Who is the most MUSICAL pianist?

[stevie]

what a lovely question. 

the question will provide answers from some of you, but those answers will provide even more questions, and so on the cycle will continue.

ill start, and say that when i think of musicality, i think of cziffra.

proceed.

[brewtality]

I hate these topics, how is one supposed to assess musicality? it is entirely subjective. This basically provides yet another opportunity for people to list their favourite pianist since presumably they find them the most "musical". Boring.

[stevie]

I hate these topics, how is one supposed to assess musicality? it is entirely subjective. This basically provides yet another opportunity for people to list their favourite pianist since presumably they find them the most "musical". Boring.

indeed, but since mine and your posts both state these presuppositions, it may be interesting to see what people say, mildly.

[countchocula]

Among today's pianists I'll say Lang Lang.

This is sure to invite some criticism among the forum members, as it does everywhere.  But if by "most musical" you mean: having the most to say at the piano, being the most innately expressive, being the most clear communicator of his intentions, beautiful tone and elegant phrasing, drama, color, variety of touch, etc. then I'll have to go with Lang Lang.  Many of today's other young pianists sound somewhat "wooden" and one-dimensional next to him.

BTW - he's not too bad technically either!   

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

Every pianist is different. One may appeal to one, while another one may appeal to someone else. It is about individual interpretation and individual understanding. I hope this helps.

[eduard]

I think  Radu Lupu.

[rc]

Greetings.

Every pianist is different. One may appeal to one, while another one may appeal to someone else. It is about individual interpretation and individual understanding. I hope this helps.

Well of course, the first three posts deal with this. But "to each their own" doesn't make for very interesting discussion.

That latest amazingly musical piano I've heard was the Beethoven sonatas by Wilhelm Kempff. When I listen closely I can hear almost endless subtlety in the details, in this way I can listen to the same sonata a dozen times w/o getting bored of hearing it. What I think appeals to me is how the nuances seem more spontanious than planned out, makes it more alive, so far as recordings go.

Then, there seems to be some sublime moments in every pianist. Sometimes I think it's more a matter of me noticing what's already there.

Recently saw a documentary with some interviews with Lang Lang. That guy is hilarious, while still being serious about his art, I like what he does for the image of classical music.

[zheer]

Arthur Rubenstine, randomly.

[pianiststrongbad]

Rachmaninov

[shasta]

Cherkassky

[henrah]

I'd also say Rachmaninov. His romanticism, image-painting and compositional skills are just pure genius, and unrivalled except for maybe Liszt, but in my opinion Liszt's compositions don't even come close to Rachmaninov's, although he was able to compose in a major key

[zheer]

, although he was able to compose in a major key

  LOL

[elevateme]

maurizio pollini pollini all the way

[elevateme]

also richter

[maxy]

Cortot 

[musicsdarkangel]

to me,

Ashkenazy, Horowitz, Van Cliburn, Rachmaninoff, Kobrin.

[chiyo]

Among today's pianists I'll say Lang Lang.

Personally, I'd choose Yundi Li over Lang Lang any day.

[jason_wurzel]

Volodos, Richter

[countchocula]

Personally, I'd choose Yundi Li over Lang Lang any day.

I have no problem with that   
Yundi Li is also a really fine pianist, more subtle, maybe more "down to earth" than the Lang, very smooth and sensitive, but I still think LL's talent is enormous and inspiring, even if he goes too far at times.

[brokenagraffe]

arrau, lipatti, and richter.

[etudes]

cortot,cziffra,richter,rachmaninov.....most colorful musical ..horowitz

[demented cow]

I would go for Horowitz first. But it's hard to judge, seeing dozens of others have produced lots of beautiful pieces of musicality, say, W. Kempf, Arrau, zimmerman, Cherkasky, Katsaris, Grimaud, Landowska, Bolet, Lhevinne. How am I meant to rank them?
BTW, I am judging 'musicality' mainly by small details (beautiful sounds, dynamic shadings, rubatos, inner voices etc.), not so much structural grasp, which I can't judge well yet.
 

Every pianist is different. One may appeal to one, while another one may appeal to someone else. It is about individual interpretation and individual understanding. I hope this helps.

wow, most of us had been labouring under the delusion that musicality can be measured in a 100% objectively verifiable way, so thanks for enlightening us.
Seriously, though, this question is much harder to answer than the perenial questions about technique because things like speed and accuracy are easier to measure objectively. So I suggest that people should stick to more sensible questions like 'who plays the fastest Schumann Tocata'.

[pianistimo]

i vote for my teacher carl cranmer.  maybe musicality comes out better when you sit closer to the piano.  any one of the above pianists could mesmerize me - but proximity gives you a better idea of how it's actually accomplished.  when someone takes the time to actually decide 'am i going to do this or that' they are way more musical than just doing whatever because they feel like it.  i have learned that to come across in a big hall is MUCH different than a small room.  that you have to express yourself more.  i don't know if i'll ever be capable of doing this even half as well as he does - but seems that he always considers the size of the room and what he wants his audience to hear.  it's planned and yet unplanned.  you have to be almost a sort of audio/visual guy/gal for yourself.  and, to know what your piano is capable of.  seems that he does a lot more experimenting with sound and techniques than i've heard others do.

[rc]

wow, most of us had been labouring under the delusion that musicality can be measured in a 100% objectively verifiable way, so thanks for enlightening us.

It's not so bad here, and in the world of piano in general so far as I've seen... But coming from the world of rock guitarists, you'd be surprised at the delusions people can harbour.

I'm not too sure about the idea of actually ranking musicality, but it sure is valuable to be able to give some reasons why you like something. Structural grasp is a bit trickier too, right now I tend to hear the structure in terms of flow and points of climax, if a pianist can display the points of intensity without diminishing the importance the the preparation for that climax or what comes next... Tough to talk about, I've got some learning to do

i vote for my teacher carl cranmer. maybe musicality comes out better when you sit closer to the piano. any one of the above pianists could mesmerize me - but proximity gives you a better idea of how it's actually accomplished. when someone takes the time to actually decide 'am i going to do this or that' they are way more musical than just doing whatever because they feel like it. i have learned that to come across in a big hall is MUCH different than a small room. that you have to express yourself more. i don't know if i'll ever be capable of doing this even half as well as he does - but seems that he always considers the size of the room and what he wants his audience to hear. it's planned and yet unplanned. you have to be almost a sort of audio/visual guy/gal for yourself. and, to know what your piano is capable of. seems that he does a lot more experimenting with sound and techniques than i've heard others do.

I agree with thinking through interpretations, that's how to develop musicality in the first place, some people seem to approach the idea of musicality as though it's some sort of innate skill that you either have or do not. What I really appreciate from my teacher is that he's able to suggest a better way to play something and then explain why it sounds better. It's a lot easier to listen to someone when they can give reasons.

One cool piece of performance advice he gave me was the difference between how the pianist will hear the music and how the audience will hear it. The lid of a grand opens up to project the sound towards the audience, who often can hear the music better than the pianist playing it . He showed me that the music stand can act as a wall between pianist and strings... So if you've got the music memorized, get that stand outta the way so you can better hear the music, therefore better control it and give a better performance.

[brewtality]

I would go for Horowitz first. But it's hard to judge, seeing dozens of others have produced lots of beautiful pieces of musicality, say, W. Kempf, Arrau, zimmerman, Cherkasky, Katsaris, Grimaud, Landowska, Bolet, Lhevinne. How am I meant to rank them?

You'd include Grimaud is such a list?(!)

and btw my favourite pianists include: hofmann, horowitz, cziffra, fiorentino, cortot, gilels, rachmaninoff, rubinstein, friedman, lipatti, gieseking, levy, arrau, cherkassky, michelangeli.

[contrapunctus]

Gould of course. No one elso could play those fugues as well as he could. This shows great musicality.

[upamanyu_kar]

        Hi
           I think the term "Most Musical" refers to that person who has the REAL KNACK in music and who LOVES TO THINK. That's all. Though I'm just a Grade 2 student, I think no one should be compared to other people. That's why I did not mention anyone's name.

                                                                Thank you!

[avetma]

Ivo Pogorelich.

[kreso]

Ivo Pogorelich.

TOTALY!!!!!

Would also add Zimerman, Gilels, Richter, Kissin, Horowitz...

[tompilk]

what a lovely question. 

the question will provide answers from some of you, but those answers will provide even more questions, and so on the cycle will continue.

ill start, and say that when i think of musicality, i think of cziffra.

proceed.

Cziffra, Horowitz, Rachmaninov, Volodos
Tom

[jas]

Rachmaninoff, Richter, Cortot, Arrau.

[elevateme]

POLLINI!! POLLINI POLLINI POLLINI stil cant believe im the only one whos mentioned him

[danyal]

You're not! He's the best...

Listen, stevie, since when are you interested in musicality in music? I suppose all the "who has the best technique" threads have gone very very dry...

[donjuan]

Listen, stevie, since when are you interested in musicality in music? I suppose all the "who has the best technique" threads have gone very very dry...

HA! exactly!   He is just looking for another opportunity to worship Cziffra in another thread.  I tell you, the guy's obsessed!  I love Cziffra too, but only for select pieces where his distinctive gypsy tone works to his advantage.
For the most part however,
I vote for Artur Rubinstein and Horowitz.

[cziffra]

cziffra (obviously)

and player piano

[theodopolis]

A knockup between Claudio Arrau and Benno Moiseiwitsch.

Theodopolis

[nicco]

Leif Ove Andsnes and Kjell Bækkelund

[ramseytheii]

'"Musical" is derived from music, like "poetical" from poetry, or "physical" from physic(s).  When I say, "Schubert was one of the most musical among men," it is the same as if I say, "Helmholtz was one of the most physical among men."  That is musical, which sounds in rhythms and intervals.  A cupboard can be "musical," if "music-works" be enclosed in it.  In a comparative sense, "musical" may have the further significance of "euphonius." - "My verses are too musical to bear setting to music," a noted poet once remarked to me.... Lastly, one may speak quite correctly of "musical laughter," because it sounds like music.'

Busoni - Sketch of a New Esthetic of Music

Walter Ramsey

[alejo_90]

EMIL GILELS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mike_lang]

.

[steve jones]

Im no expert critic, far from it infact. But I like Argerich's Chopin. Not only is it technically great, but I feel musicality literally oozing out of it. I get the impression that with some pianists its always a toss up between virtuosity and musicality. But Argerich balances the two perfect imo, and therefore gets my vote.

[sauergrandson]

Jando, Gieseking, Baremboin, Cicolini

[rohansahai]

EMIL GILELS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i second that.
i third that.
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Indeed, he's the best !