Chopin

[Mandryka]

I've been listening to the 3rd sonata a lot recently after discovering John Ogdon's turbulent  performance. I then turned to Pletnev's colourful and brooding and somehow psychologically dramatic performance as a sort of Ogdon antidote. In the past I remember enjoying Gilels's very positive, life affirming take on the music.

What are, in your opinion, the most interesting performances on record? Anyone enjoy Evgeni Bozhanov's recording? Or Sokolov's?

[Wanderer]

Here's a video that I came across recently and liked. Maria João Pires pops into a concert hall just as Frans Brüggen and his orchestra are wrapping things up after a rehearsal of a piano concerto. Pleasantries exchanged, Pires sits at the pianoforte and immediately begins playing Chopin, bringing the activities around her to a halt for awhile.

http://www.youtube.com/v/n0E3iqttI_E

Thanks for posting that. Pires's rendition of the second concerto (with Previn) is sublime and all the traits are present here as well.

[Brahmsian]

On to the Nocturnes, with Arthur Rubinstein.  So lovely! 

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[Todd]

As far as older farts but still going strong I enjoy Freire (in the nocturnes) and perhaps a dark horse entry, Paik in the concertos (better here than in his Beethoven).

Freire is superb in Chopin.  Paik's Chopin is probably the best thing he's done after his magnificent Brahms.

[George]

On the young punk side I enjoy ... Tharaud (in the waltzes).

Haven't heard that CD, as I did not enjoy his Preludes.

As far as older farts but still going strong I enjoy Freire (in the nocturnes) and perhaps a dark horse entry, Paik in the concertos (better here than in his Beethoven).

I've tried many times to enjoy the Freire, but I continue to be unsuccessful. Sometimes I grow to like something over time, but it doesn't seem to the case here.

Paik's Prokofiev concertos on Naxos are great! Have you heard them?

[kishnevi]

On to the Nocturnes, with Arthur Rubinstein.  So lovely! 

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My favorite performance of the Nocturnes.
My second favorite is (relevant to the comments of DD, Todd and George) Friere.

[George]

My favorite performance of the Nocturnes.

Have you heard his two earlier sets? I especially enjoy his first recording of these works.

[kishnevi]

Have you heard his two earlier sets? I especially enjoy his first recording of these works.

I have the EMI Icon box, which has less than ideal sound quality, and therefore have heard the first recording.

And I've just acquired the Big Rubinstein Box, so the middle set will be heard--eventually.

Which raises a question: how does the sound quality of those first recordings in the Big Box compare to the EMI re-issues?

[Brahmsian]

Now listening to the Rubinstein set of Ballades and Scherzos.  This was one of my first 'non-Beethoven' classical music purchases. 

My favourite of each is Ballade No. 1 in G minor, and the Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor

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[George]

I have the EMI Icon box, which has less than ideal sound quality, and therefore have heard the first recording.

And I've just acquired the Big Rubinstein Box, so the middle set will be heard--eventually.

Which raises a question: how does the sound quality of those first recordings in the Big Box compare to the EMI re-issues?

I actually never bought the EMI set, as I am weary of EMI's mastering (except the boxes done in France, like the big Cortot or Francois sets, those were wonderfully mastered.) Perhaps you can share some comparisons when you get the chance?

[Holden]

I have the EMI Icon box, which has less than ideal sound quality, and therefore have heard the first recording.

And I've just acquired the Big Rubinstein Box, so the middle set will be heard--eventually.

Which raises a question: how does the sound quality of those first recordings in the Big Box compare to the EMI re-issues?

I haven't heard much of the EMI but I do have the Rubinstein big box and the sound is, given historical factors, uniformly excellent!

[Todd]

Which raises a question: how does the sound quality of those first recordings in the Big Box compare to the EMI re-issues?

The big box remasterings sound better.

[aquablob]

I've been listening to the 3rd sonata a lot recently after discovering John Ogdon's turbulent  performance. I then turned to Pletnev's colourful and brooding and somehow psychologically dramatic performance as a sort of Ogdon antidote. In the past I remember enjoying Gilels's very positive, life affirming take on the music.

What are, in your opinion, the most interesting performances on record? Anyone enjoy Evgeni Bozhanov's recording? Or Sokolov's?

Love that piece!

My favorite is probably Cziffra, who I think is underrated as a Chopinist. Though he's often pigeonholed as a flashy virtuoso (and he sometimes was one!), his best recordings demonstrate acute awareness of when to hold back and when to let loose—there's spontaneity but it isn't unbridled.

More unbridled is Argerich from 1965, a classic nonetheless!

I've enjoyed readings by Ashkenazy, Ohlsson, Pollini, Hamelin, and Hough, but I find myself returning to Cziffra.

Of the recordings that you named, which is your favorite?

[Mandryka]

Love that piece!


Of the recordings that you named, which is your favorite?

Pletnev, no doubt about it. This is a performance I've returned to often for years now and I've always enjoyed what he does. Recently I've been enjoying Sokolov a lot too, but it's not commercially available.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Paik's Chopin is probably the best thing he's done after his magnificent Brahms.

I'm a big fan of Paik's solo Brahms, which strangely seems only available on a Korean DG import. Have you heard Paik's Brahms first concerto with Inbal? I've been eyeing that disc for some time.

[Todd]

Have you heard Paik's Brahms first concerto with Inbal?

Yes, and I recommend buying without delay.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Haven't heard that CD, as I did not enjoy his Preludes.

I haven't heard Tharaud's preludes but I've never been let down by his disc of waltzes.

I've tried many times to enjoy the Freire, but I continue to be unsuccessful. Sometimes I grow to like something over time, but it doesn't seem to the case here.

It's funny you should say that George. For years I had a similar problem with Arrau's nocturnes. It got so bad that at one point I finally just sold off the set and said goodbye to ever hearing them again.

But so many people kept saying so many good things about it I eventually caved and re-bought the set. But I STILL didn't get along with it. But years went by and one night I put it on after a long hiatus and *bang* it clicked!

Now I can't fathom what problem I might have had with Arrau's nocturnes. They're so beautifully poetic.

Now, practically speaking I can't say whether this story amounts to anything but all I can say is: time has a funny way of changing perceptions.  

Paik's Prokofiev concertos on Naxos are great! Have you heard them?

Yes, I have one of the discs, the disc with concertos 1, 3, and 4. I agree, they're definitely up there with the best.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Yes, and I recommend buying without delay.

The gem here, for me, is the Paik/Inbal.  Paik's Brahms is largely about tone and beauty, which works splendidly on his solo works disc.  It works here, too, because he can and does play with power and intensity when needed.  Inbal and the Czech PO play superbly, too, and the sound is top notch, with some hefty bass.  Paik is one heck of a Brahmsian, and this recording joins my favorites.

Oh, wow, thanks for that. Now I'm anxious to hear it. Thank goodness Christmas is right around the corner.

[George]

It's funny you should say that George. For years I had a similar problem with Arrau's nocturnes. It got so bad that at one point I finally just sold off the set and said goodbye to ever hearing them again.

But so many people kept saying so many good things about it I eventually caved and re-bought the set. But I STILL didn't get along with it. But years went by and one night I put it on after a long hiatus and *bang* it clicked!

Now I can't fathom what problem I might have had with Arrau's nocturnes. They're so beautifully poetic.

Now, practically speaking I can't say whether this story amounts to anything but all I can say is: time has a funny way of changing perceptions.  

Interesting you mention Arrau's Nocturnes, for they were my first set of these works and remain my favorite, even after 16 or so different sets later.

[George]

Just heard a great survey of the Chopin Ballades on BBC Radio 3: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b03k0cnh?t=254.469

The survey begins at 27:20 and ends around 1hr 16min.

This BBC survey is making me curious to hear Zimerman and Richter again in these works. The samples she used for these pianists sounded superb.

For those who are curious to know what the BBC reviewer thinks, but don't wish to listen to the whole broadcast, her top three are Cortot 1929, Zimerman and Richter in 1960. Good for her! The first two were in my "runner up" when I did my own survey a few years ago.

I love how she sums up her survey: "Zimerman has my head, Cortot my heart and Richter my gut."