Chopin's Nocturnes in the best possible sound?

[Holden]

Mark - I'd have to agree w/ Tony on the Hewitt recordings of the Nocturnes - bought this for almost nothing through the BMG site - listened once and was not impressed (and I do own Hewitt in some of her performances of Baroque composers) - sold her set some time last year!

Over the years, I've had at least a half dozen or more recordings of these works, but the one I currently own and have liked the most is the Moravec performances - however, I've not heard Tipo, at least yet, but have her in other composer's works, so I'd certainly be curious - Dave 

I don't really know what you require as far as sound goes but I'd have to agree that this recording is fabulous. What makes it different (not necessarily better) is the way Moravec uses silence against an almost black background to such dramatic effect and no more so than in the famous Op 27/2 in D flat.

That said, this recording was made in the analogue era and may not have the sound quality you are looking for.

[Tyson]

Pollini is very good in sound and interpretation.  Assuming you like a less sentimental, more structured approach to Chopin.

[Que]

I only have the Maria João Pires one, and i quite like it.

Mark, I think you might like the Pires.
Recording quality is at least very good (1996).


click on picture for link

More samples

Q

[orbital]

I'd definitely agree with the Hewitt not being a very good choice. I have not heard them all, but what I heard was enough to confirm that she is not a Chopin pianist. It's hard to believe she even likes the music to begin with. Some pianists just don't go with Chopin, but it is always a good seller so they record them anyway, especially since they are easy material for most pianists to learn. I was at a Hamelin recital earlier this evening where he played the Barcarolle, and you could just see that he did not enjoy the piece, it was almost as if he couldn't wait to get over with it  (otherwise it was an outstanding recital)

... just that I'd like to hear these works against a 'cleaner' background.

Taking this as my cue, I'll go out on a limb here and recommend you a different nocturnes interpretation. That of Van Oort's 2005 release on period instruments (half the nocturnes are played on an Erard, the other half on a Pleyel from 1830's and 1840's). It is a very clean recording with excellent sound. The piano sound is decidedly different than what you are accustomed to hear, even very slightly out of tune compared to modern pianos. The sustain is much shorter and the dynamic range considerably narrower. Still, it is a good indication of how they sounded back in their composition dates. The playing is very straightforward, not emotional and certainly not sticky.

I don't listen to them a lot myself, nevertheless they might be used as a reference.

(Plus for about $16 you get a total of 4 CD's. 2 of Chopin's and 2 of Field's nocturnes (on a 1820's Broadwood) and additional nocturnes by others: Alkan, Kalkbrenner, Pleyel and a few more)

http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=9177

[Mark]

At the risk of slight ribbing from Drasko, thank you (once again ) to all: much food for thought. I find it hard to believe that I've now heard more people advising against the Hewitt set than the Barenboim, and I'm almost tempted to find out why for myself. Almost, but not quite ... I think I'll look at some of the other recommendations first.

So ... er ... cheers!

[George]

At the risk of slight ribbing from Drasko, thank you (once again ) to all: much food for thought. I find it hard to believe that I've now heard more people advising against the Hewitt set than the Barenboim, and I'm almost tempted to find out why for myself. Almost, but not quite ... I think I'll look at some of the other recommendations first.

So ... er ... cheers!

Mark, who are you current frontrunners?

Perhaps we can help you decide with a download of #5? 

[The Emperor]

Yeh, i have no problem uploading the Pires one, if asked politely

[sidoze]

Any thoughts on Amoyel, anyone?

I've wanted to hear this for a long time. It won several awards in France and that's enough to convince me I must hear it one day, regardless of actually wanting another cycle (cycles of the Nocturnes are as pointless as cycles of Beethoven sonatas, by the way).

I'm not saying that the recorded sound is terrible, just that I'd like to hear these works against a 'cleaner' background.

Ah I see, you mean with less sustain pedal In that case you could try Pollini.

Someone else on this board--I'm guessing he's still registered--recently heard the Tipo recording and also thinks it's quite unique. If he'd stop downing pints down at the local he could come and give it some support!

Perhaps we can help you decide with a download of #5?

op. 15/2? In that case Josef Hofmann would run away with the laurels


By the way Mark, many of the older recordings are in excellent sound. Moravec and Arrau are both fine and have very personal interpretations.

[aquablob]

I currently own Pollini, Rubinstein, Tipo, and Moravec in the Nocturnes. The Pollini has excellent sound, and I really don't think it's as bad as a lot of other GMG members do. That said, I usually turn to Moravec when I listen to these.

The Tipo is a new acquisition for me and I am finding it quite beautiful.

[Mark]

Man, so many choices and such decisions.

George, the Moravec I've heard a little of, and while the sound didn't give me a 'trouser tent', the pianism did. So, definitely on the 'To Try' list. Not the complete cycle though, am I right?

Emperor, your majesty, I'd esteem it an honour if you would bestow upon a humble subject like myself a link to download the No. 5 Nocturne as played by Pires. (That nicely enough? )

Tony, yes, less sustain would help contribute to 'cleaner' sound. Less ambient ... I dunno, 'hiss', perhaps? ... might also be good. The Hewitt set has that on its side at least.

As for Arrau, I'm completely unfamiliar with his work, I'm embarrassed to admit. In this or any other repertoire.

[Don]

Man, so many choices and such decisions.

As for Arrau, I'm completely unfamiliar with his work, I'm embarrassed to admit. In this or any other repertoire.

All the more reason to get Arrau for your next set of the Nocturnes - it's my favorite.  Concerning the Moravec, I don't recall that set not being complete.

[Mark]

All the more reason to get Arrau for your next set of the Nocturnes - it's my favorite.  Concerning the Moravec, I don't recall that set not being complete.

Thanks, Don. I ask about the completeness of the Moravec only because Amazon doesn't list all 21 tracks (I think one or two are missing).

[The Emperor]

Not the complete cycle though, am I right?

Emperor, your majesty, I'd esteem it an honour if you would bestow upon a humble subject like myself a link to download the No. 5 Nocturne as played by Pires. (That nicely enough? )

Since you ask that way, i can upload the whole album if you want?
I will do it tommorrow, i will put here a link, so all can download it

[Mark]

Since you ask that way, i can upload the whole album if you want?
I will do it tommorrow, i will put here a link, so all can download it

You're a diamond.

[sidoze]

The Tipo is a new acquisition for me and I am finding it quite beautiful.

Great stuff. Have you ever heard anyone play op. 62/2 like that? Or op. 55/1 for that matter (Francois isn't far off I suppose). Or many of the other ones.

Tony, yes, less sustain would help contribute to 'cleaner' sound. Less ambient ... I dunno, 'hiss', perhaps? ... might also be good. The Hewitt set has that on its side at least.

I'm sure you know any DDD recording would be without hiss (hence the brackets?). Ciccolini and Pollini were cleanly recorded, though their interpretations are poles apart. The Hewitt recording really doesn't have much going for it, unless you want SACD sound. But who really needs that for a piano recording?

As this topic is limited to complete sets theres no need to bring in outstanding single recordings. I think you're safe to go with Don's suggestion of Arrau who offers a personal take on the music. Or the Moravec. Or, for something very recent, personal and beautiful, Ciccolini (on a Fazioli, lovely sound). All 3 are wonderful Chopin pianists.

Now when you want old hissy barely-remaining-on-tape recordings, let me know

and while the sound didn't give me a 'trouser tent',

as for this....well....maybe it's part of British humour which I still haven't understood after 7 years

[Mark]

Tony, cheers!

I shan't go into 'trouser tent' territory in too much depth, but let's just say it has something to do with being aroused.

[aquablob]

Thanks, Don. I ask about the completeness of the Moravec only because Amazon doesn't list all 21 tracks (I think one or two are missing).

Most sets of the Chopin nocturnes (in my experience) do not include the C minor and C# minor nocturnes that were published posthumously. Kind of like how Beethoven composed a few unpublished piano sonatas that are generally not included in complete sets. Don't let this deter you from the Moravec!

[George]

George, the Moravec I've heard a little of, and while the sound didn't give me a 'trouser tent', the pianism did. So, definitely on the 'To Try' list. Not the complete cycle though, am I right?

Right, but I don't think that should matter too much. He only omits the posthumous works. (3 nocturnes in total)

As for Arrau, I'm completely unfamiliar with his work, I'm embarrassed to admit. In this or any other repertoire.

Let's see what we can do about that. 

[George]

Since you ask that way, i can upload the whole album if you want?
I will do it tommorrow, i will put here a link, so all can download it

Sweet! 

[The Emperor]

Uploading as we speak, should be up soon!