Krystian Zimerman plays Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (Jan Krenz, Conductor)

A young Krystian Zimerman's rendition of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor Op. 11, played with all of the aplomb and nuance of a seasoned maestro. Jan Krenz at the podium.
The posting of this video meets the requirements of Fair Use. I do not own any copyright licenses for this video nor do I stand to gain financially from it's posting in any way whatsoever. This video has been posted for educational purposes to incite commentary, criticism and analysis.

[@korlock3000]

Zimerman looks so much like Chopin on this performance.

[@coleg5578]

Yes he does.

[@chopin65]

Kyle Hamson My thoughts too!

[@Highinsight7]

yup!

[@Nahoonazzang]

OK...

[@sweetfangs1979]

A lot of Polish men look almost like each other.

[@DivineFeminine-ls6fm]

I listened to this entire piano concerto while I was writing final my paperwork in the last month of High school 20 years ago.

[@Moscu177]

OMG ,Zimmerman look like Chopin and his playing , his technique , musicality are amazing , no wonder he got first prize on the competition . One of the best classical pianist of his generation !

[@userofuser1126]

' 1211

[@INSTACRUISING]

This IS the best “version” of this concerto and I think it’s the closest to the original. There’s so much mystery, time, and it’s so not rushed. It’s such a true Polish Romanism version of this timeless piece of God arts music.

[@domidumdum4051]

This is the best version of Piano Concerto in E minor for me forever. i'm Polish and I was brought up surrounded by music of Chopin. I've heard many pianists playing this concert during the Chopin Competition. Some people play it as if it was a lullaby. So timelessly, softly it loses all the depth, all the maturity, all the pain, shape and passion. Some people, on the contrary, are focusing on "strong" moments in this concerto. And they are losing something too. And here... there is perfection. Everything works. Tempo is great. Weight of strength and softness. Every note flows with tenderness. Every note is part of something bigger. The parts in concerto are blendind, they are not having different atmospheres, they are just different angles of the same song. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this version as much as my Polish heart can.

[@StuartdeOcampo]

Yeah: yet I would still prefer Zimerman's 1999 rendition, with his custom Polish Festival Orchestra kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3OvhmB5lrB8qpo

[@mateuszloniewski]

I only listened to these performances before, never watched them because I didn’t even know a visual recording existed. You can really imagine listening to this piece being performed by Chopin himself when watching Zimerman, He is the best Chopin interpreter ever to have lived and looks just like Him in these recordings.

[@user-js4hw8xc7t]

何て優しい響きでしょう📣 何て感性豊かな表現でしょう🎶彼の澄みきった心を感じます💕何て素晴らしいテクニックでしょう✋

[@damland1357]

I love that cheeky smile at the end, he knows he’s just done something incredible

[@nibbleniks2320]

This makes my heart hurt, it is so beautiful. I love Chopin. And yes, Mr Zimerman looks like a young Chopin from the pictures and sculptures. Perfect.

[@not_meepington]

4:35 my favorite "theme" in the concerto. I can't express all the emotions one can derive from this.

[@ZKLofiTone]

finally someone who heard it...

[@SILAS-cb9xl]

i mean it’s the main subject. pretty much everything besides the 2nd theme in e-major is connected directly to it. the rhythm is connected to that of the orchestral start. and the development is full of this motif. it’s truly beautiful

[@ayushgaidhani]

After listening to piano concerto no1 played by various famous pianist and Chopin competition winners, I finally found the best concerto no1!! You can forget all the others Zimerman is THE ONE!

[@beedelightchannel]

I agree

[@domidumdum4051]

@@beedelightchannel I agree too. As a Polish Person:)

[@paulkim1345]

Listen to Kate Liu in the 2015 Chopin Competition - she obviously picked his interpretation as the model to follow. After listening to hers and Zimerman's interpretations, all other interpretations I find difficult to listen to!

[@fernandaenriquez2200]

@@paulkim1345 I'm totally agree with you, It happens to me with the two Chopin concertos and Rachmaninoff's 1 and 2. for me, the definitive versions

[@marikotada8849]

永遠のショパンコンチェルト再現ビデオになりますね☄️🗺️ 柔らかさ、せつなさ、情熱、品のよい甘美な世界を、骨格を明確にしながら繊細さを失うことのない恐るべき表現力が、ここに開花しました。ショパンの国のツィメルマン巨匠は、忘れ去られることはなく、語り継がれるべき芸術家です。

[@fwi4078]

Zimmerman tiil now still the top class pianist.

[@heyderperezescalante493]

Krystian Zimerman, the light of Poland

[@marikotada8849]

私が簡単にセンテンスを結びますと、Star intheworld！

[@203jenyadoshi9]

The great Chopin reincarnates as Zimmerman and blesses us with the heavenly music!!!!a great soul.....

