Schubert: Fantasias

On this CD:

1. Wandrers Nachtlied ("Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh"), song for voice & piano, D. 768 (Op. 96/3)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Daniel Blumenthal

2. Scherzos (2) for piano, D. 593
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Daniel Blumenthal

3. Fantasia for piano in C major ("Grazer Fantasie"), D. 605a
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Daniel Blumenthal

4. Moments musicaux (6) for piano, D. 780 (Op. 94)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Daniel Blumenthal

Tracks:

Son No.1 In C, Op.1: I. Allegro
Son No.1 In C, Op.1: II. Andante
Son No.1 In C, Op.1: III. Scherzo: Allegro Molto E Con Fuoco
Son No.1 In C, Op.1: IV. Finale: Allegro Con Fuoco
Scherzo In E Flat, Op. 4
Son No.2 In F#, Op.2: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Ma Energico
Son No.2 In F#, Op.2: II. Andante Con Espressione
Son No.2 In F#, Op.2: III. Scherzo & Trio: Allegro-Poco Piu Moderato
Son No.2 In F#, Op.2: IV. Finale: Introduzione: Sostenuto-Allegro Non Troppo E Rubato
Study For The Left Hand (Inpromptu By Schubert, D. 899 No.2)
Study No.1 (Etude After Chopin, Op.25 No.2)
Study No.2 (Rondo After Weber, Op.24)

Tracks:

Four Ballades Op.10: No.1 Andante-Allegro-Andante
Four Ballades Op.10: No.2 Andante-Allegro Non Troppo-Andante
Four Ballades Op.10: No.3 Intermezzo: Allegro
Four Ballades Op.10: No.4 Andante Con Moto-Piu Lento-Tempo I
Vars On A Theme Of Robert Schumann, Op.9: Theme And Vars I-VI
Vars On A Theme Of Robert Schumann, Op.9: Vars VII-XVI
Son No.3 in f, Op.5: Allegro Maestoso
Son No.3 in f, Op.5: Andante: Andante Espressivo
Son No.3 in f, Op.5: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Energico
Son No.3 in f, Op.5: Intermezzo: Andante Molto
Son No.3 in f, Op.5: Finale: Allegro Moderato Ma Rubato

Tracks:

Theme And Vars In D (From The Second Movt Of The Str Sxt, Op.18): Andante, Ma Moderato
Vars On An Original Theme Op.21, No.1: Theme And Vars I-VII
Vars On An Original Theme Op.21, No.1: Vars VIII-XI
Vars On A Hungarian Song, Op.21, No.2: Theme And Vars I-XIII
Sarabande In A
Gigue In A
Sarabande In B
Gigue In B
Vars And Fugue On A Theme Of Handel, Op.24: Aria And Vars I-XV
Vars And Fugue On A Theme Of Handel, Op.24: Vars XVI-XXV
Vars And Fugue On A Theme Of Handel, Op.24: Fuga

Tracks:

Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35: Book I
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35: Book II
16 Waltzes, Op.39: I-VIII
16 Waltzes, Op.39: IX-XVI
Hungarian Dances: I. Allegro
Hungarian Dances: II. Allegro Non Assai
Hungarian Dances: III. Allegretto
Hungarian Dances: IV. Poco Sostenuto
Hungarian Dances: V. Allegro
Hungarian Dances: VI. Vivace
Hungarian Dances: VII. Allegretto
Hungarian Dances: VIII. Presto
Hungarian Dances: IX. Allegro
Hungarian Dances: X. Presto
Gavotte By Chr. W. Gluck

Tracks:

Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: I. Capriccio: Un Poco Agitato
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: II. Capriccio: Allegretto Non Troppo
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: III. Intermezzo: Grazioso
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: IV. Intermezzo: Allegretto Grazioso
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: V. Capriccio: Agitato, Ma Non Troppo Presto
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: VI. Intermezzo: Andante Con Moto
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: VII. Intermezzo: Moderato Semplice
Eight Klavierstucke, Op.76: VIII. Capriccio: Grazioso Ed Un Poco Vivace
Two Rhaps, Op.79: I. Agitato
Two Rhaps, Op.79: II. Molto Passionato, Ma Non Troppo Allegro
Study No.5 Chanonne by J.S. Bach)
Study No.3 (Presto After J.S. Bach, Version 1)
Sarabande And Two Gavottes
Kanon
Kanon (Inverted)
Study No.4 (Presto After J.S. Bach, Version 2)
Kleine Klavierstucke

Tracks:

Fants, Op.116: I. Capriccio: Presto Energico
Fants, Op.116: II. Intermezzo: Andante
Fants, Op.116: III. Capriccio: Allegro Passionato
Fants, Op.116: IV. Intermezzo: Adagio
Fants, Op.116: V. Intermezzo: Andante Con Grazia Ed Intimissimo Sentimento
Fants, Op.116: VI. Intermezzo: Andantino Teneramente
Fants, Op.116: VII. Capriccio: Allegro Agitato
Klavierstucke, Op.117: I. Intermezzo: Andante Moderato
Klavierstucke, Op.117: II. Intermezzo: Andante Non Troppo E Con E Con Molto Espressione
Klavierstucke, Op.117: III. Intermezzo: Andante Con Moto
Klavierstucke, Op.118: I. Intermezzo: Allegro Non Assai, Ma Molto Appassionata
Klavierstucke, Op.118: II. Intermezzo: Andante Teneramente
Klavierstucke, Op.118: III. Ballade: Allegro Energico
Klavierstucke, Op.118: IV. Intermezzo: Allegretto Un Poco Agitato
Klavierstucke, Op.118: V. Romance: Andante
Klavierstucke, Op.118: VI. Intermezzo: Andante, Largo E Mesto
Klavierstucke, Op.119: I. Intermezzo: Adagio
Klavierstucke, Op.119: II. Intermezzo: Andantino
Klavierstucke, Op.119: III. Intermezzo: Grazioso E Giocoso
Klavierstucke, Op.119: IV. Rhap: Allegro Risoluto

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile, especially if you like Brahms.......2000-02-28

Johannes Brahms was one of the key figures in Romantic Piano Music. His output for the instrument was varied and large, and this four-disc set is ample testament to that output. As it was with their complete Beethoven Sonatas set (by Bernard Roberts), so it it here: Nimbus have enlisted a fine artist with a good command of the piano to record all of Brahms' solo piano music, and whilst I am not a Brahms addict myself, I am sure it will give great pleasure to collectors and serious Brahms fans.

I could offer a critique of all the works on these discs, but it is enough to single out a particular highlight. Martin Jones is particularly stunning with his rendition of the Hungarian Dances (which in their piano solo versions are not easy at all). The recording quality throughout is superb, enhancing the subtleties of Jones' performance.

Tracks:

Aria from Goldberg Variations BMV 988 - Chen Pi-Hsien
Adagio cantabile from Son No.8 in c, Op.13 (Pathetique)
Impromptu No.2 in A flat, Op.142
Consolation No.3 in D flat
Andante cantabile con espressione from Son in a, KV 310
Intermezzo in a, from Fantasias Op.116 - Idil Biret
Nuages gris
Andante from Son No.25 in G, Op.79
Die Friedeker Muttergottes from On the Overgrown Path
Lob der Tranen
Impromptu No.3 in G flat, Op.90
Etude in E, Op.10 No.3 (Tristesse) - Idil Biret
La lugubre gondola (First version)
Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut from Images Vol.2 - Klara Kormendi
On Wings of Song Op.34 No.2 - Peter Nagy

Tracks:

Andante cantabile from Poeme No.1 Op.32
Pajaro triste from Impresiones Intimas
In Tranen from On the Overgrown Path
Clair de lune from Ste bergamasque - Klara Komendi
Un sospiro from Etude de Con No.3 in D flat
Nocturne in c, Op.48 No.1 - Sandor Falvay
Les Larmes from Fantasie tableaux Ste No.1, Op.5 - Jeno Jando/Ilona Prunyi
Pagodes from Estampes
Prelude in c sharp from Morceaux de fantasie Op.3 - Idil Biret
Adagio from Son for Pn (From the Street)
Andante sognando
Traumerei from Kinderszenen Op.15
Modere from Scaramouche Op.165b - Ilona Prunyi/Jeno Jando
Oiseaux tristes from Miroirs
Voiles Preludes Vol.1
Regard du silence from Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jesus

Customer Reviews:

great compilation to relax to.......2005-04-18

good relaxing compilations of classical piano music abound, but eckart rahn has upped the ante with this one. you not only get excellent performances of such standards as claire de lune, but a whole second disk with pieces from scriabin, messaien, milhaud and others who have been sorely neglected. this is one well-done job of selection, and there's nothing else out there quite like it. you won't be dissapointed if you're a piano music buff!

Average customer rating:

Delightful cd!
A wonderful program of very fine performances by a great pianist
THE GENUINE ARTICLE
Magnificent Schubert
Stunning Schubert, disappointing Brahms

Schubert/Brahms/Liszt

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat; Schubert-Liszt: Four Songs; Liszt: Mephisto
Schumann: Fantasy; Liszt: Transcendental Etudes
Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28; Sonata for Piano No. 2, Op. 35; Polonaise, Op. 53
Chopin: The Four Ballades, Berceuse, Barcarolle, Scherzo No. 4
Carnegie Hall Debut Concert

ASIN: B000001GO6
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

Fantasia In C Major 'Wanderer' D 760: Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo
Fantasia In C Major 'Wanderer' D 760: Adagio
Fantasia In C Major 'Wanderer' D 760: Presto
Fantasia In C Major 'Wanderer' D 760: Allegro
Gretchen Am Spinnrade
Standchen
Der Mueller Und Der Bach
Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen
Fantasien Op. 116: Capriccio. Presto energico
Fantasien Op. 116: Intermezzo. Andante
Fantasien Op. 116: Capriccio. Allegro passionato
Fantasien Op. 116: Intermezzo. Adagio
Fantasien Op. 116: Intermezzo. Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento
Fantasien Op. 116: Intermezzo. Andantino teneramente
Fantasien Op. 116: Capriccio. Allegro agitato
Ungarische Rhapsodie No. 12

Amazon.com essential recording

This recital disc, recorded when Kissin was still in his teens, displays the phenomenal pianist's command of a spectrum extending from exuberant virtuoso style to deep-gazing, lyrical inwardness. Both, in fact, are present in the marvelous sonata-length Wanderer-Fantasie of Schubert. Kissin launches into its compulsive dactylic rhythm with an energy that soon sets sparks flying. It's a fiendishly difficult piece--in particular the fugal finale--which the composer himself could barely play, yet Kissin keeps our attention riveted on Schubert's promethean inventiveness. The Adagio's gently spun beauties as rendered here begin to approach the sphere of late Beethoven. Some Schubert song settings elaborately transcribed by Liszt are also included, to gorgeous effect. Kissin explores the inner world of Brahms's Op. 116 Fantasies with supreme sensitivity and an intuitive grasp of their densely concentrated vision. But when it comes to the athletic turns and scampering gymnastics of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12, Kissin can communicate a giddy mood of unlimited prowess and agility. This is the kind of artist whose every stage of development proves fascinating as he continues to mature. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Delightful cd!.......2006-07-18

On this cd Kissin shows the best sides of his talents: a great feeling for a beautiful sound and a incredible technical command which is always serving the music. If feel that some of his later recordings tend to be a bit hard in sound, but not this one.
And what a beautiful music. Highlight for me are the adagio from the Wanderer fantasy and the Schubert songs transcriptions; I simply haven't heard these played better ever!

A wonderful program of very fine performances by a great pianist.......2006-03-07

There is no denying the virtuosity and musical sensitivity of Yevgeny Kissin. This disk has a great deal of what Kissin offers on display. This performance of Schubert's "Wanderer Fantasie" is terrific. He shows the ability to present a large form piece coherently and with a technical ease that allows him to musically shape even the most difficult passages. While it is not my favorite recording of the work, I find this quite convincing and learned from it.

The four Schubert transcriptions by Liszt are excellently played. From the poignant ache of "Gretchen am Spinnrade" to the delightful joy of "Hark, Hark, the Lark" to the ache of the "The Miller and the Brook" and the glory of "To Sing on the Water". Kissin shows a great range and again, makes it all sound so easy.

Then Brahms Opus 116 is also an interesting choice for this disk. These are seven short works but are late Brahms and require musical maturity to go with the technique. I think I enjoy this performance of these pieces about the most I have ever heard. They are worth listening to again and again.

The last work on the disk, the Liszt "Hungarian Rhapsodie No. 12" is a problem for me. Kissin plays it with great virtuosity and each portion sounds great. However, this is not great music. I hate to say it, but it isn't. To pull it off, the pianist has to bring a sense of conviction to it. Even if he doesn't believe it himself, he has to make the audience believe that HE believes this is great music. Otherwise it comes across with a wheeze and you can here the handle cranking on the music machine. I am afraid that as well as Kissin plays the work, it did not convince me.

THE GENUINE ARTICLE.......2003-08-15

Not ANOTHER ultimate virtuoso, I thought, remembering uneasily how Horowitz was dismissive, and Michelangeli downright rude, about the younger players. So this seemed like a good mix of pieces to start getting to know Kissin, with Liszt (of course) but Schubert and Brahms at their greatest too.

There's no mistaking it, the divine spark is here and no sense of the assembly-line virtuoso that I suppose is what Horowitz and Michelangeli were complaining about. In the Wanderer Fantasy Kissin is his own man, taking a more romantic view of the first section than Richter or Pollini. As with Richter (here at his very best) there is a warmth to the playing that I miss from Pollini, and I have to say that Richter is fully equalled by the kid with all the hair gazing out solemnly from the back of the record box. Obviously Kissin has the advantage of up-to-date recorded sound, but other than that any choice between Kissin and Richter is going to be a matter of details and personal temperament, so I prefer not to choose but to have both. In the Brahms pieces I was able to compare Kissin with the classic performance from Katchen's omnibus edition, and the first thing that struck me was that Kissin is an absolute natural for Brahms. The rubato is supremely natural and the tempi in the four slow pieces are, to my ears, definitely better chosen. The first 3 intermezzi gain in eloquence from Kissin's slower speeds, and the strange and very inward E minor is genuinely played 'con intimissimo sentimento'. Katchen misses this one, I feel. The second of the two E major pieces shows up a characteristic that Katchen never quite grew out of in his all-too-short career, namely the well-meant delusion that greater 'depth', 'expressiveness', 'spirituality' or whatever is attained by playing pianissimo where the composer wrote 'piano' and playing adagio where the composer wrote 'andante'. This piece is not even andante but 'andantino' yet Katchen plays it adagio. Kissin's tempo is very reasonable as an andantino, but you might be surprised how the piece comes to life if you play it for yourself at a more flowing speed than we usually hear. In the three fast pieces I can't be so clear in my preference as both are excellent. The most striking diference is in the G minor capriccio with the central section featuring the one one and only big tune that I can recall in Brahms's solo piano music. Katchen is fast and ardent, Kissin slow and majestic. I can't make up my mind. Why should I have to?

Liszt's 4 Schubert song arrangements are wonderful. Liszt was at his best when someone else, e.g. Schubert or Verdi, provided the actual music. The power of these familiar melodies comes over in a new light, especially as played with effortless grandeur, sensitivity and flexibility by Kissin. There is also one of Liszt's own Hungarian Rhapsodies, and the playing is pretty terrific without quite persuading me, as Horowitz and Cziffra (almost) do that Liszt's original compositions are anything but absolute bobbins as music.

I shall be acquiring more of Kissin's work and listening out hard to try to catch a true individual voice as I catch it from Horowitz, Michelangeli, Richter, Serkin or Cziffra. Looking through some reviews I am pleased to see that people are keeping their critical faculties alert and not heaping on Kissin the indiscriminate plaudits that really do an injustice to Richter --he was a far more complex phenomenon than you would think to read much of it. One touch I have already noticed - Kissin understands the expressive potential of separating his hands, but as often as not plays the right hand first, which is a new one on me. I want to hear more.

Magnificent Schubert.......2002-01-16

I am not a big fan of Schubert in general, but the extraordinary Wanderer Fantasia is one of the greatest compositions ever created. Kissin powerful playing makes the piece extremely exciting, and the massive fugue in the end of the piece is amazing. The Listz-Schubert lieder and the Brahms fantasy are great. Finally, the ultra-virtuosic Liszt Rhapsody ends this magnificent recording.

Stunning Schubert, disappointing Brahms.......2000-07-19

I like this disc, mostly because of the great playing Kissin offers us in the Wanderer Fantasie and the lied transcriptions of Schubert. The Schubert Wanderer Fantasie is played with an enormous drive an force, which gives this interpretation a very personal touch that certainly is very convincing. Kissin really plays the music as ik his life depends on it. I prefer this version above those by other famous pianists as Pollini or Fleisher. The lied transcriptions of the four Schubert songs by Liszt are simply stunning ! Not only are these great transcriptions, but they are played with a beatiful range of sounds, which goes from almost whispered till a huge explosion of sounds, like in the last strophe of "aus dem wasser zu singen". Just compare these versions even to those by Jorge Bolet, and you'll have to agree with me that these versions are of superior quality. As much as I like the first part of this disc, I can't as much appreciate the Brahms' Fantasien op.116, although I am a big fan of the music. Kissin's playing isn't just fit to Brahms's special world ( although I have to admit I greatly enjoyed his live performance of Brahms's third sonata op.5) Of course Kissin was only 18 years old at the time of the recording, and he too has matured over the years. However, these late pianoworks by Brahms require a special approach that I still haven't found on cd (Wilhelm Kempff neither satisfies me)(if anyone can recommend me a great version, please let me know)(pverelst@hotmail.com) There is something missing, cakll it maturity or whatever. This is music of an old Brahms, reflecting and thinking over his life, and maybe this music isn't to be played at age 18. The Liszt Rhapsody is more suited to Kissin, who again shows that he possesses a great technique, which certainly works well in this work. In conclusion, I can say that I don't regret having bought this disc, because of the great Schubert playing.

Average customer rating:

Dmitry Paperno: German Program

Manufacturer: Cedille
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Through the Years

ASIN: B0000018YS
Release Date: 1994-08-24

Tracks:

Chaconne in d, BWV 1004
Son No.7 in D, Op.10, No.3: I. Presto
Son No.7 in D, Op.10, No.3: II. Largo E Mesto
Son No.7 in D, Op.10, No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegro
Son No.7 in D, Op.10, No.3: IV. Rondo: Allegro
Fant From Son in G, D.894
Fants, Op.116: 1. Capriccio: Presto Energico
Fants, Op.116: 2. Intermezzo: Andante
Fants, Op.116: 3. Capriccio: Allegro Passionato
Fants, Op.116: 4. Intermezzo: Adagio
Fants, Op.116: 5. Intermezzo: Andante Con Grazia Ed Intimisso Sentimento
Fants, Op.116: 6. Intermezzo: Andantino Teneramente
Fants, Op.116: 7. Capriccio: Allegro Agitato

Album Description

Pianist Dmitry Paperno's second recording on Cedille Records embraces four periods in the development of German music, with works of Bach-Busoni, Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms.

The unusual liner notes for this stimulating program take the form of a Q&A interview between Paperno and producer James Ginsburg that elicits insightful commentary about each piece and the program's overall concept.

Paperno describes Busoni's transcription of Bach's Chaconne as "religious in its insight and grandeur, without being sacred." He finds Beethoven's early Piano Sonata No. 7 "so varied, so full of different impressions of life," considering Beethoven's youth at the time.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful program of very fine performances by a great pianist.......2006-03-07

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Fantasias

Manufacturer: Cypres
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004RGD0
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Average customer rating:

50 Piano Classics

Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Inventions | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Tracks:

Moonlight Son: I. Adagio - Dieter Zechlin
Pno Con No.13: II. Andante - Annerose Schmidt
Songs Without Words: Adagio - Renate Scholrer
Pno Con No.1: I. Allegro - Annerose Schmidt
Carnival In Vienna: Scherzo - Annerose Schmidt
Fant, Op.116: V. Intermezzo - Peter Rosel
Sleepers Awake - Peter Rosel
Pno Son No.48: II. Adagio - Walter Olbertz
Berceuse - Andreas Pistorius
Pno Con No.1: II. Adagio - Nelson Freire
Snowflakes Are Dancing - Peter Rosel
Var No.6 - Peter Rosel
Bagatelle No.11 - Andreas Pistorius
Pno Con No.8: II. Andante - Annerose Schmidt
Impromptu No.1, Op.142 - Dieter Zechlin
Prld No.1 - Marc Laforet
Pno Con No.1: II. Adagio - Peter Rosel
Hungarian Dance No.7 - Guher Pekinel/Suher Pekinel
Romance - Andreas Pistorius
Songs Without Words: Morning Song - Renate Scholrer
Son in f#: II. Intro - Peter Rosel
Minuet No.2 - Berlin RSO/Jorg-Peter Weigle
Two Part Invention No.2 - Amadeus Webersinke
Pno Son No.10: I. Allegro - Walter Olbertz
Pno Con No.2: III. Rondo - Peter Rosel

Tracks:

Clair De Lune - Andreas Pistorius
Prld No.24 - Marc Laforet
Pno Con No.21: II. Andante - Annerose Schmidt
Ave Maria - Egon Morbitzer/Siegfried Stockigt
Fur Elise - Gunter Kootz
Pno Con No.2: I. Adagio - Nelson Freire
Lieberstraum No.3 - Wladislaw Kedra
Songs Without Words: May Breezes - Peter Arne Rohde
Intermezzo No.2, Op.117 - Peter Rosel
Mazurka No.13 - Andreas Pistorius
Pno Con No.3: I. Allegro - Peter Rosel
Pno Son No.15: I. Moderato - Walter Olbertz
Two Part Invention No.1 - Amadeus Webersinke
La Campanella - Wladislaw Kedra
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14: I. Andante - Renate Schorler
Pno Con No.23: II. Adagio - Annerose Schmidt
Habanera - Christian Funke/Herbert Kaliga
Hungarian Melody - Sebastian Knauer
Quasi Waltz - Gunter Phillipp
Theme, Op.21, 1 - Peter Rosel
Pno Son in A flat, D557: II. Andante - Dieter Zechlin
Children's Scenes: Almost Too Serious - Norman Shetler
Prld No.9 - Marc Laforet
Album For The Young: Melody - Norman Shetler
Pno Son in a: III. Presto - Cecile Ousset

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Fantasias

Manufacturer: Cypres
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004OCU9
Release Date: 2000-03-01

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition

Average customer rating:

Wonderful set
Don't buy the whole thing
Not Insane
insane
For the real music lover

Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition
Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Nonets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Voluntaries | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00002EITP
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful set.......2004-10-24

This set is for serious piano fans, not for the ones who just start building up a CD library. I sort of agree with one of the reviewers, that there are many repetitions. But if you love piano, you wish to hear the same piece in different interpretations. Indeed, I really like this feature of this set: I can compare the style of various performers.
If you are into piano music, I encourage you to grab this set, if you can find it used (not available anymore at Amazon). I also hope, that there will be a continuation, in which other great pianists, who were left out because of the space limitation, will be included (Prokofiev, Bartok, Dohnanyi, etc).

Don't buy the whole thing.......2001-07-08

I've put a lot of thought into constructing my own piano library, and unless you can easily afford the present set, I would recommend a different approach to collecting piano music. This set emphasizes the piano player rather than the piano composer. Of course both are important. For example, the "Barcarolle" appears in this set EIGHT times. I'm sorry, although I love the piece, if I am going to spend [the money], I would prefer more variety. Where are the Alkan, Medtner, and Szymanawski compositions represented in this set? I appreciate having so many interpretations of the same pieces, but I would also appreciate more exposure to pieces not so popular. The selection by Philips which I consider a somewhat popular selection suggests to me that when Philips constructed this set, they realized most people would be buying the disks separately, and this affected the selection. And it's not just that obscure composers are left out, but also if one spends so much money on piano recordings, you'd think you'd want to buy pieces from a composer in completeness. For example, an alternative way to construct a library would be to combine purchases of complete cycles, e.g. complete Beethoven sonatas, complete Scriabin preludes, etc., along with outstanding recordings of more particular pieces. I'm not sure why someone would want to concentrate so much on so many famous artists, instead of acquiring complete sets of compositions. For me the composer is more important, or at least, if I am going to spend [the money]on piano recordings, I'd prefer more complete, rather than snapshot, exposure to the composers.

Not Insane.......2001-01-02

I had to write this review, as I am enthralled with this set. I have been going through it in order having already purchased a few individual units from the collection earlier. I am not sure what `insane' was talking about as there is NO repetition. Sure some pianists perform the same pieces, isn't that what they did in reality? The idea is to appreciate the different nuances and approaches taken by these artists. You will then enjoy these pieces from a better vantage.

It is a large ambitious contribution to the art of great piano playing. It is a labor of love and represents a tremendous amount of research and cooperation between many record companies. Rather then representing insanity, it is a resource to treasure.

Yes experts can quibble over who was left out, and what performances were inserted. I do not think such a massive undertaking could have been accomplished without someone being able to find faults. Overall however, unless you already have a monumental collection, (it would have to be almost legendary), this incredible set will give you a rewarding look into 74 of the greatest pianist of all time. You will come away with a honed sense of appreciation for your likes and dislikes. You will undoubtedly become someone who will search out recordings and be able to enjoy them for the rest of your life with a refined ear.

The only negative is this price. I would shop around, as it is daunting to spend 2 thousand dollars on such a collection. Of course you do get 200 CD's. However, the used collections might be good to consider.

Enjoy these masterpieces. I am not ashamed of owning this music as `insane' implies. I am proud to have enriched my life.

insane.......2000-10-12

This is not a good library of piano music. The reason is, there is too much repetition. I'm not saying the series is bad. The series is wonderful. But this collection as a whole is a bad libary. For the same money you could collect together (with more effort) an incredible libary of piano music. There are so many wonderful cd's out there, this is just a waste of money. If you can actually afford to spend 2 grand on piano music, then either (1) spend the time and do some research to get a good library of piano music, which will probably include some selections from this collection, or (2) hire someone to do that for you. Personally I would be embarrassed to own this whole collection, since that shows I have put little thought into my purchases of piano music.

For the real music lover.......2000-03-12

This series attempts to present important and representative performances by most of the major pianists of the 20th century. One might quibble a bit with the choices, but the works presented are of consistently high quality, and often do represent what may be the best works of a performer. Since this covers most of the time that recorded music existed, some of the recordings are technically challenged, as there is only so much one can do to enhance an old recording. Still, these appear to have been treated with love and respect in their restorations. Since this series is so large (and expensive!) one is tempted to "cherry pick" through the series, yet by doing so one can easily overlook gems by artists one is less familiar with. This large a set must inevitably have many versions of the same pieces, and takes many hours to listen to. The true enthusiast will appreciate the differences in interpretation, whereas the less experienced listener may find the set repetitive and overwhelming. If one has the time to really dig into this set, it can provide years of exploration and discovery. It would make a wonderful gift for some special music lover in your life ... or for yourself!