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Best Chopin pianist?

post #1 of 40
9/24/06 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 
Who was / is the best pianist top play Chopin?

Jon.
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post #2 of 40
9/24/06 at 11:55pm
Krystian Zimerman is really something else when it comes to Chopin. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (Italian, obviously) made some of the most beautiful Chopin recordings I've ever heard...definitely poetic.

Then, of course, there is the grand master. Vladimir Horowitz. While I think he did Scarlatti best, his Chopin is out of this world.

We need Koji to comment
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post #3 of 40
9/25/06 at 3:13am
Arrau, hands down.
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post #4 of 40
9/25/06 at 8:30am
Some of my faves:

Kapell
Lipatti
Cortot
Friedmann
Rubinstein
Horowitz
Rubinstein
Malcuzyinski
Hofmann
Gilels


koji
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post #5 of 40
9/25/06 at 8:45am
I am a complete naif in this area, but what are your thoughts on Pollini?
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post #6 of 40
9/25/06 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RJman
I am a complete naif in this area, but what are your thoughts on Pollini?

I loved Pollini's playing early in his career (I have some etudes of his recorded live at the age of 14 and they're stunning--much better than his sterile studio recording), but for some reason, perhaps after studying with Michelangeli and wishing to emulate that type of playing, became very cold and boring for me. The last time I heard him live in nyc was a major disappointment. (Manton will vigorously disagree with me here).

koji
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post #7 of 40
9/25/06 at 10:31am
If I had to pick one it would be Rubenstein. As an added bonus, many of his recordings are now being remastered and issued in superior sound.

I also like Kissin and Moravec.
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post #8 of 40
9/25/06 at 10:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Checks
If I had to pick one it would be Rubenstein. As an added bonus, many of his recordings are now being remastered and issued in superior sound.

Since you like Ruby, I would highly recommend you get the Kapell volume from the complete RCA set with the Mazurkas and 2nd and 3rd sonatas; Kapell modeled his Chopin very much on that objective Rubinstein style, but with better technique.

koji
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post #9 of 40
9/25/06 at 11:01am
The band Mercury Rev does a good take, if you want it with a modern twist.
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post #10 of 40
9/25/06 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RJman
I am a complete naif in this area, but what are your thoughts on Pollini?

Oh, no...here we go (luckily you didn't mention Schubert...).

Jon.
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post #11 of 40
9/25/06 at 11:31am
Pollini's Chopin is a little cold. It's one of the rare cases where I agree with the widespread criticism of Pollini. But his 1977 recording of the Beethoven late sonatas is my personal favorite marriage of performer and composer. Perfect!
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post #12 of 40
9/25/06 at 12:34pm


Any fans of Chopin would enjoy this movie. High camp, but extremely entertaining. Soaring, musical score . . .
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post #13 of 40
9/25/06 at 1:02pm
Athur Rubinstein is my favorite.
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post #14 of 40
9/25/06 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan Kipling


Any fans of Chopin would enjoy this movie. High camp, but extremely entertaining. Soaring, musical score . . .

Paul Muni is my favorite actor, period.

koji
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post #15 of 40
9/25/06 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manton
Pollini's Chopin is a little cold. It's one of the rare cases where I agree with the widespread criticism of Pollini. But his 1977 recording of the Beethoven late sonatas is my personal favorite marriage of performer and composer. Perfect!

Complete agreement on the late Beethoven sonatas.

For Chopin, though, I recently re-visited Argerich's '65 recital and was hooked.
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