Hamelin plays Liszt - Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude

[@meredith218461]

Surely one of the most profoundly beautiful piano works ever penned. Hamelin gets to the heart of this piece by achieving a beautiful continuity of line.

[@PeninsulaTeam]

This is my most cherished and beloved piece by any composer. to me it holds meanings beyond words, especially the first movement.

[@mikepen3477]

There's a beautiful - and unexpected - modulation at 10:16

[@tomowenpianochannel]

@@mikepen3477 The whole piece is full of unexpected, beautiful modulations, and hanging, unresolved melodies; but also infused with a special feeling of bliss and serenity that can hardly ever be found. It's a wonder. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@doudoupelren376]

Merveilleux équilibre entre les deux mains : l'accompagnement ne venant jamais perturber le récitatif mais simplement le soutenir et le mettre en valeur ! Remarquable

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Hamelin super-virtuose. Mais la paix, la tranquillite? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@KittyCate105]

I can't express with words what this means to me. Such a purity

[@ErickPaquin]

What an amazing piece of music.

[@TonGasrulo07]

"La soledad, si bien puede ser silenciosa como la luz, es, al igual que la luz, uno de los más poderosos agentes, pues la soledad es esencial al hombre. Todos los hombres vienen a este mundo solos y solos lo abandonan". Thomas De Quincey

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

Liszt is the very pinnacle of all that is virtuosity in piano... I cannot have more respect for a musician or person even, of the past or present...

[@christofeles63]

Hamelin is at once the most elegant and affecting version. The first movement climax transports.

[@Puran.]

😊🤗😍 Beautifully played

[@DihelsonMendonca]

This is a piece that perhaps only Liszt himself or Scriabin could play it correctly. I´ve not seen yet a person who could play it as it should be. People worry to get melody free. But...this is one of the best ever renditions of this piece I´ve ever found, with Hamelin. Almost perfect.

[@shishirth]

Great piece

[@filipDim]

i would give half of my life to write pieces that are great as chopins and liszts

[@liviu445]

They gave more than half of theirs.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Then we can only honour them by playing their music (on KZbin, or in person); they don't make them like this any more! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@Jorgegavamagli]

This is the right way beautiful

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, That being said, I love both Hamelin and Barere for the simple fact that they both have their own unique qualities that belong to them alone. It's as Mr. Rubinstein used to say, that in any art there cannot be a "greatest", they can only be different. Even in the realm of technicians.

[@ChemistryAtomistic]

Liszt is a king of music's land

[@dvaculiky]

real benediction... thank you

[@skilledtrailers]

Oh yeah I have definitely heard the G-flat Impromptu, although I only first heard it when it was used in the trailer for the movie "Amour." Absolutely beautiful.

[@AulicExclusiva]

I've admired Hamelin's Skryabin and Albéniz. I found this performance very beautifully phrased but surprisingly shallow-toned, and stressed at fortissimo.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Think it's old recording, either before he signed to a really good label (Hyperion), or live. His virtuosity is extraordinary of course. But was this written in a spirit of God coming to visit in beatific splendor? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@ladowska]

Oh such beauty!Even a non believer like me could beleive Lizst was in the prescence of God!

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, it's a matter of opinion. Both of them have qualities the other does not. Barere's ability to play extremely musically on top of his technicalities is what I think says a great deal more about his technique. Lets remember, great technique is not just something that allows you to play loads of right notes, but to do something artistic with the music and shape it naturally. Barere too has been rarely recorded, so we only have a small idea of the true scope of his powers.

[@skilledtrailers]

Yeah same here. Liszt and Chopin are my top two. Then I also like a bit of Schubert and Debussy.

[@advisorC101]

@dvaculiky, It's truly one of the greatest by Liszt.

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, There is also the fact that Barere's playing is far more even, and that his touch comes much closer to the style of Liszt than anyone else today. One need only listen to the recordings of someone like Emil Von Sauer to see that connection.

[@TheAydolov]

This is a better recording than barrere dude.

