Chopin Nocturne No. 20 perf. by Wladyslaw Szpilman - "The Pianist" - Original Recording

www.szpilman.net Wladyslaw Szpilman plays F. Chopin: Nocturne C sharp-minor Op. posth. Recorded in Warsaw at home in 1997. Cameraman Jaroslaw Mazur. Copyright 1998 by Andrzej Szpilman
Wladyslaw Szpilman (Wladek) played this music in the last live broadcast for the Polish Radio on 23.9.1939 . An hour later German bombs destroyed its power supply and the Warsaw Radio closed for long 6 years.

[@mehmetbilginsoy4772]

"Since August 1944, Szpilman was hiding out in an abandoned building at al. Niepodległości 223 when he was found in November by a German officer, Captain Wilm Hosenfeld. To Szpilman's surprise, the officer did not arrest or kill him; after discovering that the emaciated Szpilman was a pianist, Hosenfeld asked him to play something. (A piano was on the ground floor.) Szpilman played Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor. After that, the officer showed Szpilman a better place to hide and brought him bread and jam on numerous occasions." This piece probably saved his life

[@EM-jg8xc]

those old hands have been through so much... so sad man.

[@Niletuv]

56 years without his all family that died in WW2. This music is full of emotion....

[@Makukoboca]

His family didn’t just die. They were murdered by the Germans in Treblinka.

[@pace6348]

Every month I watch this video.Many pianists play Chopin Nocturne op.20,but this is special！ I can't listen to this piece without tears.Last year I went to Warsaw from Japan and put flowers on his grave.

[@ArsenWoshi]

Hey man, r u still watching?

[@msbadkittie]

same. this always brings tears to my eyes. the emotion and sadness he brings to it are uniquely his own. RIP Wladyslaw ❤

[@annacanilli1877]

Are you still watching this video every month? I played this today at end of the year performance. ( I am 73 and started piano lessons again 10 years ago after an interruption of 45 years, love for piano never dies ). I managed to play it to the end with no music score, which makes me very proud of myself, but the way HE interprets it is way above all the many many interpretations I have listened to. And interpretation in this composition is what matters, because this piece is not hard technically, only interpretatively.

[@johanschoeman869]

I agree this rendition is superb.

[@gayashaniwijesuriya2850]

I agree

[@14GILBEM]

"The Pianist" brought me here. But the passion kept me here.

[@XXreeceman4XX]

How could you guys even think about disliking this. He's 85 in this video. He survived the Holocaust! He's an amazing pianist! I suggest you people who disliked this to go watch "The Pianist"!!

[@silwiagrabo2319]

I am born polish ..flew from Poland in 87 and lived 30 years in Germany now since years in Paraguay. And this JUST TOUCHED SOOO DEEP MY POLISH HEART❤ I feel, smell and see my people and homeland in this piece...Chopin is eternal

[@ozzcasale]

there's so much pain in this piece, he made me cry, i've heard it a lot of times in a lot of pianists, but never like this. Much respect.

[@Twitch_Fox]

Too true, you can always hear it. They might hit the same keys at the exact same timing, but it's always there.

[@barbarablyth4933]

How I feel for this man...what he saw and went through...the loss of his family...this piece being played by him wrenches the soul...RIP dear man may you play happily in heaven.

[@barbarablyth4933]

Lovely xx

[@KateHolloman]

I love his tempo.

[@jayzinho1885]

I dont know If it is just coïncidence or If Adrian Brody worked on it, but he has the same facial expression and sad eyes we can see in the movie

[@alessioquatraro1994]

Jay Zinho true... he did a great performance...

[@TacoVeldstraGrutte]

The Pianist is a great movie about a man who with his piano playing survives the getto of Warsaw. The story begins with Chopin's Nocturne opus 20!

[@TacoVeldstraGrutte]

Chopin's magical Nocturne opus 20 is so great!

[@irlandisaza1930]

The sadness on his face was inevitable because of the loss he had in the war. That piece saved his life. R.I.P

[@poptartwhooore]

This piece has been stuck in my head since I was a child, I've been looking for it for over half my life then I watched the pianist and this song was finally played. I actually cried because this song meant and still means so much to me, for reasons that remain unknown to even myself. This is so beautiful.

[@EpicTeachingOfHistory]

Legend.

[@skeetajohnson]

I like the way he plays the piece. He's not rocking back and forth as if he is overacting. He just plays it with feeling without the drama.

[@jadsongomesdasilva907]

Although there are many infant prodigies they can play difficult pieces at high speeds, for me nothing is better than feeling that usually only experience can impart. Beautiful interpretation. Thank you W. Szpilman.

muito bom!

[@laudyxalen]

Wonderful. Can’t describe my respect for this man.

[@grazynasomska3023]

Real history, real film, real PIANISTA.

[@molls8898]

I think with his heart breaking experience in life, losing his family, losing his country, and seeing his nation disappear, he's able to reflect Chopin's personal experience itself as well. Two men, both lost their families and countries to foreign powers. Both, through the power of art, evokes the most powerful emotions that transcend history itself.

[@basiabasia3387]

Pan Szpilman mial 86 lat gdy gral ten przepiekny utwor; ... dziekujemy z calego serca za wspaniala muzyke dla "duszy i ciala". Co za virtuoz!! Bravo, Maestro!! R.I. P.

[@skrivbok]

God bless you, Wladek!

[@DanielleGonzalez]

No matter how many times I watch this video, I am brought to tears. No one will ever play this piece with as much emotion as he did. This is perfection. Thank you Sir.

[@isabellucana-zf4bp]

The movie THE PIANIST brought me here. This man really deserves all my admiration. I would love to visit his grave.

[@mattgieslerrocks]

I wish I could go to Warsaw to pay my respects to this man.

[@ivanmont]

now that's how you play Chopin, he really understands what a nocturne is and how is supposed to be played, I've seen a lot of young players (like yundi li) doing nocturnes and they just destroyed them because they're so arrogant like oh this piece is so easy I can improvise and laugh while I do it, they just don't get it. I'm sure Frederyck himself would be happy to hear his work played like this.

[@qwertz12345654321]

I really think this recording would make Chopin Cry... the number of notes played by sheet is just so little

[@Nezlock]

Iván Mont What you said is... the only truth. You are totally right. We live a nocturne, we feel it and, even the listener feel the magic of this piece of art... I'm glad to have discovered chopin

[@marioland2576]

To understand Chopin you have to have Polish heart

[@sarahcarnahan2341]

I cry every time I watch this.

[@richardy6945]

After watching the movie The Pianist and hearing Szpilman's play, I do not dare to touch this piece anymore myself. It is an extraordinary performance and I always listen to it with awe. The hurts and sorrow in his youth, and the peacefulness and solitude in the old days - It is just so holy, carrying so much beyond the notes.

[@tsedytaye8681]

Wow

[@xtrend50]

I am a Turk and POLAND is the most beautiful country in this world with Its history and Its art! I LOVE AND RESPECT POLAND, more than everything in this world!

[@corbyballenzuiger]

After all He has been trough no one will be able to interpret this piece better than him

[@MrAvalon2010]

i normally dont post that many comments but this is the most incredible thing which ever happened to a piano. Just sensational.

[@palpalonpalpalon]

What a beautiful performence Rest in peace maestro!

[@slaphaddalztick]

Incredible!! It brings me to tears every time I watch it

[@SmexyRookie]

Final radio broadcast before Germany bombed Warsaw was this piece played by same man and after liberation, the same piece was played again in 1945. :))

[@danicoxxx200]

Es hermosa esa pieza de Chopin, este hombre un sobreviviente del holocausto que paso por muchas situaciones la verdad es que su mirada al final viendo las fotos sobre el piano me imagino que era su padre y familiares fue simplemente hermoso, Que descanse en paz su memoria la recordare toda mi vida estas vivo Szpilman en mi mente Tu estas vivo, le has tocado el corazón a un chico de 18 años que se maravillo con tu manera de interpretar esa pieza no solo es la técnica si no la manera con la que tocas! con el alma!! Gracias Szpilman ya eres parte de mi.

[@VLP465]

Look at his face, his eyes from the extreme pain he lived through. This video was recorded years before the premiere of his film. R.I.P.

[@rafikbaladi6555]

Why do I forget the harshness of life when I listen to Mr. Szpilman play this Nocturne and find myself, gently, dragged into his tender mood recounting Chopin. It helps to listen to such glorious music played by such a genuine pianist and remember to let go some tears of tenderness! Ahhhhh, I am human again!

[@Kobzar3374]

I have no words. I can just say thank you for sharing this video.

[@Galaxia457]

2024 it's still perfect !

[@vibranium-riprich314]

This is so Polish. Polish music, Polish pianist, set in Poland, was based in a movie in Poland, the director of the movie is polish, the actor who played szpilman (brody) was part polish jewish.

[@LeRoiPoet]

This Is Beautiful. My heart.

[@girdinecaldwell632]

The Pianist remains my favorite movie Profound bringing the story, and, oh the music. Experiencing completely the score and the Master.

[@girdinecaldwell632]

Master, Bravo.

[@paweza2569]

Wspaniały utwór i tak piękne wykonanie.. Zawsze gdy słuchem tego nokturnu czuję wielką więź z moją Ojczyzną. Chopin tak pięknie ukrył w swojej muzyce ludowe utwory które musiał mocno cenić i kochać. Szkoda, że współczesne kształcenie nie daje wiedzy o muzyce korzeni...

[@drfate7863]

I can't believe he didn't cry in the video, so much pain and suffering...

[@vertigoanna]

How can some people dislike this piece and/or him?

[@jackcarr45]

I generally thought it was played too fast. I didn't press the dislike button because I like the piece, but his interpretation doesn't sound all that great to me. It misses the rubato, which is key to Chopin's music.

[@ferrafran98]

Pienso todo lo que este hombre vivió y padeció, el hambre, la miseria, desesperación, soledad, pero después de todo esta ahí, vivo. Me da esperanza saber que puede haber un después del sufrimiento, que no se compara al que vivió él. Bellamente tocado. Hermoso. Magnifico.

[@walterzeballos4292]

Oh My God! this performance is superb! He plays it,not only with the hands,but with his soul....you can feel it. RIP maestro Szpilman.

[@jaAnnaG]

tak wiele emocji w tak krótkim utworze... utracona przeszłość niech będzie siłą na lepszą przyszłość! pamięć i hołd poległym

[@samuelguzmann]

Solo los grandes pueden interpretar de esta manera a chopin. Mis respetos al señor Szpilman, Dios lo tenga en su santa gloria fue de verdad un gran pianista

[@arbenfetahu4634]

This video is quite inspiring. At such age, and after all hardships he went through, it is amazing that he is still able to play Chopin this remarkably. For all of you that have not read the book "Pianist", make sure to read it. The ease at which this individual describes the horror of his life is amazing.

[@DIANNEELEE]

wladyslaw Szpillman...I can see the gentleness in his face. And such beauty in his music. I wish I had known him. But then, from the performance of Adrian Brody, feel I do.

[@TristanOfEngland]

His wartime journal was an upsetting yet inspirational read. An amazing man who i feel i almost knew if that doesn't sound to silly. Thanks to Mr Szpilman i started listening to classical music and specifically Chopin. RIP Sir.

[@wojtek1425]

Anybody that wants to truly understand the meaning of this piece should travel to Zelazowa Wola, Chopin's birthplace, and admire the landscape of Mazovia region.Also, there are motives of Polish folk music, intelligently added to this piece.

[@bartoszstaniszewski3445]

Zawsze gdy słyszę ten utwór kojarzy mi się pewien fragment "Fortepianu Szopena" Norwida. Obaj byli mistrzami.

[@usnavyaz]

How can someone listen to this and not get lost in the music. It just takes you somewhere. Such perfection with softness of the keys and the emotion of the music.

[@selmeczy-tamas]

It is hard to tell what I feel when I listen and watch this man playing this wonderfull piece. It is even more shocking for me than the piano scene in the film "Pianist". Because I know Adrien Brody just played as an actor (brilliantly) but this man was who went through the horrors shown in the film and lost everybody whom he'd loved...

[@mefero15]

Tego utworu nie można skomentować jednym słowem ,,fajne" bo to nic nie znaczy a tu jest wszystko: ból,samotność,nadzieja.Piękne

[@monikacobryka4321]

Other version of this piece could't exist,nobody so far played it better than Szpilmann.I believe Chopin played it like that,congratulations and head down for the talent!:)

[@tommyflores2098]

can you imagine? he was playing this piece the day his country was invaded by germany. i cant imagine he will ever hear this composition again and not think of that tragic and fateful day.

[@hyemia]

The spirit of Chopin saved his life. I would never let him die after listening to this.

[@killercroc89]

Whoever these 27 people are, they don't know what this man has been through to be able to play for us.

[@philiprostek]

Life and art, together, in full force.... Chopin speaking directly to the hearts of the people.

[@ClassicalJams]

Philip, my favorite performance of this piece by anyone ever. In fact, I commented on this video quite awhile back and I think probably over 200 +1's on my comment already. It brings me to tears and I get goosebumps every single time I watch it. This is the work at its very finest and no one could ever play it better. ~Jackie

[@Lubsana86]

He never did watched it. Passed away two years before release of the movie, but "The Pianist" is complete masterpiece.

[@nesrinebenguella3067]

Moi je suis une pianiste de l'age 14 ans et maintenant je viens de terminer cette incroyable partition

[@LarryApp]

What a beautiful and moving performance. One can easily tell it is coming directly from his heart.

[@noahbissonnette8327]

Wow... I cant even begin to express in words the power of this piece... just finished watching the movie and looked at this... he plays this the best out of anyone who have ever played this piece.

[@MrNickSlaughter]

I don't think he plays it better than Chopin played it himself...

[@giancarlovigil5580]

Szpilman you rock so hard!!! You are by far one of my favorite pianists. May peace be with you.

[@spensert4933]

Thank god no floaty hands! Dignity beauty reverence humility divinity it is all right here.

[@juliettebretan8598]

This is just music, isn't it? This is everything that music is about. Thank you, Wladyslaw Szpilman, for sharing your magical, perfect talent with us. Thank you, for letting us hear it.

[@shoshanaxxx287]

Chopin zawsze doprowadza mnie do łez...

[@djdanilo1975]

Both this piece and "The Pianist" that is playing it are both Magnificent and captivating, Truly we are all the better for having heard both

[@fabriziocarelle540]

Absolute perfection, watch the movie The Pianist, and then you will see where all of his emotion really comes from. RIP Wladyslaw

[@emmiles321]

My sister passed away a month ago and this piece brings so much sadness, not just the sound of it but how much I feel his lost and mine! No words explain such pain but through these beautiful notes!

[@lingromanzecool]

Oh my god This great pianist lets me feel the life of a real pianist that I'm pursuing... The mood and feeling, the sentiment and countenance... I can't help but fall into the music he plays and the music world he 'creates' ... Wonderful, really unforgettable

[@elpianista1989]

No muere quien se va, muere quien se olvida!, cuando eres musico y dejas un legado tan hermoso, el sonido de tus melodias jamas morira, pues el viaja y llega a lo mas profundo de los corazones de aquellos dichosos que podemos escucharla, tocando nuestras fibras mas internas y despertando toda nuestra emotividad!, El vivira por siempre, pues como musico es hijo directo de la musica, el amor mas grande de Dios y Dios jamas murio ni morira!. gracias y bendiciones a la persona que compartio este video, mis mejores deseos y buenas vibras!. Gerardo Sanchez, "El Pianista".

[@McRat-pk7dt]

*sigh* My favorite Nocturne since I was 4 years old back in Russia in the 70's. We recorded it on a nostalgia cassette before we left for America soon afterwards; and it stuck inside me. Now, every time I hear it on the radio, used in any movie, or anywhere else, I melt.

[@tommycolemanpersonaltraini3778]

Could be my favorite piece of music ever.

[@JuliehPeglegs]

This movie engaged me with Chopin. I gained a new understanding of music like this, as I had never really listened to piano music solely. I was used to Mozart and so on... This is beautiful beyond words.

[@gimenammargalot]

Apenas empezo a sonar el piano, caian mis lagrimas, nadie toca ni tocó chopin como él. Que emoción siento de ver y escuchar este video, el pianista!

[@kimbonnick6706]

beautiful. Szpilman plays it with a certain touch of drama and tragedy, at the same time with that inner peace and wisdom of a survivor, who has seen it all. Amazing

[@fatiguejras]

The ending, when he fades away is so significant. The XX century era has ended and the horror of the 2 war with it. And it all ends with this man, and his story.

[@thenewapelles6448]

I recently watched the Pianist, and I must say it's an eye-opener. Whenever I hear a Chopin piece now it invokes the tragedy of that time...

[@zaleksandrowicz]

J'adore cette magnifique musique de CHOPIN qui donne une émotion toute particulière au film: "Le Pianiste"

[@sherrynewington1120]

I just finished watching the pianist and I wanted to find a video on his actual work. I am speechless. He was a pure talent. So thankful he made it through all the struggles during the war. Glad the officer gave him a chance to blow him away with his skills!

[@rosemarieperks4468]

Absolutely stunning performance.

[@Johntheresonator]

Absolutely beautiful. Wladyslaw Szpilman's story of survival in occupied Warsaw, depicted in 'the Pianist' while terrible in most of the details is ultimately uplifting. So sad that the German officer who helped him died in a Soviet camp. Music could not be played with more feeling and meaning than this piece by this wonderful man. RIP.

[@saraaziz5657]

This is amazing I've been looking for this song's name for 2 years , since I was 10 I've heard it. 3 times and searched for hours and hours . Thank god I found it 🙏

[@vitaminitas1]

This piece, played by this man, melts my heart..

[@mychip1999]

No one in the world can play Chopin Nocturne Op. 20 so that W. Szpilman does, no one can be indifferent when you listen to it.

[@seasidefoto]

Op. 20 is one of the favourite Nocturnes by F. Chopin.

[@TheWelshgem]

I had never appreciated Chopin until I watched The Pianist. Such beauty amongst such unbelievable horror. This man was a true hero to keep the beauty alive and meeting the German officer who ‘saved’ him? We humans share some fundamental values even in the worst times.

[@sicilia838]

This is one of my favorite nocturnes from Chopin, especially the part from 0:04 to 3:26

[@beejblud]

since seeing a man that old play with such grace it makes me worry less about growing old and leaving my youth behide because if i practice everyday till im his age i hope to sound as good only hope tho he clearly has a unique gift

[@madraspadmanabhan3361]

simply fantastic..!! what a genius..!! my heart goes out to him and his family... may him rest in peace..!!

[@M1keTheWonder]

I can feel the struggle I can feel what he was thinking during the time he played it in front of the officer. He really grasped me, emotionally. It was a story unfolding as he played note for note.

[@KateHolloman]

@spartan1081990 silly, don't say I quit :) just keep working on it. I know that one piece that I loved took me two years to actually get there. But that's also because I had some issues coming my way. At the end though, I got where I wanted, and even though I haven't had a piano for years now, in those rare occassions I can sit down and play and remember it all....

[@mariamac66]

Thank you for posting this - wonderful to experience Szpilman playing this piece.

[@jaimefortich]

That great master, let me impressed with mastery and feeling emanating from every note out of his heart and his great talent, he left the environment permeated love and romance, applause.

[@TheShuney15]

I love all the sincere emotions put into the movement of his fingers as well as his entire body. Truly splendid and just plain beautiful! Makes me wanna cry :')

[@jrdardonl]

An old man, a piano, his art...and a hollow gaze directly to his memories.

[@ВикторияКоломиец-к5л]

Боль, слезы, душа!!!!!