Based on a Lebrecht blog entry, I bought Ingrid Fliter's two available recordings and am really enjoying them (She's the new Schnabel, he says; I don't know about such things; I only know what I like). Who are your favorite new pianists?—let's say only the ones who started their recording careers this century.
Here's my 'One-to-Watch': Yevgeny Sudbin (http://www.yevgenysudbin.com/).
Quote from: Mark on October 04, 2007, 05:40:10 AM
Here's my 'One-to-Watch': Yevgeny Sudbin (http://www.yevgenysudbin.com/).
Thanks, Mark. I've seen his name tossed about lately. I'll have to check him out.
hot new pianist -- right here (click at your own risk) http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/cmarchione/girl_piano.jpg
Quote from: sidoze on October 04, 2007, 05:42:49 AM
hot new pianist -- right here (click at your own risk) http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/cmarchione/girl_piano.jpg
I'll click it when I get home. ;D Thanks for the warning.
Quote from: sidoze on October 04, 2007, 05:42:49 AM
hot new pianist -- right here (click at your own risk) http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/cmarchione/girl_piano.jpg
I'm taking up the piano.
(NB: Please read the above carefully. ;))
My choice is Paavali Jumppanen (bio here (http://www.yca.org/jumppanen.html)), although I've not yet heard him live. His recording of the three Boulez piano sonatas, below, is a pretty amazing piece of work.
--Bruce
(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41C1M2Y3MYL._AA240_.jpg)
I like what Harmonia Mundi, Emi, Bis, Naxos, and others, have done for up and coming pianists. Anderszewski, Melnikov, Sudbin, Scherbakov, Dechorgnat, Trpceski, Lewis, Boffard, Kupiec, etc. Hopefully, that spirit continues.
Attending unknowns recitals and browsing artist agency websites (CA, IMG, etc.) are good ways to spot new talent.
Quote from: BorisG on October 04, 2007, 09:03:50 AM
... Scherbakov ...
Seen this guy play live at the Wigmore Hall. Astonishing technique and a breathtakingly good performer.
Yevgeny Sudbin tops my list too.
Another name worth mentioning is the young Uzbek Eldar Nebolsin, who just released a Rachmaninov album that is very sensitively done indeed.
I watched a fellow in his 20s named Kirill Gerstein (spelling?) at the Houston Symphony last weekend, and he did an excellent job, though the program (Rachmaninov and Liszt) offered little room to express lyrical talent.
Klara Wurtz of Brilliant may qualify, if we are calling Anderszewski and Scherbakov "new" talents...
Quote from: brianrein on October 04, 2007, 09:31:16 AM
Yevgeny Sudbin tops my list too.
Another name worth mentioning is the young Uzbek Eldar Nebolsin, who just released a Rachmaninov album that is very sensitively done indeed.
I watched a fellow in his 20s named Kirill Gerstein (spelling?) at the Houston Symphony last weekend, and he did an excellent job, though the program (Rachmaninov and Liszt) offered little room to express lyrical talent.
Klara Wurtz of Brilliant may qualify, if we are calling Anderszewski and Scherbakov "new" talents...
Even in the golden age of recording, "newness" could last a long while. ;)
Mark - if you enjoyed Sudbin's Scarlatti like I did when I first got it (eralier this year) then check out this guy. He's 'relatively new' but he's exceptionally good.
(http://www.propiano.com/photos/224506.jpg)
This Scarlatti recital is even better than Sudbin's IMO
And there's also this - a hot new pianist in more ways than one
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QBG0H5WTL._AA240_.jpg)
Holden, totally agree with Sergei Babayan. I haven't heard the Scarlatti CD yet (several friends who have rave about it), but I can vouch for the excellence of this one, with Ligeti, Messiaen, Respighi, and (for me the real discovery) Carl Vine's Piano Sonata (1990).
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21R3A2S576L._AA130_.jpg)
--Bruce
Holden, de la Salle is on my radar but not my shelves (or my ... let's leave it ;D), while Sudbin is brand new to me this month via the fairly recent-ish Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto. I'll be checking out his Rachmaninov and Scarlatti next. ;)
What about Alexander Kobrin? He won the 2005 Van Cliburn international piano competition, and he gave an explosive lecture on Prokofiev's first concerto at the last Proms (Videos of him and Trpceski are available at the Broadcast Corner)
Babayan is hardly new though. He's not exactly young either. I think we're crossing the line from new/young pianists to relatively unknown ones (who are new to most of us anyway). In that category you might as well include Kemal Gekic. Then again there's really no category for him -- you could only compare him to Liszt really.
For young I'd take Momo Kodama (not to be confused with her better known sister). She's recorded one of the best Messiaen 20 Regards around and a smashing Chopin disc with a top scherzo 3
Quote from: Manuel on October 04, 2007, 01:30:40 PM
What about Alexander Kobrin?
I've heard his Chopin Preludes CD from HMV JP. He played in an understated way -- somewhat refreshing but ultimately not fully engaging. Best moment was the 16th preludue which sounded drunk. I thought it was quite an achievement
While we are at Chopin Preludes has the Blechacz been released yet?
Any opinions on Eckardstein? He seems to have Glazunov concerto recently released.
Argentinian Horacio Lavandera. He won the International Piano Competition Umberto Micheli at the age of sixteen, (held at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatoire and in Teatro della Scala in Milan), and he was also awarded a Special Prize of the Filarmonica della Scala.
I'm watching him today in a solo recital.
Here (http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=mAh5srV18gk)he plays the cadenza of Beethoven's fourth.
He studied here with Martha Freigido and Maestro Antonio de Raco (I'm sure the first one studied with Vincenzo Scaramuzza, who had taught Argerich and Gelber).
Quote from: Drasko on October 04, 2007, 01:36:09 PM
While we are at Chopin Preludes has the Blechacz been released yet?
Stage6 has three videos of this guy (unknown to me, but in my list of music-to-download):
his performance at the second stage and the final stage of the 15th Chopin Piano Competition 2005, and one recital in Tokyo.
http://stage6.divx.com/videos/search:BLECHACZ
Quote from: Mark on October 04, 2007, 01:28:21 PM
Holden, de la Salle is on my radar but not my shelves (or my ... let's leave it ;D), while Sudbin is brand new to me this month via the fairly recent-ish Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto. I'll be checking out his Rachmaninov and Scarlatti next. ;)
Don't forget Sudbin's most recent disc - Scriabin.
Quote from: sidoze on October 04, 2007, 05:42:49 AM
hot new pianist -- right here (click at your own risk) http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/cmarchione/girl_piano.jpg
Excellent! Now I'm ready for the front view - bring it on.
Quote from: Don on October 04, 2007, 02:07:44 PM
Don't forget Sudbin's most recent disc - Scriabin.
Forget to mention it here, Don, but it's on my list. ;)
Quote from: Drasko on October 04, 2007, 01:36:09 PM
While we are at Chopin Preludes has the Blechacz been released yet?
Any opinions on Eckardstein? He seems to have Glazunov concerto recently released.
I think von Eck's Scriabin recording is even more impressive than Sudbin's. No intent to slight.
Two to watch for many years to come. If I recall correctly, Eckardstein 30, Sudbin 28.
Quote from: BorisG on October 04, 2007, 03:09:27 PM
I think von Eck's Scriabin recording is even more impressive than Sudbin's. No intent to slight.
Two to watch for many years to come. If I recall correctly, Eckardstein 30, Sudbin 28.
Where did you come up with those numbers? I think that it's really Eckardstein 4, Sudbin 5. :D
Quote from: Drasko on October 04, 2007, 01:36:09 PM
While we are at Chopin Preludes has the Blechacz been released yet?
They're out, you can hear samples from HMV JP. Let me know if you get it.
Quote from: sidoze on October 05, 2007, 12:51:31 AM
They're out, you can hear samples from HMV JP. Let me know if you get it.
I managed to hear/see a number of the Blechacz Chopin competition performances on Youtube and I am wondering what all the hype is about. Yes, his Chopin is good but it's hardly exceptional. His Polish background would, of course, have been a major selling point (especially to the competition jury) but I'm not working myself into a lather eagerly awaiting his first major recording from DG - especially in material as well recorded in the past as this. Yes, I'd rather hear him play Chopin instead of the overhyped Yundi Li (another competition winner) but, comparatively speaking, he rates well below past competition winners. Names like Argerich, Harasiewicz, Oborin, Pollini and Zimerman come immediately to mind. Pianists in the top three but not winners include: Malcuzynski, Ashkenazy (who would have won if he hadn't been Russian), Uchida and Fou T'Song.
So for the moment, I'll reserve judgement on Blechacz but hope that he makes the grade. However, if his predecessor Yundi Li is anything to go by I won't hold my breath.
Quote from: sidoze on October 05, 2007, 12:51:31 AM
They're out, you can hear samples from HMV JP. Let me know if you get it.
You can only get it from Japan? What's up with that?
What about this guy?
https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=11021 (https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=11021)
...Per Norman Lebrecht:
"Of the two pianists going head to head in complete cycles, the Manchurian candidate is the more intriguing. Lang Lang, 25, has been playing Beethoven since he was a tot in Shenyang and, while I have heard the spike-haired crowd-pleaser wreck a concert by striving too hard for audience effect, here he delivers a touchingly lyrical account of the first and fourth concertos, with Christoph Eschenbach conducting the Orchestre de Paris. There is a slightly hard edge to the pianist's tone, as there is to his English accent, but it comes over as a token of his cultural struggle, his wide-eyed, uncluttered outlook. Lang Lang, more than mere showman, has feelings for Beethoven. His cycle, to be completed later this year, has many of the hallmarks of a musical milestone." (http://www.scena.org/columns/lebrecht/070830-NL-record.html)
(http://www.klassikaktuell.de/cover/P0028947767190_1.jpg)
Help Lang Lang escape his critics!!!
Quote from: dtw on October 05, 2007, 06:33:57 AM
You can only get it from Japan? What's up with that?
I didn't say that.
QuoteWhat about this guy?
https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=11021
this is being discussed at RMCR, as you obviously know. As some of the (well-informed) members of that group have already praised it, why don't you listen to it and then tell us? No need to ask again.
Holden, I thought his mazurka playing sounded excellent. Other than that, it might come, but it needs to be more introspective IMO.
Harasiewicz IMO is a mediocre Chopin pianist, not a single distinctive note. Uchida? ::)
Quote from: George on October 05, 2007, 06:45:37 AM
What about this guy?
https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=11021 (https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=11021)
If I didn't mention him in my earlier post, it was a serious oversight. His Rachmaninov disc is excellent - hold on, I did mention him: "Another name worth mentioning is the young Uzbek Eldar Nebolsin, who just released a Rachmaninov album that is very sensitively done indeed." The slower, more lyrical preludes are achingly beautiful.
In my new position as my university newspaper's classical music columnist, I will soon be listing the Nebolsin disc as one of the best [new performance] CDs of 2007.
Quote from: brianrein on October 05, 2007, 05:19:29 PM
If I didn't mention him in my earlier post, it was a serious oversight. His Rachmaninov disc is excellent - hold on, I did mention him: "Another name worth mentioning is the young Uzbek Eldar Nebolsin, who just released a Rachmaninov album that is very sensitively done indeed." The slower, more lyrical preludes are achingly beautiful.
In my new position as my university newspaper's classical music columnist, I will soon be listing the Nebolsin disc as one of the best [new performance] CDs of 2007.
FWIW, Tom Deacon on rmcr has been raving about it as well. I have Ashkenazy, Anievas, Richter, Alexeev, Fiorentino, Lympany, Weissenberg already, so I didn't buy it. If I hear more good things though, I will have to get it.
Quote from: sidoze on October 05, 2007, 03:45:37 PM
this is being discussed at RMCR, as you obviously know. As some of the (well-informed) members of that group have already praised it, why don't you listen to it and then tell us? No need to ask again.
What is up your bonnett, Sid??
Been just a little agro lately with George, don't you think?
Quote from: sidoze on October 05, 2007, 03:45:37 PM
this is being discussed at RMCR, as you obviously know. As some of the (well-informed) members of that group have already praised it, why don't you listen to it and then tell us?
Because I already have 6 complete sets, plus Richter's. At this point, a performance would have to be incredible for me to buy it. Plus, in my tiny Manhattan studio space is unfortunately at a premium, so I am very selective these days about what I buy.
Quote from: donwyn on October 05, 2007, 05:33:41 PM
What is up your bonnett, Sid??
Been just a little agro lately with George, don't you think?
yeah, probably. sorry mate. just did it again on another thread. i'm not a fan of paying too much attention to reviews though. just buy and listen and ignore all the mainstream hype and pretty much everything else. that's what i did and i think it's a good if dilettante approach. george shows a lot of caution--we're all on a budget so i fully understand--but sometimes it really shouldn't be there and it won't help in finding new pianists, either for himself or genuinely new-on-the-scene ones like ones in this thread. i mean who the hell has heard of momo kodama? 8)
Quote from: sidoze on October 05, 2007, 05:40:18 PM
yeah, probably. sorry mate. just did it again on another thread.
I at least was partially responsible for the sparring a few days ago.
Quote
i'm not a fan of paying too much attention to reviews though. just buy and listen and ignore all the mainstream hype and pretty much everything else. that's what i did and i think it's a good if dilettante approach.
If that style works for you, I can see why you'd stick to it. I just think that we have different approaches and see no reason why they should be the same or even similar.
Quote
george shows a lot of caution--we're all on a budget so i fully understand--but sometimes it really shouldn't be there and it won't help in finding new pianists, either for himself or genuinely new-on-the-scene ones like ones in this thread. i mean who the hell has heard of momo kodama? 8)
Hey, I hear you, but the reasons aren't just financial, they're also about space and just reflect how I do things. If we all did things my way, no one new would ever get discovered. I agree. Fortunately, it isn't that way.
Quote from: sidoze on October 05, 2007, 05:40:18 PM
i'm not a fan of paying too much attention to reviews though. just buy and listen and ignore all the mainstream hype and pretty much everything else. that's what i did and i think it's a good if dilettante approach.
I think it's quite exciting to discover a worthy artist completely overlooked by the hype-machine. So, yes, I'm with you on that. In fact, put you and I in charge of R & D at a couple of the majors and, well, who knows... ;D
Which is a good segue to this: here we have a very special talent in the person of a young Pole, Wojciech Kocyan.
