Recordings That You Are Considering

[Madiel]

Either or

[amw]

I have both, but the first one was a) the set of these works I originally acquired and b) the one I still prefer.

[Madiel]

Now I'm "having" to look at Lin as well, because there are some strongly favourable reviews around.



One can only spend so much time sampling a work of around 150 minutes...

[amw]

I'd just pick one prelude or fugue to sample, but, yeah. (probably the G# minor fugue because it's one of the most technically difficult to play)

[Madiel]

(probably the G# minor fugue because it's one of the most technically difficult to play)

I wish someone had warned me and my piano teacher about that before I tried to learn it...

Though the D flat is worse!

[amw]

That's true! Although shorter, and (arguably) requires less emotional depth from the pianist.

[Madiel]

Yes, so the D flat for sheer thrills and the G sharp minor for depth...

I'm currently getting an overview using iTunes and "preview all", so getting 90 seconds snippets of everything, except the shortest movements only get 30. We'll see how they each go with that.

I've already one interesting thing with Ashkenazy, because the F sharp minor fugue is way faster than I'm used to. But then, the tempo marking is Moderato. On reflection, I don't think Nikolayeva on Hyperion is much of a moderato.

EDIT SOME TIME LATER: Guess where are the only spots where Lin really falls down? The G sharp minor fugue and the D flat major fugue... I could practically hear her being really, really careful.

SECOND EDIT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS: I think Melnikov might be the winner.

[amw]

That's fair. I like the Ashkenazy in part because the playing is more monochromatic, and you seem to like the Melnikov in part because the playing is more colouristic. So that's pretty understandable.

[Madiel]

That's pretty much it.

Mind you I think all 3 of these are pretty good. And indeed, the impression I've got from reviews is that quite a lot of the recordings of the 24 P&F are decent, which is quite something for such an undertaking. Perhaps pianists feel they shouldn't tackle this massive work without a lot of preparation.

[Brian]

That's fair. I like the Ashkenazy in part because the playing is more monochromatic, and you seem to like the Melnikov in part because the playing is more colouristic. So that's pretty understandable.

This is exactly my own thought process (though I keep Scherbakov around too).

I agree, Madiel, that nobody records this work without really caring about it. A bit like Musica callada? Before I ran out of time and had to give up writing for MusicWeb, they sent me a set by Craig Sheppard. Shamefully I never turned in a write-up, but he was perfectly fine and earnest too (probably not on the same level as these names, but it's a B student vs. A).

[Madiel]

So that's only 10 CDs worth of Shostakovich I'm considering buying now...

[aukhawk]

[Madiel]

Drop the credit card and back away slowly.

[The new erato]

Drop the credit card and back away slowly.

[JBS]

So that's only 10 CDs worth of Shostakovich I'm considering buying now...

My first version of  Op 87 was Scherbakov. I have accumulated Melnikov, Lin, Ashkenazy and Jarrett since then. None of them are bad...but Scherbakov seems to be the one I prefer.

[Mandryka]

https://www.supraphonline.cz/umelec/214625-heiner-spicker

There's quite a few of Heiner Spicker recordings on Supraphon's website for download, with high quality downloads, I've just bought the Cirpriano de Rore, which previously I'd only known through spotify. What I'm not sure about is whether the Kolner Violente-Consort there is the same who recorded Purcell and Bach, for example, here

[prémont]

There's quite a few of Heiner Spicker recordings on Supraphon's website for download, with high quality downloads, I've just bought the Cirpriano de Rore, which previously I'd only known through spotify. What I'm not sure about is whether the Kolner Violente-Consort there is the same who recorded Purcell and Bach, for example, here

The lineup may differ a bit, but I suppose Heiner Spicker guarantees for the quality.

Interesting home page btw.

[Mandryka]

It's very good. Fluid, colourful, warm, lyrical and full of old man's wisdom. . Asperen here reminds me of Leonhardt in the final recordings, the Forqueray especially, because there's a sense of self abandon.

Having said that there's a caveat. Absolutely everything I'm hearing today I'm enjoying. So maybe it's me!

[prémont]

Having said that there's a caveat. Absolutely everything I'm hearing today I'm enjoying. So maybe it's me!

So listen to a bit more Eisenberg to night.

[Que]

It's very good. Fluid, colourful, warm, lyrical and full of old man's wisdom. . Asperen here reminds me of Leonhardt in the final recordings, the Forqueray especially, because there's a sense of self abandon.

Having said that there's a caveat. Absolutely everything I'm hearing today I'm enjoying. So maybe it's me!

Bob van Asperen is at the height of his artistic powers - a very apt comparison with Leonhardt.
Fortunately Van Asperen is a little bit younger and hopefully in good health.

I'm buying everything.... 

Q