Jorge Bolet Chopin-Godowsky 1988

JORGE BOLET playing and demonstrating Chopin-Godowsky
BBC 1988. 35m
This is the most fascinating programme of Bolet as teacher and performer.
Made in the BBC Studios with a small audience, the interviewer gets Bolet to talk about
Godowsky then demonstrate the difference between Chopin and Godowsky's version of the three pieces to be played.
This was recorded at the time on VHS from a not very good aerial signal.
The picture is grainly but clear and the sound is fine.

[@MXDelfos]

BTW, Bolet was 74 when played this. I'm stunned

[@salt_cots]

And he wasn't in the best of health either

[@James_Bowie]

Unfortunately, he only hit the 'big time' when he was 60 years old.

[@TheExarion]

Geez, this is a really invaluable post. I thought it would just be Bolet playing studies I’ve already heard him play before so I abstained from watching this until now. But he actually touches on some of the most important aspects of Godowsky’s intentions with the piano and he also plays the Op.10/11 and Op.25/3 combined! one that is not often performed, so this is a really special upload. Thank you so much for bringing this to KZbin :)

[@mystified2356]

one of the best godowsky videos out there imo

[@claudioparrella183]

Hamelin tra 20 anni raggiungerà Bolet

[@Varooooooom]

3:38

[@MikeN275]

My, what a treasure this is for someone who's grown up listening to, working on, and eventually playing Godowsky's music. Thank you so much! I never knew this existed.

[@kaleidoscopio5]

PROGRAM: 9:08 1) Etude op 10 n 3 For left hand 15:42 2) Etude op 10 n 5 Inversion for the right hand 18:15 3) Etude op 10 n 7 Second version 23:03 4) Etude op 25 n 1 Sensitive version 27:14 5) Etude op 10 n 11 + Etude op 25 n 3 32:25 Encore: Waltz op 64 n 1

[@DavidBoycePiano]

At 2:00 the photo of Godowsky appears to show him sitting at an Emanuel Moór Double Keyboard piano. Few of those were ever made, Steinway making exactly one of them. At 7:15 there is conversation about the impossibility of playing some of Godowsky's chords without rolling them. On an Emanuel Moor Double keyboard piano, however, such effects would have been possible. The restored Steinway Moór piano can be seen here, with explanation of its capabilities: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYnbqplsg62Lo9k

[@James_Bowie]

Jorge should have had a much higher profile on the world stage. It took him 60 years to earn the respect and acclaim that he deserved.

[@stefanufer608]

Brilliant post - I remember those wonderful masterclasses he did for BBC Scotland in the ‘80s on Rach 2 and 3 - a massively under-rated pianist

[@James_Bowie]

Rach 3 class here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enbNhomXmruiba8

[@josepedroribeiro5568]

@@James_Bowie is there anywhere the rach 2 masterclass?

[@alexandregarden6260]

Was assigned to convey Mr. Bolet from his hotel to the Usher Hall one morning. He appeared, immaculately turned out, in blazer, white shirt, plain tie and grey flannels. He had but one request, could we find a copy of the Herald Tribune before going to the rehearsal. We did. I then listened to the rehearsal, Chopin 1 I think, and was totally gobsmacked by the contrast of his extremely reserved personal persona with his performing abilities. He taught me more about being a musician that day than any music institution could have done in years. Needless to say that the sales of white shirts, blazers, plain ties and flannels rose thereinafter as they became my “uniform”

[@RozarSmacco]

JB - so musical even in the most difficult repertoire ...thanks for posting this as they would’ve never programmed any transcendental pianism on our idiot-box in the states. Closest to this would be have been a Van Cliburn contest documentary on PBS.

[@troy5094]

ngl Bolet’s playing of Godowsky’s transcription of Chopin’s Db major waltz is the best version of the piece I’ve ever heard

[@tackontitan]

I think what I love most about these performances is how Bolet doesn't try to play them as fast as the originals. They're very difficult studies, yes, but above all else, they're music. Bolet is playing music, not just technical exercises.

[@bfposner]

Fantastic what a generous public and the internet have made available. I was especially pleased to hear his performance of Op. 10 #11 combined with Op. 25 #3. Thank you.

[@MXDelfos]

This is absolutely outstanding. Really outstanding. A treasure. Bolet had a natural ability for the piano. Thank you very much!

[@zinam5795]

Virtuosity Pianist's special interest by Musician Godovsky... Somebody ,like Henrik Newhaus, suffer too much, almost to suiside --no able to play "like Godovsky" by diffrent anatomically Hands

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Nada de MIX ni anumcios ,yo las encontre.

[@christopherczajasager9030]

Most writing here seem unaware of the superb COM LETE Chopin - Godowsky, Marc-Andre Hamelin!!!!!

[@Honglongmeng44]

Thank you! The most fascinating words seem dull to describe the closest pianist to Chopin´s spirit.

[@nonlevo2184]

比

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Me gusta que no se jacte de su tecnica 🇮🇷

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Chopin 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼

[@MrInterestingthings]

What a treasure ! Pianists who know will tell you Bolet had a greater technique than Horowitz ! I must find out if Bolet wrote anything about music making or pianistic technique . Auer left us much . We don't have much film of Bolet (Bolet playing Liszt on Frenchtv ! there is also Bolet teaching on film Rach3 . Are there any concerto tv broadcasts ? Luckily we have several recitals of Cherkassky on film and 2 of Hofmann much of Moisewitsch who is really a generalization later . Gary Graffman met Godowsky as a child but he has never specialized in lateRomantic era and I've not seen any film of him except talking about his students . Is there any Michael ponti or Raymond Lewenthal on film. Ogdon is also on youtube and his wife and he traveling in Russia .Incredible human being so down to earth unlike as is Bolet here so many classical artists .

[@Mr.Dziej72]

Exactly -- compare the elegance and refinement of Bolet's playing to the sloppy, banging playing of Horowitz in his late years. Bolet's playing is stunning here.

[@belialah]

And that is why folks Godowsky was so unhappy. Extremely beautiful art with extremely ugly rewards.

[@DavidBallpianist]

It is wonderful!!❤

[@jean-christopheMiquel-ef3ur]

Parler pendant le jeu de Bolet au début de l'émission ,c'est inconvenant pour ne pas dire plus.

[@salt_cots]

I recall seeing this at the time on TV and I have my own video of it (but which I cannot now play). Thank you so much for this valuable document. How nice also to hear Michael Oliver.

[@James_Bowie]

Cannot now play? Why not? There are many places that provide media transfers (Beta/VHS to CD/DVD, etc).

[@robbydyer4500]

Legendary.

[@youklassisk]

Mr Bolet! - your playing is astonishing :-) Interessting about Godowsky you tell us Wonder if you could sing with that fantastic voice of yours.....?

[@miltonmoore8369]

GREATEST SPEAKING VOICE I HAVE EVER HEARD.

[@latigojusticiero615]

Gran pianista , que técnica.

[@luky46]

Bolet has been one of my favorite pianist. Thanks for posting

[@pianisthenics]

As a big Godowsky nerd, I can’t thank you enough for this video!!

[@martintoogood1444]

Surely no pianist has ever coaxed such beautiful sounds out of a piano. Such sensitivity, so much love and care, so gentle, so much beauty. Pure romanticism.

[@romanieo]

Well said.

[@helmutfritsch]

cherkassky, dont forget! 10:55

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Wilhelm Kempff his Beethoven piano concerto no 4 had the most beautiful piano sound better than Bolet's Beerhoven no 4! Grigory Sokolov his Brahms piano concerto no 2 had the most perfect beautiful puano sound better than Bolet's Brahms no 2! Radu Lupu the most colorful piano sound like Brahms piano concerto no 1! Emil Gilels the King of beautiful colorful piano sound!!

[@julianereinheimer1999]

So interesting! Amazing documentary

[@S.Lander]

Bolet played a Baldwin. Thanks for posting this!

[@V1rowt8]

He was on the Baldwin artist program. Everywhere concert venue he played, Baldwin provided a SD-10 for him to perform on. When I was a youngster, I worked in a Baldwin dealership. The concert grand on the floor at the time I worked there, had his signature on the plate.

[@pacbac]

Man, I don't usually listen to Op 10 No 7, but Bolet's Godowsky version is really something else. I absolutely love the part at 22:10. Bolet really knows how to use the a slower tempo in order to bring out the "sweetness" in these studies. The way he plays Op 10 No 5, Op 10 No 7, and Op 25 No 1 just reminds me of honey, flowers blooming, so many colors and textures lol. I don't think I'll ever get over it.

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

🇮🇷🖐️

[@ValkyRiver]

17:26

[@sfd373]

The narrator sounds extraordinarily like Dumbledore!

[@daniloberaldo570]

This is the true branch of the classical music! Thankyou very much!!

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Cuando tenia 11. años lo rscuchr. ..y la aprendi.

[@romanieo]

9:08 Bolet is Magnifico. Elevated and noble.

[@michaelcoolen8716]

Thank you. Thank you Thank you.

[@latigojusticiero615]

Prefiero el estudio de Chopin original al arreglo de Godowsky, aunque es genial sólo para mano izquierda y muy difícil.

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Hay mucho joven. ..😂

[@philippajoy4300]

Thank you.

[@mochdrew3364]

Know if he had played all?..

[@claudioparrella183]

Ha suonato su Kawai e Baldwin

[@fumifumi9037]

His Minute Waltz is so sentimental and romantic. I love it.

[@ValkyRiver]

17:27 I still don’t know what this technique is called. (It sounds a bit like a black-key glissando)

[@salt_cots]

I’ve often wondered about the piece Godowsky himself is playing, especially at 8 minutes 30 seconds onwards at the end of the clip - does anyone know what it is?

[@ssimoessim]

Moon Pavilion Cecile Chaminade - The flatterer

[@salt_cots]

Joaquim Simões. Sorry it's taken me so long to check replies! Many thanks for taking the trouble to solve the problem.

[@AlexanderArsov]

Thumbs up for this great rarity, precious for Bolet buffs. But even JB at his best cannot make me appreciate Godowsky's travesties. I wish he had spent that time and energy exploring more Liszt, especially late and little-known Liszt like the Second and the Third Mephisto Waltz and the third book of "Annees de Pelerinage".

[@sanjosemike3137]

I have no idea how these are even playable. They seem to be a kind of "parody" of the original works, which I think are prettier. Worse, I think they may cause damage to a pianists' hands and wrists. They are not worth that kind of result, in my opinion. To me these works are kind of a circus act. Bolet had one of the most celebrated technical facilities in his generation. I think we all know he could play them. But I'd rather listen to the originals. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)

[@djha4287]

Please don’t sensationalise and demonise Godowsky. Godowsky was a kind teacher, and if you go through his years of technical training, most pieces are actually playable, fits snuggly into compact hands and fingers. Godowsky is actually more playable than Rachmaninov, who wrote selfishly for big hands.

[@sanjosemike3137]

@@djha4287 Perhaps. But Rachmaninov’s music is vastly more beautiful, in many cases. Not all. But much. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)

[@rainerharald6872]

@@sanjosemike3137 I don't know how anyone can come up with the idea of comparing Godowsky and Rachmaninow

[@rainerharald6872]

Why do they tell us that they are no longer in California, does that matter?

[@sanjosemike3137]

@@rainerharald6872 Having people think I live in CA (for some readers) may think I am a CA Democrat. CA does not have the best reputation in the rest of the U.S. Thanks for asking. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)