Schnabel or Hewitt?

[Bulldog]

Nothing against Hewitt, but I don't consider her a special artist.  Schnabel gets my vote.

[Scarpia]

At least she can play the piano.   

[Bulldog]

At least she can play the piano.   

I had a feeling that you would be the first one to chime in with an anti-Schnabel opinion.

[Todd]

Schnabel by a country mile in this comparison.  For all the discussion about his Beethoven, or even his Schubert, it's really his Mozart that shows him at his best.

[The new erato]

Who's About Even? Never heard of him.

[Scarpia]

Schnabel by a country mile in this comparison.  For all the discussion about his Beethoven, or even his Schubert, it's really his Mozart that shows him at his best.

Mozart, yes, I imagine he could manage that.   

[PaulSC]

Voting "About Even" just because I can't muster up much enthusiasm for either of these performers. Schnabel comes out slightly ahead because he was an interesting composer.

[mc ukrneal]

Are there any recordings where you can actually hear Schnabel well? The Beethoven recordings are so scratchy and distracting, it's almost impossible to hear the pianist! Are there others that are better?

[Bulldog]

Are there any recordings where you can actually hear Schnabel well? The Beethoven recordings are so scratchy and distracting, it's almost impossible to hear the pianist! Are there others that are better?

I have the Beethoven Sonatas set on EMI GROC - sound wasn't so bad.  Also, I thought the sound was decent on his Diabelli Variations on the Philips Great Pianists series.

[Verena]

Are there any recordings where you can actually hear Schnabel well? The Beethoven recordings are so scratchy and distracting, it's almost impossible to hear the pianist! Are there others that are better?

This is indeed a problem. If only Emi - or preferably some of the great experts at remastering - would remaster Schnabel's greatest recordings. The most recent remasterings I listened to of various types of (classical) music are generally so much better than the older ones from 10 years ago or more.

[Holden]

This is indeed a problem. If only Emi - or preferably some of the great experts at remastering - would remaster Schnabel's greatest recordings. The most recent remasterings I listened to of various types of (classical) music are generally so much better than the older ones from 10 years ago or more.

It's been done already NAXOS! Complete sonatas, Mark Obert-Thorn.

[Verena]

It's been done already NAXOS! Complete sonatas, Mark Obert-Thorn.

Yeah, but those transfers are from around 2001, I believe. 10 years later would be a good time for a fresh try in light of the latest developments in remastering techniques..

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Hewitt's Bach is quite special indeed.

Schnabel's Beethoven is good but I haven't listened to it in years.

So based on that, Hewitt.

[DavidRoss]

Hewitt by 9½ furlongs.

[Bulldog]

Hewitt's Bach is quite special indeed.

Overall, I don't find her Bach special.  However, one giant exception is her Italian Concerto on DG (not Hyperion), particularly the slow middle movement where the dialogue is exquisite.

A few years ago I attended a recital of hers in Los Alamos where she played some Bach and Ravel - a very classy woman with perfect posture while playing.  The only thing that hampered my enjoyment was my bad cold and cough that forced me to leave the hall a couple of times. 

[Bulldog]

Hewitt by 9½ furlongs.

She's the Secretariat of pianists.

[DavidRoss]

She's the Secretariat of pianists.

Subtle, eh?

One of the most satisfying concert performances I've ever experienced was Ms Hewitt playing the Goldbergs in Davis a few years back.  Mesmerizing.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Overall, I don't find her Bach special.

Well, I'm aware of your opinion. I think we all are by now. And I have TRIED to find fault with her Bach playing vis a vis other pianists, especially taking into consideration your vast pool of knowledge regarding this chunk of the classical repertoire.

But I continue to value her supremacy in this repertoire, with more "Bach" per square inch than any other pianist (or harpsichordist) I've heard. I find her ability to tease out extra subtleties in the music the X factor in propelling Bach's keyboard music to a rarefied level. Other pianists (that I currently own) simply fall short in this regard.

IOW, I can't help but get excited by her Bach recordings. Something that doesn't always happen with other keyboardists.
   

However, one giant exception is her Italian Concerto on DG (not Hyperion), particularly the slow middle movement where the dialogue is exquisite.

Thank you for the mention.

A few years ago I attended a recital of hers in Los Alamos where she played some Bach and Ravel - a very classy woman with perfect posture while playing.  The only thing that hampered my enjoyment was my bad cold and cough that forced me to leave the hall a couple of times.

Sorry to hear that!

[Bulldog]

Well, I'm aware of your opinion. I think we all are by now. And I have TRIED to find fault with her Bach playing vis a vis other pianists, especially taking into consideration your vast pool of knowledge regarding this chunk of the classical repertoire.

I'm not really interested in anyone trying to find fault with Hewitt's Bach, and I've never done that when I listen to her Bach recordings.  I own every Bach disc she has made because I enjoy her playing.  It's simply that I find a few other pianists more compelling.  My basic motto is to be optimistic about each recording I acquire, even Barenboim's Bach. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I'm not really interested in anyone trying to find fault with Hewitt's Bach, and I've never done that when I listen to her Bach recordings.

Well, I meant that more tongue-in-cheek than anything. Not trying to point fingers.   

I own every Bach disc she has made because I enjoy her playing. It's simply that I find a few other pianists more compelling.

Nothing wrong with that. I just...*ahem*...happen to have an attitude 180˚ from yours.

My basic motto is to be optimistic about each recording I acquire, even Barenboim's Bach.

That's a great motto!