[@violettamilka5936]

Nie znam piękniejszego wykonania! Po prostu genialne!Słuchałam wielu wykonań ale to przebija wszystkie.Jest szczere porywające, a zarazem z nutą słodyczy , z przepiękną dojrzałą frazą! Niesamowite jak na 20-latka!👏👏👏👏👏

[@Ta-od-muzyki]

18-sto latka*

[@danielbroom6480]

First Movement- 0:00 Second Movement- 20:22 Third Movement- 30:48

[@hannastaszak1684]

Piękno muzyki Fryderyka Chopina to fenomen graniczący z cudem.

[@lynnabao6082]

im in love with him.

[@lauhernsean6179]

I got introduced to classical music at around 2 year ago. In those years, I've listened to countless performance of various pieces. And I am proud to say that this is the first ever performance that made me cry listening to it.

[@marikotada8849]

私も同じなのです。Zimermanのショパンが目も眩むような素晴らしい演奏だと、最初に印象ずけた、その演奏だったと思います。

[@dorotakleban679]

His smile at the end :"""")

[@englishclasswithclarity1479]

It's been so many years and this performance is still unsurpassed! I watched this concert live as a very young girl. We were watching together with my mum, who was a great music lover. And it was such a fascinating and thrilling experience - no-one had the slightest doubt that he would win, he was so brilliant. And yes, everyone here in Poland commented on his astonishing likeness to Chopin :) Thank you for publishing this film!

[@itscameron]

Jealous!!! That would have been so amazing!!

[@robpenas4905]

seriously, you were there! not many people get to watch the competitions, so envious....

[@iyadkanaan5991]

maybe surpassed by the aged Zimmerman and his recent recordings

[@user-hr8um3yl8w]

何もかもがこのメロディに抱かれ、溶けて行くのを確かに感じます。苦しみもです。哀しみもです。全てがです。 オーケストラ、ツィメルマン様、何度お聴きしていますか！ 感謝のみで御座います。

[@naveensr473]

Ah! The smile at 40:24

[@karolpawlowski5368]

Sir Fryderyk Chopin is the pride of Poland! The whole country is very proud of him! 🇵🇱

[@ricardotoledo8834]

No doubt. Chopin is a source of pride for Poles and a universal heritage for humanity

[@user-ds9fb3hz1x]

Thank you for uploading such a valuable Zimerman's great performance 😂

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

Beautiful camerawork! The close ups of the hands show so much control of the young Zimerman... Few can match his mastery.....🎹🎼🎶🎵❤.

[@CalamityInAction]

Movement 1: 0:00 Movement 2: 20:23 Movement 3: 30:45

[@user-qh2uy9yu9k]

Спасибо огромное за размещение этой записи.Прекрасно зная творчество Кристиана по радиопередачам,а позже и по дискам,хочу поблагодарить операторов,снимавших его выступления на конкурсе.Прекрасные работы.Оркестр и дирижер--просто молодцы!Техническое совершенство и удивительная чуткость.Тысяча благодарностей такому ансамблю.BRAVISSIMO!!!

[@soundknight]

Imagine hearing this on a record, it would be amazing.

[@richardwhitfill5253]

Zimmerman is a master of the piano

[@gabrielbustos2706]

8:34 this is what one of the best techniques in the world looks like. Love the camera angle

[@adatay8832]

Love the wink 😉... outstanding interpretation!

[@saravia1_]

Wow he looks like Chopin!!

[@maciejbe971]

I love Chopin's music and Krystian's play

[@toshitaka8177]

Very handsome and perfect !!

[@KarinBenzi]

Amazing!!! The best performance!!! ❤️

[@kingarthur5150]

Chopin Reincarnated

[@Piratebreadstick]

When he starts composing music like Chopin, then you can say that.

[@benoit1463]

The Best interprète of Frédéric Chopin ❤️🥰

[@chopin65]

I get it. I understand the pride and heartbreak of the Polish people. It's no wonder Chopin is one of their most loved sons. As an American it is difficult to understand this kind of identity. We are many peoples and as a political experiment unique. The American identity is the American dream, but it is not a nation in any cultural sense. But this... This music can make you Polish while you listen.

[@steverichardson7971]

sounds so sad but yeah America as young as it is we don’t have much of a culture to be proud of.

[@zacksima8333]

Steve Richardson well that’s because modern culture is the manifestation of America. America became the world’s standard, so now people look at the role model a century ago and think “why is this country so generic?” although it was probably the most unique of its time

[@jugutierrez]

Oh God, is United States, not America if you are going to refer to that piece of land in North America with the blue and red flag. America is all the continent.

