Alfred Grünfeld (1852-1924): Chopin - Waltz in C#minor op.64

[gerardbedecarter]

Thanks for uploading this historic recording!

[kalpubinc]

Grünfeld plays this waltz as if dancing with a most beautiful lady, and thus, his rubato, leading to an accelerated tempo, are all integrated in the joyful and romantic rhythms of a graceful dance. Since waltz is a ballroom & folk dance, Grünfeld, a Viennese himself, does not over intellectualize waltz. Bravo!

[camaysar222]

Love it!

[IGOLDBERGI]

This is arguably the best interpretation of Chopin's waltz no. 64 in c# minor, in my opinion. It's absolutely magical and magnificently effective in terms of rhythm. This is one of my top interpretations for this piece, if not, the top itself.

[Turned713]

@IGOLDBERGI I could hardly agree more man! I still love hearing it played lilting, with all the grace of his Nocturnes (see Op.9 No.2, the similarities to the "Pui lento" section are clear), but seeing as this is NOT a Nocturne, hearing this interpretation is just wonderful, filled with originality... I can't wrap my head around what he's doing in the last few bars of the main theme

[d60944]

I just revisited my own post.... I'm charmed (again) by the way he commnences the main theme with a strong Viennese lilt (similar to the Mazurka lilt), then drops out of it for the second half of the main theme. A kind of stylistic game?

[smithsherman]

A beautiful use of a structural accelerando in the main motif.All gestures clearly dilineated as they only can be through flexible time.He makes every single section revealing,surprising,interesti­ng,colorful,dynamic,and full of expressive affect.

Only modern times could reject this and it's principled approach to performance practice.

[sagalat]

Even without knowing what "structural accelerando" means, I must reluctantly AGREE with my persecutor Smithsherman The Magnificent. Grünfeld plays without affectation....and with unusual rhythmic nuance. Bravo!

[smithsherman]

Dear Steve,Persecuting you?...why would I do that to the soul of congenial wit such as your self."Structural Accelerando" is an acceleration built in to a repetitive motif and therefore used as a part of the structure.

For me however...Grünfeld(That Ü umlaut is just for you,Steve)...is very affected...and therefore so am I ...by it.Regards,Me

[Kelimu]

This performance is ingenious