I must have listened to twenty recordings of The Harmonious Blacksmith on UA-cam and this is far and away my favourite: it's not heavily decorated or over-Baroqued, so it feels fresh and light. So many other performers make it feel like work, like a slog, but this evokes pure joy. I never tire of it.
R M j have always in my brain since 1956 Wilhelm Kempff in my brain with 45 t vinyl , Kempff was more a poet than a Beethowen-pianist , j have Beethoven-sonatas by Kempff for his wonderful piano not for his Beethowen !
I have loved this since I heard it on a record called "Introduction to the piano", played by Agi Jambor. This is the most beautiful joyous, lively, fresh, clean rendition, I can't stop playing it. So captivating.
The more I listen to Handel the more timeless I realize his music is and sounds. With Bach, he had a distinctive style where no matter what he composed it sounds "classical", but with Handel, a lot of his melodies have an ageless quality where they could be composed today and still sound contemporary. It's a shame that he's been overshadowed by Bach (who I also love for different reasons) and most only know him for Messiah/Hallelujah and Zadok the Priest because he has so much beautiful music when you dig deep
Handel has not been overshadowed by anyone, least of all by Bach. Handel is the greatest composer of vocal and choral music of the time, the best dramatic composer. Where are Bach's operas and dramatic oratorios? Don't exist. Bach is rigid, mechanical and artificial, devoid of any dramatic sense.
I think Handel was overshadowed by Bach because Bach was superior at what he did. Handel wrote wonderful melodies and accompanied them, as seen here. That is great music. Bach also wrote melodies, but wrote other great melodies on top of them, not just mere accompaniment. And on top of that, each voice often has a distinct and pleasant rhythm on top of the harmony. For this same reason, I find that the musical 'filler' or 'episodes' in Bach's music often surpasses the best works of other composers.
@@franr.3691 The belief that Bach is "rigid, mechanical and artificial" is generally heard from those who are not intellectually capable of appreciating his music. Handel may be a more appreciated or accessible composer, but Bach has essentially defined music for the past ~4 centuries, whether in opposition to or in agreement with him. Handel may be the greatest dramatic composer of all time, but Bach is the greatest composer. Not bar none, in my opinion, but if he has an equal, it certainly isn't Handel.
Maestro, I’m no pianist but Handel, I know and May I say , I echo those who have said this IS the best rendition of this Handelian piece , I’ve ever heard (and will keep listening to) BRAVO!! 🙌🏽🎶🙌🏽🎶
I often watch and listen to this and it always cheers me up. You make it look so easy. As someone who doesn't play at all, my admiration and envy of your talent knows no bounds. Thank you.
Great performance. Man the phrasing was just fantastic. I love the extra detail on articulation. Really great performance. This video get my thumbs up.
I`m practising this for our next piano party with you as my tutor- definitely the best rendition I`ve heard so far. The subtle pedal work offset with appropriate stoccatoed accentuation is a brilliant interpretation and wonderfully inspiring!
Absolutely beautifully played. Thank you! I am learning a very simplified version (retired MD taking up piano on my own), and I wanted to hear what it really sounded like.
I'm learning to play this at the moment, and your video is basically my number 1 reference outside of my teacher who I only see every two weeks. I've got most of it down, except Variation 4. To me that's the most difficult part of the whole thing... for now.
@Mjollnir50 Interesting. I'll have to listen to the recording again. The only effect I added is a tiny amount of reverb. I guess it could be an artifact of the audio encoding in the video.
"Would you mind Handel for a familiar name? There's a charming piece of music by Handle, called the Harmonious Blacksmith" "I should like it very much." GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens
Your playing sounds absolutely beautiful! im playing this piece for my Grade 8 exam and I am so glad that you put this up.. this inspired me to practice more to get it like you! thanks again :)
dormisdavid100 : j don't understand what you mean ", ,,,,, j play it for my grade 8 exam etc .." ? can you explain ? you work piano since eight years ? also how many hours a day ? thank's for an answer j like to learn .
@@alainspiteri502 Grade 8 in this case is an examination level by the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of music, typically the highest grade commonly aspired, (there are 3 more levels above it) and this piece was an exam piece back then. That's what I think Doris meant.
Handel was a gay so... there are another ANALogies have to be... with "harmonious smith" and something hitting each other while on frictions... ehehehehhe
@@herobrine1847 yes, exactly article "a" becouse there are so much types of them... just look at new LGBTQK+ list and it is grows more and more year by year ))
Bravo! I like the interpretation and your overall feel. It sounds almost as though you are using a compressor, to give you a cembalo quality in the low end.
I also played this for my grade VIII. Excellent performance. Inspired me to relearn the piece. I play a great deal of Bach but rather overlook Handel but this a great little piece.
Excellent, crisp performance! I just wish that he had taken the repeat on the second bar in each variation. Having both repeats each time opens up a lot of space for subtlety of expression.
This is one of Handel's most exquisite keyboard works, and also one of his best known. In my opinion the best piano performance I know of is that of Gyorgy Sebök (vinyl, 1963), with a dazzling display of the stupendous Chaconne.
J G A : there are millions and millions interpreters of this Haendel , j like here the melody . My first vinyl was " l'harmonieux forgeron " by Wilhem Kempff ( 1955 ) j have always .
Bravo, BRAVISSIMO!!! This is so wonderfully played by you. I really like the sound/timbre of that piano, it sounds quite olde-timey, harpsichord-y. I'm having a rough time playing a slower & VERY simplified version of this song. Even with a week of practice (at least an hour & a half per day), I keep messing up on the same parts. Thanks for sharing this & I look forward to seeing if you have videos playing my other favorite, classical songs & maybe being introduced to some new ones.
Hear that Blacksmith, Harmonious Blacksmith, hammering, hammering all day long. Hear that Blacksmith, Harmonious Blacksmith, hammering, hammering out his song. When you hear it, you will want to dance, as you walk past his little smithy by the zoo, but Please keep walking. If you start dancing, Harmonious Blacksmith will be dancing too! (Lyrics I wrote as a teenager when my brother was learning this song)
We played this in our high school orchestra but it sounded nothing like this, this is so much better! You are really good, I wish I could learn how to play the piano like that!
Hi. I'm Korean. I saw this videos last night. your musical performance is very amazing. this music is my favorite classical music. my hobby is play the piano. I will practice this music. Can I do it?
The opening dynamics are breathtaking. What a wonderful interpretation. And yes, Great Expectations brought me here!
Perfect track for a montage of Pip getting dressed and going off to his new gentlemanly life
Yeah✨
The book bought me here as well. Peace.
Had to put the book down just before Herbert & Pip sat down to dinner & investigate this wonderful piece of music!
@@stayjoyfulme too
I must have listened to twenty recordings of The Harmonious Blacksmith on UA-cam and this is far and away my favourite: it's not heavily decorated or over-Baroqued, so it feels fresh and light. So many other performers make it feel like work, like a slog, but this evokes pure joy. I never tire of it.
Try Trevor Pinnock at harpsichord.
Agree. Many interesting including Rachmaninov but this seems definitive
Yeah and there is actually a story behind this
R M j have always in my brain since 1956 Wilhelm Kempff in my brain with 45 t vinyl , Kempff was more a poet than a Beethowen-pianist , j have Beethoven-sonatas by Kempff for his wonderful piano not for his Beethowen !
pur joy fresh light also as a melody j agree
Air: 0:00
Var 1: 0:36
Var 2: 1:00
Var 3: 1:24
Var 4: 1:49
Var 5: 2:14
I have loved this since I heard it on a record called "Introduction to the piano", played by Agi Jambor. This is the most beautiful joyous, lively, fresh, clean rendition, I can't stop playing it. So captivating.
a truly beautifully musical performance.
You rock!
....erm , I mean.... You Classical!
The more I listen to Handel the more timeless I realize his music is and sounds. With Bach, he had a distinctive style where no matter what he composed it sounds "classical", but with Handel, a lot of his melodies have an ageless quality where they could be composed today and still sound contemporary.
It's a shame that he's been overshadowed by Bach (who I also love for different reasons) and most only know him for Messiah/Hallelujah and Zadok the Priest because he has so much beautiful music when you dig deep
Handel has not been overshadowed by anyone, least of all by Bach. Handel is the greatest composer of vocal and choral music of the time, the best dramatic composer. Where are Bach's operas and dramatic oratorios? Don't exist. Bach is rigid, mechanical and artificial, devoid of any dramatic sense.
@@franr.3691 this comment deserves a thousand likes
@@franr.3691 see, thats the beautiful thing with bach
I think Handel was overshadowed by Bach because Bach was superior at what he did.
Handel wrote wonderful melodies and accompanied them, as seen here.
That is great music.
Bach also wrote melodies, but wrote other great melodies on top of them, not just mere accompaniment. And on top of that, each voice often has a distinct and pleasant rhythm on top of the harmony.
For this same reason, I find that the musical 'filler' or 'episodes' in Bach's music often surpasses the best works of other composers.
