Krystian Zimerman

[ezodisy]

A new and very interesting interview with Zimerman who discusses his thoughts on old and new recording methods, his repertoire and his touring (and more).

www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/musicmatters/pip/lwjxu/

[Maciek]

Thanks!

I'm only starting to listen to the interview right now but there's quite a surprising tidbit in the introductory written text:

Zimerman became the youngest-ever winner of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1975, before studying intensively with the great Artur Rubinstein.

"Studying intensively"? Wha...? How many days did he spend with Rubinstein? AFAIK, it was about a week. How does that consititute "studying intensively"?!

(Or am I completely misremembering the facts?)

[Josquin des Prez]

Zimerman needs to make a complete Beethoven set before his technique goes bonkers (if it hasn't already, how old is he?).

Extremely cliched i know, but his recording career hasn't been that esoteric anyway.

[ezodisy]

"Studying intensively"? Wha...? How many days did he spend with Rubinstein? AFAIK, it was about a week. How does that consititute "studying intensively"?!

(Or am I completely misremembering the facts?)

Of course you're right. Based on what Z said in the interview, they could have written 'before learning lots from' AR 'but not realising he'd learned lots at all until later', though that probably doesn't sound as professional

Last time I had a chance to hear him, about 6 years ago, he cancelled. I plan to buy one of the cheap tickets for his recital at the end of the month. Should be fascinating.

[springrite]

Great pianist. Great sounds.

I only wish he stops being so maticulous and really let it fly once in a while! (That is why I stopped buying his CDs since a while ago).

[ezodisy]

Great pianist. Great sounds.

I only wish he stops being so maticulous and really let it fly once in a while! (That is why I stopped buying his CDs since a while ago).

Apparently even he will tell you not to buy his CDs There's a magnificent bootleg recording of him playing the Chopin Sonata 2 from a few years back. I think I have it somewhere. It really shows up what a perfectionist he is -- and it's absolutely magnificent, this time.

[Josquin des Prez]

It really shows up what a perfectionist he is -- and it's absolutely magnificent, this time.

Why, being a perfectionist is usually not magnificent?

[BorisG]

Why, being a perfectionist is usually not magnificent?

That is correct. It is only when eodizsy deems it such. Often from his basement tapes.

[ezodisy]

Why, being a perfectionist is usually not magnificent?

Not in the sense of his Debussy Preludes, no.

That is correct. It is only when eodizsy deems it such. Often from his basement tape

Someone who includes Howard Shelley in his "wow" piano performances needn't speak here.

[BorisG]

Someone who includes Howard Shelley in his "wow" piano performances needn't speak here.

That is surprising to hear, coming from a basement critic who apparently doesn't listen to much outside of Chopin & Rachmaninov. Wondering whether this critic should be speaking anywhere. 

[ezodisy]

well Boris, you've been posting on this board for quite a while. You might remember the days when I listened to everything I could find, even Brahms  Anyway, as you obviously don't have anything relevant to say and could only post in the thread to criticise me, please go back to being silent.

I wouldn't mind knowing what your problem with bootleg and non-commercial recordings is though.

[BorisG]

well Boris, you've been posting on this board for quite a while. You might remember the days when I listened to everything I could find, even Brahms  Anyway, as you obviously don't have anything relevant to say and could only post in the thread to criticise me, please go back to being silent.

I wouldn't mind knowing what your problem with bootleg and non-commercial recordings is though.

You seemed like a decent enough chap in those days. What happened? Is this basement stuff toxic, too?

[Maciek]

Guys, please stop teasing each other. The forum is open to all users (who want to discuss music ), whether they listen only to bootlegs or only to commercial recordings, whether they listen in their basements or attics etc. - as long as they stick to the guidelines.

(I'm not implying that anyone has crossed the guidelines in this thread. Just taking precautions, in case things go in the wrong direction. 0:))



There's another Zimerman interview (this time, in written form) here. It comes from this blog (or to be more precise - it comes from Pianist Magazine).

[MISHUGINA]

Great pianist. Great sounds.

I only wish he stops being so maticulous and really let it fly once in a while! (That is why I stopped buying his CDs since a while ago).

Thank Cthulhu for YouTube. Watch him really sizzle in the 3rd Prelude and tell me your jaws ain't droppin'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSDUW8PhK7A

[BorisG]

Guys, please stop teasing each other. The forum is open to all users (who want to discuss music ), whether they listen only to bootlegs or only to commercial recordings, whether they listen in their basements or attics etc. - as long as they stick to the guidelines.

(I'm not implying that anyone has crossed the guidelines in this thread. Just taking precautions, in case things go in the wrong direction. 0:))



There's another Zimerman interview (this time, in written form) here. It comes from this blog (or to be more precise - it comes from Pianist Magazine).

Thanks Maciek, fine by me.

[Peregrine]

Someone who includes Howard Shelley in his "wow" piano performances needn't speak here.

Thanks Maciek, fine by me.

Ta-ra



Back on subject, I have a fine Ballade (op.52) from Zimerman from the GPOTC set, but wouldn't mind hearing the Chopin sonata 2. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean....

[ezodisy]

You seemed like a decent enough chap in those days. What happened? Is this basement stuff toxic, too?

I was trying to avoid this, which is why I tried to nip it by asking why you have a negative view on these things. Once again you couldn't give a clear answer though, and it was you who jumped into the thread for no reason, so stick by your decision this time.

Back on subject, I have a fine Ballade (op.52) from Zimerman from the GPOTC set, but wouldn't mind hearing the Chopin sonata 2. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean....

I'll pick it up when I go to the other flat. It's on a disc with his live Chopin sonata 3 from the early '80s I think -- a wonderful performance, couldn't imagine him playing with such freedom today. Will also try to pick up the Volodos Prokofiev PC2.

[Peregrine]

I'll pick it up when I go to the other flat. It's on a disc with his live Chopin sonata 3 from the early '80s I think -- a wonderful performance, couldn't imagine him playing with such freedom today. Will also try to pick up the Volodos Prokofiev PC2.

'The other flat' - my, how the other half live...

Cheers, Tony, I'ld appreciate that when you get time. I've just started on a bit of another Chopin drive, listening to quite a lot at the moment.

[rubio]

So how is this set?

[Maciek]

According to the Jessica Duchen interview (the one from the blog) a Zimerman Chopin sonatas (commercial) CD is very likely to finally appear.

One day.