( Arrau refused to continue having piano lessons after Krause died, that means his last piano lesssons were at the age of 16!)
I have become captivated by this amazing work - to listen to, as yet not to play! So far my favourite recording is Bernard d'ascoli, even above Pollini, John Ogden and Alfred Brendel whose i have heard. His (d'ascoli) rich tone, rythmnic placement, gradation, grasp of structure and dramatic power seem sublime to me Any comments at all from performers/listeners are welcome thx
Without doubt the most incompetent recording of this is John Ogdon in 1987 in Canterbury, on a BBC classics cd. I swear that a gifted amateur could sight read it with more accuracy than that and it is so bland and dull i am amazed that it is the same pianist who......... produced one of the best recordings, done in 1968 for EMI, which is tremendous.
Without doubt the most incompetent recording of this is John Ogdon in 1987 in Canterbury, on a BBC classics cd. I swear that a gifted amateur could sight read it with more accuracy than that and it is so bland and dull i am amazed that it is the same pianist who......... produced one of the best recordings, done in 1968 for EMI, which is tremendous. I disagree with ed that the argerich is the best ever, but it is a marvellous recording. So is Simon Barere and Cziffra. i loath the ancient Richter's recording, it is a wonder the piano didn't bleed afterwards. I personally favour early horowitz, it is just so moving and beautiful, yet (in the right places) so passionate and terrifying, I love it! (dont even think about it, Konstantin). And as for the piece, it defies description...........
He was, of course, having severe mental difficulties at the time,Ed
Well, so many recordings to listen! Of course, depends what you are "looking for". For people who want to enjoy the music of this masterpiece, Krystian Zimmerman's recording is if not the best, but definately the MOST serious of all. During this 30 minutes or so, he is the only one (and I've heard hundreds) who will not "forget" what he is playing, or he will not do something "stupid", but he will be concistant about Liszt and musical thoughts.That's my modest opinion, and of course you will know by now, that I consider Argerich's, Horowitz's, Watt's (who cares about him anyway) playing at least stupid and foolish.
To be honest, I'm not familiar with Curzon's recording, but I will look it up.
Hmoll: What coda?
...and that's probably the reason why some people like it.. Feeling depressed or that life is unfair to you, for sure Horowitz is the master to make you feel better.. Thnk about it. (and leave your nasty comments to your self).