To all the nay sayers who try to tell us that this man's musical talent was somehow not up to the standards of other great pianist, I just have one thing to say to you. Those who can, do. And those who can't, critique. Just the sheer volume of work that this man did in his lifetime is over whelming. I once learned Chopin's Ab Polonaise for my recital in college. Took me nine months lol! Granted I was no concert master, but still, He did piece after piece after piece and then could improvise on them. I'd like to see those critics give it a try. Oh, and he did it in those outlandish costumes that must have weighed a ton and several rings on his fingers, and he could still out play most if not all of us! No, he didn't do it like anyone else, but then, that's the point.
His pieces are not the Chopin ab polonaise for starters, in your nine months he learnt 100 simpler pieces with some of his own embellishments... He's a showman after all, that's what the audience wanted and he gave it to them, good on him :)
@@privateperson8289 Just after reading your comment, I noticed that UA-cam had suggested for my next enjoyment - Liberace playing the Chopin Ab Polonaise! (ua-cam.com/video/3OTRa2FeSGs/v-deo.html in case it suggests something else for you.) I'm not qualified to comment on any of his performances, or arrangements where he did change things. But like many, he did entertain very many, and also introduced many to things they wouldn't have otherwise listened to. Like Mantovani, and Winifred Atwell (who was classically trained) ... I suppose André Rieu is a sort of modern equivalent. (Writing this in 2022.)
He was not only wonderfully talented, he was beloved by his many, many fans. Perhaps the critics were envious of how beloved he was more than anything else
There will never be another pianist like Mr Showmanship. I had the privilege of seeing him in concert twice. Wow, what an experience. He is truly one of a kind.
I appreciate all the comments here. It is my opinion that you don't have to be "perfect" to be loved and enjoyed by millions of fans all over the world. It is also my opinion that Liberace did more to popularize serious classical music in the 20th century than any other living entertainer. His versions of some of the pieces he popularized will be the long-remembered ones and will so, far into the future.
Maureen Nolan Friend, your words do justice to a great man who, by his extreme intelligence, skill and competence, has left to the world a legacy that few recognize. Incredibly, he was heavily criticized for his conduct in private life, which should be no one's problem but him.
Liberace was the pianist who played and made arrangements with greater ease among all those I have ever seen. Playing the piano was as simple as breathing for him.
They must have had the best sound recording system of the day for Liberace's show. This was the 1950's and just put this music up against ANY other program of the era. The piano and harmony are simply beautiful! A real class act!
The ultimate pianist .... loved this wonderful man ...all of my life ... never missed a note !!!! Everything he played was perfect !!! just beautiful !!!
For the non-cognoscenti, Paganini wrote the original melody then Rachmaninoff created his rhapsody from that. The most beautiful melody was only a short passage in the original work, wonderfully done in length by Van Cliburn. Liberace was an excellent pianist who had the ability to mix/match the classical piano works into versions the public would like. He did get classical piano to the hoi polloi thru the wonder of early TV with his style & personality. I always watched his show in the 50's & it was the reason I studied classical piano. He was my favorite.
Liberace's showmanship was a joy to 'common' Americans who would never set foot in a classical concert. There are excellent piano virtuosos today, but none that project the idea that they are entertainers as Lee was.
My two favorite pianists ever. And so true! Never heard it put that way before but 'splains it 'bout as good as you can 'splain it! The master and the showman, but man could they both play!!
Absolutely beautiful as only Liberace can play it.. The movie 'Somewhere in Time" is also one of my favorites as well, and even though it has a sad ending it is still a beautiful, eternal love story.
Liberace was my hero his life or lifestyle should not been a factor. For he was the greatest piano player of the ages he could play all the classics jazz boogie woogie classical traditional piano concertos and piano modern songs of the 60s he was talented i wish i had gotten to see him live in concert before he passed away from us too soon i had a candlelabra on my piano. I had one baldwin acrononmic grand piano with the real signature of liberace after he had played it at the omni stadium in atlanta ga my husba d tried ti kill me to get that piano thank god he never got it. I. Had to sell that piano to a friend of mine. When she died she left it to her family it would be now worth thousands it was mine i almost died when i had to sell it but i kept my abusive ex husband from tearing it apart. I had the joy of owing it for almost 4 years. The price of it then was over 5ooo dollars and my mom and dad had bought it for me for a wedding present im glad i kept my beautiful piano away from my monster exhusband he had. No idea what it still means to me. My pianos are the worst thing he took from me othet than my looks my freedom and a home away from me. Someday i will have another piano. But not with liberaces signature on iit. I hope the woman i sold it to knew how lucky she was to buy something so dear to me. I still cry over it thanks fir reading this true story paula mccreery
I was 14 years old when the film Liberachi came out,and once i v seen him showing the different styles of Boogie,i decided to become pianist. And now here i am. George mel
Thank you for posting. I have to save to watch later and I'm really going to enjoy listening, very soon. I have also liked and shared this video. Great music! :-)
A lot of people thought Liberace couldn’t really play the piano. I could see immediately from this video that a lot of people were wrong. He was very astute and knew what people wanted.
