2. music
  3. 1185652304

Suggestions for Classical Piano "works of merit"

Following a disc of Beethoven Piano Sonatas by Anne Oland I just put on a CD from "Shumann Piano Works" played by Wilhelm Kempff. What an extraordinary contrast in both content and playing. Wilhelms intense sensitivity to the moment by moment transitions in Schumanns lyrical and personal "Scenes from Childhood" and "Fantasies" is starkly,and beneficially contrasted,following the Beethoven pieces, and reveals a true master plumbing the full potential of the pieces & piano. This is from a 4CD Deutsche Grammaphone compilation from 1967 to 1975; (Stereo 471 312-2), recordings that I very highly recommend to afficianados and new listeners as well. (The recording quality is excellent on my Spectral/MIT system.) I would enjoy and appreciate hearing of other fine collections and any feedback on the Schumann.
psacanli
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
I agree with your assessment of the Kempff recordings. If you've liked his Schumann, you may wish to try his Beethoven, both the sonatas and the concertos with Leitner.

A couple additional suggestions:

Ivan Moravec's recordings of Chopin on the Connossieur Society label. The performances are marvelous and the recording quality is consistently superb. On LP, these were issued as CS 1065, CS 1165, CS 1266, CS 2019, CS 2062, CS 2122.

Also, the Nojima Nomura recordings of Liszt and Ravel on the Reference Recordings label.
.
uru975
684 posts
 
Have not heard his Schumann but have his LP's of the Schubert Piano Sonatas and they are indeed amazing, check them out, with luck they're on CD
zinfan2
154 posts
 
I second it, Wilhelm Kempff is amazing. Try his solo Bach recordings on DG. Some of the finest performances/recordings I've ever heard. His playing can stop time.
More to discover