Best Grieg/Schumann recording?

[Guest]

Somewhat to my amazement, I had - until yesterday - no recording of the Schumann Piano Concerto. This has now been remedied, having picked up the (apparently well-regarded) Kovacevich/Davis version.

Schumann/Grieg seem to be linked for all time as a 'neat' combination: it's difficult to obtain one without also obtaining the other. Wondering what your preferences are for these two?

[VodkaDilc]

I would pick the Kovacevich too, with Andsnes, Jansons and the Berlin Phil as a more recent alternative.

[Ferretfancy]

Everybody should hear the Solomon recording especially for the Grieg, it was one of EMI's first stereo recordings, made not long before Solomon's tragic stroke,a lovely performance. For Schumann, Lipatti is great of course, the version with Karajan is the one to go for because the Ansermet live broadcast has awful sound.
Then there's Richter with the Warsaw PO, and more recently Andsnes, so many indeed.

[Bryn]

Without doubt, my favourite recording of the Schumann is that by Andreas Staier (c. 1850 J.B. Streicher), with Elysian Fields Orchestra directed by Philippe Herreweghe. It comes coupled with a decent performance of the 'Cello Concerto as played by Christophe Coin.

[amateur51]

I've always enjoyed the several recorded performances of the Schumann piano concerto by Walter Gieseking. For me he seems to bring out the conversational quality of much of the musical interplay between piano and orchestra ( I mean that in a positive way).

My first ever recorded performance of the Grieg piano concerto was on LP and was by Cziffra. I loved it from the start but I don't know if it's currently available.

There are a couple of recordings by Percy Grainger, a great friend of Grieg, playing the Grieg concerto in fine style. One features a Grainger soundtrack 'accompanied' by the orchestral part conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, I think. They are well worth hearing if you can find them.

[barber olly]

Katchen/Kertesz and Lupu/Previn are two of my favourites.

[Ferretfancy]

For the Grieg, I've just remembered Clifford Curzon with the LPO and Feljstad, which has re-appeared in various bargain guises including a nice coupling with Franck's Symphonic Variations, Boult conducting.

[HighlandDougie]

Not sure if it's still available but the live Michelangeli recording of the Grieg is a wonderful performance (and coupled with a live performance of the First Book of the Debussy Préludes which is equally fine). Exceptionally fine playing and, from a pianist often thought of as a bit patrician and grand, full of passion. Almost enough to convince one that the Grieg is the greatest romantic concerto of them all.

[french frank]

Katchen/Kertesz and Lupu/Previn are two of my favourites.

Ha! I scuttled to see which LP version I'd inherited from my brother's late father-in-law and was going to claim to be the only one here with Katchen/Israel Phil/Kertesz.

I'm going to play it now . Doesn't this forum come up with nice ideas?

[StephenO]

Doesn't this forum come up with nice ideas?

It certainly does!

My favourite recordings are Kovacevich/Davis and Andsnes/Jansons but for the Schumann on its own I have a soft spot for Pires, CoE and Abbado on DG, coupled with an excellent performance of the Piano Quintet.

[Mandryka]

I used to have the Ogdon/Berglund version of this coupling, which the Penguin Guide was so scathing about (one of its very rare 'one stars', as I recall). Alas, I was too young back then to have been able to form my own judgement!

[LeMartinPecheur]

I used to have the Ogdon/Berglund version of this coupling, which the Penguin Guide was so scathing about (one of its very rare 'one stars', as I recall). Alas, I was too young back then to have been able to form my own judgement!

Over a year ago I was given a copy of that by a neighbour, along with about 4 other Grieg concertos (her father was a BIG fan of the work). Knowing the PG's view I haven't dared play it yet

But maybe I shall now...

[Norfolk Born]

Lars Vogt/Rattle/CBSO.

[gurnemanz]

Here's another vote for Lupu/Previn - lovely recordings, great hairstyle

http://i05.s2.imagehosting.ws/2010-06-02/103937/000ae8d4_medium.jpeg

[mikealdren]

ferret,
Yes Lipatti is very fine in the Schumann but, for me, it's his Grieg that is incomparable, a truly fabulous performance and one of the great classics of the gramophone.

Mike