Worst Chopin Players...

[Nocturneguy]

One that quickly comes to mind is Arrau...i dont know about his nocts, but his waltzes r the worst i have heard...

[Thracozaag]

Kempff

koji

[kmicic]

Arau's nocturnes (Philips) are really bad. In my opinion, he does not feel this music. No heart, no invention, they are no nocturnes but......hm......les gringos noches tequila cantilenos.

[b3n]

Me probably

[sinding]

Sorry. You can't be worse than me.

[Goldberg]

Clearly, neither of you have ever heard MY "Chopin."

[Philip Daniel]

I personally find Idil Biret's Chopin cold and uninviting. I guess I've been spolied with the great Chopin pianists, though, and am being too harsh on her. And most people today think her Chopin is superb, though. But personally, I don't care for her that much. She isn't bad -- technically she is definitely proficient, and I admire her for the fact she recorded almost Chopin's entire output for the piano, but in terms of emotional expression, she falls flat in my opinion.

[Thracozaag]

I personally find Idil Biret's Chopin cold and uninviting. I guess I've been spolied with the great Chopin pianists, though, and am being too harsh on her. And most people today think her Chopin is superb, though. But personally, I don't care for her that much. She isn't bad -- technically she is definitely proficient, and I admire her for the fact she recorded almost Chopin's entire output for the piano, but in terms of emotional expression, she falls flat in my opinion.

Her mazurkas are dreadful, I'm afraid. And avoid the Geza Anda Waltzes, they're really awful (but otherwise I'm a huge fan of his playing, I think he did these recordings on his deathbed...they sound that way).

koji

[elvenpianist]

Her mazurkas are dreadful, I'm afraid.

Yeah quite.
*shudders*
Never have been able to listen through an entire one, she doesn't feel the music in them at all... it's sad, heh.

[sinding]

I suppose I'll get called a few names when I mention I am not enamoured of Artur Rubinsteins Chopin.

[kmicic]

I suppose I'll get called a few names when I mention I am not enamoured of Artur Rubinsteins Chopin.

Why ???????????

[sinding]

Well I should have said some of his Chopin. I find it difficult to pinpoint why since it has been a while since I last heard a recording of his but I know I didn't like all of his interpretations. Maybe a bit cold.

[Fryderyk]

Well I should have said some of his Chopin. I find it difficult to pinpoint why since it has been a while since I last heard a recording of his but I know I didn't like all of his interpretations. Maybe a bit cold.

But still, you can´t count him as one of the "Worst Chopin Players..."?

[Thracozaag]

Well I should have said some of his Chopin. I find it difficult to pinpoint why since it has been a while since I last heard a recording of his but I know I didn't like all of his interpretations. Maybe a bit cold.

Get the EMI stuff (Scherzos, preludes, etc), his first set of recorded Mazurkas (from the late 30's) and any live performances...that should change your mind (hopefully)

koji

[sinding]

Well I am open to criticism and able to change my mind. I remember seeing a program on tv about him and some of the clips were from his younger years. He was full of energy and life. Maybe I have just heard music from his later years. I will try and hear some of his EMI recordings as suggested.