Italian Concerto recordings

[amanfang]

Who is your favorite interpreter of Bach's Italian Concerto?  I only have Gould's recording but would like to explore more.

[Kassaa]

I like my own!

http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=7014079949328884991&hl=nl

[apion]

Schiff (includes 6 French Suites)

[Kassaa]

I think Angela Hewitt does a good job on this too btw .

[brahms4me]

Kassa, that was wonderful!  Your technique is so clear and precise in the outer movements.  You looked confident and comfortable while playing.  The 2nd movt. was so beautiful and controlled.  I thoroughly enjoyed your performance.  BRAVO!

[jakev2.0]

Good job Kassaa. I like. The second movement is wonderful. Especially good for a guy with a gerund as a last name.

Best for mvts 1 & 3: Glenn Gould
Best mvt 2: Schnabel

Honorable mentions: Richter (surprisingly good Bach playing from him), Michelangeli, Fiorentino.

[Mozartian]

Fiorentino's is really good, and I quite enjoyed Alexandre Tharaud's as well. Gould's is sublime, it goes without saying.

[thaicheow]

You have to check out Alicia de Laroccha's Italian Concerto. It is simply marvellous.

I personally don't like Glenn Gould's playing on this piece. I think he himself doesn't like this piece too. That pretty much explain his messy speed.

Anyway, you may also find Rasalyn Tureck's recording. Though the one I have seem definitely not her best performance on Italian Concerto, but you may get some unique musical idea from her.

Enjoy.

[jakev2.0]

You have to check out Alicia de Laroccha's Italian Concerto. It is simply marvellous.

I personally don't like Glenn Gould's playing on this piece. I think he himself doesn't like this piece too. That pretty much explain his messy speed.

Anyway, you may also find Rasalyn Tureck's recording. Though the one I have seem definitely not her best performance on Italian Concerto, but you may get some unique musical idea from her.

Enjoy.

WRONG. Gould is perfectly controlled. Tureck can barely play the piano.

[kreso]

one of my favourite is stunning recording by Sviatoslav Richter! I also suggest Schiff and Tureck.. I've heard a month ago Italian concerto in recitaly played by Nikolai Demidenko. It was fantastic!

[elias89]

ABM's recording is really  great

[liszt1022]

I haven't heard Tureck's recording but I have her edition of the score. It's fingered really well and has great suggestions on phrasing, with no fancy dynamic indications past Bach's own (forte and piano)

[thaicheow]

WRONG. Gould is perfectly controlled. Tureck can barely play the piano.

Btw, just for your information: Tureck is one of the pianists that Gould admired himself. There are reviews suggesting that Gould's 2nd recording on Goldberg pretty much influenced by Tureck's. Anyway, why waste time on this endless debate. Everyone can have their own favourite.

I mention that in his recording, gould's Italian seems fiery fast, leaving no room for notes to express themselves.

If you look for showmanship, Gould is the answer. But Tureck and Alicia has more emotional depth and subtle. It is an insult and sickening to say that these pianists can "barely" play. They have dedicated their life for music. Next time, please think twice b4 you make a statement.

[ericsatie]

Friedrich Gulda!!! . His interpretation is even clearer than Gould's.

(but I like Gould's Italian concerto too )

[jakev2.0]

Btw, just for your information: Tureck is one of the pianists that Gould admired himself. There are reviews suggesting that Gould's 2nd recording on Goldberg pretty much influenced by Tureck's. Anyway, why waste time on this endless debate. Everyone can have their own favourite.

Yes, I recall reading that. However, in the context I believe he rejected the 'excessive rubato' of Edwin Fischer in favor of Tureck's rhythmic strength.

I mention that in his recording, gould's Italian seems fiery fast, leaving no room for notes to express themselves.

I agree that Gould's playing of the second movement leaves something to be desired in the way of expression. I don't believe that Tureck does any better a job. Larrocha plays the right hand too loud.

In the outer movements, the only pianist who even comes CLOSE to Gould's structural vision is Michelangeli, and even further away are Fiorentino and Richter. I am truly baffled why some claim to prefer tasteless rubato, obnoxious phrasing, and deadly dull rhythm (Tureck) to Gould's sleek presentation.

If you look for showmanship, Gould is the answer. But Tureck and Alicia has more emotional depth and subtle. It is an insult and sickening to say that these pianists can "barely" play. They have dedicated their life for music. Next time, please think twice b4 you make a statement.

First off, I never said tht Alicia de Larrocha could barely play. I have a lot of respect for Mrs. de Larrocha's musicianship and pianistic ability. I also believe she is a great creative interpreter of Spanish music.

It is my view that Tureck's pianistic's skills are not sufficient to play the works of Bach, or almost any other composer. Her playing is pedantic, pedestrian, and mind-numbing. What's more, from interviews I've read of her, she comes across as a conceited, arrogant, and rude individual. She is a very poor ambassador to the music of Bach.

But Tureck and Alicia has more emotional depth and subtle.

Gould was an artist of considerable depth. Gould *could* be labelled superficial judged on the slow movement of his Italian concerto alone. Then again, Tureck *could* be labelled an obnoxious, mind-numbing pedant from her entire recorded output.

Incidentally, if your benchmark for depth in the Italian concerto (slow movement especially) is Rosalyn Tureck or de Larrocha, then you are either deaf or have not heard Artur Schnabel's miraculous recording of it. 

[thalberg]

I like my own!

http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=7014079949328884991&hl=nl

Nice job on that!

[webern78]

Feltsman > All.

[anschlag]

I like Schiff, Perahia and even Angela Hewitt here - even though I have many reservations about her Bach.

My current favourite, though, is Alexandre Tharaud. He plays the Concerto on a recital disc on Harmonia Mundi devoted also to Bach's transcriptions of Concerti by Vivaldi, the Marcello Brothers (title 'Concertos Italiens').

Check out his recent Couperin disc too. Is there a better young pianist around at the moment?