Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto n. 3 Horowitz- Mehta 1978 (video--incredible)

DarkSkiesBlog.com ^ | 7/5/2009

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Here’s something truly incredible and timeless! (If it doesn’t appear immediately…hit reload a few times. This is the full 16 minute file).

Video Link

[SonOfDarkSkies]

I just watched and listened again to this incredible and historic video recording and thought some of you might enjoy it!

[plain talk]

That one is my favorite rendition of that piece. It is played much faster than most other renditions which seem to drag. Play it a tad faster brings it to life. This one was broadcast on a local FM station at the time and I recorded it on my reel-to-reel. I learned the ending just to understand what is going on and used to be able to play it extremely slowly Horowitz is hitting three and four note chords with each hand in the descending climax at end.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

It is my all time favorite! There is something special about watching Horowitz's hands on the keyboard while hearing the music...and watching him glance up at Mehta ever so often.

To me, that is a priceless 16 minutes worth of film.

[Malesherbes]

Absolutely marvelous. I remember some years ago that at a meeting of Nobel Laureates the consensus was that we live in a terrible time; then one dissenter said no - through technology we can enjoy many of the great creations of the past. How wonderful that we can see and hear these beautiful 16 minutes.

[TChad]

I love this piece, and IMO Horowitz owns it. The problem I have with this recording is that I notice all the little differences between it and what was on my old LP, recorded when Horowitz was at the height of his powers.

When I was about 14 I bought the sheet music, not because I thought I could actually play it, but just to see all those notes. Holy sh_t. I got through the first couple of pages, but it is not for amateurs.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

I am going to make a note to myself to watch it every Sunday morning!

[Cedar]

Great video. I’ve always wondered....do classical players practice 10 hours a day to be able to play this way or just a God-given talent?

I know he was up in age, had played for years and years. But even the young ones. Do they constantly practice or what?

[TChad]

I have read that Horowitz usually practiced four hours per day, even back when he attended the Kiev Conservatory as a teenager. Of course, he spent additional hours listening to and thinking about music.

I think the rule is that expertise at Horowitz's level requires not just talent or focused practice, but plenty of both.

[Cedar]

Thanks for the reply. I’m always amazed at the performances of classical musicians, even those not at Horowitz’s level.