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What is the best Chopin solo piano works currently available on SACD?
I'm most interested in the quality of the performance, but obviously would like your comments on the SACD sonics as well.Thanks.
Follow Ups:
Also check out Artur Pizarro on Linn.Recital:
http://www.linnrecords.com/cd_information/cd_information.asp?RecordingID=323Sonatas:
http://www.linnrecords.com/cd_information/cd_information.asp?RecordingID=369
In January 2007 PentaTone will release (in the series of rematered quadraphonic recordings) an album with all Chopin Preludes coupled with Schumann's Papillon Op.2.performed by Claudio Arrau recorded in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in 1973/4
The Rubinstein ballades and scherzos are some of his greatest stereo performances. Last month I acquired the Universal Japan Ashkenazy stereo SACD of the ballades and scherzos. These are not his 1980s digital recordings but his 1960s ones. The ballades, like the Rubinstein SACD, show the age of the master tapes, although they are still good recordings. The recordings as well as the interpretations of Ashkenazy's scherzi is really very fine. His performances are volatile, with greater technical ability than the aging Rubinstein in the scherzi, albeit with his characteristic metallic fortissimos. I have posted a review of the Rubinstein concertos on sa-cd.net.There are actually two Perahia SACDs of Chopin. From Sony Japan is the Chopin recital he recorded in the early 1990s, stereo only, including the ballades. You can read the reviews on gramophone.co.uk of the original release. There is more detail on the SACD, so I suspect it is a 20 bit original recording. Well worth getting.
Rubinstein is excellent in the RCA SACDs. I'm tempted by the Pollini available now, but there was a problem with the sound, I believe. Still, If they reissued the Pollini version of the etudes, I'd jump for it right now.I'm not familiar with the other pianists mentioned. I had the Hewitt in Bach, but I sent it back. Did not care for it. Perhaps she would be better in Chopin.
Who do you like in pianists, generally? My opinions may not suit your taste. For instance some despise Gould in Bach, not me.
Part of my problem in asking for recommendations is that Romantic era music is not my main forte. Most of my classical collection is Baroque and Classical. In this context, I like Perahia, Serkin, Gilel, Uchida, Richter, etc. But I realize that Romantic performance on the modern grand piano calls for an entirely different style, involving greater sensitivity and passion. So, therefore my reason for asking for a different perspective.And although I stressed performance over sonics in my original post, let's face it, since I want this repertoire on SACD, I'm obviously at least equally interested in the quality of the sound.
My thanks to everyone for some excellent suggestions.
DSD recording, not analog remaster. Superb sonically.If you like Moravec, Barbosa, or Jorge Bolet for Chopin, you will like this SACD. Rubinstein fans better look elsewhere...
I took a punt on this from Japan and played it to a friend of mine blind. I asked who he thought it was, he said it sounded like Horowitz. Nuff said :)Available from HMV.co.jp, just search by "Cat No." and paste the serial number listed on the SA-CD link I've included.
Of course.. Horowitz's SACD is also a must... and the Periah SACD is good too..
Daniel.
NT
I have the Perahia etudes on SACD. Let's just say I prefer Pollini's version on CD for the performances.
Rubinstein's Ballades & Scherzos on RCA Living Stereo is very good - but I don't know if it's the best
Some great Chopin playing. Just wish we could get the Pollini version of the etudes reissued in SACD.
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