Funny story. I learned this concerto last year to play this with a semi-pro orchestra in upstate New York at the end of September 2023, but that concert was postponed due to a violinist shortage (they weren’t “in season”, I suppose). I had set up this performance in David Dubal's “Piano Evenings” to run the piece in NYC a week before the concert, but it ended up being the only performance I gave - luckily, with a far greater orchestra in Slava’s hands. Only problem was that I left my suitcase on the Long Island Railroad train I took into Manhattan from JFK airport that afternoon. I spent an hour at Penn Station trying to retrieve it, but was stuck in the yard and would take a week to be recovered. So I show up late to the venue without any dress clothes, no time to clean myself up and only had a moment to touch the piano. Slava and I never rehearsed, however I had watched him perform the 1st movement of the concerto with his own G-Phil accompaniment a month before, and I had also begun practicing it with G-Phil, so on some level I felt like we had already played together (g-phil.app/) This performance was recorded by the late Joe Patrych, whose sense of humor is on display in the 3rd movement. After recording the entire performance with a single wide camera angle, Joe switches to a close up on my hands right at that moment in the 3rd movement where it gets “easy” but every pianist forgets the notes (28:09). He did it as an inside joke knowing I had just made an entire video about the passage for Tonebase - despite which I still nearly stumble the first time and then I DO have a memory lapse, hesitating for an entire beat, the second time it comes. Proof that this spot is cursed. The piano was unusual - light action, which was great for some parts, but I wasn’t always able to control (you can hear at the beginning, my low Fs do not form one unbroken crescendo…). Otherwise, it went pretty well. Some split notes, and an occasional concentration lapse (egregious missed chord in 2nd movement coda, and a couple forgetful moments in the bridge/2nd themes of 3rd movement). But I’m satisfied with the overall arc of the performance. The original concert is supposed to be rescheduled for fall 2024, so there’s time to bring it back and tie up loose ends.
That was fun to listen to, and surprised you even managed to perform given that journey! And as for the 'twiddly bits' at 28:09, firstly nothing wrong with a bit of improv, and secondly I never would have noticed if you hadn't fessed up :-) More noticeable was the confidence and bravado you demonstrated throughout. Looking forward to hearing it with an orchestra. Like others, came here from Tonebase, your was always the most interesting content on that channel so best of luck here.
Awwww Ben! Thank you for uploading! Bravo 🥂 I think we did a good job. Was a great pleasure and fun to play with you and take care of the orchestra part! Keep it up 👍
The zoom on the hand at around 28:10 honestly just made me laugh out loud and whoever watched your other videos at Tonebase knows why. Loved your performance, keep it up!
Gryazanov should have the the career of Evgeny Kissin, playing to sold out venues all over the world…he’s not only a very great pianist but a brilliant arranger as well.
Gorgeous! I haven't heard Rach 2 played with two pianos and thoroughly enjoyed this version with you, Ben, and Mr. Gryaznov. And I've been so immersed in Rach 3 since Yunchan that this has offered a welcome return to #2. After all of your informative interviews and painstakingly-researched analyses (with accent notes of humour), I very was moved to see you express yourself on the keyboard. Beautiful technique and feeling behind it, not to mention that groovy left hand. My favourite passage in this concerto occurs at 33:36 - 34:20 and both of you delivered! The hug was well worth it.
Now THIS was an awesome treat! Watching Ben and Gryaznov take on the Rach 2!!! I would absolutely recommend watching the video of Gryaznov’s transcription of The Rite of Spring. It’s bloody genius, the ending kills me every time! Anyone who says/thinks classical music is dead, has not done their homework!
Ben, this is honestly an utterly fantastic performance. The phrasing is so serene and it is clear you are so deeply passionate about music as you live and breathe it in this performance. Oh to see this with a real orchestra - despite Gryaznov’s flawless imitation, of course - would be a dream. Someday soon! Please do upload more performances as I must speak for everyone when I say we crave more of your art. Brilliant.
Your playing to me reminds me of Rubinstein’s elegant virtuosity and Horowitz’s impassioned expressivity. And if that’s not enough, your technique is flawless! 👌🏻 (And as others have also pointed out, hats off to the accompanist as well!)
