LAZAR BERMAN plays RACHMANINOV Moments Musicaux Op.16 COMPLETE (1975)

[@luisfernandomurillo3631]

I once had dinner with Lazar Berman in Bern, Switzerland after a masterclass at the Conservatory. He was and remains my hero. He was extraordinarily funny and unpretentious. He indulged with kindness piano students who lacked the talent to study with him. Like Rubinstein, he possessed the ability to play with the entire weight of his body creating effortlessly a massive sound like an orchestra. But more impressive than his thundering chords where the long passages in which he made the piano speak as if in a soliloquy or prayer. This made his recording of Liszt's Années de Pélerinage on of the most important historical recordings in the literature.

[@edwindepianist]

Wonderful comment! You have been lucky to study with him. What stands out for you about him compared to other pianists?

[@jeanperfettini73]

Berman,the great Berman, who went so underlooked.

[@sameester]

This is now one of my favourite piano recordings !

[@shilloshillos]

I met Berman in Fort Worth in 1995. he didn't know a word of English, was quite funny actually. What a pianist though, amazing!!!

[@Karlinberlin1]

I saw him during his 1st US tour in the '70's. Part of a small series at the U. of Miami, Ohio. The series included Les Ballets Trocaderos des Monte Carlo(!). Really a shame Berman wasn't more known.

[@fontema]

"Lazar Berman est l'interprète naturel des oeuvres russes de la fin du 19. siècle" (Dictionnaire des disques Diapason)

[@yvesgerard1308]

Je découvre cette merveille ... il n' est jamais trop tard . Interprétation très subtile , lumineuse . Merci .

[@Otilia-by4nc]

I like Lazar Bergman - great pianist. The subtle, luminous interpretation, a musical extravaganza. Thank you for posting!

[@7pianoforte]

Berman is not underrated. In the 70's he was regarded as a successor to none other than Horowitz!! He is still regarded as an icon of the century and will always be remembered such.

[@patmajor4840]

Extraordinary

[@philiprostek]

One of the very greatest... Thank you for posting!

[@giovannirivoira5496]

This is an interpretation to treasure!!!it deserves five stars,and the original DG lp is still very much sought after.thank you so much!!!Berman has been a real piano great!

[@rivavoinova6236]

❤

[@polskapianist]

i never heard this pianist but i love him ,he is incredible

[@traceyjones7941]

Lazar Berman's first monaural version of this for Melodiya is even better, if you can imagine. One of the greatest piano discs of the last century.

[@emilgilels]

Along with other recordings he made in those years: Scriabin Fantasy in b; Ravel Ondine; Chopin Octave Etude; of course the Liszt Transcendental Etudes (2nd, stereo version).

[@edwindepianist]

Is there an earlier recording? Can't find it.

[@rahkmaninov9692]

What a great pianist he was. Always seemed to make Rahk's and Scriabin's piano music breath like no other.

[@bertrandjacques6744]

+rahk maninov And Liszt..... :o)

[@bertrandjacques6744]

+Bertrand Jacques And Prokofiev..... :o)

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

Very much so! Listen to his recording of Prokofiev's Sonata nº 8 (recorded on the same occasion as Rachmaninoff's Moments Musicaux, I believe. They were issued on the same cassette/or CD, as you can see in the photo above.)

[@mayumiogawa3620]

...quanto mi piace questa esecuzione... è veramente grande questo pianista..

[@javierllamosas860]

I love the number 4. Astonishing! Of course Berman is a superb pianist.

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

Here is a GREAT virtuoso that was ALSO a GREAT MUSICIAN! (there are not so many!... when I recall that so many people keep on talking, over and over again, about Horowitz!...) Shared on Google+

[@fredhoupt4078]

simply outstanding. Such poetry and none of the horrid banging and overplaying that surfaces in a lot of his recordings. This is as wonderful for me as Ashkenazi. Fabulous.

