Hi,
Have you ever have that feeling before, of listening maybe to a new work for the first time or recordings of the same piece which you have so many versions of, and in the midst of listening, you just go "wow" or "oh my god". A feeling that, YES, thats the way it should be, thats the way the composer would have wanted it to sound. It may be a technical feat or virtousity that simply astounds, or it may be a moment so beautiful that bring tears to your eyes, or it may be a moment where hair just stands on your back. A feeling that, takes away all your problems for a while, a feeling that seems to be "life changing or defining" though how over-dramatic that might sound. It may not need to be a great recording, neither would it even be legendary, but really something that just touches you, and make you feel something totally different. Would love to hear you share about that experience.
For me, it would be Pogorelich playing Chopin Scherzo No. 4, the middle lyrical section. I just love the way he paces the whole thing, the tempo though slow, was very heartfelt in its simplicity.
Another would be Sudbin's Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata No. 2, where it was like listening to it afresh. So clear were the lines, so transparent were the textures. The middle section was again one of the more touching renditions, in between some really virtuosic playing in the outer movements. The finale was such a bang, and when i thought he could not go any more louder, he proved me wrong again. And considering all these, he is still very young, a pianist and artist.
Andreas Staier and Christine Schornsheim in their "Mozart on a Stein Vis-à-Vis"
Apart from the instrument itself, which is a hybrid of 3-manual harpsichord and fortepiano,
Staier and Schornsheim play the Mozart Sonatas for 4-Hands as if they were virtuosic pieces.
And then spice it with improvisations both by Mozart and by the performers themselves.
Wow from beginning to end. :D
I had that feeling listening to Emil Gilels playing the Adagio of Beethoven's Sonata opus 106 or Friedrich Gulda playing the Arietta of the opus 111.
These really pushed my buttons
Hummel PCs - Stephen Hough
Scarlatti sonatas - Sergei Babayan and Yevgeney Sudbin
Brahms PC #2 - Richter/Leinsdorf
Chopin 1st Ballade - ABM
Ravel PC in G - ABM
Mozart Sonatas - Klara Wurtz
I could go on....
A few "wow" moments for me include:
Ivo Pogorelich playing Chopin's 1st and 3rd Scherzi and Ravel's Gaspard
Abbey Simon playing Ravel's Miroirs
Most of Friedrich Gulda's Beethoven sonata cycle (Amadeo) and his Schubert D845
Annie Fischer's take on Op 57
Rudolf Serkin and Eugene Ormandy in the Emperor
Leif Ove Andsnes' take on Schubert's D850 and Grieg's Piano Concerto
Vladimir Ovchinikov's recording of Liszt's Transcendental Etudes
Semi-recently, Gulda's LvB sonatas.
Chopin - Scherzo No. 2 Rubinstein
Schubert - Fantasia for piano, 4 hands in F minor, D.940 (Guher & Suher Pekinel)
Gieseking playing Schumann's Kreisleriana
Backhaus playing Schumann's Davidsbundlertanze
Bolet and Freire playing Chopin's Op. 28 Preludes
Tureck playing Bach's WTC
Sheppard playing Bach's Partitas for Keyboard
Hantai playing Bach's Goldbergs
Ross playing Handel's Suites for Keyboard
Gilels: Walstein
Pogorelich: Gaspard
Richter: Prokofiev PC 5
Hamelin: Alkan Trois Etudes, op 76
Levy: Liszt B minor
...and many others
Gilels playing Beethoven
Earl Wild playing the Rachmaninov concertos
Richter's incomparable Rach 2 conducted by Wislocki
Hélène Grimaud's total identification with Beethoven's Piano Sonata in A flat op.110
Lilya Zilberstein's ultra slow, Mahlerian reading of Schubert's Gretchen am Spinnrade (arranged by Liszt)
Glenn Gould's affectionate and very romantic take on Richard Strauss's Piano Sonata in B minor op.5
Sarge
Quote from: Holden on April 16, 2008, 12:00:40 AM
Scarlatti sonatas - Sergei Babayan and Yevgeney Sudbin
Brahms PC #2 - Richter/Leinsdorf
Agree completely with these. For my ears, OTTOMH...
Many, MANY Richter live performances have this effect on me (too many to list easily--but think Sofia, Prague, Aldeburgh, Spoleto, Leipzig).
The last long movement of the Beethoven Appassionata in a concert performance by Sergio Fiorentino, a long snippet once easily available on the internet but now (alas!) my link no longer works. Wish the whole performance was available--it may well be the fastest, most thrilling yet still amazingly well phrased and articulated version I've ever heard (and I'm taking into account Richter's several performances from 1959 and 1960 as well as Ernst Levy's).
Solomon--I could cite a number of concertos and solo works, but I'll single out his LvB Waldstein, where his simple exposition of the musical phrases coupled with the most sensitive and artfully done segues make for an emotionally rewarding experience.
Lili Kraus--much of her older Mozart sonata cycle commands emotional appeal, as do many passages from her Mozart piano cti. 12 & 18 with Monteux.
Clara Haskil--hell, just pick any Mozart concerto she did...especially with Markevitch or Fricsay.
Elly Ney--no, not her early work, which is competent to very good; try instead her recordings when she was a very old woman. (And try to ignore whatever you know about the despicable political beliefs of her younger days.) Her Schubert Wanderer Fantasy, for example, is unique pretty much from first note to last. As for her Beethoven sonatas (the Waldstein comes to mind), she no longer has it in her to present these "of a piece" with the fluidity between sections that they need--but in her presentation of the music, episode by episode, there are times when her phrasing is so astoundingly insightful that a single familiar run of notes seems utterly "new" and imbued with greater depth of meaning than I'd ever suspected. At such times, I've had tears well up in my eyes and a lump instantly appear in my throat.
Annie Fischer--both her Beethoven 3rd concerto and (perhaps especially) the two Mozart rondos that once partnered it in LP form. Every note a treasure.
Leon Fleisher/Szell vs. Gilels/Ludwig in Beethoven's 4th concerto. Actually, both are required listening...Fleisher/Szell for power "wow" and Gilels/Ludwig for poetry "wow."
Barere--the man was a pianistic personification of "wow."
I too could go on.
;D
Dirk
I would add one more...
The Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 by Gilels and Jochum - I remember how noble it sounded under Gilels, never prissy or sentimental, and i missed my bus stop on that occation.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 06:16:57 AM
Richter's incomparable Rach 2 conducted by Wislocki
yes, i love how richter slows down just before the repeat of the alla marcia section in the first movement. so far he's the only pianist i've ever heard do that and i think it really adds an extra sense of drama to the climactic first movement march.
Quote from: Holden on April 16, 2008, 12:00:40 AM
Brahms PC #2 - Richter/Leinsdorf
yes, another stunning richter performance.
also...
michelangeli's grieg piano concerto on bbc legends.
moravec's beethoven recordings from the 60s.
fleisher's brahms piano concerto no. 1 with szell.
lipatti's schumann piano concerto with karajan and chopin b minor sonata.
rubinstein's chopin nocturne op. 48 no. 1 (1965)
argerich's chopin piano concerto no. 1 with abbado and liszt sonata.
this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwfOuTncmW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcIRitW0XcM
and that's all i can think of for now.
Quote from: Holden on April 16, 2008, 12:00:40 AM
These really pushed my buttons
Mozart Sonatas - Klara Wurtz
I have the Uchida, and I'm medium satisfied with it. So I wonder if it's due to the music or the performances. How does Klara Wurtz compare to Uchida interpretation-wise?
Quote from: Samuel on April 16, 2008, 07:16:44 AM
yes, i love how richter slows down just before the repeat of the alla marcia section in the first movement. so far he's the only pianist i've ever heard do that and i think it really adds an extra sense of drama to the climactic first movement march.
Exactly! And I love how it sounds like Richter is struggling to free himself from Wislocki's rigid tempo in the recap. It almost sounds like a Concerto for Piano against Orchestra. Unique 8)
Sarge
Some knockout performances from the top of my head:
Annie Fischer/Fricsay, Beethoven PC3 (DG)
Alfred Cortot's Chopin Preludes (1943, Andante)
Luisada's Chopin Mazurkas (DG)
Rachmaninoff's Chopin Piano Sonata 2 (1930, Andante)
Rubinstein's Chopin Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise (1935, Andante)
Igor Zhukov's Chopin Piano Sonata 3 (not commercial recording)
Schnabel's Schubert D959 and D960 (Pearl)
Rachmaninoff's Schumann Carnaval (1929, Andante)
I'm sure I have forgotten many - especially Chopin performances.
Gilels - Grieg - Lyric pieces. These really said something to me.
Howard
Quote from: val on April 15, 2008, 11:48:56 PM
I had that feeling listening to Emil Gilels playing the Adagio of Beethoven's Sonata opus 106 or Friedrich Gulda playing the Arietta of the opus 111.
Absolutely. I think the Arietta is one of the most beautiful things written ever. Gulda gets played a lot here, but I also like Arrau on EMI Classics DVD for a different take to Gulda's. He's slower and heavier perhaps, but heart wrenchingly beautiful. It's mesmerising watching him play.
Some kind person has posted it on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9GYArGlM7g).
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 08:01:07 AM
Exactly! And I love how it sounds like Richter is struggling to free himself from Wislocki's rigid tempo in the recap. It almost sounds like a Concerto for Piano against Orchestra. Unique 8)
Sarge
Richter really is quite demonic there. I also think you get the 'Piano v Orchestra' thing in the Brahms PC 2 with Leinsdorf.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 08:01:07 AM
It almost sounds like a Concerto for Piano against Orchestra.
Well, after all, as any Latin student can tell you, that IS the original meaning of the word concerto:
con ("with") + certo (certare..."to fight, contend, struggle, do battle" or alternatively "to debate")
The original implication was always one of struggle and fighting. The much more civilized connotation of "act together" or "decide together" came centuries later.
;D
Dirk (whose 5-1/2 years of classical Latin occasionally come in handy)
Quote from: rubio on April 16, 2008, 07:29:18 AM
I have the Uchida, and I'm medium satisfied with it. So I wonder if it's due to the music or the performances. How does Klara Wurtz compare to Uchida interpretation-wise?
Many pianists approach Mozart as if this were prissy 'salon' music and Uchida, despite beautiful tone is guilty of this. Wurtz plays the music in a much more red blooded way yet her phrasing, tone colour and choice of tempos makes the music sound really fresh. I love it.
I have a recording which qualifies as a piano solo and concerto recording, that makes me go "Wow!" It's Marc-Andre Hamelin's unbelievable performance of Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano - 50 minutes of solid WOW!
'Wow' is really different from favorite or impressive. This does not mean that something is only great, but that it probably won't be repeated or emulated ever again. It has to be jaw-dropping .. so if I take this literally, those will be some mentions which come to my mind
Hofmann - Chopin Piano Concertos esp. No.1
Friedman - Chopin Mazurkas (also for the Mazurkas Rubinstein in the 30s on EMI)
Rachmaninoff - Chopin Sonata No.2
Rachmaninoff - Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No.1 Cadenza
(In fact most of his recorded output)
Cortot - Chopin Etudes and Preludes (30s)
Levy - Liszt Sonata (special mention to Argerich and Horowitz)
Gould - Goldberg Variations 1951
Horowitz - many takes, one comes to mind is his Scriabin Etude 8-12
Richter - Many Live performances
I agree with most what is mentioned here too, although I am not that keen on listening to Richter's Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 (the one with the elaborately slow introduction) .. how many recordings of him exist of this concerto?
I also predict a very bright future for Sudbin and I only listened to his Scarlatti! .. which is incredible! I had the honour of interviewing him. He will be one of the greatest pianists of this century for sure.
Gould - Goldberg Variations 1951?
This Rachmaninov cycle does it for me every time:
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=91121&album_group=5
Richter - Schubert D 894, Brilliant - Rachmaninov PC 2 with Wislocki - Finale to Appasionata sonata, RCA - Liszt PC's with Kondrashin. Any solo Rachmaninov performance.
Janis/Kondrashin - Rachmaninov PC 1
Arrau, Ciccolini - Chopin Nocturnes
Cziffra - Liszt Transcendental Etudes
Gulda - Chopin Ballades - His entire Beethoven sonata set on Brilliant Classics.
Gilels - Beethoven Appassionata Sonata, Live Jan 1961 in Green Brillant Classics box.
Horowitz - Rachmaninov PS 2, Live Carnegie Hall 1981.
Maria Yudina - Any of her Beethoven, esp Op. 111.
Rudolf Serkin - Beethoven Op. 110, unreleased performance (in the 3 CD set.) Mono Waldstein, Music and Arts.
Lupu, Annie Fischer, Bernard Roberts - Beethoven Moonlight Sonata (each for different reasons)
Moravec - Pathetique Sonata
Casadesus - Ravel Piano Works 2 CD set.
and of course Annie Fischer's complete Beethoven sonatas.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 06:16:57 AM
Richter's incomparable Rach 2 conducted by Wislocki
Horowitz Chopin first ballad
Richter Schumann Papillons (Richter's list is long but his Schumann papillons is often ignored)
Rubinstein Chopin polonaises
Quote from: George on April 16, 2008, 04:48:56 PM
Richter - Schubert D 894, Brilliant
Thanks for bringing this one up! Remarkable!
Quote from: samtrb on April 16, 2008, 06:37:50 PM
Horowitz Chopin first ballad
Richter Schumann Papillons (Richter's list is long but his Schumann papillons is often ignored)
Rubinstein Chopin polonaises
Agreed and the Fassingsschwanck that goes with it is also unjustly ignored.l The whole disc is a desert island special for me.
Quote from: Holden on April 16, 2008, 01:27:51 PM
Many pianists approach Mozart as if this were prissy 'salon' music and Uchida, despite beautiful tone is guilty of this.
Well, for my money there is anything
but 'salon prissiness' in Uchida's Adagio in B minor, K.540 (of Mozart). I listen to this piece by Uchida and come away feeling like I've just been given a glimpse of an extraterrestrial landscape full of icy, unfamiliar things. Frightening yet at the same time edifying...no wrong moves though or the whole thing comes crashing down...
This is actually my favorite "wow" moment for solo piano which probably explains my urgency to defend Uchida... 0:)
Quote from: dirkronk on April 16, 2008, 01:22:07 PM
Well, after all, as any Latin student can tell you, that IS the original meaning of the word concerto:
con ("with") + certo (certare..."to fight, contend, struggle, do battle" or alternatively "to debate")
The original implication was always one of struggle and fighting. The much more civilized connotation of "act together" or "decide together" came centuries later.
;D
Dirk (whose 5-1/2 years of classical Latin occasionally come in handy)
Thanks, occasionally I remember some Latin from 4 years (where did it all go???)
Rachmaninoff playing his own 3rdPC is quite incredible.
ZB
Quote from: George on April 16, 2008, 04:48:56 PM
Gulda - Chopin Ballades - His entire Beethoven sonata set on Brilliant Classics.
Where are Gulda's Chopin Ballades available? How does he compare to Perahia?
I would also add:
Any live Cziffra.
Prokofiev's fourth piano sonata (particularly the slow movement) by Richter at the 1966 Aldeburgh festival.
Richter's Beethoven Op.111.
Ashkenazy's Scriabin sonatas.
Prokofiev again - the fifth piano concerto with Browning/Leinsdorf. That sanguine interlude towards the end of the piece - all of one minute long - protrudes like a sunburst amid the chaos of its surroundings. Very out of place but so strategic...
Cherkassky's Chopin (early Cherkassky).
Bartok's Out of Doors by Kocsis.
Egorov's Bach Partita no. 6.
Bavouzet's solo Ravel.
Siirala's Brahms third piano sonata.
Quote from: rubio on April 16, 2008, 09:22:05 PM
Where are Gulda's Chopin Ballades available? How does he compare to Perahia?
They are on the OOP GPOTC set. Compared to Perahia, they focus a lot more on technical finish and less on beauty. If you have trouble finding it, PM me.
Quote from: George on April 17, 2008, 02:42:17 AM
They are on the OOP GPOTC set. Compared to Perahia, they focus a lot more on technical finish and less on beauty. If you have trouble finding it, PM me.
I have found it on amazon.de :).
Another wow moment for me is Pogorelich's Chopin Nocturne Op. 55 No. 2, one listen and its already my favourite nocturne.
Do share any other beautiful recording of this work.
Quote from: rubio on April 17, 2008, 02:56:01 AM
I have found it on amazon.de :).
Great! If you like it, try his Chopin preludes. I have the version from the Prisitine Audio Website.
Quote from: rubio on April 16, 2008, 09:22:05 PM
Where are Gulda's Chopin Ballades available? How does he compare to Perahia?
Gulda's 1954 set of Ballades is available in the out of print Philips Great Pianists series. It is Gulda's Volume 2. Amazon's marketplaces have it at inflated prices. More interesting than Perahia. More interesting than either is Demidenko on Helios.
Lang Lang Carnegie Hall Recital.
Don Juan fantasie, to be specific.
Most of Gould's Bach. (in particular: 1981 Goldberg Variations, D Minor and F Minor Keyboard Concertos and.......well there are too many particulars, now that I think of it)
Gould's Brahms Intermezzi and Ballades.
Gould playing his own transcription of the Prelude to Wagner's Die Meistersinger
Gould playing the Fugue from Hindemith's 3rd Piano Sonata.
Argerich - Prokofiev's Toccata op.11
I know lots of people find it mechanical and harsh but whatever Bach Weissenberg recorded never ceases to amaze me. Particularly the Chromatic Fantasy. That level of speed and balance is simply inhuman IMO.
Natan Brand
http://www.amazon.com/Natan-Brand-Concert-1982-1990-Legacy/dp/B0007X9TUC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208602101&sr=1-2
Gekic's Tokyo recital
Quote from: orbital on April 18, 2008, 08:22:15 PM
I know lots of people find it mechanical and harsh but whatever Bach Weissenberg recorded never ceases to amaze me. Particularly the Chromatic Fantasy. That level of speed and balance is simply inhuman IMO.
I agree. I finally found the three CD set on EMI, and have been amazed that anyone can play these pieces so fast with such control. His ornamenatations and trills are probably the best I've heard on piano (on harpsichord there are Karl Richter and Ralph Kirkpatrick to contend with however!) I think his choice of instrument and / or the engineering on the Goldberg Variations make for an extremely harsh sonic that wears very thin after a few of the variations and becomes unbearable after five or six. It's too bad because it is an interesting performance. It is in the partitas however where Weissenberg really shines, especially in the fifth. All of them are superb really IMO, except for the third which he played insanely fast.
Quote from: donwyn on April 16, 2008, 09:28:03 PM
Egorov's Bach Partita no. 6.
I like this one and I think some fantastic live performances by Egorov were captured before he passed away (his Prokofiev 8 and op. 10 etudes are outstanding), but I think his Partita 6 is lacking a few things, particularly in the Toccata and Sarabande which could have more expression IMO. If you have some time Don, listen to this performance which is my favourite. I'd be interested to know if you like it at all.
http://www.mediafire.com/?5mwd1m9ottu
Speaking of Weissenberg's Bach, his Bach-Liszt Prelude & Fugue in Am always gave me a sensation of wow too. I think that that's one of the better things Tom Deacon included in the GPOC :)
Other wow recordings:
Sofronitsky - Schumann Fantaisie, Sym Etudes, a lot of Scriabin (op. 8/12) and Chopin
Sokolov - Prokofiev 7, Rachmaninoff PC 3, Chopin Polonaise-Fantaisie, PC1, some small pieces by Rameau, Bach-Siloti and Bach-Busoni
Francois - the early recording of Scarbo, the first Ravel concerto
Richter - Prokofiev PC 5 live with Ormandy, Schumann Sonata 2 from Italy, Prokofiev 8 from Moscow, Scriabin 5 from Prague, Beethoven last 3 sonatas from Leipzig
Zhukov - Chopin Sonata 3, op. 28 Preludes, Scriabin sonata 2, op. 11 Preludes
Tipo - Chopin Nocturnes, etude 10/3, Bach Partita 2
Pogorelich - Rachmaninoff sonata 2, Musical Moment 1, Islamey, some Liszt TEs
Ginzburg - Chopin op. 25 etudes, Sonata 2
Pletnev - Chopin Preludes, a few mazurkas
Pollini - Chopin PC2
Hofmann - Chopin PC1, Casimir Hall recital
Arrau - Chopin Preludes from Prague, op. 111 DVD
Barere - Liszt sonata, Islamey
Levy - Liszt sonata, Beethoven op. 111
Michelangeli - Debussy Preludes bk 1 live, Chopin recital in Prato, the London recital from the '50s, the Warsaw recitals from the '50s, Gaspard, Scarlatti sonatas
Rosenthal - Chopin PC1
Bolet - Carnegie Hall recital, Chopin Sonata 3, a couple of waltzes
Lazar Berman - Liszt TEs, some Schubert-Liszt transcriptions
Fiorentino - the late recordings on the live 2CD APR set
Cziffra - Chopin etudes
Rachmaninoff - Carnaval, Chopin sonata 2
Volodos - Prokofiev PC2
Quote
Argerich - Prokofiev's Toccata op.11
listen to the Horowitz recording (the Francois is good too, and Demidenko's is just a little brutal)
Bach (all) - Gould
Haydn (Late Piano Sonatas) - Gould
Mozart (PCs 14, 23, 25) - Moravec
Mozart (PCs 21 & 22) - Shelley
Mozart (all) - Casadesus
Beethoven (PCs 1 & 3) - Michelangeli
Beethoven (PC 2) - Argerich (EMI)
Beethoven (PC 4) - Fleisher
Beethoven (PC5) - Gelber
Schubert (all) - Lupu
Chopin (Etudes, Opp. 10, 25) - Gavrilov
Chopin (Preludes) - Argerich
Chopin (Ballades) - Demidenko
Liszt (PCs 1 & 2) - Cziffra
Schumann (all) - Lupu
Schumann (all) - Gavrilov
Debussy (all) - Jacobs
Debussy (all) - Michelangeli
Saint-Saens (PCs 2 & 5) - Thibaudet/Dutoit
Albeniz, de Falla, Granados, Turina (all) - de Larrocha (Decca)
Turina (all) - de Larrocha (EMI)
Barber (Piano Sonata) - Hamelin
Khachaturian (PC) - Berezovsky
Prokofiev (PC3) - Argerich (DG)
Rachmaninov (PC2) - Ashkenazy
Rachmaninov (PC3) - Argerich (Philips)
Ravel (PC Left-hand) - Fowke
Ravel (PC G) - Michelangeli
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
listen to the Horowitz recording (the Francois is good too, and Demidenko's is just a little brutal)
I've listened to both of his recordings, and like both of them. But not as much as Argerich's.
