Krystian Zimerman, Chopin 4 ballades

[ravelfan07]

What do you guys think of Krystian Zimerman‘s recordings of Chopin’s 4 ballades?

[transitional]

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.

[perfect_pitch]

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.

[mjames]

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.

[perfect_pitch]

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...

[ravelfan07]

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

[pianistavt]

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.

[galante]

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.

[ravelfan07]

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.