Maksim Mrvica

The other day while looking for a simple version of Handel's "Sarabande," I stumbled on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn70QSetC_E&feature=related

I was SO intrigued, I decided to listen to more - I noticed that he had a video with one of Ark's favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSkh5dgn69U&NR=1

Well, I was so fascinated by this heavy metal looking person producing this amazing music that I called Ark over to watch. He was like me... absolutely mesmerized! He commented that, yeah, that's how Chopin probably would have done things if he lived today!

I then noticed that Maksim had a video of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 - that's the test piece in my mind for ANY pianist. I had complained on another thread recently that I had been looking for someone to play this the way it was written and, thus far, only one guy came close - I'll find the thread.

Anyway, Ark and I watched in breathless fascination as Maksim did the incredible: played the 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody as if he were Liszt himself! Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byGI1mDi3no

Check out his rendition of Chopin's Funeral Sonata:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5UrVdvk1Ao&NR=1&feature=fvwp

His Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD2pS1O-21U&feature=related

His Chopin Nocturne in D Flat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NrQzJCWW8

His response to the idiot critics on youtube who clearly don't SEE what is there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug-cuewuQ_8

Somewhere in Time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkKue_MEnkk&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Hana's Eyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0X-GamNY5U&NR=1

And more and more...

Geeze, it's like Franz Liszt reincarnated!

Added: Here is an article that has an image of a cast of Liszt's hands:

http://savecivilization.org/?p=105

Here is an image of Liszt as a young man:

http://z.about.com/d/musiced/1/0/H/8/liszt.jpg

Brilliant.

that Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 ... wow. :) he makes the piano whirl and stomp and dance and sing and cry!

This man is really a genius! At first, his look seemed kind of weird, but when you listen to him you actually start liking his whole style. I'm no expert at all in music, so I can't tell how difficult it must be to play the way he does, but I loved it.

Ailén said:

I'm no expert at all in music, so I can't tell how difficult it must be to play the way he does

Click to expand...

some of that very difficult! As Laura says, there's just no-one out there who can tackle Liszt like that. and he can even make it sound, well, not exactly effortless, but certainly 'natural'.

Maksim's performances of the Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 (Liszt), Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Hana's Eyes were the most beautiful and moving performances for me this time around.

Maksim doesn't just play music, he creates a musical universe which is offered to you for you to experience with him. Truly beautiful!



added: I'm glad ya'll like Handel`s Sarabande! My all time favorite!

Lord have mercy.

Thanks for posting.

I'm speecless.

He is a just amazing.

Thank you for sharing.

Absolutely stunning!

I've never been a fan of the piano, mostly because I hear it as plonky, but not this.

While listening to his rendition of Hungarian Rhapsody, I fell into a meditative state, and felt like I was being carried away on a calm sea, with the notes being little, gentle waves pushing me along.

To say that he has a velvet touch would be a disservice, velvet is too coarse a material!

Simply Incredible, his fingers dance over the keys, bringing back to life the tones of yesteryear.

Maksim's Paganini was delightful!

Thanks for posting!

Wow! Thanks for sharing. This musical thread has been an amazing adventure. On YouTube one good thing leads to another!

Thank you so much for sharing this. That Chopin Nocturne makes my eyes fill up with tears and reminds me why I am happy to be a human being.
A balm for all wounds and a look inside the soul.

Wow! The Hungarian Rhapsody was stunning! He is amazing and he dresses well :P Love it.

Thanks for bringing Maksim up. I enjoyed his piano playing and bought his CD quite sometime ago. Problem was, most of my music CD's were still in boxes since we moved to this new place. You post gave me the urge to go digging for it and I am glad to say that I found it. Absolutely brilliant. :)

Love these!

Thanks Laura.