Saint-Saëns/Liszt/Horowitz: Danse Macabre; Vassilis Varvaresos, piano

Recorded: September 16, 2012, Ärtztekammer Nordrhein, Düsseldorf
Compris Artist Management, www.com-pris.nl
Camera & editing: Nander Cirkel & Beitske de Jong
Sound recorded by Konstantin Beck & Kai Holzkämper

[@Schurfable]

The performance was perfect. But I would like to see all the hand movements from a static position

[@Xevyyy]

isn't it a wrogn note at 2:40?

[@kathyfr6000]

Xevy no one cares

[@afill471]

@@Xevyyy tbh, who plays pieces exactly perfect and flawless to the point that every time the person plays the same rep and is the same result every time? Every time a pianist performs the same rep, the accuracy and interpretation varies each time, even the smallest changes. There’s a point of acceptance we give to pianists for their work, and we appreciate them for it, the minimum amount of acceptance in my opinion is 80% accuracy and effort (interpretation isn’t really a grading category as the pianist has his/her view on the approach of the piece), anything lower becomes more questionable, it’s kind of like seeing whether the pianist was really ready, ready enough, or work on it was needed. This example of a slight typo of butter fingers here is the least noticeable mistake an audience would see, what’s more important and I applaud for this greatly would be the recovery, as long as you stick with the piece, this is easy to recover from. small chromatic mistakes like these are actually good opportunities to see how fast the pianist would go back on track if it really was a brain fart, or just “butterfingers”/finger slip. Don’t judge yourself too hard over such minor mistakes, but we do encourage you to minimize it when possible, it’s no big deal, really.

[@Xevyyy]

@@kathyfr6000 Really stupid answer lmfao

[@Xevyyy]

@@afill471 I know all of this, I asked if this specific note was the same as the original piece, I didn't say I didn't like it or that it was a mistake that should absolutely be avoided

[@johnwallace1140]

While this is a phenomenal performance, I feel the piano deserves equal praise. That Bechstein has one of the loveliest timbres I've ever heard.

[@muktisaha6681]

True!

[@willgraham8878]

I totally agree! Bechstein said they completely refurbished and updated everything on their concert pianos in the last 10 years and I can hear the difference! They are now very competitive with Steinway!

[@tomowenpianochannel]

Very woody tone, and yet slightly light.... with a lot of crispness and metallic edge. The Bechstein sounds slightly antique already, a little more like a fortepiano, but with all the power, dynamics and pedal effects of the modern Steinway grand. The treble in particular is amazing, reminiscent of the flute stops on a grand organ. Agree with you!

[@subasan4798]

This deserves 5 billion views, not despacito.

[@중성마녀마카오-g4s]

Why do people hate Despacito?

[@duycongpham4762]

중성

[@user-gu3qs7xo5h]

@@duycongpham4762 agree with this. Plus, it is too mainstream

[@duycongpham4762]

꧁miss꧂ ok?

[@srico7313]

Despashito!?? Don’t think I know that one I’ll stick with Liszt thx

[@alexandreaegerter4106]

excellent piece and wonderful interpretation! but I have to say... WHAT A PIANO !!!

[@GyromiteROB]

Bechsteins are works of art. They produce such a deep tone.

[@Jantsenpr777]

Almost no one today uses them consistently. But, may I say, they are super pianos.

[@ivanfrangugic8355]

@@GyromiteROB and clear d282 sounds simullar to the sk- ex by kawai but i will rather buy bechstein a 175 restord or new i hope some day

[@TheMythsmith]

What I like about your interpretation of this piece is the light and shade you add by varying the tempos. Most pianists play this piece almost presto and its nice to hear something different. Very nice indeed. Bravo

[@kmco5633]

I guess that's why Vladimir Horowitz is involved ;D

[@yuio4193]

Yes! It swelled through the song! So much more life and flavor!

[@busylifemeto]

Love the Bechstein so rare to see what an amazing sound

[@MelodicaMen]

Absolutely incredible. Great job!

