Vladimir Ashkenazy

[George]

Any fans of Ashkenazy's pianism?

I am. 



Picked up this set used and in like new (except two CDs with minor scratches) condition for only $19.80. I already had over 20 sets (some incomplete at the time of the pianists death) of the sonatas, but I have read good things about this set, I am a fan of the pianist, I LOVE Beethoven and the price was right.

[Todd]

Any fans of Ashkenazy's pianism?

I like Ashkenazy in right repertoire.  There's a Decca twofer of Schumann works recorded in the 60s that is top notch.  His early Gaspard is fun to listen to for its effortless virtuosity.  His Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Scriabin are all excellent.  His Chopin is a bit hit and miss, though overall quite good.  Some of his recent Bach is pretty good, too.  I must say that I don't really care for his LvB too much though.  It doesn't seem as good a fit.  His Schubert D850 falls into this category, too. 

[springrite]

Yes, based on the repertoire. He records a far wider repertoire than he should. I can not stand his Schubert. His Beethoven is barely barable. But his Schumann and Chopin, especially the earlier recordings, are first rate.

[Mirror Image]

I enjoy his Rachmaninov and Prokofiev, but his Bartok is my favorite.

[George]

I like Ashkenazy in right repertoire.  There's a Decca twofer of Schumann works recorded in the 60s that is top notch.

I'll have to look for that one. Got a link to it? I see a box set on amazon, but can't find a 2CDs set.

EDIT, wait, is this it? http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/CD/4732802.htm

His early Gaspard is fun to listen to for its effortless virtuosity.  His Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Scriabin are all excellent.  His Chopin is a bit hit and miss, though overall quite good.  Some of his recent Bach is pretty good, too.  I must say that I don't really care for his LvB too much though.  It doesn't seem as good a fit.  His Schubert D850 falls into this category, too.

Bad news about the LvB, oh well, maybe I will like it more than you guys did. I agree about his Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. Great stuff.

[Todd]

EDIT, wait, is this it? http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/CD/4732802.htm

Yep. 

One thing about his LvB - it is well played.  And 27/1 is superb.

[George]

Yep. 

OK, thanks.

One thing about his LvB - it is well played.  And 27/1 is superb.

Yeah I listened to a handful of middle period works tonight and I see what you mean, excellent playing (and tone), but not the greatest matchup. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

He's definitely one of the great all-rounders, but agree he stakes his claim as top dog only intermittently. That said, his Scriabin sonata set and his Op.87 Preludes & Fugues by Shostakovich hit home with me in a big way. Happy to have them. 


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[mc ukrneal]

I thoroughy enjoyed the Mozart concertos set:
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[Mandryka]

It's interesting to comapre like for like with the early and later recordings.

Listen to the Chopin Op 10/3 and Op 10/5 in this early recording. Notice how in 10/3 he is very touching but he avoids all sentimentility (10/3 starts at 3,15). And how charismatic, fun, charming, colouful and witty he is in 10/5 (which starts at 9.34)

http://www.youtube.com/v/p9sUaCZoy6s


Here's the later   sweeter 10/3

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ol-B7Hlxbl0



and here's the later black keys which seems more rigid

http://www.youtube.com/v/46VkX_ISmMs

If you like the early Ashhkenazy style then I recommend this 1970 DECCA for the  excellent K448 with Malcolm Frager. Here's a link to it

http://open.spotify.com/track/73mlJozLaRrD3F76qyF6uY

Another good early record is this one of  Mozart PC 8 and 9 with Kertesz, if you like early Mozart played on modern piano. Here's the PC 8

http://open.spotify.com/track/49jettcvzKHoIXk8W6zWQ3

[val]

I liked some of the first recordings of Ashkenazy. Mozart Concertos 8 & 9 with Kertesz and in special the no. 20 with Isserstedt. And a superb version of the Sonata K 310 and the Sonata K 448 (with Frager). I also remember a very good version of Schubert's Sonata in G major. And, obviously, the extraordinary version of Scriabin's Prometeus with Maazel.

After that I became less interested, in special listening to him playing Beethoven.

[Holden]

If I had to recommend a box set of Chopin for a newbie it would be the Decca Ashkenazy. In it they would get some of the best performances of the Waltzes, Polonaises and Etudes ever recorded. Along with that they would also get excellent recordings of the Nocturnes, Ballades and Scherzos. What's left is also well played and I can't think of another pianist that I've heard who is so consistent in Chopin and is also in stereo sound. Yes, Rubinstein comes close but he shied away from the Etudes and his Polonaises and Waltzes don't come near Ashkenazy.

As for his LvB - from what I've heard of it, it is well played but I wouldn't bother to get the set.

[DieNacht]

Like the Scriabin sonatas set in particular, also Rach 3/Previn (with the monumentally slow tempo and cadenza) and Rach 3/Fistoulari, and his conducting in Sibelius "En Saga", where the CD transfer didn´t quite catch the splendid sound of the LP in the last part.

As for other repertoire I´ve heard with him, other recordings appeal more to me. But a solid pianist, in spite of his huge repertoire, with a good taste.

[Verena]

I found Ashkenazy's Well-Tempered Clavier really good in places, one of my favorite modern versions at the moment.

[Sergeant Rock]

Likes: a (for me) definitive set of Chopin Waltzes. Bach Partitas. Rach PC3 (it's a toss up between Previn and Fistoulari, the opening pace, broad and melacholic, exactly the same from both conductors). Scriabin Prometheus and Piano Concerto with Maazel. Rautavaara PC3.

Dislikes: his Beethoven PC cycle with Cleveland, one of the major disappointments in my collection. Lumpy, lethargic readings. Maybe not as bad as I remember them but so bad that I only played them once and then consigned them to a deep ring of hell. I suppose someday I should give them a reprieve, give them another chance.

I saw him play the Schumann concerto in 1972. Impressive performance (with Colin Davis and the LSO). I should investigate his Schumann. There's none in my collection.

As much as I like him as a pianist, I actually prefer him in the role of conductor. He's given us a great Sibelius cycle played in an ultra romantic style, Rachmaninoff symphonies, the Strauss tone poems with Cleveland, my favorite Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (with Boris Belkin) and with the Philharmonia one of my favorite Beethoven Sevenths.


Sarge

[Mandryka]

One thing about his LvB - it is well played.  And 27/1 is superb.

Yes I played it today and thought that it was very good. Spontaneous, fiery.  I'll try his Waldstein later on.

the no. 20 with Isserstedt.

I couldn't find it on spotify or youtube but I'm  tempted to order it. I did find a PC 6 with Schmidt-Isserstedt on spotfy and I thought it was really fun.

Likes: a (for me) definitive set of Chopin Waltzes. . . .
He's given us a great Sibelius cycle played in an ultra romantic style,

I used to have some of that Sibelius on LP and I remember arguing with people about how good it was (most of my friends at the time thought it was too lush>) I'll listen to the Chopin waltzes tonight.

[kishnevi]

What I like--well, come to think of it, I have loads more of him as conductor than pianist.  With the baton,  I particularly like his Rachmaninov.
As pianist--Chopin, I have his Polonaises--fine, but I prefer Rubinstein. Bach I have his WTC, which I don't really care for, and his Partitas, which I like but have to be in a certain mood to actually enjoy.  Rachmaninov as pianist in solo works and concertos--like a good deal.  Beethoven--have a 2 CD set of the "famous" sonatas.  They're decent, but it's been a good long while since I felt impelled to relisten to them.  Have that set of the Beethoven Concertos with Cleveland which he both solos and conducts--Sarge is right about the lethargy and lumpiness, which is why I haven't listened to it for a long time either.  This set was actually one of my first CD purchases back in the 80s.  But I do love the Choral Fantasy that's included, which has most of the zip missing from the concertos.
The Shostakovich is on my wishlist at the moment.  Maybe I'll move it into the shopping cart. ")

[Sergeant Rock]

But I do love the Choral Fantasy that's included, which has most of the zip missing from the concertos.

I love that work. I'll have dig it out and take a listen.

Sarge

[George]

Likes: .... Rach PC3 (it's a toss up between Previn and Fistoulari, the opening pace, broad and melacholic, exactly the same from both conductors).

I recall much preferring the Fistouari, but I forget why.

[Mirror Image]

Everybody should hear his Bartok recordings with Solti at the helm. Awesome!