best recording of the mephisto waltz?

[stevie]

the famous no1

https://sinadin.tripod.com/mephisto.WAV

this is my favourite recording, what is yours?

[bwv772]

Probably nobody has heard of him, but the French pianist Stephane Blet has recorded a real fierce,  savage one. 

[pita bread]

Kapell, Wild, Richter

[donjuan]

my vote goes to Horowitz because he combines elements from the original as well as Busonis.  His original ending is probably the best I have ever heard.

In terms of recordings that stick to the sheetmusic, I would then go for Cziffra or Hough.
donjuan

[pies]

­

[tater_tot]

Richter is the Mephisto Waltz. However, since his recording is unavailable, I think Ashkenazy's is the best on the market.

[fred smalls]

     Yeah, I love Horowitz's version as well.  But after you listen to it, you're like: "Argh, its not the real version and I can't get the sheet music anywhere!" and you're also like: "Omg, he's so good I want to cry because I'm his inferior" and your're like: "Damn, now every time I listen to the normal version it will sound lame, because Horowitz's is so much more intense"

I also have Ogdon's recording, but I wouldn't recommend it.  (Of course this is probably because it sounds lame compared to Horowitz. 

[pies]

­

[Siberian Husky]

steinwayguy's recording in the audition room, duh


ask mozartian she loved it

LOL

[musicsdarkangel]

for me.............


1.  Vladimir Ashkenazy (by far)
2.  William Kapell
3.  Earl Wild

[dlu]

I really like Economou.

DLu

[Mozartian]

steinwayguy's recording in the audition room, duh


ask mozartian she loved it

LOL

Oh SNAP.

Mine is Kapell's, no contest. Amazing drive and control throughout. I love his conception of the piece. I've yet to hear anything anywhere near its equal.

[chromatickler]

in terms of ferocity + velocity, the best ive heard is a live competition (video) recording of wu chun.

for sheer technical execution, it would have to be the round1 performance by the winner of the recent liszt competition, sun yingdi

[etudes]

dont forget to add dennis matsuev

[Aziel]

Richter.

[pita bread]

in terms of ferocity + velocity, the best ive heard is a live competition (video) recording of wu chun.

Was that the guy who's glasses fell off in the middle of the performance? Because that performance was friggen messy.

[chromatickler]

Was that the guy who's glasses fell off in the middle of the performance? Because that performance was friggen messy.

yep that is the one. let's see how other virtuosi fair sustaining consistent speeds of 10-11 octaves per second with impaired vision on the part of the piece where long distance aim is most essential. the way he seemed to use this 'accident' to his advantage (in a live competition performance) is precisely what's so impressive.

[dlu]

the famous no1

https://sinadin.tripod.com/mephisto.WAV

this is my favourite recording, what is yours?

Who's recording is this?

D.

[thierry13]

Richter.

I hate mostly everything by Richter.

[steinwaym]

I hate mostly everything by Richter.

As we all know, you are a miserable failure, for the above reason.

[musicsdarkangel]

As we all know, you are a miserable failure, for the above reason.

don't be an idiot.

Respect opinions.


Let me guess, you are SteinwayGuy??

That would explain.

[steinwaym]

don't be an idiot.

Respect opinions.


Let me guess, you are SteinwayGuy??

That would explain.

Uh, ok. Let's run over the facts here. He said he hated mostly everything by Richter. It is generally accepted that Richter is atleast amongst the, if not the greatest, pianist(s) of the 20th century. Assuming that, as it should be assumed, the quality of Richter's output is consistently "OMG". And, if you don't like "OMG", as it seems Thierry does not, you are an failure, like Thierry.

Also, I think it clearly states in my profile and everywhere else that my username is "steinwaymofo", not "steinwayguy". All I know about this steinwayguy is has pretty good recordings in the audition room. I haven't seen any posts by him because I've only been around a week.

What's with the accusation bullshit?

[Waldszenen]

Kapell and Horowitz

[stevie]

Who's recording is this?

D.

its a sample of a richter live recording, its a shame i dont have the full thing.

the virtuosity in this clip is STUNNING though

[musicsdarkangel]

Uh, ok. Let's run over the facts here. He said he hated mostly everything by Richter. It is generally accepted that Richter is atleast amongst the, if not the greatest, pianist(s) of the 20th century. Assuming that, as it should be assumed, the quality of Richter's output is consistently "OMG". And, if you don't like "OMG", as it seems Thierry does not, you are an failure, like Thierry.

Also, I think it clearly states in my profile and everywhere else that my username is "steinwaymofo", not "steinwayguy". All I know about this steinwayguy is has pretty good recordings in the audition room. I haven't seen any posts by him because I've only been around a week.

What's with the accusation bullshit?

Because you act like him.

You don't accept that other's have opinions (i know you are a teenager just by your post).

I bet that there's a famous pianist that you think is overrated or don't like.

Name him.

You ENTITLED to that OPINION.

I won't bash you for it, even if I disagree.

And if you agree with every reputation of every pianist, than I am sorry for your lack of taste.

[nanabush]

I have the best Mephisto Waltz recording, even though I can't play it... wait and see 

[arensky]

I am retooling this piece for my next solo concert, and listened to all my recordings of it and a few others from friends collections and libraries as well; 5 stand out above the others, in this order(for today, at least)

1. William Kapell. Fast as hell with a big round tone driving rythym and a psychotic edge, he avoids vulgarity yet makes the contrast of the village musicians (A) Mephisto's Violin (B) and the orgy (C) particularly vivid; nothing in this performance sounds contrived, as this piece often does because the performers treat it merely as a showpiece. Kapell treats it like music, and makes it all the more a showpiece.

2. Vladimir Horowitz. I was very fortunate to have been in Avery Fisher Hall that afternoon when this legendary performance was captured for posterity. As staggering as hearing the recording is, multiply that by 20, and you may imagine the effect of experiencing this live. When he fiinished everyone got up and screamed, I just sat there, dumbfounded. I have to give the edge to Kapell, who also holds my Rach 3 gold medal, on the basis of his clarity and musicianship. As amazing as Horowitz is, it's the last gasp of the old Horowitz showing off his chops while he still has them, and the piece comes across as a display vehicle. Which it is, but it's also a very sophisticated and well crafted piece of art music. To just show off, play the Scherzo and March (Liszt at his worst, but Horowitz at his best!)

3. Artur Rubinstein. Kind of placid, but what a beautiful tone, and perfect pacing (Horowitz is not well paced, but who cares?) and he has the best rythmic groove of the three.

Runners up: Vladimir Ashkenazy 1963, and Leif Ove Andsnes, the greatest pianst under age 40.

[jalgor]

Richter.

[pita bread]

I like Kapell's recording, especially his tempi , but his presto is not brutal enough. I suppose those of you who would rather "avoid vulgarity" think it's perfect though.

Andsnes however, has one of the worst Mephisto Waltezs. It's simply boring.

[prokomozart man]

really? You think Andsnes is boring? I own  his Liszt:Piano Recital CD released by EMI, and I thought it was pretty good.

[arensky]

I think Leif is more intersted in Mephisto Waltzes #2 and #4 on this record. He probably views #1 as the annoying warhorse he has to play so that people will buy the record and hear the other Mephisto Waltzes. His #1 is a little pro forma but I don't think it's boring...next to Kapell and Horowitz, all the records are boring, let's face it! 

Where has this Richter recording been rereleased?  I've somehow missed this in my extensive Piano listening experiences; It 's much talked about,by youse guys, I would like to hear it......