BaL 1.11.14 - Chopin: Preludes Op.28

[Barbirollians]

I think this is correct - in the RCA boxed set Rubinstein plays Chopin, the Preludes are the 1946 MONO recordings: everything else is Stereo from 1958 - 67.

I always thought they were not very good for 1950s stereo !

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[richardfinegold]

Thanks as usual, EA. I have Claudio Arrau but I didn't realize that there were two versions. Arrau is my go to, but I have managed to add versions by Garrick Ohlsonn, Pollini, and Pires, all of which have their merits. It's to fun to play some of the easier ones on the Piano, but I quit my lessons years ago when I was practicing the 'Raindrop' so much that I began to get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. My family was quite happy for the respite.

[EdgeleyRob]

Pollini (the first DG one) is the only set I have.
Sounds terrific to me,does anyone else rate this version highly ?

[richardfinegold]

Pollini (the first DG one) is the only set I have.
Sounds terrific to me,does anyone else rate this version highly ?

It was the second set that I ever purchased, after having been utterly taken with the Pollini Etudes. At the time I was very dissapointed in it, but I've come to appreciate it's virtues. It isn't as poetic as some.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Pollini (the first DG one) is the only set I have.
Sounds terrific to me,does anyone else rate this version highly ?

I love Pollini's Chopin, Edgey - is there a second version?

[EdgeleyRob]

I love Pollini's Chopin, Edgey - is there a second version?

Yep ferney,2012.

http://www.classicstoday.com/review/pollini-revisits-chopins-preludes/

[gurnemanz]

Yep ferney,2012.

http://www.classicstoday.com/review/...pins-preludes/

I think I would like Pollini but alas don't know the recording. I have his Études on LP. For ages my only LP Preludes were Rubinstein. I now have the whole indispensable Rubinstein on CD + Vladimir Ashkenazy (good) and a lovely "authentic" version from Wojciech Switala doing the Real Chopin on an 1848 Pleyel.

[Keraulophone]

I love Pollini's Chopin, Edgey - is there a second version?

I thought I loved it too, until I bought his 70th b'day Preludes - far superior pianism in his 1974 recording IMO.

On the other hand, the '70s were also responsible for allowing an elderly Marcel Dupré to murder a few of the Op.28 on the RAH organ; unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

[pastoralguy]

Sitting in The Sage's foyer watching this BAL. Fascinating!

[rauschwerk]

At this rate the comparison will be between about four versions. I wish Mr McGregor would just shut his cake hole.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks to Edgey (#37) and Keraulophone (#39) for mentioning the 2012 Pollini recording, which I didn't know about: sound like one for Spotify rather than the library.

Despite the redundant "chat" presentation, I'm quite enjoying hearing the excerpts on this BaL - even if I seem to be preferring the versions the reviewer least enjoys! (And I did wonder who "Claire Williams" was, until AmcG referred to "he": too boomy a bass recording, I thought.)

[Barbirollians]

Dire BAL far too much talk and far too few versions considered .

[tigajen]

Despite the redundant "chat" presentation, I'm quite enjoying hearing the excerpts on this BaL - even if I seem to be preferring the versions the reviewer least enjoys! (And I did wonder who "Claire Williams" was, until AmcG referred to "he": too boomy a bass recording, I thought.)[/QUOTE]

Llyr Williams

[MickyD]

Thanks to this BAL, I have made the acquaintance of Danny Grimmwood, a pianist who I am ashamed to say I have never heard before. I like his Chopin on the 1851 Erard and am now tempted to get his Liszt disc recorded on the same instrument, too.