Thank you Simone and NPR. When I hear Bach, I hear and see Glenn Gould's audio and video recordings. For me, this video brings to life some of what I haven't seen him play.
Simone Dinnerstein is one of the great pianists today. There some who are more technically gifted, but none are smarter. Her Goldberg Variations are genius.
Regarding #8 - She’s the pianist, she has the discretion to interpret any way she pleases. I wish I could play #8 at half the speed she does! Impressive!!
Désolé mais mon anglais est trop mauvais pour exprimer ce qui me semble être plus que de l'admiration pour cette interprétation intelligente et sensible. J'adore et j'ai fait mien cet enregistrement comme générique à mon émission radiophonique "Ouverture Classique". Bach ne parlait pas anglais en revanche il parlait couramment français. Bien amicalement à tous
No. 8 too fast? Possibly, although I am content to just let her carry me along. There is so much room for interpretation in Bach, as long as you play clearly and with a clear vision that you communicate to the listener. Beyond that, it is a conversation, with us free to agree to disagree. The fact that they were originally conceived of for harpsichord is significant, but we must remember that Bach was very enthusiastic about the new technology of the pianoforte, and became a sales agent for a piano manufacturer. We know he did compose at least some of his pieces with the piano in mind, and knowing how he would arrange the same piece for different media (orchestra, organ, keyboard, voice), we know he had a very flexible attitude towards sonorities. As Duke Ellington noted, "If it sounds good, it is good."
Too fast? There's room for both! The most famous example is perhaps a young Glenn Gould's Goldberg coming in at 38 minutes and the elder Glenn Gould at 51. I have them both and love them both. Same with Yo-Yo Ma's Cello. Young and old, very different. I *LOVE* her machine-gun Invention #8. Can't tell you how many people I've told about this.
Yikes! I was reading the comments during 1 & 6 and thought, how fast could it be? Answer - too fast. Stuff's getting glossed over so fast I can't hear it, e,g, 4:45 - and I know this piece well.
Adam van Drimmelen I strongly disagree. Can’t you just listen to and watch what is happening musically? I hate the way non-musicians tend to film music performances (the face, random shots of body movement with no adherence to the musical action)
A couple of comments below say Simone plays Number 8 "too fast". It would be "cool" if Bach and other long-deceased composers could come back and critique 21st century interpretations of their works. Would be interesting to hear what they would have to say. 06/03/2017 @ 10:52 PM
At the risk of being presumptuous, I'd bet he'd be amazed that his music is still being played, and is still relevant. The latter because people play it "too fast/slow/loud/quiet/etc". Which he encouraged by his use of ornamentation; Jack Bruce credits Bach as a major influence on his bass playing; The Toys "A Lovers Concerto" is a note for note version of Minuet in G; and on and on. And I'll bet that Beethoven would have been a big fan of The Clash and Sex Pistols... :) Then again, who cares what the composer "meant"? It comes down from the heavens and people are free to do with it as they see fit. That's what makes it art. ...As the "traditionalists" pass out... [soapbox off] :)
I think she plays invention nr 8 too fast, and she has a tendency to hammer the pieces. She speaks beautifully about Bach, but there are other interpreters which I prefer. She has her own voice though, a bit sharp for me, but very clear and hard.
What do you mean? Do you mean you don't understand how people can enjoy classical music? If that's the case, then there's not really an answer, besides that people have different tastes in music... Or do you mean you don't understand why NPR bothers to post classical concerts, since they aren't as popular? (At 46,000 views, this is one of the least-watched Tiny Desk Concerts I've seen.) To answer that, I would just say that the show is called All Songs Considered. The whole point is to get people to listen to a wide variety of music, including things they normally wouldn't find or seek out on their own. Just because an artist/style isn't popular doesn't mean they don't deserve recognition.
Unfortunately, she turned out to be a nothingburger. Honestly, she was lucky to even have a taste via Sony Classical. People need to understand that there are plenty of pianists out there that are playing at very high standards. Putting an incredible amount of work into one recording unfortunately does not mean that someone is a great artist.
such a baller move to go on NPR tiny desk and play the Bach Inventions
Thank you so much for filming the HANDS of the pianist! 👌
She really is something else. I love the way she tries to bring Bach to the world, and Iove the way she plays, and I love the way she explains things.
Thank you Simone and NPR. When I hear Bach, I hear and see Glenn Gould's audio and video recordings. For me, this video brings to life some of what I haven't seen him play.
Simone Dinnerstein is one of the great pianists today. There some who are more technically gifted, but none are smarter. Her Goldberg Variations are genius.
You are an inspiration. I heard Sting say he plays Bach first thing every day of practice, as he likes to "study at the feet of the master"
Howard stern brought me here. Simone is a great pianist.
Simone Dinnerstein rocks that piano.
Beautiful, clear, pure playing.
Wow, look at those hands go! I like the little smile on her face. You just know she loves it.
Beautiful, beautiful interpretations.
Thank you , i enjoyed the elegant performance “
Bach is THE GOAT
For everyone commenting on how fast no. 8 is: check out Wendy Carlos Switched on Bach. Perhaps S.D. was inspired by that, and why not!
Beautiful playing really enjoyed it
I love BACH!
Regarding #8 - She’s the pianist, she has the discretion to interpret any way she pleases. I wish I could play #8 at half the speed she does! Impressive!!
Great piano playing. I bet this unassuming Yamaha has never sounded so good.
She is an inspiration!!!
Désolé mais mon anglais est trop mauvais pour exprimer ce qui me semble être plus que de l'admiration pour cette interprétation intelligente et sensible. J'adore et j'ai fait mien cet enregistrement comme générique à mon émission radiophonique "Ouverture Classique". Bach ne parlait pas anglais en revanche il parlait couramment français. Bien amicalement à tous
I love Bach in an upright so well played :)
Great playing and terrific video editing - thank you.
You should get a speeding ticket for how fast the 8th went
Ahhh Bach!!! man that dude was the man!
What does that mean? "Ahhhh, Bach". Personally, I think once you've said that, you've said it all.
Me gusta mucho !!! Bravo !
Cantabile ! (thx so much )
Perfect
No. 8 too fast? Possibly, although I am content to just let her carry me along. There is so much room for interpretation in Bach, as long as you play clearly and with a clear vision that you communicate to the listener. Beyond that, it is a conversation, with us free to agree to disagree. The fact that they were originally conceived of for harpsichord is significant, but we must remember that Bach was very enthusiastic about the new technology of the pianoforte, and became a sales agent for a piano manufacturer. We know he did compose at least some of his pieces with the piano in mind, and knowing how he would arrange the same piece for different media (orchestra, organ, keyboard, voice), we know he had a very flexible attitude towards sonorities. As Duke Ellington noted, "If it sounds good, it is good."
Too fast? There's room for both! The most famous example is perhaps a young Glenn Gould's Goldberg coming in at 38 minutes and the elder Glenn Gould at 51. I have them both and love them both. Same with Yo-Yo Ma's Cello. Young and old, very different. I *LOVE* her machine-gun Invention #8. Can't tell you how many people I've told about this.
Yikes! I was reading the comments during 1 & 6 and thought, how fast could it be? Answer - too fast. Stuff's getting glossed over so fast I can't hear it, e,g, 4:45 - and I know this piece well.
Ditterstein positively caresses Bach.
Great performance, great sound! But where are the microphones? Does anybody know that?!?
I want to see her heart and soul engaged with the music, seeing mostly the hands alone do not express this.
Adam van Drimmelen I strongly disagree. Can’t you just listen to and watch what is happening musically? I hate the way non-musicians tend to film music performances (the face, random shots of body movement with no adherence to the musical action)
Brava!
A couple of comments below say Simone plays Number 8 "too fast". It would be "cool" if Bach and other long-deceased composers could come back and critique 21st century interpretations of their works. Would be interesting to hear what they would have to say. 06/03/2017 @ 10:52 PM
At the risk of being presumptuous, I'd bet he'd be amazed that his music is still being played, and is still relevant. The latter because people play it "too fast/slow/loud/quiet/etc". Which he encouraged by his use of ornamentation; Jack Bruce credits Bach as a major influence on his bass playing; The Toys "A Lovers Concerto" is a note for note version of Minuet in G; and on and on. And I'll bet that Beethoven would have been a big fan of The Clash and Sex Pistols... :) Then again, who cares what the composer "meant"? It comes down from the heavens and people are free to do with it as they see fit. That's what makes it art. ...As the "traditionalists" pass out... [soapbox off] :)
Wow! How many right hands does she have? Two?
A marriage of panache and joy!
piano should be considered a dancing instrument
I give it a noine
30 fps isn't quite enough to keep up with her fingers, lol.
süß
They couldn't put a baby grand in there for her? That upright is mic''ed horribly.
Dinnerstein!! That's what I call my holiday meals at the Jewish in-laws
The piano should be considered a string instrument, not percussion. Percussion is too limiting a term for a limitless instrument.
edmond nicodemi I agree with you edmond!!!
Thanks Jerome Taylor.
I think she plays invention nr 8 too fast, and she has a tendency to hammer the pieces. She speaks beautifully about Bach, but there are other interpreters which I prefer. She has her own voice though, a bit sharp for me, but very clear and hard.
@Thing Whas I think the piece calls for bouncy humor, which gets run over here.
what's the point in selecting this classical stuff on Tiny Desk. I really don't understand..
What do you mean? Do you mean you don't understand how people can enjoy classical music? If that's the case, then there's not really an answer, besides that people have different tastes in music...
Or do you mean you don't understand why NPR bothers to post classical concerts, since they aren't as popular? (At 46,000 views, this is one of the least-watched Tiny Desk Concerts I've seen.) To answer that, I would just say that the show is called All Songs Considered. The whole point is to get people to listen to a wide variety of music, including things they normally wouldn't find or seek out on their own. Just because an artist/style isn't popular doesn't mean they don't deserve recognition.
She played #8 in 38 seconds?? too fast, I believe singing is letting the listener at least enjoy the change from F to C, right?
Unfortunately, she turned out to be a nothingburger. Honestly, she was lucky to even have a taste via Sony Classical. People need to understand that there are plenty of pianists out there that are playing at very high standards. Putting an incredible amount of work into one recording unfortunately does not mean that someone is a great artist.