Recently, I've been enjoying Konstantin Scherbakov's recordings of Shostakovich's piano music (24 preludes and fugues, sonatas, etc on Naxos). In terms of beauty of tone and technical prowess, I think he sounds better than even Nikolayeva in this repertoire, although I dislike his quick tempi on some of the pieces. I've read some of your comments on Sergei Schepkin and Grigory Sokolov on this board, and wonder who your favorite living Russian pianist(s) is/are, for what repertiore, and why. I know a lot of people like Kissin, but I've never liked what I've heard from him. Undoubtedly, Russia has provided an embarrassment of pianistic riches over the last century. How does the current crop measure up to the likes of Richter, Gilels, Feinberg, et al.?
(And the first person who says "Sviatoslav Richter" will get a boot to the head.)
I follow Yevgeny Sudbin closely with his Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Scarlatti on BIS.
Richter! What do I win :-*
Quote from: Tyson on January 28, 2008, 09:51:32 PM
Richter! What do I win :-*
A question mark to place at the end of an interrogative sentence: ?
Yevgeni Sudbin
Nikolai Tokarev
Konstantin Scherbakov
Nikolai Demodenko
are all up there but numero uno is.......drum roll
Grigori Sokolov!!!!
Zhukov, Sokolov, Feltsman and Demidenko
Haven't heard any Sudbin yet, will have to correct that...
If you guys could suggest recordings to show these performers at their best, that would be helpful. Thanks. 8)
Zhukov - there's not a lot out there, commercially speaking. You'll need to stumble across bootlegs of live material, but if you can find it, it's worth it! Superb Chopin and Scriabin.
Sokolov - again, the best stuff is live bootlegs, but you can also buy the the two sets on Naive label. The excellent Op.25 etudes etc.
Feltsman - I like him principally for his Bach recordings, a lovely WTC and keyboard concertos. Would like to hear his Beethoven and Chopin (Tony?). Still need to get his Goldbergs...
Demidenko - quite a lot of Chopin on Hyperion that can be bought fairly cheaply. Three discs with the ballades, scherzo's and third sonata and a disc with Chopin minor works, that are quite lovely in the hands of this pianist. I don't think he records for Hyperion any more (?), but there's a fab Diabelli variations and Scarlatti disc out there, but can't remember the label. There both still available IIRC, just check over at MDT
Volodos !!
Favourite of course depends on the mood I am in and what piece of music do I want to listen to NOW. If I choose Schubert piano music then of course my first pick is Grigory Sokolov.
On Opus 111 he recorded two Sonatas, the one in G-Dur, op. 78 and the B-Dur. Sokolov's rendition of op. 78 is a heart breaker!
At other times, different moods and interests it's Mikhail Pletnev, but I never want to restrict my listening to only those two pianists, I might miss an exciting new talent!
If I want exciting, lively and raucous Prokofiev only Alexander Toradze can play it to satisfy me!
Quote from: uffeviking on January 29, 2008, 10:07:09 AM
At other times, different moods and interests it's Mikhail Pletnev, but I never want to restrict my listening to only those two pianists, I might miss an exciting new talent!
Doh!
How on earth did I forget
him?
I'll add him to my list...
OK, seriously my pick is Yefim Bronfman, born Russian and became an American citizen.
And Gavrilov, Berezovsky, Melnikov.
Impossible to believe that Ashkenazy hasn't been mentioned. I have never heard a performance I don't immediately warm to. Whatever the repertoire, whatever the composer, whatever the period, I hold no-one in higher esteem.
Quote from: Great Gable on January 29, 2008, 03:34:56 PM
Impossible to believe that Ashkenazy hasn't been mentioned. I have never heard a performance I don't immediately warm to. Whatever the repertoire, whatever the composer, whatever the period, I hold no-one in higher esteem.
Worth a mention, though I would not give him the
Carte Blanche, finding him most respectable in Chopin, Shostakovich, Scriabin, Rachmaninov PCs, and Beethoven PCs, which is a far cry from, "whatever the repertoire, whatever the composer, whatever the period."
As a sidenote, I have taken (some would say, a perverse) delight in searching through Ashkenazy's podium efforts. Many, many clunkers, but there have been a few gems. He is not a
complete waste there. :-*
Quote from: BorisG on January 29, 2008, 02:52:15 PM
And Gavrilov, Berezovsky, Melnikov.
There's a super all-Scriabin disc that Melnikov has done, have you heard it? Don't know what else he's recorded though...
Too bad Youri Egorov died prematurely. Late twenties, I believe. He'd take pride of place (for me).
Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on January 28, 2008, 11:55:12 PM
If you guys could suggest recordings to show these performers at their best, that would be helpful. Thanks. 8)
Would these do? Kissin and Gavrilov are blind spots for me, somebody else can cover those.
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Don't know who is as good as who but these should give you decent overview. Some of the best Sokolov are bootlegs, as said, but Chopin Etudes, First Concerto and Paris Concert are as good as it gets. Berezovsky made some reportedly very good recordings for Mirare but they are pricy and I'm cheapskate. Pletnev is quirky player, start small and see how you respond. Sudbin and Melnikov are relatively young, not huge selection there. Pick up safely any of Koroliov's Bach. Ashkenazy made a lot of recordings and there is point of view 'younger the better' but these few are definitely excellent and representative. Zhukov is mostly unavailable, either live private recordings or non-reissued Melodiyas.
Vladimir Felstman.
Quote from: BorisG on January 29, 2008, 05:50:12 PM
As a sidenote, I have taken (some would say, a perverse) delight in searching through Ashkenazy's podium efforts.
what are his podium efforts?
Quote from: sidoze on February 06, 2008, 10:14:30 AM
what are his podium efforts?
http://www.vladimirashkenazy.com/discography.php
i guess this confirms that i have no interest in this sort of thing anymore, because i really had no idea what you were talking about.