There are threads on GMG devoted to aspects of this larger topic, some focusing on a single composer like Schumann or Chopin, or a narrower slice. But I thought it might be good to have one thread for the solo piano music say from 1840 onward, including those 20th century composers like Sorabji, Rzewski and others who continued the virtuosic tradition that arguably peaked in the 19th century.
Post about recordings of the solo piano music especially by composers possibly under represented.
No love for Romantic Solo Piano recordings?
Godowsky; Medtner; Alkan; not to mention Schumann, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Liszt?
Anyone?
Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Etudes has been recorded by Marc-Andre Hamelin and it is an amazing recording.
[asin]B00004S3BF[/asin]
My favourite Alkan recordings
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I have heard that Hamelin Alkan disc but not the other one.
This is very good.
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/057/MI0001057156.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
Liner notes: http://www.feltsman.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=101826262e7e31309da70c28230104cc&page=notes&liner=notes-chopin-nocturns (http://www.good-music-guide.com//www.feltsman.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=101826262e7e31309da70c28230104cc&page=notes&liner=notes-chopin-nocturns)
And this is very good, too, and quite fits in the Romantic bill --- in fact, I have never heard a more Romanticized Bach (there are moments when one is unable to tell if it is really Bach or Beethoven or Schumann). I just love it. :D
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MB2bAKnHL._SS280.jpg)
Quote from: Florestan on July 03, 2015, 10:35:38 AM
This is very good.
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/057/MI0001057156.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
Liner notes: http://www.feltsman.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=101826262e7e31309da70c28230104cc&page=notes&liner=notes-chopin-nocturns (http://www.good-music-guide.com//www.feltsman.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=101826262e7e31309da70c28230104cc&page=notes&liner=notes-chopin-nocturns)
And this is very good, too, and quite fits in the Romantic bill --- in fact, I have never heard a more Romanticized Bach (there are moments when one is unable to tell if it is really Bach or Beethoven or Schumann). I just love it. :D
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MB2bAKnHL._SS280.jpg)
Very interesting! I will listen to both if I can find them for streaming. Feltsman's later recordings are something I need to listen more of, and Tipo's Bach will be a new treat.
Sticking with some B-list piano composers for now:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JsYUVmpnL.jpg)
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51sZpQS8v3L._SS500.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xm0UhhpIL.jpg)
Superb discs all.
This is a large subject, with many thousands of available recordings, of course. Where to stop?
Quote from: sanantonio on July 03, 2015, 10:42:28 AM
Very interesting! I will listen to both if I can find them for streaming. Feltsman's later recordings are something I need to listen more of, and Tipo's Bach will be a new treat.
Both of them are on Youtube.
Speaking of under representation, this 3-cd box features some Brahms that one doesn´t hear very often --- unfortunately, because the music is as good as it gets and then some.
(http://boxset.ru/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/arrau_heritage_brahms.jpg)(http://arrauhouse.org/images/misc_RecordingLegacy_Philips_Brahms_ArrauHeritage_SoloWorks_PianoConcertos_HaitinkCOA_475024_2_4CDs_France_2003_c.jpg)
Quote from: Todd on July 03, 2015, 10:52:22 AM
Sticking with some B-list piano composers for now:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JsYUVmpnL.jpg)
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51sZpQS8v3L._SS500.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xm0UhhpIL.jpg)
Superb discs all.
This is a large subject, with many thousands of available recordings, of course. Where to stop?
Three recordings, and most of that music, I've not heard. You're right; a huge subject, but since the main names have been covered in other threads devoted to specific compoers, maybe your idea of focusing on "B-List" composers is how to begin.
Great suggestions.
Quote from: sanantonio on July 03, 2015, 09:17:40 AM
No love for Romantic Solo Piano recordings?
Godowsky; Medtner; Alkan; not to mention Schumann, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Liszt?
Anyone?
Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Etudes has been recorded by Marc-Andre Hamelin and it is an amazing recording.
