Wagner E Venezia [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
At a certain point in the course of these seven Wagner overtures and pieces it becomes clear that pianist Uri Caine's sextet has the good heart of a local community orchestra tackling demanding music. That's just the result of the frontally loaded sound, with an audio brightness that's missing from altogether too many recordings and is here accomplished in a stunning live digital recording. Caine has stripped Wagner's portly scores down to a nimble string quartet, augmented by Caine himself on piano and Dominic Cortese on accordion. The strings, especially Mark Feldman's first violin, move to the ensemble's foreground only occasionally, playing instead a more integrated group-oriented music that lays the keel solidly in Erik Friedlander's cello and Drew Gress's bass.

Given that at least most of the ensemble has strong roots in the downtown New York jazz community, it would stand to reason that they'd scramble the Wagnerian code pretty mightily (much as Caine did on his no-holds-barred Mahler set). Instead, they take Wagner almost at his word, squeezing the weepiest strains out of the Lohengrin overture but almost totally upending the Ride of the Valkyries so that it plays as a lighthearted little romp. From the exquisite packaging to the entertaining booklet insert to the sparkling sound--crowd noise and all, at the beginning and interstitially--this is an absolutely first-rate Wagner disc. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

Tristan und Isolde: Liebestod
Tannhauser: Ouverture
Lohengrin, 3. Akt: Ouverture
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude
Die Meistersinger von Nurenberg: Overture
Der Ritt der Walkuren
Lohengrin, 1. Akt: Ouverture

Amazon.com

At a certain point in the course of these seven Wagner overtures and pieces it becomes clear that pianist Uri Caine's sextet has the good heart of a local community orchestra tackling demanding music. That's just the result of the frontally loaded sound, with an audio brightness that's missing from altogether too many recordings and is here accomplished in a stunning live digital recording. Caine has stripped Wagner's portly scores down to a nimble string quartet, augmented by Caine himself on piano and Dominic Cortese on accordion. The strings, especially Mark Feldman's first violin, move to the ensemble's foreground only occasionally, playing instead a more integrated group-oriented music that lays the keel solidly in Erik Friedlander's cello and Drew Gress's bass.

Given that at least most of the ensemble has strong roots in the downtown New York jazz community, it would stand to reason that they'd scramble the Wagnerian code pretty mightily (much as Caine did on his no-holds-barred Mahler set). Instead, they take Wagner almost at his word, squeezing the weepiest strains out of the Lohengrin overture but almost totally upending the Ride of the Valkyries so that it plays as a lighthearted little romp. From the exquisite packaging to the entertaining booklet insert to the sparkling sound--crowd noise and all, at the beginning and interstitially--this is an absolutely first-rate Wagner disc. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Hearing the 19th Century.......2003-07-26

This is one of the cleverest and most endearing recordings I have ever heard. All my life I have heard about composers hearing and reacting (usually negatively) to popular renditions of their music - especially Verdi, frequently performed by gondoliers. This is the only opportunity I have had to savor what that might really have sounded like - at its highest level, of course. Anyone who knows and loves Wagner will be tickled to death by this and hopefully inspired to investigate other music by Uri Caine and his collaborators. Check out "The Sidewalks of New York." This guy understands music as artifact in the truest sense. Did you ever look at an ancient portrait and get that creepy feeling that people in the 15th or the 10th Century or even in ancient Egypt were not that different from us? That is the effect that Uri Caine's music has. Dig him.

It takes a whole lot of musician to make Wagner appealing.......2000-07-28

I knew Uri Caine in high school and college, and played (sax) with him in some small jazz groups in the Philaelphia area. He grew into a world-class musician (I knew he would), and I turned to teaching communication. It has been a pleasure to follow his career, and to hear his re-interpretations of classical music (he was classically trained, after all). I think his Mahler CD is a modern masterpiece, but for me this Wagner CD is hampered by the source material. Uri was inspired to find the serene qualities (and even the ethnicity) apparent in Mahler's work, but what redeeming value has he found in Wagner's music?

Maybe I'm missing the point here; Caine has a great sense of humor, and maybe it's the laugh he's going for. This could be the funniest version of Wagner since Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.

Nevertheless, the musicians perform flawlessly.

So Uri, how about a solo piano album of Jazz standards?

Simply gorgeous.......2000-04-25

Any disc that features Uri Caine, Erik Friedlander, Mark Feldman, and Drew Gress is guaranteed to be adventurous and exciting, but this release sees the whole even greater than its parts. Wagner is given a whole new spin by the ensemble. This may be the catalyst for other jazzers to take more chances with the western classical canon. We can only hope that future attempts at such crossovers yield such gorgeous results. HIGHLY recommended to Classical and jazz fans alike.

Fantastic recording.......1999-05-19

I have just received this disc, and it sounds fantastic. I particularly enjoy the trueness of the recording, with the crowd noise and the applause, and particularly the bells of the cathedral. I wholeheartedly recommend this cd, as I don't think it is possible to dislike the recording if you enjoy classical music.

Average customer rating:

A great compilation
Liszt
Incomparable Brendel
Beutiful

The Art Of Alfred Brendel

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000041E6
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

Andante con variazioni In F Minor, Hob. XVII:6
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 2. Adagio e cantabile
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 3. Finale. Tempo di minuetto
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 1. Allegro
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 3. Allegro molto
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 2. Adagio
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 3. Finale. Presto

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 1. Allegro maestoso
Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 2. Andante cantabile con espressione
Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 3. Presto
Fantasia In C Minor, KV 475: Adagio - Allegro - Andantino - Piu allegro - Tempo I
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 1. Molto allegro
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 3. Allegro assai
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 1. Allegro
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 2. Andante cantabile
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 3. Allegretto grazioso

Tracks:

Sonata In A, KV 331: 1. Tema con variazioni
Sonata In A, KV 331: 2. Menuetto
Sonata In A, KV 331: 3. Alla turca. Allegretto
Rondo In A Minor, KV 511: Andante
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 2. Andantino
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 2. Andante
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 3. Allegro vivace assai

Tracks:

Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 1. Allegro
Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 2. Andante
Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 3. Rondeaux. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 2. (Andante)
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 3. Allegro
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 2. Allegretto
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 3. Allegro assai

Tracks:

Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 2. Larghetto
Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 3. Allegretto
Adagio In B Minor, KV 540
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 2. Larghetto
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 2. Adagio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 4. Allegro assai
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 2. Adagio con molta espressione
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 3. Minuetto
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 4. Rondo. Allegretto
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 1. Allegro
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 2. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 4. Presto con fuoco
Bagatelle In A Minor, WoO 59 'Fur Elise'
6 Ecossaises, WoO 83

Tracks:

6 Variations In F, Op.34: Thema
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation I
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation II
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation III
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation IV
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation V
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation VI - Coda
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Thema
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation I
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation II
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation III
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation IV
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation V - Coda
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Thema
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation I
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation II
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation III
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation IV
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation V
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation VI
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Tema: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation I: Alla marcia maestoso
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation II: Poco allegro
Variation III: L'istesso tempo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation IV: Un poco piu vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation V: Allegro vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation VI: Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation VII: Un poco piu allegro
Variation VIII: Poco vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation IX: Allegro pesante e risoluto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation X: Presto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XI: Allegretto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XII: Un poco piu moto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XIII: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XIV: Grave e maestoso
Variation XV: Presto scherzando
Variation XVI: Allegro - Variation XVII
Variation XVIII: Poco moderato
Variation XIX: Presto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XX: Andante
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXI: Allegro con brio - Meno allegro
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXII: Allegro molto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXIII: Allegro assai
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXIV: Fughetta. Andante
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXV: Allegro
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVI
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVII: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVIII: Allegro
Variation XXIX: Adagio ma non troppo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXX: Andante, sempre cantabile
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXI: Largo, molto espressivo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXII: Fuga. Allegro - Poco adagio
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXIII: Tempo di minuetto moderato

Tracks:

SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 1. Allegro assai
SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 2. Andante con moto
SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Andante In F, WoO 57 (Andante favori)
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1. Allegro
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2. Scherzo. Assai vivace
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 3. Adagio sostenuto. Apassionata e con molto sentimento
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 4. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Tracks:

15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Introduzione col basso del tema - Tema
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation I
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation II
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation III
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation IV
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation V
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation VI-VII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation VIII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation IX
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation X
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XI
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XIII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XIV-XV
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Finale. alla fuga
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 1. Andante con moto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 2. Allegro
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 3. Andante cantabile e grazioso
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 4. Presto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 5. Quasi allegretto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 6. Presto - Andante amabile e con moto - Tempo I
Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 1. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 2. Allegro vivace
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 1. Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo - Tempo I
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 2. Prestissimo
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 2. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 3. Rondo. Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 1. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 2. Adagio un poco mosso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 1. Allegro, ma non troppo - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 2. Allegretto quasi andantino - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 3. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 1. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 3. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 1. Allegro giusto - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 3. Allegro vivace - Schubert
16 German Dances, D. 783 - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In C, D. 840: 1. Moderato - Schubert
Sonata In C, D. 840: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 1. Moderato - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 2. Andante un poco moto - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Un poco piu lento - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 4. Rondo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Fantasy In C, D. 760 'Wanderer' Fantasy - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In D, D. 850: 1. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 2. Con moto - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 4. Rondo. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 1. Molto moderato e cantabile - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 3. Menuetto. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 4. Allegretto - Schubert
Allegretto In C Minor, D. 915 - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 1. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 2. Adagio - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 3. Menuetto. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 4. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 1. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 2. Andantino - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 4. Rondo. Allegretto - Schubert
12 German Dances, D. 790 (Ller) - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 1. Molto moderato - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 2. Andante sostenuto - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 4. Allegro ma non troppo - Schubert
11 Ecossaises, D. 781 - Schubert
Hungarian Melody In B Minor, D. 817 - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 1 In C, en ut majeur - Moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 2 In A Flat, As-dur, en la bemol majeur - Andantino - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 3 In F Minor, f-moll, en fa mineur - Allegro moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 4 In C Sharp Minor, cis-moll, en ut diese mineur - Moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 5 In F Minor, f-moll, en fa mineur - Allegro Vivace - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 6 In A Flat, As-dur, en la bemol majeur - Allegretto - Schubert

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 1. Allegro maestoso
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 2. Quasi adagio - Allegretto vivace - Allegro animato
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 3. Allegro marziale animato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 1. Adagio sostenuto assai - Allegro agitato assai
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 2. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 3. Allegro deciso - Marziale un poco meno allegro
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 4. Allegro animato
Danse macabre, Paraphrase On (Dies Irea): Danse macabre, Paraphrase On Dies Irea
Csardas macabre
Valse oubliee No. 1 In F Sharp

Tracks:

Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 1. Chapelle de Guillaume Tell
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 2. Au lac de Wallenstadt
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 3. Pastorale
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 4. Au bord d'une source
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 5. Orage
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 6. Vallee d'Obermann
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 7. Eglogue
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 8. Le mal du pays
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 9. Les cloches de Geneve (Nocturne)
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 1. Sposalizio
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 2. Il Penseroso
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 3. Canzonetta del Salvator Rosa
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 4. Sonetto 47 del Petrarca
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 5. Sonetto 104 del Petrarca
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 6. Sonetto 123 del Petrarca

Tracks:

Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 7. Apres une lecture de Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata)
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 2. Aux cypres de la Villa d'Este. Threnodie No. 1
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 4. Les jeux d'eau de la Villa d'Este
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 5. Sunt lacrimae rerum (En mode hongrois)
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 7. Sursum corda (Erhebet eure Herzen)
Weihnachtsbaum-Suite: 7. Schlummerlied
Weihnachtsbaum-Suite: 9. Abendglocken
Trube Wolken
Klavierstuck In F Sharp, S. 192 No. 3
En Reve - Nocturne
R.W. - Venezia
Vexilla regis prodeunt
Mosonyis Grabgeleit
Schlaflos! Frage und Antwort
Unstern - Sinistre

Tracks:

Sonata In B Minor: Lento assai - Allegro energico
Sonata In B Minor: Andante sostenuto
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro energico-Andante sostenuto-Lento assai
La lugubre gondola No.1
La lugubre gondola No.2
Legendes: 1. Saint Francois d'Assise: la predication aux aiseaux
Legendes: 2. Saint Francois de Paule marchant sur les flots
Harmonies poetiqes et religieuses: No. 7 Funerailles

Tracks:

Fantasia and Fugue on Theme B-A-C-H
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No. 1 Invocations
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No.3 Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No.4 Pensees des morts
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
Isoldens Liebestod: Isoldens Liebestod: Final Scene From Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde'

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 1. Maestoso - Poco piu moderato
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 2. Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 3. Rondo. Allegro non troppo - Piu animato - Tempo I
Theme And Variations

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 2. Allegro appassionato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 3. Andante - Piu adagio
Four Ballades, Op. 10: 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco piu presto
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 1 In D Minor
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 2 In D
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 3 In B Minor
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 4 In B

Tracks:

Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 1. Ausserst bewegt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 2. Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch - Intermezzo I (Sehr lebhaft) - Intermezzo II (Etwas bewegter)
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 3. Sehr aufgeregt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 4. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 5. Sehr lebhaft
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 6. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 7. Sehr rasch
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 8. Schnell und spielend
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 1. Von fremden Landern und Menschen
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 2. Kuriouse Geschichte
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 3. Haschemann
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 4. Bittendes Kind
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 5. Gluckes genug
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 6. Wichtige Begebenheit
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 7. Traumerei
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 8. Am Kamin
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 10. Fast zu ernst
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 11. Furchtenmachen
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 12. Kind im Einschlummern
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 13. Der Dichter spricht
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 1. Des Abends
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 2. Aufschwung
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 3. Warum?
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 4. Grillen
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 5. In der Nacht
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 6. Fabel
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 7. Traumes-Wirren
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 8. Ende vom Lied

Tracks:

Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 1. Thema
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 2. Variation III
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 3. Etude I
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 4. Variation I
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 5. Variation II
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 6. Etude II
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 7. Etude III
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 8. Etude IV
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 9. Etude V
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 10. Variation IV
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 11. Etude VI
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 12. Etude VII
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 13. Etude VIII
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 14. Etude IX
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 15. Variation V
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 16. Etude X
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 17. Etude XI
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 18. Etude XII
3 Romances, Op.94: 1. Nicht scnell
3 Romances, Op.94: 2. Einfach, innig
3 Romances, Op.94: 3. Nicht scnell
Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12
Adagio und Allegro In A Flat, Op. 70
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 1. Zart und mit Ausdruck
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 2. Lebhaft, leicht
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 3. Rasch und mit Feuer

Tracks:

5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 2 Langsam
5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 3 Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen
5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 4 Nicht zu rasch
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Allegro affettuoso
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Intermezzo. Andantino gracioso
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Allegro vivace
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen- im Legendenton - Tempo primo
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Massig Durchaus energisch - Etwas langsamer - Viel bewegter
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten - Etwas bewegter

Customer Reviews:

A great compilation.......2004-04-25

Ever since I got a disc of Alfred Brendel playing Beethoven's favourite piano sonatas, I've had a special attention for his recordings and his view on music. To me, he is one of the best examples of a perfectionist. Lazy listeners call his way of playing pedantic but that is completely untrue. Listen more closely to any of is recordings and you'll hear an endless variety of colours, the most shimmering nuances and above all, tremendous warmth. But he is certainly not a perfectionist in the negative sense that is sometimes attached to the word: aside from being imposingly musical, his performances always have a great feeling of 'humanity'. There are many other great performers of the German repertoire (from Haydn to Brahms) but Brendel's recordings have a special familiarity to me, and he gives more than anyone else the feeling to me that the composer's genuine thoughts are present in the performance.

Brendel has a very special tone that accustoms itself very well to many different kinds of pieces. One of the essays in this great set deals with the many different sounds Brendel can create at the piano, something that intrigues me very much too. It is fascinating to hear how he touches the keys in his Mozart and Haydn recordings: here, he gets a sound out of the grand piano that sounds almost like the ancient fortepiano. Combined with his sharp and almost biting playing, he preserves some of the spirit of the time in which the works were composed, but combines this with the much richer and detailed sound of a modern instrument. Haydn's sonatas sparkle and so do Mozart's concertos.

In his Beethoven recordings, which are very well represented in this set, Brendel uses a somewhat similar style, but adapts more to the Beethovenian sound world: his tone is still aggressive but a little mellower and greater. He focuses a lot on small details and plays with a rather gentle sound in the variations, while his Hammerklavier doesn't avoid the grand gesture. The Piano concertos with Levine are full of joy and superbly crisp. Beethoven's works can be performed in a more massive or sweeter way, but that's what other recordings are for.

Brendel's Schubert is very notable for its total avoidance of the sweet and precious image of the composer that has settled somehow. Here, Schubert is presented as an ultimately dark and despairing composer, an image that is very appropriate regarding his general output. While Brendel sometimes tends to calm a bit of the hysteria in pieces like Beethoven's Appassionata, in Schubert he mainly emphasizes it. Hear how he attacks the Wanderer Fantasy, especially in the last minutes. Or how severely he gets the A minor sonata D784 to its throat. This is essentially the way I think Schubert should always sound.

It will be surprising for some to notice how much of Liszt has been recorded by Brendel, and also to hear how they sound. The Liszt recordings in this set show the composer from his most intellectual and imposing side. Brendel may generate an enormous sound that not everyone will associate with him from "Orage" in the Années de Pelerinage, but it is impressive rather than showy. Similarly, the Sonata receives the most detailed and complete performance I've heard, the Piano Concertos are simply stunning on all accounts and the variations on a Bach cantata show both the composer and the performer at their very best. It may be surprising to hear but I think you won't hear any better Liszt than this.

Finally there's a box dedicated to Brahms and Schumann. Brahms is another surprise. Brendel's D minor Concerto is one of the most impressive readings I've heard, close to Serkin/Szell, and his B flat is fine too, if a bit less impressive. His playing style here somewhat resembles that of his Liszt: it is rich, grand and always commanding. Few performers are as well able as Brendel is to match the endlessly complex musical thread of these two concertos. The fourth Ballade op.10 settles among the best readings - Kempff, Arrau, you name them. The Schumann pieces are performed in a way resembling Beethoven's smaller works: they create the same familiar living-room image, and it gets even more beautiful when oboist Heinz Holliger joins him to play a few folksong-like pieces. The set closes with a wonderful Schumann fantasy.

The track listing say that there's a bonus disc included as well, containing Brendel's first recording of Liszt's Christmas Tree suite, but my own set did actually not contain this bonus disc. With or without that disc, this is a set any piano aficionado should not miss. The only drawback can be the price, which is pretty high (not surprising with such a huge set)--if you can find it at all, now that the set seems to be OOP. At any cost, this is one the best box sets I own. If contains a thorough look at one of the most profound and intellectual artists of recent time and gives endless enjoyment.

Liszt.......2001-05-11

I recently purchased the boxed set of just the Liszt items from The Art of Alfred Brendel. I learned to love Schubert piano music by listening to Brendel, but Liszt was something of an exploration. And what a guide to take you on the journey! If you get the opportunity to get the Liszt set don't turn it up in preference to the more respected composers - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert etc.

Incomparable Brendel.......2000-12-29

I wish to focus on the works of Liszt included in this gargantuan package. Brendel is held in universal esteem, regarded by many as the greatest living pianist. His reputation is of unimpeachable musicality and seriousness of purpose (which does not contradict his ability to find musical humor wherever it lurks). He shows unparalleled ability to get to the musical core of the "Great Repertory" (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms); his performances leave mere pianism far behind. His championing of Liszt's music is especially important for just this reason. Liszt is too often accused of flashy superficiality. Nobody can accuse Brendel of this fault. And his Liszt recordings are among the most intellectual and probing, yet most moving, of any. He reveals Liszt as a daring and supremely important master. The pyrotechnics of the piano concerti are invested with real meaning, and the utterly spare, laconic late pieces become profound meditations on the human condition. His readings of Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude and of the Variations on Bach's "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" make one grateful for the very existence of music -- and for the capacity to capture it for posterity in recordings.