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

Yes I'm quite familiar with this one already, thanks to my friend Alex who played it beautifully. But I think I may prefer Rach's 10th Prelude from that same set (Op.23) ; Somehow as elegant as Chopin's Raindrop, yet somehow much more unpredictable in structure, full of astounding subtlety. I've been looking at this piece recently and there's all kinds of tied notes, chords, rhythm changes and sequences of patterns which I simply can't explain why it just works! :D... /watch?v=R16Nd15ar5k

[@nelsongagne2177]

Pour soigner le mal à l’âme

[@gbosey]

As brilliant as Hamelin is, I feel he misses the point with thts piece. He can't seem to resist the temptation to lapse into the fortissimo, virtuosic mode in passages clearly marked sempre dolce; he pedals through rests in the andante section and takes off like a jet plane in the passages marked poco a poco animato. The result is an interesting, well-crafted interpretation but lacking the introspective quality that this piece deserves. It's as if he hasn't lived with this piece long enough.

[@albertomartin4812]

You're so right about the virtuosic mode! It's totally opposite to the intentions of this work.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Contemplative, serene, blissed, mellow... these are the words I would use. Hamelin is a master. But here is youthful excitement instead of glorious reflection. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, And if you're going to talk about pure mechanics, I can use your own comment for the case of Barere. He plays more evenly and lightly, and on top of that he has extreme control of his tone. From a technical standpoint, that woul] make him better. But even so, there are others besides Hamelin and Barere who have proven themselves very talented. Kemal Gekic, Evgeny Kissin and even my own teacher are just a few examples. All of which are in a league of their own.

[@advisorC101]

@classicalalways, I don't quite agree. But still, there is truth in what you say.

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, I disagree with the following remark: "I think Hamelin is history's greatest technician". Once you listen to Mr. Simon Barere then you'll see a whole new definition of that word. And even in the case of the latter, there is still no "absolute" perfection. Perhaps it is also worth noting that Hamelin's approach may simply be very alien to us reactionaries. After listening to a few of his interviews, I must say that there is far more to him than what meets the ear.

[@Kalen1457]

Liszt and Bach(maybe Beethoven too) I think were the only two composers who really tried to connect their listeners with the divine. Both of them were extremely religious in their lives. This piece is truly evocative of something ethereal, or heavenly. "Supreme serenity still remains the Ideal of great Art. The shapes and transitory forms of life are but stages toward this Ideal, which Christ's religion illuminates with His divine light."-Liszt I do admire Hamelin's playing here but it's a shame the quality is lacking. Also I think Hamelin plays some sections a little too fast for my taste, it almost feels like he doesn't savor all of those beatific sonorities. But then again, who am I to critique a master? I'm just a lowly amateur! If Richter played this work I think it would have been a life changing experience to hear.

[@bslaozora]

I'm pretty sure Liszt wasn't quite religious in a large span of his life.

[@nezkeys79]

Liszt and Beethoven for me are the two greatest composers that ever lived. The emotion I feel when listening to their music is unrivaled (chopin comes close though so he's probably in 3rd)

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Bach also did it with every piece, intentionally or not. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Hamelin is an ultrapianist, and his (young) version is passionate, swift and powerful. A more contemplative approach may also suit the piece. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@tomowenpianochannel]

@@bslaozora 😄 but then he was, in later reflection kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@chipheo24]

Yeah it's interesting. Who is right? Arrau, Hamelin, Engerer. The tempo is very different in each pianists. Maybe they're all right. I do like this interpretation as well. We may think that the piece is not bound to be played too slow either...It's C/ not 4/4...

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, That's just confirmation bias, and you know it. I've already said on my part that we can still only dream what Liszt himself sounded like, but we DO have a "better" idea based on his student's recordings. Their style of playing (from a purely mechanical perspective) is very consistent with reports of the way Liszt played throughout his life. Please exercise more attempts at refuting your own position before attempting to confirm it. There's plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise.

[@Nacalmaa]

irmãos da luz branca, os saúdo belos seres puros !

[@ChemistryAtomistic]

Não há luz sem escuridão.

[@Kolchicine]

I've got a wagnerian feeling about this

[@gwedielwch]

How about Jorge Bolet and Rian de Waal? There are extraordinary performances of the Benediction de Dieu by each of them here on KZbin. Rian de Waal's is rather disguised - it is the first piece in the uploaded clip "Liszt -- Great Piano Works -- Rian de Waal - 1986". .

[@filipDim]

/watch?v=fgNghCX-lX8 what do you think about this , rach was pretty virtuos himself , well , this piece is one of my favorites

[@COCOONFABULA]

Je croyais que Marc André Hamelin était français (vu son nom et avant de regarder qui il était sur intenet) et j'étais tout fier également haha Mais quel incroyable pianiste vous avez !

[@notzenith762]

je suis baguette

[@tomowenpianochannel]

This early version by Hamelin is captivating, and powerful... I just prefer this piece to be full-toned, warm, and as long as possible; it is a contemplation of many possibilities. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@Moribus_Artibus]

I know right! Chopin and Liszt are my favorite as well Im not a a big fan of Schumann however his pieces dont match the great ones of Liszt or Chopin

[@Moribus_Artibus]

I love Franz Schubert Have you ever heard his Impromptu in Gflat? It's soo beautiful, so pure, it's like the beauty of chopin mixed with the depth of beethoven, listen to it when you have the time!!

[@callmeninjanick5560]

Found that piece in BTS Jin Awake

[@fredericfrancoischopin5797]

what about me? :"(

[@russellthompson9271]

You're still the best ❤️

[@marinadela1361]

The climax too rushed

[@nezkeys79]

I love Hamelin dearly but this isnt my fave version of this piece

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

Oh no, I love you too Frederic Chopin! Like your 'Berceuse', 3rd Sonata, etudes, waltzes and many others. But there isn't a piece by you I don't like, when some of Liszt's I find too extreme even for my taste :)

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

What about the ballades and preludes? Surely amongst his greatest masterpieces! ;)

[@robertocarvalhodemagalhaes3648]

Maybe, Aldo Ciccolini is the one who gets it better, if not right...

[@HiroJJ94]

SAME HERE XD

[@alexanderbrown1954]

classicalalways: ... and you claim that Hamelin's "expression as a musician is not one of his strongest suits" is absolute twaddle! Where on earth do you get your ridiculous ideas from?

[@advisorC101]

@glic7236, You're way in over your head. Actually we do have some comprehension of what Liszt's style was like. Don't try to move the goal posts. Listen to any recording by any of the students of Liszt. You'll see a common style and rhetoric between all of them, although we can still only dream the true beauty of Liszt's own playing. And unlike you I am also an objective skeptic, I don't hero-worship Hamelin or Barere, but I follow facts and evidence, and not viseral reactions of envy.

[@MagicianDanielle]

Came here because of Spiral lol.

[@classicalalways]

Hamelin's expression as a musician is not one of his strongest suits. Surely no music intimidates him in terms of required technique. But his shades of pianissimo and sound in general are lacking.

[@orlandocfi]

I generally like Hamelin’s speedy interpretations, but this one does not resonate. I’m not feeling the majesty or solitude.

[@thenotsookayguy]

This piece does not do well with speed at all.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Prefer it slower and more reflective... and more meaningful kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY

[@robertocarvalhodemagalhaes3648]

Try Aldo Ciccolini.

[@telephilia]

Liszt, a somewhat perplexing composer. He wrote more than his share of mediocre music. Yet he turns around and writes a masterpiece like this one.

[@HilbertXVI]

William Perry I'd say there's no composer out there who's NOT written mediocre music

[@bslaozora]

True, but I gotta say Chopin wrote much less mediocre music than Liszt.....Though their bests are equally astonishing

[@thanasis_milios]

@@bslaozora Chopin literally burned everything he was dissatisfied with (maybe except the tarantella). Had Liszt done something similar, I believe people would take him more seriously (even though we would lose lots of “out there” experimental stuff he did.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Liszt was just prolific. In many cases his works are preparations for what would later be a final form. He continued to develop throughout his long life, including towards the end the abandonment of tonality. Little from him is mediocre compared to another composer of the time, and would be as a Beethoven 'Bagatelle'. No other composer could have written this... Chopin would have been half the length (a Ballade); later composers would have turned it into an impressionistic 'Prelude'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsqI2AetWZapY