Berezovsky plays Islamey

[@ukdavepianoman]

Berezovsky owns this piece. His slow section is highly expressive without being overly sentimental. His technique, clarity and accuracy are staggering. Well deserved of a standing ovation.

[@cindycfleong593]

ukpianoman2015 totally agree with you

[@cindycfleong593]

Totally agree with you

[@MARTIN201199]

I’m still clapping

[@iianneill6013]

To paraphrase the Thalberg/Liszt piano duel: "Mr. Berezovsky in this performance is the greatest pianist in the world. Mr. Simon Barere, in his performance, is the _only_ pianist." kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGXEgGqIjs6daKs

[@rickyromeral9484]

I like the islamey

[@owenwilliams1222]

0:52 the man who says "whoa" after berezovsky is done playing that measure is my spirit animal

[@elmodeadinside2760]

XD

[@ryushev2000]

how did you even hear that

[@el_um_mayo7720]

This comment needs more likes

[@jielu243]

@@ryushev2000 because I had the same reaction. It was incredible

[@MARTIN201199]

Maybe he Isa a pianist also. Pianists know how difficult is that passage

[@lucasdelliosiv7493]

I feel like this is Berezovsky's signature piece. Whenever I think of Islamey I think of Berezovsky and vice versa.

[@fredericchopin7332]

OMG I follow you at instagram, your name there is “Dellios Lukas” omg

[@fredericchopin7332]

Unless there’s someone else that is interested in piano and is called Dellios Lukas

[@lucasdelliosiv7493]

@@fredericchopin7332 It's me 😅

[@claude98050021]

exactly the same here!

[@TheTamsinJones]

Lang Lang played it faster but he used the piece merely to demonstrate his undoubted technical prowess. Berezovsky plays with such heart, fervour and phenomenal accuracy. His is the performance by which all other concert pianists should be measured

[@maultwo]

Lang Lang is high-caliber trash, a turd wrapped in crepe paper.

[@jct35j]

Did you listen to the recording Lang Lang played at 18 yrs old... compared to this it is a joke, so please share with us which Lang Lang recording you are referencing?

[@mikepen3477]

This is one of those pieces were you cannot say "In his hands, it seems easy", but rather "He shows brilliantly just how difficult it is".

[@user-uy3pj5ym6b]

I see!

[@Sahasrarasmi-Sancodite]

I recently listened to the 1992 Carnegie Hall recital piece of Ivo Pogorelich..and his rendition is a Mt Everest of virtuosity and diamond brilliance. Just listened to it today 01/21/2024 and then came across Berezovsky performance. They are both v irtuoso renditions from interstellar space, meaning that both pianists are supreme divine virtuosos in artistic and musical expression.

[@johncrawfordpiano]

In my humble opinion, this is piano playing of the highest order. This is one of the most technically challenging of piano pieces, yet, I don't find myself listening to the "technique" of this pianist, but his "musicality", and for me, this is a wanderful interpretation, BRAVO.

[@UnaMoscaEnLaPared]

I've listen to many recordings, included Pletnev. So far, Berezovsky is the most precise, exciting, dynamic, musical intepretation I've heard from Balakirev's Islamey.

[@ReyChan-kt7sf]

I don't agree with you

[@ReyChan-kt7sf]

I think pletnev is the best 🎉🎉🎉

[@massimilianoconte7901]

Amazing: clear and expressive

[@jackcurley1591]

This performance and Berezovsky’s 2002 performance of Mazeppa are what, for me, transformed piano lessons into a lifelong obsession with classical music (back when I was 13). Will always come back to this video (still the non plus ultra for Islamey)!

[@UnaMoscaEnLaPared]

The very best perfomance I've ever heard, and it was alive. He turns this virtuosistic piece into real music. BRAVO!

[@Onwin25]

I can't believe what I hear. Thats so unbeliveable brilliant. I heard many versions of this piece but this one is absolutely the best. What is actually weird because i've never heard about this pianist before.

[@a9reaper76]

You should go listen to his 12 Liszt etudes

[@sesk3613]

Come on, this guy didn't even graduate from the conservatory and had no diploma...

[@jameslorenz3718]

@@sesk3613 that doesn't matter. He has proved his excellence in the field of piano.

[@aeroslothy]

@@sesk3613 doesnt that make his entire journey more impressive....

[@marksmith3947]

Cziffra has a stunning recording which I think is the cleanest of all

[@gojewla]

This performance is one of the most technically detailed renditions I've ever heard of this piece. From the absolute togetherness of the double notes, chords and 8ves, to the eveness of voicing and sound, I think some people on here are underestimating what makes a technically good performance. He also achieves nice colors.

[@yonatanmoritz]

Haha Sweaty man goes bong

[@PianoBangBang]

@@yonatanmoritz ☠☠☠

[@이일하-m9n]

@@yonatanmoritz $$

[@user-ns1sj9bk1l]

優れたピアニストは、この曲をただ難しい曲ではなく、魅力的な技巧と音で作られたものだと実感させてくれるようですね。素晴らしい！！

[@LetTheMusicFlow1]

I've listened to TONS of islamey performances here on yt, but this one, this PARTICULAR one takes the cake.

[@joanlandkamer9439]

The way he "points" the top note of the chord at 3:24 has always delighted me. Well done, gamblin' man. Also the tremendous accent on the B-double-flat at 0:30. And the wonderful change of color with the change in harmony just after 1:03. Nothing is marked in the score at that point, he just knows to do it. Bravo.

[@marktabla5434]

A comment on the Simon Barere version brought me here. My first time seeing this rendition. Thanks for sharing.

[@HAlghamdi]

breathtaking interpretation.

[@luthervaughn1]

trying to understand the pure talent, time, and dedication to create a song like this could bring tears to ones eyes.

[@PDGskateboarding]

Took one month for Balakirev to compose this song.

[@luthervaughn1]

Gavin Baker That's insane. Thanks for sharing that info.

[@ottokarvonschnallenburg2572]

luthervaughn1 it is not a song!

[@DihelsonMendonca]

He knows exactly what he is doing, not a single note played by chance. He must have played this since childhood...perfect!

[@سدرةالمنتهى-ف7غ]

This pianist is a virtuoso monster 😇 !!

[@МавлидаВалиуллинаиамирхана]

Благодарю за прекрасный вечер! ❤❤❤Дай Бог здоровья обожаемому Борису Вадимовичу Березовскому! ❤❤❤

[@orcaman8961]

Out of this world. Played from the heart.

[@trigalg693]

Haha, that is one very notable thing about Berezovsky. He plays recitals packed with ridiculously difficult pieces, and always finishes strong, never losing power. Even if some of his playing is very questionable, his stamina is INCREDIBLE.

[@jordanhedington2421]

What makes his playing questionable? Sorry, guitar and drum player here

[@AmbikaSukla]

@@jordanhedington2421 don’t expect a response from a 12 year old comment

[@jordanhedington2421]

@@AmbikaSukla but you did

[@AmbikaSukla]

@@jordanhedington2421 no I responded to your comment.

[@TheHyenaKing]

Heard at least 10 versions of Islamey so far. Not one even close to Berezovsky's rendition. Great respect!

[@dianalee3059]

I have a dear friend who is a concert pianist who truly excels at this ridiculously difficult piece. I’m happy to find this version here.

[@dianalee3059]

I just emailed it to her. It’ll be interesting to hear how she liked it. In her recitals she introduced it as “the most difficult piece ever written.” I must concur!

[@letsbrawl945]

1:48 I love how he fastly goes to the second part cause otherwise the audience would think its over

[@user-fd7rg1bz2]

Perfect. I cried.

[@dreamer_4937]

Most musical performance of Islamey on KZbin. Technically amazing as well. Yes a few slips and speeding up in places but my god the phrasing!

[@prof.sirjeffreydarling-mil3463]

Yes, I was most perturbed when he speeded up. And don't get me started on the slips

[@sll10]

This is beyond excellent. The cleanest Islamey I've ever heard. The guy's technique is astonishing.

[@prof.sirjeffreydarling-mil3463]

And yet if you read some of the comments here, you will find that he is simply not good enough

[@ТотсамыйЧиполлино]

Замечательно !!! Это можно слушать много, много раз и каждый раз с большим удовольствием.

[@Frissssson]

What a tempo!!! Absolutely Brillant!!

[@LetTheMusicFlow1]

at the beginning (and throughout the piece), he plays SO precisely- there are no wasted movements! incredible!

[@popcorn100198]

+Abel Lifschutz Actually, the A at 0:30 is not a mistake, its in the score (written as B-double flat). And yes, it looks like we are missing two bars, which I think were cut out from the video for any reason.

[@ryushev2000]

Carl gaming channel and vlogs sad fuck

[@timothychan3481]

@Carl gaming channel and vlogs no one cares about your comment, fuck off, kid.

[@galibgasancom]

Best favorit Pianist

[@PoLiWaVeSHi]

Incredible...flawless...perfect!!! :) Truly amazing!

[@VersLaFlamme15]

Incredible fantastic brilliant genious!!

[@footlessgums1276]

That 'metallic' quality does not often work well in piano performances but here it is superb!

[@Raakim322]

I love this man's interpretation,brilliant piece

[@micahphilson]

I realized from a sudden stop in the sound in the middle of the song that this is where my favorite recording came from! It's the one I discovered this song with, and I always listen to it on a video with the sheet music so I can "follow along" (even at my best, I can only half follow what's going on!). I just wanted this time to see someone's hands moving, and this time I just happened to find the source! This is my new favorite performance video of this song!

[@veraluciaalbernaz6830]

Fantastic, adorable and perfect performance !

[@supersonicdrawer]

This is quite mental. I love it

[@veganworldorder9394]

Scary good

[@iangindes]

Great video- This is the best version of the piece! Thank you for posting.

[@LiztheLark]

This is perhaps the most difficult and technically challenging piano piece ever composed. Boris just nails this with a technical artistry that is beyond belief. He plays this in just over 7 1/2 minutes, while other pianists are well over 8 minutes. That may or may not mean anything but it can be indicative of the marvelous technique that he employs. Simply the best played for this particular piece.

[@prof.sirjeffreydarling-mil3463]

There's a pianist called David Bob who plays it in under 5 minutes. And he plays 99.6% accurately, and includes EVERY DYNAMIC CHeck out David Bob if you wanna here FAST

[@rclaughlin]

Considering that Balakirev wrote this to play himself, he must have been one hell of a pianist!

[@goognamgoognw6637]

..and a hell of a composer, this piece makes me happy.

[@zhxiao772]

"Actually he never mastered it himself. During his life time, only Liszt and Nikolai Rubinstein feel secure to play it in public."

[@SpaghettiToaster]

Zh Xiao You must mean Anton Rubinstein!

[@zhxiao772]

Nikolai Rubinstein, a Russian pianist, conductor and composer, was the younger brother of Anton Rubinstein

[@alessandrozhang8455]

Liszt considered the piece to be too easy, because he could play the piece full tempo from the sheet.

[@chaosaxis]

I'm tired after watching that. Not because the song was relaxing, but just thinking about how exhausting that level of focus and precision must be. Fantastic.

[@musiclover148]

Earned his paycheck that night, didn't he?

[@MARTIN201199]

Music Lover we still owe him

[@Andrew-mz9rd]

No.

[@林中一-y4w]

1:49 Berezovsky must have learned the lesson that if he played the fermata some ignorant audience would definitely think the piece was over.

[@BrianPaick]

Pogorelich taught the lesson to him

[@medpiano]

Very perceptive of you. Yes, there are two bars missing, but this was a result of how it was recorded originally--long story short: my TiVo screwed up and split the piece in two at about that spot. Rather than put end-to-end as-is which would have thrown the entire rhythmic structure off, I basically spliced at the downbeat of the next full bar to preserve continuity.

[@galibgasancom]

Напоминает мне азербайджанскую танцевальную музыку + казахскую...Эпизод в конце несколько выходит из контекста Конечно блестящая композиция

[@ТотсамыйЧиполлино]

Пожалуй это лучшее исполнение из всех что я слышал.Просто блестяще !! Спасибо и БРАВО !!!

[@barbara5706]

Unbelievable!! All from memory and even dynamically he is a master wizard at what he does. I think the bell choir would be more than over come with this challenge. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@spencerder]

The Through the Fire and Flames of the piano!!! Nice work

[@tracerammo]

🤣🤣🤣

[@benlindsay6012]

Stupendous playing !

[@sfopera]

This is just how I like to play it, too.

[@moutardinsky]

thanks so much for this precious video. amazing

[@RobinLSL]

Wow. Berezovsky is really amazing. He makes everyting seem so easy technically. It's like he doesn't have to concentrate on technique at all, he can just think about the music. Yet he plays so well! Pulling it off with so little pedal...

[@annelisecomi6062]

Amazing

[@froboy12342]

this performance is unreal. best islamey i've ever heard...soo sick

[@zanteson]

Perfect, brilliant, bravo!

[@DustyOldCowTown]

What a legend Berezovsky

[@paolofranceschi6874]

Strepitoso! ❤

[@陽天-n3l]

This is one of the pieces that I would not even try a note

[@alis1637]

I came here for 6:34

[@MARTIN201199]

Alik S I’m for de 6:10 glissando. Just perfect

[@ivanaraque]

Berezovsky at his best. So strange that this may be called "Oriental Fantasy" ... sounds like an Italian tarantella to me. Anyone?

[@duqueadriano0081]

It's because of the sonority of the intervals explored by the composer: thirds, fifths and sixths. Traditional Italian music has a lof of those, arabic traditional music too.

[@yynirvana]

wow...there's no word! iv been listening to this for the last 2 hours!!!!

[@ElliePearl]

Oh, this was great. I have heard this piece played wonderfully by others, but the difference in their bodily strength is amazing. Whereas they played, shall we say, like coloraturas, this man was a dramatic, yet all were perfect. Well, this was enjoyable.

[@betsydog0120]

SIMPLY THE BEST!!!

[@tinkelitong]

I will play it in a local piano competition tomorrow as age 15!

[@raymondmartin5187]

Upload the vid!!!!

[@tinkelitong]

@@raymondmartin5187 May I will ;)

[@NatalyaPlaysPiano]

This is insane. I'm gonna start learning it today! Wish me luck!

[@nightangel7239]

+Natalya Plays Piano Are you still alive? I'm struggling with just Chopin's Winter Wind. Can't imagine the pain from this.

[@NatalyaPlaysPiano]

Night Angel I have played through the first two pages and if you play it slowly, it's actually quite comfortable.... which is good. Some pieces are hard to play at speed because of all the weird twists and turns but this one is mostly hard because of all the discordant arpeggios and stuff... still gonna take a while for me to learn haha

[@m.a.3322]

+Natalya Plays Piano well? Did you finish learning it yet?

[@drketpanv]

Dont try at full speed You will end up like Scriabin Wait, you didnt hear? Scriabin broke his hand from this piece!

[@Ivan_1791]

Night Angel For me the Chopin's piece is harder.

[@CharlesReinmuth]

This is so fantastic I cannot explain how happy I am right now.

[@TheRapkingish]

What an amazing song. I (highschool student) recently told asked my conductor if he was able to play this song, he has a doctorate in piano performance. He told me he never tried, but that he can play Scarbo by Ravel who was influenced by this song. I bet that many people who enjoyed this will enjoy that as well!

