Bach; Mozart; 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"!

.... Born in Argentina in 1941, Argerich debuted on the stage at age five, giving recitals in Buenos Aires while receiving lessons from "a despot with sadistic tendencies," as she refers to the Italian maestro, Vincenzo Scaramuzza. Her family moved shortly thereafter to Vienna, so the young pianist could study with the well-known teachers of Europe. There she first came under the tutelage of Friedrich Gulda, a highly respected interpreter of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, and a classical musician who also delved into jazz. As a child, she was a very reluctant pianist, and tried to avoid practice sessions. As an adult, she has expressed her deep dislike not of *playing the piano*, but of living the life of a concert pianist. She has claimed that her piano practising has never been systematic. In one of her rare interviews, Argerich tells... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Bonney's gorgeous voice; intelligent singing; great selection of songs
Disadvantages: No translations included

...;Deh vieni non tardar’ from The Marriage of Figaro and ‘Ach ich fuhls’ from The Magic Flute are both sublime, full of lyricism and emotional vulnerability, making it easy to see why her Mozart roles have been so celebrated. The Donezetti ‘Chiedi all’aura lusingiera’ marks a move away from Bonney’s traditional Mozart roles, but the result is a stunning duet with the tenor Gosta Winbergh, which makes a fascinating contrast to the Mozart arias and shows Bonney’s versatility. But Bonney has always described herself as ‘a lieder singer who happens to do opera’ and this is reflected in her superb rendition of Schumann’s ‘Mondnacht’. Her lightness of tone ensures that her voice seems to float effortlessly above the gorgeous piano (played by Vladimir Ashkenazy) and she... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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