Rachmaninoff/Gryaznov - Italian Polka

A fun and popular arrangement by Gryaznov, who wrote it in one night for a concert. The original work comes from a tune that Rachmaninoff heard while on vacation in Italy, and he promptly wrote it for two piano.
I like that this arrangement gives the performer a chance to also explore some other emotions like tenderness, and maybe even a hint of darkness. The second half of the piece is technically challenging, but has to look and sound totally effortless to get the full effect. I just wish there weren't so many tenths in this piece, ha. There are probably some other things I'd like to try in an interpretation, but if I record any more takes my hands will surely fall off.
Score: gryaznoff.com/...
Recorded on a Steinway D in my living room.

[@danielnikolopoulos]

Wow! This is CLEAN

[@actualglacier]

The one thing that's always stood out to me from listening to you play since years ago - other than the obviously effortless technique, even though you don't seem to particularly post that many show-off pieces - is honestly your extremely detailed, painstaking, and spectacularly balanced voicing. I think this just became my definite favorite recording of this arrangement, bar none. Thank you for continuing to upload after all this time; your playing never fails to inspire me to want to play more... and better! I hope you're enjoying your new piano as well, it sounds wonderful. (and recording quality in this video seems to be the best so far if you ask me!)

[@VyacheslavGryaznovPiano]

Awwww, absolutely love it!!!! 🍻

[@most_sane_piano_enthusiast]

The man himself

[@Tiptop-k2h]

The short pause at 0:34 is just perfect. And the way you played the chords before going into the main melody was just chilling. Perfect.

[@imsoskibkdi]

How? It felt incomplete

[@VlxWIZzZARDxlV]

Adds tension and drama

[@Tiptop-k2h]

​@@VlxWIZzZARDxlVI didn't know how to respond so I just waited until someone responded for me, ty lmao.

[@tm774]

how can i like a video twice??

[@vagos42]

That's what i thought

[@lilbogus]

if you dislike it first and then like it will be 2 likes

[@RadostinaCherneva]

Wow …I stumbled on your channel coincidentally as my son is currently learning the polka and we are listening to all versions.I thought no one else can voice like Gryaznov…so either you’re Gryaznov not wearing watch …or I have one more pianist to add to my favourites !Thank you ❤

[@VinLudens]

Absolutely jaw dropping! Such an incredibly inspiring and gripping interpretation and performance for a pretty intimidating looking piece. The voicing is also unbelievably meticulous and splendid as always! Seeing you play like this sets my own motivations and goals for the piano very straight every time anew; thanks for doing what you do!

[@PaulieDC]

Wow. Beautifully executed as USUAL. Bravo! Your piano recording is sounding really good as well. That beautiful instrument was MADE for you, no doubt... you must be loving it. 😊

[@Tuelhinha]

That's a very lovely comment, I second that all!

[@idratherbecubing]

This is by far my favorite interpretation of this arrangement! I think since you played it slower in certain parts it allowed the beautiful chords to have more of a lasting effect, at least for me. Again, this is an amazing performance!

[@rach3master]

Thanks! I originally tried some faster tempi to match other recordings I’d heard, but this slower tempo works better for the effect I was trying to create.

[@philpalenique]

Bravo ! Wonderful interpretation of this beautiful polka !

[@cjg8763]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@pianospiel1770]

I haven't give this piece a good listen in several years. I was actually thinking about it the other day. Your performance certainly doesn't disappoint, fantastic job!

[@GabeOwzer]

Let’s goooo!!! Just subscribed! Awesome performance!!!

[@12lordarthur97]

I love your ritandos and very romantic interpretation 👏

[@bakuto.1055]

You have some of the nicest technique I've ever seen, good job man

[@AlansPiano]

0:00~ 0:35 So clean! And those reverbs… just AMAZING!

[@rach3master]

This part is trickier than it looks because I'm not using extra reverb but actually depressing the pedal just a fraction for the entire section, and it's very easy to overcook the pedal and muddy up everything.

[@richardpogoson]

I couldn't even imagine learning this, 2:38 and up looks enough to drive someone crazy! Bravo!

[@rach3master]

Thanks, I think I actually did go crazy practicing this!

[@PaulieDC]

@@rach3master And it paid off!

[@julianereinheimer1999]

❤ absolutely fantastic! Piece and execution. In awe.

[@cgnotes]

wow wow ^ _^ great playing

[@korayus]

Perfect as always. Thaks sharing.

[@rlin]

magnificently played! 👏

[@AtlDad2]

Fantastic performance.

[@aidamarkiw]

This is delightful!

[@russellgale]

I love it! Thank You!

[@DianaKessaeva]

Bravo! ☀️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Leeroyxoxo]

The perfect piano for rachmaninoff dosent exis- 😮

[@radiodoc999]

Soooooo toll🎉 und makellos. Wunderbarer Flügel...

[@ursulinadesign]

Bravo 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@BlueeyesChineseguy]

Amazing

[@Tuelhinha]

Masteryyy...!!!! :)

[@zoink5484]

i feel like its a holiday whenever you upload

[@quantomx07]

bro u play sooo good and your piano sounds so nice too!

[@scripted44]

I just looked up your channel description and i cant believe you're 'just' someone who plays in his spare time. I mean how amazing is that? I hope I can get to your level one day.

[@katttttt]

Wow

[@lobluepiano]

I liked 🙏🏻

[@vagos42]

Nice!

[@Masood.Hassani]

Has a Steinway D in his Living Room Recording it like a professional studio Performing a Rachmaninoff difficult piece with perfecto musicalite and articulations meanwhile: About me: Hi, I'm an amateur pianist who plays in my spare time!

[@giorgiamasier4498]

Sai chi sembri? Una famosa pianista cinese Sei una concertista.... altro che pianista amatoriale Bravissima❤

[@nahiku8521]

Another rach3master banger

[@trent4866]

russian* polka very nice and clean- wish i had the determination to play like this

[@jean.7793]

how did you acquire such a technique ? it is amazing.

[@Дмитрий-щ1ч3ч]

Niiice! You have to make an op48 no1 video!

[@joaogonsauros8985]

That’s awesome!! I love this piece! How long did you take to learn it?

[@rach3master]

About 3 days to learn the notes but almost 3 months to play it comfortably at this tempo.

[@sablefang4330]

Wow! Great playing! Are you an amateur? You're certainly a very high-level player!

[@zijiali8349]

How much time did you spend practicing this piece? It sounds amazing!

[@Classical416]

also for newbies like us trying to record... could you do a video on your recording set up? What equipment did you use? Please give us the exact model numbers. And how do you edit the audio (if any)?

[@Rattyrattingratterrattedrat]

Can I use this as audio for a video?

[@avantpianist6636]

Is there any changes on the mic settings after this video? I seem to prefer it better than the previous ones. Another question (since you mentioned recording many takes), have you thought about editing your audio and concatenating from multiple takes, or you've been doing it already?

[@rach3master]

Just some minute adjustments as I keep trying to improve the recording each time. I know about editing audio, but try to avoid it if possible because I’m not great at blending in both video and audio from different takes seamlessly.

[@danielberry4728]

Looks like you took to another model from the nv10 & an ultra good one to boot going from the substitute B. I’m getting increasingly jelly but know grands come with higher maintenance and can’t do with living accommodations, so the next best thing would be a hybrid. The nv10 is likely where I’m going to settle upgrading from my modest casio keyboard; did you have to spend much to regulate/maintain the action while you had it? and would you say your time with it was worth it if you’ve ever tried a slab digital?

[@rach3master]

I haven't had to regulate the action per se but occasionally something in the action got loose and there would be some loud thumping on specific keys, so the technician would have to come and tighten something up. Haven't tried a slab digital but I know the NV10 has the best piano action of a digital piano out there. I usually just learn new pieces on it and only have to make a small adjustment when playing them on the Steinway.

[@danielberry4728]

@@rach3master Thank you for the response! That answers quite a lot, looks like a sizable dent in the wallet won’t hurt as much now. Jokes aside, the passion outweighs that cost in my book & I’ll look forward to the manageable caveats being a minor disadvantage to the Major bunches of joy to come about.

[@avantpianist6636]

@@rach3master I have a similar setup with a 1982 Steinway B and a Yamaha N3X. After having both instruments my problem with hybrids are that I can’t practice using headphones for more than 90 mins. Found my ears becoming fatigued more. I can even practice on an acoustic 4-8 hours per day. Not sure if it happens to others……

[@danielberry4728]

@@avantpianist6636I know with standard music analysis I had to switch up headphones due to tuning spikes in certain spectrums really ticking off my ears and clamp pressure being uncomfortable since my head’s sensitive. I don’t know of that’s along the lines of your issue or not, after the new set I’ve been able to adapt; can’t speak on much else since acoustics have been very rare encounters in my life. Headphones and portable gear also made me sensitive in my case since the sealed chamber and proximity to ear wasn’t something I’m used to on speakers, time in use made it easier to adjust.

[@Classical416]

Just curious...could you tell us your thought process in buying the Steinway D? Why Steinway D instead of other brands like Bechstein, Bosendorder, Fazioli, Shigeru Kawai, Yamaha CFX? Did you try other brands? What did you like and dislike about them?

[@rach3master]

I am most familiar with Steinway and like the sound of a well--prepared concert grand. I have practically no exposure to the flagship models of other brands, so I didn't want to make several trips just to get acquianted with, let alone buy them.

[@williambunter3311]

Beautiful performance! Irritating camera work!