(http://www.qualiton.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/413/413_0389.jpg)
Sadly, this disc is already OOP so finding a copy might require the Amazon shops.
Quote from: George on October 05, 2007, 05:24:19 PM
FWIW, Tom Deacon on rmcr has been raving about it as well. I have Ashkenazy, Anievas, Richter, Alexeev, Fiorentino, Lympany, Weissenberg already, so I didn't buy it. If I hear more good things though, I will have to get it.
A good thing to hear would be a couple tracks, methinks:
Eldar Nebolsin - Rachmaninov Preludes
Op. 23, No. 4 (http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/stream.asp?s=78811%2fnaxosuk01%2f570327%5f05)
Op. 32, No. 12 (http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/stream.asp?s=78811%2fnaxosuk01%2f570327%5f23)
Quote from: brianrein on October 06, 2007, 08:27:11 PM
A good thing to hear would be a couple tracks, methinks:
Eldar Nebolsin - Rachmaninov Preludes
Op. 23, No. 4 (http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/stream.asp?s=78811%2fnaxosuk01%2f570327%5f05)
Op. 32, No. 12 (http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/stream.asp?s=78811%2fnaxosuk01%2f570327%5f23)
Thanks Brian! :)
Leon McCawley. The best version of Mozart complete piano sonatas that I know.
(http://www.fugalibera.com/data/cds/90/BIG.JPG)
From the Fuga Libera website :
If ever a Fuga Libera release has been eagerly awaited, sure it is this one: a first recording with orchestra for Severin von Eckardstein, the briliant 1st laureate of the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Music Competition; the first recording of a radiant National Orchestra of Belgium under its new musical director Walter Weller, a musician who brought so much to the recording industry – as well with his mythic string quartet as with the baton in hand. As it was not enough, this cd turns resolutely aside from the beaten track regarding the repertoire, since it highlights two great works by a giant of the Russian symphonic music, Alexander Glazunov: the seldom heard 1st Piano Concerto, (Sviatoslav Richter's unduly forgotten favourite concerto), and the 5th Symphony, one of his most accomplished and seductive works.
Read more at http://www.fugalibera.com/home.php
This could also be interesting :
(http://www.fugalibera.com/data/cds/255/BIG.JPG)
Quote from: pjme on October 08, 2007, 03:33:02 AM
This could also be interesting :
(http://www.fugalibera.com/data/cds/255/BIG.JPG)
But Postnikova isn't hot. :-*
Quote from: pjme on October 08, 2007, 03:33:02 AM
This could also be interesting :
(http://www.fugalibera.com/data/cds/255/BIG.JPG)
woah woah woah where the hell did this come from? I am a big admirer of this composer and was aware of this huge scale work but heard somewhere that it wasn't ready yet (apparently he's been at it for a decade or more). Wonder where the earlier circles are....
But Postnikova isn't hot.
How do you know?
where the hell did this come from?
Check the Fuga Libera website. !
Peter
I think some of us are using the wrong definition of "hot" here. ;D
You're right : she was always a cool beauty...but she's still a hot pianist ( in a very cool-blue dress -wow!)
(http://www.orchestrasinfonica.rai.it/images/Foto_personaggi/album/36.jpg)
Quote from: pjme on October 08, 2007, 05:40:38 AM
You're right : she was always a cool beauty...but she's still a hot pianist ( in a very cool-blue dress -wow!)
(http://www.orchestrasinfonica.rai.it/images/Foto_personaggi/album/36.jpg)
But Postnikova isn't
new.
Quote from: Manuel on October 08, 2007, 06:21:39 AM
But Postnikova isn't new.
but both the Tishchenko work and recording are, and that makes me happy, so his post is now adjudged BEST POST IN THE THREAD ;D
But Postnikova isn't new
Good, but every performance is new! ;D
enough... I'll look for some hot new pianists in Belgium, France and the Netherlands!
And you could start with looking the Queen Elisabeth Competition website - they have a list (+ photographs) of the laureates- all young & promising artists!
Has Paul Lewis been mentioned? I've been following his Beethoven sonata cycle ever since Bryce Morrison's raving review of its second volume, when I bought the first one to see what the fuss was about. And the man is a rare musician indeed, for all my dislike of Bryce Morrison's occasional(?) pomposity.
In fact, the recently-released third volume of his cycle probably contains the best Appassionata I've ever heard! And I compare with Kempff (my favourite pianist), Schnabel, Richter, Brendel (twice), Horowitz, Backhaus, Kovacevich, etc.
Quote from: Renfield on October 09, 2007, 08:45:45 PM
Has Paul Lewis been mentioned? I've been following his Beethoven sonata cycle ever since Bryce Morrison's raving review of its second volume, when I bought the first one to see what the fuss was about. And the man is a rare musician indeed, for all my dislike of Bryce Morrison's occasional(?) pomposity.
In fact, the recently-released third volume of his cycle probably contains the best Appassionata I've ever heard! And I compare with Kempff (my favourite pianist), Schnabel, Richter, Brendel (twice), Horowitz, Backhaus, Kovacevich, etc.
Sounds like a winner. I might just get me some.
Paul Lewis's Schubert D.959 and D.960 are quality goods, as well.
Another hot new pianist might be Bavouzet. His Ravel disc on MDG is a resounding success. And he's proved himself a quality accompanist in his Bartok violin sonata recording with Korcia.
Then there's Bavouzet's new Debussy recording. It's generated positive reviews, though I've yet to hear it.
How about Sunwook Kim, of South Korea? He won the Leeds recently, and also the Clara Haskil.
He is only 18.
His performance of the Brahms D minor concerto has been posted on Youtube, (the 1st and last movements, anyway). I am impressed. But judge for yourself...
Brahms 1, Sunwook Kim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__G4P1J8KdA&mode=related&search=)
Quote from: B_cereus on October 12, 2007, 05:57:53 AM
How about Sunwook Kim, of South Korea?
disqualified by nature, unfortunately.
Quote from: Mark on October 04, 2007, 05:44:48 AM
I'm taking up the piano.
(NB: Please read the above carefully. ;))
Must be fun, playing the bottom notes. Or even getting your hand on the top octaves (I suppose - the piano end-cheek hides them.)
:D
Yes to Yevgeny Sudbin (I discovered him thanks to Mark).
Yes to Lise de la Salle -- especially in Bach.
And Yes to Paul Lewis. Though British pianists are frequently over-rated by British critics and media, I must confess that I find his playing highly appealing. His Schubert D 960 is excellent.
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=11231
By the way George, what did you think of the Nebolsin preludes? I just listened to the G sharp minor three times consecutively ... what a gem.
Quote from: brianrein on October 24, 2007, 12:48:15 PM
By the way George, what did you think of the Nebolsin preludes? I just listened to the G sharp minor three times consecutively ... what a gem.
From the samples I heard, I wasn't very impressed. :-\
Quote from: George on October 24, 2007, 08:17:45 PM
From the samples I heard, I wasn't very impressed. :-\
Hm, that's unfortunate, maybe you can recommend someone who was impressed, a recording that will
really leave them impressed? :)
Quote from: brianrein on October 24, 2007, 08:57:04 PM
Hm, that's unfortunate, maybe you can recommend someone who was impressed, a recording that will really leave them impressed? :)
For this requirement, I can only recommend an incomplete set, Richter on Regis and even better, but even more incomplete on the DG "In Memoriam" 2CD Set. 8)
For a complete set, but not at Richter's level, Anievas on EMI.
