Zoltan Kocsis

[cziffra]

I just bought a Silverline Classics DVD of Zoltan performing these works:

Mozart Fantasia no 3 in C minor
Beethoiven Sonata op 111
Schubert Sonata in B flat

I have not yet watched the schubert but the beethoven alone is worth the money!  This guy is fantastic!  He just dominates each piece he plays. 

This post is an attempt to stimulate some discussion and recognition for him, because no one seems to have cared too much about him on the forum as yet.

[xvimbi]

This guy is fantastic!  He just dominates each piece he plays. 

So I have heard, and do I have that DVD in my Netflix queue. Unfortunately, they sent me a broken disc, so I will have to wait a few more days.

[bernhard]

I agree. He is a superlative pianist (if you liked his Mozart/Beethoven/Schubert, wait until you hear his Bartok ).

Funny enough, he used to be more recognised than Andras Schiff (they are from the same “piano” generation although Kocsis is older). Somehow, over the years, Schiff went on to international stardom while Kocsis sort of dimmed down.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[cziffra]

That's possibly the most infuriating thing you've ever said.  How could the world have let that happen!? 

[DarkWind]

Kocsis' Bartok is superb.

[bernhard]

That's possibly the most infuriating thing you've ever said.  How could the world have let that happen!? 

I do not really know, but it may have to do with the fact that in the Iron Curtain period Schiff defected to the West, while Kocsis remained in Hungary. Let us not forget that Richter was unknown in the West for most of his early career – for similar reasons.

Best wishes
Bernhard.

[hodi]

i have his recordings of the rachmaninov piano concertos
and they are my least favorite.. i don't like the sound he makes.

[aki]

I got some recordings of him playing the Rachmaninoff's etudes, they're superb.
I think he also made an edited version on La Valse by Ravel, but I'm not sure how it is.

[m]

I do not really know, but it may have to do with the fact that in the Iron Curtain period Schiff defected to the West, while Kocsis remained in Hungary. Let us not forget that Richter was unknown in the West for most of his early career – for similar reasons.

Best wishes
Bernhard.

Yep. Besides, I think that's the matter of personality. May be he did not have as much of  ambition, or political loyalty... He was popular in Russai, though. I heard him live--he is a big musician.

[zemos]

Kocsis' Bartok is superb.

No doubt! he's the best of the best in bartok, BUT!!!!!! I heard his rachmaninov concertos recording and it is a complete disaster!! no touch, no musicality, no emotions, nothing!

[SteinwayTony]

i have his recordings of the rachmaninov piano concertos
and they are my least favorite.. i don't like the sound he makes.

Funny, I have a Kocsis recording of a few lesser-played solo pieces by Rachmaninoff, and the sound is just so right.

[r.schaefer]

I bought the dvd for 1.99€ last month and its really, really, really worth the money :-)

[ehpianist]

I got some recordings of him playing the Rachmaninoff's etudes, they're superb.
I think he also made an edited version on La Valse by Ravel, but I'm not sure how it is.

Yes he did, it is for four hands.  And I even met his duo partner, who offered to send it to me after he heard my duo perform Garban's version of it and gave me his email address so I could reach him and remind him when he got home... which I then proceeded to lose...

I am still very mad at myself and that was over a year ago.

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com

[pianojems]

His disk of Debussy music is fantastic. It was the first time I heard him play!

[rachlisztchopin]

i have a cd with him playing the 3rd year of liszt's years of pilgrimage and it is truely amazing

[alkanite]

His Debussy is excellent - lines are seamless and effortless.  He got a grammaphone for the Images++ disc.

I wouldn't say his Rachmaninoff concerti are emotionless.  Objective perhaps.  What stands out most about the the set is the underlying excitement.  In fact, it sounds like he studied Rach's own recordings diligently.  I never really liked the 1st concerto much before I heard Kocsis' - the 1st movement is finally played as fast as Rach and sparkles!  Great cadenza.  Wonderfully warm 2nd movement as well.

Rach etudes/preludes/sonata  -  stays in my changer.

Never particulary liked his Classical though...too romantic sometimes.

His technique can be beaten by very few of his generation.  The guy has fast fingers - a true super-virtuoso. 

As far as popularity - he appears to be content to tour Europe's recital halls, play 50 concerts a year, compose, and promote Hungarian music.  Not too shabby.

[chozart]

yeah I too have a CD of him playing Debussy (and of Bartok too perhaps)

his playing is very pleasant, and he really seems to express the impressionistic style well

[Etude]

I have his complete Rachmaninov concerto's CDs.  The Orchestra is pretty thin especially the string section but his opening of Rach3 is played almost double speed, maybe to make up for Kissin's almost half speed interpretation.    

I can't remember much of the playing, but I didn't really enjoy his Rach2.  I felt most of the emotions in the music came from the orchestra really.  But IMO the super small orchestra was the main problem with this recording which stopped me enjoying the music.  I was disappointed by his Paganini Rhapsody recording on the 1st disc as well.  His Rach4 was ok.

[Musicag]

Besides his excellent Bartok I have yet to hear Zoltan giving a real convincing performance of anything. IMHO, he is where he belongs. Another one that shares his time slot is Deszo Ranki who is even less heard nowadays. I can see why that's the case.