Lugansky - Rachmaninoff, Prelude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 (1892)
Nikolai Lugansky, 2019
Lento - Agitato - Tempo primo
“First technical hint: set the right tempo for the first theme and hold it for the entire first part. Common mistake is to play it too loudly. I admit that the temptation is great, but the climax is not at the beginning. Reserve your strength because you will find several fff later. Take the chords of the melody in the upper voice delicately by caressing the keys and strive to make them sing. Avoid taking the chords in arpeggios lest that it lose evenness. The difficulty of the first part is to maintain regularity of the movement. The attack of the three notes in the first theme should not be too strong; just enough that they are all heard.
In [Agitato], emphasize the upper triplets in the right hand, which is why I indicated “allegro con fuoco.” Adopt a tempo according to your technical capabilities. Emphasize the melody; it is unnecessary to play it faster than you are able.
The return of the first part in double octaves requires the pianist to concentrate all his strength. Do not confuse fury with amplitude and majesty. It is safer to render this passage slowly - even if a trifle slower than at the beginning - and above all to ensure regularity of the decrescendo. I let this effect become apparent from bar 6 of this part. In the coda that the melody is in the middle voice of the chords in both hands, and it is essential to accentuate it delicately. Guard against the temptation to arpeggiate the closing chords.”
- Rachmaninoff, “Réflexions et souvenirs”

[@LVKNG]

old people coughing is part of classical music live concerts for sure

[@danielluque1921]

A veces lo hacen de aposta cuando no les gusta algo

[@hamiamiam]

Can’t they stay at home for god sake

[@misscrystal1627]

That’s an old classical tradition no one can break

[@lindorsibande]

Why do people cough during concerts/recitals? Is it just coincidence that classical concerts/recitals are attended by people who are ill?

[@footingball5566]

@@lindorsibande old people mostly. Also the big concerts are pretty often in very dry environments such as Berwaldhallen in Stockholm where all classical music for radio is recorded. The sound is superb to listen to but it's really dry and if you're on stage to have a concert, you can't really hear for example other choir singers (talking from experience) but the outward sound is still really good

[@dbd73310]

Wow. The only flaw I can find in Lugansky, is that after hearing his interpretations its hard to listen to anyone else play the piece. Stunning.

[@reasondro]

same dude!

[@RobWiebePhotography]

Agreed. This one's right there with Emil Gilels' version.

[@BillieD2000]

His concentration is almost Zen-like. And now . . . so's mine.

[@csanadvarnagy7913]

Ughh same e

[@vladrik7881]

Same with Richter and his Schubert

[@antonioluciovivaldi2127]

One of the greatest pianists of our times.

[@Franz_Liszt_Korean]

Agree

[@republiccooper]

I learn so much from watching him perform.

[@unzulaessig]

im not very but i love watzch him perform!

[@Franz_Liszt_Korean]

Me too

[@TwelfthRoot2]

For people who think piano is about acrobatics, this is an example of a technically easy piece to hit notes but there is a universe of difference between an average professional and Lugansky. There are only a handful of people in the world that can play at this level, maybe not even a handful.

[@DrJonathanDO]

@@aidan4624 I agree. My hands are large, and I am okay with the stretches but my hands are ultra flexible. I tried showing my mom, who is a pro cellist, but her hands can't reach. She wouldn't ever be able to play this.

[@flyingpenandpaper6119]

@@aidan4624 This really just isn't true. The largest chord is only an octave wide and I can manage it comfortably with hands only spanning a ninth. The only part where anyone with hands larger than an octave will have to stretch is at an F#m broken chord in the RH in the Agitato. This is not an "easy" piece-I would say it is on the lower end of intermediate-but if this was advanced, then what would be the Third Piano Concerto?

[@LalzJeNeSuis]

This performance is great, but I prefer Rousseau's one, more precise, smoother. And Kissin's one is kind of the same as Lugansky's.

[@danielraichman7026]

@@LalzJeNeSuis je prend le temps de te répondre vu que ton pseudo est « je ne suis » je pense que tu parles français. Alors je ne sais pas si tu es pianiste ou pas mais en tout cas à quel moment tu peux comparer l’interprétation d’une chaîne KZbin ou les interprétations sont certes juste (encore heureux) mais sans aucune émotion avec les nuances pas toutes respectées et l’interprétation de Kissin et Lugansky qui sont pour moi les deux meilleurs pianistes de notre génération.

[@LalzJeNeSuis]

@@danielraichman7026 Les interprétations restent des questions de goût pour chacun

[@AleksaC05]

Masterpiece. Nikolai Lugansky is easily one of the greatest pianists when it comes to playing Rachmaninoff, and other very passionate pieces.

[@georgeamino979]

When I was studying he came and did a masterclass on this piece with one of the students, and I have never heard the piano played both so quietly and so loudly in my life. It was amazing

[@Mendelian]

I’ve watched every single performance of this piece on KZbin and this is IMO the best one, the timing and dynamics are spot on.

[@alphax2869]

I like Kissin's performance equally if not a very tiny bit more. Both are legendary

[@amadeusgallenz3591]

Rachs own ist way better, one can feel the despair in every tone of his recording.

[@mirtozafiropoulou]

He's my most favorite pianist of the young era

[@your_crazy_lazy_pianist]

Ναι, είναι φοβερός.

[@syourke3]

I listen to this and I don’t know whether to feel inspired to practice harder or just quit altogether!

[@tvfamilia1766]

The best performance of this piece

[@Doubtlessly]

To me, this song is about the battle between your predestined path (the first three notes at the beginning of the song) and your will to power (the upper notes) - there's a constant battle and your will is trying to constantly fight and break free ... but it keeps falling back into the predestined path no matter what you do! And the final notes is the last wave of acceptance of the inevitable.

[@MyPianoArchives]

I started playing piano 3 years ago. This is the first piece I ever learned, and still.. every single day, I work on perfecting it. I'm self taught without ever having a teacher; the greatest way for me to get an understanding of the music (without ever reading sheet music) is watching all the different interpretations.

[@gabrielluis7193]

Amazing story. How did you practiced reading the notes?

[@Dubov1933]

Dam, that’s crazy first time. This is like level 10 RCM.

[@MyPianoArchives]

@@gabrielluis7193 Thank you! I used synthesia tutorial videos/ hand placements. I will be uploading my interpretation in a few weeks. I purchased a Weber semi-concert grand piano from 1901 (partially restored 20 years ago) for an insane deal. It’s been what motivates me mostly, having such a vehicle to express myself. I started on a keyboard and an upright piano out of the trash. Since my I can nearly play all of these pieces start to finish (there’s other’s not worth mentioning since I’m not far enough in them yet): Chopin Ocean Etùde, Mozart Lacrimosa (Thalberg), Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1 (and No. 20 posthumous), and finally I am determined to complete Rachmaninov’s Prelude in G Minor by the end of this month. That’s what I’m currently struggling with. I’m past the first A section, skipping B, until I get the other A section completed. Then gonna put it all together. By the end of the month I’ll upload both Preludes! What’s slowing me down is I recently got wrist surgery, so I’m just recovering. I strive to one day learn music from a russian teacher. I don’t want to attempt to learn theory or anything that may create a bad habit. I want to learn properly, so that’s why it takes me 1 year to complete a piece. I’m a perfectionist that wants to obey and respect the composers works. Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to play Liszt Sonata’s and all the pieces I dream of. Sorry for the short novel lol.

[@MyPianoArchives]

@@Dubov1933 Funny enough, it was the first work by Rachmaninov I heard (I know.. how typical.) I told myself.. not in a million years would I learn this. Thankfully, I built up enough strength in my hands.. and eventually became possible. However, it definitely wasn’t easy, but through constantly working on it.. it’s become a breeze nearly. I can play the “hardest” sections with my eyes closed. But, that’s every pianist that diligently works on a piece, haha. Thankfully I no longer need to think about where to pedal, my dynamics, or how to let my hands drop to the keys. It just comes naturally and I pretty much just freely feel the music. Truly, an incredible feeling for someone who’s a complete amateur in my mind. Comparing to the colossal works that exist, and to the legends that I look up to.

