Rachmaninov Plays Chopin

On this CD:

1. Waltz for piano in E flat major, Op. 18, CT 207
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

2. Waltz for piano in F major, Op. 34/3, CT 209
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

3. Waltz for piano in D flat major ("Minute"), Op. 64/1, CT 212
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

4. Waltz for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 64/2, CT 213
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

5. Waltz for piano in A flat major, Op. 64/3, CT 214
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

6. Waltz for piano in E minor, KK IVa/15, CT 222
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

7. Waltz for piano in G flat major, Op. 70/1, CT 217
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

8. Ballade for piano No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47, CT 4 (Four Ballades)
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

9. Mazurka for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 63/3, CT 91
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

10. Mazurka for piano in A minor, Op. 68/2, CT 97
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

11. Scherzo for piano No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39, CT 199
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

12. Nocturne for piano in F sharp major, Op. 15/2, CT 112
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

13. Nocturne for piano in E flat major, Op. 9/2, CT 109
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

14. Sonata for piano No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT 202
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Sergey Rachmaninov

Rachmaninov Plays Chopin, Music, Fryderyk Chopin, Sergey Rachmaninov, Ballade for Keyboard, Classical, Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard, Keyboard, Mazurka for Keyboard, Nocturne for Keyboard, Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard, Scherzo for Keyboard, Waltz for Keyboard
Gabriela Montero plays Chopin, Falla, Ginestera, etc. [Includes Bonus CD]
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Gabriela Montero CDs
  • Non-professional Review
  • Absolutely Magnificent!
  • Improvisations Unbelievable!
  • A beautiful breath of fresh air!
Gabriela Montero plays Chopin, Falla, Ginestera, etc. [Includes Bonus CD]

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by ChopinAll Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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  1. Bach & Beyond - Gabriela Montero
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  3. Montero Plays Chopin
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ASIN: B0009VK0LO
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

  1. Moment Musical In E Mino Op. 12 No. 4
  2. Prelude In G Op.32 No.5
  3. Etude-Tableau In D Op.39 No.9
  4. Prelude in D Flat Op.17 No.3
  5. Prelude In E Flat Minor Op.16 No.4
  6. Prelude In G Op.13 No.3
  7. Etude in C Sharp Minor Op.42 No.5
  8. La Vida Breve: First Spanish Dance - Manuel De Falla
  9. Goyescas: Quejas O La Maya Y El Ruisenor
  10. Danza Del Viejo Boyero
  11. Danza De La Moza Donosa
  12. Danza Del Gaucho Matrero
  13. Nocturne In D Flat Op.27 No.2
  14. Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor Op.66
  15. Mephisto Waltz No.1

Tracks:

  1. On Rachmaniov: Vocalise
  2. On The Theme From Bach 'Goldberg Variations'
  3. On Chopin: Nocturne In D Flat
  4. On Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2
  5. Inspired By Scriabin
  6. On Duermete Mi Nino
  7. In The Style Of Tango
  8. On Granados: 'Quejas O La Maya El Ruisenor'
  9. In The Style Of Bach
  10. On Chopin: Prelude In A
  11. 'Improvisation in Blue (Gabriela Montero)'
  12. 'Song for Natalia and Isabella (Gabriela Montero)'

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gabriela Montero CDs.......2007-06-12

Excellent service -- speedy, just as described, well-packaged. I'd definitely buy from this seller again.

5 out of 5 stars Non-professional Review.......2007-03-27

Okay, I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I do so simply for the pleasure and nothing more. I cannot tell you about Gabriela Montero's technique, and, when she improvises, I have no ability to judge the music's intrinsic value, authenticity, or whatever. I can only tell you this: while I own many dozens of albums, running the full spectrum of the classical genre, I value none of them above Montero's Bach and Beyond and her Piano Recital. Pure listening joy!

5 out of 5 stars Absolutely Magnificent!.......2007-03-09

I first saw Gabriela Montero on 60 Minutes a few months ago and was taken by her playing ability as well as her ability to improvise on the classics. Ms. Montero's fingers fly over the keyboard, playing Rachmaninoff more dramatically and key-perfect than I've heard in a long time. I decided to purchase this CD and have not been disappointed.

