Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 3, & 5

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bronfman's performance of the popular Third Concerto has an easy songfulness that sits very nicely alongside the many bravura passages, which he dispatches with aplomb. The First Concerto is a zippy little piece that is less than a quarter of an hour long, but is exhaustingly difficult. Prokofiev was himself a stellar pianist, and he wrote these taxing works for his personal use. By the time he came to write the sadly neglected Fifth Concerto, he was at the end of his life (he died on the same day as Stalin), but his melodic inspiration was still potent as ever. Bronfman never loses sight of the melody in the piles of notes, and Zubin Mehta accompanies faithfully. This is the set to own if you want good digital sound. --David Hurwitz

Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 3, & 5, Music, Sergey Prokofiev, Zubin Mehta, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Yefim Bronfman, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto, Piano Concerto
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 3, & 5
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • C'mon, baby light my fire.
  • A Perfect Prokofiev Pairing: Bronfman, Mehta, Israel Philharmonic
  • lackluster but well recorded
  • Brilliant imaginative performances!
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 3, & 5

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4/Overture, Op. 34
  2. Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3
  3. Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 4 & 6
  4. Bartók: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3
  5. Prokofiev:Piano Sonatas Nos. 7 & 8

ASIN: B0000028MF
Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

  1. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10: Allegro brioso
  2. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10: Meno mosso
  3. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10: Andante assai
  4. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10: Allegro scherzand
  5. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Andante - Allegro
  6. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  7. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  8. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  9. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  10. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  11. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  12. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Tema. Andantino - Var. 1-5 - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  13. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: Allegro ma non troppo
  14. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in G major, Op. 55: Allegro con brio
  15. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in G major, Op. 55: Moderato ben accentuat
  16. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in G major, Op. 55: Toccata. Allegro con f
  17. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in G major, Op. 55: Larghetto
  18. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in G major, Op. 55: Vivo

Amazon.com

Bronfman's performance of the popular Third Concerto has an easy songfulness that sits very nicely alongside the many bravura passages, which he dispatches with aplomb. The First Concerto is a zippy little piece that is less than a quarter of an hour long, but is exhaustingly difficult. Prokofiev was himself a stellar pianist, and he wrote these taxing works for his personal use. By the time he came to write the sadly neglected Fifth Concerto, he was at the end of his life (he died on the same day as Stalin), but his melodic inspiration was still potent as ever. Bronfman never loses sight of the melody in the piles of notes, and Zubin Mehta accompanies faithfully. This is the set to own if you want good digital sound. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars C'mon, baby light my fire........2006-10-16

Do you ever feel bored? Feel like you need some excitement in your life? Well, Just listen to the fire that Bronfman's interpretation of these concertos create. Listen to IPO's passion under Mehta's direction. Play this disc in your car if you're beginnning to feel at all tired. This CD is a "perfect package". I award five stars for musicianship, sound engineering, and the overall quality of the recording.

5 out of 5 stars A Perfect Prokofiev Pairing: Bronfman, Mehta, Israel Philharmonic.......2006-04-24

This is one of those recordings that should be placed in the Great Recordings category, not only because of the dazzling performances of these three popular Prokofiev piano concerti, but also because it represents the long respected friendships among the artists employed.

Aptly placed for a recording, Prokofiev's D-flat major concerto (#1) opens with a brief orchestral overture! Once the tone has been set by Mehta and forces, Bronfman enters with the technically brilliant display of the piano portion. This may be a brief work (less than 15 minutes in length) but it is a solid one in Bronfman's and Mehta's hands. There are moments of lyricism that suggest the inimitable melodies that haunt Prokofiev's later slow movements of his other concerti.

The very popular C major concerto (#3) is given a wholly Romantic approach here. Bronfman knows how to make the beautiful lines sing as well as making the finger-beating passages seem airborne. And much the same can be said of the G major (#5) concerto. Undoubtedly the most challenging of the five concerti, Bronfman and Mehta offer a solid and in control performance that is probably the most exciting one on records.