[@SZ-wb1qb]

@@jugutierrez The US is the only part that matters anyway

[@sheiringhoddoucy1804]

I’d offer George Gershwin as one example of American culture and artistic identity. Definitely many others to be named as well. But I love your last sentence. Listening to Chopin, when performed this well, can definitely make you feel the Polish connection. Zimerman does that especially well.

[@hannastaszak1684]

Chopin to najpiękniejsza spuścizna dla ludzkości.

[@mashtali1]

20:20 2nd movement 30:48 3rd movement

[@58silviamaria]

Thank you for sharing us !!!! Chopin and Zimmerman are outstanding 😱🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@itscameron]

His interpretation of Chopin is definitely the best!! Love you so much Zimmy!!

[@pabshier1430]

Genius unsurpassed! (The cinematography is excellent as well-) BRAVO!

[@johnhartley8504]

Beautiful soul moving

[@paraponiaris]

Nobody plays Chopin like Zimerman. His playing is ethereal yet organic and expressive beyond anything else I have heard. He makes you pay attention to every single note yet blends them so effortlessly that they flow like water.

[@paraponiaris]

​@Анна Фишер She is an amazing pianist, but I find Zimmerman's playing and timing much more ethereal and effortless.

[@user-lk4fh4sr1w]

この若さが故のエネルギッシュで勢いのあるツィメルマンの演奏は心にくるものがあるんだよなぁ……

[@hanedashukichi5100]

Thank you for posting this! You are the best. Hope you're having a good day :)

[@davidofpiano423]

My pleasure =)

[@Isa-tn7ex]

18:34 28:50for my personal use, favorite parts ♥️♥️

[@tarikeld11]

How young he was! Ans the first time I see him without his beard. He looks like Chopin or Liszt...

[@gabrielcastillo2526]

Bravo! gran maestro!

[@kusumo2372]

The best ! .You can make your piano singing ! Bravo

[@anthonydenieul2108]

Un monument !

[@draytone670]

damn he really does look like chopin...never quite understood the comparison of appearance until seeing this vid

[@TheSammadan]

first time I watched this performance I though was Chopin himself .. love to Zimmerman

[@annabellshea7954]

Absolutnie najlepszy z najlepszych pianistów na świecie! Jest wspaniały!

[@user-ku8sm7fc6j]

he is the best pianist in chopin and beethoven

[@tomekseeker8379]

so its true wut i heard, zimmerman is chopin's reincarnation, who played it chopin or zimmerman?

[@user-eq7ln4sm6m]

Omg no way isn’t he CHOPIN ?? How cool and perfect performance

[@adriatorras8077]

i don't understand the people who say the orquestation is bad, i think is a genious product, perfect orquestation!!!!!!! and perfect cello parts in the op 65!!!!!!!!!!!!! amazing cello and orquesta composer: CHOPIN.

[@sarahjones641]

The orchestration is really awful too slow and poorly put together shame for Zimerman .If you really want to here a very good interpretation go to Evgenny Kissin and the Israel Philharmonic conducted by Zubin mehta for the Chopin Piano Concerto no1.

[@melanieangelis4183]

When you compare his own performance here kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWKsp2WAf8hgh8U , you can notice how bad this orchestration is.

[@amg2u]

Do yourself a favor, listen to the 75th Anniversary Zubin Mehta with Evgeny Kissin. Magnificent! This is pathetic, my apologies to the wonderful musicians, but there is no comparison. Both pianists are wonderful, but here, Zimerman shines like a pearl stuck in the mud, but Kissin sparkles like the center diamond in a Queen's crown. The setting matters.

[@myeongsong9694]

너무 아름답네요 so beautiful💗

[@mariafernandalelopes3410]

Perfect 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@user-bu1rv6ch5j]

노래의 흐름이 계속 이어지는 게 너무 좋아요

[@camiloospinavaron7940]

Thanks!

[@iyadkanaan5991]

legendary❤

[@anandakai8028]

Did anyone think the orchestra is too good also? Such a powerful interpretation

[@DavitMinasyan-rn3fv]

yes! definitely standing out in the second movement

[@frankenst0in]

I love that I could hear the orchestra well in this version while in other versions the orchestra sounds too much in the background

[@DavitMinasyan-rn3fv]

25:36 just leaving this here for me

[@schnabelite]

and me

[@adriatorras8077]

thank you david

[@anamariabadaloni9079]

Es emocionante escucharlo y ver su pasión sus manos acariciando esas teclas. Luego de tantos años continúa su pasión como el primer día.

[@the_platform]

Zimmerman is Chopin on this performance.

[@jaquetpotato813]

18:30 is siiiickkkk

[@allisonmasse3989]

4:38 hits differently.