5 out of 5 stars Improvisations Unbelievable!.......2007-01-26

Gabriela Montero is a tremendous talent, both in standard classical repertoire, and improvisation. I have know her since she was a young girl, and she was by far the best pianist around, even then. She is an undersung pianist of our age, and should rise to the top very soon!

5 out of 5 stars A beautiful breath of fresh air!.......2007-01-20

What a sheer delight hearing her play. I've never heard anyone quite like her. A phenomenally gifted player, and it's a rare treat to hear someone who defies pigeonholing. I had heard her on the radio, and knew I was onto something when her improvisation on a very simple theme gave me the chills. I love both CD's in this collection.

It's interesting hearing the negative response coming from some classical musicians and fans. At times it can seem to roughly follow the stages of grief as proposed by Kubler-Ross. I'm a professional guitarist, and it's funny because it's almost identical to how guitarists react to hearing another guitarist, but with an big class-conscious overlay (all very civilized, of course). Think of the "guitarist screwing in a lightbulb" joke. To paraphrase and extrapolate on what someone might say upon hearing her improvisation:

1. Shock: Wow, he's good. Oh, and it's a woman!? And you say it's improvisation??

2. Denial: That can't possibly be improvisation. Classical musicians don't engage in that untidy process. What she's playing must be written out, and I can tell! Don't ask, I just know it.

3. Anger: This stuff is no good. Only permanent music is of value through the ages, and that's why classical music (and only the European kind) is better than any other music. Besides, I can't improvise, so I reject it - and only THOSE people engage in improvisation.

4. Depression: She can play all the classical music, and seemingly can improvise, or at least pass her stuff off as such. Not only that, she's getting attention and money, and we're not. Why is the world unfair?

5. Acceptance: (sort of) Well, I guess she's selling CD's, and is becoming successful. She is, I hate to admit it, a great player. Even if she is a faker. Of course, they're begging my Muffy to become artist-in-residence in Spoleto....

The other reviewer has a point when he says that she may be viewed as a curiosity. Because she's crossing genres, people may not know what to make of it, and this often causes reflexive hostility. As an improvisor, I would agree that it's hard to say that something is 100% improvised - players tend to have pet phrases and favorite general ideas they return to. But to me, Gabriela's playing is at the highest level of skill, beauty, and feeling, whether improvising or playing written pieces.
Rachmaninoff Plays Chopin
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • AMAZING
  • An interesting release
  • Deep and Penetrating
  • I really wish DDD existed back then
Rachmaninoff Plays Chopin

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FOO
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

  1. Sonata No. 2 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 35, 'Funeral March': Grave; Doppio movimento
  2. Sonata No. 2 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 35, 'Funeral March': Scherzo
  3. Sonata No. 2 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 35, 'Funeral March': Marche funebre
  4. Sonata No. 2 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 35, 'Funeral March': Presto
  5. Nocturne In E-Flat, Op. 9, No. 2
  6. Waltz In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64, No. 2
  7. Waltz In A-Flat, Op. 64, No. 3
  8. Ballade In A-Flat, No. 3, Op. 47
  9. Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 68, No. 2
  10. Waltz In E Minor, Op. Posth.
  11. Mazurka In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 63, No. 3
  12. Nocturne In F-Sharp, Op. 15, No. 2
  13. Waltz In E-Flat, Op. 18 'Grande valse brillante'
  14. Waltz In F, Op. 34, No. 3 'Valse brillante'
  15. Waltz In D-Flat, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute'
  16. Waltz In B Minor, Op. 69, No 2
  17. Waltz In G-Flat, Op. 70, No. 1
  18. Scherzo In C-Sharp Minor, No. 3, Op. 39
  19. Waltz In D-Flat, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute'
  20. Waltz In A-Flat, Op. 42, 'Two-Four'
  21. Waltz In A-Flat, Op. 64, No. 3

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars AMAZING.......2006-01-07

Rachmaninoff's performance of the Chopin B flat sonata is Monumental, and the greatest performance that exists.

