Grigory Sokolov Plays Gaspard de La Nuit by Ravel , Live

Moscow 1977. Only Audio.

[@thecozytrader00]

00:00 I - Ondine 06:31 II- Le Gibet 14:06 III - Scarbo

[@GhostChance1]

This is incredible. As is usual for this Pianist. Le Gibet, especially, give me chills.

[@thomasthompson6378]

I'm grateful to Grigory Sokolov for daring to play "Le Gibet" as slowly as Ravel demanded. Many thanks.

[@EssenceGmod]

ravel demanded it to play faster

[@JL.lalaland]

Das Tempo ist 67, eigentlich ist das gar nicht so langsam wie man dachte.

[@bifeldman]

Oh my God, so gorgeous.

[@aeolianartists]

This man is a pianist's pianist! What incredible dexterity and fluidity of motion; this is such a difficult piece, he doesn't miss one note.

[@EmptyVee00000]

Yes, in a way, he is a pianist's pianist, but not at all a musician's pianist.

[@KeithWhalen11]

@@EmptyVee00000 pianists are musicians, too. If you were implying that he is more pianist than musician you aren't listening properly. Try his recording of Schumann's Sonata No. 1 in F# minor, it's unbelievable in both respects.

[@EmptyVee00000]

@@KeithWhalen11 He is absolutely more pianist than musician, as are too many pianists.

[@kostyaivanov7036]

@@skisunfb Таец тишины!

[@mariapap8962]

​@@EmptyVee00000wtf is that supposed to mean? That pianist are not musicians enough or that Sokolov is not a musician? Both such statements are preposterous, to say the least! (unless you're deaf, if which case you shouldn't be commenting here at all)

[@aeolianartists]

Sokolov is perhaps the greatest pianist of our time at present, anything he plays it is masterful beyond belief, he is a pianist's pianist!!! I too would love to hear him live.

[@opoiklify]

+Catherine Sidoti He's incredible live! From the first note on I was awestruck because right off the bat he produced a tonal quality you'd normally only hear in the finest studio recordings. The presence and use of harmonics, his dynamic range, I imagine it's what Richter's live performances must have been like. Multiple times he made me smile from ear to ear because of his sheer control over the instrument. At the end of his 2h15+ recital I was completely exhausted. He made me rediscover pieces I'd known and played myself for years (Schubert, Beethoven, Chopin). There wasn't a single note he left to chance as his presence and focus could be felt from beginning to end. I consider myself extremely lucky for living in Europe so I get to see him often (last year I saw him in Bruges and currently I'm eagerly awaiting his recital in Amsterdam in May). I hope you get a chance to witness his genius first-hand in the near future!

[@aeolianartists]

+Olivier T. (opoiklify) How wonderful for you, thank you for sharing. I was recommended to listen to him by a former pianist I used to manage as an artist manager and when I listened to Maestro Sokolov I said, "How is this man not more famous?" He is great and really sets the bar, happy practicing the great works of the piano and Happy New Year!!!

[@snas8552]

+Catherine Sidoti i totally agree with your view and description.

[@marksmith3947]

He's the most overrated pianist of the day. He's very eccentric to the point of being unmusical in many pieces. He can definitely play, but he's not a top interpreter or musician

[@aeolianartists]

@@marksmith3947 Well, let's say we can agree to disagree however I do agree he is eccentric. Thanks for your comment.

[@kritikhskeyh135]

The best performance I have heard! BRAVO

[@jeromepages1042]

Incroyable Sokolov.

[@Liborun]

It takes great knowledge to understand what Mr Sokolov did on Le gibet, ton of details, you must listen very carefully to grab everything.

[@brianzayman2228]

Some such details as amazing pedaling, "breaking" the hands= one playing faster or slower than the other, bringing out nner lines, etc. I especially like his keeping Le Gibbet's bell tolling at an unchanging volume

[@msotil]

This is a truly amazing performance! Thanks!