Together with the other CD that presents concertos #2 and #4 this union of Mehta and Bronfman and the Israel Philharmonic is one to be treasured. Here is Prokofiev with ?lan, style, and dexterity - and heart! Grady Harp, April 06

3 out of 5 stars lackluster but well recorded.......2004-04-17

i've admired bronfman's playing primarily through the beautiful series of chamber discs he recorded with mintz; against that standard these prokofiev concertos are a disappointment. the overall approach is surprisingly literal and metronomic, with a lack of lyrical fire or virtuosic ice, and tempos (especially in the outer movements) that are slower than usual. soloist and conductor seem to play in parallel rather than in close partnership. (it's as if bronfman and mehta were thrown into the studio without enough rehearsal time.) all the keyboard notes are perfectly in place, and the orchestral detail is exceptionally clear, but these are recordings better suited for studying the performance score than for encountering the full range of prokofiev's unique poetry.

5 out of 5 stars Brilliant imaginative performances!.......1999-08-05

I had the good fortune to see the pianist Yefim Bronfman twice in concert. When he played Prokofiev we could immediately sense his affection for this music, judging not only from colorful, lightning-fast passages and superb virtuosity he displayed on them, but also from his facial expression and body language. For him Prokofiev's music seems to go beyond its astonishing difficulty and into the surrealistic atmosphere and kaleidoscope of imagery. This album would have been worth its price for the Concerto No. 3 alone, yet Bronfman and Mehta treat us to "an evolution" of the composer, so to speak, by adding Nos. 1 & 5. No. 5 is something we don't hear often on record, yet it's truly amazing in terms of the dialogue between the orchestra and the piano. Indeed, the No. 5 was the deciding factor for purchasing this album because there's also a wonderful Kissin/Abbado collaboration on DG without it. Both CDs boast the greatest pianists and conductors of our time, so the decision was a tough one to make, but after listening to the superb moderato ben accentuato in No. 5, I was glad I got this album. You will be too.
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • An all-time great recording
  • Hard to avoid using the expression "The Best"
  • Great Performances, Indeed
  • Powerful Prokofieff!
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000F6YW1W
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

  1. Concerto No. 3 in C Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 26; I. Andante - Allegro
  2. Concerto No. 3 in C Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 26; II. Andantino (Tema con variazioni)
  3. Concerto No. 3 in C Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 26; III. Allegro ma non troppo
  4. Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 10; Allegro brioso - Poco piso - Tempo primo
  5. Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 10; Meno mosso
  6. Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 10; Andante assai
  7. Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 10; Allegro scherzando - Poco pitenuto
  8. Sonata No. 2 in D Minor for Piano, Op. 14; I. Allegro, ma non troppo
  9. Sonata No. 2 in D Minor for Piano, Op. 14; II. Scherzo. Allegro marcato
  10. Sonata No. 2 in D Minor for Piano, Op. 14; III. Andante
  11. Sonata No. 2 in D Minor for Piano, Op. 14; IV. Vivace
  12. Sonata No. 3 in A minor for Piano, Op. 28 "From Old Notebooks"

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An all-time great recording.......2007-02-26

I'm sometimes saddened by how quickly something good, sometimes even the very best, gets lost or is forgotten in this fast moving world. Have all those people who put Argerich first in this repertoire (mind you, her recording's a pretty fine choice!) even HEARD the to me (and many other Prokofiev lovers) obvious top three choices of his 3rd Piano Concerto, I usually wonder when I read reviews by Amazon customers and professional critics alike? They are and have been for a long time Byron Janis/Kyrill Kondrashin (1962) on Mercury, William Kapell/Leopold Stokowski (live in New York 1949) on Music & Arts, and this one. One might go into details over this and that, but then, I listen to all of these equally as often and wouldn't want to miss any (whereas I could do without that Argerich recording). Actually, there's a fourth recording I find deserves attention and which on the whole I even prefer to Kapell's RCA studio version with Dorati, the one by Julius Katchen/Istvan Kertesz (1968) on Decca. All of these recordings are so well-known to insiders and apparently so unknown to the public at large that I'm afraid I'm wasting my time typing these lines. I certainly wouldn't be without any of them, as they're the ones that have made my life richer.

