Albéniz: Iberia Book 1 &2 - Espana / Barenboim

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
By all accounts, Albéniz was one of the world's great pianists, and it shows in his adventurous writing for the instrument. The four books of Iberia, 12 short evocative pieces in all, are so closely associated with Alicia de Larrocha that it's daunting for another pianist to attempt them, but Barenboim is equal to the challenge. Here, he plays the first two books, and from the opening piece, "Évocation," he captures the fragrant Andalusian atmosphere that pervades Albéniz's music. Barenboim demonstrates his affinity through his singing tone, expert use of rubato, and rhythmic nuances that make these dance-based pieces so irresistible. España, an earlier set of six pieces, is as fetching. Argentina-born Barenboim, who has recorded an all-tango CD, plays the second piece of the set, "Tango," with such an infectious lilt, you'll want to hit the repeat button. Excellent sound, too. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Largo maestoso; Allegro moderato
Larghetto
Serenade In A, Op. 96: Finale
Rondella aragonesa
Spanish Songs, Op. 232, No.3: Beneath The Palm Tree
Zambra
Variazioni concertanti, Op. 130
Evocacion
Pavan
Galliard
Ouverture
Harlequinade
Laughter
Rigidon
The Fighters
Gigue
Reverie
Golliwog's Cakewalk
Clair de lune

Customer Reviews:

The very best.......2007-01-11

I have a large collection of classical guitar recordings. Quite simply, "Together Again" is the finest,best recordings of its genre ever made. It features arrangements that had never been before heard and that a big plus, for the normal repertoire for guitar is fairly small and we soon tire of hearng the same pieces again and again. The virtuosity of both Williams and Bream is unqustionalble. Bream sounds a bit steely at times. whereas Williams is soft. Together, they produce a magnificent sound.

Sublime.......2006-03-14

The two foremost virtuosos of our time have come together once again to produce this sublime album.

What John Williams lacks in lyricism is easily compensated for by Bream and the result is outstanding.

Their chemistry is so amazing and the pieces come to life in such a cohesive way that I sometimes think it is one person with 10 fingers on each hand playing the pieces.

Not every piece is easily accessible, so give it time.

Highly recommended.

An excellent CD for anyone who loves the classical guitar.......2000-06-12

This CD is a must have for all lovers of the classical guitar. As is the case of the first album, aptly named "Together", the modern masters of the classical guitar, Bream & Williams, join forces again in order to achieve some spectacular results.

The main problem of playing a classical guitar is the genuine lack of material, apart from those (relatively few) pieces which were originally written for the guitar. Furthermore, being a fairly limited instrument, the guitar limits severely the possibilities of adapting various classical pieces which were not written originally for the guitar. Thus, Bream & Williams, set out on a mission - to achieve what is not possible on one guitar, by playing a duet of classical guitars. Hence, almost all the compositions here are adaptations, but this is by no means a bad thing - the arrangements very cleverly hides the limits of the instruments, while emphasizing it's intimate and warm nature.

Two of the most notable of these adaptations are "Evocacion", from Albeniz "Suite Iberia" and "Bajo la palmera" from "Cantos de Espana", both of which were written for piano. It is well worth mentioning that many of Albeniz compositions were based on traditional spanish tunes, played originally on guitars. Thus, by playing these truly great pieces on classical guitars, Bream & Williams are restoring some of the magic which allured Albeniz to these tunes in the first place. One might also feel these tunes sound actually more natural played on two guitars rather than on a piano.

Other interesting adaptations are the three pieces by Debussy, which are very melodic and are very suitable to be played on guitars.

Tracks:

Folk Song: Romance
Barros: La Catedral
Albeniz: Mallorca
Tarrega: Recuerdos al Alhambra
Chopin: Waltz in E Minor
Schubert: The Fisherwoman
Sanz: Canarios
Sor: Variations on a Theme of Mozart
Moreno-Torroba: Nocturno
Sor: Introductions and Variations on the "Malbroug" Air
Schubert: Aufenthalt
Moreno-Torroba: Arada
Sor: Fantasie Elegiaque

Tracks:

Rodrigo: Romance de Durandarte
Turina: Sonata, Andante
Yoshimatsu: Atom Hearts Club Duo, Andante
Albeniz: Evocacion from Suite "Iberia"
Schubert: Standchen
Sor: Menuett, Op. 11 No. 4
Abt: Agathe
Mudarra: Fantasia X
Schubert: Lob der Thranen
Coste: Grande Serenade
Mertz: Liebeslied from "Bardenklange"
Turina: Homenaje a Tarrega
Chopin: Nocturne in E Major
Bach: Paritta No. 2, Chaconne

Album Description

Relaxing, romantic music for solo guitar perfect for daydreaming your stress away!