The hornist in the video is John Jacob Graas, a studio musician and one of the first jazz French horn players. Liberace called him the world's greatest horn player.
My girlfriend and I were part of his fan club I Sadly sadly I not get to meet him in Melbourne but she did, she said back stage he was kind to her. A true artist. She and I were 14 then THAT WAS 54 years ago or so
I have to say, i dont like reworks on classical music, but liberace... he is master at what he does, maybe he doesnt have the touch, like Horowitz did, but man... his just really good. (exceptionally)
Popular but not in a classical concert pianist sense. Was it studios who dictated time schedule and content? Or the fact that Liberace was not capable enough to sell the original masterpieces. He certainly pleased the masses and was so gay. Good on him. I always loved a fellow homosexual giving to the masses and laughing all the way to the bank.
Rachmaninoff didn't borrow this variation; he wrote this set of variations on the Theme of Paganini - most of which sound nothing like the theme. Rachmaninoff will be the composer, Kreisler is just the arranger of this, as it is supposed to be for Full Orchestra.
What happened to the a-flat key @1:05 ?? Liberace crosses his left hand to play the a-flat and and NO SOUND. Can't believe that he would play a piano with an inop key!!
The ultimate pianist .... loved this wonderful man ...all of my life ... never missed a note !!!! Everything he played was perfect !!! just beautiful !!!
To all the nay sayers who try to tell us that this man's musical talent was somehow not up to the standards of other great pianist, I just have one thing to say to you. Those who can, do. And those who can't, critique. Just the sheer volume of work that this man did in his lifetime is over whelming. I once learned Chopin's Ab Polonaise for my recital in college. Took me nine months lol! Granted I was no concert master, but still, He did piece after piece after piece and then could improvise on them. I'd like to see those critics give it a try. Oh, and he did it in those outlandish costumes that must have weighed a ton and several rings on his fingers, and he could still out play most if not all of us! No, he didn't do it like anyone else, but then, that's the point.
His pieces are not the Chopin ab polonaise for starters, in your nine months he learnt 100 simpler pieces with some of his own embellishments... He's a showman after all, that's what the audience wanted and he gave it to them, good on him :)
#Bird Youmans You said it perfectly!
@@privateperson8289 Just after reading your comment, I noticed that UA-cam had suggested for my next enjoyment - Liberace playing the Chopin Ab Polonaise! (ua-cam.com/video/3OTRa2FeSGs/v-deo.html in case it suggests something else for you.)
I'm not qualified to comment on any of his performances, or arrangements where he did change things. But like many, he did entertain very many, and also introduced many to things they wouldn't have otherwise listened to. Like Mantovani, and Winifred Atwell (who was classically trained) ... I suppose André Rieu is a sort of modern equivalent. (Writing this in 2022.)
And to that I say "Amen!".
He was not only wonderfully talented, he was beloved by his many, many fans. Perhaps the critics were envious of how beloved he was more than anything else
One of the most entertaining pianists of the 20th Century.
I could listen to him play all day. RIP Liberace. Truly missed
There will never be another pianist like Mr Showmanship. I had the privilege of seeing him in concert twice. Wow, what an experience. He is truly one of a kind.
I appreciate all the comments here. It is my opinion that you don't have to be "perfect" to be loved and enjoyed by millions of fans all over the world. It is also my opinion that Liberace did more to popularize serious classical music in the 20th century than any other living entertainer. His versions of some of the pieces he popularized will be the long-remembered ones and will so, far into the future.
Maureen Nolan Friend, your words do justice to a great man who, by his extreme intelligence, skill and competence, has left to the world a legacy that few recognize. Incredibly, he was heavily criticized for his conduct in private life, which should be no one's problem but him.
