Rudolf Firkušný : Concert Etude for piano in C major (Smetana)

What a pianist!

Stunning playing!!

Incredible!

This etude is so hard to play and he does it almost twice as fast as most of the students here and so easily, incredibly :)

True, one thinks of him as a refined "classical" player, a sort of "fur-cushiony" style! But Firkusny knew how to raise the roof when he wanted. And, yes the shimmer is brilliant.

I was there!!Meeting Firkusny afterwards many present expressed surprise at this practically unknown piece,and RF himself agreed,saying that one might guess... Dohnanyi or another late-romantic. Once again, pity the applause is cut off so soon; i'd love to hear my hands joining in the tumult! Firkusny's Smetana encores usually raised the audience to its feet; this is a great souvenir for me.

"Another side to Firkusny" and -- to Smetana! No? Brilliant playing.

Shimmering brilliance! Another side to Firkušný!