I've struggled to ever see what people like about Arrau. Clearly just a personal taste thing, but I've searched for something, anything he played and which I liked his version of. Disappointed again here. I really hate this, it sound sluggish and lazy to me, but then he always does to me. I prefer just about anyone else to him in this piece. I guess I'll never like him. Weird.
The great Claudio Arrau brings an ecstatic quality to this superb piece which lifts it to the highest level. The melodic line in 3rds can sound banal, even trivial, but Arrau makes this line shine like no other pianist.
I think this tempo is exactly right, a languid, drifting trip on the water, not a speedboat as so many think! Arrau's tone also happens to be golden and lush, certainly one of the best ever. While not as imaginative or filled with the rainbow of colors of the truly amazing Horowitz recording, or as heartfelt as Rubinsteins 1957 recording, or as magical as Lipatti's or Moiseiwitsch's, Arrau's version is one of the best ones I know. I think the Barcarolle is Chopin's best composition.
too heavy for my taste. Arrau's personal tone was always 'fat' that i think it's not suitable for most of Chopin's lighter-sounding pieces. this piece should evoke a feeling of one on a boat flowing lightly on the water, and Arrau's mindset has always been on the more dramatic side-not surprisingly because he is a leading interpreter of Liszt. though i admire his singing line, and more suitable to Chopin's minor-key pieces.
Rubinstein's NY steinway recording along the other chopin pieces. As you say, Horowitz's recording here is wonderful too. but the single best recording for me is Cherkassky's, i think that's the ideal of a Barcarolle boat. i haven't heard Lipatti's and Moisewitsch yet.
singing line it is, but the floating aspect of his sound is more ship-like in weight than a Barcarolle. i never have a problem with his singing quality
Great audio...
newFranzFerencLiszt 1 year ago
I've struggled to ever see what people like about Arrau. Clearly just a personal taste thing, but I've searched for something, anything he played and which I liked his version of. Disappointed again here. I really hate this, it sound sluggish and lazy to me, but then he always does to me. I prefer just about anyone else to him in this piece. I guess I'll never like him. Weird.
sprund2009 2 years ago
@sprund2009 Lazy?
ajent0rangex 1 year ago
The great Claudio Arrau brings an ecstatic quality to this superb piece which lifts it to the highest level. The melodic line in 3rds can sound banal, even trivial, but Arrau makes this line shine like no other pianist.
peteklat 2 years ago 9
I think this tempo is exactly right, a languid, drifting trip on the water, not a speedboat as so many think! Arrau's tone also happens to be golden and lush, certainly one of the best ever. While not as imaginative or filled with the rainbow of colors of the truly amazing Horowitz recording, or as heartfelt as Rubinsteins 1957 recording, or as magical as Lipatti's or Moiseiwitsch's, Arrau's version is one of the best ones I know. I think the Barcarolle is Chopin's best composition.
billyguns2 2 years ago 4
too heavy for my taste. Arrau's personal tone was always 'fat' that i think it's not suitable for most of Chopin's lighter-sounding pieces. this piece should evoke a feeling of one on a boat flowing lightly on the water, and Arrau's mindset has always been on the more dramatic side-not surprisingly because he is a leading interpreter of Liszt. though i admire his singing line, and more suitable to Chopin's minor-key pieces.
libetta 2 years ago
Which pianists do you admire in the Barcarolle? Do you like Horowitz, Rubinstein, Lipatti, etc.?
billyguns2 2 years ago
Rubinstein's NY steinway recording along the other chopin pieces. As you say, Horowitz's recording here is wonderful too. but the single best recording for me is Cherkassky's, i think that's the ideal of a Barcarolle boat. i haven't heard Lipatti's and Moisewitsch yet.
libetta 2 years ago
@billyguns2 -- ARRAU # 1
arturon111 1 year ago
dont agree with you, Arrau has the most beautiful singing legato sound of any pianist,... simply better and deeper than anyone else,....
arturon111 2 years ago
singing line it is, but the floating aspect of his sound is more ship-like in weight than a Barcarolle. i never have a problem with his singing quality
libetta 2 years ago
Such a great interpretation. Arrau is ' so fast with his fingers ' mostly, but this is as if he knew how it was ment to be.
Just my humble opinion....
gerarddesmidt 2 years ago
¡Bellísimo, muchas gracias por compartir!
patriciobeta 2 years ago
Superbe sonorité! Merci à vous.
maloune63 3 years ago