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

I've owned this record since it was issued. At the time the publishers, perhaps because they were not to sure about the future of CD's, were editing the same work both in CD and cassette. I chose the cassette version (quite good). Let me add that, besides Rachmaninoff's Moment Musicaux op 16, there was also Prokoffieff's Sonata n 8, in Bflatmajor, another admirable interpretation by Lazar Berman who (at the time) was not so widely known

[@yhkalk]

Magnifique interpretation

[@patrickhuser4755]

What wonderful music. A true revelation for me. Thanks for uploading!

[@busylifemeto]

Totally incomparable love this mans music.

[@VCguitar1]

Outstanding. Why is Berman still so underrated?

[@a.f.4248]

What makes you think he is underrated ? This is just repeating a misconception. All piano lovers have cherished his interpretations for decades.

[@theresaheidel9878]

There is a recent recording by Boris Giltburg in which plays this with such a tender touch. This is achingly beautiful.

[@torriemadden3773]

Actually I have read Schonberg's Great Pianists. Berman was labeled a supertechnician by the critics however Schoenberg seems to take exception too that as he wrote: "His (Berman) recording of the complete Annees de Pelerinage by Liszt is an example of technique coupled to superior artistry; nobody plays Rachmaninoff with more style and elegance, few have equal authority in Sciabin." He goes on to say that Berman can not only make the Liszt Transcendental Etudes sound easy but also makes them sound musical. Schonberg ends with "in certain parts of Berman repertoire only a handful of pianists can come near matching him."Sounds like he wasn't one of his critics.

[@underzog]

Lazr Bernab's performance of the Rachmaninoff III was superior to Horowitz's IMHO.

[@ananke9642]

Maravilloso pianista, no solo por la técnica, sino por la emotiva interpretación de las obras.

[@coolxjl]

This is a fabulous recording. If you like no 6 you must hear Richter play it.

[@alhbardalan4907]

Beautiful! There is another exciting live recording of these pieces by Berman (RSI). Great pianist!

[@jeanstrubjucker7885]

precioso !

[@luisfernandomurillo3631]

Such a kaleidoscope of Russian beauty! Thanks for loading this gem.

[@MrGer2295]

Beautiful! Thank you for posting!

[@lagunagreg4019]

The delicacy in the second is just wonderful

[@Pourqouis]

Berman is great russian pianist, just after Richter and Gilels.

[@josecabreraarno579]

He escuchado el OP 16 de Racmaninoff por insignes concertistas, pero la versión de Lazar Bergman supera todas mis espectativas! JLCA.-

[@jean-louisyoung5086]

Quel grand pianiste !!

[@antoniocorreadeaguiar6780]

no doubt about that

[@fredhoupt4078]

I was not a fan of Berman's for a long time because I objected to his habit of smashing the keys too hard when playing FF portions of a text. I was unfair to him and I have slowly made my way back to investigating his art. He seems very much at home with the Rachmaninoff Opus 16. Very tender with a keen eye on where the melodic line is going. I would not say these are understated performances, but lovingly romantic and very well thought out. While my general feeling tilts towards Ashkenazi over all as one of the finest Rach interpreters, this type of Berman playing gives me great joy. Almost all of Rach for piano is technically in the upper realms of human capacity. Berman shines without the loss of control that plagued so many recordings of the great Horowitz.

[@trevjr]

Such a great comment

[@horaciorival8467]

Berman , un gran virtuoso.

[@leongunnyli6059]

unmatched and unique.

[@adriancameron8665]

these pieces are beautifully played

[@polskapianist]

i love this,apaciguada,soft tender rendition

[@sallylarhette7083]

so peaceful,for a beautiful quiet day of wonder

[@filarmonia3336]

Momentos realmente musicales

[@pancevic]

That's very great of you... and thx again! :-)

[@nevskixx]

I remember buying this recording years ago. Berman played the Rachmaninov and Prokofiev extremely well. That recording and the Liszt Trancendental Studies were a tour de force of exceptional pianism. One caveat though is his tendency to sometimes play through his tone. Over passionate perhaps. Still, a great pianist.

