Vladimir Ashkenazy: Chopin - Two Nocturnes Opus No. 1 & 3 / Polonaise

Live recording from 1983
Vladimir Ashkenazy - piano
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0:28 Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne Op.9 No. 1
6:42 Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne Op.9 No. 3
13:44 Polonaise in F# minor Opus 44
24:28 Impromptu in F# major Opus 36
30:40 Scherzo No. 3 Opus 39
An Allegro film by Christopher Nupen

[@michiel1953]

From the very first few notes I felt the tears involuntary starting because of the incredible beauty of his playing. Unique…..

[@cynthiastrawson3316]

I listened to Ashkenazy in the mid 1960s at Clapham Town hall. An uninspiring place. Then in walked the pianist, quickly sat down and just played. An entrancing experience Ive held onto the rest of my life. Thank you Sir for such precious memories.

[@isaaclee6719]

I thank God for letting Ashkenazy still staying by us...

[@DanMartin67]

Perfect. I hate when pianists play this too fast disregarding the beauty of piano and capturing the slow emotion nuanced in each note.

[@voraciousreader3341]

Ashkenazy respects Chopin’s markings on the score, which is why it unfolds so beautifully, so inevitably, no rush. There artists who are concert pianists (Ashkenazy is one), and there are self centered entertainers who happen to play from the same music score. I feel sorry for the people who can’t hear the difference and think that speed is the only measure of greatness. Poor, silly people!

[@flaviodealmeida5956]

This composition takes me from the trivial and takes me to a place that for some reason that when I die is exactly where I want to be ... forever !!!

[@suzannabienkowski2033]

Sir from top note, Flavio de Almeida, if u see this, then u r a poet yourself.

[@angelavimercati21]

onejra of the best pianist ever. he plays music of many composers... at the top.. thank you vladimir for everything......,,,,,,

[@allegrofilms]

For those who might like to own a permanent copy of our Ashkenazy films, we have a great festive deal on DVDs: allegrofilms.com/collections/the-films

[@voraciousreader3341]

Maestro Ashkenazy has given the world so much of himself _and_ his artistry, all with a disarming humility which has made him beloved by artists of all kinds, solo, orchestral, chamber musicians, and conductors, and this has also made him beloved by audiences all over the world. I never lived in a large enough city to hear Ashkenazy perform live, but I _can_ watch films like this and hear his recordings, thank God! I’m really hoping he and his beautiful wife are enjoying a happy and well deserved retirement together, with their children and grandchildren! Many, many thanks!

[@NigeB]

Amazing performance 😊

[@markchiang3449]

Born to play the piano

[@laspiano765]

MARAVILHA

[@ccgg3913]

For me there is ashkenazy, and then there is the rest

[@voraciousreader3341]

I feel the same! It doesn’t matter what composer’s works he plays, his interpretations always make me feel that he’s got them exactly right! Somehow, he’s been able to find a near-perfect balance between his intellect, his musicality, and his technique, or so it seems to me. How else could he play with such passion which is devoid of ego?? It’s truly amazing artistry!

[@6jd.85]

Recordé al gran, don Claudio Arrau...

[@hectorlobato6268]

Ashkenazy is god

[@Mr.Canuto]

How tha hell are those 36 fuckers that don’t like this master!!

[@voraciousreader3341]

Can I make a suggestion?? How about if you focus your energy on a positive approach to listening (and watching) great art unfold before you?? Only people who are utterly childish expect everyone on Earth to agree with their tastes, or they’re somehow “fuckers.” *NOBODY* has to agree with your tastes!

[@zuhairbakdoud7863]

He simply MURDERS nocturne No.1 , l mean the first half of page 1

[@EmptyVee00000]

Is that good or bad?

[@DaveD5929]

I think that means ‘good’ as in 21st century vernacular...(?) - as in ‘Man, ______ is a ‘bad’ dude! ....’bad’ meaning ‘good’ in this case...lol

[@ГалинаГранкина-х3ф]

Ашкенази Владимир это легенда это глыба которая была у нас в СССР гений безупречно каждый звук выверенный какое туше он даже чем то и внешне похож на Шопена обожаю вас!!!

