Chopin's Raindrop Prelude Op. 28, No. 15-recommendations

My favorite recording of the Chopin Preludes is by Grigory Sokolov on Opus 111 label. Should be still available on Amazon, new or used. Whether his version qualifies are the "most powerful" remains to be seen.......

Thanks for the recommendation Oldnslow. I'll try Sokolov's rendition.

regards,

dave

I think you'll like it. It's a live recital from Paris--short measure (only Preludes on the disc) but playing is really quite intense, especially of the Raindrop Prelude! He's a controversial Russian pianist who only records live. I think this performance is one of his best, and was highly praised by many critics when it was first released about 10 years ago. It was also recently re-released by Naive label in two volume (ten discs in total, five in each set)mid-priced set of all of Sokolov's performances on Opus 111 label. You probably should just try to pick up the single disc of the Preludes, which should be readily available) and see how you like it. Hard to beat the Chopin Preludes.They are very tricky to perform well, mostly quite short, but brilliant, compositions.

I would recommend you to listen to Martha Argerich on DG. It's available now in the "Originals" series at mid-price.
Ken

On reflection (and another listening session), I would recommend trying Evgeny Kissin on RCA. He plays the piece more slowly than Argerich, but the contrast between the delicacy of the quieter passages and the strength of the central section makes for a thrilling performance. Though there may well be others....
Ken