Alexander Hawkins

Can't think of a version of no.1 I enjoy more!

Yes, I enjoy their Bartok. (And on Supraphon - amen!)

I'll take a listen, thanks - I don't have that version. I have to confess - I virtually always reach for Czech quartets with Janacek, but of course I'm definitely open to others. p.s. fwiw, for my money - I think I'd say these pieces *are* overtly edgy!

The art of melody in 51 steps.

Yes, much appreciated your tip off on Weissenberg - sent me back to the very little I knew, and now investigating more! Ciccolini: I don't know the box. In fact - I think perhaps the only Ciccolini I know is his Satie... Funny you should mention Meyer - I was blindfold tested with some of her Bach recently from the big EMI box, and really enjoyed it. I don't have the box, but made a note to myself to investigate more! Love her Chopin preludes...that last one (the d minor) is pretty unbelievable in her hands! Now (from the DG box):

They’re relatively new to me, but I enjoy them quite a bit. In some senses, his Bach reminds me of Argerich - totally inauthentic in ways, but played with such clarity of purpose that it just ‘works’ nonetheless. I love how ‘no nonsense’ it feels. (And the slow movement of the Italian Concerto really is beautiful!). The Scarlatti is great imho...I’m definitely of the school of thought that there are almost countless ways of playing these things - I’m also a big fan of eg the Pogorelič Scarlatti record... I think in both cases (Bach/Scarlatti) one thing I find interesting in Weissenberg’s approach is the way he marries romanticism with total clarity.

Earlier: Now:

Yes!!! And no particular reason to stop with the Eurodisc box set at the moment, so listening again to the Chopin Scherzi!

At the moment:

Yes! Some eccentric tempi and phrasing for sure. Though I really like it...I think he captures a lot of the playfulness of Haydn!

Indeed...and often they seem just to be players' agents talking up their worth so they can negotiate bigger salaries! FWIW Mbappé to Madrid was getting a lot of possible play over here too...though this makes more sense to me: in their true 'Galacticos' fashion (yawn), I suppose only Hazard, Mbappé or Neymar would do at present in world football to replace Ronaldo. Don't know if you ever look at this page? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/gossip - it can be a useful one stop shop to see the morning's rumour mill..!

I enjoyed it for sure! Fascinating to read his thoughts on other artists...

Yes...the Hazard rumours have maybe quietened down just a *little* bit over here in the last couple of days...I guess with both him and Courtois much will depend on how they react to Sarri's appointment as manager. FWIW however, there was talk this morning in the press of Chelsea being linked with Donnarumma should Courtois move on...

Ha! Yes, revisiting some Richter as I just read this book:

Similarly - I have no problem with the sound, on either volume.

Yes, such a great set. I was just on tour for a while, and listened to the Bach WTC recordings over and over and over again!

Yes indeed! Now listening to the Rachmaninov Preludes from the same Eurodisc box set...

Yes the Bach is really great here...

I love Weissenberg...it goes without saying there's some magic here, but there's also some pretty cavalier stuff (albeit in a very exciting way) in the Schumann Symphonic Etudes!

No. 7