Lawrence

5 out of 5 stars An interesting release.......2005-07-29

I suspect part of the fascination in Rachmaninov's playing is due to his being part of that increasingly rare and illustrious breed: the pianist-composer. The Funeral March sonata on this disc is perhaps the most famous of all. Noble as it is, I wouldn't proclaim it the account to end all others. The trademarks of this musician's pianism are apparent: clarity, poise, faultless execution. As another reviewer noted, the artist takes liberties with some scores but always in a tasteful manner. The nocturnes and waltzes are not without a certain charm, but Rachmaninov was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve.

5 out of 5 stars Deep and Penetrating.......2003-02-16


This transfer of Rachmaninoff, while far from perfect, is much more than acceptable. It is much better than what we have from Piano Library which contains 99% of the same thing. Rachmaninoff's understanding of music is deep and penetrating: being a composer himself, he understood the structure of the pieces so well.

Here each piece has it's own life and identity each with a focal point. It is water tight compact and yet very much natural and alive. But it is not natural in Arrau's way, still less as oppressive as Horowitz or Richter. It is somewhere in between, closer to Argerich but with more consistency and depth. And like Casals' playing, it keeps our attention from the first note up to its focal point until its very end. But unlike Casals, he touches our hearts. It is very emotional but never to the point of being sentimental. His Chopin may not be as neurotic as Cortot. Nonetheless, he sheds light on the dark and nervous side of Chopin so well: a very throbbing interpretation that is so unique.

Sure, he did have fingers of steel that helped him to bring out whatever colour or atmostphere as appropriate. And despite that fact that there are some minor alterations on the scores like his Chopin, he is one of the few pianists who could really show you every note on the score counts and, above all, how it counts...

So, come and listen to the pianist with "arms of steel and heart of Gold" in action. It's hard to imagine how a listener fails to be touched by his playing.

4 out of 5 stars I really wish DDD existed back then.......2000-06-19

A good album but the transfer is terrible. It sounds like this CD was recorded with a mono microphone held at the speaker of an old phonograph. The amount of noise is so great that sometimes it is really hard to hear the soft parts over it.
Hélène Grimaud plays Chopin & Rachmaninov
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Reality Check
  • Student-like playing!
  • Wonderfully Played. Imaginative, with Feeling
  • Is this the new Argerich or just heavy weather?
  • Deep understanding
Hélène Grimaud plays Chopin & Rachmaninov

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00061H2UE
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

  1. Grave - Doppio Movimento
  2. Scherzo
  3. Marche Funebre. Lento
  4. Finale. Presto
  5. Allegro Agitato
  6. Non Allegro - Lento
  7. L'Istesso Tempo - Allegro Molto
  8. Andante
  9. Allegretto

Amazon.com

Hélène Grimaud's releases on DG have each been built around a "concept." Here, it's death and transcendence. The philosophically bent can get Grimaud's explanation in the booklet notes, while the musical among us can just listen to a stimulating program of standard repertory freshened by one of today's outstanding younger pianists. In the Chopin Sonata, Grimaud's volatile first movement and delicately colorful finale provide the tone and resolution required by both composer and her own philosophical outlook. The latter, though, means a dry-eyed Funeral March shorn of any trace of sentimentality yet not lacking power, more a contemplation of mourning rather than the thing itself. The Rachmaninov Sonata is his 1931 revision with Grimaud's restoration of sections of the 1913 original. As in the Chopin, Grimaud's gorgeous tone and the clarity of her articulation help make this an outstanding performance. The program closes with a pair of Chopin's most affecting works, the Berceuse and the Barcarolle, both beautifully played. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Reality Check.......2007-05-18

To the Reviewers that tend to harshly rate with diminutive stars. Dear Sirs your reviews are very helpful to all of us. Your input does not appear without true studies. But the reality of judging any Interpreter or recording artist of this type of material anything less than 5 stars is frankly not realistic. If you are a Piano Competition judge then shurly you wouldn't give the Competition away to anyone playing Schubert or Mozart verses Chopin, Shubert & Rachmaninov. Although they are equal in their versatility, Education and understanding of music. To the contrary the Piano Instrument was modernized for further Complicated and faster Interpretation. Thus allowing this Virtous material.
And to the Musicians & recording artists whom are seriously recording this great material. Either of which are a handful on the face of the Earth at any given time, mind you. Please disregard the Harsh and unfair way of judging with this 5 star system. At this point there is no way to judge with any scale. Please disregard these self seeking attention and Low rating Critics that might be in the midst of their highly acclaimed and judgmental exhausting work or experience. Yet a listener does not even compare to any Interpreter of this minute great music. There is an old saying that goes with true experience : ( The bigger they are, The nicer they are). A sobering thought.

1 out of 5 stars Student-like playing!.......2007-04-16

It is amazing that critics as well as audiences can praise such mediocre Chopin playing!!! Did you forget people like Dinu Lipatti, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ignaz Friedman, Josef Hoffmann, and just recently Radu Lupu, Martha Argerich, and the brilliant Adam Harasiewicz, not to mention such excellent, if not brilliant, talents like Murray Perahia and the most successful piano comedian Lang Lang. Even the recent mediocre competition winners like Yundi Li and Alexander Kobrin play way better than Grimaud can ever even dream of.

Grimaud's Chopin and Rachmaninoff as well as Brahms and Ravel are on the student level: overpedalled, generic, technically inferior, lack musical ideas, not to mention having new ones, in one word - boring!

In addition, the cover photo is nothing much to look at. The eyes are beastly empty and express only nothingness, exactly like the playing. The pretentious, quasi-philosophical booklet writings only confirm the impression from the photos and the performances.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Played. Imaginative, with Feeling.......2006-09-22

I'm no critic here, I won't even attempt it. But I love Chopin, and Helene Grimaud's playing is masterful. I have read the knowledgeable reviews from other's who rate this poorly. It's surprising that their ears are so narrow and their minds so tight, full of their own genius.
This is wonderfully played. A must have. The Berceuse I have played for hours and it's magical intepretation stirs me each time. The Sonata No. 2, is simply amazing. I'm not even a Rachmanioff fan, but her playing makes me want to learn his music. Buy this and expand your ears, mind, and emotions. As for the critics, sorry you didn't enjoy this. I think you missed something called listening to creative artistry and enjoying Chopin.

3 out of 5 stars Is this the new Argerich or just heavy weather?.......2006-08-28

DG rarely signs on new pianists, and their faith in Helene Grimaud must be based on a gamble that she will tke off like their discovery forty years ago, Martha Argerich. Like Argerich, Grimaud has a powerhouse technique. She eschews lady-liike sensitivity, and often pounds heavily like Claudio Arrua, as if this equates with profundity. I'm not sure I'm a fan yet. I admire the fact that Grimaud wants to say something new in each work. She phrases the thrice-familiar Chopin Second her way, and yet is her way really original and inspiring? To me it's not, although I'd rather hear her, heavy weather and all, than a run-of-the-mill account from a pianist with no ideas. Grimaud occasionally lapses into routine phrasing, as in the middle of the Funeral March, which detracts from any sense of personal involvement.

The sprawling Rachmaninov Sonata #2 is an opulent showpiece that dares newcomers to match Horowitz, if not the composer himself. Grimaud is more solid and straightforward--Germanic if you will--than the volatile, nervy Horowitz. She doesn't exhaust us the way he does, which is all to the good, since this ultra-virtuosic music is exhausting enough to begin with. Her phrasing is songful and simple. Persoanlly, I like her in this music better than in Chopin, and one's pleasue is increased by the beautiful piano sound provided by DG's engineers.

5 out of 5 stars Deep understanding.......2005-06-18

Helene Grimaud plays the structure of the piece. In this she is very unusual. In our music lessons, we learned about phrases--how that arc over some notes means to begin anew, to rise in strength, then fall back again. And maybe even how larger phrases contain smaller ones. And we remember how difficult it was to play the phrases, especially when they contained other ones. Grimaud's phrasing is incomparable. At every moment there are several phrases going: the immediate one, and all the levels above it. She tells us not only what is now, but what is ending and what is to come. Her playing has the extremely rare quality of anticipation, so that even in pieces new to us, we feel them developing, and in familiar pieces we revel in the hints and beginnings of the next idea. Sometimes the phrases are borne by different voices, and it can seem that more than one person is playing, so clear is Grimaud's articulation. She has said that she practices mainly by studying the score. This must be the secret of her music's almost incredible three-dimensionality.

In the great Chopin sonata on this record, Helene Grimaud combines her structural understanding with emotional strength and universality to achieve an interpretation that to me is substantially new and compelling. As she says in the notes, the sonata is about death, and its first movement, which she says is the heart of the work, "reflects the revolt and supplications of a tragic struggle against hopeless destiny". This seems to me exactly how she plays it. The whole movement--the phrase of the whole--is played with a driving, passionate intensity, never letting up, never denying, but still containing and letting breathe the beautiful "supplication" and noble "revolt" sub-phrases that contrast with death's relentlessly returning tocsin. The overall structure is constantly present and reinforced. Grimaud never indulges in idiosyncrasy or feeling for its own sake; she seems intent on letting the composer's idea and purpose come through, and does so using her enormous understanding and expressive power, aided, I must say, by the fabulous sound of her piano.

The rest of the sonata is equally rewarding. I would just mention how in the "Funeral March" movement, the tempo and dynamics of the march sections are almost utterly steady--surprisingly, one taps one's foot--removing all personal sentiment, as though we are seeing an historical black-and-white film. The sense of distance is complemented by the sweet, ethereal passages that interweave the march; Grimaud plays them limpidly and wonderfully slowly.

The other sonata on this disc, Rachmaninov's 2nd, is new to me and I am still "learning it" from the pianist. But her playing displays the same structural insight, anticipation, and voicing that I have mentioned, underlying her characteristically beautiful expression both in the strong passages and the gentle ones. I have all of her CDs, and a very special quality, evident here, is Grimaud's ability to be interesting wherever she is in a piece. There are no dead spots or contentless transitions: every passage always has something going on that holds interest, even fascination. In a sense she is a miniaturist in her immediate playing--I think that is the result of her deep grasp of what the piece, at every point, is saying.

The Berceuse in D flat and Barcarolle in F sharp, familiar to every listener, complete this program of Helene Grimaud's. They are beautifully rendered--the Berceuse with exceptional tenderness, the Barcarolle in all its unique originality. I give this recording five stars as a marvelous example of the work of a still relatively unknown pianist of exceptional quality whose approach and understanding and expressive power will, I believe, soon bring her recognition as one of the greatest pianists.
Natalia Gutman Plays Chopin & Rachmaninov
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Natalia Gutman Plays Chopin & Rachmaninov

    Manufacturer: Live Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by ChopinAll Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by RachmaninovAll Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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    1. Brahms: Cello Sonatas Opp. 38 & 99; Trio, Op. 114

    ASIN: B000F6ZIGA
    Release Date: 2006-04-25
    Horowitz Plays Bach/Busoni, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schubert, Liszt, Scriabin, Chopin, Schumann, & Rachmaninov
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Horowitz Plays Bach/Busoni, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schubert, Liszt, Scriabin, Chopin, Schumann, & Rachmaninov
      Vladimir Horowitz , Bach , Mozart , and Scarlatti
      Manufacturer: Polygram Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartAll Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B00000E4PV
      Release Date: 1990-11-10
      John Ogdon Plays Rachmaninov
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        John Ogdon Plays Rachmaninov

        Manufacturer: Testament UK
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        All Works by BusoniAll Works by Busoni | Busoni, Ferruccio | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by RachmaninovAll Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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        ASIN: B000094YFA
        Release Date: 2003-08-12
        Hélène Grimaud plays Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, Ravel (Box Set)
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • An Admirable, Distinguished Collection Of Helene Grimaud's Earliest Recordings
        • Not just exceptional piano playing for a teen-ager - exceptional piano playing, period.
        • Gorgeous Music - Great Value
        Hélène Grimaud plays Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, Ravel (Box Set)

        Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by ChopinAll Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by LisztAll Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Ravel, MauriceRavel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by RachmaninovAll Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by Robert SchumannAll Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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        GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        EtudesEtudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        FantasiesFantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        SonatinasSonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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        Grimaud, HélèneGrimaud, Hélène | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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        ASIN: B0000D1FCP
        Release Date: 2003-09-30

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars An Admirable, Distinguished Collection Of Helene Grimaud's Earliest Recordings.......2007-05-25

        This is truly a magnificient box set which demonstrates the early artistry of one of our finest contemporary pianists, the celebrated French pianist Helene Grimaud. It's an amazing collection not only because it was recorded when Grimaud was in her teens and early twenties when she was contracted to Denon, but more importantly, it demonstrates just how accomplished a musician she was at the start of a brilliant career. Her excellent playing of these works, especially of the Schumann and Brahms pieces, can hold their own against legendary competition from the likes of Claudio Arrau, Alfred Brendel and Murray Perahia, to name but a few of the most noteworthy interpreters - past and present - of these scores. However, I think the real gems are her spellbinding, exquisite performances of the Rachmaninov piano concerto and solo pieces, which I find as admirable as those I've heard from Vladimir Ashkenazy and Zoltan Kocsis, to name but a few. Those unfamiliar with the earliest phase of Helene Grimaud's distinguished career as a celebrated solo pianist will find this box set most rewarding.

        5 out of 5 stars Not just exceptional piano playing for a teen-ager - exceptional piano playing, period........2006-12-03

        Brilliant Classics, a cheapo-cheapo label based in the Netherlands, has licensed from Denon the five recordings which launched Helene Grimaud's career, and marketed them at a price which makes them a steal. Miss Grimaud was 15 when she recorded the first of these five, the Rachmaninoff collection, in 1985, comprising his second piano sonata (in Horowitz' abridged edition) and a selection of Etude-Tableaux, plus two Preludes. She went on with Schumann (1st piano sonata in 1987, Kreisleriana in '88), Chopin (1st Ballade) and Liszt (Dante Sonata - both in '87), Brahms (second piano sonata in '88 followed by third piano sonata and Klavierstücke opus 118 in '91), and it was all topped-off, in 1992, by the concerto recordings: Ravel's G major and Rachmaninoff's 2nd, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted bu Jesus Lopez-Cobos. She then moved own to Erato, and now DG - and that was it for Denon.

        So these discs span the 7 first years of her recording career, and it is not easy stuff that she tackled either. These are among the most daunting compositions of the piano repertoire, not only technically but also musically.

        It would be unfair to Miss Grimaud to say that these are astounding recordings for a 15-to-22 year-old girl. These are astounding recordings, period. Throughout she displays unflinching muscularity, gripping rhythmic bite, magnificent control of the long line and the succession of variegated moods, from drama to lyricism, and admirable attention to the inside voicing and complexities of contrapuntal writing. All these recordings are not just fine visiting cards for a fledgling pianist - they are equal to the best. Brilliant as reissued the Denon discs as they were originally, short timings and all - the Rachmaninoff is 44 minutes long and the longest of the five is under the hour - but given the price and the excellence of piano playing it is still a bargain.

        Miss Grimaud is now in the public's eye almost more for her infatuation with wolves than for her pianistic skills - and the Brilliant release surfs on the wave, albeit with some discretion, by the choice of its cover art. But judging from these recordings, one suspects that this kind of claptrap is almost detrimental to her cause. The wolf hype would easily lead you to think that some wise-axxed PR was trying to make up by that tacky attention-catcher for what her mere pianism was unable to achieve. Not so. Miss Grimaud's pianistic and musical gifts can amply stand on their own. Let the wolves howl, and hats off to the pianist.

