Legendary pianist dies

Arts Journal ^ | 1/8/12 | Norman Lebrecht

[Borges]

Family friends are reporting that Alexis Weissenberg died this morning, aged 82.

Bulgarian born, to Jewish parents, he was based for much of his career in Paris and is remembered most widely for the concertos he recorded with Herbert von Karajan.

[Borges]

Classical Ping

[Borges]

Classical Ping

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[left that other site]

RIP.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Born Conservative]

I have his Rachmaninov Preludes album-excellent pianist.

[MinuteGal]

He's one "legendary" pianist I've never heard of in my long music-saturated life. So I shall read up on him and see what I've missed.

Condolences to all who loved him and admired his talent.

Leni

[Norman Bates]

I have his Beethoven piano concerti 3 & 5 with Karajan/Berlin on EMI.

[bd476]

RIP

Thank you for the Ping, Borges.

Below are links to three YouTube videos where Alexis Weissenberg is shown in concert playing one of my favorites, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Herbert von Karajan directing.

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2, Part 01

Adagio Sostenuto: Alexis Weissenberg - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2, Part 02


Allegro Scherzando: Alexis Weissenberg - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2, Part 03

[MinuteGal]

Thanks so VERY much for posting the links so I could experience this talented musician first-hand and for the first time. I'm listening to the Concerto No. 2 as I type.

It's evident that the fortuitous combination of Weissenberg, Von Karajan and Rachmaninoff was and is unbeatable by any piano artistry standards.

Music created by such shining stars, ah....happiness is.

Leni

[bd476]

You're very welcome, Leni. I am also still listening to Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. LOL, once I start listening to anything from Rachmaninoff, it's as if I can't stop listening.

Here are some more you might also enjoy as the extremely talented Weissenberg plays the breathtaking Stravinsky's Petrushka. Alert, better hang onto your seat before clicking.

Weissenberg - Stravinsky Petrushka

Weissenberg plays Stravinsky Petruskha pt. 2

Weissenberg plays Stravinsky's Petrushka part 3

Alexis Weissenberg talks about Petrushka in his interview in French with English subtitles
Weissenberg on his Stunning Petrushka

More Notes About Alexis Weissenberg

Alexis Weissenberg's spectacular technique and individual way of playing have made a lasting impression on twentieth-century art of piano- playing. Some of his recordings of the Russian repertoire especially have set a benchmark and are often cited as top recommendations. On stage he has a commanding presence, albeit never using theatrical or other non-musical gestures to deliver his message.

Born in 1929 in Bulgaria, he studied there and in Jerusalem before going on to study in New York. With these recordings of the 1960s from various broadcast archives he spans a repertoire from Bach over Brahms and Chopin to Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Rachmaninov and Scriabin.

The Petrushka Suite included on this DVD deserves special attention: for this famous film two entire weeks of shooting were necessary as well as a special piano conceived and constructed for this occasion just to fit the film director's ideas.

It was worth it, however, as it had a very strong impact on Weissenberg's career: when Herbert von Karajan saw it in 1965, he immediately invited Weissenberg to play regularly with the Berlin Philharmonic, which consolidated the international career of the pianist.

In the bonus film, Alexis Weissenberg talks about the Petrushka-Suite and what the piece meant to him.
Weissenberg - Stravinsky Petrushka

[MinuteGal]

Oh, multiple wows! What did I do to deserve such riches of music and 'color" narrative heaped on me today?

Too tired to do listening justice to the additional links tonight.......but all are bookmarked for my listening pleasure tomorrow.

You are a very gracious freeper. I thank you so very much.

Leni

[Misterioso]

LOL, once I start listening to anything from Rachmaninoff, it's as if I can't stop listening.

After more than 50 years of listening to music, my ears have decided that SVR is my favorite composer. My collection contains 55 LPs and 298 CDs of the maestro's music--not to mention some DVDs.

[bd476]

You’re very welcome, Leni. The videos of Weissenberg playing Stravinsky’s Petrushka are well worth a close watch while viewing. ;)

[bd476]

Misterioso wrote: "LOL, once I start listening to anything from Rachmaninoff, it's as if I can't stop listening.

After more than 50 years of listening to music, my ears have decided that SVR is my favorite composer. My collection contains 55 LPs and 298 CDs of the maestro's music--not to mention some DVDs."

That is a very impressive collection, Misterioso. When I first heard Rachmaninoff I was completely hooked though just a toddler. My dear departed Dad played classical music constantly. After many years of piano lessons I grew to appreciate other composers, yet I am still very much moved by Rachmaninoff.