How difficult is Iberia, really?

[DeepBlue]

Even La Wang struggles:

She needs different shoes and a different
dress for Albeniz! What a bad oversight! ;-)

Cheers!

[Rachmaninoff]

Post by DeepBlue
http://youtu.be/J2r9kxddZlY
She needs different shoes and a different
dress for Albeniz! What a bad oversight! ;-)
Cheers!

Which performance is your favorite these days? I remember you used to
prefer Esteban Sanchez.

[DeepBlue]

Post by Rachmaninoff

Post by DeepBlue
http://youtu.be/J2r9kxddZlY
She needs different shoes and a different
dress for Albeniz! What a bad oversight! ;-)

Which performance is your favorite these days?
I remember you used to prefer Esteban Sanchez.

Sanchez was indeed my favorite during the 1990s.
It is still in my must hear list for Iberia. A
number of recordings have surfaced since, both
newer and older, that all "Iberia terrorists"
(per Great Dave's definition) ought to hear,
and that are serious contenders for the top.

The performance I listen to the most right now
is Gusravo Diaz-Jerez' second Iberia traversal:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH8JhaibW0i5OkxXusmZ2_rqsPuqCuKC1

His earlier recording is also on YouTube and is
superb as well, though lacking perhaps a bit of
the edge, voicing clarity and the colors of the
more recent video recording. I cannot find the
link to the playlist, however the individual
pieces pop up when searching for

gustavo diaz-jerez iberia cuaderno topic

GDJ is also axcellent in other repertoire
than Spanish composers. He is an interesting
composer as well.

Ihe manadatory listening list for Iberia is
(to my ears):

Leopoldo Querol -- apparently the first studio
recording of the complete cycle

Jose Falgarona -- apparently the first live
performance captured on record

Alicia de Larrocha -- I am partial to the
earlier recordings but some people prefer
the later ones.

Esteban Sanchez

Rafael Orozco Flores

José Maria Pinzolas

Bernard Job

To my ears however GDJ has an edge over all
the others.

Cheers!

[PPeso]

Post by DeepBlue
Ihe manadatory listening list for Iberia is

[snip]

Post by DeepBlue
Alicia de Larrocha -- I am partial to the
earlier recordings but some people prefer
the later ones.

I tend to agree, the 1962 recording is better than the 1972 afaiac. I
have the opposite reaction to her Granados recordings, the 1976 Goyescas
is way more interesting than the 1963 one (although the latter includes
a terrific El Pelele).

Among XXI century recordings not usually mentioned, Grosvenor 2008
(first book only) is worth listening.

[DeepBlue]

Post by PPeso

Post by DeepBlue
Ihe manadatory listening list for Iberia is

[snip]

Post by DeepBlue
Alicia de Larrocha -- I am partial to the
earlier recordings but some people prefer
the later ones.

I tend to agree, the 1962 recording is better
than the 1972 afaiac. I have the opposite
reaction to her Granados recordings, the
1976 Goyescas is way more interesting than
the 1963 one (although the latter includes
a terrific El Pelele).
Among XXI century recordings not usually
mentioned, Grosvenor 2008 (first book only)
is worth listening.

BG does not sound idiomatic to my ears. And
it is the first book only. My litmus test is
Lavapies. I always listen to it first. If it
passes muster then I listen to the entire set.

Lavapies sounds rather disappointing in AdL's
hands, with the possible exception of the
1958 Hispavox set. In fairness to her, it
is written for pianists with bigger hands.

Cheers!

[DeepBlue]

Post by DeepBlue

Post by Rachmaninoff

Post by DeepBlue
http://youtu.be/J2r9kxddZlY
She needs different shoes and a different
dress for Albeniz! What a bad oversight! ;-)

Which performance is your favorite these days?
I remember you used to prefer Esteban Sanchez.

Sanchez was indeed my favorite during the 1990s.
It is still in my must hear list for Iberia. A
number of recordings have surfaced since, both
newer and older, that all "Iberia terrorists"
(per Great Dave's definition) ought to hear,
and that are serious contenders for the top.
The performance I listen to the most right now
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH8JhaibW0i5OkxXusmZ2_rqsPuqCuKC1
His earlier recording is also on YouTube and is
superb as well, though lacking perhaps a bit of
the edge, voicing clarity and the colors of the
more recent video recording. I cannot find the
link to the playlist, however the individual
pieces pop up when searching for
gustavo diaz-jerez iberia cuaderno topic
GDJ is also axcellent in other repertoire
than Spanish composers. He is an interesting
composer as well.
Ihe manadatory listening list for Iberia is
Leopoldo Querol -- apparently the first studio
recording of the complete cycle
Jose Falgarona -- apparently the first live
performance captured on record
Alicia de Larrocha -- I am partial to the
earlier recordings but some people prefer
the later ones.
Esteban Sanchez
Rafael Orozco Flores
José Maria Pinzolas
Bernard Job

I am unable to find Querol's complete Iberia on
YouTube, only random bits and pieces. Here are
El Polo and Lavapies:

Hie approach is noticeably more angular than
AdL's. He brings out contrasts and dissonances
that AdL tends to smooth over.

If anyone is interested I can upload Querol's
complete Iberia from my personal collection.

Here is Jose Falgarona:

Rafael Orozco Flores:

Artur Pizzaro:

Let me know if anyone would like pointers
to other interpretations available on YT.

For downloads I recommend youtube-dl, and
for those uncomfortable with command line
applications 4kdownloader.

Cheers!