Customer Reviews:

Don't buy it.......2007-02-11

Ok. The guitar players are good. But there is so much extra noise such as heavy breathing, the guitarist moving around etc. in many of the pieces. I am only somewhat being humerous when I say I am suprised you don't hear the guitarist belching or passing gas! It is a very, very irritating recording of good guitarists.

Certainly NOT Relaxing.......2006-08-04

This CD would get an average rating if it was merely titled "The World's greatest guitar music". However, this CD is supposed to be "relaxing". Well, it most certainly is NOT. Some of the pieces literally sound like soundtracks to a movie thriller.

Very misleading title to an otherwise pretty good collection of Spanish guitar ballads. If you are looking for something to relax or sleep to, look elsewhere.

On the mark.......2006-02-25

From the time I first attended a John Williams concert 40 years ago, I have been a collector of Spanish / Classical guitar music. I often play, on a Ramirez, some of the tunes on these two disks. The selections are wonderful examples of the world's greatest guitar music. I actually take naps while listening to these cd's. The guitarists are excellent; I only wish Denon had listed their artists.

NIce Collection!.......2005-11-12

I listen to a lot of classical guitar (and other stringed instrument) music, and I like this collection. It draws on an unusually wide range of guitar compositions, which is a plus, and it's well produced, with good sound and balance - I think it's a better than average collection.

the most annoying guitar cd in the universe.......2005-06-26

makes me want to stick needles into my eyeballs for relief.....i would recommend buying this for a mother-in-law you don't like...otherwise, save your money

The Fantastic Leopold Stokowski: Transcriptions For Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Magical and Majestic...
A MUST HAVE!!! Buy two you might ware this CD out.

The Fantastic Leopold Stokowski: Transcriptions For Orchestra

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bach - Stokowski
Stokowski's Symphonic Bach, Vol. 2
Stokowski's Symphonic Bach
Stokowski's Symphonic Baroque
Symphonic Spectacular

ASIN: B000003CZD
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

Toccata & Fugue In D minor
Menuet
'Little' Fugue In G Minor
Adagio Sostenuto
Hungarian Dance No. 6
Clair De Lune
F-Dieu A Slle
La Cathale Engloutie
Prelude In C Sharp Minor
Night On Bald Mountain
The Great Gate Of Kiev

Customer Reviews:

Magical and Majestic..........2004-12-30

Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops take a break from their usual contemporary program; to perform this eclectic selection of transcriptions by the flamboyant Leopold Stokowski. The novice wouldn't have known that Stokowski got his start in 1909 with the Cincinnati Symphony. I guess they are paying homage to him with this album. Where other discs usually concentrate on just Bach or baroque items; this disc offers orchestrations from Boccherini to Rachmaninoff. The digital recording is fine and detailed complementing the instrumentation. Though purists find Stokowski's meddling offensive, his transcriptions can make classical music more approachable to new ears. Kunzel kind of gives us his version of Stokowki's greatest hits, showing serious affection for the music. You get "Toccata and Fugue"
to start it off, and a very different "Great Gate of Kiev", less congested in orchestration than the Ravel, to end it. Most of the pieces have bombastic finales, which include heavy brass and percussion and even carillons ring out. A very likable program that won't fade with repeated listening. Add a star if your not aware that Stokowki's own recordings of these pieces are still available.

A MUST HAVE!!! Buy two you might ware this CD out........1999-06-12

Arranged by the greatest, conducted by one of the greatest, and performed by the best you could not ask for anything more. These performances will inspire forever. Five stars do not do this music compilation justice!

Iberia: Albeniz, Granados, Rodrigo and Llobet

Average customer rating:

Will The Real John Williams Please Stand Up

Iberia: Albeniz, Granados, Rodrigo and Llobet

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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The Guitarist
Together/Julian Bream & John Williams
John Williams Plays the Movies

ASIN: B00000281K
Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

Valses Poeticos
Invocation Et Danse
Nine Catalan Folksongs: Canco Del Lladre
Nine Catalan Folksongs: El Testament d'Amelia
Nine Catalan Folksongs: La Filadora
Nine Catalan Folksongs: El Mestre
Nine Catalan Folksongs: La Nit De Nadal
Nine Catalan Folksongs: L'Hereu Riera
Nine Catalan Folksongs: Lo Fill Del Rei
Nine Catalan Folksongs: La Pastoreta
Nine Catalan Folksongs: El Noi De La Mare
En Los Trigales
Iberia: El Albaicin
Iberia: Triana
Iberia: Rondena

Customer Reviews:

Will The Real John Williams Please Stand Up.......2001-05-06

If "Who is John Williams?" was the question on a game show, 95% would answer the conductor/composer of Star Wars, and the other 5% would probably mention one of two former NBA players. Relatively few, if any, would say John Williams was a classical guitarist, which is a shame because John Williams the guitarist is arguably the greatest of all John Williamses. And of all John Williams the guitarist's recordings, "Iberia" is one of his best. On this disc, Williams first performs works for solo guitar, including Granados' "Valses Poeticos" (transcribed for guitar by Williams), Rodrigo's "Invocation et Danse" and Llobet's "Nine Catalan Folksongs." The disc concludes with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Daniel, joining Williams on Steve Gray's arrangement for guitar of Albeniz's famous work "Iberia." "Iberia" was originally written with piano as the featured solo instrument, but the guitar seems a perfect fit for the leading role. Gramophone said that John Williams' "Iberia" was "a landmark recording" and I agree 100%.

Average customer rating:

Very touched
In Memorium
Priceless Souvenirs from a Rare Genius: Ave Atque Vale
Poetry without words
What Is Technically Difficult Is Not Always Pleasant To Hear

William Kapell Edition (Box Set)

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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William Kapell in Performance: Brahms & Prokofiev Piano Concertos
Prokofiev: Sonata No.7/Toccata, Op.11/Barber: Sonata, Op.26/Kabalevsky: Sonata No.3/Fauré: Nocturne No.13/Poulenc: Pr
William Kapell, Vol.I: Rachmaninov/Khachaturian
Plays Schubert
Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore

ASIN: B00000B9MR
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Mazurkas: Op. 6, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 7, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 7, No. 5
Mazurkas: Op. 17, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op 17, No 3
Mazurkas: Op. 17, No. 4
Mazurkas: Op. 24, No. 1
Mazurkas: Op. 24, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 30, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 33, No. 1
Mazurkas: Op. 33, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 33, No. 4
Mazurkas: Op. 41, No. 1
Mazurkas: Op. 41, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 50, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 50, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 56, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 59, No. 1
Mazurkas: Op. 59, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 63, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 63, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 67, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 67, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 67, No. 4
Mazurkas: Op. 68, No. 2
Mazurkas: Op. 68, No. 3
Mazurkas: Op. 68, No. 4
Mazurkas: Op posth. - 'Notre temps'
Mazurkas: Op posth - In B Flat

Tracks:

Sonata No. 3, Op. 58 In B Minor: Allegro maestoso
Sonata No. 3, Op. 58 In B Minor: Scherzo: Molto vivace
Sonata No. 3, Op. 58 In B Minor: Largo
Sonata No. 3, Op. 58 In B Minor: Finale: Presto, non tanto
Waltz, Op. 18 In E Flat Major
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 In B-Flat Minor: Grave; Doppio movimento
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 In B-Flat Minor: Scherzo
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 In B-Flat Minor: Marche funebre
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 In B-Flat Minor: Presto
Nocture, Op. 9, No. 1 In B Flat Minor
The Sheperd's Complaint: No. 5, Songs Without Words, Op. 67
Romance, Op. 28, No. 2 In F Sharp
Sonata No. 16, K. 570 In B Flat: II. Adagio

Tracks:

Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Introduction: Allegro vivace; Variation I: (Precedente)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Tema: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation II: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation III: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation IV: Piu Vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation V: Tempo precedente
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation VI: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation VII: Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43:: Varation VII: Tempo 1
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation IX: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation X: Poco marcato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XI: Moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XII: Tempo di minuetto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XIII: Allegro
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XIV: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43:: Varation XV: Piu vivo scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XVI: Allegretto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XVII: [Allegretto]
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XVIII: Andante cantabile
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XIX: A tempo vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XX: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XXI: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XXII: Un poco piu vivo (Alla breve)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XXIII: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Varation XIV: A tempo un poco meno mosso
Concero No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Moderato; Allegro
Concero No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concero No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Preludes, Op. 34: No. 24 In D Minor
Preludes, Op. 34: No. 10 In C Sharp Minor
Preludes, Op. 34: No. 5 In D Major

