Bach; Haydn; Schumann: Piano Works

Advantages: Brilliant, stirring, excitingly unpredictable, fresh performance; "genius" is not hyperbole in Argerich's case.
Disadvantages: Reflecting its LP origins, the CD lasts only 50' 16"!

...and the cello—both such musically charismatic and unpredictable performers who have inspired devoted, even fanatical followings whose praise and cult-like adoration resemble those showered upon the likes of Vladimir Horowitz. The word “can’t” seems to be missing from their performing vocabularies. Like du Pré, Argerich seems to play instinctively, with an intensity and passion that electrifies listeners. Argerich is that rare performer who does very well with a varied repertoire, including works by Romantics Chopin and Schumann, Ravel, modern composers like Bartok and Prokofiev, and, as in this recording, J. S. Bach. My only lament is that she has recorded too few of Bach’s works. Not much else to say except to strongly recommend the disc to one and all. It deserves a place in every Bach lover’s library, and that of any music lover curious about... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Top performance of range of virtuoso piano works
Disadvantages: A little too much virtuosity to listen to all in one sitting

...Alkan, Busoni, Feinberg, Godowsky, Medtner, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, and Sorabji have come to be known as the "Eight Composer Pianists" along with the performer, Marc-Andre Hamelin, who is the ninth. Each of them wrote music requiring the most amazing level of virtuosity to perform it. The obvious danger here is that of virtuosity for its own sake, and some of Hamelin's performances of his own compositions suffer from this, especially Etude No 10, based on the famous Chopin "Black Keys" Etude. Hamelin's Prelude and Fugue is also more suited to display than enjoyable listening. On the other hand, the Bach Schubler Chorale arranged by Feinberg captures the dignity of Bach's music in a thoroughly pianistic manner, without any sense of display. The Alkan transcription of Haydn's Andante from Symphony No 94 (the "Surprise... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent composer
Disadvantages: non

...I sallute to Bach. Bach can be very romantic, calm or even agitated (sometimes agressive) in his compositions. I like most of his composition especially his piano work. In his fourty eight Preludes and Fugues, if you played them all, you can experience a mixture of emotions that he has implanted in this particular set of work. I like to play Bach's Preludes and Fugues when I feel very down, very angry even when I am very happy. I will definitely find a piece that suit my emotion and mood, and feel much more better after playing them. Some of my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful