IGOR ZHUKOV plays BACH Passacaglia & Fugue BWV 582 Piano Transcription (1966)

[@nicolasperrault3363]

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that a 22-year-old man could write such an absolute masterpiece.

[@chickenflavor9880]

A time when people had meaning and faith.

[@Kosstai]

I´m a big fan of bachs passacaglia. This is the greatest organ work i ever heard, but this interpretation on the piano became one of my favourites. It´s played so sensitive and wonderful by Žukov.

[@НадеждаБогданова-р7э]

Мой поклон и бесконечная БЛАГОДАРНОСТЬ МУЗЫКАНТУ!!!…. 20.03.2023. Спасибо Вам!

[@davidschestenger3366]

I’m sharing it with you

[@lewisgranade969]

Rest in Peace, wonderful sublime Russian pianist. We all loved you so much (Igor Zhukov 31 Aug 1936 - 26 Jan 2018). I am not exactly sure why, but each time I listen to Zhukov's music I am reminded of how great and fantastic a country Russia is and will always be.

[@hansplougolsen9568]

Yes, rest Igor. You maid Russia Great again and still do and ever will by Your Playing. Vecno Pokoj. Mr H.

[@Roberto_MR]

I´m sorry to know he passed. Discovered his interpretation several years ago and it´s been one of my favorites since then. Rest in Peace, and thanks to him for this amazing interpretation.

[@davidpowell3347]

Was he a relative of the great WW II General?

[@sweetlord3672]

It's not Russia, you confused patriotic person. It's Bach.

[@citzie]

@@sweetlord3672And Germanic music and musicians too. Truth is The cultures of the people produce the greatness most often, despite not because of their country’s leaders who too often wrongly equate themselves with the country and “the people.”

[@lewisgranade969]

What a fabolous pianist! No human words can describe what Zhukov accomplishes here. The best version ever (far more inspired, illuminated, sublime than Zimerman's IMHO). Not from this planet!

[@m-hayek1985]

lewis granade where can I find the score?

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Zhukov's transcription and performance may be the best on the piano... what a revelation.

[@DrJulianNewmansChannel]

As someone who's attempted to play the first few bars of Bach's passacaglia on the piano, when I first heard this recording I simply, without thinking, assumed that this was being played on a pedal piano. The fact that this is solo piano is incredible - and played so powerfully and emotively to boot!

[@tatsunkawitko]

Non capirò mai come un artista così immenso sia così poco conosciuto

[@antonellamajorano5348]

Non conoscevo questa composizione di Bach né il pianista : sono rimasta letteralmente affascinata ed emozionata . Ho ascoltato altre interpretazioni ma questa è proprio speciale per sensibilità e profondità. ❤

[@bachopinbee5991]

Unglaublich! Unbelievable! The energy was there but l was never overwhelmed! The changes of tempo, the characters, and then the fugue! What a marvel of a player! We need these today.

[@ВалерийПостников]

О, это одно из прекраснейших фортепианных исполнений пасахалии Баха, что доводилось когда-либо слушать. Спасибо огромное автору канала за представление шедевра!

[@henriklarsen_art]

Igor Zhukov is, to me, a 'newly discovered' pianist, which I found through his Scriabin recordings, and he has, from what I've heard so far, just about the best interpretations of pieces I've heard. Just excellent. They are really clear and not over done.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

His Scriabin is out of this world. And so is this! Just a phenomenon of the piano that no one knew about, but thanks KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmaxpp-KgruEhqs

[@AlessioAndres]

One of the best musical recordings in history...

[@carolfurness992]

the very best and most inspired piece of music ever written. heaven on earth

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

Fully agree

[@Mattttsin]

imo the best piano transcription and piano performance of this masterpiece

[@nhumanpham7733]

I think so

[@giorgiomarano3409]

Heaven exists !

[@davidschestenger3366]

No doubt

[@marksmith3947]

I practically overdose from the profusion of competition videos on KZbin ---almost all of them dull as dishwater, without the tiniest spark of originality. This is really worth hearing!

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Who wants to hear another sanitised Chopin ballade from a young pianist from an emerging market territory? This is the real deal! Pianists should be going beyond the standard repertoire... Zhukov has gone way beyond it into a different sphere.

[@marksmith3947]

@@tomowenpianochannel more to the point, most of us would like to hear something different music!

[@_PROCLUS]

Igor Mikhailovich Zhukov (born 1936) is a Russian pianist, conductor and sound engineer.... After the war ..Zhukov studied in the Moscow Conservatory first with Emil Gilels and then, in 1955, with Heinrich Neuhaus. He graduated in 1960, having won second prize in the Long-Thibaud Piano Competition in Paris.Apart from a career as a pianist, Zhukov also conducted his own ensemble - the Moscow Chamber Orchestra until his retirement from conducting in 1994, and was the pianist of the long-running Zhukov Piano Trio which was founded in 1963 and continued performing until 1980 ... (WIKI). ... Thank you so much for the wonderful upload.

[@djcomalut]

MAGICAL!!!!! What a Terrific Melancholy journey trip Mr Zukov and of course Bach himslef gave me today.... Outstanding :) Big Big respect!!!!

[@sweetlord3672]

What a trascription! What a performance! THANK YOU

[@findbridge1790]

brilliant playing, and transcription. even Glen Gould would be envious.

[@tuncheturunche8987]

Gloria eterna al màs vasto y sublime compositor musical de todos los tiempos.

[@HarDiMonPetit]

Never heard a more clear and transparent rendering: you hear everything: not even at the organ does this happen! There are more majestic interpretations - hear Zimmerman - but I don't remember any clearer.

[@PabluchoViision]

In Zhukov’s Bach, I feel the Universe turn on its axis, galaxies form, explode, and disperse, the Earth take shape, mountains rear up, and rivers begin to flow. The transcendent might of this music and its interpretation, in all its dark majesty, is moving in an utterly mysterious and overwhelming way. To this we can add, Zhukov’s transcription is a masterpiece of translation from the organ’s language and resources, to those of the piano. Something inevitably lost, but a great deal gained in articulation, clarity and sonorousness.

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Excellent description.... this music is truly that of Creation... by a consolidator/creator that has never been matched in music. As much as we love the works of those that came after, Bach is the father, and we are all in his shadow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmaxpp-KgruEhqs

[@geminian7846]

This is a stunning realisation - it retains all the majesty of this most majestic of Bach's organ works in a way that none of the better-known transcriptions of other Bach organ works seem quite to do. What a terrific performance!

[@MrFantim]

L'esecuzione di Zhukov è sicuramente la migliore che ho ascoltato. Trascrizione esemplare. Zhukov interpreta magistralmente il brano e mi trasmette grandi emozioni. Grazie per questo upload.

[@justusundjuno6786]

Damn. This is the greatest masterpiece of music I've ever heared❤

[@EpicPianoArrangements]

BLOODY HELL... The ending of the Passacaglia may have been the most awe-inspiring and Majestic sounds I've ever heard come from the piano. Do you know if he ever notated his transcription? I would love to play this! Incredible... bloody incredible.

[@PianoHeart72]

BLOODY HELL. That's my exact same reaction everytime (hundreds for the last years) I come back and back again to this incredible transcription. God only knows how badly I long too for having the sheet of Zhukov's transcription, I would do everything to have it on my piano. Sad to say, the ONLY piano transcription that really blows my heart away is the only one that can't be (as far as I know) found anywhere: I listened pretty much to all the others, so easily available on IMSLP Petrucci Library at a simple click distance, ... but nope, none of them is even remotely comparable with Zhukov's beauty. I can't help but imagining he actually put this written, it's too long and complex not to have noted everything, but most likely it's just a manuscript laying in a closed forgotten cupboard of his family home. A true treasure his family is maybe not even aware of, that would make so many of us pianists happy and that would be such a beautiful way to honor the memory of this fantastic Musician forever. Should anyone know a way to have the complete sheet of Zhukov's transcription please advice, I would be grateful for a lifetime!

[@cziffra-eg9st]

since the recording is here, nothing is stopping you from transcribing it yourself

[@tomowenpianochannel]

I played the D'Albert transcription recently, but have to admit that Zhukov's technique and passion are a cut above anything for the piano so far. So many individual moments, particularly of voicing and thematic highlights, this is just revelatory.

[@mariaelenahartung]

Absolutely brilliant reading. As David Hertzberg says below, it is utterly "extraordinary"

[@stephenmarmer543]

A revelation! I’ve listened to this on organ and piano and in other instrumental arrangements and have never heard anything like this. Absolutely riveting. He plumbs depths I didn’t know were there before. What an amazing and awesome gift. Thank you.

[@jamesaddo-td4zv]

Try listening to the accordion versions on KZbin. Amazing!

[@findbridge1790]

control of tone color and sonority is amazing -- sometimes sounds like an organ, sometimes like an orchestra

[@zahidkhalidal-rubaye5023]

it's amazing and so beautiful and I repeat it every day

[@pianotreasures]

+zahid khalid Thank you :)

[@Laurencemardon]

+zahid khalid Isn't it wonderful? Greetings from Canada.

[@PabluchoViision]

It is inexhaustible. After I first listened to it I refrained from listening again-was afraid it would grow too familiar, and I would appreciate it less. I have since discovered this is impossible.

[@steveegallo3384]

@@Laurencemardon -- ....w'aleikum salam from San Agustinillo, Oaxaca !

[@hadesblue4942]

I love this piece very much, but it always brings back bad memories from when i heard it as a low point in my life.

[@ciararespect4296]

All music can do that to you. It transports you back and dependant on the time it may hold sad or good memories

[@Nico7583]

Absolutely amazing! It blew me away!

[@sethmanning6813]

this is actually genius. Can't believe i'm hearing this just now

[@dousenbier1399]

Ur channelname describes perfectly what Zhukov produces here. A piano treasure 😊

[@PabluchoViision]

The descending sequence beginning at 9:40 is somberly majestic, an utterly transcendent passage. This melodic line is absent, or at least not foregrounded, in the other transcriptions I have heard. Possibly one of the “fictive” insertions Y. Corsellis has found fault with in some of his fellow transcribers? Even if it is Zhukov’s interpolation, though, I am not in the least bothered by it. An interpreter is already something of a co-author with the composer, and even more so in the case of a transcription from one instrument to another. I think the Zhukov “partnership” with Bach is a complete artistic success, infused with profound spiritual meaning. . .

[@ullrichherz7053]

A wonderful transcription of one of the pinnacles of European music! Thanks for sharing this rendition with us.

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

Not just European music. Not just music . Not just art. This is one of the pinnacles of all human expression!

[@SimonCU]

Im used to the Krystian Zimerman's version of this piece and listening to this version is just as amazing!!

[@nicolascaste7928]

Just extraordinary

[@ERICSTEPPENWOLF]

Fantastique !

[@nikoladomjanic6916]

Bravo !!!!

[@davidschestenger3366]

I didn’t even know his name, is ABSOLUTELY wonderful a powerhouse Tender, and the most important: Bach

[@christopherland4164]

Shocked! It is that great. Kinda stunned. Sweet, then escalates into super bold.

[@Ignacio_67]

Bellísimo.

[@Miguelpalermo]

Ay, Dios, es una bestia! Su arreglo para piano tiene una energía absoluta. Su interpretación es apasionada, me encanta!!!

[@tremelody]

This is not only my favorite Bach piece, it's my favorite classical piece and it's great in all its transcriptions. I'm learning it in a piano transcription by Theodore-Szanto, probably 1920's. I tried to make the link work but it's available in .pdf at IMSLP for free. It's one the the best realized transcriptions that I've played. The notes fall under the hands effortlessly. Well, some effort. I always feel that Bach's music is 'inevitable' and this is him at his most inevitable. The other analogy that I've always appreciated about him is that he 'builds a cathedral' brick by brick until it (inevitably) reveals itself as a towering monument.

[@rsjmd]

>>he 'builds a cathedral' brick by brick until it (inevitably) reveals itself as a towering monument

[@herodot2]

Unfortunately I cannot find this transcription on IMSLP. I am trying myself on the d'Albert transcription, and while it does not pose any great technical difficulties per se, the way how d'Albert has melodic and counter-punctual lines constantly move between hands places demands on phrasing, accentuation and even memory that seem at least in part avoidable.

[@prestopiano2664]

great pianist ! thanks for your post.

[@MrJofuf]

Mr. Richard Whitfield, you know your stuff. You are 2 for 2. The passacaglia-- maybe the greatest of all Bach. The piano transcription played by Igor Zhukov-- superior. Now 3 for 3----- consider my vote for the best organ interpretation-- the Michael Schneider. My favorite for sure among all the many versions I have heard live and in recordings.