[@voraciousreader3341]

@@ГалинаГранкина-х3ф Please don’t be offended by “Zhuhair Bakdoud’s” comment….he has unfortunately adopted the youthful American’s tendency to say something is really bad when he means it’s incredibly good! So, when he wrote “murders,” he means that he cannot believe how well Maestro Ashkenazy played it! I hope my comment translates well, and please be assured that he is _revered_ all over the world as one of the finest artists to play the piano, and who was fortunate enough to be recorded! Ashkenazy should surely make Russians proud!

[@Sofia_Axolotl]

@@ГалинаГранкина-х3ф Вообще то, по биографии, он в сов.с. не сильно побыл: род.1937, первый сольный концерт в консе - в 1955, конкурсы, первые турне и эммигровал в 1962. О нем, действительно, остались, в основном, легенды

[@GeeMak999]

boring

[@voraciousreader3341]

Why not show us how _you_ can play it? _That_ would be interesting, lmao!

[@gfjcalifornia]

For sure, after Horowitz + Rubinsten claimed their #1 status in their era of 60s + 70s, Vladimir tagged along as #1 from 80's for the next 25 years ( no match for him). His dynamo of Chopin (all of Chopin's 150 piano works) + sprinkling of Beethoven, Liszt, Mozart + more - he has demonstrated his versatility for those 25 years.

[@bobbymarcum772]

People just don't know what they're missing by ignoring the past 200 years

[@lunsche9281]

Personally, I like the pace Mr Ashkenazy played Op 9 No.1, it is the right speed that touches my heart and soul, not rush not loose. I play and listen this piece from different pianists for years and still found Mr Ashkenazy's version is the best . thank you very much 😊

[@mistimathis2219]

I agree, my favorite

[@jgsky]

200% agree on Op9 No 1

[@e.hutchence-composer8203]

Sometimes, no matter how badly you want to be able to do something, it just won’t be possible. Sometimes we have to appreciate what other people possess and we will never possess ourselves. We must appreciate and thank Chopin for writing music which will forever be at the top of mans greatest achievements and we must appreciate and thank Ashkenazy for playing Chopin’s music as though he had descended from heaven after conversing with Chopin.

[@Fernichter-gh6gp]

I am convinced that everyone can learn everything if they are really up for it. you just have to do it, over and over again and be a little patient. and ofc you have to be anatomically able to do so lol

[@ciararespect4296]

Fernichter3000 haha, not imo a good comment from millennial types thinking it's all possible, what about synapses early start great teachers regular perfect practice eidetic memory perfect pitch etc etc , impossible unless you've been lucky to be born into learning piano perfectly from the start

[@weiweile]

Amen!!🙏🙏🙏

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

i have to dislike this comment. i felt that way for a long time until i just pulled up my bootstraps and locked myself in my room for 4 years. thankful to have an upright. now i’ve just finished Op. 18 waltz and now i’m playin the opus 15 no 2 nocturne. only if you love it enough. this music is meant to be played. you only get to if you want to. i couldn’t not. rather be dead. now i can’t fathom not being able to play. just do it. humans are capable of far more than you’d imagine.

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

and you’ll always have more mastery to strive for. you can’t exhaust creativity. lifetime of doing what you love.

[@gangstaG]

Vladimir Askenazy is the greatest pianist in this millennium.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

One of the...

[@ronald3836]

In this millennium or in the previous millennium? Or both? ;-)

[@dannybourne_]

Vladimir Ashkenazy is one of the top 10 finest pianists ever.

[@sampeng5216]

I agree

[@vinimedina91]

I agree. In my opinion, the greatest Chopin interpreter.

[@nunyabusiness8538]

the most honest player. straight from the heart every time

[@suzannabienkowski2033]

Straight to the heart? It absolutely contorts, wrenches and frees, or ultimately breaks the heart.