[@marshalljaxxon4425]

dunno if you guys gives a shit but if you guys are bored like me atm then you can stream all of the new movies on instaflixxer. Been watching with my brother recently =)

[@nickjamestuttle]

I have the flu and this song broke my fever lol

[@Tarlius72]

I can play up to 0:16 !! :D

[@dragonite1999]

Ahahahaja

[@rkit1571]

Go you! It’s fun playing ridiculously complicated pieces for even a second. My fav to ‘play’ for a short amount of time is la campanella. It’s short, but it’s fun!

[@jamien.5528]

😂

[@keyto0910]

hahahahahahaha

[@oldbird4601]

@@rkit1571 lmao same everyone has that one thing they just do for no reason when they sit at the piano, for me it’s arpeggio runs on my right hand or la Campanella

[@marycorcoran8495]

I fell in love with this piece when I was 10 years old , and it was played in a VERY abridged fashion. This is exquisite; mind-blowingly beautiful. There are very few people in this world who can play like that...Saint-Saens created this amazing piece of music, but without the great talents of those like Vassilis Varvaresos, all would be lost. Thank you both so much. xo

[@stonestone1000]

Oh please come to Durban South Africa and play for us. You will be showered with roses for the way you play .....outstanding ...

[@synicull127]

literally 0 flaws this is disgusting I just don't understand how this is physically possible. I can only dream...

[@D3leriumX]

I know. I feel so insignificant

[@wannabeiroh4658]

Patrick Rea There's a cut almost every second, that answer your question?

[@yannisgutmann7923]

Danny Andrews recorded once. Videographed from multiple angles but the audio is real. Listen to him live and you ll get convinced immediately.

[@TheAlfredo094]

There's actually one false note at 2:40.

[@bosendorferboy]

Alfredo if I could play this with one false note I would be ecstatic

[@duanepiippo2939]

I have never felt energy and passion through watching a performance on video before such as l have with this. Unbelievable talent. He IS the music. It's as if he became a conduit for the composer. I would be grateful for 1/16th of his musical prowess in my own playing. I'm completely enchanted, thank you! Bravo!!

[@andrewcgs]

My favourite version ever.

[@fernandovinicius6716]

i prefer the original :D

[@jasonclarke7422]

This dude is the real deal, I’ve literally just been blown away.

[@andrerieu5277]

BECHSTEIN --- BECHSTEIN --- BECHSTEIN --- BECHSTEIN --- BECHSTEIN !!!! I'm crazy about this vidéo! I regulary come back to it! Great perf from Vassilis, perfect sound take and INCREDIBLE Bechstein sound.

[@marinasyrpi]

1

[@ji94552]

Fine pianist + Great professional recording = Great Performance.

[@brunobuzzacchi1108]

+ great Carl Bechstein piano, very well tuned.

[@akazienblute4491]

Am I the only one who is irritaded by the constant change of angles?

[@ladyrosenrot1514]

Maybe if I start practicing now, I’m gonna be able to play this in my next life …

[@francoisdrt9542]

1:36 Lol this is his jam

[@ELYS_Official]

i laughed out loud

[@fortuneteller69]

my dude went HAM on this track

[@tesouro2146]

LMFAO I HAD THE SAME REACTION AS HIM NGL

[@1998warriors]

Very well played! It takes more than hands to play an instrument with passion, and your playing is a wonderful example of feeling the music.

[@risingsun9595]

For once, I can actually agree with the people that disliked this. That bastard makes it look so easy.

[@donlindquist1570]

AN INCREDIBLE VARIATION OF A FANTASTIC PIECE. VASSILIS IS IMMERCED IN HIS PERFORMANCE. THE CHANGING HAND POSITION IS FOCUSING ON PARTS THAT ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL. I PLAY THE PIECE FREQUENTLY WITH FASCINATION.

[@mirandamason6874]

ONCE YOU CAPS LOCK YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK. YOU ARE CAPS LOCKED FOREVER. I KNOW THE FEELING.

[@casparwelting9740]

Best piece of piano music ever, I've been listening this song every day while making homework from the age of 9. Absolutely great performance by piano master Vassilis Varvaresos 😃🎵🎶

[@cctunes]

Marvelous articulation! Wonderful sound! I think it's a bit too self-indulgent in the beginning, but the admiration for this great transcription is evident. BravO!

