Zlata Chochieva, Bach-Rachmaninoff: Prelude, gavotte & gigue

from Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006, transcribed for piano. Recorded for the online “Moments Musicaux” of the Berliner Klavierfestival, Konzerthaus Berlin (May 2020).

[@alanbash2921]

Highly gifted Pianist....Zlata has a Superb understanding of Rachmaninoff’s Style.........My Professor At Juilliard ( Josef Raieff) studied with Alexander Siloti ( Rachmaninoff’s first Cousin as well as his Teacher)..... and during one Mr. Raieff’s lessons with Siloti, There was a tapping on the door....( Siloti forbade anyone to interrupt a Piano Lesson )... but the tapping continued....an Angry Siloti went to the door and when he opened the door ....it was Rachmaninoff Standing there...all 6’ 6 inches of him ! Rachmaninoff immediately ran over to the young Startled Josef Raieff...and apologized for interrupting his lesson ...and said “ he was playing at Carnegie Hall that night with Siloti Conducting and needed to check something about the Score .....he asked the flabbergasted Josef Raieff if that would be OK ?”....... somehow young Josef Raieff was able to say. “ Oh, that’s fine with me “ !!!!………… after 5 minutes the two giants were saying goodbye to each other in Russian, but once again Rachmaninoff came over to Young Josef and said “ I hope that you accept my apology for interrupting your Lesson !……… with a big smile, Josef said “ it was no problem at all ! “--that’s the kind of man Rachmaninoff was. I play all of Rachmaninoff’s works...my Students are pushing me to put things on KZbin...but I am getting Old and Lazy...maybe I will put some of my favorites on KZbin over the holidays ....this week I have been busy with his e flat minor Double Note Prelude Op 23 no. 9.......Rachmaninoff puts the metronome marking at 152 to the QUARTER NOTE !……… a totally inhuman Presto !………… it took me many hours to get to that ferocious Tempo !....give it a try Zlata !!!!!

[@MullaghAnattin663]

2:50-2:59 This passage with the RH jumps cannot be played in time when a tempo as extreme as this is selected. Result: unpleasant breaks in the melodic line.

[@rocamaxivojofahd333]

Seems to be attempting a new speed record for effect and has evidently not bothered to listen to recordings of eminent violinists playing the original Suite. R's introduction of much more chordal counterpoint than in the original would speak for more moderate tempi in order that his new material actually gets heard.

[@peterbrenton410]

Bach, Rachmaninoff ,Chochieva - made in heaven

[@rocamaxivojofahd333]

Cringe.

[@mcintertz5593]

What wonderful playing and what a wonderful transcription, if only rachmaninoff had transcribed more bach

[@skisunfb]

Zlata is without doubt one of today's most exciting pianists. A tremendous musician who always finds ways to amaze and inspire her audiences with a sense of marvel at the beauty of the music she performs.

[@WouterTukker]

Please please please, finally stop trying to break speed records: this is music, not sports! Simply try to imagine the tempi prevailing at the time of the great JSB . . . These were dances that people (probably not of the most athletic kind) were supposed to dance to . . .Have you ever tried any of those dances (Gavotte, Gigue) to such a preposterously and outrageously high tempo? End of chat!

[@LeonidGaneline]

You imply that fast tempo is equal to mechanical tempo. It is correct if the player plays on the maximum of technical skills. But that is not the case. Zlata is playing naturally and without any artificial speed. Her technique allows her to present melody and nuances and the dynamic of music. All notes are clear and precise. This playing is beautiful.

[@WouterTukker]

@@LeonidGaneline Thank you for your comment and I admit: I stand corrected, this IS a nearly impeccable performance ... Regarding the tempo: the record remains in the hands of Maestro Rachmaninov himself whose recorded version is nearly half a minute faster than this one

[@carlrichards49]

Absolutely superb. Somewhere Rachmaninoff and Bach are smiling.

[@rocamaxivojofahd333]

Sooo cringe.

[@Gerhold102]

Age Jurikas (forgive my spelling Age) does an exceptional job of playing this. Slower tempo - which she uses to convey the emotion inherent in the Gavotte especially. This rendition is superb too. Rachmaninoff was a composer of little ego and great respect for his antecedents - Bach, Paganini, Chopin and Corelli all got the Rakh treatment - with exceptional results.

[@aspeck_of_dust_from_alien_land]

What a wonderful and diverse tone! Totally in line both with Back and the transcription. Amazingly beautiful!

[@jewgienij131]

Zlata....no words.

[@lifedoctor]

‘Non Allegro’

[@anahobintie]

this is brilliant! Exceptional playing.

[@FatSwede]

Rachmaninov left us a lot of recordings over 3 decades (1920s - 1940s). Madame Chochieva has the same clarity, bass 'detonations' and rhythmic pulse that I hear in his recordings, including the three pieces in this set. Marvellous work.

[@florincoter1988]

Correct, but, she did not learn to fly with R. She is too heavy to take off.

[@FatSwede]

@@florincoter1988 hmm.. I think I see what you're saying. Let's hear her in a wider range of repertoire before deciding...

[@florincoter1988]

@@FatSwede I did. Chopin, Mozart and it was the same heaviness of hand. She has hardness, while R has strength. I am a Physicist, not a Musician...

[@FatSwede]

@@florincoter1988 I've really only heard her in this "big" repertoire. Not every pianist is born to play Mozart. But it is Chopin by which I should judge her.

[@florincoter1988]

@@FatSwede Try some Cortot and needless to say Lipatti and Sofronitsky. The world was younger and the music purer. Maybe some Rubinstein and Michelangeli too. I am gonna have a shot of Palinka and a stars tour with Sibelius.

[@herrietako]

Love you Zlata 🥰

[@meredith218461]

Much the same tempo as Rachmaninoff's own recordings, however I have to say I think Ms Chochieva performs these arrangements better than the great man himself.

[@Radiatoron88]

Superb and delightful!

[@RobRijnbout]

Interesting piece!First time I hear this transcription.👌

[@Smilthy]

Oh God, another goddess 🙏 thank goodness for you! Maestra.

[@rocamaxivojofahd333]

What a totally cringe remark. There are dozens of pianists equally good or better.

[@turnen1]

Wunderbar gespielt, liebe Zlata, toller Klang und Rachmaninow-Bach comme il faut bzw viel besser, so IST es! Vielen Dank!!!!😃

[@stephengallucci1592]

Finally I real pianist I can relate to.

[@thepianocornertpc]

Miraculous music.

[@TheCitybike]

Super 👍

[@yuehchopin]

schön elegant, danke

[@MrPGOLIVEIRA]

Ela a música e o piano são uma coisa só, em um universo harmonioso e grande beleza.

[@K43TOC]

Your amazing technique needs to be tempered with restraint. The piece is played too fast, which makes it sound altogether unmusical.

[@peterbrenton410]

So you knew Rachmaninoff ,and no doubt discussed the way it should be played.

[@meredith218461]

I totally disagree. This playing has such vitality and character.

[@peterbrenton410]

This is how I see it- Zlata has as good an empathy and musical understanding as anyone for Rachmaninoff's music and life experience which she lives through in her wonderful playing

[@misschocoholic82]

Totally worthless comment.

[@rocamaxivojofahd333]

Agree. And as usual critical comments get shat upon by the true believers because the goddess can only be immaculate. I have yet to see a soloist provide any answers at all to intelligent questions in the comments on a performance video. They just suck up the fawning ones. I suppose you would have to pay her for a lesson to get any viewpoint at all.