So what do you think of this Romantic Era list?

[Ataraxia]

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart?page=1&chart_type=top&type=album&year=alltime&genre_include=1&include_child_genres=1&genres=romantic+period&include_child_genres_chk=1&include=both&origin_countries=&limit=none&countries=

[Karl Henning]

I'm cryin' that Berlioz is way down at 47.

[Ataraxia]

You must admit that Berlioz is not a top contender.

[Karl Henning]

Oh, I deny that completely.

That egregious state of the list aside: Argerich + Chopin = bliss.

[mc ukrneal]

Oh, I deny that completely.

That egregious state of the list aside: Argerich + Chopin = bliss.

Hmm. I don't find her well suited to Chopin based on what I have heard (concertos, '65 Decca recording, live from Lugano). I can't say she plays it badly, but I guess I prefer a bit more softness (maybe tenderness) to it. She certainly has the technique. Sometimes I feel like she's playing Rachmaninov when she plays Chopin if that makes any sense. I love her Schumann though.

The list is hard to figure out. I'm not sure it is helpful. It is dominated with all the same characters, when the period is so much richer than shown here.

[Ataraxia]

I think that site mostly consists of indie rock or metal fans; that's the vibe I get anyway based on the charts. They need more classical fans to tighten up their ratings system!

[Karl Henning]

Hmm. I don't find her well suited to Chopin based on what I have heard (concertos, '65 Decca recording, live from Lugano).

FWIW, I do not know that recording at all.

[Todd]

Pfft.  Since when is Chopin a romantic composer?

[Ataraxia]

I can hear where mcuckerrneel is coming from.

[Ataraxia]

Pfft.  Since when is Chopin a romantic composer?

[mc ukrneal]

FWIW, I do not know that recording at all.

Sorry for not being clear. It's three albums: 1) Chopin Concertos with Dutoit, 2) Legedary 1965 Decca recording (that's what it's called, she plays only Chopin), and 3) Live from Lugano (from the complete solos and suos album).

[mc ukrneal]

mcuckerrneel

Hey that would be a great login (and colorful insult with the addition of one letter)!   

[Ataraxia]

Hey that would be a great login (and colorful insult with the addition of one letter)!   

That's how it sounds in my head every time I see you post. 

[Ataraxia]

Yeah, I noticed that too.

[Fafner]

Sorry for not being clear. It's three albums: 1) Chopin Concertos with Dutoit, 2) Legedary 1965 Decca recording (that's what it's called, she plays only Chopin), and 3) Live from Lugano (from the complete solos and suos album).

You must mean the 1965 EMI recording.  (After they made it, someone apparently had to explain to Argerich that she had an exclusive contract with DG and wasn't at liberty to record for EMI.  She promptly went back into the studio and recorded essentially the same recital for DG).

[Vesteralen]

Arrghh..I just joined another site!!!!

That'll straighten them out! 

[Ataraxia]

YAY!

[North Star]

Well, this is just a list of the albums of romantic era music sorted by reviews of the albums, so performances have more to do with the rankings than the pieces.

[mc ukrneal]

You must mean the 1965 EMI recording.  (After they made it, someone apparently had to explain to Argerich that she had an exclusive contract with DG and wasn't at liberty to record for EMI.  She promptly went back into the studio and recorded essentially the same recital for DG).

Thanks for the correction. Yes - I meant that one. I hadn't realized the history. Are the performances similar?

[Fafner]

Thanks for the correction. Yes - I meant that one. I hadn't realized the history. Are the performances similar?

My impression is the EMI had better sound, and was perhaps a bit better performance.  Also, the scherzo and nocturne included in the EMI recording were not included in the DG. 

Just now, looking at the dates, the DG recording wasn't made until 1967 (compared to 1965).  I guess there was some delay as they argued over contracts.  But it is interesting that two years later she went in to play almost the exact same recital. 



You can see the track listing and hear samples at
http://deutschegrammophon.com/cat/single?sort=newest_rec&PRODUCT_NR=4775870&javascript=1&UNBUYABLE=1&per_page=10&ART_ID=ARGMA&start=10&presentation=list

Scroll down to disc 2 from the collection.