Hamelin plays Liszt - Un Sospiro [HIGH QUALITY]

This is in higher quality than has been uploaded previously.
Pf: Marc-André Hamelin
Casals Hall, Tokyo.
11th December 1997.

[@sergejvasiljevitsjrachmani2808]

We are very privileged to live in the century were you can hear every legend, every piece whenever you want.

[@amirparidari1279]

if only we could hear liszt perform some of his pieces

[@acetb1847]

@@amirparidari1279 you can

[@garmedontaiwan4531]

Yessir

[@dunkleosteus430]

​@@acetb1847 where? I don't think there's any recordings of Liszt.

[@acetb1847]

@@dunkleosteus430 No haha, I thought he was saying if he can find any liszt piece recording by this pianist lol.

[@crypticcurls]

This really reminds me of my mum who died 20 years ago. She used to play it and I've always loved it - I used to ask her to play 'that up and down thing' when I was little. Beautiful.

[@mosesart.47]

crypticcurls such a touching story. I bet your mother was an amazing woman!

[@crypticcurls]

The best :) And her birthday was the same day as mine - which is today! So your message came at a lovely time!

[@mosesart.47]

crypticcurls wow! what are the chances! Happy birthday to you and your mother! May she live on through this song and may you live a life of beauty and wonder!

[@Spanuse]

Your comment did stir a bit in my memory too. My sincere regards.

[@HS-vy5te]

your comment reminded me of the anime " your lie in April " for some reason , now I'm gonna be depressed until the end of the day , or the week maybe :')

[@vincentmancini6279]

That moment of silence before the audience reacted says it all. Thank you.

[@matthines4748]

This is my favorite Liszt composition.

[@stephenestall9044]

Mine too

[@russell3357]

J'adore le bénédiction de dieu dans la solitude beuaté absolue

[@javiergraugarcia847]

Matthew Hines Hear the love dream

[@oucutie1]

Matthew Hines Mine too. (Sigh)

[@atherismagic4639]

@@russell3357 Les deux sont magnifiques

[@stephaniezhang6337]

I'm playing this right now, and I have absolutely NO clue how he can play it so fast and keep the balance and voicing so perfect! It's like it's not even a conscious thought for him anymore and here I am thinking about every single note. Amazing performance!

[@Hypekickerz]

I've been playing for two years now, do you think this one's possible to learn as of now?

[@AlielJorax]

@@Hypekickerz It depends on you and also how you will be able to play it, and what's acceptable for you... Normally I would say one needs much more experience than that, if you don't want to completely butcher it.

[@ayhamshaheed7740]

@@Hypekickerz sure thing. It depends on how good you are as an individual though.

[@lsbrother]

Well done yourself - pretty amazing to play the piano and type comments on KZbin at the same time - do you practise a lot?

[@wheattthins1]

hypekickerzog I’ve been playing since December and I’m learning it right now

[@Apartekarate]

I saw him perform a few months ago in Denmark. I was in the front row, and it struck me how many things worked together rigt there: Marc-Andre Hamelin is just put on this planet to do what he does, he's build physically for playing piano, he has had the proper training from an early age, he has the disciplin, and the musicality, humbleness and curiosity that makes it all work. The room he was playing in, was designed with acoustics in mind (there were no microphones), and he could make a perfect musical menu by picking some of the most beautiful pieces, written by some of the best composers who ever lived. So many parameters was peaking. It was of couse an unforgettable performance, and one of the best concert experiences I've had. So greatfull that we have people like him.

[@itstaylorrenee]

The first time I listened to this piece, it seemed so calm, but after seeing it performed, I understand why it is named "A Sigh" in Italian. Its peaceful/passive/simple/happy/mad/passionate/introspective/complex all at the same time! Loving it~

[@ivanlima205]

"It's paceful/passive/simple/happy/mad/passionate/introspective/complex all at the same time"= "It's Liszt"

[@afriendlymusician3829]

You should check out Paul Barton's interpretation , I personally think his is more of 'a sigh' that captures more intense passion while this interpretation is more of a mournful sigh.

[@PhillipsLacy]

It always seems to tell the story of an entire relationship to me, at first the two melodic notes are mismatched, then they sync up and begin harmonizing, then there's a stormy period, harmony again...It just seems like the cycles in a relationship to me. I don't know why.

[@esfirross6800]

Crafty, impressive technic but banging at the climax part. Un Sospiro-The sigh still not thunderstorm

[@da96103]

Its peaceful/passive/simple/happy/mad/passionate/introspective/complex Lang Lang: I am gonna end this commenter's career.

[@ClaramayNivetta]

I appreciate that the audience waited to clap till the sound was completely gone, as a professional applause should be done

[@pianono]

I totally agree

[@SShrikke]

Japanese audience vs American audience be like

[@sfkcbf]

Hamelin plays with a natural flexibility of expression that renders his performance more sensitive and musical than so many recordings that I have heard.

[@adammezgec1989]

This is exactly how this piece should be played. A humble performance with PERFECT articulation. The shaping of the melodic lines and the voicing is exceptional. After 10 years, I still regard this as one of my favourite performances. Even the flashy F major section and the cadenzas are meaningful… not just for show. This is how Liszt intended for this piece to be played. So much meaning.

[@LAubergePascale]

Il y a la version de Rousseau aussi

[@stephenowesney5173]

It's nothing in comparison to this. This guy gets the piece on a different level ​@@LAubergePascale

[@razone4317]

Wow, smooth like butter! Love it.

[@officeaddict33]

+Razone - Nice description. :)

[@razone4317]

officeaddict33 Thank you. :P

[@MattWeisherComposer]

+Razone Thanks a lot!

[@angryjalapeno]

+Razone I saw him recently playing Liszt concerto #1. He is older now but his hands still move so smoothly and effortlessly just like in this video.

[@LeizeLeize]

This chromatic scale at 1:59 is killing me, its so difficult to play it pianissimo, with a sufficient velocity and with a strong and regular left hand. Watching Hamelin playing it effortlessly is killing me ahahaha What a great pianist !

[@RedzeeTV]

Check out Paul Barton's doing of it too!

[@LeizeLeize]

@@RedzeeTV Yes he does, but i prefer the touch of Hamelin !

[@octo9267]

ikrrr I just finished this piece and I have no clue how he gets it that clean

[@LeizeLeize]

@@octo9267 try to play it normally then backward, section by section and finally the while thing. 😊

[@octo9267]

@@LeizeLeize backwards is so hard XD

[@fvvvghdhj4051]

3:05 , Flawless technically and musically with touching dynamics for such a difficult passage in terms of technique is a miracle

[@davidkwon4490]

I've listened so many of this piece and still can't find better performance than Hamelin's one. Some people may criticize his tempo but actually one has to understand that he is faithfully performing as the score requires. Also, the remarkable thing is that the tempo doesn't drop even in the hardest part of the score. Such technique showed here is proving Hamelin a true virtuoso Being able to meet the tempo, yet performing with sheer clarity. Magnificently expressing arpeggio, yet being aware of exaggeration. Such things make this rendition almost peerless to any others out there. Especially for the cadenza Hamelin is playing strictly as the score asks, and as far as I know this rendition is very few in youtube which shows cadenza in such utmost perfection. However, for some people this could be little disappointing because there's less dramatic emotions than Arrau's performance.

[@smitlag]

David Kwon I agree! The only performance I may like better is of the late great Claudio Arrau

[@afriendlymusician3829]

If you'd like a performance that has a completely different interpretation, but just as beautiful, check out Paul Barton.

[@jonathanlamarre3579]

@@afriendlymusician3829 True

[@stoeipoes148]

I love this version, but the one that touched me even more deeply is the van Cliburn version

[@Inubiz]

I personally believe cziffra has the best version. Then again, I don't want to take away from any body else's performance. Everyone has a different take on this masterpiece!!!

[@stephenestall9044]

This is my favourite piece of Liszt, and what a floating, spiritual, technically perfect performance. I want to keep this , as one of my very special moments, for ever

[@1z1zz1z1zz]

64 and still practicing it, love that piece .............

[@teodorb.p.composer]

I am playing this piece now and I just don't understand how he can play it so softly and tenderly!

[@marykalinosky90]

There are a couple of passages where he transitions from legato to detaché gradually that are just amazing.

[@h.p.734]

Man this is so beautiful... My favorite version so far. It's so smooth and elegant

[@aalb1970]

Played this 20 years ago. Tough as hell to master.

[@oucutie1]

After listening to many transcriptions of this piece, it’s always Hamelin I come back to. Hamelin/Un Sospiro the best!!! Oh yes!!!!!!!

[@sethjeppson5680]

The extra note in the bass around 3:43 is soooooo good

[@tyler-qr5jn]

for some reason this piece always feels me with sorrow of nostalgia, the past saddens me, so much has changed since i first heard this piece. I remember studying whilst having this on in the background. I hate life sometimes, but its filled with these moments you don't want to end.

