Chopin Recordings

[George]

What would be a softest and/or most quiet playing of Nocturnes (other than Moravec)?

Ciccolini

[Number Six]

I listened for my whole live to Bart van Oort, who plays on a 1823 Broadwood. I works wonderful. Much better performance imo as well than the over the top expressive nocturnes by Alice Sara Ott.

Welcome!

[Number Six]

Ciccolini

Peanuuuuuuuuuuts to you!

[hopefullytrusting]

Lucky for all of you, the softest pianist I know of, Irene Scharrer, did record a Chopin Nocturne:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGYTQlM9oyA

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Ok, thank you! (And my apology to Holden).

[Holden]

Ok, thank you! (And my apology to Holden).

Not sure what you're apologising for but happily accepted.

[George]

Peanuuuuuuuuuuts to you!

What does that mean?

[Number Six]

What does that mean?

You said Ciccolini. I thought you were making a Chico Marx joke, so I quoted one of his lines from DUCK SOUP (as "Chicolini").

[George]

You said Ciccolini. I thought you were making a Chico Marx joke, so I quoted one of his lines from DUCK SOUP (as "Chicolini").

Oh, no, I was serious.

[Mandryka]

Ciccolini

The Cascavelle Recordings. @Dry Brett Kavanaugh You can find them on Spotify. Very good stuff.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Cascavelle Recordings. @Dry Brett Kavanaugh You can find them on Spotify. Very good stuff.

Yes, atmospheric, tender performance. Nice. I may personally want a little more darkness/shadow, but it may not be necessary for this music. I only knew his Erato recording and I thought it was a cute, if not sensitive, playing. Also, I think Tamas Vasary sounds tender.

I think EMI Rubinstein and Cortot remain my favorites.

[Mandryka]

Yes, atmospheric, tender performance. Nice. I may personally want a little more darkness/shadow, but it may not be necessary for this music. I only knew his Erato recording and I thought it was a cute, if not sensitive, playing. Also, I think Tamas Vasary sounds tender.

I think EMI Rubinstein and Cortot remain my favorites.

By the way I've discovered an old Chopin pianist who you may like - Leonard Pennario. Waltzes and Preludes. I have transfers which are (I'm assured) better than the commercial ones which I can share whenever you're ready. Enjoy Colombia.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

As for the other question, I have a feeling that Chopin expected/allowed ad lib in melody and ornaments. 

[George]

Yes, atmospheric, tender performance. Nice. I may personally want a little more darkness/shadow, but it may not be necessary for this music. I only knew his Erato recording and I thought it was a cute, if not sensitive, playing. Also, I think Tamas Vasary sounds tender.

I think EMI Rubinstein and Cortot remain my favorites.

I wish Cortot had recorded them all.

I prefer the Rubinstein EMI recordings from the 30s over his other two sets too.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I assume Rubinstein Naxos and Heritage nocturnes are the same (1st) recordings. Where is his 2nd (49/50) recording? How does it look like? Maybe the Heritage is the 2nd?

[George]

I assume Rubinstein Naxos and Heritage nocturnes are the same (1st) recordings. Where is his 2nd (49/50) recording? How does it look like?

https://www.amazon.com/Rubinstein-Collection-Vol-Nocturnes-Fantaisie-Impromptu/dp/B000054277

[Mandryka]

As for the other question, I have a feeling that Chopin expected/allowed ad lib in melody and ornaments. 

According to Koczalski, one of his pupils, Chopin was fond of introducing improvised ornaments into his music, especially mazurkas.

 
The book I have on Chopin performance is Eigeldinger's Chopin as Pianist and Teacher. I can't see any other references to any sort of improvisation.

NB Eigeldinger notes that in fact in editions passed on by Chopin's pupils there are more ornamental variants of nocturnes than of mazurkas.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

https://www.amazon.com/Rubinstein-Collection-Vol-Nocturnes-Fantaisie-Impromptu/dp/B000054277

I checked the Rubinstein 2nd. I'm not a big fan of it.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

According to Koczalski, one of his pupils, Chopin was fond of introducing improvised ornaments into his music, especially mazurkas.

 
The book I have on Chopin performance is Eigeldinger's Chopin as Pianist and Teacher. I can't see any other references to any sort of improvisation.

NB Eigeldinger notes that in fact in editions passed on by Chopin's pupils there are more ornamental variants of nocturnes than of mazurkas.

Yes, there are many chromatic passages and ornamental motifs in Nocturnes. They sound like his favorite versions of improvisations, rather than a written melody.

[Mandryka]

Yes, there are many chromatic passages and ornamental motifs in Nocturnes. They sound like his favorite versions of improvisations, rather than a written melody.

This is Eigeldinger's note (173)

https://ibb.co/1J724QDz