[@aureliolopezdoria7402]

Awesome performance. ..,

[@camilla3565]

Bravissimo !!!Fantastica!!!

[@nicolasmt9216]

La primera fila son solo pianistas expertos aplaudiendo a un mas que experto, lo loco es que tiene una fineza, un touché, maravilloso.

[@hydewitherspoon8853]

Genius

[@НадеждаХрамова-в7ц]

Мощно, колоритно, легко!

[@murraytaylor123]

such amazing articulation! brilliant

[@sseerrgg14]

Thanks a lot ! I have not heard "Islamey" for 30 years, and here, such a beautifull performance! And shame on me, because I live in Mexico (Guadalajara) and new nothing about rhis perfornance

[@brianandrewleahy1]

incidentally my friend recorded the Godowsky sonata. you can find it on amazon. there are only 2 recordings of the godowsky sonata. him and marc-andre hamelin. he almost had a nervous breakdown trying to learn it. it is one of the most difficult sonatas ever. probably why it has been recorded only twice, lol

[@deadlift65]

He pays attention to expressiveness, too. It's not mere virtuosity.

[@cramberry]

I can't believe it - it's possible to play this piece in that way!

[@stevenb6253]

This piece actually seems easier to play by ear in some parts and in others by sheet music. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination, I personally wouldn't touch this piece with a ten foot pole even once I get to a high level. Still...looking at the score...Holy hell. That's tough.

[@marvinracer88]

"by ear" ahhsaasaahahhahahahaha

[@Bruce88keys]

its a piece of rubbish

[@vangoc6016]

@@Bruce88keys and you are a waste basket 😉

[@medpiano]

C'mon people...out of 24 users who have bothered to rate the vid (thanks!), the average is 4, f-ing 4 stars!?!? That means either that a few people rated 3 or lower(!!!!) or that >13 rated 4 instead of 5. Please, those of you who didn't rate 5: please, please, share what you are referencing that in your head you use as a 5/5 performance that this performance falls short of. I'm past confused how this is possible.

[@11D7-n8d]

Ah, back when KZbin was better

[@medpiano]

@@11D7-n8d LOL, made my day (not biased d/t my posting, just nostalgia ;) )

[@MathisCathignol]

Wonderful !

[@sherwos]

This is hardly pointless. And even it were mere virtuosity there is still something extraordinary to appreciate.

[@luminoceanne]

oulala ! this guy is amazing !! hihi ! this piece is like drinking 3 coffee....so much energy that you almost get overwhelmed and tired !

[@Appassionata90]

genius!!

[@username14991]

Looks like I spoke too soon! Thanks very much, they all sound wonderful

[@AngryBlackMan33]

@lostinidlewonder This is the best rendition of the piece I have ever heard!

[@paulostroff99]

Superb! TY medpiano for posting.

[@BenjyTehJet]

To me, this piece is the definition of passion.

[@IsadoraKim]

WOW!! very good!! I like this piece♥

[@chrismontis]

I feel like this music which exists in order that he may perform : )

[@GL3NE]

Thank you, Boris Berezovsky.

[@philharmonikerfan]

I think this is a very good performance, very Russian and full blooded. The wrong notes are unavoidable in a live performance. Even Horowitz used to play wrong notes in this.

[@prof.sirjeffreydarling-mil3463]

And yet they are 'wrong.'

[@lanakim3896]

Wonderfull great talanted Pianist!my student try copying Berezovsky,she is only 13years old and learning "Islamey".Wellcome to our channel!😍

[@davealkan]

Ah fair enough ;) The piece is so well played that it barely detracts from the overall performance!

[@prof.sirjeffreydarling-mil3463]

"The piece is so well played that is barely detracts from the overall performance". I agree with you that the well-played aspect does detract from the overall performance SOMEWHAT

[@ちぴろ-u7c]

凄すぎる……✨私が聴いてきたイスラメイの中で1番好きな感じかも！