Vlado Perlemuter plays Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit (1951)

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937):
Gaspard de la Nuit
1. Ondine 0:00
2. Le gibet 6:32
3. Scarbo 12:10
Vlado Perlemuter (1904-2002), piano
From a radio broadcast, 1951
This may be the first radio recital Perlemuter gave after the difficult war years. His name was on a list of French Jews to be arrested, and Alfred Cortot, although in an influential position, did nothing to help him. Eventually (if I am informed correctly) Perlemuter had a breakdown (tuberculosis), spending three years in a sanatorium in Switzerland, resuming his career only in 1950.

[@harryvandenberg2867]

When I was 22 years old, I first heard the music of Ravel. Far later I heard the interpretations of Ravels music by Vlado. It was like I heard a complete different Ravel. Vlado playing Ravel is the best I think. I know that Vlado had contact with Ravel while he was study Ravels work.

[@ladivinafanatic]

My fav Gaspard recording

[@pianopera]

Mine, too!

[@dwacheopus]

This is so good. I can't stop listening. The best ravel interpreter

[@ladivinafanatic]

Yes! He studied with Ravel himself after all.

[@jortfokkens4963]

Very nice to hear Vlado's first recording of this piece, it is a wonderful performance. If you compare this recording with the other three he made (Vox 1955, Nimbus 1973 and a television broadcast in 1991), Vlado was respectively, 47, 51, 69 and 87 years old. It is interesting to hear that these recordings don't differ very much and that key aspects are played exactly the same way. Which is a clear indication that his interpretation was 'fixed' and that his technique was well preserved when he was (!) 87 years old. I am almost sure that he played it exactly the same way in the first 'all-Ravel' concert in 1929 where Ravel himself was in the audience.

[@pianopera]

+Jort Fokkens -- Thank you for your knowledgeable comment that automatically landed in my spam folder. The YT comment system is still far from perfect!

[@jortfokkens4963]

You're welcome. I really adore this modest and magnificent pianist. if you have more information about him, please led me know:). Oh yes it is, but fortunately you could still read it.

[@pianopera]

Yes, I agree, modest and magnificent! I have three more videos of Perlemuter on my channel, but maybe you know these recordings already: the Piano Trio of Ravel, Chopin's Fantaisie in F minor opus 49 and Fauré's Thème et variations, Op.73.

[@jortfokkens4963]

Yes I knew them already, thank you. Basically I know all of his recordings, and they are always delightful and refreshing. Actually a pity that he is not more known.

[@pianopera]

Good choice! :-)

[@rose-mariejougla1785]

magnifique!!! Une "Ondine" de rêve, avec un tempo "juste" qui "transporte" et qui change de celui de certains pianistes qui préfèrent la vitesse à la subtilité poétique... BRAVO Maître!

[@dwacheopus]

It actually sounds like he cannot play faster, but i like the tempo!

[@238assante]

Perlemuter was certainly his own person and over time had come to his own conclusion regarding many details of this wonderful set. But still , having been a student of Ravel , this is as close as we can get to the composer's real intentions , i.e. tempi, phrasing, contrasts etc. Beautiful rendering.

[@FreshTake01]

Other pianists have their own approach but Perlmutters interpretation is IMO the best!

[@tekraynak]

Studying Scarbo, lovely to hear this rendition where it's not a speed fest.

[@rnnyhoff]

Stunningly radiant and sparkling playing ... what a joy to experience.

[@maestroscarbo]

Vraiment magnifique, quelle délicatesse....

[@JamesVaughan]

Luminous Ravel! I adore his playing…I have come to especially love his Chopin - restrained but poetic, aristocratic…surprised that Cortot did not come to the aid of one of his most gifted pupils, I am puzzled - I did not know these things about Perlemuter (or Cortot for that matter). Fortunately Perlemuter survived these hardships, had a very long life and career, playing wonderfully well into old age, and had some very fine students who carry on his legacy today.

[@pianopera]

James Vaughan This informative article in The Guardian gives more details: "Soon after the start of the second world war, Perlemuter discovered that, as a Polish Jew, he was on the Gestapo's list. He escaped into unoccupied France, and was passed from one safe family to another, occasionally giving a clandestine recital. In 1943 the opportunity came to escape into Switzerland. A courageous baker drove him and his wife near to the barbed wire fences of the frontier. At a moment when the sentries' backs were turned, they managed to scramble over. Very soon afterwards, he contracted tuberculosis and spent several years recovering in Switzerland. In 1951, he returned to Paris as professor of piano at the Conservatoire, and stayed there until he retired in 1977, though he continued to teach privately until the age of 96." www.theguardian.com/news/2002/sep/06/guardianobituaries.arts

[@JamesVaughan]

***** The cultures in Lithuania were always very mixed -predominantly Lithuanian - Polish - Jewish - Russian (there were also smaller groups like the Karaites and the Tatars). Perlemuter was born in the city of Kovno/Kowno/Kaunas, at the time part of the Russian Empire. Have you ever read Czesław Milosz' "Native Realm"? Wonderful book - a vivid memoir of that little-known part of Europe in the inter-war years, highly recommended!

[@schnabelite]

@@JamesVaughan thank you for recommending!

[@123must]

Wonderful : shinin' Ravel ! Thanks

[@abrightp]

Frankly speaking, I personally hold that this is the best version of Perlemuter's interpretation of Gaspard de la Nuit amid all the four versions. I feel he experienced gradual degradation of finger skills after early/mid 70s (based on my collection of his recordings). 55' Vox studio is somewhat "tight" comparing to this version. Vivider tune and more agile running - in some ways reminds me of his 30s' recordings. Anyway thank you so much for uploading this.

[@hospitality5522]

Great art

[@teodorojaranilla5008]

simply amazing...among the best in history...along with these 3 others: GINA BACKHAUER,,,ALICIA DE LARROCHA, MAURICE RAVEL Himself....

[@paulprocopolis]

An interesting historical document it would seem! To my ears Perlemuter is most at home in 'Le gibet', which is very evocative.

[@aktivfilm8611]

Thank you so much for sharing this superb recording, Pianopera! Would it be possible to access the actual radio broadcast you found on the Internet? Best,

[@remomazzetti8757]

Robert Casadesus also studied Ravel's piano music and made an outstanding complete recording. But his interpretation is very different from this, but equally beautiful and valid.

[@stephanewrembel1765]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Does it exist in CD? I was looking for it and cannot find it. Certainly the most beautiful version I've heard of this masterpiece. Thank you again

[@pianopera]

+stephane wrembel -- You're welcome. Perlemuter recorded the complete piano works of Ravel for the label Vox in 1955, but as far as I know, this earlier version of Gaspard (a radio broadcast of 1951 that I found online) has never been reissued onto CD.

[@stephanewrembel1765]

+pianopera ok thank you very much, I will keep an eye opened for it! you have no idea what discovery it has been, good karma coming your way!

[@spartybob1]

As good as anyone

[@namenamename447]

50bpm

[@sasholyubakonstantinovi9082]

bechstein piano ?

[@laurenth7187]

Well, Ivo Pogorelic is better. Sorry to have to say that, in Ondine at least.

[@ondinehd6889]

No, not in Ondine, but in Scarbo, that is of course Pogorelich's interpretation of 1983.

[@MathieuPrevot]

in Gibet of course !