Who do you prefer to listen to?

[distantfieldrelative]

I have wanted to have a pool about preference of interpretation for a while now and finally was able to get over my shyness to ask: What style of playing do you prefer? The raw, emotional, exciting, and eccentric playing of the 19th and early 20th century. Or the flawless, precise, polished playing of this century.

Do you prefer the playing of Cortot with all the dropped notes or would you rather listen to Pollini with not a single diminuendo misplaced and why?
 
  

[rubinsteinmad]

I generally prefer the playing of more modern pianists (i. e. the times of Rubinstein and Arrau up to now) comparing to the older playing, with an exception. I like Rachmaninoff's interpretations a lot.

As for the 2nd question, I can't really answer; I haven't heard much of Cortot's Chopin (I think his Liszt is outdated, though), but I am not a fan of Pollini's playing, either.

[siveron]

I prefer newer music, without a doubt. Ludovici Einaudi for example.

[xdjuicebox]

It really depends on the piece, most pianists have specialized repertoire that they were particularly good at. However, the few Hofmann recordings that survived are sublime, and I personally love the genius of Richter.

[distantfieldrelative]

Well do you think that it is possible that the older recordings are being glorified? I think that the Hoffman recording of liszts 12th HR is fantastic. That being said if anyone dared to play with that amount of innovation for an audition the poor fellow would have his femurs ripped out. And if he had played it exactly to text but with as many "mistakes" that obvious point would emphasized over and over again.

Consider what would happen if a recording of a Chopin scherzo were to be posted in the audition room. A recording as much innovation and passion as Cortot and with just as many mistakes. Why is it that I hear a cry for putting your soul into music but when someone has the guts to do so they are shot down? Oh well...

[rubinsteinmad]

Consider what would happen if a recording of a Chopin scherzo were to be posted in the audition room. A recording as much innovation and passion as Cortot and with just as many mistakes. Why is it that I hear a cry for putting your soul into music but when someone has the guts to do so they are shot down? Oh well...

I agree with you.

[lustercrush]

I prefer more recent recordings. This could be for a few reasons.
I have listened to many more modern pianists than older ones.
Also, I find the static in old recordings immediately off-putting.

[adodd81802]

I will often listen to 5-6 versions of a piece and make my own mind up.

This doesn't have to be somebody famous, or somebody on youtube, if I like it I like it. It's very difficult to pick one person even if you were to sit down and say I want to listen to Chopin's interpretations only etc.

I think this does not disrespect the performer, or have any substantial meaning, as despite the performer is technically performing the same combination of notes, the difference in sound can be as much as listening to a Coldplay pop song and a ballad from Whitney Houston.

The fact remains that even if you liked both artists, you still need a break from them from time to time.

I thoroughly enjoy Kissin. He's not perfect, but who is? He's an honest, genuine pianist and that oozes out in his performances.