Recommendations on extremely well recorded Chopin Nocturnes

[aks07]

I am looking to buy the complete set of Chopin nocturnes that are recorded extremely well in stereo.

I know Artur Rubinstein is the gold standard for Chopin. He was at best on his recordings of 1940's but the SQ is not really hi-fi. He was re-recorded in 1960's but by then his style was considered to be restrained and some of his early dramatic interpretations getting mellower. In any case I want to hear other Pianists of modern contemporary era. Some of the new breed of pianists from the Far Eastern countries are really good.

Thus any advice on well recorded Chopin nocturnes, the full set, will be greatly appreciated. Preferably vinyl but in a crunch CD's will do.

 

[Staxxx]

What an unusual request to ask here...but I am glad you did.
I really like Ivan Moravec's nocturnes. However if you want a relatively new recording you could try Maria Joao Pires which has been re-released on a Duo mid-price recording by DG. I also like Bernard d'Ascoli of the modern recordings. However, as you say, Rubenstein just reigns supreme (he made three traversals of it) and I would choose him first. Off the top of my head, I do have complete recordings by Barenboim, Arrau (also good), Polini, Freire and heard Lortie and Leonskaya. I have not heard Biret or Amoyel but I still think the oldies are the goldies when it comes to Chopin's Nocturnes. I just noticed that you mentioned far eastern pianists - I have not heard the version by Yundi Li, although he is a very accomplished Chopin player in my opinion.
Hope this helps.

 

[sivasarjun]

Let this type of discussions continue for other works/composers by knowledgeable FMs.

 

[hemantwaghe]

I have foll 5 Chpin recordings for sale- Deusche Gramofon German Pressing

1)CHOPIN; Polonaise No.1,2,4,5,7,9 - Stefan Askenase(p)
2)Frederic CHOPIN Fantasie F-Moll op. 49, Barcarole Fis-Dor op.60 , Mazurka B-Moll op.24,
3)CHOPIN; Andante spianato & Grand Polonaise, Mazurka, BalladesHalina Czerny-Stefanska(p)
4)CHOPIN ARGERICH RICHTER, Grande Valse brillante 1, Valse 7, Mazuks 5, 47
5)CHOPIN Sonata - Alexis Weissenberg No 2 B moll No 3 H moll

 

[aks07]

I really like Ivan Moravec's nocturnes. However if you want a relatively new recording you could try Maria Joao Pires which has been re-released on a Duo mid-price recording by DG.

Dear Sir
That is a solid set of pointers. Ivan Moravec has a complete set of nocturnes on CD? Forgot to mention that I already have with me a Claudio Arrau CD but it only has Noc 3 till 12. The SQ is above average but a lot better than the Rubinstein disk.

..Rubenstein just reigns supreme (he made three traversals of it) and I would choose him first.

Do you have any of his 1st and 2nd phase recordings? Do they sound great in terms of SQ? I have very critically compared his earlier period (as found in youtube) with the later period and find that his later phases are somewhat straitjacketed if such a word can be used. I am talking purely on basis of musicianship and not recording quality.

Thanks also for mentioning the work of Polini. I have a sampler CD. The SQ is good but just about. I just did a search on amazon and they have his complete set. Maybe I should take the plunge here.

One of the biggest dilemma with western classical recording is the SQ. The great performers have very badly recorded media; while the not so famous have stunning sounding recordings. At least this has been my experience. I have imported enough CD/Vinyl to reach this conclusion. Thus opinions such as yours are highly appreciated to, hopefully, stop more money wasting exercises.

I have foll 5 Chpin recordings for sale- Deusche Gramofon German Pressing

1)CHOPIN; Polonaise No.1,2,4,5,7,9 - Stefan Askenase(p)
2)Frederic CHOPIN Fantasie F-Moll op. 49, Barcarole Fis-Dor op.60 , Mazurka B-Moll op.24,
3)CHOPIN; Andante spianato & Grand Polonaise, Mazurka, Ballades Halina Czerny-Stefanska(p)
4)CHOPIN ARGERICH RICHTER, Grande Valse brillante 1, Valse 7, Mazuks 5, 47
5)CHOPIN Sonata - Alexis Weissenberg No 2 B moll No 3 H moll

Dear Sir
What a fantastic list specially the #3. In Side B you can actually hear a faint drone of truck engines. Seems it was recorded in a place next to a truck/bus stop. You can hear engine starters cranking and then the trucks driving away. DG used to do excellent recordings but I don't know if this was part of the scheme to add a bit of bruit atmospherique! That asides Halina Czerny is exquisite in that LP.

Still a brilliant collection even if none of them are nocturnes.

 

[aks07]

..Maria Joao Pires

Thanks for mentioning this. I just got sold on her!

Apparently once during a performance she panicked when the conductor started the wrong concerto. After that setback she recovers and it seems finishes with a great forte. Youtube clip of this instance below:

Maria Joao Pires - expecting another Mozart concerto during a lunchconcert in Amsterdam - YouTube

A true virtuosa. Now need to hunt her well recorded albums.

 

[Staxxx]

Wow great YouTube link. I also like Pires in her Mozart and especially Schubert. If you come to Bangalore sometime please do look me up.

 

[GeorgeO]

Shri aks07 has a standing invite to visit Bangalore for the past 9 years, but it appears that he is a little shy of coming here.To meet him the only way is to go to his home turf,where he is an excellent host.

 

[aks07]

......If you come to Bangalore sometime please do look me up.

...Shri aks07 has a standing invite to visit Bangalore for the past 9 years...

Thank you both Gentlemen for the fine feelings. It will be heavenly to visit BLR and soak in the music and some purana maal - a GeorgeO speciality. Me and missus are thinking of putting all our troubles behind and Insha'Allah do a south India drive this year.

Meanwhile, following Shri Staxxx recommendation I am ordering this cd today:
Maria Joo Pires - Chopin The Nocturnes -: Flipkart.com

And put this Maurizio Pollini CD in watch-list as it is currently out of stock
Chopin: Nocturnes -: Flipkart.com

Both are expensive buys but I hope this is what I am looking for.

 

[Rajiv]

Hi,

and Insha'Allah do a south India drive this year.

Ashok, you have been threatening us with your south India trip for a few years now.

Hope you make good your threat in 2014.

Regards
Rajiv

 

[ajay124]

aks07

Flipkart is quoting Rs. 2440 for a 2 CD set of the 21 Nocturnes by Pires. Outrageous pricing! Better to buy the Chopin 17 CD Complete Editions box set from Amazon which has these two CD's +15 more. I am not particularly fond of Ashkenazy but most of the other pianists on the Complete Edition set are very listenable. DG has a hot seller in the Chopin/Argerich combo, so there are only meagre helpings of Martha Argerich. But the highpoint (for me) is the Krystian Zimerman, Polish Festival Orchestra recording of Piano Concerto 1 and 2.


Chopin Complete Edition - 17 CDs / Download - Buy Now

Chopin on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Chopin Complete Edition: Music

Amazon.com: Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin: Music

Amazon.com: Martha Argerich: The Collection 1: The Solo Recordings: Music

Amazon.com: Martha Argerich - The Collection 2: The Concerto Recordings: Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9-dXyUdepc

 

[Staxxx]

Dear AKS, the Pires set is inordinately expensive on Flipkart. Why don't you get it through Amazon or Presto Classical etc. ?

Presto Classical - Buy classical CDs, opera CDs, & DVDs online

It will be much cheaper I think even with a little shipping added and usually I have them in 5 days or so.

By the way, can you deal with downloads in your system?

 

[musiklava79]

Made a mistake and posted a second time. Please overlook this one. Request Mod. to delete this post, please.

 

[musiklava79]

Sorry for butting in but couldn't help but notice. Ofcourse, I can't say much about Western Classical music but have you tried Linn Records? Use their search engine for Chopin Nocturne. I think some high quality FLAC and MP3 CDs are available there.

 

[Staxxx]

Yes, thanks, I have bought some downloads from Linn records for certain interpretations of specific music. However, as a source for classical music downloads they are a very expensive source and I would recommend others such as Qobuz.com instead (a French site with a translation service) or Presto Classical (UK site). I use these sources for uncompressed files which are available in several different formats as well as hi-rez recordings.

 

[aks07]

...the Pires set is inordinately expensive on Flipkart.

..Flipkart is quoting*Rs. 2440*for a 2 CD set of the 21 Nocturnes by Pires

For Pires I have already pulled the trigger on flipkart the day before

A little support to desi vendors is ultimately good for us buyers in the long run. However, in this case the value proposition is overwhelming in favour of amazon, but the deed is done.

Chopin Complete Edition - 17 CDs / Download - Buy Now

That is unbeatable value. CD01 has Piano Concerto # 2 in F minor [Op 21] by Zimerman/Polish Festival Orchestra which is a coup really. That asides its a mix of pianists and I was looking for a single performer for the sake on consistency in musicianship. In any case I more or less have the full Chopin work in vinyl/cd. Now looking for convenience.

.. Presto Classical etc. ?

What a shop! For last 2 hours I've been browsing their catalogue. I am afraid this ain't going to do any good to my (limited) finances.

I think I will buy this as a test case :- Presto Classical - Debussy: Piano Music (complete) - Brilliant Classics: 94415
This one is on Brilliant Classics label which usually have great recordings. At US$15 for 5 CD's this is good value and should fill up a bit the impressionist shortfall in my collection.

.. By the way, can you deal with downloads in your system?

Yes.

..Hope you make good your threat in 2014.

Rajiv hyeah:

 

[panditji]

Amazon.com: Chopin - Impressions: Music

 

[Simon Wires]

Shri aks07 has a standing invite to visit Bangalore for the past 9 years, but it appears that he is a little shy of coming here.To meet him the only way is to go to his home turf,where he is an excellent host.

+1.. my invite to Sh.Aks is 8 months old. I'm on the queue!!

 

[aks07]

+1)

Simon Jee you are a radioman. What you doing in this oldies thread!!
When are you coming here to climb the loft and rummage for things? I am leaving the dust and dirt in situ to make the climb memorable

 

[Simon Wires]

I am looking to buy the complete set of Chopin nocturnes that are recorded extremely well in stereo.
Preferably vinyl but in a crunch CD's will do.

Ashok sir, you gifted me such a wonderful miniature-valves for Christmas, but denied taking return gifts. This time I'm donning the cap of Eve and tempting you with a Chopin- apple. From now on, I will keep an eye on Chopins Nocturnes, during all my future vinyl hunts.

This 120 master is 2 LP American pressing, which has one track of your fav. But for the kind of your taste, you may like all the tracks, and the condition is good. And the Chopin LP is HMV UK pressing, Mono, and slightly aged but plays nicely, though the cover is not in good condition.