William Kapell plays Chopin Sonata 3 (mv. 4) (audio)

[TJFNYC212]

OMG I always thought that Argerich owned this repertoire: the Rach III the Chopin B minor and here is Kapell. Astounding! Dazzling! What a tragic loss of the musical world!



[MrTootler]

I dont know, the melody of the fourth movement of this work always sounded stupid to me. Its like Chopin's 3rd seemed like a great film with a bad ending (the third movement is so gorgeous). But Kapell saved this sonata for me- the fourth movement sounds fresh to me now.

Thanks for posting!

[fredericfranc]

@MrTootler ...very rare to have someone dare "attack" directly the "great composer" on the YT, actually this movm't gets knocked frequently in the "professional circles"...for being just a little bit dumb...Kapell does save it in a slightly mystifying way by resorting to "inner voices" which makes it sound less "trivial"...other renditions of the movm't perhaps deservng checking out: Lipatti, Pogorelich, Bozhanov, Sultanov....

[MrTootler]

@fredericfranc huh. I had no idea. Ill check those out!

[fredericfranc]

@MrTootler ...another pianist who maybe sneaks a little of the "inner voices" work into the movement is Cyprien Katsaris...don't let his eyes scare you...

[MrTootler]

@fredericfranc Cyprien Katsaris....easily the best interpretation of Chopin's G minor ballade.

[fredericfranc]

@MrTootler ...you want to be more cautious about this "easily the best" shit...you never heard my mother-in-law...or, for that matter, my current girlfriend...

[MrTootler]

@fredericfranc Are they pretty good? My ex easily cooked the best pot of chili.

[fredericfranc]

@MrTootler ...when it comes to them...I unfortunately fall for their b.s. all the time...I really don't know what I am talking about...and they exploit that...

[Boldstrummer]

A very deep emotional understanding of this piece. He knows how to breathe with the music.

[fredericfranc]

This last movement of the mystifying 4 movement work, usually does not sound mystifying enough to me, but here Mr. Kapell does muster more magic out of these flowing sonorities. He pulls a little ambiguity out of Chopin's attempt to sound reassuring, and that helps.

[MaxyMunchkin]

Thank you for posting this. It is truly amazing!

[seremerow]

獨一無二就是像這樣的演奏!!

此曲他的演奏是很動態的，

線條的快速下型音階只是簡單的陪襯。

越來越喜歡他了^^

Bravo

[Scott1916]

Bravo Willie--your memory will live on through this recording!

[uhartchristian]

If there is anyone out there able to upload the missing recordings of Kapell please do so !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paulostroff99]

Both he and Lipatti had so much more to give to the world. Their early demise dealt a severe blow

to piano paying never to be to replaced.

[davecotuit]

@paulostroff99 AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!

[marcohorowitz8]

??? Why are we all amateur music critics here? can any of us play like kapell???

[billyguns2]

I am not an amateur, so don't include me in your blanket statement. While NOBODY alive can play like Kapell, we are all entitled to our opinions. The suppression of free speech is fascistic.

[rhythm61]

William Kapell should only be compared to others of his age.

He was fantastic, but some of his interpretations may have changed as he grew older.

[billyguns2]

As wonderful as Lipatti, Rosenthal, Rubinstein, Freire, and Casadesus are in this movement, this rendition by Kapell has never been equaled for its stunning virtuosity, clarity of texture, singing line, and style all combined. For me, Kapell was the greatest pianist who ever lived, surpassing even Richter, Michelangeli, Horowitz, Rosnethal, Schnabel, the young Cliburn, Gieseking, and both Lhevinnes in my estimation. He was kissed by the gods.

[uhartchristian]

yes I too am of the same opinion, Kapell was better than all others in many ways. His technique is fabulous and therefore also his singing sound. His understanding of structure and rythm and using the beat of his heart when building up a phrase is breathtaking. His Chopin is a strong masculin one.

He just did not have enough time to give us even more....

[demosj]

@uhartchristian Those are all qualities other many other great pianists possessed. Kapell was not the only one with a "fabulous technique", nor the only one with a "singing sound", "understanding of structure and rhythm" and the understand of how to "build up a phrase".

I admire Kapell too, but Christ you're a little effusive there.

