Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor op.22

[@eddiereedbigband1]

I don't comment much, but after hearing Ben's performance here I just had to. I see others have also put young Ben to the test, comparing his Saint Saens 2 with the finest pianists of the past 75 years; even Richter was included in my research. Decca Records and Mister Grosvenor have elevated the bar in everyway with this recording. Ben's mastery of the monstrous technical demands of this piece provide for an astonishing reveal of what Ben calls ... "The poetry of the music". What is most impressive is the clarity of each note and phrase of this performance. You must see Ben in concert. Look forward to the legion of children who adore him. He may be still greeting them and signing his latest CD, if you hurry. Thanks Ben !

[@MrGecko1946]

Grosvenor plays like an angel. Superb reading of a fiendishly difficult work.

[@djmotise]

It's not a "reading." It's a performance.

[@miscellanyman263]

Most fascinating to compare these contemporary performances to the historic "great pianist" performances of Gilels, Rubenstein, Watts and for me, the "definitive" performance by Philippe Entremont/Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra (1966).

[@jiggsuhhh]

Rubinstein

[@djmotise]

This is now the definitive performance for me. The final two movements alone go down in history as the most brilliant, ferociously virtuosic and stunningly musical. Give it up for Grosvenor.

[@alvarito45]

Listen Lara Melda's version with Vassily Petrenko conducting and you, maybe, will change your mind. I did it!!

[@789armstrong]

absolutely stunning. comparable to Gilels historic account.

[@mickdunn8423]

WELL DONE BENJAMIN! Play it your way...not my favourite interpretation, but I enjoyed it immensely! Horses for courses young fellah!

[@naiadeforta]

Could not agree more! Music is NOT subjected to laws of nature....

[@TheVaughan5]

Why aren't the Saint-Saens piano concertos played more often? Instead of the same old "war horses" being trotted out time after time it would make such a refreshing change! Having said that I think that they are getting more exposure now than say 20 or more years ago!

[@jiggsuhhh]

It's funny you should mention war horses when speaking about this concerto, since Rubinstein referred to it as one of his war horses.

[@TheVaughan5]

Jim Hall That's interesting - perhaps it was played more back then than now.

[@craigresnianky6909]

I'd call the Saent-Saens G minor a war horse. It, along with the Grieg and Schumann concerto, are often among the first Romantic Era concerti a pianist will learn.

[@djmotise]

People choose not to play this one because of its immense difficulty. You either have this type of virtuosity or you don't. Many concert pianists simply don't have the ability to play extremely fast and brilliant for long periods.

[@whisper1012]

かっこいい！

[@tatopiano]

very politely nice sound, amazing performance!!

[@djmotise]

polite?

[@davidhainovitz2838]

yes technically exremely profficient.What is lacking imo is a bit of "going wild" that extra bit of eccentricity that makes a rendition unique

[@neethadesilva5747]

Brilliant! Well done!

[@Roosslani]

It is fast but a good fast! I liked it. You slay the modulations at 4:55 and at 21:39! Perfect!

[@pitetbalut1675]

Great!!!

[@datalore6187]

The syncopated rhythm is...different. Almost a swing sort of feel.

[@drale75]

wow!!!good!

[@benjamincuevaseninde]

-- Remarquablement joué. --

[@djmotise]

I will never again recommend or listen to this video because of the ads right in the middle of the piece. Adios forever.

[@alvarito45]

Quite energic and deep version. Yet I prefer Lara Melda's way to play this beautiful Saint-Saens 2 piano concerto.

[@docoftheworld]

Too fast. too fast.

[@johnwilliam4278]

not only too fast but kind of chaotic. Stephen Hough has this nailed in my humble opnion.

[@mrkd32]

docoftheworld Personally I like his choice of tempo, I find some of the others quite slow when used to the faster tempo in the first movement.

[@djmotise]

The tempo is perfect. He can handle it and still make it expressive and incredibly exciting and consistently clear in regards to his phrasing and choices. The 3rd movement is beyond all expectation and imagination.

[@rissenbeck]

too fast, and in the end, DULL

[@djmotise]

rissenbeck you're out of your mind. Nothing could be more exciting. I almost fainted the first time I heard this. You missed everything. You think the 3rd movement is dull? He purposely played fast WITH energy and musicianship to ward off absurd comments like yours. Are you listening on your phone? At least listen in a quiet car on bluetooth. You can NOT judge crap listening to a KZbin video on your phone or laptop, unless you have great headphones.