Quote from: Norbeone on April 19, 2008, 02:04:44 PM
I've listened to both of his recordings, and like both of them. But not as much as Argerich's.
Janis.
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
If you have some time Don, listen to this performance which is my favourite. I'd be interested to know if you like it at all.
http://www.mediafire.com/?5mwd1m9ottu
Cool. I'll check it out and get back to you, Sid (it is Sid, right?).
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 02:49:04 AM
Natan Brand
http://www.amazon.com/Natan-Brand-Concert-1982-1990-Legacy/dp/B0007X9TUC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208602101&sr=1-2
Gekic's Tokyo recital
Well, sir, having fallen quite in love with Gekic's Tokyo recital after your recommendation, I think I will have to try out Natan Brand...
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
Barere - Liszt sonata, Islamey
Do any of the listed Barere recordings come highly recommended? I have never heard this pianist.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=islamey+barere&x=10&y=25
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
Pogorelich - Rachmaninoff sonata 2, Islamey
And where are these two performances available? From time to time through rmcr?
Richter playing a Chopin etude here :o: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3azkJP_vkN8
Volodos: Rach 3 with BPO/Levine
Gilels: "Emperor" Adagio with Karl Bohm/CzechPO. Gorgeous!
Quote from: Brian on April 21, 2008, 04:56:01 PM
Well, sir, having fallen quite in love with Gekic's Tokyo recital after your recommendation, I think I will have to try out Natan Brand...
I suspect you'll like it if you like the Gekic recital. Brand is even more colourful and audacious, though of course Gekic's superman technique is a one-off ;)
Yeah Don let me know. Rubio, the live Barere/Carnegie Hall recordings are the ones to hear, especially the one with the Liszt sonata (I don't remember if the Chopin Ballade 1 and Islamey are on a separate disc). They were remastered a few years ago (I wouldn't bother with the early HMV recordings). Right now I don't have the Pogorelich Carnegie Hall bootleg with the Islamey from the early '90s but I'll track down a Pogorelich website which has recent audio clips including an Islamey from a couple of years ago.
Sofronitsky in Scriabin.
Really? Am I overlooking it, and is there really no mention of Alfred Brendel anywhere in here?
His performance of Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto with Marriner conducting is marvellous. Really playful and wild in the first movement - to me, it evokes a spirited, talented child in ballet class just going off to do his/her own thing - while the teacher (the orchestra) tries to rein the child back in, but simultaneously realizing "WOW! This kid's got talent!" Conversely, the second movement is really isolated and a little lonely, as if the child is begining to realize that learning a little discipline is necessary to truly advance and to maintain the relationship with the other students (orchestra).
Speaking of lonely, Clara Haskil performing Mozart's k330 piano sonata is terrific. On one hand, you're hearing her doing what she was put on this earth to do, but simultaneously it sounds like there's a very, very large part of her that wishes she could simply be playing in the privacy of her living room, with no audience there. Parts of this performance sound like she's very self-conscious of the audience and that it's being recorded and wants to get the hell out of there.
I completely relate. ;D
Quote from: adamdavid80 on September 18, 2008, 09:46:29 AM
Really? Am I overlooking it, and is there really no mention of Alfred Brendel anywhere in here?
I'll also mention Brendel - his Schubert D 959 has the wow factor for me.
Sticking with Schubert, I find Ranki's D 894 very exciting, but it never has been out on CD.
Quote from: Bulldog on September 18, 2008, 09:52:44 AMI'll also mention Brendel - his Schubert D 959 has the wow factor for me.
I'm not a huge Brendel fan, but I must agree here. (The 80s recording at any rate.)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 06:16:57 AM
Glenn Gould's affectionate and very romantic take on Richard Strauss's Piano Sonata in B minor op.5
That one is incredible. Never heard someone playing with so much emotion.
Quote from: Bulldog on September 18, 2008, 09:52:44 AM
I'll also mention Brendel - his Schubert D 959 has the wow factor for me.
Sticking with Schubert, I find Ranki's D 894 very exciting, but it never has been out on CD.
Do you refer to the studio or the live recording of the D959 with Brendel (on Philips)?
Quote from: Todd on September 18, 2008, 11:48:36 AM
I'm not a huge Brendel fan, but I must agree here. (The 80s recording at any rate.)
That's the one.
Quote from: rubio on April 16, 2008, 07:29:18 AM
I have the Uchida, and I'm medium satisfied with it. So I wonder if it's due to the music or the performances. How does Klara Wurtz compare to Uchida interpretation-wise?
You can do better. For me, her interpretations are a little fussy and lush (with Tate conducting).
Try a variety of interpreters. Staier is a recent discovery for me, and the aforementioned Alfred Brendel on No. 21 makes me feel like a 12 year old girl at a 1964 Beatles concert.
Quote from: James on April 16, 2008, 01:34:18 PM
Gould - Bach
Gieseking - Debussy
Aimard - Ligeti Etudes or Messiaen Vingt Regards
Pollini - Stravinsky Petrushka 3 movements for piano
You already said that. :P ;)
All right folks, heading to the shop in 30 minutes....name one performance of one piano concerto that is an absolute MUST-HAVE.
You name, I obey. go!
Quote from: James on September 24, 2008, 07:53:59 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511aj1pNcgL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)
LINK >> Bartók: Piano Concertos Nos.1-3 (http://www.amazon.com/Bart%C3%B3k-Piano-Concertos-Nos-1-3/dp/B000VA6Z3U/ref=dmusic_cd_album?ie=UTF8&qid=1222271502&sr=8-1)
This is one of the most intimidating discs for me to purchase. Bartok DESTROYS every neophytes vision of what classical music is. As it turns out, the store didn't have it in stock, so I wound up with a Horowitz's Last Concert and Couperin Pieces de Violes (go figure, they have that, but not the Bartok).
But this isn't the first time that the Anda Bartok has been recommended to me - and for good reason, from what I've heard of it. All around, incredible stuff. It will be found and it will be gotten, one day soon.
Anything else? What else merits the "Whaddya mean you don't have ____? It's the most beautiful/incredible/mind-boggling/anatomy defying performance ever!"
A few that I don't think have been mentioned:
Annie Fischer, Brahms Sonata No.3, BBC - total emotional identification with the Sturm und Drang of the young Brahms.
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Grieg Concerto, Frühbeck de Burgos, BBC - if this doesn't make you leap out of your seat to scream "Bravo!" at the end, nothing ever will.
ABM, Ravel, Gaspard de la Nuit, 1960 Prague, Music & Arts - I've had pianist friends over who wanted to listen to just the beginning of this over and over. I hate superlatives, but I have yet to hear anyone achieve such total control of sonority without the slightest hint of any technical issues as ABM does here. This is by far the best Gaspard on disc I am aware of.
Daniel Barenboim, Waldstein Sonata, EMI DVD - how the last movement organically evolves out of the second movement here has to be heard to be believed. I heard this live and was left nearly in tears at the sheer beauty of it.
Martha Argerich, Chopin Barcarolle and Ravel Jeux d'Eaux from her DG Debut CD - to me still the best of Martha ever. The Chopin has a spunk and nonchalance no one has matched yet and the Ravel sounds like pearls and beads just trickling off the keyboard. Just stunning pianism.
Ivan Moravec, Chopin Nocturnes, Nonesuch - this disc sealed my love for Moravec's playing. The touch, the atmosphere, the voicing, all pure Moravec.
Emil Gilels, Grieg Lyric Pieces, DG - leave it to Gilels, who to me is the most unpretentious and natural of all pianists, to restore dignity to these musical gems, which are so often butchered by beginners and therefore too often ignored by the pros.
Gilels/Jochum/BPO/DG, Brahms Piano Concertos - Simply a must have.
a big "wow" release here:
http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2800992
Frederic Chopin:
CD1
Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 11
Emil Gilels, piano
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Kyrill Kodrashin, conductor
Live Recording, 12/10/1962, Moscow
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 21
Sviatoslav Richter, piano
USSR State Symphony Orchestra
Evgeny Svetlanov, conductor
Live Recording, 20/12/1966
CD2
Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E flat major Op. 22
Viktoria Postnikova, conductor
USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra
Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, conductor
Live Recording: 18/04/1990
24 Preludes, Op. 28
Igor Zhukov, piano
Recording: 1983
CD3
12 Etudes, Op. 10
12 Etudes, Op. 25
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Recording: 1959, 1960 (monaural)
Quote from: adamdavid80 on September 18, 2008, 09:46:29 AM
Really? Am I overlooking it, and is there really no mention of Alfred Brendel anywhere in here?
I love Brendel.
It was hearing this recording of Schubert's D.960 and Wanderer in a record store in DC one day in the '80s that got me listening to classical music. I might not be posting here today if I hadn't heard this CD that day.
Quote from: adamdavid80 on September 23, 2008, 10:39:12 AMStaier is a recent discovery for me, and the aforementioned Alfred Brendel on No. 21 makes me feel like a 12 year old girl at a 1964 Beatles concert.
I didn't like Staier much, so I sold the CD. I'm not much of a HIPpie, I've decided (though I like Hogwood's Mozart).
I'm listening to Brendel's 21 now, on what must be the original CD release. It's on Philips, but it's got a light blue label rather than the customary red-on-white. It
is nice. I'm not sure it's my favorite. I'm not sure which
is my favorite. My "imprint" version is either the Anda or the Gulda, so I like those a lot. I probably listened to the Anda most early on. I had it on cassette.
Quote from: Jay F on October 04, 2008, 06:22:44 AM
I love Brendel.
It was hearing this recording of Schubert's D.960 and Wanderer in a record store in DC one day in the '80s that got me listening to classical music. I might not be posting here today if I hadn't heard this CD that day.
Well, that disc is certianly a great starting point, and could make the most ardent anti-classical person begin to open up to it!
Quote from: Jay F on October 04, 2008, 06:30:41 AM
I didn't like Staier much, so I sold the CD. I'm not much of a HIPpie, I've decided (though I like Hogwood's Mozart).
I'm listening to Brendel's 21 now, on what must be the original CD release. It's on Philips, but it's got a light blue label rather than the customary red-on-white. It is nice. I'm not sure it's my favorite. I'm not sure which is my favorite. My "imprint" version is either the Anda or the Gulda, so I like those a lot. I probably listened to the Anda most early on. I had it on cassette.
What I like about Staier is he brings a quality no one else does. Some of his interpretations - I'm thinking of how he approaches the 2nd movement of the 17th concerto - actually sound really foreboding and almost...fearful. But definitely not "pretty"which is how every other interpretation boils down. But, yeah, if I "could only have one" Staier wouldn't be it.
The Bredndel 467 (the 21st) that I have is from '82 with ASMF, Marriner conducting. (which is a little weird, bc it's paired with a recording of the 20th from 1974.
Quote from: adamdavid80 on October 04, 2008, 10:20:13 AMThe Brendel 467 (the 21st) that I have is from '82 with ASMF, Marriner conducting. (which is a little weird, bc it's paired with a recording of the 20th from 1974.
There's no date on mine. It's on a CD that includes #15/K.450, Philips 400-018-2. Also Marriner/ASMF
Quote from: Jay F on October 04, 2008, 12:37:03 PM
There's no date on mine. It's on a CD that includes #15/K.450, Philips 400-018-2. Also Marriner/ASMF
I had that one once! The cover is Brendel standing with a weird orange background, right? I believe that it's now OOP...a collector's item!
Quote from: adamdavid80 on October 04, 2008, 07:34:18 PM
I had that one once! The cover is Brendel standing with a weird orange background, right? I believe that it's now OOP...a collector's item!
Yes, that's the one. It was an early digital LP.
If I had to limit myself to one recording, I would pick this one:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KD7mzxtdL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (1982)
supernatural
Quote from: rappy on October 11, 2008, 02:02:39 PM
If I had to limit myself to one recording, I would pick this one:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KD7mzxtdL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (1982)
supernatural
Back in those days analog recorders gave better sound quality than digital. This performance was recorded both digitally (that was believed to be superior) and analogically (just in case). Well, later people realised that it took some time for digital to really surpass analog studio gear. This recording has been re-released analog tapes as source material few years ago. My father just bought that version. I have Gould's 1955 multichannel re-performance SACD and that is a real "wow" recording! :)
Right now I'm listening to Steven Osborne play Messiaen's Vingt Regards. I far prefer this version to that of Michel Beroff's, which was my only experience previous to this one. Right from the first movement, it's clear his approach is going to be outstanding.
Quote from: JCampbell on October 12, 2008, 07:24:09 AM
Right now I'm listening to Steven Osborne play Messiaen's Vingt Regards. I far prefer this version to that of Michel Beroff's, which was my only experience previous to this one. Right from the first movement, it's clear his approach is going to be outstanding.
Try to hear the Peter Serkin recording on RCA (I think).
Quote from: ezodisy on October 12, 2008, 03:10:55 PM
Try to hear the Peter Serkin recording on RCA (I think).
Yes, it's on RCA and it's quite marvelous. I find the recorded sound a little on the dry side, but the performance is excellent.
--Bruce
Quote from: James on October 13, 2008, 07:52:52 AM
Guys, for Vingt Regard don't waste your time on those...go for the the gold, AIMARD! Messiaen himself and even Ligeti were blown away by it, if that's not a ringing endorsement I don't know what is!
I've only heard some samples of it on Amazon. I picked up Osborne's for a budget price on Hyperion. The recording sound is amazing. Osborne's touch is incredible sensitive, especially in the quiet chordal passages. The music is taxing in one listen, though. An intensely person religious experience for Messiaen, no doubt, but at some times it seems impenetrable. I felt I was close to "getting it" in Noel, after taking a break from listening, but some of the music still eludes me. Only
some ;D
I might look into the Aimard disc. I have him playing Carter's Night Fantasies coupled with Gaspard de la Nuit. Although the sound is a bit too reverby, his performances are amazing!
Beethoven Waldstein Arthur Schnabel, a very old recording. I have two others, Gulda and Horowitz, but no match for Schnabel, this beginning of the last movement is absolutely magical.
Chopin piano concertoes with Rubinstein, wonderful ( but many other works too)
Beethovens last piano sonatas ( Opus 109 - 111) with Charles Rosen, especially 109 and 110
Liszts h moll Sonata and Schuberts B minor with Sviatoslav Richter ( from the Brilliant set).
Just now I have acquired this set:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pT044FI2L._AA240_.jpg)
Decca piano masterworks. This box is very very cheap although there may be things which are even cheaper. But you get a lot of piano recordings with famous names. In the last weeks I enjoyed it alot.
For example
Brahms 1st piano concerto with Rubinstein. I have another recording which is very brilliant, but leaves me cold but Rubinstein, Israel Philharmonics brings you to the heart of the matter.
I enjoyed also very much: Barenboim with Schuberts Improptus, Sviatoslav Richter with Haydn, Clara Haskil with Mozart, the Prokoviews 1. piano concerto, the Rachmaninov and a lot of other things. Bach with Schiff was also nice, but there is really a lot and I like to have bought this box. I spent 70 Euro for 50 CDs which is really a genuine bargain for so many nice things. I have alternative recordings for most things in this box and I doubt wether this is always the "very best thing", but I think the box is really fine and up to now I enjoy it very much and often it brings new insights.
