What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[George]

I will quote David Dubal, as I feel that he describes Pollini perfectly:

"Today's ideal is Pollini-the cool and impassive striver for elemental perfection. He is the "state of the art" pianist. His playing is as sleek and elegant as a stainless steel skyscraper. Yet, in music that screams for personal touch, such as the Chopin Preludes and Etudes, the Brahms concerti, Schubert sonatas and all of Schumann, his unblemished playing sound antiseptic and driven, with structures so tight that the concert room becomes airless. There is no pause for a moment of impulse. Pollini is never Italianate and, above all, never smiles. He seems to lack vital imagination; everything sounds like a single conception-one style for all."

[Philoctetes]

I will quote David Dubal, as I feel that he describes Pollini perfectly:

"Today's ideal is Pollini-the cool and impassive striver for elemental perfection. He is the "state of the art" pianist. His playing is as sleek and elegant as a stainless steel skyscraper. Yet, in music that screams for personal touch, such as the Chopin Preludes and Etudes, the Brahms concerti, Schubert sonatas and all of Schumann, his unblemished playing sound antiseptic and driven, with structures so tight that the concert room becomes airless. There is no pause for a moment of impulse. Pollini is never Italianate and, above all, never smiles. He seems to lack vital imagination; everything sounds like a single conception-one style for all."

He's certainly entitled to his opinion.

[Mirror Image]

Now:


A great recording so far. A nice contrast to Bernstein's own recording.

[Sid]

As much as I agree that Pollini is great with the repertoire on that CD you posted, I would urge you to try others for romantic repertoire, as I don't think Pollini's style is well suited to romantic piano works. Have you heard other pianists in Schubert?

I have heard some of Schubert's piano music on radio, but I can't remember the names of specific pianists. I think I will just listen to the friend's Pollini Schubert cd on the weekend & see how it is. I'm not an expert of the piano (or anything musical, really), and I have just started collecting recently. I aim to get a few cd's of each of the famous pianists, such as Richter, Pollini, Pogorelich, Argerich, Horowitz, Brendel, Kocsis, etc. I've got a few of these but want to explore more, as well as go to live piano recitals here in Sydney. I had previously kind of dismissed solo piano as less interesting than say chamber or orchestral, but recently discovered how wrong I was...

[George]

I have heard some of Schubert's piano music on radio, but I can't remember the names of specific pianists.

I went through a long period where I tried a lot of different pianists in Schubert and was beginning to come to the conclusion that I just didn't like Schubert. This was my early days of collecting, when I was still in college. I recall asking my Music History professor about it and he told me that the head of the piano performance department told him that it was her opinion that no one really knew how to play Schubert. It was of course an exaggeration, but it helped me to begin to understand the importance of the interpreter. A few years later, I saw the French film The Piano Teacher and the star communicated a similar message in the way that she taught her student how to play Schubert. Only recently, have certain performers help me to appreciate Schubert's music. In fact, Schubert is now one of my favorite composers. 

I'm just saying that if you don't like Pollini's Schubert, don't make the mistake, as did, of thinking that you don't like Schubert. There are plenty of us who do not enjoy the modern style of playing that Pollini represents and can offer alternatives for Schubert interpreters.

If you do love Pollini's Schubert, have no fear, there's plenty more pianists out there whom play in the modern style, though they may not do so as well as he does. 

[George]

I aim to get a few cd's of each of the famous pianists, such as Richter, Pollini, Pogorelich, Argerich, Horowitz, Brendel, Kocsis, etc.

I think this is a good idea. I would suggest that you cherrypick for most pianists, as no pianist excels in every composer.

[listener]

Marc-André HAMELIN   (Composer and Performer)   12  Études in all the minor keys; Little Nocturne; from Con intimissimo sentimento (5 pieces); (Cathy's) Theme and Variations
In spite of "all the minor keys" this is exciting, not depressing and provides great fun in trying to recognize the allusions.  Études 9 (after Rossini) & 10 (after Chopin) are copied from The Composer-Pianist., and comprise only 6 minutes of the 76 minute total.
RESPIGHI  Adagio con variazioni
BUSONI   Bach Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue transcription
               Liszt  Valse oubliée   transcription
Kleine Suite  op.23    Serenata op. 34     10 Variations on Kultaselle - Finnish folksong
Angelo Pepicelli, cello      Francesco Pepicelli, piano

[The new erato]

Now:



Delightful!

Not the first word that comes to mind concerning this concerto. Perhaps wonderful would be better - delight isn't gloomy enough.

[The new erato]

This is wonderfully, and athmospherically, weird. Stunning sound (1970 live).

[Conor71]

 

Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1
Brahms: Piano Quintet, SQ #3

[Sergeant Rock]

Strauss, Oboe Concerto, Heinz Holliger, the New Philharmonia conducted by Eddie the Wart




Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Not the first word that comes to mind concerning this concerto. Perhaps wonderful would be better - delight isn't gloomy enough.

I was taken aback too by MI's "delightful" description. The first three-quarters of that concerto are pure, screaming agony 

Sarge

[Subotnick]

No, there's really not. My favorite Tubin symphony is the 1st believe it or not. There's something about it, in particular the first movement, that just resonates so strongly with me. The 4th is also highly enjoyable.

You say that as though your opinion of the 1st goes against the grain. I've only heard the symphonies. I've not read about them or Tubin himself, so am unaware of how they sit amongst his own and up against others compositions. I guess I've got some homework to do. It will only serve to enhance my enjoyment of something that already gives me a great deal of pleasure. And while I contemplate that, I'm listening to the 5th.

[Sergeant Rock]

Sibelius Symphony #7, Bernstein, New York Phil...continuing my search for the most perfect ending....those four final bars.




Sarge

[The new erato]

Sibelius Symphony #7, Bernstein, New York Phil...continuing my search for the most perfect ending....those four final bars.




Sarge

I have the 3rd  & 7th on LP, my first Sibelius aquisition ever. My LP player unfortunately, while still existing, haven't been connected to my gear for 5 years. I'll buy the new Bernstein the symphonist collection and reaquaint myself with these. 

[Subotnick]

[Sergeant Rock]

I have the 3rd  & 7th on LP, my first Sibelius aquisition ever. My LP player unfortunately, while still existing, haven't been connected to my gear for 5 years. I'll buy the new Bernstein the symphonist collection and reaquaint myself with these.

Well worth acquiring. A great cycle. By the way, have you seen a list of contents for that new Bernstein collection?

Listening to another Sibelius Seventh now: Dresdner Philarhomonie conducted by Carl von Garaguly...one of the swiftest I own (19:39)



Sarge

[The new erato]

Well worth acquiring. A great cycle. By the way, have you seen a list of contents for that new Bernstein collection?

Yes on another forum unavailable to me now. Mahler, Beethoven, Schuman, his Nielsen, Sibelius, Mendelssohn (IITC) and a slew of American stuff. Some frenchies.

[Conor71]

Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1
Bach: Art of Fugue

[The new erato]

Well worth acquiring. A great cycle. By the way, have you seen a list of contents for that new Bernstein collection?



Sarge

Well, here it is:

Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9 (Complete)

Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique

Bernstein: Symphonies 1-3 (Complete)

Bizet: Symphony in C

Blitzstein: The Airborne Symphony

Brahms: Symphonies 1-4 (Complete)

Bruckner: Symphony No. 9

Copland: Symphony for Organ and Orchestra, 3

Dvorak: Symphonies 7, 8, and 9

Franck: Symphony in D Minor

Goldmark: Rustic Wedding Symphony

Harris: Symphony No.3

Haydn: Symphonies 82-88; 93-104

Hindemith: Symphony in E-Flat

Ives: Symphonies 2 and 3

Liszt: Faust Symphony

Mahler: Symphonies 1-9 (Complete)

Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3, 4, and 5

Mozart: Symphonies 35, 36, 39, 40, and 41

Nielsen: Symphonies 2, 3, 4, and 5

Prokofiev: Symphonies 1 and 5

St. Saens: Symphony No. 3

Schubert: Symphonies 5, 8, and 9

Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 (Complete)

Schuman: Symphonies 3, 5, and 8

Shapero: Symphony for Classical Orchestra

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms

Shostakovich: Symphonies 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 14

Sibelius: Symphonies 1-7 (Complete)

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 1-6 (Complete)

Thompson: Symphony No. 2

Vaughan-Williams: Symphony No. 4