Schubert D960 Andante Sostenuto - Blind sampling

[johnb]

johnb

Change of subject but did you get the Elias quartet doing Britten? (I think it was you who said you had ordered it).

Hope you liked it. I have my copy with me here in NZ.

You mean I've got to listen to the CDs I buy, rather than stacking them on the shelves?

Seriously though, yes, I like it very, very much indeed - thanks for the tip!

[johnb]

The pianists included in the samples were (in strict alphabetical order):

Brendel
Curzon
Kempff
Kovacevich
Lupu
Osborne
Richter
Sofronitsky
Uchida

[Basil]

Is that the order you posted the links?

[johnb]

I confess that it is. Originally, I hadn't intended to post them in alphabetical order but, in my hurry, I forgot to randomize them!

A Brendel 1997 Live, not the earlier studio version
B Curzon
C Kempff
D Kovacevich
E Lupu
F Osborne 2010 Perth Concert Hall, live
G Richter
H Sofronitsky
I Uchida

Out of interest, the number of times each was accessed is:

A Brendel 30
B Curzon 24
C Kempff 20
D Kovacevich 22
E Lupu 21
F Osborne 16
G Richter 15
H Sofronitsky 17
I Uchida 18

[Basil]

I was right!

I think this will be my first purchace of 2011,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uchida-plays-Schubert-Mitsuko/dp/B000654OUG/ref=sr_1_11?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1292948489&sr=1-11

Many thanks for bringing these to my attention John.

[amateur51]

A fascinating result, johnb!

Many thanks for all your hard work.

I confess that I gave up after a while because I found myself getting over-familiar with this wonderful music (plus the fact that I wasn't really making much progress ).

[johnb]

One unexpected find, for me, was the Steven Osborne. I started listening with only half an ear but it stopped me in my tracks. Afterwards I didn't want to listen to anything else for quite some time. I think you can tell it's a 'real' live performance - it has the air of a performance of the moment rather than one that has been carefully 'sterilised' for CD.

[johnb]

I was right!

I think this will be my first purchace of 2011,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uchida-plays-Schubert-Mitsuko/dp/B000654OUG/ref=sr_1_11?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1292948489&sr=1-11

Many thanks for bringing these to my attention John.

This is a difficult one for me. I love listening to Mitsuko Uchida talk about music and find she always inspires with by her insights and her passion. I also very much enjoy seeing her perform live - she has great charisma on the concert platform and I always sense that her recitals are 'performances' in the best sense of the word.

However, I can't take her recording of D960. The added expression, mini rubatos, etc jar with me. But we all have different tastes and I am glad that you enjoy her reading.

[amateur51]

This is a difficult one for me. I love listening to Mitsuko Uchida talk about music and find she always find her inspires me by her insights and her passion. I also very much enjoy seeing her perform live - she has great charisma on the concert platform and I always sense that her recitals are 'performances' in the best sense of the world

An example of her enthusiasm for communication:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmWRttCo7lo

By the way, can anyone explain what the guy by (with?) the bassoon is doing? He appears to be mirroring Tate's conducting, but why ....?

[Rowan Tree]

One unexpected find, for me, was the Steven Osborne. I started listening with only half an ear but it stopped me in my tracks. Afterwards I didn't want to listen to anything else for quite some time. I think you can tell it's a 'real' live performance - it has the air of a performance of the moment rather than one that has been carefully 'sterilised' for CD.

May I say I agree 100% utterly beautiful.
Thank you very much.

[Basil]

I'd be very interested in your thoughts about this version.

J

A happy new year to all

[Chris Newman]

Thanks, John, for stretching our minds.I eventually placed B (Curzon), C (Kempff) and I (Uchida) as my favourites with E (Lupu) coming in close. For me these artists sustained a line, were not too percussive at the beginning and clearly had some idea of which path they were taking yet they were not afraid of peeping behind trees on the way. I found Lupu a bit slow. A (Brendel) and G (Richter) rather broke the line with overuse of rubato that almost became hesitations. Uchida makes use of rubato but it feels perfectly natural compared with their's which became mannered. The newcomer (J) suggested by Basil maintained the line but came in either rather loud or closely miked and was a bit vocal. I am sure lots of you will disagree with my thoughts.

Happy New Year, everyone.

[Pianorak]

An example of her enthusiasm for communication:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmWRttCo7lo

Another example: The Debussy Etudes performed and discussed by Mitsuko Uchida: Philips Video Classics.

[Basil]

Another example: The Debussy Etudes performed and discussed by Mitsuko Uchida: Philips Video Classics.

These are magnificent, I've had them for quite a while and the only downside is it makes me want to hear her play the Book 1 & 2 Préludes.

[Basil]

The newcomer (J) suggested by Basil maintained the line but came in either rather loud or closely miked and was a bit vocal. I am sure lots of you will disagree with my thoughts.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by 'a bit vocal'