Chopin Recordings

[George]

I see that there are a couple of those Universal trios with Vasary's Chopin -- any opinions?

I've pondered those trios a number of times, J, but never bought one. I have also owned that single CD you mentioned before as well, so I know what you mean about his playing.

David Dubal on Vasary (and his Chopin) - "he is a poet-pianist, a dreamy bard. For him music must first be beautiful. It must also be Romantic and emotional...Chopin is never far from his field. His multicolored imagination depicts this artful literature with all kinds of felicitous lingerings. He can also become over-refined; Vasary can suspend a not for so long that one wonders if the phrase will continue. In his quest for free improvised art, he occasionally gets caught up in detail and hovers dangerously at the brink of arrhythmic action, where formlessness lurks."

   

[ezodisy]

I don't need to rely on my memory for this because at that time Tony used to have the whole world of music downloads at his fingertips and he sent me a cdr of this broadcast.

lol! Yeah at that time we had Chopin coming out of our ears. I think the performance is incredible, there's no other reading even remotely like it. If anyone would like a copy let me know, I have one uploaded in flac.

Vasary's interpretations seem rather middle of the road, but beautifully played -- quite enjoyable, although certainly no match for Rubinstein, Moravec, or Arrau. 

You answered your own question there. They're a good intro to Chopin, nicely played, nothing to put any listener off yet enough to make the music sound quite beautiful. Not really needed once you get into other interpretations however.

[Mandryka]

Pletnev's next Amsterdam recital, if I recall, was all Chopin, and it was unbearable. Every note was funny, strange and twisted out of shape, and so was I after one-and-a-half hour of squirming in my seat. I made a vow never to go to a Pletnev recital again.

I know Pletnev performances are very variable.

I once heard him do Scarlatti sonatas in the Wigmore Hall, and it was just terrible. Mediochre. Dull.

But the CDs are interesting -- I like them very much.

[Mandryka]

Does enyone know this Michelangeli recording -- Turin 1962?

Comments on performance and sound appreciated!

[Drasko]

Does enyone know this Michelangeli recording -- Turin 1962?

To my knowledge all 1962 Turin recordings come from RAI studio televised sessions and all subsequent audio only releases are better or worse transfers of these TV tapes (Cetra-Teldec-Apex being the worst).
So, unless I'm mistaken and he played some extra concerts beyond TV sessions:

= (+ Second Sonata and Fantasie)

[ezodisy]

Here's my favourite Gilels disc.

No one does the...Chopin better -- in my opinion.

Mandryka, for the second sonata there are severeal outstanding performances.

Natan Brand on Palexa
Ginzburg on Euromusica (100th anniversary, the one Rubio just bought)
Michelangeli either in Prague (Praga) or Prato (Diapason)
Fiorentino on APR
Rachmaninoff (of course)

The Gilels is a good one though, and of course there are other ones

[Mandryka]

Mandryka, for the second sonata there are severeal outstanding performances.

Natan Brand on Palexa
Ginzburg on Euromusica (100th anniversary, the one Rubio just bought)
Michelangeli either in Prague (Praga) or Prato (Diapason)
Fiorentino on APR
Rachmaninoff (of course)

The Gilels is a good one though, and of course there are other ones

I knew I'd get into trouble for saying that.

[Coopmv]

I know Ashkenazy has 4 of those London double-deckers released for his recordings in Chopin.  Can someone share some insight on both the performance and the sound quality for these CD-sets?

[Herman]

Good middle-of-the-road Chopin. I'd look for more interesting performances.

The most obvious comprehensive recommendation would be Rubinstein.

If you're interested in a particular genre, sonatas, mazurkas, nocturnes, scherzi, the picture gets more detailed.

[Coopmv]

I've pondered those trios a number of times, J, but never bought one. I have also owned that single CD you mentioned before as well, so I know what you mean about his playing.

