Marc Andre Hamelin

[Barbirollians]

I know that Hyperion have made hatfuls of recordings with him and he has received rave reviews for many of them but I do not seem to click with his records .

Technically brilliant but they do not communicate much emotion to me . In his review of his recent Rachmaninov 3 recording Gramophone described him as " Hamelin can occasionally resemble someone who likes a drink but is determined to remain sober " .

Although the reviewer went to on to praise the powerful emotion in some of his playing in that concerto it does some up my response to his playing especially of 19th century music . A recent example for me was digging out his highly reputed recording of the Rubinstein Fourth Piano Concerto a once famous piece fallen by the wayside . It did very little for me and I was more than prepared to blame the composer .

Last week , however , I came across in a charity shop Shura Cherkassky's late recording of the same concerto with Ashkenazy for £3 . Sounded like a different work of great charm . It may be an unfair comparison as Cherkassky can be so charismatic a player .

Is it just me ? And if so can anyone recommend any Hamelin recordings to win me over - I saw him play the Turnage concerto lasy year and he was terrific in that but no great romantic sweep to convey there.

[vinteuil]

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... I suspect what you are looking for in music and what I am looking for in music are very different ("great romantic sweep" not my cuppa tea at all).

But if you like Haydn - (and don't insist on period instruments) - I think Hamelin's Haydn is marvellous.

And have you tried his Janáček?

http://amzn.eu/8BNDjeE

[Pianorak]

I heard Hamelin at the Wigmore Hall many years ago now when he first hit the headlines - and expected to be bowled over. He played some Schumann (the only composer I remember) which made no impression at all. Likewise his recordings of Albeniz and Haydn don't do much for me. Obviously my loss, but then there are quite a few pianists I find it difficult to respond to. I would recommend Hamelin's "Suicide in an Airplane" by Leo Ornstein. Enjoy!

[Alison]

Afraid I couldn't get on with his Haydn either. Perhaps it's a lack of what I call human warmth.

Ashamed to say I strayed over to Classics Today a few days ago and can advise that Dave Hurwitz gives the recent Rach 3 10/10. But this isn't necessarily a desirable accolade.

[vinteuil]

Perhaps it's a lack of what I call human warmth.
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... some obviously are looking for 'warmth' in these works - me, I like the 'coolth' which I think he brings. Admirably...


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[Alison]

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... some obviously are looking for 'warmth' in these works - me, I like the 'coolth' which I think he brings. Admirably...


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I'm probably looking for great romantic sweep too thinking about it!!

I loved hearing Cherkassky play the classical composers.

[EdgeleyRob]

Don't know his Haydn.
Plenty of romantic sweep in the Godowsky Sonata and some of those transcriptions.
Excellent Dukas and Liszt Sonatas IMO.
A couple of super live discs too.
Hamelin is at his best in Alkan of course.

[mahlerei]

Not surprisingly, Hamelin is better at some things than others. His Rzewski is top notch, and he's superb in his own 12 Études in all the minor keys. His Janáček and Schumann are very satisfying too, but I find his Haydn rather hit and miss. And I don't warm to his solo Busoni, but that's probably got more to with the music than the playing. Also, he's eclipsed by Peter Donohoe in the concerto. Still, a very fine pianist, IMO.

[Rolmill]

I have many of Hamelin's recordings, as I have found his willingness to explore unusual repertoire very rewarding. He is not equally at home with all composers, of course, especially in more "standard" repertoire - I have never really got on with his complete Scriabin sonatas, nor his Schumann and Mozart. The Haydn piano sonatas, while at times breathtaking in their virtuosity, are rather variable musically; however, I really like his invigorating Haydn concertos disc.

In addition to suggestions above (notably Janacek and his own music), I would recommend the complete Medtner sonatas set, a lovely Grainger disc, Villa-Lobos, Shostakovich concertos, and the fabulous Godowsky complete studies on Chopin's Etudes. However, probably the most likely to convert a non-believer are the recital discs: Live at Wigmore Hall, Kaleidoscope and The Composer-Pianists, all of which vividly and satisfyingly demonstrate not just his virtuosity but (IMO) his musicianship.

[Pianorak]

However, probably the most likely to convert a non-believer are the recital discs . . .

I agree. It was his 2000 Live at Wigmore Hall recital disc (incl. Alkan, Busoni, Medtner) which persuaded me that I might be in for a treat. See #3 above.

[Alison]

I am taking a punt on the Rachmaninov/Medtner disc as I don't know the latter concerto at all and the Third concerto sounded pretty fine on a live RFH concert relay.

[mahlerei]

I agree. It was his 2000 Live at Wigmore Hall recital disc (incl. Alkan, Busoni, Medtner) which persuaded me that I might be in for a treat. See #3 above.

How could I forget his Alkan? The Concerto for solo piano is a knock-out. It helps that Hyperion recor the piano so well.

[Bryn]

My first encounter with his playing was via his first recording of the Ives 2nd Piano Sonata 'Concord, Mass., 1840-60'. Today it is my second favourite recording of the work, my favourite being his second.

[Richard Tarleton]

Seriously senior moment! Deleted!!

Thanks

[BBMmk2]

I love the way Marc-Andre Hamlin sweeps his way through the likes of the more virtuosic repertoire. But on the other hand, his Haydn series is just pure joy!