@@franr.3691 The belief that Bach is "rigid, mechanical and artificial" is generally heard from those who are not intellectually capable of appreciating his music. Handel may be a more appreciated or accessible composer, but Bach has essentially defined music for the past ~4 centuries, whether in opposition to or in agreement with him. Handel may be the greatest dramatic composer of all time, but Bach is the greatest composer. Not bar none, in my opinion, but if he has an equal, it certainly isn't Handel.
Gonna listen to this while I read Great Expectations
You must be a fast reader!
Is that a book? I´m sorry I don´t know it...
It is also referred to in Dombey & Son.
Breathtaking! Lovely, thank you....
I'm trying to play through this, came to hear how those 32nd notes go and WOW!
Maestro, I’m no pianist but Handel, I know and May I say , I echo those who have said this IS the best rendition of this Handelian piece , I’ve ever heard (and will keep listening to) BRAVO!! 🙌🏽🎶🙌🏽🎶
I often watch and listen to this and it always cheers me up. You make it look so easy. As someone who doesn't play at all, my admiration and envy of your talent knows no bounds. Thank you.
What a wonderful performance & interpretation, 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 🌹
Bravo, Mr. Barker! I will be back here often! Thanks for such joy.
The interpretation is valid and entirely convincing. Excellent work!
God this is beautiful playing and interpretation. I'm glad I lived to hear this.
{{replay}} ...{{replay}}... {{replay}}...
Great performance. Man the phrasing was just fantastic. I love the extra detail on articulation. Really great performance. This video get my thumbs up.
I`m practising this for our next piano party with you as my tutor- definitely the best rendition I`ve heard so far. The subtle pedal work offset with appropriate stoccatoed accentuation is a brilliant interpretation and wonderfully inspiring!
Absolutely beautifully played. Thank you! I am learning a very simplified version (retired MD taking up piano on my own), and I wanted to hear what it really sounded like.
Damn, you play beautifully! A favorite piece! Thank you. Always great to hear a superior performance! You have a new fan!
well played and it's amazing.
Great expectations brought me here haha
Me too.
Me either 😆
Great novel and great piece.
Meeee 2222
now we are quite a bunch !!!! lol...
PIP!
Beautifully played.
SO talented! You're the reason I love this piece!
Your playing the piano sounds like a harpsicord!! Beautiful and enjoyable music. Thank you.
The best performance I ever listened to.
A great performance! I have always enjoyed this piece.
Magnificent rendition
Gorgeous! I have been trying to play this and you are in inspiration! Watched this over and over!
Superb video and playing. Really nice sounding Piano. Thanks for sharing.
Wow the techniques! And left hand!!😍
Absolutely devine, a fabulous interpretation of Handels masterpiece!!
I'm learning to play this at the moment, and your video is basically my number 1 reference outside of my teacher who I only see every two weeks. I've got most of it down, except Variation 4. To me that's the most difficult part of the whole thing... for now.
3 for me , perfect equality right hand
An all-time favorite! Thanks.
Beautiful piece and beautiful interpretation delight anyone, thanks. Greetings from the Republic of Taiwan.
This is one of my favour piano songs, it is always a surprise how every different player various interpret this title, like it
Great job, Ken, excellent.
We all love one of the greatest composers of all time
@Karateka2255 Thanks, I really appreciate your comments about the dynamics and articulation. It's something you can't stop working at.
Imagine how the children related to Handel would've delighted in this brilliant work! Such a wealth of pure bliss!
@Mjollnir50 Interesting. I'll have to listen to the recording again. The only effect I added is a tiny amount of reverb. I guess it could be an artifact of the audio encoding in the video.
A beautiful piece of music, excellently performed, and much appreciated!
"Would you mind Handel for a familiar name? There's a charming piece of music by Handle, called the Harmonious Blacksmith"
"I should like it very much."
GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens
Brilliant! Loved your finish. Currently learning this piece, gave me something to aspire to. Kudos!
Certainly plays with good style and 'ease'. Great sound!
your hands look great for sculpting and modeling other than piano. seriously you have cool hands
Like some, Charles Dickens brought me here... Hence? Here.
Beautiful piece & beautifully played, well done!
This is a great recording. Very satisfying to listen to.
This is a masterpiece from George Haendel and also well played. That was awesome
Your playing sounds absolutely beautiful! im playing this piece for my Grade 8 exam and I am so glad that you put this up.. this inspired me to practice more to get it like you! thanks again :)
dormisdavid100 : j don't understand what you mean ", ,,,,, j play it for my grade 8 exam etc .." ? can you explain ? you work piano since eight years ? also how many hours a day ? thank's for an answer j like to learn .
