Not good pieces by good composers

[cloughie]

I think my problem with the Chopin concertos is that they seem such routine stuff, and that's baffling when the solo piano works are so great.

I've probably missed a trick somewhere, but somehow Chopin's solo works have never done it for me.

[jayne lee wilson]

Have you tried Vladimir Sofronitsky in Chopin? Hard to find, admittedly, mostly on Denon or Vista Vera. Extraordinarily intense, poetic take on Chopin - the pianism is flawless but never showing off its virtuosity. If you find any, just pitch in to one of the big anthologies or live concerts. The 1949 recitals deserve their legendary status.

[Panjandrum]

I've probably missed a trick somewhere, but somehow Chopin's solo works have never done it for me.

I love all Chopin's solo piano music (as well as the much maligned concertos) but the genres in which he composed do fall into different emotional worlds. There are the waltzes and mazurkas which originate in the salon, which for many people is Chopin. There is also the darker, more Romantic side of Chopin which the ballades, scherzi, fantasy and nocturnes explore. If you are unfamiliar with these compositions then I would strongly advise making their acquaintance in order to get a full appreciation of his art.

[salymap]

Chopin's solo piano works in the hands of say Peter Katin or Artur Rubinstein are absolute bliss. They sound like the ideal music for the piano.

Sadly, the concertos are worse than waffle (Ferretfancy is too kind). No 1 opens orchestrally as if we will hear grand robust stuff (Weber and Auber spring to mind as contemporaries: don't mention LvB!) but as soon as the piano comes in the piece goes into terminal decline. No 2 never even gets that far, falling flat at the beginning.

I agree Chris, listen to Peter Katin's Ballade no 4 and almost anything played by Artur. Sheer bliss.
IMO Chopin just wasn't happy writing for full orchestra and it shows.

[antongould]

Oh dear I think both PCs are quite wonderful........but what do I know ??

[Ferretfancy]

Oh dear I think both PCs are quite wonderful........but what do I know ??

Don't worry Anton! The one sensible thing that Polonius said was " Take no man's censure, but reserve thy judgement " Of course, we are all judges here!

[Panjandrum]

Don't worry Anton! The one sensible thing that Polonius said was " Take no man's censure, but reserve thy judgement " Of course, we are all judges here!

Didn't he in fact say "Take each (sic) man's censure, but reserve thy judgment"? IOW, listen to others' criticisms, but keep your own counsel (particulary in criticism of others). Given Shakespeare portrays Polonius as a fatuous old windbag, I'm not sure we are expected to heed his advice.

[antongould]

Fatuous windbag sounds a fair description of moi..........

[Ferretfancy]

Didn't he in fact say "Take each (sic) man's censure, but reserve thy judgment"? IOW, listen to others' criticisms, but keep your own counsel (particulary in criticism of others). Given Shakespeare portrays Polonius as a fatuous old windbag, I'm not sure we are expected to heed his advice.

Panjandrum
The quote always used to printed in the programme summary for the Royal Festival Hall, and I found it in that memory bank, so I'm sure you are correct. You confirm my statement that we are all judges here, and must not allow our vigilance to slip.

[jayne lee wilson]

I never seek them out, but always enjoy them far more than I expect to, encountered spontaneously, or as part one of a concert. Lovely moment at the end of Polanski's The Pianist, when Spielman (Adrien Brody) plays the Grande Polonaise Brillante Op.22 in the orchestral version.

Oh dear I think both PCs are quite wonderful........but what do I know ??

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I never seek them out, but always enjoy them far more than I expect to, encountered spontaneously, or as part one of a concert.

Me, too. It's as if I've heard the "not very good pieces" line trotted out so frequently about the Chopin Concerti that it's sunk into my subconscious.

[Roehre]

Schönberg: 3 Satires opus 28 is a work which he shouldn't have published (for its toe-cringing texts for a start)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Schönberg: 3 Satires opus 28 is a work which he shouldn't have published (for its toe-cringing texts for a start)

I agree that the texts show the snide, humourless aspect of AS's personality, but the pieces themselves are superb!

[Serial_Apologist]

I agree that the texts show the snide, humourless aspect of AS's personality, but the pieces themselves are superb!

But he was right about "Le petit Modernski, just like Papa Bach"!

[Nick Armstrong]

Fatuous windbag sounds a fair description of moi..........

I beg to differ and indeed forcefully assert the contrary, anton!