Recent posts

#1

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: BIS Records taken over by ...

Last post by dhibbard - Today at 11:40:54 AM

essentially, they discontinued the catalog other than Sibelius works..

#2

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Mapman - Today at 11:40:47 AM

Pachelbel: Various works for organ
Helmut Winter, Trebel organ

I think this was my first time listening to Pachelbel other than his famous Canon. I think my favorite was the Ricecar in c minor, P.419.

#3

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Chopin Recordings

Last post by (poco) Sforzando - Today at 11:36:57 AM

The one everyone's going to spend all summer talking about!



Retro cover art style (including the logo) from Decca. Lim recently presented these works live in concert at Carnegie Hall - attended by our friend (poco) Sforzando - and it would be interesting to hear how the two performances compare. This album was recorded in mid-December 2023 and seemingly rushed to press by Decca. One more strange housekeeping note: every nickname ever accorded to any of the etudes, and quite a few nicknames that I had never heard before, are listed on the digital release. (e.g. Qobuz says Op. 10 No. 4 is "Torrent", and No. 8 from the same set is "Sunshine")

The best etudes here are characterized by crystal-clear accuracy and balances that reveal the melodic appeal of the works behind or amid the cascades of notes. Lim is so technically assured and confident that he can treat Chopin's challenges as the means, not the end, of the works. This is clear in pieces like Op. 10 Nos. 2 and 4, and Op. 25 Nos. 6 and 9 (the last of which is the jauntiest and cheeriest I have ever heard). Meanwhile the slower, more poetic works occasionally also give Lim a chance to impress: I very much like his way with the fragile beauty of Op. 25 No. 7. The final etude of the 24, meanwhile, is simply relentless - he does make some attempts to differentiate the repetitions, but, basically, it's a shock-and-awe speed run that is meant to show what humans are capable of.

On the other hand, sometimes Lim gets a little too facile with the technical challenges. Op. 10 No. 11 seems "oily" to me, which I guess is another way of saying slick. Op. 25 No. 1 is a dreamy impressionist blur, but at 2:16 maybe a little too rushed to achieve the kind of poetry he is trying to find. Op. 25 No. 4 (which apparently is nicknamed "Paganini"?) is simply too fast to achieve the kind of fun syncopated bounce that is possible in this work (compare to Yukio Yokoyama, a.k.a. Joyce Hatto) [EDIT: Yuki Matsuzawa, not Yukio Yokoyama].

I do not like the rather dry recorded sound, which puts the piano squarely on the left of the acoustic picture and reduces the effect of the bass. This kind of cold, tinny sound quality makes it very hard for a pianist to offer any emotional expression, so in that respect, Lim has been done a disservice by Decca. The label had better address this for future releases if they want to do right by an artist that they (and much of the musical establishment) see as a future superstar. I was more impressed by the live Liszt recording and wonder if it will set a pattern of an artist more interesting live than in studio.

Using the ClassicsToday model of an "artistic quality" rating and a "sound quality" rating, both out of 10, I'd probably go with a disappointed 7/7. Maybe 8/7.

Hearing YCL again on a better speaker, I do hear the sound emerging more from one channel, but on extracting the WAV I see no evidence of that. I think the piano sounds pretty good, with a nice sparkling treble, and while some of his etudes are fast, on average they are not noticeably faster than Pollini or Perahia. YCL is always faster than "Hatto," whom I finally heard and like a lot. His most absurd fast tempo is "Paganini" 25/4. As for 25/12, he does relent in the Ab major episode, though he's pretty relentless once the music returns to C minor. So on the whole a good set, though not one that should cause all other pianists to close up shop.

#4

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Favourite pianist who emer...

Last post by Todd - Today at 11:36:37 AM

It would be unfortunate if Sohn is remembered primarily as YCL's teacher. I had the privilege of hearing MSS live last night in New York, in an all-Liszt program consisting of the Consolations and Transcendental Etudes. Spectacular technique and musicianship, though not as impulsive or impetuous as Yunchan. (But based on what you say about Chamayou, I'll have to hear his Liszt too, since I think Yunchan is pretty damned good.)

I think MSS's Beethoven is very solid too, though I can't find the CDs even used. You can however download all his Beethoven sonatas from his website.

Sohn is an enormous talent, but I get the sense that he focuses more on his teaching duties than either concertizing or recording.  I hope that his live Diabellis are released one day, assuming they were recorded, and that some pirated live recordings get issued.  It's interesting to me that he counts no less than Russell Sherman among his teachers and inspirations.  It is difficult to think of two more widely divergent pianists. 

Lim is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but so is Chamayou.  He has been at it longer, and his musical interest vary widely. 

#5

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: The ONE Beethoven Cello So...

Last post by (poco) Sforzando - Today at 11:24:37 AM

Wispelwey/Lazic (Channel) for energy, Vogler/Canino (Berlin) for more relaxed with beautiful cello sound.

Wispelwey/Lazic for me too.

[Others of no little distinction]

#6

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Favourite pianist who emer...

Last post by (poco) Sforzando - Today at 11:23:50 AM

Others of no little distinction
Minsoo Sohn (aka, Yunchan Lim's teacher)

It would be unfortunate if Sohn is remembered primarily as YCL's teacher. I had the privilege of hearing MSS live last night in New York, in an all-Liszt program consisting of the Consolations and Transcendental Etudes. Spectacular technique and musicianship, though not as impulsive or impetuous as Yunchan. (But based on what you say about Chamayou, I'll have to hear his Liszt too, since I think Yunchan is pretty damned good.)

I think MSS's Beethoven is very solid too, though I can't find the CDs even used. You can however download all his Beethoven sonatas from his website.

#7

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by AnotherSpin - Today at 11:16:14 AM

Op. 106

#8

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Favourite pianist who emer...

Last post by Todd - Today at 11:00:29 AM

How is Osborne's Tovey?

#9

Great Recordings and Reviews / Re: Favourite pianist who emer...

Last post by Mandryka - Today at 10:41:26 AM

I don't know that CD at all. I heard him play Kinderszenen live a couple of months ago which was excellent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concerto-Piano-OSBORNE-STEVEN-piano/dp/B00002888F

I played the DBT after making that post. I think it's wonderful!

#10

The Diner / Re: The Cat Thread

Last post by drogulus - Today at 10:27:43 AM

    World peace kitty gives morning meows.