Piano Performance retrospectives: The seeds of greatness were sown early in life
It was fascinating to discover videos of pianists in their teens that hearken back to their earlier years of study. In all, a hallmark feel for the phrase and nuance highlights their performances in the past and present. In addition their heartfelt playing rises above the notes and communicates a musical passion that is unabashedly shared.
In a second set of videos, older, more established pianists have uploaded flashback offerings that are just as impressive.
Aimi Kobayashi
A 16-year old who has become a household name in European and American musical circles, Aimi’s spring 2010 debut in Carnegie Hall brought home her enormous talent.
In this performance the artist is 14.
Chopin Etude Op. 10 no. 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn7UnQWkcjY&feature=related
Here’s a flashback performance when she was 4:
At a tender age, Aimi played with a rich palette of dynamics and beautiful phrasing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqp-skySao&feature=related
George Li:
Li makes his Vancouver Playhouse debut at 16:
Best to go to word press site to see you tubes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDDWTq_v3uw
Flashback to age 12 performing Flight of the Bumblebee (Rachmaninoff arrangement/Rimsky-Korsakov)
Footage can’t be embedded:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBO3IC7VN_w
Aristo Sham:
Making an appearance at the Miami International Piano Festival in 2009, Aristo was 13 at the time. (footage cannot be embedded)
Three Ginastera Dances
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E_NVVnVPA0
Flashback to Aristo Sham at 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4nhUFeraOQ
Lang Lang performs Liszt’s Liebestraume at his Carnegie Hall debut:
A child of 11, Lang Lang appears in a home video playing Chopin’s “Black Key” Etude
Seymour Bernstein
Here’s the heavenly rendered Aria from Bach’s Goldberg Variations
Going back in time to age 15 on vinyl record, Bernstein interprets Chopin’s works as a seasoned pianist.
Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim in recording as a child of 12:
