Vladimir de Pachmann (1848-1933): Chopin - Etude op.10 no.3

Vladimir de Pachmann was one of the unique figures of 19th century pianism. He was born in the Ukraine and spent a long time in st Vladimir de Pachmann was one of the unique figures of 19th century pianism. He was born in the Ukraine and spent a long time in st Vladimir de Pachmann was one of the unique figures of 19th century pianism. He was born in the Ukraine and spent a long time in study in Europe before he began concerting before the public properly in 1882. From then until the 1920s he was regarded as one of the top half-dozen pianists in the world, and he has become known primarily as one of the greatest exponents of Chopin ever (though he was more than capable of performing much else besides).

His style belongs to no particular school and he produced no pupils to speak of. He was comparecd to Liszt, in so far as his approach was of his own and stood unique.

However, his approach to Chopin in particular was informed by a great deal of thought and study: similarities exist between his playing and that of Rosenthal, both of whom represent different branchs of an "authentic" Chopin tradition (where Rosenthal studied with Chopin's pupuil Mikuli, Pachmann studied with Chopin's last teaching-assistant Vera Kologrivoff Rubio). It is noteworthy that Rosenthal approached Pachmann for some guidance on Chopin performance.

In his last years, Pachmann developed a reputation as something of a performing clown in his concerts, with a penchant for babbling commentaries through his performances. This reputation is however undeserved: he began recording in the very early days of the grammophone, and his playing, even late in life, could display extreme sensitivity and undertanding. It by no means possible to assume all Pachmann recordings are going to be wonderful, but those that capture him properly can be moving and beautiful beyond almost all others. And his interpretations are refreshingly and utterly distinctive.

This rendition of Chopin's Etude in E op.10 no.3 was recorded in 1912. It is quite an impulsive and dramatic rendition.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• piano
• recording
• vladimir
• de
• pachmann
• chopin
• etude
• op.10
• no.3

[flugelmaniac]

I have a strong personal commitment to this work and this makes it difficult to say something nice when you think there is something fundamental lacking.

[d60944]

Tell us of the commitment and how you feel it should be approached!

[nickus32000]

In the manuscript I think Chopin wrote Vivace ma non troppo than crossed in out. Pachmann plays very passionatly, I don't know why these other responders are saying he didn't.

[alexongcs]

One of the best I have ever heard! Wonderful. Thank you very very much for posting. I love it so much.

[bummy33]

I was jumping around listening to some of my favorite recordings of the old pianists such as Pachmann, Plante & ect... for some reason I had to listen to this one twice... it's a really unique performance. Very beautiful playing.

[bernardocarmopiano]

@nickus32000 Yes, I do agree with you. It´s also exquisite and really appassionato. The tempo is very good and it´s played with heart. The lyrical way of play is not always . I invite you to listen the video i posted with Guiomar Novaes playing this wonderful Étude. It´s the greatest conception of this masterpiece. Guiomar Novaes, Cortot, Brailowsky, Pachmann. :)

[gerardbedecarter]

Franz Liszt said that this etude should be played "very slowly". Liszt often heard Chopin play his own works. The plot thickens! Chopin's metronome marking is quite fast. Maybe - play as you feel !

[toddcounty]

Spectacularly good!

[devitry67]

exactly Vivace ma non troppo. Many don´t know that and play it like a slow slow Nocturne. I prefer a more flowing tempo. Also, I prefer Von Sauer´s version.

[BrendanKennedy96]

The only genius 'Vladimir' i know is Vladimir Horowitz

[fotovideophile]

egads what a butchery of this etude

[stan724]

Pachmann makes a cadenza out of this etude, especially the middle part. I don't like it.