Can anyone tell me more about these pianists?

[Jemmers]

Has anyone heard these pianists live? Idil Biret, Ronald Smith, Gyorgy Sandor, Paul Badura-Skoda.

Here in singapore we don't often get many pianists of any great fame or stature arriving, but I just read a little about these people and they seem to have some degree of pedigree. For example Gyorgy Sandor being a student of Bartok. Anyway, they're coming in July, and I really want to know whether to get front-row seats or cheap back-row tickets.

[cziffra]

everything i've heard of birets was terrible

[eddie92099]

Ronald Smith is a "local lad" to me - and interestingly taught Freddy Kempf. He began the Alkan revival in the UK (after Lewenthal had done so abroad), but is generally not considered to be anywhere near as good as Lewenthal or Hamelin in this repertoire. Sandor is extremely good, but I have only heard Biret on CD,
Ed

[Jemmers]

Ahhh DARN! I was thinking of watching Biret... cos of his more Romantic repertoire. But now, someone says Biret's not too good, and Sandor is awesome. I think I'm going to flip a coin or something.

[eddie92099]

Firstly, Idil Biret is a woman. Secondly, I have been impressed with her recordings and her repertoire is incredibly expansive so in theory she must be doing something right,
Ed

[bernhard]

Gyorgy Sandor is awesome. But he must be in his nineties now! I am amazed he is still concertizing.

Paul Badura-Skoda is a must see. He is an expert in historically authentic performances (he has written books on both Bach's and Mozart's performance), and most likely he will be playing a fortepiano (he collects them) not necessarily tuned to equal temperament (it will depend on his program). A few years back he got badly bruised, by authenticating a number of "lost" Haydn sonatas, which turned out to be a hoax.

I second Ed on Idil Biret, although I have never seen her live (or Ronald Smith).