Nathan Milstein 'Paganiniana'

Nathan Milstein his compose..

[@nidurnevets]

My father, who had a career as a violinist in a major symphony during the time of Milstein, studied with Stassavitch who was friends with Milstein. Sometimes, Milstein came over during my father's lessons to play something for Stassavitch, and get his opinion of it. My father said that it was astounding to watch him play close up, as he could seemingly do anything.

[@tadaojr]

What an awesome story, thanks for sharing!

[@MrSilverfab]

Oh wow, thanks for sharing dude

[@doormatcat]

Cool story bud thx for sharing

[@Humbersox]

what a wonderful experience, so cool to know

[@user-zu3il2rr5t]

what a cool story, it mustve been nice to see him play

[@rmcdaniel423]

What kind of cajones does it take to look at the works of Paganini and say, "That's alright, but I'm kinda getting bored. I need to spice it up a bit!!"

[@Biglover29]

That's kinda what I thought.

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

When you practice your scales too much

[@diegoxplague]

Cajones? I think you mean cojones

[@eclipses1003]

I enjoy the original one better tho

[@magicalcrystal7352]

A Ling Ling perhaps

[@charlesstegeman6304]

To violin accordion He was a happy, successful, happily married violin virtuoso. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was kind to his students, loved the violin, played it as well as anyone on the planet, and loved jokes, soccer, wine and cigars if his wife was not there. Nothing sour there just seriously great violin playing. And really one of the all time greatest.

[@MrFpam]

+Charles Stegeman Violin Accordion is not interested in facts, he just wants to boost his own ego with unfounded provocative statements.

[@ramongcastaneda5308]

+Frank Pam I now see you are one of the various self-appointed KZbin nannies, Mr. Pam. That puts your compulsive, gratuitous ad-hominem attacks in perspective. Thank you.

[@MrFpam]

+Ramón G Castañeda You are a self-appointed know-all expert who cannot abide any questioning of his extreme views. You attended recitals and concerts as a toddler? Perhaps that is why you have such set views.

[@MrFpam]

+Ramón G Castañeda A classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.

[@barryd1671]

Correct on all points. A marvelous violinist, musician and gentleman.

[@unmagicalmushroom]

he’s still the only man who can play this and make it look so effortless

[@olavblok7363]

Milstein's horizontal playing of chords is exceptional as well his inaudible shifting between all the positions. His articulation of every note is his trade mark. And then the little smile after the job has been done.

[@ElsweyrDiego]

horizontal playing of chords? can you explain? i didn't understand about it

[@megabugginout]

Everyone talks about Heifetz but he is the master of the 20th century.

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

He was known for being good overall

[@RobW1836]

@@ElsweyrDiego It's a term mostly used in Guitar playing, if that's what he means. I think he's referring to how effortlessly he walks double-stops up and down the fingerboard. Like right about 5:15.

[@excelsior999]

@@megabugginout Agreed. Milstein was The Man.

[@farleyribeiro8610]

Paganini: Compose caprice 24* Liszt: Too easy for violin, i'm gonna make it harder, but for piano. Milstein: Check this out

[@zewensenpai]

Just wanna point out La Campanella is based of his second violin concerto and not off the caprice

[@farleyribeiro8610]

@@zewensenpai I know, i'm wasn't talking about La Campanella, i was talking of his Etude based on Paganini 24 caprice

[@JoshuaLo2732]

@@zewensenpai his 6th Paganini etude

[@zewensenpai]

@@JoshuaLo2732 I see. The only etude I know from Listz is his Transcendental Etude and the Dante Sonata

[@junrenong8576]

Actually Liszt version is the hardest out of the three. It's impossible for most of the people to play the original Etude No.6 by Liszt.

[@MichaelJones-xk3rb]

I saw him at a RFH concert in London as a student in around 1962. He played the Tchaikovsky concerto and broke a string, changed violins with the leader Hugh Bean and never blinked an eye. I didn't notice any difference. Milstein was totally at home on stage and fully in control of all situations that could arise.

[@fydler7640]

After hearing this and seeing his technique it is readily apparent why Milstein was one of the greats of the violin world! I saw him perform at the University of Arizona in 1959 when I was a violin performance major there. Students and faculty alike sat there and salivated at the marvel of his playing! He still played magnificently in his late 70's and early 80's! Bravissimo, Milstein!

[@jacc88888]

Everything rings, there is the most sumptuous, rich sound, even in the most virtuosic passages and the clarity of articulation and coordination between the two hands is astonishing.

[@noglemott]

Photographers always focus on the left hand...It's on the right that all of the good stuff happens! Wish I could see his spicatto up close.

[@VIM365]

Very true

[@MrSilverfab]

Spiccato?

[@noglemott]

@@MrSilverfab Yup.

[@M_SC]

I thought looking at his flat fingers was interesting. I’ve just spent a year and half unflattening my pinky

[@brianlam6617]

Twoset Violin brought me here

[@No-pm4ss]

Brian Lam Same 😅. I heard Ray Chen play that really fast part for like a second. Had to hear the rest :)

[@autsni]

They'll bring you back again

[@enderderderderder]

yup

[@davidekdal7190]

@@autsni Dude what the fuck... look at their latest video

[@Numberonesorabjifan]

@@autsni I guess you're right.

[@gnatural]

Years later, nobody can come close to this performance. he wrote it after all.

[@nataliekriegler9329]

Agreed...he was amazing, the best wow❤

[@adriantucaciuc2769]

Check out chloe chua's performance

[@gnatural]

@@adriantucaciuc2769 nice violinist but cannot hold a candle to milatein

[@opale1572]

​@@gnatural👍👍

[@adambe1126]

​​@@adriantucaciuc2769I can't find a full performance of it anywhere? What I've seen is good but it's jot milstein. I personally love Guy Braunstein's rendition and Hilary Hahn's rendition. Clara Jumi-Kang is also very good.

[@MD-zm6sn]

I'm a few days into learning about violin as a guitarist and I can tell this guy is heavily underrated. One of the most skilled musically there has been.

[@illusion466]

I'm more than a few years into learning the violin, and even now, I can't explain anything this guy does. It's like he's speaking a completely different language

[@musicfirst5020]

He definitely has his own way of holding the violin, it seemed almost careless, yet so natural. Other great violinists have had somewhat similar position, like a Ricci. One of a kind.

[@voraciousreader3341]

Absence of tension allows for unrestricted mobility….the only “tension” is where the bow meets the strings. Truly amazing!

[@srinitaaigaura]

When Milstein found the 24th Caprice too easy -- what does he do? He creates a Paganini full course meal. When he went to Ysaye, the master asked him if he could play a Paganini caprice and his response was "Which one?" After listening to Hilary Hahn's version, I realized Milstein created a few more variations over time.

[@cooldude5699]

He kept making changes to this piece throughout his lifetime. This is the 5th or 6th version of it that I have heard and the variations are all different from each other

[@ShpookyMetal]

[@mauricepitman]

AWESOME ...Nathan Milstein is without doubt one of the greatest Violinists ever ..God Bless

[@Modu]

Grande Virtuosso... No more words anymore!

[@fredism4]

I can't even begin to describe how much I wish I had been in that audience. What an amazing performance!

[@jean-yvesbranquet3634]

1000 fois écouté.... 🤩🤩🤩 NATHAN FOR EVER..! THE GREATEST IN THIS PIECE..!!!! Tellement fluide, naturel...! Liberté pure..!!

[@abelewin2855]

A true master violinist. We are lucky to hear him as if he is still with us.

[@HowardLevyland]

One of my favorite things. Such virtuosity, fire, and a sense of humor, too, fitting all the Paganini quotes into the changes of the 24th Caprice, like a Jazz musician. This is a treasure.

[@oldsako]

i started chewing on a piece of gum before listening to this piece and by the end of this song i forgot that it was still in my mouth, jesus that was some superb violin playing!

[@JoshuaLo2732]

IT'S A PIECE

[@haruussan]

Listening to this piece: ✔ By the end of this song: ❌

[@amezcuaist]

@@JoshuaLo2732 A piece of gum.

[@MUSICisTHEbestFORme]

i play this piece at the moment, it is so difficult, if I listen to his version, I always think it's so easy. He was a great violinist!

[@srinitaaigaura]

Despite being so relaxed in his playing, Milstein could also play like a demon when called for.

[@jasonc4742]

who says the demon can't relax too? :)

[@mariomota4069]

Supreme, world class, outstanding, incredible!

[@slimbullet96]

Milstein just amazes me in every way possible. His composition is great too :)

[@abraklh4435]

This video should be saved as soon as possible as a Music World treasure! When we have the oportunity to watch a Master playing his own musical piece himself? Marvelous!

[@GordonUppercut]

I really love the way he almost whips his violin lightly but it is still makes a very agressive sound. Also very noticable in his interpretation of Bruchs violin concerto.

[@thapelomasita]

AMAZING!!!!!!! NO WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@cyanideonfire5924]

Such old recording technology but the sound is so beautiful and smooth. Beautifully played with almost perfect strokes.

[@22k_01]

milstein just said “nah, i’m bored, let me do something different”

[@andias03]

Restrained sound, perfect articulation. Great musician and intelligence. His Bach and Beethoven are extraordinaries.

[@InterlochenFan]

4:18-4:38 is absolutely brilliant......as is the whole piece. If you've never heard his version of Bach's Chacone, it's not to be missed. WOW!

[@excelsior999]

IMO it's The Gold Standard.

[@cole5266]

he is the true meaning of a 40-hour-practicing ling ling!!! ♥️🎻

[@oleflogger6828]

Well, I guess that comment came straight from Heaven.

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

We know it is a massive compliment to have heifetz say you are a master

[@ViolinShewchuk]

Now theres a man that knows his violin

[@excelsior999]

Gee, you think so?

[@martinehamon3818]

Many thanks for making this fabulous recording available.

[@HowardLevyland]

Thanks so much for posting this video. What a great musician- such a wonderful sense of humor to combine great pieces of violin repertoire with the Paganini Caprice, and to have the virtuosity and flair to make it all musical and exciting.

[@kathrynmcmorrow7170]

Take that!! Love me some Milstein, especially to see him play! That was astonishing! Thank you!

[@violinhunter2]

Milstein - one of the GREATS. What a daredevilish virtuoso!!!! Reminds me of Gitlis.

[@chrysler1283]

Wow a actual Og

[@yimuxiao8941]

Gitlis used to hangout with Milstein and they got along really well

[@violinhunter2]

@@yimuxiao8941 It is amazing that Leopold Auer, in his biography, could not remember his name. Violinists of Milstein's generation did not play this work in public. Today's generation of fiddle players do play this.

[@DaubigneyJacqueline]

Et Heifetz, qu’en faites-vous? Un des meilleurs aussi sinon le meilleur?!!

[@violinhunter2]

@@DaubigneyJacqueline Heifetz was better than anyone else - in a class by himself.

[@jeffreydortch799]

I’m so happy to have stumbled on this channel! You have some amazing recordings I didn’t know existed. I love this suite, and to hear it played by the composer and arranger is incredible.

[@harrynking777]

This is staggering.I didn't realise it was possible to play so well.

[@jamesdillon2579]

One of my favorite violinists of all time!

[@Rembrandt96]

Wow that camera shift and blur/dust at 0:58 xD I thought he blew off his rosin by hitting that chord so hard xD

[@milstein91]

For me he is the best violinist ever!

[@suzanacorritori3251]

I am just speechless. He is truly amazing and, sadly, he is not known like Menuhin, Heifetz, Elman, Francescatti, etc.

[@papa_mia4495]

+Suzana Corritori People know Elman and Francescatti better than Milstein? No, just you who didn't know him. Step into the violin music world and he's right there!

[@ksviewerx]

Milstein went to Ysaye as a teenager, and when asked if he could play a Paganini caprice, he simply asked, "Which one?" He is quite well known to classical lovers and musicians. Itzhak Perlman has stated that Milstein's left hand was the most articulate of his generation.

[@papa_mia4495]

ksviewerx Yeah, the man defines the word "Perfect".

[@megeldridge1745]

not true.

[@megeldridge1745]

it's not true that he was less known.

[@greg9393]

If Milstein's phenomenal playing didn't make your head spin, the cameraman completed the job. I'm dizzy.

[@MarciorodrigoFini]

*This one has complete mastery of the instrument, playing in various* *positions*

[@thinkpad20]

Dear god... why does everyone always mention Heifetz when they talk about virtuosity, and not Milstein? He is inhuman...

[@VanessaMaeFan18]

Both Milstein and Heifetz are one in the same to me. When I think about Heifetz in particular, his double stops from Bach's Chaconne is totally synonymous him. I have listened to Milstein play the Chaconne and it was great. For pure imagination, I prefer Heifetz's arrangement. I wish Heifetz had a Paganini recording because I am sure this particular piece would mirror Milstein's version. Milstein knocked it out of the park. Taking Caprice 24 and just being lost in the music. This is pure virtuosity at it's finest.

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

Kavakos, Hilary, Ray and Janine too Itzhak perlman as well Vengerov Gitlis. The list goes on

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

He practices his scales too much

[@grammarpolice8009]

@@aasserelzoghby6781 Roman Kim

[@bakerpeeples4724]

Milstein is not mentioned as much as Heifetz because, even though his bowing and left hand were both outstanding, just as outstanding as Heifetz, it wasn’t bow speed you could not just feel, but SMELL, like Heifetz. He made it look and sound easy. It wasn’t difficult for Heifetz either, but in a lot ways, Heifetz made it “look” more difficult. This is very similar to why, in baseball, Hank Aaron, even though he holds the MLB for Runs Batted In, and, for years, homeruns, is still considered underrated, because he wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t flashy because nothing was that hard for him. He didn’t need to dive for balls because he had an unerring sense of when it was worth it to let it bounce and not possibly injure himself, like Milstein, unlike someone fiery, like Ken Griffey Jr, who would make highlight reel plays, but suffered many injuries because he was risky, like Heifetz

[@pkeyte]

genuis!! To know your way around the violin so intimately takes a lot of dedication. In a league of his own (coming from a violinist aswell!)

[@CarlosSanchez-pp7gt]

Fantastic rely fantastic👍👍🏿👍🏻👍🏾👍🏽👍🏼👍👸👌👌

[@rashahussain5315]

It’s fascinating me how different he plays from other violinist. I had just watched Hillary play this piece. It’s really different and I like when violinist interpret music differently

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

The 3rd variation with ricochet sounds like folk music

[@amargeaux]

Y'know, I just love stuff like this, it shows that the violin can be so good it can stand on its own two feet. this is where you get down to it's roots. orchestra is fine, but you can't really hear its true beauty.

[@TheSparshofMusic-wn7de]

Amazing!👍👍👍

[@janebishop5885]

Wonderful......and no one can top Milstein playing Meditation from Thais.

[@florisv559]

I say, people can't really help what face they were born with, and it's a display of your own stupidity to judge a violinist's ability by how he looks. Heifetz too was accused of being a "stone face", but he didn't like showing his feelings. Anyway, judge the beauty of a piece of music by how it affects you instead of by how it seems to affect the musician.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

When you can play passionately at that high level of technical proficiency all your soul is in your fingers. There's nothing left to work the face.

[@cole5266]

Thank you for saying that, I appreciate it! ♥️

[@harrynking777]

Indeed. Many critics of the time were completely fooled into thinking Heifetz's playing was cold. The opposite was the case. It is a mystery to me that such great players can produce such a high level music and demonstrate unimaginable mastery of their instrument that it can go unnoticed by so many.

[@srinitaaigaura]

Watch the bow arm. That communicates the demonic intensity behind that calm face.

[@kevinGabriel-v9q]

I was fortunate enough to hear him play this at is 50th anniversary recital at Carnegie Hall in 1979. He was always changing it a bit here and there. Seems like it is always a bit different here and there and a bit different from what was published!

[@luvposter]

i'm shookdt that first variation is flawless. when will i ever

[@cyberarc9449]

One of the true masters of his time period and will truly stand the test of time IMHO!! I have to agree with most all of the great violinist comments...

[@SteelyPhil37]

Milstein is one of my two favorite violinists (Rabin is the other). I just love the combination of his intense focus and magnificent technical prowess. He makes it look effortless, yet it's clear that he cares about every single note he plays.

[@walderrub2434]

Milstein admired Rabin. Sometimes I think they interpet in a similar style.

[@FowkesSteve]

Total genius! King.of violin. Wow!

[@kingofcobwebs]

Paganiniana = Paganini summed up in seven minutes. Kind of. It's more like an appetizer, really.

[@gybx4094]

I remember an interview of Milstein where the interviewer was praising him, but Milstein in effect said he 'was only a technician fiddling around. It was the composers who were geniuses'. He was a very common and humble man for a virtuoso.

[@MsIMC2009]

He knows that he has done a fantastic job!

[@rmcdaniel423]

You misinterpreted the intent of my remark. I meant this: Paganini compositions are difficult and complex in their own right. This man had the amazing skill to look at a Paganini piece, think to himself, "Wouldn't it be cool to embellish it even FURTHER, with some of my own flair?", and better yet, actually have the ability to pull it off with ease and astounding artistry. Only a true virtuoso could even dream of "spicing up" a dish as hot as Paganini. Do you see what I mean?

[@urbubbletea9540]

so crazy istg,,, to all the violinists out there, you're all amazing!!

[@pallabpramanick7719]

It was just perfect...wooooow😱

[@papa_mia4495]

I swear I can't even move my upper body like him, physically, for 5 minutes, let alone squeeze all the eternity out of that gorgeous Stradivari.

[@giuseppeguarneri2312]

The best of all time.

[@violaplayer1995]

what i like about milsteins playing is his typical physical expression when he closes his eyes. awesome playing!!

[@vicentefigueiredo4895]

His bow gives me goosebumps. As a violinist I don't understand how he can make this sound with his unorthodox bow control! (Not parallel to bridge at the tip) I always think it's gonna slip and slide. But holy shit what a god😂

[@walderrub2434]

its the old Russian technique, its a very different concept but it seems to work, also holding the violin without the left hand without any support.

[@francois8752]

It's difficult to bow straight for those with shorter arms...

[@aegeanenjoyer668]

It's easier to bow like this, G and D tend to be easier to play and also sound better closer to the fingerboard than A and E. Ricci had similar bowing. Milstein also has the Auer bow hold which gives the best stability.

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

When paganini is too easy for you and you make it harder to the extent that it starts going supersonic

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

A genius!!!! I wonder are musicians those 33 who voted thumbs down and how do they play..

[@BlindTom61]

Thinking the same thing. Probably Justin Bever (I know) wannabe's who pressed a wrong key...

[@excelsior999]

They'd probably give a Thumbs Down to Jesus' walking on water, claiming that it proved He couldn't swim.

[@codysteevis9536]

It's insane how controlled his playing is with that much rubato.

[@tonifriedrich4773]

Art is Imortal...

[@excelsior999]

immortal.

[@svetoslavkrastev228]

That piece is SOOO goood 👍😮 Love it.

[@remember9097]

My hand hurts for seeing this shit It´s not even a joke That man is a legend!!

[@bunebone]

Milstein's left-hand fingerings on a fretless board of a violin is an astonishingly eye-opener hallucinatory that makes you zone-out for a split second.

[@mrrobertbates]

In one word.....FEROCIOUS!

[@jenskarlsenpalm7045]

Milstein had a left hand technique like no one else!

[@javiercomesanabarrera4447]

Tema: Capricho 24 Var.1: Capricho 3 Var.2: Le Streghe Var.3: Capricho 6 Var.4: Capricho 14 Var.5: Capricho 21 Var.6: ??? Var.7: Concierto 1 (1º mov.) Coda: Concierto 1 (1º mov.)

[@ramongcastaneda5308]

+Javier Comesaña Barrera ;-)

[@diegeigergarnele7975]

Sixth variation is (I think) a variation made by Milstein on the theme of caprice 24

[@vernonfernandes5908]

its caprice 24

[@jimmydeng453]

no, lol, its all 24 caprice combined

[@duolingoowl7043]

Jimmy Deng I think Milstein made variations on Caprice 24 based on the other caprices and other paganini pieces

[@fernandofavero2436]

Sin duda de lo mas grande!

[@WillT25]

He demonstrates a skill level that could rival that of Heifetz. His exceptional control and unwavering focus are truly remarkable. An outstanding performance!

[@srk7613]

I really love the individual-bowing for each notes in the intro part : 0:32

[@Hutch5321]

Good God! I'm sure the real challenge for Milstein was keeping the violin from catching fire and exploding before the end of the piece!

[@인간-g9c]

W.O.W. it's unbelievable

[@piarizzosebastianmiobonifa1369]

The best recordings: Video quality = bad Sound quality = amazing

[@DanieleMagli]

Fantastic !!!

[@khashmoney6985]

Eddy: I think I got cramp.

[@franciscoespinozagamboa6490]

Milstein, Oistrakh, Heifetz ¡Los mas grandes!

[@mapa6772]

Francisco Espinoza Gamboa And Menuhin. And Kavakos.

[@franciscoespinozagamboa6490]

Hay muchos grandes violinistas, como los que tu mencionas, y muchos otros: Cogan, Vengerov,Szigeti,Szering,Perlman,Huberman,Elman,Mintz,etc,pero en mi opinión, Milstein,Oistrakh y Heifetz sobresalen en forma insuperable.saludos

[@zhandosmansurov6668]

Francisco Espinoza Gamboa Francescatti,Kogan,Oistrakh,Heifetz,Menuhin,Perlman,Milstein,Isaak Stern,Elman,Szering...

[@franciscoespinozagamboa6490]

....ahora habría que agregar a la lista de los grandes a Guy Braunstein

[@rifqi7san]

to create another variation of the this well known piece, caprice no. 24 by the greatest virtuoso ever lived, Paganini, is tough work. This is awesome!

[@musikinspace]

This is like Tartini making sweet love to Paganini! And Jesus watches while eating a panini.

[@excelsior999]

Where does it say in the Bible that Jesus ate a panini? I suppose He ate a knish too, huh?

[@apriliahussna4561]

Mm s a c r i l e g i o u s

[@SystemNATARAJA]

Not only the 24th :) You can see pieces of just about every capriccio in it, or almost ;) Right though, the overall tonality is a minor, just like the 24th

[@nogansos]

One like is not enough , make it ten !

[@CRAEager]

Milstein… always (seemingly) nonchalant genius!

[@shinigstar2986]

라이브를 못보는게 너무 아쉬워요.선생님의 연주는 언제나 감동입니다~♡

[@excelsior999]

Exactly.

[@lefmankan]

Absolute madlad

[@novagerio9244]

The King of all Kings!

[@VegliaBorletti]

I have tried that bow.. Milstein is pure magic!

[@derheimlichlauschet]

Jaw-dropping performance!