Liberace came to Australia in 1984 and my wife decided to splurge and go to see him perform, Tickets were $150 each. A lot of money back then. What an evening we had. So glad we spent the money to see him. He was the consumate gentleman on the stage and played encore after encore. His death came as a shock and still miss his shows. If only one could turn the clock back just to see him perform again would be worth the money . The world is a poorer place without artists like him and Victor Borge and many others.
Always loved the proper respect he gave to Three Quarter Time, with Heavy accent on the 'one'... as it should have been. The Dancing Waters was a brilliant touch, as it wasn't enough to simply hear him play.. his performances were addressed to All of the senses.
Since this performance was in Las Vegas, I am convinced that Steve Wynn got the idea for his fountains at the Bellagio by attending one of Liberace's performances. You can wait around and hope, but you will never see such a master showman and musician like this ever again. It was a different time and society that produced such a genius.
I wish I could have been lucky enough to have seen one of his live performances...but,thank God for people who have recordings and care to share them* thanks so very much !!! Awesomely talented man Lee was & is still.
Ray was the one who thought up getting a car-revolve from a dealership and putting the piano dias on it, as well as adding the birds chirping in the Strauss medley. Using the dancing waters too was Ray Arnett's doing. In many ways, this was the Ray Arnett show with Liberace playing the piano and talking to the audience. Ray has been my close friend since 1980 and it bothers me more than him that his immense contribution for 30 years was never really acknowledged publicly.
+Maria Cintron He used his costumes, and diamond rings, because he was a showman. A natural born showman. But mainly, he was a genius. I watch his hands, and he has no scripts, yet has it all memorized in his brain. Amazing ! I love the guy.
They just don't make old performers like this anymore.....the costly set was just the beginning...beautifully played, of course....wonder which was more costly, his attire or the piano?
Liberace espléndido, como siempre interpretanto a los mejores músicos del mundo con su alma que fascina y su generoso corazón que nos traslada a otro mundo.....❤❤❤❤❤
Liberace was offered a 5 minute spot on either the Ed Sullivan or Johnny Carson show, I forget which, and he turned to his stage director Ray Arnett, and said, "5 minutes??!! I bow that long!"
Amazing at that time 30 years ago to have a computer controlled fountain. I might add those rings costing a bout $250,000 a piece today would be worth several million.
Marvelous! I love to play songs in waltz tempo on the piano. To me, there's a joyous feeling that isn't there when I play songs in four-four time. There is nothing joyous about the song "Tennessee Waltz" though.
I wish that people who put videos like this on UA-cam would also put the date of when they were originally recorded because some of the music is new to me.
Has anybody noticed that he is not only playing JOHANN Strauss waltzes, but that at his entrance the music of RICHARD Strauss "Also sprach Zarathustra" is played ? I wonder whether Lee did that on purpose. Richard has nothing to do with Johann and also lived much later. Richard S. wrote for instance the opera "Der Rosenkavalier".
@weatherboi I know........I was implying that when I listen to Liberace......all I hear is his piano work.....there is nothing else....and thats all I focus on....
There still are some performance artist(people who combine music and visuals) in the world. Unfortually, people like this usually play in small venues as a novelity. My piano teacher actually played piano for band, using her nose, knees and such to play the piano as a novelty, not quite as grand as libarace is but nonetheless performance art. If you want to see people like libarace you have to look for them on the streets.
Libarace is undoubtedly an extremely tallented pianist, but he's been matched. Sure for a time some musicians reach their peak and are better than everyone else, but only for a time.
Liberace came to Australia in 1984 and my wife decided to splurge and go to see him perform, Tickets were $150 each. A lot of money back then. What an evening we had. So glad we spent the money to see him. He was the consumate gentleman on the stage and played encore after encore. His death came as a shock and still miss his shows. If only one could turn the clock back just to see him perform again would be worth the money . The world is a poorer place without artists like him and Victor Borge and many others.
The greatest pianist ever Liberace. No one before or since has come close to this American genius, best ever pianist. End Of.
Ki
Always loved the proper respect he gave to Three Quarter Time, with Heavy accent on the 'one'... as it should have been. The Dancing Waters was a brilliant touch, as it wasn't enough to simply hear him play.. his performances were addressed to All of the senses.
This is great. So glad we can listen to a great pianist showman. Love the way he plays. Thank you!!!!
Oh what the world lost when the greatest musician of all times left us! We are so lucky to be able to hear him still.
What can I say. Simply fantastic. A pleasure to watch and hear.
It is great to look at other musicians facial expressions when he performs
Fantastic. Beautiful lighted fountains.
absolutely magnificient, he was a great entertainer! RIP
I saw him play in person. He was awesome.
I saw him in person in1956 at Fairfield's hall Croydon l was just 13still a huge fan now l am 78
Since this performance was in Las Vegas, I am convinced that Steve Wynn got the idea for his fountains at the Bellagio by attending one of Liberace's performances. You can wait around and hope, but you will never see such a master showman and musician like this ever again. It was a different time and society that produced such a genius.
You're probably right. Liberace played a hell of a piano
He was the "Mozart" of "Showmanship" Bravo Liberace, Bravo
It just feels like you are in a fairy tale, the music induces a mood
I wish I could have been lucky enough to have seen one of his live performances...but,thank God for people who have recordings and care to share them* thanks so very much !!! Awesomely talented man Lee was & is still.
