Michelangeli - Debussy - La Cathedrale engloutie

Michelangeli - Debussy - La Cathedrale engloutie

[@alexad506]

I have listened to dozens of pianists, thousands of hours of music, and ABM's performance of La Cathédrale Engloutie still ranks first in my list. He is so much better than any other pianist I've heard when he plays certain pieces (in particular Debussy's astounding preludes), no one compares to him in this repertoire. I think he is the only pianist of whose performances we have decent recordings to really have played this music as it should be played. It's as if the music was playing itself in absolute perfection.

[@OsvaCola]

Fantastic performance.Divine.

[@alessandrodelmonte5765]

Che miracolo il timbro, il colore dato alle singole note ed agli accordi e la scomposizione delle note stesse ove indicate legate, con il "ritardato" e la prevalenza di una delle note. Magia unica del Genio ABM

[@carlasecchi1093]

Benedetti Michelangeli regala un'interpretazione solenne ed evocativa de 'La Cathedrale" - Debussy!

[@alessandrodelmonte5765]

Che sonorità, che colore! Atmosfere oltre questo mondo, magia dell interprete...

[@Esam4217]

I'm in love with the way he interprets this. Debussy is my favorite composer and as such I find it difficult to listen to others' interpretations of this music that is so deeply entwined with my soul. Michelangeli is now my favorite pianist.

[@sherifbadawy8188]

I got introduced to Debussy last year, my favorite is La Mer, would you recommend any favorites that I might be missing? Thanks

[@Esam4217]

@@sherifbadawy8188 Clair De Lune is probably his most famous piece, but what most people don't know is that it is the 3rd movement in a suite. Suite Bergamasque. All 4 movements are brilliant.

[@sherifbadawy8188]

@@Esam4217 Oh I never knew, I listened to it, never knew that Clair De Lune is part of 4 movements, its all new to me. Idid know the third and the fourth movements, the last one is amazing, the second clicked, I am already starting to repeat parts of it, I just don't understand what is it that he does, this specific one triggered a lot of childhood memories for me, Prelúdio para a tarde de um fauno, while "La Mer" was the most significant for me, some parts of it I find out of this world. I just don't know what he does with the speed or the instrument is playing in an unexpected time but it fits, I really don't know, I started to study piano hopefully I can understand. Thank you for your nice comment

[@francoriva55]

My God!! This piano sound is out of the music!!! Incredibile beauty !!! Michelangeli at the top ....

[@quentinmontabonnel442]

Super interprétation ! Rien à en dire si ce n'est que le talent d'un virtuose y est présent ! J'en tire mon chapeau, bravo !

[@tfordddiaz]

Cela est tout à fait étonnante. Un des meilleurs.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

I'm sure he was touched by the spirit of every composer he played. He was so beyond all else - everything was so exquisite and elegant - what he did at the piano transcended the physical self to reach unearthly and wider,divine realms. What a blessing to hear this.... Phillip Wilcher (composer)

[@biggreenlzrd]

The names come after each piece, as they do in the sheet music. If you view other videos in the series, you'll see that they also start with the title of the previous piece. Whoever cut this video up probably didn't realize that.

[@Gorowitz]

The piece fits Michelangeli perfect I think. He really brings out the beauty and the style and the fairy tale which for me is inside this music. Wonderful!

[@piannelly]

«La musique doit humblement chercher à faire plaisir, l'extrême complication est le contraire de l'art.» Claude Debussy

[@wistonmorenomaldonado7183]

Majestuosa obra. Me maravilla poder escuchar, sentir y disfrutar.

[@vemonds]

Great interpretation of the piece. I like the way he uses the pedal, making some bass harmonies reverberate in different shades. I can't stop marvelling at the way he produces such beautiful sounds, so round and pearly, and shifts in dynamics without any physical strain. His body is perfectly in balance and all power comes from his fingers, subtle wrist movements and his chest. Brilliant.

[@mushroomagical]

I've probably listened to La Cathedrale engloutie over 200 times, and I have never got sick of it. Such a stunning masterpiece. It's amazing how Debussy creates movement and motion between sections without V - I or VII - I progressions. And this performance by Michelangeli is fantastic. Thanks for posting!

[@monyjoe9367]

La meraviglia legata alla perfezione mai scompare...

[@minasgekos]

He really knows how to play respectfully Debussy' s music. Listen to the sequence of chords after 2:25, the harmony is clear, the rhythm and the rubato are perfectly balanced.

[@raffaelelitterio5370]

Debussy used to write the title of his preludes at the end of the sheet, in these videos the same logic is followed. This music is a bridge to the centre of universe.

[@mathieudevigne]

In the Urtext edition, it is written that "Debussy played meas. 7-12 and 22-83 in double speed". Though this is untold in many other editions. That would mean the effects are way more important than the tempi ...

[@valerieheinderyckx4506]

Comme elle est belle...comme elle chante de tout son désespoir...et pourtant elle chante, la cathédrale. ❤

[@pianopera]

At 2:25, at the church bell chords, he adds an extra c in the bass for more sonority; the pedal is a bit of a problem there (to hold the bass), he chooses for a blurred sound. One can also use the middle (sostenuto) pedal to hold the bass, and change r. pedal more often, but of course it isn't indicated by Debussy, maybe because he composed it while playing on an upright piano.

[@marmin74]

Marvellous performance!

[@Barqu3ntine]

Such a stunning performance. Without a doubt my favourite rendition of this piece.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

My mind will be drawn into the profound meditation while listening to his incomparable performance . From Tokyo in the dizzying Megalopolis ablaze with numerous neon lights Which national are you watching this video ？

[@rolandonavarro]

Mis pianistas favoritos en Debussy: Gieseking, Cortot y Benedetti-Michelangeli (en ese orden). Son tres dioses.

[@ekim536]

A totally brilliant performance with everything perfect including the tricky timing and tempo and control.

[@teramike11]

This is a wonderful interpretation of Debussy's most beloved piano composition. Michelangelilives up to his name and sets the highest of standards. Thanks to the person who uploaded this. Very much appreciated.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

It isn't possible to wish for any more performance ！ The best music which quivers the soul of the person .

[@batlin]

Couldn't have put it better. Debussy's amazing music performed by an amazing pianist, a real joy to hear.

[@LeSemaphore]

Plongée en ondes musicales dans l'Atlantide selon Debussy. Au milieu de l'eau verte et trouble, “la cathédrale engloutie” se réveille sous les doigts de Michelangeli. Et la grâce surabonde. #Michelangeli #ClaudeDebussy #LaCathédraleEngloutie #MusiqueClassique #Piano

[@ilikeike87]

The interpretation of this piece is so varied with each performer.

[@geosochi]

Amen. Combine a mind-boggling performer with a mind-boggling composer, and we are blessed with this musical magic.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

His playing face is very good and interesting. his play is excellent, marvellous and splendid, This song is one of my favorite song.:Whatnationality are you who are listening to this song ？

[@CHENNEVENCE1]

j adorais l interpretation CORTOT mais aujourd hui Quelque résonnance supplémentaire ? je ne sais mais cette interprétation ci est bouleversante d'expressionisme !

[@watermelon520b]

What you are reading is most certainly true because I can hear the 'shapes' of the cathedral in my mind. It reminds me a little bit of Monet's Rouen Cathedral painting, how the cathedral appears in the gentle, sweet mist of morning and all you can see is this outline and the tall spires and crevices in the stone walls...

[@Alessandro_da_Rimini]

Meraviglioso

[@bambito81]

excelente..amo a michell....

[@TheKedrum]

part-time Jedi outfit

[@morhywaden]

I don't think anyone but Michelangeli gets the sonority of the bronze tolling bell around 0:39.

[@JulianHotaling]

I think it wonderful how the Noble and Good pianist doesn't speed it too much; even the beginning could be a little slower, I think...

[@gnrtacos]

it's not identifying the piece as "The interrupted Serenade". Debussy used to put the names at the end of the score, that way, performers made their own impressions of the piece. In the recording, they made this as a rendition to debussy's idea

[@gnrtacos]

Mi pieza favorita de Debussy!!! Casi todo lo que sé de composición lo aprendí analizando a Debussy. Definitivamente esta pieza es mi inspiración. Y apoyo a cga2000: Después de esto, el silencio es lo único que queda.

[@Jeroen3]

Beautiful.

[@lsrecords2473]

Marvelous Claude Debussy ❤❤

[@shin-i-chikozima]

There is something immeasurable to us . incomparable ！

[@kenta6sense]

this is beautiful like a mother nature

[@Brennen000]

A very wonderful performance...a bit too quick for my taste, but as was mentioned before, this piece varies greatly between professional performers.

[@jfitz1275]

debussy would be proud.

[@KatyB34]

I love this piece! I just finished learning it!

[@TheGrooves]

i assume it's cut from a bigger movie, where La Serenade Interompue was performed by Michelangelli before the "Cathedral". Debussy himself wrote the title in the end of the score, just as a suggestion of the image he liked to create

[@p14y2w1n]

His hand movement is truly divinity in motion... even if you have mixed opinions about his portrayal of Debussy's work you've to give that to him...

[@leeyoung1210]

awesome... fantastic... beautiful...

[@Musicman180]

I love the impressionistic Debussy!

[@AdmiralSnider]

I assume this is the video take of the studio recording from 1978, Deutsche Grammophon. Not sure about the location, maybe in Hamburg?

[@welcomewestband]

it is tonal because you can sing a tonic at all points in the music. However, it is not tonal in the traditional sense because it uses no leading tones and pentatonic/wholetone scales as well as constant structure. In order for something to be Atonal, you have to not be able to hear any tonic. Remember, whole tone scale can be used as a chord scale for dominant 7 with #5.

[@Lickthecloth]

I'll tell you what's hard though. Having to analyze this in a Form and Analysis class. The life of a music major. Hard to identify where phrases end and begin w/o tonality and scales, but what can i say? Debussy paved the way to atonality.

[@dmcII]

@Isayiwill Early 70's fashion, true. But timeless music !

[@nigelpearson6664]

Just listened again. Sublimbe. Shame it's TV quality. Very different to the DGG LP I own by him. That is a very large on dynamics to the point of almost being silent at times. Here he almost seems to play for TV. The fortisimo being exactly that.

[@cookie2000ify]

Thank you for posting all of the Preludes, Book I. ABM was, in my opinion, the greatest pianist of all time. People talk about his limited repertoire. Actually, if one goes to his website and looks up the complete discography maintained by Andrew Wilson, they will see that it is rather extensive. As far as his cancelled performances, Michelangeli suffered from ill health all of his life. He was a true genius and these performances are brilliant.

[@SpottyDorsord]

He has a whiff of Qui Gon Jinn about him. Perhaps Arturo is now in communion with the Force. Dancing with his lightsaber, executing endless leaps and dashes between the columns of the central nave, deep inside the sunken cathedral at the end of time.

[@dietriechfiskau]

to fast, listen the interpretation of Claudio Arrau, perfect tempo...

[@andreaploia8479]

sublime

[@barnhillec]

Great Debussy prelude videos, hadn't ever seen them, thanks

[@danielepellegrin4838]

what piano is he playing on?? A Bosendorfer? Or could it be a Tallone??

[@thepianocornertpc]

ABM -Steinway...occasionally Bechstein.

[@Meternych]

Big nice!!!

[@shin-i-chikozima]

The ruined temple is going to sink into the sea while emitting the creepy loud sound like 「The Fall of the House of Usher 」 From Tokyo in the dizzying Megalopolis ablaze with numerous neon lights Which national are you watching this video ？

[@kasyapa]

intriguingly paced, just this side of driving forward, as if the cathedral were engulfing itself.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

The eerie and creepy atmosphere is well expressed , From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

[@jorgealbertobaron]

HERMOSO TEMA

[@minasgekos]

this an inspiring place to play the piano

[@EscargoTouChaud]

@TheKedrum Oh! I LOVE that comment! And the music, certo.

[@NickyRamone77]

This is correct. I second this. It's like in the music sheets.

[@jorgealbertobaron]

GRAN OBRA DE DEBUSSY

[@niccolopaleari7429]

w Michelangeli!

[@hymnofashes]

@cga2000 No, you can listen to Coltrane's 'wise one' if you want.

[@cldbsy]

Arturo makes it so easy looking. When I first tried to play this piece i thought it wasn't that hard. But the piece starting at 1:28 is very difficult when you want to play it at a good tempo and with the right intonation. I think I did at least 2 months over this piece...

[@bettybehrens3265]

Timeless

[@witchfynder_finder]

Maybe it's not exactly as Debussy wrote it, but I really don't think that matters when it comes to music like this. The whole point is the "feel" of the piece, not the piece itself. In that regard, I think this is a terrific interpretation. The atmosphere conveyed in this piece is second-to-none, and this interpretation really captures it.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

What is the influence by which this music gave it to you ？

[@XVLaHireXV]

amazing

[@benjamincuevaseninde]

-- Michelangeli, et la magie Debussy opère --

[@JulianHotaling]

Debussy had as Dreamtime friend one of the Holy Ancient Ones, the H.A.O. of Compassion he is called...

[@bontempo01]

Hummm are you being ironic or did you know that the title of each prelude always appears AT THE END of the score (in the case of Debussy's preludes), preceded by "..."?

[@nigelpearson6664]

Michaelangeli falsely is why I don't play. I wouldn't be a false reason for 99% of those who do if they worried about such things. Although TV video quality somehow the dynamics are caught. DGG take note. How romantic that France and Cornwall are so similar in their sea legends. At 4.43 can anyone say how he gets that sound? Is he of this planet.

[@massimilianoturchi5305]

Nothing special on that sound you say at 4.43, what's the point?

[@michaelkac9158]

'How romantic that France and Cornwall are so similar in their sea legends.' Those legends could very well have come from the same source, given that France and Cornwall are both historically Celtic regions.

[@hymnofashes]

@cochicmcintosh I don't think this is atonal. Prokofiev maybe!? As though someone needed to 'pave' a 'path' to dissonance. Any two-year old hammering on a piano can show you that path.

[@milenyj666]

Great ^.O

[@dmcII]

@Isayiwill NP.. I saw the original comment & knew where you were coming from....:)

[@noechretien7202]

das müssen wir für Musik machen und Takt 266 beginnt bei 6:22 für euch

[@123must]

Beautiful ! Thanks a lot

[@GianTJ]

@saintsaens21 I found that comment very amusing.

[@looney1023]

@nicoledelaplante sorry its 2 years after you posted but im soo glad more people like you are being turned on to this music. its people like you that give me hope for the human race.

[@EdwardWhelanPiano]

Perfect

[@andreacosta74]

ABM transforms a piano into an organ...

[@bsdkflh]

...just like in the score of the preludes. Debussy intentionally placed the titles at the end of each prelude, allowing the performer to discover impressions for himself, without being guided by the composer's own thoughts.

[@Brennen000]

What do you mean Naxos?

[@gallowswood]

Nice!

[@FirstRayleigh]

beautiful... =')

[@LoudCitizen]

HobokenXVI asks: Where was the soul in this performance?? In a small box in the piano seat. Ask me something harder.

[@SJM1977]

Rubenstein was only ever half decent in Chopin. Even then, its debatable. In everything else, he was, at best, seond rate. Zimmerman is outstanding in pretty much everything he does - aside from conducting.