Skryabin: Piano Music

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Collectors of piano rarities will welcome EMI's two-fer reissue of the late John Ogdon's complete Scriabin sonata cycle, filled out with sundry short works. Whether in his earlier Chopin-influenced compositions or the cryptic later sonatas, Scriabin's notey, coruscating idiom poses no problems for Ogdon's ravenous pianism. His sober, levelheaded treatments, though, take little heed of Scriabin's sensuality, lacking the animal abandon and dynamic contrasts Richter, Horowitz, and Sofronitsky bring to this music. Part of the problem lies with unresonant sonics, and a piano whose registral extremes fail to sing. --Jed Distler

Tracks:

Praeludium and Allegro (in the style of Pugnani)
Habanera, Op. 21, No. 2
Cantabile
Kaleidoscope: Orientale, Op. 50, No. 9
Oberek, No. 2
Salut d'Amour
Miniature Viennese March
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 10 - Moderator non tropp
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 15 - Allegretto
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 16 - Andantino
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 24 - Allegretto
Chanson de matin, Op. 15, No. 2
Introduction et Tarentelle
Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op. 46, No. 2 (B 170)
The Love For Three Oranges: March
Souvenir d'un lieu cher: Melodie, Op. 42, No. 3
Mythes, Op. 30: La FOntaine d'Arethuse
Syncopation
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melodie ('Dance Of The Blessed Spirits')
Berceuse, Op. 16
Etude in Thirds, Op. 8, No. 10
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Dance With Sticks - Allegro moderato
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Waistband Dance - Allegro
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Stamping Dance - Andante
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Hornpipe Dance - Molto moderato
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Romanian Polka - Allegro
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Quick Dance - Allegro
Reve d'enfant, Op. 14

Customer Reviews:

A+.......2007-05-10

To say that I love this disc would be an understatement. I have probably listened to it 500 times. To comment on just a few of the tracks...
The "Praeludium and Allegro" is definitely the best recording anyone (except maybe Kreisler!) has ever done. The praeludium, which is almost all quarter notes, is often just blindly sawed out. Midori treats each note individually. The allegro is also nice - not rushed at all. The staggeringly difficult Skryabin-Szigeti "Etude in Thirds" tossed off with impeccable technique and spotless intonation. Sarasate's "Habanera" sparkles with a decisive 'Spanish' flavor. Elgar's "Chanson de Matin" is just plain beautiful. Also nice are inclusions of some numbers not heard hardly ever, including Bacewicz's "Oberek #2" mazurka and the Shostakovich preludes. Robert McDonald, definitely one of the best, is the able pianist for all the numbers.

Even for a trained jazz musician who thinks classical artists are overhyped, this stands out as one of the best albums........2007-04-11

Let's be honest--any kid with a violin who ever set foot in a conservatory thinks (s)he's a prodigy, the next Mehta or Yo Yo Ma, while they play the same old tired music everyone else plays, exactly as the greats play it, with hardly a shred of originality that doesn't arise out of an inability to replicate the 'masters' as well as their CD players (and that goes for jazz musicians too, but they don't get as snobby about it). The musicians who are truly great don't have any sort of attitude about their playing or their music--they just play, and they play anything, and it's great.

Midori has been one such great artist from early on. She simply had the knack. You would still want to listen to her if she was half as skilled. Every decent musician practices assiduously, seeks out the best people to learn from, makes sacrifices in life just for the chance to play for a living (even weddings and strip clubs if need be), but few have 'the knack.'

I don't know if Midori has a similar story, nor does it really matter in terms of actually making music. I know her parents moved from Osaka to the States with her when she was about ten just so she could pursue her potential--as all great students have great parents. I'm sure she didn't just pop out of the womb playing violin. But, like I wrote above, she's got the knack that you can't get through practice or training. She's just plain great.

Yes, I'm bored by classical music in general. I like 'good' music regardless of style though, and this album is so far beyond good that it belongs in whatever collection of immortal artist you may have--say: Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Shaka Khan, Luther Vandross, and--even if you have no other classical music in your collection--Midori.

Fantastic.......2006-08-11

Midori produces some amazing sounds out of her violin!
You cant go wrong with Encore! Shes brilliant.

Enjoyable listening.......2005-09-24

I enjoyed this cd especially the first three pieces. Midori played Sarasate and Paganini pretty well.

very interesting.......2005-09-13

I as watching (and listening!) her play live in Dubrovnik this summer. In this record she is equally brilliant as she is when playing live!