[asin]B00004S3BF[/asin]
I think two hours is the limit! :)
I love that Godowsky disc - one of the favorites among all my discs.
I would add:
Bortkiewicz: Series by Jouni Somero on FC records - I have about half the series and enjoy both music and performance
Dvorak for two hand on Naxos - In particular the disc with Legends/From the Bohemian Forest
Balakirev: On ASV, Nicholas Walker did two very good discs of piano music (not sure if available now)
Gottschalk: 8 disc series on Hyperion by Philip Martin. Outstanding.
Quote from: Todd on July 03, 2015, 10:52:22 AM
This is a large subject, with many thousands of available recordings, of course. Where to stop?
I think the idea is not to stop. :D
Quote from: mc ukrneal on July 03, 2015, 10:58:59 AM
I think two hours is the limit! :)
I love that Godowsky disc - one of the favorites among all my discs.
I would add:
Bortkiewicz: Series by Jouni Somero on FC records - I have about half the series and enjoy both music and performance
Dvorak for two hand on Naxos - In particular the disc with Legends/From the Bohemian Forest
Balakirev: On ASV, Nicholas Walker did two very good discs of piano music (not sure if available now)
Gottschalk: 8 disc series on Hyperion by Philip Martin. Outstanding.
Nice. I had forgotten about Gottschalk and am not familiar with Bortkiewicz.
On a lighter note, but most enjoyable.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xb3WsVgmL._SS280.jpg)
and the complete piano music of Rossini (8 vols) played by Stefan Irmer
(too many images to post, general review here: http://www.allmusic.com/album/rossini-piano-works-vol-8-p%C3%A9ch%C3%A9s-de-vieillesse-mw0001398520 (http://www.allmusic.com/album/rossini-piano-works-vol-8-p%C3%A9ch%C3%A9s-de-vieillesse-mw0001398520) )
and the complete piano music of Donizetti
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/102/MI0001102761.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
Review here: http://www.allmusic.com/album/donizetti-complete-piano-music-box-set-mw0001560045 (http://www.allmusic.com/album/donizetti-complete-piano-music-box-set-mw0001560045)
Granted, these are not going to make you think about life and death, but they will certainly make a cloudy day look sunny and, in the case of Rossini, will put at least a smile, if not a laughter, on your face.
Fantastic! Piano music by opera composers. Love it.
;)
And of course this:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0002/939/MI0002939539.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
Review here: http://www.allmusic.com/album/dvor%C3%A1k-complete-piano-works-mw0001984127 (http://www.allmusic.com/album/dvor%C3%A1k-complete-piano-works-mw0001984127).
And this
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61z7KySosSL._SY355_.jpg)
And this
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dS0Ker2gL.jpg)(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ov1W%2BVfAL.jpg)
Quote from: Florestan on July 03, 2015, 11:49:55 AM
And of course this:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0002/939/MI0002939539.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
And this
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61z7KySosSL._SY355_.jpg)
These Dvorak and Grieg I've heard and agree they are very good.
Granados is a composer very under represented in my collection. Time to get some G.
Quote from: sanantonio on July 03, 2015, 11:58:52 AM
Granados is a composer very under represented in my collection. Time to get some G.
I have only the 4-CD box I posted and am very pleased with it.
I assume you are familiar with this as well:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/969/MI0000969301.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
My own review (sort of) : http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg19995.html#msg19995 (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg19995.html#msg19995)
Quote from: Florestan on July 03, 2015, 12:18:48 PM
I have only the 4-CD box I posted and am very pleased with it.
I assume you are familiar with this as well:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/969/MI0000969301.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
My own review (sort of) : http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg19995.html#msg19995 (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg19995.html#msg19995)
Yes; but in my mind I put all the French into a separate category from the rest of the Romantic composers. ;)
Two Sibelius discs I wouldn't mind owning.
[asin]B00U0S0LIS[/asin]
[asin]B00006S1YJ[/asin]
Quote from: North Star on July 03, 2015, 12:38:59 PM
Two Sibelius discs I wouldn't mind owning.
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I have listened to Kyoto Tabe's Sibelius on Spotify and have found that for composers for whom the symphonic music does nothign for me, I can enjoy their solo piano works. This is true for Sibelius. Do you know the Glenn Gould recordings? That's where I first heard this music.
Quote from: sanantonio on July 03, 2015, 12:44:11 PM
I have listened to Kyoto Tabe's Sibelius on Spotify and have found that for composers for whom the symphonic music does nothign for me, I can enjoy their solo piano works. This is true for Sibelius. Do you know the Glenn Gould recordings? That's where I first heard this music.
I do know
of Gould recordings, but haven't heard them.
When I think of Romantic piano, Hamelin's name is far from my mind. To me, romantic means warmth, experimentation, rubato, all leading to interesting, unique interpretations. Stuff like Gekic's Chopin etudes, anything by Cortot (Naxos historical or the Anniversary box on EMI) or Moiseiwitsch (Naxos Historical and various labels.) Or Cherkassky (Orfeo and various labels.) Or Ernst Levy (Marston.)
Quote from: George on July 03, 2015, 01:53:07 PM
When I think of Romantic piano, Hamelin's name is far from my mind. To me, romantic means warmth, experimentation, rubato, all leading to interesting, unique interpretations. Stuff like Gekic's Chopin etudes, anything by Cortot (Naxos historical or the Anniversary box on EMI) or Moiseiwitsch (Naxos Historical and various labels.) Or Cherkassky (Orfeo and various labels.) Or Ernst Levy (Marston.)
You may not care for Hamelin's interpretations but he has made many recordings of the Romantic piano literature. But your suggestions are very illuminating. Thanks.
Quote from: Florestan on July 03, 2015, 10:35:38 AM
This is very good. I just love it. :D
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MB2bAKnHL._SS280.jpg)
I have been listening and I too love it. :)
This discussion reminds me to listen again to the Piano Sonata of Julius Reubke (1834–1858). Reubke, student of Liszt, composed two major works, the Piano Sonata in B-flat minor and the Sonata on the 94th Psalm in C minor, for organ.
I only have this disk. This should be interesting to fans of Liszt's Piano Sonata:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBoy9XwvFN0/TyWEPLCv7AI/AAAAAAAAXgM/Qgx7H2mtl58/s400/reubke+portada.PNG)
Other disks featuring Reubke are:
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/962/MI0000962264.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0001/196/MI0001196431.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/67557504/Reubke+Complete+Works+for+Piano+and+Organ.jpg)
Quote from: Leo K. on July 03, 2015, 03:56:17 PM
This discussion reminds me to listen again to the Piano Sonata of Julius Reubke (1834–1858). Reubke, student of Liszt, composed two major works, the Piano Sonata in B-flat minor and the Sonata on the 94th Psalm in C minor, for organ.
I only have this disk. This should be interesting to fans of Liszt's Piano Sonata:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBoy9XwvFN0/TyWEPLCv7AI/AAAAAAAAXgM/Qgx7H2mtl58/s400/reubke+portada.PNG)
(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/67557504/Reubke+Complete+Works+for+Piano+and+Organ.jpg)
Yes! I have heard the last disc with both the piano sonata and organ sonata and both are great. It is tragic that Reubke died so young.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EeUvMmIAL.jpg)
I've also listened again to Alkan, and wow, I feel another collecting binge coming on! I need to get more Alkan! The disk above sounds haunting on Hoogland's Pleyel (1858). I like Hoogland's Schubert and his Alkan is revelatory to say the least.
Quote from: Leo K. on July 04, 2015, 09:23:14 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EeUvMmIAL.jpg)
I've also listened again to Alkan, and wow, I feel another collecting binge coming on! I need to get more Alkan! The disk above sounds haunting on Hoogland's Pleyel (1858). I like Hoogland's Schubert and his Alkan is revelatory to say the least.
Alkan was a phenomenally gifted composer. I haven't heard the PI recording but will try to find it. Thanks.
Has anyone mentioned Janacek?
Gottschalk also got a mention. There is an album by Ivan Davis that is outstanding but oop. Luckily I have a recording.
Quote from: Holden on July 05, 2015, 02:50:14 AM
Has anyone mentioned Janacek?
Gottschalk also got a mention. There is an album by Ivan Davis that is outstanding but oop. Luckily I have a recording.
Janacek needs to be mentioned, plenty of great solo piano music.
Denis Varjon has a fairly recent recording where he included
In the Mists with the Berg and Liszt sonatas. Very enjoyable programming.
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Richter playing Tchaikovsky's solo piano music
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QW6tiq5wL._SX425_.jpg)
Quote from: sanantonio on July 05, 2015, 06:47:44 AM
Richter playing Tchaikovsky's solo piano music
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QW6tiq5wL._SX425_.jpg)
There is a whole group of Richter recordings on Alto: I have Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann, and a Spoleto recital. Alto obtained them through Olympia, although one refers instead to Vox.
Quote from: sanantonio on July 05, 2015, 06:47:44 AM
Richter playing Tchaikovsky's solo piano music
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QW6tiq5wL._SX425_.jpg)
There's a little thing on that Richter CD, op 72/5, Meditation, which I like. You may also like Pletnev in The Seasons, I remember it was pretty well done.
By the way, do you know the Scriabin Left Handed nocturne? It's somehow the same type of music in my mind as that Tchaik Meditatation. Oh and there's another one which I think of as the same genre: The Szymanowski Etude op 4/3, Van Cliburn sort of specialised in it.
A fourth is a transcription by Godowsky of a tango by Albeniz, Cherkassky plays it on an fabulous CD of encores he made.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 05, 2015, 08:49:19 AM
There is a whole group of Richter recordings on Alto: I have Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann, and a Spoleto recital. Alto obtained them through Olympia, although one refers instead to Vox.
I have seen them on Spotify and listened to the Schumann disc. I wondered where they came from. Thanks.
Quote from: Mandryka on July 05, 2015, 08:56:30 AM
There's a little thing on that Richter CD, op 72/5, Meditation, which I like. You may also like Pletnev in The Seasons, I remember it was pretty well done.
By the way, do you know the Scriabin Left Handed nocturne? It's somehow the same type of music in my mind as that Tchaik Meditatation. Oh and there's another one which I think of as the same genre: The Szymanowski Etude op 4/3, Van Clinurn sort of specialised in it.
I am really enjoying listening to the solo piano music from composers whose orchestral music I rarely listen to, viz. Sibelius and Tchaikovsky. I will try to find the other pieces you mention. Thanks.
This is really vast territory you're trying top cover here. Some that come to mind:
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[asin]B000002S4A[/asin]
[asin]B0000042DE[/asin]
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Quote from: sanantonio on July 05, 2015, 09:03:52 AM
I am really enjoying listening to the solo piano music from composers whose orchestral music I rarely listen to, viz. Sibelius and Tchaikovsky. I will try to find the other pieces you mention. Thanks.
You mentioned the virtuoso trandition. See what you think of this bit of Tch. transposed by Feinberg and played by Koji Attwood - I think Koji Attwood is a good chap to explore for this sort of thing, he has an extraordinary thing by Tarrega on spotify for example.
https://youtube.com/v/ttNUXUwdr3I
Alkan - Concerto from op 39 Etudes in minor keys recorded by Ronald Smith in 1970 (the other two movements also)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0JMhQjp1wk
Godowsky - Passacaglia on the opening of Schubert's Unfinished as played by Hamelin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9S1wTuRdgw
Medtner - Night wind sonata op 25 no 2 played by Jonathan Powell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs57wXtDZRY