[@URvortex3XPR3SS]

It's crazy that he wrote this as an etude

[@Jamie-eb2gp]

+Jason Perry I've heard that It is one of those songs that doesn't sound too hard but when you get to play it is harder then it previously seemed. don't quote me on that.

[@Jamie-eb2gp]

Hamelin makes everything look easy though haha

[@ESPGuy19]

It is extremely hard. There is one point in the song where you are doing arpeggios with the right hand and every other note in the arpeggio is a 2 note chord. It seems unreal to me that people can play it and make it look effortless.

[@angelob.1089]

Which is the most difficult of all the Concert Etudes?

[@alejandrom.4680]

@@angelob.1089 In interpretation aspects, i think this one. In a difficulty way, idk.

[@LeenaTheFangirl777]

Best rendition I've heard so far.

[@earthman0x]

Leena Luo see paul bartons version

[@gojeta1999]

I like rosseau's version.

[@gojeta1999]

@Arpicembalo Haha, is there anything wrong with Rosseau's version? Im not professionally trained so wouldn't know

[@gojeta1999]

@Arpicembalo i see, what makes it mediocre?

[@ayhamshaheed7740]

Hunter I prefer hamelin’s but Paul Barton’s is also great

[@evifnoskcaj]

Hamelin and Liszt is always a brilliant combination! Hamelin is the best and can play pretty much anything, is a genius improviser, a very capable composer and arranger, and has flawless technique.

[@hanacandelaria4910]

I could listen to this all day...gorgeous :)

[@h.p.734]

Nobody plays Un Sospiro like Hamelin. We are truly blessed to have him. Thank you for sharing this tompilk. I wouldn't have missed this performance for anything.

[@stefangoncharov8609]

Incredible depth in his performance, and with all this, he does not force the sound, especially when he plays the passages. His touch is very gentle

[@persebra]

The first time I heard this composition, I LITERALLY SIGHED! I was excited about that, haha. It is so utterly beautifull it just takes my breath away!

[@marcoacca]

He's caressing that piano...

[@roxannecheatham57]

Unbelievable technique! Beautiful voicing throughout!

[@miguelangelvaldezfarias]

I love the way he moves his hands... simply beautiful and peaceful

[@charlesbarber8166]

A typically modest Canadian... They certainly turn out a lot of great pianists, from Glenn Gould to Jane Coop, Janina Fialkowski to Jan Lisiecki, Angela Hewitt to Louis Lortie, Jon Kimura Parker to Valerie Tryon and everyone in between. Must be something in the water. Or, more likely, the snow.

[@131untouchable]

Charles Barber I hope my daughter will be on that list

[@oucutie1]

Charles Barber You sir, are so right! Vocalists and jazz too. O Canada 🇨🇦!

[@ytyt3922]

Oscar Peterson too!

[@vnwa7390]

Don’t forget that hyper virtuoso, Laplante. Hamelin is the best canadian pianist though.

[@stefanbernhard2710]

Modest? He plays with extreme panache and fire!

[@Varooooooom]

2:40-3:03 I don’t know anyone else who can get such fluid motion and sound out of the piano like Hamelin can. It’s even present in his performance of Paganini Etude No.5.

[@DazyDaye]

My mom used to play this (she was also a concert pianist) .. thanks for the memory :)

[@sender1496]

+Potatoes have feeling too She might not be dead. She might just have stopped performing.

[@DazyDaye]

Thank-you

[@anthonyhagouel810]

This is not a piece that I simply hear, it is one that I listen to. It's not like the time-passing mazurkas, the momentous ballades, or even the cheerful waltzes. It's a piece with meaning in itself, occupying its own realm of beauty. For whoever is listening, I would advise to focus on only this--forget about what's happening around you. Sometimes when we don't allocate enough attention, we might miss a masterpiece even if it slapped us right across the face. Let this be the exception.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Yes I feel the same way about “The Enchanted Nymph” by Mischa Levitzki. When I put on the composer’s Ampico music roll of that piece on the very pretty sounding Knabe Ampico grand piano on my lunch break at the piano shop where I used to work in 2007, my jaw hit the floor andI think I cried for 10 minutes straight. Whomever inspired that piece, and Mr. Liszt’s piece here, must have meant very much to each composer.

[@JG_1998]

what I love about this interpretation is that it's not "fast", the cross hands part just have almost no gap in between the notes, so it's much more fluid. Usually people will rush the arpeggios, but the melody notes will still sound disconnected, and not voiced properly. This performance is even better than Hamelin's studio recording of the piece.

