BaL 30.04.22 - Chopin: Piano Sonata no. 3 in B minor

[gradus]

I don't think I would have guessed that Argerich was playing had it been audio only and I think Zimerman is absolutely right.

[Retune]

I have Argerich (both), Pires, Lipatti and Pollini (1984). I think Pollini 84 is still available on CD if big boxes count - it's in the excellent DG Chopin Complete Edition, which the usual suspects are still selling new at bargain price.

[Barbirollians]

Lipatti still my favourite - but also very fond of both Argerich ( EMI and DG) , Rubinstein's late stereo account, the live Peter Katin and Howard Shelley on an 1830s piano.

[gurnemanz]

Lipatti still my favourite - but also very fond of both Argerich ( EMI and DG) , Rubinstein's late stereo account, the live Peter Katin and Howard Shelley on an 1830s piano.

Ka Ling Colleen Lee on an 1848 Pleyel from the Polish Real Chopin series is also well worth hearing.

[Barbirollians]

No Lipatti or Rubinstein as far as I can hear but Pogorelich - time to turn off

[Barbirollians]

No Lipatti or Rubinstein as far as I can hear but Pogorelich - time to turn off

Just as I was about to Lipatti made an appearance in the final movement knocking the vast majority of the other versions she had played into a cocked hat.

Hamelin never really does it for me in mainstream repertoire.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Just as I was about to Lipatti made an appearance in the final movement knocking the vast majority of the other versions she had played into a cocked hat.

Hamelin never really does it for me in mainstream repertoire.

The 1965 Argerich recording though finely played has an uncomfortable piano sound. Almost sounds as there is a bit of wow or flutter in there. Surprising as it’s an EMI Abbey Road recording. Q

[RobP]

In fact partly because of his popularity in the concert hall and the lollipop pieces he’s one of the most misunderstood indeed underrated 19th century composers . The Polonaise Fantasie and Bacarolle , the F minor Ballade are masterpieces which stand comparison with just about anything written in the Romantic era . It’s not his fault they are not symphonies or operas - those weren’t his genre.

Yes he is one of the great composers. The works you mention, plus the Sonatas, all the Ballades, Scherzos, Preludes, Etudes, Nocturnes etc are all masterpieces and I don't know anyone who thinks otherwise.

[LeMartinPecheur]

It wouldn’t surprise me if she hasn’t . I used to go to lots of piano recitals and I’ve never heard it live unlike the BFlat minor. I wonder if it’s because it lacks the “big tunes” you get in the latter. Maybe it’s because for non specialists having one Chopin sonata in your repertoire is considered enough along with a couple of ballades and scherzi and a selection of nocturnes / etudes / preludes . I think the slow movement is one of the most beautiful things Chopin ever wrote and as harmonically daring , in its way , as some Liszt. In recital it strikes me as a good piece to schedule because of its bravura ending whereas the finale of the Funeral March is over before you know it.

Just checked records of live performances I've attended over nearly 50 yrs and No 3 outscores No 2 by 6 to 3, and this isn't because I prefer it particularly. For the record, in chronological order, No 2: Tamas Vasary, Bernard d'Ascoli and Freddie Kempf; No 3: Daniel Barenboim, Andre Tchaikovsky, Vlado Perlemuter, Imogen Cooper, Jeremy Young, Lara Melda. Melda's No 3 just a few months ago in Welshpool.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yes he is one of the great composers. The works you mention, plus the Sonatas, all the Ballades, Scherzos, Preludes, Etudes, Nocturnes etc are all masterpieces and I don't know anyone who thinks otherwise.

Sadly there are quite few who do think that! I would agree with you in general but ,for me the early sonata (C minor ?) , the F major Ballade don’t quite fall into the masterpiece category. One or two of the scherzi are a bit repetitive - though they repeat exceptional material. There’s also a variation on quality amongst the nocturnes but the D flat and C# minor must be amongst the greatest short pieces written in the 19th century.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Just checked records of live performances I've attended over nearly 50 yrs and No 3 outscores No 2 by 6 to 3, and this isn't because I prefer it particularly. For the record, in chronological order, No 2: Tamas Vasary, Bernard d'Ascoli and Freddie Kempf; No 3: Daniel Barenboim, Andre Tchaikovsky, Vlado Perlemuter, Imogen Cooper, Jeremy Young, Lara Melda. Melda's No 3 just a few months ago in Welshpool.

From memory I’m about 3 - 0 Bflat Min to B min. Of your list I’ve only heard Barenboim, Imogen C and Perlmuter live . I’ve been to quite a few Chopin recitals e.g Perahia , Pollini, Ashkenazy, Pogolerich, But for some reason never heard this piece.
I worked on a Perlmuter recording session once - what a wonderful sound he had.

[Alison]

Can’t imagine many will be rushing to buy Hamelin. It was accurate but the ending was something less than orgiastic and with a rather dull greyish recording.

Definitely a work greater than it can be played.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Can’t imagine many will be rushing to buy Hamelin. It was accurate but the ending was something less than orgiastic and with a rather dull greyish recording.

Definitely a work greater than it can be played.

An unusual BAL in that I preferred just about every other recording to the winner. Hamelin has amazing technique but his playing unlike Lipatti, Cziffra and Perlmuter just doesn’t connect with me. It’s all a bit too dispassionate for me.

[pastoralguy]

Mrs PG asked me what BaL was this morning and when I replied it was Chopin’s Third Sonata I felt compelled to say ‘I really don’t know it’. And yet when it was played and discussed I found I knew the melodies very well indeed!

Argerich for me!

[visualnickmos]

An unusual BAL in that I preferred just about every other recording to the winner. Hamelin has amazing technique but his playing unlike Lipatti, Cziffra and Perlmuter just doesn’t connect with me. It’s all a bit too dispassionate for me.

My thoughts exactly. I did like Pogorelich and Cziffra. Can't seem to find any info on any recording of Pogorelich's (of the work in question)