I'd never listened to these before - and have found the experience very similar to discovering the Beethoven symphonies in my teens; that is in the first couple of listens it all sounds like lots of disjointed notes, by the third the more obvious hooks are sinking in, and now I can't stop listening to it!

The version I have bought is Mitsuko UCHIDA - and what a wonderful pianist, and a great recording on Philips. Huge dynamic range used very suitably by the artist; from the gentle through to the very powerful.

REALLY can't get enough of this. If you enjoy solo piano then I would heartily recommend this.

M

I have these and really rate the CD. There is another disc with 30-32, released in 2006, which is excellent too.

Nigel

Thx Nigel, on my 'to buy' list.

M

I'm obviously the only person in the world (to judge from the reaction elsewhere) who doesn't like this disc, but I frankly don't think it's a patch on Paul Lewis's recent efforts in these works.

I'm a great admirer of Uchida, especially in Mozart and Schubert, but these works don't really suit her and for me the Hammerklavier is lacking in power and doesn't make sense. But, each to their own.


regards, Tam

I'll give Lewis's efforts a listen as well.

M

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
I'm obviously the only person in the world (to judge from the reaction elsewhere) who doesn't like this disc

No, you're not the only one. Her LvB is overrated.



--

I am too shy to comment! I used to have some Mozart Concertos she recorded, but much preferred other performances, I got later.

Mind you I am enjoying the wonderful Beethoven recordings by Annie Fischer, which I don't see leaving - ever!

Martin, whether you have the greatest recordings would remain a matter of opinion, but the music is something else! Enjoy it and don't worry too much about whether you yet have found what may prove your favourite performances on records. The music is so important, and the performers are but mere messengers in comparison.

My favourite performers [and in some repertoire I have some very strong favourites, notably in the music of Bach and Haydn] tend to be ones that stand serious re-examination over a long time - in many playings - before any eccentricities stand out in a distracting way. Mitsuko Uchida is not in my view an artist with many eccentricities in her performing style, and so may in fact make a very fine reference point for you in the music.

ATB from George

Hi George,

Thx for the thought. I like to listen to a number of interpretations.

M

I have just bought this Cd for a comparison to the Ronald Brautigam Fortepiano CD's I already have these are quite expensive being Sacd's but I highly recommend them for, my untrained ears, fantastic playing.



Dean..

I would not like to be without Brendel and Kempff in this repertoire but as George says, the music will shine through many versions.
Lewis is a very fine pianist. I haven't heard his Beethoven CD's but I did enjoy his live Beethoven performance some years ago at the RNCM.
Ken

Pollini.

Kovacevic.

You couldn't go wrong with either.

Graham

I love Uchida's recordings of the late sonatas - these discs get a lot of play here. But they are fantastic compositions so the real credit goes to LVB himself.

Firstly, I want to applaud you Mr. Underhill for simply relaying your impression of a recording that obviously made you happy. Keep listening, keep an open mind, always take chances and you will find that most often you will be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

After reading this thread so far (and many more, over time, in the music room in general) I would like to offer the following comments:

My comments might be aimed mostly to people who are maybe just starting to experiment or are trying to find their way around the classical world for the first time. It's a huge realm and it is probably mostly overwhelming and maybe not so easy to find your way immediately. I know this because I have spent the past 35 years, at least, trying to find my way and I'll likely spend the rest of my life continuing to do the same. For me, I've found that taking some positive advice from knowledgeable people is always a good first step but self discovery is probably the surest way to plant the seeds that will blossom into a love of music and listening that will last forever. So never be discouraged if you listen to something, you like it, it moves you tremendously, and then some "reviewer" trashes this artist or that interpretation or whatever the case. I encourage everyone (both new to music and the seasoned listener) to trust your own instincts and keep learning and discovering. Eventually with knowledge gained and learned about music you will be able to dig deeper and possibly understand and accept the choices that the musician in question has chosen. What we get to hear isn't arrived at by chance. I will bet that Uchida or any profession musician will have studied the piece for years and worked at it repeatedly, note by note, phrase by phrase etc. and they will continue to develop their ideas throughout their lifetime. We are all very fortunate to have recordings of these many great musicians.

Also, I believe it is important that one understands that their is no such thing as "right" and "wrong" when it comes to musical ideas. Everyone can and should venture their opinions freely but I find it difficult to understand how some arrive at a conclusion that seems absolute. Musical fundamentalism, to me anyway, seems to be just as dangerous as any other type of fundamentalism. Can/should Beethoven only sound one way? Is their only one way to play a piece? Who has the final say? Furthermore, how can someone who has spent their entire life studying music to the highest academic levels, performs around the world, and collaborates with countless orchestras to create music be "over rated?"

Of course, I have my preferences and they are constantly evolving. For instance, when I was younger I had a more black and white view of the world and I have been guilty of judging performances harshly, too. Over time I have found though that many recordings/performers that I judged harshly in the past have now somehow become my favorites decades later. Over time I started to understand and accept their ideas. Also, I've come to realize that if I criticize something I better have a well founded reason to do so. I can say their is a right and wrong answer when solving a math problem but this isn't the case with music and art. For this reason, if one must judge music, then I believe the more appropriate thing to do is to show / demonstrate how it "should" be done.

When I read negative responses it initially creates doubt in my mind. So of course, tonight I ran to the shelf and grabbed my Mitsuko Uchida disc and ran to the CD player. Could it be really be true that I had a bummed/illegitimate disc/performer in my collection? Happily, once the sound filled the room I was relieved. It was Mitsuko Uchida playing and that is really the point. Expanding on the concept that their is no right and wrong in music we all should understand that when we listen to recordings we are fundamentally listening to the character of the performer "as they see it." Whether it is Kempff, Brendel, Bachhaus, Uchida, Schiff, Lewis, or you name them. If I see it differently perhaps I need to show the world how it is done? I collect music because I want to hear what these people have to say (at the given point in their lives). I have yet to hear an invalid argument from all the Beethoven (in this case) recordings I've ever heard. Yes, I can tell you what the difference are or how it makes me feel etc. but I can't find one that is "wrong." If they all did the same thing this world would be a boring place and their would be no need to spend the money and waste the time listening/growing.

Lastly, I just want to encourage listeners everywhere to listen with an open mind and expect that their will be a time commitment to this hobby. Listen, listen, listen, and then revisit things over the years repeatedly. Also, keep in mind that their are many great musicians out their: both in the present and from the past. No one holds the title to be the king and emperor of a certain composer etc. Yes, their were great pianists (musicians) from the past that seem to have a cult status today but that doesn't mean they had the final say and the story is over. So listen to them but also listen to today's interpretations and everything in between. You will be glad you did!

My apologies now to all for my little bit of indulgence here on this thread. I must have had a bad day or something but I just had to let off a bit of steam here. Thanks for putting up with me and allowing me to do so. It's just my two cents worth....

Regards,
Doug

More like 500 $'s worth Doug and very well put.

As a classical music novice I shoot in the dark a lot and hardly ever 'miss' to my ears because of the points you make. When I don't shoot in the dark it is because of recommendations from folks on here and friends who visit and share their music.

You for example are guilty of introducing me to Murray Perahia playing Bach, the composer I find the most accessible at present with his awesome 'simplicity'.

thanks
Geoff

Dear Doug,

I entirely agree.

Albeit that it can be difficult given the range of choices when getting started, I do think that people should experiment and take risks with buying recordings. Don't read reviews, and don't take someone else's negative reaction seriously! Perhaps a possitive response to something may be helpful, but not a negative one in my view! If I had responded to negativity, I would never have found my favourite artists. Strangely, some of these are now coming back into fashion, but they will surely fall out of fashion again as the fickle critics continuously change their tune!

Of course asking for a few starter recommendations is not daft, but soon branching out and ignoring the received wisdom is the way to go!

ATB from George

I fully agree with you Doug.

I've been listening to classical music for about 40 years and still consider myself a novice!

Now I think I will have a listen to Uchida!

Keith