I also like Ashkenazy on Decca Legends and Alexeev on Virgin.
Quote from: George on October 25, 2007, 06:13:39 AM
For a complete set, but not at Richter's level, Anievas on EMI.
never really got my pulse racing. Would much rather take mixed recordings by Richter, Gilels, Sokolov, Sofronitsky, Feinberg, Flier, Weissenberg, Ashkenazy and others over Alexeev and Anievas any day.
Quote from: sidoze on October 25, 2007, 01:14:05 PM
never really got my pulse racing. Would much rather take mixed recordings by Richter, Gilels, Sokolov, Sofronitsky, Feinberg, Flier, Weissenberg, Ashkenazy and others over Alexeev and Anievas any day.
I am not familiar with Feinberg, Flier, or Anievas recordings, but I washed my hands of anything Alexeev a long time ago.
Sokolov's op23 set is hard to beat. Does he have any op32 as well?
AFAIK Feinberg recorded only one, 23/1, but I mentioned it as it's one of the most impressive Rachmaninoff recordings I've ever heard. Flier recorded a few. Two of them will be on APR's new CD coming out next month. The Anievas is consistently good, I just don't see a reason to choose it when there are so many other excellent if incomplete recordings around (by pianists without cult-inspiring names too). After all, unlike with the Chopin Preludes there doesn't seem to be an inherent reason to record all of these pieces.
QuoteSokolov's op23 set is hard to beat. Does he have any op32 as well?
No I don't think so. He's touring with Chopin's op. 28 now :)
Quote from: sidoze on October 25, 2007, 01:39:23 PM
No I don't think so. He's touring with Chopin's op. 28 now :)
Yes, I can't wait for someone to record it.
Did you hear his studio-cum-live recording on CD? Not one of my favourite Sokolov performances but I never forget it for that huge sound in the 24th prelude :o
Quote from: sidoze on October 25, 2007, 01:14:05 PM
never really got my pulse racing. Would much rather take mixed recordings by Richter, Gilels, Sokolov, Sofronitsky, Feinberg, Flier, Weissenberg, Ashkenazy and others over Alexeev and Anievas any day.
add Kocsis to that list
Quote from: sidoze on October 25, 2007, 01:39:23 PM
AFAIK Feinberg recorded only one, 23/1
23/1, 3, 7 & 8
My first set of the Rach Preludes was the Ashkenazy and then ...... I heard Richter and couldn't bear to listen to VA again. Now the VA is very good but Slava is in a class of his own. However, I wanted a complete set (Richter doesn't play a couple of my favourites) and I just happened to see one by Sergio Fiorentino. After a quick audition at the store I decided to buy and am quite happy. Yes, they still don't compare with Richter but many of them come very close. What possibly makes this special is that Fiorentino recorded these all in one day and in a number of cases in one take. While this didn't work for Op23/5 it did for many others.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41r3VkdTfpL._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: Drasko on October 25, 2007, 01:54:43 PM
23/1, 3, 7 & 8
where are they available? can you upload 3/7/8 please?
the guys over at RMCR often mention Yara Bernette's recording of the Rachmaninoff Preludes as their favourite. It's never been transferred from a DG LP and I haven't heard it, but I am listening to her Chopin Sonata 3 now and it is exceptionally stylish, clearly a very sensitive and talented pianist. Wouldn't surprise me at all if her recording were one of the first choices for a set of these pieces.
Quote from: sidoze on October 25, 2007, 02:04:32 PM
where are they available? can you upload 3/7/8 please?
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518F7BFY5SL._AA240_.jpg)
Sure, no problem. There is also Eude-tableau 39/9, want that too?
ha, nevermind, I have that CD. The 23/1 is so impressive that I forgot about the rest
Quote from: sidoze on October 25, 2007, 01:43:35 PM
Did you hear his studio-cum-live recording on CD? Not one of my favourite Sokolov performances but I never forget it for that huge sound in the 24th prelude :o
I don't like that performance much either. I have not listened to it for quite a while, I'll check out that prelude on my way home.
.
.
re Rachmaninov: And we are forgetting the man himself :-[ I still have to hear that No5 that George was raving about.
Quote from: Renfield on October 09, 2007, 08:45:45 PM
Has Paul Lewis been mentioned? I've been following his Beethoven sonata cycle
He completed his complete traversal of the Beethoven sonatas in recital here at Middlebury College this past season and I can attest that he is the real deal. I look for him to have a long and rewarding career.
Quote from: orbital on October 25, 2007, 02:24:51 PM
I don't like that performance much either. I have not listened to it for quite a while, I'll check out that prelude on my way home.
Now that I've refreshed my memory. I don't agree with what he does in the second down-run in the end. It is a very powerful prelude and that pianissimo take does nothing else but weakens it. That final note is really something though.
Quote from: orbital on October 25, 2007, 02:24:51 PM
re Rachmaninov: And we are forgetting the man himself :-[ I still have to hear that No5 that George was raving about.
i don't remember these recordings all that well. do you mean his 23/5? I know I've heard that and it didn't leave as strong an impression as Richter's live early account on Parnassus. I remember liking his red-riding-hood etude very much though (sorry don't recall the opus nr).
QuoteThat final note is really something though.
That set as a whole is dark and heavy and I imagine it'll be even heavier now (not just because of his weight either). I've heard him play Beethoven's Tempest following a 25 year gap and I thought it quite similar to the earlier recording, just more refined (more attention to sound for sure) and slightly heavier. Will be very interesting if he's reinterpreted some of the preludes. Wouldn't mind hearing him play Scriabin's op. 11 either.
Quote from: orbital on October 25, 2007, 02:24:51 PM
I still have to hear that [Op. 23] No5 [Rachmaninov] that George was raving about.
I finally bought the CD finally and have uploaded the prelude in question as a WAV.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ce9tyt1txmo (http://www.mediafire.com/?ce9tyt1txmo)
From this CD:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414MRBJ9GNL._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: George on October 28, 2007, 12:57:54 PM
I finally bought the CD finally and have uploaded the prelude in question as a WAV.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ce9tyt1txmo (http://www.mediafire.com/?ce9tyt1txmo)
From this CD:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414MRBJ9GNL._AA240_.jpg)
What did you think of that CD? I was disappointed. Much more mechanical than, say, Artis Wodehouse's restorations of the Gershwin piano rolls ... the piano tone kind of bothered me.
Quote from: brianrein on October 28, 2007, 12:59:39 PM
What did you think of that CD? I was disappointed. Much more mechanical than, say, Artis Wodehouse's restorations of the Gershwin piano rolls ... the piano tone kind of bothered me.
Just got it, but the playing on the Prelude blew me away!!
I think as with historical recordings we need to make allowances for sound, with piano rolls we need to make allowances for the way the sound is created.
Has this guy been mentioned yet?
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M1EDZFYNL._AA240_.jpg)
There has been some buzz about him lately.
Quote from: George on October 29, 2007, 05:27:50 AM
Has this guy been mentioned yet?
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M1EDZFYNL._AA240_.jpg)
There has been some buzz about him lately.
Oddly I also have a "Kreisleriana" with another "Hot New Pianist" - Klara Wurtz on Brilliant. Have only listened to it a couple times (see the "what music are you re-evaluating" thread), but she seems to do a fabulous job.
Quote from: Mark on October 04, 2007, 05:40:10 AM
Here's my 'One-to-Watch': Yevgeny Sudbin (http://www.yevgenysudbin.com/).
no doubt, THE ONE to watch !
Quote from: donwyn on October 10, 2007, 09:10:53 PM
Paul Lewis's Schubert D.959 and D.960 are quality goods, as well.
Another hot new pianist might be Bavouzet. His Ravel disc on MDG is a resounding success. And he's proved himself a quality accompanist in his Bartok violin sonata recording with Korcia.
Then there's Bavouzet's new Debussy recording. It's generated positive reviews, though I've yet to hear it.
Lewis is as boring as his teacher Brendel!
Quote from: ragman1970 on October 29, 2007, 11:52:48 AM
Lewis is as boring as his teacher Brendel!
I'd say "slightly less so",
if I found either of them boring: which I don't. But I think I can see how someone might. :)
Quote from: ragman1970 on October 29, 2007, 11:52:48 AM
Lewis is as boring as his teacher Brendel!
this won't be a popular opinion among some on the board but I would say the same about another Brendel pupil, Till Felner. He achieved the seemingly impossible: a Kreisleriana to cure insomnia ;D
Quote from: ragman1970 on October 29, 2007, 11:52:48 AM
Lewis is as boring as his teacher Brendel!
Right. I'll just change my opinion, then...
Quote from: donwyn on October 29, 2007, 04:35:47 PM
Right. I'll just change my opinion, then...
If I can't sleep I should hear again his Schubert recording ......... >:D
Quote from: sidoze on October 29, 2007, 02:48:12 PM
this won't be a popular opinion among some on the board but I would say the same about another Brendel pupil, Till Felner. He achieved the seemingly impossible: a Kreisleriana to cure insomnia ;D
I only know his Bach WTK. Think it was not a bad recording but I don't follow hier carrier.
BTW, I totally avoid anything from Mr. Lang Lang! have listen to his Rachmaninov with Gergiev and later to a radio braodcast with Beethoven and and absolutly incredible scriabin. The scriabin was so incredible to identify as music >:D
What about this guy? (http://matsuev.ru/eng_main.mhtml?Part=27)
Listening samples available, they can be downloaded as well.
(http://www.festivaldewallonie.be/2007/photos/mangova0.jpg)
Belgo - Bulgarian Plamena Mangova won second prize at this year's Queen Elisabeth competition. Tomorrow she will play Richard Strauss ' Burleske with the NOB , the Belgian National Orch, under Walter Weller (their new musicdirector). Nice concert! : the other works : Martinu's 4th symphony and "Estampes"!! Let's hope Weller continues like that.
At Fuga Libera, you can find her Chostakovitch recording
(http://users.telenet.be/klassiekcentraal/fotos/nieuwe%20cd%20met%20Plamena%20Mangova.jpg)
Quote from: ragman1970 on October 29, 2007, 11:52:48 AM
Lewis is as boring as his teacher Brendel!
I rate Brendel and his boys most highly. How anyone can disparage one of the greatest pianists ever is beyond my comprehension (as are most things). And Fellner's WTC Bk. 1 is a particular favorite of both Brendel and myself.
Quote from: Don on November 22, 2007, 02:04:10 PM
How anyone can disparage one of the greatest pianists ever is beyond my comprehension
Well well, I never knew that Brendel is Russian! ;D
Do you really rate Brendel as one of the greatest pianists ever, Don? I respect the man, but never thought of him on that level.
I remember the time Bruce Hungerford, whom I consider a few rungs higher as a great pianist, played an all-Beethoven program at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Brendel was in the audience. (I saw him there. Wondered what he thought.) Hungerford never had the big-time career or fame that Brendel did, and died relatively young, and I can be accused of prejudice, as his student, but almost every time I hear a Brendel recording I can't help thinking how Hungerford would have played the piece better!
Quote from: Don Isler on December 08, 2007, 09:45:28 AM
Do you really rate Brendel as one of the greatest pianists ever, Don?
From one Don to another - yes. I've not heard any recordings of his that I didn't consider wonderful. I love his Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann and just about everything else he's recorded. For Haydn's piano works, I find him the king of the hill. Performance-wise, he's my soul mate just like Bach is my composer soul mate.
How about Gabriela Montiero? How is she like?
I loved Lim's debut CD. I don't know what he's doing, but he's doing it right, to my ears.
I just ordered his Chopin CD from MDT last night.
And yesterday this came out, which I hope to pick up soon!
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eJhWOeyPL._SS500_.jpg)
[Edit: Just ordered it from Caiman]
DG signs 20-year-old pianist Yuja Wang January 7 2009
Deutsche Grammophon has signed Yuja Wang to its roster. The 21-year-old, Beijing-born pianist's debut disc will feature sonatas by Chopin, Liszt and Scriabin, and two Etudes by Ligeti.
In 2002 Yuja won the Aspen Music Festival's concerto competition and subsequently studied in Philadelphia with Gary Graffman at the Curtis Institute, graduating last year. In 2006 she received the Gilmore Young Artist Award. She has since worked with conductors including Charles Dutoit, Michael Tilson Thomas, Osmo Vänskä, David Zinman and Sir Neville Marriner.
Commenting on the signing in a statement, DG president Michael Lang said: 'After first hearing Yuja Wang in recitals - and then meeting this remarkable woman and learning that she is not only a fine artist but also will be a terrific spokesperson for the next generation of classical musicians - it was obvious that Deutsche Grammophon and Yuja would be a perfect match.'
Martin Cullingford, Gramophone deputy editor
(http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/images/yujia120.jpg)
Quote from: George on March 13, 2009, 09:26:20 AM
Are most of the newer pianists Asian, or just the ones that get promoted?
You don't have to be Asian, but it can't hurt! ;D
Quote from: Mn Dave on March 13, 2009, 09:26:47 AM
You don't have to be Asian, but it can't hurt! ;D
It is a geo-political game. That is where the future prosperity and population growth are. Lang Lang, aka as Bang Bang (according to George) may be the key for DG to sell to a market of 1.3B people who clearly prefer one of their own than some artist from the west ...
France always produces these very attractive pianists ...
(http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/standard/TR149.jpg)
I have a Chopin recording by Olga Kern ...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5144pfcrhbL._SS400_.jpg)
Quote from: Coopmv on March 13, 2009, 09:04:48 PM
France always produces these very attractive pianists ...
There was time when they produced
good pianists. Alas....
I've heard a few pieces by Francesco Libetta on a compilation CD along with Gekic and others. He was playing some Godowsky Etudes and the first movement from Alkan's sonata. His technique is out of this world, but I have not heard anything else from him. Perhaps he is off my radar, but if you have a chance to hear his Alkan, don't miss the opportunity :o
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on March 16, 2009, 07:54:49 AM
There was time when they produced good pianists. Alas....
Clearly you have never heard of Alexandre Tharaud.