Tracks:

Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Andante; Allegro
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Tema: Andantino
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Variation I: Listesso tempo
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Variation II: Allegro
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Variation III: Allegro moderato (poco meno mosso)
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Variation IV: Andante meditativo
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Variation V: Allegro giusto
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Tema: Listesso tempo
Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 In C: Allegro ma non troppo
Concerto: Allegro mastoso
Concerto: Andante con anima
Concerto: Allegro brillante
Preludes, Op. 34: No. 14 In E Flat Minor
Preludes, Op. 34: No. 10 In C Sharp Minor
Preludes, Op. 34: No. 5 In D Major

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 In B Flat Major: Allegro con brio
Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 In B Flat Major: Largo
Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 In B Flat Major: Rondo: Allegro scherzando
Moment Musical: Moment Musical In F Minor, D. 780, No. 3
Waltz: Waltz In B Major, D. 145, No. 2
Waltz: Waltz In B Major, D. 145, No. 6
Waltz: Waltz In E Major, D. 365, No. 26
Waltz: Waltz In F Major, D. 365, No. 32
German Dances: German Dance In B Flat Major, D. 783, No. 6
German Dances: German Dance In B Flat Major, D. 783, No. 7
Waltz: Waltz, In F Major, D. 365, No. 34
Landler: Landler, In G Major, D. 734, No. 1
Landler: Landler, In D Major, D. 734, No. 2
Impromptu: Impromptu In A Flat Major, D. 935, No. 2
Romance: Romance In F Sharp Major, Op. 28, No. 2
Intermezzo: Intermezzo In E Major, Op. 116, No. 6
Sonetto No. 104 del Petrarca - Liszt
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11 - Liszt
Mephisto Waltz No. 1 - Liszt

Tracks:

Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828: Ouverture
Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828: Allemande
Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828: Courante
Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828: Aria
Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828: Sarabande
Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828: Menuet
Suite In A Minor, BWV 818: Allemande
Suite In A Minor, BWV 818: Courante
Suite In A Minor, BWV 818: Sarabandes 1 & 2
Suite In A Minor, BWV 818: Gigue
Sonata In E Flat Major, K. 380 - L. 23
Sonata In B Flat Major, K. 570: 2. Adagio
From Iberia: Evocacion
Piano Playtime: No. 1: Waltz Of The Rainbow
Piano Playtime: No. 4: By The Brook
Piano Playtime: No. 5: Dancing Bagpipes
Piano Playtime: No. 6: Tricky Trumpet
Children's Corner: Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum
Children's Corner: Jimbo's Lullaby
Children's Corner: Serenade For The Doll
Children's Corner: The Snow Is Dancing
Children's Corner: The Little Shepherd
Children's Corner: Golliwog's Cakewalk
Toccata ostinato

Tracks:

Sonata In G Minor, Op. 19: Lento; Allegro moderato
Sonata In G Minor, Op. 19: Allegro scherzando
Sonata In G Minor, Op. 19: Andante
Sonata In G Minor, Op. 19: Allegro mosso; Meno mosso; Moderato; Piu vivo
Sonata In F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1: Allegro appassionato
Sonata In F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1: Andante un poco adagio
Sonata In F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1: Allegretto grazioso
Sonata In F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1: Vivace
Sonata In D Minor, No. 3, Op. 108: Allegro
Sonata In D Minor, No. 3, Op. 108: Adagio
Sonata In D Minor, No. 3, Op. 108: Un poco presto e con sentimento
Sonata In D Minor, No. 3, Op. 108: Presto agitato

Tracks:

Piano Sonata (1941): Molto moderato
Piano Sonata (1941): Vivace
Piano Sonata (1941): Andante sostenuto
Nocturne In E - Flat - Op 55, 2
Mazurka In C - Op 33, 3
Polonaise-Fantasie In A - Flat - Op 61
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Gnome
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Old Castle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks
Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg And Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Limoges - The Market
Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombs
Pictures At An Exhibition: Con mortuis In lingua Mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Hut On Fowl's Legs
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate At Kiev
No 1 - Kinderszenen: About Foreign Lands And People
Sonata In E (K 380) - L. 23

