(The) Lost Piano Concerto of Pavel Pabst

Advantages: A little known gem of a piece, performed brilliantly
Disadvantages: None

...Henry Litolff is by no means a well known composer, which is a great shame as these two piano concertos from the Romantic era are definitely worth adding to any collection. If, like me, you enjoy listening to virtuosic piano skills then you will not be disappointed. Peter Donohoe puts on a polished performance, effortlessly racing up and down the piano to make this the best recording available. The Scherzo of the No. 4 is the best known movement and is the most virtuosic. If you enjoy piano concertos by Rachmaninov and Beethoven, give this a try.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Poor interpretation, sound only adequate

...I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy of this new disc from the Russian virtuoso Arcadi Volodos (UK release date October 2nd 2000). Sadly I was disappointed. The recording of Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano concerto is live and although the sound is perfectly adequate, it lacks the crispness and immediacy of a studio recording. Volodos is technically outstanding, but I feel that he's just going through the motions here, playing the notes with very little thought about what's behind them. It makes for a flat, emotionless and dull performance. The concerto is coupled with some of Rachmaninov's shorter solo piano pieces, which are better, but still not outstanding. If you're a huge fan of Volodos, you might want to buy this to add to your collection. If you want to hear a decent recording of Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A definite easy listen
Disadvantages: Maybe too easy

...exactly say im 'into' it, i jus fancied a change. Its a good CD if u want to relax or for background music if u have sophisticated dinner parties! Not one of the most used CDs iv bought. In fact i only listen to it about once evry 2 months so it isn't exactly excellent value for money. Below is a list of the tracks incase ur interested. The CD is priced around £19.99 and available from most music stores such as HMV and Virgin Megastore. CD 1 Vivaldi - The Four Seasons Pachelbel: Canon JS Bach - Air 'on the G string' Mozart - Ave verum corpus Handel - Largo JS Bach - Jesus bleibet meine Freude Mozart - Clarinet Concerto Beethoven - 'Emporer' Concerto Mascagni - Intermezzo Bruch - Violin Concerto Rutter - The Lort is my shepherd Saint-Saens - Aquarium Holst - Venus Chopin - Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor Faure - Pie Jesu Shostakovich... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful