20:50 - 20:55 Went from FFFF to PPP. Man, I love Vladimir Horowitz .

He is the supreme master of sonorities. As Isaac Stern said of him: "With two notes he could produce twenty colours." And his ability to create "the singing line" is matchless. There are not enough superlatives to describe his playing.

He made the piano sound like an orchestra, and could even drown out an orchestra in ffff passagework. Sitting under the belly of the piano in the middle of the first row in Symphony Hall some forty years ago and hearing him play the E Flat Etude Tableau of Rachmaninoff, I was seized by the rapture of the glorious symphonic sound he tossed off, and I knew that I would never hear any piano playing remotely like that again. And I never have. The memory is a total rapture frozen in time forever.

He played this piece so wonderfully despite feeling unwell. Amazing man. I am always such an enormous Horowitz fan.

Heard him live in Massey Hall, Toronto, back in the mid 1970's. I was lucky to get a stage seat, so I was only 15 ' from him, looking at his hands the entire concert. It felt like he was giving me a personal recital.

Of all the pianists that I've heard, few are truly incredible. But Horowitz is on a whole other plane. His playing somehow transcends beyond anything I thought possible, and I'm constantly astonished any time I hear his playing. "Incredible" is nowhere near enough to describe him. I honestly don't understand how someone could even compare Horowitz to any other pianist, living or dead. He is by far my favorite pianist, musician, artist, of all time, maybe next to Rachmaninoff as a composer. Horowitz + Rachmaninoff is bliss.

0:07 - I. Allegro agitato 10:11 - II. Non allegro - Lento 16:50 - III. L'istesso tempo - Allegro molto [23:05 - Applause]

such beautiful playing... by a man who KNEW Rachmaninoff... and whom RACHMANINOFF admired a GREAT deal...

I heard him perform this piece live in Boston in 1968. The audience was mesmerized. Other than his technical command, I was particularly impressed by his dynamic control, which was shared by very few other pianists.

The finale movement will always be permanently etched into my memory... Especially that almost cataclysmic ending at 22:53... Almost like the whole universe collapsing in on itself

I attended that very recital (London May 1982). What else can be said of the iconic Horowitz that has'nt already been said? I consider myself to have been one of the privileged few in the UK.

When I was a young pianist I so wanted to hear him in person. Never got the chance, but so thrilled to find this recording.

Horowitz is unique, incomparable and will always be! I heard him live several times, knew him personally and played his Steinway. No further comments are necessary. Absolutely immmortal!

20:55 the change in dynamics holy shit

His romantic sense of taking passages faster, slower, and leaning into dynamic changes so well makes me feel this piece in a whole new way. In a way I always needed to. Man. I wish I saw him live.

Simply amazing performance by a legend, on his Steinway handkerchief holder. The high notes on this piano ring like bells, the low notes are rich, powerful and clear but not overwhelming. With Horowitz's technique, and his intimate knowledge of the music and its composer, the effect is magic.

Im 15 yrs old and i wish i was born before,for see and hear live this great pianist..i would go all around the world for a Horowitz`s concert..most of today music can`t be called music..

One of the most beautiful things i ever heard

Wow, changing from fortissimo to pianissimo and back to fortissimo from 5:00 till 6:00 into the piece, I've never heard such a range in sound from the piano in Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Sonata. Horowitz was a genius.

1981 - I was there. He did another unrecorded concert exactly a week later.

This is even more impressive than the 1968 Carnegie Hall recording. I'm sure Horowitz wasn't concerned with playing fast or loud, because you can see his intention: to instill every phrase with such rich emotions

When I was your age, I discovered Rachmaninoff's music for the first time. I tell you, Rachmaninoff's music will stay with you for a lifetime, during your high times and your low times. His music, to quote Hugo, can express that which cannot be stated in words.

As a boy of 10 years old, Horowitz gave a recital for Scriabin in 1915. Scriabin is fantastic stuff; he skips a lot of the intro and end of pieces, a kind of shorthand he uses. I have Horowitz's recordings of Scriabin. Really great recordings. Such modern pieces and over 100 years old, and still sounds modern.

Horowitz puts music together in a completely new way. His originality is bottomless.

About Horowitz, Sergei Rachmaninov himself once said: "He plays my second sonata better than his composer."

There is so much joy in Horowitz's playing.

This is just so much better than anything else on the internet... Hamilton, Lugansky the lot just aren't comparable. Wish he was still around to play like that... and this is it him not at his best

Vladimir Horowitz was a truly accomplished classical pianist who played so beautifully. I could listen to him all day❤️

This piece just has monster written all over it, I'm not sure what the other you tubers are not hearing as far as melody. What I'm hearing is amazing, I've never heard anyone else play it with such electricity.

I love how he’s never afraid to take a bit more time over things- bass notes at 22:31 and 12:57 just stood out to me. He takes a breath without letting it interrupt the flow of the music. Masterful.

23:oo on--He really was the greatest. In his face: "I'm coming down the home stretch of this marathon...not bad for an old man...I really loved Rachmaninoff and his music".

Who gives a damn about a few mistakes when the music playing is great? Small minded people who are jealous of geniuses who attain world fame and renown and great musical accomplishment as Horowitz did. He did not get away with anything, and he did not interpret as you say he did. His greatness resided in the fact that he performed the music exactly as Rachmaninoff dreamed it, lesser "less lazy" note perfectionists interpreted and played the music as lesser than it was

I'm not crazy about this sonata but Horowitz always made/makes you listen until the ending. He could make any composition sound digestible, interest, more interesting than it was/is, and always really convincing and beautiful. Bravo Maestro!!!

I actually like Horowitz's version of the second movement more than both versions of this Sonata. I think that it flows much more nicely, still retaining all the most beautiful parts.

I have never heard such playing - even from the greatest of today and yesteryears! Where did he find the strength and endurance - and indescribable feeling moments - to play like this at his age. Truly a remarkable achievement!! No one today - and there are many great ones - can play like this. I just wish the ads did not interrupt this marvelous playing.

f1f1s It was Rachmaninoff, himself, who allowed Vladimir Horowitz to combine the 1913 & 1931 versions of his 2nd Sonata. They were really good friends, when he did this, and this, as a matter of fact, was important to Rachmaninoff. as well as Horowitz.

That's called an overflow of applause that just burst forth in sheer enthusiasm

Of all of VH's Rach 2 mashups, this is by far my favorite version. The second movement "mathematically works" better than his other versions. The whole piece feels much more structurally sound to me.

Great interpretation, the very first line is absolutely mesmerising. You can hear the whole piece very clearly. He doesn't rush through it, he takes time and makes the music clear. The adagio as a composition itself is wonderful, sounds like an elegy. And the ending is a wonderful contrast to the thundering first movement, reminiscent of Rachmaninov's piano concerto finales.

Such magnificent music, such a brilliant performance! When you start to consider what went into this work... two incredible musical minds -- Rachmaninoff and Horowitz. The genius of the composition... a stunning interpretation... even memorizing such a work is a feat of genius.

Thank you so much for this video!!! I have listened so many times to the 1968 recording. And now there is a video. Horowitz's playing really changed through the years, for example at the beginning, he plays much slower. Again, thank you very much and keep up your great work.

Thank you for sharing. I cannot stop listening to his piano.

Truly a GREAT piece, and, obviously, a TRULY great performance. I bought the Columbia live cording of Horowitz playing this piece in the 1970s. I listened to it nearly every day for months, until I could har the whole thing in my head. This is epoch-naking, life-changing music. For me.

His dynamics! Soooo great!! I love Horowitz interpretations!

8:43 all the colours of a complete orchestra ...... unbelievable , and quite paranormal ... only "him" ....

Love it every time...absolutely brilliant!

I mean this in total seriousness: Watching Horowitz play is a piano lesson for me. I learn so many things. I have to be mentally and emotionally prepared for it because it's otherwise like drinking from a firehose.

Es como si fuera el mismo Rachmaninov tocando este estallido y romanticismo . Estupenda versión.... la mejor versión de la historia. Tendría que renacer Rach otra vez para superar eso. Nadie más hace esto como Horowitz.

Mind blowing A full exposition of the possibilities of pianistic technical feats Must be an ordeal to master,but always passionate and alive and very strong

I can't get enough of 21:34 it's so beautiful, and can only play that well by Horowitz himself.

Amazing, truly fascinating to see the dynamics change so fast and beautifully. Truly a genius. But I must say that this is quite surprising, I don't know how he didn't break a few strings here and there playing this loud honestly

sober, coherent and restrained interpretation of a work that few know as Vlad. Whereas it was not at its best even today is excellent and no Korean pianist could aproach him.

Probably the most introspective and nuanced interpretation I have heard of this extraordinary piece played by an extraordinary artist.

One can watch this performance again and again add somehow be transported by the clarity of melody and the " on the edge" delivery. Perhaps Vladimir is the only pianist who somehow overrides any slight mishap or indiscretion without it making a jot of difference!

Quando Lui suona, una infinita tavolozza di colori ti avvolge... Ondate cromatiche ti colpiscono, ti accarezzano e ti percuotono, ti baciano e ti schiaffeggiano....altro non puoi fare che, immobile, ascoltare, stupirti, spaventarti, chiederti in quale Universo ti sei proiettato, in quale fantastico Mondo ti sei perduto , Spettatore Innocente!

21:30 to the end is magic, especially 22:20 to 22:30 - the dynamics!

Magnificent! His fingers are like "glued"to the piano.

The first time I have watched this particular piece of music, Horowitz (despite old age)is formidable at the keys...I'm dying to find any (if exist) of his first performances when he was in his prime, it will be a thrill to watch.

საოცრება,როგორც ყოველთვის უკვდავი გენიოსი,შეუდარებელი ჰოროვიცი

So many feels from this music

Wonderful contrasts, and, of course virtuosity. And I just heard an extraordinary-and often different-conception of this piece recently posted, performed by Sidney Foster, in the 1970s.

Да...В свои годы этот человек совершил артистический подвиг сыграв так Сонату Рахманинова, как никто еще не играл (даже в наше время я ничего подобного не слышал). С таким блеском и размахом! Фантастика какая-то...время не властно над этим великим артистом, Владимиром Горовцем!

In this video(London 1892) he is playing a mashup of Rachmaninoff’s original and revised version of the No.2 Sonata, and it works perfectly well. He has his own unique way to understand and interpret Rachmaninoff’s works as always. Edit: Some time pins 2:00 7:20 Very beautiful sub-themes of 1st movement 12:10 - 13:15 The most beautiful part 20:47 22:57 is literally bombardment

😭😭I cried

Amazing. What confidence and command of the instrument he has!

Very special. THe made this piece to be understandable. If somebody want to be critical for this video, do it against Rachmaninoff not Horowitz. This piece has the maximal quality up to this level. Even this quality was possible because of this marvelous pianist.

He seems playing so effortlessly with ease.

I attended this recital and the one the following week which was neither recorded or broadcast. We now know that Horowitz was not in good health at the time and possibly on medication that affected his playing. The consensus is that his playing improved by the time he made his return to Moscow. The best things in this recital were the Scarlatti sonatas. The following week (still at the RFH) Horowitz gave a rare but amazing performance of the Liszt second Ballade. It's possible that my change of seat for the second performance affected my judgement but I felt that these performances were distinctly better. Nevertheless both occasions were intensely special. There was a palpable air of anticipation in the air that I have not felt before or since. I queued for tickets for 36 hours and the shared thoughts amongst those waiting were special in themselves.

He literally said that he can either play it musically with mistakes or not very musically and play every note perfect. I can relate to this, actually, though obviously I'm not nearly as good. So, yes, I'd say he definitely prioritized communication over technical precision.

A melodia dissolvida é sugerida como o açúcar na água. A harmonia passa a existir paralela, porém, não ligada diretamente ao canto que se insinua. As dissonâncias se compõe como uma agonia sempre presente, numa época que a alma já passou e se lembra apenas como flashes de um sonho. Lindo.

I tried playing this piece it is something worth working at....And there is a lovely melancholic sound that is therapeutic to the ear, in its healing qualities....Hard to explain but although haunting at first more as being drip fed some marvellous drizzle essence that sparkles in ones head

ⅰ0:45～1:27冒頭の凄まじいフォルテ、ⅱ13:26～48ラフマニノフの熱くたぎるようなメッセージが伝わってくる。14:10～15:31カデンツァに続いて、厭世的なフレーズが続く。低音の響きが脳髄にうずく。Ⅲ18:16～19:30　繰り返し出てくる限りなく色っぽいメロディー、懐かしさと憧れに包まれる、21:08～21:40　指を伸ばしたままの和弦から、イスラメイばりのトレモロのコーダまで、冗長な１番とは比較にならない名曲だと思う。とくにⅢはすばらしく、作曲者の同意を得て、かなりきりばりしてホロヴッツ版として出している。原典版はアシュケナージが弾いているが、あまり意味のない巨匠主義的パッセージが少し多すぎ、冗長の感は否めない。Ⅲは短くまとめたうえで３ｍくらいのアンコールとしてもホロヴィッツは弾いていたように思う。リストのソナタ、ショパンの葬送、シューベルトのさすらい人等に比べ、聴きどころ満載、しかも聴衆をいい気持ちにさせてくれるサービス精神満点のソナタである。誰だっけ？「指が回るだけのピアニストが指が回らなくなったら終わりだ」なんてね。多少もつれてもよたよた歩いてても十分伝わってくるよ。指がマムシになっていたり、（三度の下降スケールを24指で弾いているときに５指が伸び切っている（カルメン幻想曲）のも全く不可解！）のにあんな爆音が出るのは相変わらず謎だけれど。

That second movement brought me to tears. That is real music, interpreted by a real musician. It made me feel things that I didn't even know I could feel.

Tremendous......The old virtuoso plays it like he owns it.

12：15〜あたりからの盛り上がりの部分が泣けてくる！！

My favorite is the lento @ 10:12 . Just lovely!

This is great! How does one memorize almost a half hour's worth on notes and perform it so smoothly and elegantly with such poise ill never know. I can agree that there are few mistakes, but all songs played can produce mistakes and the man is 78! I dont see a lot of 70 year old men playing this much music... I like it!! Thumbs up! 5 stars! Now back to listening....

The master at work!

In questa sonata si avverte pienamente la personalità romantica di Horowitz

This is amazing!

Marvelous! Gorgeous! Wonderful!

Love the music of Rachmaninov and if Horowitz is playing then that is double the love for me....

Yes bravo maestro thanks

This performance contains many different variations of his, which didn't appear in his other renditions. Definitely not simply smush the two editions. I particularly like that he highlights the Chopin polonaise part in the second movement. That one choice is so brilliant.

WHAT "A BEAUTIFUL SONATA THIS. IS"!!! I AM DRAWN TO IT SO-O-O-O DIVINELY!! I Am Fascinated By It! It Has So Many "Different Parts (SECTIONS)! Very DISJUNCT With DISTINCT POSSIBILITIES!! A "GREAT MYSTERIOUS CREATIVITY", SO RUSSIAN, Such Depth, So MANY EXPRESSIONS!!! IT IS ""RACHMANINOFF""- It Is ANOTHER GREAT WORK!!! This Performance Of The ""SONATA NO. 2 Op. 36 By VLADIMIR HOROWITZ "Is Very Exciting In SectIons"And His Playing Is THRILLING-At Times Throughout To-The End!! I Am An. Admirer of HOROWITZ And Have ENJOYED His Concerts IN PERSON Along With "Other GREAT PIANISTS"!! VAN CLIBURN IS "INCOMPARABLE IN PLAYING This SONATA""!!! VAN. CLIBURN Has So MUCH PASSION, DRAMA, Depth, Expressions, Different Feelings And COLORS! I "LOVE THE CHIMES" The AWESOME POWER OF The LEFT HAND"" ETC.!!! Van CLiburn Gives SO MUCH PURE SOUND, "Real Quality Of SOUND" IN THE KEYS At All Levels Of Dynamics!! The First Chords "Are. So RESONANT!! IT IS GRIPPING!! It's Grabs Your Feelings And Sets The Theme, Different Themes Or Textures Of The SONATA In Such A Great Way!! His Playing Of This Great SONATA Has "Such SOUL SPIRIT, POWERFUL CLIMAXES, VARIOUS TECHNIQUE And DETAILS , MOODS, TANTALIZING RHYTHMS!! He Has "Such SENSITIVITY, Such A BEAUTIFUL HEART And SPIRIT When Needed Interpreting The SONATA!!! VAN CLIBURN "SUSTAINS The WORK SO BEAUTIFULLY FROM BEGINNING ALL TO THE END"'!!!! His PHENOMENAL FLAWLESS ,POWERFUL TECHNIQUE throughout IS "STUNNING"!! SUPREME!! SUPERLI-I-I-I - I- OUS!!!! Among His GREAT GIFTS -VAN CLIBURN "IS PURE PIANIST"!! PURE PIANISM SOUND!! He Has "TRULY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, RESONANT SOUND!! You Have To Have "THE GREATEST TECHNIQUE With The MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUND To Really Play Rachmaninoff!!! I LOVE VAN CLIBURN'S ""STYLE OF PLAYING" This GREAT WORK!! HE GIVES ""THE GREATEST INTERPRETATION OF The SONATA NO. 2 OP. 36!!!!! No Other Great Pianist Has "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GREAT SOUND With "The STYLE OF PLAYING" LIKE VAN CLIBURN NOT EVEN HOROWITZ!!! HOROWITZ IS"FANTASTIC" But--- I Have A Very Good EAR For Listening To Great Performers! HOROWITZ He Calculates, His FINGERS Don't GO INTO The KEYS, He Sectionalizes The Different PHRASES, His Pianos Can Be Too Soft Etc. Then THERE IS "A Break Or. PAUSE! HOROWITZ "At Times PLAYS With A Lot Of "CALCULATED TENSION!! I Think He Said, ""THEY PLAYED ME TOO HARD And BURNED ME OUT""!!! Perhaps, HOROWITZ "Had His Piano Doctored - "So He Wouldn't Have To Work SO HARD!!! (It Is Said HOROWITZ Had " Breaks Throughout His Long VERY DISTINGUISHED CAREER!! Perhaps, GREAT TENSION And Extremely HIPER Playing With Such EXPLOITATION Caused Horowitz "Real Health Problems"!! HOROWITZ'S Piano Has "A TINGLING SOUND - When HE PLAYS!! LIke 'JINGLE BELLS IN The KEYS'!! HOROWITZ Knows What PLEASES HIS AUDIENCE!! THIS MAKES HIM GREAT!!! I Have ENJOYED Listening To Other Great Pianist Playing This Great SONATA!! But--VAN CLIBURN IS "THE GREATEST INTERPRETER Of SONATA NO. 2 OP. 36 Of RACHMANINOFF!!!!!

The most staggering and charismatic pianist of them all. No one could overwhelm the public the way he could. And here we are hearing him not at his best, and still we find him irresistible. He will never cease to stun and move me. Regret not having been able to hearing in concert, although I had the opportunity to do so back in 1986. God bless you, Volodya.

My favorite version of my favorite piano piece

Any one who has naysayed this icon in piano history should and must listen to this performance; it is an ultimate in terms of musical and physical perfection and attainment; it demonstrates the dark and fully passionate long suffering Russian soul in its fullness of joy and sorrow. Horowitz at his best was a wizard, sorcerer, very great musician and greater than great pianist. His Scriabin and Rachmaninoff performances are in their own marvelous way absolutely incomparable.

The greatest performance of the greatest piece by the greatest composer by the greatest pianist on the greatest instrument.

Thank you so much for this video.....Horowitz was so great !

Horovitz teaches us all (certainly for me) a lesson in 'deliverance', imo! Playing in a style unsurpassed for Rachmaninov's op. 36, his performance here breaks many conventions of older pianists playing with this freedom and authority .. at the same time (again, an opinion! )...

Прекрасно!! Бывают же такие гении!

Фантастически,непостижимо, гениально это было сыграно! Спасибо Владимир Горовиц что ы могли это произведение именно в таком исполнении услышать! Нет слов насколько это точно по Рахманиновски исполнено!

Fabulous ! God blessed him in life, and our souls to hear his "vision" from Rach !!!

The performance of a lifetime!

Best version of this piece...

私が聞いてきた中で1番素晴らしい演奏。彼の演奏が大好きです

Una gran transcripción (pese a ser solo un puñado de compases) la sensación exacta de que Horowitz escribió lo que en realidad le faltaba a esta sonata.

Судя по всему, почему-то некоторые комментаторы не понимают в середине 21 века, что в музыке - самое главное. Что главное - именно СМЫСЛ и ОРИГИНАЛЬНОСТЬ интерпретации, а не правильные ноты и даже ремарки редакторов и композитора. Это говорит об уровне культуры данных комментаторов...

Wow, that was just wow