Of all the wonderful piano performances out there, which one moves you the most?
Although they aren’t talked about as much as say, Friedman’s Chopin and Mendelssohn, or Schnabel’s Beethoven, for me, the greatest piano performances ever put to disc are Moiseiwitsch’s Chopin Preludes. The phrasings and colours, rubato are simply glorious…but the character he brings to every one of the pieces and the unity he brings to the work as a whole is just staggering. Benno’s preludes changed the way I think about music. I can’t listen to Tiempo, Argerich, Kissin, or even Arrau in the 16th preludes without desperately missing Benno leggiero. I can’t listen to any performance of the 12th without missing Benno’s outrageous rhythmic drive, or any other performance of the others without missing his voicing and perfect understanding of harmony. I can go on and on.
In a way, I’m spoiled… I can’t listen to any piano performance without judging it against this stratospheric technical and musical standard.
Music I listen to when in need of a quasi-religious experience.
Non piano, but when I read “Music I listen to when in need of a quasi-religious experience.” this immediatly sprang to mind. I can’t live without and need to listen to it thoroughly at least once a month.
And on piano… Hmm, this is hard, I need time to think.
generally I’m more inspired by great technique, not really in terms of facility but sound (i.e. how good the legato is, how even, how “golden” the tone etc). In terms of quasi-religious… I’ll also have to think about that and post later.
Interesting that you mention Moiseiwitsch’s Preludes. Chopin’s preludes were the only Chopin works which I did not really like - until I heard Moiseiwitsch’s version. (Now I like others as well).
For me, Schubert’s String Quintet (preferably the old Casals recording at the moment) is the type of Music I listen to when in need of a quasi-religious experience.
On the top of my head, the Schubert impromptu and kinderszenen and basically the whole recital by horowitz from the vienna musikverein. Its a nostalgic chioce, but it works for me.
having thought about it, the one that had the greatest effect (or at least a noticeably great effect) was Cziffra’s live Schumann 1st sonata. Another one would be De Pachmann’s Chopin 1st Impromptu, especially the middle section.
i think i quit having an argument with you for quite a time, but u never stop. seriously, what’s your problem? if u can’t stand reading it, u can just ignore it. in fact, you are acting very immature these days. if u don’t like something, try to tolerate it. act like a grown up. i have the right to say what i think. even if it’s repetitive, so what. if i said Horowitz was a great pianist 2 years ago, do i now have to say he’s bad in order to satisfy you? this thread is similar to the past. before commenting someone’s opinion, please do show respect or make sure that your comment is far superior or more logical. otherwise, u will just degrade yourself and expose your stupidity as it reflects from your comment.
Zon