        5 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Music - Great Value.......2004-07-31

        This box set consists of 5 CDs of Helene Grimaud's beautiful piano playing. These CDs were originally released by Denon which has a great reputation for audio quality. Grimaud plays Rachmaninoff (Piano Concerto 2, Piano Sonata No.2 and others), Ravel (Piano Concerto in G major), Chopin (Ballade No. 1), Schumann (Piano Sonata No. 1 and Kreilserana), Liszt (Apres une lecture de Dante), Brahms (Piano Sonata Nos. 2 and 3 and Klavierstucke Op. 118).

        A lot of great music beautifully played and recorded without breaking the bank.

        Highly recommended.
        Klára Würtz plays Romantic Piano Music
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Klára Würtz plays Romantic Piano Music

          Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          DancesDances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
          WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by ChopinAll Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by LisztAll Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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          All Works by DebussyAll Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by RachmaninovAll Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          BalladsBallads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          EtudesEtudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          ImpromptusImpromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          NocturnesNocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
          PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
          BarcarollesBarcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
          Brilliant ClassicsBrilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B000274T7Q
          Release Date: 2004-05-25
          Alexander Djordjevic Plays Scarlatti - Beethoven - Chopin -Rachmaninov - Liebermann
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Alexander Djordjevic Plays Scarlatti - Beethoven - Chopin -Rachmaninov - Liebermann
            Ludwig van Beethoven , Lowell Liebermann , Sergei Rachmaninoff , and Domenico Scarlatti
            Manufacturer: Independent
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B000BK9TM4
            Release Date: 2000-09-01

            Tracks:

            1. Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata in D major, K. 119
            2. Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata in B minor, K. 87
            3. Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 Appassionata - I. Allegro assai
            4. Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 Appassionata - II. Andante con moto
            5. Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 Appassionata - III. Allegro ma non troppo
            6. Frederic Chopin - Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
            7. Sergei Rachmaninov - Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5
            8. Sergei Rachmaninov - Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32 No. 12
            9. Sergei Rachmaninov - Etude Tableaux in A minor, Op. 39 No. 6
            10. Lowell Liebermann - Gargoyles, Op. 29 - I. Presto
            11. Lowell Liebermann - Gargoyles, Op. 29 - II. Adagio semplice, ma con molto rubato
            12. Lowell Liebermann - Gargoyles, Op. 29 - III. Allegro moderato
            13. Lowell Liebermann - Gargoyles, Op. 29 - IV. Presto feroce

            Product Description

            Characterized by elegant, expressive, yet powerful and electrifying playing when the music requires it, pianist Alexander Djordjevic's CD includes some of the great classical piano music gems from the 1700's to the present.
            Ettore Causa Plays Romantic Transcriptions for viola and piano
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Ettore Causa Plays Romantic Transcriptions for viola and piano

              Manufacturer: Claves
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              BalletsBallets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
              WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
              All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
              All Works by ChopinAll Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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              Scriabin, AlexanderScriabin, Alexander | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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              All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
              All Works by DebussyAll Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
              All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
              All Works by RachmaninovAll Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
              EtudesEtudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
              PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
              Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Scriabin, Alexander | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
              PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
              CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
              ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              ASIN: B000MX7TA4
              Release Date: 2007-02-13

              Music Review:

              1. Raimi Plays Raimi, Kuss and Schoenfield
              2. Reference Classics
              3. Rendezvous of Angels: Cello Concertos
              4. Rendezvous of Angels: Concerti Grossi - Handel
              5. Rendezvous of Angels: Horn Concertos - Mozart
              6. Rendezvous of Angels: Organ Concertos - Handel
              7. Rendezvous of Angels: Piano Concertos - Mozart
              8. Rendezvous of Angels: Violin Concertos
              9. Rendezvous of Angels: Violin Concertos - Bach
              10. Rendezvous of Angels: Violin Concertos - Haydn

              Music Review

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