Giovanni Velluti Plays Chopin Op. 64 N. 2 on Erard Grand

[SUPERDANIEL465]

excellent interpretation

[UncleNathan]

The waltz sounds especially beautiful on this instrument...beautifully played, too! I have an 1871 London Erard 8'4" grand, and the clarity is amazing. A friend recently gave an all-Liszt recital on it and said the instrument did everything he hoped it would! I understand Chopin composed on the Pleyel, but, especially in his later years, much preferred the Erard in performance for its easier action.

[acortot]

@UncleNathan Yes, although an 1871 Erard would have a darker sound than this one, The hammer-felts were softer IMO. As far as Chopin he actually STARTED-OUT with Erards in 1830ish (and at that time they were very small and sweet instruments) but immediately switched to Pleyel which he played on exclusively and gave lessons on. He considered Erard too easy to play and too 'insistent'.. Pleyels from that period have a very dark and soft yet focused sound (look at my 1844 video)

[untl01]

beautiful instrument :)

[The2010SnowDay]

I am currently learning this valse, and it sounds interesting on a more authentic instrument than on a modern grand piano.

[olipippocinque]

bravo !

[AmericanCars101]

Oh I want one of these so bad!

[Brandotuomikoski]

Also how many keys does this one have?

The one I have has 83 or 84 keys. im not sure but its not full 88.

Also the keys seem shallower than modern keyboards on pianos. Do you feel the same about that?

[Brandotuomikoski]

What is the length of this Erard? I have the 6 foot version of this same one. Except mine has a honey blond finish, slightly aged into a darker tone yet still beautiful.

[dprz1921]

Really excellent.

The Phrasing is very good!

[acortot]

@dprz1921 Yes, Velluti has excellent control of phrasing

[acortot]

you can find this recording and others on "The Piano Of The Golden Age" available on Itunes.

A CD version will come out shortly.

[Philologus503]

Bravo maestro!

One of the best renditions of Chopin I ever heard. Honest.

Velluti's elegance, warmth and intellect plus the magnificent ringing sound of the Erard (I never really bought the clichee of a 'singing tone' as what the serious pianist is expected to achieve) - are a winning combination. I also recommend warmly Velutti's rendition of Schumann's 'Kinderszenen'. Bravissimo!