Chopin, Berceuse Op 57 played by Wilhelm Kempff

[Harryvolting]

You almost have to wait for each note in the right hand at the beginning and the left is so subdued that its like its being played in a different room, I like the slow timing...wonderful

[sukkot54]

"beguiling intimacy and gossamer lightness, " exactly how i feel about so much of Kempff at his best, esp in Schubert. I have a saying, If an pianist Angel were a beautific 17 year old girl, she would be Kempff. Grazie!

[rochefort82]

envoie la sauce

[bossanoga0123]

mmmmmmagic!!!

[pulejus]

penso sia oggettivmente il massimo, grazie!!!

[audiomagman]

A truly magical rendition of one of the most elusive masterpieces in the whole piano repertoire. Thank you for posting this.

[fledgehog]

definitely one of the best i've ever heard...what a touch and tone! my favorite however remains cortot, who absolutely masters his use of rubato in his berceuse!

[ttamil3]

regendruppeltjes  bellisimo !!!!!!!!

[maxscriptguru]

One part of the magic is this is an old recording, that doesn't have the crystal clear razor burn that modern technology gives you. It's like those old black and white photographs that have that wonderful patina and fuzz that softens all hard edges. That no amount of digital altering afterwards can reproduce. You know, here in the United States, Wilhem Kempf CD's are hard to get now. In fact all the CD stores here in my hometown don't sell classical CD's anymore. Truly a bad day for us.

[galapz]

I am so amazed by this. What an artist he was.

Thank you.

[kevasman]

I love this recording. Kempff excelled in Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, etc. but he can surprise us, too. This is magical as is his Faure 6th Nocturne!

[DIYTVmovies]

Makes one tingle all over. It is just so gorgeous! Wasn't the first bit used for Children's Hour on the old BBC?

[lagunagreg]

such music making! he captures that wonderful static/dynamic serenity. and what a gorgeous sound!

[lindawright13]

Chopin's Berceuse is one of my favorite pieces of all time. I have listened to several versions of this piece on YT and this one carries me to another realm! It is definitely my favorite and I agree that the tempo seems perfect . Thank you for sharing!

[Pischnaholic]

I've heard it said that "Kempff certainly was never a virtuoso." This performance alone belies that assertion. This is probably the most beautiful performance of the Berceuse we have.

Virtuosity isn't ALL about playing as loudly, quickly and clearly as possible. It is also about producing a beautiful tone, shaping phrases eloquently, and controlling dynamic gradations so as to enhance the meaning implicit in each phrase as it relates to the whole.

Kempff's sound was downright LUMINOUS.

[fetonegro]

Totally agree. This the most beautiful performance of the berceuse ever recorded.

[suzettegm]

Love the tempo...usually it's played much faster, but this fits a berceuse.

[Pischnaholic]

Cutner Solomon's performance is only one second shorter, and he was great virtuoso. It's the delicacy and extreme tenderness of Kempff's playing that may make it seem slower. It's not slow, it's SERENE, and exactly right for this piece.

[shela2]

I like Kempff,s very steady pace which never alters and gives more breadth to the delicate shading and filigree cascades of r.h notes ,admirably demonstrating that he was a true master of his craft :)

[aewanko300]

Do you have more Kempff playing Chopin? I am intrigued about his recording of Chopin's Second Sonata, which I haven't heard.

This is magnificent playing.

[paulprocopolis]

I have a few other recordings of Chopin from Kempff (which I'll upload soon) but the two sonatas I only have in LP format and have yet to have digitalised. Glad you enjoyed his Berceuse!

[berlinzerberus]

...yes.....very lovely played indeed!!

[lokopiano]

He is one of the few pianists who understanda Berceuse is a kind of "Lullaby"...

Extremely beautiful this performance.

You have to show the innocent child you have into your being to understand the sensation a child has to feel to get a "Trascendental" sleep. It belongs to the methapphisic world. Not even the great Michelangelli can reach the understanding of this piece as Wilhem Kempff did.

It also make me remember the fact in some schools of piano ( i don´t spek about institutions)

Next

[lokopiano]

but about tradition from teacher to pupil.

Rubunstein and kemp`ff studied with Leopol Barth. and despite they are different kind of pianists. Sometimes i cases like this they show many elements in common.

This is really virtuosism, and not empty fireworks.

The speed (Tempo) is perfect for a real Berceuse.

lokopiano

[berlinzerberus]

corr.------> heinrich barth

regards

[lokopiano]

oh..oh.. right.. sometimes i used to make mistakes of some names..... :-)

lokopiano