[@aimiliosspiliopoulos1091]

Joseph Pelava E. Power Biggs on Harvard Organ

[@lantosjanos7747]

Gyönyörű játék és gyönyörű felvétel!!! Hálás köszönet érte!!!

[@Musicantrix]

Passacaglia ♥

[@vayasaberlo8]

Beyond human. . .

[@sebastianavale7469]

Una obra maestra del màs vasto y sublime compositor musical de todos los tiempos en las manos de Igor Zhukov. ¿Què puede haber despuès de semejante cumbre?

[@AlessioAndres]

GLORIOUS!

[@neilford99]

There's now a video upload of Zhukov playing this in a Munich recital from 1997.

[@PabluchoViision]

I would be interested to know people’s impressions of the difference.

[@alejandromosquerasouto6614]

Un pianista fuera de serie

[@林柏辰-m7i]

這是ㄧ個深沈的傑作 有深刻的質疑 雄渾的呼喊 如此年輕的巴赫就能寫出 實在天才

[@christopherland4164]

Um, extraordinarily clean, quiet when need to be, loud when need to be. Range is beyond description.

[@sakkar18]

В забвении, увы... Совершенно божественная редакция и исполнение.

[@basilkk1485]

Я очень счастлив, что вы не забыли про ВЕЛИКОЛЕПНОГО ИСПОЛНИТЕЛЯ=IGOR SHUKOW I am very happy that you have not forgotten about the GREAT PERFORMER = IGOR SHUKOW

[@basilkk1485]

Е:сть такие как вы ия тож. Почему посещают Гримауд, Поллини , Учида .... А такое ВЛИКОЛЕПИЕ забыто ...

[@MArhivist]

R.I.P.

[@Laurencemardon]

Wow!

[@fernandom9979]

That fugue! =)

[@mesnais]

Celles d'Émile Naoumoff sont extraordinairement belles..

[@pianotreasures]

This is Zukov's own transcription. Fortunately not d'Albert's !

[@LestraJo]

Написана ли она, как найти? Помогите пожалуйста!

[@jerryli821]

@@LestraJo - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5aYY6t-bbtlgpY

[@KKIcons]

that really would be a treasure for me if I could find this score. At least I know what name to look for now though! It is so clear, yet becomes so inevitable and relentless, with such a great sense of motion. It doesn't get bogged down with trying to imitate the different stops, etc.

[@jerryli821]

@@KKIcons - here's the moving score kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5aYY6t-bbtlgpY

[@PianoHeart72]

@Jerry Li Your link leads to the original organ version, whose score everyone can find everywhere. What is strongly wanted here is the score of Zhukov's piano transcription we hear in this video, which can't still be found anywhere.

[@goose9709]

It's great and everything but everyone keeps thinking Zhukov did much for arranging this. Fabulous performance indeed but it's pretty much the original transcription from Bach but Zhukov had to kinda implement the sound of organ pedals into piano which he did nicely but for the most part it's bach that puts us under this magic.

[@Gusakov]

Великолепное Исполнение !!! Где Вы, Маэстро, теперь ?

[@basilkk1485]

Если не ошибаюсь, он умер. Мы знаем исполнителей Гримауд, Поллини, Учида... А Игоря , лучшего среди них, МЫ НЕ ЗНАЕМ.

[@СергейЛагутин-с4ж]

@@basilkk1485 один из титанов советской школы

[@ZemljaZarnetskaja]

Родился 31 августа 1936 г., Нижний Новгород Умер 26 января 2018 г. (81 год), Москва

[@aramzulumyan6380]

I think Zhukov is on one level with Sokolov, Pletnev, Gavrilov, Bunin and Sultanov. But he and Musaelyan are extrodinary laconic and subtle at the same time and I would say both are the most bright examples of what Russian modern pianism is. Which is not modrn already so much...

[@grishaslutsky]

Я не думаю что их надо сравнивать.Жуков велик посвоему!!!!!!!!!!!! Очень его люблю и очень сожалею о его уходе в мир иной!!!!!

[@michelponcet5810]

What about Gilels his teacher???

[@Psevdon693]

Круто

[@ir0n2541]

wow

[@nicolasperrault3363]

This one composition suffices to explain that if some composers do not believe in God all believe in J.S. Bach.

