Rafal Blechacz, 2005 Int. Chopin Comp., "Winners Recital"

[@russ2246]

Rafal Blechacz should record the complete piano works of Chopin. It would be absolutely incredible and he has proved to be more than capable.

[@hannastaszak1684]

Brawo Rafał Blechacz. Genialny pianista i wielki mistrz.

[@TibianBotter]

Rafał plays way that's hard to define .......the key is that he's one of us , truly Polish understanding history of our country ,which he's brushing with the piano ....no doubt he feels same emotions as Chopin

[@piotrfret562]

Wspaniały niepowtarzalny Rafał Blechacz.Tak tylko on potrafi oddać muzykę Chopina

[@danielche2349]

his fingers look so tense but his tone is goldddddddddddd :0000

[@samuelbuddy]

Absolutely gorgeous! Deep sensitiveness, faboulous technique, He reach both pianissimo and fortissimo with a dynamic scale astonishing! Chapeau ;-)

[@은돌으뇨]

Although he looked even more nervous at the recital than at the competition, he played gorgeously. My favorite artist ever!

[@MalwinaJasinska]

I don't think one can be nervous and play like that. Nervous people don't become successful stage artists. Nervousness is destructive. More likely he is excited or focused and full of adrenaline before an exceptionally difficult task. But that's a completely different thing.

[@annulrsolformrkelse4023]

@@MalwinaJasinska There are numerous pianists who state that stage fright has been a companion for their entire lifetime of being a concert pianist. Even Seong-Jin Cho answered in an interview that he doesn't think competitions make pianists play better as it made him extremely nervous.

[@chopinandliszt]

Without Chopin, Poland wouldn't have become so famous. His influence in piano music is overwhelming.

[@hammertoe00]

Just saw him perform last night. man he is amazing

[@GetMeThere1]

This guy really is a cut above all the other "brilliant young pianists" out there--who can play for hours without missing a single note, but who seem unable to actually create emotional and artistic expression.

[@csutilla]

wow, such a good technique and perfetionism, he never hit wrong notes. and a very expressive and sensitive playing. Congratulations Rafal Blechacz

[@Molemone]

He is just GREAT!

[@hannastaszak1684]

Wielki, wspaniały Rafał Blechacz !!!

[@mariagurgul1413]

Tak sobie myślę że nikt nie jest w stanie pobić Rafała. I dobrze 🤩💕

[@Cattytea]

He explains why second prize was not awarded during the 2005 competition!!! His interpretation of Polonaise Op.53 Heroic and Waltz Op. 64 No.2 some of the best versions I have heard! For Polonaise Op. 53 Heroic, Horowitz's was very elegant and Argerich's was very powerful and passionate, Blechaz stands in between and I love it. Thanks for sharing

[@alchavezb]

Thanks...Best Chopin interpreter

[@remsan03]

I don't understand how he doesn't have more videos here on YT other than his Chopin Competition. Has he not fully booked by concert tours in Europe or Japan? He is the one of the most remarkable young pianist out there right now and a worthy winner of the competition (the same can't be said to other recent winners). And the only one who received a personal congratulatory note from Zimerman (which is saying a lot).

[@canoedist]

kzbin.info?search_query=rafal+blechacz+gilmore I'm fortunate to have experienced his artistry several times in Kalamazoo MI USA.

[@puhijun]

One thing amazing about this pianist is that he seems to have his notes flying harmoniously, rather than fighting for its spot, like some people who played in Chopin Competition...

[@tiffsaver]

Given enough time, I believe this young man will surpass even the great Artur Rubinstein. Technique and feeling beyond his years. How altogether fitting that he should be Polish, the native land of Chopin himself. I've never heard sustained applause like this for his Polonaise in A-Flat Major in my entire life, and I'm 72-years old.

[@MelMayuga]

oh my god can someone tell me how the octaves in the polonaise is possible with THAT speed. unbelievable.

[@michelealvarez7078]

que c'est beau de jouer les œuvres de Frédéric Chopin !!! splendide interprétation merci

[@romuald011]

Perfekcja nad Perfekcją , Niewyobrażalny Talent który sie zdaża raz na milion lat . J

[@DenizInanComposer]

Thank you very much for posting this video!!!! Great!!

[@aglobackwards]

Considering, that his father came to Poland when he was 16, fought in the Polish national uprisings, raised his children as polish citizens, did not return to France, I'd say he felt quite at home in Poland. Knowing letters etc by Chopin and his music, so inspired by the slavic sense of melody, he's very polish.

[@tsbtmeteoinformacjepogodow6692]

słuchanie Blechacz jest przyjemnością. Czy ktoś wie co się z nim teraz dzieje.

[@reallydamngirl]

gra mnóstwo koncertów w różnych krajach, zdobywa nagrody a 24 lutego będzie w Warszawie w filharmonii narodowej. Wszystko jest na jego stronie albo na facebook

[@animalmother1065]

his legato is so fluid... i love it.

