Suggestions for original (piano) recording of Mussorgsky's PAAE

Posted by: timster on 09 January 2004

Whilst driving to work I heard part of 'pictures at an exhibition' on the radio and said to myself this is a must have. I don't know who the artist was, so am looking for suggestions. Having always heard the orchestral version, I didn't realise that it was originally scored for piano! It's sooo much better. Ok, I am biased, addicted even, towards piano music.

In reading some of reviews from Amazon etc., I notice that there seem to be two camps - those who put in their interpretation on top of the composers, like pletnev and pogorelich or those who stick with the written score. I'm not sure what would be best, so without being too adventurous, am thinking maybe Ashkenazy, although I'm not sure which of the interpration approaches he'd fall in. The reviews were pretty unanimous though.

Any suggestions please? I'd prefer to buy only one.

cheers
tim

Posted on: 09 January 2004 by timster

Addendum: Did some surfing and found the pianist - Alexander Korsantia. However, as I was listening to a live recital and I cannot find anything by him on cd, my request still stands.

tim

Posted on: 09 January 2004 by Todd A

I love Pogorelich's version. His playing is incredible, and his interpretive changes are fascinating.

My favorite version of this work is Byron Janis’ early 60s set on Mercury. It may be hard to find, but it is worth it. Technical prowess second to none combined with a personal but not quirky view of the piece make it a must hear.

As to other versions, well, I like Evgeny Kissin’s recent recording, though many people seem to dislike it. His misses the mark musically a few times, but when he is on he is incredible, and his playing is of the highest quality. Benno Moiseiwitsch’s abridged version on Naxos is extremely entertaining.

Avoid Alfred Brendel, whatever you do, and I’m not especially impressed by Richter’s famous 1958 recording, either. I’ve not yet heard either Pletnev or Ashkenazy, so I cannot comment on them.

"The universe is change, life is opinion." Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Posted on: 09 January 2004 by timster

Thanks for that. I'll definitely consider Pogorelich's take. I have him playing Liszt's Sonata in B minor, a real tour-de-force performance of one of the greatest works in sonata form (that I've heard anyway.)

tim

Posted on: 10 January 2004 by Richard Dane

I'll stick my kneck out here and also recommend Demidenko. I was lucky enough to catch him playing Pictures at Wardour Castle Chapel a few years ago. It was an amazing evening with such an intimate atmosphere and the playing, of course, was simply sensational. I played Ashkenazy's 60's Decca recording the previous evening and all I can say is, I don't play it anymore....

I must admit I was quite envious of the guy sitting there with his Sony DAT recorder... (If you're out there and by chance reading this - can I have a copy?)

Richard

Posted on: 10 January 2004 by Jim Waugh

For something unusual I'd suggest Noriko Ogawa's recording on BIS, BIS-CD-905. You will find her interpretation very different from any others you've heard. I've read her interpretation is based on substantail investigation into the piece. I like it very much.
I'd also recommend Ogawa's rendition of an unusual piece, Wagner transcription of Beethoven's 9th symphony with chrous also a bIS recording, BIS-CD-950.

Posted on: 11 January 2004 by JamH

Hello,

I used to be very interested in this work [still am really] and I first heard the piano
verion on DG with Lazar Berman [vinyl and about
20 years ago].

Eventually I wanted a CD and I got Ugorski [I
probably have the spelling wrong] on DG which
was terrible.

Collected various versions for a few years [it's
a short work so a great way of getting to know
other piano music].

Eventually got Ronald Smith version which I
really enjoyed [Nimbus -- I think]. Also have
PLetnev but [as far as I can remember] he skips
a repeat of 'Promenade' [this is also done by
Ravel in the orchestral version].

But -- finally -- got a [cheap !!] re-issue of
Lazar Berman [which also has the orchestral
vesion] and that's what I would recommend.

James ...

P.S. Everyone says the best version is Richter
at a live concet in Sofia but the audience noise
is terrible.

P.P.S. Have heard Kissin live and it's great
fun but very 'mannered' [IMHO].

ends===