The Art of Paderewski

On this CD:

1. Fantasiestück No. 1 ("Des Abend"), for piano, Op. 12/1
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

2. Fantasiestück ("Aufschwung"), for piano, Op. 12/2
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

3. Fantasiestück ("Warum?"), for piano, Op.12/3
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

4. Nachtstück No. 4 (Rundgesang mit Solostimmen), for piano in F major, Op. 23/4
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

5. Waldszenen No. 7 ("Vogel als Prophet"), for piano, Op. 82/7
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

6. Song without Words for piano No. 3 in A major ("Jägerlied"), Op. 19b/3
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

7. Song without Words for piano No. 34 in C major ("Spinnerlied"), Op. 67/4
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

8. Song without Words for piano No. 22 in F major, Op. 53/4
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

9. Valse Caprice for piano in E flat major
Composed by Anton Rubinstein
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

10. Reflets dans l'eau, for piano, L. 110/1
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

11. Danseuses de Delphes, prelude for piano, L. 117/1
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

12. Voiles, prelude for piano, L. 117/2
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

13. Le vent dans la plaine, prelude for for piano, L. 117/3
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

14. Minstrels, prelude for piano, L. 117/12
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

15. Hungarian Dance for piano, 4 hands, in D major, WoO 1/6
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

16. Hungarian Dance for piano, 4 hands, in A major, WoO 1/7
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

17. Man lebt nur einmal! (You Only Live Once!), waltz for orchestra, Op. 167
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Ignace Jan Paderewski

Tracks:

Hexentanz
Chant Polonais No. 1 In G 'Maiden's Wish'
The Crimson Petal
The Fuchsia tree
Capriccio In F Minor, Op. 28 No. 6
Minuet In G, Op. 14 No. 4
Nocturne, In B Flat, Op. 16 No. 4
Etude In A-Flat Major, Op. 1 No. 2
Melodie In E
Caprice-Burlesque
My Favorite Things
Kashmiri Song
Music Box
The Swan
Papillons
The Gardens Of Buitenzorg- (From 'Java Suite', Book 3)
Waltz In A, Op. 2
En route, Op. 9
Sicilliano, Op. 42 No. 2
Caprice espagnol, Op. 37

Tracks:

Variations Brillantes Op. 14
The Enchanted Nymph
Der Kontrebandiste
Melody In F
Gargoyles, Op. 29: I. Presto
Gargoyles, Op. 29: II. Adagio semplice, ma con molto rubato
Gargoyles, Op. 29: III. Allegro moderato
Gargoyles, Op. 29: IV. Presto feroce
The Musical Snuffbox
The Musical Snuffbox
Etude de style, Op. 40 No. 1 'Agilite'
Till I Wake
Weep You No More
March Of The Siamese Children
Valse mignone
Serenata, Op. 15 No. 1
Bourree (From Violin Sonata No. 2)
Erinnerungen (Triakontameron No. 25)
Adagietto (From 'L'Arlesienne')
Ungarishe Zigeunerweisen

Customer Reviews:

Good, not great........2002-05-22

I got this double cd, since a fellow reviewer of Hamelin's Kaleidoscope said he couldn't fully endorse that disc, since this cd would be so much better. Wrong again, sewer boy!

Thanks to Arthur Schnabel complete recordings of Sonatas, Concertos and Variation Works have become the mainstay of the recorded piano repertoire. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine that this has not always been the case. Yet, just have a look at the complete Rachmaninov recordings on RCA to see that even this giant mostly recorded little trifles, since the record buyers of his time prefered snacks over meals.

This generous and economic double cd contains a compilation of mostly romantic smaller scale works, that Rachmaninov's clientele would have enjoyed. Some are obscure, others e.g. Ljadov's snuff box and Taussig's Gypsy tunes are pretty well known.

Hough-a man from the splendid 1961 vintage, just like Hamelin and your's truly- is a highly accomplished pianist. His playing is good, yet not up to the Hamelin standards. The repertoire, however, started to bore the hell out of me after a while. I admit, that there are true exceptions like the Liebermann Gargoyles, but for me this set was simply too much of a good thing.

The interpretations vary from decent to good. I used to own an lp of the French virtuoso Setrak, that contained both the Ljadov and Taussig mentioned above and believe you me those interpretations dwarfed what we get here.

In conclusion, a generous compilation of smaller scale pianoworks. Good clean piano playing and more than adequate recordings.