Beutiful.......2000-04-05

This is beutiful music. I have played some of his pieces on my flute and they are absoultly gorgeous. If you are a true classical music lover then you must buy this and have many nights by the fire with this wonderful music in the backround.

Average customer rating:

Concert in Villa Wahnfried

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003FKK
Release Date: 1994-11-08

Average customer rating:

She's Got The Chops to Play Liszt

A Liszt Odyssey

Manufacturer: Apr UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00030ER7O
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Waldesrauschen, S.145/1
Gnomenreigen, S.145/2
Au Bord D'une Source, S.160/4
Les Jeux D'eaux A La Villa D'Este
Am Stillen Herd
Isoldens Liebestod
Hungarian Rhapsody No.11 In A Minor, S.244/11
Fruhlingsnacht, S.568
Widmung, S.566
Oh, Quand Je Dors, S.536
Comment, Disaient-Ils?, S.535
Enfant, Si J'etais Roi, S.537
S'il Est Un Charmant Gazon, S.538
La Tombe Et La Rose, S.539
Gastibelza, S.540
Funerailles, S.173/7

Tracks:

Valse De L'opera Faust, S.407
Gondoliera
Canzone
Tarantella
Die Lorelei (Version 2)
Albumblatter In A Flat Major, S.212 'Petite Valse Favorite'
Albumblatter In A Major, S.166
Albumblatter In A Flat Major, S.165
Die Lorelei (Version 1) (S.273/1)
Am Rhein Im Schonen Strome (S.272/1)
Mignon's Lied (S.275/1)
Der Konig Von Thule (S.278/1)
Der Du Von Dem Himmel Bist (S.279.1)
Angiolin Dal Biondo Crin (S.269/1)
Hungarian Rhapsody No.12 In C Sharp Minor, S.244/12

Customer Reviews:

She's Got The Chops to Play Liszt.......2005-01-11

Per Rick Phillips of CBC Radio's Sound Advice, in his review broadcast on January 8th 2005, Valerie Tryon "has the chops" to play Liszt, as well as the sensitive, nuanced playing to bring all the feeling Liszt wrote into his music to the listener. Small cavil - the upper register of her piano is a little thin, unbalancing the contrast to the full, rich lower register of the piano.

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition

Average customer rating:

Wonderful set
Don't buy the whole thing
Not Insane
insane
For the real music lover

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition
Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Nonets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Voluntaries | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00002EITP
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful set.......2004-10-24

This set is for serious piano fans, not for the ones who just start building up a CD library. I sort of agree with one of the reviewers, that there are many repetitions. But if you love piano, you wish to hear the same piece in different interpretations. Indeed, I really like this feature of this set: I can compare the style of various performers.
If you are into piano music, I encourage you to grab this set, if you can find it used (not available anymore at Amazon). I also hope, that there will be a continuation, in which other great pianists, who were left out because of the space limitation, will be included (Prokofiev, Bartok, Dohnanyi, etc).

Don't buy the whole thing.......2001-07-08

I've put a lot of thought into constructing my own piano library, and unless you can easily afford the present set, I would recommend a different approach to collecting piano music. This set emphasizes the piano player rather than the piano composer. Of course both are important. For example, the "Barcarolle" appears in this set EIGHT times. I'm sorry, although I love the piece, if I am going to spend [the money], I would prefer more variety. Where are the Alkan, Medtner, and Szymanawski compositions represented in this set? I appreciate having so many interpretations of the same pieces, but I would also appreciate more exposure to pieces not so popular. The selection by Philips which I consider a somewhat popular selection suggests to me that when Philips constructed this set, they realized most people would be buying the disks separately, and this affected the selection. And it's not just that obscure composers are left out, but also if one spends so much money on piano recordings, you'd think you'd want to buy pieces from a composer in completeness. For example, an alternative way to construct a library would be to combine purchases of complete cycles, e.g. complete Beethoven sonatas, complete Scriabin preludes, etc., along with outstanding recordings of more particular pieces. I'm not sure why someone would want to concentrate so much on so many famous artists, instead of acquiring complete sets of compositions. For me the composer is more important, or at least, if I am going to spend [the money]on piano recordings, I'd prefer more complete, rather than snapshot, exposure to the composers.

