Rachmaninov - Preludes Op. 23 - Grigory Sokolov, Geneva 11.12.2021

[@AlexanderArsov]

[0:02] No. 1 in F♯ minor (Largo) [4:23] No. 2 in B♭ major (Maestoso) [8:54] No. 3 in D minor (Tempo di minuetto) [14:03] No. 4 in D major (Andante cantabile) [19:27] No. 5 in G minor (Alla marcia) [24:00] No. 6 in E♭ major (Andante) [27:58] No. 7 in C minor (Allegro) [31:17] No. 8 in A♭ major (Allegro vivace) [35:35] No. 9 in E♭ minor (Presto) [37:19] No. 10 in G♭ major (Largo)

[@Nathannn4306]

Thanks

[@anezkamunzarova9459]

Thank you

[@DianAmini]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@erdem9108]

Thanks a lot 👍🏻

[@Verdeazulgris]

So helpful! Thank you😍

[@jjuuaannii1]

I'm absolutley amazed by how sokolov plays. Almost everything he plays is my favorite version.

[@Lamturnik]

I feel the same, without the "almost". (:

[@paulmayerpiano]

I almost always feel as though he reveals something new to me, even in a piece I've heard more times than I can count. So often, after hearing Sokolov play, I honestly can't imagine of how anyone could ever play it "better". He's the ultimate, for me. His technical skill and him musical insight are unmatched by any living pianist, and in fact he's quite possibly the GOAT.

[@paulmayerpiano]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards Yeah. Richter in the late 50s - my gawsh. He could have blown the door off any concert hall he played in at that time. His live recording of the 4th Chopin Ballade in Prague will never be eclipsed for me. I will never forget the profound shock I felt at the beginning of the final stretto after the pause. But that was a different era, with more hubris and more risk. Sokolov is more consistently right on the money for me interpretation-wise, his tone is just as massive as RIchter's was, and he plays cleaner while still brimming with emotion. It's a tough call, and as a former Richter cult member that's pretty hard to admit.

[@fredsharp7419]

I cannot understand why Sokolov is not mentioned more often as being among the greatest pianists of our time! Technique is impeccable, and he finds beauty in everything he plays that other pianists seem to have missed!

[@BrianPaick]

I saw him live this past Wed in Vienna. He seems to have changed his program from the winter to the spring -- instead of this set and Kreisleriana, it was Beethoven op 35, Brahms op 117, and still Kreisleriana for second half. It was hands down the best piano recital I have ever been to, no question about it. I've seen many great pianists -- from specialists (Angela Hewitt's Bach, Pollini's Chopin) to generalists (Kissin 3 times, Uchida 2 times, Cho Seong Jin 3 times, Hamelin 4 times, as well as Denk, Trifonov, Ohlsson, Rana, on and on). There was a football field between them and Sokolov. It is truly astounding. He is the cleanest, yet most vivid and evocative. Every note is saturated with purpose and meaning. I cannot imagine a recital of his that would be bested by anybody but himself.

[@musikguru1]

This is where the problem is, Fred: you cannot understand. Sokolov is a very professional pianist, but an absolutely empty and uninteresting artist. Like most people, you cannot hear and understand the difference. There is an abyss between the two.

[@willlawrence8756]

@@BrianPaick It's wonderful because he spends time on certain selected 'items' for a tour enabling him to 'live into' the music. Shows doesn't it!

[@paulmayerpiano]

@@musikguru1 LOOOLLLLL what the hell are you doing here then? Trolling? Here, go stare at Yuja Wang's ass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3rCkHqkqKuDb6M

[@ganjamozart1435]

@@BrianPaick What's he like compared to Babayan and Volodos?

[@KaisarAnvar]

Ufff.... that freedom, that open-sound, that flexibility, that boldness, that generosity towards sonority, that personality.... what a giant. The Richter of 21st century

[@MegaLajeunesse]

Un concert qui restera dans les mémoires devant un parterre de masqués hypnotisés par la peur.

[@excelsior999]

... and he plays everything from memory. Astounding.

[@pelegrino791]

Never heard these pieces so well played. Thank you Mr Sokolov !

[@rsjmd]

That was my exact reaction...never enjoyed the preludes till listening/seeing this performance

[@ЕрмаковичСветлана-ь3к]

Истинное наслаждение и от музыки Рахманинова и от исполнения Григория Соколова! Браво!!! Красиво, поэтично, романтично!!!

[@RWinkley02124]

These are all amazing, but no. 4 is truly sublime in the way the line is sustained over great spans. So beautiful. The others are equally inspiring in the way his unique voice as a musician shines through. Bravo.

[@ТатьянаАлексеева-л8я]

По- моему, это Божий промысел, даровать нам такого пианиста! Безмерно восторгаюсь и люблю! Удивительный, уникальный, тонкий и чуткий! Нет слов! Браво, Григорий Липманович!

[@valdistakada6804]

Великий мастер!!! Спасибо!!! Удивительно!!! Сказочно!!! Светло!!!! И одновременно трагично!!!

[@catherinejaures6422]

Toujours la même émotion quand j'écoute cet extraordinaire et si émouvant interprète ! Merci à vous .

[@markdecker2112]

Deutsche Grammophon need to release this on CD. Wonderful performance

[@adrianwright8685]

Do DG own it?

[@yashsaranpiano]

@@adrianwright8685 no but as in record this in a studio with sokolov

[@emilyhutjes]

How breathtakingly beautiful Mr. Sokolov. Thank you ! 💙🌷🌷🌷 (Holland)

[@МаринаАгафонова-ы3и]

Какая потрясающая искренность! Спасибо Маэстро

[@cicir423]

Perfectly beautiful! Because of the exquisitely shaded notes inside his impossibly long phrases, Sokolov lingers and can take slower tempos, and not lose the cohesiveness of the piece. I'm just in awe of this expansive, expressive playing. These preludes are often neglected for Rach's larger works. A treat to hear them!

[@WarinPartita6]

Bravo, beloved​ Maestro.​ Thanks​ for​ sharing​ this​ wonderful​ concert.​ And, thanks​ to​ the​ camera​ team​ for​ excellent​ shots, allow​ing​ us​ to​ see​ the​ Master's​ hands​ most​ of​ the​ time.​

[@eusebiusseo9809]

십여년전 독일에서 sokolov 의 모짜르트 소나타 2번 듣고 모든 청중들이 눈물을 흘렸었던 기억이 나네요...이 후 저의 최고의 우상이 되었지요... 아직까지 이렇게 최고의 연주를 들려주셔서 정말 감사드립니다🙏 이렇게 아름다운 곡 인지 새삼 느끼고 듣습니다 👍

[@ВераСкоткина]

Каждая новая встреча с Музыкой Маэстро, даже если она сейчас не в зале, это радость и потрясение от услышанной глубины трактовки произведений и блестящего пианизма! Необыкновенно чуткое прикосновение к клавишам, красота звучания в каждой интонации, звуке, туше, море проникновенных эмоций - все это притягивает и восхищает! Браво , Григорий Липманович, доброго Вам здоровья и, надеюсь, до скорых встреч в залах Гамбурга или Ганновера!

[@СергейПименов-н9г]

Огромное удовольствие от исполнения Маэстро Г. Соколова Спасибо🙏💕

[@888RustamMuradovMusician88]

Слышал Маэстро в живую - это нечто особенное и запоминающееся на всю жизнь. ! Запись - это одно, в реальности, душа видна и слышна по-настоящему. Жаль, но, наверное, больше не получится попасть на его концерт... Хотя, надеюсь... Спасибо что Вы есть у нашей планеты 🙏

[@MacphersonAghah]

I am so happy to watch the maestro play live. Rachmaninoff music is rich and he brought all the nuances that are often missed nowadays .Good sound production and video.

[@marceloverzoni6270]

Fantastic pianist, great musician, unforgettable artist! Thank you forever, Mr. Sokolov.

[@88tasti]

Wonderful! I had the opportunity to listen to him live and the experience was sublime. Thank you Maestro!

[@andjeybeletskybaritone6876]

ВОСХИТИТЕЛЬНО !!! ХРАНИ ГОСПОДЬ

[@doogeca2043]

Symphonic piano playing! This is the most perfect interpretation of Rachmaninoff's work I've ever heard from the greatest pianists around the world. There's one little flaw: Prelude Op 23 No. 6， the second note of the third beat of measure 18 on left hand was played wrongly as a B-flat, where it should be a natural B.

[@СветланаКоломыйченко-ц1ж]

Какое божественное пиано!

[@joachimg5829]

Number 4 is saying so many things! Sadness, sorrow... almost despair. But also hope, resignation, trust and faith in the future, bliss, rapture at some points, dare I say ecstasy... All of this so apparently simply rendered... This man (and rach) are treasures

[@paulmayerpiano]

15:41 Yup. Me too. What can you say about something so beautiful? Thank you for posting this.

[@yulduzaslanova7746]

Так тонко и проникновенно может исполнить только человек проживший долгую жизнь. Это напоминает последние записи Горовица.

[@alegal752]

GRANDE MAESTRO GRAZIEE.

[@luciaartizzu4351]

Il più grande

[@Steinbrennerheit]

Il grande dei più grandi😊

[@shin-i-chikozima]

The comfort of his playing piano is irreplaceable

[@いくみピアノ教室]

ソコロフの多彩な雄大なロシア音楽。最高です。大変な情勢ですがこの甘美な音楽が世界を救ってほしい。生で聞きたい。日本に来てほしい。

[@b1i2l336]

Miraculously beautiful and accomplished playing of the highest order.

[@scuunjieng]

many thanks for this deeply appreciated post. I wish Sokolov still played concertos

[@carsond67]

I put this on as some background music while I was working... didn't get much work done! Such mesmerising, completely immersive playing. He feels Rachmaninoff to his core.

[@namkim6502]

Sokolov’s Rachmaninov is sublime and otherworldly…

[@petrefartatescu1070]

Well it is a russian playing russian music

[@valentinvanderkelen6051]

37:16 i went to see him in concert and he played this piece as an encore, and when he played that last scale up to the highest note, a collective "ahhh" from several women rang out in the concert hall. it was a really strange moment.

[@hansdekorver7365]

Not very easy.

[@aoristt]

это прекрасно, спасибо...

[@Bulyukin1]

Какие умелые пальцы! Помню, меня профессор по фортепиано спросил: Помню я такое-то произведение, которое я учил раньше? Я ответил, что сам не помню, но пальцы помнят и сыграл ему. Ему очень понравился ответ про пальцы. На меня пальцы Соколова производят сильные впечатление!

[@unkunk5784]

Тактильная память

[@Steinbrennerheit]

Вот эта воспоменанее

[@olgaisaaccura9091]

Te hace sentir de todo desde el principio al fin, qué maravilla de la vida! Gracias Maestro 🎹♥️

[@origamiyim]

I liked the way he played no. 7. Slower than a typical interpretation maybe. But still he manages to not to damage the continuity. It sounds a lot darker and I liked it!

[@mylittlehouseofrescues8797]

Absolutely astounding performance, and what a shame that KZbin is playing ads every few minutes in the middle of the pieces! It completely ruins the listening experience, and I couldn't bare even halfway through. 😢 Hope there will be another platform that respects people who are listening to music, and we could switch to it.

[@mylittlehouseofrescues8797]

I would never support KZbin with my money. Someone recommended the Brave browser to me, and now I can listen ad free. ☺️

[@нуриястоянцева]

Чудесное выступление

[@josephhapp9]

🌺🙏🌺 Wonderful. Thank you.

[@АллаЦаренко-в3л]

Спасибо Маэстро за СВЕТ...

[@NormanicusDiabolicus]

Absolutely fabulous playing of such wonderful music. Bravo to Rachmaninov and Sokolov

[@Lasagin]

19:27 No.5 in g minor

[@kenelliott8944]

What an inspiration to experience this!!!!

[@christianviguie4438]

Le très grand et trop rare Sokolov ! Bravo !!! Mais cette épouvantable manie de couper le concert par de la pub, et 4 fois en plus, je finirai par ne plus me connecter à KZbin..

[@1947laurence]

❤❤❤As usual with him (comme d'habitude avec lui) !

[@adrianwright8685]

41:50 he could smile - couldn't he? (maybe Poo tin doesn't allow smiling?) -- I watched it all over again and he still didn't smile

[@Cubanbearnyc]

Very elegant concept .... !

[@linoseraglia8548]

Music speaks only to those who are willing to listen

[@Maffchops]

I think it's safe to say that Sokolov owns these 10 pieces. He plays them all so convincingly, with such beautiful authority. I would have gone as far as to say that this is the greatest live recital of all 10 back-to-back in my opinion, if I'd not noticed that numbers 1, 7 and 9 were pre-recorded and spliced in!

[@Panzerino02]

Richter owns them all!

[@paules3437]

How did you notice that?

[@Panzerino02]

@@paules3437 Listen. Only.

[@paules3437]

@@Panzerino02 How can I "listem" only? It's a video. There's a visual component. If I were there, I'd find that ceiling super annoying, and as I don't like to attend recitals and close my eyes, I just noted how ugly the ceiling is. If he were performing in a gutted building in some Soviet-era city, would you ask me to "just listem"?

[@Maffchops]

@@paules3437 if you're asking me how I noticed the splices, it's just the different camera angles that were used - how would they get the camera shots for those pieces without a camera in front of Sokolov, yet in the actual recital there's no camera in that position. You can also see no audience when looking from his left

[@pliniovellas3743]

서 sokolov 의 우의 모짜르십여년전 의서 정저의말 감사독일에트 소나타 2번을의 우 흘렸었던 기억이 나네요...이 듣저의고 모든 청중들이 눈물후 저의 최고상이. 아직까지 저의 되었지요..이렇게 최고의저의의서 정저의말 감사 연저의주저의를 들려주셔저드저의립니다

[@patriciaamdur5587]

Stu h a wonderful concert from a very great pianist.

[@clementeperronedazara1591]

wow, sublime ...

[@arthurtwoshed]

A genius at the piano.

[@adrianwright8685]

Geniuses create works of genius. Rachmaninov was a genius. Sokolov is a very good pianist.

[@asalj4014]

@@adrianwright8685 No, interpretive genius exists

[@peterelliott5720]

@@adrianwright8685 Denying that Sokolov (or Richter, Gould, or many other great musicians) cannot be considered to be a genius because they did not compose the works themselves is the same as arguing that pretty much no actor has ever been a genius (through virtue of their acting) since they almost always work from scripts.

[@adrianwright8685]

@@peterelliott5720 I would deny actors being geniuses. It is I admit just a matter of definition but I prefer to take a genius as producing a 'work of genius'; something that is admired/enjoyed/used by many people for long period. Einstein, Rembrandt, Tolstoy are good examples. I just can't see that a musician can do that; however good Sokolov is - and I don't deny he's very good - his performances/recordings will be largely forgotten about in time.

[@cheapimitation2242]

Extraordinary rendition!

[@kimseonjoo66]

bravo

[@antoniom8579]

Splendido

[@BrianPaick]

Does anyone have the video for the 2022 human rights concert? Really wanting to see his Purcell!

[@shaunhermans]

35:35 dance of the tarantula!

[@cecik5578]

The F# minor is just otherworldly…..it is so clearly a distillation of everything Rachmaninoff strove to create. Childlike questioning amidst deep pathos, tension dissolving into peace, harmonic ambiguity resolving into perfect consonance.

[@micka3219]

No.5 19:27

[@mariaecaterina322]

Gorgeus ❤

[@jnmusic9969]

I really like his rendition of no 5, I prefer his speed to others

[@sophielemmel2973]

Magnifique

[@sheilacorte7366]

Bravo, brevíssimo!

[@sheilacorte7366]

Bravissimo

[@irynasakharchuk7044]

thank you❤

[@yongyongong]

Just so good

[@novosibirier]

Липманыч - один из лучших ☝️

[@MichaelConwayBaker]

Beautiful!!

[@anderb9311]

beautiful

[@vaxx2007]

жаль людей в зале - у них нет возможности поставить запись на 1.25 скорости - тогда звучит то что маэстро хотел бы сказать, но уже не хватает здоровья. а у нас эта возможность есть.

[@342567345]

Un Genio sprecato in una hall di mummie...

[@1Verdasia2]

Che brutto commento - necessario?

[@이은실-o3p]

❤

[@excelsior999]

Grigory the Great.

[@ОксанаЧернова-у7ц]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@snufflehound]

What huge gnarly hands!

[@alissiamusic579]

Но как они волшебно играют🙏❤️

[@alissiamusic579]

Но как они волшебно играют🙏❤️

[@luisgonzalez6196]

My gosh! Just Zokolv !!.............

[@claudioparrella183]

mi piace

[@rosichmusic]

Bellisimo

[@irwinshung809]

Not a Sokolov fan, but these are GORGEOUS. Amazing tone and lyricism. Missing some of the bravado, but he's got me convinced.

[@カプリッチョーソ]

20:50

[@РоманДуменков]

Соколов!!!

[@tonimarintorres8407]

2, 7 and 9

[@valentinvanderkelen6051]

My favorite

[@ИннаБородина]

Рояль отличный. Пианист хорошо владеет звукоизвлечением. Но, очень свободно держит руки по отношению к клавиатуре... слишком много педали, у меня сложилось впечатление, что много используется левой педали. Так как манера исполнения, довольно экспрессивная. Высокий замах рук, хотя скорость испонения высокая но, в музыке много залигованных нот. Слушать приятно и можно выразить восхищение долголетием профессиональной концертной деятельности пианиста.

[@stonefireice6058]

O, stuff it! You know it all, the expert of taking beautiful music apart, for your own ingratiating.

[@sottovoce_24]

Под каждым подобным видео тысячи восхищенных комментариев со всего света и обязательно-непременно -мнение какого-нибудь очередного отечественного "диванного иксперда" с подробным описанием недостатков исполнителя и его техники. Не позорьтесь, вы смешны и жалки! А Соколов - гениальный пианист!

[@ИннаБородина]

Слышь, караоке эксперт, пойди в свою ванную комнату в хосписе где ты проживаешь, с двухярусными кроватями. Посмотрись в зеркало и спой песенку Аллы Борисовны, под аккомпанимент звуков водопровода... Не забудь высказать свое возмущение тем, что в твоем общежитии, нет дивана, рояля модного типа "йоника" и вообще, культурной элите вроде тебя, даже душ принять, не по расписанию - сложно... Мировая культура, сильно страдает без твоей защиты, а Соколов, не сможет быть виртуозом без дружного хора, лицемерных восхвалений.

[@paules3437]

My favorite Rach prelude is the g# minor, which is Opus 32, not 23. I have yet to find anyone whose version I like, oddly. Any recommendations ?

[@loxpower]

It's one of my favorite too. Now, Sviatoslav Richter's performance is universally acclaimed as the best. He played (and recorded) it many times. The studio versions are usually full of Russian 'nostalgia' (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoi2noaZmNx3qas that's one of them but, honestly, they all are pretty 'spot on') but you should check the live version too (kzbin.info/www/bejne/aamah6p5pNyaoas that's one of my favorite).

[@rossulbricht7959]

Rachmaninov

[@micaelabonetti949]

Mikhail Pletnëv.

[@geoffreywarren3781]

Horowitz and or Rachmaninoff

[@paules3437]

@@geoffreywarren3781 I think I've heard Horowitz and maybe even Rach but I'll check again. This is blasphemy, I know, but I am generally indifferent to Horowitz. Couldn't tell you why. Thanks

[@paules3437]

WHO created that horrifying ceiling, reflected in the piano lid? And what's with the classroom seating? I suppose this is some kind of government assembly hall? I would call the venue an odd choice, but I once saw a recital with Richter and Fischer-Dieskau in a converted barn in central France, so go figger...

[@adrianwright8685]

World Human Rights Concert Geneva, 11 December 2021 - presumably it's during a conference

[@neilford99]

Figure…

[@HermanIngram]

The composer, the performer and the piano are the only thing human in this video.

[@ortegoortego4963]

Гриша, интересно, что ты чувствуешь когда играешь людям в масках?

[@ЭрнестаЛиса]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnyafoCppbhpqcU

[@ЭрнестаЛиса]

Какая здесь интересная трактовка Рахманинова! Всё как-то мягче, тоньше.... Трудно судить. На мой взгляд Рахманинов всё же не настолько уж лиричен.

[@josephhapp9]

?? Not Lyrical ???

[@ЭрнестаЛиса]

@@josephhapp9 Рахманинов страстный мечтатель, но никак не лирик.)

[@БорисШалагінов]

Если бы пианисту было 20 лет, сказали бы: "Манерничает!" А о седовласом маэстро говорят: "Какая неожиданная трактовка!"

[@ЭрнестаЛиса]

@@БорисШалагінов А-а-ха-аха-аха-аха-!! Да, отчасти вы правы!)))

[@Panzerino02]

Точно. И Рихтер это точно знал... Рихтер, Рахманинов, Мелодия 1982. И опус 23 закрыли навсегда.

[@タクト啓チャンネル]

素晴らしい　私の　知らないピアノの　先生ですネ👩‍🏫石川県神谷啓夫チャンネル指揮者体験を　やってます。宜しくです。

[@andreagriseri7656]

God bless mother Russia!

[@manark22]

what is he eating?

[@OE1FEU]

He's a vegan, 100%.

[@HermanIngram]

He’s angry that the world has lost its mind.

[@valentinvanderkelen6051]

I thanks he whispers the notes

[@alexeyignatyev2088]

Что это зал в Женеве? В здании ООН?

[@paules3437]

As a pianist myself, I don't get how pro's can play with unclipped fingernails! When I was 17, I was deeply in love with my girlfriend, also a musician. At a high school performing arts festival, I played the g-minor martial prelude with her in the audience. As is the way with youth, I felt that while I was playing the romantic melody in the middle, if I looked up at her fetchingly, she'd know how much I loved her. So I did that. And messed up. Lesson learned. Anyway, did y'all know that Sergei R had a brother Marvin whom he used to call to come downstairs while Sergei was at the piano so that Marvin could play those beautiful but challenging middle keyboard melodies while Sergei played the outer accompaniment? Not that many people know that...

[@FeeLikesChriZ]

what are you talking about ? Who is Marvin?

[@paules3437]

@@FeeLikesChriZ It's a joke, my friend! Meant to convey how impossible and yet achievable Rach's piano music is because so often there's a melody in the middle (sometimes played by thumbs from both hands), while there's lots of activities on the further extremes of the keyboard. My friends in college used to joke about how much easier it must have been for Sergei just to call his bro down from upstairs to play the middle melody.

[@paules3437]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards OMG. Ease up. It was just a joke: a funny scenario. Maybe you could relax a little and imagine mid-level students who are working on how to bring out those melodies and might enjoy the humorous image of Rach's brother coming downstairs to play the middle melody. Was your sense of humor impaired from an early age?

[@paules3437]

@Martin Baldwin-Edwards Let's look at your response again: "The middle melodies are not that difficult to bring out," you claim. Then you go on to name things that are in fact challenging for most people: good technique, practice, and concentration in performance." Are those three traits "not that difficult"? Millions of performers would beg to differ. Why are you so worked up over this? Did it damage your musical opinions?

[@kostasaxillios3003]

Interesting what you said about his fingernails, Argerich also has considerably long nails. I believe it's the hand placement they use, that doesn't bother them while playing... Or he may have lost his nail clipper on the way to Geneva...! Just joking...

[@ulisescenturion6986]

Uno de los grandes . Heredero de Emil gilels

[@shilloshillos]

I don't know about you guys, but something is wrong about this picture. Everyone sitting apart, masks on, in a conference room, almost like a court room, sokolov playing not his best, but he's aged, tired, not looking too healthy... There's an uneasy feeling through out this recital... I dunno...

[@EmptyVee00000]

For the G minor, this is the best: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXWpdHZ-n7GtoNU