Prokofiev:Piano Sonatas Nos. 7 & 8

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This disc poses a bit of a quandary. Yefim Bronfman's playing of the Seventh Sonata is so exciting that it's impossible not to recommend. Even as he is powering his way through the most difficult sections of the music (including the entire finale), Bronfman still plays with control and the kind of nuance few pianists could spare attention for. On the other hand, I don't feel he is as successful with the Eighth Sonata. Its enigmatic, mysterious first movement is always a problem, and I don't feel Bronfman completely succeeds in projecting its changes of mood. The other two movements are more convincing, but then the disc is over (47:42). But if you love that Seventh Sonata as I do.… --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat Major, Op. 83: 1. Allegro inquieto - Andantino
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat Major, Op. 83: 2. Andante caloroso
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat Major, Op. 83: 3. Precipitato
Piano Sonata No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 14: 1. Allegro, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 14: 2. Scherzo: Allegro marcato
Piano Sonata No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 14: 3. Andante
Piano Sonata No. 2 In D Minor, Op. 14: 4. Vivace - Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 8 In B Flat Major, Op. 84: 1. Andante dolce - Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 8 In B Flat Major, Op. 84: 2. Andante sognando
Piano Sonata No. 8 In B Flat Major, Op. 84: 3. Vivace - Allegro ben marcato - Andantino - Vivace, come prima

Amazon.com essential recording

There are two sides to Pletnev's character: the wayward virtuoso pianist, and the stiff, metronomic conductor. As a pianist Pletnev is fascinating; as a conductor, boring (at least usually). The reason for this dichotomy is simple: he hasn't a clue how to make an orchestra do what his fingers accomplish so effortlessly at the keyboard. Take the music of Prokofiev: he has recorded the ballet Cinderella, a performance of no particular distinction. But these sonatas are another matter entirely. Brilliant, rhapsodic, exciting, and powerful, Pletnev turns in magnificent performances, ones that stand comparison (in the 7th and 8th sonatas) with Richter, Pollini--you name it. It doesn't get any better. And as great Prokofiev sonata discs aren't exactly thick and furious in the current catalogue, this disc is a mandatory acquisition. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

I don't know who's listening, but this is a lovely record.......2006-08-31

Scriabin and Prokofiev are staples of the Russian piano literature on native soil, but in the U.S. one rarely hears them in recital. It's good to have this thoughtful CD from Pletnev, because his relaxed, lyrical, inward manner is rarely heard in Prokofiev. Most pianists approach his keyborad idiom as percussive and disjointed. Pletnev keeps those features to a minimum. As a result, it's not exhausting to listen to him performing three sonatas in a row. The opening movement of Sonata #2 is almost debussian in his hands, Sonata #7 for once isn't a brittle assault, and Sonata #8 is as balletic as an out take from Romeo and Juliet.

Collectors of this music are already wedded to great performances from Richter (above all), Gilels, Graffman, Bronfman, and ohters, but Pletnev is the most original interpreter I've heard--as always, he goes his own way.

An interesting.......2000-03-11

Pletnev's renditions of these sonatas has a melodic, sometimes dream-like quality that works best on the slower movements and works against him somewhat in the fiery, mechanistic parts. The complex layering in the 3rd movement seems to get a bit muddled and lost but overall it's not a bad version. A wonderful gem on this CD is the Scherzo from the 2nd sonata. It is very entertaining and I'd say the 2nd sonata is the best thing on the disc. By the way, my favorite rendition of the 7th is by Anthony di Bonaventura, but it's apparently no longer available.

Average customer rating:

Great performances
Not quite as fulfilling as other recordings...
Great fun!
An Exciting Performance
Not so good...

Prokofiev:Piano Sonatas Nos. 7 & 8

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 4 & 6
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Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 3, & 5
Prokofiev: The Complete Symphonies (incl. Symphony No. 4, Revised Version)
Garrick Ohlsson: Prokofiev; Bartók; Webern; Barber

ASIN: B0000026OO
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, No. 7, Op. 83: I. Allegro inquieto
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, No. 7, Op. 83: II. Andante caloroso
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, No. 7, Op. 83: III. Precipitato
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, No. 8, Op. 84: I. Andante dolce
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, No. 8, Op. 84: II. Andante sognando
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, No. 8, Op. 84: III. Vivace

