Fugitives

Track Listings

1. Alfredo Casella: A La Maniere De ... Op. 17

2. A La Maniere De... Op. 17bis

3. Deux Contrastes Op. 33

4. Percy Aldridge Grainger: Free Setting Of Favourite Melodies

5. Paul Pabst - Paraphrase De Concert Sur L'opera Eugene Oneguine De P. Tshcikowski

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In G Major: 1. Allegro con brio
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In G Major: 2. Moderato ben accentuato
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In G Major: 3. Toccata - Allegro con fuoco (piu presto che la prima volta)
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In G Major: 4. Larghetto
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In G Major: 5. Vivo
Sonata For Piano No. 8 In B Flat Major: 1. Andante dolce - Allegro moderato - Andante
Sonata For Piano No. 8 In B Flat Major: 2. Andante songando
Sonata For Piano No. 8 In B Flat Major: 3. Vivace - Allegro ben marcato - Andantino - Vivace
Visions fugitives op.22: No. 3, No. 6, No. 9

Amazon.com essential recording

Sviatoslov Richter was a friend of the composer, and he played all of this music in Prokofiev's presence. His performances have since acquired almost cult status among pianists--a reputation they richly deserve. The Fifth Piano Concerto is a pithy, technically difficult work in five short movements, which Richter plays as though he had composed them himself. The Eighth Sonata, by contrast, was composed during the Second World War, and the contrast between simple lyricism and horrifying violence leaves no doubt whatsoever as to what the composer was attempting to describe. These mid-price reissues sound better than ever, and artistically speaking, they are priceless. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 / Sviatoslav Richter.......2006-08-31

excellent recording. prompt service frm amazon

Concerto Not Quite Perfect.......2006-03-11

Don't get me wrong these performances, esp. the ones forom the keyboard have all of the energy, stength and heart that you would expect from Richter. I can not find one fault with his playing here. It is the recording itself that I have an issue with. The recording balance in the concerto is way off. The piano is always (incorrectly) projected as being louder than the orchestra. If you've ever been to a paiano concerto concert, you know that this is simply not true. Therefore, I give it 4 stars.

Prokofiev and Richter's pianistic magic.......2002-11-23

Prokofiev considered his 5th Piano Concerto to be unjustly neglected at the expense of his ever-popular 3rd. On the evidence of this September 1958 recording, he was right! Richter and the Warsaw National Philharmonic are flawless and sparkling with the spirit of Prokofiev, a light, urbane wit seldom heard since Mozart. The 8th Sonata is another spirit entirely, perhaps Prokofiev's most profound and complex work. There are gentle passages following turbulence and darkness that are of the utmost beauty, and Richter's playing is a marvel.

Other than his 2nd Symphony, Prokofiev's modernist impulse is clearest in his works for piano. The 7th and 8th Sonatas especially are masterworks of the early 20th century, and Richter's is THE 8th!

Definitive Eighth.......1999-12-25

I usually have in mind a list of the ten greatest piano recordings of all time. Luckily, having no particular label affiliation, I am compelled to make my choices solely by personal preference, Millenial Collections notwithstanding. The Fifth Concerto is rarely if ever, played. Richter's version is superb. But the Eighth Sonata receives the most excruciatingly beautiful performance. The lyricism, drama, colour are all qualities in this performance that have remained with me for decades. An essential recording for anyone who loves the piano.

Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos; Overture on Hebrew Themes

Average customer rating:

Not only for the performances and the recording quality --
Sheesh
I guess the score doesn't matter
Piano could stand out a little more
awesome and terrifying

Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos; Overture on Hebrew Themes

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 / Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini / Muti, Gavrilov
Prokofiev Plays Prokofiev
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5; Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse
Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)
Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos

ASIN: B000002S09
Release Date: 1992-09-29

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No 1 In D Major, Op.10: I. Allegro Brioso
Piano Concerto No 1 In D Major, Op.10: II. Andante assai
Piano Concerto No 1 In D Major, Op.10: III. Allegro scherzando
Piano Concerto No 2 In G Minor, Op.16: I. Andantino - Allegretto
Piano Concerto No 2 In G Minor, Op.16: II. Scherzo (vivace)
Piano Concerto No 2 In G Minor, Op.16: III. Intermezzo (allegro moderato)
Piano Concerto No 2 In G Minor, Op.16: IV. Finale (allegro tempestuoso)
Piano Concerto No.3 In C Major, Op.26: I. Andante - Allegro
Piano Concerto No.3 In C Major, Op.26: II. Theme et variations
Piano Concerto No.3 In C Major, Op.26: III. Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.4 In B Flat Major, Op.53,'For The Left Hand': I. Vivace
Piano Concerto No.4 In B Flat Major, Op.53,'For The Left Hand': II. Andante
Piano Concerto No.4 In B Flat Major, Op.53,'For The Left Hand': III. Moderato
Piano Concerto No.4 In B Flat Major, Op.53,'For The Left Hand': IV. Vivace
Piano Concerto No.5 In G Major, Op. 55: I. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No.5 In G Major, Op. 55: II. Moderato ben accentuato
Piano Concerto No.5 In G Major, Op. 55: III. Toccata (allegro con fuoco)
Piano Concerto No.5 In G Major, Op. 55: IV. Larghetto
Piano Concerto No.5 In G Major, Op. 55: V. Vivo
Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 1. Lentamente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 2. Andante
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 3. Allegretto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 4. Animato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 5. Molto giocoso
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 6. Con eleganza
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 7. Pittoresco
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 8. Commodo
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 9. Allegretto tranquillo
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 10. Ridicolosamente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 11. Con vivacita
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 12. Assai moderato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 13. Allegretto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 14. Feroce
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 15. Inquieto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 16. Dolente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 17. Poetico
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 18. Con una dolce lentezza
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 19. Presto agitatissimo e molto accentuato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No 20. Lento irrealmente

Customer Reviews:

Not only for the performances and the recording quality --.......2005-12-07

-- I even like the cover art!

Sheesh.......2003-11-05

I'm reading the reviews here because I just adore this recording and wonder why it's so rarely the recommended choice in CD guides, etc... Maybe there are individual moments in other recordings that surpass individual moments here, but as a whole I don't think any of the other sets are nearly as effective.

