Samuil Feinberg plays Chopin Ballade #4, Op. 52

[EntertainerClassical]

Dear Uploader, thank you very much for upload this great real artist.

From now there is one more pianist what I will listen ,. An advise for those people who do not like do not feel and do not understand the rubato.

Listen MIDI files. that is the modern and dry enough performance .

[morvensky]

This left me with mixed feelings, but overall I enjoyed it.

[Bongoke]

This is fantastic. I love Feinberg's work as composer, but this is certainly as fascinating. This performance is so refreshing compared to the standard conservatory products.

And how come I didn't know about your channel? So many awesome videos. I think I am going to trace more of these old recordings, maybe rip them from LP.

Can you tell me were you obtained this recording? Is it from a CD?

[marcussalieri]

very beautiful.chopin made the picture and the pianist has coloured it

[etap1]

Sadly, as Andre says, those who are unfamiliar with true romantic interpretation are truly lost when confronted with such playing. It is about expressiveness and elasticity without losing the line and yet, most modern interpretations sacrifice expression for the sake of linear conception. Feinberg is, in fact, closer to Chopin, Sofrinitsky, Hofmann,Lhevinne.,Rosenthal, and Friedman. These pianists were not afraid to show their own interpretation without fearing the 'critics'.

[freeqwerqwer]

well said etap1

[driemaaldrommels]

i really admire Feinberg in a lot of the music i have played by him, but i'm afraid om not a big fan of his chopin 4th Ballade, it sounds a little restless to me (maybe that was his idea over this piece, i don't know). and from time to time it is a little bit sloppy. but as always...great tone and great pianist!

[freeqwerqwer]

"World class musician"???? I'm ready to release a guffaw. His interpretation is too ideosyncratic, ie., he plays in his own world, not that of Chopin's.

[truecrypt]

Feinberg's world is much closer to Chopin than you can imagine.

Again, you may dislike performance or performer, but your tone is not appropriate.

[freeqwerqwer]

this Feinberg plays a lousy Chopin.

[truecrypt]

1. Please don't address performer as "this Feinberg" - have a minimum respect for the world class musician.

2. "Lousy Chopin" is a very vague characterization. If you don't like something, it doesn't mean this something is "lousy".

[krastavitza]

excuse me, but you discus sound of recording, talk about Sirota an so on having absolutly outstanding master! you all must stay on your knees and keep silence!

[bobon47]

This is the fly of melodies. Best rendation I hear? And wery whole, such Rahmaninoff, but Feinberg is too far from Rahmaninoff - different worlds of human emotions.

[pianopera]

A very interesting post.

Beautiful cantablie playing. But what do you think of his use (or must we say: abuse) of rubato?

I guess, similar case like in Yudina, he really felt it this way...

[truecrypt]

Hard to say... I don't feel Yudina's conviction in his playing - rather recorded improvisation...

[pianopera]

Yes, maybe you're right...I will respond with the Koczalski version so that we can compare.

Then we have two versions that are definitely not "mainstream"...

[AntonioDGO]

Another 'not mainstream' one that all should hear is the beautiful recording by the Ukranian pianist Leo Sirota, available on Arbiter. I'm considering uploading something from this wonderful CD but not the Ballade as it deserves uncompressed sound quality. Personally I love the Feinberg recording, admire Koczalski (prefer his ballade 1 which has a magical nostalgia towards the end) but prefer Sirota to both. The Ignace Tiegerman recording is another marvel.

[pianopera]

I've read about this pupil of Busoni (Sirota), and I would be grateful if you could post some samples of his Chopin playing.

[AntonioDGO]

With pleasure. In the meantime please view the Wikipedia entry for Sirota as it contains a linkn to the Arbiter page which has his Chopin etude 10/9 available to hear for free. A further Sirota volume is expected in the future too.

[pianopera]

Thanks!

[sagalat]

Thanks for suggesting this! Great performance by Leo. Splendid

[himitsunosallychan]

Excuse me for asking with incorrect English, have you uploaded Sirota's recordings? I recently found out very thankfully about Sirota through two precious recordings uploaded by same truecrypt-san. I also listened to #9 etude through Wikipedia, but all that I can listen to are three recordings only, and I am very eager to hear more of the giant pianist.

[AntonioDGO]

No I haven't uploaded any Sirota because I think people should buy the full CD from Arbiter Classical and support the company. It is worth every penny. I think there are enough samples of Sirota around to convince people that it is worth getting. Cheers

[himitsunosallychan]

I am thoroughly convinced Sirota is pianist every piano music lover should know of, but unfortunately, almost everyone (including myself of course) know nothing of him, because he is neglected and forgotten. This is BIG INJUSTICE, I feel. Especially, if there is recording of #4 Ballade and you say it is beautiful, it MUST be beautiful. I am dying to hear it! If you could by big favor upload, I will be grateful beyond words.

[himitsunosallychan]

Really, I think sound quality of recordings do not bother listeners that much, or not at all, unless it is really really bad quality. I apologize for wrong English, but my fervent wish and desire.

[flugelmaniac]

I like his use of rubato here......I think for the most part it is skillfully incorporated into expressive, meaningful, phrasing and for that reason works beautifully. I would be happy to listen again

to the areas you think rubato is being misused and comment.

I like this performance very much.

[pianopera]

One example is the rapid sequences of chords leading to the C major fermate (starting at 8:43). I know there is a stretto written there, but he just starts it too quicky I think, I can't hear the separate harmonies anymore...and I feel there are more places where details are lost because he is "moving forward" too much.

[pianopera]

But all of this commenting is to be taken with a grain of salt...because he was a *Master*...

[flugelmaniac]

Yes, I agree with you about his overspeeding between 8:43 and 8;50.

[mirator]

Wonderful touch and subtle romantic feeling!

Thank you for posting!

Olia

[mimfri]

Such a delicate touch, coming to us from so long ago!

[bineblies]

wow a very beautiful and certainly different interpretation!