@@alainspiteri502 bro that was 10 years ago i dont exactly expect him to respond
@@alainspiteri502 Grade 8 in this case is an examination level by the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of music, typically the highest grade commonly aspired, (there are 3 more levels above it) and this piece was an exam piece back then. That's what I think Doris meant.
Great performance! Greetings from Germany!!
ur all song is just AWESOME!
Fantastic ❤❤❤
It was so entertaining to watch you play!!
Bravo!
Great performance thanks 👏🏻
Thanks. I really like your sound. I hope you always be good man with real music. Good lucky to you Ken Barker !
Many, many hours of work to get up to this standard. Congratulations!
Nice technical expertise Ken. I am marvelled!!!
0:37 I can hear happy workers systematically hitting hot iron with hammers and diving them in water.
Cesar agree
Handel was a gay so... there are another ANALogies have to be... with "harmonious smith" and something hitting each other while on frictions... ehehehehhe
@@neocortexlab “a gay”
@@herobrine1847 yes, exactly article "a" becouse there are so much types of them... just look at new LGBTQK+ list and it is grows more and more year by year ))
Good playing technique!
Amazingly well done! Bless you!
Bravo! I like the interpretation and your overall feel. It sounds almost as though you are using a compressor, to give you a cembalo quality in the low end.
I also played this for my grade VIII. Excellent performance. Inspired me to relearn the piece. I play a great deal of Bach but rather overlook Handel but this a great little piece.
Very good playing. The best version I found in net. Can you release a spotify version?🙂
Absolutely brilliant.
Excellent, crisp performance! I just wish that he had taken the repeat on the second bar in each variation. Having both repeats each time opens up a lot of space for subtlety of expression.
Very beautiful.
Just beautiful1 Thanks !
a stupendous display of technique...
This is one of Handel's most exquisite keyboard works, and also one of his best known. In my opinion the best piano performance I know of is that of Gyorgy Sebök (vinyl, 1963), with a dazzling display of the stupendous Chaconne.
J G A : there are millions and millions interpreters of this Haendel , j like here the melody . My first vinyl was " l'harmonieux forgeron " by Wilhem Kempff ( 1955 ) j have always .
Wonderful
Perfect - thank you.
Bravo! I enjoy your interpretation of this variations. Reading your blog also inspire me. Signed, your fan.
so harmonic and comforting :)
Excellent Performance!
Well that sounds familiar.
Greetings from Leipzig. The Bach-Town.
😉
But, not really the same League, in the end.
ua-cam.com/video/7hkw4rw3ong/v-deo.html
Bravo, BRAVISSIMO!!! This is so wonderfully played by you. I really like the sound/timbre of that piano, it sounds quite olde-timey, harpsichord-y. I'm having a rough time playing a slower & VERY simplified version of this song. Even with a week of practice (at least an hour & a half per day), I keep messing up on the same parts. Thanks for sharing this & I look forward to seeing if you have videos playing my other favorite, classical songs & maybe being introduced to some new ones.
Hear that Blacksmith, Harmonious Blacksmith, hammering, hammering all day long.
Hear that Blacksmith, Harmonious Blacksmith, hammering, hammering out his song.
When you hear it, you will want to dance, as you walk past his little smithy by the zoo, but
Please keep walking. If you start dancing, Harmonious Blacksmith will be dancing too!
(Lyrics I wrote as a teenager when my brother was learning this song)
We played this in our high school orchestra but it sounded nothing like this, this is so much better! You are really good, I wish I could learn how to play the piano like that!
Mr. Barker! Lovely!
Thanks Ken, you've enriched my life.
Amazing
joyful and climactic, thank you for sharing
I love this song and found that this of Ken is the best .
I'm here after reading the great expectations 😋🍓🍓🍓🎀🎀🎀
my favourite as well, just perfect some how also peheriah is worth a listen too!
I was brought here by public radio playing this
Again amazing performance :D
Hi. I'm Korean. I saw this videos last night. your musical performance is very amazing. this music is my favorite classical music. my hobby is play the piano. I will practice this music. Can I do it?
Wonderfull music and interpretation, Ken. Thank You for posting
Excellent! Great video and audio
Great Expectations 💜
Absolutely brilliant! You play it beautifully! I'm playing this for a school concert next week and I'll be lucky if it sounds as half as good haha :)
Enjoyed greatly !
That run in the last measure is epic.
Beautiful Job!
Fantastic, Thank you.
It's superb 🖤🖤🖤
Muito bom! Great! Thanks from Brasil
Encore! Encore! Bravo!