Super-Virtuoso Breaks Down 9 Impossible Piano Pieces (ft. Marc-André Hamelin)

Marc-André Hamelin is such a treasure. Besides his obviously incredible abilities, he speaks about music in a way that makes me want to listen to him for hours.

The fact he decided to go to a tangent just to show how beautiful Alkan's music can get really shows how much he appreciates Alkan, and I find that simply awesome.

I literally laughed out loud at around 12:00 when he is asked, "What is that like" and he just looks at the interviewer and drops it like he's practiced it all day today. Just incredible personality.

That story of Rachmaninoff practicing that Chopin étude slowly had me dying. What a great channel.

Good to see ives, alkan and Scriabin included, not just Beethoven, Liszt, Ravel, Rachmaninoff as always (no depreciation to these amazing composers), great video.

The epithet “super virtuoso” is well-deserved in Marc-André Hamelin. He is one of a kind - a true piano wizard; the "Merlin" of piano. It’s like having a conversation with something which shouldn’t be possible.

He plays things he played 40 years ago like nothing. Incredible. He truly completely gave himself to music.

My jaw hit the floor when Hamelin admitted to memorizing the Concord Sonata at 13

Calling MAH a super-virtuoso is quite fitting. He legitimately scares me sometimes with how good he is.

This man is ridiculously good at the piano, I will never reach a tenth of his skill (or handspan lol). But he's also so knowledgeable, eloquent, likable; and I find he even looks better now than in the shown recordings! Amazing production quality on this one, thank you for providing it to us for free :)

What a delight and true privledge it is to have this video of Hamelin deposit such knowledge over these absolutely gargantuan pieces!!! Thank you Tonebase piano for bringing him to light once again!

Marc-Andre is a national Canadian treasure. His analysis and technique in difficult piano repertoire is unmatched !

I'm obsessed with these videos. This is the new Medici for me... and it's free! Ben, you surpassed yourself with this one.

Thank you to Hamelin for breaking these pieces down and thank you tonebase for making this video!

When he played the opening measures of Ravel's Ondine exactly as he described --- ultra-pianissimo, incredibly even, the melody integrated fully into the texture while at the same time given expressive depth as a melody --- it seriously brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for this video --- it's really well-edited, and it's a pleasure to hear an artist as articulate and "super-virtuosic" (agree) as Marc-André Hamelin talk about his craft in such close detail!

Marc-Andre has developed all of his amazing gifts to the maximum.   When one hears him speak of music, it is never from a lofty, privileged position - it always seems to come from a place of profound love for the work in question and a genuine desire to share his fascination with the wonders of composition. And then, he’s so down to earth - forgive the cliché. This is the kind of teacher we would like to see in the world’s great conservatories. A true genius who in my opinion, doesn’t seem to be as impressed with himself as we are!

A great collection of "impossible" pieces! Hamelin's commentary on these pieces is fascinating and illuminating. Thanks so much to Tonebase for this great video.

In Dante's "The Divine Comedy", the spirit of Virgil guides us through the 9 layers of Hell. Marc-André Hamelin now guides us through 9 layers of pianistic torment. A grand tour of piano purgatory that only the best can traverse. Bravo!

Thanks, Ben, for dropping another gem into the mass of YouTube content! Even as a non-musician, I find your videos both instructive and celebratory - breaking down the music and showcasing the talent required to do it justice.

Lovin' the "impossible" music reference, and this video!