As to the 1st Piano Concerto, there's no avoiding Sviatoslav Richter, tubby sound quality notwithstanding, but again, why not have this fine, better-sounding version in addition?

In short, get a copy before this again disappears in the vaults for decades. You won't regret it!

Greetings from Switzerland, David.

5 out of 5 stars Hard to avoid using the expression "The Best".......2006-08-13

Argerich's recording of the Third is touted as the one to own but for my money no one has ever come close to this pairing of Szell and Graffman. This is electric on every level and the recording of the First is no less a thing. What makes this release an absolute joy is the sound--now better than ever--and the reappearance of the original album cover art, which, for anyone who ever loved the original LP release, is just icing on a dang fine cake. The cherry on top is the inclusion of the two piano sonatas which are played magnificently.

This new series by Sony--already with the sensational Ormandy Mahler Tenth (at long last!) and Craft's recordings of Schoenberg (ditto!)--is shaping up to be a classical music-lovers big event!

5 out of 5 stars Great Performances, Indeed.......2006-07-08

These performances first appeared on LP during the 1960s. The Concertos and 3rd Sonata were reissued, first on LP and cassette, and later on CD, during the 1980s, as part of CBS's Great Performances reissue series. (Those of us past a certain age will remember our local record store bins filled with LPs that resembled newspaper front pages.) Sony has recently revamped its Great Performances series, and thrown in a few features from the Masterworks Heritage series that was begun in the 1990s - - original cover art and liner notes, and greater care with remastering.

Gary Graffman was one of the few aknowledged pupils of Vladimir Horowitz, and doubtless he worked on these pieces with the master. His First and Third Piano Concertos are authoritative and technically immaculate enough to make one regret he didn't record all five Concertos. One of the hallmarks of Graffman's playing is its clarity, so that Prokofiev's more dense configurations emerge with scintillating detail instead of mushiness. Szell, who touched Prokofiev only rarely (his Prokofiev Fifth Symphony is a must have) provides a dedicated accompaniment which serves as an object lesson in the difference between drive and haste.

The sound quality, particularly n the Concertos, is far superior to the earlier CD issue, and, of course, light years ahead of my old cassette tape. Going back to the original master tapes (the previous CD issue used the LP submasters, which were compressed and poorly mixed), the orchestral mix has been markedly improved and the dynamics have been opened up. The result is that you can hear many of the piano/orchestral interactions which were previously masked, and many of Prokofiev's harmonies are clarified. The improvement in the Sonatas is less obvious, and the sound remains dry, if a bit warmer.

This disc is a must for all Prokofiev enthusiasts.

5 out of 5 stars Powerful Prokofieff!.......2006-06-15

Gary Graffman recorded the two piano concertos included on this disk when he was 38 years of age - Szell was 69. With over a hundred years' experience between the two, these performances sound incredibly youthful, full of exuberance and energy.

Sony Classical has done a remarkable job remastering this recording - its age doesn't show at all. The smoothly executed (an oxymoron for these pieces?) orchestral performance is so amazing - the ensemble playing could not be bettered, as usual with the Szell/Cleveland combination.

If you don't have these concertos already in your collection, get this recording at once! If you do have these concertos...well, get this recording anyway...you won't be sorry!

The perfect match to this disk? Lorin Maazel's complete recording of Prokofieff's Romeo and Juliet, made with the same Cleveland forces. The Szell influence on the orchestra was still there, with the added bonus of Maazel's youthful enthusiasm! Enjoy!
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • almost five, but my fives are rare
  • Adequate, but not outstanding
  • This recording is good, but ...
  • For the Prokofiev fans.
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
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  3. Evgeny Kissin Plays Chopin
  4. The Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert
  5. Schumann: Piano Concerto

ASIN: B000001GM7
Release Date: 1994-11-22

Tracks:

  1. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In D Flat Major, Op. 10: Allegro brioso - Poco piu mosso - Tempo I - Meno mosso - Piu mosso (Tempo I) - Animato -
  2. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In D Flat Major, Op. 10: Andante assai - Allegro scherzando - Poco piu sostenuto -
  3. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In D Flat Major, Op. 10: Piu mosso - Animato
  4. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.3 In C Major, Op.26: 1.Andante - Allegro
  5. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.3 In C Major, Op.26: 2. Tema. Andantino - Variation I. L'istesso tempo - Var. II. Allegro - Var. III. Allegro moderato - Var. IV. Andantino meditativo - Var. V. Allegro giusto - Tema. L'istesso tempo
  6. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.3 In C Major, Op.26: 3. Allegro ma non troppo

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars almost five, but my fives are rare.......2005-03-11

first, this review is mostly for the 3rd. read the reviews for the argerich and abbado. i realize that both kissin and argerich are the types of artists to be condemned for choosing virtuosity over emotion, that is, cold skill over embellishment (there are pianists like this appearing once every five years or so: see mr. lang lang), but in this case (as with maybe possibly chopin and rach) with a composer like prokofiev, it works. for works of pure virtuosity without much leeway (see: mr. liszt, franz) players of this type are a perfect fit. i have the argerich (yes, i have mixed feelings about her) and she is not bad (in fact, her gaspard is nice, her ravel second only to...), but not anywhere near kissin.
kissin is crisp. i cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be crisp in the case of prokofiev (see mr. vengerov, maxim).
prokofiev nearly always makes me want to jump off my feet with his awesome finales, but in this case its especially fervent and ecstatic---if you can listen to this without wanting to jump up, then, hmmmph.
as a sidenote, i don't really like kissin that much (his schubert 960d is horrible); his chopin is alright for listening as a comparison to someone like rubinstein, but not worth much else. in this case, that shows, the worth of the 4 stars.
that's all. buy this cd for one of the great prokofiev 3's.

3 out of 5 stars Adequate, but not outstanding.......2003-11-17

This should have been much better, I'm sorry to say. Mr. Abbado is among the finest Prokofiev interpreters alive (witness his incredible Alexander Nevsky and his glorious reading of the 3rd piano concerto with Martha Argerich, for example), but his orchestral mastery and the excellent playing by the BPO fail to compensate for Kissin's uninvolved, and uninvolving, playing.

It is not without merit, mind you. I don't think I've ever heard finer precision in the orchestra on a Prokofiev 1st, particularly the strings in their many rapidly figured glissandi. This is a testament to the engineering as much as it is to the players and conductor. But what is supposed to be thrilling at the end of the concerto is only technical. What should be heart-poundingly exhilerating is merely ostentatious. It's as though Mr. Abbado's legendary attention to detail has bested his sense of drama. Although, the greater fault by far is Mr. Kissin's, who plays the concerto as though he's thinking about what he'll have for breakfast tomorrow. It's virtuosic, I suppose, but "played correctly" is not the same as "well-played." And neither comes close to "stunning."

The third suffers even more by this standard, particularly to my ears since I've long felt that it's the finest piano concerto composed in the 20th century. (I realize that's not a popular opinion.) Truly inspired readings cause me to quiver with excitement at the end, but this one simply comes to a stop. All the right notes? Yes, probably. But I, for one, would forgive a few errors if it meant someone's pulse was above 60. A lot of the tempi also seem quite tame, particularly when compared to the earlier Argerich recording.

If you're interested in finer recordings of these concertos, I whole-heartedly recommend the afore-mentioned Abbado/Argerich for the 3rd, as well as Argerich's partnering with Dutoit for both. Many people feel her later attempt at the third was less successful than her first, but I like them both for different reasons, and would very probably take both with me to any desert island.

I'd be more likely to leave this one behind on that island.

3 out of 5 stars This recording is good, but ..........1999-11-18

This recording is good but it lacks true capacity to get me excited. There are some passages in No 3 that should get the pianist first and then the listener very excited, and Mr Kissin does not impress me as anything other than technically sound but unfortunately very detached. Particularly the end bars. For true excitement he should listen to the late Terence Judd's live recording in Moscow, in the Chandos recording. Sorry. Mr Abbado, The Berliner and the 4D recording, on the other hand are superb.

5 out of 5 stars For the Prokofiev fans........1999-06-18

This recording has it all. Kissin is great in every way. The orchestra is brilliant under Abbado, lyrical, powerfull and the sound is colorfull and and clean. As a Prokofiev fan I can recommend this CD. This is my favorite recording of the 3rd.
Prokofiev/Bartok: Pf Concertos Nos. 1 & 3/ Pf Concerto No. 3
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Unsurpassed Emotional Shading
  • Martha Argerich...
  • argerich is amazing
  • Whoowhee.
  • A Marriage of Wizardry and Mysticism
Prokofiev/Bartok: Pf Concertos Nos. 1 & 3/ Pf Concerto No. 3
Sergey Prokofiev , Bela Bartok , Charles Dutoit , Martha Argerich , and Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000C2J8
Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

  1. Piano Concerto No.1 In D Flat, Op. 10: Allegro Brioso
  2. Piano Concerto No.1 In D Flat, Op. 10: Andante Assai
  3. Piano Concerto No.1 In D Flat, Op. 10: Allegro Scherzando
  4. Piano Concerto No.3, Sz. 119: Allegretto
  5. Piano Concerto No.3, Sz. 119: Allegro Religioso - (Poco Piso) - Tempo I
  6. Piano Concerto No.3, Sz. 119: Allegro Vivace - (Presto)
  7. Piano Concerto No.3 In C, Op.26: Andante - Allegro
  8. Piano Concerto No.3 In C, Op.26: Tema (Andantino) And Variations
  9. Piano Concerto No.3 In C, Op.26: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Meno Messo - Allegro

Amazon.com

Martha Argerich first recorded the Prokofiev Third Concerto in the late '60s. Her fiery, hair-trigger playing, abetted by Claudio Abbado's incisive support with the Berlin Philharmonic in top form, set new standards for this warhorse. No one's come close to topping her extraordinary achievement, not even Argerich herself in this remake with Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The recording quality, for one, is less well defined. Dutoit imparts less character to the orchestral tuttis than Abbado, and Argerich's fingerwork, remarkable by anyone else's standard, is a shade more casual (compare the extensive unison octave runs: stupefyingly perfect in the early version, brilliantly competent here.). By contrast, the pianist's scintillating, witty traversal of Prokofiev's brash First Concerto shines with youthful ardor. While one can easily admire the lyric fire she brings to Bartók's third Concerto, some of her agogic fussings pull focus from, rather than strengthen, the music's inherent classicism. Zoltán Koscis, András Schiff, and Annie Fischer (all Hungarian pianists, not uncoincidentally) imbue their phrasings with a more internalized, speech-like expression. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Unsurpassed Emotional Shading.......2006-06-16

Why is it that on long drives Piano Concerto No.1 is the piece that wins out among the CDs? Answer: Argerich's sublime shadings. This tightly-composed, wonderfully colored concerto gives Argerich the platform to alternate rapidly among boldness (her fingerwork needn't be defiant to be compelling), extraordinarily deft runs, episodes of darkness and reverie in turn and a well-paced close. For his part, Prokofiev deserves enormous credit for striking just the right balance between piano and orchestra, injecting appropriate touches of coloration without going overboard. And, in my opinion, Dutroit handles the balance between his soloist and his orchestra just fine. Truth be told, I haven't gotten around to listening to Concerto No.3 yet, so riveting is No.1.

Finally, thanks to the producers of NBC's late, lamented Sunday evening news program "First Camera", who had the audacity to use the opening of No.1 as their theme and made me want to hear more. "Sixty Minutes" ultimately buried the program but music lovers with no prior exposure to this wonderful work are the richer for it.

4 out of 5 stars Martha Argerich..........2005-07-26

After reading the other interview, I've decided to "chime-in" with my own, simple review. Ms. Argerich's playing is simply top-rate! The recording, well, it could have used a little work. That's why the four-stars. I paid for this disc. I'd pay (good money) to see Ms. Argerich "do her thing" even at this stage of her life/career.

4 out of 5 stars argerich is amazing.......2005-07-10

dutiot and argerich make a great team they blend very well together espesily in the 3rd concerto, very well played probeley the best 3rd iv every heard though i havent heard them all,though i still like argerich more when she was young but she still is a yellava pianist though her sound is more modern where as dutiot/montreal sound is more romantic but they still blend well together.decide for your self.i give it 4 stars mostly because of the sound,im glad they got john ducursly from london/label to do the engerniering for emi but the sound is kinda dark and a little blurry but wuy carp buy it for the preformence you wont regret it

5 out of 5 stars Whoowhee........2004-06-09

Ms. Argerich has always given a smashing Prokofiev and on this CD you get that, twice. I owned her recording of Prokofiev's Toccata in C Major, Opus 11, before I bought this CD. Stunning. She has turned me on to Prokofiev an unbelievable amount. She plays his music with ease, complete comprehension, complete technique. There is absolutely nothing lacking in these two concertos.
The Bartok concerto, however, is definitely deserved of my highest acclaim. This performance takes absolutely nothing away from the CD. In fact, it has become one of my favorite concertos, and given Argerich a spot as one of my favorite pianists. (She wasn't previously on the list for her distasteful recording of Brahms' G Minor Rhapsody).

5 out of 5. This was a very easy decision, and it should be the same for you to buy it.

5 out of 5 stars A Marriage of Wizardry and Mysticism.......2003-08-25

Martha Argerich has sustained a brilliant career and just seems to become more eloquent with the passing years, adding a rich mysticism to her volcanic energy. And what better concerti to demonstrate these approaches than those on this stunning CD: Prokofiev #1,3 and Bartok #3. Technical perfection would seem an unexplainable bedfellow with a pianist who has always stressed passion and comunication in her idiomatic performances both on the concert stage and on the recorded realm. But that is one of the reasons Argerich has reigned the keyboard for so long. Her ability to dash off the Prokofiev 3rd with such apparent ease allows her to serve the composer's brittle, biting cynicism while retaining the eloquence of the langorous second movement. Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Orchestra are fine companions, if not the sonic splendor source of other better orchestras. It simply works here. This is most definitely a "Desert Isle" must for the CD collection.
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5

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

    ConcertinosConcertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000000SEK
    Release Date: 1993-08-03

    Tracks:

    1. Pno Con No. 1 In D flat, op. 10 (Allegro brioso)
    2. Pno Con No. 1 In D flat, op. 10 (Andante assai)
    3. Pno Con No. 1 In D flat, op. 10 (Allegro scherzando)
    4. Pno Con No. 4 In B flat op. 53, Vivace
    5. Pno Con No. 4 In B flat op. 53, Andante
    6. Pno Con No. 4 In B flat op. 53, Moderato
    7. Pno Con No. 4 In B flat op. 53, Vivace
    8. Pno Con No. 5 In G op. 55, Allegro con brio
    9. Pno Con No. 5 In G op. 55, Moderato ben accentuato
    10. Pno Con No. 5 In G op. 55, Toccata: Allegro con fuoco
    11. Pno Con No. 5 In G op. 55, Larghetto
    12. Pno Con No. 5 In G op. 55, Vivo

    Tracks:

    1. Pno Con No. 2 in g op. 16, Andantino-Allegretto
    2. Pno Con No. 2 in g op. 16, Scherzo: Vivace
    3. Pno Con No. 2 in g op. 16, Intermezzo: Allegro moderato
    4. Pno Con No. 2 in g op. 16, Finale: Allegro tempestoso
    5. Pno Con No. 3 in C op. 26, Andante-Allegro
    6. Pno Con No. 3 in C op. 26, Theme and Variations: Andantino
    7. Pno Con No. 3 in C op. 26, Allegro, ma non tropo
    Prokofieff: Piano Concertos Nos 1&3, Etc.
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Prokofieff: Piano Concertos Nos 1&3, Etc.
      Prokofiev
      Manufacturer: Musical Heritage Society
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD
      ASIN: B000BUGDCS

      Product Description

      Prokofieff piano concertos nos 1&3 and Bartok's piano concerto no. 3
      Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3

        Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B00008G00M
        Release Date: 1994-08-22
        Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Some of Prokofiev's Best works....on one CD.
        • Insane Brutality
        Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
        Sergey Prokofiev , Vladimir Krainev , Dmitri Kitaenko , and Radio Sinfonie Orchesster Frankfurt
        Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        ConcertinosConcertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B000026F64
        Release Date: 2001-08-21

        Tracks:

        1. Pno Con No.1 in D flat, Op.10: (Allegro Brioso)
        2. Pno Con No.1 in D flat, Op.10: (Andante Assai)
        3. Pno Con No.1 in D flat, Op.10: (Allegro Scherzando)
        4. Pno Con No.4 in B flat, Op.53: Vivace
        5. Pno Con No.4 in B flat, Op.53: Andante
        6. Pno Con No.4 in B flat, Op.53: Moderato
        7. Pno Con No.4 in B flat, Op.53: Vivace
        8. Pno Con No.5 in G, Op.55: Allegro Con Brio
        9. Pno Con No.5 in G, Op.55: Moderato Ben Accentuato
        10. Pno Con No.5 in G, Op.55: Toccata: Allegro Con Fuoco
        11. Pno Con No.5 in G, Op.55: Larghetto
        12. Pno Con No.5 in G, Op.55: Vivo

        Tracks:

        1. Pno Con No.2 in g, Op.16: Andantino/Allegretto
        2. Pno Con No.2 in g, Op.16: Scherzo: Vivace
        3. Pno Con No.2 in g, Op.16: Intermezzo: Allegro Moderato
        4. Pno Con No.2 in g, Op.16: Finale: Allegro Tempestoso
        5. Pno Con No.3 in C, Op.26: Andante/Allegro
        6. Pno Con No.3 in C, Op.26: Theme And Vars: Andantino
        7. Pno Con No.3 in C, Op.26: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Some of Prokofiev's Best works....on one CD........2003-04-09

        This CD contains some of the composer's best works all compiled on a single CD compilation.

        The First piano concerto personofies a work of a brillent and complex mind, with a vast array of instruments, some of which are not heard very often.

        The other works, while excellent, in their own rights, don't make the same impression, as the first concerto does.

        5 out of 5 stars Insane Brutality.......2002-05-29

        I don't listen to the first disk much at all. With Prok's 2nd and 3rd both on one disk, who would? Krainev is quite an incredible player. In listening to the piano solo in part one of the 2nd Concerto, you have to just sit there and think... "Could it be that Prokofiev had an undiagnosed case of manic depression or bipolar disorder?" The piece is so obviously and vulnerably dismal and distraught, like nothing else I've heard. I'm sure since I've bought this album I've listened to it at least once a day, and I have ordered the sheet music for it. During the 2nd's solo you could swear there MUST be at least three people at the keys in order to punch out all of those octaves and simultaneously make the runs. This is a performance that should have been video recorded for DVD. The 3rd is almost as exciting. The pace is very appropriately quicker than most. One thing that does annoy me is the below medium level of stable volume and yet a very quick rush to "fortississimo" decays back to that low volume again, almost like starting building a wall and then taking all of the bricks down, not leaving anything left to build on (metaphorically speaking). The ending of the 3rd's 2nd part... could have a little more spunk if he hammered that last chord like Van CLiburn. The orchestra sweeps in, ends in a major scale, then almost like a final "#uck You," Van Cliburn punched out that final minor... Krainev's was quiet... I didn't appreciate that. Oh well. Nevertheless, this album is far beyond psychotic beauty.
        Scientific Dream & a French Kiss
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • The great Dagmar Krause
        • Correct me if I'm wrong, Dagmar
        • New experimentaal territory for Krause
        Scientific Dream & a French Kiss

        Manufacturer: Resurgence UK
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by HerrmannAll Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by MahlerAll Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Ravel, MauriceRavel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by RachmaninovAll Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        ConcertinosConcertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        RomanticRomantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        ElectronicElectronic | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music | Computer
        GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
        PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
        Progressive RockProgressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
        Movie ScoresMovie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
        Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
        RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B00000GX01
        Release Date: 1999-02-09

        Tracks:

        1. A Scientific Dream And A French Kiss
        2. Promise
        3. Through My Satellite
        4. Among His Books
        5. Heaven Survives
        6. Seven
        7. Wake Up, Angel
        8. Bologna: Dear You
        9. Your Star
        10. I Hope I'm Wrong
        11. The Important Song
        12. Piazza Navona

        Customer Reviews:

        3 out of 5 stars The great Dagmar Krause.......2003-01-31

        There is really no other voice like Dagmar Krause. Actually, I would hazard to guess there is really no other person like Dagmar Krause. She is utterly unique. Her work with the Art Bears (Fred Frith/Chris Culter)was darn near perfection. She can go from startling sweet to startling alarming in a mili-second. Imagine a German "chanteuse" ala Marlene Dietrich performing in a smoky Berlin club, but instead of the music being Kurt Weill it is British avante garde with "prepared" guitar and "found" percussion. I may be over exaggerating, but you get the drift. Marvelous stuff. "A Scientific Dream and a French Kiss" carries on with Dagmar's appreciation of the sublime and avante garde. Her cohort Marie Goyette lays a bed of sampled classical snippets, making amazing song structures in which Dagmar lends her unique talents. The results are surprisingly diverse and oftentimes humourous, Dagmar relying on a kind of "stream of consciousness" reading of lyrics and poetry. Highlights for me are "Through My Satellite", "Piazza Navone" and "Your Star", a heart-wrencher if ever there was one. Practically worth the CD alone.

        5 out of 5 stars Correct me if I'm wrong, Dagmar.......1999-10-11

        it's worth about $100 for the amazing music. Dagmar's voice should be prescribed in place of anti-depressants. It's different, very different from anything she's done before, but god it's amazing!

        4 out of 5 stars New experimentaal territory for Krause.......1999-05-07

        This is a new departure for the gorgeously talented (and gorgeously voiced) Dagmar Krause. Working with Frenchwoman Marie Goyette, who proves a genius at sampling, she has utilised parts of mostly classical pieces (including, for example, Prokofiev's 'Children's Guide to the Orchestra') to create a wonderland. You think you know the music backwards - then there's a change of sample, Goyette moves the boundaries and you are suddenly swept off into a new land. Meanwhile, Krause has written lyrics that play with and often subvert the meaning of the original orchestral works - with lovely touches of humour and even sections of dialogue between her and Goyette. I was unsure of this technique when I first heard it, but now, a month or more after receiving the CD, I love it - more and more each time I hear it. Except while being angrily haranged by Dagmar at a benefit concert for the miners in London, I've found her wonderfully focussed, one of the most aware and confrontational of artists, and often a lot of fun as well. Lots of people miss the fun - but I live by the Emma Goldman line 'if I can't dance I don't want to be part of your revolution'. This is lovely - as well as totally new (Of course, I may have missed some intermediary work, since I haven't had access to her work for several years). Order it now from amazon.com -

        Track Listings:

        1. Psallite!-Renaissance Christmas
        2. Quantz: Concertos for Flute in G Major, C Major, G Minor & D Major [Import]
        3. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Beatles [Import]
        4. Schnabel: Trio & Duo; Brahms: Chamber Music / Szigeti, et al
        5. SCHUBERT: Mass No. 6 in E Flat Major D950 - Munich Motet Chorus - Munich Symphony - Siemens
        6. SCHUBERT: "Trout" Der Hurt Nash Ensemble Felicity Lott
        7. Schubert: Works for violin & piano
        8. Schumann: Piano Concerto in Am Op54; Chopin: Concerto for piano in Fm
        9. Solo Piano-Music for Ballet Class
        10. Song of Nostalgia

        Track Listings

        track listings

        Track Listings

        At His Best [Import]

        Domenico Scarlatti: Sacred Choral Works

        bill88.com Music: A Bothered Mind

        Artistry in Paris

        Folktales

        Funkyworld: The Best of Lipps, Inc.

        Doris Day's Sentimental Journey/Latin for Lovers

        Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Complete Music for Cello and Piano

        Incesticide [Import]

        De Fossa: Trois Quatuors, Op. 19

        Footprints

        Con Arena Nueva

        De Cuba Traigo Sabor

        Jumpin' Rhythm and Blues

        Cool Blues