Godowsky Sonata in E. Minor

Editorial Reviews
Ricard de La Rosa, Producer - February 2002
"Exhilarating performance of this Epic Masterpiece"

Album Description
Adam Aleksander, Piano
Leopold Godowsky: Sonata in E Minor

1 Allegro non troppo ma appassionato 14'46"
2 Andante cantabile 08'21"
3 Allegretto vivace e scherzando 04'44" Rreal Player Media Player
4 Allegretto grazioso e dolce 04'28"
5 Retrospect (Lento, mesto), Larghetto Iamentoso, Fuga (Molto espressivo), Maestoso Lugubre 14'36"

Total Time : 47'00"

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:

Nocturnes: No.19 In E Minor, Op.72 No.1
Nocturnes: No.1 In B Flat Monor, Op.9 No.1
Nocturnes: No. 2 In E Flat, Op. 9 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 4 In F, Op.15 No.1
Nocturnes: No.5 In F Sharp, Op.15 No.2
Nocturnes: No.7 In C Sharp Minor, Op 27 No.1
Nocturnes: No.8 In D Flat, Op.27 No.2
Nocturnes: No.9 In B, Op.32 No.1
Nocturnes: No.11 In G Minor, Op.37 No.1
Nocturnes: No.12 In G, Op.37 No.2
Nocturnes: No.14 In F Sharp Minor, Op.48 No.2
Nocturnes: No.15 In F Minor, Op.55 No.1
Etude In G Flat, Op.10 No.5 'Black Keys'
Etude In G Flat, Op.25 No.9 'Butterfly'
Scherzo No.4 In E, Op.54
'Die Schone Mullerin': Morgengruss
'Winterreise': Gute Nacht
'Rigoletto' Paraphrase

Tracks:

Carnaval: 1. Preambule
Carnaval: 2. Pierrot
Carnaval: 3. Arlequim
Carnaval: 4. Valse noble
Carnaval: 5. Eusebius
Carnaval: 6. Florestan
Carnaval: 7. Coquette
Carnaval: 8. A. Replique - B. Sphinxes
Carnaval: 9. Papillons
Carnaval: 10. A.S.C.H - S.C.H.A (Letters dansantes)
Carnaval: 11. Chiarina
Carnaval: 12. Chopin
Carnaval: 13. Estrella
Carnaval: 14. Reconnaissance
Carnaval: 15. Pantalon e Colombine
Carnaval: 16a. Valse allemande
Carnaval: 16b. Intermezzo: Paganini
Carnaval: 17. Aveu
Carnaval: 18. Promenade
Carnaval: 19. Pause
Carnaval: 20. Marche des 'Davidsbundler' contre les Philistins
Piano Sonata In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 1. Dans Lebewohl. Adagio - Allegro
Piano Sonata In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 2. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo-
Piano Sonata In E Flat, Op.81a 'Les adieux': 3. Das Wiedersehn. Vivacissimamente
Ballade In G Minor, Op.24
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: 1. Grave. Doppio movimento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: 2. Schervo - Piu lento - Tempo I
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: 3. Marche funebre. Lento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: 4. Finale. Presto

Customer Reviews:

unfortunate.......2007-03-29

I came to this recording with high expectations because of Godowsky's reputation as "a Buddha among pianists." The recordings were a terrible let-down for two reasons.

First is that the sound quality is extremely poor, making the music difficult to listen to (and this from an avid collector of historical recordings!). The hiss/buzz is extremely loud and the tone flat and colorless.

The second is that the playing just doesn't live up to Godowsky's reputation. He always did terribly in a recording studio, and never seemed to do justice to what he was capable of in live or private performance. Godowsky himself was aware of this shortcoming; he apparently wrote in a letter shortly before his death, "Do not judge me by my recordings!"

I wouldn't recommend buying this recording unless you have a particular interest in Godowsky or are trying to compile the whole Philip's set.

Average customer rating:

Pure mastery
Romantic Pianism at its Best
Big ideas, big music, big performances
Extraordinary playing; and quite a find in terms of music
Great Pianist, questionable compositions.

Godowsky: Sonata; Passacaglia

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Alkan: Grande sonate 'Les quatre âges', Sonatine, Le festin d'Esope
Busoni: Piano Concerto, Op. 39

ASIN: B00005UO88
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Amazon.com

Perhaps it's true that Vladimir Horowitz claimed Leopold Godowsky's 1928 Passacaglia "impossible to play." That hasn't stopped brilliant, note-gobbling supervirtuosos from taking up its uncommon cause. The work treats the opening measure's of Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony as a ground bass from which 44 variations and a gigantic fugue evolve. The increasingly elaborate, upholstered textures and harmonic purple prose often suggest Max Reger huffing and puffing his way through the Gershwin songbook, leaving little time to relax or breathe. Fortunately, Marc-André Hamelin channels his envious technique toward the most effective musical ends, taking more time with transitions than he did on his first recording of the work in 1988 and lingering just enough over lyrical passages. He unleashes intense heat in the demanding cadenza, yet keeps his scurrying fingers cool and controlled. Hamelin's unflinching proficiency and ability to handle the most taxing keyboard figurations with utter nonchalance brilliantly serve Godowsky's rambling, five-movement behemoth of a Piano Sonata. His only significant competition comes from Konstantin Scherbakov on Marco Polo, whose phrase inflections and dynamic surges tend to soften the music's grip. This is particularly telling in the Andante Cantabile, which contrasts with Hamelin's swifter, more fluid dispatch. Hamelin also keeps things moving by wisely forgoing Godowsky's superfluous repeats in the first and third movements, while Scherbakov observes them, to less convincing musical effect. It is churlish to say that no pianist need record these works again, yet future Godowsky players will have to practice to the bone in order to match, let alone surpass, Hamelin's reference versions. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Pure mastery.......2005-03-13

Marc-André Hamelin shows his extraordinary abilities again in these 2 monumental works by Godowsky. E minor sonata is a huge work with its 5 different movements, and especially look for how Mr. Hamelin builds up the sentimental melody in the 2nd movement marked "Andante cantabile". Coming to "Passacaglia" - the other work in this CD, famous for its horrendously difficult passages - you can say that pure magicianship is taking place by the help of the hands of Mr. Hamelin. A great CD and a good choice for those who love Godowsky's music.

Romantic Pianism at its Best.......2003-05-14

The secret is out: The Romantic piano genre remains the favorite of concert goers worldwide. From the concertos of Lizst, Rachmaninoff, Schumann and Brahms to the Symphonies of Bruckner, Mahler, Scriabin and Tchaivosky - these are what audiences yearn to hear. These two works by the piano viruoso Godowsky easily fit into this category and the only things keeping them from the concert stage are their difficulty and length.

The Sonata is by turns, robust, wild, beautiful and alluring - a perfect blend of the chromatic. What one notices about the Passacaglia is not only the virtuostic playing (which disproves the notion that it is "unplayable") but the almost hypnotic quality of the theme and its development. What one notices on second and third hearings is the skill and effort required for simply organizing the work - a trait that is all to often missing from even spectacular performances. The nuances, phrasing and dynamics are well conceived and executed.

What is remarkable about these works is that the composer was primarily a miniaturist known primarily for his rewrorkings of other composers's works. These two pieces prove that he moved effortlessly between both worlds and that this one is only waiting to be discovered.

Big ideas, big music, big performances.......2002-12-01

I had to live with this CD for several months before I felt sufficiently acquainted with this previously unfamiliar music to write this review. My pleasure in this music grew with each hearing.

The disc contains Godowsky's two largest pieces for piano. He is primarily remembered as a piano virtuoso and for his miniatures, particularly the transformations of Chopin's études (53 of them, based on the 26 Chopin pieces, 22 of them for left hand alone) already brilliantly recorded by Hamelin.

