Hello everyone.

Today I received some advertising for a series of concerts next year featuring Anton Kuerti, Freddy Kempf, Piers Lane and Stephen Kovacevich.

I don't know anything about any of these pianists, so I'd like to know what you think of them. Are they worth seeing? Are any of them "must see"?

Thanks.

The programs are:

KUERTI
Mendelssohn - Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14
Beethoven - Hammerklavier Sonata
Schubert - Sonata D959

KEMPF
Beethoven - Pathetique and Appassionata Sonatas
Chopin - Etudes Op. 25

LANE
Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata
Beethoven/Liszt - Allegretto from the 7th Symphony
Schumann - Exercises
Schubert - Impromptu D899 No. 3
Beethoven/Liszt - Song from An die ferne Geliebte
Schumann - Fantasie, Op. 17

KOVACEVICH
Beethoven - Sonatas Op.10 No. 1 and Op. 109
Schubert - Sonata D960

Thanks again!

Although it sounds nuts with the likes of Kuerti and Kov to choose from, Lane's program is the most interesting to me; and for that reason I'd like to his concert, if I had to choose only one.

1)Lane
2-3)Kuerti and Kovacevich (tie)
4)F Kempff

Actually, I'm now leaning toward Kovacevich and Kuerti as tied for no.1.. (As any reasonable person should.) Kuerti is the more interesting pianist of the two, imo, but I think Kov has the better program.

...so torn.

Kuerti by far. I saw him play the Hammerklavier last year, and it was incredible. Kovacevich is my next choice.

Kempf and Lane are ok, but not in the same league as the other two.

There was a broadcast recently of a recital by Kovacevich on BBC R3 in the UK. He played the Beethoven/Schubert mentioned above. His CD recordings of Beethoven have come in from some stick from some quarters (I thought they were pretty good). But from what I heard live on the radio I reckon it would be hard to deny that at his best he's an absolutely electric performer.

I've heard Kempf's late Beethoven sonatas and I think they're actually one of the better sets out there.

Personally, I would go:

Kuerti
Kovacevich
Kempf
Lane

Although Kempf has the most boring programme for me, I've only got one Lane recording and I wasn't keen on it.

im actually not a big fan of either kempff or kuerti even though both are well known for their beethoven i find it kinda wimpy

my choice would be for Kovacevich the beethoven and schubert are wonderful pieces and it looks like a good concert

id go for the hammerklavier as well, but ive heard kuertis on cd and his performance is not my favorite..if only pollini was playing!

Not sure if people are keeping their Kempff's straight??? Freddy versus Wilhelm... Fred's a young guy. Bill's long gone...

As for the programs, I'd love to do all of them...otherwise, Lane, Kovacevich, Kuerti, Kempff.

Ken

I heard Kovacevich on BBC Radio 3 also, I agree it was a sensational performance.

However Lanes programme looks interesting.

I'd hear Tony play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb', but Lane's program is the most interesting to me.

koji (STSD)

I'm listening to Kuerti's Czerny Sonatas right now.

Guy's got game.

Damn, are you on a first name basis with everyone? :p

I wish; then maybe I'd get more concerts, haha.

koji (STSD)

Yep, it's got to be Kuerti (if you see just one, that is). He's one of the greatest living Beethovenists, in my opinion, and his Schuert sonatas very much hold their own (I have his CD collection of the major Schubert works and listen to it quite extensively). Then I'd probably go see the Lane program as well.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Based on the programs, Kuerti probably would have been my first choice, and then Kempf, because of the Beethoven they're playing. So I'll see those two. Lane would be my last choice, since I don't know any of what he's playing except for Moonlight Sonata. I might see Kovacevich. He isn't until September.

In the pamphlet, it says about Kovacevich that "His recent release of the complete Beethoven Sonatas are simply considered the authoritative recordings of these works." I've never heard his recording, but that sounds like rubbish to me.

Lane's program is interesting, but unfortunately I've never been very fond of his playing. I have his recording of all the Scriabin Etudes, and though technically he seems to be capable of pretty much anything, it is very unimaginative and dry readings of all the notes, which is exactly what you don't want the Schumann Fantasy or anything by Schubert or Beethoven. I have heard high school students play with more color and excitement (even if they did miss a few notes).

Kovacevich is an excellent pianist, and you should definitely jump at any opportunity to hear him live.

Note also that Freddy Kempf is a different person than Wilhelm Kempf. Freddy is a young competition pianist whom I hear many good things about, but is not the person with the famous Beethoven sonata set.

He has recorded the late Beethoven sonatas, though, and they are very good IMO.