The master of the piano Liberace. Love this. Marlain
Wow! Awesome Performance!
I love Strauss waltzes! Liberace's version is amazing!
Magistral perfomance!
i want that outfit, and the piano!
Lee, wish you were still around!
mark m
For those of us who can't make if to Vienna tonight. They waltzed from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, can't you just see them? They would have adored Liberace!
I saw this piano in person. It's kinda hard to explain the details on it...OMG it's truly a work of art.
if theres someone out there that puts on a better show than this, please let me know who!!!!
I would love to see it!
I saw this show when he came to MIchigan...wonderful
Ray was the one who thought up getting a car-revolve from a dealership and putting the piano dias on it, as well as adding the birds chirping in the Strauss medley. Using the dancing waters too was Ray Arnett's doing.
In many ways, this was the Ray Arnett show with Liberace playing the piano and talking to the audience.
Ray has been my close friend since 1980 and it bothers me more than him that his immense contribution for 30 years was never really acknowledged publicly.
Such lovey productions
such talent!
The Best show!
+Maria Cintron He used his costumes, and diamond rings, because he was a showman. A natural born showman. But mainly, he was a genius. I watch his hands, and he has no scripts, yet has it all memorized in his brain. Amazing ! I love the guy.
I've seen it, too. It is indeed a work of art. Seeing it in a clip doesn't magnify it's beauty.
They just don't make old performers like this anymore.....the costly set was just the beginning...beautifully played, of course....wonder which was more costly, his attire or the piano?
Attire. Even he said it became hard to outdo himself.
Liberace espléndido, como siempre interpretanto a los mejores músicos del mundo con su alma que fascina y su generoso corazón que nos traslada a otro mundo.....❤❤❤❤❤
Liberace was offered a 5 minute spot on either the Ed Sullivan or Johnny Carson show, I forget which, and he turned to his stage director Ray Arnett, and said, "5 minutes??!! I bow that long!"
@Farque Matthews I've said for decades, 2 of the truest oxymorons are: Corporate Logic & Government Intelligence XoXo
talk about bling, the rings, furs, rhinestone pianos, i dont think that the rappers have anything on this man.
ide like to add i would also take his rings, bling galore!!
aint no rapper beating him!!
mark m
Amazing at that time 30 years ago to have a computer controlled fountain. I might add those rings costing a bout $250,000 a piece today would be worth several million.
Originale...bellissimo...!!!
Marvelous! I love to play songs in waltz tempo on the piano. To me, there's a joyous feeling that isn't there when I play songs in four-four time. There is nothing joyous about the song "Tennessee Waltz" though.
Simply great
I wish that people who put videos like this on UA-cam would also put the date of when they were originally recorded because some of the music is new to me.
Liberace- not imitated and never equaled .
“In case the crowd doesn’t notice me, I shall wear big flappy wings”
Has anybody noticed that he is not only playing JOHANN Strauss waltzes, but that at his entrance the music of RICHARD Strauss "Also sprach Zarathustra" is played ? I wonder whether Lee did that on purpose. Richard has nothing to do with Johann and also lived much later. Richard S. wrote for instance the opera "Der Rosenkavalier".
Yes, I noticed it.
I'm speechless
@weatherboi I know........I was implying that when I listen to Liberace......all I hear is his piano work.....there is nothing else....and thats all I focus on....
There still are some performance artist(people who combine music and visuals) in the world. Unfortually, people like this usually play in small venues as a novelity. My piano teacher actually played piano for band, using her nose, knees and such to play the piano as a novelty, not quite as grand as libarace is but nonetheless performance art. If you want to see people like libarace you have to look for them on the streets.
Liberace copied the Dancing Waters from the Bellagio Hotel! hahaha! Just kidding! Liberace was way ahead of his time -- this video is proof of that!
Exploring Abandoned Mines
He popularised classical music in the day bringing culture to the uninitiated.
See Alexander Malofeev.. UA-cam.. the upcoming Russian pianist.
♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️🥰💕🥰♥️❤️
❤💖
@MariReed - He's actually being introduced as "The Waltz King, Johann Strauss" - meaning the music will be Strauss watzes.
liberace could not only play a piano. he could make it talk to you and make love to you
Thank you!
i agree...
liberace playing on a Stein way a first
Lady Gaga has nothing on Liberace's outfits...
ANYONE KNOW WHEN AND WHERE THERE CONCERT WAS AT? I LIKE TO PUT DATES ON MY VIDEOS.WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THIS COSTUME? THANK YOU.
The Outfit is called The Blue and Gold Military suit
This was at The Las Vegas Hilton 1980/81.
Well, I like the "Jeux d'eaux" on the video more...
André Rieu ? Fred Mercury ?
What background noise?!?!?!?! ;)
Libarace is undoubtedly an extremely tallented pianist, but he's been matched. Sure for a time some musicians reach their peak and are better than everyone else, but only for a time.
matched by whom? By the way he is spelled L I B E R A C E !!
Ain't happened yet mundane thinker. LIBERACE. is still that untouchable. GOD of piano.
I wouldn't begrudge Liberace even one sequin, but those ridiculous fur coats are unforgivable.