No matter how many times I hear this concerto it will never bore me, it is certainly one of the greatest pieces and most ingenious of music ever composed. Great playing Ben! Reminded me of a Grigory Sokolov recording in some parts🙃
You always notice things that you never noticed before when you hear musical works performed in different arrangements. I noticed tonalities that I never saw before in this performance.
wow, congratulations my friend! Really touching playing. I love the tonal gradations you achieve-particularly during transitions. I feel like the practicing at narco ranch really paid off :)
It's good that you forgot that black shirt with cuff links. The green number is cool and the piano performance 's even better....And yes I agree with one of the comments below, the camera work was superb. It was able to capture the majesty of the Steinways, the elegant physical and mental effort of the pianists (inspite of the street clothes) to be able to bring out the quintessence and majesty of Rach 2. (Who cares about the blip???)
🥹🥹🥹 omfg you have no idea how much this “collab” means to me, both of you are my favorite piano music creators on UA-cam! I’ve got a book of Slava’s transcriptions at home and I watch all of Ben’s videos ❤️
Never clicked so fast and you both didn't disapoint. What a magnificent interpretation! Full of emotion and stamina at the same time! This also deserves a professional orchestra and a good conductor... You have to start a Tonebase for maestros, you could get some friends in that field...
I remembered when I saw Gryaznov's great teacher (Slesarev) do the orchestra on the second piano at the Moscow Conservatory. It was Rach 3 at the time. Excellent performance from both of you.
Thanks. I mean I've been training at it my whole life, even when other jobs and commitments came first. But I was just never such a clean/reliable pianist, didn't enter many competitions, and my technique definitely has its limitations... but I figured I'd start posting a few things.
Sick, I absolutely love rach 2, I'd love to hear it in person at some point, but unfortunately, I haven't gotten the chance yet. (Or I could learn it myself, which will probably take me another 15 years)
Je trouve que vous faîtes bien ressortir les contrastes au niveau rythmique dans ve concerto. Beaucoup jouent d'une manière plus lisse et peut-être, je n'en sais rrop rien, moins expressive. Vous avez en revanche, votre ami au second piano également, fait preuve d'une grande expressivité, en faisant ressortir certaines harmonies, en mettant en valeurs certains rythmes et certains changements de tempo, ce qui fait, je vais bien finir par le dire, que j'adore votre interprétation 😁
It probably makes you more fluid to not be restricted by the oppressive stiffness of men's dress clothes. I think a lot of pianists would perform better if they were what they were the most comfortable in.
hm nun ja ... gute Arbeit .. freilich .. ich wünschte ich hätte Rach2 jemals so spielen können wie Sie ... aber ich weiss auch ... ich wäre nicht zufrieden gewesen. Warum ? ... nun ich spüre durchaus Musik aber ich spüre auch dass das Stück Sie beherrscht. Manches ist durchaus gelungen .. klingt sehr frei und souverän ... aber öfter höre ich auch die ganzen Kompromisse in Tempo Tonbildung Akzentuierungen Präzision ... da fehlt der letzte technische Kick und die Überlegenheit, die das Stück erfordert, um diese wunderbare Musik nicht nur zu spielen, sondern sie erblühen zu lassen. Ja wissen Sie .. ich will eigentlich gar nicht kritisieren, sondern eigentlich loben und danken dass Sie das Stück hochgeladen haben ... und natürlich ist die Fassung für 2 Klaviere auch durchaus undankbarer für den Solisten weil man natürlich jede Nuance hört was sonst im Orchestergetöse untergehen mag ... also deshalb nochmal .. gute Arbeit und Danke.... Aber zum Schluss bleibt doch das Gefühl ... das Stück beherrscht Sie und nicht Sie das Stück ... Um meinen Seelenfrieden wieder zu finden, habe ich mir Yuja Wang in München angehört, hier der Link ua-cam.com/video/CJEskzuA56I/v-deo.html Viele Grüsse aus Deutschland ... irgendwann in der Zeit von 3 AM bis 5 AM ... 🙂
There is something about how u strike the keys, which I find unattractive and too percussive, and unendearing despite the incredible technical playing, perhaps your just a little slow with your fingering , which leads to a somewhat jaded sound imho
Funny story. I learned this concerto last year to play this with a semi-pro orchestra in upstate New York at the end of September 2023, but that concert was postponed due to a violinist shortage (they weren’t “in season”, I suppose). I had set up this performance in David Dubal's “Piano Evenings” to run the piece in NYC a week before the concert, but it ended up being the only performance I gave - luckily, with a far greater orchestra in Slava’s hands.
