least favorite pianists

[imbetter]

I totally disagree about Berezovsky and Jando but every single piece I've heard played by Biret is AWFUL.

[eminemvsrach]

Idil Biret is horrible....... though she played complete pieces by many composers........

I enjoy Berezovsky's transcendental etudes, compare them with Jeno Jando's version........ the latter plays the worst liszt I've ever heard..........

[communist]

Idil Biret is horrible....... though she played complete pieces by many composers........

I enjoy Berezovsky's transcendental etudes, compare them with Jeno Jando's version........ the latter plays the worst liszt I've ever heard..........

really? I thought the latter's Hungarian rhapsodies were very good, even though his 9th is not playful enough.

[michel dvorsky]

Maybe - but Sokolov did a SHITTY job of playing Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto.

WHAT?!?!!?

[communist]

I liked Sokolov's although it was a little to slow and somewhat boring.

[imbetter]

Sokolov's isn't bad I find that it can be a bit boring as well.

[nanabush]

Anyone who plays that god awful yellow river concerto.

[antichrist]

Marc-Andre Hamelin (don't ask/ don't comment please)

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sad

[gyzzzmo]

I dont like Rachmaninov's playing much.

[retrouvailles]

Marc-Andre Hamelin (don't ask/ don't comment please)

Why? You can't back up your claim?

I dont like Rachmaninov's playing much.

Me neither. I much prefer Medtner's playing (and compositions) to Rachmaninoff.

[communist]

Me neither. I much prefer Medtner's playing (and compositions) to Rachmaninoff.

His Appasionata is great. I thought his recording of his 'Sonata Tragica' was not powerful enough at the beginning IHMO.

[weissenberg2]

I dont like Rachmaninov's playing much.

Me neither. I much prefer Medtner's playing (and compositions) to Rachmaninoff.

Would you two like to further elaborate.

[retrouvailles]

Me neither. I much prefer Medtner's playing (and compositions) to Rachmaninoff.

I find Medtner's recordings much more passionate and technically competent. Rachmaninoff was also reported to have "admitting" that Medtner was a better musician than he was.

[weissenberg2]

I find Medtner's recordings much more passionate and technically competent. Rachmaninoff was also reported to have "admitting" that Medtner was a better musician than he was.

I understand if you think they are more passionate but technically competent? in what instances did Rachmaninoff have to slow down, fake etc...? and Rachmaninoff thought every musician under the sun was better than him.

[tds]

rachmaninoff? least favorite? no way! rachmaninoff and busoni are my top favourites. they are of supreme artists-perfectly unmatched. tds

[retrouvailles]

I understand if you think they are more passionate but technically competent? in what instances did Rachmaninoff have to slow down, fake etc...? and Rachmaninoff thought every musician under the sun was better than him.

No, Rachmaninoff wasn't awful, technique-wise. He just didn't sound as confident as many other pianists from that time, like Medtner and Moisewitsch, both of whom I largely prefer. Also, Rachmaninoff had some odd quirks that I don't really care about. Also, I don't like having to struggle with sound quality.

[weissenberg2]

No, Rachmaninoff wasn't awful, technique-wise. He just didn't sound as confident as many other pianists from that time, like Medtner and Moisewitsch, both of whom I largely prefer. Also, Rachmaninoff had some odd quirks that I don't really care about. Also, I don't like having to struggle with sound quality.

I know what you mean by he did not sound confident, Feltsman's playing sounds pompous. His playing is quirky sometimes, but don't most people from his time do?

[retrouvailles]

Yeah, most people from his time do, and for that reason, I don't like many pianists from the so-called golden age, in addition to the fact that I like sound quality.

[michel dvorsky]

Oh man, Retrouvailles. 

I listen to Rachmaninoff's recordings whenever I need inspiration from a pianist in absolute control over his art.  It would sound absurd if I was describing an artist other than Rachmaninoff, but for me his pianism emanates a noble soul and the finest aspects of the human spirit.

Just listen to his Chopin B flat minor sonata, his Carnaval, Gnomenreigen, Schubert Song transcription, Rach Rhapsody (--my favorite of his performances of his own compositions, but his other concerti performances are also stellar).

I just don't think Rachmaninoff can be rated highly enough.  For me one of the greatest composers and one of the greatest pianists of all.

[thalbergmad]

Pianists from the "golden age" did not just play pieces, they personalised them.

This is where some of the pianists of today fail miserably. They have all the equipment in the world, but they do so little with it.

Thal

[weissenberg2]

Oh man, Retrouvailles. 

I listen to Rachmaninoff's recordings whenever I need inspiration from a pianist in absolute control over his art.  It would sound absurd if I was describing an artist other than Rachmaninoff, but for me his pianism emanates a noble soul and the finest aspects of the human spirit.

Just listen to his Chopin B flat minor sonata, his Carnaval, Gnomenreigen, Schubert Song transcription, Rach Rhapsody (--my favorite of his performances of his own compositions, but his other concerti performances are also stellar).

I just don't think Rachmaninoff can be rated highly enough.  For me one of the greatest composers and one of the greatest pianists of all.

Nice way to put it.