Who can beat Art Tatum's left hand?

[cuberdrift]

Seriously. I haven't yet found any pianist who could do jumps like he did. I'm sure there are...but I haven't heard any quite as spectacular.

The insanity starts at 1:25:

Notice the continuous use of tenths (!). It had been bad enough to have standalone bass notes; to add a tenth would seem ridiculously difficult. And I haven't heard any mishaps, either!

I have to make some comments as well about certain flashy "tricks" heard there. Does anyone know how the inaudibly fast run was done at 2:01? Or is it a mere gliss? And the extremely rapid chromatic 'run' at 2:13? Are these actual, fingered runs, or just glissandi? Tatum has this habit of playing tricks that are actually more intimidating to hear than they are to play. Though he had good technique, I still sometimes think he might be a bit overrated - what about the other supervirtuosi of his time - Hoffman? Cziffra? Richter?

Incidentally here's a video that combines a lot of "super-stride" left hand:

Add to the fact that he could not see his fingers as he played!  

Is there any way we can reach that level? What virtuosi have reached or exceeded his skill?

[thalbergmad]

Dreyschock could probably have given Tatum a run for his money.

Thal

[indianajo]

Thanks for posting this.  Art Tatum got about 15 seconds play time on the PBS series Jazz and I dont' think they ever sold his records here. I have never heard him on the radio.   I like his style and now have someone to look up to.

[stevensk]

Hm..another "who is the fastest player" thread..   when will this stop?

[dfrankjazz]

Silly Wabbit:)

[kaystephaniex]

Jay Chou propably can beat him. Go watch the piano battle/duel sceme from the film The Secret (2007).

Oh and what about Glenn Gould? He could play at an inhumanly speed.

[ahinton]

Dreyschock could probably have given Tatum a run for his money.

I rather doubt it (although there's no evidence either way), but in so saying that's no insult to Dreyschock!

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

I rather doubt it (although there's no evidence either way), but in so saying that's no insult to Dreyschock!

I cannot imagine Dreyschock playing stride or Tatum playing the Revolutionary in octaves.

Thal

[falala]

Who can beat Art Tatum's left hand?


Art Tatum's right hand!