Byron Janis plays Beethoven Piano Sonata no. 21, op. 53 'Waldstein' - live 1964

[@1947laurence]

❤❤❤

[@russellmeyer2236]

He was a poet - every musical gesture packed with sentience and understanding of the composed content. Listening, I feel like I've entered the composer's brain. And because Janis is hyper aware of the emotional reason behind every musical statement, the structure becomes organically beautiful, acquiring a sense no strictly academic treatment can achieve. Finally, I've never heard so tender the last movement's theme, and it sets up Janis' extraordinary exposure of the contrasts Beethoven wrote into its development. The contrast between this performance and performances that reflect contemporary adulation of digital perfection is devastating: at those proud, gymnastic performances the musical thread is barely noticed and I feel the speaker - the pianist - is perfectly enunciating the words of a foreign language without actually understanding the words. Absolute emptiness.

[@Changing104]

It’s an incredible performance- what a sound he had and a way of playing gestures rather than just notes. He was all about the singing sound

[@Sofronichrist]

Fabulous performance, very moving and just as full of tenderness as bravery! I hadn't heard this live recording before, so thank you so much for uploading it. We'll miss Byron Janis 😢

[@Steinweg100]

We were very fortunate to have heard him. I remember in the dim past seeing something about severe arthritis and that he was in permanent pain. He endured much surgery. I did not know that he had died. I like to believe that he is without pain. R.I.P

[@1947laurence]

@@Steinweg100 He died at the age of 96 but he had to stop playing long before because of his problems He was a great "profiteer of life" and caused some scandals under the influence of alcohol in restaurants in France😉😇🤭😍 French Il est décédé à l’âge de 96 ans mais il a dû arrêter de jouer longtemps avant à cause de ses problèmes Il était un grand « profiteur de la vie » et a provoqué quelques scandales sous l’emprise de l’alcool dans les restaurants en France😉😇🤭😍

[@Steinweg100]

@@1947laurence Merci! I rember that his playng was phenominal and that he had an affair with Wanda Horowitz. I was a pianist, the odd thing is I cut thro the digital nerve and tendon of my right hand, whilst he had damaged his left hand, and I spent a while changing the fingering of my pieces. I was able too, to play good octaves! I was fortunate!

[@1947laurence]

@@Steinweg100 Yes, he was wonderful and I have always loved him very much. I'm happy for you that you were lucky in your misfortune (I'm also a pianist = I can understand). Good luck French Oui, il était merveilleux et je l'aime beaucoup depuis toujours. Je suis heureuse pour vous que vous ayez eu de la chance dans votre malheur (moi aussi pianiste= je peux comprendre). Bonne chance

[@annskinner8467]

My favourite Beethoven sonata! Thank you! 💕🎹🎹💕

[@nikb6176]

He could do absolutely anything at the piano.

[@joshuadavis5991]

wow thank you dear

[@annazini1562]

Thanks, I didn't know him

[@Remi-B-Goode]

Can you upload everydaypls😅

[@murdo_mck]

20:20 is he fingering the octaves?

[@ВикторРогозинский]

I think so, but Girls plays glissando.

[@ВикторРогозинский]

Gilels.

[@Changing104]

I believe he’s actually playing a glissando but a bit slower than usual- very impressive if so…I say so because of the voiced sound he gets and also I think you can hear the sounds of the fingers gliding

[@Changing104]

Also it’s not quite perfect… if he did it with two hands the first two, I think the sound would be even more even , but with a less special sound…. I love the glissando effect