Quote from: Brian on March 16, 2009, 01:49:47 PM
Clearly you have never heard of Alexandre Tharaud.
Yes!! *pounds head* Ouch!
Quote from: Brian on March 16, 2009, 01:49:47 PM
Clearly you have never heard of Alexandre Tharaud.
I've had his Ravel set for many moons; should give it another spin.
Quote from: Bulldog on March 16, 2009, 01:55:30 PM
I've had his Ravel set for many moons; should give it another spin.
How do you like his Bach?
Quote from: Mn Dave on March 16, 2009, 01:57:54 PM
How do you like his Bach?
If it's the one Bach disc on Harmonia Mundi, I never acquired it; the program was definitely not to my liking.
I do have his Chopin Preludes disc which I consider very special.
Quote from: Bulldog on March 16, 2009, 02:00:41 PM
If it's the one Bach disc on Harmonia Mundi, I never acquired it; the program was definitely not to my liking.
I just wish-listed most of the CDs I don't have. Thanks for the reminder about this great pianist, Brian.
Quote from: Mn Dave on March 16, 2009, 02:03:43 PM
I just wish-listed most of the CDs I don't have. Thanks for the reminder about this great pianist, Brian.
You will not regret Tharaud's Bach. It's splendid. (And if you don't know his Rameau, try to get it too).
Quote from: Gabriel on March 16, 2009, 03:21:37 PM
You will not regret Tharaud's Bach. It's splendid. (And if you don't know his Rameau, try to get it too).
I have his Bach, and it is indeed splendid. Rameau is on the list.
Quote from: Mn Dave on March 16, 2009, 03:25:48 PM
I have his Bach, and it is indeed splendid. Rameau is on the list.
that's a great avatar you've got there
Quote from: Coopmv on March 13, 2009, 09:01:47 PM
It is a geo-political game. That is where the future prosperity and population growth are. Lang Lang, aka as Bang Bang (according to George) may be the key for DG to sell to a market of 1.3B people who clearly prefer one of their own than some artist from the west ...
i am sure that's right. Western classical music is hugely popular in China, with a growing middle class keen to enjoy bourgeoise decadence ;)
i was in Hong Kong recently and the classical music department in the big CD shops had whole shelves devoted to Lang Lang and Yundi Li. LL's autobiography was also heavily promoted.
There were also a lot of interesting boxsets of Arrau, Oistrakh and other CDs for the Chinese/Japanese market that don't seem to be available here. (The writing on the CD spine is often in Chinese, but the label is DG, Decca, etc, so it's worth pulling it out to have a look. :D
Quote from: George on March 20, 2009, 11:25:29 AM
The guy was 26 when the autobiography was published. How much could he possibly have to say at 26? :o
it was in Chinese but i flicked through it and it was illustrated with cute childhood photos of LL - as a toddler playing the piano, the boy wonder winning Chinese state piano competitions, etc. :)
Quote from: Brian on March 16, 2009, 01:49:47 PM
Clearly you have never heard of Alexandre Tharaud.
Quote from: Bulldog on March 16, 2009, 02:00:41 PM
If it's the one Bach disc on Harmonia Mundi, I never acquired it; the program was definitely not to my liking.
I do have his Chopin Preludes disc which I consider very special.
Last night I attended a Concertgebouw recital by Alexandre Tharaud, playing Couprin before the intermission and Chopin's Op 28.
It was largely a very enjoyable recital. Was this one of the better Op. 28s I ever heard? I'm not sure. It took a while for Tharaud (who wears a black shirt and pants, and uses a score) to settle; he started rather fast, but by nr 5 he gave hmself more breathing space. By nr 7 I started to notice that Tharaud's closest approximation of
piano is really
mezzoforte. And his double fortes are huge crashes. I also got the feeling he wanted the cycle to keep moving; episodes like the gentle and (sometimes kitschy) nr 17 started with a startling sforzando, anf I couldn't help but think he deliberately played this piece not too pretty. The last prelude is obviously very powerful, but was the baritone melody really a mesmerizing demonic chant, or just piano playing? I think it was the latter.
So for me this was a very good recital but not an great one. Other people were, perhaps, more enthusiastic. You never can tell.
i was surprised to discover old(ish) news that i had missed: Yundi Li has been dropped by DG. :(
in a rather sycophantic article on Lang Lang in today's London Times (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6073244.ece):
QuoteLang Lang is a thoughtful interviewee, frank yet calm. But one subject fires him up like a rocket: Yundi Li, the Chinese pianist. Yundi was recently dropped by Deutsche Grammophon, the record label he shared with Lang Lang, fuelling rumours of "him or me" tantrums. Lang Lang had barred orchestras from performing with Yundi in the same season, the gossips claimed; he had forced DG's hand. "No! This is a very bad thing to do and totally not true," Lang Lang exclaims, those priceless hands flapping wildly. "This is not allowed in the real world; I have no rights to say anything about other artists. It's his career."
he doth protest too much? ::)
Quote from: B_cereus on April 11, 2009, 03:47:59 PM
i was surprised to discover old(ish) news that i had missed: Yundi Li has been dropped by DG. :(
in a rather sycophantic article on Lang Lang in today's London Times (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6073244.ece):
he doth protest too much? ::)
Who cares? Both are second rate pianists though if I had to choose, Li would come out ahead of Bang Bang.
Alexandre Tharaud has signed an exclusive deal with Virgin Classics.
Sad news, really; that means his incredibly fruitful collaboration with harmonia mundi will be broken up, as well as his collaborations with artists like Jean-Guihen Queyras ... but, since Tharaud will still be one of the best pianists out there, I'll still be looking forward to it. His first Virgin album will be a Chopin disc in February called "Journal in Time" ... ugh, what a corny name.
Quote from: Brian on July 06, 2009, 08:04:44 AM
Alexandre Tharaud has signed an exclusive deal with Virgin Classics.
Sad news, really; that means his incredibly fruitful collaboration with harmonia mundi will be broken up, as well as his collaborations with artists like Jean-Guihen Queyras ... but, since Tharaud will still be one of the best pianists out there, I'll still be looking forward to it. His first Virgin album will be a Chopin disc in February called "Journal in Time" ... ugh, what a corny name.
George, Is Alexandre Tharaud a better pianist than Bang Bang? ;D
Quote from: Holden on April 11, 2009, 11:52:49 PM
Who cares? Both are second rate pianists though if I had to choose, Li would come out ahead of Bang Bang.
My sentiments exactly.
Quote from: Bulldog on July 06, 2009, 05:24:54 PM
My sentiments exactly.
But we all know which market DG is truly trying to target by signing Bang Bang?
Quote from: George on July 06, 2009, 05:13:37 PM
I have only heard Tharaud's Chopin Preludes, I didn't like it very much.
The Preludes are nice, but the Waltzes are where it's really at, although the Couperin is where it's
really at, although the Mompou bits are where it's
really really at. And according to Jens, the Bach is ... well, you know. :D
Quote from: Holden on April 11, 2009, 11:52:49 PM
Who cares? Both are second rate pianists though if I had to choose, Li would come out ahead of Bang Bang.
Agreed. However, I'd much rather have Li record for DG than see another heinous cover of
you-know-who.