[@bobermoment]

I notice that at 1:40 many people sorta mess it up. I get that rosseau isn’t seen as the greatest but I really liked his version of it at that part and a few others.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Thank you for pointing out that piece. I play piano for a living (not NEARLY at anything remotely like this level!!!!) and I went back and heard that part again and am now so moved and disturbed by the sheer excellence and effect of that sonority produced that I know guaranteed I’m not gonna be OK for the rest of the day. And now I have to go off to work and play haha. I hope I can.

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Perfecto Un Suspiro pero no es la que busco

[@Sid-yq9xh]

I love the fact that Hamelin used the alternative whole tone scale coda!

[@nateofnathan8297]

I was going to hear Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto played by yefim bronfman. He ended up getting sick so this brilliant musician came in and played it instead. What a fantastic player.

[@petelovesbevsills]

Soothing, stunning and effective ear balm for tired and aching ears. BRAVO!

[@rfrancisfawkes105]

I met him many years ago. His age was 17 years. This was at the University of Maryland. Hamelim was competing in a competition which is now known as the William Kapell International Piano compeition. Even then his greatness and technical prowess was evident. The way he played the Liszt - Paganini Etude (octave study) was a revelation to me. He was born with it.

[@gerdokurt]

I saw him 3 times live ! He has the best technique from all top pianists and performances like this and my live experience show that the criticism of lacking musicality is not true - he is for sure one of the completest artists out there and one of the leading pianists in our time!

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I can’t understand the “lacking musicality” comments EXCEPT maybe 1. The commenter doesn’t really like some of the post tonal or atonal things he sometimes plays and hasn’t really heard his excellent performances of tonal music like this yet; and/or 2. The commenter doesn’t like musical jokes and got overly offended by one of Mr. Hamelin’s brilliant parodies; and/or most likely 3. The commenter has never heard 100+ year old original recordings of piano greats like Josef Hofmann, Leopold Godowsky etc or has trouble listening past the poor fidelity of the acoustic recording to hear the brilliance still locked in the grooves. If they can’t hear it, their loss, but IMO Mr Hamelin has heard it and it has profoundly influenced him. I think he is / can be one of the few living pianist who can really play like one of the late romantic era greats.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

* I meant to write “join the pantheon of late-Romantic-era piano greats”, not ever imply he is at any time imitating the style of any single previous pianist. He has his own style for sure.

[@erichkusterer6339]

A lack oft musicality ? This man is perfect. Even the first two bars are awesome.

[@ACertainCyclone]

My music history class brought me here.

[@lawrencewei3583]

ok...?

[@gainesp2003gainesp]

Loved it! One of my favorite pieces, and an amazing performance! Bravo!

[@nezkeys79]

This is one of my favourite performances of all time tbh, never mind just my fave liszt piece

[@Odin_Limaye]

The absolute gold standard for all performances of this piece; his recording has been a great help as I learned this piece myself.

[@lusiyuan1]

Im here to say this is breathtaking after 1 million times

[@jackjones8363]

Of all piano compositions, this one make me the most emotional. That someone sat down and wrote this, note for note, and played it in public exactly as written...The sensitivity!

[@piano00violon7]

Aucune frime, de la musique, rien que de la musique ! Très belle interprétation. BRAVO !

[@oucutie1]

Oh Mr. Hamelin, the joy you and Mr. Liszt have brought us. You sirs, are very special! AND the audience held its applause. The ultimate tribute to you Mr. Hamelin! (Sigh)

[@monelleny]

One of the loveliest pieces ever written for the piano, and this interpretation is perfection!

[@nthwkblk5935]

Wow, I love this piece of music and Hamelin performs it so well.

[@roxannecheatham57]

Beautiful interpretation of this gorgeous piece.! Played with emotion. Love the ending!

[@L0dG]

This really reminds me of Liszt with whom I would hang out a lot. Many not know this but he actually wrote this song. Rest in piece my dear friend rip.

[@pianistlover2008]

the melody truly flows like crystal-clear water down a brook in a magic forest

[@S.Lander]

If I could steal any pianist's technique, it would be Hamelin's. Also he scrupulously follows the score--what a concept!--and has a master's feel for the architecture of the piece.

[@myxo101]

He makes it look absolutely effortless.

[@yannitzili8961]

Superb! Unparalleled velvety sound... unparalleled dynamics! Thank you for this unique performance! Not only it's one of a kind it's top of its kind!

[@gchang916]

Such great performance!! No over-playing the piece, yet the push-and pull is so spectacular!! Bravo!!

