Thankyou for uploading both Cziffra's astonishing performance and the score. Cziffra's technique enables him to play with very little pedal and without smudging notes - amazing!
Everyone who downvoted this needs to be put in jail permanently. By far the best (and most creative) interpretation of this piece ever. Both from a technical and musical perspective.
BRAHMS was in fine form when he created these variations. If only the brilliant SCHUMANN also did his own variations on this Paganini theme. I admire SCHUMANN's composing talent a lot.
Un grand merci pour avoir uploadé ces variations, pas mal diaboliques (essayez les trilles 4è et 5è dans la variation 4,par ex. ha ha ha. il faut que je retrouve mon vinyle (resté en France), qui est autographié par GCZ en 69, si je me souviens bien, à Nantes.. Merci encore
What a unique take. Such flair, daring and improvisatory style. It belongs in the pantheon. Anyone who cannot see this greatness only reveals his own personal and spiritual weakness and immaturity
@@MisterJSF bro these are tastes, in my opinion pollini is the best pianist ever, then there is michelangeli and then there is cziffra, rubinstain, arrau etc.
I remember playing both this Brahms-Paganini 2 books plus Liszt b minor Sonata for my senior recital. Both pieces are quite a bit easier now since adding 545 Scarlatti Sonatas, 18 Mozart Sonatas, all 27 Chopin Etudes & all Of Liszt's Rhapsodies,Transcendental & Paganini Etudes & Schumann Toccata & Brahms Handel Variations opus 24.. Stravinsky's Petroushka, Balikeriev's Islamey & Ravels Gaspard de la nuit ect.......... all proving that Horowitz's advice to " play everything " is definitely the ticket to piano Valhalla
Nothing special, I did Dante, Don Juan and B minor sonata in one program without any intermission. All transcendental études and Paganini études, Chopin’s études are pretty standard repertoire that most of the pianists learned, performed anyway, I don’t see the point of bragging it. The rest except of scarlatti’s sonatas are also pretty standard repertoire. What’s more interesting is all your bullshit without any proof when you can simply record any of those pieces and post it, I don’t think you will because you can’t.
@@tedallison6112 it’s a very standard repertoire for pianists nowadays. Most conservatory students in Europe play either or both of them. It’s nothing special anymore.
The music is of course Brahms not Liszt. But - Cziffra really imbues it with the personality of Liszt, which in terms of 19th century dynamics between the 2 - is fascinating to hear. It is full of rhetoric that say, Katchen would never do in this. Thank you for uploading!
Kissin's rendition is more fluid...dont get me wrong i admire Cziffra of course for all his Liszt interpretations but there is more "unity" (i dont know the right word sry) if i can say so, in Kissin's version. Just giving my opinion, no intention to launch a debate on "he's better than him" or what so ever. Thx for the upload !
Liszt was a sadist who wrote beautiful music. Just when you think you are at your end on the rapid 6ths in the right hand, the left hand comes in with rapid 6ths. Eeeek!
You should write Paganini variations books 1 and 2, because it’s misunderstanding. Reading this drew to my conclusion that it was only the first 2 variations of the entire 2 books
Now Liszt's one single opinion that Brahms' variation is better than his, from his quote, is prompting everyone to retort to it, now everyone says Brahms' is better just because it's a composer's own opinion, LMAO! xD
I also don't know why people compare the variations when one (Liszt's) is structured for the piano but the variations in the caprice and the piano version sound the same but in the case of the latter (Brahms'), the variations are entirely different!
The oddest disjointed phrasing and disturbing, twitchy "rubati" I've ever heard. He certainly plays the notes, but the interpretation is downright bizarre and the expressive affect distorted. Almost ARRHYTHMIC at times.
+RichardKastleMusic I really can't understand why you people are so aggressive. Is it only insecureness? Anyhow, Katchen plays those two sets much, much better.
+John Davies If someone has trouble spelling it doesnt mean anything. I understand that this is how most of America does things, bombarding the opposition with empty meaningless emotional attacks. I discredit someone who uses these unintelligent, fictitious outbursts in debate, not some one who misspells.
Despite I'm a sincere admirer of Cziffra, I consider this one a horrible, gipsy version of Brahms variations...just for example,compare the 13th variation with Benedetti Michelangeli: Cziffra version is rushed, dry, crazy fast, flat touch...in the same variation, ABM, with his incomparable touch, shows as an astonishing difficult piece can become a piece of pure poetry. His glissandos are amazingly beautiful.
Terrible performance, Cziffra seems to bang/pedal out the hardest passages - did he have the technique for this work? Katchen gives a much better rendition.
For me, this is by far the best version I've been able to find so far. Cziffra was a magician on the piano.
Listen to Kissin version also on YT
@@flouz2 kissin plays the notes well--but with none of Cziffra’s flair and magic.
Michelangeli
@@jimkost2002Kissin sounds pretty magical too me, tbh.
@@jimkost2002kissin plays it better
Thankyou for uploading both Cziffra's astonishing performance and the score. Cziffra's technique enables him to play with very little pedal and without smudging notes - amazing!
Everyone who downvoted this needs to be put in jail permanently. By far the best (and most creative) interpretation of this piece ever. Both from a technical and musical perspective.
BRAHMS was in fine form when he created these variations. If only the brilliant SCHUMANN also did his own variations on this Paganini theme. I admire SCHUMANN's composing talent a lot.
Impressionnants les glissandi d'octaves de la variation 13 !
It was Cziffra... and the others
Un grand merci pour avoir uploadé ces variations, pas mal diaboliques (essayez les trilles 4è et 5è dans la variation 4,par ex. ha ha ha. il faut que je retrouve mon vinyle (resté en France), qui est autographié par GCZ en 69, si je me souviens bien, à Nantes..
Merci encore
Una bellissima interpretazione! 🙂👍
What a unique take. Such flair, daring and improvisatory style. It belongs in the pantheon. Anyone who cannot see this greatness only reveals his own personal and spiritual weakness and immaturity
Simply the best pianist ever !!
Is a great pianist but not the best
@@matteorosetti8623 All right, tell me who's better ?
@@MisterJSF pollini
@@matteorosetti8623 😂😂😂 And Clayderman is better than Trifonov ? 😂😂😂
@@MisterJSF bro these are tastes, in my opinion pollini is the best pianist ever, then there is michelangeli and then there is cziffra, rubinstain, arrau etc.
Weird and crazy and special.
Of course
Son bellísimas las transcripciones con Paganini. 🎹. 🇲🇽 🙋.
Cziffra tends to get a bad rap for being barbaric, but his touch is actually quite delicate. It's his timing that's unpredictable
*fanning myself after listening to him play Mr Paganini
It was Cziffra, and the others.
I remember playing both this Brahms-Paganini 2 books plus Liszt b minor Sonata for my senior recital.
Both pieces are quite a bit easier now since adding 545 Scarlatti Sonatas, 18 Mozart Sonatas, all 27 Chopin Etudes & all Of Liszt's Rhapsodies,Transcendental & Paganini Etudes & Schumann Toccata & Brahms Handel Variations opus 24.. Stravinsky's Petroushka, Balikeriev's Islamey & Ravels Gaspard de la nuit ect.......... all proving that Horowitz's advice to " play everything " is definitely the ticket to piano Valhalla
Nothing special, I did Dante, Don Juan and B minor sonata in one program without any intermission.
All transcendental études and Paganini études, Chopin’s études are pretty standard repertoire that most of the pianists learned, performed anyway, I don’t see the point of bragging it. The rest except of scarlatti’s sonatas are also pretty standard repertoire.
What’s more interesting is all your bullshit without any proof when you can simply record any of those pieces and post it, I don’t think you will because you can’t.
@@pianisthenics -nothing standard about a performance of Petroushka or Islamey most pianist wouldn't survive either---I play both daily as my " Hanon"
@@tedallison6112 it’s a very standard repertoire for pianists nowadays. Most conservatory students in Europe play either or both of them. It’s nothing special anymore.
I have an impression that this is the version with the best articulation, as Brahms had written, the closest to the original concept and idea.
Cziffra was a great musician with a great technique and the most important imho, he knew (like Cortot and all the old generation pianists).
