Rach 3’s finale octaves: ''Who’s the best?''

[@RachFanatic1943]

Who’s the best? Write down your suggestions for the next “Who's the best?”

[@lorenzomandis7791]

Horowitz

[@RachFanatic1943]

@@lorenzomandis7791 Io direi tu😂

[@lorenzomandis7791]

Ahahahahahahahahah magari

[@sebastianolombardi136]

@@lorenzomandis7791 mamma, che miseria artistica e di pensiero musicale in Wang, Lim, Federova, Lang Lang, e in gran parte di questi pianisti. macchine ossessionate dalla ginnastica, inchiodati a testa bassa alla tastiera 14 ore al giorno. c'è più arte in qualsiasi sporcatura di Horowitz o nella irresistibile impazienza di Argerich che in tutta la loro carriera. quanto tempo perso in cerca di una perfezione senza sostanza e senza cultura. che peccato.

[@lorenzomandis7791]

@@sebastianolombardi136 perfettamente d'accordo

[@HB-MrCatLover]

And the winner is ... Sergueï Rachmaninov for composing such powerful piece of music. I always get very emotional when I listen to this concerto and reach the finale. Thank you for this brilliant video. The idea is brilliant. 🙏👏👍

[@steveonkeys]

Exactly! A great gift to the world!!

[@alessandropelizzoli6613]

And not only for composing It, but also for his absolutely excellent performance of his own piece!!!!

[@tototota9817]

Difficult to compare on this small part, which is not complex to play.. Globally, nobody played the concerto better than Horowitz

[@emilianopizana546]

So many espectacular performances, but yunchan and Horowitz for me. Also gavrylyuk is so underrated.

[@robertjason6885]

As I mentioned above, the Gavrylyuk Proms performance...the unity with conductor and orchestra is spine tingling.

[@robertjason6885]

The Gavrylyuk Proms performance is terrific...performance, audio and video all just wonderful.

[@kimg4589]

Argerich, Horowitz,,Yuja, Matsuev! ….as far as the question goes (final octaves) These 4 for me relish it! Argerich stands out with her precision, power and pulse of attack, like she was totally fresh and like a spectacular firework finale! Just look at how relaxed her arms, wrist etc are! All the firepower coming from within, no need to lift the hands in personal “triumph”, just serve the music with perfect technique! I do love Yunchan’s reading and delivery of the concerto as a whole and would definitely rate it amongst my top 3

[@DaleHubbard]

My goodness, what a fabulous treat compilation! Thank you so much. I'd have to go with Van Cliburn.

[@DaleHubbard]

I notice Yuja had something wrong with her right eye.

[@Darth_JarJar42]

It’s so hard to decide!!! They’re all so good!!! I might have to say yunchan, but seriously, everyone is so amazing!!!

[@patiargi649]

After Horowitz and Argerich comes a new generation of young pianists...for me the one and only exiting young pianist is ALEXANDER MALOFEEV !!! Heared him live a few days ago, still speechless !!!!!

[@ronromano4796]

Sasha rules

[@benebacher2470]

Watch yunchan Lim’s full performance. Honestly the best recording of this concerto Ive ever heard and he’s only age 18.

[@Marie-ChristineCoupillaud]

Yes, better than Malofeev ! More nuances and clarity !! A genius !

[@conorsheehan1935]

I am with you on Alexander Malofeev.. he is a truly inspirational pianist with what appears to be an uneverending array of talent. He is perfection personified..my only concern is how much of his life he has had to devote to achieving his greatness at such a young age

[@Marie-ChristineCoupillaud]

@@conorsheehan1935 I prefer Yunchan Lim, by far!!! More musicality, nuances, an extraordinary touch !

[@Oakrider0]

How wonderful all of them. Yunchan is for sure very classic itself and storm in the calmness. :)

[@scottkirby8204]

All marvelous performances of a very difficult finale. I'm partial to Horowitz and Argerich, but Yunchan Lim got my attention. There was a release of tension that doesn't always come through in this piece. He nailed it. Thanks, RachmaninoffFanatic!

[@scottkirby8204]

I just watched Yunchan Lim's complete performance of the Rach 3... that young man is phenomenal. Would love to have a CD of that performance. Maybe he will record it? Soon?

[@pianoman551000]

Scott: I totally agree! Horowitz and Argerich are way up there with their consistentcy in their octave playing. But Horowitz with his flat-finger octaves is amazing. If you notice, the other pianists keep their curved finger position hovering somewhat high above the keys. Conversely, Horowitz places his flat-fingers relatively close, creating an almost sliding effect, allowing gravity to assist in achieving a remarkable and consistent tone. Yes, Yunchan Lin has a somewhat lighter, brighter approach with the descending octaves. All the artitsts heard on this video would make Rachmaninoff stand proud.

[@scottkirby8204]

@@pianoman551000 Exactly, there isn't a bad performance in the bunch. I like your comment on Horowitz!

[@masantonio8790]

@@scottkirby8204 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3bSdayrir9jbLs This performance is from a month or so before the Cliburn and it’s much better quality. Best I can do to help.

[@scottkirby8204]

@@masantonio8790 You are correct. He doesn't make it look easy - nobody could - but it's almost as if it were written for him. And this young man isn't even twenty yet. Thank you for sharing this.

[@mcd1722]

Alexander Malofeev.! He's only 17 here. His best was last year at the Musikverein. It was hailed as a:" piano world revolution". Heart stopping! ..

[@jaysverrisson1536]

I love the slow reveal in the clip, when you see how young the pianist is!

[@ronromano4796]

Malofeev, Horowitz reincarnated

[@alanpotter8680]

@@ronromano4796 That's insulting to Malofeev.

[@andrewzhang8512]

@@alanpotter8680 i agree with this. although i don't believe malofeev is better than horowitz i think it's degrading to compare such an amazing young pianist against somebody else. he should be his own thing.

[@魚-c3d]

​@@alanpotter8680Nope, that's a huge compliment.

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

2:39 - I don't know if he got lucky with the orchestra... but his part was basically perfectly/ awesomely in sync with the orchestra. That was amazing and beautiful to listen to!!

[@dionysus4778]

I'm partial to Yunchan Lim, But this is not a fair comparison at all, when some are recorded with quality audios, while others are old or recorded in inferior quality audios. And Yunchan Lim is one of those with inferior audio as we know the Cliburn Competition did not have the best audio. While Horowitz can crank out the best Rach 3, that particular concert was not his best. His performance in his heyday younger version should have been posted. Yunchan Lim was amazing on that Rach 3, but he was just out of this world at the Lincoln Center in NYC when he played with the NYPhil last May. It was so fresh, and I heard some of the things I haven't heard with the conventional Rach 3. I can't exactly pinpoint, but he was improvising the Ossia, which was incredible, that it literally gave me goosebumps. You listen to Rach 3. And you listen to Yunchan Lim's Rach 3. It was one of those incredible moments in my life.

[@eerttree5340]

Yun chan absolutely !

[@rudrarudram937]

Why? Sincerely asking. Not a musical background

[@bbarboric1]

Malofeev, amazing talent and precision

[@edwarddejong8025]

Van Cliburn to me has a such a Russian feel in his playing. Nice and clear, and slower. I don't like speed demons. He was beloved in Russia, and his victory in the big piano competition where they had to ask Nikita Khrushchev if it was okay to give the prize to an American is an amazing moment in music & politics.

[@studiobianconi]

I agree completely!!!!

[@axelsohn1454]

Van Cliburn had a great sense of humanity and was indeed immersed in the Russian soul, and as a student of Rosina Lhevine, he was immersed in the Russian piano technique.

[@edwarddejong8025]

@@axelsohn1454 Ms. Lhevine had some other notable students like John Williams, James Levine. No wonder the Russians liked Cliburn so much; he was trained in the Russian style.

[@t.r.9542]

Exactly

[@marinamdivani8444]

Van Cliburn best , i was there beautiful and now show

[@edwardseymour4930]

Of all these, Horowitz’s performance etches out the octaves very clearly. He never obscures them with the pedal, nor does he slow the tempo very much - all of which makes his presentation astonishing here.

[@marshuebler1924]

He plays out of time though

[@FoxyJohn]

But he’s a full beat late tho.

[@neiljosephbennett9119]

You conveniently neglected to mention his erratic timing and clanging tempo. Astonishingly awful is what it is.

[@yucatron76]

Astonishingly out of time...

[@worldtravel101]

The timing tho

[@ddestiny44]

Personally Yunchan, but wow everyone is so amazing. Great respect for all musicians!

[@danielhughes1300]

Lugansky! Saw him live few days! Amazing! probably best Rachmaninov interpreter today

[@Marie-ChristineCoupillaud]

I don’t agree ! Yunchan Lim is better, more nuances and musicality !! By far !!

[@foxtrotml4540]

Same, I preferred Lugansky bc the accents hit harder.

[@stillstanding6031]

They're all marvelous of course, but I was surprised how taken I taken with Cliburn: Magesterial cadence. Very elegant and he even got all the notes.

[@dennispearson871]

The "Winner " is the wonderful Person who took the time to put this All-Star Dream Team of Brilliant Pianist Together For the Millions of Utube Enthusiasts to choose From 😀 !!!..Thanks A Million !!!!!!!...

[@evifnoskcaj]

Horowitz and Argerich, but honestly, Yunchan Lim has some of the best listening and phrasing. I always like what Van Cliburn does too, as he really tries to bring out the heart of a piece.

[@Sutherland2]

Cliburn is an emotional favorite, but he never played this concerto as well as the Tchaikovsky.

[@evifnoskcaj]

@@Sutherland2 What do you mean "the Tchaikovsky"? Tchaikovsky died before this piece was even composed...

[@Sutherland2]

@@evifnoskcaj The Tchaikovsky concerto, dummy. Not Tchaikovsky himself. You need better English lessons.

[@artwatch-y9j]

No, Argerich should be a drummer, all she does is to pound

[@zomberton616]

@@evifnoskcaj Van Cliburn chose to perform a very obscure piece called Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto when competing in a small local competition in Moscow which is named after a humble local Russian composer.

[@leilanorris7059]

Lim, Argerich, Bronfman. Fast but also dynamic and expressive.... not attacking the instrument but being part of it.

[@isaacsamuel9520]

You have to hear Argerich's cadenza.... As much as I admire her music, she really just attacks the instrument like crazy! Such a cacophony!

[@frederikkok9284]

Didn't see her here, nor lim or Bronfman

[@lydiapak4362]

Yun-Chan Lim! Thank ❤❤😂😂

[@danielfylstra5879]

Loved these comparative performances - can't wait to hear Yunchan Lim live on July 26 at Bravo!Vail.

[@frankbacon245]

All are superb and they look and sound as if they are doing their utmost to make it all work. Except Yunchan Lim. He seems to just toss it off as if it were as easy as a Clementi sonatina. His playing of Liszt's Feux Follets is equally astonishing.

[@consardo]

I have to go with Yunchan Lin also...the clarity is sublime.

[@leongatha6]

No one has approached Horowitz for the electrifying legato of his precise, booming octives. Argarich and Yunchan distant seconds. Horowitz still the champ.

[@michaelcooper3633]

Ok boomer. Horowitz was many things, precise was not among them.

[@robertjason6885]

​@@michaelcooper3633 On this occasion he WAS. The wartime performance was even more dynamic. The phrase "Horowitz octaves" is familiar to all serious pianists.

[@Liebes2732]

@@michaelcooper3633 A true musician would not call others boomer.

[@davekeegan9506]

I would put Wang as 2nd, then Argerich

[@lorenzosimpson8039]

@@michaelcooper3633 His wrong notes wsre sublime. We used to ooh and ahh at them they were like magic sparks of lighting exploding from the Steinway. We used to say ' Ah but what wonderful wrong notes'.