[@Thecchazyy]

@sara994 Comment from @nindotani isn't in polish. But I can write something for you. When I say: "Rafał jest geniuszem. Nie tylko gra muzykę, ale i stał się nią" I meant "Rafał is a genius. He's not only palying music, he became music". Greetings from Poland!

[@jedijenkeez45]

this guy is amazing, i have his complete preludes cd that was released a few years ago. Incredible stuff!

[@plukkiepluis]

22 years old

[@Lustre1987]

thx for the upload, greatly appreciated!

[@lukedmc]

Gostei bastante da performance, lindo de ver e ouvir

[@harku1]

fenomenalnie gra!!!!

[@mariolongo7369]

STREPITOSO!!! Thanks from share

[@Havenscope]

Long Bloody standing ovation. Jesus Christ. Wonderful Performance, truly.

[@josephpai5439]

fantastic fantasia!!!

[@Egide0]

Well, from the ratings of this video, it looks like 20 people were eliminated from the competition! Blechacz is awesome.

[@roar007]

As it was until a few years ago, the Polish had been under the dominion of Russian influence for over almost two centuries. And having the misfortune of being between two giants, Germany and Russia, that were constantly carving out Polish territory for themselves. That was the reason why Chopin, in part, never returned to Poland, because of the domination there. So even Frederic felt that melancholy for his homeland that he so aptly expressed in much of his music, i.e. Polonaises, Mazurkas.

[@hfleung100]

He is goooooood.. :)

[@MrPianomagician]

Fantastic.............. !!!!!!!!!

[@veronicabarrera581]

I can Say without doubt he's te Best Chopin interpretar ever even over zimmermman and Rubinstein but unlike other Chopin experts he can play perfectly other composers themes such as Mozart Beethoven rachmaninif Brahms shubert etc and he dos flawless as if he were playing Chopin

[@gonzalojosevb]

@nousernamewhatsoever Both are extraordinaries pianist. They are very young and they have a wonderful future with our support.

[@jml4000]

ambrosia for the ears!

[@alchavezb]

I never forget they are trying to approach to what Chopin meant in every interpretation I hear.

[@magik603]

is it only me but the sound is very low, i had to turn everything up so i could hear it (on headphones)

[@buffertemp3671]

Nice!

[@DavideFumagalli76]

Jestes super!

[@justap20]

Piękne video

[@druglover200]

Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2

[@Lustre1987]

the waltz was the best imo

[@MelMayuga]

excellent pedalling.

[@iampauleybaby]

We talk about Blechacz, Rubenstein, Argerich, Pollini, Ashkenazy and all the others. But we forget Chopin in all this. No Chopin, no party.

[@iloveChopinAndGNR]

Polish soul

[@DarknessHowls]

Rafal Blechacz is a freakin' beast! O.O

[@BeingMartian]

Too bad the broadcast stopped there. I have the CD of the winner's recital, and Mr. Blechacz actually says a few words after this and plays an extra Debussy piece (Clair de Lune). I wonder if that has ever happened in the history of the Chopin competition (a piece not by Chopin being played)?

[@muslit]

bang bang can't compare to this

[@c.s.70]

@dontzenyourselfout fuck bang bang, hope he disappears soon, so annoying and desecrating classical music with his grotesque pomposity. It's incredulous that he is held higher in his country than Yundi Li even or Yuja Wang! Ridiculous!

[@ubudian07]

Well, yeah, that's because bam bam is pop.

[@lverre]

But his heart was returned to Poland (Holy Cross Church in Warsaw) on his wishes...

[@gonzalojosevb]

Rafal is one of my favorite pianist. I went to his recital in Madrid this year. And let me tell you that I discovered a new pianist, a russian one, his name is Alexander Lubyantsev. He is competing now in Moscu (Tchaikovsky Competition 2011). He is extraordinary, watch and listen his interpretations...Support and disseminate new talent, they deserve it.

[@ilwmb]

his fingers seem surprisingly stiff..im not used to seeing this kind of technique..very well played!

[@MrFartyman44]

“-applause, some polish guy talking” 😂

[@peterviool]

Chopin just answered Lizt, no more no less!!!

[@keithjones9546]

He is macho.

[@gonzalojosevb]

Rafal Blechacz is an excellent pianist. I was in a concert in Madrid. Also, I like Alexander Lubyantsev, I strongly recommend you.

[@gspaulsson]

Rafal is the Polish spelling, period.

[@aniasamoc114]

Chopin is from poland, is polish. His name is French, becouse his dad is French. His love polish and hear in his music.

