Poulenc: Piano Music, Vol. 3

On this CD:

1. Thème varié, for piano, FP 151
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

2. Improvisation No. 1 for piano in B minor (Presto ritmico), FP 63/1
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

3. Improvisation No. 2 for piano in A flat major (Assez animé), FP 63/2
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

4. Improvisation No. 3 for piano in B minor (Presto très sec), FP 63/3
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

5. Improvisation No. 4 for piano in A flat major (Presto con fuoco), FP 63/4
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

6. Improvisation No. 5 for piano in A minor (Modéré mais sans lenteur), FP 63/5
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

7. Improvisation No. 6 for piano in B flat major (A toute vitesse), FP 63/6
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

8. Improvisation No. 7 for piano in C major (Modéré sans lenteur), FP 63/7
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

9. Improvisation No. 8 for piano in A minor (Presto), FP 63/8
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

10. Improvisation No. 9 for piano in D major (Presto possible), FP 63/9
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

11. Improvisation No. 10 for piano in F major ("Eloge des gammes"), FP 63/10
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

12. Improvisation No. 11 for piano in G minor (Assez animé), FP 113/1
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

13. Improvisation No. 12 for piano in E flat major ("Hommage à Schubert"), FP 113/2
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

14. Improvisation No. 13 for piano in A minor (Allegretto comodo), FP 170/1
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

15. Improvisation No. 14 for piano in D flat major (Allegretto), FP 170/2
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

16. Improvisation No. 15 for piano in C minor ("Hommage à Édith Piaf"), FP 176
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

17. Trois pièces, for piano, FP 48 No.1, Pastorale (Calme et mystérieux)
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

18. Trois pièces, for piano, FP 48 No.2, Hymne (Modéré)
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

19. Trois pièces, for piano, FP 48 No.3, Toccata (Très animé)
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

20. Napoli, suite for piano, FP 40
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

21. Novelettes (2) for piano, FP 47 No.1 in C major, "Modéré sans lenteur"
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

22. Novelettes (2) for piano, FP 47 No.2 in B flat minor, "Très rapide et rythmé"
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

23. Novelette sur un thème de Manuel de Falla, for piano in E minor (No. 3), FP 173
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Olivier Cazal

Tracks:

Love Songs: Pastorale
Love Songs: Del Cabello mas sutil
Love Songs: Azulao
Love Songs: Standchen
Love Songs: Selige Nacht
Love Songs: Fleurs
Love Songs: Stornello
Love Songs: Music, When Soft Voice Die
Love Songs: Je t'aime
Love Songs: Love's Philosophy
Love Songs: Widmung
Love Songs: Du bist wie eine Blume
Love Songs: Das Rosenband
Love Songs: Liebst du um Schonheit
Love Songs: Cantares
Love Songs: How Do I Love Thee?
Love Songs: I'll Follow My Secret Heart
Love Songs: Serenade
Love Songs: Liebe Schwarmt auf allen Wegen
Love Songs: Love Went A-Riding
Love Songs: Why, No One to Love
Love Songs: O del mio amato ben
Love Songs: The Salley Gardens
Love Songs: Heart, We Will Forget Him
Love Songs: Before I Gaze at You Again

Customer Reviews:

Arleen Auger and Dalton Baldwin-Love Songs.......2007-01-29

A lovely collection -very varied. Arleen Auger has a beautiful voice and Baldwin's accompaniment is wonderful. The 3rd track, by Jayme Ovalle, is, as it says in the accompanying notes, bewitching, and is actually the reason I bought the CD.

Voice of experience.......2006-01-28

There isn't much I can add to the praise bestowed on this album by earlier reviewers. I do think though that a special poignancy is undeniable since Auger's voice, while still beautiful, clearly is not that of a young singer. Her maturity makes her interpretations of these love songs all the more touching. I've probably played this CD a dozen times through the years, far more than any other in my collection. It remains consistently and deeply satisfying.

Auger at her best.......2005-04-26

This is a disc that I recommend to my graduating seniors/graduate students who are pursuing a graduate degree or career options in Vocal Performance.
From the standpoint of technique, Auger is practically flawless---"harsh" is not a word I equate with Ms. Auger's singing. She and Dalton Baldwin are impeccable performers on this disc. All the material was wisely chosen and presented, including one of the slowest "O del mio amato ben's" and one of the slowest "Salley Gardens", indicative of the beautiful breath control this artist had. I have to take exception to one of the comments made by one reviewer, of the "lack of sesitivity to the music that most classical singers possess". This is plain ignorant. This reviewer clearly does not understand the great artistic endeavor that classical singers have to have with Song literature---only a non-singer could have said this. Our finest classical singers of memory have all been outstanding musicians. They also have texts to interpret in many languages. I, as a singer-performer-teacher take great umbrage at comments like this which serve only to degrade the richness of so much repertoire.
I too hated the untimely passing of this fabulous singer. She is one of four famous women singers who all died at the age of 53. I think this disc was recorded not to long before she passed away and does reflect her "goodbye" to her audience. However the disc will remain as timely as the repertoire in it.
Marcia M.Baldwin, Gig Harbor, WA.
Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music, Rochester,NY

Hidden Treasure.......2003-11-04

This recording is possibly one of the best examples of beautiful singing one will ever find. The repertoire, the artfulness, the line and the sheer beauty of Miss Auger's voice is a rare find. I've just recently purchased another copy as I loaned mine to a friend who begged to keep it! One note on the cover - this new cover art seems to imply this CD is some light version of 1970's Montovani romance music. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though the previous jacket (a photo of Miss Auger on pale pink) did look dated, I hope the next pressing of this (& I'm sure they'll be many more to come!) will give this collection the class packaging it deserves. This is a collector's item. Enjoy!!

Gorgeous, sensitive music.......2001-06-15

So first of all, ignore the cheesy cover art and album title. This is a beautiful collection of songs, beautifully performed. Since I concur with the other reviews that laud Auger's performance (though don't forget the accompanist Dalton Baldwin, who is also outstanding), I'll add only the comment that there is a certain melancholy surrounding a lot of the songs and performances that (a) I find haunting and appealing, and (b) you would never know simply from looking at the album.

Tracks:

Apres un reve
Tristesse
Au bord de l'eau
Les Berceaux
Adieux de l'hse arabe
Deux Mdies haes: 1. Kaddish
Deux Mdies haes: 2. L'Enigme eternelle
Deux Mdies haes: Las, vers l'ise
Deux Mdies haes: Vocalise-etude en forme de habanera
Elegie
Beau Soir
Serenade
Cantique 'use
Le Temps des lilas
L'Heure exquise
Soupir
Chanson triste
Extase
Violon
C'est ainsi que tu es, Paganini
La Reine de coeur
'C'
Les chemins de l'amour

Customer Reviews:

French Songs Transcribed for Cello; Result is Magical.......2000-08-14

Occasionally a CD appears that is pure magic. This is one of them. Mischa Maisky and Daria Hovora form an ideal team: each performs on an exquisite instrument, and the recording engineer has captured everything, balance and all. In my opinion, transcribing French songs from voice to cello is a "natural"--the cello, so much like the human voice, captures the intimacy and atmosphere beautifully.

Both performers are natural story tellers, and Maisky, with an almost uniquely seductive vibrato, unhurriedly describes the French romantic soul. If a phrase is to be caressed, he caresses it. It if needs to soar, he gives it exactly what it needs. And the pianissimos! His tone sometimes just seems to come out of nowhere, and the endings often promise never to end.

Tracks:

Rejoice Greatly - Messiah
Piangero - Giulio Cesare
Care Selve - Atalanta
Let The Bright Seraphim - Samson
Lascia Ch'io pianga - Rinaldo
Ricetti Gramezza
Bist du bei mir
Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten
Sich uben im lieben
Blute nur
Ich will dir mein Herze schenken
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 For Soprano And Orchestra Of Violoncellos: Aria
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 For Soprano And Orchestra Of Violoncellos: Dansa
Pastorale
Del Cabello mas sutil
Azulao
Standchen
Selige Nacht
Fleurs
Stornello
Music, When Soft Voice Die
Je t'aime
Love's Philosophy
Widmung
Du bist wie eine Blume
Das Rosenband
Liebst du um Schonheit
Cantares
How Do I Love Thee?
I'll Follow My Secret Heart
Serenade
Liebe Schwarmt auf allen Wegen
Love Went A-Riding
Why, No One to Love
O del mio amato ben
The Salley Gardens
Heart, We Will Forget Him
Before I Gaze at You Again

Customer Reviews:

Pure Perfection .......2006-09-25

Words cannot express how much I adore these two discs, but here goes anyway. A friend gave me a burned copy 'Love Songs' which I lost and so I purchased this double disc set. Arleen is by far and away my favorite soprano of all time and if you end up owning these cd's, I have no doubt she will become yours as well. Arleen had the most gorgeous voice, a pure yet colorful tone. And her technique as demonstrated on these recordings was superb. If you are a singer as am I, you will not be able to ignore her phrasing on The Salley Gardens - it's truy astonishing. If you are in to doing side by side comparison, try listening to Arleen's version of O Del Mio Amato Ben, then listen to Sumi Jo's version. But be forewarned if you're a Sumi Jo fan, you won't be able to listen to her version ever again. Arleen wrings every bit of naked emotion out of that song without ever being cheesy or over the top. Her musical instinct and interpretation was as flawless as her voice and technique. I use these cd's as my personal master classes with an impeccable artist who was taken from us all much too soon.

Had a Freudian moment.......2005-08-12

Be it known, I had no intention of writing a review of this recording. I still do not in fact. But I listened to the late Ms. Auger's reading of 'Lascia chio pianga' and nearly seized (cigarette in hand and all.) I've yet to move beyond track five. That being documented, I implore both the fastidious collector of vocal music and the layman alike to purchase this set. Oh, and about the Freud...following the aforementioned revelatory aural sensation of some five minutes, I typed amazing.com in place of the amazon.com destination. "Behind every mishap in speech, writing, etc. there lies an unconcious motive..."
Well,

No Villa-Lobos.......2003-05-28

Since I purchased this album specifically for the recording of the Villa-Lobos, I am extremely disappointed that it was replaced by "He Shall Feed His Flock." She sings everything beautifully, but it is not the recording it pretends to be.

Be warned!.......2003-05-03

My copy did not have the works by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The first disk in the set is Delos 3026, "Bach, Handel: Arias," which includes two selections from Alexander's Feast and "He Shall Feed His Flock" from the Messiah. I am not disappointed. Ms. Auger sings wonderfully. My second disk is Delos 3029 "Love Songs," which makes it a good bargain. But there are no texts.

Unforgettable.......2002-05-16

After much auditioning and re-auditioning, Auger's "Rejoice" here has finally replaced Kathleen Battle's fine performance on "Grace" as my favorite.

Both singers are at their best in the repeat, where their technique and ornamentation will knock anyone's socks off. But where Battle does a musical and brilliant concerto-like display of Kathleen Battle, Auger instead serves Handel with overriding sincerity. She builds intensity to an incredible pitch, ending on an almost trumpet-like flourish to announce the coming of the King.

Tracks:

Capriccio D'apres Le Bal Masque - Alexandre Tharaud
Prologue: Extremement Lent Et Calme - Alexandre Tharaud
Allegro Molto: Tres Rythme - Alexandre Tharaud
Andante Lyrico: Lentement - Alexandre Tharaud
Epilogue: Allegro Giocoso - Alexandre Tharaud
Elegie - Alexandre Tharaud
Valse-Musette For Two Pianos - Alexandre Tharaud
Prelude: Modere - Alexandre Tharaud
Rustique: Naif Et Lent - Alexandre Tharaud
Final: Tres Vite - Alexandre Tharaud
Presto - Ronald Van Spaendonck
Andante: Tres Lent - Ronald Van Spaendonck
Vif: Vite, Avec Joie - Ronald Van Spaendonck
Allegro: Tres Rythme - Ronald Van Spaendonck
Romance: Andante Tres Doux - Ronald Van Spaendonck
Final: Tres Anime - Ronald Van Spaendonck
Allegro Moderato: Grazioso - Guy Touvron
Andante: Tres Lent - Guy Touvron
Rondeau: Anime - Guy Touvron

Customer Reviews:

This is my favorite of the series if that's possible.......2002-05-10

I discovered the music of Francis Poulenc quite by accident when I was a youngster when I heard his Model Animals on the radio. I bought an old Columbia Records recording of the composer playing and conducting some of the works on this CD. A good mixure of small group playing and duo piano compositions which I think I like the best. Thank you Naxos for giving us this great opportunity to enjoy these works which have been ignored by the big record companies for so many years. You can go wrong with this.
Craig

Average customer rating:

Poulenc: Complete Chamber Music, Vol. 4
Francis Poulenc , Franck Leguérinel , Alexandre Tharaud , Ronald Van Spaendonck , Celine Nessi , Philippe Bernold , Olivier Doise , Andre Moisan , Guy Touvron , Pascal Delage , Herve Joulain , Marc Bauer , and Jean Delescluse
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Poulenc: Complete Chamber Music, Vol. 3
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Poulenc: Complete Chamber Music, Vol. 1
Poulenc: Piano Music, Vol. 3

ASIN: B00004XQG0
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

Le Bal masque: Preambule and Air de bravoure
Le Bal masque: Intermede
Le Bal masque: Malvina
Le Bal masque: Bagatelle
Le Bal masque: La Dame aveugle
Le Bal masque: Finale
Le Bestiaire or Cortege d'Orphee: Le Dromadaire
Le Bestiaire or Cortege d'Orphee: La Chevre du Tibet
Le Bestiaire or Cortege d'Orphee: La Sauterelle
Le Bestiaire or Cortege d'Orphee: Le Dauphin
Le Bestiaire or Cortege d'Orphee: L'Ecrevisse
Le Bestiaire or Cortege d'Orphee: La Carpe
Four Poems Of Max Jacob: Est-il un coin plus solitaire
Four Poems Of Max Jacob: C'est pour aller au bal
Four Poems Of Max Jacob: Poete et tenor
Four Poems Of Max Jacob: Dans le buisson de Mimosa
Rapsodie negre: Prelude
Rapsodie negre: Ronde
Rapsodie negre: Honoloulou - Vocal Interlude
Rapsodie negre: Pastorale
Rapsodie negre: Finale
COCARDES: Miel de Narbonne
COCARDES: Bonne d'enfant
COCARDES: Enfant de troupe
Elegie For Horn And Piano
Sarabande For Guitar

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Panorama: Passion for Piano, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005IB67
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Average customer rating:

Ravel blind taste test ...
Rubinstein at His Best

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 43

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004TG7E
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

Valses nobles et sentimentales: Modere
Valses nobles et sentimentales: Assez lent
Valses nobles et sentimentales: Modere
Valses nobles et sentimentales: Assez anime
Valses nobles et sentimentales: Presque lent
Valses nobles et sentimentales: Vif
Valses nobles et sentimentales: Moins vif
Valses nobles et sentimentales: (Epilogue) Lent
Mouvements Perpetuels: Assez modere
Mouvements Perpetuels: Tres modere
Mouvements Perpetuels: Alerte
Intermezzo In A-Flat: Intermezzo In A-Flat - As-dur - la bemol majeur
Forlane (Le tombeau de Couperin, No. 3)
La vallee des cloches (Miroirs, No. 5)
Nocturne No. 3, Op. 33, No. 3 In A-Flat: Nocturne No. 3, Op. 33, No. 3 In A-Flat - As-Dur la bemol majeur
Intermezzo No. 2 In D-Flat: Intermezzo No. 2 In D-Flat - Des - dur re bemol majeur
Scherzo-valse (Pieces pittoresques, No. 10)
La Soiree dans Grenade (Estampes, No. 2)
Jardins sous la pluie (Estampes, No. 3)
Hommage a Rameau (Images, Book I: No. 2)
Reflets dans l'eau (Images, Book I: No. I)
La plus que lente (Valse)
Poissons d'or (Images, Book II: No. 3)

Customer Reviews:

Ravel blind taste test ..........2000-08-25

So, last night I sat four of my kids down and played four different pianists performing the first of the Ravel "Valses nobles et sentimentales". They were Paul Crossley, Jean Yves Thibaudet, Friedrich Gulda, and Arthur Rubinstein. I didn't tell them who the pianists were and simply asked them which of the performances they preferred. My middle daughter (13) and middle son (15) immediately and without hesitation picked the Rubinstein performance. They commented on the care he took to PLAY the piece. My son felt the other performers pounded too much and my daughter felt some of the others too rushed. They all liked the Gulda second best, the Crossley third. The middle daughter hated the Thibaudet. She said it sounded harsh and clanged. Brian felt the Thibaudet was all over the place - rushed, then too slow, then rushed again. My youngest daughter (9) liked them all. She noted that they were different, but didn't feel she could like one better than the others. My seven year old son was just too young but knew he liked the music. Then I played the orchestrated version conducted by Boulez and the ALL loved and responded in a big way and decided that the orchestrated version was MUCH nicer than the piano version because of the rich sounds of the orchestra.

For my own rating, I love the Rubinstein, admire the Gulda, and like the Thibaudet and Crossley for what they are while not being totally convinced by their performance choices. And being a pianist of a sort, I always like the piano best even when I also like orchestrations.

Rubinstein at His Best.......2000-08-11

Some of Rubinstein's best work on record is on this disc. Although known as a Chopin player, that was by no means the limit of his pianistic culture. Rubinstein, who lived a considerable portion of his life in Paris, was especially adept in the French repertoire.

Ravel's Valses Nobles and Sentimentales, and the other pieces, benefit from Rubinstein's urbane, unfussy approach. Rubinstein never attempts the "piano without hammers" approach of Gieseking, but his tone is far from percussive.

The Chabrier Scherzo Valse demonstrates Rubinstein's remarkable memory and ability to assimilate new music. While recording this album, a friend showed Rubinstein the printed score for the Scherzo Valse. The pianists liked the piece, memorized it overnight, and recorded it the next day. He sounds like he has known the piece his entire life.

Tracks:

Saint-Sa/Earl Wild: Le Rouet d'Omphale, Op.31
Handel/Earl Wild: Air and Variations - The Harmonious Blacksmith
Chopin/Earl Wild: Larghetto, from Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, Op.21
Rachmaninov/Earl Wild: Midsummer Nights Op.14, No.5
Tchaikovsky/Pabst: Paraphrase on 'Sleeping Beauty'
Faurarl Wild: Improvisation on 'Aprun r'
Bach/Earl Wild: Hommage oulenc
Mozart/Backhaus: Serenade from 'Don Giovanni'
Churchill/Earl Wild: Reminiscences of 'Snow White' Whistle While You Work - I'm Wishing - One Song - Heigh Ho - Someday My Prince Will Come
Tchaikovsky/Earl Wild: At the Ball
Tchaikovsky/Earl Wild: Dance of the Four Swans from 'Swan Lake'
Johann Strauss, Jr./Tausig: One Lives but Once
Kreisler/Rachmaninov: Liebesleid

Album Description

This exceptional recording is largely devoted to Earl Wild's own dazzling piano transcriptions. Mr. Wild received a Grammy® Award in 1997 for this disc of Thirteen Virtuoso Piano Transcriptions. It is being re-released on Ivory Classics® in honor of Earl Wild's 84th birthday! Praised by critics and music lovers around the world as a "stunning document of musical sensitivity and virtuosity" and "a tribute to America's greatest pianistic treasure" - this CD is now available in its original 24-bit HDCD state-of-the-art audiophile sound.

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent panorama of transcriptions.......2007-03-08

Is there any other pianist like Earl Wild? For over 60 years he has proven to be a performing giant, making critics swoon and audiences enthralled. His recording output is even more epoch-making; his preference for peppering some odd obscurities into such recordings is a blessing. But his discography is not as significant as his phenomenal interpretations of what he plays. His ability to render Thalberg, Godowsky, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninov with absolute poise, ravishing passion or thrilling bravura is what makes his recordings such a treasure. So I was enthusiastic when I first saw this particular recording, piano transcriptions that I knew would be given the best artistic treatment.