[@luisjadorf6122]

Scarbo: 14:00

[@Janaceks_Dad]

I congratulate him on being able to play Ondine with minimal pedal, yet with such phenomenally clear articulation of the notes...but it strikes me as being a bit dry...Ondine is meant to be played with lots of pedal...

[@nandiniOM]

Good God, where did you get this from? I didn't know he ever played Gaspard de la Nuit.

[@morganbandy717]

Same. Had no idea. There are other Ravel performances of him elsewhere on KZbin. Tombeau de Couperin, the Sonatine, etc.

[@user-jw8hn5cg3q]

ЕЩЕ РАЗ ,БРАВО !!! БРАВО !!! ДОРОГОЙ МАЭСТРО , ВЫ ПОДАРОК ЛЮДЯМ ОТ БОГА !!!!

[@PaulVanBladel]

Only Maestro sokolov can play this extremely demanding master piece with so little pedal revealing details never heard before.

[@dennisgustafsson1206]

@@thepianocornertpc Non biased... 🙄 u r non biased.

[@gdkabsbdkwkwm4187]

Paul Van Bladel listen to Pogorelich

[@PaulVanBladel]

@Themis What a terrible shitty reply dear Sir.

[@user-jw8hn5cg3q]

ВОСХИТИТЕЛЬНО ,БОЖЕСТВЕННЫЕ ЗВУКИ !!! ЛУЧШЕЕ ИСПОЛНЕНИЕ ! БРАВО, ГОСПОДИН СОКОЛОВ !!!

[@jackcurley1591]

Sokolov is truly one of the finest musicians in our day. His attention to detail is absurd and his clarity of sound & emotion is absolute and uncompromising

[@BenSadounJeremie]

Maestro Sokolov, merely...

[@paolofranceschi6874]

❤

[@ric55]

Whenever I listen to this player, I get a real feeling of what it would have been like to hear the very great Anton Rubinstein play.

[@Highinsight7]

ric55 most likely....

[@OE1FEU]

By the time this piece has been composed Anton Rubinstein has already been dead for quite some time...

[@kamoans]

Not Anton Rubinstein :) or you are over 100 years old.

[@ric55]

@@kamoans, Peter Lemken. Yes I knew Anton Rubinstein was dead. Fortunately I am not as thick as some people might assume. I was commenting on epic style, not Ravel. Read Busoni's accounts of his meetings with Rubinstein and educate yourselves. Also the superiority of the Russian school of pianism, compared to Conservatories in England and America. to name but two.

[@spartybob1]

One of the best of this century

[@thepianocornertpc]

It's excellent, but nothing beats the Michelangeli live and studio recordings.

[@micheldurand8716]

Interprétation très inspirée, on ne s'ennuie pas. Vive l'école russe.

[@sy7442]

14:05 scarbo

[@pawdaw]

Incredible playing. The comments are trash.

[@charlesdavis7087]

This master work, not unlike a number of Chopin's Nocturnes, is a luminous revelation of the "left bank," the dark side. Instead of the dimly lit solons, we now see the streets and the underside of the human condition, the real underworld of the human experience and its passions. Where once we smelled too much perfume, we now smell too much sweat its madness desperation and despair. You can smell it. Edgar Allen Poe's darkest memories set to music. That which cannot be, is! Sonic transmogrification. The very smells of the wet pavement, cold, unrelenting, endless, slimy, not unlike an H.P. Lovecraft's night spent among the ancient gods. Now we wear wet fur, heavy, cold and hungry... and miles to go. No more light of sun. Now we live in the cold, endless light of the moon with it's passions, its creatures, silent, fearless, careless, and unforgiving. Desire what you will; hear what you will this night, this night of brilliant shadows shinning. CVD

[@morganbandy717]

This is the only performance of this piece which exceeds Martha Argerich’s interpretation in impact.

[@thepianocornertpc]

Michelangeli. Expand your knowledge.

[@opustravels3659]

What's up with the keys sounding like a locomotive? I was taught that you shouldn't be able to hear the keys thump

[@DozaSlayer]

Keep in mind that this is obviously not the best audio that could be recorded. Also, he could have been on an unusually bright piano.