[@Morpheeeene]

Just listen to the precious dark solitude

[@alexandrkatankin7068]

❤

[@rodovre]

I like the piano transcription very much. The organ version has some grandiose overwhelmingly dark and threatening passages that are not achievable on piano, however.

[@ciararespect4296]

Yes but I prefer the sound of the piano

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

@@ciararespect4296 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKG9l6mijK-VoMk listen to this version 😀

[@nicolasperrault3363]

Cette seule composition suffit à expliquer que si tous les compositeurs ne croient pas en Dieu, tous croient en Bach.

[@陽天-g8g]

イーゴリ・ジューコフ。スクリャービンのソナタが好きです。これもええ演奏ですな。音源はレコードでしょうか？

[@dondavidon624]

anyone who knows where to get the score of this (most fantastic) transcription ?

[@davidhertzberg]

This is extraordinary. Thank you for uploading.... can you please provide recording information - date, place, etc.?

[@pianotreasures]

+davidhertzberg Recorded in Moscow in 1966. Melodiya 005 179 P. (with Italian Concerto and Prokofiev Sonata No.9).

[@mariaelenahartung]

Fugue is unique!!!

[@azdeneden9005]

Besten Dank. Ungehuer.

[@almabach]

I still prefer the Zimerman version, specially the ending. But this one is great!

[@ir0n2541]

The opening sound a lot like contrapunctus.

[@kingfire111]

I like Zukov's version. Zimerman's is still amazing though.

[@alanovski.]

Does anyone know where Žukov's transcription can be found via internet? A book or .pdf, I don't care

[@LestraJo]

You found ?

[@alanovski.]

No sorry

[@lilianav7425]

Damn

[@Resplencemelodi]

Prefer on piano, unless It's Karl Richter on the organ?

[@tomowenpianochannel]

D'Albert's version was (on balance) probably the best around. Until heard this! 🙂 Zhukov's Scriabin is becoming recognized as some of the finest ever recorded. The reverent attention he gives to the restrained passage from 4.57 onwards is amazing. So is his technique and control overall. Like the way he starts the Fugue with an increase in tempo as well, heightening atmosphere. Everyone has their own interpretation, this is far beyond mine. But that's what makes music like this so great, because people are out there discovering it, and re-discovering it, and re-discovering themselves. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmaxpp-KgruEhqs

[@PabluchoViision]

Está todo dicho

[@LestraJo]

Help! Как найти эту транскрипцию?!?

[@rezathr8968]

search imslp.org for piano transcripts

[@PabluchoViision]

Боюсь, эта транскрипция просто недоступна. I fear this transcription is simply not available. I hope I am wrong about this!

[@f1f1s]

IMSLP does not have the score, googling returns no results. Was this transcription even published?

[@inraid]

Not that I know of. You should ask Peter Lemken.

[@etiennemoreau9501]

I don't thik so.

[@metteholm4833]

Almost uncanny!

[@gothicrecital]

"Fortunately not d'Albert's !" Would you say Albert's has been overperformed over the years?

[@vasiliyknyshev2569]

А где 1033 и 1030 Баха в исполнении Игоря жукова?

[@ouillemouth]

Try Naoumoff's transcription guys (to be found on youtube as well) :) Didn't find the Thema Fugatum yet, but the Passacaglia is just wonderful.

[@LestraJo]

Здравствуйте, где можно найти эту транскрипцию? Спасибо

[@JumpDiffusion]

@@LestraJo можно приобрести у автора за 12$ :) www.emilenaoumoff.com/media-shop

[@KKIcons]

omg i didn't know Emil Naoumoff did one. I really appreciate his musicianship and would like to also hear his interpretation of this piece. I learn so much from his channel.

[@ferhanserra1011]

piano

[@PabluchoViision]

Or, to take a single word used by Lewis Granade in a comment here: S U B L I M E

[@charlottewhyte9804]

this does not suite the piano ,sounds too romantic for Bach

[@karjenjrtm7411]

maybe, but it sounds really good !

[@geminian7846]

This is a stunning realisation - it retains all the majesty of this most majestic of Bach's organ works in a way that none of the better-known transcriptions of other Bach organ works seem quite to do. What a terrific performance!

[@pianofan1000]

wow!!!