Writing, a blog, and a newsletter. By Steve Smith.
Evgeny Kissin at Carnegie Hall
The New York Times, March 7, 2009
How is it that I didn't know what a stupendous piece Chopin's Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat is? Holy smokes. I seldom make requests here, but I'm asking readers who know and care about this piece to recommend their favorite version or versions, and to succinctly explain why.
Give a listen to Pollini: imo, no one better expresses the excitement of the apotheosis (the return of the main theme) than he does. He’s also superb with the pedaled washes of color in the opening.
I’m fond of Rubinstein’s stereo recording from the 60’s for the same reasons that J.K. states above for Pollini. Rubinstein really gets the swing of the Polonaise better than anyone, and the most tender themes are never overstated, but deeply felt.
Vladimir Horowitz: bold, mysterious, relentless, baffling, fabulous.
I just ran across on YouTube a stunning performance by Richter, with a masterful sense of the architecture of the piece.
It’s posted in 2 parts; here’s the first:
Night After Night 
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