Pianist Freddy Kempf

[cadenza14224]

Why the hell is this man so underrated? I for one think his recordings of Liszt and Chopin are to die for (and that comes after listening to a lot of interpretations). I can't even express how definitive his recording of the Chopin Etudes and Liszt's Transcendental Etudes are to me; I just can't get over them. I know his Bach isn't exactly great, but he trumps so many others with Romantic repertoire, but nonetheless gets ZERO spotlight. Tastes probably play into this...but what's your take on him?

[j_menz]

He drives an Audi and can stretch a twelfth. What's not to dislike? 

[p2u_]

Why the hell is this man so underrated?

Just a guess:
1) He's on a Swedish label, not on one of the "standard" ones
2) They may be mismanaging him, sending him to the wrong places for his concerts

Paul

[thalbergmad]

I was astounded by his playing when he won the Young Musician of the Year many years ago.

I have not been astounded since.

Thal

[cadenza14224]

I was astounded by his playing when he won the Young Musician of the Year many years ago.

I have not been astounded since.

Thal

I'd love to hear you explain why

[bjh_]

I have his recording of Prokofiev's first piano sonata, it's excellent.

[retrouvailles]

I was astounded by his playing when he won the Young Musician of the Year many years ago.

I have not been astounded since.

Thal

I feel pretty much the same way. His performances are nothing special. I get a very "been there, done that" feeling from him when I listen to him. Everything he plays has been done much better by someone else (you can say that about almost anyone, really, but it really applies to him).

[thalbergmad]

I'd love to hear you explain why

I don't need to. Just listen to Berman playing the Liszt etudes and then Kempf. Listen to Pollini playing the Chopin etudes and then Kempf.

If you cannot detect the ocean of difference in just about every single department, you are beyond anything I can do for you.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

He drives an Audi

Hmm, how apt. Mechanically sound but reasonably boring.

Thal

[cadenza14224]

I don't need to. Just listen to Berman playing the Liszt etudes and then Kempf. Listen to Pollini playing the Chopin etudes and then Kempf.

If you cannot detect the ocean of difference in just about every single department, you are beyond anything I can do for you.

Thal

No need to attack my original statement; maybe I should have been more clearer. You specifically stated you were "astounded" by him when he was younger, but that was no longer the case for you. I was just curious to what's changed since then, or what hasn't? Why does he not astound you anymore as he did two decades ago...since I never had a chance to listen to him in 1992.

And yes, I know the recordings of the mentioned etudes by Berman and Pollini are classics; But Kempf belongs to a newer generation of pianists; a generation in which ideals of musicality to be achieved in pieces has changed as well (for better or for worse, you are entitled to your own opinion). Altogether a new question for you (and others who may be reading): How would you rate him amongst more current generation pianists?

[austinarg]

I don't need to. Just listen to Berman playing the Liszt etudes and then Kempf. Listen to Ashkenazy playing the Chopin etudes and then Kempf.

If you cannot detect the ocean of difference in just about every single department, you are beyond anything I can do for you.

Thal

Fix'd.

[thalbergmad]

I accept your amendment

[austinarg]

I accept your amendment

Another possible ammendment could be "Just listen to Berman playing the Liszt etudes (except No. 12, that one belongs to Arrau)." Of course, I'll leave that to your consideration  

[thalbergmad]

Why does he not astound you anymore as he did two decades ago...since I never had a chance to listen to him in 1992.

Perhaps I was more easily impressed in 1992 than I am now, but when he played Islamey back in 1992, his playing was remarkable by its youthful abandon and pure excitement that to me is missing from his Liszt recording. All pianists lose the fire of youth, but they normally make up for it in other ways. i still have the video recording so I must dig it out.

To be honest, I have not listened to Kempf's Liszt for a good while and it is unlikely I will as I gave the CD away. I recall the Feux Follets to be particularly horrid.

As Retro said in an earlier post, his performances are nothing special and when so many other pianists have done better, he is going to have to come up with something extra special to make a mark.

His flame does not burn brightly when compared to some modern generation pianists and now that he is in his mid thirties, perhaps he has missed his chance.

Thal

[pytheamateur]

Just a bit of Freddy Kempf gossip, does anyone know why he divorced his Russian wife a few years ago? And what is her name by the way?  I happened to have listened to them play Schumann's piano concerto on two separate ocassions.

As to the statement that he drives an Audi, is this a metaphor or can I take it literally?  If the latter, then this is rather interesting.  My former piano tuner tuned Kempf's piano and said it was a somewhat mediocre Yamaha upright.  

Why would a professional pianist prefer to drive a nice car to having a decent piano?

[thalbergmad]

Why would a professional pianist prefer to drive a nice car to having a decent piano?

You cannot do 190mph on a piano.

You can in an R8.

Thal

[pytheamateur]

I was astounded by his playing when he won the Young Musician of the Year many years ago.

I have not been astounded since.

Thal

Hi, Thal what to you think of Denis Matsuev?  As you probably know already, he was the winner of the 1998 Tchaikovsky Competition, when many thought Kempf should have won (instead of getting 3rd prize).  I have never heard Matsuev live, but it seems the reviews are not that good either.

[thalbergmad]

I do not recall listening to anything by Matsuev.

Too many pianists playing the same pieces dictates that I need a bloody good reason or a rock solid recommendation from someone in the business, to listen to any pianist born after WW2.

There is not enough hours in the day and I have spent too much time on the likes of Lang Lang.

Thal

[marik1]

Hi, Thal what to you think of Denis Matsuev?  As you probably know already, he was the winner of the 1998 Tchaikovsky Competition, when many thought Kempf should have won (instead of getting 3rd prize).  I have never heard Matsuev live, but it seems the reviews are not that good either.

One can like or dislike Matsuev's style or personality, but there is no doubt he is by far superior pianist than Kempf. He is a true virtuoso with phenomenal technique, plenty of abandon and all that fire only very few can afford to show on stage. He never afraid to take any risks (often, even extreme risks), but unlike say, Lang Lang, he never borders bad taste.

I did not hear Kempf's Liszt, but Chopin etudes are quite disappointing, often awkward, with no real quality, or finesse. I understand if at least he had some awesome musical ideas (remember Cortot, for example), but it just has no imagination, whatsoever. So is there a good reason to play them in public like that?

Best, M

[j_menz]

As to the statement that he drives an Audi, is this a metaphor or can I take it literally?  

You can take it literally, it's an Audi A6 TDI Quattro (according to his website)

[j_menz]

You cannot do 190mph on a piano.

Play Alkan's La Vent. Sounds just like you are. (and feels like your running that fast)