[@ryanli3146]

You can’t help ending this concerto without a huge smile

[@NiPaVou]

Lugansky plays the passage more accurate and clear than the rest. It seems like he's in total control of the piece

[@sheana2005]

All of them are fabulous..each giving their own unique signature to this marvelous music.

[@michelleb6772]

My heart goes to Yunchan, since he is just 18 and is on the way to be a virtuoso. He is a poet!

[@georgemurphy2579]

Playing that!?!?!? He's already a virtuoso....

[@alanpotter8680]

And Malofeev is, what(?) at the time? 50? Enough of the favoritism.

[@ImaGeniusWord]

they are both amazing. i take a liking to yunchan because if you listen to his story he was at one point discouraged from continuing his piano studies because he was behind most other students, but had some sort of a transformation and became a sensation. but i also very much respect malofeev because he specifically pointed out that he is not a prodigy but instead devoted a large chunk of his life to practicing daily.@@alanpotter8680

[@thatTWOSETfan]

Yuncham Lim. Definitely. His playing is just majestic and out of this world. His skill is just impressive.

[@freeelectron52]

He is the new Horowitz.

[@ariax9194]

There is no one like Argerich. Simply incredible.

[@archangel1187]

At this level of skill there is no greater or lesser performance. These are all simply unique signatures of perfection.

[@francescabusoni5722]

Thank You for writing this --perfect.

[@avohill4]

One is cautious to proclaim a winner here but that would be, with no equivocation, Mr. Lim. His Rach 3 is/was, in every way, the finest performance ever done.

[@simonashmead]

Horowitz will always hold a special place in my heart with this concerto, but for me Yuncham Lin has the edge here, and the Van Cliburn interpretation has a poise to it at the beginning of the passage which makes the accelerando run for the line all the more exhilarating. Oh what I wouldn't give to hear a Hamelin Interpretation of this concerto.....

[@tomkelly4336]

Horowitz was in his 70s when that was recorded. I think the original one was awesome. That being said Mr. Lin is a fantastic pianist as Argerich and the fine musicians shown. Be Well, T

[@ЕленаДанильян]

Все -- лучшие и разные !!!Это -- искусство , которое не должно быть одинаковым , штампованным !!!Поэтому пора отменить конкурсы и психологически терроризировать исполнителей, а устраивать Музыкальные Фестивали , где все участники раскроятся творчески полнее , а продюсеры будут их популизировать !!!

[@jamesmayhew2538]

Hamelin has recorded it btw

[@theanomichaelidou5757]

The Van Cliburn interpretation combines power and sensibility without the slightest trace of romantic sensationalism, a rare achievement!

[@francescabusoni5722]

@@ЕленаДанильян (раскроЮтся.)Вы совершнно правы.

[@ppmartorella1]

There is no “best” interpretation. They’re all great!!!

[@beavermcdoogles]

No they’re all gay.

[@Ace-dv5ce]

@@beavermcdoogles this isn’t Tchaikovskys piano concerto

[@davidhaha9676]

@@Ace-dv5ce 💀

[@robloxianeoner]

😨

[@beavermcdoogles]

@@robloxianeoner Ukraine is also gay

[@BB1951]

Yunchan Lim. No question. All you have to do is watch the entire performance. His skill is otherworldly.

[@willgraham8878]

But...we are Not taking into account the entire performance ONLY the final octaves are being compared and Horowitz easily surpasses Lim in Speed, Clarity, Brilliance and Electricity!!!!

[@christopherhogan691]

The Stretta bei Horowitz is uncomparable.. No one else dared that

[@duartevader2709]

Keep in mind this is horowitz later in life, his early recordings are absolutely insane, just listen to the final octaves of his 1930 coates recording, nobody can match the speed he played it at

[@jacobschiller4486]

There is definitely question. That is why there is at least one other interpretation in this video. Welcome to the world of art!

[@dianaliberty3099]

Who am I to say who is the best? There is something so exquisite about Van Cliburn's playing that has always captured me so deeply. It is so exciting to hear all these performances. Love Rachmaninoff so much!

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

Yunchan Lim. Argerich. Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov my favourites...absolutely.

[@bassfaceinspace]

wow. Yunchan really is that dude

[@mstalcup]

I am won over by the excitement in Denis Matsuev's performance. However, the rhythmic vitality of Van Cliburn and his great balance with the orchestra places him at top tier. I also loved the energy and balance in Aleksandr Malofeev's performance.

[@AlexanderIgorevich68]

Малофеев классный, но Горовиц...)

[@patiargi649]

For me Alexander Malofeev is the exiting pianist of a new generation of young pianists !!!!!

[@Marie-ChristineCoupillaud]

Less than Yunchan Lim !

[@BroChevin]

Yunchan Lim. His Rach 3 was phenomenal. I saw it in person at the Van Cliburn competition finals, and I’m still mesmerized by his performance.

[@hong-taekshim560]

I love Yun-Chan Lim(^_^) And I repect the late Horowitz

[@f1shlace]

Yunchan is the best, followed by Horowitz/Argerich, but Bronfman should be on the list too. Glad Lugansky was on the list, he is a monster.

[@Liebes2732]

Horwitz comes first for this piece.

[@larrydoze7430]

@@Liebes2732yea

[@ikemyung8623]

Since the sound quality of each recording is different, it is sort of hard to say. The visual of how each artist releases the final chord is fun to compare! 2:39 ~ I love the way YunChan throws his hands in the air where they seem to float for a few seconds--visually wonderful! 4:25 ~ Even better is how Alexander Gavrylyuk springs to his feet, so wonderful--as if to give the first standing ovation! Both Anna 3:03 and Yuja 5:00 attempt to throw a shoulder out of joint, or free themselves of an offending arm. Lang Lang 3:19 looks like one possessed, but I like the fist in the air after the final chord. The beauty of art is that there is no "Best" but lots of GREATs to enjoy!

[@brulikulik5293]

In my humble opinion,you should've included Grigory Sokolov.. Not only that he plays all alternative passages indicated as "ossia" , but he is also the only musician I've heard playing the quadruplets instead of triplets in the finale, and he absolutely nails it, although, it's objectively harder since it has to be faster and more synchronized with an orchestra.

[@RachFanatic1943]

Thanks for the comment, in the next videos I will try to integrate Sokolov too. If you have any other suggestions for the next videos I will be happy.

[@accs4]

I think Andre Watts used to play the ossia octaves too.

[@RachFanatic1943]

@@accs4 Interesting

[@j.d.miller4203]

@@accs4 He sure did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4rWXpyfapWteNU

[@accs4]

@@j.d.miller4203 Amazing

[@peterwrth5640]

I am in my mid 80's, having listened to this work for 60+ years, many 100's of times, including all those here - all wonderful, some superb. However, missing from this list is the one, which, for me, tops them all - Paremski (with Litton here on KZbin). The entire performance is beyond perfection. The finale and those octaves.. breathtaking!!

[@henryoliver2833]

Argerich! That rhythm! That bounce!

[@brettwheeler8691]

Listen to them without the names, and this is the obvious answer!

[@nic5833]

A ese nivel la ejecución es técnicamente casi perfecta, quisiera ver a alguien oír solo el video sin ver quien toca y decir quien está tocando. Aún así influye mucho la calidad del video, del sonido, etc...Todos son grandísimos músicos talentosos que tenemos el gusto de ver gracias a la magia de KZbin... lo demás es cuestión de gustos, de presencia, etc. Esa costumbre del orgullo y del egoísmo humano de siempre tratar de tomar partido por alguien como "el mejor". Todas y todos son geniales.

[@kevinmcmanus4231]

Among these, I'd say Horowitz and Argerich. But my best choice would be Emil Gilels, especially in his live recording with Ormandy and the PO.

[@itzelguerra2655]

I love how Argerich and orchestra time it perfectly when she starts the descending octaves.

[@eye_sing]

At 2:07 Yunchan Lim! Such control and clarity . Bucket list to watch him play!

[@bryonsom]

MY BUCKET LIST

[@helenh8404]

Another vote for Yunchan Lim!!

[@salim2004salim2004]

Now we are live in new era - Yunchan Lim!!!!

[@kbrod1]

If you put Horowitz from Coates in 1930. No one comes remotely close (Except Rachmaninoff himself). Here we have him as an old man and he is still holding his own.

[@wehwalte]

This

[@jondavwal13]

Exactly. Nobody was better than Horowitz but Rachmaninoff. An almost 80 year old Horowitz is still the best. I was at the 1978 NY Phil concert. It was the most incredible piano memory of my life.

[@geuros]

He's not just holding his own, he's the best in this selection by far. The precision, the articulation, the "no drama", the sync with orchestra and all of that in the highest tempo. Now as you say, his earlier recording is even better.

[@꽁깜딱]

That’s what I’m saying.

[@MrNurse2511]

Horowitz recording (1941) of both the Rach 3 and Tchaikovsky 1st with Sir John Barbarolli conducting is just stunning...

[@burgerpatty3656]

I'm a bit biased as I've only watched a few of these entirely but Malofeev's performance just astounds me each and every time. He's only 17 here! And having seen his full performance, while not as accurate/clear as Lim's, his playing really reaches his audience. His playing just really gives the aura of playing music rather than tackling a monster of a concerto and it brought tears to my eyes. I also love Lugansky and Wangs' performances.

[@despierte5040]

Lo escuché dos veces y definitivamente, para mi, el tempo y la sincronización Mehta-Horowitz es impecable. Después me gustó Yuja Wang. Debo reconocer que esperé ver en acción a Kissin y a Volodos. Gracias por subir la selección.

[@mariapap8962]

Bronfman también

[@pablos2481]

Todos son los mejores, todos son perfectos, un gusto poder escuchar a todos y no tener que elegir...

[@OctopusContrapunctus]

i love the touch of rachmaninoff playing rachmaninoff at the end. Rachmaninoff himself said that Horowitz was the best Pianist and that he could play it better then he could. all though the video would make me think otherwise, I trust the words of rachmaninoff and im sure that he knew what he was talking about.

[@antoniocoppola7644]

adoro questo concerto e subisco il fascino di coloro che riescono a eseguirlo impeccabilmente al di là delle diverse interpretazioni e stabilire chi può essere il migliore ascoltando solamente una manciata di battute mi riesce impossibile. Proporre graduatorie in un contesto di così alto per non dire irraggiungibile profilo mi sembra aria fritta.

[@hsjung557]

Yunchan Lim- without question.

[@davidcotuit]

The kid is only 18. Give me a break. Let's see if and how he grows as an artist. This is not running the mile where the "best" is objectively known to all observers.

[@Marie-ChristineCoupillaud]

It’s not a matter of age! He is already very mature and his interpretation of this concerto exceeds that many of his olders

[@dionysus4778]

@@davidcotuit there are many legendary classical music pieces composed when the composers were in their teens. Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt... for example. Liszt composed some of the Etudes of TE when he was in his teen. In fact, he started to compose the TE when he was 15. Don't estimate the age, just because someone is a young teenager does not mean they can't deliver quality.

[@davidcotuit]

@@dionysus4778 And Mendelssohn was the greatest of all the young prodigies. But I take exceptions that "many" legendary compositions were composed by teenagers. In fact number is quite small. Legendary for this purpose means fully realized and accomplished music. Certainly Mendelssohn, Mozart and Schubert but very few. The same applies to performers. There are virtually no truly mature and great instrumentalists in their teens. Within 4 or 5 years, Yunchan will truly come into his own.

[@stevenhaff7973]

I enjoyed that! Thank you! Actually I had a good laugh, and I needed it.

[@sappallow]

Surprised Volodos and Rachmaninoff's recordings aren't here. Maybe no videos? Gavrilov & Pletnev, too. The conductor really adds to the excitement here, and to my ears, the best were playing with Horiwitz & Argerich. Looked like Mehta and Chailly.

[@willgraham8878]

Hands down HOROWITZ!!!! Even at this late physical age the Speed and Electricity surpasses everyone in this playing field!!!!!!! Remember this comparison is "Only" of the very end! The decay of Horowitz's technique is more apparent in other sections of the long concerto.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

I applaud all souls who are brave enough to tackle this ultra demanding concerto.

[@copperleaves]

I believe it is impossible to say who is “best” because our ability to judge the technique and musicianship of the pianist depends to a large degree upon the way the recording of the piano and orchestra has been engineered. Frankly, I think they are all awesome! I was brought up with the recordings of Rachmaninoff himself, and his approach to all four of the concertos was quite different.

[@Jayjayjay123]

Horowitz's tempo is like that of a steam locomotive that has just started to go and reached its maximum speed. Martha Argerich is extraordinary. I love Daniil and Chung's interpretation, but they weren't perfectly synchronized. Yunchan's sound is clear and bold. And he worked well with Marin. Anna is also very clear! Lang Lang has his own soul, haha. Van and Yunchan's sound and style are somewhat similar to me. Alexander doesn't sound as much like Rachmaninoff to me. Yuja rubbed her eye and then rejoined with a crazy tempo, haha. Denis played like an American football player running with the ball to the end zone.

[@hmderka]

Art is not a sports event, there is no best. Why should anybody be interested in whom i like best? But thank you for your efforts.

[@dusankamatic7378]

YUNCHAN LIM

[@MrRJS27]

I think the pianist comparison is drowned out in such a small snippet by the conductor (interpretive)/orchestra and even sound recording variations--what I like more vs. a little less isn't so much about the pianists, who could almost certainly do the finale how I like it. Overall (so all three elements) I liked the Lugansky bit the best.

[@Shukeroo]

After Horowitz… the rest didn’t measure up to my ear. I restarted… and indeed, his performance still caught me and held me. Wow!

[@lsmart]

To be honest, in all such comparisons, I usually find it more difficult to differentiate between the very top pianists, than to differentiate between the elite violinists, orchestras or singers. Surprisingly, however, despite listening to this with the picture covered to allow for an unbiased decision, I found it astonishingly easy to pick out Horowitz as No. 1, Argerich as a very close No. 2, and all the others far behind. The incredible speed of their performances while preserving the beauty and distinct sound of all the notes, and the ability to hear each of their notes distinctly and clearly despite the powerful competition from an entire orchestra, does not even come close to being matched b any of the others - and all this without jumping up and down or showing the slightest effort. As for Yunchan Lim, I must admit to being unfamiliar with his playing, but since so many commenters singled him out, I reheard his version several times. Well, perhaps he is a real poet in general, but in this short segment, I cannot say that I discovered any of the special qualities they raved about.

[@Im____ltm]

The clarity of Martha’s playing gave me chills!

[@frederickgolding1913]

Horowitz always manages to thrill with his phrasing and emotional power. Always loved Van Cliburn's beautiful and heart felt performance in Moscow for which after winning the Tchaikovsky competition when only 23 in 1958 he was given a ticker tape reception down Broadway to ecstatic NY crowds.

[@DPinFL]

Yunchan Lim for me 🎹🎶

[@bryonsom]

LIM! I look forward to hearing him play at CARNEGIE on March 5, 2025.

[@daninza2310]

Alexander Malofeev without a doubt. This was his debut performance of Rach 3 in Moscow 31 Dec 2018 when he was 17. His ossia cadenza was spectacular . He just gets better and better.

[@bluegrey366]

Yunchan Lim ❤❤❤❤

[@camilledelorme3853]

Yunchan Lim enters the chat ... 😃

[@ks1517]

There is no "BEST" . . . truly great musicians never compare themselves.

[@jennfermackenzie-gray]

Spot on! Music is not like a sport ! Nobody has to reach a finish line first. Reading through all these comments and how they differ, proves my point. The listeners all have different tastes and of course different knowledge. If they have played these pieces / passages themselves with orchestras , then they might just have an advantage. But are we talking about mere technique? Surely technique is just a means to an end. And the end … what is that? A perfect interpretation . But again , even interpretations differ. They differ even whilst observing the same pianist playing the same concerto , or piece, on a different day. Musical performances are fluid and mercurial , so to try and rate what or who is best, is always merely an opinion. Personally I like to get beyond the technique. Speed and precision are mere tools to achieve a hopefully beautiful result. A result that will move the listener to such an extent that they are completely bewitched /moved by the music.

[@SvenErik_Lindstrom3]

I am a great musician and compare myself to others constantly.

[@willistara]

Yunchan Lim. Epic!

[@andre1214g]

The quality of recordings and live sound recordings varies enormously, making it impossible to judge them objectively.

[@jleg3285]

Yunchan lim without a shadow of a doubt

[@RalphOnofrio]

I grew up listening to van Cliburn.....Like so many others, he never rushed his pieces.He played them at the proper tempo, and flawless technique....My mom's favorite.And,she was a great pianist.

[@cziffrathegreat666]

Yefim Bronfman’s octaves in this section are the best I’ve ever heard!

[@idonkat6097]

Agreed

[@stillstanding6031]

I agree. Sorry he wasn't included here. Bronfman 'breaks pianos' with excepttional skill.

[@colinaherne9278]

This is so true! Anyone know of a better video recording of Bronfman's available anywhere, even at a cost? His rendition is amazing, but the relative low quality recording doesn't do it justice.

[@andreypopovf1]

You can't ask who is the best. They are all professionals. Each has their own presentation. Each has their own taste. I liked them all.

[@laslasman564]

Undoubtedly Horowitz octaves ...powerful and speed along with hallmark clarity ❤

[@georgeovitt5443]

"Which genius who can do something you can't even comprehend let alone imagine ever doing do you think is 'best'?" Whichever one I happen to be listening to at that moment.

[@ForeverAyrtonSenna]

Lugansky’s playing is addictive, I think he completely wipes the floor with the other pianists here. Such unbelievable power and emotion. He’s without question the best interpreter of Rachmaninoff.

[@dr.k4314]

absolutely Yunchan Lim!!

[@sibylleacatos]

They're all great but for me definitely the marvelous Martha ❤

[@bob7023]

Yunchan Lim, of course

[@robertjason6885]

The Gavrylyuk Proms performance is a wonderful performance. All these are terrific. For those who marvel at sheer speed, try the Peremski-Litton performance. She also melts LITTON witH a LOOK a minute earlier. Edit… new speed winner, Cyprian Katsaris.

[@luizfernandg]

I tell you all one thing! Who ever was lucky enough to hear Horowitz or Argerich live was so overwhelmed by the sheer beauty, strenght, emotion, freedom of their playing that when they finished, we could not hear if they were octaves or whatever else... All this belongs to the generation of CD goers, not concert goers...

[@LIGERMANABLE]

For me? Yun Cham Lim because his ending part touch is more detailer then others.

[@umutsaskn3582]

In overall performance, I don't think Yunchan Lim's rach 3 is the best one but for the finale octaves, his performance almost always gives me goosbumps.

[@LeoPlayzPiano]

"This will belong Yunchan..." "for a very long time". And this a true statement. Yunchan's is the one that stands out, however, all of them are great but I would also say Lugansky's and Malofeev's are great too.

[@sahakanushkhachatryan9365]

Yungan Lim!! Eto blesk vpechatlyaet best!!

[@antonzakharov8038]

Van Clibern. "After all these years? - Always".

[@davisjesse7]

Malofeev, it’s so full-bodied and tempestuous