Alexei Grynyuk - the Octave Marvel

[opus10no2]

Actually I can play faster than this, not in octaves when that is said(this is not supposed to be some bad joke).

And Hamelin may be able to play octaves this fast, he has the fastest HR2 octaves if I remember correctly.

The HR2 octaves are NOT this fast, and not sustained as long.

The reasons for these pieces (HR6 and that section of the Liszt Sonata) being so remarkable are the sustained nature of them.

[mephisto]

No they are basicly twice as fast...or are they ?

[ramseytheii]

It would be fine if they could manage to play this fast, but they didn't.

When people don't , it's easy to assume they can't, not that they simply 'choose not to'.

I don't think it is worth it arguing with this person, who has basically been telling everyone in this thread what they should and shouldn't be impressed at.  When you see the Red Army on the march, go the other damn'd way!

Walter Ramsey

[jakev2.0]

The videos of this guy are only worth watching once. He has fast octaves. So what? The passages sound like absolute garbage. The HR 6 is faster than Cziffra, but about 1/10th as exciting. The Sonata is even worse.

Agree totally with marik and ramsey.

[krittyot]

The passages sound like absolute garbage. The HR 6 is faster than Cziffra, but about 1/10th as exciting. The Sonata is even worse.

your comment isn't any better than his playing.

[arensky]

Amazing, no?

Amazing, yes.


Just watched these again, and I have a much more favorable impression of him. His octaves are indeed amazing. Perhaps his wrists are double jointed, or something. I'll watch it {Sonata} again...

Wow.

Ah will be studying these vids for awhile.

But it is very ugly. I don't think this is what the music wants.

I will watch the Liszt Sonata in it's entirety, then I will evaluate his "musicality" ...

Without moisture, one will die of thirst. 

[tompilk]

Actually I can play faster than this, not in octaves when that is said(this is not supposed to be some bad joke).

And Hamelin may be able to play octaves this fast, he has the fastest HR2 octaves if I remember correctly.

try hamelin's busoni piano concerto chords... faster than HR 6 octaves...
Tom

[opus10no2]

try hamelin's busoni piano concerto chords... faster than HR 6 octaves...
Tom

No.

But it is very ugly. I don't think this is what the music wants.

You see music, I see a race course.

[csy]

No.
You see music, I see a race course.

Speechless..........

[maxy]

hey da comme!  how many bans so far? 

[mephisto]

Just 2

[thalbergmad]

No.
You see music, I see a race course.

Can i have a tip for the 3.30 at Haydock Park?

[fiasco]

I don't know --  I watch him play and I'm pretty impressed.  The ending of HR6 isn't exactly a nocturn -  the emotional part, and my favorite part, of this piece is the slow section preceding it.  But I see this video starts after that section, and I haven't yet searched for the whole thing.

I've read impassioned writings about how Hamelin is sterile, Lang Lang is vulgar, Kissin has no musicality, Cziffra was a circus act, Horowitz was overrated, and so on.  Seems like every time someone pulls off an amazing performance, a lesser performer is there to point out how cold and emotionless he is.  This is the same thing that Liszt faced in his day, and these same people 150 years ago would be slamming Liszt for his superficiality and showiness.  I think that anyone who has a critique for this guy's HR6 should be able to sit down at the keys and say, "THIS is how it should be done."

[ramseytheii]

I don't know --  I watch him play and I'm pretty impressed.  The ending of HR6 isn't exactly a nocturn -  the emotional part, and my favorite part, of this piece is the slow section preceding it.  But I see this video starts after that section, and I haven't yet searched for the whole thing.

I've read impassioned writings about how Hamelin is sterile, Lang Lang is vulgar, Kissin has no musicality, Cziffra was a circus act, Horowitz was overrated, and so on.  Seems like every time someone pulls off an amazing performance, a lesser performer is there to point out how cold and emotionless he is.  This is the same thing that Liszt faced in his day, and these same people 150 years ago would be slamming Liszt for his superficiality and showiness.  I think that anyone who has a critique for this guy's HR6 should be able to sit down at the keys and say, "THIS is how it should be done."

I think your last part is unfair.  Maybe some people criticize out of jealousy, but I think that a far greater number of people criticize out of being offended at seeing something they love treated in what is, for them, a flippant manner.

 Why doesn't criticism matter if it comes from a "lesser performer?"  Beethoven said time and time again the Handel was the greatest composer of all.  Does that matter more than Schoenberg's criticism, that Handel was a vapid part-writer, whose music always started strong and became weaker and weaker?  For you, this would come down to whether or not Beethoven was the greater composer.  For me, and most others, it is about actual content.

If you think criticism is only valid for those who can exceed the criticized object, you forfeit your right to criticize your government, your priest, your parents, and 99% of everyone else.

There may be some validity in the specific criticisms you mentioned, though they sound exaggerated.  Instead of criticizing the critic, why don't you say what is good about those people; it is much more interesting.

Walter Ramsey

[mad_max2024]

I think everyone has his/her own favourite performer and is quick to point out flaws in musicians they don´t like, it's quite impossible to get everyone to agree so every performer will get critisized by a lot of people.
From what I see there seems to be a lot of envy and jealousy among pianists at all levels, it's a part of human and animal nature to be competitive and selfish.
I mean it's okay to critisize something if you say what you like about it and what you dislike, to go on blindly calling something good or bad and yelling at everyone who says otherwise is just stupid

As for the video, I am quite impressed at the velocity and the fast paced fun movement that he plays, but his octaves do seem a bit dirty and sloppy, I would prefer it if he played it a bit slower with more control
If they are the most impressive or greatest or best or whatever, it's just a meaningless label

[nick]

Truely amazing and enjoyed! I would think anyone playing at that speed would not have much time to think "let's see, how can I play this more musical". Those particular passages I think are just meant to be ripped. In my experience, alot of people playing the "musical card" maybe don't have that good a  technique themselves,  and can justify it that way. Thanks for the link!

Nick

[arensky]

Just watched the complete Liszt Sonata and the Scarlatti encore. Most of my reservations about him are gone, this was a good interpretation of the Liszt Sonata. His octave technique is indeed extraordinary, and he conveyed the architecture of the piece so that it didn't sound like random episodes, I've heard people play it like that and I hate it. There were a few moments where I felt he was just marking time and not into the music, (probably saving his energy for the octaves) and that was annoying. The Scarlatti was excellent if a bit harsh in tone.


I would like to hear him play Mazeppa, that would be astounding...

[pianowelsh]

Freakish,, Not organic!   - im sorry but thats my real feeling on this one. Somehow like a machine that runs on duracell batteries.  Yes its fast! - quite possibly not the fastest.  I think if this really impresses you you havent heard enough young pianists...there are plenty who have truely phenominal digital control. However after a few seconds of this i was reminded f a cd skipping because it had all the muiscal purpose of a cd skipping...there was no sense, no line...just lots of notes.. and to be brutal - many wrong notes too, many miss hit notes and some which didnt sound - which really is enevitable if your end goal is speed - something has to give somewhere.  Now dont get me wrong im not saying speed isnt imoportant but it has to serve the music NOT impose itself upon it.  Manufactured perfectly even and rhythmic 8ves (alla skipping cd) are about as far removed from the Hungarian folk tradition as it is possible to go...this music exudes life and abandon. I felt the whole time he was just trying to keep it on the rails and beat the metronome.  I wouldnt listen to him again - Sorry!

[liszt-essence]

OMG

He rapes the piece.

Try to LISTEN to it with your eyes closed. This is digusting.

His HR6? Truely boring.


Artur Pizarro... thank you for being a one of the very very very few true good Liszt interpreters.

[opus10no2]

He rapes the piece.

You neglect to realize that to a rapist, rape is a very beautiful thing.

[ramseytheii]

You neglect to realize that to a rapist, rape is a very beautiful thing.

Everybody run the other way - RELATIVITY!!!!

[liszt-essence]

You neglect to realize that to a rapist, rape is a very beautiful thing.

Not for the victim.

Perhaps that is the problem.

Alexei Grynyuk is a musical rapist, and we, the audience are his victim.

[opus10no2]

But it feels so damn good, I would consent!

[henrah]

What's the place he's playing at? It looks like the same place this guy (Tang Tang something or other) is playing the Prokky Toccata:

[opus10no2]

Indeed, all these clips are filmed by renowned french musicologist 'da MART'.

[henrah]

But where is it? It seems like it might be a school of speed because the Prokky Toccata guy also played extremely fast. Though he was accurate and played the piece really well, he muffed up the ending; but that's not to deter from the sound of the piece, which was really well constructed.


And impressive

I felt that Grynyuk's HR6 was about the same speed as Cziffra's, atleast the better of the two Cziffra videos circulating youtube. Has anyone put them side to side to compare?

[infectedmushroom]

But where is it? It seems like it might be a school of speed because the Prokky Toccata guy also played extremely fast. Though he was accurate and played the piece really well, he muffed up the ending; but that's not to deter from the sound of the piece, which was really well constructed.


And impressive

I felt that Grynyuk's HR6 was about the same speed as Cziffra's, atleast the better of the two Cziffra videos circulating youtube. Has anyone put them side to side to compare?

Cziffra playing HR6:

[henrah]

No that's not the video... this is it:

I feel this version is much cleaner, much like Cziffra went away for a while and improved on it since the version you posted.

[infectedmushroom]

No that's not the video... this is it:

I feel this version is much cleaner, much like Cziffra went away for a while and improved on it since the version you posted.

Didn't saw that video yet, but I agree with you!

Thanks for posting.

[chromatickler]

I felt that Grynyuk's HR6 was about the same speed as Cziffra's, atleast the better of the two Cziffra videos circulating youtube. Has anyone put them side to side to compare?

the octave marathon section is noticably faster than the fastest of the two cziffra videos (the bbc one)

[elevateme]

omg lets have a race & see who can play liszt fastest omg omg !!!!

grow up you twat

[henrah]

omg lets have a race & see who can play liszt fastest omg omg !!!!

grow up you twat

No really, lets! But it doesn't have to be Liszt, we could do Bach's first prelude from WTC, or possibly Claire de Lune! That would sound funny And what about the first movement of the Moonlight sonata really fast? That would sound odd too.... ok on your marks....GO!!

[opus10no2]

omg lets have a race & see who can play liszt fastest omg omg !!!!

grow up you twat

You cunt seem to comprend that that physical prowess is more impressive to most people than musical prowess, partially because of the sexual appeal related to physical prowess.

When a female witnesses me play, fingering up the keyboard, giving it a good pounding, with incredible speed and endurance, she often wishes to procreate with me.
This is perfectly natural.

Your post exhudes jealousy of those physically superior to you, infering that you are in actual fact, sexually inadequet.

[mephisto]

Harsh

[elevateme]

You cunt seem to comprend that that physical prowess is more impressive to most people than musical prowess, partially because of the sexual appeal related to physical prowess.

When a female witnesses me play, fingering up the keyboard, giving it a good pounding, with incredible speed and endurance, she often wishes to procreate with me.
This is perfectly natural.

Your post exhudes jealousy of those physically superior to you, infering that you are in actual fact, sexually inadequet.

yes, thats exactly what my post says. amazing, you spotted the hidden meaning. not.
some people dont need a piano to pull a girl. perverts like you clearly do. you seriously need to think about what you said there ^

[opus10no2]

Perverted? I am merely sexually liberated and enlightened, awakened to the true nature of physical attraction.

While you attempt to work your 'magic' with pick-up lines culled from Howard Na's blog, I simply flex my fingers and they come running, they come, and come again.

Because I'm worth it 

[mad_max2024]

Exactly when did this become a childish "who has the biggest penis" topic?

[opus10no2]

Exactly when did this become a childish "who has the biggest penis" topic?

When 'elevateme' revealed his inability to 'elevate' himself, and wormed his way in this topic with a typical display of pathetic jealousy.

I think we all know who the bigger man is.

[elevateme]

Perverted? I am merely sexually liberated and enlightened, awakened to the true nature of physical attraction.

While you attempt to work your 'magic' with pick-up lines culled from Howard Na's blog, I simply flex my fingers and they come running, they come, and come again.

Because I'm worth it

worth what?? lol youre just a stupid kid. your posts are quite amusing though.

[franzliszt2]

I just wanna know why people are impressed with the fast octaves. I mean the Liszt sonata presstissimo octave passage aint that hard, the first bit is just a B major scale! The 2nd bit is not that hard at all, the hardest thing is getting it all clean and to sound like the big climax, that guy kills it! He turns one of the greatest pieces of music ever into a showpiece! The octaves are not that hard he just relaxe. I can imagine ALL concert pianists could play that fast if they wanted to, but I mean seriously, it's awful! It's a total mess, the prestissimo must be relative to the presto, and the allegro before that, I'd love to hear the speed he takes in the other sections.

I must say, I've never turned a girl on by bashing the piano, becasue then I get smelly and sweaty, and pull funny faces! Not exactly appealing. Octaves are hardly a turn on for the women though, I'd love meet a woman who did get turned on by octaves though 

[opus10no2]

I just wanna know why people are impressed with the fast octaves.

Because they are unequalled..?

I mean the Liszt sonata presstissimo octave passage aint that hard, the first bit is just a B major scale! The 2nd bit is not that hard at all, the hardest thing is getting it all clean and to sound like the big climax, that guy kills it! He turns one of the greatest pieces of music ever into a showpiece! The octaves are not that hard he just relaxe. I can imagine ALL concert pianists could play that fast if they wanted to

Haha, no - many have tried, and failed.

I must say, I've never turned a girl on by bashing the piano, becasue then I get smelly and sweaty, and pull funny faces! Not exactly appealing. Octaves are hardly a turn on for the women though, I'd love meet a woman who did get turned on by octaves though

True masters don't get smellty or sweaty, it's mostly effortless.

[opus10no2]

cziffra shows that he is the true master of this piece in the part where both hands are leaping

While that part is actually a pit-stop, a resting point, it certainly does look cool when Cziffra does it 

[nicco]

True masters don't get smellty or sweaty, it's mostly effortless.

haha tell that to berezovsky

[elevateme]

hahahaha and kissin. and pretty much most pianists to be honest, depending on the size of the piece theyre playing.

[opus10no2]

And the size of their ass, they sweat because of the lights on them, the heating/air-conditioning, and also some because they are fat dudes.

[kelly_kelly]

Whether or not this guy has the best technique of any pianist alive (which I highly doubt) is immaterial- to me, and to other TRUE musicians what matters most is not the technique but the way it is used to fulfill musical purposes. By these standards, this guy is... OK, I guess.

[ramseytheii]

Whether or not this guy has the best technique of any pianist alive (which I highly doubt) is immaterial- to me, and to other TRUE musicians what matters most is not the technique but the way it is used to fulfill musical purposes. By these standards, this guy is... OK, I guess.

Oh gawd - don't get opus12 started on his stopwatch rants!  Speed trumps music - and if you don't think so, publish in any thread but this one!!!! 

Walter Ramsey

[minor9th]

Has anyone heard his Van Cliburn Competition CD? It's considerably more tasteful.

[mad_max2024]

Oh gawd - don't get opus12 started on his stopwatch rants!  Speed trumps music - and if you don't think so, publish in any thread but this one!!!! 

Walter Ramsey

Speed is good... Must have speed...
*Mad_Max2024 goes into zombie-like trance*

[leonidas]

Has anyone heard his Van Cliburn Competition CD? It's considerably more tasteful slow.

Yes, I like his slower playing alot too, but then - people who can play slow music well are a dime a dozen.

People who can play octaves like that are, well, you know..not.