[@alcyonecrucis]

IN SOVIET RUSSIA, KEYS THUMP YOU

[@OE1FEU]

Welcome to the Russian Steinway sound.

[@morganbandy717]

Eh. You can hear it with Glenn Gould too. It’s an aesthetic. I personally like it.

[@lenamcginnis5168]

Grigory is an exeptional PIANIST. Maestro Sokolov, hopefully you read the comments Please consider a trip to the US to play at KRAVIS CENTER OF THE PERFORMING ARTS IN PALM BEACH. I read you have not played since 2005, have to check it out. God Bless you Sir, for your incredible artistry and performances!!!!! This is an excellent performance. The only other pianist that plays Gaspard de La Nuit is Ivo Pogorelic There are 3 interviews of Pogorelic and his wife Alize at their London residence all about studying and performing Gaspard, concentrating on Scarbo. I think is the 4th interview. the 3rd is missing. Please check it out. Thank you again, Kind regards Lena

[@rigel48]

Never heard about Walter Gieseking, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Martha Argerich, Samson François, Vlado Perlemuter,... ? and in the younger generation : Benjamin Grosvenor and Lucas Debargue ? They play Gaspard de la Nuit as well as (if not better than) Sokolov or Pogorelich.

[@adriandurand4531]

I totally disagree with you on this point. Pogorelich’s intepretation is far from equalling Perlemuter’s or (in terms of pianistic technique) Michelangeli’s. On the other hand, I agree with you on the fact that Sokolov’s interpretation is absolutely outstanding, probably very close to Perlemuter’s achievement.

[@user-qq4gq3do8g]

Божественная музыка и божественное воплощение! Но не идеал - не настроен идеально верхний регистр.

[@billmarrufo]

With all due respect for one of my favorite pianists dead or alive, this rendition is very good, but not the best I´ve heard from him. IMO his style and search for clarity and precision (less pedal) reduces sonority in certain passages. About tempo, I´m not used to it, so, it also sounds strange.

[@lorettaslovak7735]

Love his playing, but it must hav more pedal,as it reflects the life of an under water creature ,Ondine. Don’t understand the absence of color that is not to be found!

[@user-hf3nn3fg6n]

It doesn't sound like Sokolov.

[@PaulJones-oj4kr]

The atmosphere is not right. SO much of it is pp, or ppp. Too heavy....

[@jeanpassavent1569]

RIGHT

[@OE1FEU]

Sometimes it helps to read a score. In this case it's essential to understand that there is much more p pp ppp in this piece than anywhere else at this point of time.

[@globalc3849]

Wow you guys definitely don't play piano. This is a phenomenal performance and the atmosphere he created is dark and magical.

[@morganbandy717]

I mean, I’d rather have this incredible tone than the wimpy-ass Raven interpretations which typically abound.

[@user-ib2tr3lj2p]

Это просто пиздец как он чувствует импрессионизм 👏👏👏👏👏

[@user-ch5ne8he2m]

15:14 that's A#, not A

[@OE1FEU]

That's disputed. In the original Durand edition the sharp (#) sign is in bracket, which means that the manuscript doesn't have it. Unless you have undisputed proof by another source, that's still up to discussion and interpretation.

[@pineapple7024]

Ravel changed stuff on the fly all the time. There’s also a rhythm change in Ondine that Ravel said you could just disregard entirely if you wished to

[@dzatiashvili]

Oh, no! How can you mention Pogorelich near Grigory Sokolov?! It's like heaven and earth! I could not hear any emotion in the Pogorelić's performance! He's very boring!

[@AngeloVillaniPianist]

David Zatiashvili Totally agree...

[@olivierpplcm]

+David Zatiashvili agreed. There are only two that can be mentioned near Sokolov in Gaspard: Samson Francois and Vlado Perlemuter.

[@mauricenahon7478]

+Olivier Jouve et ...... Michelangeli !

[@juliocesarmartin2457]

What a fullish coment

[@gktde9874]

David Zatialoser ...maybe you should check up your ears. Ivo‘s version is superior!