Tracks:

Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV. 828: Allemande (Beginning)
Sonata No. 10 In C Major, K. 330: 1. Allegro moderato (Beginning)
Sonata No. 3 In B Minor, Op. 58: 1. Allegro maestoso (Beginning)
Sonata No. 3 In B Minor, Op. 58: 3. Largo
Mazurka In A Flat Major, Op. 17, No. 3
Sonata No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 108: 2. Adagio
No. 4, Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Interview With William Kapell

Amazon.com essential recording

Blessed with transcendent technique and an affinity for big, bold Romantic works, William Kapell has been hailed as America's greatest homegrown pianist. This comprehensive collection of his complete recorded output, previously unreleased recordings, and broadcast tapes adds luster to a reputation that's become legendary since his tragic death in a plane crash at age 31. The earliest recordings, from the mid-1940s, bristle with raw energy and virtuosic flourishes tempered by an innate musicality that rises above mere display.

The disc coupling Khachaturian and Prokofiev concertos is charged with excitement; the Rachmaninoff pairing of the Paganini Variations and the Concerto No. 2 weds the Grand Romantic style to poetic lyricism; and an inspired Liszt group is charged with dynamic energy. Best may be the two Chopin discs: spontaneous, rhythmically flexible sonatas and mazurkas. The later recordings demonstrate the repose that comes with artistic maturity, and the "live" broadcasts reveal Kapell's warmth and spontaneity in concert. Splendid transfers help make this long-awaited set appealing to music lovers in general, as well as piano buffs. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Very touched.......2006-09-24

I wrote my doctoral dissertation on William Kapell (we share the same school, and my teacher was a student of his), and to still see the outpouring of admiration and love for Kapell's art is still very moving for me.

In Memorium.......2005-10-29

I heard William Kapell play the Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini with the fledgling Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in the late 1940's or very early 1950's. My only memory of the occasion is that I was enthralled. Kapell has held me in thrall ever since.

A few years later, in the middle 50's, I bought Kapell's recording of the same work, with Fritz Reiner and the Robin Hood Dell Orchestra (alias of The Philadelphia Orchestra). I still have that LP, though I wore it out long ago. It was the beginning of my musical education. But since 1998, we have had this wonderful box of reissues from the vaults of RCA. The sound is mostly excellent, considering the age of the monophonic originals. To this day, Kapell's Rachmaninov Rhapsody remains-in my opinion-the most impassioned, yet the most musical, reading of the piece ever recorded. No one had, or has, Kapell's combination of white-hot temperament, technical brilliance, and musical insight. We have had musical geniuses; technical wizards abound. It is the combination of these gifts, as Kapell possessed them in particular, married to his incendiary passion, that made him unique.

He was still learning, and he was learning at such an astounding rate! He had moved from Khachaturian to the most unforgettable Chopin B minor Sonata ever recorded in little more than a decade. His deep throated, noble, and articulate Bach has caused some to speculate that Glenn Gould might have found his inspiration in Kapell. One Gould biographer, and a New York critic, wrote that the reverse was true. The critic acknowledged the error, in print, noting that Kapell could not have been influenced by Gould's style since he had been dead for two years by the time of Gould's debut recital in New York City in 1955.

The lyrical side of romantic music is not what Kapell was or is known for, not his "style" as people remember him now. But listening to the lyrical music in this set shows a side of him that was, nevertheless, as real as any, and perhaps more revealing. It also gives us a notion of what we might have expected of William Kapell had he lived a normal span of years and played a normal variety of music. In a live performance, he plays Chopin's Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 1, with melting legato and exquisite timing: his innate sense about when to tug on the beat and when to surge forward makes the music breathe. His use of dynamic variety demands the greatest respect: at one point, the repetition of a melodic phrase is but a pale echo of its first statement. His tonal palette is no less wondrous. When a deep bass note suddenly appears, early in the A section of the ABA structure, it sounds-not loud nor quiet, not muffled nor distinct-but awesomely subterranean. Kapell begins the piece without much sustaining pedal, but in the B section, he subtly adds more and more. Then, when the A section returns near the end, the pedal disappears. This dramatic change in color-along with Chopin's change of key-seems like the parting of clouds. We are in the hands of two masters here, Chopin and Kapell. Kapell gave this performance in Carnegie Hall in February of 1945, when he was twenty-two years old.