[@ciararespect4296]

Vinícius Medina Rubinstein is better at chopin especially in this polonaise but ash is quite good at Rachmaninov, only a bit off putting as he always seems to be chewing cud like a cow

[@n.s.3410]

If nothing else at least we created piano. Humanity!

[@inesdeerausquin5658]

Three cheers for Bartolomeo Cristofori! :)

[@flylooper]

God, I wish I took my piano lessons more seriously. Nevertheless we are blessed to have folks like Ashkenazy reveal gods like Chopin to us.

[@DaveD5929]

The piano Gods are smiling - a transcendent performance by one of my top 5 favorite pianists of all time - as was shared below, thank you Mr. Ashkenazy for a half-century of inspiration and wonder. My life is better because of you!

[@astrid4532]

Ashkenazy is just a pure genius, so brilliant and virtuous. Simply awesome. He's definitely among the three most gifted pianists in the world. And the way he plays and interprets Chopin is second to none. What a concert, what a performance, what a treat. Thank u, Vladimir. We thank u to the huge contributions to classical music, eunuch u have made!

[@hannastaszak1684]

CHOPIN NAJPIEKNIEJSZA SPUŚCIZNA DLA LUDZKOŚCI DZIĘKUJĘ.

[@LtAld0Raine]

I remember back in the 80's we piano player kids used to debate whether Pollini or Ashkenazy was the greatest one. I stood by Pollini because of the stunning technique. Now listening to this and the Chopin preludes here on youtube I understand that Ashkenazy was the better one for musical expression. I feel deeply connected to his playing, it trasnmits me a feeling of "humanity". Pollini was dominated by rationality and ideology

[@harryelardo4056]

Remember, Ashkenazy shared the first prize in 1962 International Tchsikovdky Competition with British pianist John Ogdon. So he is an accomplished professional and winning pianist. In short, he is one of the best in his professional music career.

[@bloodherz9011]

Nobody fits Chopin better than Vladimir

[@medievalmusiclover]

Love his tempo and rubato...

[@rosalbafosado4793]

The music and the notes come from the buttom of his heart 🤩

[@elenalavrishcheva]

Самый лучший для меня исполнитель ноктюрнов Ф.Шопена!!!

[@voraciousreader3341]

Me, too! He plays so intelligently, with such quiet, powerful eloquence, even during the _fff_ passages he remains inwardly still. He uses his monumental technical skills in the service of the music, not to glorify himself. Maestro Ashkenazy was a very, very rare artist, and I pray that he’s enjoying his well deserved retirement!

[@eweczapi73]

Coś pięknego.....uwielbiam ten utwór, wykonanie przenosi mnie w inny wymiar i uwalnia emocje, które człowiek kryje w sobie.

[@timomuurinen7423]

His Chopin is just superlative.

[@johnsimon8738]

Vladimir Ashkenazy is not only one of the best but he is the BEST.

[@bializak682]

Csodálatosan szép,Igazi lélek búvár varázslatos muzsika! Köszönöm szépen,ezt a fantasztikus zongora játékot!

[@kinkykendostick6461]

Bia Lizák blyaaat

[@beyreda6029]

The greatest Chopin interpreter alive in my opinion.

[@markthetranslator1162]

In my himble opinion, nobody played Chopin like Ashkenazy. I just can't listen to nobody else playing him. Horowitz is great while playing Chopin too, but Ashkenazy is just perfect.

[@analuisacarrillodiaz4075]

Qué precioso!!!!

[@donaldmccormack7580]

Yes, Ciara ( last year ) I agree with you that Rubinstein perhaps plays Chopin better than Vladimir does but please don`t be so dismissal of him. I find him frank and direct in his interpretation. It really does go to the heart while I find Rubinstein so polished and perfect that he fails to make contact with the essential magic that Chopin intended.

