I just got back from His concert in Maastricht (Netherlands), he played 6 encores, as 5th he played Raindrop. Whole concert he didn't say a word, but his interpretations touched me more than any spoken sound. I cried because for a second I felt His 'bigger picture'. 'That's what all is about' he played. Long live Maestro.
Absolutely!. For the first time I was transported to another realm listening to this piece. I have to say it's the most ideal performance of this prelude that I've heard
By far the best interpretation. I've always loved this piece of music, but felt it needed to be played in a certain way so that it feels organic and natural, like rain itself. I listened to as many versions as I could find and none of them really satisfied until I found Sokolov. Amazing feel to his playing.
Chopin did not approve of the title, that G. Sand gave this piece. She, the writer, compared the pulse to raindrops, but the comparison had never crossed Chopins mind.
I'd recommend checking out Horowitz's interpretation. He plays it at a much quicker tempo and seems to Imbue it with more creeping menace, and perhaps more emotional clout. I like this interpretation too, but I think the more ponderous tempo loses a little of the intensity of the nightmare (the mid section).
What a beautiful rendition of this Chopin Raindrop Prelude, beautiful hesitation , no rush, we can feel the raindrop coming down, one of the best interpretation to this piece, almost like a dream.
What a penetrating interpretation. It vividly characterizes the state of mind and health endured by Chopin at the time of his composition of the preludes op. 28.
Such beautiful expression of emptiness. His flow of emotions is just impeccable; catches the essence of human emotion. Just like his play, our emotions never follows given rhythm nor notations.
One of the slower renditions of this prelude, and all the better for it. When playing Chopin, many pianists tend to show how fast they can play, rather then how poetical they can play.
Sokolov doesn't need to prove his technical prowess. At age 16 he won the most important prize a pianist can receive, and his piano version of Stravinsky's Petrushka is something imposible. So I guess he now just wants to express...
It's not mere music as he does it -- it's a spiritual journey. Every note felt, every chord perfectly voiced. All the important inner parts ring out. And that solitary wash of pedal in the last bars (an epiphany?) over that descending line in the upper treble--breathtaking! Btw folks the Prelude genre itself allows for more rubato and rhythmic freedom--along with the prevailing style of the period (early Romantic). One can disagree w/ some of his timing decisions but doesn't seem fair to claim that they are incorrect or unreasonable.
Senza dubbio la migliore interpretazione fra quelle caricate su yt. Ecco, forse non raggiungerei mai il ff nella parte in minore, è delicatissimo questo preludio.
Jan S he plays a lot in the Netherlands. But you can always try to give your concert hall a call and ask if they can arrange it. If they don't come to him to program him I doubt he will come out of himself.
I still prefer the faster interpretation of Argerich's, for the sake of passion, yet there's a kinda eerie quiet-before-the-storm feeling added to this more faithful tempo which I can definitely appreciate.
To me, this composition is not about rain. I interpret it, possibly, as an expression of the beauty of life that Chopin was striving to cling to despite his illness. The interpretations of Eric Lu and Grigory Sokolov have reached into the soul of Chopin with supreme tenderness and understanding. They play it the way I feel it. I just began practicing this piece. Hopefully, it's not too advanced for me, as it is too expressive a composition to leave on a shelf !
Cudowna dynamika, od subtelnej delikatnosci do gwaltownego forte. Tak, Szopen nie lubi pospiechu, daje czas na refleksje. Choc nie lubil nigdy intepretacji ze swiata materii. Przeciez on tworzyl swoj swiat ducha I dzwiekow. Piekne wykonanie!!!
During the WWII in Norway : this is what my mother played after an air-raid was over and we -the children were safely back in bed - itvrewts in my memory fornever --- peace . Followed by the " war " of the elements - and then back to soft quiet peace again - Thanks Sokolov ! Ingrid Birkeland - 85 years - - Norway
lahm = lame is a silly comment and i deleted it for you, but this interpretation sounds "schleppend" (do you say sluggish?). I would play it only a little bit more lively, although it's a calm and a bit sad piece.
I also prefer the slower versions of this piece, but for me this one is too poetic. I think its the best with 6min playtime and a bit less artistic and more even dynamics.
