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Topic: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording (Read 8881 times)

chong777

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Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

on: December 05, 2007, 05:39:56 AM

Hi all,
How do you find Pollini's Chopin's nocturnes interpretation? Or do you prefer Rubinstein, Cortot, Pires, Arrau, Ashkenasy, others recordings?

Would you rate Pollini's playing a good buy in this recording?

Thank you.

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jakev2.0

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #1 on: December 05, 2007, 06:04:00 AM

Rubnstein's are beautiful - both his early and late nocturne recordings. Cortot and Arrau are also superb.

Pollini is pretty bland and uncreative. There are much more interesting interpreters. Ashkenazy is ok. Pires is adventurous and worth listening to, but a bit over-the-top at times.

Honourable mentions:

Hofmann's numerous recordings of 9/2, 15/2, 27/2 (Marston Vol 5) from the mid-1930s all exhibit mesmerizing virtuosity and stunning individuality.

Friedman's 55/2. One of the greatest nocturne recordings ever made. Rubinstein's sounds lacking when compared side-by-side! Horowitz's late recording is comparably moving.

Moiseiwitsch: 9/2, 37/2, 62/2, 72/1 (spread over a couple decades and many releases). Huge shame that he didn't do a full set!

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arensky

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #2 on: December 05, 2007, 09:11:42 AM

Quote from: jakev2.0 on December 05, 2007, 06:04:00 AM

Rubnstein's are beautiful - both his early and late nocturne recordings.

Yes.

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pianistimo

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #3 on: December 05, 2007, 09:49:15 AM

Jaques-Yves Thibaudet? He decided in conservatory that he didn't want to study anything but Chopin - and surprisingly, his teachers let him.

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retrouvailles

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #4 on: December 05, 2007, 09:58:50 AM

As far as complete sets go: Pires, Woodward, and Rubinstein.

And btw, his name is Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

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sharon_f

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #5 on: December 05, 2007, 12:21:35 PM

Rubinstein is my favorite and I would also add Vasary. Unfortunately's Vasary's set is not complete.

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johngoh

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Posts: 25

Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #6 on: December 05, 2007, 12:45:39 PM

How about Daniel Barenboim? I Have not heard his recording of him playing Chopin Nocturnes but I think his interpretation should be quite interesting?

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ganymed

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #7 on: December 06, 2007, 05:58:31 PM

barenboims are very nice i have his complete noctures by chopin

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fliszt

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #8 on: December 06, 2007, 07:01:16 PM

hmm i think Ashkenazy does a pretty good job on the ballades, not the nocturnes.

for the nocturnes i think E.Leonskaya is really good, her rubato is amazing..

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mikebechstein

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #9 on: December 07, 2007, 03:09:10 AM

For complete (or almost) sets

Rubinstein, old or new, is right at the top, but not on his own. His 1960’s recording is probably my overall favorite.

Barenboim is much better in some than others but good overall.

Pires is a bit bitty as well but also good.

Arrau is beautiful and dark but, for me, does not make me listen again and again.

I hear good things about Hewitt but I’ve yet to hear that recording.

Consistently good is the so far unmentioned Livia Rev. I think she is generally underated and her Nocturnes is the best recording of her that I’ve heard. It is very subtle and definitely inspires further listening. (She is slightly better in the early pieces than the late ones.)

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chopininov

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #10 on: December 07, 2007, 05:47:38 PM

Jacques Louissier made some pretty interesting recordings.

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indutrial

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #11 on: December 07, 2007, 07:54:20 PM

I like the Ashkenazy just fine, although there are probably better versions out there.

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imbetter

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #12 on: December 08, 2007, 05:40:48 PM

Feltsman's recording of the complete nocturnes is quite nice.

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dan101

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #13 on: December 14, 2007, 02:02:28 PM

I grew up with the recordings of Rubinstein and still enjoy them today. He was one of a kind.

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ahkow

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #14 on: December 14, 2007, 02:07:39 PM

I have the complete Vasary. It's a "Trio" Cd that contains the Ballades, Waltzes and Scherzos. He plays pretty well.

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mike_lang

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #15 on: December 14, 2007, 04:01:49 PM

I suggest Ivan Moravec's, if you've not heard it.

Michael

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webern78

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #16 on: December 14, 2007, 04:15:34 PM

Quote from: imbetter on December 08, 2007, 05:40:48 PM

Feltsman's recording of the complete nocturnes is quite nice.

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slobone

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #17 on: December 15, 2007, 07:04:14 AM

I have a recording of Rubenstein made in about 1937 which I cherish. But I have to LOL every time I see the cover -- it says "The Young Rubenstein". He was 50 at the time!

But I really think my favorite is Arrau. Some people find his interpretations a bit over-studied -- he perhaps puts a little too much into every bar. But I think it's fascinating to hear how much a really first-rate musical intelligence can achieve by concentrating so intensely on such great pieces. It opened my mind to some of the possibilities that I can strive for in my own playing.

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nocturnelover

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #18 on: December 15, 2007, 12:42:38 PM

Chopin's Nocturnes are my absolute favourite pieces! In my opinion the best interpretation or at least my favourite is Idil Biret's. I dislike Arrau's *shudder* but I think Ashkenazy also does them well!

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franz_

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #19 on: December 15, 2007, 02:34:22 PM

Absolutely Rubinstein.

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dinosaurtales

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #20 on: December 28, 2007, 10:23:40 PM

Even though the recordings are very old, I don't see how you can beat Rubenstein's.

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johngoh

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #21 on: December 29, 2007, 12:17:33 AM

I think Joao Maria Pires does a good job out of the nocturnes too. .

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aewanko

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Re: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording

Reply #22 on: January 02, 2008, 05:27:09 AM

Quote from: franz_ on December 15, 2007, 02:34:22 PM

Absolutely Rubinstein.

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Remembering the great Maurizio Pollini

Legendary pianist Maurizio Pollini defined modern piano playing through a combination of virtuosity of the highest degree, a complete sense of musical purpose and commitment that works in complete control of the virtuosity. His passing was announced by Milan’s La Scala opera house on March 23. Read more

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Piano Street Magazine:The Piano Taking Center Stage at the 2025 Verbier Festival

Topic: Chopin's Nocturnes preferred recording (Read 8881 times)

Piano Street Magazine:Remembering the great Maurizio Pollini

Piano Street Magazine:
The Piano Taking Center Stage at the 2025 Verbier Festival

Piano Street Magazine:
Remembering the great Maurizio Pollini