Here is a large selection of differing interpretations of the Chopin Barcarolle by some of the finest concert pianists of the last 100 years. There are two by Vladimir Horowitz, one subtly different from the other, and two by Artur Rubinstein, one the vision of a young man perhaps more susceptible to the romantic imagery than the other. Each is a superb performance by a master of the art.
The Chopin Barcarolle is not quite a typical Venetian boat song. It is by Chopin, after all. It is nonetheless a barcarolle, and as such must be played so as to convey the gently, sometimes not so gently, rocking rhythms of the motion of the waves and the swaying of the boat. The more successful of the interpretations you will find below never lose sight of this rhythm, not an easy task while playing a piece of the complexity of this work by Chopin. They will also pay heed to the flavors and passions of Italy to be found not far below the surface. In this respect, it is a much more difficult piece to play well than it might seem, and if these elements are overwhelmed by an excessive devotion to the Chopinesque and the perfect turn of each phrase, much of the meaning of this great piece is lost.
There are many fine performances here, My favorites, today, are those by Cortot, Lipatti and Blechacz. Oh, and Pletnev!! And Pouishnoff.
