Ashkenazy, best chopin player ever?

[lousyplayer]

I heard a recording of Chopin Pollonaises by Ashkenazy, I thought they were amazing. Wondering if anyone else agrees that this guy is awesome?

[49410enrique]

i've always enjoyed his playing of all chopin (he did record complete chopin piano works to a more that pretty decent standard and to critical acclaim and success). he's a fine pianist, in fact i've wondered in the past why he is hardly mentioned on these boards at all in 'professional pianist' discussions, yet certain names of the young 'new' and 'hip' kidson the the block keep coming up over and over again.

[lousyplayer]

He's kinda old now and from a different generation, probably tastes have changed. However others like Richter always come up and he's dead. I think he combines great technique and very rational interpretation when others are sort of corny. Chopin has become very corny lately.

[49410enrique]

He's kinda old now and from a different generation, probably tastes have changed. However others like Richter always come up and he's dead. I think he combines great technique and very rational interpretation when others are sort of corny. Chopin has become very corny lately.

most of my favs tend to be from that generation/age group, e. axe, a. watts, even earlier folks like sofrinsky, moiseiwitsch etc.

[asiantraveller101]

I do not like to use a blanket statement as to who is the "best" Chopin player. I have many of Ashkenazy's recordings of Chopin, but I have to say that not every piece is performed well. Some seem to be better than others, especially the ones that I believe he really studied them. Others sound as if he just learn them quickly (to make up the entire sets) and not "well-digested". Some of the better Chopin players that I have encountered are (in no standing order, and by no means, the best): Argerich, Moravec, Fou T'song, Thai Son, and Rubinstein. They all have very personal and individualistic approach to Chopin.

[grandstaff]

Ashkenazy is great, but for Chopin, you must listen to Rubinstein.

[thalbergmad]

I have never heard the Scherzos played better than Ashkenazy. He plays them exactly how I would if I had the ability.

Thal

[zezhyrule]

I couldn't call anyone "the best" but I do certainly very much enjoy his playing 

[philb]

Ashkenazy is a great Chopin player indeed.

I will say this though, I have yet to find better recordings of the etudes than the ones of Saperton.

[j_menz]

I'm a huge fan of Ashkenazy in general, but I have to say I'm not so fond of his Chopin.

[fftransform]

No.

[ahinton]

No.

Would you award that accolade to any other one pianist? (for the record, I wouldn't)...

Best,

Alistair

[unholeee]

yes, i love his playing and interpretation.

[fftransform]

Would you award that accolade to any other one pianist? (for the record, I wouldn't)...

Best,

Alistair

Extremely doubtful.  To do so would almost presuppose a lack of variety in Chopin's writing so-as to insinuate that a single player's technique is most suited to each and everyone one of his pieces.

[ahinton]

Extremely doubtful.  To do so would almost presuppose a lack of variety in Chopin's writing so-as to insinuate that a single player's technique is most suited to each and everyone one of his pieces.

Indeed - and, since that is the very opposite of the truth, that's also my reason for not putting all my eggs in one pianist's basket over this.

Best,

Alistair

[symphonicdance]

He is a great and versatile pianist, and I like his piano playing.  Generally very pleasant.  He may occasionally you a woah, and yet, he will seldom disappoint you  BTW, he lost to Argerich in the 1st Chopin International Competition.  What a pity, but can't argue, Argerich is another super star.

[harkin]

I think many of Ashkenazy's recordings of Chopin are sublime (e.g. the 3rd Ballade) but with all the recordings I've heard I could not imagine singling out one performer as best even for one piece.

A few of the ones I really enjoy and rarely hear mentioned as great Chopin players:

Vlado Perlemuter
Guiomar Novaes
Carlo Zecchi
Phillipe Entremont
Janusz Olejniczak
Witold Malcuzynski
Emmanuel Ax
Georges Cziffra
Mieczyslaw Horszowski

there are many others....

[michaeljames]

I thoroughly enjoy Ashkenazy. I believe his and Rubinstein are my favorite for Chopin recordings.

[johnmar78]

Askenazy my childhood,  piano idol. He is the Sydney ocherstra director. I see him very often attending his concert. In real life I met him   rather very quick rush person, but cool.