The Sonata was composed in the decade that also brought us the Dukas 'Grande Sonate' and the Berg Op. 1 Sonata, a period that some feel was the last flowering of the Romantic piano sonata. It is huge--five movements lasting almost 50 minutes. Two very large movements, the first and fifth, surround three gentler, dreamy, graceful movements, each containing luscious Schubertian melodies. The two end movements, though, are filled with serious, lush, even hyper-romantic stuff. The first movement, in fairly strict but extended sonata form, has six distinct themes that are combined, altered, recollected (as some of them are again in the final movement), all clothed in highly chromatic harmonies. Somehow Godowsky is able to use fistfuls of notes but still keep the contrapuntal lines going perceptibly. And certainly Hamelin's ability to take dense music of this sort and make intelligible MUSIC out of it is indispensable here. The last movement, all in slow tempo, starts with a short introduction followed by a delicious Larghetto--Godowsky also arranged it for violin and piano, and later for cello and piano--not a man to let a good idea go to waste), which is then followed by a huge fugue on the notes B-A-C-H, in turn followed by a touching funeral march. The piece ends quietly with the Dies irae slowly intoned in the bass followed by a short repetition of the funeral march.

The Passacaglia is based on a theme from Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony--not the familiar tune that every school child knows, but the tune in b minor that opens the first movement. Among pianists the piece is known as almost impossibly hard; in fact, Horowitz, after studying the piece for some time reportedly said 'It's hopeless. You need six hands to play it!' Abram Chasins, who heard Godowsky play the piece at a private gathering, wrote:

"This was sheer enchantment, both the work itself and Godowsky's pianism. It had the cool, colorful clarity of a stained-glass window. Although I was greatly moved and impressed by what I heard, Godowsky's effortless mastery made me unaware of the vastness of his pianistic feat that night." (quoted in Robert Rimm's "The Composer-Pianists")

And indeed, it is the case that the piece's horrendous difficulties are in the service of Godowsky's musical ideas, not simply there for show.

Needless to say, Marc-André Hamelin's performances of these two pieces are ne plus ultra. One hopes, on the one hand, that these recordings might encourage others to take up these pieces, but fears, on the other, that his spectacular musicianship will intimidate other pianists. We should be glad we have these recordings.

One personal note: I shall be hearing Hamelin in recital later this season. The program has not been announced. I am hoping that he includes one of these pieces on his program. But if he doesn't, at least I have this disc.

Extraordinary playing; and quite a find in terms of music.......2002-07-11

I have found this recording from Hamelin to be a most compelling disk. It is not simply Hamelin's magical pianism, but his rediscovery of the music of (yet another) neglected composer of a century ago.

This is the type of music that rewards attentive listening. The music is complex and lush and romantic, but unfamiliar. The disk should be listened to, in full, at least two or three times, both to learn the scale of the work and to appreciate Hamelin's command of it.

It's been said that Hamelin needs to return to the traditional repertoire, now that he has produced these outstanding recordings outside the mainstream literature. I say, au contraire! The last thing the world of recorded classical music needs is another Beethoven or Shubert sonata, another series of Bach keyboard works (sorry Murray Perahia) or yet another round of technically flawless, but risk-free Schumann or Chopin disks.

The best thing to have happened to recorded classical music in the past decade is Hamelin's ceaseless promotion of this neglected literature--and of course the wonderful musicality of his own piano-playing.

I can't recommend this disk too highly.

Great Pianist, questionable compositions........2002-03-31

After (re)recording some of the smaller scale works by Godowsky and setting a landmark in the history of piano playing with his recording of the complete set of the latter's elaborations on Chopin's etudes, Marc-Andre Hamelin (re)visits Leopold's most substantial original compositions.

This disc further highlights Hamelin's unlimited technical potential, his willingness to explore lesser-known works of the piano repertoire, and his commitment to give them the full five star treatment.

However, just like the best of cooks cannot be expected to create magic with inferior ingredients, the Sonata and Passacaglia don't offer Hamelin the material, upon which greatness can be build.

In his smaller scale works, in his song transcriptions and his Chopin elaborations, cases in which "structural strength" is of limited importance, or provided by the original composers, Godowsky proofs himself a very skilled arranger. A veritable "piano orchestrator". Yet, these original compositions highlight his shortcomings: lack of substantial thematic material, lack of harmonic development, and choosing a scale that is at complete odds with the limited substance of the contents.

