Stefan Askenase

[Barbirollians]

A rather forgotten pianist it seems but I have greatly enjoyed his DG Chopin box- especially the Preludes and both of the concerto recordings are uncommonly interesting though his first unfortunately for it appeared at the same time as the Pollini/Kletzki recording.

[Roslynmuse]

I agree - I listened to this box last autumn. I had an old Heliodor LP in the 70s with the Impromptus, Scherzo 3, Ballade 3 and the Mazurkas Op 41 and 'learned' the pieces from that. Listening 45 years on, and having heard many other recordings since, it's clear that not all the performances are first choices, but I like his refusal to be rushed, and the overall beauty of sound is notable. I particularly enjoyed the Waltzes and the Nocturnes. I was less taken by the Sonatas and the Polonaises but the Concertos are extremely convincing. The orchestral playing isn't always polished but it is always considered and expressive - the slow movements especially. The Krakowiak also comes over as a stronger piece than it often does. I listened to it having just worked my way through the Adam Harasiewicz 10 CD box on Philips - far more fireworks there, but - with the exception of the selection of Mazurkas - far less memorable playing.

Interesting to read the Askenase was a pupil of Emil von Sauer - a Liszt pupil - and that Askenase decided early on in his studies that Liszt wasn't for him (although there are a couple of short items included in this box; also some Mendelssohn, Schubert, Smetana and Mozart K570).

Like Rubinstein, Askenase didn't record the Chopin Etudes.

[cloughie]

Methinks we are due an eloquence box!

[Roslynmuse]

Methinks we are due an eloquence box!

A quick look at Discogs doesn't show much else besides what's on these discs - a couple of Mozart Piano Concertos and possibly a second version of the Chopin 2nd Concerto. There may be more lurking in the archives, of course!

[mikealdren]

I have very fond memories of the Ashkenase preludes, probably the first LP of Chopin I bought in about 1970. I passed it on to my youngest brother who was studying the preludes for 'O' level.