Arturo Michelangeli - Debussy Reflets dans l'eau

Pianist: Arturo Michelangeli playing Claude Debussy's "Reflets dans l'eau" in D-flat major from Images Book 1.
"Reflets dans l'eau" translates to "Reflections in the Water." This pianist was hailed as the most mathematical in the 20th century. Aside from Gould, Michelangeli was considered a "human metronome."
I find his Debussy ~slightly~ dry, but still amazingly colorful. contradictory statement, i know.
Images Book 1 consists of three pieces, all composed within 1904 and 1905. I'm intersted to know, DO YOU CONSIDER DEBUSSY "IMPRESSIONISTIC?" if not.. what do YOU think he is?

[@fernandoserico77]

The part between 1:10 and 1:23 is one of the most marvelous technical perfection I have ever seen, and trust me, I have watched millions of piano videos and I am a pianist myself.

[@Millennium647]

What do you think about Rosseau's version?

[@wendybabbi]

very true, it is so clear

[@tigerphantom354]

@@Millennium647 rousseau just play the notes, as I am Lang Lang’s close friend and I know what kind of music it is. Rousseau dosnt have any emotions for he just plays the simple notes.

[@Millennium647]

@@tigerphantom354 I agree 😊

[@tigerphantom354]

@@Millennium647 thanks

[@bluesborn]

Its impossible for me not to hear Debussy's influence over modern jazz masters like Bill Evans and Miles Davis.Debussy is sublime.

[@cojcmic]

I completely agree but to be fair and exact we also have to say that Debussy's influence over jazz came first from his own influence by rag-time. Debussy was inspired by this emerging musical genre as a precursor to Jazz and then, by the jazzmen most accomplished of his time. This influence is obvious especially at the beggining of this piece. Even a deaf could hear it and this mix between classical music and jazz ends up becoming a pure gem

[@larrynile8770]

Michelangeli and Evans were friends, who admired each other, andthey communicated regularly.

[@giacomoleopardo-tb4sb]

u are reading my mind motherfucker its just what i thought

[@slangpdx]

Many jazz people were admirers of Debussy including Charlie Parker. His influence on 20th century music started with the silent film era, with many pianists playing scores for films imitated him or outright copying his work. Debussy met Charlie Chaplin in Paris circa 1910 when Chaplin was already famous and Debussy complimented him as a great composer, obviously having seen his films. When Gershwin went to Paris he came back with a stack of Debussy sheet music and started incorporating the master's work into his own style.

[@PacRimJim]

His technique was beyond the aspiration of mere mortals.

[@user-ug1jj2if7q]

He's Dead!

[@munkybrain]

the way he sounds is like the hardest working pianist in history. really amazing

[@KatyB34]

Michelangeli is my favorite pianist ever. I pretty much watched every video of him here on KZbin

[@bluesborn]

Still one of the most beautiful performances on You Tube.

[@Ici-st4hg]

MAMMA MIA!!!! His Debussy is really something else.

[@DeZopfi]

I wrote an essay about it ..but still my favourite impressionist composition. in his late works he already had optimized his very own perfect style. Debussy HIMSELF said : without false vanity, I believe that these three pieces (Images I) are well managed and that they will occupy a place in the piano literatur.

[@fluffymushy9]

Thanks for sharing, I would like to read your essay :)

[@iMacxXuserXx485]

Same here, where did you find this quote from Debussy?

[@Farahmand1010]

@@iMacxXuserXx485 une lettre à son éditeur Durand. Il a ajouté "à gauche de Schumann ou à droite de Chopin, as you like it."

[@erikashubby]

What a wonderful pianist he was. Playing Debussy and Ravel so flawlessly, you can tell 20th century music was for him...

[@pianistmusic]

FOR ME and I say again FOR ME as a pianist,nothing compares with this interpretation it is unsurpassable pianistically and the musicianship is worldclass....nothing in the world compares with this it is like making the impossible possible....it remains the best version of this work forever

[@SELMER1947]

Le pianiste le plus parfait de l'histoire... Stupéfiant !!!

[@maison8858]

Un des plus virtuoses

[@andantino5558]

Quand on entraine la plus grande pianiste du monde, on est forcément un grand pianiste

[@SELMER1947]

@@maison8858 Pas seulement, beaucoup plus qu'un virtuose !!!

[@maison8858]

@@SELMER1947A mon sens, la virtuosité comprends l'extraordinaire capacité d'interprétation dont fait preuve ce pianiste à la sensibilité sincère et profonde

[@antiscribe4150]

No hablo frances

[@cojcmic]

Michelangeli, a fantastic Pianist... A true Musician with a personality like no other, multi-faceted, original and free. There will be no one like him anymore

[@wrigleyx]

02:21 , force tranquille, grande puissance technique, et très musical. c'est vraiment une des meilleurs interprétations de ce morceaux.

[@jondavwal13]

As a pianist myself, the perfection of the technique gives me goosebumps. I could enjoy watching this with the sound off. Of course it is better with the sound on. :-)

[@DaHeichef]

Superb. Michelangeli's legendary godlike technique and purity of tone can all be witnessed here. We are very fortunate for having the privilege of listening to this supreme master.

[@paulmayerpiano]

This is the best performance/recording of this piece that I am aware of. Incredible.

[@thomasthompson6378]

It isn't, in my view, the "best" performance, because the whole piece is taken much too fast.

[@steinway33]

Why is there often someone criticizing a master performing a masterpiece?

[@thomasthompson6378]

That happens because even a master technician, like Michaelangeli, can get it wrong.

[@ibrahimvazleal]

@@thomasthompson6378if you judge It so, we’re on your feet

[@schwarzkavalier]

I consider Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli one of the greatest pianist of the 20th century.This piece shows us that music is also poetry!Great!

[@bluesborn]

I am honestly mystified by anyone who says they don't like this performance.I find it gorgeously sublime and return to it often.

[@CDA101252]

il punto di riferimento per tutti i pianisti che dovranno interpretare questo brano e si troveranno questa montagna impossibile da superare a meno che non nasca un altro genio di questo livello ,ai posteri................

[@PaulHobbs23]

Arturo plays this magnificently!

[@051963mf]

He is one of my favorites, he plays the piano with such mastery and fluidity. I know that his repertoire was somehow limited, but in thous composers in which he found connection, his performance were out of this world...I spatially love his interpretations of Scarlatti.

[@muller010167]

so clear, so rich in the choice of colours, such a great legato ...it's a lesson !! absolutely fantastic !!!

[@evanlilley8986]

This music sounds like the slow and gradual process of falling asleep and then beginning the hallucinogenic voyage into dreams.

[@pjflynn5978]

Oh my god that is beautiful

[@kathyreiners6833]

Thank you

[@Anonymous-re9fd]

Exacty. I always put this music when I want to fall asleep. It’s a beautiful way to fall asleep

[@thomasthompson6378]

@@Anonymous-re9fd I believe Debussy himself would be offended by your comment. He doesn't want us to "fall asleep," he wants us to wake up to -- not the portrayal of, but the actuality, of the myriad ways in which the idea of water affects our lives.

[@Anonymous-re9fd]

@@thomasthompson6378 the theta brain wave is a hypnotic state that occurs right before we fall asleep. You have no idea how beautiful are the images that you experience when you fall asleep to this music

[@HelenJoannides]

che eleganza, che bellezza...

[@randykern1842]

Those bell tones in the opening theme are EVERYTHING

[@jero13595]

TRULY MAGICAL indeed. No one captures the sheen qualitiy of the sparkling waters of Reflets dans l'eau better than Michelangeli! From the light water droplets to the cascades, Michelangeli executes them perfectly!

[@Steinwaytoday]

What a wonderful pianist. Not a single note out of thought.

[@zedo1973]

che naturalezza Dio mio,e' inarrivabile...

[@scottturner1994]

My favorite Debussy piece. This beautiful interpretation gave me goosebumps all over. Easy 5/5.

[@MrMirville]

How beautiful!

[@faceeyeshands]

The epitome of cool. Doesn't even break a sweat. I love hearing him play, but watching him conveys his mastery even more. Priceless footage. Thanks

[@JohnTussey]

Superb! My favorite rendition of this piece.

[@FargandSirHomerlots]

Its incredible how you can see the close relationship to jazz and how this is influenced players like McCoy Tyner. parallel fifths galore :)

[@peachmelba16]

Magnificent.

[@sottalfix]

What a pianist and WHAT A PIANO!

[@mcmike100]

Breath taking performance.

[@AntiProUltra]

Incredible clarity, especially given how fast he plays it

[@PlayBetterJazz]

best version, incredible colors

[@museofcolgate]

I stumbled upon this video during a search for Debussy music (of course), and I can't stay away from this video! I play it over and over and over and OVER again while I study, and I've even purchased a Michelangeli album since first hearing this master play. Merci mille fois pour avoir mis cette video sur KZbin!

[@GavinGlowfox]

Fantastic piece, one of my favorites by Debussy. Very elusive and enchanting.

[@AgilysChii]

Wow ce mec c'est mon idole !! Il joue trop bien !! Debussy c'est trop dur à jouer !! J'adore cette chanson... Comme toutes celles de Debussy, d'ailleurs !!

[@mscman4589]

Still wow. Not a metronome at all; incomparably flexible and coloristic in approach. Wonderful. Ditto for Gould!

[@pauloguerrahmusic]

A perfect example of impressionism in music.

[@sugarve]

La migliore interpretazione che esista!!!!

[@wrigleyx]

c'est parfait....la version parfaite.

[@jscobby]

Absolutely marvelous pianism! superb interpretation, sensitively performed, technically masterful and beautifully coloured, bravo!

[@GiuseppeFe]

The italian pianist much famous? Bollani... Allevi? What a stratosferical precision and fascinate armony! Michelangeli Debussy, absolutely fantastic! Where are you Arturo? We need you in our nation!

[@guglielmiable]

superbe !!!!! merci de ce partage.

[@slayerrules114]

Sometimes I wonder how excellent pianists don't weep at the beauty they create. If I could play like this, I would probably shed a tear or two while playing a piece such as this.

[@kevinmathewson4272]

they play the piece a bunch of times and they get used to it. improvising is another story. when you improvise, the sounds are new to you, and your mind is treading on new ground. there've been a couple times when i've improvised something very personal and found myself in this gross situation where my nose is running but i can't snort so i'm sitting there crying and playing music while licking under my nose like an idiot.

[@Ray0X0]

Really a beautiful interpretation.

[@vanea99]

Brilliant comparison, bravo !

[@alscai]

Sometimes, Debussy sounds almost like American jazz, not quite but similar. I love the impressionists so much. Love Michelangeli and these old videos too.

[@xixioxaxe]

GENIUS !

[@k213389]

wow....this is amazing...it's like...flawless

[@str3123]

Spaziale... Superlativo... Assoluto...

[@BalletBabyBoy]

Beautiful

[@jannokas85]

So amazing in every way.

[@cojcmic]

With "La fille aux cheveux de lin", "Reflet dans l'eau" clearly is my favorite composition from Debussy.

[@dido93]

Gran bel suono...interpretazione sempre profonda..."sentita"...

[@makaitung1]

Precise techniques - reflecting water on the piano!

[@bluesborn]

Each time I listen to this piece I can't tear myself away until the last perfect note fades into silence.Its so compelling and beautiful.

[@Bucketheadcube]

I just... DIE when I watch again and again this video. Thx for posting.

[@Athenandhermusic]

commossa! sublime!

[@CDA101252]

minuto 2,46 ...senza parole......grazie a tutti e due di essere esistiti !

[@daniloberaldo570]

Incredible! Majestic!! That is a true pianist!!!

[@paulostroff99]

Astounding! TY.

[@ciccilloesposito1579]

These recordings were made in Torino in the 50s. Great stuff!

[@degreplayspiano]

I think the year is 1962

[@melrei21]

ドビュッシー、変ニ長調、水を題材にした作品 これらが合わさるととても幻想的で心が洗われるようなピアノ曲が出来上がるんですね。 ドビュッシーの和音使いは本当に最高です。一生大切に聴いていきたい曲です。演奏もお気に入りです！！

[@voolare]

The best reflets dans l'eau ever recorded..

[@danielbrown4515]

This song reflects the golden ratio which is shown throughout nature and life all the time. Which is why it resonates with people so close to home.

[@sinisterbotanist]

lol this way of thinking is so ridiculous, you have to assume from the outset that beauty = golden ratio and then you manage to find it wherever you look, ignoring the actual properties that make something beautiful, it's just silliness

[@gaborcsordas]

Michelangeli is perfect for this music. This is not the same type of emotional playing as you need with Chopin, this is not human emotion.

[@bach5861]

Обалдеть!

[@Lukecash12]

I applaud you for the superb frankness of your answer, thank you.

[@paulostroff99]

Awesome! TY for posting.

[@oboenfunk]

favorite！

[@neme5151]

folks, keep it simple. this is not about your egos, this is about michelangeli and debussy. and what really counts is the magnificent display of technique on michelangeli's side and the great compositional talent on debussy's. so relay, and enjoy

[@paulostroff99]

GORGEOUS!

[@stephencelia]

love this piece too much, I am wordless

[@bossharmony]

Truly marvelous

[@220392123]

michelangeli is perfect. Such a solid sound, sensitive, metronomic when he should be. Lots of pianists aren't metronomic (without the bad connotations) because it is hard to be, they pretend it's because they're being artistic and expressive. Not buying it.

[@pianaoki]

I think although he isn't a pianist that moves his body around lots... the expression he does put in is amazing. The end... makes me sigh - it's stunning.

[@jomonhinapi24]

ラヴェルやドビュッシーってどこか冷たく感じるのだけど、東洋の音楽を取り入れていて、なんだか触れられない美しさがある。 『水の反映』好きだなぁ。

[@takashifukuyama]

GORGEOUS and PERFECT!!!

[@pianofan86]

what could we say against that interpretation... it's great! personal, colorful, technically completely mastered. very inspiring!

[@alicephrontistery]

i LOVE the way you express yourself and your opinions!

[@pianistofmusic290]

WHO COULD DISLIKE THIS??????

[@ziegunerweiser]

I LOVE images

[@pianistafj]

That is a fantastic critique. I wouldn't be so harsh myself, but I still think it is very accurate. Still, this is some of the most beautiful playing, in my opinion. Part of me doesn't care that it may not be Debussy-esque enough. It's still Michelangeli-esque in his inimitable perfection.

[@mastermusic99]

this is really a great piece!!

[@AemiliaJacobus]

Fast, but a transcendental performance by Michelangeli as usual.

[@PaulVinonaama]

I have an LP where he plays in a considerably slower tempo. I must say I prefer that performance.

[@AemiliaJacobus]

I have a slower recording of this piece by him on CD. It might be the same recording.

[@sugarve]

Insuperabile interpretazione

[@redcrimson718]

Yes, Debussy describes things he sees with music; and Chopin describes things he feels.

[@pianistofmusic290]

*described.

[@chrisdigasj]

the best..

[@pigolet2178]

superb!!

[@bac748]

I'm glad SOMEBODY finally mentioned this. What composer actually wants his/herself lumped into a category? Does anyone really think that's what they cared about?

[@qeqchi7]

REALMENTE HERMOSO!!!!!

[@Warauwater]

The second phrases is amazing…

[@paulostroff99]

Superb.TY the polonaise for posting.

[@olivergrimes6145]

Most interesting interpretation I’ve ever seen