Amazon.com

This disc poses a bit of a quandary. Yefim Bronfman's playing of the Seventh Sonata is so exciting that it's impossible not to recommend. Even as he is powering his way through the most difficult sections of the music (including the entire finale), Bronfman still plays with control and the kind of nuance few pianists could spare attention for. On the other hand, I don't feel he is as successful with the Eighth Sonata. Its enigmatic, mysterious first movement is always a problem, and I don't feel Bronfman completely succeeds in projecting its changes of mood. The other two movements are more convincing, but then the disc is over (47:42). But if you love that Seventh Sonata as I do.… --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Great performances.......2007-02-22

I had hesitated to buy this recording because of some less-than- enthusiastic reviews, but I love Bronfman's other Prokofiev recordings and wanted to hear his interpretation of the 7th and 8th sonatas. I could not believe my ears as I listened to both sonatas. Bronfman gets such a rich, full, orchestral sound from the piano. But more than that, he plays with such attention to detail and nuance, and commands such a wide dynamic range, that his playing is always musically satisfying. I thought the 7th Sonata was intelligently interpreted, with some exquisite moments and beautiful voicings in the 2nd movement. And the 3rd movement (which everybody loves)--exciting, and free from strange rubato and oddly timed tempo changes which I have heard in many other performanfces of this. One of the reviewers mentioned his poor pedal-work in this movement. I thought his pedaling was brilliant.

The 8th sonata is equally satisfying--Bronfman's technical command of the keyboard is stunning, as is his musicality and view of the overall architecture of the sonata, as well as each individual movement.

I'm so glad I bought this recording. It will be my number one recording to recommend to piano students learning these pieces---so they can hear them played well. I wouldn't interpret everything exactly as Bronfman does, but I tip my hat to him for his insights and I respect his extremely high standards of playing in all his Prokofiev recordings.

Not quite as fulfilling as other recordings..........2004-06-17

I must admit, when I first heard this recording I was impressed by the clarity and technical precision of Bronfman's playing. His playing is, overall, quite excellent: I would expect nothing less from a pianist of his stature and reputation.
However, I believe that the discerning listener might not be too satisfied with this recording. Bronfman's executions of both sonatas are technically dazzling, yet lack in artistic interpretation.
The first movement of the seventh sonata IS too fast. Prokofiev marked it as "Allegro inquieto"; a speed which is normally suggested around 120 bpm. It is not marked vivace, presto, or even allegro scherzando. He is also lacking a sort of mysterious quality which other players, most notably Pollini, possess while playing this Sonata. Once again this is most evident in the first movement. The last movement of the seventh is played brilliantly and precisely, fully conveying what I believe Prokofiev meant while writing this piece.
I am also disappointed in Bronfman's interpretation of the first movement of the 8th sonata. It is marked "Andante dolce", and once again Bronfman rushes, playing it more at a "Moderato" rather than an andante. In addition his playing lacks this quality of bittersweetness which I believe Prokofiev intended in this movement: a beautiful first theme with an eriee undercurrent.
The most important thing about the Sonata-Allegro form is the contrast of thematic and tonal relationships. In Prokofiev's 7th and 8th sonata, commonly called the War Sonata's, the thematic contrast CANNOT be more juxtaposed. That is what makes the development section so interesting: the use of material from two strangely different themes. Bronfman ignores this concept entirely. The themes are supposed grow on to each other in an organic sense.
I suggest Garrick Ohlson's recording of the 8th Sonata (recorded on Arabesque along with the Barber Sonata, the Bartok studies, and the Webern variations), and Pollini's recording of the 7th Sonata (Deutsche Grammophon, with Stravinsky's Petrouchka, Webern's Variations, and Boulez's 2nd Sonata). Both recordings offer the pinnacles of 20th century piano repertoire, and both are considered the standard in terms technical prowess and artistic interpretation in these two momentous works.

Great fun!.......2001-05-29

I enjoyed both of the so-called "War Sonatas" immensely. This is one of my favorit CDs. Appollo and Dionysius on one disk!

An Exciting Performance.......2000-06-27

Bronfman adds a great touch to these two Prokofiev sonatas. The seventh is excellent. The precipitato is fiery fast and an exciting performance.The eighth was equally enjoyable.He provides the mystery and wonder needed in the first movement, the dreaminess of the second, and the feelings of victory and confidence in the third. His interpretations provide a new outlook to these two very difficult sonatas. This is a definite steer from the traditional, but Bronfman stays on the right track.

