heroic polonaise fast or slow?

[jamie_liszt]

Hey

Just wondering the majority of people on this forum how they like heroic polonaise (the main theme) fast like the young horowitz, really slow with lots of pedal. Lots of rubato ??or not much..

How do you prefer it ?

[stevie]

main theme - medium tempo, octave section - AFAP

cziffra is the model interpretation, his video of this piece is essential sheeeeeeeeeyat

[jamie_liszt]

HAHA true, i would say da ziff plays the main theme slow,

i agree on the octave section being AFAP

Horowitz plays the main theme to fast IMO.

[brewtality]

main theme - medium tempo, octave section - AFAP

cziffra is the model interpretation, his video of this piece is essential sheeeeeeeeeyat

While I agree that Cziffra is the model interpretation, imo the video isn't his best performance of this piece; it's got too much pedal, especially in the octave section (also what happens with his hair irritates me). Of course the octaves should be fast, but I don't think it works to come out of that section like a bat outta hell. I personally hardly touch the sustaining pedal during the octaves. As for the rest, I like the start slowish and not banged out, this piece is ruined by banging (see lisitsa), the tone should be full throughout. Cziffra's performance is certainly the most satisfying I've heard.

[jamie_liszt]

yeh, to much pedal in cziffras vid, and thehair LMAO

and what is with the beginning of lisitsa's polo vid, she plays it retarded, to fast and she bashes it. what...

[stevie]

yeh, to much pedal in cziffras vid, and thehair LMAO

do NOT disrespect!!!! 

[jamie_liszt]

i aint, i like it , but whenever i play the piece like him i get told off

[rohansahai]

Answer to the original question:
Whenever in doubt, play fast !

IMHO, of course !

[quantum]

Main theme: medium speed
Octaves: medium speed!!!!!!!

I think that the octave section of this wonderful piece has been too often abused as a virtuoso show off passage.  It's a dance, and the octave part is just a contrasting section.  How would you like it if you were dancing to music, and the musicians suddenly changed to an insanely fast tempo in the middle section just to make it sound virtuosic?

[franzliszt2]

I like kissin's recording. Chopin was horrified when he heard someone playing the octaves too fast. I think it sounds better being slower, but building uo slowly to a fast tempo

[pita bread]

AFAP

[smatsuura]

I like Argerich's recording best (Deutsch Gramophone). How bravely she played it! Is there anyone who likes her performance of Polonaise No.6?? That made me want to start piano lesson when I was young. Her tempo is the best ever. (for me)

[jamie_liszt]

is that the recording how she suddenly speeds up in the main part (the trills) and at the beginning she holds the loud forte chords along time, like the very first octave E's. if it is i like it.

[stevie]

I like kissin's recording. Chopin was horrified when he heard someone playing the octaves too fast. I think it sounds better being slower, but building uo slowly to a fast tempo

id like to horrify chopin   

[practicingnow]

Why does this piece always bring out the worst in pianists?
I think I've heard more awful performances of this piece than any other in the entire repertoire.
Personally I like Cliburn's noble performance - aristocratic, dignified, triumphant.

[rachellel]

I started learning this piece when I was 13 but I found the left hand octaves to much with my small hands. Maybe I will polish up what I know and re-attempt the octave section. Martha Argerich plays this piece well, Horowitz is messy sometimes with this piece IMO.

-Merry Christmas!!

[BoliverAllmon]

Why does this piece always bring out the worst in pianists?
I think I've heard more awful performances of this piece than any other in the entire repertoire.
Personally I like Cliburn's noble performance - aristocratic, dignified, triumphant.

I agree with the VC it is a wonderful rendition.

boliver

[quantum]

Why does this piece always bring out the worst in pianists?
I think I've heard more awful performances of this piece than any other in the entire repertoire.
Personally I like Cliburn's noble performance - aristocratic, dignified, triumphant.

I think it brings out the worst in pianists because many of them have this firm belief that this piece should only be played a certain way.  They are so used to hearing it that way that anything different would be sacrilegious.  It is a shame that so may great pieces of music get lost to this one-track mindendness of certain people. 

Isn't it funny that we praise diversity in interpretation for most music, yet when it comes to certain individual pieces they must be played only this way.  The fault lies with both the critics for their unrelenting stubbornness and the pianists for not exploring the music further.  Shame on all of us!!!

[alejo_90]

What about Emil Gilels? His interpretation is perfect IMO. I need an mp3 of it...

[mikey6]

I like Katchen's

[m]

How do you prefer it ?

Something like Gilels or Sofronitsky--when there is right spirit tempo does not matter.
But many folks here will disagree, it seems.

[PaulNaud]

Something like Gilels or Sofronitsky--when there is right spirit tempo does not matter.
But many folks here will disagree, it seems.

100% TRUE despite you're not answering my e-mails!!

[m]

you're not answering my e-mails!!

Yeah, I know. But you should understand, besides I am incredibly busy, I realise at this point you can figure out things yourself 

[PaulNaud]

Yeah, I know. But you should understand, besides I am incredibly busy, I realise at this point you can figure out things yourself 

This was a short answer but at least I know now that you read my e-mails. Thanks anyway. Your former posts were really helpful and I noticed that we both like the same performers. It must be something related to the sound they create. That's why when you talk about image in piano playing you reach my understanding of the problem

[theodopolis]

I have only one name to give you:


Josef Lhévinne



If you like Cziffra's octaves on the EMI DVD, you'll go mad for Lhévinne's.
He combines elegance and ferocity into the most perfect technique probably on record.

Thanks
Theodopolis

[infectedmushroom]

Edit: Oops I uploaded the wrong recording. 



Here the live recording by Kissin of Heroic Polonaise:
[link removed by admin]