Igor Zhukov plays Chopin Prelude 16 live

Igor Zhukov's remarkable interpretation of Chopin's Prelude 16 from op. 28, live from 1996

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Music

Tags:

• Igor
• Zhukov
• Shukov
• Игорь
• Жуков
• piano
• recital
• classical
• Chopin
• Preludes

[DF5JT]

Where does this recording come from?

[AntonioDGO]

From you, of course. Thanks.

[rigel48]

Cortot called this prelude : "La course à l'abîme" (the race to the abyss). This is far too slow to express this idea. Here we have notes played very carfully (he speeds up to the end) but without real expression.

[AntonioDGO]

With due respect, it is not required of an interpreter to "express [the] idea" of Cortot, who himself was just an interpreter. They are on equal footing here and Zhukov through his performance obviously doesn't agree with that opinion. Using the term "real expression" doesn't help your argument either by implying that only one interpretation can be "real". In fact I am not sure why you are listening to other pianists as you seem to believe that this prelude can be played only one way.

[rigel48]

First, I do think that Cortot is a far more inspired Chopin player than Zhukov.

Second I certainly don't think that there is only one way to play a work. But for this prelude I find Cortot's idea very well adapted to this prelude.

[AntonioDGO]

Cortot was a much more recorded Chopin player than Zhukov, who in terms of major pieces only played the op.28 Preludes and the third sonata (which is remarkable, dark and brooding). Cortot's idea of this prelude, like his idea of the 24th prelude, is very eloquently expressed. He was a great pianist and a great teacher. Zhukov's Chopin bears no resemblance to Cortot's nor to anyone elses in recorded history, which is what makes it so remarkable and, it has to be said, so divisive.

[FaustianKnight]

What the heck!?

This is the weirdest recording out there!

[voolare]

This performance has such a provocatory approach! The beginning chords are played at lightning speed, with no pedal Then an incredibly slow and marcatissimo tempo.

[videoreff]

@kloiq I think your opinion is quite wrong. This piece "MUSTN'T last more than 50 seconds"???

So what's ideal? 48 seconds? 45 seconds? Ridiculous!

The great Martha Argerich plays this at lightning speed and yet takes 53 seconds. Incredibly virtuosic and in my opinion too fast - some of the phrases & harmonic progressions are a bit lost. Lim Dong Hyek does about 50 seconds but only as a showcase for his virtuosity.

Zukhov is slow here, anything around a minute or a bit more is about right.

[kloiq]

training?? wtf?? this piece MUSTN´T last more than 50 seconds, in my opinion!!!

[lavroffcinema]

@rigel48 It seems the whole point with this interpretation is that he takes it so slowly at the beginning and then accelerates abruptly at 1:00. Like it or not, it creates a very original and interesting interpretation (even though Chopin might have turned in his grave). Also, mark the left hand at 0:35-0:45.

[Balancement]

Igor Zhukov is one of the most remarkable, intelligent, and talented pianists of the 20th century. I have heard him play both Chopin and Scriabin live and it was a transcendent experience. To genuinely understand his genius, seek out his recording of Tchaikovsky's 2nd Piano Concerto with Rozhdestvensky and the USSR RTV Large symphony Orchestra. Breath-taking!

[demosj]

Well, it's not Presto con fuoco. Not sure what this thing is.

[pianonymously]

A slower tempo at the start gives the performer the breadth to communicate the relentless torrent effectively with the required dynamics and, allows for the performer to step up the pace where indicated for the closing bars. A triumph!

[MaverickMusican]

Remarkable!

[pyroprince78]

i have one word to say... GULAG

[kempff95]

i love it!