Michelangeli - Ravel Piano Concerto - [2] Adagio assai

A.B. Michelangeli playing the Adagio of Ravel's Piano Concerto. The orchestra is conducted by the famous Sergio Celibidache.

[@lucacisternino]

Quanto manca questo sublime e ineguagliabile gigante della musica e della cultura. Grazie caro Arturo...

[@Longhorndip]

To me this is One of the most beautiful pieces in the history of music

[@ciccilloesposito1579]

Michelangeli, the universal example of sprezzatura, effortless perfection and poetry combined with an unsurpassed technique. We miss you, Arturo.

[@iguarni]

Che genio!

[@ddchil41]

This is by far the BEST rendition of Ravel's G Major Concerto. Without peer. Michelangeli was the most refined pianist...I used to listen to this recording every day....for a year. When I finally performed it, his playing was in my ear. I heard him many times in Europe....

[@ddchil41]

It never left. I still hear his playing.

[@ddchil41]

I will look for it. I have performed GASPARD DE LA NUIT many times. Studied it with Ravel's last pupil--M. Perlemuter.

[@ddchil41]

How do you know my story? Which story?

[@ddchil41]

Oh...I see. Yes I was interviewed for them. I have a rather rare condition.

[@samirafterone]

I think is the most beautiful music that I ever heard.. It is my soul song. Thank you Ravel, thank you Michelangeli, thank you Celibidache and thank you twotea22 !

[@wohltemperierte]

Michelangeli wins! Even Marthe cannot surpass her mentor in this adagio assai. Choking beauty...

[@Abortionshouldbefree]

exactly a year ago i lost my grandad to cancer, this is the first song i listened to afterwards, and i imagine him playing this every time i listen, RIP grandad

[@nananicotina]

To me, this piece is the soul of music, and the most beautiful music ever created in this world. Such beautiful things had to live inside Ravel's heart to imagine this...

[@raphtx]

No words can describe both the perfection and the emotions in this performance-that-takes-you-to-the-other-side-of-the-universe.

[@barnacles1637]

The most beautiful piece of music ever written played perfectly - heaven.

[@AramAmatuni]

Simply amazing... No words more I can say

[@alessandrodelmonte5765]

Le mani , le dita che muovendosi divinamente creano il suono la dolcissima melodia. Celibache, estasiato, si volge a sentire con occhi chiusi. Stupito immerso nel grandioso...

[@northgallery227]

I heard this first in a London traffic jam,Stockwell, going to work. Time to reflect upon our blinkered & desperate lives, surrounded by others trapped in their cars as people strolled to the tube. Tears streamed down my face. I realised change is as present as the dramatic descending chords of this work sweeping ever downward in emotional and beautiful ways. Sadness yet hope. I changed in many ways. Within months had changed jobs. Each time I hear this work my life changes once more.

[@tommx1968]

Semplicemente...di una bellezza...siderale...

[@honeypianist]

i just cant stop watching this... is amazing...!

[@enriqueali]

SUBLIME! This performance of these supremely sympathetic interpreters perfectly captures the ineffable quality of this music, and is a lasting tribute to the genius of Ravel.

[@puercantor]

Infinita riconoscenza a chi ha scritto questa musica. Infinita riconoscenza agli uomini che la eseguono. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli rimarrà indimenticabile.

[@pat30d]

Sublime

[@f1Nazayu]

Absolutely a fabulous interpretation.......I don't know how I should express..... As if it sounds from the...another world. I was gripped by pain,melancholiness, ATST-as if I was in a dream. Thank you, Michelangeli.

[@nickast31]

So much emotions i can't stop my tears... Maurice Ravel is a brilliant composer, we're beyond the music throw this adagio, it speaks to your soul. Michelangeli gave the best interpretation of this concerto from my point of view, he's got a very expressive and so intelligible playing that's just .... perfection ! And I can't stop to listen to the last 30 sec of the adagio, there's no word to describe this....

[@katsudonshake]

this is definitely one of the most beautiful movements ever composed for the piano...

[@donatellobellomo6641]

La perfezione è tale da riuscire dolorosa.

[@donatellobellomo6641]

Grazie. Fortunata Rachel...

[@Chopin4321]

Perfection is such painful succeed. so true. artists are the hardest workers. very few make it big, but love them all.

[@tedeumful]

J'ai été l'élève de Sergiu, et en plus j'ai connu Arturo à Arezzo, Merci pour cette délicatesse, les revoir me bouscule de bonheur.

[@cop1167]

I was at that Concert in the Royal Festival Hall in London's South Bank -- if I'm not mistaken his last appearance in the UK. This movement was the best thing (he was always famous for this) that night. I remember how "down" I felt the moment Michelangeli entered the stage looking like death itself, to play such a happy and ebulient Concerto (certainly the outer movements).. ?? One had to shut one's eyes otherwise... honestly > it was unbearably depressing. One comment, below, mentioned that "the last chord didn't sound right"? He strangely added a B (the dominant) before the final bass E in the left hand > unecessary < and I only noticed when watching this video... So there.

[@havskatt]

The unattainable absolute perfection

[@glockenspiel37]

absolutely beautiful - thanks Ravel

[@rosgill6]

i wish so much to have been able to see this in person. one of the most gut wrenching moments in history

[@fabiolima4060]

For Traveller: Melody plays its role where it is concerned, whereas harmony does exactly the same thing. I cannot express in words the emotion I feel when I listen to this movement. People who cannot feel it are normally the ones who cannot see the music.

[@Isidroprada]

Sweet. I love this piece. And the expression of the conductor's face is always so nice !

[@RaidersRock]

Beautiful - simply magnificent

[@MikeyIV]

One of my favorite pieces. I love how the orchestra just slowly fades into the piece at 3:00. It feels so natural and at the same time surprising. Not many concertos do this. Genius Ravel.

[@shirtale]

Truly, truly a masterful interpretation, just a wonderful sound. Thank you for letting us hear it.

[@paulostroff99]

Sensational! TY for posting.

[@Bautisnemo]

Not really but it's truy the recording quality has some special effect on the music by itself , making it even more beautiful.

[@fabiolima4060]

Thisi is the kind of music I like to play following my instincts.

[@cappsize]

un pur moment de magie musicale... no comment....

[@twotea22]

Absolument! Joué avec beaucoup de respect, et surtout beaucoup de grâce! Le "ballet" des mains est déjà de l'art, pas forcé ... tout naturel! Une vidéo (enfin, finalement je l'ai copié sur un DVD) que je mets souvent sur le lecteur à un moment de silence. Je me rappelle que j'ai acheté la partition de ce concerto le lendemain de la diffusion ('95) et que j'ai commencé de suite à l'étudier.

[@erikjarl]

I love the expression on the conductors face together with the music.

[@lucamadeus]

un capolavoro assoluto del 900 scolpito per sempre nota per nota dal nostro più grande interprete

[@wytstriped]

... Omg that second flute solo... Omg =O One of the most beautiful lines ever written in music =)

[@tuckefresh]

Absolutely first rate! It sounds wonderful, even for Michelangeli, and he always plays amazing. Thanks for posting!

[@leechien77b]

C'est beau isn't it? So profound and deep, like you, I felt as these descends were like beautiful larks coming through the clouds and then eventually landed and sat on snow capped ground. I am sooo happy to hear that music changes your life - and I know what you would have gone through...

[@migamilan]

Upon the end of my physical existence I want this musical piece to convey, to those I love, my feelings for them.

[@llinosmarti]

No hay nadie como él... único y grande! Que hermosa su interpretación y fantástica técnica! Bravo!

[@carlitodauphin]

Sublimissime !

[@nzrdb6]

Reminds us that the soul lives forever and that we are all loved by the creator

[@pi77ano]

Michelangeli,un dio in terra....

[@TomVable]

I cried the first time I heard this...

[@Straussian]

And of course I agree with "absolutely a fabulous interpretation."

[@btwilks]

Sublime - in both the strictest and the loosest sense of the word. Michelangeli's version of this Adagio is one of my favourite performances of all time; if it's played at my funeral, I'll be a happy man.

[@MrOlogramma]

tears tears tears tears tears

[@MrOlogramma]

Quelle mani

[@aiaibunnydayo]

How beautiful......! How beautifully played! Supreme!

[@tongbunsing]

this moment is the part of music history

[@TheHTrox]

Feels like my heart has broken....so beautiful.

[@JalalSela]

Michelangeli and Celidibache, this is the best performance I know for Ravel piano concerto in G major, knowing that Michelangeli has a second record with another conductor, can't remember the name now! but anyway, thank you very much for this wonderful... I would say... moments of peace!

[@GeorgeLiPianist]

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[@mturbevi]

ravel wrote very beautiful music.the orchestration,the harmonies.ravel used everything so perfectly.makes you wish you could write like ravel

[@MrRogerfe]

..fu un grande giorno!!!

[@SeverusSnape70]

Per chi non lo avesse notato al minuto 4:40 Benedetti Michelangeli cerca di vibrare i tasti del pianoforte. Angelo Fabbrini raccontava che una volta gli disse:" Vorrei toccare le corde del pianoforte DIRETTAMENTE". In questo Ravel sembra davvero che le tocchi direttamente. Una delle cose più belle che abbia mai sentito.

[@fulviojommelli6193]

ABM era più di un pianista: era uno scienziato del pianoforte. In perfetta simbiosi con lo strumento. Lui e il pianoforte erano una cosa sola.

[@nananicotina]

To me, it is the most beautiful.

[@FlavioSalaGuitar]

The best ever!!!

[@corelli2]

I find myself in a lovely pool of warm water with a small waterfall misting around me and a luscious tall green garden with beautiful, colorful flowers around me as I float off to sleep.

[@Geminazzo]

Non c'è nemmeno una tua sola parola su cui io non sia d'accordo: ogni volta che ascolto questo pezzo, mi commuovo: sublime!

[@minetto2]

so beautiful and modern, Ravel is a genius

[@galibgasancom]

Fantastic ¨Trio¨! Ravel, Celibidache andMichelangeli!

[@Andresduranramos]

ohhh bella musica que invita al descanso, te llega a lo mas profundo de tus emociones. Suerte!

[@potassiumchlorate]

I love Ravel

[@josemariah.5421]

Se utilizó este tema como fondo musical en THE DISAPPEARANCE (1972). Es FANTASTICO...

[@paulostroff99]

HEAVENLY! Bravo! TY.

[@cirosuperiore]

unreal...his harmonics is impeccable...

[@danmessias]

Respect.

[@barendschipper]

Dear teccomin, Mozart described this for the first time: if left hand and right hand really play a different voice, then also the timing is independent in each hand. The result is a depth of an orchestra in this one instrument the piano, 3D in music. Already a melody with an accompaniment will gain from this not easy to reach level of performance. All the best to you: who dares to ask gets an answer. Feel, experience the result: we cannot measure music, the notes are merely careful sketches.

[@fatmadridibenaissa3513]

Pure happiness!!!

[@Phersephoie]

wonderfull Concerto!!! just beutifull!!

[@pinitosaurio]

es la obra mas hermosa que haya escuchado en mi vida!

[@alessandrodelmonte5765]

GRAZIE,GRAZIE,GRAZIE!!

[@pianofanful]

Celibidache was charmed until 9:00 (look at the face). charming and perfect and historic performance by Michalangeli

[@jmealonso]

honest and genuine interpretation. sublime!

[@jannokas85]

LOL. Isn't it just so true. This recording sounds very inspired. It has touched me, too.

[@Deimosxsz]

the most beatiful slow movement...?, well, i think this piece is really wonderful, i dont know if the most beatiful, but one of the most beatiful movement in piano i agree with you in that.

[@javierespinos]

maravilloso, sublime, muy musical... 5 estrellas

[@codyfranchetti40]

Unequaled splendor.

[@Straussian]

It's not this particular performance, but Michelangeli playing the Ravel is available on EMI Classics from the "Great Recordings of the Century" series. Brilliant, extraordinary performance. Buy it, listen over headphones (if need be), and hear the incredible touch in the Adagio--it is heart-grabbing. Michelangeli is miles ahead of anyone else (including Argerich). The Adagio from the Ravel on that recording is, for me, easily one of the Top 5 most beautiful recordings ever.

[@2Iryni]

awesome i love it! its like meditation..

[@allegrissimo]

Then I must say you have excellent taste, for those pianists are very different but excellent artists!:) Thanks for uploading this achingly beautiful performance, it gives me goosebumps every time...

[@JohnKoroly]

BravO-OH-OH! I thought the Moscow State Radio and TV Symphony cover of this couldn't be topped, but DAMN! ABM's power is all the more affecting because of the subtle way he wields it.

[@flamingbunnies10]

a portion of this was in my marching show this year as the ballad and the transition to the next segment... SLHS band 2010 Symphonic Dreams I miss you!! search us up.. watch the area finals video.. we were soo close );

[@TheCaz]

One of the best pieces of music ever composed. Strange it is not better known.

[@ndmath]

My favourite concerto

[@domenicodanna6581]

a tutti i malvagi della terra.....ascoltate e aprite i vostri cuori...per una volta.

[@veseli601]

Really great!

[@220392123]

love it at 8:50 when the conductor shouts at someone silently.

[@asta62]

@mrsmetz1 I listen to it again and again

[@TheBombeirito]

I love this!

[@Lebowski53]

I can't honestly think of a more beuatiful piece of music. Nothing comes close. No Motzart, no Beethoven, Bach, Debussy, and no Russians. Surely this qualifies as genius?

[@marimomusic]

Mon cœur est devenu très chaud.

[@nostromissimo]

I love this. On a technical note the time signiature is 3/4, not 6/8. The opening rhythm is 1 and 2 and 3 and, not 1,2,3, 2,2,3and continues right to the end. I find it hard to hear it in 3/4 (Although I can, but it doesn't seem natural), does anyone agree? Looking at the conductor, he seems to be staying right out of this argument!

[@Sijaification]

Beautifully,

[@vnsn72]

Thanks I have seen a God, a giant of the pianoforte! God exists

[@paulostroff99]

Superb! TY t22 for posting