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Date: | Mon, 11 Jan 1999 18:36:17 -0600 |
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Jon Johanning writes:
>One of the big gaps in my CDs is Chopin, and it occurs to me that he
>is one composer who would particularly benefit by being done on period
>instruments. I know there are many excellent recordings on modern pianos,
>but I am sure that a composer who was so sensitive to the tone colors of
>the pianos of his time would sound very different when played on such an
>instrument. Can anyone recommend any such disks?
The one with which I am most familiar is Emanuel Ax's recent recording
of the Concerto, Op. 21, the shorter concerted works Opp. 13 and 22
with Charles Mackerras and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on
Sony. The 1851 Erard used in the recording is a bit late to be thoroughly
"authentic" for the piece, which could be very interesting indeed on a ca.
1830 Graf of the sort Chopin might have played in Vienna when the concerto
was new, and there's also the question of Chopin's preference for Pleyel
over Erard. In any case, the performances have a great deal of vitality
and integrity. Ax clearly seems to enjoy the instrument. I also have
Nimbus NI 5291, which offers the First Concerto along with the Weber
Konzertstuck with Christopher Kite as soloist with the Hanover Band. I
haven't listened to it in a while, and don't remember exactly which piano
was used. Some time ago, cellist Kim Scholes recorded the complete music
for cello and piano with the excellent David Breitman playing an early
1840's Bosendorfer. The disc was released as Titanic Ti-197. There are a
few other early instrument Chopin recordings on small labels, reviews of
which can be read at <Continuo.com>. Historical piano Chopin and Schumann
are indeed areas worthy of further exploration. These are both composers
we all think we know, but which speak with intriguingly unfamiliar accents
when played on instruments with which they were familiar.
DPHorn, who likes Chopin on just about any piano.
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