[cziffra11]

I agree that Chopin might have found this lacking in subtlety. But then the instrument Chopin knew was nothing like the modern concert grand; I very much doubt Kapell himself would have thought of performing this piece this way on a Pleyel or Broadwood ca. 1840. Just a guess, of course. BTW, this is the finest modern performance of this piece I know. Again, just my opinion.

[BachScholar]

This is excellent, but after listening and thinking a lot I actually prefer the Bolet live recording. Bolet's is only 15 seconds slower, but it has much more depth and "soul". It seems that Kapell just does more "note playing" here and lacks the maturity of Bolet's performance.

[mltube]

That the Bolets performance is 15 sec. longer I can agree with, but not the rest of your assessment. Bolet is an obvious example where the lack of clarity and facility affects the artists interpretation. His is a labyrinth, while Kapell brings this movement on a plate in its entirety and every detail. But you would rather wander among the obscure pathways, trying to make sense out of them. Believe me, there is none :-)

[Lucithen]

such clear technique and power! wow!

[mltube]

The best!

[Trepper1940]

This sonata and especially the fourth movemente is a "tour de force" for any pianist. Kapell´s version is a bit faster than others I´ve heard, but I think he is at the same level as Horowitz and Lipatti. It is so sad we missed him; a great artist of the keyboard

[uhartchristian]

Horowitz is special as he reinterpretes every piece he does in exagerating and exalting but of course phantastic way. But Horowitz did not half of what Kapell seems to have done in that short of time. Horowitz left us few recordings compared to Kapell in the same time period I think... Lipatti too. I think Kapell was the most successful pianist of his time. (although I just start to discover his recordings....)

[mursum151]

I deeply dislike katsaris' playing too but here I failed to find anything deeper than playing though the score in strict tempo and imo a bit too fast.

I just wonder,, has chopin told you how to play these pieces dear Organman? I though he was dead...

[organman52]

This is magnificent playing. It certainly makes a strong case against the likes of Cyprian Katsaris, who with all his psychotic facial contortions and banging out of the inner voices, doesn't even come close to the artistry of Maestro Kapell. It is absolutely astounding how different two performances of the same piece can be - one which honors the composer, and the other which honors the performer.

[thunder1909]

Arrg! This version is simply outstanding, but it sounds almost identical to all other great versions of this sonata. It's played exactly like Chopin would've wanted it, which makes it so BORING!!! Organman this is EXACTLY what so many people including me have told you. Leaving yourself out of the music makes performances uninteresting, and boring. If Kapell had played it more like he would've wanted to, instead of Chopin, it would so much better. Boring as hell.

[cchris874]

"It's played exactly like Chopin would've wanted it,"

I'd be very surprised if that were the case. Here is a modern, angular approach with no where near the range of color I'd imagine Chopin would want. Could be wrong, and we'll never know if he liked Kapell. I also think this IS exactly what Kapell wanted - he spent years re-recording it to his ideal vision. Nor does this last mvt's unrelenting momentum and uncompromising continuity resemble most other recordings (of the 27 I've heard.)

[thunder1909]

I don't know, maybe I lost taste for this sonata in general. Could be. Whatever, I need some time to think this over.

[nietzschemasterclass]

If Kapell would've played this different as Chopin wrote it, it would'nt be Chopin good friend.

If it sounds identical to you, then is probably because most of pianists have a good understanding of the essence Chopin wanted to transmit and express through this beautiful sonata.

Kapell's interpretation is one of the greatest playing I've ever heard, he has probably the same musical understanding than Howoritz or Lipatti.

Try again and don't get bored!

[thunder1909]

Yes, I understand. My views have changed regarding this topic.

[Ernesto7608]

Amazing! what happened in the 50+ years since, are we receding? Now I am in doubt about my favorite performance by Lipatti...

This is a rare case where I enjoy a performance that is faster than usual. With all its rights!

[billyguns2]

There is no greater performance of this pillar of nineteenth century piano writing; simply mind-boggling!

[paulostroff99]

Brilliant! Defies description! TY.

[davecotuit]

this is the most incredible performance i have ever heard of this sonata...

[Sush108]

Fantastic!!! Dynamic playing with an awesome control of tempo and rubato; amazing clarity of texture; a thrilling performance!!! Thank you for making this available.