But anyway - the review below really annoyed me so I just wanted to weigh in: Beroff's is a really lovely rendition of the Visions Fugitives, and the "ppp" in question (that prompted my fellow reviewer to impress us all with his lordly inability to tolerate philistinism by hurling his CDs into the trash like the filth they are) - ahem - the "ppp" in question applies WITHOUT ANY DOUBT only to the inner voice - I don't know what edition Mr. Landkamer has, but the two that I just looked at both make special effort to place the "ppp" on the page in a way that communicates this. It also bears mentioning that this "ppp" does not appear in the first edition at all.

In conclusion: this set is an amazing deal and, regardless of what people say about Ashkenazy or Argerich or Richter or whomever else, is utterly satisfying. It's one of the few recordings of Prokofiev I've heard where the performance is GENUINELY CONVINCED of the idea that this music is utterly coherent and human. Even supposedly "sensitive" Prokofiev performances often underestimate the fluidity of his musical expression and decide to let things seem thorny and chaotic rather than doing the work necessary to clarify the enigmatic elements. Beroff and Masur are so in tune with the spirit of Prokofiev's screwball jokes and whimsically meandering emotions that you feel you're hearing the piece direct from the composer. Very rare thing, that. There are no more and no fewer fireworks in these performances than Prokofiev put in the score - which is plenty! - and I don't know about you but that's how I like my classical recordings.

I guess the score doesn't matter.......2003-04-26

A few minutes ago, for lack of anything better to do, I put on the Visions Fugitives as played by Michel Beroff on this CD. In bar 14 there is a two-note pickup starting a repeat of the opening melody, here marked "p semplice". Then, on beat 1 of the next bar, the marking is "ppp" implying that the repeat of the theme is to *begin* like a routine restatement but then shift without warning into a new, quieter dreamlike realm. Beroff makes ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE at the ppp. It might as well not be there. These CD's are about to go into the trash.

There, gone.

Addendum (5/31/03)...I purchased another recording of Visions Fugitives, by Boris Berman, and he played this part the same way. Looking again at the score, I think I can see why...the ppp is being interpreted as applying only to the chromatically winding inner voice. I'm not certain that's right, but it's at least not completely unreasonable. Sorry, Michel, I take it all back.

(11/28/03) in response to my courageously anonymous fellow reviewer ("music fan" above) the edition I have is MCA and the ppp is placed between the upper an lower staves but somewhat above-center. I'm not sure this qualifies as a special effort to communicate the intent.

Piano could stand out a little more.......2002-09-21

I agree with other reviewers this is a very good recording, of very difficult works. But it is especially good for the orchestral part. I am not saying Beroff is not a good pianist dont get me wrong. I am just saying there is better.
For the piano (and those are PIANO concertos my friends :) I have to say that I like the Ashkenazy/Previn recording better especially for #2 and #3 The piano sounds much clearer and less hesitating. The opening of 4th movement of #2 for example is 100 times better as played by Ashkenazy. Those chords are so much more precisely dropped. The orchestra though in many passages is more overwhelming (as it should be in this piece) in the Beroff/Masur recording.
If you want the complete set. Get both this recording and the Ashkenazy/Previn. They complement one another really well.
Now if you want the best recording of #3. You want to get the Argerich/Abbado recording. It ROCKS its is way above any other. Better rythmic precision , better phrasing, faster tempo. It is just amazing.

awesome and terrifying.......2002-09-21

This CD is another example of good price, comprehensiveness, and outstanding quality combining to make a powerhouse recording. I cannot overstate how dazzling Beroff's performance is. To hear pianistic technique at its pinnacle, just listen to the cadenza of the Second Concerto's opening movement--it'll take your breath away (you'll swear that it cannot be played by just a single player--examining the score will compound the disbelief). Beroff's swift hammering, mastery of dynamics, and perfect grasp of both Prokofiev's wit and rage, will have you coming back to this CD set for years. Concerto No. 3, by the way, is the best performance I've heard besides that given by Martha Argerich. With expert performance by Maestro Masur and the Gewandhaus Orchestra, these five neoclassical works have rarely received such musical justice. The second CD also features Prokofiev's delightful ethnographic chamber piece, "Overture on Hebrew Themes," as well as his solo piano work, "Fugitive Visions" (not quite as notable as, say, his late sonatas). I consider this CD set one of the best in my collection, and I recommend it without any reservations.

Average customer rating:

Echo Chamber
Masterful and sublime
good stuff
I Always Come Back to This One

Prokofiev: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Prokofiev: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 1
Prokofiev: The Complete Piano Music, Vol. 6
Prokofiev: Piano Music, Vol. 4
Prokofiev: Vol. 3 of Complete Piano Music
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Music, Volume 5

ASIN: B000000ALH
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Visions fugitives, Op. 22: I - Lentamente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: II - Andante
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: III - Allegretto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: IV - Animato - Pitenuto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: V - Molto Giocoso
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: VI - Con Eleganza
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: VII - Pittoresco
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: VIII - Commodo
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: IX - Allegretto Tranquilo
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: X - Ridicolosamente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XI - Con Vivacit
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XII - Assai Moderato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XIII - Allegretto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XIV - Feroce
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XV - Inquieto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XVI - Dolente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XVII - Poetico
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XVIII - Con una Dolce Lentezza
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XIX - Presto Agitatissimo e Molto Accentuato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: XX - Lento Irrealmente
Sarcasms, Op. 17: I - Tempestoso
Sarcasms, Op. 17: II - Allegro Rubato - Piso
Sarcasms, Op. 17: III - Allegro Precipitato - Un poco largamente
Sarcasms, Op. 17: IV - Smanioso - Piso - Poco pitenuto
Sarcasms, Op. 17: V - Precipitosissimo - Meno mosso subito - Andantino - L'istesso tempo
Tales Of An Old Grandmother, Op. 31: I - Moderato
Tales Of An Old Grandmother, Op. 31: II - Andantino
Tales Of An Old Grandmother, Op. 31: III - Andante assai
Tales Of An Old Grandmother, Op. 31: IV - Sostenuto - Pochissimo pimato - Molto andante
Sonata No. 7, Op. 83: I - Allegro Inquieto - poco meno - Andantino
Sonata No. 7, Op. 83: II - Andante Caloroso - poco pimato - Pigamente - un poco agitato
Sonata No. 7, Op. 83: III - Precipitato

Customer Reviews:

Echo Chamber.......2004-01-19

Was thrilled to see the other reviews here. I happened to come in here to write a review because I put this disc on for the first time in ages. I was insanely obsessed with this one for a long time. The Visions are mindblowing and Berman's version just blows the doors off every other one I've heard. He plays these pieces as the spooky, incredibly modern pieces that they are, mixing muddy, dissonant grumblings with hammering lyricism, holding the tempos in the hypnotic range. Prokofiev often had more musical ideas in a single piece than a lot of composers could muster in their lives. Visions ranks with the Piano Concerto #3 as one of the premiere assemblages of brilliant fragments in the history of music. And there are so many of them that when they're all over, you'll be sad, but you can just go back to the beginning again.

One other note here. Schoenberg and his ilk did a lot to discredit the modern Russians, claiming that they were just hacking out forms that had been long ago interred by more advanced practitioners (like himself of course). A lot of that has worn off, but revisionism has still not landed Prokofiev his just due. Nevermind his lyricism, which is a match for anyone else, but many of his ideas and forms are very interestingly modern in other ways. For instance, he was a master of idiom and turning pieces inside out based on their structural underpinnings. His first symphony was composed as an exercise based on the thought 'If Haydn were still alive, what would he compose?' and Prokofiev's answer was much the same thing, with a few amendments to his musical language. (A wonderful counter to Shoenberg's cretinous progressive/positivist views of musical history.) Also, many of his compositions use popular idioms and take them apart, turning them into farces, in a very interesting way. Ravel's La Valse got a lot of attention for lampooning the Waltz, but Prokofiev wrote some of the most beautiful waltzes ever, and yet they are tinged with irony, nay parody. This practice is on display in these pieces, and the result is similar to what became the dominant mode of exploration during the Cool Jazz period: taking popular pieces and pulling them apart and reconstructing them in other forms.

Masterful and sublime.......2003-03-31

Berman's interpretations are, as another reviewer opined, probably even better than what Prokofiev intended himself. The Visions fugitives are brief, flitting glimpses of Prokofiev's genius, and the 7th Sonata is churning as well. An amazing recording, and a great series

good stuff.......2001-04-26

Very worthwhile recording. Gorgeous sound, strong technique, compelling interpretations. My interest was the Visions Fugitives, and they are probably not the way Prokofiev would have done them - but I value this rendition as much as his own (he didn't record the complete set anyway).

I Always Come Back to This One.......1999-03-17

I buy lots and lots of classical CDs, and there are very few in the category of "I play them a lot." Maybe 5 or 10 max. This is one of them. The Visions Fugitives are a revelation. The Sonata #7 is always a surprise and a delight. This guy Berman plays Prokofiev like I don't know what. He plays Prokofiev better than Prokofiev. It's scary, how habit-forming this CD is. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Average customer rating:

Historic Prokofiev!!!
Great, But Not "Definitive" Performances
Prokofiev is better a composer than a pianist
Definitive
The composer as performer

Prokofiev Plays Prokofiev

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Bartók Plays Bartók
Claude Debussy: The Composer as Pianist
Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos; Overture on Hebrew Themes
Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos
Maurice Ravel: The Composer as Pianist and Conductor

ASIN: B00005NUP1
Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

Pno Con No.3 in C, Op.26: Andante - Allegro
Pno Con No.3 in C, Op.26: Tema Con Variazioni (Andantino)
Pno Con No.3 in C, Op.26: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Suggestion Diabolique, Op.4 No.4
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.9 Allegro Tranquillo
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.3 Allegretto
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.17 Poetico
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.18 Con Una Dolce Lentezza
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.11 Con Vivacita
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.10 Ridicolosamente
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.16 Dolente
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.6 Con Eleganza
Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (Extracts): No.5 Molto Giocosa
Pno Pieces: 'Classical' Sym, Op.25: Gavotte
Pno Pieces: Son No.4, Op.29: Andante Assai
Pno Pieces: Conte De La Vielle Grand-Mere, Op.31 No.2
Pno Pieces: Conte De La Vielle Grand-Mere, Op.31 No.3
Pno Pieces: Gavotte, Op.32 No.3
Pno Pieces: Etude, Op.52
Pno Pieces: Sonatine Pastorale, Op.59 No.3
Pno Pieces: Paysage, Op.59 No.2

Amazon.com

With some trivial exceptions, mostly piano rolls, this disc compiles Prokofiev's complete recordings as a pianist. It's a pity there are so few of them, but we are fortunate to have any. The composer's brilliance in his own popular Third Piano Concerto has never been surpassed, not even by such contemporary virtuosi as Argerich and Toradze. The way he tosses off the showers of rushing chords just before the end of the last movement is a typical illustration of Prokofiev's amazing pianism. Even the sluggish playing of the LSO under the direction of Coppola, a company hack from French EMI, doesn't diminish the value or the thrills of this performance. The selection of piano music, brief as it is, reveals the contrasting facets of Prokofiev's style, and his playing reflects moods from the sarcastic brilliance of Suggestion diabolique to the touching poignance of the slow movement from the Fourth Piano Sonata. Superbly transferred by Mark Obert-Thorn, this listenable and compelling disc is a model of what historical reissues should be in both content and presentation. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Historic Prokofiev!!!.......2005-08-06

"Prokofiev Plays Prokofiev" on the Naxos label collects all of the recordings made by the great Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev onto one disc. Unlike Rachmaninoff who made many recordings of his own works as well as works by other composers, Prokofiev made very few recordings. Because of this, the "Prokofiev Plays Prokofiev" disc offers a rare glimpse into the composer's talents as a pianist/performer.
Included on this disc is a one-of-a-kind performance of Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto recorded in 1932 at the famed Abbey Road Studios (this is exactly 30 years before the Beatles made Abbey Road a household name). On this recording, Prokofiev shows off his effortless chops as a pianist while the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Piero Coppola provides a strong backdrop to the composer's up-front-and-center piano.
Filling out the disc are solo piano recordings made by Prokofiev in Paris in 1935. Here, he gives authentic renditions of his "Suggestion Diabolique" as well as stellar excerpts from his 20-part "Visions Fugitives", the Gavotte movement from his famous "Classical Symphony" (Symphony No.1), the closing movement of his Fourth Piano Sonata and other shorter piano pieces.
Getting to hear Prokofiev play his own music brings a definitve sense of authenticity to the music. You get to hear the composer perform the music as they originally intended it to be executed. While he is not as powerful of a pianist as Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev does display a dynamic and flawless technique on these historic recordings. The audio restoration and digital remastering is amazing bringing clarity and depth to the original recordings without much surface noise or imperfections that are common with old 78 RPM records. The enclosed liner notes while somewhat brief, offering an excellent insight not only to the music but to the actual recordings themselves.
With this said, "Prokofiev Plays Prokofiev" is definitely a must-have for the die-hard Prokofiev fan. It's a genuine treat to hear the genius at work and with its price tag of under eight dollars, this disc is an absolute steal.

Great, But Not "Definitive" Performances.......2005-06-25

There is certainly a range of opinions among the reviewers here as to the merits of these composer-played performances. So here are a few dissenting remarks of my own. I have to take issue with Amazon editorialist Leslie Gerber's characterization of Piero Coppola as a "hack" conductor. In addition to his work here in Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto, Coppola left many very distinguished 78 rpm recordings: one of the earliest and best accounts of Bizet's "Carmen," a great reading of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, and many pathbreaking accounts of Debussy, Ravel, Roussel, etc.

As the typically well-written and informative review here by Hank Drake indicates, Piero Coppola was also grandfather of the famed film director Francis Ford Coppola. It's interesting to note that the latter's "Godfather" films are essentially grand operas of pride and revenge (especially III, where the climactic final scenes are actually set in an opera house during a performance of Mascagni's similarly-themed "Cavalleria Rusticana"). Piero's son Carmine Coppola was a film composer (e.g., a small part of the otherwise Rota-composed Godfather films, and a very Satie-esque, Gymnopedie-like film score for "The Black Stallion"). It's also worth noting that the Prokofiev 3rd can be heard as a prize-winning peformance in the delightful film "The Competition," starring Richard Dreyfuss and Amy Irving (the Prokofiev excerpts heard in the film were played by pianist Daniel Pollack).

I'm afraid I can't agree with Mr. Drake's characterization of this 3rd Concerto's performance as "definitive." There are just too many equally valid ways to perform a great work, none of which should be called the "one and only." Even when I feel that a reading is as close to definitive as possible (say, Richter's recording of the Prokofiev 5th Concerto), I am more inclined to say "best I've heard" or "finest known to me" or something along those lines, simply because I haven't heard them ALL.

The 3rd Piano Concerto has had no shortage of fine recordings. In fact, I was amazed to discover that the Philips CD series "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" contains no fewer than FIVE of them: Argerich, Gavrilov, Janis, Kapell and Katchen. Of those, I prefer the Kapell (with Dorati; Kapell also left a great "live" recording with Stokowski on M&A, but the sound is poor). Yes, I think this Prokofiev/Coppola account is a GREAT one, and I am happy to own it along with those two by William Kapell, the quirky version by Samson Francois (with Andre Cluytens on EMI), the fine collaboration of Alexander Uninsky with Willem von Otterloo (Epic LP), and a brilliant "live" account from Nikita Magaloff with conductor Lovro von Matacic (Disques Montaigne).

Prokofiev is especially remarkable here in the short solo pieces like "Visions fugitives," and his accounts are among my very favorites, along with those by Richter, Neuhaus and Katz.

Incidentally, Prokofiev also made a 1938 recording, this time as a CONDUCTOR, of badly-played selections from his own "Romeo & Juliet" with the Moscow Philharmonic (available on a Parnassus CD). Judging from that evidence, I won't hesitate to say that Prokofiev was DEFINITELY better as a composer/pianist than he was as a composer/conductor!

Is this Prokofiev 3rd Concerto a "definitive" recording? No, I don't believe there is such a thing. Is it a VERY GREAT recording that's a "must-hear?" Absolutely!

Highly recommended.

Jeff Lipscomb

Prokofiev is better a composer than a pianist.......2004-11-03

I have to disagree with the editorial comment regarding to Prokofiev's playing of the 3rd Concerto is unsurpassed by Argerich. I don't know if Prokofiev was not playing at his best in this recording, but it sounds like he didn't have much control over his 3rd Concerto. In some virtuostic parts of the concerto, he slowed down tremendously, and that actually killed the continuity of the piece. Other times, he speeded up like crazy. I can sense that the orchestra had a hard time keeping up with him. I don't know if it's the recording, but the orchestra sounded very passive. In some critical parts where the woodwind is suppose to stand, you can't hear much.
If you want to listen to excellent performances of this concerto, listen to Argerich (Abbado conducting Berlin Philharmonic)or Ashkenazy. The best performance I found is played by John Browning (Erich Leinsdorf conducting Boston Symphony), which I definately recommend (that is, if you can find one! The one I found is in LP!)The way Browning played is absolutely amazing. His control of the piece and the rhythm is unbelievable.
Nevertheless, it is still nice to listen to composers performing their own works. I mean in many cases, they are not good at their own music because some music they wrote are beyond their ability. If you are a Prokofiev fan, I would recommend this CD to you. After you listen to it, you'll understand why Rachmaninoff is better known as a pianist than Prokofiev!

Definitive.......2002-12-09

The line of great composer-pianists began with Mozart, included Beethoven and Chopin, and ended with Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. We are fortunate indeed that these last two left behind recordings of their own works. This CD brings together Prokofiev's complete recordings.

The composer recorded his most popular Piano Concerto, the Third in 1932. The performance, despite dated sound, remains extraordinary. Despite his reputation as a percussive pianist, Prokofiev brings more color and attention to phrasing here than most pianists would today. He was obviously an extraordinary technician, despite a few very minor finger slips. Contrary to the comments of the Amazon reviewer, Piero Coppola was no company hack. He was a respected conductor who specialized in opera and concertos, rather like Alfred Wallenstein and Josef Krips, who were Arthur Rubinstein's chosen accompanists two decades later. (He was also the grandfather of renowned filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.) Considering that tape editing was not yet possible, and that Prokofiev's Third Concerto was not exactly the repertoire staple it is today, the London Symphony Orchestra provides a satisfactory accompaniment. Purists might quibble with the liberal use of string portamento, but the composer--who was not known for his tact--evidently had no objection.

The solo works (particularly Suggestion diabolique) demonstrate Prokofiev's exuberance, command of tone color, and ability to shift gears, pianistically.

Mark Obert-Thorn has done an excellent job restoring the original 78-RPM recordings. The sound is full and not overly filtered. This CD is not to be missed.

The composer as performer.......2002-10-11

This is an excellent issue, enabling us to hear Prokoviev's own take on his music. He combines both dynamic excitement with lyricism, and the effect is at once powerful and relaxed. Excellent transfers. Once again a real winner for Naxos ...

Stravinsky: Apollo; Concerto fro strings; Prokofiev: 20 Visions fugitives

Average customer rating:

Stravinsky: Apollo; Concerto fro strings; Prokofiev: 20 Visions fugitives

Manufacturer: Onyx Classics UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000LV6CNM
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

Naissance D'Apollon
Variation D'Apollon: Apollon Et Les Muses
Pas D'action: Apollon Et Les Trois Muses
Variation De Calliope
Variation De Polymnie
Variation De Terpsichore
Variation D'apollon
Pas De Deux: Apollon Et Terpsichore
Coda: Apollon Et Les Muses
Apotheose
I. Vivace
II. Arioso
III. Rondo
I. Lentamente
II. Andante
III. Allegretto
IV. Animato
V. Molto Giocoso
VI. Con Eleganza
VII. Pittoresco
VIII. Commodo
IX. Allegretto Tranquillo
X. Ridicolosamente
XI. Con Vivacita
XII. Assai Moderato
XIII. Allegretto
XIV. Feroce
XV. Inquieto
XVI. Dolente
XVII. Poetico, Andantino
XVIII. Con Una Dolce Lentezza
XIX. Presto Agitatissimo E Molto Accentuato
XX. Lento Irrealmente

Glenn Gould Edition: Chopin / Mendelssohn / Scriabin / Prokofiev

Average customer rating:

Glenn Gould Edition: Chopin / Mendelssohn / Scriabin / Prokofiev
Scriabin is Gould's best
superlative scriabin and prokofiev.
New visions around old musical patterns!
THE BEST AND NOT-BEST OF GOULD

Glenn Gould Edition: Chopin / Mendelssohn / Scriabin / Prokofiev

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: The Complete Sonatas; Fantasias, K397 & K475
Glenn Gould Edition: Berg, Krenek, Webern, Debussy & Ravel
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1 - Nos, 1-3, 5-10, 12-14
Glenn Gould Edition: Schumann & Brahms
The Glenn Gould Edition: Ludwig Van Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Volume II

ASIN: B0000028NQ
Release Date: 1995-06-27

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 3 In B Minor, Op. 58: I. Allegro maestoso
Piano Sonata No. 3 In B Minor, Op. 58: II. Sscherzo. Molto vivace
Piano Sonata No. 3 In B Minor, Op. 58: III. Largo
Piano Sonata No. 3 In B Minor, Op. 58: IV. Finale. Presto non tanto
Songs Without Words (Seletion) - Op. 19 No. 1 In E major: Andante con moto
Songs Without Words (Selection) - Op. 19 No. 2 In A Minor: Andante expressivo
Songs Without Words (Selection) Op. 85 No. 2 In A Minor: Allegro agitato
Songs Without Words (Selections) Op. 85 No. 5 In A Major: Allegretto
Songs Without Words (Selection) Op. 30 No. 3 In E Major: Adagion non troppo
Prelude In C Major, Op. 33 No. 3: =88
Prelude In E-flat Major, Op. 45 No.3: Andante
Prelude In F Major, Op. 49 No. 2: Bruscomente irato
Feuillet d'album, Op. 58: Con Delicatezza
Vision Fugitive, Op. 22 No. 2: Andante

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 3 In F-sharp Minor, Op. 23: I. Drammatico
Piano Sonata No. 3 In F-sharp Minor, Op. 23: II. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 3 In F-sharp Minor, Op. 23: III. Andante - attacca
Piano Sonata No. 3 In F-sharp Minor, Op. 23: IV. Presto con fuaco - Maestoso
Piano Sonata No. 5 In f-sharp Minor, Op. 53: Allefro. Impetuoso. Con stravaganza - Languido - Presto con allegrezza - Presto tumultuoso esaltato - Allegro impetuoso - Languido - Presto giocoso - Allegro fantastico - Prestissimo - Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro inquieto - Andantino
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B-Flat Major, Op. 83: Andante caloroso
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B-Flat Major, Op. 83: Precipitato
2 Morceaux, Op. 57: No. 1: Desir
2 Morceaux, Op. 57: No. 2: Caresse dansee

Customer Reviews:

Glenn Gould Edition: Chopin / Mendelssohn / Scriabin / Prokofiev.......2007-05-17

I am totally satisfied with the condition of the cd and it was delivred promptly and in perfect condition.

Thank you very much.

Scriabin is Gould's best.......2007-05-10

I've finally heard a recording of Glenn Gould some of which I like. The Scriabin pieces suit his talents perfectly. As other reviewers have stated, the Chopin sonata is just plain weird, and who cares about the Mendelssohn? Prokofiev is one of my favorite composers for piano, and I borrowed these disks just to hear what Gould would do to him. In the end, I'm ambivalent; there's plenty of dash, but not much sonority to Gould's performance. His piano is indisputably a hammer-clavier. The bottom line is that I much prefer Richter.

superlative scriabin and prokofiev........2006-12-18

Gould didn't like Chopin's sonatas. It kinda shows. He takes a satirical approach to the music - it is fascinating, in a way, but don't buy this cd for the chopin sonata.
Buy it for the Scriabin and Prokofiev. The Prokofiev 7th is especially fulfilling. Simply superlative. Pollini or Richter's accounts each have their own merits, but Gould nails the sonata with a clear idea of where the composer intends to take us with all those dissonant and percussive music.
The Scriabin fifth is also the best i've heard. Gould takes a different approach and puts the sonata against the metronome, with a steady pulse and all that. surprisinly, it works, and what you have is an amazingly legible reading of a normally illegible piece of apocalyptic music.

New visions around old musical patterns!.......2006-05-08

After a quarter of Century from his death, Gould `s fame is still increasing. Glenn Gould constituted for Canada and the rest of the world, the new prototype of the rebel generation of the piano. He literally demolished barriers and imposed a new approach in what concerns to play Bach.

This album constitutes a true rarity in all senses. This is a repertoire that few or nothing has to do with him. From his interview of 1959, he stated clearly he did not like Chopin at all, according him, Frederick was not a good composer and just a superb miniaturist. But in the early seventies something deep inside changed and decided to play the Third Piano Sonata and these selected pieces of Mendelssohn.

For all those purists this approach, surely may be not pleasantly well received. It' s an Anti Romantic approach, Gould was always an enfant terrible and these works must be listened taking into account this statement.

His Scriabin is fabulous; enigmatic and loaded of a dark poetry. His Prokoviev is extremely interesting.

And please remember: All new art demands the extinction of the established order. That explains that, behind the ashes of the Romanticism, the Impressionism was borning : Death and transfiguration.

THE BEST AND NOT-BEST OF GOULD.......2004-12-30

These two discs, both made when Gould was in his late 30's or turning 40, are different in origin. The first, containing the Chopin sonata, the Mendelssohn and some Scriabin and Prokofiev, is of broadcasts over CBC. More Prokofiev and Scriabin on disc # 2, but studio recordings this time, done in New York. There is some wonderful playing here, indeed most of it is superb. The downer is the Chopin sonata - oh dear me, this will never do.

Loquacious as ever, Gould lets the world know about Chopin's shortcomings as a composer in large-scale forms. Until I heard the sonata from him I wasn't bothered by this, because he sometimes pontificates on some work to its disfavour and then gives a cracker of a performance, as with Bach's Italian concerto and Chromatic Fantasy. This time the omens were right - he doesn't like Chopin's B minor sonata and it shows. Just to complete the party, Sony apologise for some of the recorded quality on the broadcast disc, and this piece is the one where it's below par. I would not have recognised Gould's highly individual touch, normally unmistakable, from it. The first movement is the worst - far too slow and played with an artificial clarity. The last movement might have been interesting on another day, with the same choppy distinctness in the rondo theme the first time round but with more pedal when it recurs, but it doesn't work for me on this occasion. The two middle movements are better, but the scherzo needs more brilliance and the largo sounds uninvolved. My thoughts reverted enviously to the bright-eyed innocence of Cziffra in both movements.

Once done with that I was back with the great player I bought this set to hear. Most of the Mendelssohn and most of the smaller Scriabin and Prokofiev numbers are new to my collection, which is no model of planning or order. I was delighted instantly by Gould's freshness and clarity in the first Song Without Words, a beautiful and convincing counterbalance to the more romantic account of it that I have on LP from the great Guiomar Novaes, who now seems to be largely forgotten. Everything goes right for me from here on, although Gould's handling of the first movement in the Scriabin sonata # 3 raised my eyebrows a bit. I am used to Horowitz and Ashkenazy in this work. Both take the movement considerably faster, but there is no tempo indication, and Gould strikes me as a natural Scriabin stylist, something I would also say of Horowitz but much less of Ashkenazy. What the composer does say is `Drammatico', and this quiet approach is not my own idea of being dramatic, although Gould does admittedly build up the tone in the latter stages of the movement. The other Scriabin sonata is simply terrific, and in Prokofiev's fearsomely difficult 7th sonata Gould turns in a performance of dumbfounding virtuosity, as he does on another recording of it that I have from him.

Gould's playing is playing that I respond to strongly in general, and this is a set I respond to strongly in general too. On the first disc the recorded quality improves after that sad Chopin, although there is a certain amount of tape-noise in the background. I have no problems at all with the recorded quality on the second disc, and the multi-lingual liner note has an easy job in being informative and interesting owing to the considerable help it gets from the garrulous Mr Gould himself.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
A Fascinating Historical Document!
How could this not be excellent?

Prokofiev plays Prokofiev

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: I Andante - Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: II Theme (Andantino) And Variations 1-5
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Major, Op. 26: III Allegro ma non troppo
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 9
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 3
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 17
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 18
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 11
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 10
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 16
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 6
Solo Piano Works - Visions Fugitives, Op. 22: No. 5
Suggestion Diabolique, Op. 4 No. 4
Conte de la Vieille Grand'mere, Op. 31, No. 2
Sonatine Pastorale, Op. 59, No. 3
Conte de la Vieille Grad'mere, Op. 31, No. 3
Gavotte (From The Classical Symphony) Op. 25, No. 2
Etude, Op. 52, No. 3
Paysage, Op. 59, No.2
Andante (From Sonata No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 29)
Gavotte, Op. 32, No. 3

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2001-07-11

It sounds like an old vynil but what matters? I'm not competent about classical music but I like Prokofiev most of all. Before I knew the Ashkenazy/Previn and Argerich/Abbado recordings of the 3rd Piano Concert and I loved both. Now I can't listen to them!,especially to the Ashkenazy. This Prokofiev/Coppola recording brought me back to a sort of virginity! It speaks simply and directly, more than ever. Usually my listening of 20th century classical music isn't effortless but in this case it is. I'm a child enchanted by the mystery of a fairy tale. And what a wonderful narrator! It is played faster than other recordings,essentially, without ornaments ,calmly but with strenght. It seems so easily played and it captures you so easily!
Mark Arnest makes available competent and detailed explanations about Prokofiev piano technique on this CD: < >. His art remains a mistery to me but this recording (including the Piano solo works) tells more about Prokofiev than everything you can read. Egocentric in life? I don't know and I don't care ,but so humble before Great Music. At each listening my admiration for the man raises and my gratefullness too. This CD is the favourite of my collection. There is another CD that contains the same recording of the 3rd coupled with the Prokofiev 5 symphony directed by koussevitzky. It' a Dutton release but it has been remastered and for me it wasn't a good idea. The noise has been massively reduced but the sound is not so voluptuous. So this Pearl realease is best choice.