David Dubal on Vasary (and his Chopin) - "he is a poet-pianist, a dreamy bard. For him music must first be beautiful. It must also be Romantic and emotional...Chopin is never far from his field. His multicolored imagination depicts this artful literature with all kinds of felicitous lingerings. He can also become over-refined; Vasary can suspend a not for so long that one wonders if the phrase will continue. In his quest for free improvised art, he occasionally gets caught up in detail and hovers dangerously at the brink of arrhythmic action, where formlessness lurks."

I have both and they are quite delightful ...
   

[Coopmv]

Good middle-of-the-road Chopin. I'd look for more interesting performances.

The most obvious comprehensive recommendation would be Rubinstein.

If you're interested in a particular genre, sonatas, mazurkas, nocturnes, scherzi, the picture gets more detailed.

I already have the Rubinstein's 11-CD set on the RCA Gold Seal.  Excellent recordings!

[Herman]

Didya know there are two Testament cd's with pre-Decca recordings by Ashkenazy?

For some ideas and suggestions about Chopin recordings you could also cherrypick the old Fighting over Chopin thread.

http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,38.0.html

Hilariously you can just google the words "Fighting over Chopin" and it's right there.

I guess no one has ever fought over Chopin before.

[Mandryka]

Hi,

Who does the best Revolutionary Etude?

[Coopmv]

Didya know there are two Testament cd's with pre-Decca recordings by Ashkenazy?

For some ideas and suggestions about Chopin recordings you could also cherrypick the old Fighting over Chopin thread.

http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,38.0.html

Hilariously you can just google the words "Fighting over Chopin" and it's right there.

I guess no one has ever fought over Chopin before.

Indeed, we are not talking about Richard Wagner or Herbert von Karajan ...

[Coopmv]

So besides the Rubinstein's set, which other set is worth collecting?

[George]

So besides the Rubinstein's set, which other set is worth collecting?

Being someone who likes to collect by buying sets, in the case of Chopin I don't think it is wise to collect Chopin in this manner.

That said, I enjoy much of Ashkenazy's Decca set.

I wish Moravec recorded everthing, that would be sweet.

[Coopmv]

Being someone who likes to collect by buying sets, in the case of Chopin I don't think it is wise to collect Chopin in this manner.

That said, I enjoy much of Ashkenazy's Decca set.

I wish Moravec recorded everthing, that would be sweet.

I believe the Decca set you have includes the 3 double-decker sets issued individually.  No?

[ezodisy]

Hi,

Who does the best Revolutionary Etude?

I recall a rather different reading from Malcuzynski which is on a live Aura disc. Does anyone have that? I'd like to hear it again

[Peregrine]

So besides the Rubinstein's set, which other set is worth collecting?

I think that if you are going to get (or are!) serious about collecting the cream of Chopin recordings, then you're best off avoiding going down the box set route.

Rubinstein is the exception, but even then, as fine as his recordings are (and there are plenty!), there is so much more out there. Check out this thread in it's entirety, pay particular attention to ezodisey's long-winded, but eminent re-post (by me). Have a gander over at RMCR and you'll soon start seeing the same familiar recs come up. Try and see, you may not like all that you purchase, but bound to find some that float your boat.

Another boxset I will also mention is the Cziffra on EMI and whilst it's not a comprehensive set of Chopin of recordings, it has some stellar playing that many find irresistible, myself included. Askenase has a box on DG that has quite a full selection - nicely played, he certainly had a natural feel for the composer, but personally find it a bit lightweight and prissy, although kept the waltzes as enjoyed them a fair bit.

[George]

I believe the Decca set you have includes the 3 double-decker sets issued individually.  No?

I actually don't have the set, I own 5 Double Decca issues. Not sure if there were others.

I can easily think of recordings that I prefer ahead of Ashkenazy's in every genre though, except for some of the Polonaises.  

What do you currently own, outside the Rubinstein and Argerich Box sets?