How sensitive are you to performance nuances?
So, given multiple recordings of a piece with different performers **but the same recording quality**, how sensitive are you to performance nuances?
So far, I've only tested this with the Well-Tempered Clavier, and it seems that I fail. I have the Aldwell, Feltsman, and Hewitt recordings of Book II. When I bought the Hewitt I decided to put all three into my classical mix, and I'm not very good at distinguishing Aldwell from Hewitt. (Feltsman's pretty easy - if it sounds like the pianist has his head up his ass, it's Feltsman. I've since traded it away on lala.com.) But I've had much less success with Aldwell vs. Hewitt.
I'd expect that SoNot, being a pianist, would pick up on lots more technical things that I really just don't listen for. But I'm curious if anybody else has done this sort of "taste test."
So far, I've only tested this with the Well-Tempered Clavier, and it seems that I fail. I have the Aldwell, Feltsman, and Hewitt recordings of Book II. When I bought the Hewitt I decided to put all three into my classical mix, and I'm not very good at distinguishing Aldwell from Hewitt. (Feltsman's pretty easy - if it sounds like the pianist has his head up his ass, it's Feltsman. I've since traded it away on lala.com.) But I've had much less success with Aldwell vs. Hewitt.
I'd expect that SoNot, being a pianist, would pick up on lots more technical things that I really just don't listen for. But I'm curious if anybody else has done this sort of "taste test."
Comments
I think that the best performers make you think again about the music, make you hear it anew. You don't necessarily hear them, or see you the trick is done, but you know it's happening. The best players seem unimportant.
Rubinstein went to hear Gilels when the latter first appeared in concert in the US. He was asked afterwards what he thought. He said "I noticed two things. The first was that there didn't seem to be anything remarkable about the playing. And the second was that I was crying."
Maybe that's the trick.
where's my big production!!!
clink.
2008
Just had to say that. (Sitting here giggling)