A Fascinating Historical Document!.......2000-04-25

This recording can proudly take its place beside the work of perhaps the most recorded of the composer-pianists, Sergei Rachmaninov. Prokofiev on this single, not-too-well-known disc comes to life as a formidable virtuoso pianist with a bold, satirical (and at times dangerous) sense of humor, and with simply red-hot musical ideas. This has me wondering why performances of such sweep and scope are so seldom heard. The big work on the disc, the 3rd Piano Concerto, was recorded in 1929 when the composer's pianistic command was in top form. The recorded sound, while old, is surprisingly clear considering, for example, some acoustic examples of Horowitz from about the same time. The sound of the orchestra and piano is superbly balanced and the microphones do not seem to get "overwhelmed" by sound. In addition, the warm acoustic ambience of the hall manages to shine through as well. The performances on this disc struck me as surprisingly clear in structure, with fresh tempos and startling accents. Such excitement cannot be missed. Prokofiev keeps an interesting pulse which dictates that the orchestra members keep strict meter, while he takes slight rubato where needed. The effect is marvelous. The recording, which should not be confused with a misleading portrait disc of piano roll recordings on Laserlight, includes great liner notes, and a photo of the composer on the cover. Numerous solo works recorded 1931 fill out the disc, showing a surprinsingly finished pianist with plenty of idiomatic command and panache. Try his witty character pieces "Visions Fugitives" Op.22 or his broodingly lyrical "Stories of the Old Grandmother." While at full-price, these recordings provide an essential insight into a most original personality and artist of the 20th century. Enjoy!

How could this not be excellent?.......1999-12-27

After hearing this, all other interpretations of these pieces (with the possible exception of Richter's) become nothing but mockeries. Of course, the age of these recordings (they were made in the early 1930's) is a negative factor, but one that is far outweighed by the fact that these are authentic, electric (in contrast to the horrible piano roll recordings now available on Laserlight) recordings. Note: The exact same recordings, with weird orthography and uneducational liner notes, can be purchased for less than $ on the Italian label Magic Talent. At any price, however, this should be a compulsory addition to a Prokofiev collection.

Prokofiev: Complete Music for Solo Piano

Average customer rating:

brilliant performances, but not quite perfect

Prokofiev: Complete Music for Solo Piano
Frederic Chiu
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

Debussy, Ravel: Complete Works for Piano Duet and Two Pianos
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Bach: Cello Suites
Prokofiev: The Complete Symphonies

ASIN: B00005N8D6
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Customer Reviews:

brilliant performances, but not quite perfect.......2002-03-22

There is a wealth of great music on this disc, and all at an unbelievable price. The set does not start brilliantly, with a sonata set that sounds as though it has been recorded in his front room. Some of the playing is a bit woolly, but you can tell that his heart is there, especially in the 6th sonata, where the sparks positively fly. For my taste, the 8th starts off way too slow, and the exciting close of the first movement is too fast with way too much pedal, losing all detail. His antipathy towards the 1st sonata is obvious from the sleeve notes, and he plays it rather aggressively.
The sonata recordings come from the beginning of his recording career, and it becomes evident that his control has improved over time. The next disc, entitled `early fame' has an absolutely stonking `suggestion diabolique', the best I have heard on record, and his `toccata' is electric. His `sarcasms' are truly frightening, and the `juvenilia' provide a fascinating insight into the development of Prokofiev's piano music. There is a disc of violin and piano music in this set, and this is good, although I find myself wishing that Pierre Amoyal's tone were not so thin.
The pricing of this set confuses me, in the UK, these discs are available individually at full price, yet I bought the whole set at super budget price, and it is advertised as a super budget set. I was not initially pleased with this set, but I am now so glad that I bought it; it has opened my ears to so much wonderful piano music. I would have liked the inclusion of the fragment of the 10th sonata, though.

Average customer rating:

Simply supurb!!!
GREAT PINIST OF THE FUTURE
GREAT PINIST OF THE FUTURE
An inspiring young pianist
Mr. Kissin explores the power of the piano at its best.

Evgeny Kissin

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Jorge Bolet 2
Vladimir Horowitz 3
Edwin Fischer
Artur Rubinstein 3
Mikhail Pletnev

ASIN: B00000I0LF
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 - Kissin
Liebestraum No. 3 - Kissin
Gretchen am Spinnrade - Kissin
Auf dem Wasser zu singen - Kissin
Die Forelle - Kissin
Soirees de Vienne: Valse-Caprice No. 6, S. 427 (After Schubert) - Kissin
Marche Militaire - Kissin
Spanish Rhapsody - Kissin
Etudes d'execution transcendante: No. 10 In F Minor - Kissin
Etudes d'execution transcendante: No. 11 Harmonies du soir - Kissin
Etudes d'execution transcendante: No. 12 Chasse-neige - Kissin

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 6 In A, Op. 82: 1. Allegro moderato - Kissin
Piano Sonata No. 6 In A, Op. 82: 2. Allegretto - Kissin
Piano Sonata No. 6 In A, Op. 82: 3. Tempo di valzer. Lentissimo - Kissin
Piano Sonata No. 6 In A, Op. 82: 4. Finale. Vivace - Kissin
Overture On Hebrew Themes, Op. 34 - Evgeny Kissin
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 16 (Dolente) - Evgeny Kissin
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 11 (Con vivacit- Evgeny Kissin
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 17 (Poetico) - Evgeny Kissin
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 10 (Ridicolosamente) - Evgeny Kissin
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C, Op. 26: 1. Andante. Allegro - Evgeny Kissin
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C, Op. 26: 2. Tema con variazioni (Andantino) - Evgeny Kissin
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C, Op. 26: 3. Allegro ma non troppo - Evgeny Kissin
Etude In C Minor, Op. 2 No. 3 - Evgeny Kissin

Amazon.com essential recording

Few recent prodigies have endured like Evgeny Kissin. His technique is flawless, he articulates both notes and expression with a maturity beyond his years, and his romantic repertoire is some of the best available. Celebrated here as part of Philips's Great Pianist series, Kissin easily demonstrates his prowess. The first half of this set is dominated by Liszt interpretations. The Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 leads off the disc and is loaded with punch, while the Spanish Rhapsody brims with a true energy and confidence. The second CD, all Prokofiev, reveals the early talents of Kissin. The Visions fugitives hardly sound like they came from hands not old enough to drive. A live Carnegie Hall performance of Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 6--the same piece he chose to play at the age of 15 for the International Tchaikovsky Competition--delights. From the opening notes, it's apparent that Kissin has a grasp of the piece and it's no wonder it's still a staple of his concert performances. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Simply supurb!!!.......2003-04-28