[@jeanpascaud4218]

@Vajanyi Please i would like very much hear your interpretation. Where is it possible ? Thanks from Paris.

[@SpontaneityJD]

That was deep... What structure.

[@solverofcubes]

The music is flowing. Bravo Lugansky.

[@vuqarizzetli7265]

Just think about it, Rachmaninov composed these stunning prelude when he was 18-19 years old. And little about Lugansky, he is the one of the best pianist alive.

[@stuartdryer1352]

Wow. No words for this.

[@РозаАршабекова]

Это просто невероятное исполнение, чувства захлестывают с какой-то магической силой! Дай Бог вам здоровья, сил продолжать радовать ваших поклонников, своей изумительной игрой!!!

[@НатальяДоновнаМицаева]

Никого лучше не знаю ду маю и не можнт бвть луше Николая Луганского кажетсч что Рохманинов не только стоит у него за спиной но и Сам исполняет !!❤!Невероятно !!!!!Bravissimo !!!!👏👏👏💖💖💖

[@olafpietsch9901]

Unglaublich virtuos und überzeugend, ein Traum in der Wiederholung!

[@TaichuLiu]

The prelude in c sharp minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff is a truly terrifyingly beautiful piece that gave me nightmares as a child but as I see Nikolai Lugansky now, I think what beauty that Lugansky executes in a piece so terrifying, traumatising and unbearable to some people xxxxxxxxxx

[@silviosalviati9710]

I have had the chance to compare this prelude played by T.Nikolayeva and by N.Lugansky. The comparison was instructive in many ways. Passion without roughness is surely one of the specificities of Lugansky's playing.

[@slepokurov]

Самый недооцененный исполнитель конца 20 и начала 21 века. Абсолютный гений. Самое невероятное исполнение

[@aminalesbekova7953]

this piece to me is like the five stages of grief.

[@MonogramistaML]

Now I cannot unhear it.

[@gregs5154]

See also the cadenza into the mad horns at the end Prokofiev Piano Concerto no 2 first mvmt. Sends chills down my spine every time. Anger, bargaining, reconciliation.

[@markusholzl454]

Eine unfassbare Perfektion in Ausgewogenheit, Emotion und Klarheit, trotz des einen unsauberen Akkords eine Interpretation für die Ewigkeit.

[@НатальяКузнецова-т4ч7ш]

ЭТО можно только слушать.... Говорить ничего не надо, все равно таких слов не найти.... ❤❤❤

[@ZaltikZaltik]

Яркое и выразительное исполнение. Мне очень понравилось.

[@gameboy-bt7nk]

I'm working on this rn, truly a masterpiece!

[@mufelo]

Definitely something new here.

[@eugenetrollip751]

Wow! Perfect interpretation and what a beautiful tone that Steinway has.

[@rhodoracorrea9996]

Absolutely gorgeous!! Thank you Mr.Lugansky❤

[@Professor694]

Великолепно!

[@phillipbuttery7789]

this piece of music is compelling to listen to ,its captivating,dramatic,artistic,sensual ,but overall its enchanting,the like of which makes todays music sound really futile,excellent

[@louisross5997]

I love the way the sound increasingly fills all the air and makes it vibrate...

[@utekarg3281]

Bravo. Just bravo

[@briancurtin1216]

Mr. Lugansky, Mr. Perfectionist.

[@csanadvarnagy7913]

Soo beautiful! ❤ Sounds great

[@youngwoo5860]

Majestic ..pious..passionate

[@stevenbeer6005]

That was moving! Cheers!

[@galanthus9195]

もうこの人はラフマニノフ本人でしたーって言われてもなんだ本人かーってなるわ相変わらずお上手過ぎる(´・ω・`)

[@carmenrubio3786]

Sin palabras

[@JanosKmetyko]

bravissimo.!!!!!!!!

[@B_Ruphe]

Ana Vidovic's professional cougher, a master at choosing the perfect moment to explode, was at a loose end and was lent to Lugansky for this occasion.

[@viktoriyazzobina3400]

Bravo!

[@mf6200]

The best! This is what Rachmaninov meant

[@АлександрЦ-н]

Николай Львович Луганский - средоточие русской культуры. Великий труженник, перевернувший миропонимание и самоосознание у многих. Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов - основоположник русской музыкальной культуры 19 и 20 веков.

[@pccalcio]

4:18 - Turn. Your. Phones. Off. Jesus help these people...

[@Sandrah326]

Lindo!🙏❤️💐👏👏👏🇧🇷🖖

[@idiliusmidilius]

Is it just me or did he hit a wrong chord between 02:53 - 02:54?

[@iggyf8278]

i think so

[@AleksaC05]

He didnt

[@maulik95]

It definitely sounds off

[@Adrian-m2u]

I think so

[@idiliusmidilius]

It sounds like he hit a wrong note in the chord, but I'm not sure..

[@carmenrubio3786]

💖🎶💖🎶💖

[@racheleskanazi4459]

Wow

[@mugsi66]

hey buddy, do you have a cold, lets go to the symphony!? JFC...

[@mugsi66]

every idiot w a cough, GHEEZ, how do they let them in the door!?

[@checkmate9049]

Ask me how i feel right now and I say you like this... Neverending timeless deep - Never Forever And Now

[@umurokuducu552]

I liked the audience.

[@unzulaessig]

Prelude in C sharp iz da thing op 3 nr 2 !

[@khn2476]

Top coughers didn’t miss this concert either.

[@Sortirai]

Il me fait penser à Wilko Johnson . Guitariste de docteur feelgood😊

[@williamt1033]

Very nice. Pace is a bit quick, though. The best versions are of course those played by the composer himself, but this is quite good.

[@rancidblock5615]

The recordings of rachmaninoff playing this are faster

[@나는누구지-j5b]

most similiar to rachmaninoff's play

[@simonvanprooijen]

@Claude-Achille Debussy that's definitely not the whole point

[@tristanmack1119]

Im only here cuz of band class

[@steventung5138]

Did lugansky play Chopin except ballade 4 before?

[@sweetfangs1979]

Yes... he has recorded a lot of Chopin too. Watch him playing Barcarolle

[@Jack-hy1zq]

Why can't the coughers bring a towel to cough into??

[@condofare6156]

just had to come here for music 😂

[@EekaPeche]

I love it... But I prefer Hoffmann 😁

[@alexsimper4153]

to think he was a 19 y old dude when he wrote this

[@prober0325]

Y le pagaron bien poco por esa composición

[@celestialval]

i dont like how his rythm is off sometimes and he slows and speeds in weird illogical places

[@AleksaC05]

Its quite logical actually, music is precise but not definitive. Its art, there is no right but there definitely is wrong, and he is playing right. He is still within the section of "not wrong" he is an expert for Sergei Rach. And he just expresses it differently than others

[@celestialval]

@@AleksaC05 i didnt say it was wrong i said i didnt like it.

[@a360pilot]

Shut your goddamn phone off

[@oats2949]

This guy played a little too slow for my taste

[@Reboost269]

He is Rachmaninoff expert

[@goodpotato8058]

This is exactly how it should be played

[@DiegoDiego28281]

You play it then

[@BPMsystem]

lefant terrible

[@pimptoking]

4:20 Lll awkward ring tone in the background

[@mariasuardiaz]

Grandioso 👏👏👏👏

[@rose-mariejougla1785]

magnifique!

[@blofeld2430]

One of the best playlists for work, thanks a bunch.

[@phajgo2]

so beautiful

[@ЕЛЕНАЦАРЕВСКАЯ-ф3щ]

Мдааааа.НУ,ЧТО ТУТ СКАЖЕШЬ.. ПОСЛЕДНИЕ НОТЫ ,ЭТО НАСТОЯЩАЯ ХВАЛА ВИРТУОЗУ ПИАНИСТУ...ЭТО КАК ОТЛИЧИТЕЛЬНЫЙ ГЕРБ..ПЕЧАТЬ...И ОН ЕЕ ИМЕЕТ... СОБСТВЕННУЮ.. НЕПОВТОРИМУ...БРАВО!