Cortot recording of Op.10 No.1

[nicolaievich]

Hello people...
These past few days I spent some time looking in the net for a Cortot performance of Chopin Etude Op.10 No.1 and I found this one:
https://www.geocities.com/alfredcortot/1001.mp3

I really like it musically but it's full of wrong notes. That surprised me, because I heard and read that he is one of the best Chopin performers.
What do you think? Does anyone have another recording?

[steve jones]

That is far from the best performance of 10-1 imo. He uses more dynamic than many (but probably not as much as should be used). Quite slow, and not very accurate.

I really like Argerich's recording of this etude. She really seems to nail it on every level.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

he just didn't have time to clean things up as he was a very busy man. he became director of the conservatory, blah2x, etc. but IMO, his playing (any composer) is one, if not the best, the most musical interpretations i have ever heard. have you heard his rigoletto paraphrase? look for that one.. you can really hear the duet and the meaning of the song. his schumann carnaval is one great recording, i love it. ravel jeaux deau (spelling?)... and the list goes on...

he was a very good pianist that i think he finished his studies at the conservatoire at the age of 9... although alkan was better, having finished at the age of 7... i really don't know what their system was before... haha.

[brewtality]

who cares about wrong notes when you can play so well?

[zheer]

who cares about wrong notes when you can play so well?

  He is very well known for playing wrong notes, his op.10 no.12  is actually very badly playd compared to a lot of pianists , including the unknown pianists.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

yeah! and with all the added basses! hahaha classic!

[zheer]

yeah! and with all the added basses! hahaha classic!

   Dont tell anyone but i copy the way he ads the bass notes in 10/12.

[mikey6]

The quote in the Great Pianists label is "The greatest pianist of the C20th? he played many wrong notes but as they say, his right one's were better tha anyone elses!"

[crazy for ivan moravec]

   Dont tell anyone but i copy the way he ads the bass notes in 10/12.

i copy the way he adds a bass in the em prelude!:) very nice sonority!

[nicolaievich]

What's the idea behind adding bass octaves??

[zheer]

What's the idea behind adding bass octaves??

  Drama.

[leahcim]

  Drama.

Err, ok if it'll help. "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this Son of York, But prithee, tell me sire, why didst the arrant knave add bass octaves?"

[ahinton]

Err, ok if it'll help. "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this Son of York, But prithee, tell me sire, why didst the arrant knave add bass octaves?"

Nice one! (and, by the way, I gather that "Now is the winter of our disc content" is the standard plaint of small independent classical record labels as they regretfully approach "the knell of parting day")...

Best,

Alistair

[gruffalo]

i dont usually care about wrong notes and stuff, but i didnt quite believe that was him. i have never heard recordings of him before, but considering that he has written books about technique and is supposedly has a very good technique, i was a little disappointed. either way it was still a good recording. just wasnt what i expected him to sound like.

[zheer]

Err, ok if it'll help. "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this Son of York, But prithee, tell me sire, why didst the arrant knave add bass octaves?"

   Have you been watching Robinhood movies.
Anyway not all pianist can do it, but Cortot does it very well, it just sound great when he does,nobody does it better, he is simple the best.


    And gees gruffalo , good point.

[mikey6]

Bolet does it in the 24th prelude as well. (adds 8ve to bass)
I't not uncommon - On my Hungarian Fantasy recording, the pianist does it on the first entry.

[brewtality]

Adding bass notes was a common feature of golden age pianism, I think it's best done in moderation.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

just like the melody not being together with the bass note... i just love it! such expressiveness! not all can do it the way alfred cortot does it.