Hamelin mentions Chopin's 3rd Sonata when discussing Godowsky's behemoth and the inclusion of the retrospect also points in the direction of Brahms' nr. 3. Yet, such comparisons just highlight the inherent weakness of Godowsky's Sonata. Leopold's only saving grace is that the rehashings of the thematic material allow him to highlight his significant coloristic talents from time to time.

This was my second encounter with the Passacaglia after I got Rian de Waal's cd in the early 1990s. De Waal is a highly underexposed pianist of great skill. Whereas Hamelin does everything humanly possible to squeeze the very last bit of supposed strength out of this mediocre theme with variations and fugue, de Waal chose to add his own brand of spice to enliven this drama a little. Both recordings have their individual strengths, that are the more remarkable when one considers the limited virtues of the material.[...] As a matter of fact, officinados of the 88 compare Godowsky's Passacaglia with Nielssen's equally obscure Chaconne and see whether you agree with the B-man that the Danish Symphonist's work is clearly the work of choice.

Tracks:

Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 1 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 2 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 3 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 4 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 5 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 6 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 7 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 8 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 9 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 10 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 11 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 10 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 13 - Piotr Anderszewski
Fourteen Bagatelles, Op.6: Bagatelle, Op. 6 No. 14 - Piotr Anderszewski
Prelude And Fugue In G-sharp Minor - Denis Burstein
Prelude And Fugue In G-sharp Minor - Denis Burstein
, Op.20 No.1 In B-Flat Minor: Fairy Tale, Op. 20 No. 1 In B-Flat Minor - Denis Burstein
Fairy Tale, Op.20 No.2 In B Minor: Fairy Tale, Op. 20 No. 2 In B Minor - Denis Burstein
Fairy Tale, Op.26 No.3 In F Minor: Fairy Tale, Op. 26 No. 3 In F Minor - Denis Burstein
Prelude Op.27 No.1 - Denis Burstein
Prelude Op.27 No.2 - Denis Burstein
Etude Op.42 No.4: Etude Op. 42 No. 4 - Denis Burstein
Liebesfreud - Denis Burstein

Tracks:

Sonata In G Minor K. 8, L. 488 - Kemal Gekic
Sonata In F Minor, K 519, L. 475 - Kemal Gekic
Etude No.2 In E-flat Major - Kemal Gekic
Sonata No.1 in D Minor Op. 28: Sonata No.1 in D Minor Op. 28: Allegro Moderato - Kemal Gekic
Vocalise - Ilya Itin
Polka - Ilya Itin
Prelude Op. 23 No. 1 In F-sharp Minor - Ilya Itin
Prelude Op. 32 No. 6 In F Minor - Ilya Itin
Prelude Op. 32 No.7 In F Major - Ilya Itin
Prelude Op.23 No. 10 In G-flat Major - Ilya Itin
Prelude Op. 23 No. 7 In C Minor - Ilya Itin
Prelude Op. 32 No. 13 In D-flat Major - Ilya Itin
Studies On Etudes Of F. Chopin: Etude Op. 10 No. 2 'Ignis Fautuus' - Francesco Libetta
Studies On Etudes Of F. Chopin: Etude Op. 25 No. 2 - Francesco Libetta
Studies On Etudes Of F. Chopin: Etude Op. 25 No. 9 'Badinage' - Francesco Libetta
La Soiree Dans Grenade - Francesco Libetta
Etude In Form Of A Waltz - Francesco Libetta
Grande Sonate Op. 33: Grande Sonate Op. 33: First Movement - Francesco Libetta

Customer Reviews:

Five Excellent Pianists and a Feast of Musical Delights!.......2005-12-29

The Miami International Piano Festival of Discovery is well named: this two CD set offers fresh young talent in a variety of music played with all the drama of a competition. It is very well recorded and contains some truly magical moments.

There are five pianists represented here and their choices of competition entries in many ways helps define their abilities and musicality. Piotr Anderszewski offers the Bartok Opus 6 Bagatelles, electing to explore all 14 of these little pieces to keep with the unity of Bartok's conception. They are models of clean definitive performances. Denis Burstein on the other hand selects various works by Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Medtner, and Taneyev showing his penchant for the obscure as well as the well known. Kemal Gekic programs Scarlatti with Liszt and Rachmaninov and offers valid stances on each. Ilya Itin opts of an all Rachmaninov collection from the lovely 'Vocalize' through six of the Preludes. Francesco Libetta closes with paraphrases on Chopin by Godowsky and works by Debussy, Saint-Saens and Alkan.

Of interest the pianist who has become most popular with the public since this 2000 year competition is Piotr Anderszewski, but from the experience of listening to the entire group, one would expect more will come from the other four, too! A delightful set of recordings. Grady Harp, December 05

random sheeyat.......2005-04-27

hahaha, diz CCD haz some random hardcore sheeeeeeeyat from da LIB

tiz tru says:
INSANE HARDCORE MIND CONTROL tech

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: Nelson Freire

Average customer rating:

Six Stars
Rare vintage Freire
A Pianist's Pianist
The Best Schumann recording
GRAN VALOR

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: Nelson Freire
Johannes Brahms , and Frederick Chopin
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli 2
Van Cliburn
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ASIN: B00000I941
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Fantasie In C, Op.17: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen
Fantasie In C, Op.17: Massig
Fantasie In C, Op.17: Langsam getragen
Scherzo No.1 In B Minor, Op.20
Impromptu No.2 In F Sharp, Op.36
Mazurka In C Sharp Minor, Op.41 No.1
Mazurka In B Flat Minor, Op.24 No.4
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: Allegro maestoso
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: Scherzo. Molto vivace
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: Largo
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: Finale. Presto no tanto

Tracks:

Piano Sonata In F, KV.332: Allegro
Piano Sonata In F, KV.332: Adagio
Piano Sonata In F, KV.332: Allegro assai
Piano Sonata No.3 In F Minor, Op.5: Allegro maestoso
Piano Sonata No.3 In F Minor, Op.5: Andante espressivo
Piano Sonata No.3 In F Minor, Op.5: Scherzo. Allegro energico
Piano Sonata No.3 In F Minor, Op.5: Intermezzo. Andante molto
Piano Sonata No.3 In F Minor, Op.5: Finale. Aleegro moderato ma rubato
Symphonic Metamorphosis On Themes From 'Die FLedermaus'
Standchen
Hungarian Rhapsody No.10
Totentanz

Customer Reviews:

Six Stars.......2001-12-31

If you play piano, or if you like concerts of piano, buy it! It's really fantastic. The liszt's totentanz it's simply uncredible. He played another "metamorphosis" of a valse by Johann Strauss. I've never seen nothing similar, it's really "animal". Another point is that I know Mr. Freire and, I don't know why, he doesn't like recording. The few freire's recordings is saved in concert. So, this is unique, fabulous recording. I repeat: just buy it!

Rare vintage Freire.......2001-01-13

Aren't those people in Paris lucky. Not only do they live in the most beautiful city on earth, but they are also about the only ones that can catch a glimpse of this great pianist nowadays. Fortunately, there is this disc set. Both in repertoire, technique and artistry Freire belongs to a small and highly select group of musicians. Mozart in refined perfection. Liszt performed in a way that makes you fear that the end of times will soon be upon us. Schumann and Chopin served equally well. Last but not least there is Freire's Godowsky. With the exception of Marc-Andre Hamelin, there is no pianist even coming close to this level of performing this composer. I hope that this issue will increase the recognition and output of this master of the 88.

A Pianist's Pianist.......2000-06-06

Nelson Freire's inclusion in this collection has brought him back to the recording studio and two new recordings, one with the Liszt concertos, another a live concert, have come out since. Sony has rereleased some budget CDs with him which, unfortunately, are badly recorded; avoid them. If you want to try his artistry, get instead this wonderful collection, plus the Phillips Duo disc which has Martha Argerich pairing up with friends on a number of works. Freire is famous for dreamy romantic works, but you'll love the subtlely and power of his Brahms 3d piano sonata as much as his Liszt or his Schumann. Among the releases of the "Great Pianists" collection, this one is a true gift which restores to the public an elusive but distinguished artist.

The Best Schumann recording.......2000-05-26

You've never heard Schumann's "Fantasia op. 17" played like that. Só sua enorme timidez explica porque Nelson Freire não é uma celebridade mundial. Martha Argerich ha saputo scegliere il suo partner musicale. Er ist unglaublich ! Il faut lui connaître.

GRAN VALOR.......2000-05-04

Nelson Freire, un pianista brillante con gran musicalidad, es curioso que un pianista de tan alto nivel no sea más famoso. La interpretación de la Sonata Op. 5 de Brahms, es de lo mejor que he escuchado en mi vida.

Tracks:

Intro - Lionel Barrymore
La Ronde De Lutins Op.25 - Con Hall Orch
Divertimento No. 17 in D K. 334: 1st Movt: Allegro
Con Caprice Op.5, No.4: Perpetuum Mobile
Golliwog's Cake-Walk From Children's Corner Suite - Emanuel bay
Cello Son in g Op.19: 3rd Movt: Andante - Emanuel bay
Partita No. 3 in E BWV. 1006: 1st Movt: Prld
Partita No. 3 in E BWV. 1006: 3rd Movt: Gavotte
Partita No. 3 in E BWV. 1006: 6th Movt: Gavotte
Con in a Op.28: 2nd Movt: Air (Andante)
12 Impressions: No. 12 Viennese
Triakontameron: No. 11 Alt Wien
Struke Op.45, No.2 Guitarre
Beau Soir
Introduction & Tarantelle Op.43
Con No. 2 in g Op.63: 2nd Movt: Andante Assai - Con Hall Orch
Hexapoda (5 Studies In Jitteroptera): Jim Jives - Con Hall Orch

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Collection of Piano Music, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000080G
Release Date: 1991-10-16

Tracks:

Arietta No. 1 Op. 12
Intermezzo No. 1 in E Flat Major Op. 117
Consolation No. 4
English Suite No. 2 in a Minor BWV 807: Sarabande
Der Muller und Der Bach
Romance No. 2 Op. 28
Escenas Romanticas: Epilogo
Annees de Pelerinage: Au Lac de Wallenstadt
Italian Concerto in F Major BWV 971: Arioso
Prelude No. 6 in B Minor Op. 28
Consolation No. 1
Symphony No. 6 in F Major Op. 68: Szene Am Bach: Andante Molto Moto
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor ("Tempest") Op. 31/: Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 31 in a Flat Major, Op. 110
Symphony No. 9 in D Minor Op. 125: Adagio Molto E Cantabile

Tracks:

Bagatelles (6) For Piano, Op. 126, No. 3 in E Flat
Nocturne in B Flat Minor Op. 9 No. 1
Intermezzo in B Flat Minor Op. 117 No. 2
Sonata in B Flat Major D 960: Andante Sostenuto
Nocturne in E Minor Op. 72 No. 1
Intermezzo in B Minor Op. 119 No. 1
Sonata No. 1 Op. 6: Second Movement
Preludes, Book 1 No. 8
Gymnopedie No. 1
Miroirs, For Piano (Or Orchestra): La Vallde Cloches
Guirlandes Op. 73 No. 1
Prelude in G Flat Major Op. 23 No. 10
4eme Nocturne
Fragilite Op. 51 No. 1
Vingt Regards Sur l'Enfant Jesus
Elegie
Gnossienne No. 4

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Back to the Source

Musical Mementos of Jascha Heifetz

Manufacturer: Protone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003BOR
Release Date: 1997-02-18

Tracks:

Impromptu, Op.90 No.3
Prld (E Maj. Partita)
Sweet Souvenir, Op.19 No.1
Fairy Tale, Op.20 No.1
Prld, No.12 Op.32
Daisies, Op.38 No.3
El Puerto
Sevilla
Liebesleid
Nocturne, Op.27 No.2
Valse Noble Et Sentimentale No.VI
Valse Noble Et Sentimentale No.VII
Alt Wien
Gavotte Satirique, Op.10
Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Hora Staccato
Prld No.1
Prld No.2
Prld No.3

Customer Reviews:

Back to the Source.......2000-10-31

This CD is somewhat unusual. As a tribute to violinist, Jascha Heifetz; pianist, Ayke Agus, has put together a collection of some of the original piano compositions from which Heifetz created transciptions for the violin. Whatever the excuse, this is a very pleasant collection of mostly familiar piano pieces.

Tracks:

Renaissance: No.8 Pastorale In G (Angelus)
Renaissance: No.12 Gigue In E
Renaissance: No.6 Tambourin In E Minor
Sonata In B Minor, S.178: Lento Assai - Allegro Energico
Sonata In B Minor, S.178: Grandioso
Sonata In B Minor, S.178: Andante Sostenuto - Quasi Adagio
Sonata In B Minor, S.178: Allegro Energico - Piu Mosso
Sonata In B Minor, S.178: (Sostenuto) - Stretta Quasi Presto - Presto - Prestissimo
Sonata In B Minor, S.178: Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Moderato - Lento Assai
Ballade No.1 In G Minor, Op.23
Impromptu No.1 In A Flat, Op.29
Etude For The Left Hand
Islamey: Oriental Fantasie
Etude In D Sharp Minor, Op.8/12
Polka De W.R.
Fantasiestucke, Op.12/7: Traumes Wirren
Perpetuum Mobile: Piano Sonata No.1 In C, J.138: Presto

Customer Reviews:

The bequeath of a genius!.......2007-05-10

No other pianist like him, was owner - at the same time - of color sense, enviable technique and sheer lyricism when the work demanded it. His Liszt' s Don Juan Fantasy, Balkirev' s Islamey or even his Scriabin has no paragon.

His life was extremely brief. 55 years is just the beginning for many pianists, and the qworld of the music missed deeply his departure that fatidic April 4 1951 when he died playing the Grieg's Piano concerto under Ormandy' s direction.

His powerful expressiveness, mercurial tension were nevertheless, any impediment to round successfully heartfelt pages such his unsurpassed version of Chopin's Fantasy Op. 28, for instance. Withe the only exception of William Kapell, npo ther pianist has recorded with such notable intensity Chopin's First Ballad, and liszt's Sonata in B minor is one of the most outstanding ever recorded.

So, under any single pretext you should miss anyone of these legendary performances that are part of a history that still rediscovers itself, through the countless testimonials. Barere was undoubtedly, one of the most remarkable pianists the world ever knew.

A thunderous stampede from the sleeping giant.......2005-12-01

The liszt sonata receives a performance that must be counted as one of the alltime great live recordings. The ballade is also is a wonderful piece exposing both sides of barere undervalued virtuosiy-,his sensative side. The Godowsky renaissance and such are also real treasures, for me one of the most unexpectedly enjoyable accounts that takes their place as the defintive y=traversals of these lesser known pieces.
The overabundance of virtuosity in this account of Islamey is what will finally make you say, after several times of asking yourself, what cant this pianist do, why haven't i heard of him before,- and why Horowitz?
even harold schoenberg couldnt rag on this account,- for it is one of the most enjoyably virtuosic accounts of all time. Great place to start your adventures with Simon.

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Chopin Solo Piano, Vol 1

Chopin: Solo Piano, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Andante
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Chopin: Solo Piano, Vol. 2
Frédéric Chopin: Piano Works
Alfred Cortot: The Master Classes
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Complete) [Box Set]

ASIN: B00019EYNO
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Customer Reviews:

Chopin Solo Piano, Vol 1.......2007-01-04

I like this album! It opened new worlds for me, of great Chopin interpreters of long, long ago. I bought both volumes of the album by mistake, hoping to get a full album of Alexandre Brailovski's keyboard work. But I'm very pleased with the music. It should be noted I am not a musician of any kind and have a somewhat limited background in classical music. But a friend who is both a professional musician and quite knowledgeable in these matters says the recordings of these artists of bygone days are, well, priceless!!

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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