Visions Fugitives

[snyprrr]

Chopin-Scriabin-Faure-Debussy..., then Prokofiev... however, I'm finding I have only responded to some of the Sonatas, the Toccata, and the Visions Fugitives, the latter being something quite unlike much else,... Late Debussy+Late Scriabin??...

Anyhow, I was looking for transcendent sound and piano image, along with the most refined playing. The young lady on EMI (Euhara) seems alright enough; Mustonen's peculiar 'staccato' touch technique does seem to get in the way for me (which is such a shame seeing his programme is, by far, the most tempting). Chiu seems logical, and apparently has the refined touch, but I hear no samples.

I'm definitely trying to stick with a single disc,... there's really not much to choose from...??...

[snyprrr]

Well, I went with Demidenko (Collins) simply because a) I couldn't find any samples, ans, b) I figured he would be a little "better" than the young Japanese lady- though, to be fair, this disc, I believe, was Demidenko's debut, so, I guess he's still a tyke here... hasn't arrived yet...

Chiu or Euhara next...

[Mandryka]

I liked Demidenko, try Stephen Osborne maybe. Yudina is interesting, as is Bashkirov, but sound wise they are not the best. Prokofiev recorded some of the music too. There's something a bit dry about the acoustic in Chiu which you will either love or loath.

[Karl Henning]

Raekallio, for one:

[asin]B004TWOXGC[/asin]

I should revisit Béroff, but I do remember liking his, as well.

[Draško]

I remember liking Novitskaya, but it's been a while.

[snyprrr]

First actual listen to VF... such an interesting style, like Scriabin+Debussy, but very etched,... Prokofiev's "modern" style here definitely sounds like a unique voice. Demidenko... well, I can't figure if it's the music, or his playing, but there is something so... so... "etched"... I think it's the music... Mustonen's "staccato" attack, I can see where that might grate in music of such fine etching and hairpin turns,... and delicacy.

Demidenko's touch, and the sound recording, work together to produce quite a world class Piano Image...


I'm still not sure if this is a work I still need others to explore... that Euhara disc does look tempting... but, I'm glad I have ND for future research

[Mandryka]

I'm still not sure if this is a work I still need others to explore...

I know why you say this and you're probably right, however I think Roger Woodward does bring something interesting to the game, as does Yudina.

[Karl Henning]

First actual listen to VF... such an interesting style, like Scriabin+Debussy, but very etched,... Prokofiev's "modern" style here definitely sounds like a unique voice. Demidenko... well, I can't figure if it's the music, or his playing, but there is something so... so... "etched"... I think it's the music... Mustonen's "staccato" attack, I can see where that might grate in music of such fine etching and hairpin turns,... and delicacy.

I like Mustonen as an alternative reading.  But, you'd probably hate it.