It's an old, Late Romantic warhorse. It's been done to death, sometimes very badly. It's slushy, it's sometimes overblown, and most people won't want to listen to it that often.
Then this CD gets released, and all that changes:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91G64vGUj5L._SS500_.jpg)
Now, I'm not someone who feels comfortable using a word like 'phenomenal' to describe any old release. But this is a disc that deserves that description, and could well be my nomination for the (inevitable) GMG CD of the Year 2007. ;D
I've never encountered Sudbin before. The guy is a pianist to watch. If a more perfect performance of the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto exists, I'd like to hear it. This man delivers a near-flawless account of this grand old work, and with more than able support from the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra (and in astonishing sound), makes it feel brand new. Without a doubt, Sudbin has unseated and decrowned Peter Rosel with Kurt Masur and the Gewandhaus Orchestra (my long-time first choice on Berlin Classics), putting this new recording at the top of the table.
If you love piano playing, you'll love this, I promise you. And you'll find the account of the Medtner First Piano Concerto equally mesmerising; it left me almost breathless.
I bought this recording as a download. It will most certainly be joining the CDs on my shelf as a physical disc. Outstanding, and a must-buy. :)
I bought the Sudbin Scarlatti sonatas release and was extremely impressed so I'll look out for this. However, I do have Gilels/Reiner in this and it would be hard to beat that IMO - but I'm prepared to be persuaded. Can the download be sampled before buying?
Quote from: Holden on October 01, 2007, 03:51:59 AM
Can the download be sampled before buying?
If you try the (30-second) samples at eMusic, you might get some brief idea of the quality.
Perhaps I'll upload a sample later. ;)
QuoteIt's been done to death...
But I haven't subjected myself to it much. ;D
Quote from: Holden on October 01, 2007, 03:51:59 AM
I bought the Sudbin Scarlatti sonatas release and was extremely impressed so I'll look out for this. However, I do have Gilels/Reiner in this and it would be hard to beat that IMO - but I'm prepared to be persuaded. Can the download be sampled before buying?
My favourite (let's-cut-the-BS-and-just-play-it) recording as well! :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41S9GEQW1KL.jpg)
Q
Quote from: dtw on October 02, 2007, 05:06:36 AM
But I haven't subjected myself to it much. ;D
I've heard it quite a bit, but I've just always liked it!
Quote from: Que on October 02, 2007, 07:44:55 AM
My favourite (let's-cut-the-BS-and-just-play-it) recording as well! :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41S9GEQW1KL._AA240_.jpg)
Q
Ooh! That looks very nice!
I own Cliburn/Reiner and Horowitz/Toscanini. Not sure but there may be another...
Quote from: dtw on October 02, 2007, 07:59:34 AM
I own Cliburn/Reiner and Horowitz/Toscanini. Not sure but there may be another...
Well, if you own Cliburn/Reiner, you're the only one on the planet that does. THEY NEVER collaborated on the Tschaikovsky "First".
It's mistakes and misinformation like that, which cause me to absolutely IGNORE anybodies recording recommendations on this board.
Quote from: Iago on October 02, 2007, 08:52:55 AM
Well, if you own Cliburn/Reiner, you're the only one on the planet that does. THEY NEVER collaborated on the Tschaikovsky "First"
Oh, right. That's Kondrashin. Reiner's the Rach.
Would take a lot to unseat Richter/Mravinsky for me...
Well, Mark, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that you love this recording too! Isn't it a revelation? Really redefined the concerto for me ... except for the odd flute blip at the opening of the second movement, when it plays the wrong variant of the theme (?).
For the record, though, I would like to link to this thread (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,441.0.html), in which I stated, "For those tired of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, give Yevgeny Sudbin's new CD a spin. I'd been reading gobs of praise about it everywhere, and indeed everything is true: I have never heard the music sound even remotely like this before! Perhaps it may even win converts to one of the most divisive of piano concerti..."
;)
Quote from: brianrein on October 02, 2007, 11:39:44 AM
Well, Mark, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that you love this recording too! Isn't it a revelation? Really redefined the concerto for me ... except for the odd flute blip at the opening of the second movement, when it plays the wrong variant of the theme (?).
For the record, though, I would like to link to this thread (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,441.0.html), in which I stated, "For those tired of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, give Yevgeny Sudbin's new CD a spin. I'd been reading gobs of praise about it everywhere, and indeed everything is true: I have never heard the music sound even remotely like this before! Perhaps it may even win converts to one of the most divisive of piano concerti..."
;)
Brian, so sorry I missed your thread on this. :(
If you'd like to PM a Mod, I'm happy for my thread to get merged with yours. :)
And yes, this IS a very special recording of the Tchaikovsky. ;)
Quote from: Holden on October 01, 2007, 03:51:59 AM
I bought the Sudbin Scarlatti sonatas release and was extremely impressed so I'll look out for this. However, I do have Gilels/Reiner in this and it would be hard to beat that IMO - but I'm prepared to be persuaded. Can the download be sampled before buying?
The Scarlatti should be bought. The gushings for the others,
including the Hurwitz gush for the Scriabin, are a little over the top. One thing is for sure. This young man will have many fine recordings, some of which are great. So far, if anyone is keeping score, Sudbin has one great one. $:)
Quote from: Mark on October 02, 2007, 12:38:15 PM
Brian, so sorry I missed your thread on this. :(
If you'd like to PM a Mod, I'm happy for my thread to get merged with yours. :)
And yes, this IS a very special recording of the Tchaikovsky. ;)
Oh don't worry, that thread's ancient history. ;D
Quote from: BorisG on October 02, 2007, 12:50:44 PM
This young man will have many fine recordings, some of which are great. So far, if anyone is keeping score, Sudbin has one great one. $:)
Agreed. This is a young pianistic talent to watch.
Quote from: BorisG on October 02, 2007, 12:50:44 PM
The Scarlatti should be bought. The gushings for the others, including the Hurwitz gush for the Scriabin, are a little over the top.
I was wondering about that! Saw it the other day and listened to the CD via the Naxos Music Library ... I'd never heard Scriabin before so all I know is that I liked it (and the first half sounded a lot like Rachmaninov).
The Sudbin Scriabin is currently on my wish list (but so are tons of other stuff)
Quote from: Mark on October 01, 2007, 03:02:47 AM
It's an old, Late Romantic warhorse. It's been done to death, sometimes very badly. It's slushy, it's sometimes overblown, and most people won't want to listen to it that often.
Curses; you've caused me to click my mouse and order a copy. Never thought I'd be buying yet another Tchaikovsky-1. Grumble. Grumble.
Quote from: Harry Collier on October 03, 2007, 02:22:41 PM
Curses; you've caused me to click my mouse and order a copy. Never thought I'd be buying yet another Tchaikovsky-1. Grumble. Grumble.
You won't regret it, Harry, of that I assure you. ;)
I'll have to check out Sudbin, though the orchestra I'm not so sure about. This is one of those works where I need a great orchestra to match the soloist. My favorites are Gilels/Reiner and Argerich/Dutoit.
Quote from: Que on October 02, 2007, 07:44:55 AM
My favourite (let's-cut-the-BS-and-just-play-it) recording as well! :)
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41S9GEQW1KL._AA240_.jpg)
Q
Have you heard the Gilels/Maazel performance? How do they compare?
Quote from: Peregrine on October 02, 2007, 09:08:45 AM
Would take a lot to unseat Richter/Mravinsky for me...
Oooo I'd LOVE to hear that one. 8)
Quote from: George on October 05, 2007, 06:48:55 AM
Have you heard the Gilels/Maazel performance? How do they compare?
No, but IMO Gilels/Reiner actually does surpass Richter/Mravinsky: I think Richter is too intellectual for the piece, it's a bit fussy and he fiddles with it too much - IMO this piece is best delivered straight. And Argerich/Dutoit would come nowhere near...
Q
Quote from: Que on October 05, 2007, 07:52:36 AM
And Argerich/Dutoit would come nowhere near...
Have you actually heard that recording? I mean the DG recording. It's OOP at the moment. It's quite different from her later Philips recording with Kondrashin (which is just a speed contest). BTW, another surprisingly warm and unfussy recording is Barenboim/Celibidache/MPO/EMI. Hard to believe with that conductor, but it really is.
Quote from: O Mensch on October 05, 2007, 08:38:16 AM
Have you actually heard that recording?
Yes, I have. Didn't/don't like Dutoit's way with Tchaikovsky, and actually liked the Kondrashin better.
BTW the Gilels/Reiner is quite speedy as well...
Q
Quote from: Que on October 05, 2007, 08:49:31 AM
Yes, I have. Didn't/don't like Dutoit's way with Tchaikovsky, and actually liked the Kondrashin better.
BTW the Gilels/Reiner is quite speedy as well...
But unlke Argerich/Kondrashin, Gilels/Reiner know when to let the mysic breathe.
Quote from: O Mensch on October 05, 2007, 09:44:50 AM
But unlke Argerich/Kondrashin, Gilels/Reiner know when to let the mysic breathe.
Agreed. :)
Q
I really thought I was done with this concerto, until I returned to the Horowitz/Toscanini, a studio recording from 1941. :o It is absolutely stunning. It is not only a return to an old favorite work, but also an old recording that I have not heard in over twenty years. I'm glad I had an itch to listen again this morning...don't know why, but I did!
8)
YES, I am done with it. I have a recording that I enjoy, and am content.
clickenze!
(http://s18.postimage.org/sgcg4tsyx/TCHAIKOVSKY_Graffman_Szell_Cleveland_LP.jpg)
Szell proves a convivial, alert partner in the First Concerto, providing deft touches that lift this account above the ordinary. Listen, for instance, to the syncopated brass figure beneath the apotheosis of the last movement's second subject. If Graffman eschews the demonic brilliance of Horowitz, his reading is all about Tchaikovsky.
-- Gramophone [1/2006
Graffman's clear and straightforward pianism stands out for its bigness, presence, and authority. I especially love his feathery scintillation in the slow movement's scampering central interlude, and the lyrical reserve he brings to the opening movement's extensive unaccompanied solos.
-- ClassicsToday.com
from Gramophone 1970:
In a very impressive Cleveland performance Graff man is cleaner in style and execution . . . Graffman's is finale very fast, though Graffman's fantastic control leaves one less tense. Only in the coda does Graffman's electricity come out, at fullest voltage. The CBS record has the predictable close-up sound for the piano, and generally a typical Cleveland acoustic. ~E.G.
This 1976 German CBS LP of a March, 1969 recording, has good sound and a very fine performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sdsxOYDXAs
How bout a recent one by Argerich/Barenboim? A new entry to my list...
Will listen to it later, thanks for sharing this !
Argerich happens to be one of my favourite pianists and her DG recording of the Tchaikovsky 1 with Dutoit is one I never tire of listening.
Others I like: Rubinstein/Leinsdorf, Gilels/Maazel and Volodos/Ozawa. There's a live Horowitz/Szell in poor sound in which Vlad pulverizes the ivories. Exciting as hell !
I've been so satisfied with the Argerich/Dutoit disc I got in my teen that I've never felt the need to go looking for another one.
Argerich/Kondrashin (on Philips) for me, but I've supplemented it with Gerstein/Gaffigan for its earlier, more expressive version of the piano part and somewhat of a more chamber-ish feel to it.
If you can stand the sound,
Lev Oborin/ Alexander Gauk / USSR State and Radio Symphony Orchestra, 1948
will blow your mind off.
https://www.youtube.com/v/Yd7oSivpgx8
Listening again right now --- yep, still the most white-hot, take-no-prisoners version I've ever istened to.
Beatrice Rana's recording seems to be well-liked nowadays.
https://youtu.be/-m2pUQkdHII
I think Sergio Tiempo is Argerich's protege.
https://youtu.be/E5bngchoxuw
I've been listening to Argerich/Kondrashin/Bavarian on Philips, which somehow didn't impress me much on first listen (I think I didn't jive with the recorded sound). Returning to it I'm absolutely blown away by Argerich's virtuosity and Kondrashin's command of the score. This is one for the books. It has temporarily displaced my longtime favorite Cliburn/Kondrashin/RCA, and reignited my love for this work and my interest in Tchaikovsky's works in general (which I'd been mostly ignoring for some time).
Anyway I've been considering getting the Argerich/Abbado box which includes another Tchaikovsky 1, w/ the BPO—any thoughts on this recording?