Favourite version of Chopin's op. 23 ?

[thesixthsensemusic]

Mine is the one by Robert Casadesus.... it is IMHO quite a lot like Alfred Cortot's approach,turning the piece into a symphonic poem and trying to have the piano sound like an orchestra. But, Robert Casadesus was 22 years younger and actually recorded dozens of records in stereo during his prime. He might therefore be considered as one of the most striking examples of long-lost pianistic traditions in this era in which technical flawlessness is the no.1 priority....

Almost everyone, except for Cortot, Rubinstein, and Casadesus, seems to slow this piece down way too much in the 'tempo 1' sections. I prefer an explosive, risky yet passionate approach above safe play, and avioding wrong notes at too high a cost regarding expression.

This will surely be a matter of taste again, but, which one do you prefer, and why?

[austinarg]

This should be the standard way of playing it, in my opinion.

[lelle]

Mine is the one by Robert Casadesus.... it is IMHO quite a lot like Alfred Cortot's approach,turning the piece into a symphonic poem and trying to have the piano sound like an orchestra. But, Robert Casadesus was 22 years younger and actually recorded dozens of records in stereo during his prime. He might therefore be considered as one of the most striking examples of long-lost pianistic traditions in this era in which technical flawlessness is the no.1 priority....

Almost everyone, except for Cortot, Rubinstein, and Casadesus, seems to slow this piece down way too much in the 'tempo 1' sections. I prefer an explosive, risky yet passionate approach above safe play, and avioding wrong notes at too high a cost regarding expression.

This will surely be a matter of taste again, but, which one do you prefer, and why?

I liked that! It reminds me in several ways than one of cortot's playing style. The tone and sound of the recording is similar too. I'm wondering if they made better sounding pianos back in those days because modern grands are often so brittle and metallic while the one in the recording is warmer and rounder in tone

[thesixthsensemusic]

This should be the standard way of playing it, in my opinion.

Nice one. He is part of the same French piano tradition, being a student of Cortot

[thesixthsensemusic]

I liked that! It reminds me in several ways than one of cortot's playing style. The tone and sound of the recording is similar too. I'm wondering if they made better sounding pianos back in those days because modern grands are often so brittle and metallic while the one in the recording is warmer and rounder in tone

My bet is that these were recorded on Pleyel grands, they have a distinctive rounded tone colour, even the ones being built today.