wilhelm kempff plays beethoven's Moonlight sonata complete song.wmv

[@marekvodicka]

Wilhem Kempff is my favourite Beethoven interpreter. He always plays at the 'right' tempo where others rush or drag, and he just sounds to me like he truly understands the music. God bless his soul wherever he is now.

[@MrGustavelarrouturou]

indeed, he plays like a human not a pianist. Check out this video: 12:34 (the cadenza) it's from him kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWmnoZ9jq6ami5o

[@aquapie5706]

@mv022 I totally agree with you !

[@SBCBears]

His interpretations allow Beethoven's music to emerge and become comprehensible.

[@ichernichenko]

Yes!! Yes!! I felt the same way. People try to show their talent by rushing. But it doesn't make you good.

[@TheCitybike]

Very good! when was this concert?

[@toparbitr0923]

For me, Beethoven is Kempf. Only he so brilliantly, organically, trustingly and carefully brings into our hearts that which is infinitely dear to him - his Beethoven.

[@JuGGerNauTT32]

No one plays Beethoven, like Kempff. A monster of artistic and phrasing expression. Gentle and powerful, kind and ferocious with an unmistakable sense of restrain. So much that you feel the meaning of every phrase as the composer intended. Simply sublime.

[@guscraig]

thank you....that was/is spot on what I feel...but didnt/dont have your words to express it ( but i do now i guess...thank you!)

[@alphalax7747]

No one plays Beethoven like Beethoven

[@ritorenello]

@@alphalax7747 what an intelligent comment

[@alicia_naraiah]

Most definitely! He’s one of those pianists, where u almost forget to breathe whilst you’re listening to him , as he has u almost spellbound with the beauty of his playing

[@thomasrussell7135]

Except Horowitz and Poon

[@thechris0287]

He played the Piano like no other. This Moonlight Sonata is Masterpiece. By far the Best Version ever played

[@rushwarp]

Really? I think its rather simplistic and too fast. Go listen to Kissin's version its in the different league from this JV performance.

[@EttorealbertoGelli-vr6sz]

HappyDuffmann. Kempff Is a legendary interpreterà of BEETHOVEN, but, believe me, "the Best Version" doesn't existe. There are a group of Himalayane summit, there are a group of oceans...

[@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy]

@thechris0287 You are SO right!

[@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy]

@@rushwarp YES, REALLY!!!

[@kevinm6790]

@@rushwarpMany others play it in a similar tempo. Van Cliburn for one.

[@reliom9836]

Kempf is in my opinion really the best one for this sonata. Every time I hear Beethoven's moonlight I am amazed that a man could write such Divine music

[@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy]

@reliom9836 Amazing how many composers came along in a relatively short time, LvB, Haydn, Mozart,Bach, Schubert, Tchaikovsky etc. etc. etc. And this piece played by Kempff is the best version I ever heard. I am a LvB fan and heard this many, many times....

[@JonHop1]

@@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy Because they actually prioritized the art form then, and, unlike now, had SOUL! You cannot abandoned the lives these people lived at that time, that helped nurture this environment. The early Modern and Enlightenment periods of Europe fostered this genius. There was contentious debate and deep philosophical discussion on art and music that really pushed people to the extreme. Now, we have extremely talented musicians, who sadly have zero culture or "soul" behind them, and it shows in modern compositions. We, of today, simply cannot replicate the 1750's-1950's era of Classical music and the pure prodigies they produced.

[@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy]

@@JonHop1 Unfortunately I have to agree. MAYBE such a time of the past will appear again in....I don't know how many years. I for one am grateful for the treasures that were left behind for us.

[@Teddy_Toto]

Liszt called the second movement of this sonata ‘a flower between two abysses.’ No matter how deep the suffering, Beethoven always finds a ray of light. Kempff really expresses this so well.

[@Ciaran55]

Kempff was born in 1895 (25.11) and died in 1991 (23.5). He performed in concerts despite his old age; his last recital was in Paris in 1981. He had Parkinson's at least a decade before he died, and spent his last years in Positano, Italy. He apparently wrote his own compositions and set up an academy - Wilhelm Kempff Kulturstiftung (culture foundation)

[@bharathgowda5302]

Thx for the info

[@winggunden]

Thanks ur information Love him so much

[@katewild2194]

Interesting thanks

[@elenagorbez4503]

❤

[@lukereilly9844]

Fucking hell, a pianist getting Parkinsons is just so cruel.

[@徐智展-d2t]

the best performance of beethoven 's moonlight sonata ever

[@SparklingGems]

*Absolutely magnificent*...tears are a streaming...it's as if this brilliant man actually channelled Beethoven during the performance. So beautiful...so heart-touching...a precious gift for all of humanity. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@ItchyNose09]

It looks like he's somewhere else in time when he's playing the first movement, you can just see it in his eyes. It's almost like he's longing for something or he's lost in nostalgia. And then in the second movement, it's like he's having fun with the nostalgia.. like he's enjoying the memories and life in those notes. Third movement, it looks like its both! Like hes lost, longing, having fun. I swear, he's like the reincarnation of Beethoven and he just knows what is being felt in the piece.

[@ppsayl1235]

The last song I learned to play before I left classical for classic rock and joined a band. Now that I'm 46, I look back and realize this single song encompasses every emotion that hundreds of rock songs could never hope to capture. Sadness, euphoria, contempt, grief. This song will haunt me forever.

[@purple467]

ppsayl123 It's not a song. A song has words.

[@purple467]

so what are the words?

[@robertlocke8160]

Aaliyah Williams He's right. A "song" has words. This is a piece of music, not a song.

[@ppsayl1235]

Robert Locke True, but perhaps unspoken. The lyrics are: Grief.

[@DanneoYT]

Cant we just like both genre? rock is awesome so is classical

[@wuschibubu]

This is more than notes and keys. It´s purely passion and emotion, This is what you feel when you listen to him, and this is how music is supposed to be. Kempff´s interpretation is so beautiful.

[@hardballget]

Sublime doesn't cut it for a word to explain this mans brilliance. The greatest musical artist i have ever heard by daylight. We are all blessed to have access to such great art.

[@shanilmisra]

This man owned this piece, as if the ghost of Beethoven was guiding his hands.

[@guscraig]

well there's something to be said for practice ....... ( and being a genius doesn't hurt) once I read that Mr. Wilhelm said he played this everyday of his life ALL OF HIS LIFE minus the first few years!!! WOW!!!! also it's my understanding that Beethoven was nearly deaf if not completely deaf, when he wrote this.... Beethoven never got to hear this as music......it was math i guess.......and that's just goddamn mind blowing on so many levels So i would like to believe that Beethoven waited a few hundred years in order to chose Wilhelm to play this AMAZING music for us in the 21st century thank u Beethoven thank you Wilhelm....... and seriously listening to this music is like listening to the baby Jesus play the piano!!!!!

[@nicolo9093]

@@guscraig I assure you Beethoven heard this as music. In his head, but as music. He imagined all of this as a piece of piano, not as a mathematical formula. Do you ever get songs stuck in your head ? That's the feeling. Only Beethoven had the sound of God himself playing the piano stuck in his head. And then he wrote it down

[@joelmacinnes2391]

@@guscraig was deaf as early as when he wrote no14?

[@hallio111]

@@guscraig yeah of course practice. but what really makes his version that good, is probably the experience he had with it while learning it. there are nuances with him playing this, that others are missing, how he hits the notes, everything. if you watch for example tiffany poon, when she watches back videos of her playing beethoven "wrong" as a kid , you can see how she realizes nuances, mistakes from back in the day, etc. learing about the piece with life and experience, and much more. also kempff had some kind of strong sprititual understanding and connection with the music. not all musicians , even though the piano basically exists complete embedded into their brains, and neural structure, do understand a piece like kempff did. at least I can hear stuff I really can't hear in other pianists playing this piece. most others playing this stuff sound dead. kempff had a really strong soul.

