Arrau plays Liszt, Schumann & Weber

Advantages: Unparalleled playing, Unbelievably good bargain for 6 CDs!
Disadvantages: Um, paper sleeves? No, seriously, it's great

...This box set comprises recordings from 1985-89, when Horowitz was 81 years old! In 1986 Horowitz returned to Russia after 60 years away to give his monumental Moscow recital of which the live recording is included in this set. I personally find this performance of Liszt's Sonetto 104 del Petrarca to be the finest ever recorded. Alongside this is Scarlatti, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Schumann, Chopin, Moszkowski, and Schubert. Accompanying this recital is 5 other discs of outstandingly unique playing. As he got older, Horowitz's playing became a sort of caricature of itself in the nicest possible way. By this I mean, his dynamics became more extreme, he became more expressive than ever, and his sense of style was heightened to new levels. Horowitz's Mozart playing has been criticized for being too free and not in Mozart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Mutter's eloquence and sensitivity in older recording are enhanced here.
Disadvantages: None at all!

..., she grows hushed, at which point the orchestra lets out the final, booming chords, a lovely close to an exhilarating musical journey. ~~~~~~~~~~ The rest of the disc is taken up by Robert Schumann's rarely played and heard Fantasy. Schumann wrote this work for (once again) Joseph Joachim. (Schumann was a mentor to Brahms, who cherished his friendship with the older composer, and is believed to have fallen deeply in love with Schumann’s wife, Clara. But that’s neither here nor there.) Pastoral-like, sweeping notes are played by the strings and winds, the soloist enters, at first with serious intent, yielding to joyous sections that please with their many surprises. Mutter’s strong, quick and scraping notes alternate with fluid and sweetly mellow phrases. Her solo violin hogs much of the spotlight on this one. The orchestra shadows her... Read review

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Advantages: Incredible virtuosity
Disadvantages: High price tag

...This young pianist from Russia burst onto the music scene in the mid-nineties and has made a huge impact. His first CD is a collection of piano transcriptions, many of which are arranged by Horowitz. The sheer virtuosity combined with great passion for the music ensures captive listening. The recording of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 is by far the best I have come across. He also shows off his talents as a composer by playing his own arrangement of Mozart's Turkish March. The results are spectacular, if you can afford the exhorbitant price tag. Absolutely astounding.e spectacular, if you can afford the exhorbitant price tag.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful