André Watts departed from us three months ago, yet I still feel this overwhelming sadness when I realize he's gone. From the time I first saw him on the Young People's Concert (I was 4), through the countless times I saw him in concerts, on television, and the four occasions when we actually met and talked, Mr. Watts was a major influence on my young piano career. He so generously gave his time to me in 1981 when I interviewed him for my graduate research project on the 2 Brahms concerti, even calling me personally to arrange the interview. Years later, he once again shared with not only me, but my 25 African American piano students following a concert in Indianapolis. They were so thrilled to hear him and meet him. His musical gifts, his kindness and humanity will not be seen again. May he rest in peace.
This L'Isle Joyeuse is among the finest I've ever heard. So many play it too fast, e.g., Gieseking, contrary to Debussy's instructions. Watts follows the score scrupulously, but adds his own wonderful musical personality coupled to a stupendous technique. I've played this piece in concert myself, not remotely as well as this, but I mention it because my work on this masterpiece gave me a good understanding of the musical and technical problems. I once spent some time with him at Brandeis University after a recital there to benefit the Lydian String Quartet. We drank some wine together and talked about a lot of musical and non-musical things. He was a lovely guy, not the least bit impressed with himself. It's hard to believe he's no longer with us.
My barber actually was a childhood friend of his. They went to St. Tommy More High School together. They were all big into shooting spitballs at each other. Andre was just a normal guy with this classical music gig on the side. His mom made him practice a lot which he didn't appreciate till later on.
SADDENING, BUT NOT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE. MOST OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS AND PIANISTS DIDN'T LIVE TO THE AGE OF 77, AS DID WATTS. RACHMANINOFF DIED AT AGE 69. I SHALL HOPEFULLY TURN 78 IN NOVEMBER OF 2023. HOPEFULLY, MAESTRO ANDRE WATTS, MY ALL-AROUND FAVORITE OF ANY PIANIST WHO I HAVE EVER SEEN, IS PRESENTLY 🌠"At the source of all LIGHT!"🌠 ✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟
I have loved this concert and all the encores he played those two nights since I was a teenager! I used to play the VHS tape at least twice a week for many, many years.
Great video. One of my favorites. I actually copied the soundtrack to an audio cassette and would play it in the car frequently. I saw him live in the 90s doing a number of the Chopin etudes and he would keep his hand up in a slight holding gesture and then move a little quickly to the trill ending of the opus 25 no.1 because, like in the video, people would applaud too early.
I think this was the same year he played another anniversary concert with possibly, if I recall, Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic. He played 3 concertos in one performance without batting an eye. The Liszt E flat, the Beethoven 5 and the Rachmaninoff 2.
I once had the pleasure of attending a concert where Andre Watts played Rachmaninoff's _Second_ concerto. This was while I was attending the Interlochen Arts Camp some time ago. Watts has always been one of my most favorite pianists, and I wish I had had the gumption to introduce myself and maybe get to know him a little. I only just learned of his passing. The world has truly lost a Great Artist.
I felt the same way you did, years ago. Only difference is, I got my courage up and interviewed him regarding the Brahms concerti. From there, we met a few more times over the years. I learned so very much from him .He was a truly kind, unpretentious, and generous man who happened to be one of the greatest pianists of the late 20th century. ❤❤
I grew up in Anchorage Alaska. Not exactly the epicenter of classical music. I will never forget Andre Watts’ performance then. I didn’t realize it at the time, but for a musician of this caliber to perform in Anchorage it really impresses me. I believe he truly wanted everyone to experience the profound beauty of classical music. (The encore incidentally was the three preludes of Gershwin. After that performance, I realized I had never really heard Gershwin until that performance. )
Andre watts was the reason I took piano seriously when I was studying the instrument in Nigeria. This particular recital I bought the VHS and played it almost on a weekly basis. I was fascinated by the 4th movement of the Chopin Sonata that I learned the 4th movement first as a daily warmup exercise before tackling the pieces I was working on. This pianist meant a lot to me. I also enjoyed his Shostakovich concerto #1 when he performed it. I recorded it from PBS when they broadcasted it. Can someone who PLEASE PLEASE tell me where to get that performance again?
Without disrespect to other pianists. He was the only famous modern pianist that really understood French piano music in my opinion. Everyone could play a piece or several pieces of French music well, but Andre seemed to be able to bring out the musical essence of pieces that I would otherwise have thought as boring or incoherent. I wish he had recorded more. I wanted to see if he could help me appreciate Faure better and while I think of it, Mendelssohn for that matter. Two composers that I think I "should" appreciate more but don't.
Definitely in front of a great great pianist..how come I did not know from him before, what this real good pianist are not more famous...adversity of destiny? Don't really know. Never is too kate to pay tribute to a great pianist..
André Watts departed from us three months ago, yet I still feel this overwhelming sadness when I realize he's gone. From the time I first saw him on the Young People's Concert (I was 4), through the countless times I saw him in concerts, on television, and the four occasions when we actually met and talked, Mr. Watts was a major influence on my young piano career. He so generously gave his time to me in 1981 when I interviewed him for my graduate research project on the 2 Brahms concerti, even calling me personally to arrange the interview.
Years later, he once again shared with not only me, but my 25 African American piano students following a concert in Indianapolis. They were so thrilled to hear him and meet him.
His musical gifts, his kindness and humanity will not be seen again. May he rest in peace.
This L'Isle Joyeuse is among the finest I've ever heard. So many play it too fast, e.g., Gieseking, contrary to Debussy's instructions. Watts follows the score scrupulously, but adds his own wonderful musical personality coupled to a stupendous technique. I've played this piece in concert myself, not remotely as well as this, but I mention it because my work on this masterpiece gave me a good understanding of the musical and technical problems.
I once spent some time with him at Brandeis University after a recital there to benefit the Lydian String Quartet. We drank some wine together and talked about a lot of musical and non-musical things. He was a lovely guy, not the least bit impressed with himself. It's hard to believe he's no longer with us.
My barber actually was a childhood friend of his. They went to St. Tommy More High School together. They were all big into shooting spitballs at each other. Andre was just a normal guy with this classical music gig on the side. His mom made him practice a lot which he didn't appreciate till later on.
one of the most brilliant pianists of them all...his passing is difficult to believe.
Indeed his passing saddens many. Tragic, was the major media ignoring it for 3days
SADDENING, BUT NOT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE. MOST OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS AND PIANISTS DIDN'T LIVE TO THE AGE OF 77, AS DID WATTS.
RACHMANINOFF DIED AT AGE 69.
I SHALL HOPEFULLY TURN 78 IN NOVEMBER OF 2023.
HOPEFULLY, MAESTRO ANDRE WATTS, MY ALL-AROUND FAVORITE OF ANY PIANIST WHO I HAVE EVER SEEN, IS PRESENTLY
🌠"At the source of all LIGHT!"🌠
✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟
Simply brilliant! What a loss but such a marvelous legacy! RIP MAESTRO
I have loved this concert and all the encores he played those two nights since I was a teenager! I used to play the VHS tape at least twice a week for many, many years.
Great video. One of my favorites. I actually copied the soundtrack to an audio cassette and would play it in the car frequently. I saw him live in the 90s doing a number of the Chopin etudes and he would keep his hand up in a slight holding gesture and then move a little quickly to the trill ending of the opus 25 no.1 because, like in the video, people would applaud too early.
Rest in peace, maestro ❤
I saw this live on PBS channel 13 in NYC. Watts was a great pianist. RIP Andre.
I think this was the same year he played another anniversary concert with possibly, if I recall, Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic. He played 3 concertos in one performance without batting an eye. The Liszt E flat, the Beethoven 5 and the Rachmaninoff 2.
We will surely miss this wonderful person and pianist!! I love watching his fingers. Such command and love of the music!!
I once had the pleasure of attending a concert where Andre Watts played Rachmaninoff's _Second_ concerto. This was while I was attending the Interlochen Arts Camp some time ago. Watts has always been one of my most favorite pianists, and I wish I had had the gumption to introduce myself and maybe get to know him a little. I only just learned of his passing. The world has truly lost a Great Artist.
I felt the same way you did, years ago. Only difference is, I got my courage up and interviewed him regarding the Brahms concerti. From there, we met a few more times over the years. I learned so very much from him .He was a truly kind, unpretentious, and generous man who happened to be one of the greatest pianists of the late 20th century. ❤❤
An awesome recital by an American legend. L'Isle Joyeuse at 10:00
He was my idol from my teenage life He really bring the music he playing alive.He played Lizst difficult piano concerto when he was 15.
Extraordinaire !!!!!!
I grew up in Anchorage Alaska. Not exactly the epicenter of classical music. I will never forget Andre Watts’ performance then. I didn’t realize it at the time, but for a musician of this caliber to perform in Anchorage it really impresses me. I believe he truly wanted everyone to experience the profound beauty of classical music. (The encore incidentally was the three preludes of Gershwin. After that performance, I realized I had never really heard Gershwin until that performance. )
Brilliant, thank you!
Andre watts was the reason I took piano seriously when I was studying the instrument in Nigeria. This particular recital I bought the VHS and played it almost on a weekly basis. I was fascinated by the 4th movement of the Chopin Sonata that I learned the 4th movement first as a daily warmup exercise before tackling the pieces I was working on. This pianist meant a lot to me. I also enjoyed his Shostakovich concerto #1 when he performed it. I recorded it from PBS when they broadcasted it. Can someone who PLEASE PLEASE tell me where to get that performance again?
I didn’t know that he had performed the Shostakovich concerto. That would be wonderful to hear.
I think L'Isle Joyeuse (10:00) has the most ecstatic ending of any piece of music.
It's almost pornographic...
ANDRE WATTS !!!!!!
If you love good music go to 10:00 you’ll thank me and the music gods TRUST ME! Watts’ Debussy is nonpareil
Watts is so underrated
@@Greg-kz8ts To me, he is the best of the best. My favorite piano player always. Such a wizard
Without disrespect to other pianists. He was the only famous modern pianist that really understood French piano music in my opinion. Everyone could play a piece or several pieces of French music well, but Andre seemed to be able to bring out the musical essence of pieces that I would otherwise have thought as boring or incoherent. I wish he had recorded more. I wanted to see if he could help me appreciate Faure better and while I think of it, Mendelssohn for that matter. Two composers that I think I "should" appreciate more but don't.
Definitely in front of a great great pianist..how come I did not know from him before, what this real good pianist are not more famous...adversity of destiny? Don't really know. Never is too kate to pay tribute to a great pianist..
He was quite famous. An American treasure!
He preferred to tour and didn't really record a lot. Maybe there are a few more live performances out there to preserve his legacy.
Danae at 5:05 .
4:02