Not so good..........2000-03-11

I love the 7th sonata and this version just seems to miss the point. It's sad to see such a wonderful piece of music be so strangely interpreted. The wonderful, fiery 3rd movement is reduced to what seems to be almost random emphasis -- the amazing melodic thread through it is completely lost. My favorite version of the 7th is Anthoni di Bonaventura's on the Sine Qua Non label which is apparently not in production anymore.

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Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 3, 7, 8
Andrei Gavrilov
Manufacturer: Archiv/Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000028D4X
Release Date: 1999-04-01

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 3 In A Minor Op. 28 -From Old Notebooks-
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat Major Op 83 - 1
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat Major Op 83 - 2
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat Major Op 83 - 3
Piano Sonata No. 8 In B Flat Major Op 84 - 1
Piano Sonata No. 8 In B Flat Major Op 84 - 2
Piano Sonata No. 8 In B Flat Major Op 84 - 3

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 7 & 8; Liszt: Mephisto Waltz

Average customer rating:

Scintillating Sonatas, percussive Liszt
Deserving of the "Legends" label, if only there were more!
Fine Recordings Of Prokofiev's and Liszt's Music

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 7 & 8; Liszt: Mephisto Waltz

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 4 & 6

ASIN: B00005N572
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Customer Reviews:

Scintillating Sonatas, percussive Liszt.......2006-02-09

I really like both of the performances of Prokofiev's Sonatas. Again, I'm not sure why, the tempi of all the movements of the sonatas are beautifully done. Not too fast or not too slow. He calls it "normal". The Seventh is a land-mark recording because it captures the excitement of the piece from beginning to end. I think Pletnev's reading is too academic, while Ashkenazy feels that rush with the fast movements of the 7th that make it a marvelous interpretation. The 8th sonata is also beautifully done, with an emphasis on atonality and a harsh austerity. I wouldnt say it is a introspective reading like others, but it is exciting nevertheless.

All of the Liszt pieces are way too percussive.

Deserving of the "Legends" label, if only there were more!.......2004-04-23

Prokofiev's solo piano compositions, the Sonatas especially, have long been unjustly and shamefully by the recording companies. And by well known artists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy.

These are great performances. Prokofiev had a knack for writing music that was playful, jubilant, and reflecting a positive outlook while still being full of provacativeness and deep thinking. His Sonatas are not as approachable as the popular ballets; you have to listen to them with an attentive ear, and repeatedly at that, to gain an appreciation for them.

Ashkenazy is a master with these sonatas, plumbing the depths or the music but obviously having a great deal of fun doing so. There's seriousness mixed with lightness. The Romeo and Juliet pieces are also unforgettable in Ashkenazy's hands.

The Liszt is equally well played, enjoyable and lively but never over indulgent, played with perfection but without sacrificing the fun.

The sound is among Decca's best piano recordings, brilliantly remastered with the latest technology.

When I finish listening to these pieces, I find myself actually a little depressed as I wonder how much more Ashkenazy would do if he would put down the baton and return to the keyboard with a greater commitment. Had he not picked up the baton of the orchestra conductor, maybe he would have recorded all of the Prokofiev Sonatas by now. And some of the other neglected Prokofiev solo piano pieces too.

Fine Recordings Of Prokofiev's and Liszt's Music.......2002-04-17

These recordings were made by Vladimir Ashkenazy around the time he embarked on his Beethoven piano sonata cycle in the early 1970's. His performances of Prokofiev's sonatas and piano transcription of passages from the ballet "Romeo and Juliet" feature lively, warm playing replete with ample doses of drama. Without question, these are among the most dramatic performances I've heard of Prokofiev's piano music. On the other hand, Ashkenazy tends to emphasize the lyric qualities of Liszt's music in his warm, vibrant performance of the Mephisto Waltz. While these performances may not be the definitive recordings of these works, they will surely please fans of Ashkenazy interested in acquiring fine examples of some of his earliest solo piano recordings for Decca. The sound quality is superb due to the latest digital image-bit remastering.

Prokofiew: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 3 & 7, etc.

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Prokofiew: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 3 & 7, etc.
Peter Dimitriew
Manufacturer: Arte Nova
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000069JPH
Release Date: 2002-08-12

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Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 2, 6, 7

Manufacturer: Art & Electronics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Prokofiev: Sonatas for Piano Nos. 1, 3, 5, & 7

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Prokofiev: Sonatas for Piano Nos. 1, 3, 5, & 7

Manufacturer: Melodiya Record Company
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0008F6SW6

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