OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?

Some have said Paderewski. I only have one short clip of his playing, and wouldn't presume to judge, but really, how could anyone gain such popularity and prestige solely on quality of playing? I mean, throwing a bunch of flowers on the stage and yelling "encore!" after a pianist plays his final final cadence is one thing, making the guy prime minister of your country is another.
I guess what's needed is a blind test. Those Poles are suckers for visual cues.

Argerich. nt, posted on November 24, 2014 at 18:23:29
jdaniel@jps.net	/

STOP THAT!, posted on November 24, 2014 at 18:52:50

Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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Stop that right now!

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: Argerich. nt, posted on November 24, 2014 at 21:30:44
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 13975 Location: 97701 Joined: September 23, 1999	I'm not primarily a classical guy. I'm a jazz guy, and my two favorite classical pianists are Argerich and Pletnev. Primarily, I think, because there seems to be some - perhaps a lot - of improvisation in their playing. Not improvisation as a jazz player would define it, but improv within the clear limits of the piece being played. Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 24, 2014 at 21:57:17

RGA
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It seems to me that when someone becomes insanely popular - someone who can't play a note will say they're overrated.

No doubt some people become popular for reason that are not related strictly to their talent (pop music anyone) but still for some to say Agerich or Itzhak Perlman is overrated to me is kind of bizarre. They may be more popular than their talent to some but they can play. I'd give my right nut to play anything as well as those two. So maybe they're overrated in the sense that they are consider top 5 when maybe they should be ranked in the 80-90s but whatever. They're still pretty great. The Agerich remaster on K2 recordings from Japan are also pretty impressive.

The last people I would pick on our pianists for being overrated - the sheer effort and hours they put into play that beast - no. Pick on pop singers and rock but the poor pianists (most of them are poor too) deserve respect - even the mediocre keypunch ones. Maybe cause after all these years and 5000 word essays later I am still a 4 finger typer. The piano scares the hell out of me.

I don't think she'd be on any list of overrated to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItSJ_woWnmk

Um, posted on November 24, 2014 at 23:14:54
kavakidd Audiophile Posts: 20316 Location: Upstate NY Joined: April 15, 2004	Van Cliburn? "Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

"So many over-rated keypunch operators", posted on November 24, 2014 at 23:19:39
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	Yeah, but there are a lot of buttons to push and pianists are pushing a lot more of them than the single liners ever are! Also, I think that keyboard player-composers tend to have a lot more mastery of harmony than composers whose specialty is a single line instrument: check out the Paganini Concertos vs. the Liszt Concertos and you'll see what I mean. ;-) (There are exceptions of course!)

I love Martha, posted on November 25, 2014 at 00:39:03
jazz1 Audiophile Posts: 2891 Joined: October 30, 2000	nt

Pollini, posted on November 25, 2014 at 03:55:42
pbarach Audiophile Posts: 3307 Location: Ohio Joined: June 22, 2008	Hard-toned, emotionally cold.

A few come to mind, posted on November 25, 2014 at 05:15:54

Amphissa
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I have never figured out why Plentnev rose to such heights. I have heard him in concert and recordings, and to me, some of his interpretations are just plain bizarro. He has made a few CDs over the years that are interesting, like the Taneyev. But for the most part, I just don't get it.

Historically, I'd have to say Shura Cherkassky. He was supremely talented, yet could have moments of brilliance swamped by artistic meandering. And he was prone to sloppiness. I'm not sure I've ever heard a recording of his that was satisfying.

On tour, I'd go with Olga Kern. She won a Van Cliburn competition (in a down year) and has a heartwarming personal story. But I've never been impressed with her playing, which to me is unfocused and lacking the kind of mastery exhibited by many other touring pianists.

Now to my controversial choices --

Putting on my armor in preparation for the tsunami of disagreement that will surely come with this one, I'm going to have to bring up Stephen Hough. Yes, I know he is a splendid pianist with incredible chops -- a real virtuoso at the keyboard. But many of his interpretations are just plain off target to me. An example is the very popular Rachmaninoff concerto series, which he played with breathtaking speed but no evidence of affinity for the music itself. I've just never warmed to his playing, despite his talent. Flame away!

In an equally controversial choice, I'm sure, I'm going to have to mention Alfred Brendel. Dry and emotionless, he has sapped the last remaining life out of the music of Beethoven and Schubert, creating a musical Gobi desert, to the point I often wondered whether rigor mortis had set in on him well before his retirement.

Finally --

Well, Bang Bang goes without saying. I have never understood why he is so popular. I have heard him literally destroy Beethoven Concerto 1 in concert, just make a total mess of it, all the while swooning and grimacing in pseudo-passionate trance. That's one amazingly weird dude.

"Life without music is a mistake" (Nietzsche)

RE: A few come to mind, posted on November 25, 2014 at 05:40:14

layman
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For the most part I agree. Pletnev, Kern and Hough leave me (profoundly) unmoved. I have given Hough the benefit of the doubt though (after hearing his recordings) and attended his concerts hoping that he would improve in live performance. Alas, this was not the case. I remained unmoved.

I am not sure I agree with regard to Lang Lang. He's not nearly as bad as his critics make him out to be. Conversely, he's not nearly as good as his biggest fans think he is.

RE: LOL, I couldn't disagree more..., posted on November 25, 2014 at 07:17:41
Eldragon	Alfred Brendel set the standard playing Beethoven Piano Sonatas...

RE: LOL, set the standard, posted on November 25, 2014 at 08:30:32
Amphissa Audiophile Posts: 2717 Location: Zardoz Joined: March 9, 2004	hahahahaha -- Then I guess we should all just not waste our time listening to Schnabel, Arrau, Goode, Kempff, Gulda, Lewis, Solomon, et al. "Life without music is a mistake" (Nietzsche)

RE: LOL, set the standard, posted on November 25, 2014 at 08:53:09

rbolaw

Well, I 'waste my time' listening to all of those, except for Lewis, I haven't picked up any of his yet, but did hear some on the radio. And I've heard Brendel (and Goode) in person. It's easy to understand how Brendel's introspective style wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but like the others, he certainly earned his career solely on his own merits. He came from a modest, non-musical family, wasn't charismatic or unusually good looking, didn't wear tight miniskirts, had no special contacts, didn't engage in backstage machinations AFAIK, toiled in obscurity for many years, recording for the budget label Vox, and finally was noticed by the major labels after a recital in London. I can't call anyone with that background overrated.

Actually, they all are., posted on November 25, 2014 at 09:40:47
genungo	Have you ever listened to a piano recording and thought, "Gee, this is the best thing since sliced watermelon!" - only to criticize the hell out of it on another day? The teabags steep, the teapots whistle.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 10:36:18
genungo	I was almost tempted to call Paderewski "The Ronald Reagan of Pianists"...

RE: The wealthiest ones?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 10:41:25
Eldragon	I assume, in Art in general we admire an artist for the wrong reasons. In past was their "madness," today is shortness of the skirt and legs, a cleavage. Sure I can judge a talent by their legs - I am an "leg-man" :)

Perahia and Pollini, posted on November 25, 2014 at 11:31:06
jimbill Audiophile Posts: 3050 Location: Texas Joined: May 31, 2004	I have a few of Murray Perahia's recordings and he just doesn't seem to go very deep into his interpretations. Pollini, as noted below, seems cold and unfeeling. But they are both good at playing all the notes!

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 11:42:18
bald2 Audiophile Posts: 338 Location: Oregon Joined: January 21, 2006	Here's my list, for what it's worth: Brendel Pollini Barenboim Ashkenazy Uchida Perahia Rudolph Serkin Shura Cherkassky Jean Yves Thibaudet Barto No accident that, by and large, these players limit their repertoires and don't play music this is extremely difficult. Even worse, some hide behind the "Great Music" posture/ position to mask their deficiencies...

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 11:55:26
BubbaMike Audiophile Posts: 650 Location: Left Coast of the USA Joined: January 4, 2002	I can't play and don't think I have a real opinion, I'm just surprised no one has mentioned Dinnerstein. They all love to hate her. When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. ~ Bernard Bailey

easy choices, posted on November 25, 2014 at 12:21:19

Analog Scott
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Brendel. I find him to be sloppy and uninvolving. I saw him play Beethoven sonatas in a recital and it was the single worst performance I have ever seen at a major concert hall. During the Appassionata I had the urge to stand up and ask if he knew what the name of the sonata was and if he understood what it meant.

Schnabel. IMO he gained fame for being the first to do the Beethoven sonata cycle. That's nice but a lot better recordings have followed in the past 100 years. His playing is painfully sloppy (worse than Brendel by far) His phrasing is IMO stilted. Honestly I find nothing at all to like about his playing. It is interesting from an historical context as is a Model T is for cars. But neither are any good by today's standards.

Let the mud fly....

RE: A few come to mind, posted on November 25, 2014 at 12:26:07
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	"In an equally controversial choice, I'm sure, I'm going to have to mention Alfred Brendel. Dry and emotionless, he has sapped the last remaining life out of the music of Beethoven and Schubert, creating a musical Gobi desert, to the point I often wondered whether rigor mortis had set in on him well before his retirement." I could not agree more. You said it much better than I did.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 12:56:45
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	Jean Yves Thibaudet plays a "limited" repertoire and doesn't play an extremely difficult music? Are there two different Jean Yves Thibaudets? Because the one I know has one of the broadest repertoires and plays most of the famously difficult works with relative ease.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 13:22:34
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 37333 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	Agree with your first five.... Disagree about R. Serkin..... Add Argerich, Kissin, Lang, Brendel, Barenboim.... Off the top of my head.....

And who can criticize ....., posted on November 25, 2014 at 13:31:14
Amphissa Audiophile Posts: 2717 Location: Zardoz Joined: March 9, 2004	Moreover, who can criticize a guy who has the cojones to wear BRIGHT RED PATENT LEATHER SHOES when he performs in concert? He is the Yuja Wang of male pianists! "Life without music is a mistake" (Nietzsche)

The thing I love about "over-rated" lists is that, posted on November 25, 2014 at 13:31:32
vinyl phanatic Audiophile Posts: 1596 Location: Washington DC Joined: May 22, 2006	eventually, every single great performer (pianists in this case) will be included on somebody's list.

RE: And who can criticize ....., posted on November 25, 2014 at 13:46:50
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	he is a sharp dresser. I do take my hat off to him for being open about being gay and refusing to attend any event that does not welcome his partner.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:03:54
bald2 Audiophile Posts: 338 Location: Oregon Joined: January 21, 2006	So Thibaudet plays Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Godowsky, the Chopin etudes, and the more difficult works of Liszt? If he does, it's news to me. Great music that eludes many... To my mind, he's a creation of Decca records. Not particularly interesting and his playing is monochromoatic. I'd take Tharaud any day. No accounting for taste, as usual:) Harry

RE: I love Martha, posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:17:05

bald2
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Posts: 338
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That makes two of us. Her Lugano Concerts are a sublime treat, one and all.

I was fortunate to see Manahem Pressler with the Beaux Arts trio AND in a series of solo recitals at the National Gallery of Art in DC in the late 80s. Pressler was a pupil of Egon Petri, and he could play anything. His sense of color and beautiful peddling were a marvel. I remember a brief comment he made to the audience before playing Ravel, something about the works being full of elegance and grace. Many modern pianists just don't seem to get this, and they likewise miss the easy lilt and playfulness of a Chopin Mazurka or the sighs of regret that can come through a reading of a late Brahms intermezzo. Masters like Argerich, Freire, Woodward, Fou Ts'ong... they do. At least to my ears, my mind, and my sensibilities.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:23:11

Analog Scott
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if it's news to you you didn't really check.

I just saw him play this a couple weeks ago. And he played it brilliantly

http://www.philharmonicsociety.org/Events/?i=564

Having seen Thibaudet several times and Tharaud fairly recently in the same exact venue I would say Tharaud isn't half the musician as is Thibaudet. Especially if playing difficult repertoire is part of the criteria.

But that is subjective. what is not so subjective is the fact that Thibaudet actually does have an extremely broad repertoire and does play many of the most technically difficult pieces in classical music and does so with relative ease.

http://www.jeanyvesthibaudet.com/albums/

Agree re Tharaud, posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:28:44
rbolaw	A very fine pianist, and one of the few current ones I've heard who is equally convincing in contemporary works and the standards.

That's Landowska! (nt), posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:39:46
kuma Audiophile Posts: 10273 Location: IN Joined: July 8, 2001	.

For me it is Murray Perahia, posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:42:07
TGR Audiophile Posts: 3002 Location: No. California Joined: March 22, 2004	I have several of his recordings - Bach, Mozart, Schumann. The critics rave, but when I listen to one of his recordings I have no sense afterwards of actually hearing music. Boring and uninvolved.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 25, 2014 at 16:46:43
brgreg Audiophile Posts: 2 Location: VA Joined: December 4, 2010	Have been reading the various responses. Yes, I have my favorites, but favorites are purely subjective. Different people hear and are moved in different ways, making this an impossible post to which to respond.

RE: Barenboim..., posted on November 25, 2014 at 17:50:18

Ivan303
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Sorry to have to disagree.

At least on the above set.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

Interesting - I forgot he's done so much accompanying/collaboration [nt], posted on November 25, 2014 at 19:07:59
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 26, 2014 at 05:22:14
Tadlo Audiophile Posts: 1925 Location: midwest Joined: March 8, 2003	My take-away from reading through the responses so far is that the AA music Lane is a very over-rated source of music criticism.

LOL. If Bach had left us recordings his playing would no doubt be lambasted on this forum :-) nt, posted on November 26, 2014 at 07:56:26
Rick W	nt

My take-aways, posted on November 26, 2014 at 07:57:32

John Marks
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I don't have a dog in the fight--a friend posed the question while saying that the "Underrated" thread was not what was needed.

My take-away is in the form of two points:

One, "Horses for Courses." An English expression meaning that a horse that runs well on a dry track might not run well on a muddy track. (Not that all such expectations or judgments hold water. We rarely, except over the car radio when a piece has already started before we get in to drive, encounter a performance anonymously, but I can assure you that such epiphanies, when they come, are valuable.)

I not only think that there are very few if any pianists who are great in "everything," I also have no problem at all with a pianist with a narrower-than-average repertoire. It's rare for the same actor to do well in both King Lear and Hamlet during the same season (though of course over the decades, a great Hamlet may 30 years later be a great King Lear).

Two, not to be discounted is the fact that the performance of music is a performance art, and that the relationship between performer and audience member or recording artists and listener is a complex non-deterministic system... .

Heifetz, Piatigorsky, Rachmaninoff, and Milstein were icons of aspirational culture at a time when many Americans had mixed feelings of envy while claiming irrelevance about Europe and European culture. There was a bit of a reaction in the deportment and public personas of artists like Roy Harris, Carl Ruggles, Lou Harrison, and to a degree Aaron Copland. But even today, performers with glittering good looks, whether Kiri te Kanawa, Anna Netrebko, or Anne-Sophie Mutter, seem to have an advantage over people who don't fuss as much over their public image.

Case in point, could the under-rated-ness of Ivan Moravec be related to his rather total lack of Van-Cliburn-like good looks and media charm?

So, our responses are multivariant. We think we learn things about the kind of person a musician is, and then we might we project that back into the music--regardless whether it belongs there.

So, everybody, thanks for the Rorschach Blots!

(This one is of two music critics playing Patty-Cake.)

JM

Minor church organist who couldn't keep his organ in his pants -- 20 kids! nt, posted on November 26, 2014 at 08:14:08
rbolaw

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 26, 2014 at 08:59:34
bald2 Audiophile Posts: 338 Location: Oregon Joined: January 21, 2006	I haven't checked since his playing never interested me in the past. AND I'd be happy to be disabused of my prejudices, so I'll check it out. Thanks- Harry Z

jdaniel - you're a bad boy! [nt] ;-), posted on November 26, 2014 at 09:06:01
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

It's a fun topic in any case, posted on November 26, 2014 at 09:17:40
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	However, I didn't post an opinion just for the reasons you mention (although it took all my will power not to mention certain names!) LOL! BTW, KtK and A-SM are OLD, OLD, OLD! And even La Trebs has become middle aged and fat! (Well, compared to the way she used to look!)

that makes three of us, posted on November 26, 2014 at 09:24:58
bald2 Audiophile Posts: 338 Location: Oregon Joined: January 21, 2006	Not a big Brendel fan. Have heard him in person and many times on the radio, not knowing who was playing, and don't much care for his musicianship.

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli ???, posted on November 26, 2014 at 09:46:43
Jay Buridan Audiophile Posts: 10283 Location: Michigan Joined: January 21, 2004	I may be mistaken. Given that I've not listened to him in years, perhaps a new listen would change my mind, but I remember not being impressed "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. " ― W.C. Fields

RE: My take-aways, posted on November 26, 2014 at 10:23:38

Amphissa
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Posts: 2717
Location: Zardoz
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Well, that was my point when I posted in the previous thread (although I did not elaborate as eloquently as you have here).

That said, I do think that there are some performers who are more show and media hype than substance. It is true in the world of popular music, where musical talent (or lack of it) can be minimal in some cases. That occurs less frequently in the world of classical music, I suppose. It takes a great deal of work and dedication to achieve even a modest career performing and recording. That said, there are those of less fabulous talent who have benefited from the machinery of success, and some extraordinarily talented individuals who were bypassed by the star making machinery.

The unfortunate fact of life for any musician is that talent and commitment only take one so far, that agents and happenchance and non-musical factors can make a big difference in who gets on the biggest stage under the brightest lights. It's not always the most talented ones who get the big contracts with the big labels and the glossies.

"Life without music is a mistake" (Nietzsche)

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 26, 2014 at 11:10:21
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	I would recommend this. Turangal�la Symphonie Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Takashi Harada, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly I saw him do this piece with Dudamel and the L.A. Phil. It made a believer out of me. This is a monster of a piece.

His one of my favorites., posted on November 26, 2014 at 11:44:52

jimbill
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Posts: 3050
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004

One of my favorite recordings.

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 26, 2014 at 12:32:12
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 37333 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	The name I was trying to think of escaped me, and I ended up repeating Brendel and Barenboim. (The latter individual never impressed me as either pianist or conductor.) The pianist I intended to mention was Yefim Bronfman.....

I Like Him......., posted on November 26, 2014 at 12:34:55
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 37333 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	His style stresses delicacy over horsepower..... Did the best Beethoven Sonata 32 I've heard.

Re: LMAO! The Post of the day! (nt, posted on November 26, 2014 at 13:56:56
Eldragon	nt

Organs did not have stops in those days. nt, posted on November 26, 2014 at 14:01:58
Tadlo Audiophile Posts: 1925 Location: midwest Joined: March 8, 2003	.

That joke was in Playboy in the 60's!, posted on November 26, 2014 at 15:18:39
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	(I only read it for the articles, interviews and jokes!)

RE: His one of my favorites., posted on November 26, 2014 at 16:19:46
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	I would also pick him as overrated. A technically perfect pianist who plays with very little feeling. Don't like him at all Alan

Well, the way she violently bangs-out the final reprise of the "big theme" in Liszt's Sonata always make me , posted on November 27, 2014 at 17:26:06
jdaniel@jps.net	laugh. Feverishness is supposed to be the exception, not the rule.... : )

Doesn't sound like banging to me, although. . . , posted on November 27, 2014 at 23:43:08
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	. . . I might have agreed with you if the incarnation of that recording I still had was the original LP - dayum those inner grooves! ;-)

You don't think that section's a little overly-dramatic? nt, posted on November 28, 2014 at 06:51:47
jdaniel@jps.net	.

It's Liszt!, posted on November 28, 2014 at 10:31:10
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	But in all seriousness, I'd concede that there IS an impatience audible in parts of Martha's rendition of the Sonata (e.g., the slashing of the grand pause just before the slow section at the end), but I still love it anyway! I rank her rendition very high among the recordings (and live performances) I've heard, but my faves are currently Khatia (Buniatishvili) and Pogo.

For almost every pianist listed here, posted on November 30, 2014 at 04:43:01

jult52
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Posts: 1016
Location: Philadelphia
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I can provide specific recordings that are brilliant or very good.

Pletnev: Scarlatti and Scriabin recordings. Only completely successful Mozart 9th concerto I have heard.

Argerich: brilliant Beethoven cello sonatas with Mischa Maisky. This recording by itself is good enough to make a career. She's made dozens if very good to great recordings. I heard her do the Chopin 1st concerto live once and it stands out as one of the best live performances I've had the chance to hear.

Cherkassky: what about that great set of Chopin Etudes?

Pollini: agree he's uneven but what about his Schumann fantasy? He recorded my favorite Brahms 2nd concerto with Abbado. Also did a great set of Chopin Etudes, like Cherkassky.

I am mixed about Brendel but I can name a handful of downright terrific recordings of his, too.

These lists of the overrated are worthless. In fact, they may be worse than worthless.

RE: For almost every pianist listed here, posted on November 30, 2014 at 08:35:50

pbarach
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Posts: 3307
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008

I agree with you that most of the pianists listed here as overrated have made some first-rate recordings or given great performances. But each of us probably can name some musicians that have never floated our boat. Rudoilph Buchbinder and Helene Grimaud are two that have never enthralled me on recordings and who gave third-rate live performances here in Cleveland last season. But I'm sure others think these two are superlative musicians.

Pollini is someone I have never liked on recordings, but I did here him do a wonderful Brahms 2 with Dohnanyi a long time ago, and just the other day I heard a recording of a broadcast of Pollini/Abbado/Boston in the Schumann concerto that was really involving (to me).

I keep saying. . . , posted on November 30, 2014 at 09:51:12
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26477 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	. . . the Wolf Lady's greatest recording was made when she was 15 (the Rachmaninoff solo works on Denon).

the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on November 30, 2014 at 15:40:36
DaveT Audiophile Posts: 1126 Location: Mid Atlantic (Wash, DC Area) Joined: September 25, 2000	In Jazz and living - Dianna Krall. Attractive, technically proficient, and a ho hum vocalist. All in all an overrated pianist. DaveT

RE: OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?, posted on January 12, 2015 at 03:07:32
Jack D II Audiophile Posts: 1535 Location: Hot Springs, AR Joined: June 17, 2009	I have tried several of the most noted and found them wanting-they play the notes but not the music. I stick to Simone Dinerstein, Ivan Moravec and Radu Lupu. They play music.

Every Single One of Them [nt], posted on January 13, 2015 at 09:40:50
Mike Porper Audiophile Posts: 1414 Location: Chicago Joined: December 28, 2009	r

Music Lane

OK, So Who Are the Most OVER-rated Pianists?

108.34.158.106