Only problem was that I left my suitcase on the Long Island Railroad train I took into Manhattan from JFK airport that afternoon. I spent an hour at Penn Station trying to retrieve it, but was stuck in the yard and would take a week to be recovered. So I show up late to the venue without any dress clothes, no time to clean myself up and only had a moment to touch the piano. Slava and I never rehearsed, however I had watched him perform the 1st movement of the concerto with his own G-Phil accompaniment a month before, and I had also begun practicing it with G-Phil, so on some level I felt like we had already played together (g-phil.app/)
This performance was recorded by the late Joe Patrych, whose sense of humor is on display in the 3rd movement. After recording the entire performance with a single wide camera angle, Joe switches to a close up on my hands right at that moment in the 3rd movement where it gets “easy” but every pianist forgets the notes (28:09). He did it as an inside joke knowing I had just made an entire video about the passage for Tonebase - despite which I still nearly stumble the first time and then I DO have a memory lapse, hesitating for an entire beat, the second time it comes. Proof that this spot is cursed.
The piano was unusual - light action, which was great for some parts, but I wasn’t always able to control (you can hear at the beginning, my low Fs do not form one unbroken crescendo…).
Otherwise, it went pretty well. Some split notes, and an occasional concentration lapse (egregious missed chord in 2nd movement coda, and a couple forgetful moments in the bridge/2nd themes of 3rd movement). But I’m satisfied with the overall arc of the performance. The original concert is supposed to be rescheduled for fall 2024, so there’s time to bring it back and tie up loose ends.
That was fun to listen to, and surprised you even managed to perform given that journey! And as for the 'twiddly bits' at 28:09, firstly nothing wrong with a bit of improv, and secondly I never would have noticed if you hadn't fessed up :-) More noticeable was the confidence and bravado you demonstrated throughout. Looking forward to hearing it with an orchestra. Like others, came here from Tonebase, your was always the most interesting content on that channel so best of luck here.
That single closeup on the “easy” part, to make sure you played the right notes is gold
Ben, what’s up with you, Rach 2, and lost luggage / laptops? Lovely performance :)
Oh well, it’s beautifully done. That’s all that matters to pianists. 😊❤
I hope that they compensated for your time! See you in Atlanta, Ben!
Awwww Ben! Thank you for uploading! Bravo 🥂 I think we did a good job. Was a great pleasure and fun to play with you and take care of the orchestra part! Keep it up 👍
The zoom on the hand at around 28:10 honestly just made me laugh out loud and whoever watched your other videos at Tonebase knows why. Loved your performance, keep it up!
😂😂😂
Gryaznov too! Great wingman!
The best!
Gryazanov should have the the career of Evgeny Kissin, playing to sold out venues all over the world…he’s not only a very great pianist but a brilliant arranger as well.
22:55 absolutely melts my heart every time, love Ben’s grace note too
I almost prefer this to having the orchestra, I just adore the timbre of the pianos melding together.
Hearing this as two pianos is just as good I feel
Beautiful playing! I didn't know that Channing Tatum can do piano accompaniment. Amazing.
Magic Mike has got chops
And AJR's Jack Met is a darn good piano soloist! Who knew?
Gorgeous! I haven't heard Rach 2 played with two pianos and thoroughly enjoyed this version with you, Ben, and Mr. Gryaznov. And I've been so immersed in Rach 3 since Yunchan that this has offered a welcome return to #2. After all of your informative interviews and painstakingly-researched analyses (with accent notes of humour), I very was moved to see you express yourself on the keyboard. Beautiful technique and feeling behind it, not to mention that groovy left hand. My favourite passage in this concerto occurs at 33:36 - 34:20 and both of you delivered! The hug was well worth it.
Nice 🎉, Ben. I enjoyed this performance very much. Wonderful two pianists!!
Nice flex that you have big enough hands to play those opening chords without rolling them 😎
the sheer power to move the entire piano at 36:33
Now THIS was an awesome treat!
Watching Ben and Gryaznov take on the Rach 2!!!
I would absolutely recommend watching the video of Gryaznov’s transcription of The Rite of Spring. It’s bloody genius, the ending kills me every time!
Anyone who says/thinks classical music is dead, has not done their homework!
Fabulous!! I’m astonished with this performance, even surprised, but very happy to find your channel!!❤
Thanks a lot👏👏👏👏👏
Ben, this is honestly an utterly fantastic performance. The phrasing is so serene and it is clear you are so deeply passionate about music as you live and breathe it in this performance. Oh to see this with a real orchestra - despite Gryaznov’s flawless imitation, of course - would be a dream. Someday soon! Please do upload more performances as I must speak for everyone when I say we crave more of your art.
Brilliant.
Thank you for sharing!
Your playing to me reminds me of Rubinstein’s elegant virtuosity and Horowitz’s impassioned expressivity. And if that’s not enough, your technique is flawless! 👌🏻
(And as others have also pointed out, hats off to the accompanist as well!)
Aw thanks... I might want to dispute that comparison but am also flattered by it
research that accompanist; you will be surprised!
No matter how many times I hear this concerto it will never bore me, it is certainly one of the greatest pieces and most ingenious of music ever composed. Great playing Ben! Reminded me of a Grigory Sokolov recording in some parts🙃
Fabulous! Currently really struggling with this, so it's inspirational to see a new recording up! It must be possible! Really nicely done 👍
You always notice things that you never noticed before when you hear musical works performed in different arrangements. I noticed tonalities that I never saw before in this performance.
love the title
Wow, what an amazing performance! And your accompanist did an incredible job as well (I didn't the know the accompaniment was so hard to play haha).
Slava is the king of concerto accompaniments! But actually Rach 2 probably has the easiest 2nd part of all the Rach Concertos/ Paganini.
@@benlawdyAh, interesting.
wow, congratulations my friend! Really touching playing. I love the tonal gradations you achieve-particularly during transitions. I feel like the practicing at narco ranch really paid off :)
Thanks my bro
Bro thinks he's Yunchan Lim (he is 🔥🔥🔥🔥)
Benchan Laudim
@@benlawdy😂😂😂
@@benlawdy 🤣
@@benlawdy😂😂😂😂
😂😂
What fun this must be! It's great to watch and hear. I've not heard the orchestra part on the piano before. Great job guys!
Slava makes this 2-piano version worth hearing
So thrilled to see you collaborating with the brilliant Gryaznov!
Never heard it w 2 pianos, still amazing
Great performance, glad to see you play piano instead of just talking about it. Gryaznov was a welcome surprise as well
It's good that you forgot that black shirt with cuff links. The green number is cool and the piano performance 's even better....And yes I agree with one of the comments below, the camera work was superb. It was able to capture the majesty of the Steinways, the elegant physical and mental effort of the pianists (inspite of the street clothes) to be able to bring out the quintessence and majesty of Rach 2. (Who cares about the blip???)
🥹🥹🥹 omfg you have no idea how much this “collab” means to me, both of you are my favorite piano music creators on UA-cam! I’ve got a book of Slava’s transcriptions at home and I watch all of Ben’s videos ❤️
fantastic playing ben!!
the gryaznov jumpscare though?? did not expect him to show up here
The jumpscare of all time
Commenting for the algorithm, great performance!
Sounds great the both of you! Really enjoyed it Ben!
can feel soul and emotion in every note
Such beautiful music making from you both! Thank you for sharing this.
Sounds amazing as a 2 pianos piece
Absolutely Amazing 💯👍🙏
Ugh I love your tone and phrasing
This is great bro. Love to see your channel growing!!!
Never clicked so fast and you both didn't disapoint. What a magnificent interpretation! Full of emotion and stamina at the same time! This also deserves a professional orchestra and a good conductor... You have to start a Tonebase for maestros, you could get some friends in that field...
Congratulation and bravo Ben . A labour of love. And very fine playing from Vyacheslav Gryaznov.
your the best ben
So great!!!loved the camera angle as well
I remembered when I saw Gryaznov's great teacher (Slesarev) do the orchestra on the second piano at the Moscow Conservatory. It was Rach 3 at the time. Excellent performance from both of you.
Wonderful performance! It has a spontaneity about it, probably provoked by stressed nature of your arrival, so perhaps, not a bad thing.
you have so much power in your playing! i love it, keep it up!
Damn Ben, I never knew you had this in you. Always watched tonebase and thought you were really funny. Didn’t know you were bonkers at piano too
Thanks. I mean I've been training at it my whole life, even when other jobs and commitments came first. But I was just never such a clean/reliable pianist, didn't enter many competitions, and my technique definitely has its limitations... but I figured I'd start posting a few things.
Hey Ben! Your performance was breathtaking. We will miss you on Tonebase, but now we are getting to see more of the real you.
@@benlawdy keep it up boss. looking forward to future preformances!
he did goto juliard
@@jackisinforthewin WHAT??? Ok that explains a lot. My Ben lore expands, thanks!!
Lo and behold, the might of the man behind Tonebase Piano!
So great to hear you playing more again!
What a masterful performance. Deserving of a fully professional orchestra...! Thanks for sharing.
Love your playing! You should give Gryaznov's arrangement of the Rite of Spring a try next!
Love
Gorgeous ❤
As another commentor put here already, this is pretty bonkers 🔥🔥🔥 thanks for practicing so us lil goobers can greedily listen to quality playing
Gryaznov ❤
The pianists flow wonderfully with one another. I wonder if the 2 piano script is original by Rach or someone's transcribed version for two pianos.
You guys deserve an Orchestra.
Sick, I absolutely love rach 2, I'd love to hear it in person at some point, but unfortunately, I haven't gotten the chance yet. (Or I could learn it myself, which will probably take me another 15 years)
2악장 너무 아름답다..
Is that Mr gryaznov? Bravo btw
The one and only
they could invite Yunchan Lim to make DRUM echoes -)
Sergei bless you.
Je trouve que vous faîtes bien ressortir les contrastes au niveau rythmique dans ve concerto. Beaucoup jouent d'une manière plus lisse et peut-être, je n'en sais rrop rien, moins expressive. Vous avez en revanche, votre ami au second piano également, fait preuve d'une grande expressivité, en faisant ressortir certaines harmonies, en mettant en valeurs certains rythmes et certains changements de tempo, ce qui fait, je vais bien finir par le dire, que j'adore votre interprétation 😁
I remember doing this piece when I was 16 yo. I made a lot of mistakes too.
It probably makes you more fluid to not be restricted by the oppressive stiffness of men's dress clothes. I think a lot of pianists would perform better if they were what they were the most comfortable in.
We want to know the name of the orchestra (aka Tatum’s brother) 😎
The great Vyacheslav Gryaznov
Do yourself a favor and check out his performance of the Chopin etudes. His Op 10 no 2 is top notch
It seems that those who can, do - and in your case they also do video production inc post!
oh~~~~my~boy~~~~good~~
howd you get gryzanov
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏👏👏👏
hm nun ja ... gute Arbeit .. freilich .. ich wünschte ich hätte Rach2 jemals so spielen können wie Sie ... aber ich weiss auch ... ich wäre nicht zufrieden gewesen. Warum ? ... nun ich spüre durchaus Musik aber ich spüre auch dass das Stück Sie beherrscht. Manches ist durchaus gelungen .. klingt sehr frei und souverän ... aber öfter höre ich auch die ganzen Kompromisse in Tempo Tonbildung Akzentuierungen Präzision ... da fehlt der letzte technische Kick und die Überlegenheit, die das Stück erfordert, um diese wunderbare Musik nicht nur zu spielen, sondern sie erblühen zu lassen. Ja wissen Sie .. ich will eigentlich gar nicht kritisieren, sondern eigentlich loben und danken dass Sie das Stück hochgeladen haben ... und natürlich ist die Fassung für 2 Klaviere auch durchaus undankbarer für den Solisten weil man natürlich jede Nuance hört was sonst im Orchestergetöse untergehen mag ... also deshalb nochmal .. gute Arbeit und Danke.... Aber zum Schluss bleibt doch das Gefühl ... das Stück beherrscht Sie und nicht Sie das Stück ... Um meinen Seelenfrieden wieder zu finden, habe ich mir Yuja Wang in München angehört, hier der Link ua-cam.com/video/CJEskzuA56I/v-deo.html
Viele Grüsse aus Deutschland ... irgendwann in der Zeit von 3 AM bis 5 AM ... 🙂
When are you bringing Seymour on? And good job not screwing up the easy to screw up section in the 3rd movement you made the video on before. 😂
Will play for new clothes. And a sandwich.
i will eat this
😂
There is something about how u strike the keys, which I find unattractive and too percussive, and unendearing despite the incredible technical playing, perhaps your just a little slow with your fingering , which leads to a somewhat jaded sound imho
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💟💟💟