Bach: Sonatas and Movements for Flute based on various sonatas fo

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"!

...- [Ital.,=touched], type of musical composition. Early examples were written for various instruments, but the best-known form of toccata originated about the beginning of the 17th cent. Free in form, it was one of the first attempts at idiomatic writing for keyboard instruments, in contrast to the strictly contrapuntal pieces of the Renaissance. The toccata was usually rhapsodic, often interspersing rapid passages of brilliant figuration with fugal sections. Andrea Gabrieli, Frescobaldi, Sweelinck, Froberger, Buxtehude, and Bach were outstanding masters of the toccata style. Schumann wrote a toccata for piano in sonata form. As a brilliant showpiece the toccata persists today in organ composition. (from http://www.bartleby.com/65/to/toccata.html, Columbia Encyclopedia) - musical form for keyboard instruments, written in a free style... Read review

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Advantages: Thrilling, daredevil chamber music performances from the legendary Martha Argerich and partner-in-crime Gidon Kremer.
Disadvantages: Violinist Kremer occasionally on the mannered, spastic side; only forty-three minutes of music.

.... Orkis offers her an amiable, cordial and elegant support. Not surprisingly, Mutter’s violin steals the show, with Orkis’ piano providing a relatively subdued accompaniment. With Argerich and Kremer, however, things couldn’t be more different—or risky. They two plunge headlong into the music with body and soul. With their brisker tempos, dynamic readings and intuitive phrasings, they take the sonatas to places you’ve rarely been, with exhilarating results. There is no shortage of wit and humor in the faster passages, nor of thoughtful lyricism in the slower movements. While the piano feels more authoritative under Argerich’s guidance, the pieces really feel more like duets (duels?) between equals. It might be the irrepressible Argerich who leads the charge of this light brigade of two into unexplored lands, sabers held up high and glinting... Read review

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...Lief Ove Andsnes predeeded his highly acclaimed recording of three Haydn piano concertos with this delightful recording of five piano sonatas, also available on EMI. They are the sonatas 24, 30, 32, 33 and 44. They are not very long in duration, but they have spikey wit, charm and are cheerful. Andsnes brings them off brilliantly. His judgement of tempo and pedalling makes these a joy to hear. He is supported by a warm but very clear recording. The piano tone is realistic and should be joy to all who love the piano. A highlight recording of 1999.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful