F. Chopin - Etude Op. 10 no. 12 in C minor "Revolutionary" - analysis - Greg Niemczuk's lecture

[@SpontaneityJD]

This was beyond instructive, illuminating, and intriguing. I have no words to express how special this lecture was. Thank you

[@uliananych9787]

And now we also feel the same that Chopin felt... This study is very empathetic and actual today. Such a great analysis, thank you👏🏻

[@s.n.b5511]

Yes, so many sad and brutal things happened in the human history. I’m ex.pat. Japanese, and I often feel burden, even though my generation didn’t take a part in atrocity. Good to know you like 🇷🇺 people. I would like to read Chopin letters in English published lately. You know, your music connects people across all over the world. I will miss you when you finish this project.

[@wendywong3871]

Demo as you explain and analyse this EPIC Etude together with actual facts and happenings in HISTORY and Chopin's letters.........his pain, sadness and anguish in his own words. I am very very thankful. Thank you Maestro

[@wendywong3871]

Also to add, your performance in 2017 ( wearing white suit ) was so epic, spirited and nationalistic. Bravo !

[@noclipped000]

When I hear your analysis of Chopin feelings, it’s like Chopin telling me what he felt in person. I also play this etude over 10 times in public and it feels like if there is another war going inside of Chopins mind.

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes. Thanks for this comment!

[@kailarochelle6322]

There seems to be a story line to your interpretations that goes beyond most possibly all artists in your understanding of Chopin s psyche..One can feel the action going on in both a vague and a concrete way. The nuanced shading in your dynamics throughout the presentations of melodies is sublime, Thank you for helping so many people grow musically and for creating a historical context. Relaxation during play is the key to beautiful tone. Thank you for your emphasis. Teaching people how to approach a learning experience is a great blessing for the world..I also listen to old recordings of Paderewski and love his emotional approach.. Your scholarship seems impeccable.Paderewski also wrote many beautiful pieces . Do you plan to include them in your performances in the future, His mazurka is complex. He also had an amazing political life.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! I love Chopin with all my heart. And I love people and the world. Of course I plan to play more of Paderewski. For now I'm only playing his famous Menuet and Nocturne.

[@joannawronska4100]

SO WONDERFUL AS ALWAYS, MAESTRO!!!!! Thank you for my absolutely favourite Chopin's masterpiece, (very important for our country Poland) in an excellent rendition and for your great analysis/tutorial, my dream it's to learn this Etude in the future, again my best regards, have a happy week. Joanna

[@chopin1962]

You have a very special talent, you are very sensitive towards the music. You also explain things very well and nuanced, I have learned a lot from you. Thank you for your videos!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you for your comment!

[@graceg.105]

I really enjoyed your lecture on the Revolutionary etude. Thank you very much for your insight. There is so much suffering in this world to this day and Chopin certainly had his share of it. His music reflects his internal struggles and helps us deal with ours. I want to remind you that the Revolutionary etude (in C minor), although expressing a lot of anger and doubt, still ends in optimism. The first ray of sunshine and hope is expressed in the first beat of bar 81with a soft C major chord. Then Chopin seemed to be unsure of whether to end the etude in a minor or major key but decided on C major. Chopin had hope in things becoming better and so should we!!

[@gregniemczuk]

This is one of the interpretation, very beautiful and probably true! Maybe it was more like trying to give power and courage to Polish people despite all the terror that they were experiencing in this war....?

[@gabriellar5025]

Grazie per la passione, professionalità e amore che hai per la musica e per come tu vuoi trasmetterla a noi! Solo persone così sensibili e capaci come tu sei, avranno la gioia di poterci arrivare. GRAZIE Grazie per la fatica che ci dedichi! Sei un vincente !!!!!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lvb1770]

You do what others are afraid to or don't know how to. Address the content behind the music from a historical perspective. I once attended an Andre Watts master class and asked him if he studied the lives of the classical composers and he said, "I don't have to know what they ate for breakfast to understand how to play their music." I always thought that was a very arrogant and rude statement. I really love what you are doing here, it's all important and relevant information. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you! Yes, and I enjoy doing this!

[@philipdarragh4568]

What a treasure your lectures and tutorials are on here! I gained many fresh insights about how to practise the revolutionary etude while finding your comments very affirming of the recent improvements I've been applying to my learning routines. In New Zealand. Aotearoa Maori we call treasure Taonga. These are brilliant Taonga for the world of piano playing. Thanks so much.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! New Zealand! How wonderful! I hope to come there to perform one day!

[@teresalapidrodriguez5566]

fantastic interpretation. Learning a lot from you. Thank you very much.

[@magdamejer298]

Greg! Your interpretation is really extraordinary, dramatic and heart breaking! I can feel all the emotions you are talking about in the lecture, which - besides- is extreemely interesting as usual. Thank you!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you dear Magda!

[@carolynk2]

Thank you for such a moving and masterful performance.

[@yingma9604]

Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm with us, as always I love watching your videos and learn a lot each time! And I love the statement about history and forgiveness, especially in these shaky times. Thanks and have a nice weekend!

[@winfriedg.hallerbach6249]

Thank you for this great & passionate analysis, Greg ! Your performance at the end gave me literally goosebumps…

[@gregniemczuk]

Wow! That means a lot!! You're welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@davidsoilan2913]

A fantastic explanation, both of the musical aspects and the historical context of this etude. Furthermore, the interpretation was phenomenal. Undoubtedly, you are a great pianist. Thank you very much!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you David!! I appreciate it!! I work hard!

[@michaelsmith697]

Brilliant!! So much passion and emotion. This is what is needed when playing this great work. You have inspired me to relearn it. I did it many years ago - I learnt this on my own before I ever had a teacher. I was originally self taught. I played it from memory. This was my first Chopin ever. It’s rusty now, but I will bring it back thanks to your impassioned teaching!

[@gregniemczuk]

Bravo!!! Thank you and good luck!!!

[@PrinzoTheCat]

Very emotional and amazing performance and a great analysis of this masterpiece! Thank you! 💖

[@massish6137]

If only I had a music teacher like you... Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your art and your emotions. ❤

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!

[@meher7060]

Outstanding! Other than that one word I’m speechless!!

[@danhutson2069]

Always wonderful Maestro Greg this was very special its so nice to get your comments about problems playing this etude thank u so much wow

[@Changsmusic-nl8fh]

This is my favorite etude of Chopin, thank you for tutoring so details and the wonderful performance, I will restudy this piece and improve the skill and interpretation of my playing😊

[@hirokokoike4138]

Thanks a lot for your analysis and great performance. I love your polish soul from the bottom of my heart. I am looking forward to your concerts in Tokyo and Nagoya in October.

[@jayyjay8082]

I enjoyed very much your brilliant performance and lecture as well 💐

[@khureldeulaanbaatar3958]

Great as always. Thank you for the analysis.

[@wanisz_]

Twoje wykonania sprawiają że te wszystkie najtrudniejsze utwory Chopina wyglądają na łatwe

[@gregniemczuk]

Dziękuję. To oczywiście efekt wieloletniej pracy. Ale generalnie o to w tym chodzi!

[@marie-cecileladaique9741]

Vos vidéos sont vraiment super ! Très intéressantes et j essaie de travailler en plus mon anglais, je n ai pas un grand niveau de piano car j ai commencé très tard mais vosvideos me motivent beaucoup pour travailler les œuvres de Chopin, je passe beaucoup de temps , vos explications m apportent beaucoup. Vous êtes une personne très charismatique Chopin s'était fier de vous. Merci de votre générosité !

[@gregniemczuk]

Merci!!!!!

[@joshyman221]

Looking forward to this!

[@Larousse27192]

This spectacular rendition of the Revolutionary Etude feels more powerful and expressive, especially after getting involved in Chopin’s context, and of course, thanks to an intelligent and respectful reading of the score. Thank you very much for this videos!

[@gregniemczuk]

Rodrigo, gracias! Thank you very much!

[@classyclassical7407]

Greg, As usual thank you for a passionate insightful analysis of my favourite etude !

[@ricofficial2082]

I watched your recording from 7 years ago, i see you had a firm understanding since your younger days!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!! Yes, indeed, somehow this piece always came deeply into my heart

[@lala-i7q]

I am very appreciated you ,you are awesome,you are lively and interesting ❤🎉

[@mickizurcher]

Ok you brought me to tears at the resolution! Your passion it’s contagious and I’m sure Chopin would’ve loved you. I’ve started Alan Walker‘s book and it’s a little less than four years old and I was wondering how you found it? I have read his letters and a couple of other books some of the older standard ones and they always left me wanting something and hopefully Walkers book is going to fill-in quite a bit of it. I’m so glad you mentioned something about Chopin sense of humor because up to now it seems like everybody thinks he’s very dour and I just don’t, he’s very clever and funny and has inside treats for the pianist. So I’m sure Chopin could not bear the world of competition anyway he didn’t even like to perform in public so I’m sure he would be aghast and would tell you never mind that you didn’t find your name on that list, to him it would be irrelevant. Thank you for including your previous performance as well. Sublime!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you! Oh,!of ourse! Chopin had a great sense of humor, just his life was more often miserable than happy.. if you find my analyses of Waltzes you will laugh from how many fantastic jokes he out there, I'm explaining all of them and it's a lot of fun! I discovered Alan Walker at the IKIF Festival in New York. There's an interview with him at this festival on KZbin. Very interesting!

[@michaelsmith697]

Bravissimo on your performance in China Greg! Phenomenal!!!

