Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli in recital

Advantages: A discovery unforgettable
Disadvantages: Nothing

...(Rewrite on 09/07/2001) Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (great italian "virtuoso") spent his life to search a kind of perfection during interpretations. He knew this perfection to be impossible but, for him, "perfection" was union between composer and player. Then,this perfection isn't impossible... Glenn Gould tryed the same sound by his pianos: in this way he was very careful to music structure: beauty of musical phrases, to give a geometrical "presence" to music a.s.o. Of course his Bach interpretations (but Beethoven and Mozart also), even if on a piano and not on a harpsichord or "fortepiano" , are excellent. Michelangeli is on the other side of the moon... His Chopin is mysterious, full of shadows and, in some compositions, unknowable. But, how does Michelangeli obtain this wonderful result? To answer it is simple and very... Read review

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Advantages: Great album for any mood
Disadvantages: none

...a Wonderful World," but it is the duets--"Baby It's Cold Outside" with the unsinkable Dolly Parton and "Manhattan" with the indomitable Bette Midler that dazzle most. A must buy for all Rod fans! track list: 1.Embraceable You 2.For Sentimental Reasons (feat Dave Koz) 3.Blue Moon (feat Eric Clapton) 4.What A Wonderful World (feat Stevie Wonder) 5.Stardust 6.Manhattan (duet with Bette Midler) 7.S'Wonderful (feat Dave Grusin) 8.Isn't It Romantic (feat Dave Koz) 9.I Can't Get Started 10.But Not For Me 11.Kiss To Build A Dream On (feat Arturo Sandoval) 12.Baby, It's Cold Outside (duet with Dolly Parton) 13.Night And Day 14.A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square... Read review

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Advantages: Cherkassky playing at his best in wide range of solo works
Disadvantages: No Godowsky included

...This is one of the best recordings of the great Romantic Virtuoso pianist, Shura Cherkassky. It showcases him at his best in a recital covering a wide range of repertoire. He is known for being wayward in some of his performances, but there is very little of that in this recital. His performances vary considerably, depending on his moods, the audience and other external factors. He was in top form at this 1982 recital and was very happy with his performance afterwards. He starts the recital with Suite de Pieces by Lully, one of the most well-known early French Baroque composers. Lully was one of the first conductors, hitting the ground with a stick. Unfortunately he died after he hit his toe by accident with the stick. This music was obviously written for the harpsichord (or one of its close relatives) and is not often played... Read review

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