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite; Skryabin: Le Poème de l'extase

Average customer rating:

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite; Skryabin: Le Poème de l'extase

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade: Gnome - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade: The old castle - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: Bydio - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade: Ballet of the unhatched chicks - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg & Schmuyle - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: Catacombs - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: The hut on fowl's legs - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Pictures at an Exhibition: The Great Gate of Kiev - Leopold Stokowski/New Philharmonia Orch
Le Poeme de i'extase, op.54 - Leopold Stokowski/Czech PO
Pastorale - Neville Taweel/Derek Wickens/Leonard Brain/Thomas Kelly/John Price
The Firebird-Suite: Introduction - Leopold Stokowski/LSO
The Firebird-Suite: Dance of the Firebird - Leopold Stokowski/LSO
The Firebird-Suite: Round dance of the Princesses - Leopold Stokowski/LSO
The Firebird-Suite: Infernal dance of King Kastchei - Leopold Stokowski/LSO
The Firebird-Suite: Lullaby - Leopold Stokowski/LSO
The Firebird-Suite: Finale - Leopold Stokowski/LSO

Amazon.com

Leopold Stokowski's own orchestration of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is not as accomplished as Ravel's more famous one, but he conducts it like the music has no business sounding any other way, and it's an extraordinary sonic experience in any event. In fact, Stokowski's arrangement have turned out to be so effective that they're actually being played and recorded by other conductors now. So there! As for the remainder of the program, the "Poem of Ecstasy" already sounds like a Stokowski transcription anyway--he simply owned the piece- -while the "Firebird" has a lot more Romantic sheen than it usually does. A great memento of one of music's true originals. --David Hurwitz

Average customer rating:

One of his best
Brilliant but lots of eccentricities
Horowitz at his most masterful and tasteful
Still Unequaled
A monumental

Late Russian Romantics
Alexander Nikolayevich Skryabin , Nikolay Medtner , Sergey Rachmaninov , Vladimir Horowitz , and Alexander Scriabin
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

Vladimir Horowitz, The Complete Masterworks Recordings 1962-1973, Volume VII: Early Romantics
Horowitz Plays Scriabin
The Complete Masterworks Recordings, Vol. 4: The Legendary 1968 TV Concert
Horowitz: A Baroque & Classical Recital
Vladimir Horowitz, Complete Masterworks Recordings 1962-1973, Vol. I: The Studio Recordings 1962-63

ASIN: B00000290I
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

Alexander Scriabin: Feuillet d'album in E-flat major, Op. 45 No.1, Andante piacevole
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in F-sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 2
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in B-flat minor, Op.8 No. 11
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in D-flat major, Op. 8 No. 8
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in F-sharp major, Op. 42 No.3
Alexander Scriabin: etude in F-sharp major, Op. 42 No. 3
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in F-sharp major, Op. 42 No.4
Alexander Scriabin: Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 42 No. 5
Alexander Scriabin: Etude, Op.65 No.3
Alexander Scriabin: 2 Poemes, Op. 69, No. 1 - Allegretto
Alexander Scriabin: 2 Poemes, Op. 69, No. 2 - Allegretto
Alexander Scriabin: Vers la flamme (poeme), Op. 72
Alexander Scriabin: Feuillet d'album, Op.58
Nicolai Medtner: Fairy Tale in A major, Op. 51 No.3
Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Prelude in G-sharp minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Moment musical in B minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Etude- Tableau in E- flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: etude- Tableau in E-flat minor
Sergei Rachmaninov: Etude- Tableau in D major

Amazon.com essential recording

Russian composers brought playing from Horowitz that was invariably involved and riveting. He was personally close to Rachmaninoff and commands the sprawling B-flat Minor Sonata as few others have done. It's a conflation of the composer's 1914 original and Horowitz's 1931 alterations. Elsewhere on the disc, the Medtner Fairy Tale is a delightful romp, and Scriabin's often impenetrable mysticism is set forth with appropriately Russian brooding. Here, and in the Rachmaninoff études-tableaux, Horowitz's delicacy and power argue convincingly for music that lies close to his heart. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

One of his best.......2005-07-29

Former Horowitz student Byron Janis puts it best in the liner notes: the '60s saw the legendary pianist in inimitable form. The driven quality of his '40s recordings had been replaced with an irresistable simplicity of expression (just compare his two Chopin sonatas or Op. 42 No. 5 on this disc, for example). Horowitz's well-known connection to Rachmaninov has been frequently cited, yet it is not the rugged second sonata (recorded live, no less) on this album, but the Scriabin and Medtner that truly shine. Among recent accounts of selected etudes, Lang Lang may have youth on his side, but Horowitz's love for these works is all but palpable and remarkably wistful. A treasure.

Brilliant but lots of eccentricities.......2004-05-12

I really wanted to rate this a 4.5 but the absolute brilliance of the Scriabin etudes forced me to round upward rather than down. The Etude Op 65, No 3, is a thing of incredible beauty in the master's hands. Something unusual occurred as Horowitz evolved as an artist: His interpretations of individual works did not become static. To be sure, the size of his repertorie shrunk dramatically but those that remained he performed with a panache, newness and vibrancy that continually startle yet satisfy.

This is nowhere more present than on this CD in which he gives his beloved Scriabin yet new meanings and interpretations with all the fire, passion, detail and finesse one can muster. The clarity of the notes is secondary to the overall architecture of the small pieces. As Horowitz aged the length of his performed pieces shrunk so that he achieved an almost crystaline clarity in the few short ones he did play.

Ever the consumate artist, one really wonders what the guiding force of his interpretations was. Whether it is the lighting quick runs or the thundering chords or his almost unique ability to highlight all the inner voices of a piece, there was something almost undefinable about his approach to the piano.

The Rachmaninoff Second was extremely idiosyncratic with none of the "waves of sound" one usually associates with the composer. It is almost as if he transformed the titanic work into a collection of brilliant miniatures, each startling in its own way but by necessity only vaguely related to the others. The best rendition of the fabulous second has to be Van Cliburn's performance in Moscow where the stunning aspect (apart from the fact that he played the original setting) was the overall architecture and organiaation, the totality of the three movements and their cyclic thematic resonance. He (Van Cliburn) also brought a stately grandeur to the sonata that is sorely lacking in this rendition.

Oddly enough, the same problem holds true for the selections of Etude-Tableaux. Again we are in miniature land with brilliance and ardor but the structure again seems to have gotten lost. It is a case of not being able to see the forest for all the stunning trees. The Medtner was a fine choice and rendered with a poetic touch and much attention to detail.

Horowitz at his most masterful and tasteful.......2003-07-15

This is a must-have CD for anyone who loves the great writers of Russian romantic piano pieces. Horowitz's thunderous rendition of Rachmaninoff's incredible and difficult B-flat Sonata, done at the peak of his powers in the 1960s, is in my opinion virtually without peer in the realm of virtuoso pianism. It follows and contrasts nicely with the delicate and beautiful Medtner "Fairy Tale", a song which I had never even heard of prior to buying this CD; now it's one of my favorites as well. And there are several other nicely done selections , demonstrating the Horowitz bell-like "singing tone" that was so uniquely his own. All in all, this is a great CD that I listen to often!

Still Unequaled.......2003-06-29

Volume Nine of Sony's Horowitz reissue contains music by the pianist's fellow countrymen Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Mednter which show the virtuoso at the zenith of his powers.

Horowitz, who at the age of eleven met the Scriabin, once described the composer's music as "super-sensuous, super-mysterious, super-romantic. It's all a little bit overboard." The pianist was ideally suited by temperament to play that Scriabin's highly charged, nervous music. Horowitz once described Scriabin's music as "super-sensuous, super-mysterious, super-romantic. It's all a little bit overboard." There have been numerous pianists who have equaled Horowitz's Scriabin technically (most notably Marc-Andre Hamelin) but none have captured the breathless, nervous quality of this music as has Horowitz.

The Scriabin selections were recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in 1972. Part of the success of Horowitz's Scriabin is his clarity, both musical and technical. The pianist adopts an almost structural approach to these works, which runs against the tendency by some others to slather them in Romantic excess. Horowitz uses less sustaining pedal than is customary in these works (as in the stunning Etude in Thirds, Op. 8, No. 10), although one would never think of calling Horowitz's Scriabin "dry." In the later more mystical works, he uses slightly more pedal, but never drowns the work in sustaining syrup as all too many pianists do. Even in Scriabin's most twisted melodic and pianistic contortions, clarity and balance are maintained. Horowitz also manages to produce a stunning fortissimo (as in Vers la Flamme) without hammering the piano to death or throwing the lines out of balance.

The Medtner Fairy Tale heard here was originally released on a Goodyear Tire promotional record in Christmas of 1969, but never attained widespread release until 1992. Horowitz's boisterous, flirtatious performance gets to the heart of the matter. Although the pianist gave all-Medtner recitals before leaving Russia in 1925, and occasionally programmed Medtner's works in the 1930s and early 1940s, his advocacy of the composer doesn't seemed to have gained any headway in his lifetime. Sadly, this is the only Horowitz Medtner recording to have been released.

Horowitz idolized Rachmaninoff, and the elder pianist/composer admired Horowitz in a kind of uncle/nephew way. The two had a close friendship from 1928 until the composer's death in 1943, and it was Rachmaninoff who sought out psychological help for Horowitz after the pianist's nervous breakdown in 1936. Rachmaninoff often had a complicated relationship with his own compositions. Such was the case with the Second Sonata which was composed in 1913, and severely revised in 1931, when the composer was placing greater value in brevity. Horowitz had played the Second Sonata (in the original version) at his conservatory graduation recital in 1920, and felt that the 1931 revision was too drastically cut. Rachmaninoff, who was never fully satisfied with either version of the piece, agreed and left it to Horowitz to put together a "compromise" version for his own performances. Unfortunately, we have no recording of his 1940 performances (the head of RCA, Charles O'Connell, no fan of either Horowitz or Rachmaninoff, scotched plans for the pianists to record the composer's Second Suite for two pianos and the two piano version of the Symphonic Dances) and therefore we have no record of the revisions Rachmaninoff approved. However, Horowitz did resurrect the work in 1968, the 25th anniversary of Rachmaninoff's death. This performance, recorded that December in Carnegie Hall, is one of the most electrifying piano recordings ever made. Horowitz, at the very top of his form, brings a lithe, pantherlike quality to this performance. He knows how to balance Rachmaninoff's thick piano writing to recreate the composer's swirling anguish, and for all the lushness of Horowitz's conception, the pianist's tone remains limber, spare, prizing clarity over histrionics. Even when all Hell breaks loose, the pianist remains solidly in control. Thirty-five years after it was recorded, it remains the definitive version Rachmaninoff's Second Sonata, and one can sense the approving spirit of the composer in the tumultuous audience response.

The shorter pieces are equally convincing. The Prelude recalls the jingling bells of a Russian Troika, while the Moment Musicaux is given an inwardly brooding performance. The Etudes-Tableaux are less melodic, more economical in texture, with an almost barbaric rhythmic thrust. Horowitz concentrates on the epic, picturesque aspects of these works, and the controlled fury of the D Major has to be heard to be believed.

This reissue is a must for all lovers of great piano music. The sound is some of the best Horowitz received in the pre-digital era, and particularly fine in the live selections.

A monumental.......2003-03-12

I heard one of classicial music fan says that Horowitz's playings of any Rachmaninoff works are incomparable. This is not a too bold statement. Listen to these Rach's Etude Tableaux, compare them to other recordings and you'll know what I mean. I don't think anyone can play them better than Horowitz. Not even Rachmaninoff himself.

Sonata 2 is also another reference point on this extremely difficult piece though I would say the best recording of the piece is Horowitz's 1980 recording ( regardless what piece's version we are referring to ). That recording is not as moving as this one but is much more powerful. Yet both of them which are totally different has confirmed how masterful Horowitz is on Rach's works.

We probably can't conclude the above statement to all the Scriabin works but not for these Etudes. Simple they are unrivaled.

Tracks:

I. Andante Sostenuto - Moderato Con Anima
II. Andantino In Modo Di Canzona
III. Scherzo: Pizzicato Ostinato (Allegro)
IV. Finale (Allegro Con Fuoco)
Prometheus, Op.60

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely worth gushing about.......2007-01-06

The sound quality is top-notch and the pieces are truly magnificent. Muti shrouds the music in a robust clarity with a tempo that feels neither rushed nor languid. This rendition of Tchaikovsky's 4th was the first Tchaikovsky symphony I had ever listened to, and as soon as I heard it I became spellbound despite the fact that others had warned me to start with some of his more famous works. As particular as I am about my music, there are honestly no complaints I can offer regarding this fabulous, lushly played recording.

Terrific performances.......2003-11-16

At this price, this is a must have for any Tchaikovsky or Scriabin admirers.

These are among the best recordings of "The Philadelphia Sound.

Especially, "Prometheus", the magic symphony of Scriabin is very impressive, in some passages very whirling, contemplative or ecstatic. As you know, Scored for large ensemble: quadruple woodwinds, 8 horns, 5 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, gong, 2 glockenspiels, large 5 bells, 2 harp, celesta, strings, piano, organ and "Luce" (light organ). So, during the all work, the light organ shows 12 colours equals to 12-note or keys (in one scale) in organ to all concert hall. And some colours mean that: Green - Matter, Yellow - Joy, Creativity - Bright Blue, Human - Red etc... There is an anecdote about the first performance in U.S.A.: in 1950's, Leopold Stokowski was conducted this work with The Philadelphia Orchestra (!). And in a passage of work, the light organ was showed "Red" colour and this was be very long, so, a woman spectator was dead because of heart disease!

As you know, Scriabin was started a new work: Mysterium! But, unfortunately, he couldn't finish this work (he was dead because of a lip tumor!!). And he was written a new part for: perfume for to spread to all concert hall...

In other words: Highly recommended.

WOW! Just speechless...........2002-12-18

I don't know what to say. The brass section in this recording is just ungodly amazing. The trumpets project, the horns have the most resonant and in-tune sound you'll find, and the low brass just gives it to you. When Tchaikovsky's 4th is done, you'll just be craving for more. Muti does an astounding job with this symphony because there is never a dull moment. If you're a brass player or just loves brass like Muti does, then this recording is definately for you.

Skryabin: Concerto for piano in F#m; Symphony No5

Average customer rating:

These performers understand Scriabin!

Skryabin: Concerto for piano in F#m; Symphony No5

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000J8QX
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

Prometheus, Poem Of Fire, Op. 60
Fantasy For Piano And Orchestra
Piano Concerto, Op. 20 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro
Piano Concerto, Op. 20 In F Sharp Minor: Tema Con Variazioni
Piano Concerto, Op. 20 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro Moderato

Amazon.com

When Alexander Scriabin composed his Prometheus, Poem of Fire in 1910, it was all the rage to make works of art that sought to solve every global problem through artistic uplift. And while you could easily expect such a premise to urge a populist work with only digestible parts, Scriabin presented the complicated, gnashed, 20-minute Prometheus. As an early prodigy on piano, Scriabin discovered his big-piece compositional knack only after establishing himself with accomplished, popular études. This collection is a far cry from those and the other easily assimilated Chopin-inspired works he wrote earlier in his career. There are gobs of tension here and circuitous, sometimes jutting rhythms that make the pieces electric with color and energy. The Piano Concerto, Op. 20, and the Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra defy the overt challenges of Prometheus, and Viktoria Postnikova does a brilliant job with their more standard pianism and 19th-century elements, which all seem very, very subdued after Postnikova's white-knuckle ride through the de facto main course of this CD. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

These performers understand Scriabin!.......2000-10-10

A must for Scriabin lovers - the concerto in particular is really convincing, the slow movement taking you off to where Scriabin no doubt intended. Do buy it!

Liszt: Sonata for piano in Bm; Skryabin: Sonatas for piano No2

Average customer rating:

Good, but.........Pogo-the Jeckal and Hyde of the Piano
Breathtaking Scriabin
A work of genius

Liszt: Sonata for piano in Bm; Skryabin: Sonatas for piano No2

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Sonatas for piano No32; Schumann: Symphonic Etudes Op13
Chopin: Préludes, Op.28
Haydn: Klaviersonaten 19 & 46
Chopin: Four Scherzi
Chopin: Piano Sonata No.2; Ravel: Gaspard De La Nuit; Prokoviev: Piano Sonata no. 6 [Germany]

ASIN: B00000E4GB
Release Date: 1992-03-09

Tracks:

Lento Assai ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Aleegro Energico ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Grandioso ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Recitativo ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Andante Sostenuto ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Quasi Adagio ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Allegro Energico ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Piu Mosso ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Stretta Quasi Presto ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Presto - Prestissimo ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Andante Sostenuto ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Allegro Moderato ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Lento Assai ( In B Minor En Si Mineur In Si Minore )
Andante ( In G Sharp Minor En Sol Diese Mineur In Sol Diesis Minore )
Presto ( In G Sharp Minor En Sol Diese Mineur In Sol Diesis Minore )

Customer Reviews:

Good, but.........Pogo-the Jeckal and Hyde of the Piano.......2005-11-27

Pogorelich is, you know the phrase, a riddle wrapped in an mystery, wrapped in an enigma, or something like that. I understand there are fans out there, like the slightly obsessed reviewer below-who worship the sounds he walks on. I dont get it at all, though I do know there are moments of extraordinary pianism, unfortunately often at the sake of the music itself. For instance i heard a shaven "Ivo" play in Chicago the final sonata of Beeth along with some Liszt etudes. Ivo could no more follow the lines and rhythm of this piece than Bush pronounce Ivo's last name. The powerful octave march(if you will) was like a bottlerocket with it's stick torn off, just out there. It was the worst Beethoven sonata i have ever seen or heard by a professional pianist. Of course half the audience(those that stayed) gave it a now obliggatory standing ovation, but those of us who feel an artist needs to earn their meal, knew this was something worse than terrible, it was intentional.
He followed this with some liszt etudes that reminded me why this pianist was and is a phenomenon. I truly beleieve his performances were immaculate, the precision of Michelangeli and the virtuosity of Berman, wrapped in an enigma. And that is where I stand of Pogo. At his best, he is great, but at his worst and most idiosyncratic, he is a monster. Compare his chopin recordings, the scherzi are to many the definitive versions while his preludes, even to the most amateur listener,except those damned Pogo fantatics who cant seem to judge a thing he plays , are simply wrong. But when you examine the scherzi closely, you find the evidence of the underlying monster trying to come out. His extremes are, well, extreme. The first scherzo is a war between the jeckel and hyde within him, raging ferocity matched with almost dead stop\halted ddladf in the slow passages. I understand why, at the Chopin Compet, some judges found him wonderful and others found him vulgar, but in no way does he deserve to win such a prestigiious competetion when he himself seems unsure of how he really wants to play.
And all this brings us to the Liszt Sonata,- a piece that seems like it would be the perfect vehicle for pogorelcih to exploit his talents. But he doesnt. Again, he is just so frustratingly inconsistent, when you think you have him figured out, he plays everything the opposite of how i thought he would play it, and i was actually looking forward to his take on this sonata, as i am a collector of its many recordings. Like his scherzi, when he gets slow, he gets realllly slow, again close to losing the lines altogether, but unlike the scherzi, those passages that impressed so many people arent here, it is a very juvenile recording, a shameful mistake too many young pianists make, dont record this work till you know how you want it sound, instead of how it comes off the keyboard. This piece should not be a right of passage, like, for instance, the appassionata. Not because of its enormous difficulty, but because at a young age, young being 35 and under, it is difficult to really understand what is important in a work like this, when there is so much more than mere virtuosity. I am so proud of Kissin for not recording this work yet, for letting his instincts mature. Pogo seems to need someone to tell his instincts to shut their mouth. the only thing i am sure of with this disc, is that, like pogo, it is bad and good, very fast and very slow, but he needs to learn that sometimes less is more, and more is less.(i dont really know what that means but i think that is the best description of pogo i have ever heard.

Breathtaking Scriabin.......2004-03-10

Why this album is not more acclaimed than it is surprises me. Much of Pogorelich's output is unconventional yet convincing, and the same holds trues here. The dynamic/tempo contrasts are played up to the hilt, and a few harsh fortissimos aside, this is a dramatic account to be reckoned with. The filler Scriabin second sonata is truly amazing: Pogorelich's absolute technical command in the final movement coupled with his uniquely limpid tone make for an exciting finish. The only drawback is the relatively short playing time (also a Pogorelich trademark).

A work of genius.......2003-04-09

For me, Pogorelich is the greatest pianist who ever lived. His playing is always well thought-through, intelligent, individualistic and highly artistic. Most people wouldn't agree with me owing to the generally prevailing idea that he distorts everything he plays. The case is simply that they don't understand him or his artistry. Their loss!

The Liszt sonata featured here is not only spine chilling, but also the greatest available and that I have ever heard. Ivo's interpretation makes me understand exactly the message Liszt wished to convey that it's superhuman (Pogorelich is). Not many pianists can do that.

There are so many recordings of this sonata out there that I doubt if any one can come even near this one. Pogorelich inculcates each and every passage with a lot of love, understanding and artistic temperament. Some critical listeners out there may find his reading of the sonata a bit offensive or boring due his ''dragging'' which I happen to love and deem utterly suitable and appropriate for this work, or any other work Ivo plays. I love that, others mayn't. I cannot say more except that his rendition really opened my eyes and made me understand Liszt a bit more as a character.
One other thing: Ivo doesn't belabor this sonata or try to promote it as a show piece. He plays it intelligently and effulgently but most importantly he plays this great work as a SONATA.

Scriabin's Sonata is a beautiful work with a meditative first movement and a stormy second. Pogorelich shines!

Tracks:

Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: I. Adagio
Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: II. Tema con Var Index Numbers 1-8:
Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: III. Intermezzo. Allegretto
Sym No.6 in c, Op.58: IV Finale. Andante Maestoso
Fant 'The Rock', Op.7
Le Poeme De L'Extase, Op.54

Customer Reviews:

Russian Rarities - Towering Performances.......2007-04-11

The BIS label stands out for its superlative recording sound and focus on obscure composers and works. Moreover, the piano duo, Dag Achatz and Yukie Nagai are among the greatest piano duo team I've had the pleasure of hearing. Witness the magnificent achievement in their Tchaikovsky: Symphony No5, Op64; Swan Lake Op20 recording. Like the Prague Duo, Goldstone and Clemmow, and Matthies and Kohn, their technical superiority and musicianship are so far above what some might except from a mere "piano duo." This particular recording traverses three substantial Russian orchestral works arranged for two pianos. Over the span of these three very diverse and complex works, this piano duo plays with consistent sensitivity, musical feeling, and technical facility.

I'm not embarrassed about my fledgling status as a classical music listener, so I'll confess that I've never heard these works before. I may be at somewhat of a disadvantage, then, when it comes to reviewing this CD; I can't make comparisons between the orchestral and two-piano version. I do, however, have an affinity for piano compositions, and I've heard many piano duos and piano transcriptions. Therefore, I feel qualified enough to say that these two-piano transcriptions and their respective performances deserve wide acclaim.

Transcribed by Rachmaninov, Glazunov's Symphony No. 6 is not a truly great one, yet there are plenty of intriguing and engaging ideas. I can understand how the first movement, a mellow but grand Adagio, induced Rachmaninov to transcribe it to the depths of the piano. Passionate moments, intense themes and beautiful modulations are just a few of the Adagio's wonderful characteristics. The second movement, a Theme and Variations is full of lyricism, grace, and some unexpected excitement. While the Intermezzo is not as memorable, its gaiety and Chopinesque figurations are attractive. Lastly, the Baroque-like spectacular Finale provides satisfying and majestic melodies. Through Rachmaninov's labors, this Symphony is pianistically convincing; if I were told this was a Piano Sonata for two pianos, I wouldn't know any better. The harmonies are crisp and the imitative polyphony clear: I have doubts whether the orchestral version could match the two-piano arrangement's incisive articulation.

Rachmaninov's transcription of 'The Rock' is another successful one and I'm not surprised. Rachmaninov's Suites and Symphonic Dances don't need an orchestra to reach orchestral sonorities and neither does this transcription. Whether in the gentle intimacy of the opening or the swelling climax at the end, this work sounds crystalline, romantic and truly orchestral on two pianos. 'The Rock' itself is not considered a popular work but I think there are impressive effects and beautiful moments to be found here.

The last work performed for two pianos is Scriabin's massive and mysterious Poem of Ecstasy. I realize I'm missing a crucial experience when I've never heard its orchestral rendition: harps, organs and important orchestration are obviously missing in the piano arrangement. However, Leon Conus did the best he can with this cloudy and dissonant monstrosity. This single-movement work is apparently in sonata form, but after listening to it over a dozen times I still cannot detect a development section or even a single theme; motivic ideas are all I am able to distinguish. I feel a little better after reading that Prokofiev couldn't follow the music either and got a headache while listening to it. Despite this, the music is incredibly powerful in its orgiastic, erotic and cerebral expressions. Almost devoid of a tonal center or predictable harmonic progressions, the music winds its way through a maze of ideas and constantly maintains a dreamy mood. For Scriabinites, I feel this two piano version is invaluable. There are no orchestral blurs or residual coloring, only pianistic clarity of a highly complex work, one which actually seems better suited to the piano. Comprehension of this work might be impossible. To my mind, however, the kaleidoscope of melodic lines and harmonies are more easily grasped because of the sharpness and dynamics of the piano.

Bottom line: These three marvelous piano arrangements are successful because they showcase the intrinsic musical ideas and pianistic merits of each corresponding work exceptionally well. It seems both Rachmaninov and Conus understand the limitations and the orchestral powers of the piano. And once again, the piano duo, Achatz and Nagai, continue to demonstrate meticulous and emotional interpretations of every work they tackle.

Svetlanov Piano Concerto & Skryabin Symphony #3

Average customer rating:

Svetlanov Piano Concerto & Skryabin Symphony #3

Manufacturer: Water Lily Acoustics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Shostakovich: Symphony 7 "Leningrad"
Gustav Mahler: Symphony #5
Shostakovich: Symphony 7 "Leningrad"
Gustav Mahler: Symphony #5

ASIN: B0009PLM1C
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

Svetlanov: Piano Concerto in C minor - Andante
Svetlanov: Piano Concerto in C minor - Allegro
Svetlanov: Prelude in A minor
Skryabin: Symphony No. 3 - Luttes
Skryabin: Symphony No. 3 - Voluptes
Skryabin: Symphony No. 3 - Jeu divin

Album Description

Water Lily Acoustics is proud to present the legendary orchestras of St Petersburg, Russia, in live concert recordings which capture the excitement and sense of occasion of attending a live performance as no studio recording can. The philosophical and technical ethos of the Water Lily approach to recording is, here, perhaps for the first time, given free rein to produce a musical experience unparalleled in its realism and impact. Forged from the precious metals of the opulent age of the Czars, and tempered in the crucible of Communism, the orchestras of the former Soviet Union occupy a position in world culture that is truly unique. It is a privilege to be the first American record company to have captured the essence of these great orchestras in their native city.

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No 1 In B Flat Minor Op 23: Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito - Cadenza - Tempo
Piano Concerto No 1 In B Flat Minor Op 23: Andantino simplice - Prestissimo - Tempo 1
Tchaikovsky 3rd Movement - Allegro con fuoco - Molto meno mosso - Allegro vivo
Piano Concerto In F Sharp Minor Op 20: Allegro
Piano Concerto In F Sharp Minor Op 20: Andante - Allegro scherzando - Adagio - Allegretto - Tempo 1
Piano Concerto In F Sharp Minor Op 20: Allegro Moderato

Customer Reviews:

A can't miss CD..........2005-06-17

Whenever I hear this CD I get a smile on my face...generous coupling...no wasted fillers here...Demidenko's playing is astounding...and don't pass up the Scriabin...it is a gem...you can't miss on this CD...

Refreshing New Insights.......2004-07-14

I just heard this version of Tchaikovsky`s first piano concerto broadcasted on a local cultural radio station. After Argerich / Kondarchin, Richter / Karajan and many more, this is a Refreshing version with New Insights, both, on the piano side and also on the orchestra side, other instruments contribute, on their solo moments, to a common beauty.

GREAT!!.......2001-05-23

This CD is too good for words....Buy it immediately. If you dont know the Scriabin concerto.......you dont know what you are missing........its Gorgeous!!

Average customer rating:

A bit of good, a bit of bad

Skryabin: Piano Music

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009OQS
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

Etude In C Sharp Minor, Op.2 No.1
I: Allegro Con Fuoco
II: (Lento)
III: Presto - IV: Funebre
I: Andante
II: Presto
I: Dramatico
II: Allegretto
III: Andante
IV: Presto Con Fuoco
I: Andante
II: Prestissimo Volando
I: Impetuoso Fiero
II: Poetico Con Delizia
III: Capricciosamente Affanato
IV: Festivamente
Piano Sonata No.5 In F Sharp, Op.53

Tracks:

I: Desir
II: Caresse Dansee
Feuillet D'album, Op.58
Piano Sonata No.6 In G, Op.62
I: Masque
II: Etrangete
Piano Sonata No.7 In F Sharp, Op.64
Piano Sonata No.8 In A, Op.66
I: Andante
II: Presto
Piano Sonata No.9 In F, Op.68
Piano Sonata No.10 In C, Op.70
Vers La Flamme, Op.72
I: Douloureaux, Dechirant
II: Tres Lent, Contemplatif
III: Allegro Drammatico
IV: Lent, Vague, Indecis
V: Fier, Belliqueux

Amazon.com

Collectors of piano rarities will welcome EMI's two-fer reissue of the late John Ogdon's complete Scriabin sonata cycle, filled out with sundry short works. Whether in his earlier Chopin-influenced compositions or the cryptic later sonatas, Scriabin's notey, coruscating idiom poses no problems for Ogdon's ravenous pianism. His sober, levelheaded treatments, though, take little heed of Scriabin's sensuality, lacking the animal abandon and dynamic contrasts Richter, Horowitz, and Sofronitsky bring to this music. Part of the problem lies with unresonant sonics, and a piano whose registral extremes fail to sing. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

A bit of good, a bit of bad.......2000-08-04

I recommend this cd, but with several reservations. Scriabin's music is great and Ogden's skill as a pianist is evident. In addition, one gets two cds for the price of one, including all ten sonatas and a few other assorted pieces, intelligently placed between the sonatas based on chronological order. Now the bad news. The bass on the recording is not all that clear and the overall sound is just not that distictive. While Odgen effectively carries the music to the brink of collapse, then restores order, much of the time his playing really doesn't distinguish itself. You can't do better for the price, but you can probably find several better recorded, better performed sets of Scriabin's sonatas.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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Take 2 [Import]

Singles Collection [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Taking a Chance on Love [Import]

Mozart: Serenades Nos. 11 and 12

Sing for Freedom: Civil Rights Movement Songs

Raise the Roof!

Scandinavian Leather

Millennium: Caetano Veloso

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Songs 4 Life: Kids Light Your World!

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