[@vettejakes]

That’s way the best explanation of this etude! I’m an intermediate pianist of many years and would love to someday attempt this.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!!

[@kerstinl8519]

Great interpretation. You set the goal like always very high. I am going to play this etude again after a lot of years, but now I have much more understanding. I like how you express you feelings. Thanks. 🙋‍♀️🎹🌼

[@kriswiwatowski4697]

Beautifully expressive Bejing performance na zakonczenie !

[@gregniemczuk]

Dziękuję!

[@Aaron-qk2hj]

I was not expecting such an incredible interpretation! Amazing analysis as well.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you from my heart!

[@Crayonberry1212]

Thank you for your insight! Wonderful!

[@gregniemczuk]

Thanks Crayon!

[@cristiandone5749]

Excelente video Greg, y aún mas interesante si proviene de un polaco. Gracias por compartir tu análisis con la comunidad

[@christophejavon3509]

Thank you so much Maestro, how can I say something sensitive after such outpours? Again I commend the depth of your discourse, your emotional involvement delivered with such boldness, making deep impact on listener. You make me a better musician thank you! Oh, also your interpretation was sublime, so many details make it the perfect performance for me 🙏

[@evariste78]

Great input!! Been practicing this since 1 week now, 2hrs a day. At least I can play the first page at 40% of the Tempo...

[@freddygruber9359]

Genau, Musik ist immer mehr als Musik! Danke Dir für die detaillierten Hintergründe. Freiheit und Demokratie gegen Tyranneien und Krieg!

[@gregniemczuk]

AMEN!

[@ChristiaanBurgel]

I've discovered your channel recently. Amazing content! Thank you so much!! Greetings from an aspiring (amateur) pianist from Holland.

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi Christiaan! So nice to read your comment and meet you here. I'm happy you discovered me! There's more than 150 videos about every Chopin piece! I hope you'll find a lot of inspiration for your own research! Best regards from Poland!

[@ChristiaanBurgel]

@@gregniemczuk Thanks a lot my friend!

[@sw9256]

The piano is like an extension of his body/brain/emotions!

[@eddiebeato5546]

Bravo!!! Thank you!

[@sukyinchan2783]

Thank you very much for your analysis !! your very talent and great pianist !!1

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you!!!!

[@amandagrey2255]

You are amazing.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you for this!

[@yingma9604]

And congratulations, I saw that you performed "Revolutionary" in Beijing! It is my home city even though I "exiled" from there when I was 10. I listened to "Revolutionary" for the first time in a Japanese series from the 80s about young women music students, called " Shoujo ni nani ga okotta ka", and I immediately liked the theme very much. After watching your video, I went back to it again, out of curiosity (and nostalgia :) ) and noticed that even though the students played well (the students were all going through hellish trainings in the conservatory breaking them down mentally and physically) their style lacked the emotions that Chopin was bringing in through the piece. I really love your performance at the beginning and end of the video, it carries the emotions, the power, the nuances... plus a perfect technique. Also I happened to be in Beijing in November 2017 and would definitely have loved to come to see your live performance! Thank you for your lesson and wonderful performance.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much!!! Yes, so sad we couldn't meet than!

[@JanosKmetyko]

bravissimo.!!!!!!!!!!

[@amateurpianists5819]

So nice.

[@eduardo-v5b2t]

Bardzo lubie ogladac twoje videos!

[@gregniemczuk]

Dzięki!

[@47Mortuus]

I really struggle to understand how someone can understand this piece so well while playing it so... well... the way you play it. Amazing insight and emotion, 10/10 Meh playing 6/10 (and yes I'm talking about the performance in China, the intro was worse)

[@gregniemczuk]

There are a few more recordings of me performing this etude live, you can check them also. Maybe one of them will be 7 or 8 🤔❤️

[@47Mortuus]

@@gregniemczuk Once you listen to Valentina Lisitsa, you can never go back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZqYh4d4mbCVfK8 I'm a very direct person (also in real life) and everything I say sounds harsh - expect for real life where people admire my directness someway, but...: there's a world of difference between you two, the gap of which will never be closed, especially since you are already considered a fully trained pianist. Your strength, and it's really an EXCEPTIONAL strength, is, as said, your skill as a teacher and instructor with unbelievable insight. Keep doing what you're doing, love it. (BTW I'm a trained musician as a hobbyist, although I played Winter Wind at age 17 in ~4:15 min)

[@cheahvivian8662]

Hi Grieg. I thoroughly enjoyed this video and learnt even more about Chopin with your generous sharing of his letters and interpretation of the piece at the various areas that you’ve highlighted. 👏🏻👏🏻👍 Being such an avid interpreter of Chopin works, which edition/s would be most trusted for students like us to get our hands on? Please advise.

