Paul Lewis

[Steinway]

A wonderful article..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/ja ... -interview

[bombasticDarren]

Thanks Cliftwood, I enjoyed the chance to read that article

I am not sure how Lewis is seen in the USA. He, predictably, gets favourable reviews in the UK music press - I wonder what the international view is of him? Anyone have an opinion on this?

[Seán]

Thanks Cliftwood, I enjoyed the chance to read that article

I am not sure how Lewis is seen in the USA. He, predictably, gets favourable reviews in the UK music press - I wonder what the international view is of him? Anyone have an opinion on this?

That is a very interesting piece, thanks for posting the link. I really like Paul Lewis and I'd like to get more of his recorded output.

[Chalkperson]

Well, as far as names go, which would you prefer, ostentatious ones like Vladimir Horowitz, or down to earth like Paul Lewis...to me there is no question that a down to earth name is preferable...

[Lance]

I haven't decided (yet) to collect Paul Lewis at this point in life, with already so much of the very best that's been available at my disposal. [Actually, I just decided NOT to collect his recordings, except maybe just a couple for possible broadcast.] Perhaps these newer artists on the scene, such as Lewis—with some notable exceptions (Hamelin, Volodos, Hough) for us old-time collectors—will be more appreciated by Lewis's contemporaries, although ANYBODY can enjoy great music making no matter who makes it or when. It's just becomes a matter of collecting and how much more we can add (not to mention store). I have heard some of Lewis's recordings and he is a fine pianist.

[Chalkperson]

I haven't decided (yet) to collect Paul Lewis at this point in life, with already so much of the very best that's been available at my disposal. [Actually, I just decided NOT to collect his recordings, except maybe just a couple for possible broadcast.] Perhaps these newer artists on the scene, such as Lewis—with some notable exceptions (Hamelin, Volodos, Hough) for us old-time collectors—will be more appreciated by Lewis's contemporaries, although ANYBODY can enjoy great music making no matter who makes it or when. It's just becomes a matter of collecting and how much more we can add (not to mention store). I have heard some of Lewis's recordings and he is a fine pianist.

Trust me, get the Beethoven PC Set, it will blow you away...his other discs you do not need even though they are very good...

[Lance]

With already 150 "Emperors" (alone, and countless others of the other four concerti) thus far in life, I will definitely HEAR the concertos, but won't acquire the set, at least at this point in time unless it appears as a review copy or a gift.

I haven't decided (yet) to collect Paul Lewis at this point in life, with already so much of the very best that's been available at my disposal. [Actually, I just decided NOT to collect his recordings, except maybe just a couple for possible broadcast.] Perhaps these newer artists on the scene, such as Lewis—with some notable exceptions (Hamelin, Volodos, Hough) for us old-time collectors—will be more appreciated by Lewis's contemporaries, although ANYBODY can enjoy great music making no matter who makes it or when. It's just becomes a matter of collecting and how much more we can add (not to mention store). I have heard some of Lewis's recordings and he is a fine pianist.

Trust me, get the Beethoven PC Set, it will blow you away...his other discs you do not need even though they are very good...

[Steinway]

Lance..

Lewis's Beethoven Sonatas set is not just good, it's exceptional.

You must go for this set. I insist!

[Chalkperson]

With already 150 "Emperors" (alone, and countless others of the other four concerti) thus far in life, I will definitely HEAR the concertos, but won't acquire the set, at least at this point in time unless it appears as a review copy or a gift.

I have many, many, versions of these Concerto's too, I did not buy them when they first came out as I thought I did not need yet another complete set...it is unusual for me to press you on an acquisition, you owe it to yourself, so, buy em, if you don't think they were worth acquiring I will refund your money...

[Seán]

With already 150 "Emperors" (alone, and countless others of the other four concerti) thus far in life, I will definitely HEAR the concertos, but won't acquire the set, at least at this point in time unless it appears as a review copy or a gift.

I have many, many, versions of these Concerto's too, I did not buy them when they first came out as I thought I did not need yet another complete set...it is unusual for me to press you on an acquisition, you owe it to yourself, so, buy em, if you don't think they were worth acquiring I will refund your money...

Lance, I have to agree with Chalikie on the Lewis recordings of the Piano Concertos. Our esteemed Disposable Income Specialist knows full well that if you do get the set that you will never part with it and that you will agree with us when we say that they are well worth the modest financial outlay.
A New Year Resolution for Lance: get the Lewis Beethoven Piano Concerto cycle.

[maestrob]

With already 150 "Emperors" (alone, and countless others of the other four concerti) thus far in life, I will definitely HEAR the concertos, but won't acquire the set, at least at this point in time unless it appears as a review copy or a gift.

I have many, many, versions of these Concerto's too, I did not buy them when they first came out as I thought I did not need yet another complete set...it is unusual for me to press you on an acquisition, you owe it to yourself, so, buy em, if you don't think they were worth acquiring I will refund your money...

I'll split it with you!

This set is extraordinarily fine, with exemplary playing from both Lewis and the BBC.

Thanks for the article, cliftwood!

[stenka razin]

This thread has made me want to obtain the Paul Lewis Beethoven/Piano Concerto set. Thanks for the heads up and the positive and enthusiastic response to Mr. Lewis and his supurb pianistic abilities.

[JackC]

Lance..

Lewis's Beethoven Sonatas set is not just good, it's exceptional.

You must go for this set. I insist!

I haven't heard the concertos, but I have heard his recordings of the sonatas. I just don't see how this set can be described as exceptional, unless one is setting the bar very low indeed based on truly mediocre sets.

I think his playing has a nice tone and generally comes across as musical, and is certainly inoffensive. But I didn't hear much risk taking or much probing of the depths of this music. With all the great recordings of these pieces out there, I just can't get excited about this set. Sort of reminds me of Richard Goode's set. All the rage at the time, but now seems pretty standard, run of the mill stuff. That's not to say that Lewis's set isn't perfectly enjoyable, but the term "exceptional" given al the recordings out there just doesn't seem right to me.

[Chalkperson]

I haven't heard the concertos, but I have heard his recordings of the sonatas. I just don't see how this set can be described as exceptional, unless one is setting the bar very low indeed based on truly mediocre sets.

If you read my initial Post, I said that the Concerto Set was the only one of Lewis's recordings that Lance needed to own, it is an exceptional trio of discs, I don't see how you can comment on recordings that you have not heard...suggesting that we are setting the bar low is also nonsense, i'm comparing it to Perahia, Gilels, Kuerti, Brendel and others, it contains a magical quality and is one recording that deserves the praise that it has received...

[ChamberNut]

The only disc I have of Paul Lewis is his recording with the Leopold String Trio of Mozart's Piano Quartets, on the 30th Anniversary Hyperion. It is fantastic!

[JackC]

I haven't heard the concertos, but I have heard his recordings of the sonatas. I just don't see how this set can be described as exceptional, unless one is setting the bar very low indeed based on truly mediocre sets.

If you read my initial Post, I said that the Concerto Set was the only one of Lewis's recordings that Lance needed to own, it is an exceptional trio of discs, I don't see how you can comment on recordings that you have not heard...suggesting that we are setting the bar low is also nonsense, i'm comparing it to Perahia, Gilels, Kuerti, Brendel and others, it contains a magical quality and is one recording that deserves the praise that it has received...

???? I thought I was clear that I wasn't commenting on the set of concertos. I was commenting on the recordings of the sonatas, and I have listened to almost all of them.

[Steinway]

To call Goode's Beethoven Sonatas run of the mill and Lewis's nothing special proves once again how remarkably unexplainable musical taste can be.

Chacun son goût !

[JackC]

To call Goode's Beethoven Sonatas run of the mill and Lewis's nothing special proves once again how remarkably unexplainable musical taste can be.

Chacun son goût !

Well, whose sets DO you think are ordinary and run of the mill???

[Steinway]

Even in the complete sets that inspire me the least, I find some merit in all of them.

It's not evasion, Jack , but my sincere belief that any pianist who has the skills and recognition to have complete Beethoven Sonata sets recorded is to be taken very seriously.

I'm much more inclined to prefer some to others, but that's as far as I can go with this.

[JackC]

Even in the complete sets that inspire me the least, I find some merit in all of them.

It's not evasion, Jack , but my sincere belief that any pianist who has the skills and recognition to have complete Beethoven Sonata sets recorded is to be taken very seriously.

I'm much more inclined to prefer some to others, but that's as far as I can go with this.

I don't disagree with that, and I didn't mean to suggest that the world is populated with lousy recordings of the Beethoven sonatas, though I prefer some to others. It's just that I don't view the Lewis or Goode sets as rising above the general high quality of the sets that are out there in the same way that I view,for example, Schnabel's set as exceptional or outstanding.

[ravel30]

First of all, Happy New Year to every CMG members. I have not written here for a while.

I just wanted to say that the Lewis' complete piano Sonatas of Beethoven is a pure delight to my ears and I would highly recommend it to all my friends here. Not so sure how much it is sell for nowadays but I got mine 1 year ago for about 45 Canadian dollars and it is worth every penny.

Question to all of you. Would recommend his recording of some of Schubert's piano Sonata on Harmonia Mundi ?

Matt.

[Chalkperson]

I thought I was clear that I wasn't commenting on the set of concertos. I was commenting on the recordings of the sonatas, and I have listened to almost all of them.

OK, my apologies, I misread you, they are good, just as good as Goode, which ain't that good...

[Chalkperson]

Question to all of you. Would recommend his recording of some of Schubert's piano Sonata on Harmonia Mundi ?

Matt.

I would suggest that you consider collecting Imogen Coopers ongoing Live Set instead, they have released three pairs of discs so far...Lewis's Schubert Lieder Cycle discs with Mark Padmore are exceptional, his disc of Schubert's music for two pianos with Steven Osborne is less successful...

[Prometheus]

First of all, Happy New Year to every CMG members. I have not written here for a while.

Matt.

Happy New Year to you too! Good to see you back!

[mikealdren]

A little while ago there was a post on Peter Katin that regretted that we haven't produced any pianists since Solomon and him. I did think of mentioning Paul Lewis (and Freddie Kempf and Steven Hough and Peter Donahoe and ............)

It does get complicated though, I understand that Mitsuoko Uchida is a British citizen and Steven Bishop-Kovacevich?
Mike