I've been asked for Fiorentino's Chopin Nocturnes, which have been not just unavailable but almost impossible to lay hands on for many years.
The good news is that I have volume 2 on CD, and will be uploading it as FLAC. But the bad news is that my only copy of volume 1 is in mp3 at 192kbs. Nonetheless, the pianism is perfectly clear and, come to think of it, it still sounds better than the original gritty SAGA LP that we had at home!
I loved the comment left by one visitor on Fiorentino's Chopin Waltzes – "It's like hearing Liszt playing Chopin". That's very true, but his readings of the nocturnes reveal a far deeper and more insightful relationship with the music. Together with Magaloff's cycle, they are among the most undervalued interpretations I know. I hope that this posting goes some way to bringing them back to general attention.
Download from Rapidshare
The good news is that I have volume 2 on CD, and will be uploading it as FLAC. But the bad news is that my only copy of volume 1 is in mp3 at 192kbs. Nonetheless, the pianism is perfectly clear and, come to think of it, it still sounds better than the original gritty SAGA LP that we had at home!
I loved the comment left by one visitor on Fiorentino's Chopin Waltzes – "It's like hearing Liszt playing Chopin". That's very true, but his readings of the nocturnes reveal a far deeper and more insightful relationship with the music. Together with Magaloff's cycle, they are among the most undervalued interpretations I know. I hope that this posting goes some way to bringing them back to general attention.
Download from Rapidshare
Ronan, I am forever in your debt for sharing Fiorentino's Nocturnes. The "Liszt playing Chopin" comment was my own and was based on the many biographies I have read and the contemporay comments on Liszt's playing. However, with this volume, I am reminded of Heine's famous comment on Chopin: "The Raphael of the Piano". Thank you in eager anticipation of Vol.2,
ReplyDeletekind regards
Gerard
Now I finally understand Chopin's intended use of Tempo Rubato... Fiorentino's playing of the Nocturnes is an insight into the mind and soul of a genius. I am truly overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteThank you again,
Gerard
I have Vol. 1 in flac. Actually BOTH Cd's are in the same link EMERGO CLASSICS... Are these echt?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.megaupload.com/?d=PF2N03AP
Thank you for sharing this great pianist recordings! This is one of the deeper interpretation of nocturnes Op. 55!
ReplyDeletePaolo
Sorry, of course I meant "one deep interpretation". I should have post this on your "Nocturnes 2"...
ReplyDeleteThank you again!
Paolo
Do we know the dates of these at all?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for these; I have just discovered SF and am already enthralled.
BTW La Danse de Puck: that megaupload link is of course dead (bereft of life, it's pushing up the daisies).
A Superb offering. Thank you for revealing to me these wonderful performances.
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