[@Kulas993]

Tutaj zagrał fajnie, ale jak byłem na jego koncercie to tak średnio ;| ale nieważne. Na konkursie to aż miło posłuchać ;) tylko jedna rzecz mnie odraża... Piąte palce ;D

[@nousernamewhatsoever]

@gonzalojosevb just checked out Lubyantsev and wanted to say wow!!thanks for telling about him he's really great!I still prefer Rafal's chopin though,but Lubyantsev plays like nobody's business :-)

[@nico22059]

no, actually that´s the german school, the russian focuses on making music since the begining

[@AuppaWappa]

I would learn to speak Polish just so I could go to this competition.

[@markswanson549]

He killed that Polonaise!

[@RedElectrik]

"She'll have ya baseball..."

[@davidofpiano423]

Reminds me of Zimerman

[@5mongmong89]

ONLY Polish !!!!! nobody copy this SOUL

[@Spyrine]

"some polish guy talking" lmfao

[@crzyfdg]

I hate it when the cameramen get too creative for classical videos, especially during the polonaise

[@voolare]

BTW he first chose to move to Vienna and spent there some years until it became a hostile environment. The title Ballade does not necessary come from the French 15th century poetry, but most likely from the ballades of Goethe. Chopin and all the romantics (especially his dear friend Liszt,who worte the Faust Symphony, the Mephisto Valses etc) were heavily influenced by the writings of Goethe. Mendelssohn (also friend of Chopin) even orchestrated a goethe ballade! (continued)

[@An2quamaraN]

@tuxdcat when you were 8, Rafal's father was not even able to walk yet...

[@what672]

@tuxdcat I think you have your years mixed up there, Rafal is only 25.

[@sissichopin91]

gorgous interpretations!but he must insert one nocturne, one ballade, one prelude and one etude at least!

[@unetotaleincognito12]

@TheLittlegrenade rafal is the only one who won all the categories of the competition, ever. plus, judges considered that he outperformed so much all the other contestants that they didn't give a second prize that year. you may like yundi li playing more, but you can't say he is way better than rafal.

[@--Artur--]

GOSPEL TRUTH

[@voolare]

Paris had an influence Chopin in terms of access to the European Intelligentia, but French music (not at its prime yet) certainly did not influence Chopin, while the Polish Mazurkas certainly did. As I said, Chopin's Ballades, apparently, were inspired by the Polish patriotic poetry of Mickiewicz. FYI, since you dismissed my comment on the origin of the nocturnes, as a musical form, they were invented by the Irish composer John Field and Chopin got across his work. Cheers

[@gspaulsson]

Austrians too. But in its day the Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania was a vast empire in its own right, and mixed it up with the Turks as well as clobbering the Germans and the Russians from time to time.

[@zach99998]

@1023george What in the hell are you talking about

[@czarnalama]

Polonez zaczyna sie w 13:54 min

[@tbnues]

i guess it was just a typo. 16 instead of 61 my dear (:

[@zach99998]

@1023george Leave the old man alone!!!

[@gspaulsson]

No it isn't Polish, or any language I recognize.

[@wiktorialatos1157]

Some Polish guy talking XD

[@gspaulsson]

Well, I think if the Soviet Union had been ruled by Deng-hsiao Ping instead of Gorbachev, Poland would still be a Soviet satellite and you would have a Chinese-style synthesis of Communist dictatorship and capitalism. Solidarity ultimately succeded (like the Marshal in 1918) by an accident of history: there is no doubt that the great powers could always do what they wanted to Poland. Anyway, you're right that this is the wrong place for politics.

[@tietienne12]

la version de Argerich, plus vivace et enflammée était meilleure... je vois ce qui justifie tant de prix... il est excellent, de la à dire exceptionnel... euh

[@Yng_dremn628]

13:52

[@しん-l1n]

1:43

[@aglobackwards]

Of course it's not about silly arguign "he's 100 perc. polish", don't get me wrong, he clearly felt quite at home in France as well :) But it just irritates me when people try to say he's French, just because they hear he has a French surname and because he had to flee to France, like so many Polish Emigrants after 1831.

[@schaefer1697]

This guys playing is fantastic; however, the editing is making me sick! They wont show his hand for more than 2 seconds and the jumping around of camera angels is nauseating!

[@ServeTheHive]

actually, lucifer is quite right. it was all very obvious after the first round.

[@SELG88]

wuoooo, anyway i prefer wunder xD

[@AlfaAxel]

Is it this particular Steinway to which you refer?

[@voolare]

The comparison with Handel/England is a bit out of place:Handel chose to move to London; whilst Chopin was what today would be defined a political refugee. The use of the term "Ballade" is certainly not a good example to proof the influence of France on him. Does the fact that he wrote Nocturnes, make him an Irish? And don't forget that the ballades were inspired by Adam Mickiewicz' poetry! Chopin could never go back to Poland, invaded by the Russians.

[@OriginalBasaliskos]

How'd you get a video up that was longer than ten minutes?

[@zniesmaczony]

I don't get it, what's with the hair? most of the pianists have those bushy hair-does... what for? they don't use them for headbanging then why? Do they wanna also LOOK like Chopin?