Tchaikovsky-Pletnev The Nutcracker "Gran Pa de deux"

[chidi]

What are your comments on this performance.

This is incredible. I've been missing out.

[faulty_damper]

It's slow and drags.

[chidi]

It's slow and drags.

Did you even see it all?

Just wondering.

[faulty_damper]

Yes, it's my opinion.  I make no apologies if your opinion differs.  The chosen tempo may be one that ballerinas can easily dance to but it's not as musically effective.  It should be a bit faster.

[chidi]

Yes, it's my opinion.  I make no apologies if your opinion differs.  The chosen tempo may be one that ballerinas can easily dance to but it's not as musically effective.  It should be a bit faster.

The piece in whole or just certain sections?

[faulty_damper]

He starts off slowly and the melody immediately drags and it places the attention to the right hand figures.  The music is marked Andante maestoso.

 As it progresses to the repeated chord section, he gets close my prefered tempo but still under.  As he further progresses to the maestoso part is when he is very close the the right tempo.  I do not enjoy his stage mannerism at this point because it at many times actually  causes the music to suffer - he seems more interested in moving his body than moving his listeners.

I don't doubt that what this pianist imagines is what actually comes out but it could be much more effective at the right tempo.

[jakev2.0]

I prefer Pletnev's performance, but that guy's isn't too bad. It's actually fairly well conceived, imo. The dramatic build-up into the climax is tremendous.

[chidi]

He starts off slowly and the melody immediately drags and it places the attention to the right hand figures.  The music is marked Andante maestoso.

 As it progresses to the repeated chord section, he gets close my prefered tempo but still under.  As he further progresses to the maestoso part is when he is very close the the right tempo.  I do not enjoy his stage mannerism at this point because it at many times actually  causes the music to suffer - he seems more interested in moving his body than moving his listeners.

I don't doubt that what this pianist imagines is what actually comes out but it could be much more effective at the right tempo.

I see. Didn't seem to drag in my opinion though. I also rather see him move then play horribly. Who knows, his movements may actually be of aid to him, if you know what I mean.