Quote from: Coopmv on July 06, 2009, 04:55:13 PM
George, Is Alexandre Tharaud a better pianist than Bang Bang? ;D
Of course but then, every good pianist is.
Quote from: Coopmv on July 06, 2009, 05:36:20 PM
But we all know which market DG is truly trying to target by signing Bang Bang?
The deaf? >:D
Yuja Wang seems to be the newest hot pianist from China. I must admit I haven't heard her yet but she's garnered very positive critical reviews. Perhaps DG has no room for three Chinese pianists on its roster and dropped Li to make room for Wang. Lang is the bigger money spinner for them, it makes commercial sense for them to keep him.
She's got the chops. Check out this "warmup."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1fgo7hp-Ko
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on July 07, 2009, 02:44:54 PM
She's got the chops. Check out this "warmup."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1fgo7hp-Ko
1. Holy cow. "Chops" is one word for it. Playing that technically proficient should almost be illegal. It's almost Hamelin-esque (see: Flight of the Bumblebee).
2. She could stand to add some ice cream and fried foods to her diet.
3. The little pink cell phone on top of the piano is a nice touch.
4. I wonder how she
feels music. Or
if.
Quote from: Brian on July 07, 2009, 03:05:52 PM
1. Holy cow. "Chops" is one word for it. Playing that technically proficient should almost be illegal. It's almost Hamelin-esque (see: Flight of the Bumblebee).
Speaking of such, have you heard Hamelin's own Flight... etude? Check this out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qnU0H_EXG4
Quote2. She could stand to add some ice cream and fried foods to her diet.
Absolutely not! $:) ;D
Quote
4. I wonder how she feels music. Or if.
Decide for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcGdy4Whtrc
My first impression is: so-so.
And of course George wonders, because she wasn't born 100 years ago.
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on July 07, 2009, 02:44:54 PM
She's got the chops.
In this day and age that's the minimum requirement.
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on July 07, 2009, 03:34:40 PM
In this day and age that's the minimum requirement.
I agree. I don't think we'll ever see another Arrau-type. (thought he was still an excellent player)
Oh George, I saw that comment! Just in time it seems!
Quote from: Aeolian harp on July 07, 2009, 11:07:35 AM
Yuja Wang seems to be the newest hot pianist from China. I must admit I haven't heard her yet but she's garnered very positive critical reviews. Perhaps DG has no room for three Chinese pianists on its roster and dropped Li to make room for Wang. Lang is the bigger money spinner for them, it makes commercial sense for them to keep him.
DG's goal is to sell a lot of CD's featuring these Chinese pianists in mainland China, period. Even if a small percentage of that 1.3B+ people buy one of these CD's, it will translate into some big number.
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on July 07, 2009, 03:31:10 PM
Speaking of such, have you heard Hamelin's own Flight... etude? Check this out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qnU0H_EXG4Absolutely not! $:) ;D
That's exactly what I was referring to! :D
The waltz wasn't that impressive.
Pah, you guys want chops? I'll give you chops:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaPeks0H3_s
Quote from: Brian on July 07, 2009, 04:35:08 PM
That's exactly what I was referring to! :D
The waltz wasn't that impressive.
What's more amazing is the player is (was) a 17 year old guy!
I agree on the waltz. What's interesting is that much of her public performance history has been documented and uploaded to youtube. Interestingly, she has played this waltz before, when she was about 9...(just a guess)
Quote from: JdP
Pah, you guys want chops? I'll give you chops:
As much as I can't get into the music, I am in awe of ANYONE who plays rag. The left hand jumps!
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on July 07, 2009, 05:03:11 PM
As much as I can't get into the music, I am in awe of ANYONE who plays rag. The left hand jumps!
Plus, Art Tatum was blind.
Quote from: Brian on July 07, 2009, 05:35:08 PM
Plus, Art Tatum was blind.
:o I did not know that! Amazing! Here's another blind pianist ripping through some Scriabin: :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOgcmiStwQA
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41M1EDZFYNL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K6OyO4lwL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410bA9J9WjL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Over the last month or so, I've been busily listening, re-listening, and re-listening yet again to all three solo discs by Herbert Schuch. I already covered the Schumann / Ravel disc in greater detail (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,11524.msg323832.html#msg323832), and further hearings have cemented it as one of the best discs of the year for me. His other two discs are pretty much as good.
The disc of two Schubert sonatas and music by Helmut Lachenmann has one of the best recordings of the great G Major sonata I've heard. Schuch takes the opening movement slowly, yet there's a nervous energy and intensity that makes it seem to move along quickly. Apparently he worked with Alfred Brendel a bit on his approach to Schubert, and there's a certain analytical feel to some of the playing, but it's married to a tonal refinement and dynamic shading that the older pianist could never match. Start to finish it is nearly mesmerizing. The D537 is also superb, but here his approach is just perhaps a little too serious, a little too heavy. It's nonetheless superb stuff. The two works by Lachenmann are not quite as good. The Five Variations on a theme by Schubert makes for a okay if perhaps somewhat forgettable listen, but Schuch's playing makes me wonder how he would fare in Schoenberg. Incredibly, I think. Guero isn't even music, with Schuch strumming the piano strings. It shouldn't have been included to mar the disc. Still, the Schubert is amazingly good.
His newest disc is themed, focusing on "night" music. Generally, I'm not into themed discs, and this doesn't make me change my mind, but the individual works are more than worth hearing. Schumann's Op 23 Nachtstücke starts off the disc, and once again Schuch displays an affinity for the composer's music, with tonal and dynamic flexibility that suits the pieces perfectly. Heinz Holliger's Elis – Drei Nachtstücke is another modernist piece that once again makes me want to hear Schuch play some Schoenberg. Fortunately, the music is better than Lachenmann's. Next up is Scriabin's 9th Sonata, and here there's much to admire. Large dynamic swings; gorgeous, almost infinitely variegated tone; ample intensity: this is an extremely fine recording. I still ultimately prefer the near frenzy of John Ogdon, but I welcome this take with open arms, or ears. Next is Gaspard de la nuit, and it's another blockbuster reading. Schuch displays absolute keyboard command, but he never plays in an empty, flashy manner. Everything sounds easy. His fast playing is effortless and clear. His slow playing in Le Gibet, is beautiful and haunting. And his Scarbo is a tour de force of pianism. Pogorelich is possibly still my favorite version here, but who knows if that will last. The disc closes with Mozart's KV 540 Adagio, and Schuch turns out to be a fine Mozartian, though of a more vigorous sort.
It's a rare pianist whose first three recordings are all of this level, at least in my listening experience. I can only hope that he continues to record at this level, and that he performs locally. I've got to hear this guy in recital.
(And Oehms seems to find good pianists: the company also records Michael Endres, he of the great Mozart and Weber and Schubert, though recordings of this last composer were for Capriccio. Perhaps it's time I investigate Micheal Korstick's Beethoven.)
Todd, just last week I heard (and watched) Schuch playing the Beethoven Choral Fantasy with John Nelson and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, from the Festival de Saint-Denis. You can watch it here (http://www.medici.tv/#/performance/529/). I thought he was superb (with the caveat that I haven't heard that many performances of this piece).
--Bruce
Todd, thanks for the detailed account on Schuch. I recently got his Schumann/Ravel and Nachtstücke recital discs and was impressed by his effortless, nuanced and powerful pianism, especially in Kreisleriana and Ondine. I guess I ought to investigate the Schubert/Lachenmann issue at some point, too.
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on July 07, 2009, 03:31:10 PM
Decide for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcGdy4Whtrc
My first impression is: so-so.
I'd have to second that. I heard Yuja Wang live here in Chicago with Dutoit last year and was not terribly impressed. She played the Prokofiev 2nd. It's not that she has nothing to say musically, it's just that it is very piano-centered, if you understand what I mean. She treats the music mostly as a showcase for her technical abilities and doesn't interact with the orchestra to produce a whole "Gesamtkunstwerk". I don't hear dialogue, I don't hear the piano sing and create voices and colors other than that of the piano. She doesn't seem to reflect on the music as music, outside of the technical challenges of the piano. She isn't a sonority magician at the keyboard. Not yet at least. She has the technique and the musical understanding, but at her current stage, to me, she doesn't say much that others haven't said better or more convincingly (and sometimes those others didn't even need such prodigious technical skills to do so).
Last season I also heard Trpčeski - Tchaikovsky 1 with Morlot. Again, a lot of potential, but not quite there yet. Again, massive technical skill, but a lack of readiness to drop his protective psychological shield and share with us who he really is deep inside. There is a certain nonchalance to his playing that glosses over the real 'meat' in the works he plays. He never really takes us to the abyss and never risks much interpretively. Once again, a lot of potential but not yet realized.
I also have to defend the much maligned Bang Bang a little. He played Chopin 1 here two and a half years ago with Frühbeck the Burgos and it was quite different from what I had seen and heard him do in the past. The histrionics were gone. He was composed and concentrated at the piano with no bizarre gestures (that now seems to be the exclusive domain of Fazil Say). There was introspection, a genuine interaction with the orchestra and some uncanny control of dynamics and colors. It was unconventional and very much his own interpretation and not always coherent, but not at all uninteresting or unmusical. Yes, he's overmarketed to a sickening degree, but give the guy some space and don't beat him up all the time and he might turn out quite decently. He's coming to Ravinia to play Prokofiev in a week. I wasn't planning on going, but Symphonie fantastique is the remainder of the program and I can never refuse that work (Eschenbach conducts). I'll report on how he does this time.
Speaking of Ravinia and 'hot new pianists", this upcoming program caught my attention:
First Concertos of Russian Masters
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
8:00 PM
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
James Conlon, Conductor
Lise de la Salle, Piano
Olga Kern, Piano
Joyce Yang, Piano
Chris Martin, Trumpet
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 35
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major, Op. 10
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 1
Should be an interesting opportunity to hear three young pianists in one evening. Has anyone ever heard any of the three?
What a great write up, OM! It's interesting to hear your thoughts about her, since I've never heard her perform live.
As for the upcoming concert, I've heard of Olga Kern. Her story is quite inspiring, actually, and you can follow it through some great competition videos on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8KKn9Is1Wk
It looks like at least one of the other pianists is a van cliburn finalist as well.
I have a recording of Olga playing Brahm's Paganini etudes, but I haven't listened to it in a while. You've prompted me to remedy this, though! :)
This is a wonderful find, such passion and insight in the Schumann fantasia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvZ1l2CfTY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvZ1l2CfTY)
Ms. Buniatishvili truly has such underrated talent, if she ever releases a CD you know that I'll be the first to buy one. One of the best fantasia's i've ever heard, up there with Richter's.
I like that performance of the Schumann Fantaisie, too. I watched the vid yesterday for the umpteenth time. No doubt it helps she looks like she's really into it.
Quote from: Herman on July 22, 2009, 01:43:50 PM
I like that performance of the Schumann Fantaisie, too. I watched the vid yesterday for the umpteenth time. No doubt it helps she looks like she's really into it.
;D... It actually helps me in competitions to look "really in to it", judges really fall for the prodigy looking facial expressions fast.
No doubt Ms. Buniatishvili is sincere though, she's definitely not the female Lang Lang, THAT would be Uchida. (though I personally love her)
Quote from: RexRichter on July 22, 2009, 12:39:19 PM
This is a wonderful find, such passion and insight in the Schumann fantasia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvZ1l2CfTY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpvZ1l2CfTY)
Ms. Buniatishvili truly has such underrated talent, if she ever releases a CD you know that I'll be the first to buy one. One of the best fantasia's i've ever heard, up there with Richter's.
Yes, she certainly has Schumann in her blood! Thanks for the link, George!
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on July 22, 2009, 07:54:41 PM
Yes, she certainly has Schumann in her blood! Thanks for the link, George!
As far as I'm aware, my name's not George, but your welcome anyways!
For those who are curious, she didn't win the competition, she finished 3rd. :'(
Quote from: RexRichter on July 23, 2009, 10:55:17 AM
As far as I'm aware, my name's not George, but your welcome anyways!
For those who are curious, she didn't win the competition, she finished 3rd. :'(
Hoot!! It's the avatar that threw me! ;D Our man George used to use this very pic for his avatar and frequently uses some variation of a Richter pic. Thought it was him. Sorry. :)
Been watching the recorded BBC television coverage of the recent Leeds final. They are showing them Miss World style, in reverse placing order.
Can't say any of them have impressed me so far. The 6th placed finalist's Emperor was a bit of a disaster from the opening. The Rach 2 was pedestrian & uninspiring. Kadouch in 4th with his Emperor was mannered, & despite Ortiz's praises, I didn't particularly like it. :(
(http://www.osnn.net/attachments/green-room/3923d1094252491-osnn-irc-channel-irc-freenode-net-holythreadresbatman.jpg)
Anyone exciting and new, piano peoples?
Quote from: MN Dave on September 01, 2010, 05:11:56 AM
Anyone exciting and new, piano peoples?
(http://www.kateryna-titova.de/images/cover_album.jpg)
Kateryna Titova. Nice playing, easy on the eyes. (I'm not a big Rach fan; Rach devotees may dislike her.)
Wishlisted! Thanks.
A youngster not deserving his obscurity, Wojciech Kocyan:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QTIKY2gHL._SS500_.jpg)
His trademark: wonderfully big technique without steamrolling over important subtleties. His big, colorful tone is captured perfectly by Dux's roomy yet crystal clear sonics. (Haven't heard any other disc by him, though).
Wishlisted! Thanks.
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on September 01, 2010, 08:16:46 AM
A youngster not deserving his obscurity, Wojciech Kocyan:
Though I should point out that not every musician DESIRES the jet-set lifestyle.
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on September 01, 2010, 08:37:56 AM
Though I should point out that not every musician DESIRES the jet-set lifestyle.
Amen. 0:)
If you go to Naxos Music Library > Labels > The Cliburn, you can listen to every performance from the 2009 and 2013 Van Cliburn Piano Competitions.
Right now I'm going through the 2013 first place winner, Vadym Kholodenko. Here's what I'm hearing him play in the two preliminary rounds:
Adams - China Gates
Bach/Siloti - Prelude in E minor
Beethoven - Sonata No. 30
Stravinsky - Three Mvts. from Petrushka
The Beethoven's just started. The Bach/Siloti prelude was exquisite.