For years, Liberace delivered great music with such class. His piano playing and fantastic outfits made him a music sensation. You’ll love this performance of ‘The Impossible Dream’ on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ in 1970.
Liberace is adorned with sequins and his silver sparkling bowtie pairs with his sequined black tuxedo tails. His shirt even has the signature ruffled sleeves peeking out beneath his coat.
He sits at a glorious grand piano, complete with a candelabra. The black stage background is lit with tiny white lights, and large hanging white globes are overhead. The orchestra backing is majestic, and the strings elevate the song’s epic crescendos.
After opening the song on the piano, Liberace continues playing masterfully while also narrating the lyrics. He does his best dramatic recitation of the stirring words. He looks directly into the audience to convey the emotion in every line.
‘The Impossible Dream (The Quest)’ was composed by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion for the 1965 Broadway musical ‘Man of La Mancha.’ The lead character Don Quixote sings powerful lyrics about the purpose of one’s quest.
Behind all of this wonderful showmanship is excellent piano playing. Liberace makes it look easy as his fingers fly across the keys. At the song’s conclusion, he plays a descending riff so fast his hands look blurry!
Liberace’s career lasted over four decades. He famously starred in television, movies, and concerts, with the height of his fame between the 50s and 70s. At one point, he was the highest-paid entertainer in the world. He proclaimed, ‘I’m a one-man Disneyland!’ Liberace was a musical force of nature who dominated the entertainment world with his flashy costumes and fiery piano playing!
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