A difficult choice? Sokolov or Volodos
td
France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
SAME evening:
Mardi 10 août 2010
21h00 Grand Théâtre de Provence
Grigory Sokolov piano
Bach : Partita n°2 en ut mineur BWV 826
Brahms : Fantaisies opus 116
Schumann : Sonate pour piano en fa mineur opus 14
21h00 Parc du Château de Florans
Arcadi Volodos piano
Chopin : Nocturne en si majeur opus 62 n°1
Chopin : Mazurka en si mineur opus 33 n°4
Chopin : Prélude en ut dièse mineur opus 45
Chopin : Polonaise en fa dièse mineur opus 44
Liszt : Bagatelle sans tonalité
Liszt : Harmonies du soir, extrait des “Douze Études d’exécution
transcendante”
Liszt : Saint François de Paule marchant sur les flots, légende n°2
Schumann : Grande Humoresque en si bémol majeur opus 20
Schumann : Carnaval de Vienne opus 26
Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
TD
Prince Myshkin
Wow. That's a hard choice. Now if it was Sokolov playing Volodos'
program . . . . . .
Rugby
>
> Wow. That's a hard choice. Now if it was Sokolov playing Volodos'
> program . . . . . .
I agree, but the pianism will be excellent in each case, and Volodos'
programme is more interesting to me, especially if I'm paying
money.Others will differ,of course.
Rugby
Mike Prager
wrote:
>The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
>France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
>SAME evening:
>
>Grigory Sokolov piano
>
>Arcadi Volodos piano
>
[...]
>Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
I would go hear Sokolov. He is older, he is overweight, and likely
there will be fewer chances to hear him. He plays sublimely and
records little.
I find Volodos also a wonderful pianist. However, I believe he has
more discs out already than Sokolov, despite being ~22 yr younger. I'd
see him next time.
Bob Lombard
For me Chopin pretty much wore out his welcome some time back. Now he
resembles the acquaintance who always shows up at supper time.
bl
--
Music, books, a few movies
LombardMusic
http://www.amazon.com/shops/A3NRY9P3TNNXNA
Scott Graham
> The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
> France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> SAME evening:
>
>
>
> TD
I'd have to go with Sokolov - just because I've never seen him live
and I've seen Volodos twice already. I like Volodos' program better
though.
Scott
HvT
> The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
> France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> SAME evening:
>
>
> 21h00 Grand Th��tre de Provence
> Grigory Sokolov piano
>
> Bach : Partita n�2 en ut mineur BWV 826
> Brahms : Fantaisies opus 116
> Schumann : Sonate pour piano en fa mineur opus 14
>
> Arcadi Volodos piano
>
> Chopin : Nocturne en si majeur opus 62 n�1
> Chopin : Mazurka en si mineur opus 33 n�4
> Chopin : Polonaise en fa di�se mineur opus 44
> Liszt : Bagatelle sans tonalit�
> Liszt : Harmonies du soir, extrait des �Douze �tudes d�ex�cution
> transcendante�
> Liszt : Saint Fran�ois de Paule marchant sur les flots, l�gende n�2
> Schumann : Grande Humoresque en si b�mol majeur opus 20
> Schumann : Carnaval de Vienne opus 26
>
> Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
Sokolov, because of his program. If he had played Beethoven I would have
chosen Volodos.
Henk
td
> On Fri, 14 May 2010 06:34:48 -0700 (PDT), td <tomdedea...@mac.com>
Wise choice.
TD
gereco
> td wrote:
> > The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
> > France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> > SAME evening:
>
>
> > 21h00 Grand Théâtre de Provence
> > Grigory Sokolov piano
>
> > Bach : Partita n°2 en ut mineur BWV 826
> > Brahms : Fantaisies opus 116
> > Schumann : Sonate pour piano en fa mineur opus 14
>
> > Arcadi Volodos piano
>
> > Chopin : Nocturne en si majeur opus 62 n°1
> > Chopin : Mazurka en si mineur opus 33 n°4
> > Chopin : Polonaise en fa dièse mineur opus 44
> > Liszt : Bagatelle sans tonalité
> > Liszt : Harmonies du soir, extrait des “Douze Études d’exécution
> > transcendante”
> > Schumann : Grande Humoresque en si bémol majeur opus 20
> > Schumann : Carnaval de Vienne opus 26
>
> > Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
>
> Sokolov, because of his program. If he had played Beethoven I would have
> chosen Volodos.
>
Sokolov, for these reasons:
1 - The Scuumann f minor Sonata is rarely played, and I have surmised
that most audiences ( and pianists) prefer one of the other two
2 - I *like* the f minor sonata, a choice of mine for a degree
program (rather than the instructor's) . The last movement is
wonderfully pianistic (Schumann refraining from his dotted rhythms
obsession for a change) and was a big challenge to memorize because of
the relentless repetitions of the "A" theme, each with their own
minute differences that can get 'hairy'.
3 - I heard Sokolov early in his career when he was a pink-faced
chubby little 'boy' who used my studio for practice the night before
his recital. It would be interesting to "see" his maturity as well
as hear it (and he was mighty good on that first hearing).
Gc
SG
I have to say that Volodos' program is beautifully put together.
bassppn
I would go to the Volodos because I KNOW TD wont be there.......
AB
bassppn
>
> - Show quoted text -
Have heard Sokolov in all the above. very curious to hear how V.
plays the Chopin...
Heard Sokolov in NYC. very disappointing and I do admire many of his
live performances, but V. never disappoints,(except for TD):-)
Ab
bassppn
you dont have to look hard to find many pirates........ Sokolov has
made quite a few recordings, hard to find.
AB
bassppn
wrote:
Bob,
would you not go to the pianist whose piano is the better tuned:-))
AB
bassppn
>
> - Show quoted text -
any excuse not to hear Volodos, right:-)
AB
bassppn
> I have to say that Volodos' program is beautifully put together.
Do you think "Volodos is beautifully put together" :-)
AB
herman
I'd take the Volodos, because I have heard Sokolov in the very same
program in April, in Leiden, and I would just be wondering what kind
of life it is, playing the same program for a whole year, over and
over again. No doubt the same goes for Volodos, but I wouldn't be as
abysmally aware of it.
SG
Completely out of the blue: I've just noted that both names have three
syllables, seven letters, and use only "o" for vowels, three times
each.
Is it a coincidence?
Or an impenetrable mystery?
Or perhaps a masonic conspiracy?...
"Deep, dude" I can hear Bob L. commenting. (I'm being optimistic
there.)
Gerard
> Completely out of the blue: I've just noted that both names have three
> syllables, seven letters, and use only "o" for vowels, three times
> each.
>
> Is it a coincidence?
>
> Or an impenetrable mystery?
>
> Or perhaps a masonic conspiracy?...
>
Originally Volodos' name was actually Sodolov.
Some kind of religious reasons played a role in reversing it when he needed a
theater name.
wimpie
> On Fri, 14 May 2010 06:34:48 -0700 (PDT), td <tomdedea...@mac.com>
I would go to Volodos, eventhough I prefer Sokolov (who plays a much
broader repertoire!). However, I never heard Volodos in Chopin.
I was amazed you mentioned the fact that Sokolov is overweight, didn't
know that could be a reason to listen to certain pianists, if it is
the choice really should be hard, since Volodos is overweight too!!
(more so than Sokolov...)
W.
td
Wrong.
The interesting about the choice is that it is hard to make.
I suspect that I would be bored by Volodos and infuriated by Sokolov.
So there!
TD
SG
> I was amazed you mentioned the fact that Sokolov is overweight, didn't
> know that could be a reason to listen to certain pianists, if it is
> the choice really should be hard, since Volodos is overweight too!!
> (more so than Sokolov...)
Let them produce their cholesterol count and let the best man win!
Bob Lombard
I gather that Hamelin is also overweight. I am so far back in the
sticks that it's all academic, but does general fat content play a
role in who you urbanites go to see/hear? Is chubbiness good? Last
time I watched a Kocsis DVD he looked non-skinny, but not portly -
should he make an effort to take in more calories? There aren't many
zaftig female concert pianists working today - is it that they haven't
got the message?
Just hoping to improve my understanding of the urban mentality, in
case I have to enter an urban area.
O
Lombard <thorste...@vermontel.net> wrote:
> On 5/14/2010 4:04 PM, SG wrote:
> >
> >> I was amazed you mentioned the fact that Sokolov is overweight, didn't
> >> know that could be a reason to listen to certain pianists, if it is
> >> the choice really should be hard, since Volodos is overweight too!!
> >> (more so than Sokolov...)
> >
> > Let them produce their cholesterol count and let the best man win!
>
> I gather that Hamelin is also overweight.
He wasn't the last time I saw him (about a year ago). Not slender, but
certainly not of the Levine/Bronfman/Guitierrez girth.
-Owen
SG
In fact Hamelin looks better than ever - he seems to be the Sean
Connery (and TD's favorite drink) type - he gets better with aging,
music included. Hamelin used to be this chubby/nerdy heruvim, now he
looks masculine and downright good. TD said "cherche la femme" - are
we given to understand some blessed marriage to an inspiring muse took
place? I am absolutely against gossip, unless it's fun, so inquiring
cats want to know (and be happy for him).
Joking apart, I find it VERY sad that in order for a performer to even
get a chance to make it today, (s)he has to look "sexy". Dozens or
hundreds of fantastic performers of the past would have been simply
erased from agents' rosters based on today's shallow, occasionally
sleazy criteria.
td
Correct.
And that is the current reality, I am afraid. In opera the problem is
catadtrophic, with the Met boycotting "fat" singers almost without
exception. Flagstad today would never get to sing her signature roles
on stage. Nor Montserrat Caballe. And so on.
Sad.
TD
JohnGavin
MAH was actually quite thin when he first came onto the scene, but put
on weight soon after.
I think TD was referring to his divorce from the singer Jody Karin
Applebaum??
Did he remarry (if he did it was probably to Cathy Fuller, a classical
radio host on WGBH Boston).
As far as Volodos vs. Sokolov, I would be reluctant to hear the former
in the Schumann F Minor Sonata- I can just imagine his famous delving
to the depths that interrupt the flow in an annoying way. Then again
knowing him, there would also be wonderful moments as well. Volodos,
on the other hand - always beautiful tone and pianism, but his
occasional crime is musical vacancy, as in his bloodless Scriabin
Sonata #10 - but he is also capable of wonderful things.
gereco
Why not include the avoirdupois of their esteemed late predecessors,
like Gieseking, Wild, Bolet.. . . .
Having seen Sokolov's heft in the making when he (and I) was quite
young, I woulnd't be surprised if he was the 'winner'.
Gc
SG
> > get a chance to make it today, (s)he has to look "sexy". Dozens or
> > hundreds of fantastic performers of the past would have been simply
> > erased from agents' rosters based on today's shallow, occasionally
> > sleazy criteria.
> And that is the current reality, I am afraid. In opera the problem is
> catastrophic, with the Met boycotting "fat" singers almost without
> exception. Flagstad today would never get to sing her signature roles
> on stage. Nor Montserrat Caballe. And so on.
>
> Sad.
I know (of) a singer from this area, of some solid reputation, not bad
really, but not better than mediocre either. "Not awfully bad" is the
best thing one might say about his singing. Same blandly light,
uncultivated tone in any repertoire, from operetta to... whatever the
other end of the range is. He is good-looking, though. Coincidentally
(or not), in any single opera production he participates in (including
Mozart!), he is asked to take his shirt off, which he dutifully - some
would say gleefully - does, with a gusto better applied to other
endeavours. I'm not a prude or anything, well, not more than average,
but I still go to the opera (and to the concert hall) for the sake of
the *music*.
What could Maria Yudina - with her outside kolhoz appearance, hiding a
unique sensitivity - do today? Strip-tease? That wouldn't help!
Should Eugen d'Albert - noticeably short and portly, and less than
attractive, his plethoras of (un)happy wives notwithstanding - have
joined a circus act?
What chance would David Oistrakh - not exactly a Cary Grant-type of
guy - have today, in a visual world?
How about Clara Haskil, who exposed the most beautiful hands I've ever
seen, but in an earthly sexiness kind of way also featured the appeal
of an odd, alien spider?
What happened to people's ability to trust their ears not their eyes,
when it comes to *music*?
Well, why am I even wondering? Or am I?
JohnGavin
> > > Joking apart, I find it VERY sad that in order for a performer to even
> > > get a chance to make it today, (s)he has to look "sexy". Dozens or
> > > hundreds of fantastic performers of the past would have been simply
> > > erased from agents' rosters based on today's shallow, occasionally
> > > sleazy criteria.
> > And that is the current reality, I am afraid. In opera the problem is
> > catastrophic, with the Met boycotting "fat" singers almost without
> > exception. Flagstad today would never get to sing her signature roles
> > on stage. Nor Montserrat Caballe. And so on.
>
> > Sad.
>
>
I remembered d'Albert as being quite the opposite of "less than
attractive" and this photo confirms that:
> attractive,
SG
> attractive" and this photo confirms that:
>
Ouch. Or, as the ancient Romanians used to say, oy-vey.
De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum, which concept might have
come as a surprise to - or even productively inspired - Skriabin.