[@snowcarriagechengcheng-hun3454]

Thanks for uploading!

[@berlinzerberus]

SUPERB!

[@billmarrufo]

VCguitar1, perhaps you mean little known by the mass, but Lazar Berman is certainly not underrated by connosieurs. His KZbin version of Scriabin Fantasia is among the best. This interpretation is sublime!

[@VCguitar1]

I don't know. Even many people who should know better often talk about Berman as "just a tasteless, unmusical banger". Well, when I see that sentence, I think about idiots like LL, who are often hailed by the masses (and in particular the rather unindependent "critics" who work for the MSM) these days. It's sad, but, in fact, reality.

[@FailDrummer]

VCguitar1 Wha's so wron about lang lang? He's a master of the piano. Expression in is his strengt, let alone his tecnical abilities

[@Hobott]

Francisco Pinto Wrong about Lang Lang is the same thing, as about Lazar Berman and many other artists: it's all about, that there's many judgemental, jealous, choosy and overproud dabblers who think they know everything about art, but actually they're only vain.

[@seanpurtell8739]

Hobott Truer words....

[@Christoforos1]

εξοχα!!

[@lunchmind]

Harold Schoenberg in his book,"The Great Pianists" seems to dismiss Berman as little more than a flashy technician. THis is only one of many recordings that proves him wrong.

[@milton3204]

Dana Franchitto "Music critic" As if we should take them seriously. Let them bathe themselves in their own ego and we'll bathe ourselves in music.

[@lsbrother]

Actually Schoenberg wrote: "His (Berman) recording of the complete Annees de Pelerinage by Liszt is an example of technique coupled to superior artistry; nobody plays Rachmaninoff with more style and elegance, few have equal authority in Sciabin." He goes on to say that Berman can not only make the Liszt Transcendental Etudes sound easy but also makes them sound musical. Schonberg ends with "in certain parts of Berman repertoire only a handful of pianists can come near matching him."Sounds like he wasn't one of his critics.

[@niusicmanagement9109]

thanks for the info!

[@Nickauboutte]

Critics are often like eunuchs: They see it done every night, they'd like to do it, but they just can't.

[@palmerplantagenet]

Dana Franchitto, I've written a similar criticism of Schonberg, however, I believe his critique came from Berman's first tour of America, and the pianist may have been particularly apprehensive, since Emil Gilels praised him so very highly just before the start of that tour. Expectations may have been exorbitantly high, adding to Berman's nervousness. Lazar Berman I heard live at least twice on two different trips to the U.S. He was just as magnificent as his forebears - Gilels and Richter. Also, I think Schonberg tried to 'make up' for the harm he had done in his earlier criticism.

[@richardkarther8156]

Richter sloshing a sight-reading of #6 is my current favorite.

[@Chopin4321]

love it, very musical, has something special, still pogorelich goes deeper, reaches higher spheres

[@polskapianist]

Ah to put into words music,I find it so difficult.

[@nandotroyani5218]

If it were easy either one would be unnecessary. Berman makes it even more dificult.

[@davideberhardt100]

sergei takes us to new zones'/dimensions/ frets/ levels/. incantations/ recitatations/ mastications/lamentations/ destinations

[@azert5962]

That is intense !!!

[@დათოგაფრინდაშვილი-ხ7პ]

oh my god

[@thorindanielsen9500]

If you listen closely, at 24:01 someone sneezes in the recording studio

[@MrKaplan22]

A unique performer, Berman always seemed to be seeking, and ultimately finding, more of the percussive aspects of compositions as opposed to the melodic. He frequently communicates a sense of spiritual fatigue. In this piece, his tonal paintbrush seems to evoke blurred images, like those of a long line of exhausted soldiers still moving forward at the end of a day of marching.

[@BarbieGamboa]

😍

[@conrad6226]

Oddly this album is not on Spotify.

[@aleksandramilutinovic3796]

11:01 💓

[@nadiadesimone9853]

Genius unterrated.