Incredible!.......2001-01-12

I am a pianophile and longtime record collector, and this is one of the most awe-inspiring recordings I have ever heard. Stephen Hough's pianism - and I don't mean to be hyperbolic - simply exhausts all adjectives one might try to use to describe it. This is the kind of album to listen to not so much for the music (though these are charming and now-rarely heard pieces) but for the artistry of the performer. For stunning virtuosity, listen to the final measures of the Moszowski piece or to the MacDowell; for rich tone and melting legato listen to Hough's own transcriptions of the two Roger Quilter songs. Out of hundreds of CDs I have heard, this is one of my absolute favorites - and a steal at the price. Stephen Hough is the modern day Cortot, Gieseking, Rachmaninoff, and Joseph Levine, for he has it all - drama, precision, color, intellect, raw strength, and yes - delicacy. I rarely make recommendations like this, but you absolutely must hear this recording.

overly rich nostalgic pieces and particles of the piano.......2001-01-06

This is music that seems to have lapsed into a forgotten time warp, like when you open that old wood truck in the attic to find odd bits and particles,objects,dolls and photographs that immediately transports you into another fantasia place. That's what this music does. Hough has selected for the most part fast filigreed,rapid cascades and ribbons of pieces. Each however has its own narrative,its own special tale to reveal, a special musical texture,an endearing melody. Needless to say most of the composers here are those you've never heard before,like Ignaz Friedman, whose "Music Box" is not what you think, yes it has that timbre of forever moving tickly tones,for a ballerina popping out of a ceramic box. But there is a large pallette of sophistication here as well with the unique timbre of the piano. Every piece does this admirably. The Hexentanz of MacDowell (arr.Liszt) is a helter-skelter piece never stopping,scaling the upper regions of the keyboard,and this would be an encore work. It keeps you on the edge of your upholstered chair.Leoplold Godowsky is not an unfamiliar name,he is a specialist in the art of the arragement trying to capture a timbre, and here in Camille Saint-Saens forever memorable "Swan"the final days of post-romantic Louis Napoleon the Third era is handled with just a few more ripples in the pond than before almost imperceptible.

Tracks:

Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2
Suite Bergamasque: Clair De Lune
Liebestraum No. 3
Nocturne In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1
Cradle Song, Op. 49 No. 4
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
Bagatelle In A Minor: Fur Elise
Moment Musical In F Minor, Op.94 No.3
Sheep May Safely Graze
Minuet In G, Op. 14 No. 1
Polonaise In A Flat, Op. 53
Revolutionary Etude In C Minor, Op. 10 No. 12
Consolation No. 3 In D Flat
Rustle Of Spring, Op. 32 No. 3
Scarf Dance (With Veil Dance)
Suite Andalucia: Malaguena
Waves Of The Danube: 'The Anniversary Song'

Customer Reviews:

A Little Gem for Aspiring Pianists and Lovers of Piano Music .......2006-09-30

This CD brings together a good number (17) of the most favored classical pieces prepared and played by piano students by the millions all over the world for lessons, for recitals, and, most importantly, simply for pleasure. The pieces also have been familiar to, and loved by, music listeners everywhere for many years; nearly all are standard offerings by concert artists in professional appearances and recordings, as well. Because of their wide popularity and solid musical substance and appeal, they represent a common basic esthetic repertory for pianists and piano music lovers.

To present these pieces we have Daniell Revenaugh, an American pianist and teacher, as well as a sometime conductor and inventor, of Berkeley, California. A quick search of the Internet provides little information about Mr. Revenaugh beyond mention of the present recording and one of the Busoni fourth piano concerto in which he conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra while John Ogdon plays the fiendishly difficult piano part. Fortunately, though, I remember Danny as a friend, a neighbor, and a fellow music student at Florida State University during the mid-1950s. (He and I once read a four-hands piano piece together in which he played the Primo part well and I flailed away trying to keep up on the Secondo part.) At the time he seemed fascinated with the idea of being a concert pianist--in particular, an outstanding virtuoso. (He had already, I think, studied with Egon Petri, star pupil of the pianistic giant Ferruccio Busoni.) Since I've had no subsequent contact with him, I am unable to comment on his career, but this CD shows him to possess a firm technique and laudable artistry in performance. He makes the piano sound good!

As I've made a stab, at least, at playing all the pieces included here, except those on tracks #4, #13, and #15, I looked forward to hearing them performed by an accomplished pianist on a fine instrument. On the whole I was not disappointed; indeed, I found welcome bits of revelation here and there, and felt any future attempts I might make at the pieces would be better informed for having heard this CD. (I should note that I've also heard recordings by the composers themselves of those by Rachmaninov, Paderewski, and Lecuona.)

What I appreciate most about Revenaugh's performances is his seriousness of artistic intent. He ignores the fact that these are old chestnuts banged away at, often excruciatingly, by generations of variously able or unable pianists. Instead, he approaches each one freshly as a valued work, without prejudice, condescension or cynicism, and gives it his best, thus breathing new life into these classics. I also appreciate his generous and informative liner notes on the pieces and, what is rare, on his approach to performing them.

While I found the disk to be quite convincing, satisfying, and worthwhile overall, I want to offer a few observations and opinions on selected items. I particularly liked his performances of the Rachmaninov prelude, the two Liszt pieces, the Chopin nocturne, and the Ivanovici waltz. I liked the Beethoven sonata and the Debussy, Brahms, Bach, Paderewski, Sinding and Lecuona items, as well. I found the Beethoven "Fuer Elise" rather too fast for my taste, though as a bagatelle it might warrant such lightness of touch. (I was grateful it wasn't sentimentalized.) I found the Schubert piece also a good bit too hurried, and felt it thus lost much of its Viennese charm and grace. I mostly liked the Chopin polonaise, but did not care for the slow-then-fast playing of the E Major section with its repeated bass figure; I'd have been happier if he'd chosen an intermediate tempo and stuck with it. (It's exciting enough without added histrionics.) The Chopin etude was OK, but, as Revenaugh mentions, the fast bass runs and arpeggios get a bit muddied by the too live acoustics. I'm not really familiar with the Chaminade piece, but I thought it sounded fine. I don't agree with R. that the Paderewski minuet is really a waltz; I think it's a concert minuet.

I do not know what today's cadre of great concert pianists might think of this disk--it is not in any case targeted to them. I do believe that many lovers of the piano and its music, whether players or not, can derive much esthetic enjoyment and edification from it. And to the current crop of budding young pianists, I would recommend most of the pieces as reasonable models for emulation. The few idiosyncratic performances may serve as vehicles for discussion of interpretational approach. Finally, with nearly 73 minutes of meat-and-potatoes piano classics, this CD has got to be a bargain!

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The Art of Paderewski, Vol. I

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Great Pianists on Piano Playing: Godowsky, Hofmann, Lhevinne, Paderewski and 24 Other Legendary Performers (Great Pianists: In Their Own Words)

ASIN: B000000WWD
Release Date: 1993-01-20

Tracks:

Andante & Variations In F Minor
Rondo In A Minor K 511
Sonata In C Sharp Minor Op. 27,2
Moment Musical In A Flat Op. 94,2
Impromptu In A Flat Op. 142,2 (D 935,6): Impromptu In A Flat Op. 142,2
Impromptu In B Flat Op. 142,3
Nocturne In B Flat Op. 16,4
Cracovienne Fantastique Op. 14,6
Melodie Op. 8,3
Minuet In G Op. 14,1

Marcella Sembrich: The Victor Recordings (1908-19)

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Marcella Sembrich: The Victor Recordings (1908-19)

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore - Marcella Sembrich/Enrico Caruso/Gina Severina/Antonio Scottie
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Chi Mi Frena In tal Momento - Marcella Sembrich/Enrico Caruso/Gina Severina/Francesco Daddi/Antonio Scotti/Marcel Journet
Semiramide: Bel Raggio Lusinghier
Linda Di Chamounix: O Luce Di Quest' Anima
I Vespri Siciliani: Merce, Dilette Amiche
Die Lustige Witwe: Dolce Amor
Ernani: Ernani, Involami
La Traviata: Ah, Fors' E Lui...Sempre Libera
Rigoletto: Tutte Le Feste Al Tempio...Si, Vendetta - Marcella Sembrich/Mario Sammarco
Storielle Del Bosco Viennese
Barbarillo De Lavapies: Lo Que Esta De Dios 'Romanza'
When I Was Seventeen
Storielle Del Bosco Viennese
Dollar Princess: Waltz
Waltz Dream: Non Sai Mia Bella
Comin' Thro' The Rye

Tracks:

Spring Song
Ouvre Tes Yeux Bleus
Consecration
Consecration
I Heard A Cry
Two Little Songs Of The Month: The Longest Day Is In June
Two Little Songs Of The Month: In The Apples Bloom
Now Shines The Dew, Op.72 No.I
Pretty Polly Oliver
Consecration
Consecration
Consecration
I Heard A Cry
I Heard A Cry
Two Little Songs Of The Month: The Longest Day Is In June
Two Little Songs Of The Month: If The Apples Bloom
Two Little Songs Of The Month: The Longest Day Is In June
Two Little Songs Of The Month: If The Apples Bloom
Now Shines The Dew, Op.72 No.I
Now Shines The Dew, Op.72 No.I
Ouvre Tes Yeux Bleus
To A Messenger
Ouvre Tes Yeux Bleus
To A Messenger
Moja Pieszczotka (My Own Sweet Maiden), Op.18 No.3
Apendix: Voci Di Primavera
Apendix: Voci Di Primavera: Cadenza Excerpt
Il Flauto Magico [Die Zauberflote]: Non Osi Esser Crudel
La Traviata: Sempre Libera - Marcella Sembrich/Carlo Dani
La Fille Du Regiment: A Cet Aveu Si Tendre, Mon Coeur - Marcella Sembrich/Thomas Salignac
Parla
La Fille Du Regiment: Rataplan - Marcella Sembrich/Marie Van Cauteren/Charles Gilibert
Ernani: O Sommon Carlo - Marcella Sembrich/Mathilde Bauermeister/Emilio De Marchi/Roberto Vanni/Antonio Scotti/Bernard Begue
Ernani: O Sommon Carlo - Marcella Sembrich/Mathilde Bauermeister/Emilio De Marchi/Roberto Vanni/Antonio Scotti/Bernard Begue
Ernani: Ernani Involami
Ernani: Ernani Involami
Voci Di Primavera
Voci Di Primavera
La Traviata: Ah, Fors' E Lui
La Traviata: Ah, Fors' E Lui

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The Art of Paderewski

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000WOO
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

Fantasiestucke Op. 12: No. 1: Des Abends Op. 12/1
Fantasiestucke Op. 12 No. 2: Aufschwung Op. 12/2
Fantasiestucke Op. 12: No. 3-Warum? Op. 12/3
Fantasiestucke Op. 12: Nachtstuck Op 23/4
Fantasiestucke Op. 12: Prophet Bird Op. 82/7
Songs Without Words: Hunting Song Op. 19/3
Spinning Song Op. 67/4
No. 22 in F, Op. 53/4
Valse Caprice in E-Flat, Op. 118
Reflets Dans L'Eau (Images Book I): Prlds (Book I)
Reflets Dans L'Eau (Images Book I): No. 1-Danseuses De Delphes
Reflets Dans L'Eau (Images Book I): No. 2-Voiles
Reflets Dans L'Eau (Images Book I): No. 3-Le Vent Dans La Plaine
Reflets Dans L'Eau (Images Book I): No. 12-Minstrels
Hungarian Dance No. 6
Hungarian Dance No. 7
One Lives But Once

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The Art of Earl Wild

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000F2CAEC
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Average customer rating:

The Art of Paderewski, Vol.II

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000WXQ
Release Date: 1993-01-21

Tracks:

Le Carrillon De Cythere
La Bandoline
Hark! Hark! The Lark
Hungarian Rhap No.2
Conc Study No.2 in f
Hungarian Rhap No.10
La Campanella
Chant D'amour Op.26/3
By The Brookside
Nocturne (Ragusa)
Tristan & Isolde: Prld
Tristan & Isolde: Liebestod
Flying Dutchman: Spinning Chor

Greatest Hits Recorded From Duo-Art Piano Rolls

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Greatest Hits Recorded From Duo-Art Piano Rolls
Chopin , Bolet , and Paderewski
Manufacturer: Bescol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008ESSO
Release Date: 1994-07-20

Marcella Sembrich: The Queen Of The Warsaw Opera House

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Marcella Sembrich: The Queen Of The Warsaw Opera House

Manufacturer: Enterprise
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Ernani Act I: Ernani, Ernani, involami - Marcella Sembrich
Voci di primavera (Voices of Spring) - Marcella Sembrich
La Traviata Act I: Ah, fors'e lui...Sempre libera - Marcella Sembrich
La Traviata Act I: Ah, fors'e lui...Sempre libera - Marcella Sembrich
Rigoletto Act I: Caro nome - Marcella Sembrich
Il barbiere di Siviglia Act I: Una voce poco fa - Marcella Sembrich
Allessandro Act I: Lusinghe piu care - Marcella Sembrich
Hamlet Act I: Doute de lumiere - Marcella Sembrich/Emilio De Gogorza
I Puritani Act II: Qui la voce - Marcella Sembrich
Le nozze di Figaro Act III: Sull'aria...Soave zeffiretto - Marcella Sembrich/Emma Eames
The Maiden's Wish - Marcella Sembrich
Wohin? - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Si mes vers avaient des ailes - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Lo que esta de Dios - Marcella Sembrich
Storielle del bosco viennese (Tales from the Vienna Woods) - Marcella Sembrich
Ouvre tes yeux bleus - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
To a Messenger - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Moja pieszczotka Op.3, No.3 (My own sweet maiden) - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
The longest day is in June - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
If the apples bloom - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
I heard a cry - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Now shines the dew: Op.72, No.1 - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Spring Song Op.32 No.2 - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Consecration - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge
Pretty Polly Oliver - Marcella Sembrich/Frank La Forge