The greatest living pianist.

[arensky]

walter Hautzig

Dude it gets a lot better than this guy, I think he's a hack. And arrogant. But I will put him on the list...

[arensky]

Ronald Turini

Horowitz' favorite student and a brilliant pianist; Horowitz said of him "he deserves a better place than he has. But he is very shy and not a pusher..."

On the ballot he goes

[arensky]

Dude it gets a lot better than this guy, I think he's a hack. And arrogant. But I will put him on the list...

Sorry I had an unpleasent run in with this cat years ago when I was your age, I think (oh jeez I sound like my father...AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! ..... )

I think he has a remarkable memory and a comprehensive knowledge, but I found his playing to be ugly and coarse, and technically sloppy. Not to mention his snide criticisms of Cortot, Horowitz and other really great pianists.

I did not like him, as a player or a person, and I think he felt the same way about me. Different strokes for different folks, or whatever...not attacking you, Bolivar...

[stevie]

Marc-Andre Hamelin

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I'd vote for Zimerman. I'm surprised Pierre-Laurent Aimard is not on the list; Louis Lortie is pretty good also.

[arensky]

I'd vote for Zimerman. I'm surprised Pierre-Laurent Aimard is not on the list; Louis Lortie is pretty good also.

They are now 

[BoliverAllmon]

Sorry I had an unpleasent run in with this cat years ago when I was your age, I think (oh jeez I sound like my father...AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! ..... )

I think he has a remarkable memory and a comprehensive knowledge, but I found his playing to be ugly and coarse, and technically sloppy. Not to mention his snide criticisms of Cortot, Horowitz and other really great pianists.

I did not like him, as a player or a person, and I think he felt the same way about me. Different strokes for different folks, or whatever...not attacking you, Bolivar...

didn't take it as an attack. If you think his recordings are terrible (I have only heard him live) that is a good thing for you and me my friend. Gives us hope that we can become pros as well. LOL

[viking]

ANTON KUERTI!!!
SAM

[superstition2]

I doubt that. I have the complete piano works of chopin played by ashkenazy...he sucks a bit IMO...I don't like him at all.

I have a disc of him playing Beethoven sonatas and it's not good. Rubinstein playing the same sonatas is much better.

Some Ashkenazy recordings are stellar, like that Rachmaninov sonata, the Scriabin concerto (Prometheus is good, too), and the Prokofiev Concerto #2. Others aren't too impressive. His Scriabin sonatas are a mixed bag. The best performances are #1, and #8. #7 and #10 are disappointing. My choice for #3, #4, #5, and #10 is Robert Taub, ignoring Horowitz's live stuff.

[arensky]

Anton Kuerti,


he is there....

[arensky]

Poll closing soon....

[arensky]

And the winners of  The arensky Piano Forum Greatest Living Pianist Piano Competition are.....



1st Place...Martha Argerich, Argentina/Switzerland    

2nd Place...Marc-Andre Hamelin, Canada/Quebec and Vladimir Ashkenazy, Russia/UK

3rd Place...Murray Perahia, USA and Alfred Brendel, Austria (?)

[arensky]

OK, post-game analysis? Why did you vote for who you voted for? Specific performances or recordings? PS I may reopen the poll at some point., removing those individuals who recieved 0 votes...

Happy, pianistimo? You know, I knew in my heart she would win!  The only pianist I thought could beat her was Pollini      , the archvillan and Darth Vader of modern classical piano IMO; he is relegated to semi-finalist    (PS Honorable Mention is 1 vote, semi-finalist 2 to 3 votes, finalist 4 votes. Everyone else catch your plane after the free cheese and booze! 

[arensky]

Ah, poor Helene..je vais a la plage en Costa Rique? There I will comfort you in your sorrow...

Your day will come, mon cherie.  You have the precision, the intellect, DA FURY!!!!!!
I will teach you the sensitivity...how can you resist??? Au fond, c'est moi.....

[arensky]

didn't take it as an attack. If you think his recordings are terrible (I have only heard him live) that is a good thing for you and me my friend. Gives us hope that we can become pros as well. LOL

Actually they have always been exactly that sort of schadenfreude (sp?) inspiration

[stevie]

[chromatickler]

 

[m]

And the winners of  The arensky Piano Forum Greatest Living Pianist Piano Competition are.....



1st Place...Martha Argerich, Argentina/Switzerland

2nd Place...Marc-Andre Hamelin, Canada/Quebec and Vladimir Ashkenazy, Russia/UK

3rd Place...Murray Perahia, USA and Alfred Brendel, Austria

Surprisingly, the one whom I regard as the one who combined in one person the best qualities of all of those all together, and went at least a few steps forward, did not get even an honorable mention:

[arensky]

It's too late for that; the people have spoken!