[@lukeschofield574]

The piano or the recording sounds flat

[@mehrsataheri566]

40 minutes of pure elegance.

[@laurie7357]

I always try to convince myself that i can just casually listen to this concerto but i end up bawling my eyes out lol I'l never learn my lesson even after so many years. 17:50 and 28:52 get me every time. 🥺

[@iguarni]

Legend!

[@MinhVu-ef8qh]

Wow gotta say young Zimerman looks just like Chopin. The similarities are uncanny.

[@chloeheung]

He is Chopin himself

[@Rachmanfan4life]

It is so strange, watching him feels like Chopin coming to life… He looks just like him 😮.

[@charlottehuang1207]

Thanks

[@bieleckihildegard-maria4297]

❤..bei Dich ist Frederik Chopin 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@govcalif]

it saddens me to see how talented others are. i can't even type properly.

[@domidumdum4051]

There is no person without a gift. If you can appreciate this music its already a gift. Chopin's music is difficult to appreciate by people without specific sensitivity. It requires a lot of focus, also some intellectual attitude and a lot of carefulness. What is more, if You can enjoy this music, it says a lot about Yourself. Find out, WHY are You here, wathching this concerto, being enchanted to Chopin. You see some worth in His sounds and His world. It resonates in You, and You like it because of somenthing that You already have inside. If You hadn't, You'd rather do any other stuff online. What brings You to Chopin and this is Your first talend - inner ability to understand, appreciate this music . It's A talent. Or talents. Believe me, not too much people can listen to this and not get ignorant, bored or irritated quickly. They just don't have space inside for this kind of music, because it's difficult. Congratulate yourself:)

[@Gigu2024]

it doesn´t matter how "big" the talent is we got, it matters how many people we do make happy with it! If we misuse our talent to exalt ourselves our talent has been wasted. If we use it as a tool to make other people rich we honour the talent we got. I think Chopin was a genius of the latter kind. Moreover: If you are over 38 years old and still can walk steps you have more "talent" than Chopin had at that age. He had to be carried at that age already because of his devastating disease...

[@ankitabose2139]

@@domidumdum4051 What a beautiful comment. These are the words why I still search the comment section of KZbin. I wish someone inspired me in the same way, you inspired the person you replied to! :)

[@marineljenkings553]

@@domidumdum4051 So well said. Thank you for your comment. I totally agree with you!

[@domidumdum4051]

@@ankitabose2139

[@aaravrakesh4076]

Cadenza- 18:34

[@Shahdmansour44]

18:34 - Cadenza

[@victorgallardo6375]

This proves time travel, video taken in 1829, Chopin himself...!!

[@wodzimierzknap4857]

Chopina i Zimermana łączą co najmniej dwie rzeczy. Po pierwsze, fizycznie są podobni. Po drugie - o wiele ważniejsze - są artystami z bożej łaski.

[@schnabelite]

W takim razie myślę, że ma pan rację, panie Knap

[@XavierY828]

Why is the imagery so unsharp?

[@sularubinstein4168]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Populous3Tutorials]

what year was this? can u put in description?

[@davidofpiano423]

I’m not certain what year this performance is from which is why I didn’t put it in the description. If I had to guess, it would be around 1975 or 1976, in proximity to Zimerman winning the 9th International Chopin Competition.

[@jamescampion4393]

Wow fantastic! Any idea of year and location?

[@davidofpiano423]

Sorry to say I'm not sure of either the date or location. If anyone knows, please let me know!

[@benjaminstutzoddo4173]

Warsaw

[@elviahernandez3273]

Warsaw, Poland in 1975

[@sy-et5sn]

존잘....쇼팽같다 진짜

[@galinaprozorova7903]

Самое лучшее исполнение.

[@user-zv5hf2jy9o]

Chopin playing Chopin colorized

[@blueberrybabe]

5:37 11:48 18:36 33:44

[@user-wp5jt7xh2n]

18:20 18:20 18:20 bookmark

[@stmaosic]

what are these camera angles

[@sophias8382]

Candy for my ears and eyes, lol

[@user-qc9il6oq7g]

왤케 잘생긴겨...

[@user-kp7ls7ml1h]

most difficult part begins from 36:43

[@lifestyleastherapyafterstr9423]

Self note: 9:59 did something happen to audio, sounds kind of bendy

[@Pabloalexis97]

Most recently I've been listening to Dmitry Shishkin, he sounds very similar to Zimerman.

[@rakpongchaisuparakul6273]

Agree with your comment. Pollini version in 1960 was also great. Personally, the performance of this concerto from older gen of pianists like Dinu Lipatti, Josef Hofmann were also great. Hard to say which one is the best. All were great.