Amazing Solo Piano Recordings

Two Angela Hewitt recordings have remain unshelved for more than a year; one in the main system and one upstairs. I heartily recommend the 2004 Hyperion recordings of Chopin Nocturnes (CDA67371/2) and Couperin Keyboard Music - 2 (CDA67440). These are both incredibly elegant recordings; atmospheric yet refined. The Nocturnes are a more distant recording with a wonderful acoustic ambience. I had previously been unconcerned with this composer until I heard these pieces. The Couperin is harpsicord music on modern piano and has a stately, accessible feel. A bit more forward in presentation than the Chopin, but it seems appropriate in mimickry of harpsicord. There are two other recordings in the Couperin series as well and all are an excellent example of the classic French sound.

Babbro
I could not find Couperin Keyboard Music - 2 (CDA67440)on Amazon. Please, do you know if it is in print and a resource for the music
Thanks
Joe

Gammajo, Two performers come immediately to mind Garrich Ohlsson's complete Chopin series on Arabesque - mind you this is some fairly aggressive Chopin, not the warm laid back variety, but quite satisfying non-the-less, and Carol Rosenberger who put together a series of collections of laidback classical pieces on Delos (there are maybe 5 to 6 recordings). I love them all. Try them if you can find them. Delos when out of business - I assume you might find them used somewhere.

newbee
I have the Ohlsson's Chopin Vol 9 for the Rondo a la Krakowiak which I love. Thanks for the tips. I will look for some Rosenberger

Gammajo, Playing on my system as I type - Rachmaninov's Preludes by Rustem Hayroudinoff on Chandos. Not a Bosendorffer Imperial I think but this is one of the best recorded and well played disc's I have if I'm up for Rach's complete preludes. Rich tonal quality w/ a warm deep bass.

Back to the Bosendorfer - something unique - Telarc created 2 CD's using Rachmaninoff's piano rolls played back electronically thru a Bosendorfer. Don't be put off by the process - unless you are an expert you wouldn't know there wasn't an actual pianist at the keyboard. One CD is Rachmaninoff playing his own works "Window in Time", Vol 1, and the next is Rachmaninoff playing works of other composers, Window in Time, Vol 2. Excellent reproductions of the piano's sound. As with the Hayaroudinoff these should be readily available.

Enjoy them, I do!