[@johnblahuta6904]

@ Shanil Listening, Ludwig's ghost WAS there....

[@martymcpeak4748]

I still find myself coming back to hear Mr. Kempff playing this piece, and I am always on a roller-coaster of emotion. Rest In Peace Herr Kempff. there's no one who can match your skill and passion on your chosen instrument.

[@rcastib]

The like button is not enough.... KZbin please add a standing ovation button for this video.!!!!

[@linam4249]

This is by far the best comment I have seen on KZbin in a long time! It's so true yet so funny. Thanks for making my day :)

[@VladimirMurin]

Одно хочу добавить - Боже! Храни таких людей, как Вильгельм Кемпф! Я счастлив быть его современником!

[@CarmenCita1129]

Every time I listen to this I can't help but go play it myself and get lost in the music. It's truly a breathtaking piece of music.

[@eliastefera8574]

This man is not himself playing this piece, that's Beethoven right there manifesting himself inside of this man!

[@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy]

@eliasfera8574 Exremele well said!! Kempff BECOMES LvB!!!

[@guidopahlberg9413]

fantastic how he manages the 3rd movement at this age - like an old martial arts master that you don't take seriously until you see his incredible skills

[@leongunnyli6059]

I love his phrasing. Just love it.

The cadence on this is PERFECT. This is the best one I have ever heard . And I have heard hundreds of versions of this .

[@mariahmunnis6315]

I've listened to Wilhelm Kempf play this many times and I'm still speechless during the third movement. Magnificent.

[@ozandeu]

"You did not play that as a pianist but rather as a human being" said by jean sibelius. this statement exactly defines his style.

[@michellef7790]

He plays with such passion!

[@shippermd]

he and the piano and the piece are one. played with mastery and passion!

[@obriainpianosartgallery8159]

Kempff, a true master, pure and real

[@stubbornoptimist3374]

The first movement always makes me feel okay, it's stranger considering how melancholy it sounds but I just can't help but listen to it on repeat. A true gift

[@martiglesias60]

One of the greatest masters of the 20th century.

[@gonzalosanchezsaldana3691]

One of the best performances of this beautiful Sonata. Master Kempff has a recording of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas with Gramophon: a must have without any doubt.

[@miroganmaster]

seems people still love true music it fills my heart with joy

[@celladinho]

I could've sworn he passed away long time ago

[@Zenovarse]

haha YES 👌🤡

[@pianoapp]

+Marcellin Jourdhier Yes... R.I.P

[@pianoapp]

Your English is terrible. But thank you so much fornpasting the 3 pieces together mate. :)

[@Gen3Benz]

+pianoapp fornpasting? Yeah, your English is just fucking wonderful.

[@schm4ve]

Because this is simply by far the best version i've come to see the mistakes as part of the piece and hum them along too. Even Mr Kempffs mistakes are beautiful!

[@martinmatiske]

Hey, he was the guy who played Beethoven like Beethoven. He knew it! And please stop to write he made mistakes while he is playing. He was few years before his death and had Parkinson.

[@eytonshalomsandiego]

my god! how sublime. i have heard this 10 million times, but, how he manages the voicing, amazing.missed notes in the 3rd movement and all. soul.

[@TiticatFollies]

Thank you so much for your labor of love, in putting the pieces together. This video is such a gift. I think it's the only one where we can see him playing live. He is as fascinating to watch as he is thrilling and moving to listen to. If anyone knows of other videos, please let us know. I love his slower tempi, here and elsewhere, because it comes from an emotional and intellectual connection with the music. The tempo always works.

[@ColeenHein]

To all those who, before and after this post, dare to criticize any mistakes heard in this recording - when you can get through this entire piece without a mistake, THEN you are allowed to throw stones. Until then, please just enjoy how this piece is played so passionately by this amazing man. I've heard less precise versions touted to also be "amazing"... As one who has some piano background and therefore some "know-how", what this man does with this song is no small feat. What a pleasure to enjoy the gifts God has blessed him/us with!

[@bogdanbarbu363]

Besides, Kempff was really old when performing here. In his prime, the man had the precision of a machine.

[@kalithena88]

Passion itself WILL cause a mistake because the areas of the brain involved are mutually exclusive. Ironic that Beethoven too famously allegedly said that to play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.

[@johnblahuta6904]

@ Coleen Do you even know HOW RIGHT you are?!

[@nevillehough4191]

Just lovely to listen to like floating in the moonlight, hauntingly played , brilliantly played too considering how old he was

[@interstellar618]

Just a fantastic rendition. He was made to play Beethoven. His feel is amazing

[@GyromiteROB]

The second movement is so beautiful and joyfully played!! :) Bravo Mr. Kempff!

[@Magicspirit11]

Best ever interpretation. Absolutely perfect and eternal. Thank you Wihelm.

[@logicalblackman8228]

I have not heard a better one.

[@cokerg2003]

People, give it a rest - this man is light years ahead of anything we mere mortals can hope to accomplish...just sit back, listen to the man, and thank whatever God you worship that there are those like him...

[@xintan8000]

Wilhelm Kempff has displaced a wonderful piece of music with his whole-hearted emotions in it.This is one of the best Moonlight Sonata that has ever been played by anyone I heard.The audio may have some problems,but to me it is only the feels that he have shown in the video that matters.This is nearly perfect (Of course,nothing is perfect,but this is almost perfect from what I have heard) Bravo!

[@adrianenciso9277]

Despite being as old as he was, he still died too young. I just wish I could've seen him live

[@searchers]

I saw him live in 1967/68 in Toronto. Sublime. One of the dozen best Beethoven interpreters of all time, in my opinion.

[@vehrkalia]

searchers which are the Best versions of this sonata, in your opinion? i'm searching for my favourite version and I'd like to listen at as much versions as possible. :-)

[@yvanazastrasz9013]

Try Barenboim, Kissin, (especially Kissin : no one plays the 3rd movement as crisp and clear as Master Kissin) and Lisitsa. For me the best is Kissin, hands down.

[@elephantinsolitude1093]

Claudio Arrau

[@Superbdragon]

Tempo, color and logic is perfect in this performance. Many other pianists may play it "flawlessly" but most of them don't understand Beethoven. Like Kissin (sometimes), or Lang Lang for example.

[@filipprott2157]

Kissin has no idea in music.

[@popular0123]

the best interpretation of this moonlight sonata. sound beethoven himself

[@katttttt]

I find it fascinating how often he doesn't look at the keys. I know it's not too hard, but I wouldn't do that in a recital because looking at the keys would be safer

[@IvelinaDobreva]

I am glad to see all the hater's envy! Because that is the only reason that someone may just show Kempff's erros and criticize him all the time. He puts so much soul, love, PASSION in each performance, especially when he plays Beethoven and his technique is so good as well and haters only talk about errors that ALL of us make. And I can only feel grateful. Thank you Mr Kempff, you are not one of them, you are the pianist. Thank you, thank you and thank you again. Listening to you is like going in my mind to another galaxy but better one where people are more good. You are undoubtedly a special person with special soul.

[@victortavora8932]

The best interpretation ever !

[@userbeverage]

This must be one of the finest works that mankind has ever produced.

[@endame90]

It's wonderful!! he played the third movement at full speed, I was able to hear a pair of mistakes in the whole interpretation but the spirit he puts at the music is truly admirable!

[@pablolst]

words can not explain this genius

[@1234567832212]

Schade das ich Ihn nicht mehr erleben durfte ,es ist und bleibt ein guter Lehrer Pianist der auch das schön spielen zeigt .....!

[@RanochVTX]

Wilhelm Kempff is truly a person to admire. It's amazing how he can play all three movements by memory. It hurts to know that he died the same year I was born :( Amazing performance.

[@trentsaleet6561]

Hru?

[@JohnBlahuta-bb2iy]

I wonder what LvB would feel and say, if he could stand next to Kempff... no two other people, brother, sister, parents, whoever could be emotionally closer if Ludwig could come back and would listen to what he wrote, what was going on in his soul back the. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SLIP INTO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME....There are things you can just NOT put into words. Whenever I listen to this masterpiece, I am getting calm , the stress is gone, I see the world, people, just everything in a different light. Sometimes I listen to it at the end of a tough day and suddenly everything looks just okay....I also wonder how many lifes music has saved when people were ready to call it quits but then... the magic happened, it happens still and will do so forever.

[@wigkeite6901]

The best Beethoven player

[@Dannys998877]

Wikipedia gives a good explanation. The original meaning in Italian was simply that "sonata" was instrumental music, as opposed to "cantata" which was voice. This vague idea developed as specific forms of composition through the baroque, classical, and romantic periods. It became the basis for large forms of musical composition, involving multiple movements. The late classical and romantic period symphonies, often with four movements, are a sonata form. As is this three movement piano piece.

[@goldenmarie2555]

I love how Mr. Kempff plays this sonata. It is so smackabitch I will beautiful. I half expect him to set the piano on fire after this amazing performance or slam the cover shut and yell "Peace, I' m out!"

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Coming from an older generation, the man has *control* over his emotions! (He also knows how to respect the music, and the meaning of 'gravitas'!)

[@dejanlazic3043]

OMG! Tempo! Volume going up and down! Pauses! His face expressions! Mr Kempff, hands down!

[@GEF69]

You have to be a musician yourself to fully appreciate his solemn expression. Believe me, the man is completely passionate about what he is doing.

[@michaelschefold3299]

Simply good taste! No silly grimaces to show "Look I'm inspired!". No stop and go playing like Barenboim or Perrahia....a natural flow without mannerism or romanticisms!

[@DrOctagonoBilities]

Finally. Abhorrent quality evaded. Thank you, Miroganmaster. Simply astounding.

[@Fidelio1814]

Jamais nous n'entendrons pareille merveille ! Merci Mr Kempff.

[@Kadagis7000]

This dude makes it right... passion and honor.

[@aaronsilva9062]

I just; would like to thank you...it is nice to see these videos edited; and remastered. You have made these recordings so much more enjoyable.

[@maggietorok2514]

Beautiful song, played by an amazing pianist.

[@309temporary]

Thank you for posting this! So very lovely. And my intro to Wilhelm Kempff, who is a welcome addition to my musical radar :)

[@mrjbc46]

Thank you Mr. Kempff .

[@jimthecruel]

Shame on youtube for taking his greatest version of this piece away. This is history.

[@thorstenbraun9178]

To excuse some mistakes within his play: He was asked to play the complete Beethoven-cyclus für Beethovens 250th anniversary - within 2 days (what he did)! So there has not been to much time for preparing each peace as usual. I think, some mistakes are ok if you pla everything out of head in the age of 75 ... This is stil really great - but not technical perfect

[@VladimirMurin]

Почти все исполняют эту мелодию по-своему.... Но это видео даёт представление о гениальности, о способности донести больше, чем задумывал композитор!

[@shawskiknight]

Thank you for putting these all together. My favorites - all movements - for different reasons. Just sublime perfection.

[@ahmadfarran-9845]

I cried in deep coz people know lang lang more than kempff

[@atrinpanahi6339]

Ahmad Frran oh god you're so right and this is such a shame

[@BloomsProductions]

The BEST interpretation I have seen.

[@user-ks5mp5he6r]

i love this master piece i put it on replay on my phone , this is an amazing musician playing the keyboard he almost had every note correct

[@stevefoxy]

No way! Sure Kempff makes a few mistakes but the beauty of his performance is unrivaled. Besides, I'm sure Kempff would have played this flawlessly in his earlier years

[@evamarspanish7815]

Wonderful feeling. Kemptt and Arnau are true masters in developing the sentiment and feeling required to properly interpret this piece. Never go for perfect robotic playing, go for human feelings.

[@benpowell5007]

This isn't a song. It's a piano sonata. There are no words.

[@katiehohman8414]

It doesn't have to have words to be a song...

[@k1ngga]

If it doesn't have words then it's a piece not a song

[@gwedielwch]

@Katie Homan - Yes. Take for example Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words (Lieder ohne Worte).

[@justind4763]

What's your favorite dubstep sonata?

[@thealexanderbond]

The tension he gets into this just with the use of dynamic shifts is magic.

[@TheEaglesScream]

its currently raining outside. listening to this masterpiece with that background noice ... epic!

[@mobrules29]

Thank you for compiling one continuous video of all three movements. Beautiful, haunting, mesmerizing, sublime.

[@survivor1077]

Most moving version ever. Impossible not to cry

[@cimi9903]

Great version, one of my favourites along Arrau's.

[@megcaroline413]

So relaxing and beautiful God has given him a gift

[@elenagorbez4503]

Я растворяюсь в этом исполнении..👌I am dissolve myself in it❤🕊️🙏🙏🙏

[@mingujung]

best moonlight sonata. cant listen to anything other than wilhelm kempff

[@guscraig]

I agree I can't listen to any other version because ... well its just not the same!!! I listen to this all the time and it makes me cry.. which is a little melodramatic I guess but it's true

[@lars9168]

Horowitz is an other good version...

[@dddd-xj8ie]

Claudio Arrau does an oustanding job too

[@Genevieve8002]

@@dddd-xj8ie New to the entries sonata and learning the piano. So far, I really love Arrau’s interpretation.

[@StartingPoint-j9f]

The great pianist! Bravo, Maestro!

[@gabrielcz4915]

Espectacular, estoy seguro que el mismísimo Beethoven hubiera interpretado asi. Gracias por el video.

[@Meeyhan]

it's not a piece, it's a MASTERPIECE...

[@norbertcarl1784]

Ein Gedicht von einem der besten Pianisten aller Zeiten, nicht nur bei Beethoven !

[@loopular1]

The voicing in this is just absolutely perfect🎹👏🏻

[@ElyseHorvath]

19 people really don't know what real music is this is a great rendition of moonlight sonata

[@carinaisabelle8990]

he is so cute!

[@matteovrizzi]

Kempff's Moonlight Sonata is the gold standard

[@muqiaozhou3909]

old man looked like he could be sipping tea with one hand while playing the entire last movement with the other

[@hunterbulluck3416]

Listening to this just makes you think about life. How really short it is. How to spend your time, it's a really sad song. You only live once, enjoy your time

[@mrjbc46]

This could scour from my soul , the everyday dust of life .

[@TKing-ph7bq]

I am sure that Beethoven would congratulate Kempff for a wonderful job. Beethoven preferred music played with passion over technical perfection. While listening to him play I couldn't hear any mistakes as I was too busy enjoying the emotional journey his playing captured. Those who are very familiar with this piece realize that there are several places where the note combinations are what would be considered dissonant...But they only sound dissonant when the piece is played (technically perfect), When played with passion there is no dissonance whatsoever. I'll take a passionate emotional performance over a technically perfect sterile performance every time. Bravo Wilhem Kempff !!!!!

[@philipvigilii4639]

Listen to Valentina

[@guscraig]

Beethoven no doubt would congratulate Wilhelm for bringing it to life.....Beethoven was almost deaf if not completely deaf, when he wrote this - he never heard his own masterpiece played anywhere but in his mind - so so so sad!

[@ianjohnson4052]

I had to buy the Cd of Kempff's performance of this- its superlative.

[@martinmatiske]

Kempff was the best! Thank you!

[@that1kidudidntmeet11]

This guy is a true Fiend at piano

[@robertmcknightmusic]

by far my favourite interpretation that I've found

[@correasilvio2010]

What?

[@robertmcknightmusic]

@@correasilvio2010 by far my favourite interpretation that I've found