Kirill Gerstein: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

This performance was recorded on January 28, 2020. We will continue releasing Tiny Desk videos of shows that had already been taped. In light of current events, NPR is postponing new live tapings of Tiny Desk Concerts. In the meantime, check out Tiny Desk (home) concerts! They’re recorded by the artists in their home. It’s the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
March 11, 2020 | Tom Huizenga -- The last time pianist Kirill Gerstein was at NPR we gave him a full-size, grand piano to play in a big recording studio. But for this Tiny Desk performance, we scaled him down to our trusty upright. "What will you ask me to play the next time," he quipped, "a toy piano?"
Even if we had handed him a pint-sized instrument, I'm sure Gerstein could make it sing. Just listen to how Chopin's lyrical melodies, built from rippling notes and flamboyant runs, flow like a song without words in Gerstein's agile hands.
The Chopin Waltz, Op. 42 is one of the composer's hits, but the next two pieces Gerstein offers are rarities. The Berceuse for solo piano was written for Gerstein by Thomas Adès, adapted from his 2016 opera The Exterminating Angel. The work, both brooding and beautiful, receives its premiere recording at the Tiny Desk. Gerstein follows by dusting off a truly neglected - and quirky - Hungarian March by Franz Liszt. To my knowledge it's been recorded only once.
The 40-year-old pianist, born in Voronezh, Russia, taught himself to play jazz by listening to his parents' record collection. A chance meeting with vibraphonist Gary Burton landed him a scholarship to study jazz at Boston's Berklee College of Music. At age 14, Gerstein was the youngest to enroll at the institution.
Although he is among the elite pianists of the classical world (he won the coveted Gilmore Award in 2010), Gerstein's jazz background is still close to his heart. Which brings us to his lovely-rendered closer: Gershwin's "Embraceable You," arranged by the American pianist Earl Wild.
Like all master performers, Gerstein gives you the illusion that he's making it all up as he goes along, even though the virtuosic transcription is intricately mapped out. And somehow, he makes that upright piano sound nine feet long.
SET LIST
Chopin: "Waltz in A-flat, Op. 42"
Adès: "Berceuse from The Exterminating Angel"
Liszt: "Ungarischer Geschwindsmarsch"
Gershwin-Earl Wild: "Embraceable You"
MUSICIANS
Kirill Gerstein: piano
CREDITS
Producers: Tom Huizenga, Morgan Noelle Smith, Kara Frame; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineer: Josh Rogosin; Editor: Melany Rochester; Videographers: Kara Frame, Melany Rochester, Shanti Hands; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Max Posner/NPR

[@JeffreyPhamigo]

As a classical pianist from Czech Republic I went to visit Sibelius Academy in Finland end of 2019 and I saw this random person about to perform that night. He was straight 🔥🔥🔥 and now I see Him on NPR. Thx NPR 😇👌

[@pfunk9632]

I love how he sounds like a classy duet . . alone.

[@Adam-vp4oe]

Classical artists are so smart. They always tell us all about the piece and know so much about it. I couldn’t even remember any of that.

[@imsatanscott]

at the end of the first song I clapped out loud at my desk like I was there.

[@sheilanovitz8578]

He is a wonderful musician, and seems to enjoy every moment of everything he plays. He seems to like people too!

[@salmonline]

I had to look up the word 'Berceuse'. Thanks Tiny Desk Concert for making me learn at 5:26 a.m.

[@nprmusic]

What we're here for ;)

[@MOREMISHU]

How is it possible to give this a 'thumbs down'? The only option is THUMBS UP!! AMAZING

[@PentameronSV]

*_0:00_**_ - Chopin: Waltz in A-flat, Op.42_* (3:37 / 3:48) *_4:51_**_ - Adès: Berceuse from 'The Exterminating Angel'_* (9:10 / 9:20) *_9:53_**_ - Liszt: Ungarischer Geschwindmarsch_* (12:49 / 13:03) *_13:25_**_ - Gershwin-Earl Wild: Embraceable You_* (16:19)

[@berika6]

Pentameron Thank you!

[@PentameronSV]

@@berika6 Glad to have helped.

[@gavingrego9922]

now i dont gotta watch the video for my choir assignment :). thanks!

[@JustinDangerpants]

This is incredible. I can't even put into words how impressed I am with this.

[@tomas5376]

He made that upright sound Grand! Loved it all!👍✌️😊🙏🏼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎵🎵

[@Mityob67]

Great sound for an upright. Sure it doesn't have the body of a bigger piano, but the size of the room makes up for that somewhat. Check out its buttery clarity and even its percussion is pretty good. Thanks TD for this passionate artist, great sound engineers and good instruments.

[@slantzjr]

Any idea what kind it is?

[@Smogget]

This started playing and I sat up straight for the first time today.

[@mattwhitaker7651]

That such insanely talented people exist on Earth, amazes me.

[@user-tx8qx6np8j]

У него очень талантливая мама Евгения Семёновна!

[@Think890]

THis may be one the most beautiful and technically brilliant performances captured behind the Tiny Desk @NPRMUSIC thank god your engineers are ace ....wow

[@RosendahlMusic]

I am really looking forward to play the berceuse, I hope the sheet music gets released soon

[@oscarnavarrooficial]

NPR Music,una vez más me habéis hecho disfrutar de un concierto maravilloso de un genial pianista, gracias y enhorabuena.🌹🌹🌹

[@musicstewart9744]

The more I find out about this man, the more I’m intrigued. Last week I heard his virtual recital from Wigmore Hall in London. Encore was a piece by a 19th century Armenian composer. Now I find out he was discovered by Gary Burton.

[@mattwatson7106]

This is just what I needed. Thank you !

[@CandaceTravismusic]

Beautify played Chopin

[@Wayne_Robinson]

He, everyone responsible for the care and feeding of that piano, and the Tiny Desk sound crew deserve credit. It sounds beautiful on headphones!

[@AC-mj5xs]

Wow, Just beautiful. Just makes me want to drink coffee and daydream.

[@TheFeelButton]

Beautiful playing! Thank you!! 🙏☺️

[@GiacomodellaSvezia]

Amazing footwork as well!

[@Geenalee1]

Wow I did not think, Just wow Mr Gerstein Your Playing is Honestly the Best I have Ever Herd !!!!!! Thank-You So Much for Playing >> HugS >> Sincerely Gee-Lee.

[@kseniblue666]

Wow, what a talent and great work! Вы прекрасны!

[@january2798]

Brilliant.

[@julian73de]

Wow. He makes it really sing

[@faridabdous5808]

This is so great!

[@808bboarder]

Wow that was amazing 👏

[@ghostdog_ninja]

thx NPR for letting the musical- brain of people grow. that's not that easy with "chart- music"!!! LUV IT!

[@JosiahofSilverton]

Got to see him play Rhapsody in Blue and the Schoenberg Concerto a few years ago, and then a solo recital a year later! What an incredible musician!

[@thompetersenautoart]

WONDERFUL !!!

[@morrimoto]

i saw him preform in houston. v good.

[@mediaMAXmedia]

No one is gonna tell this man his shirt tag is sticking out? Beautiful video

[@Wilifeee]

Yes!

[@okbo-y]

It would be fun if I could play the piano like him.

[@thenotsookayguy]

Lovely performance of S.233, which just so happens to be the only one available on KZbin.

[@TheMissOmni]

[@cessrodd]

Una maravilla🎹

[@orffrocks5667]

Ades: stunning

[@papaspice4223]

Beauty presents itself in many ways, and today it showed itself in this form

[@madiradi851]

Great performance btw Would love hearing corridor on the tiny desk

[@sujungunni5990]

What a pleasant surprise!! We will have him here in Seoul on 21/22 Apr. 2022. I am really excited to see n listen to him in Seoul Arts Center. He will play " Liszt piano concerto No.2, in A major, S. 125".

[@Daboorman]

Beautiful. I'd like to see Billy Joel for Tiny Desk. For some reason this reminded me of him.

[@ThePianoenergy]

Great!

[@marcscordato4385]

That is a superb upright Piano it has a bigger sound then some baby grands . Players at this level often insist on a grand piano but this upright is up for the challenge I can’t see the brand is it a Yamaha ?

[@globalsoundconcerts]

Yes, it’s a Yamaha U1 and it’s grand (not actually tho) 🎹

[@marcscordato4385]

Josh Rogosin I thought so Yamaha is such a neat company from grand pianos to motorcycles everything they make is cool!

[@defnitely_not_me1843]

I mean... He is phenomenal interpret and the piano mostly doesn't hurt is performance. Most notably the bass lacks volume and depth - but that is unavoidable given the laws of physics. There is a good reason pianist asks for these pianos, 1) they do sound prettier overall and 2) they have better dynamic range which allows pianists to fully express themselves - while they feel constrained otherwise. I'll acknowledge I am quite nikpicky when it comes to classical music though. Also, I agree baby grands sound bad but I think they are only meant for a very specific customer base, when people think of grands they will at least picture a half size or so.

[@Arjalsuperb]

Wow!

[@AageV]

0:56 When you make a small mistake and the next time you *really* make sure you get right.

[@gilneto5449]

Amei!!

[@orenoyen]

A beautiful performance that I didn't know I needed in the middle of this chaotic world (read: Covid-19 news in every corner). Bravo!

[@nprmusic]

Glad you found it

[@full_moonin_scorpio9242]

Ах, какое пианиссимо! Нюансы хороши!!

[@cheesecakecia]

Great concert! The poor piano reached its limits, though.. thanks so much TD, I am an avid fan of your channel!

[@rd4660]

How does he do that? And from his memory? Crazy talent.

[@dylandecker_music]

Years of practice and hundreds of hours playing each piece.

[@jamiearellano8903]

4:33 am started my day happy

[@raymondlawson2301]

🍻❤👏

[@lilicooper9204]

Please release The Lumineers!😍

[@nprmusic]

We're working on it! Coming soon!

[@volcaniadread]

Have a great clean safe day everyone 💙

[@clarkstark2814]

I can't believe you just commented all of the things I expected to see here

[@DomDomDom407]

When are you guys gonna upload Harry style’s tiny desk concert

[@jkoll42]

If only it was giant desk and there was a grand in there

[@franciscodangelo9654]

who dislike this i wonder

[@dittagecoeco2738]

Ah ok. Pianist rocks

[@volcaniadread]

The audience is watching from home right!

[@miirandagarciia]

What happened to Rex orange county’s video?

[@lia-ui4nw]

Where’s Harry’s ?

[@nprmusic]

It is on NPR.org! www.npr.org/2020/03/16/815556266/harry-styles-tiny-desk-concert Did you know you can watch new Tiny Desk concerts on npr.org ONE WEEK before they go up on KZbin?

[@ceejay4294]

Where’s Harry’s..

[@nprmusic]

It is on NPR.org! www.npr.org/2020/03/16/815556266/harry-styles-tiny-desk-concert Did you know you can watch new Tiny Desk concerts on npr.org ONE WEEK before they go up on KZbin?

[@MikaeIe90]

Who else came here to check whether or not the tiny desk audience is practicing social distancing lol

[@evanvandenberg5805]

To be fair, this was recorded pre-pandemic.

[@ArslanSagin]

Если вы вдруг искали комментарий на русском, то вот он.

[@jazztemple2]

Though I don't think the adage is true in all cases, at times there is truth to one of my late father's favorites, "A poor workman blames his tools." Well, neither I nor anyone else will every be able to blame a poor performance on an "upright" piano! LOL!

[@EKB4]

Jhené Aiko:)

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

He deserves a better piano ! I am forgiving this because of the virus... :)

[@matiasbenitez8620]

Hiatus Kaiyote

[@ZombieKilla2008]

You get a world class piano player on, and give him that kind of piano to play on? That’s like giving Roger Federer a baseball bat to play tennis with.

[@orangepuffs6796]

This is not Vulfpeck.

[@leejones7341]

I get what they were going for by having him play the upright but it just doesn't do the pieces justice.

[@aliidris657]

Don't be such a purist herb

[@volcaniadread]

He should wash his hands after playing 🧟‍♂️

[@floydtaylor7987]

First

[@ivan-rn5tl]

alex anwandter

[@tsaitsai9625]

I’m sorry the young couple decided to hide in the closet and then end up ?? in the morning? It’s killing me not knowing...

[@pablo9364]

God bless the president doing a great job

[@goodshorts]

Do you know that Jesus loves you?

[@AageV]

Who is this Spanish man you are talking about?

[@joannearroyo8864]

@@AageV If you knew him you would realize He is no joke. Tons of fun, laughter & love not to mention a healing balm, but definitely no joke

[@AageV]

@@joannearroyo8864 sounds nice, does he make good taco's?

[@joannearroyo8864]

@@AageV😅 Hahaha now that was a good joke! But yes, He makes good everything. Or rather everything that comes from Him is good. Anything that nourishes & lifts-up is from Him, man-made religion & rules are not. Still chuckling, have a wonderful day!

[@AageV]

@@joannearroyo8864 i'm nog really convinced, but you have a good day too!

[@tsaitsai9625]

I’m sorry the young couple decided to hide in the closet and then end up ?? in the morning? It’s killing me not knowing...

[@UKLeonie]

They were dead in the morning 😢