To be honest, I don’t think I have even heard it. That’s why I want to know which recording to start with. Except for the piano concertos I don’t know that many of Tchaikovsky’s piano compositions.
Not a huge fan, though I do listen to it once in a while. Richter’s Warsaw recording from 1954 is the one I listen to most. Not sure anyone else come close. Haven’t listened to the Moog rec yet, but I’m sure I’ll like it.
The Nocturne and Theme & Vars from Op.19, Un poco di Chopin from Op.72, Jan, June, Oct & Nov from The Seasons.
I’m not too fond of Tchaikovsky’s piano works. I think it feels like he wrote the majority of them to earn a quick buck - unlike his ballets which do appear to have genuinely inspired music in them (not that I would know :xsdc:). Even Op.23 I find overrated tbh, and I prefer the unfinished 3rd PC. I can’t stand the 2nd PC, and the Sonatas haven’t left any particular impression on me, but I know the second is a great favourite with a friend of mine. I don’t know his rec preference though, but I would guess Pletnev - which at least is mine.
Same here. I don’t really like Op. 23 that much, either. I think it’s a little over rated, and greatly overplayed. I don’t even know how the jury members at the Tchaikovsky Competition could manage to sit through several performances of it in consecutive days.
That said, I did grow to love The Seasons when I was forced to play June.
Richter and Pletnev have the only recs of note I tyink.
Of the smaller works, the Dumka is probably the best. The Seasons, op.19, op.21, op.72 has some nice stuff. Most tends to be not very effective writing which is weird given the concerto is fine (bloody awkward, but works)