I've known Kissin, not personally but as a pianist, from his debut in Tokyo. I owned a couple of his CDs which was always in my CD shelf. Knowing he is the "pianist" of our days, I still prefered to listen to those older generation, Richter, Rubinstein, Horowitz,etc. I bought this CD not because I was crazy about Kissin but because I had a gift certificate and wanted to buy something I don't usually buy. This was the beginning of my new exciting life!!!! As always, I bought a CD but didn't listen to it right away---because I wanted to keep listening to my favorite CD of that time. One day I decided it was about time to listen to it, so I put it in my CD player in my car. WOW!!! I've never heard Prokofiev #3 Concerto like that. I have Richer, Argerich and some Korean guy, I even went to Argerich's Concert at Carnegie a couple years ago which was great but not this great!!! He does so many things which is so original. I looked at the music while I listened to the CD. He does things which is not written on the page but make so much sense. Now I'm hooked with these recordings AND Mr.Kissin himself. I've been listening to Prokofiev CD every day for last few months and I love it more. Last month I went to his concert at Lincoln Center where he played Prokofiev Concerto #2 which was written while Prokofiev was still a student. It was great, I still like #3 though. Tomorrow I'm hoping to hear him play at Carnegie Hall. Liszt-Schubert Songs I absolutely LOVE. For this, I'm still trying to decide if I like Perriah better or Kissin. This is a great CDs to listen to and to get to know Kissin's true artistry. I hope Mr. Kissin will record complete Prokofiev Sonatas.

GREAT PINIST OF THE FUTURE.......2000-10-13

THIS CD IS ONE OF THE GREAT OF THE SERIE. Not because evgueni was a young pianist but he have a real sensibility of the difficult passages. I retire one star for not Chopin in this cd!!

GREAT PINIST OF THE FUTURE.......2000-10-13

THIS CD IS ONE OF THE GREAT OF THE SERIE. Not because evgueni was a young pianist but he have a real sensibility of the difficult passages. I retire one star for not Chopin in this cd!!

An inspiring young pianist.......2000-07-01

I first discovered Evgeny Kissin's music six years ago, and since then he has become one of my favorite pianists. Although I would give all of Kissin's recordings five stars, this particular one is one of my favorites. After listening to Kissin's interpretation of Gretchen am Spinnrade, I became so moved by the passion and drama of this piece that I went on a diligent search for the score. When I finally found it, I learned the piece immediately. I had never before been so moved by a recording that I would rush to learn the piece. Kissin's interpretation of Liszt's Liebestraum No.3 is beyond anything I ever imagined the piece could be. The Transcendental Etude No. 10 is thunderously and magnificently executed, and the fiendish complexities of the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 are carried off with a technical superiority that is difficult to articulate. Kissin electrifies every piece he touches with his dramatic and thrilling artistry, and he's even better live than he is on C.D. There are a number of great pianists in the world, and I have heard many of them perform; but there is something uniquely inspiring about Evgeny Kissin. I find myself listening to his recordings over and over again and wanting to shout out, "Bravo!"

Mr. Kissin explores the power of the piano at its best........1999-07-15

Several years ago I began to hear rumblings filtering out of the old Soviet Union about a youthful pianist of unprecidented abilities. This last month I was fortunate enough to come into possession of this CD and then the others which Mr. Kissin has produced.

Being a new-age classical pianist composer as well as a member of the biology teaching faculty here at Amarillo College for the last 25 years this opportunity was one that I had looked forward to for the last several years.

To say the least I was left almost stammering looking for superlatives! I have heard many recordings made by those considered the finest pianists as well as having had first hand experience in hearing several of them in actual performance. All that I can truely say is that Evgeny Kissin may well be the closest thing to Franz List reborn as we are going to get in this life.

He plays from the heart and is not simply a techincal wizard as are so many of todays generation of pianists. Not saying that technical perfection is bad but simply that sometimes it gets in the way of artistic expression.

Also I have read the comments made by some reviewers relative to their opinions. Some are more than kind but others seem to be looking for excuses to criticize. To them I would simply say that when thay can produce music of this caliber then they have the right to such comments. Regardless of motives the evaluation of musical artistry should be left to performing artists.

Tracks:

Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Lentamente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Andante
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Allegretto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Animato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Molto giocoso
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Con eleganza
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: (Arpa) Pittoresco
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Commodo
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Allegretto tranquillo
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Ridicolosamente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Con vivacita
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Assai moderato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Allegretto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Feroce
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Inquieto
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Dolente
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Poetico
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Con una dolce lentezza
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Presto agitatissimo e molto accentuato
Visions fugitives, Op. 22: Lento irrealmente
Piano Sonata No.1, Op.1
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 14: Allegro, ma non troppo
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 14: Scherzo (Allegro marcato)
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 14: Andante
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 14: Vivace
Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 28

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 29 - (From Old Sketch Books): Allegro molto sostenuto
Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 29 - (From Old Sketch Books): Andante assai
Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 29 - (From Old Sketch Books): Allegro con brio, ma non leggiere
Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 38 - (Original Version): Allegro tranquillo
Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 38 - (Original Version): Andantino
Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 38 - (Original Version): Un poco allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 82: Allegro moderato
Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 82: Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 82: Tempo di valzer lentissimo
Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 82: Vivace

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 83: Allegro inquieto
Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 83: Andante caloroso
Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 83: Precipitato
Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 84: Andante dolce
Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 84: Andante sognando
Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 84: Vivace
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 103: Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 103: Allegro strepitoso
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 103: Andante tranquillo
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 103: Allegro con brio, ma non troppo presto

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent Prokofiev!!.......2007-01-09

I heard the Prokofiev 7th Sonata on the radio in what was the most virtuoso spellbinding performance I had heard since Horowitz recorded it in the 1940s. When the announcer said the name of the artist, I had never heard of him, but I promptly wrote the name down. It was Matti Raekallio.

I finally (years after the fact) tracked down this set and immediately put in the 7th sonata to see if it was as great as I had remembered it. YEP! IT was and more! This, without a doubt, is one of the greatest 7th sonatas ever put on record. You've got to hear it to believe it. The final precipatato movement is taken at such a breaknect speed that it's hard to believe he can get through it...but get through it he does in spectacular fashion.

The rest of the performances are just as good in the set with an especially compelling rendition of the complete Visions Fugitives.

I also got another recording of Raekellio playing Liszt and Brahms paganini etudes and it is just as impressive. If you get a chance to hear this remarkable artist, please do so. You won't be disappointed!

Music Review:

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