Aw, big ego take a widdle hit, gonna ruin it for everybody? For you, da salt mines! 

[arensky]

[arensky]

His day will come, I think...Hell he is the only finalist ! Not too shabby....

[arensky]

yo

[arensky]

Surprisingly, the one whom I regard as the one who combined in one person the best qualities of all of those all together, and went at least a few steps forward, did not get even an honorable mention:

He looks familiar, but I cannot place the name with the dude; who is he?

Maybe that's what's wrong with this system; surely there must be a better way...when I've figured it out I will let all of you know....

[m]

He looks familiar, but I cannot place the name with the dude; who is he?

Grigory Sokolov

[stevie]

Grigory Sokolov

we still await the random kinky return

[mr david]

Surprisingly, the one whom I regard as the one who combined in one person the best qualities of all of those all together, and went at least a few steps forward, did not get even an honorable mention:

He got an honourable mention from me, and that's all that matters.

[tompilk]

H A M E L I N ! ! ! 

[arensky]

Grigory Sokolov

He is semi finalist! 

[hinski]

Although I have great admiration for Lupu, Perahia, Jean-Phillippe Collard, Ashkenazy, Howard Shelley and heard some of them live, my vote goes to Ronald Turini because he gave the most memorable live performances while I was there.

[kreso]

Apsolutly, IVO POGORELICH. I heard him two years ago, and I must say that the way he played the holle programe (especialy Beethoven's Sonata op.111) is so unique, that there is nobody who can play like him. He is a pianist who can play with each finger a milion colours, and who can give a total diffrent meaning even to the most popular pieces..
As one critic said: Love him or hate him, Pogorelich guarantee a reaction...

[piazzo23]

And the winners of  The arensky Piano Forum Greatest Living Pianist Piano Competition are.....

1st Place...Martha Argerich, Argentina/Switzerland    

Switzerland? Her house is in Brussels.

[arensky]

Switzerland? Her house is in Brussels.

The last information I had placed her in Geneva for many years...you are probably right.

[deja vu]

Matha Argerich gets my vote... Or at least, she would, if I wasn't too late for the polls!

[Teddybear]

YAY, Martha!  <3  <3  <3   

I find it very strange that absolutely no-one voted for Gavrilov. :/ Oh well, the competition was tough..

T

[arensky]

YAY, Martha!  <3  <3  <3   

I find it very strange that absolutely no-one voted for Gavrilov. :/ Oh well, the competition was tough..

T

I find that strange too...then again I voted for Martha, so why should I find it strange...

[sevencircles]

Best pianist right now or best when they were in their prime?

An important question to answer before you vote.

If your answer would be different depending onthe question, mention the one you didn´t vote for.

[pianalex]

richard goode?
stephen kovacevich?

[polonaise]

I am new here... and I'm sorry for my english... (I know it's bad...) I want to say something... "There are many great pianists but only one Zimerman" - I think he is the greatest...

[jre58591]

marc-andré hamelin. dont even try to dispute it.

[apion]

Zimerman (standard rep)
Hamelin (non-standard rep)

[klick]

Most of Hamelin to me is astounding, I do not see why so many people are so over critical of him. So my votes for him like it or not.

[repeat]

I am surprised that no one mentions Leif Ove Andsnes. Most critics rates him among a very select group of top pianists of today. Some even place him at the very top.

[counterpoint]

Argerich - of course

and then Anton Batagov for the best interpretation of Messiaens Vingt Regards ever!!!

[brewtality]

I am surprised that no one mentions Leif Ove Andsnes. Most critics rates him among a very select group of top pianists of today. Some even place him at the very top.

He is very good. But in general I would take the word of critics with a grain of salt, they usually have a hidden agenda (like in gramaphone etc). I can't think of any living pianist who I find entirely satisfying, some used to be very good like Ashkenazy and Janis but no more. Some are great technicians but second-rate musicians. Still others are just plain second-rate imo.

[pianohenry]

I really think that ashkenazy OWNS langlang. im really not a great fan of langlang.

[arbisley]

had no one noticed, the pool is finished and there is a gap of a year between two of the messages?

Anyone interested in Arkady Volodos?

[leuthold]

Idil Biret(Turkey) had to be in the list... maybe she isnt the greatest but deserves to be there ..... Maurizio Pollini  (my choice)

[arensky]

I may reopen the poll at some point., removing those individuals who recieved 0 votes...

Who would like this poll reopened? Post yay if so. If there is an adequate positive response it will be so, perhaps with some other modifications in addition to the one quoted above.

[etudes]

agree with sokolov
his live concert was amazing
one of the best concert i have heard

[eduard]

KRISTIAN ZIMERMAN
IVAN MORAVEC
MARTHA ARGERICH