Fundamentally, Gramophone is in the business of selling ad space to the dwindling band of "major" labels. Nearly everything in the magazine has to be interpreted in that light.
Same reason I got rid of my 8-tracks, Cassettes, LPs and now CDs. Moving forward, and it's hundreds of songs at my fingertips now on my iPod.....
My first introduction to Brahms. I purchased the first and second symphonies conducted by Sanderling in a London record shop in the mid seventies. Suffice it to say, I became a lifelong fan of Brahms and the conductor.
Well said (as usual.) Your post makes me curious...who are your favorite Chopin pianists? And why? I am curious about other people's fave Chopin pianists (and why) as well. I will answer myself when I have more time, as I am on my way to work and feel this subject deserves plenty of time to adequately respond.
Now listening to CD 5 from "John Dowland - The Collected Works" performed by The Consort Of Musicke led by Anthony Rooley on L'Oiseau-Lyre. A Pilgrimes Solace (conclusion) (Fourth Booke of Songs) Keyboard transcriptions - Colin Tilney (harpsichord)
Here's the full list if anyone's interested: 01 - Beethoven 3 02 - Beethoven 9 03 - Mozart 41 04 - Mahler 9 05 - Mahler 2 06 - Brahms 4 07 - Berlioz Symphonie fantastique 08 - Brahms 1 09 - Tchaikovsky 6 10 - Mahler 3 11 - Beethoven 5 12 - Brahms 3 13 - Bruckner 8 14 - Sibelius 7 15 - Mozart 40 16 - Beethoven 7 17 - Shostakovich 5 18 - Brahms 2 19 - Beethoven 6 20 - Bruckner 7 It is a shame IMO that Sibelius and Shostakovitch are not in the top ten.
For Chopin, there are a number of great pianists I enjoy hearing; but I want to mention one who I think gets overlooked: Alexander Brailowsky. I have a soft spot for his style of playing. I’m sure I am in the minority here and he’s a nearly forgotten artist today—usually dismissed as “old fashioned,” and I understand that. But for Chopin, I prefer “color” over flash, and Brailowsky’s style moves me in emotional ways with most of that composer’s works. (No one pianist is definitive in all of Chopin, IMHO. ) Brailowsky understands that Mazurkas are dances and plays them in a lively, fleeting, dazzling, yet more delicate fashion (he gets off the sustain pedal!) compared to some others who get too heavy-handed for me and try to make showpieces out of them. Brailowsky saves his power for the Polonaises, though I’m not always convinced of his tempos. His “old style” playing of the Waltzes contains a generous helping of rubato, but I’m fine with that because his keen sense of phrasing and emphasis of the bass line seems just right to me. Ditto his playing of the Nocturnes, which extract more of the ever-changing moods and color. He plays them like individual poems, with careful phrasing that seems to come from the heart.
Yes, although I would also expect the Unfinished to be in the list. I guess, it is not as popular as it used to be.
Agreed, very underrated and definitely IMO among the top ten Chopin pianists. I have his Columbia LPs and I never understood why he is not mentioned more often.
Now listening to CD 3 from"Yves Nat - Ses Enregistrements 1930-1956" performed by Yves Nat on EMI. Beethoven - Piano Sonatas 8-11
Sorry about that. I'll try to find another one. I'm actually able to see it but that's no good if nobody else can.
Now listening to "Charles Wuorinen - Genesis/Mass" performed by the Minnesota Orchestra and the Minnesota Chorale and the New York Virtuoso Singers led by Edo de Waart and Charles Wuorinen on Koch. Also contains A Solis Ortu and Ave Christie: Josquin
This set arrived today, and I listened to the first 6: so far, so good! He composed them in 1937/38, a few years before Hindemith and Shostakovitch composed their cycles. Great playing of what sounds like quite demanding music, and the sound is very good, too.
