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Topic: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades  (Read 4956 times)

Offline ravelfan07

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Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
on: December 19, 2023, 01:10:31 AM
What do you guys think of Krystian Zimerman‘s recordings of Chopin’s 4 ballades?
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Offline transitional

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #1 on: December 19, 2023, 03:39:09 AM
Very good. They're my #1 listening source for the Chopin ballades, mainly because they're high up on Google search and I can't stand Rousseau. He plays them the "normal" way, nothing special, but that in itself is a good thing.
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Offline perfect_pitch

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #2 on: December 19, 2023, 04:18:22 AM
I think like Pollini's playing of the Chopin Etudes, Zimermans playing of the Ballades is seen as one of the best collections of playing.

I also, personally like Zimerman. No silly flourishes or zany mood swings... just the music.
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Offline mjames

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #3 on: December 22, 2023, 01:27:56 PM
I like them, pretty good. Actually very good. However, my one issue with him is that he's very "textbook", pretty much the dream pianist for your typical jury at a competition. Nothing wrong with that, his playing is still quite impactful and emotional for me. But players like Argerich or Horowitz will always be a step above me due to their uniqueness.

Even though I've praised the recording, take note that they're heavily edited through splicing (as in, one recording of a piece isn't just one take but a collection of takes edited into one). So the "textbook perfection" Zimerman displays isn't quite achievable as we'd like to believe. I much prefer the rawness of live recordings.
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Offline perfect_pitch

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #4 on: December 22, 2023, 10:29:42 PM
Quote from: mjames on December 22, 2023, 01:27:56 PM
Even though I've praised the recording, take note that they're heavily edited through splicing (as in, one recording of a piece isn't just one take but a collection of takes edited into one). So the "textbook perfection" Zimerman displays isn't quite achievable as we'd like to believe.

Glenn Gould has done it for years...
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Offline ravelfan07

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #5 on: December 23, 2023, 08:50:21 PM
Quote from: transitional on December 19, 2023, 03:39:09 AM
Very good. They're my #1 listening source for the Chopin ballades, mainly because they're high up on Google search and I can't stand Rousseau. He plays them the "normal" way, nothing special, but that in itself is a good thing.
Rousseau isn’t that bad imo, he did great with Ballade no 1 and good with Ballade no 4
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Offline pianistavt

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #6 on: December 28, 2023, 02:22:15 PM
I hold Zimmerman's recording of the set in high esteem.  His tone-dynamics-phrasing is beyond masterful.  Yet somehow I felt he was being too careful, too perfect - they're missing something visceral.

Many people talk about the best performance of the 4th ballade, and Richter comes up.  Personally, I think Kissin's is the best I've heard.  Not sure if he has recorded all 4.

I heard someone playing a Chopin Waltz on the radio last week, and I was in awe - the interpretation was on another level - somehow she/he captured a Polish essence that I've rarely if ever heard.  It was Garrick Ohlson.  Searching on YT I only see Ballade 1, shame he didn't record all 4.
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Offline galante

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #7 on: December 30, 2023, 09:02:14 AM
Quote from: ravelfan07 on December 23, 2023, 08:50:21 PM
Rousseau isn’t that bad imo, he did great with Ballade no 1 and good with Ballade no 4

Yeah, you could say that, but to be honest, for me, Rosseau is like the synthetic type of classical music; he has some emotion, but it still lacks a lot to be able to be justified as a good piano player. Its much better to stick with recordings made by real (Rosseau is real, but I mean actual) professional pianists. For those who want some tips on the Ballade by Krystian Zimerman himself, there is a masterclass of him talking about the Ballade:

Anyway, to sum it all up, stay away from Rousseau. Its much better to listen to professional pianists playing the G minor Ballade.
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Offline ravelfan07

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Re: Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades
Reply #8 on: January 02, 2024, 05:38:46 PM
Quote from: galante on December 30, 2023, 09:02:14 AM
Yeah, you could say that, but to be honest, for me, Rosseau is like the synthetic type of classical music; he has some emotion, but it still lacks a lot to be able to be justified as a good piano player. Its much better to stick with recordings made by real (Rosseau is real, but I mean actual) professional pianists. For those who want some tips on the Ballade by Krystian Zimerman himself, there is a masterclass of him talking about the Ballade:

Anyway, to sum it all up, stay away from Rousseau. Its much better to listen to professional pianists playing the G minor Ballade.
Thanks for the link! Also I agree with the 1st Ballade part but I still think Rousseau adds a lot of emotion but definitely not to the extent that professional pianists do.
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