Liberace Chopsticks

[@velcroman11]

A man of such talent, the likes of which, sadly, we will never see or hear again.

[@pedrodedgud8923]

Not only does he play without any sheet music in front of him but he's also remembering all the camera angles, which one to look into at the right time. Brilliant! The Master.

[@PauloRibeiroMusic]

😮😅❤

[@Mirach84]

I'm not trying to take away from his ability and showmanship, but that's a recorded performance, with edits and all.

[@pedrodedgud8923]

@@Mirach84 God Almighty, lets' not complicate matters eh?

[@marthahill2968]

YEssss!

[@indorexyggdood5343]

@@BlondieHappyGuy bro you stupid dumbas, he’s still the legend we know. But what he’s saying isn’t trying to say that he’s a fraud so stop crying about it

[@rosaliecarpio7768]

He turned "Chopsticks" into a Classical masterpiece!! There's only one Liberace!!! Excellent!!!

[@daball6677]

Wonderful!!! R.I.P sweet and kind man! You are still loved ❤

[@Mumblix]

Say what you want about Liberace, but you cannot deny that he was one hell of a showman. When you bought a ticket to his show, you got your money's worth.

[@gregzoller9003]

If you ignore the showmanship, which is top-rate, Liberace was a masterful musician. There’s significant substance and musicality there.

[@fryloc359]

I've watched a number of Liberace videos and he always looks like he is having a grand old time when he plays.

[@Yobbie72]

Funnily enough, he never touched the pianos at home. Four hours a day on stage was enough for him!

[@sherryholmes232]

Ciaran Ryan Are a member of his family???

[@Yobbie72]

No, Scott Thorson said so in his book.

[@showgirlsaroundtheworldada4484]

Playing piano was his real true love...second was audience participation, his third love was men...that's what lee was about

[@janettgrady2394]

fryloc359...Loved your comment and the five replies to date. This reply is my lazy way of thanking all six of you for what you say about one of my favorite entertainers, Liberace. I add nothing of substance, except to say that given the chance, I'd have done Liberace. Thanks again. You guys made my day.

[@karengayleparent2472]

Absolutely Brilliant! SO ....Lucky to have had his Experience ! for sharing the Magic! Of his Expertise! Magical! Showman for sure!

[@midtod]

I will never forget the night he died, Larry King had several celebs on his show to reminisce about Liberace. They all agreed he was (supposedly) not a good piano player, but instead was a good showman. What b.s.! I have NEVER seen a pianist finer than him. He could play the classics but also other types of popular music, which a lot of symphony musicians can't do. He could play anything. Liberace was also a generous man with his friends and people who knew him have told me stories about his graciousness. He had a wonderful sense of humor and that was the cherry on top. He was a true original. I have never seen him use sheet music and yet he played some VERY complicated pieces with an orchestra. I also wonder how he came up with the arrangements? Obviously the other musicians needed sheet music, so he had to have somebody writing out those line scores. Yet you never hear about the unseen person(s) who helped him. He had to be a very busy fellow to be doing so many shows -- flying pianos to venues, etc., and coming up with his own versions of various songs. A truly great man!

[@e.essington8912]

I've heard this, too. But how does that explain why so many of us love to listen to his recordings-- that is, if we can't see him, what good does showmanship do? At the end of the day, they saw him as "lowbrow" because he was commercially successful and made sure that his audiences had one hell of a great time! Those things are always going to grate the nerves of critics and performers who take themselves too seriously.

[@hugovargas9067]

You said it all so beautiful! 🙏 Hello from Beverly Hills California

[@mayiask654]

@@RS-yd2bp "but, there are many children that can play them much better than he does," ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- actually Liberace was a child prodigy himself. So it's not unlikely that as a child he did play at least as good as the (prodigy) children you are referring to. And so it seems logical that as an educated and experienced adult player he was better than he himself as a child (or other child prodigies)

[@cindyroshak9858]

6th

[@johnsheldon7716]

Agreed. How can one perform with such flair without missing a single note if one's musicianship wasn't up to it?

[@MerleOberon]

It's great to see he is having fun. Let's not forget his foundation still assists music students...

[@Liz-vd4lj]

MerleOberon I didn’t know that... very cool!!

[@bass9112]

i can be assisted by a distant relative? That's cool lmao

[@cherylmartin8877]

I thought of this and played it for my birthday. What a great show.

[@ghost_rider221]

I dont think anyone had a better time than he did..always a smile and having fun..greatest performer..showman

[@clarkgrayhame1250]

This man's talent knew no bounds. He was one of the greatest musicians our world has known.

[@RiminiVirage]

Very well said, totally in agreement with you.

[@manifestationmaven111]

Look at him having so much fun! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@annadembowska1160]

He was a great man

[@slh091464]

Such a fantastic pianist, and still, there is so much more to his performances than just his mastery of the instrument. His shows were just fun.

[@janettgrady2394]

Steve & Les...You guys are so very right about Liberace. I never saw him live, but I came of age watching him on TV...always a fun show. I had the rampant hots for Elvis, of course, but I felt that way watching Liberace, too. He turned me on, made me happy. Making other people happy is what Liberace was all about.

[@standingelton6375]

Steve Howard, same like my Elton! Lee Liberace was one of my Elton John's heroes! ☮️

[@darilynadams7281]

No-one like him today in the World! Sept 2024. 😯🙋‍♀️🇭🇲

[@amunra7979]

he was truly Amazing! He made it look so easy and like anybody could play like him. miss you Liberace! r.i.p.

[@Polyformatik]

He remains over the top by far and from a long time ago. What a player, what an artist

[@beatlequeen06]

This is why I love the internet. I never in a million years would have guessed I'd stumble upon this.

[@outbackeddie]

The man had more talent in his little finger than I have in my entire body.

[@standingelton6375]

Outback Eddie, same here bro! I'm trying to learn piano! ️ ☮️

[@clownphabetstrongwoman7305]

And more fingers in his body than you have on your body.

[@croonyerzoonyer]

@@clownphabetstrongwoman7305 ah haha…

[@jackkelly9022]

Me too.

[@LamaSweat-lg3ez]

​@@standingelton6375 Take piano lessons

[@veronicamcfarlane8707]

Liberace was an outstanding and EXCEPTIONAL piano player

[@mrguitarwho7141]

we are so lucky to have these video's.there will never be another like him.

[@bebefox2483]

There will never be another Elvis just as there will NEVER be another Liberace!

[@virginiastock5518]

Mr Liberace. The master doing what he does best.

[@sherryb6051]

He loved his music and you can tell with his happy face and the way he played.

[@merryhunt9153]

It's amazing how his hands fly over the keyboard and always land in the right place. I wish I could do that.

[@standingelton6375]

Merry Hunt, same here! ️ ☮️

[@Dremvel2335]

Best.. Version.. Of Chopsticks... EEEEEEVER!!! I remember when he played this.. Had to listen to it thirty times. I 've been looking fro this vid for years.. OMG!!! Thank you so very much.. Looooove Our Lib.. such a master... and this old Dragon does not EVER.. call anyone master.. Well.. almost never HAH.. Our Liberace is an exception.. Namaste...

[@hitcher1779]

+Dremvel2335 .... And ALWAYS will be

[@paulpalmer5621]

I agree

[@leothebunny19]

What about Valentina Lisitsa?

[@juliansolomone7442]

Your ellipses gave me a heart attack

[@randyjoe8253]

Only Liberace could take a song as simple as chopsticks and turn it into an enjoyable masterpiece.

[@LetsGoMetsGo33]

All these years of occasionally watching great pianists on KZbin, turns out the most impressive one was the one that was famous for it this whole time... don't think I ever watched him play before... wow!

[@balto4]

What a beautiful smile he had. Liberace always seemed to be such a sweet and gentle man as well. Bless him an amazing talent

[@Marsh55116]

I kinda see him as my grandmother!

[@Marsh55116]

Momtu was a piano player too.. She was old school like him.. Taught me so much about music and life and love! I miss my Momtu.. She believed in me and was rooting for me when my own parents were not. Even a trip to the store with Momtu was an adventure

[@SmilinJackAccordion]

Remembering Liberace ... May 16th, 2014 ... the 95th anniversary of his BIRTH. Thank you Lee for leading me to my PATH !!

[@larrytaylor3696]

GENIUS that will never be duplicated.....A PERFORMER FOR THE ages

[@martincohen8991]

That was a LOT of fun. He was a very good pianist and entertainer.