Not Insane.......2001-01-02

I had to write this review, as I am enthralled with this set. I have been going through it in order having already purchased a few individual units from the collection earlier. I am not sure what `insane' was talking about as there is NO repetition. Sure some pianists perform the same pieces, isn't that what they did in reality? The idea is to appreciate the different nuances and approaches taken by these artists. You will then enjoy these pieces from a better vantage.

It is a large ambitious contribution to the art of great piano playing. It is a labor of love and represents a tremendous amount of research and cooperation between many record companies. Rather then representing insanity, it is a resource to treasure.

Yes experts can quibble over who was left out, and what performances were inserted. I do not think such a massive undertaking could have been accomplished without someone being able to find faults. Overall however, unless you already have a monumental collection, (it would have to be almost legendary), this incredible set will give you a rewarding look into 74 of the greatest pianist of all time. You will come away with a honed sense of appreciation for your likes and dislikes. You will undoubtedly become someone who will search out recordings and be able to enjoy them for the rest of your life with a refined ear.

The only negative is this price. I would shop around, as it is daunting to spend 2 thousand dollars on such a collection. Of course you do get 200 CD's. However, the used collections might be good to consider.

Enjoy these masterpieces. I am not ashamed of owning this music as `insane' implies. I am proud to have enriched my life.

insane.......2000-10-12

This is not a good library of piano music. The reason is, there is too much repetition. I'm not saying the series is bad. The series is wonderful. But this collection as a whole is a bad libary. For the same money you could collect together (with more effort) an incredible libary of piano music. There are so many wonderful cd's out there, this is just a waste of money. If you can actually afford to spend 2 grand on piano music, then either (1) spend the time and do some research to get a good library of piano music, which will probably include some selections from this collection, or (2) hire someone to do that for you. Personally I would be embarrassed to own this whole collection, since that shows I have put little thought into my purchases of piano music.

For the real music lover.......2000-03-12

This series attempts to present important and representative performances by most of the major pianists of the 20th century. One might quibble a bit with the choices, but the works presented are of consistently high quality, and often do represent what may be the best works of a performer. Since this covers most of the time that recorded music existed, some of the recordings are technically challenged, as there is only so much one can do to enhance an old recording. Still, these appear to have been treated with love and respect in their restorations. Since this series is so large (and expensive!) one is tempted to "cherry pick" through the series, yet by doing so one can easily overlook gems by artists one is less familiar with. This large a set must inevitably have many versions of the same pieces, and takes many hours to listen to. The true enthusiast will appreciate the differences in interpretation, whereas the less experienced listener may find the set repetitive and overwhelming. If one has the time to really dig into this set, it can provide years of exploration and discovery. It would make a wonderful gift for some special music lover in your life ... or for yourself!

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Assault & Flattery [Import]

Verdi: La Traviata a Paris (Highlights from the Opera)

Weber: Wind Concertos

Slippin' Around (The Hits, Vol. 2)

Verve Remixed/Unmixed V.3 [Import]

Wellness Music: Spiritual Healing

The Best of Yiddish Vaudeville [Import]

Wig in a Box

Unplugged

Vaughan Williams - Serenade to Music · Five Mystical Songs · Fantasia on Christmas Carols · Flos Campi / Sixtieen Soloists · Thomas Allen · Nobuko Imai · Corydon Singers · ECO · Matthew Best

Unto I Am

Tuyo Es Mi Corazon [Import]

Triptico V.2 [Import]

Sym 1-4 / Piano Ctos 1-2 / Violin Cto / Double Cto

Live from Paris and Conakry