Recordings That You Are Considering

[Mandryka]

What sort of op. 58 do you like? If more spacious (less driven) and more romantic, then it probably wouldn't appeal to you. Firkusny is relatively straightforward -- not wired like Bunin, and not romantic like Bolet and Bozhanov. Not driven like Argerich either. Basically as Todd said it's fine, but not terribly special.

What I'm looking for, and suggestions would be appreciated, is for performances which are cool, poised, classical, noble, refined, deep. That's what made me think of Firkusny, but if it's not special, then that's no good.

Zimerman may be the man, when I saw him play it he was a bit disturbed by someone he'd seen recording the concert. Someone has given me a recording of him playing it but I haven't heard it yet - in fact, truth is I'd forgotten about it till just now.

[Drasko]

What I'm looking for, and suggestions would be appreciated, is for performances which are cool, poised, classical, noble, refined, deep.

It is exactly that. I like it. It's mostly quick, to the point performance, sharply contoured (almost etude-like in Scherzo proper). More classical (even contrapuntal to some point) than rhapsodic, romantic. With some particularly fine quiet playing in the Largo. I think it's definitely worth hearing given your stated preferences. And it comes with really great performance of Janacek Sonata.

[Mandryka]

It is exactly that. I like it. It's mostly quick, to the point performance, sharply contoured (almost etude-like in Scherzo proper). More classical (even contrapuntal to some point) than rhapsodic, romantic. With some particularly fine quiet playing in the Largo. I think it's definitely worth hearing given your stated preferences. And it comes with really great performance of Janacek Sonata.

OK, I'll try it, it's not expensive. See the note about Zimerman I just added to a previous post.

I'm just listening to ZImerman playing the Barcarolle and guess what . . . it's cool, poised, noble, deep etc.

[Drasko]

Zimerman may be the man, when I saw him play it he was a bit disturbed by someone he'd seen recording the concert. Someone has given me a recording of him playing it but I haven't heard it yet - in fact, truth is I'd forgotten about it till just now.

Zimerman's op.58 is superb, but live recording(s) that I have don't strike me as classical, cool or poised. Maybe the astonishing technical and tonal control that he has gives the impression of coolness and ease, but I don't hear the interpretation as such.

[Mandryka]

Zimerman's op.58 is superb, but live recording(s) that I have don't strike me as classical, cool or poised. Maybe the astonishing technical and tonal control that he has gives the impression of coolness and ease, but I don't hear the interpretation as such.

I agree, I played the one I have (1977) and it's not what I was looking for. Try the barcarolle if you have it, I thought it was very good.

[terje]

What I'm looking for, and suggestions would be appreciated, is for performances which are cool, poised, classical, noble, refined, deep.

Do you know any performances yet which would fit that?

[Mandryka]

Do you know any performances yet which would fit that?

Of course not! It maybe resists the dry classical treatment, but then you would have thought that of the Appassionata until you heard Cziffra.

One that's rather poised and maybe noble is by Alexander Paley. It's very slow, but that may not be a bad thing, on the contrary.  He's a pianist who interests me a lot, very Arrau like, with a really personal take on the Waldstien and the Paganini Variations.

Arrau himself in op 58 is good I think. Another one who has a good deal of poise, from memory, is Pletnev. He's always going to be quiet, refined . . .

[terje]

Of course not!

You could try some of the French school, like Perlemuter. Or for dry, Casadesus.

I think Pletnev doesn't fit your description, but if you do like his interpretation, then you should hear Bozhanov too. They both play freely, emphasising hidden voices at a more spacious tempo. After all it is an elegiac work, at least until you hit the finale.

[Jo498]

The Gilels/DG b minor sonata is very "classical" and almost as slow as Paley in the 1st movement, I think. But you have probably heard that one already.

[jlaurson]

What I'm looking for, and suggestions would be appreciated, is for performances which are cool, poised, classical, noble, refined, deep. That's what made me think of Firkusny, but if it's not special, then that's no good.

Zimerman may be the man, when I saw him play it he was a bit disturbed by someone he'd seen recording the concert. Someone has given me a recording of him playing it but I haven't heard it yet - in fact, truth is I'd forgotten about it till just now.

These three come to mind, given that description:


Chopin,  Piano Sonata No.3
Nelson Freire
Decca


Chopin,  Piano Sonata No.3
Marc-Andre Hamelin
hyperion


Chopin,  Piano Sonata No.3
Leif-Ove Andsnes
Virgin [Erato]

[Mandryka]

Chopin,  Piano Sonata No.3
Marc-Andre Hamelin
hyperion

I think this was a very interesting suggestion, thanks. The Freire seems too impetuous to fit the bill, and the Andsnes seems a bit boring, these just superficial reactions to a superficial first listening you understand 😉

[Drasko]

I think this was a very interesting suggestion, thanks.

I was rather disappointed with that recording (Hamelin on Hyperion). I was probably expecting something different from the pianist who plays so much of modern and obscure repertoire. It is very conservative reading, strictly melody + accompaniment type with middle of the road tempos, no peculiar accents or voicings. He doesn't emote much but I wouldn't call it a classicaly oriented performance. It's well played and recorded but ultimately forgettable reading in my opinion.

[Todd]

Boulez, Chopin, and Kuusisto.  Vinyl only.

[Mandryka]

I was rather disappointed with that recording (Hamelin on Hyperion). I was probably expecting something different from the pianist who plays so much of modern and obscure repertoire. It is very conservative reading, strictly melody + accompaniment type with middle of the road tempos, no peculiar accents or voicings. He doesn't emote much but I wouldn't call it a classicaly oriented performance. It's well played and recorded but ultimately forgettable reading in my opinion.

Yes that's probably true.

What do you think of Gould's op 58?

[terje]

Boulez, Chopin, and Kuusisto.  Vinyl only.

What attracts you to this one?

[Todd]

What attracts you to this one?

Pianist first.  Technical gimmick second. 

[Mandryka]

Michael Tsalka's Goldberg Variations

[Todd]

[amw]

Has anyone heard Podger's Mystery Sonatas yet? They're currently €13.50 for 24/192 on Qobuz, I'm kinda tempted

[Florestan]

does one really need ALL of this genre written by Wolfie (much juvenilia)

Yes! The kid was a genius, period. The childhood sonatas are some of the finest ever written in the genre.

and for those who own this box or have heard these discs, is it worth obtaining? 

Absolutely!