"La Campanella" played by Alicia de Larrocha

How is that for Clean!!! Part of a series of recitals and recordings of Virtuoso works from the 1960's

[@biegel88]

This was an artist on the highest order, for everything, sound, rhythm, phrasing, feeling, pianism. She was the total package and played it all.

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

Maestro Biegel, so nice to see that we both admire this marvelous pianist. P.S. I really found your lessons on Tone Base extremely useful. Warm wishes from NY!

[@sltomsik]

Elle etait sans pareille.

[@saygued]

Incredible. She was the finest pianist I ever had the thrill of hearing. No music ever suffered at her hands, on the contrary she seemed able to find the essence of every piece she offered. A wonderful, wonderful artist. I miss her.

[@simone222]

Very lovely said. I wholeheartedly agree.

[@winglow7615]

I have not heard anyone play this piece better.

[@Highinsight7]

And... you never will... she was... no words for it...

[@JoeCamp-mf1ug]

Me neither. This was a cut above the rest. Masterful indeed! Wow 🤩

[@VCguitar1]

Unbeatable... Lang Lang should listen and learn, if he really truly recognizes De Larrocha's genius!

[@JoeCamp-mf1ug]

Fully agree! This is the best version I’ve ever heard as one can clearly hear the 🔔

[@thepianocornertpc]

Don't bring the chinese clown in this. Leave him in his circus.

[@rickos1915]

Her keyboard touch is of the rarest elegance.

[@huyphamuc6372]

This is the most "ringing" version, absolutely like little bells hanging on the piano

[@rothschildna]

PERFECTION! The Best Campanella!

[@assindiastignani]

This is simply scrumptious. One gets so sick of these young super virtuosi who can play faster than the speed of sound, louder than a thermonuclear explosion and never make a mistake. How much like music this sounds when played with you can actually hear all the notes.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

One of this world's finest and most articulate artists. The very stuff of legend. Bless you Alicia de Larrocha!

[@matthewclarke5008]

Agreed.

[@arcphoenix563]

Probably the best "La Campanella" on KZbin. Flawless in exectution, just like it should be. :)

[@JoeCamp-mf1ug]

Yes. It’s the first rendition I’ve heard where you can actually hear the bells clearly as intended. This is the best!

[@thepianocornertpc]

@@JoeCamp-mf1ug Cziffra

[@Andrew279144]

Alicia was the greatest female pianist ever. I have her recording of Albeniz Iberia, and it it is the best ever!

[@davidmarcum9845]

Too bad this is not on video, she could have given hope and taught all of us with small hands that we too could learn to do what she did! This is so good and clean. She hides nothing with her pedaling or absence thereof!

[@Highinsight7]

I too wish this was a video...

[@pekeninu]

hand size has got nothing to do with the possibilty a playing this piece. Although I would love to witness this rendition with my own eyes

[@shubus]

This really is perfect. Not rushing to the finish line like many try to do with this piece and achieving the utmost in musicality. The minimal use of pedal showcases just how outstandingly clean and brilliant this performance is.

[@MitsukiSky]

Oh. My. God. She ridiculously phenomenal.

[@Shahrdad]

A true musician whose virtuosity is always put to the service of music.

[@brianwilliams9408]

Best version ever recorded.

[@xocolatier]

she had small hands and played so beautiful. she keeps me going and practicing very hard although i have very small hands.

[@Pongstorn28]

love her style

[@legecla7302]

best La Campanella I heard on youtube.. ❤️❤️❤️

[@luizfernandg]

A lot of people coment on her clear and crisp sound! But let's say it, there is an awfull lot more here, her playing is simply SUMPTUOUS!

[@JoeCamp-mf1ug]

Best version ever!

[@AgnesRegina]

"A heroine to all small-handed pianists everywhere" - Heero545 Totally with you there!! She plays so brilliantly I can SEE the notes sparkling... it's awesome!!

[@DavidAgdern]

I love the way she played everything! Always so rhythmic, the sound so resonant - always solid. She was one of the very greatest pianists of the century.

[@Iancad1]

Just the best!

[@abajour]

So fantastic and so unique! A true legend! Rest in piece, Ms. De Larrocha.

[@aliciaquintano6506]

de Larrocha mentored a pianist who would come to my mom's apartment to play our Steinway upright. She was a gracious person and an amazing pianist. This is wonderful to listen to. Thank you.

[@marisarobles1754]

What a fantastic player!! We have so much talent in Spain!!!

[@1blairt]

I met this beautiful lady backstage in 1978 in Washington DC. Looking back, I should have bowed down and kissed her hand.

[@protennis5]

too good ! Lang Lang said about her that she was his favourite female pianist !

[@matildegarcia9466]

Female!!! She was the best . Full stop.

[@tonylian2050]

This is the very best performance I've ever heard for this piece.

[@nessieness5433]

You are so right!

[@wolfgangwengenroth6875]

I agree

[@4rkadi]

Amazingly clean and evocative! I didn't think anyone could match Kissin's interpretation, but I've just been proven wrong.

[@Hes1oscillations]

By far the best interpretation.

[@Hailstormand]

It's like listening with a pair of brand new ears. Where are these bright, clarion-bells notes come from?! All of my life listening, I can only hear blurred notes. Lady, you have spoilt me forever.

[@majornewb]

I love this interpretation. IT actually sounds like bells

[@zong3462]

majornewb cuz steph the best

[@huyphamuc6372]

1:48 to 2:00 actually sounds like a bell for me. It's not ideally identical as a bell, but it's the most "ringing" version for me. I prefer this version more than Lang Lang's

[@nessieness5433]

Best of the best! Thank you Mrs de Laroccha! This is unsurpassable! In 2 year's time I have listened lots of times, I keep coming back to this outstanding version!

[@wiczitier]

It's perfect, so clean and organic... my teacher used to say: "wie Perlen von eine Collier" (like pearls of a necklace)

[@michielhuisman8113]

In my language (Dutch) it is all about 'belletjes' (ringing bells) and that's what I hear. Superrrrrr!!!!!

[@blobdffoo819]

Oh wow just wow, it actually beats all other versions i've heard for years and years. Not like others are bad, but this is actually another level.

[@flicfan416]

Absolutely magical.

[@danielgloverpiano7693]

I’m not surprised how good this is. I’m surprised that she would play such a shameless showpiece. I’m a Liszt fanatic but this piece I never liked playing. She tries and succeeds at making it into music. Bravo, Alicia! This recording actually encourages me to try it out again and see if I might like it better now. It’s always seemed like a piece for a teenager or young college student who gets excited by the empty virtuosity.

[@Mattttsin]

the cleanliness and precision of her playing are incredible

[@davidmarcum9845]

I wish this was on video! Such a beautifully clean performance. Very little pedal was used to try to compensate for small hands. She didn't need it. What great chops she had!!!

[@yuujidaimaoh2111]

So great performance, I was likely to faint.

[@eJoan]

Best version I've ever heard! It gives me goosebumps

[@thepianocornertpc]

Cziffra.

[@lisilisin]

I agree with you, Chopinco. The "Best" doesn't exist... mainly talking about art. There isn't "the best actor", "the best painter", "the best pianist", "the best play"... It is a mistake many people make when giving their opinion. To say: " This is one of the best", is much better.

[@abcabc820]

Excellent.

[@danno700]

RIP, Alicia. Thankyou for your contribution to music.

[@legendbach]

So clean and precise touch. Sublime!

[@gerardbegni2806]

All this seem simple in this intrerpretation. I love this false simplicity.

[@olgaorleanskaia1162]

Alicia de Larrocha fue una de las mejores de todos los tiempos.... Hay muchos hombres que tocan esta pieza de un modo excelente, pero ella - mejor que nadie! Es una pena que no hay grabaciones de video de como toca esta obra.

[@lagunabird1]

Whow, this is just perfect! So bright, so correct..... Thanks!

[@BrucknerMotet]

A performing musician for 75 yrs. And a top one at that! A real gift to our species. Infinite thanks.

[@latigojusticiero615]

Love it..brava..she lives in her interpretations!

[@dataznguy5]

Great version! Very minimal use of the sustain pedal, which makes for a very crisp and defined sound. In my opinion, a lot better than the highly praised version played by Kissin. Also loved the playful little pause at 4:03. Definitely caught me off guard.

[@MattFirdous]

that little pause adds so much temperament to this already amazing interpretation.

[@Olovlig]

Nice remark on the sustain pedal!

[@hiram242]

A giant...a true gift from God...may He rest her soul...

[@idaletegiga5786]

Como Liszt adoraria ouvir Alicia de Larrocha se estivesse ainda entre nós. Belíssima interpretação. Graciosa , expressiva!.

[@assindiastignani]

@bcnjd These are the recordings which so fascinated impresario Herbert Breslin that he sought her out in Spain (the first four or five times he called her at home, she wouldn't come to the phone because she thought it was some krank) and arranged for her NY debut and a big tour of the USA - she was completely unknown at the time. The rest is history. Thank you Mr. Breslin!

[@ordeedjc]

Magestuoso, claro, virtuoso, digno de admirar. WOW

[@bepkuenen1837]

Paganini would love it

[@etiam161036]

Quel régal !!!... Finesse de l’intelligente aisance dans la perfection ! MERCI 😍👏👏👏

[@nessieness5433]

Just absolutely magical, I keep coming back to listen to Ms de Larrocha's 'litte bell', she makes me happy beyond words! No other interpretation comes near. Thank you for all the joy!

[@OHOHJOHNNY]

OMG! SHE PLAYED SO CLEAN!

[@marlonguitarist]

Insuperable en la interpretación de los grandes maestros españoles como Albéniz, Granados y Falla. Una gran pérdida para la música.

[@MrCinemuso]

Wow Alicia brings the flamenco to La Campanella (esp last 30 secs). Never heard this show-pony music sound so good before.

[@daseladi]

Bravo!!!

[@Neopersonageguy]

One of the best interpretations !

[@mariajoserios9201]

Un gran regalo al oído poder escuchar al piano a nuestra maravillosa pianista Alicia de Larrocha !!!

[@dantequiba1512]

Best version I heard.

[@philiprostek]

Hearing this stunning performance evokes what Liszt himself would have sounded like: crystal clear with all the good stuff! What tremendous natural artistry.

[@mesrotondi]

E' l'interpretazione di questo straordinario pezzo che piu' mi emoziona, non ci sono parole!

[@anouchkakhatchadourian8606]

LA PERFECTION ABSOLUE ! Une prouesse hors norme....RESPECT, Madame ! Anouchka Khatchadourian

[@luislorente6494]

Algo inolvidable de Alicia que esta en mi cuerpo para siempre.

[@ichkdg2]

omg!! I can listen to every notes clearly,jesus!

[@brtherjohn]

I had several MHS LP reissues of her '60's Hispavox recordings, and this was on one of them. Had Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, de Falla's Ritual Fire Dance, Chopin's Butterfly Etude, and Mendelssohn. Other pieces I can't think of.

[@paulostroff99]

Amazing playing! Brava! TY.

[@scotashton766]

Suoerb! Beyond Superb! This is how the Piano should be played! Thrilling !

[@ericrouach]

best of all

[@daseladi]

There is really something spanish in the way she plays.. beautiful, beutiful..

[@GeorgeMaxwellDuPre]

This was incredible. I don't think there's a better more intelligent reading out there.

[@etiam161036]

Interprétation fine, équilibrée, pleine de vie! Quel régal!

[@dataznguy5]

I love the little pause she did between 4:03 and 4:04. Easily one of the best renditions of this piece.

[@markbordelon1601]

i have just found the best interpretation of La Campanella -- wow

[@EclipseGamingKSP101]

Mark Bordelon :-)

[@fluxequinox]

try Valentina's version and even Trifinov's version. I love all three

[@Kilimadelta]

que buena era, que grande... siempre viva en su musica. Estes donde estes, gracias!!

[@paripe]

Nos acaba de dejar esta Gran Señora. D.E.P Su obra queda para la eternidad¡¡

[@juancillo6064]

as usual, perfect inspired performance of the greatest spanish pianist of all times an one of the world greatest of the XX century. GOOD BLESS YOU ALICIA¡

[@HanlinSG]

i love this interpretation especially and 4:04!! This is THE BEST EVER!!

[@organboi]

shocking. some of the most clean and brilliant playing i have ever heard. how dare that person make the sick comment above about it not being clean. how dare anyone bring up these names like yundi li!??

[@MsTommy38]

registrazione ottima, esecuzione preziosa con suono scolpito e dinamica effervescente!

[@mikhailasanovic]

yes yes yes yes yes I love her violence at the keyboard! Brilliante!!!

[@Hyperstar5]

so clean and clear like a crystal, and so controlled

[@daseladi]

I have always loved the female hand at the piano; here is why :)

[@ROSAMARIAHOCES11]

Magistral! La más grande!

[@David-R.]

incredible woman!

[@rfalv]

Amazing ... truly bells ...

[@Mariuk1]

UNBELIEVEBLE!!!

[@eileensickel]

Very beautiful and expressive, Miss de Larrocha

[@capricorniosur]

La limpieza en la ejecución de cada nota es magistral...

[@arturon111]

@dquibs2 Agree with you, this is the BEST campanella, PERFECTION and beautifull. and SINGS,...

[@opsalazar65]

My word!!! I had three days looking pianist playing this fantastic piece of music. No one has play it like her. Perhaps Hofmman or Lhevinne ... Like this much more. My personal opinion of course.

[@AgnesRegina]

@Heero545 Totally with you there!! She plays so brilliantly I can SEE the notes sparkling... it's awesome!!

[@Chopinco]

there will never be the just one "Best" since each of us will prefer a different interpretation =) so "the best" is quite relative. But indeed u can say this is among the Best ive ever heard!!