Discussion:
Vladimir Bakk
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HT
2015-07-26 17:30:15 UTC
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Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.



Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?

Henk
Frank Lekens
2015-07-26 18:15:55 UTC
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Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.
http://youtu.be/--naUruw87I
Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?
Henk
Maybe he didn't have any pupils?

This article certainly doesn't seem to suggest he did very well in that
department -- or any other department careerwise.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-05-01/features/1994121207_1_bakk-pianist-martha-argerich

The final paragraph:
"I don't understand the American style of life," he says. "Everybody
says they like music, but no one really seems to want it. I have no job,
no students -- I have an absolutely empty life. I want to give; I don't
want to get something. I want to know another kind of happiness."

But then the article is from 1994, so things may have changed for the
better afterwards.
--
Frank Lekens

http://fmlekens.home.xs4all.nl/
c***@gmail.com
2015-07-26 18:19:44 UTC
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Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.
http://youtu.be/--naUruw87I
Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?
Henk
Some amazing stuff:

http://intoclassics.net/news/2014-11-26-1021
http://intoclassics.net/news/2014-11-26-1001
http://intoclassics.net/news/2014-11-26-999

Links are all located below the entries in the comments, and all appear to be working.

See http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-05-01/features/1994121207_1_bakk-pianist-martha-argerich. In Yiddish this fellow would have been called a "shlimazel". But he sure could play!

AC
HT
2015-07-27 08:48:19 UTC
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Post by c***@gmail.com
In Yiddish this fellow would have been called a "shlimazel". But he sure could play!
<g> Thanks for the URLs!

Henk
Tony
2015-07-26 18:47:41 UTC
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Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.
http://youtu.be/--naUruw87I
Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?
Henk
I think he's remarkable. I've uploaded some recordings from the links shared by AC, plus two videos of Bakk playing Chopin and Schumann. I'm tempted to use the term 'cult pianist' as he has a tiny yet devoted following. Sounds like he would have done better staying in Europe.
Bozo
2015-07-26 20:01:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs
I deserve no credit ; thanks for bringing us this unknown master !

Tinny sound on all , but other miniatures also tell a tale :

( Liszt , Rhapsody # 6 )

(Moszkowski, " Caprice Espagnol " )

(Chopin, 3rd Ballade )

(Scriabin, 9th Sonata, live video 1993 )

Horowitz " famous" #6 from the 50's suffers by comparison to Bakk. The Moszkowski is jaw-dropping artistry. His own conception in the Chopin, where one might think nothing much was left to reveal, very different from Barda or Rubinstein here.

There is also a complete Prokofieff Sonata # 7 and some Brahms on YT I have yet to hear. Thanks again, Henk, and all others.
arri bachrach
2015-07-26 21:23:50 UTC
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Post by Bozo
Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs
I deserve no credit ; thanks for bringing us this unknown master !
http://youtu.be/p2EdUalCdBE ( Liszt , Rhapsody # 6 )
http://youtu.be/umTEcHSCGV8 (Moszkowski, " Caprice Espagnol " )
http://youtu.be/y3o2omdP3dQ (Chopin, 3rd Ballade )
http://youtu.be/HWPH9YZC3ic (Scriabin, 9th Sonata, live video 1993 )
Horowitz " famous" #6 from the 50's suffers by comparison to Bakk. The Moszkowski is jaw-dropping artistry. His own conception in the Chopin, where one might think nothing much was left to reveal, very different from Barda or Rubinstein here.
There is also a complete Prokofieff Sonata # 7 and some Brahms on YT I have yet to hear. Thanks again, Henk, and all others.
yes, the Liszt is absolutely umbelievable. never heard anthiing like it.

AB
Bozo
2015-07-26 21:35:06 UTC
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There is also a complete Prokofieff Sonata # 7 and some Brahms on YT I have yet to hear. Thanks >again, Henk, and all others.
Unfortunately, the 2nd mov. of the Prokofieff ( the best part of the work ) is not posted. However, the Brahms ,from Op.116,117,118 is definitely worth hearing !
Bozo
2015-07-26 22:59:01 UTC
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Flier and Bakk play a Dvorak Slavonic Dance, 4-hands :


arri bachrach
2015-07-26 21:04:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.
http://youtu.be/--naUruw87I
Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?
Henk
there is strong evidence that he was some kind of genius...... I have been listening to a lot of his playing on youtube. amazing.

AB
Tony
2015-07-26 23:31:48 UTC
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I've uploaded two more videos of Bakk, leftover from the red piano series. The music repeats what Steve linked to, but now you can see him play.

Moszkowski Caprice Espagnol -


Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no. 6 and Petrarch Sonnet 104 -


I also recommend his Chopin Sonata 2 which gave me the sensation of hearing it for the first time


HT
2015-07-27 08:53:34 UTC
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Tony, Thanks for your research and uploads! It's good to have the Bakk videos available.I've been listening to them all morning. Henk
j***@gmail.com
2015-07-27 16:36:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.
http://youtu.be/--naUruw87I
Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?
Henk
Bakk and I were friends when he lived in Boston. As a pianist, he was as good as they come. As a person, that was a different story. He tended to be arrogant and believed that America owed him a living. Horowitz and Argerich subsidized him for a while when he moved to the US. So I had a sort of love/hate relation with him. He and his girfriend eventually moved to FL many years ago after which I lost contact with him.
HT
2015-07-27 17:20:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by j***@gmail.com
Bakk and I were friends when he lived in Boston. As a pianist, he was as good as they come. As a person, that was a different story. He tended to be arrogant and believed that America owed him a living. Horowitz and Argerich subsidized him for a while when he moved to the US. So I had a sort of love/hate relation with him. He and his girfriend eventually moved to FL many years ago after which I lost contact with him.
Many thanks for the information! Argerich, Feltsman, Horowitz ... he had great supporters.

Henk
j***@gmail.com
2015-07-27 18:09:44 UTC
Permalink
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-05-01/features/1994121207_1_bakk-pianist-martha-argerich
piano4tay
2015-07-28 05:23:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Lekens
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-05-01/features/1994121207_1_bakk-pianist-martha-argerich
Reading that, a life and career that uncannily followed the trajectory of Nyireghazi's, and for the same self-sabotaging reasons...Fewer wives perhaps, but there again he died younger...Astonishing talent, though....

AMN
Tony
2017-06-03 12:31:45 UTC
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Just a little bump of this thread to appreciate a unique pianist -- a student of Yakov Zak. I was reminded of Bakk when trying to remember a performance of Chopin's Ballade 1 which really sticks out in a good way.

I have uploaded the following to YT:

videos:

Liszt HR 6 and Petrarch Sonnet 104 - http://youtu.be/PdXf1AR_Iho

Moszkowski Caprice Espagnol - http://youtu.be/7-ChLI_-Y0k

Chopin mazurka 17/4 & 68/4 -


Schumann Arabeske -


audio:

Chopin Ballade 1 -


Chopin Sonata 2 - http://youtu.be/a6b8syYlpC4

Chopin Scherzo 4 -



Some audio files are available in the links provided by AC.

As quoted by Frank, Bakk's 'I want to know another kind of happiness' seems like a good line to sum up his frustrating and perhaps self-sabotaging career.
Bozo
2017-06-03 13:14:50 UTC
Permalink
Just a little bump of this thread to appreciate a unique pianist -- a student of >Yakov Zak.
Thanks again.

He apparently died in December, 2007 in West Palm Beach,Florida , at age 63 .Teaching piano there ? : http://www.yokoskothari.com/the-palm-beach-post-062701/
Had a Facebook page, but I dont do Facebook.
HT
2017-06-03 16:30:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony
Just a little bump of this thread to appreciate a unique pianist -- a student of Yakov Zak. I was reminded of Bakk when trying to remember a performance of Chopin's Ballade 1 which really sticks out in a good way.
Liszt HR 6 and Petrarch Sonnet 104 - http://youtu.be/PdXf1AR_Iho
Moszkowski Caprice Espagnol - http://youtu.be/7-ChLI_-Y0k
Chopin mazurka 17/4 & 68/4 - http://youtu.be/DYl5AayHiKs
Schumann Arabeske - http://youtu.be/UOLG9vowFa4
Chopin Ballade 1 - http://youtu.be/5wA9DUHEtiM
Chopin Sonata 2 - http://youtu.be/a6b8syYlpC4
Chopin Scherzo 4 - http://youtu.be/IxTJaHXE95Q
Some audio files are available in the links provided by AC.
As quoted by Frank, Bakk's 'I want to know another kind of happiness' seems like a good line to sum up his frustrating and perhaps self-sabotaging career.
Tony,

Many thanks! I love his unique approach Chopin.

Henk
AB
2017-06-03 20:36:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Post by Tony
Liszt HR 6 and Petrarch Sonnet 104 - http://youtu.be/PdXf1AR_Iho
Moszkowski Caprice Espagnol - http://youtu.be/7-ChLI_-Y0k
Chopin mazurka 17/4 & 68/4 - http://youtu.be/DYl5AayHiKs
Schumann Arabeske - http://youtu.be/UOLG9vowFa4
Chopin Ballade 1 - http://youtu.be/5wA9DUHEtiM
Chopin Sonata 2 - http://youtu.be/a6b8syYlpC4
Chopin Scherzo 4 - http://youtu.be/IxTJaHXE95Q
Some audio files are available in the links provided by AC.
As quoted by Frank, Bakk's 'I want to know another kind of happiness' seems like a good line to sum up his frustrating and perhaps self-sabotaging career.
Tony,
Many thanks! I love his unique approach Chopin.
Henk
IIRC, on youtube there is an arrangement of the Rondo Capricioso-Saint-Saens for piano that Bakk plays wonderfully.

AB
Bozo
2017-06-03 22:55:17 UTC
Permalink
Vladimir Bakk , live,1993 , not for the faint of heart in the Chorale of the Franck PC&F, , BUT VERY unfortunate, the affirmative climax of the Fugue is cut off :


Bozo
2017-06-03 23:12:28 UTC
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Some interesting Brahms,I especially liked his improvisatory reading of Op.118,# 2 ( the YT has Op.117, #2 and Op.116,# 3 also ) :


Tony
2017-06-04 07:16:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bozo
http://youtu.be/3Zlw5qw7AtE
He made a studio recording of the Franck which can be heard through the links AC provided.
AB
2017-06-04 17:12:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony
Post by Bozo
http://youtu.be/3Zlw5qw7AtE
He made a studio recording of the Franck which can be heard through the links AC provided.
very superficial. he slaps at the keys... for me, not convincing at all.
AB
l***@gmail.com
2017-06-05 10:31:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by HT
Thanks to one of Steve's URLs I stumbled upon a recording by the Russian/American pianist Bakk - completely unknown to me. YT has more by him but this Scarlatti sonata takes little time to listen to and is as informative as the complete Rachmaninoff #2 sonata.
http://youtu.be/--naUruw87I
Are there pupils of him on RMCR and, if so, are they willing to share their information with us about this imo remarkable pianist?
Henk
Hi,

I was a friend of Bakk's when he lived in Boston. He did not have the sort of personality that would ingratiate himself with many people. His attitude was that the world owed him a living. He had been subsidized by Horowitz and Argerich. As far as I know, he did some teaching but not much in the US, though he was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory. He had been beaten up by the KGB which likely affected his view of the world. The Baltimore Sun has an article about him.

Cheers,

Joel Warren Lidz, Ph.D.
Boston
HT
2017-06-05 12:36:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by l***@gmail.com
The Baltimore Sun has an article about him.
Many thanks! Feltsman seems to compare him wit Horowitz, Lhévinne and Hofmann.

I hope these pdf's are readable:

The_Baltimore_Sun_Sun__May_1__1994_-2.pdf
The_Baltimore_Sun_Sun__May_1__1994_.pdf

Henk
HT
2017-06-05 13:07:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by l***@gmail.com
Hi,
I was a friend of Bakk's when he lived in Boston. He did not have the sort of personality that would ingratiate himself with many people. His attitude was that the world owed him a living. He had been subsidized by Horowitz and Argerich. As far as I know, he did some teaching but not much in the US, though he was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory. He had been beaten up by the KGB which likely affected his view of the world. The Baltimore Sun has an article about him.
Cheers,
Joel Warren Lidz, Ph.D.
Boston
Many thanks! Feltsman thinks highly of Bakk. He compares him with Horowitz, Lhévinne and Hofmann. The article also makes clear that it wasn't because of a lack of help from people like Feltsman and many others that he didn't make a career.

Henk
v***@gmail.com
2020-07-24 19:32:17 UTC
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My husband for 20 years. questions?
Henk vT
2020-07-24 22:02:56 UTC
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Post by v***@gmail.com
My husband for 20 years. questions?
Are all his recordings on YT? Or are there still unpublished recordings by him? I'd love to hear more.

Best regards,
Henk
Frank Berger
2020-07-24 22:51:08 UTC
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Post by Henk vT
Post by v***@gmail.com
My husband for 20 years. questions?
Are all his recordings on YT? Or are there still unpublished recordings by him? I'd love to hear more.
Best regards,
Henk
I've been looking for his Faure and Mendelssohn (with
Komarov) for a long time.

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