[@gregniemczuk]

Thank you so much! Best Edition in my opinion is Jan Ekier National Polish Edition.

[@MathieuPrevot]

Great ! I loved the emotion, but I have the feeling the body was not ready to follow your heart entirely. I love how you are emotionally involved in the entire video. And now, Godowsky 22 !?! (suggestion ;) )

[@gregniemczuk]

Hahaha. Godovsky is like a sport rather than art

[@MathieuPrevot]

@@gregniemczuk That is a superficial point of view. if you look at it as a composer, and analyze the content, you will discover true gems in areas of composition, music and pianism. Rachmaninov was supporting that. Chopin's études are very often focused on the right hand, creating disbalance. I often find Godowsky's études to reveal more of the études, eventually surpass the original's "beauty" or appeal (eg Godowsky études 2,4,13,25...). One can always find negative points of view with any composer, inclusing Bach and Chopin; but is that the purpose of an artist ? Does a critic helps art progress ? Chopin's works were found mediocre by some critic at his time. Anyway, a piano artwork is final being performed, and a bad artist can make Chopin look like sport (and it's too often the case !). Same with Liszt and Godowsky or Rachmaninov etc.

[@gregniemczuk]

@@MathieuPrevot well, I agree with you. But my point is that Godovsky is just too hard for me and I prefer to use the time to learn a new Beethoven's Sonata or something else which, for me, has deeper meaning and context. Besides, Godovsky was first of all exceptional pianist and as a composer he just mostly exposed his phenomenal technique.

[@CyrusandAurelius]

Hi I was wondering who's recordings of each etude did you enjoy the most when you were learning the etudes for the first time? I find it useful to listen to several peoples recordings of pieces before I start learning a piece.

[@gregniemczuk]

Great idea! You should listen to various artists! I can recommend Lugansky, Perahia, Pollini

[@stupete9240]

Fantastic video! ❤ Love from China. This etude is my favorite, you make me feel more emotional things in this etude, I really appreciate it.❤ By the way, Coronavirus is over now, would you consider come to China again? I really want to go your concert.❤

[@zkoibito709]

You make this look effortless. My problem is that I see many people playing and they all seem to use the same or similar finger positions/techniques. How is it that they know where to place there fingers in the same place as other players? Is there a book that shows the fingers by number for the entire piece?

[@pigo1212]

greart video!

[@sunareekaewnat8837]

Greg on some of the right-hand forte chords you are attacking vertically and in some you are thrusting into the piano, how are you choosing which to employ each technique on?

[@gregniemczuk]

Hi! Oh.... difficult question... It's probably the intuition and knowing how piano reacts

[@artinmadadiPianist]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MathieuPrevot]

Is it your favorite étude from Chopin ? And what about 7 op 25 ?

[@gregniemczuk]

Hard to say. I also love op.10 no 11

[@MathieuPrevot]

​@@gregniemczuk Oooh me too ! I love Samson François in this one !!! Hyptonic of beauty and vibration !

[@tomekd789]

May I ask you a technical question here?

[@gregniemczuk]

Yes always!

[@tomekd789]

@@gregniemczuk Thank you! Meanwhile I had the answer to my question from my friend pianist, but thanks for your readiness. :)

[@sunareekaewnat8837]

Greg there is both pain and fury in the right hand, but do you think that it is accurate that you are also balancing pain and fury in the left hand?

[@gregniemczuk]

Of course!

[@PierreNicques]

Jakie techniki gry należy mieć opanowane przed przystąpieniem do tego utworu? Czy ręce powinny być w stanie grać zupełnie niezależnie od siebie? Na moim obecnym, niskim poziomie każdego utworu uczę się jednocześnie dla lewej i prawej ręki, nuta po nucie: teraz lewa C, teraz lewa D i prawa E, a teraz prawa trzyma F i lewa robi G A G. Czy z takim podejściem da się grać trudniejsze utwory?

[@gregniemczuk]

Myślę, że należy bardzo długo grać rękami osobno. Dopiero jak każdą ręką umie swoją partię na pamięć, to składać je razem.

[@tomekd789]

18:23 Did you record this video before or after Feb 24th?

[@gregniemczuk]

Before!!!!!

[@mitiktro]

:((((((

[@brigitteprovenzano6860]

Merci beaucoup.. Belle interprétation…. avec les explications…….bravo ….. Je suis française née en Pologne ….j’adore la musique de Frédéric Chopin…. czy planujesz trasę koncertową po Francji?

[@dana-ve3vc]

Fajne

[@keesvenema9859]

And then History repeated itself

[@gregniemczuk]

😞😞😞😡😡😡😡

[@chopinfanclub6672]

Hi

[@Bennys_Covers]

Szopen was a Pole.

[@beluch2768]

He plays very well but his English is hesitant.

[@gregniemczuk]

I'm sorry. I'm Polish 😞