Bach on the piano

[Mandryka]

Olafsson's mostly positive reception is due to the fact that his recording is very contemporary. The brave new world welcomes and endorses its performers.

How is it contemporary? If you just mean that it has only just been released, he's not the only one. Search on Presto and sort for release date.

If you mean that there's something in his interpretation which makes it a reflection of the current zeitgeist - an ephemeral, accessible commodity - then maybe you're onto something.

[AnotherSpin]

How is it contemporary? If you just mean that it has only just been released, he's not the only one. Search on Presto and sort for release date.

If you mean that there's something in his interpretation which makes it a reflection of the current zeitgeist - an ephemeral, accessible commodity - then maybe you're onto something.

The second.

[Florestan]

Actually, where are all those completely positive, glowing reviews? The ones I found offer qualified appraisal and unqualified criticism.

[Florestan]

Olafsson's mostly positive reception is due to the fact that his recording is very contemporary. The brave new world welcomes and endorses its performers.

If you mean that there's something in his interpretation which makes it a reflection of the current zeitgeist - an ephemeral, accessible commodity - then maybe you're onto something.

Are you serious, guys? So much philosophical and existential fuss about what is a simple matter of "if you like it, fine, if you don't like it, just as fine". 

[AnotherSpin]

Are you serious, guys? So much philosophical and existential fuss about what is a simple matter of "if you like it, fine, if you don't like it, just as fine". 

Some people like things, others are interested in understanding why they like it. Both angles are normal, no need to worry.

[Florestan]

define romanticism in piano.

In fast movements, durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck; in slow movements, cantabile con espressione. Sempre legato. Well-judged and well executed rubato. Judicious dynamic contrasts. Always a beautiful sound (this one is fundamental).

My two cents anyway, based on Rachmaninoff's recordings of Schumann, Chopin and his own music.

[milk]

In fast movements, durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck; in slow movements, cantabile con espressione. Sempre legato. Well-judged and well executed rubato. Judicious dynamic contrasts. Always a beautiful sound (this one is fundamental).

My two cents anyway, based on Rachmaninoff's recordings of Schumann, Chopin and his own music.

I wonder about Sempre legato and Bach. I'm not a musician, let alone a keyboardist. I would definitely question whether Olafsson finds canticle in slower movements, especially compared to Tipo and Lang Lang (just the two I was comparing recently). Olafsson does like Legato maybe? He's breakneck and legato.

[JBS]

Just gave a first listen to the Vikingur CD. I'll post here what I posted on the main Listening thread:
First impression: very good, straightforward, neither over-romanticized nor over-baroqued.
Reminds me of Angela Hewitt.

I can add that I could easily have done without the moody/artsy photos of the pianist posing among the basalts and beaches of the Icelandic coast, but that can be easily avoided by not opening the booklet (the one in this image is the best of the lot).

[Mandryka]

Listening  to the prelude of the 6th suite, and I think you can hear pre-echoes Rubsam's lute harpsichord style very clearly.

[prémont]

Listening  to the prelude of the 6th suite, and I think you can hear pre-echoes Rubsam's lute harpsichord style very clearly.

This makes good sense. I haven't made A/B tests, but when I do I shall include the recording of the English suites he made for Beyer Records a few years before the recording for Naxos. I seem to recall that I found it a little more "strict" than the Naxos recording.

[Scion7]

... I could easily have done without the moody/artsy photos of the pianist posing among the basalts and beaches of the Icelandic coast

Bloody hell.    However, this sort of pretentious bullocks has become widespread with classical music releases in recent years - album covers, even interviews with artists who seem to think they are a Van Cliburn, but their mettle is so much less.

[Mandryka]

This makes good sense. I haven't made A/B tests, but when I do I shall include the recording of the English suites he made for Beyer Records a few years before the recording for Naxos. I seem to recall that I found it a little more "strict" than the Naxos recording.

I haven't heard any of those precursors to the Naxos series. I'd be interested to hear his French Suites (that's a subtle hint!)

[prémont]

I haven't heard any of those precursors to the Naxos series. I'd be interested to hear his French Suites (that's a subtle hint!)

As far as I can tell the English suites are the only ones which were recorded twice. 

https://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVP/Rubsam.htm#SoloKey

[Mandryka]

As far as I can tell the English suites are the only ones which were recorded twice. 

https://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVP/Rubsam.htm#SoloKey

Ah yes, the timings of this are indeed the same as the Naxos release

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373999338860

[Mandryka]

Rübsam also astonishing in the first English suite.

[AnotherSpin]

Rübsam also astonishing in the first English suite.

True..) I was listening to Rübsam's 1st English Suite when opened this page.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I enjoyed listening to a number of recordings of Wilhelm Kempff playing Bach (from 1953) via youtube.

PD

[Mandryka]

I enjoyed listening to a number of recordings of Wilhelm Kempff playing Bach (from 1953) via youtube.

PD

His mono performance of his own Bach transcriptions are lovely - much more captivating for me than the stereo recording.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

His mono performance of his own Bach transcriptions are lovely - much more captivating for me than the stereo recording.

I'll have to do some digging and see which ones I have (I have some different sets of his music.)--if any. 

PD

[Mandryka]

The 15 year old Pollini plays a bit of Bach -- ridiculously fast, but you know what 15 year olds are like! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqLHkGZXlTo