BaL 1.11.14 - Chopin: Preludes Op.28

[visualnickmos]

Slightly related to the thread (only slightly) I just heard Lang Lang murdering some Chopin on a French TV chat show. Reminded me of Mrs Mills, and that is not intended as an insult to the Grande Dame of the old Joanna, an entertainer who I actually remember as a kid, and quite liked!

[Pianorak]

Gulda, could have got 50-1 I think.

[VodkaDilc]

I thought Gulda "won" - but I may have lost interest by that late stage in the proceedings.

My concentration also went astray, so I wonder if anyone can answer a question. Cortot was named as the best Historic recording, but in the 1920s recordings on Naxos, I think. I have Cortot's Preludes from the EMI Great Recordings of the Century series; made in the 30s, I think. Can anyone remember whether this version was mentioned and why it was ruled out? Or are both recordings the same, with an error in the dates?

[Don Petter]

My concentration also went astray, so I wonder if anyone can answer a question. Cortot was named as the best Historic recording, but in the 1920s recordings on Naxos, I think. I have Cortot's Preludes from the EMI Great Recordings of the Century series; made in the 30s, I think. Can anyone remember whether this version was mentioned and why it was ruled out? Or are both recordings the same, with an error in the dates?

I think KH said of the three(?) Cortot recordings, he preferred the earliest.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

According to Cortot's discography, he recorded the complete Preludes three times: in 1926, 1933-34 and 1942. As far as I can remember, the NAXOS transfer of the 1926 recording was the only one mentioned this morning.

[amateur51]

I think KH said of the three(?) Cortot recordings, he preferred the earliest.

Cortot's practice regime fell into neglect in his later years; the playing was often still marvellous but inaccurate which is fine in a concert but not in a recording.

[VodkaDilc]

According to Cortot's discography, he recorded the complete Preludes three times: in 1926, 1933-34 and 1942. As far as I can remember, the NAXOS transfer of the 1926 recording was the only one mentioned this morning.

Many thanks to those who have provided this information. My 1933/4 recordings are still pretty amazing.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Cortot's practice regime fell into neglect in his later years; the playing was often still marvellous but inaccurate which is fine in a concert but not in a recording.

Yes - I noticed a comment from Gerard Souzay about their recording of Schumann's Dichterliebe: "He was too old, and I was too young."

[amateur51]

Yes - I noticed a comment from Gerard Souzay about their recording of Schumann's Dichterliebe: "He was too old, and I was too young."

I used to have their performance on LP and have never found it on CD.

I think it is magical, particularly Cortot's playing of Schumann's postludes

[Pianorak]

. . . My 1933/4 recordings are still pretty amazing.

I wonder if your recordings on the EMI label were better remastered than the ones included in the "Great Pianists of the 20th Century". I have just listened to them and found it rather trying, same with Rubinstein's REGIS reissue.

As already said a poor BAL. Hmm, not even a mention of Grigory Sokolov's recording.

[ardcarp]

From what I could ascertain, Andrew McGregor hadn't met the reviewer before hand. ('It's really nice to meet you', I overheard) so it doesn't seem to be pre-scripted.

You were there Pastoralguy, so you have the advantage over the rest of us. I'm sure Andrew's 'chats' are not pre-scripted in the word-for-word sense, but knowing the way the Beeb works, I'd be most surprised if there had not been an earlier meeting with AMG, the reviewer and the producer when the agenda would have been pretty firmly established.

[Karafan]

I used to have their performance on LP and have never found it on CD.

I think it is magical, particularly Cortot's playing of Schumann's postludes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5QD3NoQwro&index=2&list=RDqH8JiaN9w6g

[ardcarp]

Thanks for posting that up Karafan. It reminds me of an era when Gerard Souzay was popping up everywhere on radio and recordings...and quite rightly too. Wonderful voice and wonderful artist.

[Richard Tarleton]

From what I could ascertain, Andrew McGregor hadn't met the reviewer before hand. ('It's really nice to meet you', I overheard) so it doesn't seem to be pre-scripted.

That's puzzling, I seem to remember them doing double-acts on CDR before, more than once?

[amateur51]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5QD...=RDqH8JiaN9w6g

Many, many thanks Karafan - great to hear this wonderful performance after all these years