Quote from: James on October 13, 2008, 07:52:52 AM
Messiaen himself and even Ligeti were blown away by it, if that's not a ringing endorsement I don't know what is!
As has been mentioned before, Messiaen and his wife were blown away by every recording of that piece. They would fawn over any pianist who performed it, writing very generous notes and lauding the performance to the sky. Don't be fooled. Peter Serkin all the way still.
Quote from: ezodisy on October 19, 2008, 03:30:53 AM
As has been mentioned before, Messiaen and his wife were blown away by every recording of that piece. They would fawn over any pianist who performed it, writing very generous notes and lauding the performance to the sky. Don't be fooled. Peter Serkin all the way still.
I was about to say the same thing - but even more so, Messiaen had a (not unpleasant) habit of lauding pretty much every recording that came out of his music, piano, organ, orchestral, whatever, as being wonderful and just what he wanted and so on and so on. Not that I'm dissing Aimard in the slightest - he's an awesome pianist.
The above isn't a criticism of Aimard, and was written without actually having heard the Serkin. But I was intruiged, so I just popped to Amazon and bought it (very reasonably priced too :) ). The Amazon UK review supports what's been said here by those who've heard
both Aimard and Serkin:
Quote from: some dude at Amazon5.0 out of 5 stars Still Unsurpassed!!, 30 Nov 2007
Peter Serkin's very profound and mystic account of Vingt regards still remains as a touchstone for other pianists. Nowadays Osbourne, Austbo and Aimard play the pieces beautifully but their cool and impressionistic interpretation lacks depth and spiritual element so essential to Messiaen's music. Serkin's pianism has everything, solid technics, huge bravura, subtlest touch, shimmering tonal colours, and spiritual depth. It's just amazing piano can express so much and so richly. Recorded beautifully in 1974, remastered sound has very realistic presence.
For more virtuosic interpretation, check out Beroff's very thrilling and sensitive EMI recording, also bargain price!
Quote from: James on October 19, 2008, 04:33:51 AM
It's hard to imagine it topping Aimard's recording, and I doubt very highly that it even comes close in performance & sound.
Listen, this is a gigantic piece of music, capable of receiving many different interpretations. You should not find anything here "hard to imagine". After all, you're only listening, not trying to recreate something. There are reviews of the PS recording, I think Distler reviewed it for ClassicsToday. Yes here it is:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=8281
I've heard 5 or 6 recordings of this piece and the Serkin, Kodama and first Loriod are all magnificent. I haven't heard Aimard, the piece doesn't really interest me right now. You should try some more however.
Thanks Tony - interesting review. Having read it, I want to point out to those who aren't pianists that 'Par lui tout a ete fait', the performance of which is commented on particularly in that review, is IMO one of the very hardest piano pieces ever composed (outside complexity stuff which goes many levels further than anything most people can even imagine!) in so many ways. Hats off to anyone who can play it at even half speed. I know I struggle desperately!
Quote from: James on October 19, 2008, 04:46:24 AM
Well I have heard Serkin (and many others) and still prefer Aimard by a longshot. Top recommendation easy without hesitation.
James, this:
Quote from: James on October 19, 2008, 04:33:51 AM
It's hard to imagine it topping Aimard's recording, and I doubt very highly that it even comes close in performance & sound.
makes the first quote's veracity seem highly doubtful to say the least.
Quote from: lukeottevanger on October 19, 2008, 04:41:17 AM
But I was intruiged, so I just popped to Amazon and bought it (very reasonably priced too :) ).
Nice one Luke, I'd really like to know your impressions of it once you've heard it. I was familiar with several recordings before hearing Serkin's. Even so, the latter's was an absolute revelation when I first heard it. I couldn't believe the sheer range of sound he created, and he seemed to have the closest spiritual affinity with the piece, capturing all sorts of subtle and far-reaching extremes, more so than anyone I know still. The liner notes in that RCA release are pretty cool too -- I think the writer said that if he had to introduce an alien from Mars to the sound of the piano, he would give it the Serkin recording. Accurate IMO :)
Why don't you try them back-to-back, then? It would be much fairer to Serkin, whose recording, if it has a presence in your mind, is one glazed over by age compared to the more-recntly heard Aimard.
Well, can't argue with that!
And I emphasize that I agree Aimard is a fantastic pianist, more than just a great technician. In works which require both transcendent virtuosity and a large measure of 'insight', 'spirituality' (whatever you want to call it) he's able to provide the former whilst not being deficient in the latter. The Vingt Regards would be a case in point, but his recording of the Concord Sonata is to my mind especially memorable in this respect (even though my own first choice for this piece, Lubimov - a really under-rated pianist IMO - is not an obvious Concorde-iste and probably not the first choice of many other listeners: for my ears it penetrates much further and more subtly than more celebrated recordings and has as much bite and virtuosity as any)
I agree that Lubimov is fantastic in the Concord. The last degree of mystery is perhaps missing in my opinion (maybe in the second movement I miss it most), but as you say it's wonderfully subtle and nuanced. I recently got both (!) of Hamelin's recordings - the second generally taken by Ives enthusiasts (Sinclair, Porter etc. etc.) to be the best recording the work has thus far recieved. It really is a marvel.
It would be great to hear the opinions of someone who has listened to both Aimard and Serkin's Vingt Regards closely. Aimard is the one I have too, and am a devotee. But the Serkin sounds very intriguing.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LMAIag5IPDg
There's Muraro playing Par lui tout a ete fait. Unbelievable!
He makes it look easier than it is (and the camera angles don't always catch the hardest stuff) but even so - excuse me whilst I pick my jaw up off the floor.
Quote from: James on October 19, 2008, 08:06:37 AM
I just listened to all of the clips (more than enough) and it doesn't even come remotely close to Aimard's recording! I wouldn't even consider it...
which clips? Surely you don't mean the 30 second 64kbps ones on amazon?
Quote from: James on October 19, 2008, 08:06:37 AM
I just listened to all of the clips (more than enough)
Well your "review" is immediately invalidated by this admission. Anyone who judges by clips--excluding Paulb of course--should just be ignored in this particular case. Anyway James, why are you so eager to push the Aimard recording? Are you on commission?
Quote from: James on October 19, 2008, 09:11:10 AM
No, clips of a piece im familar with are more than enough to tell me what's going on .
..and why Aimard? Because it's pretty amazing and much better than the Serkin you've suggested.
Oh Lawdy!
Pletnev's piano recording can always make me "wow", but his issue on the Great pianist of the 20th century make my jaw drop.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ngu6oXZgL._SS500_.jpg)
Quote from: lukeottevanger on October 19, 2008, 05:20:09 AM
Well, can't argue with that!
And I emphasize that I agree Aimard is a fantastic pianist, more than just a great technician. In works which require both transcendent virtuosity and a large measure of 'insight', 'spirituality' (whatever you want to call it) he's able to provide the former whilst not being deficient in the latter. The Vingt Regards would be a case in point, but his recording of the Concord Sonata is to my mind especially memorable in this respect (even though my own first choice for this piece, Lubimov - a really under-rated pianist IMO - is not an obvious Concorde-iste and probably not the first choice of many other listeners: for my ears it penetrates much further and more subtly than more celebrated recordings and has as much bite and virtuosity as any)
I have Mandel, Aimard and Lubimov in the
Concord and I'd certainly second your preference of Lubimov over Aimard. Lubimov's performance seems to me to dig so much deeper into the spirit of the work, even though Aimard is technically stunning.
My second choice Concord might surprise a few people - in fact, I've never seen it mentioned even on 'complete' lists of Concord recordings: an LP of the glamorously-named Ronald Lumsden released as student material for the (British) Open University's course on 20th music at some point in the 70s (I think) (the series of records also includes some other pretty cool recordings). It may well be that I like it so much because it was the first Concord I heard, but I don't think so. He finds the music more of a struggle than do Aimard, Hamelin et al, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing in music of such literally transcendental struggle and strife - Ives himself struggles with this music, to great effect. In any case, the concept of the 'wrong note' is subtly changed in the music of Ives, I think. ;D (I enter a ;D but I'm serious about this too!) (not that the Lumsden has any wrong notes that I've noticed, as far as I remember)
BTW, I'm gratified but not surprised that you like the Lubimov, Edward - your tastes in music and performances chime so eerily closely to mine on so many occasions!
BUMP!
What Alicia De Larrocha do we recommend? specific recordings, por favor!
Quote from: chankaiming on October 19, 2008, 09:31:44 PM
Pletnev's piano recording can always make me "wow", but his issue on the Great pianist of the 20th century make my jaw drop.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ngu6oXZgL._SS500_.jpg)
YES! THE best ever Corelli Variations ;D
This recording has no doubt been cited before in this thread, but it can more than bear being cited again:
(http://images.emusic.com/music/images/album/279/110/089/11008900/600x600.jpg)
Put simply, a Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto to treasure. Not even Argerich betters this, IMO.
FK
Quote from: Kuhlau on November 12, 2008, 12:05:06 PM
This recording has no doubt been cited before in this thread, but it can more than bear being cited again:
(http://images.emusic.com/music/images/album/279/110/089/11008900/600x600.jpg)
Put simply, a Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto to treasure. Not even Argerich betters this, IMO.
FK
Funnily enough, this is a disc I would have bought if it it had had anything else than the Tchaikovsky 1st coupled to the Medtner.
Erato, put aside whatever you think you know about the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto and buy this disc. You'll hear it anew, I promise you. ;)
FK
This has just made me go wow -- particularly the bagatelles.
Best late bagatelles I have ever heard -- Even better I think that Gould's Sony studio recording. Sound quality is good (enough)
The more I hear him, the more I think that Beethoven was actually Gould's real major strength. People tend to assume that he didn't really care for Beethoven. And it's true that he didn't like all the sonatas -- most famously the appassionata.
But he played Beethoven all his life, and IMO produced outstanding interpretations, particularly of the late pieces, like those bagatelles.
Quote from: ragman1970 on November 12, 2008, 11:32:50 AM
YES! THE best ever Corelli Variations ;D
I need to revisit that CD.
M.Pletnev's Scarlatti: 2005 review (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/02/dip-your-ears-no-26.html), 2008 review (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2008/Mar08/scarlatti_5181862.htm)
A.Lubimov's Messe Noire: Wow, wow, wow! (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/09/dip-your-ears-no-44.html) The Pianists' Pianist.
J.M.Pires with 20 fingers: "Résonance de l'Originaire" [Schubert, Four Hands] (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/03/schubert-for-two.html)
Y.Sudbin's Scriabin: Terrific. (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/11/dip-your-ears-no-85.html)
Quote from: jlaurson on March 25, 2009, 05:37:17 AM
M.Pletnev's Scarlatti: 2005 review (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/02/dip-your-ears-no-26.html), 2008 review (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2008/Mar08/scarlatti_5181862.htm)
J.M.Pires with 20 fingers: "Résonance de l'Originaire" [Schubert, Four Hands] (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/03/schubert-for-two.html)
Wow, indeed! Haven't heard the other two.
Have you heard Pires's Schubert Impromptus?
Quote from: George on March 25, 2009, 10:05:23 AM
Have you heard Pires's Schubert Impromptus?
I saw MJ Pires' Op. 142 No. 1 on TV. One can practically feel the chill of autumn from her playing and by watching her move though the landscape.
Otherwise, an excellent recent recording is "Goldberg Variations" with Pierre Hantal.
If I stop to think about "wow" recordings, I'd be sitting here for at least a few hours...
ZB
Quote from: jlaurson on March 25, 2009, 05:37:17 AM
M.Pletnev's Scarlatti: 2005 review (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/02/dip-your-ears-no-26.html), 2008 review (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2008/Mar08/scarlatti_5181862.htm)
I agree. I grew to appreciate it more as time passed (not that too much has gone by ;D). He manages to make even a sonata everyone in the world has played, -like K.9 for example- his own.
Quote
Y.Sudbin's Scriabin: Terrific. (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/11/dip-your-ears-no-85.html)
Everyone seems to be in agreement about this CD. His Scarlatti did not really impress me, but I will give this one a try, regardless.
----
Re:topic
I've probably mentioned this earlier in this thread :D, but no piano performance has "wow"ed me as much as Weissenberg's Chromatic Fantasie and Fugue. I still can't believe it is possible to play with that much ferocity and balance at the same time.
Quote from: orbital on March 25, 2009, 10:31:29 AM
I agree. I grew to appreciate it more as time passed (not that too much has gone by ;D). He manages to make even a sonata everyone in the world has played, -like K.9 for example- his own.
Everyone seems to be in agreement about this CD. His Scarlatti did not really impress me, but I will give this one a try, regardless.
Not everyone! I've heard the Pletnev Scarlatti disc a few times, trying to find the 'magic' that people talk about but it is not there for me. To my ears this is fussy, mannered playing where Pletnev pushes and pulls (distorts?) the tempi back and forth until the works lose any real sense of either flow or the frisson that can be so exceptional in Scarlatti's keyboard works. I've got a lot of other Scarlatti that I prefer well before this - Babayan, Sudbin, ABM, Gilels, Perahia, Horowitz, Shehori, Meyer, Tomsic, Zacharias, etc. They all come well before Pletnev in my ratings.
Quote from: Holden on March 25, 2009, 12:14:46 PM
Not everyone! I've heard the Pletnev Scarlatti disc a few times, trying to find the 'magic' that people talk about but it is not there for me.
Magic IMO at the end of Disc 1. There are three consecutive sonatas (K404 , K213 K214 ) which are to my ears beautifully played and, I think, they fit together really well. You can imagine that they are each movements of a single piece.
Quote from: Holden on March 25, 2009, 12:14:46 PM
I've got a lot of other Scarlatti that I prefer well before this - . . . Gilels, . . .
I can't stand that one!
I think may favourite Scarlatti recording is by Egorov -- on a disc with some supurb Haydn and Beethoven. That would be my candidate for a CD which makes me go WOW!
Quote from: Holden on March 25, 2009, 12:14:46 PM
Not everyone! I've heard the Pletnev Scarlatti disc a few times, trying to find the 'magic' that people talk about but it is not there for me. To my ears this is fussy, mannered playing where Pletnev pushes and pulls (distorts?) the tempi back and forth until the works lose any real sense of either flow or the frisson that can be so exceptional in Scarlatti's keyboard works. I've got a lot of other Scarlatti that I prefer well before this - Babayan, Sudbin, ABM, Gilels, Perahia, Horowitz, Shehori, Meyer, Tomsic, Zacharias, etc. They all come well before Pletnev in my ratings.
Although I still haven't heard Babayan's Scarlatti disc :-[, glad to see you like him. I think he's quite an amazing pianist, and definitely off the radar for many people. Which reminds me, I don't think this CD of his has been mentioned, and it definitely made me go "wow." Program is Messiaen, Ligeti, Respighi and Australian composer Carl Vine, whose 1990 Piano Sonata was a real "find" in my book.
