A lovely performance of Schubert.

Can't get away from Kempff's efforts on the piano sonatas!

I also really like Kempff in the Schubert piano sonatas, but lately I've been taken with Richter in d958 and d960 on Alto. Kovacevich also has done a great recording of d960 on EMI.

Funny thing though, it took me a long time to appreciate the Schubert piano sonatas. I think it was because I was kind of "stuck " on the Beethoven piano sonatas. Annie Fischer, Gulda, and Kempff have recorded nice integrals of these works.

George  -  that is some very nice Schubert!

I was not aware of that Mass until now. Thanks. I'm waiting for the Klemperer recording of the Beethoven Missa Solemnis from Amazon UK. The mail system is so slow.

BBM

I also got stuck on Beethoven's sonatas - Kempff in mono. I have lately been stuck on Schubert's sonatas instead. Having tried various Kempff has proven my favourite with Brendel second. Haven't tried Richter though so thanks for the tip - will get that fired up and report back.

Changing tack, have you tried Chopin? Moravec playing the Nocturnes is for my ears a real masterclass.

I wish I could find my way into Chopin.

Sometimes it clicks, and then it goes wild.

I need some quite un-sentimental performances to get into the music, and then it will be easy.

Like Boult ... Quite cool, and very accurate, but still sympathetic. Not wild like Bernstein ...

ATB from George

Wonderful...

Dear Mark. 

Thanks.

I'll investigate next weekend when I get paid  ...

I have heard of Moravec, but never heard a performance. I prepare for a conversion!

Very best wishes from George

I have a few great sets of the Chopin Nocturnes, with Moravec likely being my favourite set overall. I also really enjoy Arrau, Pires, and Rubinstein, and I would not want to be without any of them.

I think that the Nocturnes and Preludes are the most accessible of Chopin's output. The Mazurkas are probably the most "typical", though, being styled on the Polish dance of the same name.

The Lipatti recordings (2) of the Waltzes are very special indeed. It's too bad that he died so young.

There was a time when I was so into Chopin, that I listened to his works almost exclusively. What would you expect when most of the blood in my veins is of Polish/Ukrainian descent?

The two Piano Concertos get a bad rap sometimes from some reviewers. The main complaint seems to be that Chopin's orchestration is somewhat lacking, and that it actually gets in the way of the piano. I have never found this to be true, though, but what do I know?

BBM 

Anyone who enjoyed the Schubert Mass in G [link in opening post] may well enjoy this. Faure's Cantique de Jean Racine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKwHiGg21KA

The person who uploaded this to youtube, thoughtfully included enough music for the listeniner to read the orchestra when the choir is silent, and the choral parts while they sing. It is an exquisite performance in my opinion!

ATB from George