Wow, all "old generation" pianists were good??
@@SpaghettiToaster yes
magic!
The music is of course Brahms not Liszt. But - Cziffra really imbues it with the personality of Liszt, which in terms of 19th century dynamics between the 2 - is fascinating to hear. It is full of rhetoric that say, Katchen would never do in this. Thank you for uploading!
Thank You!!....
Потрясающе...Потрясающеڰۣ✿
13:27
Kissin's rendition is more fluid...dont get me wrong i admire Cziffra of course for all his Liszt interpretations but there is more "unity" (i dont know the right word sry) if i can say so, in Kissin's version.
Just giving my opinion, no intention to launch a debate on "he's better than him" or what so ever.
Thx for the upload !
Kissin's more fluid, whereas Cziffra has this arrogance about his performance.
It's great to have them both.
9:26
Brávóóó!!!
Anyone thinks var 8 in book 1 resembles Liszt Mazeppa?
agree, you can clearly see the inner voices (the thirds) and the outer voices (the octaves in the lower and higher register)
Brávo !!!
Does anyone know the year of recording? Early 60's?
1968
1968
1968
6918
Why exactly did Brahms write this?
👏
BRAVO
Liszt was a sadist who wrote beautiful music. Just when you think you are at your end on the rapid 6ths in the right hand, the left hand comes in with rapid 6ths. Eeeek!
whats bro yapping about that's brahms not liszt
You should write Paganini variations books 1 and 2, because it’s misunderstanding. Reading this drew to my conclusion that it was only the first 2 variations of the entire 2 books
Thank yoy
I never understood why all pianists suddenly change tempo at var 5 of book 2. There is not a different tempo indication..
let's see you pull variation 5 in the same tempo with all those hand crossings
Exelente pianista. 🇲🇽🎶🎹
Muy dóciles. los arpegios. 🎹
Heft 2 11:40
great technique, but way too much distorted interpretation...
Now Liszt's one single opinion that Brahms' variation is better than his, from his quote, is prompting everyone to retort to it, now everyone says Brahms' is better just because it's a composer's own opinion, LMAO! xD
I also don't know why people compare the variations when one (Liszt's) is structured for the piano but the variations in the caprice and the piano version sound the same but in the case of the latter (Brahms'), the variations are entirely different!
The oddest disjointed phrasing and disturbing, twitchy "rubati" I've ever heard. He certainly plays the notes, but the interpretation is downright bizarre and the expressive affect distorted. Almost ARRHYTHMIC at times.
+RichardKastleMusic
I really can't understand why you people are so aggressive. Is it only insecureness? Anyhow, Katchen plays those two sets much, much better.
+RichardKastleMusic Your comment doesn't make any sense I'm afraid.
Coming from the worst kind of fraud like yourself, I'm honored ;)
+RichardKastleMusic why are you so angry?
+John Davies
If someone has trouble spelling it doesnt mean anything. I understand that this is how most of America does things, bombarding the opposition with empty meaningless emotional attacks. I discredit someone who uses these unintelligent, fictitious outbursts in debate, not some one who misspells.
Despite I'm a sincere admirer of Cziffra, I consider this one a horrible, gipsy version of Brahms variations...just for example,compare the 13th variation with Benedetti Michelangeli: Cziffra version is rushed, dry, crazy fast, flat touch...in the same variation, ABM, with his incomparable touch, shows as an astonishing difficult piece can become a piece of pure poetry. His glissandos are amazingly beautiful.
I agree.
@Schuyler Bacn Yes. Based redpilled
@Schuyler Bacn based redpilled miment
Liszt did it better imho
Liszt played this?
Liszt played this?
No, I think he's talking about Liszt's variations on this same theme.
Bad comparison. Liszt just re-arrangement Paganini's existing variations, while Brahms wrote some completely new ones, and went far deeper.
liszt admitted brahm's wrote better variations!
Terrible performance, Cziffra seems to bang/pedal out the hardest passages - did he have the technique for this work? Katchen gives a much better rendition.
In my opinion cziffra performance is best for this variations
Disgusting
I disagree
no you're disgusting.
9:26
11:46
9:25
11:42