased, but still… 👎
Good Morning from Poland... As Valentina gets older, you can see the intense emotional feeling she gives for the music of Beethoven like she hasn't done before when she was younger! Only when she gets older, she starts realizing that Beethoven's music is much more deep then any other composer EVER in the world! It's way to serious. Not even her favorite composer, "Rachmaninov" has a chance against the beast!!! Yes, It Shall Be!!
Tu sei brava, sei un dono di Dio per tutto il mondo, il modo in cui suoni regala Speranza a chi ti ascolta e con l'uso intelligente della rete arrivi al cuore di tutti. Volevo esprimerti il mio grazie e il mio incoraggiamento se ce ne fosse bisogno.
There are more than several exceptionally talented contemporary woman pianists to all of whom I love listening but in my listening no one plays Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 23 Op. 57 in F minor ("Appassionata") better than Valentina Lisitsa. In fact, her "Appassionata" is better than any I have ever listened to, including such masters as Wilhelm Kempff. She captures the soul of this piece and expresses it with her supreme technical mastery. The singular genius of Beethoven meets the singular genius of Valentina. "Appassionata", one of my most favorites of all piano sonatas, uplifts me even in the darkest of dark moments.
an outstanding performance surpassing many of her rivals either live or dead,she is really among the masters of the piano of both the 20th and 21st centuries..Bravissimo
I'm agree this piece is extremely difficult, not technically but playing this piece with right tempo and playing with emotion and feelings is extremely difficult, playing this as it meant to be played is difficult that's why a lot master pianist have this piece on their masterclass
It was a great performance, brilliant as always but sadly was rushed, she played in prestissimo all the time, the real tempo is Allegro ma non troppo, is close to presto but not so fast, the last minute was terrible for my hearing. I dont know why modern pianists thinks playing fast it's going to be better for the work.
Guys it's worse than that all of her most famous videos got deleted there isn't Moonlight sonata nor Campanella nor Hammerklavier anymore... All of her biggest videos...
Don't worry, it seems they put them in private mode. I know other big channels that were hacked months ago and they are fine now, all the content and views count were restored. And even if they delete them, they are not really, AFAIK the RU-vid staff can bring them back even if the entire channel is deleted.
You started a revolution 14years ago 🥰, you are the people’s pianist; no one has ever been so giving to their fans, far and wide, across the globe, until you, Da quin! Beautiful music, as always! Thanks ❤️!
I love how you play. Whenever I hear someone else play, no matter how good, I think they could play with a little more emotion. A little passion. Like you. You've have spoiled us. Thank you for doing that.
I did not "get" The Appasionata until I heard Valentina play it. If anyone were to ask my which is the greatest Beethoven piano Sonata, I would say in an instant "Appasionata!"
@@Iczerman-hl2zt That's correct. Her interpretation of many pieces is so clear, inspired. It's like uncovering the fog obstructing a view. What I do not understand is how such a genial, insightful, tender and kind person like Valentina can be on the side of the murderous uncultured merciless heartless evil politically.
What a sombre and emotional piece playing as the world collapses and her channel gets destroyed by the malicious hacker. Ik this is a very sad and stressful time for her for sure, but the music definitely fits the scene
I can't really add anything unique to the very first comment in this thread- my immediate reaction was, "Wow!!!!", too, and I have listened to literally dozens of different performances of this sonata over the last 35 years. I can't remember a single performance of it with this kind of intensity, and I have watched and listened to the other videos of Ms. Litsitsa's performances of this exact sonata in the past- she just keeps getting better at it, and perfection might well have been achieved here.
Валентина, я благодарю Бога, когда слышу тебя. У вас живая, счастливая интерпретация, основанная на большой компетентности. Для меня было бы честью услышать, что вы живете здесь, в Бразилии, нашей стране, которой так не хватает таких ярких культурных проявлений, как ваше. Целую вас в сердце, и пусть наш Создатель защитит и просветит вас еще больше. Брависсимо.
@@lionellow105 Ok, I'll take that. I usually don't like Lang Lang interpretations at all, I think he is too showy, lacks musicality, and uses to play like a speedrun. But that one I agree, was a superb.
She is not only greatness personified., but when she was starting to be recognized she sent me a private practice session. I'll never forget how generous she is.
Can never quite comprehend how great it is to simply switch on a monitor and listen to such excellent renditions, so amazingly played. Breathtaking as ever. God bless you VL for taking the time to share your talents with us.
@@TortuositA great deal of order took place to provide the surroundings we now utilise for these personal improvements. VL is certainly one of those swept into this from an early age, and has flourished greatly in the process.
I was and stay impressed from Valentinas Lisitsa piano playing.. this sonata is one of my favourite of all, it shows so different emotions and yet still those harmonies in second movement, amazing, third mov also heartbreaking(in good way), the passages are iconic! :)
11 years since your old recording. Always amazing to see that even the pianists of highest caliber go through such improvements and transformations over the years. Superb
I’m like literally watching again. Last night I played your Beethoven Sonatas Vol. 3 on repeat when I went to bed. Your music reminds me of all that is so beautiful in life, and at a time in the world like this, I can’t say thank you enough for sharing it with us💚💜
Magnificent! I cannot dismiss your brilliance and dedication by saying you seem possessed by the spirit of Beethoven. As an artist, you are always your own person. But there is a very strong connection between you two. He sets you on fire.
"Appassionata" uploaded 11 years ago was the first to touch your performance. I heard that clip over and over again. As the title suggests, I remember being amazed at how passionate the performance was. The delicate strength and tempo that appears in every note and every motif. Compared to other performers, your performance surpassed them and sounded brilliantly. This clip is just amazing for its deeper expression than it was for 11 years. I will continue to listen to you. We support from far away Japan.
as you can find the best, I consider the worst. Your Beethoven is always horrible. She just punches on the piano, nothing more. Either I don't know anything about beethoven or you ... lol
There's no way to bring back the romantic era of classical composition, but it's an incredible boon to mankind to be able to witness something like this from an unassuming RU-vid video.
People have not invented a word for praise, worthy of this performance! , sooo beautiful yet powerful, so fast yet gentle, so much passion it brought tears to my eyes, a Grandmaster Class in piano performance!!! 🥲 Bravo!
This sonata must be one of the Greatest Piano pieces in history and your interpretation is just Full of Passion & Devotion. You are Right there at the Very Top looking down at the world. Bravissima! 🕊🕊🕊👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
What's interesting is that usually when I watch Valentina's videos, I love watching her hands. This time, I actually kind of prefer watching her face, particularly during the third movement. To play a piece like that at this level, I almost can't even imagine the sheer intensity of the experience, and I think that her face at several points conveys that very clearly.
In the middle of the night I cry after hearing the third movement. Like how beautiful can your playing even get! I've heard this plenty but no recording is a match to this one, made me fall in love with this piece This is so much more detailed, fast yet precise, amazing than your previous version. Thankyou so much for uploading such a gem, this really needs to reach more and more ears. Happy new year
If you think this performance is better, you must be joking. She's playing the notes written on a few sheets of paper, while Barenboim fingers unleash Beethoven's soul on the piano.
@@MikeKushnir I can’t disagree the profound ability Barenboim has at channeling Beethoven’s spirit, but you can’t deny Lisitsa has achieved a tempo and clarity combination that is very rare and compelling to listen to. I very much appreciate her Beethoven sonatas, and have come to see her as complimented by Barenboims performances for reasons of how they contrast.
Omg! I can hear him speaking as you play, Beethoven! It is so much more than your incredible talent and skill that breathes life into him , it is your passion and the sheer joy in which you play. Thank you💚💚💚💚💚
Extraordinary. Like she is not at all playing with her fingers. Her mind and body chemistry controls her hand and lower forearm muscles. She doesn't even need the piano to do that. She can do it anywhere she wants, with or without a piano. Extraordinary.
With an extremely high level of knowledge and perception of the message given by the author through music, doubled by a talent completely out of the ordinary and technical as if from another world, Valentina manages to raise the audience to standing every time. Bravo!
I think if we smelled the stench of hell and felt the fires, we would not say the word "hell" again in our lives. Leave aside curse someone to rot there.
Валентина, не устаю восхищаться Вашим исполнительским талантом! Сочетание экспрессии и нежности в игре делает Вас прямо-таки уникальным фортепианистом! Ваше исполнение моих любимых произведений неизменно самое лучшее! В особенности это касается Соната №17 ("Буря") Бетховена. Я очень люблю это произведение и честно искал идеальное исполнение, отслушав всех современных и не очень исполнителей, до которых смог дотянуться ютюбом и не только. Ваше - просто эталонное для меня. Браво брависсимо! Спасибо за очередной подарок своим слушателям! Удачи Вам во всём! Valentina, I do not get tired of admiring your performing talent! The combination of expression and tenderness in your playing makes you a truly unique piano player! Your performance of my favorite piano pieces is always the best! This is especially true for Sonata No. 17 ("The Tempest") Beethoven. I love this piece very much and honestly looked for the perfect performance, having listened to all the modern and not-so-modern performers that I could reach with RU-vid and not only with it. Yours performance is just a reference one for me. Bravo bravissimo! Thank you for another gift to all of your listeners! Good luck with everything!
I can feel the vibration in heart when you are playing. I can see new horizons to talking in the past but at the same time, in the future. A river manifest to floating through my cardiac pulses and sending more electric impulse to my nervous system... The sublime frequency of the piano make me travel to the infinitum imaginarium where the future is the present. Wow. Simply unspoken words. Спасибо Валентина.