[@VCguitar1]

24:02 Gesundheit! ;)

[@Piper12056]

Purchased this recording shortly after I saw him perform the Rach moments in Syracuse NY. His interpretation and technique were astounding. He was always underrated during his all-too-short career.

[@voraciousreader3341]

*underrated* - rated or valued too low How can you say that Berman was underrated, when he burned up concert stages all over the world, and was described by Emil Gilels as, “A phenomenon of the musical world”?!?!? Unfortunately, you’ve not understood the definition of “underrated,” but don’t feel badly….I see this silly mistake in comment sections over and and over and over again, typically by non-musicians who don’t always know the history of the artists they wish to tag as “underrated.” Whet you meant to say is that Berman is not currently as “popular” or “well known” now as he was in his prime.

[@Piper12056]

When you think of ‘great pianists’ how often does Berman comes to mind?

[@wowhimin]

@10:35 Did he skip a measure just before cantabile? I know this because I especially like that beginning part of no. 3. I guess no. 2 ended a little bit quickly. Is it intentional?

[@ignaciodanieltomasovsilva7877]

can someone share the link to download this recording? I will be indebted for that forever.

[@silviu56nomi]

+Ignacio Daniel Tomasov Silva you can download and convert it with YTD Video Downloader in mp3

[@andreea140794]

You can download dvdvideosoft from Google, and then paste the KZbin link in there to download it as an MP3 or AVI. Hope this helps!

[@pianotreasures]

+andreea140794 MP3? Are you serious?

[@SpaghettiToaster]

it's already compressed when you upload it on youtube

[@MANS4ON-Ce137]

Audio is an aspect they haven't really improved on as much as they could have, considering the amount of music on this site..

[@polskapianist]

if Rachmaninov could rise from the dead as Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead he would go strait to Berman ,and kiss his forehead and say Thank you.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

assuming he could bend down that far

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

-:))...

[@carlosjaimehectormedinalin3750]

We shouldn’t ignore the uniqueness of every great artist

[@cynic150]

I like some but not others. He has a good lyrical style. But number 3 and 5 are bit laborious at times. No 6 lacks the clarity of the melody as Richter achieves.

[@StinkySandal]

Really? I especially liked his numbers 3 and 5. Maybe I'm just in the mood right now, it being midnight and all, but they have a very strong meditative and pensive feel to them which I really appreciate.

[@elnino5472]

@@StinkySandal exactly, I couldn't put it better myself. I an totally in awe of his particular interpretation. A genius he was, much underappreciated, I'm afraid.

[@m.a.3322]

7:17

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Es p3simo.

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Con lo feo

[@anns.724]

Doesn't even come close to Gavrilov's No. 5! Berman's tempo is a bit uneven.

[@rahkmaninov9692]

+Ann Singer Agree that Gavrilov's no. 5 is great though like Berman's, too. Berman's No.6 is a great fave but also like Gavrilov's and Pogorelich's versions.

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

Here is a GREAT virtuoso that was ALSO a GREAT MUSICIAN! (there are not so many!... when I recall that so many people keep on talking, over and over again, about Horowitz!...) Shared on Google+

[@magbag70]

Well, Horowitz was a great virtuoso and also a Great Musician! :) and He reached some Heights where very few could

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

I'm afraid I don't share your enthusiasm for Horowitz' musicianship - I know he has many admirers! But I've never seen any of them refer to some 20th century virtuosi AND musicians such as Dinu Lipati, for instance (to quote just one), who were much better musicians than VH, IMHO... Strange, isn't it? Best wishes -:))

[@magbag70]

João Furtado-Coelho I believe is more of a debate between who wants musician to follow some 'supposed composer's intentions' and who appreciate musicians who add some very personal creativity to the interpretation. VH belongs to this second type, Lipatti who is a great pianist of course belong to the first I appreciate both but the excitement and multidimensional sound of VH is, for me , a unique in pianistm history. Please give him some more chances:)