Jorge Bolet is my godfather; my father, Henry Lowinger, is also a Cuban-born pianist who studied under him for years. He died when I was 2, so I have no memory of him. It's very weird to see him alive and on film.
I just finished watching all the videos in this series and want to thank you for uploading them. It was a wonderful experience. A bonus was getting to hear much of the piano's part that is usually covered up by the orchestra! Thanks again.
Bolet has the mentality of a conductor. This is a valuable video. And he knows the piece inside out. His pointing out the bass line at 5:02 is just one example. Boy has he absorbed this piece.
Good point. I watched a master class led by Artur Rubinstein, when Rubinstein must have been 82 or 83 years old. It was difficult to understand what he was trying to convey, both when he spoke and when he attempted to play the piano. His technique had dissipated so much that he couldn't even play for his students portions of Chopin's First Ballade. It was very sad.
I had to listen to this concerto about 10 times on the CD i bought to actually like it. I hated it to start with...all that hype and talk about how wonderful it is....well, luckily my appreciation for the music of Rachmaninoff changed...lol, now its up there amongst my most favourite concertos. I also love the cadenza. Lol...a master class like this would be intimidating lol...i would be in tears.
It does not get much better than this. Rachmaninoff was Bolet's idol and he heard him perform this concerto several times in person. Few pianists today exhibit such total command and restraint. Discipline! Now that is impressive! (Far more than the Lang Lang circus act!) Only miss seeing the last part: Bolet performing the concerto himself with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
I couldn't help but wonder how much more educational and entertaining this session would have been with, instead of students, actual renowned virtuosos. Could you imagine a session with Bolet facilitating, but with pianists such as Martha Argerich, Zoltan Kocsis and Byron Janis participating? It would be worth watching that just to see Argerich respond to Bolet's assertion that orchestras would have an extremely difficult time keeping up with her tempos.
I agree with you. Rachmaninov Third in Bolet's Decca recording is amazing. I suggest you if u still don't know it the Michail Pletnev version 2. Just to compare old and new school. Regards
I think you understood not much of that masterclass. Rubistein had still so lots of things to convey, that every word he says is worth gold. What's the matter if he can't play (and he just says at the end "For you, not for me, because I can't do anything anymore"...), when with only one word he conveys the experience of a full life? It was not sad: it was amazing.
Bolet had a deep understanding of the piece. He is trying to make the student CONSCIOUS of the different melodies and ideas that he is playing, not just playing them. If you don't MEAN those notes, you might as well, close the cover of the piano. As for the orchestra, only egotists don't consider the orchestra, then, play it alone! The orchestra and conductor have as much worth as the soloist, and all must be considerate to all. Alreich would have benefited from Bolet's real musical sense.
Bolet also did a marvelous live account in the 1970's with the student orchestra Indiana University which is worth tracking down. The sound is not a good but the level of exitement is worth the trade; Bolet was always better live.
@ae2506a I couldn't agree more. Pires's masterclass is a vivid demonstration of the difference between teaching - having some concern for the student and trying to help them to achieve their own objectives - and egomania -'I'm better than you so why don't you just give up now?'. And the sad fact is that she wasn't even any good....
Oh Please! Lang Lang is in a class of his own... his total disservice to the arts puts Lang Lang in a class of his own. As Hofman1937 mentioned, he's nothing more than a circus act, and will continue to stay that way to impress listeners who have little to no knowledge in the vast depths of classical music.
Jorge Bolet is my godfather; my father, Henry Lowinger, is also a Cuban-born pianist who studied under him for years. He died when I was 2, so I have no memory of him. It's very weird to see him alive and on film.
I just finished watching all the videos in this series and want to thank you for uploading them. It was a wonderful experience. A bonus was getting to hear much of the piano's part that is usually covered up by the orchestra! Thanks again.
I feel completely moved and refreshed after this wonderful masterclass... Thank you!
Raquel Barbieri
Bolet has the mentality of a conductor.
This is a valuable video.
And he knows the piece inside out.
His pointing out the bass line at 5:02 is just one example.
Boy has he absorbed this piece.
Good point. I watched a master class led by Artur Rubinstein, when Rubinstein must have been 82 or 83 years old. It was difficult to understand what he was trying to convey, both when he spoke and when he attempted to play the piano. His technique had dissipated so much that he couldn't even play for his students portions of Chopin's First Ballade. It was very sad.
I'm so glad that treasures like this exist on UA-cam :)
thx for your upload
THANKS!! THANKS!! a lot!
A M A Z I N G ! !
Ira Levin is the conductor of my city's orchestra I see him present everytime...
I had to listen to this concerto about 10 times on the CD i bought to actually like it. I hated it to start with...all that hype and talk about how wonderful it is....well, luckily my appreciation for the music of Rachmaninoff changed...lol, now its up there amongst my most favourite concertos. I also love the cadenza.
Lol...a master class like this would be intimidating lol...i would be in tears.
E um de nossos brasileiros ali... uma cena estupenda
Grande José feghali
Very interesting and helpful!!!!
It does not get much better than this. Rachmaninoff was Bolet's idol and he heard him perform this concerto several times in person. Few pianists today exhibit such total command and restraint. Discipline! Now that is impressive! (Far more than the Lang Lang circus act!) Only miss seeing the last part: Bolet performing the concerto himself with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
It's never too late for anything - as long as the beat goes on......
bolet..... Greatest piano master ever~!!!
Very good story R.i.p 🌷😑
Can somebody add more contents to Jorge Bolet in Wikipedia? There must be more to add there; it's still a "stub" for people like me who so admire him.
this is a very interesting anectdote he tells
I couldn't help but wonder how much more educational and entertaining this session would have been with, instead of students, actual renowned virtuosos.
Could you imagine a session with Bolet facilitating, but with pianists such as Martha Argerich, Zoltan Kocsis and Byron Janis participating?
It would be worth watching that just to see Argerich respond to Bolet's assertion that orchestras would have an extremely difficult time keeping up with her tempos.
I agree with you. Rachmaninov Third in Bolet's Decca recording is amazing. I suggest you if u still don't know it the Michail Pletnev version 2. Just to compare old and new school.
Regards
Me, too!
Que pena no haber podido haber recibido alguna observacion del Maestro Bolet
I think you understood not much of that masterclass. Rubistein had still so lots of things to convey, that every word he says is worth gold. What's the matter if he can't play (and he just says at the end "For you, not for me, because I can't do anything anymore"...), when with only one word he conveys the experience of a full life? It was not sad: it was amazing.
Bechstein EN280 concert grands?
...If his interpretations aren't what you prefer it doesn't mean that they're thoughtless. "To each his own."
a lot :P.
that u dont have to get the atention of the audiance with eccents . you can catch them different way :3
AND HE IS CUBAN!!! I FEEL VERY PROUD
i dont know that anton guy, but i think he looks like the guy in the Apple advertisement...the "Hello, I'm a Mac"-guy....
My god he look like javier barden...
Bolet had a deep understanding of the piece. He is trying to make the student CONSCIOUS of the different melodies and ideas that he is playing, not just playing them. If you don't MEAN those notes, you might as well, close the cover of the piano. As for the orchestra, only egotists don't consider the orchestra, then, play it alone!
The orchestra and conductor have as much worth as the soloist, and all must be considerate to all.
Alreich would have benefited from Bolet's real musical sense.
Is this not his brother Robin Ray?
whose brother? - you surely don't mean Bolets?!
Bolet also did a marvelous live account in the 1970's with the student orchestra Indiana University which is worth tracking down. The sound is not a good but the level of exitement is worth the trade; Bolet was always better live.
I thought I was the only one :)
Haha, a little bit of jazz around 7:51:-D Lol!
The kid is a bit all over the place. papa Bolet put some order into it. Wonderful clip.
Bolet foi um professor inquieto... kkkk
i mustache you a question " can you teach me how to rach?"
Today's listener wouldn't pay attention to even with the 2x4.
Oh I paid full attention!
No wonder his career went towards conducting more...
Holy shit it's Anton Chigur
@ae2506a I couldn't agree more. Pires's masterclass is a vivid demonstration of the difference between teaching - having some concern for the student and trying to help them to achieve their own objectives - and egomania -'I'm better than you so why don't you just give up now?'. And the sad fact is that she wasn't even any good....
Oh Please! Lang Lang is in a class of his own... his total disservice to the arts puts Lang Lang in a class of his own. As Hofman1937 mentioned, he's nothing more than a circus act, and will continue to stay that way to impress listeners who have little to no knowledge in the vast depths of classical music.