[@laurencedauplay8166]

Always loved Ashkénaze Chopin performance one of my most favorite artist

[@angelavimercati21]

vladimir we love youuuuuuuuu

[@mistimathis2219]

He plays this the best ❤

[@voraciousreader3341]

I agree!

[@oxana6055]

Изумительно!

[@izabellamardo1074]

Maravilhoso

[@ericofelix2005]

For Chopin and Rachmaninov works, Ashkenazy's interpretation always be my main preference. Yes, the Op 9 no 1, this tempo was only played by Ashkenazy. The other tend to rush and passed by any beautiful lines.

[@myrnyocom3344]

VERY ENJOYABLE TO LISTINE TO - Vladimir Ashkenazy -- YEP!

[@catherinejones9396]

Vladimir Ashkenazy was the pianist playing all the different piano performances of all the different competitors in the animated, 2007, Japanese film "The forest of Piano". A world class act.These nocturnes were beautiful.

[@hannastaszak1684]

Genialne wykonanie. Gratuluję.

[@voraciousreader3341]

Brilliant workmanship _and_ incredible artistry, of the highest magnitude! In my opinion, obviously! ;)

[@aldito7586]

Chopin. Beautiful...:)

[@marialasa3776]

Czy ja bylam na tym koncercie?

[@ireneyoung8696]

Wonderful pianist,wonderful man.

[@eddund6932]

L'humour et la musique, deux eléments indispensables dans la vie😃

[@robertoribeiro6176]

Everything was told !

[@meredith218461]

My very first experience of an Ashkenazy recital occurred in May 1967 at the RFH London, I was then a young Music Student at the RAM. The memory of that recital has remained with me to this day, he played 2 Beethoven sonatas (D minor op.31 no.2 & A major op.101) and after the interval, he gave a stunning account of the 4 Scherzi by Chopin. This was a young Ashkenazy at the very peak of his early days as a young virtuoso pianist. I shall never forget the sheer translucent beauty and poetry of his playing as well as his electrifying brilliance in the Chopin.

[@movidaamusica]

thank you!

[@jasminkia9436]

❤❤❤

[@hurricane_hazel]

That very first note. Perfection. I love his Chopin. He's the best, for me.

[@yuiop987]

I didn't like polonnaise - as if he were chopping woods...

[@ronald3836]

He's a lumberjack and he's OK. He sleeps all night, he works all day. He cuts down trees, he eats his lunch. He goes to the lavatory. On Wednesdays he goes shopping and has buttered scones for tea.

[@alfaemilio156]

アシュケナージはとにかく速弾きのショパンというイメージが強かったですが、そうではなく、普通よりもむしろ導入部も含めてノクターンは遅いくらい。でもとても情緒があり良いですね。見直して好きになりました。

[@voraciousreader3341]

Believe me when I tell you that _CHOPIN_ determined the speed for all of his pieces, and he noted it on every composition. He didn’t use metronome markings….he used the Italian notations for how he wanted each of his pieces to be played, and Maestro Ashkenazy _strictly_ follows Chopin’s notations…. *ALL THE TIME!* What you heard here is the highest level of musical artistry, where only a very few can climb. The very best artists are also free from egotistical thoughts, as is Ashkenazy. What you describe is the “entertainment pianist,” who live to amaze audiences with how fast they can play, whether the composer had extreme speed in mind, or not….these pianists are not artists, because they have mastered an amazing technical skill, but they’re not interested in _making music._ In case you’re wondering if Ashkenazy can play and extremely fast piece by Chopin, and still plays it more musically than anyone I’ve ever heard, please listen to this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6TceISPo9ueg8U

[@ramonamobley4712]

Enjoyed tremendously. A friend, Iris VanEyk referred me to your videos.

[@kkdesignservices183]

What touch.

[@cruztube23]

Another “Legend” that’s NOT EVEN TRYING to give it rhythm. That’s why I enjoy listening to these Virtuoso kids that respect rhythm.

[@amadeusvonfrancois]

?