In the Bach and Chopin works I've discussed, the steely, percussive tone that some speak of is nowhere to be heard. Rather, we hear a full, rich, and complex piano tone. In the Chopin Sonatas, the Debussy pieces, and the Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Debussy, and Albeniz, the sound Kapell produces is beautiful and varied.

He was a chamber musician of the first order, as his collaborations with Heifetz prove. (He was one of the very few musicians who had the force of personality to make Heifetz accompany HIM. And you can hear it.) And if you've never heard Rachmaninov's great Cello Sonata, played here with the grand Russian/German cellist Edmund Kurtz, you're in for a treat. There are several fine, modern stereo recordings, but this one is special. The piano part is very important-Rachmaninov did write it, after all-and Kapell is magnificent. This was Rachmaninov's next published work after the 2nd Piano Concerto, to give you an idea of its melodic grandeur. If there is a flaw here, it is that the piano is recorded too far back, relative to the cello.

Kapell died on October 30, 1953. He had just turned thirty-three. He played his last recital in Geelong, Australia, on the 22nd. It included the Chopin 2nd Piano Sonata which contains the well-known "Marche funèbre." That performance is included here, transferred from the original acetates. It is a great performance but very hard to listen to now, in light of what was to follow just over a week later. I am writing this one day short of the 52nd anniversary of Kapell's death. Had he lived until today, he would be younger than either Earl Wild or Ivan Moravec, both of whom are still making magnificent music. For those of us who love William Kapell's music, it is heartbreaking to consider, and fruitless. Thank Heaven we have recordings like the ones in this set. They are essential for any lover of good music.

John Pendley

Priceless Souvenirs from a Rare Genius: Ave Atque Vale.......2005-10-28

During the last century we have had many tragic losses in the arts, often affecting men and women who are at the peak of their careers, shimmering with excellence, only to be silenced by death and all too often, by accidental death. The names of Anton Webern, Fritz Wunderlich, WG Sebald, Sylvia Plath, Dinu Lipatti, and so many others arise, but none as tragic as the death of William Kapell in 1953.

William Kapell is still considered by most as the America's greatest pianist, even fifty odd years after his death at the age of 31 in a plane crash. Those who heard him perform still rhapsodize over the magic he created. Those of us who are left with only recordings, such as this spectacular boxed set of all of his recordings, can only be uplifted by the man's genius, his extraordinary technical facility, and his intuitive, profound approach to the great works of music.

All styles of music were easily accessible to Kapell. Listen to the Mozart, Bach, Scarlatti, Paganini and Mendelssohn and try to imagine performances of more clarity and finesse than these. His Chopin is well represented in this set and glows with the uncanny power and tenderness that Chopin combined in his works. His works for solo piano by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich are the gold standard, and yet his Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Mussorgsky and Liszt raise the bar for excellence that has since not been excelled. Joyously this set includes concerti including Prokofiev, Beethoven, Khachaturian, and Rachmaninov with the various conductors who saw Kapell's gifts and championed them.

The memory of this great artist is felt throughout the year, but never as acutely as on October 29th which marks the date of his cruel death. The world was brightened for too short a time by William Kapell, yet because of his recorded legacy his legend lives on. This is an impossibly fine box set of treasures. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

Poetry without words.......2004-12-14

In listening ot this collection, I think of the other 20th century pianistic genius who died tragically young: Dinu Lipatti (d. 1950). Both men excelled at Chopin but each had a thoroughly individual sound. In addition to Chopin, the Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev are especially fine. Highly recommended.

What Is Technically Difficult Is Not Always Pleasant To Hear.......2004-10-02

Piano enthusiasts might find this set incredible, but I prefer my music to be pleasant. Consider your tastes before buying.

Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky: Aurora's Wedding

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Enchanting Sleeping Beauty and fun transcriptions

Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky: Aurora's Wedding

Manufacturer: Cala
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Casino Royale (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005COVL
Release Date: 2006-11-20

Customer Reviews:

Enchanting Sleeping Beauty and fun transcriptions.......2006-10-03

This is taken from Stoky's final recordings. It was made for CBS in 1976. Even though Stoky already recorded some of the Sleeping Beauty segments for Decca, this one has twice as many scenes. The ones for Decca was barely a handful, so we should be thankful he recorded Aurora's Wedding. The playing is suberb and the sound is wonderful. So nice and natural. Stoky is impassioned and the strings glimmer with wonderful sonorities. The transciptions are short encore pieces that show Stoky's creativitiy when it comes to transcribing piano works for orchestra. Very enjoyable disc!

Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain / Albeniz: Iberia

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First Rate!
Pride Of Spain

Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain / Albeniz: Iberia

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Martha Argerich: Live from the Concertgebouw, 1978 & 1992

ASIN: B000005E67
Release Date: 1992-02-03

Tracks:

Nights in the Gardens of Spain: En el Generalife: Allegretto tranquillo e misterioso
Nights in the Gardens of Spain: Dansa lejana
Iberia: Iberia, Evocation
Iberia: El Puerto
Iberia: El Albaicin
Iberia: Iberia, Fete - Dieu a Seville
Iberia: Triana

Customer Reviews:

First Rate!.......2005-01-04

Being a rabid Martha Argerich fan, I was attracted to this CD when
Reiner's masterful recording of Falla's "El Amor Brujo" kindled my interest in Falla's music. What could be better? Two of Argentina's leading musicians lending their talents to Falla's music. Was I in for surprises!
This recording is nowhere near as romantic as the Laroccha or Rubinstein versions which have become the industry standards. Instead, what we have here is a drier, more sober approach which seeks to get at the core of Falla's music first, and only then at the impressions behind it. Here we hear a totally different aspect of Argerich's artistry. Instead of the firey temperment and mind-boggling virtuousity one usually associates with her playing, she forms a rather classical conception of the piece with conductor Barenboim, which is dead-on-the-mark at every turn. Despite its constant brilliance, there is never anything showy in Martha's playing here. It's all right to the point, and the more you listen to it, the more you fall in love with this piece. "Nights In the Gardens of Spain" is NOT a piano concerto: it is an orchestral piece with a major part for solo piano, and that's the way Argerich and Barenboim play it. They allow the genius of Falla's composition to emerge on its own terms. Only then, do we see the visual splendors, hear the birdsongs, smell the aromas and feel the repose of the gardens. As with her handling of Ravel's piano music, Argerich's playing of her part here is assured and instinctively right throughout. Rather than give you HER impressions of "Nights In the Gardens of Spain," she allows you to develop your own. It's a very subtle artistry.
This is also the first recording I've heard in which Daniel Barenboim's conducting impressed me as much as his piano playing has. His insight into both the Falla and Albeniz pieces are equally astounding. His ear for orchestral detail and his ability to assign the correct weight to each one is crucial to the performance of both these pieces, and he never fails to get things right.
Leave your preconceptions about this music and the artists at the door, and allow them to ASTOUND you. Simply WONDERFUL!

Pride Of Spain.......2000-12-11

Along with Rodrigo's "Concerto de Aranjuez," Falla's "Nights In The Garden Of Spain" and Albeniz's "Iberia" have to be three of those most beloved orchestral works in the Spanish classical canon. This CD, with Daniel Barenboim conducting the Orchestre De Paris and featuring Martha Argerich on piano, couples these two major statements of Spanish nationalism. The performances on, and the sound of, this live recording are phenomenal. Martha Argerich's playing is first rate, and who better to partner with than Barenboim, a virtuoso pianist in his own right. There are other classic performances of these pieces available (Rubinstein & Reiner's "Nights" on RCA Living Stereo comes to mind), but surely none are better than this title.

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Piano Fantasy: Music for Two Pianos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008CLIF
Release Date: 2003-10-14

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Stokowski Encores

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Stokowski's Symphonic Baroque
Stokowski's Mussorgsky

ASIN: B000000AWD
Release Date: 1995-04-18

Tracks:

Overture In D Minor
Sonata Pian E Forte
Trumpet Prelude
Air
Turkish March
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio
Serenade
Panis Angelicus
Marche Funebre
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
In The Manger
United Nations March
Andante Cantabile
Festival In Seville
The Stars And Stripes Forever

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Rubinstein's Love Affair with Spain
Rubinstein Topples de Larrocha
Rubinstein "Speaks" Spanish Without an Accent

