GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Great Recordings and Reviews => Topic started by: Air on September 05, 2009, 09:21:25 AM

Title: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Air on September 05, 2009, 09:21:25 AM
Yet another one of those pieces which seems to have over 10 definitive versions.  Discuss here.
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Dr. Dread on September 05, 2009, 10:42:57 AM
I love this piece. It will be interesting to see which recordings folks prefer.
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Mandryka on September 05, 2009, 12:19:22 PM
Cortot 1933

Michelangeli London 1957

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c5efdaabf63a08b7e62ea590dc5e5dbb7b9bb3d36bd00ac15621d66e282a0ee8

And Gekic

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c5efdaabf63a08b7e62ea590dc5e5dbb90a72830bfb9c421ce018c8114394287

For me Michelangeli is best.

Sorry I don't have the Cortot uploaded.
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Holden on September 05, 2009, 01:34:57 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on September 05, 2009, 12:19:22 PM
Cortot 1933

Michelangeli London 1957

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c5efdaabf63a08b7e62ea590dc5e5dbb7b9bb3d36bd00ac15621d66e282a0ee8

And Gekic

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c5efdaabf63a08b7e62ea590dc5e5dbb90a72830bfb9c421ce018c8114394287

For me Michelangeli is best.

Sorry I don't have the Cortot uploaded.

I also like the Michelangeli.

I also rate this version by him very highly. It's a far more considered approach and it works very well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKwN_7LnXHw
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Mandryka on September 05, 2009, 01:54:24 PM
I think that's from the 1967 DVD on Opus Arte -- It's a very good DVD.

There's also a very very good one from Michelangeli in Prato in 1967, which I think is this: if it's not tell me and I'll hunt:

http://www.mediafire.com/?tymyqz0ymgt

The 1929 Cortot is also good.

I am feeling a bit frustrated because I was sure I had uploaded Cortot 1933 but I just can't find it.

Gekic is just not in this league and I regret mentioning it at all (I just played it to remind myself. )
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Dr. Dread on September 05, 2009, 02:06:17 PM
Show me the album covers!  :P
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Joe_Campbell on September 05, 2009, 02:22:10 PM
I think I've heard maybe 15 different recordings and the most dramatic, exciting, and lyrical of these (and my stand-alone preference) is from Evgeny Kissin on this CD:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sM-YHZKeL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Ballades-Berceuse-Barcarolle-Scherzo/dp/B00000IWWE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252189195&sr=8-8)

(click on image)
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Maciek on September 05, 2009, 02:44:40 PM
Mandryka, thanks a lot for posting those! 8)

(And I do hope you find the Cortot... ;D ;D ;D)
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Drasko on September 06, 2009, 12:18:37 AM
Quote from: Maciek on September 05, 2009, 02:44:40 PM
Mandryka, thanks a lot for posting those! 8)

There should be few more somewhere in the Gilels thread.

Michelangeli video is 1962 Torino.
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Mandryka on September 06, 2009, 01:33:10 AM
Here's one I love -- Samson Francois:

http://www.mediafire.com/?44xqnm2ngm5

And here's Fiorentino

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c5efdaabf63a08b7e62ea590dc5e5dbb63b28d83536edf58b8eada0a1ae8665a

In fact I have never heard the Fiorentino -- I forgot I had it until I started to hunt for Cortot (still unfound) . But I thought I would post it because people are interested in Fiorentino in this Forum.

The Francois, Cortot and Michelangeli have a shape and a sense of phrasing which Gekic lacks IMO.

I haven't heard Kissin.

Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: ChamberNut on September 06, 2009, 06:31:05 AM
Rubinstein (1959) RCA
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Joe_Campbell on September 06, 2009, 06:50:15 AM
Here's the Kissin recording. :)

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=d14f6a1ddb8f8668e7ba8e3c6e11ce20e04e75f6e8ebb871

From what I've heard of the above favourites, I'm guessing those who like Michelangeli's recording will like this one.
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: ccar on September 18, 2009, 03:31:51 PM
Youri Egorov - a brilliant and expressive 1983 version of the Ballade in G minor, now in a bargain EMI box (B00151HZ42) . Good pretext to remember a major artist.

Carlos    
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: Drasko on September 19, 2009, 10:16:38 AM
That's a good one.
Title: Re: Recordings of Chopin's First Ballade?
Post by: George on September 25, 2009, 04:45:05 AM
Quote from: RexRichter on September 05, 2009, 09:21:25 AM
Yet another one of those pieces which seems to have over 10 definitive versions.  Discuss here.

I usually only listen to the four Ballades together, since most CDs I have with the First Ballade have all four. Here's one of my favorites: Maria Tipo (live) - http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=45732805cf458166444b02a37216bb8b2e44ccf4c9642212

Her studio Nocturnes are in there, too.  8)