beautiful piano recordings: solo or small ensemble
'Mozart, Chopin, Debussy, and Beethoven', by Mieszyslaw Horszowski, Nonesuch CD 9 79160-2; it's discontinued but worth pursuing. Hors was 93 when he recorded this, but I sure can't tell--the playing is VERY nice. I really like the 2 Chopin nocturnes, o. 15 #2 and o. 17 #2. Max Wilcox recorded this digitally, and altho I'm not a fan of Wilcox's orchestral recordings, this one has a tonal beauty and presence that's QUITE nice. . |
Pletnev Live at Carnegie Hall Volodos - Schubert: Solo Piano Works Achirana Virtually anything by Tori Amos, if you like her music. Le Pas Du Chat Noir Marco |
Joe Sample's "Soul Shadows" is a must have. Perhaps my favorite solo piano recording. You can almost hear the spirits of piano music channeling thru Joe's hands. Dave Brubeck's "Just You Just Me" is very good. Pablo's "Basie Encounters Peterson" is a keeper. Also check out Monty Alexander's Trio Live At Montreux for some high energy fun. Ray Bryant also has some good live performances but some of the recordings are not so great. Phillip Aberg's "Cinema" has some haunting versions of movie music. Dave Grusin's "Now Playing" and "The Gershwin Collection" are great. Dick Hymann has records of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller music that are fab. Dr John has some of his own gumbo on "Dr John Plays Mac Rebenac". Chuck Level has "Forever Blue".... |
Jessica Williams is my favorite right now. A desciple of Thelonias Monk, she is one of the most underated jazz musicians alive today. All three of her recordings that I have are fantastic: "Live at Yoshi's" "In The Key of Monk" "Higher Standards" I also look forward to checking out suggestions above. Getting piano recordings correct is, in my opinion, the true test of a high end system. |
Thelonius Monk's Straight No Chaser SACD has some of the best classic jazz piano sound. I love Jacky Terrasson (Blue Note) and his somewhat clinical-yet-smooth modern style. For classical, the SACD's from Pentatone's Mari Kodama (Beethoven Piano Sonatas) are incredible. May be the best recording of piano I've ever heard. |
A couple not mentioned by anyone yet: Nojima plays Liszt -- fabulous playing! Ashkenazy playing the Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues Glenn Gould playing the Bach Goldberg Variations Agree with others about Keith Jarrett The Night is You (or something like that -- he also recorded the Shostakovich), Grusin Gershwin Connection, Dick Hyman, Jackie Terrason, Fred Hersch. One new Fred Hersch disc that is terrific if you like live jazz is his live set in Amsterdam. Just out. Good luck and happy listening! David |
I second the Bill evans "Conversations With Myself" recommendation. Truly a genius at work. Also check out Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea's duet album. Not only is the playing phenomenal, but it is an intriguing work out for your system, working only one chanel at a time and hearing the two meld. Finally, Ahamd Jamal, "World Tour" (or "Night at the Pershing") and "Live at the Montreal Jazz Fest", specifically the first cut, "Yellow Fellow". |
I love Jacques Loussier Plays Debussy. This is a jazz group doing classical and, though aften the crossovers don't work, this one seems to. There is bass and drums added to the piano which gives the peices depth and body. Gorgeous music well recorded. Horowitz's Last Recording is lively and well recorded. And Murray Perahia's Goldbergs are awesome and ,to me, better than the Glenn Gould recordings. I had trouble connecting with the Diabelli Variations but will try again. And don't forget the Tord Gustavsen Trio on ECM. Great original small group jazz recordings and all original on The Ground and Changing Places. John |
In addition to Tord Gustavsen, you might try the Marcin Wasilewski trio, also beautifully recorded on the ECM label. They are the piano bass and drums for Tomasz Stanko, who is probably familiar to many jazz fans here. Wasilewski is just as atmospheric, melodic, and subtle as he is on the quartet recordings with the trumpeter. _Trio_ is their only CD thus far and is a nice mix of free and straight jazz, wonderful to put on while doing other things and also interesting enough for more active listening. |
