Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments. Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
I love his Beethoven Sonatas! I have all of them and I find them to be the best interpretations... Unless we're talking about a different Kempff here, in which case I just embarrassed myself...
I have many of his recordings from the '60's and early 70's. I find his playing to be very unaffected, almost folksong-like at times, though his technique sometimes falters in the demanding pieces.
I've always heard from teachers and connoisseurs that his earlier recordings from the 40's and 50's are the ones to get. But they're not really available in the states, are they?
Kempff is my favorite Schubert pianist. I believe, at heart, he was a lyricist, which works well for this repertoire. While his Schubert has pathos when warranted, he never makes it sound like proto-Mahler.
I especially appreciate the structural cohesiveness of his Beethoven Sonatas (I have the stereo cycle). Kempff doesn't drag the slow movements like all too many pianists trying to sound profound. Kempff lets the music speak for itself, but you never forget it's him playing - mostly on account of his lovely tone. I must admit, however, the I find his renditions of the more "virtuosic" sonatas underwhelming.
I grew up listening to Kempff's Beethoven's piano sonatas he did for Deutsche Grammophon and the Time/Life collection. His sound has always been the stardard for me ever since. Too bad the recording quality of Artur Schnabel is so poor.
I love his Beethoven Sonatas! I have all of them and I find them to be the best interpretations... Unless we're talking about a different Kempff here, in which case I just embarrassed myself...
I totally agree. I absolutely LOVE his interpretation of the "Moonlight" Sonata. Not to say his other ones aren't up to par, because, well, they are. I used to have a CD compilation with some of his performances, but I lost it in my move. I'm so upset, and I haven't been able to find it in the local music store.
Currently working on Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu and Final Fantasy songs ^_^
Music is the breath of my soul; without it I could not live.
I love his interpretation of the 2nd movement of Sonata no.8; I could listen to this piece all day. (Sorry, I don't know how to post the actual video....)
Currently working on Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu and Final Fantasy songs ^_^
Music is the breath of my soul; without it I could not live.
I believe, at heart, he was a lyricist, which works well for this repertoire.
Pardon my ignorance, but what does it mean to say that a pianist is a "lyricist"?
What does it mean to you? Think about it.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
Kempff also wrote fine cadenzas for Beethoven's Piano Concertos 1 - 4. They must have been published because Andre Watts used Kempff's cadenza for Concerto No. 2.
I admire him as a musician, but as a pianist, his playing in the more technically demanding music (like those of Chopin and Liszt, and the Hammerklavier and Appassionata, the big Schubert Sonatas) is just too relaxed, the rhythms not taut enough, the dynamics too evened out, for my taste.