Chopin Recommendations

[cybrxkhan]

All of the artsy fartsy threads seem to be about literature or movies, so here's something different.


I've been listening to some Chopin again for a bit, and I ask - which pianist(s) do you think plays Chopin the best? Any recommendations? I prefer emotion over technicality, if that makes any sense.

Chopin is so sensitive, I want to cry. Seriously though I've forgotten that he is probably my favorite 19th century composer; he pieces were my favorite ones to play back when I studied piano.

 

[de Maistre]

Rubinstein is sort of the go-to. Also check out Schooderwoerd. For comparison:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrtUmA6B-Uc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRO05WcNDk

 

[warpus]

I have a friend who is a professional pianist (I'm not sure if that's his actual title, but he took music at the school I work at and then 5 years ago or so moved to the Netherlands to continue his studies. Now he plays piano at various events throughout Europe)

So he's probably not the best by any shot, and I can't tell how good he is (not my field), but I thought I'd share anyway.


Link to video.

 

[classical_hero]

This is my favourite Chopin composition.

Link to video.

 

[Camikaze]

This is one of my favourite things on youtube:

Spoiler :

Link to video.

Link to video.

Link to video.

I also enjoy listening to Martha Argerich. I don't really know enough about pianists as opposed to composers to know if my opinion is really all that accurate, but I guess though a lot of people might find her playing a bit too rigid or strong for Chopin, I love the way she can get warmth out of the notes by playing into them.

If you want to compare her with Rafal Blechacz from in the spoilers above, here (she comes in around 4:00):

Spoiler :

Link to video.

She pretty clearly has quite a different interpretation. A lot more rubato, and you can definitely tell that she's playing into the keys a lot more than Blechacz, whose notes can sometimes be a little percussive instead. But it may not exactly fit the criteria in the OP.

And of course, Rubinstein is always good.

 

[classical_hero]

Martha Argerich is one of the greatest pianists.

Not Chopin, but this is just amazing skill.

Link to video.

 

[Borachio]

Link to video.


Link to video.

 

[cybrxkhan]

Thanks folks for the recommendations and links!

When I took piano my teacher generally recommended Rubinstein's recordings for me, though perhaps moreso because Rubinstein is one of the most well-known players.

My general preference for Chopin is a light, delicate, and very restrained touch, now that I think about it. I enjoyed playing Chopin that way.