[@n.t.6609]

"And now for my next number, I'd like to return to the classics"

[@destroybabylon1]

De la soul

[@dianahill7239]

Practice, Practice, Practice! Vertoso! Everyone on stage must have enjoyed this man's talent. I appreciate his performances. Thank you

[@jourellelane1686]

Liberace is my hero and I love this channel big time thank you. So much for these videos i love and miss him everso

[@punkspop]

2020 and can still just sit and watch his videos like a movie. Never get tired of the joy he seems to have playing or giving.

[@cierakitty]

My first duo my music teacher and I played chopsticks and I jazzed it up much her dismay, however afterward she complimented me. She asked me however why I decided to do what I did, and I said I wanted to be like Liberace. Bless her she just grinned.

[@gerryhall7601]

One Hell of a pianist.

[@Dremvel2335]

One more thing.. I was 6 years old.. This event caused me to totally fall head over heels in love with music.. and it was on PBS.. LOOOOVED IT!!! thanks so much

[@TheLarryBrown]

And....then they come on and asked you for money.

[@Kevin-se6nc]

so many styles in this music..omg

[@norasteel5353]

Liberace, we sure miss you!

[@midtod]

The world's greatest pianist and showman. None better. Ever.

[@standingelton6375]

Larry Jordan, I'm not here to fight or argue with you! Yes, Liberace was a great piano player, but my main piano player and showman is another piano player and show man. We just agree to disagree! ☮️

[@ScottCasonRealtor]

Notice if you will, no sheet music in front of him. I've never seen Liberace use music. It's all in his head. Amazing.

[@lewa9575]

Scott Cason most pianists wouldn't need sheet music after memorizing the song...

[@thechicagoriver]

Wanna Cook ?

[@Rickyfyied]

Well, when you play it over and over (practice) you don't need sheet music.

[@ayokay123]

Which head?

[@AuntyGoogol]

Scott Cason Brilliant

[@davidedwards3361]

Has anyone else noticed that we have no pianist / entertainers like this today. But then again, we don't seem to have many of the entertainers like there was in the 50's to 70's. There are a few, but very rarely seen.

[@showgirlsaroundtheworldada4484]

There are a couple on KZbin try to imitate him...but if you will notice they don't have the hand flamboyance nor the leg movement.. The worst is the guy that took his spot in Hilton.. Barf

[@jackm.9286]

Bo Burnham

[@Liz-vd4lj]

Nowadays our entertainment is the Kardashian’s... thank God for KZbin!!!

[@Pocketfarmer1]

I agree , part of the problem is lack of music in the schools, another part is kids seam more interested in creating music on computers than learning to play an instrument (look at what has happened to guitar sales for instance), and then there is. Then general dumbing down of modern music( check out some of the videos on the “millennial whoop” and why they use it). That is my two cents.

[@CESkootchy]

At the risk of repetition, Bo Burnham

[@harrykuheim6107]

The original Mr. Showmanship.

[@sherryb6051]

Such wonderful talent I truly miss him.

[@standingelton6375]

Sherry B, he was a handsome Critter too! ️ ☮️

[@larrytaylor3696]

Genius barely describes this mans talent and showmwnship.....One of a Kind!

[@geroc6018]

A fantastic pianist, he was simply master genius.

[@jnjoni49]

Beyond incredible...such a wonderful talent. The greatest forever and always!

[@altidormarie-ruth6088]

Fulm.haicien

[@Bananapickle23]

Who the hell could dislike such a legend?

[@Brissieskater1]

The orchestra backing really adds depth to the performance.

[@karenokeane6461]

What a brilliant pianist. Notice how he can look at the audience while playing and never misses a key..

[@merryhunt9153]

I love watching his hands. So many ways to strike the keys...

[@heatherbrown4632]

i had the pleasure of seeing him perform in London Ontario He was simply brilliant

[@trevormiles5852]

love his humorous wink of acknowledgment to the camera as he starts. Went to see his piano museum in Las Vegas, glad i can say I went. Wish I had the talent he discards. Good man before being a good musician and that is saying plenty.

[@r.b.somers2052]

So much respect for that man.

[@davidatownsend8334]

I grew up watching the great Liberace, through the accusations in London, which are but nothing now. Nothing changes this man was a phenominal entertainer!

