I have the stunning 12 cd set of these early Arrau recordings. I came here for this largo because I wish others to hear it. I think Arrau was the greatest piano player of the mid 20th century.
One of the greatest recordings of this sonata. I wonder why Arrau didn't rerecord this for Philips as he did with the scherzos, Ballads , Impromptus, Barcarolle and Fantasy .
Arrrau, Arrau...si toda la gente que comparte tus raices pudiese comprender y akilatar hasta que limites inauditos se extendio tu maestria y sensibilidad artistica , y hasta que fronteras remecio al mundo tu profundidad y dignidad como persona, estoy mas que seguro que otro Chile renaceria , lavando asi para siempre las pasiones insipidas e intrascendentes que lo alimentan y desgarran sus entrañas... ahora...
When l hear a piece of piano music which lacks good phrasing or which is poorly interpreted, l go to Arrau and almost always these problems are resolved!!!
Paulo Barcelos I agree totally, and yes. This was recorded in 1960 on an English Columbia LP together with the Fantasy in F Minor op. 49 . I have two original LPs , a Stereo and a Mono as well as a CD transfer in a 12 CD- Box from EMI " Claudio Arrau , the philosophy Virtuoso " with all The Columbia recordings 1955-62 .
First off I love music but I'm no musician. This disclaimer out of the way, I feel this rendition is sumptuous (it is Arrau!!) but that the 1st movement's main theme which is one of Chopin's most special in the way I believe it is meant to played with some flexibility in phrasing that sets "Chopinian" pianists apart, completely eludes Arrau. He's heavy and I suspect I now understand why he did not revisit this work for Philips. This music was perhaps not meant for him. Also it seems he plays a very unusual edition. For an example of what I mean, I recommend this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k64k9j-_oe4.htmlsi=-ES8v9n6q6sUGDMX
It's fine, actually. Even Rubinstein, did an improvisation in the trio of the second movement of the second sonata (it's there in some video), and believe it or not, it was due to a lapse of memory. He's yet regarded as one of the greatest Chopin interpreters.