[@nedschechter2066]

Vassily is amazing here. I also learned the difference between a Steinway and a Bechstein. The latter produces a more mellow and richer, at least in this composition, pleasing tone. My opinion.

[@stonestone1000]

He mastered this piece - outstanding .....thank you.....

[@AlexanderArsov]

Stunning playing that absolutely doesn't need the artsy camera work and editing.

[@inosuke-chan413]

Alexander Arsov yeah, its more difficult to learn, for people that need to learn

[@theshoebooty]

3:57 to 4:17, what clarity and dexterity! The entire performance is amazing really!

[@LindaLinda80Linda]

A great performer! A great pianist. A remarkable intellectual. He OWNS the piano! Impossibly thrilling.

[@catherinelipthratt7440]

I want to play this before my senior year. That is my one goal in life atm

[@bibibibi3061]

Very nice but why do they show only his face when he looks constipated? The performance is about his hands not his face

[@tonyhancock7080]

Thank you, thank you for sharing your gift .......

[@nedschechter2066]

One of two interpretations, the other by Vladimir Horowitz, that bring the story of Danae Macabre to life.

[@willgraham8878]

Sir you did an Amazing job! I was Not expecting a performance of this quality, brilliance, accuracy, speed, refinement! You took me by surprise! Bravo!!! The Bechstein piano also sounded extremely fine!! Great tuning, beautiful tone and projective power. The company said they totally renovated their pianos in the last 10 years bringing them up to similar levels to the Steinway and I can hear that!

[@hirnz1981]

Heard him play this on ABC classic FM radio on my way home today, and almost had to stop the car. Blew me away. Incredible

[@fernandosantosii5276]

Uou! Messi playing the piano ?

[@evemariantu]

jaja...Pense que era la unica que vio la similitud...un poco mas agil este chico si...jaja

[@tg4q391]

Fernando 11:11 😂😂😂😂😂

[@thedubbersbrothers5633]

AHAHAHAH

[@Sentfrommyipad]

How can one man replace an orchestra!?

[@muhammadridho7680]

*Yes it's lizt*

[@user-dx5il5ts4x]

I never thought a song could be played so perfectly.

[@saraalvarezkeller9142]

Thank you for posting this, it was seriously amazing! You just urged me to run back to piano lessons. A magnificent instrument. Bravo! Hats off :)

[@inosuke-chan413]

Sara Alvarez Keller shapoooo (french hats off) :v

[@eirhnhfwka3793]

το καλύτερο κομμάτι στο πιάνο που έχω ακούσει ποτέ.και η καλύτερη εκτέλεση!!!! συγχαρητήρια!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bigguns1952]

Horowitz was my hero & now this.Very decisive ,well articulated with a Liszt touch of its disjointed pauses.... just what the doctor ordered for me! Never heard of that piano, but it sure had an awesome sound.

[@missshinozaki]

Beautiful!!! Yes. Display the emotion. Feel it. This is why I love to watch pianists and play the piano.

[@emeligomez1681]

The best version ❤

[@Patashu]

What an amazing, powerful song!

[@messiah0141]

I listen to this piece again and again and still speechless. Thank You

[@patrickfavre3952]

I for one like the Cinematography

[@jan-pieterboekhoorn3297]

Yesterday we saw the famous Alexander Gavrylyuk with this piece and he was amazing with his performance and especially his dynamic! But this guy plays it wonderful too; great admiring for him! Jan-Pieter Boekhoorn,NL

[@danakatherinescully1]

the way he plays..i can feel that

[@Seenall]

Cleanest performance of this piece I have heard yet

[@spartacus2413]

Listening to this made me tear up this is so beautiful

[@nickmraz3984]

Very nice! The Bechstein is incredible

[@atarax232323]

Excellentissime !

[@sabjohn9266]

Excellent performance! Thank u so much, I am always looking for a video of this piece.

[@sars6564]

Congratulations! Greeting from motherland

[@ememousike]

Το άκουσα και ζωντανά. Καταπληκτική ερμηνεία. Ο Βασίλης έχει μεγάλο ταλέντο και του αξίζει μια αντίστοιχη σταδιοδρομία

[@beathoven6984]

It's amazing! Your sound is so clear and so perfect! Brilliant! You are a virtuoso!