[@johnnyjames7139]

This man and Spike Jones fueled my interest in the classics as a kid in the '50s.

[@maderaca2182]

a really true showman.

[@TNR-lover]

My little girl just started learning chopsticks so I had to show her how much fun this song really is.

[@sarahconner9433]

Oh what fun you must be having

[@dwcoop5390]

Mr Piano man.. the best pianist to ever play.. I love Lee the man is over the top

[@dannelson819]

Awesome. What a master can do with the simplest of forms. My favorite part is the smile Liberace gives us at 3:18. A perfectionist showman, that smile seems to break through--very genuine. I like to remember him with that.

[@lianelayman7796]

Yea Liberace's smile really makes me melt, too bad he was gay not that anything would ever happen between us, especially since he was half my age or more. I'm not that much older then Scott. He didn't have all his hair and private part and later on he didn't have all his face, especially his eyes when he had the surgey, but at least his smile was real.

[@ousarlxsfjsbvbg8588]

Liane Layman wtf?

[@TheLarryBrown]

@@ousarlxsfjsbvbg8588 Ousarlxs Fjsbvbg.....your name.....WTF??????

[@TheLarryBrown]

@@lianelayman7796 If you are the same age as Scott, and he was 18, and Liberace is half your age, then Liberace would have been 9, and yes, he still had all his hair at that age.

[@siegridthomas9674]

I LOVED THE MAN...YES, HE WAS A SHOWMAN...BUT HE GAVE US ALL A WONDERFUL TIME...RIP

[@hectorbueno5423]

He cant hide his fabulous

[@TheLarryBrown]

His fabulous..."what?"

[@hectorbueno5423]

@@TheLarryBrown OH shut up.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Absolutely amazing...always. There has been no one like him before or after...

[@SC4RP]

When he started on TV they told him not to look at the camera. He looks, smiles grins and bounces. In short he makes music fun.

[@isaacwhull]

This guy is fabulous, what fun to watches.

[@ruthdcotter]

Just looking at the thumbs down votes. Surprised there were any at all. How could anyone ANYone not be awed listening to this man?

[@TheLarryBrown]

They just don't like Chopsticks dude, give them a break.

[@maryjanemccoy1159]

Lol, very enjoyable and the orchestra is just as perfect as he is!

[@TimoBrown79]

Liberace was an amazing pianist. People would say he didn't play correctly, but c'mon he made a fortune with his pianos and his amazing talent.

[@sarahconner9433]

Haha yep... Piano critics would say he didn't follow classical standards.... Hahaha, he was way way way beyond traditional standards...400 years from now pianist will try to play "Liberace"

[@alexblake6538]

Reminds you that in music even the “simplest” and most basic of tunes can bring forth such joy. Granted his interpretation is probably nowhere near simple (I’m not a pianist) so I can’t really gage the difficulty of this. But it brings forth so many emotions, the classical genre is such an underrated thing in today’s age. If performers now were to bring forth this kind of energy I believe that we would see it come back into the main light. Thank you Liberace for such amazing performances that you brought to us. You are a prime example that music is life. It’s clear that you live it and love it.

[@maddogmcrae]

Liberace was such a master, he could take a piece like Chopsticks and twist it any way he wants and make it in to a classical masterpiece.

[@johnskulavik7116]

On the fly creativity... unbelievable talent... and very entertaining!!

[@lianelayman7796]

He does look good in this video. he's so cute especially when he smiles. If I didn't know he was gay, I could probaby have a crush on him. It was before the plastic surgey messed up his face, especailly his eyes.I don't know why he ever thought he needed the surgey because he looks so good in this video. Nobody and I mean nobody will ever play the piano as good as he does. Man, when his left hand crosses over the right he only palys with the tips of his fingers and they go so fast, amazing! He's such a genius!

[@sandrafehr3576]

I agree with every word you have said here!!! He was brilliant and a wonderful human being!!! Wish I could have met him!!!!

[@agentfungus9742]

+Sandra Fehr : I met him once when he was walking around Downtown Milwaukee, his and my home town, during one of his concert tours. Gracious and wonderfully warm man. He grabbed both my hands and I was bedazzled by his 1000 watt smile. I just stopped to say hi and he made me feel like I made his day. Hah. He made my year! Wonderful, gifted man. He truly loved people.

[@robg_]

Liberace...The Elvis of the Piano...even has the sideburns..lol.

[@utubewinsok6484]

Bruhhhh....Elvis ....Liberace of Guitar

[@lanetteroth384]

love him..

[@Andy-hb2ix]

How could you not love this? A lot of fun. Fantastic pianist.

[@Melissa0774]

lol, just got an ad for Chap Stick on this video. Chapsticks on chopsticks, thought I clicked on the wrong thing for a second, lol :-)

[@regthompson9459]

Melissa0774 Interviews With Gregp

[@hightea2546]

Having so much FUN, chopsticks never the same ,after Lee

[@winonamassingill7895]

He was not only a great pianist, he was just the cutest ham. I hadn’t watched him play because I didn’t think much of him because of his reputation. However, I watched him in one of his specials. It was a little over an hour long and I realized what a great pianist and showman he was. So now I’m hooked on Liberace. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🎵🎶🎼

[@patricialaplante6993]

He plays beautiful music always love listen 🎶🎹

[@tombreen932]

Liberace like John Denver lived to play for people they were happiest on stage having a good time

[@regenprotec7109]

Thank you. Great recordings of greater personalities.

[@mariainesarratialeiva7399]

Liberace lo más grande y talentoso panista entretenido que he escuchado en mi vida lástima que nos dejó pero sus interpretaciones nos seguirán acompañando

[@jacquelinefox2632]

Genius. Liberace. So talented. .

[@TheNGXB]

The orchestra in the background plays Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 by Liszt!

[@jasobres]

Also a small section is a parody of Holiday for Strings.

[@chiseledquartz1075]

+NGXB Music I thought I was the only one who noticed that

[@whitealliance9540]

He knew people would see this forever, breaks the 4th wall with class!

[@marthahill1377]

Just hope he didn't suffer.Fantastic talent.Great man.

[@tinabizjaksavli3483]

I freeze when I look at his hands. It's beyond... he lives more vivaciously and fully present in one concert that I have lived in last 15 years. shit.

[@geoffstandee]

Such a beautiful soul

[@canajaneh]

And of course, the audience being more knowledgeable at the time, knew which composers he was riffing on in the variations. I don't know them all, but there was Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, I think Rachmaninoff (I could be wrong about that one) and possibly Brahms. Brilliant!

[@madelinebitts2766]

"More knowledgeable at the time", mate at this point in history we have access to more information at our fingertips than they ever did. You've gotta stop that trash "people now are dumber than people years ago" shit. It's not slick, just incredibly incorrect.

[@markdodds1110]

Sorry, but I'm going to point out the obvious - access to information is not equivalent to a quality education.

[@TheLarryBrown]

@@madelinebitts2766 And we also have the Beatles, which reduced the popularity of classical music by 50% or more.

[@toosexytobeabot662]

Amazing! What’s not to love?!? !!!

[@sarahpogue6734]

He played to please his aydience and give them great pleasure he was a lovely person

[@cathrinrehder6652]

Did anyone else notice the silhouette of Liberace's conductor Gordon Robinson in the background ? They are totally together at every beat ... I have also noticed that when he plays the Gershwin Medley in another video. Liberace's last note comes exactly with the downbeat of GR. Amazing. He surely picked the best musicians to perform with him. 🤗🎵

[@NatandGeorge]

Such a showman!

[@ChaChaLaguna]

What talent. He is The Show love is flair

[@daw162]

I remember my grandmother getting piano rolls out and playing them on Sundays when I was a kid. If you chanced across a liberace roll, it always lit up the piano and as a kid, you'd think "no way could one person play that". I'm (not a pianist) sure that some of those rolls were made of two combined parts, but they were a lot like his single playing above here. To see the keys flying in front of you on a player piano, though, really illustrated just how active he was when playing. You couldn't anticipate where the next keys would be - they'd be down three octaves and then up in just a few beats, or back and forth ten times in five seconds.

[@rayewen3347]

To see a really great version, watch the movie, The Eddie Dunchin Story. It is sans orchestra, just piano.

[@chunhongwang6848]

His great contribution lies in the convergence of classical music and real life, in those seemingly casual adaptation among those likely to be fit to ignore emotions.