[@michael_david_music]

This is probably my favorite interpretation of this piece that I've heard.

[@Jasongy827]

Amazing, beautiful, and exquisite. Well played! I have to admit I love this version then anything else real smooth and has connected continuity.

[@dclome]

Simply beautiful and so well performed. Thank you.

[@syvina4309]

Great performance, the pianist plays with so lightness despite a level of difficulty.

[@TrainFlood]

This dudes playing doesn’t even seem real. Incredible. No excess in movement or sound.

[@stratect]

Absolutely astoundingly beautiful! Thank you !

[@worldclass777]

Liszt could not have played this better. masterfully performed!!!

[@moop.3549]

this is so beautiful...like a breath of air on a warm spring day

[@MrBaldylocks13]

I like when pianists play the underlying arpeggios gently in the opening, superb performance!

[@ilubCHRISTsomach]

it's almost incredible how perfectly this was played. everything was just right, bravo!

[@mt.annalogue]

in tears from the first two seconds, every time

[@Booksareawesome325]

3:07 is my favourite part. It just begins to sparkle.

[@kaylaw5604]

Omg same!!!

[@8moltovivace8]

+Sri KP me too!!

[@brynnstebbe2522]

Completely agreed. So lovely. Can't believe this is an etude...

[@nezkeys79]

Yea I mean those RH arpeggios are so delicate and beautiful over the top of the left hand melody This part of the music is definitely in the realm of angelic for sure

[@mrsnegy6001]

It cannot be any more beautiful, exquisite, and grand. Thank you.

[@fredhampton623]

I had a stroke two years ago and now I shit myself in bed all day while listening to this song.

[@newlight7777]

Such sheer pleasure to experience this great artist and this grand Liszt piece.

[@aallpprr8998]

I liked how the public didn’t burst into applause immediately after the last note

[@luke1841]

Will always be my favorite interpretation no matter what. He just makes it look so effortless and it’s so perfect…never need to look for another

[@ellenfarrell2785]

There is joy and love in this piece that cannot be diminished. 💖

[@claudiaabadillo]

Best rendition of this piece so far. Bravo!

[@ameena7816]

I went to Madrid recently and heard this song for the first time being played by a woman in el museo del prado, a massive art gallery. It was such a captivating and beautiful moment, and I'm so glad I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to hear it.

[@morningofmagicians]

This is in the show Kings... There is a part when the main character is standing outside and butterflies are flying all around him, eventually forming a crown on his head.. This is playing the whole time and makes one of the more beautiful scenes I've seen on a series...

[@jumoart4220]

Lovely! Flying! Very nice, and You really can hear the different layers in his playing. Beautiful!

[@linaatthepiano]

What an inspiring performance! Thank you!

[@emanuelguzman225]

You know you found the perfect interpretation of a piece when you don't have to look at the video and close your eyes...

[@sfincione2000]

Beautiful

[@skifree93]

One of my favorite pieces. Excellent.

[@langchen6806]

I love how composed and static he was when he played

[@smirnoffdudeman]

holy fack i will never get over this performance *_* my god

[@swanepoelfrederick]

Beautifully plaid thanks so much

[@chez0070]

A superb rendition of an old favourite piece. Just brilliant.

[@TF2Starlight]

one of the pieces with the highest skill ceiling

[@user-zd7nf6tj5x]

It touched me very much.perfect!

[@bensonwang193]

One of my favourite compositions of Liszt... It definitely reminds me of a sigh... With such elegance and beauty attached to it.... One of the best interpretations I have heard in a long time. Although I found some parts slightly rushed, it was an exceptional interpretation. Bravo indeed.

[@lamywater]

This interpretation is wonderful. Definitely my favorite, and I couldn't imagine a way to improve it.

[@user-cg1ih5ys6r]

Восторг чувств, обновлённых светом весеннего солнца, шумом леса, цветением трав, игрой волн прибоя - всё это в великолепной игре пианиста и в Великой Музыке композитора.

[@TheDeedala]

Stef, I was mesmerized by you, watching your graceful hands across the keys...........perfection💕

[@gabelonguinhos]

he is like a quiet scientist, standing back and observing as the music pours out of his body.

[@jadechampagne6415]

On ferme les yeux ...juste sublime merci !

[@bedenerexhepaj293]

So wonderful!!!

[@verslaflamme666]

and yes it was quite an experience. I loved every second of it!

[@oucutie1]

It’s beyond my reasoning how any music could be written so beautifully.

[@oucutie1]

Agreed. Beautiful beyond words.

[@chickencutlet3]

TomTheTrain 💀