favorite recording of chopin etudes

[tibidi]

Sokolov's live 25/11 easily equals pollini's studio account technically. There is also the legendary Gavrilov, who is MUCH faster. 

I haven't heard Sokolov's 25/11. Andrei Gavrilov's time for this piece is 3'13", quite fast indeed. He is quite impressive before 1'30" with his left hand melody line and tempo very  clear and precise, but after, I don't like his interpretation. There are some unnecessary left hand staccato that sounded rather odd, he also ended some phrases abruptly with staccato. There is also some obvious struggling after that time. It's mainly his interpretation that I don't like.

It's such a coincidence that both  Pollini and Yundi(played during Chopin competeition) took 3'32" to play this piece. There should be some others who can play this piece better. I still need to explore more.

[chromatickler]

Every concert, as an encore Sokolov used to play whether Petrushka--Russian Dance, or 25/11.  I heard each of them probably at least 5 times live. Sometimes he would play 25/11 incredible, sometimes it would be absolutely stunning, and once, I remember it was beyond of anything possible on the piano. On that scale I'd consider this recording from the set... very good. Actually, considering that it's live, and it is right after 25/10 (actually, after 8, 9, and 10, which I'd consider even worse than 10/2 after 10/1 live) when you play it like this..... hmmm.... no, it is absolutely incredible! And who else can play such a 25/12 right after that?

and to make myself feel better, the opening bars of 25/12 proves he is still human!! Although after he settles in, DAYUM we is down to bizniz. His dynamic contrasts are unmatched in that piece. I especially like his suddenly pedal less long range ascends -adds a wikid spiky texture. I also marvel at the technical achievement of his 25/4. That's some Hamelin level geographical skillz

Once Gavrilov played very well. Unfortunately, he stopped practicing long ago, and his pianism has completely detereorated. I was told, after his recital in London, a few years ago, he had to go on hide--the recital was THAT embarassing. It is quite sad.

Gav waz such a legend. I truly hope he can regain his former FURY.

[chromatickler]

I haven't heard Sokolov's 25/11. Andrei Gavrilov's time for this piece is 3'13", quite fast indeed. He is quite impressive before 1'30" with his left hand melody line and tempo very  clear and precise, but after, I don't like his interpretation. There are some unnecessary left hand staccato that sounded rather odd, he also ended some phrases abruptly with staccato. There is also some obvious struggling after that time. It's mainly his interpretation that I don't like.

It's such a coincidence that both  Pollini and Yundi(played during Chopin competeition) took 3'32" to play this piece. There should be some others who can play this piece better. I still need to explore more.

The Sokolov live is possibly the slickest i've heard yet. I also remember a hilariously dry recording by David Saperton with Cortot-ish wrong notes and a very attractive style. 

[tibidi]

Cortot is well known for his wrong notes, but he was a true artist though. He cared about the momentum of his music so much that he rather played the wrong notes  which I think is the correct way. Although his technique is not that impressive and  had struggled quite a bit in playing this piece 25/11, he took only 3'31" to complete. 

[m]

 I also marvel at the technical achievement of his 25/4. That's some Hamelin level geographical skillz

I would not compare those two, as they are completely different artists, with completely different aesthetics. Actually, I admire Sokolov not even for his technical achivements, but for his unique articulation, energy, and braveness in taking risks--both, musical and pianistical--the sign (and definition) of a real virtuoso.

[chromatickler]

I would not compare those two, as they are completely different artists, with completely different aesthetics. Actually, I admire Sokolov not even for his technical achivements, but for his unique articulation, energy, and braveness in taking risks--both, musical and pianistical--the sign (and definition) of a real virtuoso.

Hehe, I wasn't meant to suggest those 2 pianists are comparable in their artistry. It's just from a strictly technical viewpoint, that level of execution in a live 25/4 immediately brings Hamelin to mind.

Sokolov is a risk taker pianistically? I can only go by the op25 and that aspect of his pianism dont come across at all on this. It's quite obvious he's using speeds significantly below what his technical capacity could handle at max. For a full blooded risk taker i'd think of someone like Berezovsky. The recent chopin/godowsky recitals especially, he sounds like he's REALLY pushing it. 

[m]

Sokolov is a risk taker pianistically? I can only go by the op25 and that aspect of his pianism dont come across at all on this. It's quite obvious he's using speeds significantly below what his technical capacity could handle at max. For a full blooded risk taker i'd think of someone like Berezovsky. The recent chopin/godowsky recitals especially, he sounds like he's REALLY pushing it. 

Yeah, Berezovsky always did it. Sokolov is very different, though. With him it is not a speed, but it is much more on emotional-energetic level. You can see it more distinctly live, when sometimes it seems that he becomes like a beast--I always had feeling of sinking into the seat, absolutely crushed. For some reason it doesn't get captured in his recordings... may be in 25/10... Definitely, in his recordings the very special atmosphere of his concerts doesn't get captured, either.

[Alde]

1. Pollini
2. Askenazy
3. Lortie
4. Perahia

[chromatickler]

Yeah, Berezovsky always did it. Sokolov is very different, though. With him it is not a speed, but it is much more on emotional-energetic level. You can see it more distinctly live, when sometimes it seems that he becomes like a beast--I always had feeling of sinking into the seat, absolutely crushed. For some reason it doesn't get captured in his recordings... may be in 25/10... Definitely, in his recordings the very special atmosphere of his concerts doesn't get captured, either.

I've seen parts of his live TE dvd. To quote a friend of mine: He drenches the hall with his man juice.

[m]

I've seen parts of his live TE dvd. To quote a friend of mine: He drenches the hall with his man juice.

What about Gavrilov, who used to spray a few first rows with spittle and sweat? Young Richter was the same.

[chromatickler]

What about Gavrilov, who used to spray a few first rows with spittle and sweat? Young Richter was the same.

Sheer genius, comedic or otherwise.

[thracozaag]

  Check out the video of Alexander Paley doing the original version of the TE's.  Man, I've NEVER seen ANYONE sweat so much.

koji (STSD)

[m]

Yeah, to play piano is a hard work

BTW, where did you guys found Sokolov and Paley with TE?

[thracozaag]

Yeah, to play piano is a hard work

BTW, where did you guys found Sokolov and Paley with TE?

  Connections, heh.

koji (STSD)

[brewtality]

  Check out the video of Alexander Paley doing the original version of the TE's.  Man, I've NEVER seen ANYONE sweat so much.

koji (STSD)

he puts da sperm whale to shame? if so then dayum.
dreyschock could've prolly given him a run for his money

[m]

Here is a couple of etudes for a week or so. Grab it now if you like it:

https://home.comcast.net/~markfuksman/Track07.mp3
https://home.comcast.net/~markfuksman/Track06.mp3

[steinwaymodeld]

Here is a couple of etudes for a week or so. Grab it now if you like it:

https://home.comcast.net/~markfuksman/Track07.mp3
https://home.comcast.net/~markfuksman/Track06.mp3

who plays it?

[m]

Anybody wants to guess, first?

[thracozaag]

 Sounds like Friedmann to  me.

koji (STSD)

[m]

Bingo!

[presto agitato]

In my opinion there are two pianist who are the kings of chopin etudes:

Pollini
Anievas

You only need to get those recordings.

[thracozaag]

  I'll let Marik handle that assessment.


koji (STSD)

[m]

  I'll let Marik handle that assessment.


koji (STSD)

Not sure if I can....

Who are they anyway, and what's so special in their Chopin etudes?

[steinwaymodeld]

Not sure if I can....

Who are they anyway, and what's so special in their Chopin etudes?

I would agree with Anievas's recording is a must-get.

But Pollini? I never listen to his recording again after i got it for the first time.

[m]

I would agree with Anievas's recording is a must-get.

But Pollini? I never listen to his recording again after i got it for the first time.

Agree!!!

Anieva's etudes is a must-have, but still I wouldn't say: "He is the king".
I stopped listening to Pollini after I left twice from second halves of his recitals. I have somewhere his etudes, but haven't listened to them in ages and have no desire to.
Some of his modern stuff recordings are much better, though.

[chromatickler]

Some of his modern stuff recordings are much better, though.

Dat Prick7 mvmt3 is shorly da work of a true pregnant cat. 

[steinwaymodeld]

Agree!!!

Anieva's etudes is a must-have, but still I wouldn't say: "He is the king".
I stopped listening to Pollini after I left twice from second halves of his recitals. I have somewhere his etudes, but haven't listened to them in ages and have no desire to.
Some of his modern stuff recordings are much better, though.

His Stranvisky CD is genius

[m]

His recording of Chopin Concerto no.2 from Chopin competition IMO is spectacular, and is probably one of the very best recordings of this piece ever made. Since then, it seems he got tired of music and piano playing.

[Lauren98]

Raises my hand sheepishly.

I'm content with murray periah, even though some people on this forum won't agree, but that's okay.   

Spatula, I like Murray Perahia's recording too; you're not the only one!

[steinwayguy]

Spatula, I like Murray Perahia's recording too; you're not the only one!

As do I!

I prescribe to the notion "Anyone but Juana Zayas or Vladimir Ashkenazy"

[jlh]

Chul Hee Yoon, Professor of Piano at the University of Kookmin in Korea, has recently released a CD of the complete Chopin Etudes.  He's an amazing pianist, but I haven't yet heard this CD.

https://herbergercollege.asu.edu/pianocompetition/jury.html

[mila5405]

Vladimir Ashkenazy