Nikolai Lugansky

Anyone listen to his Chopin Etudes? Opinions? How does it compare to Ashkenazy, Pollini, Argerich, Haskill?

I just can't get used to Lugansky. I have several recordings of the Chopin Etudes, and my all-time favourite is Ashkenazy. Lugansky is technically perfect. Ashkenazy puts more emphasis on the performance in terms of variation of dynamics and tempo. Ashkenazy has recorded the etudes with more sonority, which I personally like better. Many people will disagree. Try to compare for instance the 12th etude op. 25 (the Ocean-etude) of both pianists. A world of difference.

However, after listening Lugansky 15 times, I have started to appreciate him more than I did before.

Recently I bought the new recording by Murray Perahia. It's played so gentle and with ease. A tip!

Martin.

I read that Pollini's Etudes are considered better then Ashkenazy's. Or is it just a matter of taste? I haven't heard Pollini's yet. I own the Ashkenazy complete Chopin Works, so I'm biased for now, but they're all fantastic to my virgin ears.

Lugansky would not be the second set on my list. I would prefer Pollini, at least among the ones you mentioned.

If you are asking because you can get Lugansky's set cheap - it is a very professional and tasteful performance.

BTW, did Argerich and Haskil ever record a complete set?

Haskil? Argerich? The latter would be nice, but I don't think either exists complete. I wouldn't want to hear Haskil except maybe one or two of the more lyrical ones. That leaves Ashkenazy x 2 (or is it 3?) and Pollini, none of which would be my first choice, but I would take them over Lugansky, whose principal aim seems to be to make the music sound as smooth and nice as possible (much like the recent Perahia).

The Etudes are designed to train the hand. They are to be played with more fire than the pretty pieces Chopin wrote for the ladies. The mere text indicates, as with the Preludes, that he went into feverish states, musically. Over the top. Play them 'a la Liszt'.

*****************Val

Only?

Such as... the Barcarolle, Ballades and Sonatas?

Why not play them a la Liszt-Busoni/Tausig or Godowsky?

Or - does this mean that the hand cannot be 'trained' in other ''like' leterature?

And - does this mean that 'ladies' should not play them? Oh - I get it. Ladies cannot play with 'fire', right?

Why not a la Chopin Etudes?

'cause that's passé The latest fashion is Chopin-Ligeti )

Remember the music business needs a little cross-over