Hamelin plays Strauss-Godowsky - Symphonic Metamorphosis on "Wine, Women and Song"

[@LukeFaulkner]

Hamelin's facility is seeming limitless. Takes me ages to polish a single piece, but his repertoire is vast.

[@ciararespect4296]

​@@neilkilleen3911he said in interview he has never forgotten a piece since starting the piano?

[@charlesbluett8195]

@@neilkilleen3911 you suggested that in an interview Hamelin claimed to have forgotten many pieces since recording them, @ciararespect4296 said that they heard in an interview that he hasn't forgotten any piece since he began learning the piano - those are contradictory claims. Reread your own comment

[@charlesbluett8195]

@@neilkilleen3911 Neil that's just how people suggest you might be wrong without trying to sound rude. The question mark invites you to correct them if you know more or have evidence to the contrary. You were not literally being asked if Hamelin has ever forgotten a piece.

[@neilkilleen3911]

@@charlesbluett8195 I see you have removed your rude comment. That’s good. I simply made a statement relaying what Hamelin said. The next comment pertained to something I didn’t say. I did not say he’s never forgotten anything. The question mark is standard colloquial English to turn a statement into a query. You will be talking to yourself if you really want to keep on with this.

[@anuspropeller3668]

reading this comment section made me want to watch "Airplane!" again

[@christophertwigg4550]

You know how you hear so many virtuoso performances where you sense the direction the pianist wants to go but doesn't always quite get there? For me MAH hits the spot every time, every note where it belongs, paying the ultimate tribute to the great composers. Terrific Steinway also!!! Perhaps the only company in the world that achieved its quality goals decades ago and manages to consistently produce products of consistent excellence. There's got to be some lessons learnt there..

[@riccardo50001]

This incredible pianist came to our little music school tonight, The Community Music Center tonight and played Mozart, Fineberg & Debussy to our DELIGHT! Then he accepted questions. It's one of the greatest parts of my job as a voice teacher there. You get to hear and see musicians of this level and status then ask them questions. Wow! This man's playing is MAGNIFICENT, made all the more exciting because he played on our BRAND NEW Yamaha concert grand piano. He was the first person to play a recital on the instrument.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

Richard Fey Cool, what was the occasion for his visit?

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Godowsky was a genius. Seriously, his music is technically monstrous to play, and is both melodically and harmonically amazing. Add to that his mastery of counterpoint. Then consider this: he was self-taught! No lessons from famous musicians of his time. No spending years in some famous conservatory. How is this even possible?

[@US_made_911_terror_and_Covid19]

But if he is so fabulous a composer in expanding upon Strauss why is his Chopin-Godowsky etude compositions so horrible?

[@PointyTailofSatan]

@@US_made_911_terror_and_Covid19 They are fantastic. The problem is it takes a great technical pianist to play them. No less contemporary musicians like Arthur Rubinstein and Rachmaninoff considered Godowsky's playing skills as almost supernatural.

[@musical_lolu4811]

@@US_made_911_terror_and_Covid19 the fuck did you just say?

[@neilkilleen3911]

​@@US_made_911_terror_and_Covid19 Go watch the video of Hamelin doing them all (with the music to enjoy in front of you). They are marvellous examples of the possibilities of musical invention (he offers sometimes 6 or more different variations on the one etude), as well as being incredibly well written and marvellous to listen to! There is no accounting for human taste. What is it about them that you find horrible (just so wrong a description for me!) ?

[@US_made_911_terror_and_Covid19]

@@neilkilleen3911 No. Only esoteric and contorted musicians would like his jumble adaptation of Chopin's compositions.

[@Felix_Li_En]

I always enjoy watching Hamelin playing the piano, his hands are so firm and strong!

[@dalcassian8351]

ooer?

[@What-the-meow-meow]

OwO

[@alexanderbrown1954]

A wonderful piece of piano music played by one of the supreme gods of pianism!!!

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

unbelievably fabulous playing, the absolute mastery of virtuosity and expression

[@FrancisAsin-Gioro]

The finger touching is unbelievable fantastic

[@ikkejick]

this man is a legend!!

[@大木由希-u3h]

素敵な演奏ありがとうございました。

[@chidlers99]

possibly the best pianist of all time.

[@terryss95]

chidlers99 It' s not like one pianist is enough for all the pianos in this world.

[@alfonsobertazzi5867]

Haha, no.

[@tomyoarrete3060]

Yes best ever

[@ytyt3922]

Probably the best living piano technician, though Kissin is pretty close. But I don’t think it’s possible to declare anyone the “best pianist” of all time.

[@chidlers99]

That's why I said 'possibly'. There is no one best pianist. But MAH is one of the best.

[@gregorioussardi1498]

Absolutely astonishing!!!

[@yiyingniu5356]

I think he played this piece much better than others on KZbin

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

I think he plays most pieces much better than others on KZbin.

[@leonardmartin6048]

@@sebastian-benedictflore Lmao. The original comment sounded like it was supposed to say that hamelin might be a little advanced. He is a piano god :D

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

@@leonardmartin6048 One of the greatest in recording history.

[@bloba6969]

best recoring of this piece

[@dowonhan3867]

It's wonderful

[@miaqmiaw]

i love this music

[@ralphziigersson3472]

This piece is made for people like Hamelin with supreme virtuosity and intellect..

[@driemaaldrommels]

aaaah!! woooow! fantastic! can't thank you enough for this upload! i missed this on the tv! :( tnx!

[@ggeonghe4371]

Waouh il ya des passages tres tres similaire à la Valse de Ravel !

[@Mathieu_Poirier_Piano]

perfection.

[@TheJuanitoPianist]

Al Estilo de los Grandes Pianistas-Compositores del Siglo XIX. Una gran evidencia de su Majestuosidad.

[@chopinet]

Magnifique !

[@leowjuniskileo9591]

SUBLIME !!!

[@shilloshillos]

Amazing, its as if the piano playing is happening without causing him any physical stress. It just happens. There is only one other pianist who is equal, perhaps even more dexterous, and that is Cyprien Katsaris. However, their philosophy at the keyboard is very different. Katsaris more nervous and speedy, Hamelin more relaxed and even paced. Both amazing beyond compare!

[@LisztianGR]

No comparison between the two. The only living pianist that can match Hamelin in terms of dexterity and overall pianism is Arcadi Volodos in my books.

[@PO-cx2ej]

Who is this nobody?

[@leonardmartin6048]

Katsaris is very good in terms of voicing, but in terms of sheer power, dexterity and what some call "virtuosity" he is miles behind Hamelin.

[@shilloshillos]

@@PO-cx2ej kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ6rlGeDj7Zlbc0

[@shilloshillos]

@@leonardmartin6048 Once i had a conversation with mr. Katsaris after a concert and he himself mentioned Hamelin to me as being above and beyond him. At that time, I had no idea who Hamelin even was.

[@f1f1s]

Hamelin has banished all the showing off away from himself, remaining only seriousness. I wish he made the "chicken dance" like in his 1990s Alkan recording again... Although, he has invested all his humour into the brightness of his music. I hope he will write a humoresque or a parody on some composer...

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

Link to chicken dance, please?

[@jackcurley1591]

7:30-7:55 one of my favorite moments in all of Godowsky

[@miaqmiaw]

Jack Curley me too

[@gacharose1738]

Hamelin, notice, plays on the tips of his fingers.

[@bitchslappedme]

I don't understand doesn't everyone play of their finger tips? Is it not the only natural way

[@Microplastics2]

@@bitchslappedme okay, if you read traditional piano technique the reccomended place to make contact in the fleshy part of the top of the finger. Hamelin use the very tip of his finger - the boney part. Try playing a passage with these two different methods, you'll notice a pretty big difference in sound and feel.

[@marcrajotte5369]

His piano teacher (all of them) must've thought the night before their lesson with him" Yessssssssss! MAH comes tomorrow and only ever needs tips, and I can drink more coffee and just listen."

[@MegaThepostman]

Yes, and maybe learn something! 🤣

[@dowonhan3867]

Wow!!!!

[@minatopiano73]

SuperB

[@jackcurley1591]

God I love godowsky so much. Too bad it’ll take me 20 years to learn his larger works :,(

[@u.v.s.5583]

Now you will have to deliver upon such a promise. So, let us meet again in 2038 on your youtube channel!

[@jackcurley1591]

@@u.v.s.5583 will do!

[@jannis11]

NIcE

[@richardrittelmann233]

GENIAL LE CHOIX DE LA PIECE

[@thomgeo8073]

მარკ ჰამლინი გენიოსია, ღვთის საჩუქარია, პიანიზმის მწვერვალია, სასწაულია... ღმერთს უნდა ვუმადლოდეთ მისი მოვლენისათვის !!!

[@rvn10rvn17]

godowsky must be the einstein of classical music...

[@scriabinismydog2439]

Godowsky was actually a great friend of Einstein

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

Never heard that before. I do believe, though, that he's been dubbed "the Buddha of piano". Self-taught, btw.

[@hjiuhfhrehui]

can you buy a dvd or something of this concert ?

[@Yubin_Lee_Doramelin]

Honestly, I really prefer this ending chord to the original one. The former is more powerful and it feels like I'm listening to a symphony with a piano...

[@jackblackwhole]

One tasteless person was here

[@shilloshillos]

One person disliked Marc-Andre's hairdo.

[@LetTheMusicFlow1]

hamelin looks so different now....he lost weight, no more glasses, and much less hair............technique is phenomenal as always, however.....

[@christophera3330]

And now we're even 10 years on. It pains me to see him age.

[@НикитаМорозов-т7у]

@@christophera3330 same

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

Technique and accuracy are even better, I'd say.

[@Asgoodasgod]

This version sounds slightly different from other versions I've heard (in terms of the music itself not the interpretation), I wonder why?

[@riccardo50001]

Because different individuals hear and experience the same composition in different ways. Variety is the spice of life.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

@@riccardo50001 No, that is not the reason. You have failed to answer his question.

[@marcmitchel25]

@@SpaghettiToaster I've heard the Maestro live several times and this is stunning even by his high standards. Of course I absolutely adore this music.

[@Pianomaster26]

@f1f1s His etude 6 is something of a parody

[@coqdorysme]

he always looks so sad though ...

[@rich8037]

The playing is, of course, astounding, but the recording is horrible. Has anyone a copy without the gross dynamics compression that they could upload? Hamelin does actually have a pretty decent dynamic range!

[@4candles]

I suppose he's getting older! I'm sure his schedule takes it out of him too.

[@i-told-you-sodear1526]

His playing sounds shmaltzy.

[@nikitalvov40]

And a bit schmuikstery too, I believe

[@ciararespect4296]

The piece is schmaltzy not hamelin

[@danialxiv591]

Tom and Jerry brought me here :)

[@MiorAkif]

I remember wondering what that piece was, because I knew every other one. I was so happy when I finally found it

[@gustavoturm]

Just study.

[@4candles]

Maybe it's because he's been through a divorce and has such a busy schedule?

[@dalcassian8351]

hes always been married to his piano

[@billtroop6138]

I must admit that, compared to Godowsky's own spirited playing, I find Hamelin's playing dutiful and dull.

[@u.v.s.5583]

Probably just exposing the different attitude of the two towards wine.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

Where exactly did you hear Godowsky play this? I'm not aware of any recording.

[@leonetwork68]

This pianist plays it without enthusiasm. He bangs the piano with no let off. It started sounding very boring by his over pedaling, ridiculous rubatos and affectations, and no dynamic contrast nor balance. Also, this composition itself would sound better transposed a few tones up, and with less notes.

[@musical_lolu4811]

Poor you.

[@zdl1965]

You'd probably like to see Lang Lang do this, don't you?

[@Pogouldangeliwitz]

You nailed it. Also the piano should have less keys and sound more like a ukulele. And Hamelin should have boobs and wear a tight pink dress with bare legs. And he shouldn't play Godowsky but his own trashy mix of Volodos' and Say's "Turkish March". And he definitely should be American-Chinese, not Canadian...

[@lee-be6pp]

*fewer notes

[@EdmontDantes2]

@@lee-be6pp "...and which would you have us take out pray tell?..." :-)