[@grantveebeejay535]

A magnificent player for a wondrous piano work. How wonderful!

[@tamanimania]

Breathless! Only makes me wish to have his talent....

[@athinaathan]

καταπληκτικό! όσο το ακούω τόσο μου αρέσει περισσότερο !!

[@alwatsonpianist]

Amazing combination of musicianship and technique. Bravissimo!!!

[@johanschneiders6293]

7:46 Liszt was involved...

[@mumupipi8414]

Sooooo Liszt! I thought the same

[@aidanhiggs9922]

lol yeah you know this is where he came in

[@raoultak]

Or was it Horowitz?

[@amanas5840]

@@raoultak can't find it in liszt's arrangement. It's actually a horowitz edit.

[@raoultak]

@@amanas5840 I guess so. It's great any way.

[@kurtmatthews8094]

It is not possible to play this piece any better. Awesome!

[@isabelruiz6446]

Fantástica ,,Saint -Saens ,y su música .¡¡ Excelente interpretación ,,!!

[@doyetois19561]

j'aime beaucoup la Danse Macabre de Saint Saëns, des virtuoses l'ont interprété, mais là, c'est purement magique !!! Bravo !!!

[@NanaNijura]

I'm currently learning the version of this piece for two pianos, but I also love this video. Great job!

[@emanueldelfiino7584]

un verdadero maestro! felicitaciones! saludos desde uruguay.

[@tiziano88]

Impressive performance

[@megaraloveshercules6753]

Now I want to play like this

[@hjiuhfhrehui]

You understand music my friend. I enjoyed a lot. Thank you for sharing. Btw I think the 14 dislikes came from jealous people who don't posses the talent of a real musician.

[@emptysoul8462]

So talented, wow.

[@busylifemeto]

Outstanding performance by a great pianist. What an AMAZING piano always loved Bechstein, this one passes all supurlatives.

[@gaelctlls]

Comment de pas mettre un J'aime ??!! Bravo l'artiste

[@CateCrafter]

Marvellous, all I can say is I am envious of Mr Varvaresos' talent.

[@rexlex1736]

Breathtaking! Bravissimo!

[@felipevollkopf]

Love your piano

[@owenjiang3615]

THIS SOUNDS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to learn it 😃

[@biondatiziana]

Brilliant and captivating! Bravissimo!!! Will listen over and over.

[@dominiksukic8817]

I don't know much about Liszt, but from what i have heared one thing is for sure: He was a real showman.

[@Crusader1815]

I want this Bechstein. Finest piano I've ever heard.

[@hjiuhfhrehui]

Btw. I love how the piano sounds

[@derya5932]

Perfect. I LOVE IT!

[@losdobleaperez4103]

Omg that was amazing, the way you did both voices differing each other and giving importance to each one of them.

[@dieu6509]

Juste incroyable...

[@ευηκεραστα]

Υπέροχος!

[@magnoliabranca5149]

Bravo!!!!!

[@sadybordin2997]

Just one word: WONDERFUL. Congratulations!

[@Donserlano]

The piano sounds fantastic! And your playing was unrivaled as well!

[@jackjohnson4524]

Wooohoooo! This came up in my recommended again! I guess it’s almost that time of year!

[@erinnpegan7398]

Literally stunning... Thank you.

[@lfo88]

food for brain and soul ! bravo bravo grazie!

[@kimberhenry5808]

Somptueux! Quel délice pour les oreilles! 👌🏼✨👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@TheAristo66]

This is amazing

[@dankboi1560]

This song is so beautiful

[@justmusic822]

Bravo! Sheer excitement! I could'nt help noticing the Bechstein ... and it brought lovely memories of my piano lessons at the music conservatoire where I studied -- my lecturer had a refined Bechstein in her studio which I always eyed!

[@nickvaf]

Very impressive interpretation and performance with superb articulation! And that piano…. damnnnn nice

[@julianheinz8298]

The performance ist great. I live the piece!!

[@max-lee]

Love the piano sounds.

[@Katyna780]

Clean execution

[@myriemahbethy633]

Quelle œuvre superbe, magistralement interprétée dans cette version pianistique !

[@ydjs03]

Marvelous! I thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to this video. Thanks for sharing?