While there are a few common pieces here (Kreisler-Rach's Liebesleid and Strauss-Tausig's Valse Caprice No. 2), most of these are Wild's own piano transcriptions. His selection of pieces to transcribe is both perplexing and exciting at once: Saint-Saens, Handel, Tchaikovsky, Faure, Rachmaninov, Bach and Chopin. Throughout the entire disc, Wild is spiritually absorbed and technically brilliant. There isn't a single piece here that seems lackluster after Wild's poetic phrasing and refined virtuosity operate together.

I think the most notable works here are the Saint-Saens, Handel, Chopin, Pabst and Rachmaninov. Although I've never heard Saint-Saens's Le Rouet d'Omphale symphonic poem, Wild's engrossing and virtuosic transcription conjures exorbitant drama and lyricism. The central section is rather simplistic for its repetitive theme taken through different keys, but it is still gorgeous and powerful. I found a comment in the liner-notes most interesting regarding this transcription: "As a model Earl Wild does not use Saint-Saens' own rather spare piano version, but returns to the original orchestral score, incorporating many orchestral effects into his 1995 transcription."

Wild's transcription of the Larghetto from Chopin's PC No. 2 enables the piano to exhibit all of the nuances of the orchestral version. But upon hearing it, one forgets that an orchestra was even involved in the first place. It sounds like an original Chopin work, even with the noticeable difference in the agitated central section which once relied on orchestral tremolos. It would be an understatement to say Wild translates the music marvelously to solo piano. In Handel's Harmonious Blacksmith variations, Wild showcases a meticulous pianistic reproduction and doubly impresses with his exuberant performance. The Rachmaninov song "Midsummer Nights" is a rousing and passionate piece that sounds like an original piano work from the Russian master. But Pabst's Tchaikovsky paraphrase is the main blockbuster, full of beautiful intensity and exquisite reinventions of Tchaikovsky's grand themes from Sleeping Beauty. The last piece I'll remark on is Wild's own Reminiscences of Snow White, a peculiar endeavor that leaves me with mixed feelings. It wasn't my favorite piece because it sounded rather banal at times; one might even use the stereotype "elevator music." But relistening to it many times at least reveals to me that Wild superbly unifies Churchill's Disney themes. And he is in his prime when he embellishes the themes with dazzling flights in the style of a 19th century virtuoso. While the rest of these pieces deserve commentary, I think they pretty much speak for themselves.

Bottom line: This repertoire may not look interesting at a first glance, but I implore the reader to sample this. You'll not only find hidden gems (Mozart-Backhaus, Strauss-Tausig and Pabst) but also some glorious transcriptions from Wild's pen (Saint-Saens, Handel and Chopin).

Outstanding Grammy winning CD.......1999-12-03

This CD is a reissue of the 1996 SONY disc which won a Grammy (Wild's 80th birthday album). The Grammy awards do not always select the best CDs, but in this case, they really picked a winner. These is one of the finest piano discs in years, and will likely become a classic. Wild's own transcriptions dominate the disc, and they show true originality and charm. I hope Wild records a follow-up to this album with Ivory Records, which has produced a large number of classic piano discs recently. A must have for anyone who enjoys the piano, or the lost art of transcription.

Average customer rating:

For a collector of Franck's Sonata in A - this is a Must Hav
2/3 of the Million Dollar Trio

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 7

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005426Z
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Son in A: Allegro Bene Moderato - Arthur Rubinstein/Jascha Heifetz
Son in A: Allegro - Arthur Rubinstein/Jascha Heifetz
Son in A: Recitativo - Fantasia - Arthur Rubinstein/Jascha Heifetz
Son in A: Allegro Poco Mosso - Arthur Rubinstein/Jascha Heifetz
Nocturne No.3 in A flat, Op.33
3 Movts Perpetuels
Napoli Ste: Barcarolle
Napoli Ste: Nocturne
Napoli Ste: Caprice Italienne
Cordoba, Op.232 No.4
Sevillanas (Ste Espanola No.3)
Evocacion (Iberia No.1)
Triana (Iberia, No.6)
Navarra

Customer Reviews:

For a collector of Franck's Sonata in A - this is a Must Hav.......2003-01-28

This version w Rubinstein and Heifetz is absolutely beautiful, it brings one to tears. I have an LP of the Ax/Perlman version and a CD of the version by Licad/Sonnenberg. I heard the LaBeque sisters have a version for 2 pianos and I think there's one for violin & viola. I'm looking, I'm looking - for now let me wallow in this one! Bliss immeasurable!!!! - Evic846

2/3 of the Million Dollar Trio.......2001-03-13

One of the most remarkable facets of Arthur Rubinstein's musicianship was his ability to work with nearly anybody. Nowhere is this more evident than in his recordings with Jascha Heifetz. The pianist and violinist reportedly disliked each other--Rubinstein issues scorching criticism of Heifetz as a musician and as a human being in his autobiography, My Many Years--yet they obtained excellent results in their recordings together. (In performances with the cellist Gregor Piatigorsky, they were sometimes referred to as The Million Dollar Trio--a moniker Rubinstein regarded with contempt.)

Their version Franck Sonata has been a classic of the gramophone since it was issued in 1937. There is an element of competitiveness here, yet also underlying agreement as to the nature of the music. Heifetz' technical control is, of course, astonishing, but so is his phrasing and nuance.

Rubinstein knew Poulenc and ALbeniz personally--and his playing is appropriately authoritative. This 1938 performance of Poulenc's Mouvements perpetuels makes for fascinating comparison with his 1963 version. There is remarkably little change in phrasing between the two recordings, but tempos in the earlier version are noticably brisker. Did Rubinstein rush the piece to fit it onto one 78-RPM side? The performance of Poulenc's Napoli Suite is from 1947--the piece appeared in Rubinstein's repertoire only infrequently and this is his only recording of it.

Rubinstein became a specialist in Spanish music after he first fell in love with that country while on tour there in 1915. The performances here of Albeniz' music sparkle and remain a joy to hear. Cordoba and Navarra (the latter a frequent Rubinstein encore) are stunning examples of Rubinstein's early devil-may-care virtuosity.

Tracks:

Theme Varie: Theme (Tres Calme Et Sans Hate)
Theme Varie: Var. No.1: Joyeuse (Allegro Molto)
Theme Varie: Var. No.2: Noble (Lent)
Theme Varie: Var. No.3: Pastorale (Allegretto)
Theme Varie: Var. No.4: Sarcastique (Allegro Molto, Tres Violent)
Theme Varie: Var. No.5: Melancolique (Tres Calme)
Theme Varie: Var. No.6: Ironique (Allegretto)
Theme Varie: Var. No.7: Elagiaque (Excessivement Lent)
Theme Varie: Var. No.8: Volubile (Presto)
Theme Varie: Var. No.9: Fantasque (Allegro Molto)
Theme Varie: Var. No.10: Sybilline (Bien Lent)
Theme Varie: Var. No.11: Finale (Allegro Molto) And Coda (Molto Agitato)
Improvisation No.1 In B: Presto Ritmico
Improvisation No.2 In A flat: Assez Anime
Improvisation No.3 In B: Presto Tres Sec
Improvisation No.4 in A flat: Presto Con Fuoco
Improvisation No.5 in A: Modere Mais Sans Lenteur
Improvisation No.6 in B flat: A Toute Vitesse
Improvisation No.7 in C: Modere Sans Lenteur
Improvisation No.8 In A: Presto
Improvisation No.9 in D: Presto Possible
Improvisation No.10 in F (Eloge Des Gammes): Modere, Sans Trainer
Improvisation No.11 In G: Assez Anime
Improvisation No.12 In E Flat (Hommage A Schubert): Movt De Vasle
Improvisation No.13 In A: Allegretto Comodo
Improvisation No.14 In D Flat: Allegretto
Improvisation No.15 In C (Hommage A Edith Piaf): Tres Vite
Trois Pieces: I. Pastorale (Calme Et Mysterieux)
Trois Pieces: II. Hymne (Modere)
Trois Pieces: III. Toccata (Tres Anime)
Napoli: Ste: I. Barcarolle (Assez Anime)
Napoli: Ste: II. Nocturne (Lent)
Napoli: Ste: III. Caprice Italien (Presto)
Novelette No.1 In C: Modere Sans Lenteur
Novelette No.2 In B flat: Tres Rapide Et Rythme
Novelette No.3 in e (Sur Un Theme De Mandel De Falla 'El Amor Brujo'): Andantino Tranquillo

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