shoatakovich Prelude and fugues

ragman1970 · February 29, 2008, 02:48:53 AM

As an alternative to the allready mentioned recordings: Caroline Weichert !!!

springrite · February 29, 2008, 03:01:44 AM

Mustonen is indeed a fine pianist, and his idiocycractic way of playing and interpreting works may fit your taste in one work but not in another. In Shosty's case, I do prefer Nocolayeva.

The one Mustonen work I really really want to have is his recording of Hindemith! I heard it on the radio when I was in Los Angeles, driving my rental car. I drove around Pasadena for an extra 20 minutes so I could finish listening to it.

If there is one thing I can say about Mustonen in all recordings I have heard from him, he is never boring.

sidoze · February 29, 2008, 10:14:07 AM

There is of course Shostakovich himself, he recorded a few. Richter is my favourite though. Rubio, don't miss out on the Supraphon release, it's worth it, and you should be able to order it from Europe (unless you're looking for an excuse to order from Japan).

rubio · February 29, 2008, 11:44:50 AM

Quote from: sidoze on February 29, 2008, 10:14:07 AM
There is of course Shostakovich himself, he recorded a few. Richter is my favourite though. Rubio, don't miss out on the Supraphon release, it's worth it, and you should be able to order it from Europe (unless you're looking for an excuse to order from Japan).

That one is on my wish list. I'm going to Prague in May, and I hope I will find this disc cheap there.

FideLeo · February 29, 2008, 12:38:40 PM

Quote from: springrite on February 29, 2008, 03:01:44 AM
If there is one thing I can say about Mustonen in all recordings I have heard from him, he is never boring.

And that's saying a lot. I find a lot of Nikolayeva's DSch F&P so stuffy and self-aware 'dark' it is borderline boring.

FL

ragman1970 · February 29, 2008, 11:34:56 PM

Quote from: springrite on February 29, 2008, 03:01:44 AM
If there is one thing I can say about Mustonen in all recordings I have heard from him, he is never boring.

And I hear him in Frankfurt and he was boring!

FideLeo · February 29, 2008, 11:57:49 PM

Quote from: ragman1970 on February 29, 2008, 11:34:56 PM
And I hear him in Frankfurt and he was boring!

Boredom is in the ear of the listener. Jawohl!

ragman1970 · March 01, 2008, 12:35:16 AM

Quote from: fl.traverso on February 29, 2008, 11:57:49 PM
Boredom is in the ear of the listener. Jawohl!

In my language there are 2 possible translation for baredom.
They are slightly different in the meaning ....

FideLeo · March 01, 2008, 12:37:17 AM

Quote from: ragman1970 on March 01, 2008, 12:35:16 AM
In my language there are 2 possible translation for baredom.
They are slightly different in the meaning ....

The word "baredom" has no meaning at all in English if you are sure that is it.

FL

ps. I really think DSch dedicated those works to the Nikolayeva that he knew at the time,
not the one that we know from those boring recordings (Melodiya, Hyperion).

ragman1970 · March 03, 2008, 10:34:31 AM

Quote from: fl.traverso on March 01, 2008, 12:37:17 AM

ps. I really think DSch dedicated those works to the Nikolayeva that he knew at the time,
not the one that we know from those boring recordings (Melodiya, Hyperion).

DSch was jury member 1950 in Leipzig then she has won the Bach competion. She was still a great pianist then she has recorded this works and a lot of BACH later.
If any one think her performance is far away from the point of view DSch has had should read Shechedrin memories to the first performance by DSch from 1951 in a room similar to a cellar. Shechedrin was present as a student and was impressed. To be read in the booklet of his recording of his on 24 preludes and fuges. (wergo).

sidoze · March 03, 2008, 01:01:35 PM

Quote from: fl.traverso on February 29, 2008, 12:38:40 PM
And that's saying a lot. I find a lot of Nikolayeva's DSch F&P so stuffy and self-aware 'dark' it is borderline boring.

FL

You should hear her very first recording of them which AFAIk has never made it to CD. By the way, I'd be interested in how you define 'self-aware'. Do you think Richter is also stuffy?

As for Mustonen, yeah he is always interesting, but at the same time he usually has little sense of taste. All that staccato, my god, listen to his Chopin PC 1, Grieg concerto or Prokofiev PC 3. It's interesting to hear once but I often get the impression that he'd be happier on a harpsichord, not to mention he might actually, just once, want to use the range of colour that a piano offers.

FideLeo · March 03, 2008, 01:53:30 PM

Quote from: sidoze on March 03, 2008, 01:01:35 PM
You should hear her very first recording of them which AFAIk has never made it to CD. By the way, I'd be interested in how you define 'self-aware'. Do you think Richter is also stuffy?

Well Nicolayeva is definitely stuffy to my ears - Richter can be a different matter I guess.

FideLeo · March 03, 2008, 02:06:07 PM

Quote from: ragman1970 on March 03, 2008, 10:34:31 AM
DSch was jury member 1950 in Leipzig then she has won the Bach competion. She was still a great pianist then she has recorded this works and a lot of BACH later.
If any one think her performance is far away from the point of view DSch has had should read Shechedrin memories to the first performance by DSch from 1951 in a room similar to a cellar. Shechedrin was present as a student and was impressed. To be read in the booklet of his recording of his on 24 preludes and fuges. (wergo).

Since I don't care for N's Bach either so I guess for me DSch's or Shechedrin's opinion of her playing is a moot point.

Don · March 03, 2008, 02:14:49 PM

Quote from: fl.traverso on March 03, 2008, 01:53:30 PM
Well Nicolayeva is definitely stuffy to my ears - Richter can be a different matter I guess.

About how many times have you listened to Nikolayeva's Shostakovich Op. 87?

FideLeo · March 03, 2008, 02:18:36 PM

Quote from: Don on March 03, 2008, 02:14:49 PM

About how many times have you listened to Nikolayeva's Shostakovich Op. 87?

It was so long ago I can't recall - both recordings are now collecting dust after initial use.
I have no wish to revisit them. (Why do so when other, perfect good recordings to my taste
are present?)

Don · March 03, 2008, 02:21:03 PM

Quote from: fl.traverso on March 03, 2008, 02:18:36 PM
It was so ago so I can't recall - both recordings are now collecting dust after initial use.

Well, since you didn't get rid of them, maybe you'll give her another shot sometime in the future.

FideLeo · March 03, 2008, 02:24:17 PM

Quote from: Don on March 03, 2008, 02:21:03 PM
Well, since you didn't get rid of them, maybe you'll give her another shot sometime in the future.

Fans of N are plenty where I come also, so these will make great gifts when good timing presents itself.

Don · March 03, 2008, 06:56:46 PM

Quote from: fl.traverso on March 03, 2008, 02:24:17 PM
Fans of N are plenty where I come also, so these will make great gifts when good timing presents itself.

You must have friends who like used gifts.

ragman1970 · March 03, 2008, 08:18:59 PM

Quote from: fl.traverso on March 03, 2008, 02:06:07 PM
Since I don't care for N's Bach either so I guess for me DSch's or Shechedrin's opinion of her playing is a moot point.

You should read more carefully. I have never written any opininion of her playing from Shecherdin!!!
Shecherdins memories are about DSch one performance.

If you think the composer opinion of a pianist performance is worth nothing you are wrong and a discussion with you is unnecessary!

FideLeo · March 03, 2008, 10:22:16 PM

Quote from: ragman1970 on March 03, 2008, 08:18:59 PM

If you think the composer opinion of a pianist performance is worth nothing you are wrong and a discussion with you is unnecessary!

I got your point alright. But why pay attention to mere allegations of the composer's endorsement of any particular performer when one's own ears (and tastes) are perfectly reliable for judgement? Again, I don't think the composer's opinion means that much to me at all - Messiaen endorsed every recording he has heard of his own works!