Who are the stand out Pianists playing today?

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg:
I can second Paul Lewis (his Beethoven Sonatas are the most beautiful you will ever hear)

Not necessarily. Lewis does play beautifully, but Ivan Moravec, Louis Lortie and Ikuyo Nakamichi offer more in the way of sonic beauty to my ears, as does Kempff.

To the opening question, there’s a wide array of superb pianists working today. I’ll stick with classical pianists only. (I know I’ll forget some.)

Michael Endres – Sort of like Wilhelm Kempff, but with unassailable technique. His Mozart and Schubert are as good as modern recordings get. His Bax and Weber are superb.

Jean Efflam Bavouzet – A wonderful pianist of the French school, with all the refinement of someone like, say, Robert Casadesus. His Haydn, Debussy, and Ravel are all amazing.

Herbert Schuch – Amazing technique, unique interpretations, and masterful tonal control. All of his discs are superb, and his Ravel playing is as good as anyone who’s yet recorded any.

Arcadi Volodos – A showy virtuoso who’s at his best in less virtuosic pieces, not counting his Liszt. His recent Vienna concert is well worth considering.

Ivan Moravec – I don’t know if he still performs or records, but as recently as only a few years ago he was one of the greats. A marvelous technique, an always attractive sound, a wide ranging repertoire, and insightful recordings and performances, he could and can be compared to any of the greats.

Yukio Yokoyama – In the romantic repertoire, his amazing technique and slightly superficial approach work best. His Liszt Transcendental Studies almost fully match up to Vladimir Ovchinikov’s recording. (I don’t know if this latter pianist is still active.)

Eric Heidsieck – I don’t know if he’s still active, but his idiosyncratic approach and effortless playing always leads to fresh perspectives. His Faure, Debussy, Mozart and Beethoven are all exceptionally good.

Nelson Freire – At his best, he’s simply amazing. Effortless technique, wonderful tonal palette, insightful playing: he’s got it all.

Christian Zacharias – He’s off the radar of the non-German speaking world it seems, which is a shame, because his old EMI and new MDG recordings all sparkle. One of the best living Mozartians, up there with Endres.

Zoltan Kocsis – He’s focusing more on conducting now, but his best recordings as a pianist are simply marvelous. His Rachmaninoff and Bartok rate near the top. Such awesome control!

Andras Schiff – Kocsis’ compatriot, he’s temperamentally rather different, offering more relaxed, more subtle takes on works. His Mozart, Smetana, Janacek, Schumann, and Bach (especially the newer ECM recordings) are all must haves for me.

Jean Yves Thibaudet – Another fine example of the French school, and excelling in French works, his light, glimmering touch is always impressive.

Ivo Pogorelich – I include him because of his best earlier recordings (Chopin, Mussorgsky, Scarlatti), not his outlandish concerts of today. I’d still like to hear him in recital.

Krystian Zimerman – Amazing technique and assured interpretations. If only he recorded more and let all of his old recordings be reissued (I’m thinking his Mozart and Brahms sonatas here).

Maurizio Pollini – A former titan now a bit past his prime, he’s still compelling in everything. At his best – a good chunk of Beethoven, Brahms concertos, Boulez, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Liszt – he’s among the best on record.

Mikhail Pletnev – Outrageously good in some early repertoire (Scarlatti, CPE Bach), sometimes just outrageous (Mozart), and sometimes almost unmatchable (Tchaikovsky).

Leif Ove Andsnes – One of the better pianists among the “younger” generation, his perfect technique married to tasteful interpretations usually yields superb results. His Grieg Concerto is as good as it gets, and his Schubert is amazing, especially D850.

Andrei Gavrilov – Not recording, but apparently still giving recitals, he’s a fine modern proponent of the Russian school.

Anton Kuerti – One of the foremost authorities on Beethoven now that Brendel has retired, Kuerti’s quirkiness is less obvious than in the 70s and his approach more standard. Yes, his technique is not what it once was, but his Diabellis in recital were revelatory. On disc he’s at his formidable best in Brahms, Schubert, and the LvB concertos.



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quote:

Originally posted by Aleg:
I just read EJS's appraisal for David Fray , see how different the impressions and likes and dislikes can be .

-
aleg

Aleg,

I've always had a softness for pianists that bend the score to breaking point, including Pogo, Anderszewski, Pletnev or Fray. The trick is that they have to do it convincingly and sell their vision - not all pianists have the confidence and technical capabilities to pull that off.

I have to add that I am also a great admirer of the pianists that you listed, as well as many others: Clara Haskil, Claudio Arrau, Alfred Brendel, Stephen Kovacevich, Andreas Staier, Rafal Blechacz, Simon Trpceski, Daniel Barenboim, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Maurizio Pollini, Krystian Zimerman, the list goes on.

EJ

To clarify on Paul Lewis playing the late Beethoven Piano Sonatas, the individual lines do not stand clear of each other, which may suggest that he does not possess the independence of the fingers so obvious in the Pollini, i.e. he does not play as well.

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
To clarify on Paul Lewis playing the late Beethoven Piano Sonatas, the individual lines do not stand clear of each other, which may suggest that he does not possess the independence of the fingers so obvious in the Pollini, i.e. he does not play as well.

Sorry Mike

I have more qualified resources to backup my viewpoint about his quality of playing.

But I will leave it here, because this will lead to nothing.

-
aleg

Opinions and observations differ from person to person, and from musician to musician.

I get to hear about 30 new pianists every year in competition, which is widely discussed by musicians and listeners for months afterwards.

I do not think Paul Lewis could come here and win the competition.

But that's just my taste, and my view. To each his own.

It's not like sports, where loyalty to the home team has some meaning :-)

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
Opinions and observations differ from person to person, and from musician to musician.

I get to hear about 30 new pianists every year in competition, which is widely discussed by musicians and listeners for months afterwards.

I do not think Paul Lewis could come here and win the competition.

But that's just my taste, and my view. To each his own.

It's not like sports, where loyalty to the home team has some meaning :-)

But still, I value the opinion of a concert pianist trained in the pre-war era, teacher for piano on the conservatory and juror in international piano concours, quite highly where it comes to commending the musical and pianistic qualities of pianists in general and Paul Lewis in this specific case.

But it might be just a case of differing tastes between the American scene and the European scene.

-
aleg

Tastes differ because people listen for different things, even musicians.

The world of piano in particular suffers from a wide spectrum of possibilities.

As this thread points out, there is no universally accepted standard that can be applied.

Each of us has to make due with what our own ears and hearts tell us.

In Beethoven, I find many pianists get lost in a blizzard of clustered notes, while others are able to make the lines emerge and sing.

The Pollini is a long time favorite, but I very much want to hear someone new, which is why I bought the Paul Lewis. I gave the Lewis five or six good listens before giving up. In the end, I couldn't stand them at all. No one could be more disappointed than I was. I'm still looking for that new voice in these sonatas.

I want to find a new pianist who does as well with Beethoven as Blechacz does with Chopin and Haydn. So far I am empty handed.

I found a new Beethoven Symphonies with Anima Eterna made in 2008 that is consuming all my time at present. Maybe this thread will turn up some new Beethoven sonatas that are equally exciting and enjoyable.

Annie Fischer on Hungaraton, perhaps.

Todd recommended these to me in a thread here, and I was delighted with them from the start! Not cheap though!

ATB from George

George, I'm looking for some new recordings of the late Beethoven Sonatas by a contemporary pianist.

Surely Paul Lewis can't be the only one?

Dear Mike,

I realise that Annie Fischer's cycle is hardly the newest, but it happens to be a happy piece of recording. The recordings themselves strike me as exemplary, and her playing is priceless.

I do think we may be going through something of a barren patch with regards to Beethoven's piano music. This happens, and has happened before I suspect. Some people regard Solomon as a tremendous Beethoven player, whereas I find that he is always good, sometimes great, and occasionally incandescent. But the good from Solomon is not for me great, and Beethoven needs a great pianist to really fly.

My impression of the Lewis that I have heard was that he was good rather than great - of course other's experiences may be different - so I don't know what to say to help.

Really we are going through a wonderful period in the performance of Bach and the other Baroque composers, but Beethoven seems to have been stricken with multiple modern performers that take a risk-free approach that veers dangerously close to routine goodness, rather than perceptive greatness.

The Immerseel recordings of the symphonies do not fall into the good but dull category in my view - at least what I have heard so far!

ATB from George

First listen. Starting with the funeral march sonata (Op26), and if this is anything like the rest of the cycle, I'm in for a treat!

EJ

Thanks for all the contributions I have a good amount of deliberation to where I spend my money but its nicer to have to much choice than too little, though I think Pollini is a shoe in and Paul Lewis for curiosity but after that I'm not sure though it will be interesting nonetheless.


Please keep adding suggestions as more is always merrier.

Listening to this presently.





Dean..

Dean

At a tangent I notice mention of Keith Jarrett.. Have you thought of exploring some of the other great Jazz pianists.

Ones that spring to mind for starters are

Bill Evans
Oscar Peterson
Thelonius Monk
Art Tatum
Esbjorn Svensson


A few other excellent classic pianist:

Jennifer Lim - Chopin
Ito Ema - Bach
Imogen Cooper - Mozart
Helene Grimaud - Chopin & Rachmaninov
Andras Schiff ( seconding Todd's recommendation ) - Beethoven


Shouldn't be ignored:

Ashkenazy
Barenboim
Serkin

regards
Geoff

A young pianist who captivated me with his playing is Yevgney Sudbin. His solo piano discs of Scarlatti, Haydn, Rachmaninov and Scriabin are all outstanding.

This is my favorite one:

quote:

Originally posted by Geoff P:
Dean

At a tangent I notice mention of Keith Jarrett.. Have you thought of exploring some of the other great Jazz pianists.

Ones that spring to mind for starters are

Bill Evans
Oscar Peterson
Thelonius Monk
Art Tatum
Esbjorn Svensson


A few other excellent classic pianist:

Jennifer Lim - Chopin
Ito Ema - Bach
Imogen Cooper - Mozart
Helene Grimaud - Chopin & Rachmaninov
Andras Schiff ( seconding Todd's recommendation ) - Beethoven


Shouldn't be ignored:

Ashkenazy
Barenboim
Serkin

regards
Geoff

To be honest Geoff I was thinking of Classical Pianists really. Now at some time I might branch out into Jazz Pianists a bit further than just Keith Jarrett so thanks for the suggestions. I have one EST album which I like and I have a Monk album as well that I don't really like as I'm not a lover of the classic Jazz sound of the 50's & 60's maybe in the future I will revisit some of the albums I've bought but for know I'm really just interested in Classical Pianists.



Dean..

quote:

Originally posted by EJS:

Barenboim (his early cycle - never heard his DG remakes)

I haven't heard Barenboim's Beethoven cycle on DG, nor his first attempt, but his more recent third recording, live concert performance on DVD, is stellar and has been discussed and lauded in this forum.

As I've written before, I give my highest recommendation to this cycle. The combination of his piano chops and his conductor's-eye overview of the music makes for radiant clarity of the narrative continuity. He renders the syntax of the music as natural conversation, and playfully improvisational. Never have I heard a more extraordinary delineation of the musical architecture.

The icing on this masterpiece of a cake is the bonus DVD of master classes, in which Barenboim displays a most uncanny ability to succinctly articulate the meat of the musical matter.

Fred

Even though only slightly related (if at all...), I spent a day last week with Andrzej Jasiński - Zimerman's teacher, and chariman of the Chopin Competition Jury. I watched his masterclass, then had an extended lunch with him. He's an amazing person, teacher, and musician. Next time, I'll get to play for him

Another couple of 'today' pianists worth listening to is Piotr Anderszewski and Marc Andre-Hamelin (not all of his stuff thouogh...).

Will dig out some recommendations...

To the excellent recommendations so far, I would add:

- Hélène Grimaud - Not everywhere, but some of her recordings are just breathtaking

- Alfred Brendel, my personal favorite (Although having mow retired is no longer qualifies as a "today" pianist)

Claude

Sorry fot the typos, it's late. I meant:

To the excellent recommendations so far, I would add:

- Hélène Grimaud - Not everywhere, but some of her recordings are just breathtaking

- Alfred Brendel, my personal favorite (Although having now retired he no longer qualifies as a "today" pianist)

Claude

quote:

Originally posted by Dan Carney:

Another couple of 'today' pianists worth listening to is Piotr Anderszewski

Saw him playing in Berlin the other week, can second the vote.

As you like Ronald Brautigam, be aware that he is beginning a complete Mozart piano concerto series on fortepiano on BIS, a released the first volume (concertos 9,12). There is a Youtube video promo for the first release. Should be very interesting. I'm still disappointed he did not do the Beethoven concertos on fortepiano as his sonata series was so interesting and different.

I highly recommend Yundi Li, Prokofiev G minor concerto, Seiji Ozawa, conductor.

Best,
Fred

I mentioned him briefly earlier, but let's not forget the great things Vladimir Ashkenazy has done over the years... his Brahms and Rachmaninov concerti with Haitink remain on my AAA-shelf, and his recordings of the complete Chopin works and Mozart concerti are remarkably consistent and well worth hearing.

EJ

Thanks I still need to finish up his Beethoven Sonata series as I only have up to 5 but will definitely be interested in the Mozart series and yes a shame he hasn't decided to do the concerto's he's still relatively young so there is time.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldnslow:
As you like Ronald Brautigam, be aware that he is beginning a complete Mozart piano concerto series on fortepiano on BIS, a released the first volume (concertos 9,12). There is a Youtube video promo for the first release. Should be very interesting. I'm still disappointed he did not do the Beethoven concertos on fortepiano as his sonata series was so interesting and different.

Dean...

Fred,


Before I started this thread Daniel Barenboim was on my mind so I will check out the CD/DVD you suggest.

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

quote:

Originally posted by EJS:

Barenboim (his early cycle - never heard his DG remakes)

I haven't heard Barenboim's Beethoven cycle on DG, nor his first attempt, but his more recent third recording, live concert performance on DVD, is stellar and has been discussed and lauded in this forum.

As I've written before, I give my highest recommendation to this cycle. The combination of his piano chops and his conductor's-eye overview of the music makes for radiant clarity of the narrative continuity. He renders the syntax of the music as natural conversation, and playfully improvisational. Never have I heard a more extraordinary delineation of the musical architecture.

The icing on this masterpiece of a cake is the bonus DVD of master classes, in which Barenboim displays a most uncanny ability to succinctly articulate the meat of the musical matter.

Fred

Dean...