--Bruce
Quote from: Holden on March 25, 2009, 12:14:46 PM
Not everyone! I've heard the Pletnev Scarlatti disc a few times, trying to find the 'magic' that people talk about but it is not there for me. To my ears this is fussy, mannered playing where Pletnev pushes and pulls (distorts?) the tempi back and forth until the works lose any real sense of either flow or the frisson that can be so exceptional in Scarlatti's keyboard works. I've got a lot of other Scarlatti that I prefer well before this - Babayan, Sudbin, ABM, Gilels, Perahia, Horowitz, Shehori, Meyer, Tomsic, Zacharias, etc. They all come well before Pletnev in my ratings.
My "Everyone" comment was actually about Sudbin's Scriabin, which I still have not heard.
Pletnev is very good IMO, but not at the very top of the heap. For me, Horowitz is peerless in [piano] Scarlatti. My other top names would be Meyer and Haskil.
Quote from: orbital on March 25, 2009, 10:31:29 AM
Re:topic
I've probably mentioned this earlier in this thread :D, but no piano performance has "wow"ed me as much as Weissenberg's Chromatic Fantasie and Fugue. I still can't believe it is possible to play with that much ferocity and balance at the same time.
I don't remember what that recording sounds like, but that's pretty much how I feel about Weissenberg's Bach-Liszt Prelude & Fugue in Am which was in his GPOC set. Brilliant (http://operawebclub.com/papageno/style_emoticons/default/good.gif)
Quote from: adamdavid80 on November 11, 2008, 03:53:48 PM
BUMP!
What Alicia De Larrocha do we recommend? specific recordings, por favor!
I love her Granados discs (EMI and Decca); also her Schumann/Decca recordings. A fantastic Humoreske!
Quote from: Mandryka on March 25, 2009, 12:44:38 PM
Magic IMO at the end of Disc 1. There are three consecutive sonatas (K404 , K213 K214 ) which are to my ears beautifully played and, I think, they fit together really well. You can imagine that they are each movements of a single piece.
I can't stand that one!
I think may favourite Scarlatti recording is by Egorov -- on a disc with some supurb Haydn and Beethoven. That would be my candidate for a CD which makes me go WOW!
Yes, I have that and while the Scarlatti is very good, the Haydn is exceptional
These two recordings of Grieg's piano concerto made me go, "Wow!":
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31A38284ZFL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Schumann-Grieg-Piano-Concertos-Andsnes/dp/B0000BWTK3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238029911&sr=1-4) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21KPF2P49CL._SL500_AA130_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Grieg-Chopin-Piano-Concertos-Frederic/dp/B00005ONP1/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238029795&sr=1-2)
Quote from: bhodges on March 25, 2009, 12:50:45 PM
Although I still haven't heard Babayan's Scarlatti disc :-[, ...
Oh, Bruce. Do listen to Babayan play Scarlatti. One slight warning, though, about the way this CD is arranged: his very first cut is one that is anything BUT virtuosic in the "wowie zowie" sense. "Just very competent," you may be tempted to opine. "Maybe very, very competent." Ah, but keep listening. By the end of selection 3 or 4, you will be a believer. Seriously.
Enjoy,
Dirk
(http://www.arbiterrecords.com/photos/sauer.jpg)
Schumann: Piano Concerto in a Minor op.54
Emil von Sauer: Piano
Willem Mengelberg, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra
This is the best Schumann concerto I've ever heard, even better than Cortot's!!!
Quote from: Holden on March 25, 2009, 04:46:35 PM
Yes, I have that and while the Scarlatti is very good, the Haydn is exceptional
And I like the slow and sad Andante Favouri.
It's just one of the Scarlatti sonatas that I thought was outstanding -- the last one of the set. Again, very sad.
Another WOW Scarlatti record is Sirota playing Scarlatti/Tausig.
Quote from: Sorin Eushayson on March 25, 2009, 05:12:41 PM
These two recordings of Grieg's piano concerto made me go, "Wow!":
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31A38284ZFL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Schumann-Grieg-Piano-Concertos-Andsnes/dp/B0000BWTK3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238029911&sr=1-4)
I need to get that one.
Quote from: ezodisy on March 25, 2009, 01:22:53 PM
I don't remember what that recording sounds like, but that's pretty much how I feel about Weissenberg's Bach-Liszt Prelude & Fugue in Am which was in his GPOC set. Brilliant.
Yes, I have that recording somehow. You might have sent it to me, as a matter of fact.
I got this off ebay a few weeks ago -- some guy in The Russian Federation has loads of them.
It's MP3 but very high quality (320kB) -- I think it sounds fine.
And you get:
Berman's Liszt Transcendental Etudes
Zhukof playing Bach Schumann and Rachmaninoff
Virsaladze playing Chopin
Ashkenazy's Russian Chopin Etudes.
bump
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 06:16:57 AM
Hélène Grimaud's total identification with Beethoven's Piano Sonata in A flat op.110
Lilya Zilberstein's ultra slow, Mahlerian reading of Schubert's Gretchen am Spinnrade (arranged by Liszt)
Glenn Gould's affectionate and very romantic take on Richard Strauss's Piano Sonata in B minor op.5
Seconded. wonderful recordings
Quote from: Norbeone on April 18, 2008, 08:55:18 AM
Gould playing his own transcription of the Prelude to Wagner's Die Meistersinger
You should try Mikhael Rudy's CD of Wagner transcriptions
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on April 16, 2008, 09:28:03 PM
Egorov's Bach Partita no. 6.
I was listening to that yesterday and it is wonderful especially in the faster music.
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on April 16, 2008, 09:28:03 PM
I
Bavouzet's solo Ravel.
Not a patch on Roger Muraro, who takes this music to new levels IMO
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on April 16, 2008, 09:28:03 PM
Any live Cziffra.
Do you have any bootlegs you can let me have?
Quote from: Holden on April 16, 2008, 07:43:01 PM
Agreed and the Fassingsschwanck that goes with it is also unjustly ignored.l The whole disc is a desert island special for me.
The best Fassingsschwanck I have heard by far is Cziffra's
Quote from: Brian on April 16, 2008, 01:32:43 PM
I have a recording which qualifies as a piano solo and concerto recording, that makes me go "Wow!" It's Marc-Andre Hamelin's unbelievable performance of Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano - 50 minutes of solid WOW!
The whole of his Wigmore Hall recital is pretty special
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
Pogorelich - Rachmaninoff sonata 2, Musical Moment 1, Islamey, some Liszt TEs
The TEs are where?
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
Pletnev - Chopin Preludes
Barere - Liszt sonata,
That's a joke, right?
Quote from: ezodisy on April 19, 2008, 04:08:32 AM
Ginzburg - Chopin Sonata 2
Thanks -- I had never heard that one until now.
Quote from: Joe_Campbell on October 12, 2008, 07:24:09 AM
Right now I'm listening to Steven Osborne play Messiaen's Vingt Regards. I far prefer this version to that of Michel Beroff's, which was my only experience previous to this one. Right from the first movement, it's clear his approach is going to be outstanding.
Agreed
Quote from: LouisLee on March 25, 2009, 08:05:16 PM
Schumann: Piano Concerto in a Minor op.54
Emil von Sauer: Piano
Willem Mengelberg, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra
This is the best Schumann concerto I've ever heard, even better than Cortot's!!!
There's a good Cortot recording from Munich with Fricsay in the 1950s
3'46 to 4'17 on this Chopin Ballade by Michelangeli... :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWkCKdDGVs&feature=player_detailpage#t=220s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWkCKdDGVs&feature=player_detailpage#t=220s)
wow indeed.
:D
Quote from: Papy Oli on August 13, 2011, 12:45:13 PM
3'46 to 4'17 on this Chopin Ballade by Michelangeli... :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWkCKdDGVs&feature=player_detailpage#t=220s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWkCKdDGVs&feature=player_detailpage#t=220s)
wow indeed.
:D
You are right. He plays on modern piano as if it was real piano.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411XUdyiwUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)