Piano Forum

Youtube is an unrivaled musical resource that's turning the classical music world upside down.  To earnest students of music, it's Julliard in your living room.  Instantly, you can listen to historic or amateur performances from around the world from several different time periods.  The purpose of this post is to delve into the world of Youtube a little more and, through your help, sort out the greatest performances it has to offer.

Performances must be solo piano.  No piano concertos.

I am not necessarily looking for historical performances but ones that you personally feel contain the most significant statements of expression.  I understand that it is impossible to include all of the variables that go into great piano playing in a single performance, so it is NOT necessary to find performances that contain as many elements as possible.  Rather, I am asking for performances that you would consider a 'breath of fresh air.'

I will begin by posting three of my personal favorites.

Alfred Cortot, Etude in F Minor, Op. 25, No. 2, by Chopin


Vladimir Horowitz, Prelude in G Sharp Minor, Op. 32, No. 12, by Rachmaninoff


Glenn Gould, Rhapsody in B Minor, Op. 79, No. 1, by Brahms