SG
>
> Why not include the avoirdupois of their esteemed late predecessors,
Gerrie, my dear, (it might be that) I don't give a damn on my chances
to access the not exactly-friendly Nuremberg archives.
(Sorry, I couldn't resist it (-:)
yours,
Samir
SG
> on weight soon after.
An excessive interest in Godowsky will do that to you.
A health-aware pianist should stick to Pischna and Other Miniature
Pinschers.
(-;
JohnGavin
> > MAH was actually quite thin when he first came onto the scene, but put
> > on weight soon after.
>
> An excessive interest in Godowsky will do that to you.
>
any doorway :)
(His volume 9 and 10 of the complete Godowsky arrived in my mailbox
today).
SG
>
> In that case Konstantin Scherbakov must be a too large to fit through
> any doorway
You do know, John, right?, that David Saperton had a huge special
backdoor built just for him at the Godowsky Mansion, under the
understanding that he had to squeeze in Left Hand first.
Also, Leopold's favorite restaurant was a real pioneer in what
regarded advertising the Sad Hour.
gereco
> > > Let them produce their cholesterol count and let the best man win!
>
> > Why not include the avoirdupois of their esteemed late predecessors,
> > like Gieseking (...)
> Gerrie, my dear, (it might be that)
I certainly don't mind, considering it would be mutual
> I don't give a damn on my chances
> to access the not exactly-friendly Nuremberg archives.
I don't usualy think of Nuremberg (and its horrors that have swept my
emotions since I first heard about them when I use the name Gieseking.
What about your worship of Mengleberg (sp) and Furtwangler?
> (Sorry, I couldn't resist it (-:)
Couldn't resist what?
[I don't have a Romanian background. :-) )
Gerrie
bassppn
Is he a Muslim?
AB
Rugby
> What could Maria Yudina - with her outside kolhoz appearance, hiding a
> unique sensitivity - do today? Strip-tease?
Please, I have not yet had supper this evening.
Rugby
Bob Lombard
The young Yudina was not unattractive - in a rather intense way. I
have the impression she would have been difficult to live with at any
stage of her life, but that is another thing.
gereco
> On 5/14/2010 9:27 PM, Rugby wrote:
>
> > On May 14, 6:05 pm, SG<sgg...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> What could Maria Yudina - with her outside kolhoz appearance, hiding a
> >> unique sensitivity - do today? Strip-tease?
>
> > Please, I have not yet had supper this evening.
>
> > Rugby
>
> The young Yudina was not unattractive - in a rather intense way. I
> have the impression she would have been difficult to live with at any
> stage of her life, but that is another thing.
>
> bl
Furthermore, Rugby seems innocently unaware that Yudina might put her
clothes back on when seeing him *before* the upchuck (clothed or
bare). :-)
Gc
Rugby
> Furthermore, Rugby seems innocently unaware that Yudina might put her
> clothes back on when seeing him *before* the upchuck (clothed or
> bare). :-)
"Might" ? A risk I won't take even in my imagination.
Rugby
Miguel Montfort
> The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
> France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> SAME evening:
[...]
> Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
That�s an easy one ;-) I heard Sokolov playing the very program
he will be playing at La Roque only five days ago � so I�ll go
for Volodos (and the Humoreske, which I unconditionally love).
MM
@thumppunktorg Neil
wrote:
>I suspect that I would be bored by Volodos and infuriated by Sokolov.
I've heard the Brahms (from Sokolov's current recital programme)
courtesy of a bootleg and its unfathomable. Schumann sounds much more
persuasive and the Bach very precise and miraculously detailed. So
yes, Sokolov for the Bach and maybe the Schumann, but the Brahms will
leave you fuming I predict!
http://www.mediafire.com/?mrmzmmbmnen
Speaking of Brahms I discovered disc by Stephan Vladar. Superb.
td
> On Fri, 14 May 2010 13:02:17 -0700 (PDT), td <tomdedea...@mac.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I suspect that I would be bored by Volodos and infuriated by Sokolov.
>
> I've heard the Brahms (from Sokolov's current recital programme)
> courtesy of a bootleg and its unfathomable. Schumann sounds much more
> persuasive and the Bach very precise and miraculously detailed. So
> yes, Sokolov for the Bach and maybe the Schumann, but the Brahms will
> leave you fuming I predict!
That's OK.
Music should stimulate, but not bore you.
TD
M. A.
I heard both lately, although Volodos with an entirely different first half
(Mompou, Alb�niz, Liszt). His Schumann is quite good, and if that 4th Chopin
Ballade on Youtube is actually by Volodos, I'd be very interested to hear
him in some more Chopin.
M. A.
JohnGavin
> "Miguel Montfort" <op...@web.de> wrote...
>
> > td wrote:
>
> > > The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
> > > France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> > > SAME evening:
>
> > > [...]
>
> > > Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
>
> > he will be playing at La Roque only five days ago – so I’ll go
> > for Volodos (and the Humoreske, which I unconditionally love).
>
> I heard both lately, although Volodos with an entirely different first half
> Ballade on Youtube is actually by Volodos, I'd be very interested to hear
> him in some more Chopin.
>
> M. A.
Yes, that Ballade #4 is perhaps the best I've ever heard.
M. A.
>
> On May 15, 10:44 am, "M. A." <not.for....@server.com> wrote:
> >
> > I heard both lately, although Volodos with an entirely different first
> > 4th Chopin Ballade on Youtube is actually by Volodos, I'd be very
> > interested to hear him in some more Chopin.
>
Damn it, I just wanted to listen to it again - has it been removed from
Youtube?
If so, did anyone rip a copy off Youtube and would kindly share it again?
Mr. Mike
wrote:
>Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
The two of them should team up for an evening of duets... ":-/
bassppn
> "JohnGavin" <dagd...@comcast.net> wrote...
>
> > On May 15, 10:44 am, "M. A." <not.for....@server.com> wrote:
>
> > > I heard both lately, although Volodos with an entirely different first
> > > 4th Chopin Ballade on Youtube is actually by Volodos, I'd be very
> > > interested to hear him in some more Chopin.
>
> > Yes, that Ballade #4 is perhaps the best I've ever heard.
>
> Damn it, I just wanted to listen to it again - has it been removed from
> Youtube?
>
> If so, did anyone rip a copy off Youtube and would kindly share it again?
I also heard it....... fabulous.
AB
td
> On Fri, 14 May 2010 06:34:48 -0700 (PDT), td <tomdedea...@mac.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
>
> The two of them should team up for an evening of duets...
They wouldn't fit on one piano-stool, I am afraid.
TD
td
And now it lives on in your memory: a myth, like everything else that
resides there.
TD
SG
>
> They wouldn't fit on one piano-stool, I am afraid.
We remember Hofmann had access to a small number of on-order special
Steinways, very slightly narrower keys and stuff. Playing octaves with
the strain reserved for sevenths must feel pretty cool for smaller
hands.
Perhaps a Volodos-Sokolov duet could take place on a piano on which
each key is 1/6 inch broader?
As respects the piano stool, I am not underestimating the length
requirements, but I feel that the valiant builders should diligently
focus on weight-bearing measurements.
bassppn
> "JohnGavin" <dagd...@comcast.net> wrote...
>
> > On May 15, 10:44 am, "M. A." <not.for....@server.com> wrote:
>
> > > I heard both lately, although Volodos with an entirely different first
> > > 4th Chopin Ballade on Youtube is actually by Volodos, I'd be very
> > > interested to hear him in some more Chopin.
>
> > Yes, that Ballade #4 is perhaps the best I've ever heard.
>
> Damn it, I just wanted to listen to it again - has it been removed from
> Youtube?
>
> If so, did anyone rip a copy off Youtube and would kindly share it again?
I had it, lost it when my hard drive quit..
AB
td
Your hard drive quit a very long time ago, Arti.
TD
bassppn
>
> - Show quoted text -
your brain quit a long time ago, you talking to yourself again? Who is
"Arti"..... too much alcohol again!
AB (nee-Arti)
td
I must apologize on behalf of my iPad. Arri is unknown to it, so it
figures I must have meaner Arti.
I told it that it doesn't really matter anyway. You'll answer to
anything pretty much.
And I was right!
TD
O
<1f696273-cb8e-4853...@q8g2000vbm.googlegroups.com>, td
<tomde...@mac.com> wrote:
> >
> > your brain quit a long time ago, you talking to yourself again? Who is
> > "Arti"..... �too much alcohol again!
>
> I must apologize on behalf of my iPad. Arri is unknown to it, so it
> figures I must have meaner Arti.
>
> I told it that it doesn't really matter anyway. You'll answer to
> anything pretty much.
>
> And I was right!
>
I thought you were trying to reach the great bandleader Arti Shaw
through the ether.
-Owen, ether that or maybe you were hungry and looking for Arti Choke.
bassppn
> In article
> <1f696273-cb8e-4853-ac98-2e835bb59...@q8g2000vbm.googlegroups.com>, td
>
> <tomdedea...@mac.com> wrote:
>
> > > your brain quit a long time ago, you talking to yourself again? Who is
> > > "Arti"..... too much alcohol again!
>
> > I must apologize on behalf of my iPad. Arri is unknown to it, so it
> > figures I must have meaner Arti.
>
> > I told it that it doesn't really matter anyway. You'll answer to
> > anything pretty much.
>
> > And I was right!
>
> I thought you were trying to reach the great bandleader Arti Shaw
> through the ether.
now that explains TD's problems......... he is hooked on ether, not
ethyl alcohol
AB
agagag
> On Fri, 14 May 2010 06:34:48 -0700 (PDT), td <tomdedea...@mac.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> >France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> >SAME evening:
>
>
> >Arcadi Volodos piano
>
> [...]
> >Which one would YOU decide to go to? And why?
>
> records little.
HE DOESN'T RECORD ANY MORE!
agagag
> ... The Scuumann f minor Sonata is rarely played...
Moreover, no great pianist up to now played the integral version of
that sonata
> 3 - I heard Sokolov early in his career when he was a pink-faced
> chubby little 'boy' who used my studio for practice the night before
> his recital. It would be interesting to "see" his maturity as well
> as hear it (and he was mighty good on that first hearing).
Now he is the greatest living pianist!
agagag
>... I have heard Sokolov in the very same
> program in April, in Leiden, and I would just be wondering what kind
> of life it is, playing the same program for a whole year, over and
> over again....
The kind of life of a perfectionist. Every month the program improves
more and more. In August it will be far better than in April
HvT
> Now he [Sokolov] is the greatest living pianist!
Greatest in what sense? Greatest French music performer? Greatest
virtuoso? Performer with the largest repertoire? Most popular performer
in China? ...
Henk
td
> > ... The Scuumann f minor Sonata is rarely played...
>
> Moreover, no great pianist up to now played the integral version of
> that sonata
A wise decision. The piece is really not that good regardless of which
version is used.
> > 3 - I heard Sokolov early in his career when he was a pink-faced
> > chubby little 'boy' who used my studio for practice the night before
> > his recital. It would be interesting to "see" his maturity as well
> > as hear it (and he was mighty good on that first hearing).
>
> Now he is the greatest living pianist!
Hmmmm.
I think not. Very good, of course. but there IS not greatest.
TD
td
Face it.
It is the live of a musician with enormous obsessions and the need for
public adulation. See GG for more on the subject.
TD
td
Precisely. That word has no meaning whatsoever, except in the minds of
"fans".
TD
agagag
> > > Now he [Sokolov] is the greatest living pianist!
>
> > Greatest in what sense? Greatest French music performer? Greatest
> > virtuoso? Performer with the largest repertoire? Most popular performer
> > in China? ...
>
> Precisely. That word has no meaning whatsoever, except in the minds of
> "fans".
So you mean that if you are not a "fan" all pianists are equal, no one
greater than another, no one greatest...
td
Fans have their reasons which have nothing whatsoever to do about
reason. They live in a world of hyperbole: greatest, worst, biggest,
smallest, all unproven and unprovable.
TD
Pablo Gorin
> The piano festival in La Roque d'Antheron near Aix en Provence in
> France in July and August presents the following two recitals on the
> SAME evening:
> 21h00 Grand Théâtre de Provence
> Grigory Sokolov piano
> Bach : Partita n°2 en ut mineur BWV 826
> Brahms : Fantaisies opus 116
> Schumann : Sonate pour piano en fa mineur opus 14
> 21h00 Parc du Château de Florans
> Arcadi Volodos piano
> Chopin : Nocturne en si majeur opus 62 n°1
> Chopin : Mazurka en si mineur opus 33 n°4
> Chopin : Prélude en ut dièse mineur opus 45
> Chopin : Polonaise en fa dièse mineur opus 44
> Liszt : Bagatelle sans tonalité
> Liszt : Harmonies du soir, extrait des “Douze Études d’exécution
> transcendante”
> Liszt : Saint François de Paule marchant sur les flots, légende n°2
> Schumann : Grande Humoresque en si bémol majeur opus 20
> Schumann : Carnaval de Vienne opus 26
The Festival's website shows that Volodos played:
Mompou-Albeniz-Liszt and Schumann
He didn't play Chopin.
See: http://www.festival-piano.com/fr/le-festival/editions-passees/edition-2010.html
