Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2. Marc-André Hamelin & Jacek Kaspszyk, Warsaw Philharmonic

0:00 Intro
0:55 I. Allegro non troppo
18:20 II. Allegro appassionato
28:12 III. Andante
40:39 IV. Allegretto grazioso
52:59 J. Brahms - Intermezzo Op. 117 No. 2 B flat minor
Marc-André Hamelin - piano
Jacek Kaspszyk - conductor
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Orkiestra Filharmonii Narodowej
recorded at Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, December 9, 2016
koncert zarejestrowano 9 grudnia 2016 w sali koncertowej Filharmonii Narodowej

[@AtADesk]

Hats off to the television director who made sure to show the low B-flat near the end of the Intermezzo...among hundreds of other great shots

[@gadielvalverde2096]

57:27

[@1fattyfatman]

Agree!

[@rodsalvador3608]

Hamelin is one of the few artists I would travel to see! Such economic virtuosity.

[@hatchegg80]

he has great artistry, which is separate from technique

[@obelisk1516]

A truly historic performance, so reminiscent of Richter in the 60's. I hope Hamelin will be classed among the very greatest artists of our time. His consummate mastery of technique has somehow overshadowed his undoubted interpretive skill. A wonderful orchestra too, the Warsaw Philharmonic.

[@musikguru1]

Richter?!? Have you ever heard Richter live?!? You are deaf. 😊

[@mikejr41387]

Look at Hamelin. Not a drop of sweat! what a virtuoso

[@jeanghika7653]

Sweat has nothing to do with virtuosity. Casals perspired like a horse, Janigro - not a drop, though much better than Casals.

[@MisterPathetique]

There are just people who don't sweat as much as others. A concert hall can get pretty hot though, because of light projectors. But it's also a function of how much intensity the pianist will decide to put in his playing. Hamelin has an insane but generally very calm technique, much like Pogorelich and others. At the other end of the spectrum you have people like Trifonov who ends up completely wet at the end of every performance. So sweat is a function of several things, but the definitely not the quality of the playing.

[@clamanus]

Depends on body.

[@dalcassian8351]

@@MisterPathetique haha yes have you seen berezovsky playing the complete transcendental etudes liszt. He looks like he was in the rain after each etude

[@user-oe1vt5of7r]

​@@dalcassian8351 "Trifonov"

[@sachikofredericak]

This is the best Brahms Piano Concerto I've ever heard. I was impressed. I couldn't help leave a message.

[@paulhenner8914]

Agree

[@BH-2]

yes, this is a great performance. One of the best if not the best.

[@grigorpetrov8006]

Kudos to Hamelin however, Watts is still the Beast for this piece.

[@sachikofredericak]

@@grigorpetrov8006 I'll listen to it later!

[@DStrick2008]

@@grigorpetrov8006well then now I have to listen to that

[@carolinadubeux1425]

I have just recently discovered him. One more great pianist to my list!!!

[@fe12rrps]

This performance is amazing! I especially enjoyed the way the piano and orchestra melded into one in this performance. Can't believe there's a dislike on this video. KZbin equivalent of the concert hall cough!

[@thomgandet8369]

I've heard a lot of Brahm's 2nd concertos and this one brought me great pleasure. It was so nice to see the respect shown to the solo cellist. Thank you.

[@lucasbrayner261]

45:41 Holy...

[@perappelgren948]

Lucas Brayner Look! One hand!

[@michaelowens5394]

Lol! We know who's having the most fun in THAT room!

[@TomHawk640]

Sounds like he actually played ALL those thirds in the right hand. But at that speed? Who the heck knows? Hard to tell!

[@lizziewalker9374]

Hamelin's exquisite manipulation of these pieces are a true work of art. I could listen to him play for hours. I've never had the opportunity to see him play live, but I do own several recordings by him. It is indeed a bit of heaven.

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

Marc-André Hamelin ... you are truly an amazing Pianist and Composer. I still cant get over how insane your Cadenza is in Listz's Hungarian Rhapsody No 2!

[@jdmonaco2493]

Ha, yes! I saw him play the Rhap 2 with his cadenza when he visited my college (U.Va.) almost 20 years ago now. I knew what was coming from his recordings, but to see him play it live from the second row was something I'll never forget.

[@user-st7fb2ty3u]

My favorite Hamelin and my favorite Brahms Concerto no2 Can there be such a fantastic combination? His performance always moves me.

[@bomcabedal]

There's a lot of (justified) praise for Hamelin here, but could I ask for some applause for Kaspszyk? I first got acquainted with him when he was the chief conductor of the Dutch Noord Nederlands Orkest, and have been following him ever since. He's certainly not flashy, and always "solid" in the best possible way. Here, he helps lift what could be just another performance of a famous piano concerto to something really quite special. I just love almost everything he's done.

[@Chorizo727]

No

[@_kim7271]

Cello solo in 3rd mvt sounds very persuasive to me. What a careful rubato! (Prearranged rhythm of orchestral accompaniment is nice, too) I couldn't help leaving a comment. Now I can understand why brahms bound 6 notes in one slur and what he meant by it. She enlivened original notation. Better than any other principal cellist regarding this repertoire.

[@donkgated8074]

A sublime cello solo here indeed, and absolutely exquisitely played. I also have sublime memories of Toronto Symphony's Joe Johnson, who also exude a similarly touching spirit of humanity and modesty. Unfortunately I also have horrendous memories of the Sydney Symphony cellist's performance years ago which was very arrogant and hysterical in comparison.

[@igorpatsovsky3651]

Hundreds of BRAVO to the cello!!!👏👏👏

[@grossmannpeter4394]

I agree!

[@JanetESmith-er8sk]

After listening to this pianist and that pianist, hither and yon I’ve been but in the end always return to Hamelin. All pianists I’ve heard have been great but there’s a specialness about Hamelin that I have not heard in others. Hamelin humbles me.

[@rodsalvador3608]

Just attended a recital by Mr. Hamelin in person! I know that I cannot play Brahms 2, but he's inspired me to try learn that wonderful Intermezzo. I keep coming back to this performance, thank you so much for sharing with the world!

[@chrisknowles7889]

15:12 bravissimo! That staccato at that speed...just wonderful

[@TomHawk640]

Yup. Sticks to the score. No cheating.

[@gardenphoto]

Fantastic performance; gloriously idiomatic and everyone "on point" in all departments... but that (slight pause; eyes blinking, trying to hold back tears🥲) little piano solo interlude in the middle of the second movement Allegro appassionato - at 24:08 - always just about does me in... and this, in the amazing hands of Mr. Hamelin, is devastating beyond words! One of the very best Brahms 2nds I've ever heard. Mike D.

[@raymondgood6555]

Nice to see there are others who love Brahms as much as I

[@AramAmatuni]

Hamelin is really great! The cello solo is really incredible, so warm and touching. Thank you!

[@hatchegg80]

the second half of the non troppo movement is sublime, the way hamelin watches and listens to the orchestra is a sign of a consummate concerto performer

[@paulturner1973]

Stunning, breathtakingly beautiful piano playing, ditto the orchestral contribution - as conductor and soloist are as one. Never heard such an engrossing, musical performance of this concerto - all too often an old warhorse but here newly minted. What a fabulous sound Marc-Andre Hamelin makes, what a glorious touch. No praise too high.

[@organman52]

Watch Maestro Hamelin's face at 12:50 - so amazing.

[@DaHeichef]

Impeccable performance in every way. Thank you for sharing.

[@robertjason6885]

Tremendous in every way. Bravo to pianist, orchestra/conductor, cellist…and sound and video crews. There’s just SOMETHING about how Mr Hamelin plays the piano… one feels confident that everything will be splendid, tasteful, elegant, technically beyond question… and just the sound production.. it’s almost otherworldly. An honor to hear and see this performance of one of music’s greatest creations.

[@timesfire]

For me, the touchstone of whether someone has mastered this concerto is from 8:00 onward. I’ve heard so many attempt it. So far only Pollini and Zimerman had conquered it. This performance beat them both!

[@pierrelandy9755]

What an extraordinary cello solo !

[@julieandrews730]

Oh my! Surpasses the Zimerman/Bernstein collaborations that I have always adored. Just superb. Even the encore! And finally, a female celloist in the Andante!

[@pablofeynman3619]

tweakin

[@lucaslorentz]

I love this too, but zimerman is just in another realm...

[@MegaVincentChow]

His playing of the Intermezzo is wonderful!!

[@luisfrodrimaz]

Hamelin, Extraordinario!!! Una interpretación soberbia. Domina perfectamente cualquier dificultad y canta y frasea de maravilla. Cada vez vuelvo a verle me gusta más. Sin hacer tanto ruido como otros y otras lleva una carrera envidiable. Un pianista del máximo nivel.

[@johnspradling7906]

Not only is this a beautiful performance, but it is a delicious production. Lovely color and great camera angles.

[@TheClovis40]

Quel magnifique solo de violoncelle 28.12 ....

[@jasperpabroa1442]

Aside from the amazing performance the videography is stunning the best classical video quality I've ever seen.

[@christianvennemann9008]

Amazing performance! One of the best I've ever heard of this, right up there with Krystian Zimerman's and Maurizio Pollini's interpretations (particularly Pollini's 1977 performance with Claudio Abbado). Still, I can't be the only one who wishes we could've had the recording technology way back then so we could've heard Brahms himself playing this masterpiece.

[@alanleoneldavid1787]

Or even Clara Schumann playing this and Brahms directing the orchestra

[@mahnighorashi5684]

Superb choices. I would add Nelson Freire to this stellar list of Brahms 2 performances.

[@SergioValenzuela]

Simply extraordinary. What an extraordinary performance by Hamelin .The cellist could have been credited too. A heart breaking beautiful III movement.

[@user-cv7rp3tc1u]

Гениальная музыка, гениальный автор, гениальный дирижер, гениальный пианист, гениальный оркестр. Безбрежный океан, бесконечный космос, дышащая Земля, сверкающая Вселенная... Спасибо за это чудо!

[@luisfrodrimaz]

¡¡¡Fantastic!!! Hamelin is a superb pianist. One of the greatest current pianists.

[@zenchopin]

Che meraviglia! Il grande Hamelin, che domina sfacciatamente uno dei concerti più difficili della storia e la signorilità sempre pronta alla passione di Jacek Kaspszyk. Grazie per aver condiviso questo video.

[@vaclavmiller8032]

23:47 Wow

[@teodorb.p.composer]

Oh, is it a motiv from Medtner's night wind sonata on your profile picture?

[@perappelgren948]

Didn’t think this concerto could break my heart anymore... It could!

[@claudioparrella183]

Hamelin tratta sinfonicamente il pianoforte in modo magistrale

[@stevenkaplan1427]

Wonderful Marc: This really spoke to me!

[@johnspradling7906]

There are many fine performances of the Brahms B-flat on KZbin. It is accurate to say that Hamelin is a master of masters. A virtuosic performance with superb collaboration in an orchestral piece of chamber music.

[@thomgeo8073]

DIVINE PERFECTIONS, HYMN OF LOVE, THANKS TO HAMELIN, ALL PARTICIPANTS AND POLAND...

[@tomyoarrete3060]

Le meilleur interprète du monde, quel bonheur de le voir interpréter ce difficile concerto

[@gspotjazz]

Stunning performance by the pianist and orchestra; truly extraordinary.

[@paulogazola]

Marc is out of this world.

[@organman52]

This is the most unbelievably great playing I have ever heard - or will ever hear.

[@emilyhutjes]

Thank you for posting. This musical beauty touched my heart. It is also beautifully recorded and filmed. 🌷🌷🌷

[@alfredstraszewski3412]

Great performance and a great soloist that I'm starting to follow, with great technique and without the facial false acting that many pianists of today show. Great show.

[@ricardonascimento6020]

Hamelin toca com naturalidade esse difícil e pesado concerto. Consciência total da interpretação. Execução de plena excelência. A orquestra igualdade é precisa, sem excessos de passionatos nas cordas. Uma das melhores performances já registradas. BRAVO!!!

[@maurogiordani6774]

Semplicemente superlativo, eccellente dialogo tra solista ed orchestra, equilibri e colori impeccabili. Hamelin padroneggja con grande garbo ed eleganza una delle pagine più intense della produzione brahmsiana.

[@user-yx9yp9kx7m]

Thank you, Hamelin...

[@TheHappychickadee]

Amazing performance

[@ThePianist64]

It's just wonderful. No words anymore...

[@EpicPianoArrangements]

Damn... before today I thought only 1 person was capable of playing this piece PERFECTLY - Maurizio Pollini. Now it's nice to know there are 2.

[@Johannes_Brahms65]

Arrau!

[@myu-musicisuniversal2554]

Kovacevich plays it perfectly too.

[@telephilia]

When one talks about the greatest piano concerto this one is certainly a prime candidate. And regarding the piano part, very virtuoso without sounding showy: There are passages in here which may not sound hard but are almost impossible to play.

[@andrewkennaugh1065]

Totally agree...😊 It's the Daddy of all piano concertos...😊

[@TJFNYC212]

@@andrewkennaugh1065 for me it is the Brahms D minor....

[@KneeJerkish]

Such as 47:28. Looks easy, but, as you say, is almost impossible to play.

[@TomHawk640]

@@KneeJerkishyup. I figure a couple of years of slow practice, very slow that is.

[@789armstrong]

Brilliant performance among the best.

[@teodorb.p.composer]

Hamelin is just the best pianist ever!

[@user-yx9yp9kx7m]

Thank you so much.

[@clarkebynum4623]

Truly amazing performance by all involved. I just wanted to take a moment to show appreciation to the camera work here too. Focusing on the right orchestral sections and not showing just Hamelins face during the hard parts but letting us see the keyboard work as well. Top class job!

[@clarkebynum4623]

I was reading this comment and thinking "man this guy is spot on" then realized I wrote it. Haha

[@clarkebynum4623]

Back again years later and recognized the first comment and went “wow that guys right on the money! I wonder what the comments are?” Only to embarrass myself once again.

[@aidanrossiter3295]

Outstanding in every way. Thank you.

[@stevengevirtz8992]

Wow, beautifully interpreted, and stunning performance of Brahms' constructed Master piece of masterworks of all human ingenuity. And the piano is so well prepared. How glorious is that?

[@syafrinoduo2334]

Perfecto and excellent. Both piano and orchestra. On of the best performance and interpretation. Thanks for sharing this video. Hamelin plays this Brahms's masterpiece perfectly and with best interpretation.

[@reubenlahav6327]

Fantastic performance ,first class !

[@jamesdekleva]

An epic performance!! 🎵🎶

[@MarcDozier2954]

Hamelin and the Filharmonia Narodowa performs this masterwork masterfully!

[@AkademiaFilmuiTelewizji]

28:12 See the love dialog between cello and piano

[@luky46]

The best performance I have ever heard. Thank you for posting

[@AkademiaFilmuiTelewizji]

0:55 I. Allegro non troppo 18:20 II. Allegro appassionato 28:12 III. Andante 40:39 IV. Allegretto grazioso 52:59 J. Brahms - Intermezzo Op. 117 No. 2 B flat minor

[@JWentu]

oh so wonderful!!! thank you so much!!

[@johnclayton5204]

Amazing performance! Up there with my all time favorite by Van Cliburn in Russia.

[@hshshs2007]

a real outstanding performance as well as an astonishing event to hear Hamelin plays Brahms No.2,I'm really thrilled in here.

[@andrewbrenneman563]

Enchanting.

[@1712Alfred]

Total Keyboard Wizardry..! 👏👏🎹

[@JacquelineRouet]

SUBLIME !!! Magistrale performance ! Merci pour ce beau partage.

[@nihilistlemon1995]

holy shit that was perfect, and better than the Zimerman recording, because of better recording lol. Musically it is as great.

[@ausseamore8386]

Beautiful !!!! Thank you

[@andrewkennaugh1065]

Superb performance...soloist,conductor and orchestra really 'on top' of the music... Demands a mature piano technique...and,fortunately,we have one here.😊

[@andrewkennaugh1065]

Thank you!Wonderful video...!!😊😊

[@zx-do9xp]

Great performance.

[@patricioapaez]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@defacto_8840]

Fantastic. Thank you!

[@miuzefreak]

considered by many as "THE MOST PERFECT AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PIANO CONCERTO". certainly my ultimate fave piano concerto anyway! BEAUTIFUL FROM BEGINNING TO END! #obsessed

[@paulgreen6921]

LUSH LUSH LUSH! And velvety suave romance by electrical enhance! ❤️🎹❤️. PWG

[@tetsuyawatanabe889]

Amazing,passionate‼️

[@tetsuyawatanabe889]

Cool!! Very passionate play!!

[@user-bn7bv2zv2n]

dont miss the Cello in 3rd movmemnt@!

[@thomgeo8073]

FANTASTIC ❤

[@ronwalker4849]

HAMELIN PERFORMANCE OF BRAHMS EXTREMALY WELL ARTICULATED AND DEFINED WITH GREAT MUSICALITY.

[@Dylonely42]

Fantastic !

[@douglasyiuchinglok307]

28:12 what a sorrowful cello

[@edmearamosdasilva5122]

Estupendo! Fantástico! Perfeito!

[@JA-zs7fw]

truely the best recording sofar!

[@belialah]

Standing ovation!

[@LisztianGR]

What a manly, ballsy performance this was...I'm at a loss of words.

[@fugueholic]

Look at him! real virtuoso!

[@aseverino]

Maravilloso Hamelin.

[@bautistacorzomateodejesus4633]

Gracias por Compartir, Saludos desde México!!!

[@DaveRx]

That intermezzo!!

[@peterszigeti7476]

This reminds me of two films: The Pianist and The Conductor.

[@tackontitan]

9:33 john Williams borrowing heavily from that horn part