Yessssss. Argerich's performance is one of the few that manages to successfully evoke that "howling through the gravestones" sound of the last movement.
To me, it is reminiscent of the wind blowing over endless sand dunes in the desert, sometimes quiet, sometimes with fierce gusts. Quite a lot of this sonata seems to evoke scenes in a desert for me, with some passages even being reminiscent of oases (e.g., 1st movement, second subject, 2nd movement, central section).
B. Engerer played--and played brilliantly--Chopin in an Impressionist manner. Martha Argerich and Chopin come across as spiritually in touch with each other in this amazing recording--from 1965 I believe. Chopin and Meyerbeer come across to most as Romantic composers, especially with a theme like Death, as here. Meyerbeer merged German and Italian traditions and focussed great attention upon Death scenes in his operas..
her piano isn't tuned A-440 right? if i may have mistaken!.. its probably in the 432hz and i love it even better.. it sounds better especially with her playing.. she just has this ability to sound desperate yet hopeful at the same time...
Original uploader here--hahahahah, good ear, I'm impressed. Actually, as I recall, I downtuned the file as to bypass RU-vid's auto-detection system. Each of the movements actually ends up being several seconds longer as a result, since pitch-changing algorithms that perfectly preserve speed cause too much distortion, but the change is so subtle as to negligibly affect overall tempo. Have you got perfect pitch? I tune my own piano to A=432Hz using Thomas Young's well temperament, and it makes classical music sound downright magical. Unfortunately there are very, very few recording artists who use anything but A=440 with equal temperament. Argerich's genius shines through nonetheless.
im not quite sure of having a perfect pitch. but i do tune my own piano A=440Hz to the standard tuning fork. I just made my way thru those fifths and 4ths by hearing. i think its giving me a decent sound though. I am a self- taught pianist and my own piano tuner.. hehe
Been listening to various pianists in this sonata .Cherkassky and Ashkenazy are on film playing it . Kapell will scare the beejeezus out of you from the 1st mov . and in scherzo. Martha has just the right amount of pedal in finale to conjure up old 19th century graveyard notions . Rach is famous for his recording.Cliburn in last mov too very interesting.Fiorentino never a pianist i cared about is not interest.Just a feverish pretense .