[@voraciousreader3341]

@ SS - First, you obviously aren’t a pianist and you have never seen one of Chopin’s piano scores. NEVER! Or you would know that he put frequent markings of one word: *RUBATO.* Go ahead….look it up! Secondly, there are pianists who are artists and pianists who are mere entertainers. I know this because you cannot tell the difference between the _ARTISTRY_ which is never absent from Maestro Ashkenazy’s playing, and the “entertainment pianists” who live to see which one can play fastest. But don’t feel too badly….you’re certainly not alone!

[@glennjohnston6708]

Ashkenazy has performed for us for more than (50) years - now in his 80s + retired. Most definitely among the Top 10 pianists of the last (75) years - ahead of him, no doubt - Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Rubinstein, Gould, Schiff + others. He attacks the keys with strength (this polonaise was Chopin's most difficult + powerful). Vladimir carries much respect from today's younger pianists - now trying to tread the path Vladimir has trodden.

[@hderijk]

Schiff? Really..

[@silvanosalvucci]

Bravooo

[@Flautista2001]

3:11 he is Chopin!!!

[@eltiogottlieb.4911]

¡Pensé que era el único que notaba la semejanza física con Chopin! Al menos, el perfil.

[@johnmar1622]

I met him in 2009 and I like the way he deliberate rubato..

[@pippilongstocking5082]

Indescribable amazing 🙏💖💫

[@aspis6397]

Wonderful! Where was this performance?

[@EmptyVee00000]

Lugano, Auditorio Stelio Molo.

[@markpaul3648]

Heaven

[@marisarobles1754]

How is it possible that 42 people did not like this?? Incredible.!!

[@TheGoaneta]

Probably they are jealous pianists))

[@voraciousreader3341]

Guess what?? People get to like who they want to like. And guess what else?? They aren’t jealous or cretins or idiots when they don’t like what we like! If you haven’t yet figured out that artistic taste is highly subjective and extremely personal, then how about _concentrating harder on what is positive about Ashkenazy’s incredible gifts_ and learning from his music a mature sense of proportion?? His music is not for children!

[@КириллШин-ч6в]

Браво!

[@pianoplaying-kblee1262]

Cozy sound and control libitum of right hand,talk each other in Nocturn i am good mood to hear his playing He is so good sound maker, i love his sound and character ^^🌹⚘

[@flimtok]

My cat loves this!

[@jerzjurkiewicz2674]

Nicely done.

[@MrCaleb0526]

Actually I was humming no. 3 and wandering what is it. Nocturne no. 3 is getting closer to my ear. What a mastery work.

[@gomezfrancisco4577]

Op.9 No.3 is no doubt one of Chopin's best pieces pieces ever written

[@4musikable]

Pure.

[@Paul-vd8ek]

Doesn‘t he Look like severus Snape

[@gael852]

A bit... Well, actually he does hahaha

[@inesdeerausquin5658]

@@gael852 Snape wishes he was as cool as Ashkenazy ;)

[@gael852]

@@inesdeerausquin5658 ha you're right

[@twintwinklestars]

Handsome men

[@ciararespect4296]

Polonaise nowhere near as good as Rubinstein

[@voraciousreader3341]

Why do you care?? Are you interested at all in what other artists bring to the piece, or are you only watching other performer’s videos so you can sniff and say, “It’s not _Rubinstein,_ is it??” How very sad!

[@janc5094]

ashke great again, unfortunately audio quality of recording is shit

[@ahmadrezaardeshirzadeh2034]

something special about this expert pianist is that he plays mathematically.

[@bryanbarajasBB]

Really?! I'm sure he does calculus as he plays! 🤣

[@voraciousreader3341]

I could not disagree with you more, @AA, and I must tell you that your comment is about as wrong as any wrong comment about music I’ve ever read.

[@hoyyali1594]

Why doesn’t he play his own tunes?

[@СветланаФадеева-л2й]

Too dull after your Beethoven