Rachmaninov, Villa-Lobos, Chopin, Schulz-Evler

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
One of today’s most acclaimed keyboard virtuosi, Marc-André Hamelin is renowned for his completely mastery of the piano and phenomenal technique as well as for his partiality for unfamiliar repertoire. In this program, two familiar Romantic works in the same key are intersected by two less well-known keyboard masterpieces: Schulz-Evler’s variations on "The Blue Danube Waltz" (played here complete for the very first time!), and the shatteringly percussive "Rudepoêma" of Brazil’s greatest composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Agitato
II. Non Allegro
III. Allegro Molto
Rudepoema
I. Grave - Doppio movimento
II. Scherzo
III. Marche Funebre, Lento
IV. Finale, Presto
The Beautiful Blue Danube

Album Description

One of today's most acclaimed keyboard virtuosi, Marc-André Hamelin is renowned for his completely mastery of the piano and phenomenal technique as well as for his partiality for unfamiliar repertoire. In this program, two familiar Romantic works in the same key are intersected by two less well-known keyboard masterpieces: Schulz-Evler's variations on "The Blue Danube Waltz" (played here complete for the very first time!), and the shatteringly percussive "Rudepoêma" of Brazil's greatest composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent.......2007-03-19

Despite being a Hamelin admirer for some years, I didn't even know this disc existed until very recently. It really is fabulous. In my view, every piece on the disc would gain considerable support for the accolade of best ever recording of that piece. It is that good.

(No title)........2000-12-02

For too long, this was the only real source of Hamelin playing standard composition(s) -- at least in comparison to the rest of his repertoire! And what performances he delivers! It is very easy, when listening to the Rachmaninov to compare it to Horowitz or Browning, and when listening to the Chopin, to Rachmaninov and Kapell, and to the Blue Danube (which he plays complete), though lacking some of what is in Lhevinne's, you'll hear a collosal performance you probably won't hear matched for many years to come. A thoroughly excellent disc, almost entirely definitive!

re-release of 1993 CD.......1999-12-10

I have this CD as Isba Classic (Koch International)ISB-CD-5016 from 1993 so it should be available elsewhere.

It is good to hear Hamelin playing some more familiar works. Another good source of Hamelin recordings is the Danacord series 'Rarities of Piano Music at "Schloss vor Husum"' which has Hamelin on every second release.

Some inside news for you.......1999-11-01

I recently discovered that the manufacturer hasn't sent out this product to its distributors, even though it is officially released. I just thought I would let you know. This was written Sunday Oct. 31 so remember that!

Average customer rating:

An unconditional tour-de-force of pianistic pyrotechnics.

Marc-André Hamelin, Piano

Manufacturer: Isba
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000301K
Release Date: 1996-05-21

Customer Reviews:

An unconditional tour-de-force of pianistic pyrotechnics........1999-03-04

There is no finer pianist before the public today than M. Hamelin. No one with finer technique. No one with a more catholic breadth of repertoire. No one more devoted to the sonic possibilities of the instrument as an interpreter. This disc presents an amazing selection of substantial, yet not quite mainstream selections of 20th century repertoire. A noted virtuoso, M. Hamelin eschews go-for-broke brilliance on the Rachmaninoff, which is the 1931-32 revision. This is wise, for the paradigm is the performance of Vladimir Horowitz, to whom Rachmaninoff, himself, deferred in this work. Instead, Hamelin mines this sonata for its beautifully wrought thematic content, overcoming its technical challenges not as an end in themselves, but in the course of exposing the music beyond them. The Villa-Lobos is a totally sui generis work, written for Artur Rubinstein, that's loaded with the Brazilian rhythm and colors unique to this composer. I could go on, but you get the point: a brilliantly chosen recital brilliantly played. All you have to do is get the disc.

p.s. The sound is a tad harsh, as is the way of untempered digital recording. No matter. Your ear will quickly adjust.

Music Review: