Hi everyone!

I wanted to find out WHO, in your opinion, plays my compositions the best and WHY?
You can comment according to type of work: Ballades, Concertos, Etudes, Impromptus, Mazurkas, Polonaises, Preludes, Scherzi, Sonatas, Waltzes etc.

I really enjoy Perahia's recording of the 24 Etudes - he's incredible technically and has a bright sparkling sound that makes it seem effortless. I find Richter's performance of the 3rd ballade very exciting too. I guess because he's not afraid to take risks and makes a stunning climax.

I am a major Perahia fan! I think I have all his recordings! I think he also recorded Beethoven's 4th Piano Sonata in E Flat (which I heard on cassette but cannot find on CD). One of my first CDs was his recording of the Impromptus which I think is the best available - technically superb with just the perfect amount of rubato. The first impromptu sets him miles ahead of other pianists. I like his playing of the Etudes too but I now prefer Lugansky's version.

Dinu Lipatti for the Op 27 Nocturne #2 in D Flat.
I have to admit that there is no musical reasoning behind this, just sentiment.

oh, and Scott Lishak playing the C minor Polonaise

Peter Donohoe. Dunno why, he just seems to interpret Chopin the way I think it should be played.

With regards to my Piano Sonatas, I prefer recordings by these pianists:

Sonata No 1 - Leif Ove Andsnes
Sonata No 2 - Andrei Gavrilov
Sonata No 3 - Martha Argerich

Andsnes plays this miles better than Ashkenazy. I find Gavrilov plays the first 2 movements really well and at an impressive though convincing tempo. Argerich's playing is dramatic and brings out the emotional intensity of the sonata.

For me, I'd say Biret. She plays the polonaises very well Ashkenazy has a very nice sound with the preludes. And Istvan Szelsky (sp?) makes the concerti sound FABULOUS!

wooooooo go me cept im ######!!! but the polonaise is getting better!




ewwww idil biret is yucky playing chopin. shes so heavy in touch. yeah i love ashkenazy. i heard him play mi polonaise on cd about a week before i played it at a competition and it just inspired me so much it was so lively!

Also Brendan Kinsella playing the andante spinato and grande polonaise brilliante. Not sure if hes the best technically, but he brings it to life.

Also the chopin competition winner who played that recording at the end of The Pianist, incredible - the same piece!

I haven't actually heard Biret play the Polonaises cos I was really put off by her playing of the impromptus in the past - but will do so. I have Pollini's recording which is decent and I must say I like Garrick Ohlsson's (Chopin Competition Winner) playing of the Polonaises - he plays all 17 of them.

I'm ashamed to say, apart from some random recordings, I've only ever heard Biret and Ashkenazy play Chopin

IMMENSE recording. Amazing.

Isn't Perahia a fish? Not that I'm Murry-ied about it.

Fou Ts'ong...as for the Why..he just is.

yeah. the hands as well, they must be so strong because they just fluttered across the keyboard.

He won the international chopin competition in the 1970's. its widely thought of as one of the most prestigious classical piano events in the world. so no mean feat!

Janusz Olejniczak - 1970 Chopin Competition Winner

thats the one. Its such a hard name to remember.

You're comparing Perahia to a Piranha?!? Scandalous!!!

Just because you think I'm being serious,don't think I'm scampi-ering around fishing for excuses. I will fin-ish it now.

EDIT:

Have you heard Mr Perahia and Mr Lupu perform Schubert's Op.103?

I have - must have been ages ago. Have to dig up the CD.....

i like yundi li~

I like Nikolai Lugansky for his playing of the Etudes. Li Yundi is also good. But I would have to say Janusz Olejniczak is my favourite. His 1st and 2nd Ballades are very good.

FYI, Olejniczak was 6th place in the 1970 competition.

Yes, Olejniczak was 6th. Garrick Ohlsson was 1st, Mitsuko Uchida 2nd.

I think Li Yundi's recording of the scherzi is among the best.

I have a lovely recording of Ivan Moravec playing the Nocturnes - and I've also got Angela Hewitt playing them too. Both fabulous. For the waltzes - it's got to be Arthur Rubinstein for sheer joy.

Edward

the nocturnes, waltzes and mazurkas - me,
the rest, pollini.

Hmmm...where can I get hold of your recordings then?

i have a very touching recording of mitsuko uchide playing two schubert sonatas.

Hey! We are talking about MY compositions here!

I have been listening to idil biret's playing on Chopin for a long while (becoz last time it was available on web.
I listen to her playing of Polanaise when I was preparing for my diploma exam. I should say her playing is not distinctive, but one got to mesmerised by her effort into details, and such a wide volume of repertoires she has churned out.

I also watched her solo performance life several years ago. She played Chopin and Rach. Not a very wise choice of repertoire, as she appeared very exhausted at the end of the concert. But I would say, her playing on the fantasie impromptu really touched me that night.

My favourite of chopin player would definitely Arthur Rubeinstein. Some of Martha Agrerich's are great too.