Dvorák: Piano Quartets

Advantages: Great music, great performances
Disadvantages: Unfamiliarity

...I’ve loved the Piano Quartet since first hearing it on R3. Written at Oxford as a teenager it is an astounding (and humbling) creation, which betrays its creators years if you can mentally re-score sections, such as the opening of the last movement, for a rock band – those pounding chords and short motifs are heavy-metal rifs for piano and strings! The ‘rock’ turns into ragtime at the end – not sure if that’s progress but it’s definitely fun! The rest of the disc will not disappoint – except for the teenager’s complaint (mine!) that it’s not loud enough!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: The instruments actually manage to sing to each other!
Disadvantages: If there is any I'd like to know.

...'Mozart is sunshine' Antonin Dvorak Mozart is undoubtedly one of the most famous composers there ever was. His music is simply put spellbinding and has to be listened to at least once by everyyone in the course of thier lives. His abudance of talent has to be heard by all. All of Mozart's scores are individual from any of his other pieces and should be appreciated piece by piece and not at all as a whole. ---Background--- For those of you who are not familar with Mozart here are a few basic facts. FULL NAME: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart NATIONALITY: Austrian BORN: 1756 DIED: 1791 SPECIALIST MUSIC GENRES: Opera, symphonies, piano concertos, string quartets, church music. Mozart has one of the most colourful lives of all the composers, and this is well illustrated in the film 'Amadeus' which follows his life and is well worth viewing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: dynamic and gripping
Disadvantages: none

...Fantastic to have another additional collection of all five of Beethoven's piano concerti. Spanning his life we can really get to grips with his evolving use of the orchestra in these works. From the Third's action packed finale to the Fourth's beautiful expressions to the grandeur of the much loved Fifth. The playing is precise, dramatic and full of energy; as indeed it should be. Aimard's playing is always well crafted and beautifully shaped. This is an insightful disk and has taken the musicians an awful lot of hard work. A must-have for any lover of Beethoven's piano music. If you usually go for his chamber music or string quartets why not branch out and explore Aimard's wonderful take on these concerti? Well worth buying and indeed an inspiration for myself and other pianists alike.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful