Favorite Pianists

I used to be very much into Keith Jarrett, still a fan of his, but recently discovered and fell in love with Masabumi Kikuchi.

My mindless mistake left Arrau uncovered. Yes, Photon46 is right. Arrau’s achievement in balancing virtuosity, introspective and philosophical pianism of his unlimited repertoire is purely unbelievable.

Every time my 12-year-old daughter is puzzled by various interpretations of the pieces she is learning, my suggestion to her is always referring to Arrau’s reading first.

Helplessly I can not speak of Arrau without mentioning “The Lion of Keyboard” – Wilhelm Backhaus. The pianist even “defeated” Bartok in one prestigious piano competition in 1905. The piano playing of Backhaus and Arrau always reminds me “objective interpretation”. Another thing I admire Backhaus is that he was exempted from the “attack” of Steinway piano. He prefers the pianos from Bosendorfer or Bechstein. By listening to the simple warm-up notes of his last recital on Bechstein piano, you would be amazed by the rounded and majestic tone released from his finger tips. Another example validates Furtwangler’s remark on music performance - “Tone always comes first; before anything else – tempo, rhythm, phrasing and interpretation”.

New generation pianists Paul Lewis, Till Fellner, Hélène Grimaud and Liref Ove Andsnes are showing us the promising future of classical piano performance. Let’s keep our ears open.

Happy Listening.

Otto

Next to last generation should include Ivan Moravec. An outstanding if under recorded and publicized player of classical music. His Chopin is some of the finest available.

Hard to really recommend the last generation due to a lack of breadth of their programs without mentioning the music in which they have shown great potential, for example Chiu in Prokofiev, Lewis in Beethoven, Bavouzet in Debussy (and Ravel), Lortie in Ravel (and who is building a credible discograph as well). The list seems to go on but I will not. :-)

Hi Newbee,

It is nice that you join the forum.

As I am impotent in deciphering Chopin’s notes so I can’t comment on Ivan Moravec. The only Chopin recording I have is Adam Harasiewicz’s performance. Sadly this winner of the 1955 International Chopin Piano Competition is now long forgotten and overshadowed by the 2nd place winner (Vladimir Ashkenazy). Even the 3rd place winner (Fou Ts’ong) has his followers in Asia nowadays.

Speaking of Chopin, do we have any update on Pollini? Would this multi-talented pianist ever finish the recording of Bach’s well-tempered clavier book II or any other new recording(s)?

Happ Listening.

Otto

Martha Argerich - especially her Prokofiev and Rachmaninov recordings
Lyle Mays - solo and with Pat Metheny group
Nicky Hopkins - with so many, too many to count, Stones, Who...
Rabbit - on Pete Townshend's solo albums
Elton John
Stephen Kovacevich - on the 5 Beethoven piano concertos
Serge Rachmaninov
Chris Stainton - on Tommy and Quadrophenia
Roy Bittan

Hank Jones, wonderfully fluid & lyrical pianist from the great Pontiac Michigan musical family, including Thad & Elvin...all gone sadly.

Surprised nobody mentioned Mike Garson. ( David Bowie) Garson is my personal favorite and runner up is Keith Emerson.

Anyone heard any recent releases from Keith Emerson? Any good?

I have not kept up with him since his ELP days.

manny perahia and marc hamelin.i have many cd's of each of them,and not one a dud.

Mal Waldron... anyone?

Stevecham

Agree on Martha Argerich- How could I have forgotten to mention her? She is so very good with so much music, but she really rises to the top as a pianist for chamber music.