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 18

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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ASIN: B000031WBO
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Andaluza: Danza espanola No. 5 In E Minor
The Three-Cornered Hat: Miller's Dance
Cordoba, Op. 232, No. 4
Goyescas, No. 4: The Maiden And The Nightingale
Cancon i dansa No. I
Pieces espagnoles, No. 4: Andaluza
Iberia, No. I: Evocacion
Navarra (Completed By Severac)
Suite espanola, No. 3: Sevillanas
El Amor Brujo: Dance Of Terror
Cancon i dansa No. 6
Nights in the Gardens of Spain: En el Generalife
Nights in the Gardens of Spain: Danza lejana
Nights in the Gardens of Spain: En los jardines de la Sierra de Cordoba
El Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance

Customer Reviews:

Rubinstein's Love Affair with Spain.......2006-09-06

Arthur Rubinstein was from the earliest days of his long fabled career a proponent of the music of Spain. Whether in that extraordinary follow-up to the protean display pieces of Liszt, Albeniz's Iberia, or the memorable lyrical passages of the ill-fated Granados, Rubinstein's way with this music stood out in that bygone era of legendary virtuosi. (Of note - Granados tragically was killed trying in vain to rescue his wife following a U-boat attack on their return to Barcelona following the succesful 1916 Met premiere of his opera Goyescas. His success was so great in America he even played at the White House for President Wilson. The CD has one selection from Goyescas, the famous "The Maiden and the Nightingale" in a wonderfully evocative performance by Rubinstein.)
At the same time as the Goyescas' Met premiere the young Artur Rubinstein was traveling across the breadth of the Iberian peninsula, giving over a hundred concerts between 1916 and 1917. Rubinstein became friends with the Albeniz family. (The composer had died in 1909.) He became a huge public favorite and was feted far and wide in Spain, including by the Spanish Royal family. Throughout his life he kept a home in Spain in that extraodinary Costa del Sol cityscape that is Marbella. Rubinstein's appreciation for Spain and Spanish music was unparalled among any other non-Spanish performers of the last century.
This selection was made according to the back cover between 1947 and 1955, but actually, as one reviewer correctly noted, the earliest recording, Navarra from Iberia, was made earlier, in June of 1941. The remainder are from 1947 or later. The performance of the delightful Spanish piano concerto, De Falla's Noches en los Jardins de Espana, captures Rubinstein at the peak of his career - his later stereo performance lacks the froth, sparkle and genuine magic given off in this version. The piano sounds wonderful and has been superbly restored in this issue. The only downside to this CD is that it represents most of the Spanish music Rubinstein recorded.
If you thought Rubinstein simply meant Chopin then this CD will certainly be a revelation. Some of the greatest Spanish piano music played by one of its greatest interpretators. Highest possible recomendation!
P.S. When a customer searches for this title why does Amazon insist on listing an old no longer available CD of this RCA CD and not this much more recent and in stock remastering? This version has a drawing of Rubinstein by Picasso.

Rubinstein Topples de Larrocha.......2001-02-10

Dear Readers, Rubinstein does not deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with de Larrocha. The fact is that he "LOVED" Spanish music and de Larrocha made her career on it. It's very beautiful what she does, but Rubinstein goes to the heart everytime. You'll get a glimpse of this if you compare the two. They are in very different zones.

Rubinstein "Speaks" Spanish Without an Accent.......2001-01-02

After Alicia De Larrocha, Arthur Rubinstein was the 20th century's greatest exponent of Spanish piano music. On his first tour of Spain, in 1915, the Polish pianist fell in love with the country--its food, wine, women, and music. The love was mutual. Spain took Rubinstein to heart and became friends with some of the composers featured on this CD. Critical reactions to Rubinstein's performances of Spanish music were ecstatic--many musicians remakring that he played Spanish music "without an accent," i.e., like a born Spaniard.

The performances on this CD were recorded from 1941-1955. Every track on this disc demonstrates what the critics in Spain were writing at the time, Rubinstein had a natural feel for this repertoire that defies born nationality. Particularly effective are the Albeniz and Falla selections.

It is a pity that Rubinstein was not persuaded to re-record all of these works in stereo (there are stereo versions of Falla's Fire Dance, Nights in the Gardens of Spain, and Albeniz' Navarra), as there are those closed-minded individuals who will refuse to buy this CD simply because the recordings featured on it are monaural. The loss is theirs.

The sound has been superbly remastered.

Track Listings: