Wilhelm Kempff plays Mozart Piano Concerto No.27, 1st mvt - Allegro (1970 film footage)

Film footage of Wilhelm Kempff playing the 1st movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No.27 K.595 from a 1970 television broadcast with the Cologne Chamber Orchestra conducted by Helmut Müller-Brühl.
Like many artists, Kempff could be more at ease when performing in concerts or on broadcasts than in the recording studio - in fact, on at least one occasion he refused to do retakes to address some technical issues in his performance, closing the piano lid and leaving the studio.
This filmed performance is a fine example of his most inspired playing. In his 75th year at the time of this broadcast, Kempff gives an emotionally expansive reading of this movement with exquisite tonal colours, fluid phrasing, and incredibly refined dynamic shadings (what a pianissimo!).
This video was provided by our friends at Meloclassic, who have issued a 9-CD set of Kempff broadcasts that, like this video, reveal the pianist at his absolute best - to far greater advantage than his studio recordings.
www.meloclassic.com/home/wilh...

[@jamesmac10]

Played with absolute professionalism, respect and a true understanding of the style and piece. Nothing but fluid interpretation. The control of hands is impeccable. Not a single unnecessary gesture or a grand movement. His economy of motion is a breath of fresh air. It’s not about him. He is a vessel for the music. Please bring this type of musicianship back. I get vertigo when I watch Lang Lang play but this guy has grace today’s stars don’t. Peop think big dramatic pianists throw themselves into the music body and all, then that must be good.

[@berlinzerberus]

Wilhelm Kempff, one of the best Mozart Interpreters.

[@donaldwright6617]

Golden, luminescent tone, perfect phrasing, and bodily movements and facial expressions that never sought to grandstand, but to reflect the musical intent. What a master!

[@meisterwue]

Seit 50 Jahrdn bin ich mit Klassik beschäftigt.....und finde hier Wilhelm Kempf mit Mozart . Danke. ❤

[@berlinzerberus]

Ich habe den Pianisten insgesamt 5x live erleben dürfen und das immer erstklassig. I remember the Sonata für das Hammerklavier Opus 106 by LvB. What a wonderful musician he was, incredible. Wilhelm Kempff gehört zu den Top-Ten Pianisten weltweit Er war in bestimmten Bereichen einzigartig und von anderen schwerlich zu übertreffen.

[@meisterwue]

​​@@berlinzerberusWir kennen uns noch von meinem früheren Namen her, Kanal "SuperMagren".....Sie sind gleich mir ein Karajan-Bewunderer und ich kenne auch Ihren anregenden Kanal......oh und Kempff, ja , natürlich, er gehört meinen frühen Klaviererlauscheneindrücken....danke für Feedback, sehr wohltuend

[@xper2xper]

He definitely was in a different league... Exquisite! Thank you Mark!

[@clydeblair9622]

The delicacy and insight...

[@fgattorno]

Extraordinary performance; perfect phrasing, gold tone, no mimic, no facial expressions, an Excellent Master!!!

[@betsypar]

Thank you so much! Kempff is extraordinary.

[@ERICK-cv1zh]

Le toucher de Kempf est reconnaissable entre tous ,il est fait de précision et de légèreté ,nous sommes dans la musique de Mozart ,on appelle cela la grâce

[@Albertovacanti]

Che splendida esecuzione! Tocco e fraseggio raffinatissimi . Grazie

[@antoniorosa2365]

Wunderbar ! A true balm for the ears ! I was fortunate enough to hear this Great Master live - on fact he was the first pianist l heard live , some 60 years ago , and he became one of my musical Heroes all my life through ...what a difference between the "Grand Manner " and most of the noise and ridiculous poses provides by some of actual stage-hyenas , most of them non-harmonious Blacksmiths...

[@micaelabonetti949]

Was also fortunate to listen to a very old Kempff's recital: breathtaking silence from the audience, communion with the Sublime 🙏 A pianist already playing in paradise.

[@melkithierry9289]

Un pur instant de magie sonore et vibratoire !! Une osmose parfaite entre l'orchestre et le piano ! L'art du chant, du phrasé, du touché de Kempff à nouveau sublimé....🙏❤️

[@kohmekonisch7265]

Thank you so much for the most noble Mozart that I have ever heard! I hope that you will enable us to listen to the whole concerto 27!!

[@czffg9757]

Excellent !! I miss the 2nd and the 3rd movement. The cadenza he plays here is the same as the one recorded in DGM with Leitner, but when he played this piece in Tokyo in 1965, he played a different cadenza which I guess he composed himself. I wish I could listen to that cadenza again. Thank you for uploading such a rare video !! (The comment I have written is somewhat a mess. I have rewritten.)

[@nicolasvanpoucke.pianist]

Beautiful

[@horacefleming4481]

With utmost appreciation; if you have the other movements of this concerto performance in Cologne with Kempff please let us see and hear them. Excellent sound & graphics!

[@brunoelzenbaumer3706]

Kempff, ein großes Vorbild für mich, wovon man so viel lernen kann, echt lernen kann

[@bloodgrss]

Thanks, great music making...

[@berlinzerberus]

7:43 ff - MAGIC

[@ThePianoFiles]

INDEED! The timing and sonorities... incredible!

[@TheIrrationalist]

Your post has great timing! I was just listening to a CD of this concerto from the big Wilhelm Kempff box set.

[@alombredeslava2468]

Un très grand pianiste de 75 ans capable de jouer son Mozart les yeux fermés (s’il le souhaitait) et bien que ne s;interdisant pas une forme de détachement apparent nous offre ici une interprétation pleine de fraicheur et de raffinement. Il y a de l’art à faire ainsi oublier son âge.

[@micaelabonetti949]

Pendant le récital dont je parlais plus haut, et Kempff avait bien plus de 75 ans, il avait les yeux fermés et la tête levée vers le ciel.

[@AndreasRothchild]

Sublime

[@ZbynekPilbauer]

Extraordinarily calm and mature

[@Rosangela161]

Welcome!! Premiere ... let's pay all our attention.

[@dasglasperlenspiel10]

Thank you!

[@user-sk4kd7ob2b]

Благодарю Вас ОЧЕНЬ за этот музыкальный шедевр! Душа воспарила и летела-летела… Замечательный звук! Всего доброго!

[@rahasya9527]

Heartbreakingly beautiful. Excellent video quality too. This is a real gem that I will cherish.

[@jandehaaij3847]

Thank you very much! Greatly appreciated!

[@micaelabonetti949]

Sublime simplicity, profound musicality. Happy Mozart!

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

❤❤❤!!!!

[@micaelabonetti949]

Hello 👋 my friend Raineri !

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

My upload Alexei Lubimov playing Mozart concerto no 27! It is 5:52 minutes Long video! Lubimov the most genius! Kempff and Gilels the Best piano sound Mozart players! Check that Lubimov video! Lubimov is amazing!!

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

More videos! My upload Murray Perahia explaining how good Mozart piano concerto no 25 is! Perahia interview Mozart concerto no 25(this to search engine!) Perahia crystal clear!!

[@ansonwong5490]

Thanks for this!!!

[@hospitality5522]

Grâce, équilibre, densité.

[@berlinzerberus]

Helmuth Müller-Brühl war der Initiator der Brühler Schlosskonzerte in Brühl bei Köln, wo er auch geboren wurde. Da er meistens mit renommierten Solisten konzertierte, wurde er und sein Brühler Kammerorchester schnell berühmt. Die Aufnahme mit Wilhelm Kempff als hinreißenden Solisten wurde wahrscheinlich im Schloss Brühl aufgenommen, bin mir allerdings nicht sicher.

[@steinwey]

Es handelte sich also um ein anderes Orchester als das Rheinisches Kammerorchester?

[@meisterwue]

berlinzerberus, sehe gerade Ihren Kommentar....im Orchester auch weibliche Mitglieder, das ist gut und war zu dieser Zeit leider noch viel zu selten. Danke, beste Grüsse .

[@czffg9757]

Excellent !! I miss the 2nd and the 3rd movement. The cadenza he plays here is the same as the one recorded in DGM with Leitner, but when he played this piece in Tokyo in 1965, he played a different cadenza which I guess he composed himself. I wish I could lismiss the 2nd and the 3rd movement. The cadenza he plays here is the same as !!

[@lucaszimbar4381]

Do you have the video of the full concert?

[@ThePianoFiles]

No I don't - this is all I was given so it was all I could share.

[@lucaszimbar4381]

@@ThePianoFiles Uh ok. I hope to find more footage of this wonderful pianist in the future😊

[@ThePianoFiles]

@@lucaszimbar4381 there is LOTs on KZbin - I think he was particularly inspired on this occasion!

[@kaleidoscopio5]

Yes? No? Maybe 😏

[@riccardopini9340]

Più mozartiano di Mozart ....

[@mariasand2470]

Nein! Man sieht direkt dass er schlecht ist Zu hoch zu sitzen, kann man nicht die Gravitation ausnutzen die die Quelle der Gestaltung der Töne ist die künstlerische Gestaltung, die Quelle des Lebens Man kann dadurch den Töne Leben geben Von diesem Pianist bin ich enttäuscht.. gefällt mir nicht Man sagt , gibt's viele Pianisten aber die sind keine Künstler

[@xper2xper]

Then, you have a lot to learn about Kempff...

[@leestamm3187]

​@@xper2xper Indeed she does. To say that one doesn't care for an interpretative style is a valid expression of opinion. To blithely criticize the posture and hand technique of a great pianist is beyond absurd.