Mona Spinoza o
Liberace gives glory to God with his music!
When Liberace's fingers started working on the keys to the furthest right, the sounds are like no other.
His hands just floated over the keys! Wonderful!
Liberace was the pianist who played and made arrangements with greater ease among all those I have ever seen. Playing the piano was as simple as breathing for him.
Oh so magnificent!! Touches my soul deeply! He was such a talented man!❤
RIP Liberace. Your spirit lives on in everyone who loves your musical talent and your gentle soul.
Amen, Pat Byrne
They must have had the best sound recording system of the day
for Liberace's show. This was the 1950's and just put this music
up against ANY other program of the era. The piano and harmony
are simply beautiful! A real class act!
There are not enough bees in all creation to make enough sweet to duplicate this, absolute confection! My heart's own secret's
song !
Beautiful sentiment. (lovely heartfelt words).💐💐💐💐💐.
Lee was ,wonderful.
probably one of my favourite piano tunes played by one of the best pianists.
The ultimate pianist .... loved this wonderful man ...all of my life ... never missed a note !!!! Everything he played was perfect !!! just beautiful !!!
What an artist with fingers of pure magic no one comes close to you rip for all eternity lee
His fingers and hands move about as though they are separate from his being. Amazing to watch.
Oh!Liberace you are so sorely missed.
Sylvia McMath Not by me! He milked the snot out of this. Eaiu
this is one of my favorite pieces it was used in the movie somewhere in time with Christopher Reeves,and Jane Seymore
It was also in the film ‘The Wild and the Willing’ starring, I think, Claire Bloom and Ian McShane. It was in the 60s.
Liberace set the standard for pianists. Nobody since has quite reached that pinnacle.
For the non-cognoscenti, Paganini wrote the original melody then Rachmaninoff created his rhapsody from that. The most beautiful melody was only a short passage in the original work, wonderfully done in length by Van Cliburn. Liberace was an excellent pianist who had the ability to mix/match the classical piano works into versions the public would like. He did get classical piano to the hoi polloi thru the wonder of early TV with his style & personality. I always watched his show in the 50's & it was the reason I studied classical piano. He was my favorite.
Very well put!
Liberace was very handsome.
Oh, I had a huge crush on him when I was a little girl. 😊❤️
great song. stupendous
Liberace's showmanship was a joy to 'common' Americans who would never set foot in a classical concert. There are excellent piano virtuosos today, but none that project the idea that they are entertainers as Lee was.
As one music critique said in the L.A. Times, "Liberace is no Rubinstein...BUT Rubinstein is no Liberace!"
My two favorite pianists ever. And so true! Never heard it put that way before but 'splains it 'bout as good as you can 'splain it! The master and the showman, but man could they both play!!
grew up learning to play and then fell into Somewhere In Time... love this ~sweet t~
I MISS HIM
I find the original and Liberace's version so beautiful, I adore this theme no matter what
Absolutely beautiful as only Liberace can play it.. The movie 'Somewhere in Time" is also one of my favorites as well, and even though it has a sad ending it is still a beautiful, eternal love story.
Liberace must be playing even more beautiful pieces of music now in Heaven!
If only he hadn't seen that penny...
beautiful beyond words....!!!!!
Dr Ralph Huckeba elresplando
A Wonderful performer! Shame we do not have him today. Thank you for posting this, a wonderful performace.
Love made me a fool great i love it thank you Liberace 16 Dec 2019
Liberace was my hero his life or lifestyle should not been a factor. For he was the greatest piano player of the ages he could play all the classics jazz boogie woogie classical traditional piano concertos and piano modern songs of the 60s he was talented i wish i had gotten to see him live in concert before he passed away from us too soon i had a candlelabra on my piano. I had one baldwin acrononmic grand piano with the real signature of liberace after he had played it at the omni stadium in atlanta ga my husba d tried ti kill me to get that piano thank god he never got it. I. Had to sell that piano to a friend of mine. When she died she left it to her family it would be now worth thousands it was mine i almost died when i had to sell it but i kept my abusive ex husband from tearing it apart. I had the joy of owing it for almost 4 years. The price of it then was over 5ooo dollars and my mom and dad had bought it for me for a wedding present im glad i kept my beautiful piano away from my monster exhusband he had. No idea what it still means to me. My pianos are the worst thing he took from me othet than my looks my freedom and a home away from me. Someday i will have another piano. But not with liberaces signature on iit. I hope the woman i sold it to knew how lucky she was to buy something so dear to me. I still cry over it thanks fir reading this true story paula mccreery
oh so beautiful...*sniff* got something in my eye...
This is a favourite theme of mine played in Lee's style and it was so grand
The embellishments actually _*enhance_ the great melody.
*As they were doubtless intended to.
Watch "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" with the late Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. This song is a focal point in the movie.
He was such a mega-genius. LOVE hearing him again. Sat with my mother as a five year old and watched these shows all the time.
I was 14 years old when the film Liberachi came out,and once i v seen him showing the different styles of Boogie,i decided to become pianist.
And now here i am.
George mel
So Beautiful - Tremendous!!
The man was an effin' fandamntastic pianist!!! Period!!!!!
Damm right!
I agree. I was 12 yrs when I heard his album at my grandmother's house. In 1977. ❤
This is what I call music through the heart and not just the ears ,αυτό είναι αυτόποθ καλώ μουσική μέσω της καρδιας και ακριβώς των αυτιών ,
Enthralling piece, brilliant performance.
Thanks for posted it.
Thank you for posting. I have to save to watch later and I'm really going to enjoy listening, very soon. I have also liked and shared this video. Great music! :-)
A lot of people thought Liberace couldn’t really play the piano. I could see immediately from this video that a lot of people were wrong. He was very astute and knew what people wanted.
5/16/2019. HAPPY 100th LEE...
Awesome, thank you for posting :-)
From 0:39 to 1:05 , he puts in a Liszt cadenza. The cadenza is from “Waldesrauchen” it’s from his 2 Études de Concert.
Used to watch him on UK TV on Sunday afternoons when I was a boy !!
The hornist in the video is John Jacob Graas, a studio musician and one of the first jazz French horn players. Liberace called him the world's greatest horn player.
Its so nice !
Marvellous!
Fantastyczny...
I think anyone who thinks they are a critic of this truly wonderful pianist has green eyes
linda melodia theme of paganini gracias ...
what talent , gift of God
No, lots of practice. Stick you god up your ass.
well done
wow!!
My girlfriend and I were part of his fan club I Sadly sadly I not get to meet him in Melbourne but she did, she said back stage he was kind to her. A true artist. She and I were 14 then THAT WAS 54 years ago or so
Liquid velvet.
Thank you, Lee!
I have to say, i dont like reworks on classical music, but liberace... he is master at what he does, maybe he doesnt have the touch, like Horowitz did, but man... his just really good. (exceptionally)
This song was in the movie Groundhog Day .
Popular but not in a classical concert pianist sense.
Was it studios who dictated time schedule and content?
Or the fact that Liberace was not capable enough to sell the original masterpieces.
He certainly pleased the masses and was so gay.
Good on him.
I always loved a fellow homosexual giving to the masses and laughing all the way to the bank.
I thought he was, too!
Rachmaninoff didn't borrow this variation; he wrote this set of variations on the Theme of Paganini - most of which sound nothing like the theme. Rachmaninoff will be the composer, Kreisler is just the arranger of this, as it is supposed to be for Full Orchestra.
Para soñar.
One of rachmaninoff's most complicated pieces
1:08 I heard a tiny hint of the Bohemian Rhapsody right there.
👏👏👏💖💖🌹🌹👍
What happened to the a-flat key @1:05 ?? Liberace crosses his left hand to play the a-flat and and NO SOUND. Can't believe that he would play a piano with an inop key!!
1:54 - LOL
Dead key at 1:04
titaniumsandwedge Dead piano player! What a joke that guy was.
Gay or not, this guy was a God on Piano!
Ein eigenwilliger Interpret - aber - aber ein genialer Pianist!
ow(dot)ly/7rP9T
This should clear up the 'Kriesler' thing.
So, was he gay?
Sorry but I didn’t like his arrangement.
Rachmaninov is rolling over in his grave. As a serious performer of much of his music, this is a bit much....
The ultimate pianist .... loved this wonderful man ...all of my life ... never missed a note !!!! Everything he played was perfect !!! just beautiful !!!
I loved liberace also i cried when he passed. He was talented a genius
I think anyone who thinks they are a critic of this truly wonderful pianist has green eyes