Brahms: Ballades Op. 10, Sonata Op. 5 / Grigory Sokolov

On this CD:

1. Ballades (4) for piano, Op. 10
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Grigory Sokolov

2. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Grigory Sokolov

Customer Reviews:

Get anything Grigory Sokolov recorded .......2006-07-29

Grigory Sokolov is definitely one of the most underrated pianist for the past few decades, and I truly believe he is the best still around.

Currently there are two CD boxes( each contains 5 CDs)and one DVD (Live in Paris) available in the market. This is one of the CD set, including some previously single release. Because of his reclusive personality and unwilling to record (perhaps due to perfectionism) , he never had contract with major labels and therefore lots of people were not aware of him. However, the one single DVD is good enough to do him justice--you have to see it to believe it.

He is one of the best classic pianists ever, along with Gilels, Richter, etc----definitely the best still around. If you have not heard of him, get both CD sets and DVD--that will be the best investment for your classic music collection and years of enjoyment. And if one of us get lucky, we might still be able to see him one stage one day.

Grigory Sokolov - The (Almost) Unknown Major Pianist.......2005-11-09

One of the best-kept secrets in the piano world is the amazing Grigory Sokolov, a man in his fifties who won the Tchaikovsky Prize in 1966 at the age of sixteen. He has been somewhat reclusive. tending to play in Europe only, and has generally not made studio recordings, but among the cognoscenti his recitals are sought after and often sold out. All the music recorded in this five-CD box has been released on single CDs before (and as a box from Opus 111), and is here offered at budget price. I have owned three of the five previously. Earlier this year I also reviewed a marvelous DVD of a recital he gave in the Châtelet and filmed by the redoubtable Bruno Monsaingeon. Since Amazon has not yet included the contents of this box (or even told us how many CDs are included) I will list them now:

CDs 1 & 2: Bach: Art of Fugue; Partita No. 2

CD 3: Beethoven: Rondos in C Major and G Major, Op. 51; Rondo, 'Rage over a lost penny,' Op. 129; Sonata No. 4 in E Flat Major, Op. 7; Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

CD 4: Chopin: 24 Préludes, Op. 28

CD 5: Brahms: Ballades, Op. 10; Sonata in F Minor, Op. 5

Possibly the most marvelous thing about Sokolov's playing is his variety of touch. He can play in a tiny whisper, with a lightning fast leggiero, with deep-in-the-keys but never clangy fortissimo. His legato is legendary and he tends to obtain it more by finger technique than with pedaling. One can argue with his interpretive choices but never with his musicianship or sincerity, and certainly not with his almost inhuman virtuosity.

All five CDs were recorded live in recital and in gorgeous sound. There does not appear to be much in the way of editing. There are a very few dropped notes, but on the whole the playing is incredibly accurate as well as being musicianly. His 'Art of Fugue' is rather a combination of some Romantic gestures coupled with a purity of tone that depends more on touch than on pedaling. His Brahms is a bit more Romantic but is not sentimental -- something is that is not easy to avoid in the Ballades particularly. His Beethoven is much the same. 'Rage over a lost penny' is the most exciting performance I've ever heard since I heard Brendel play it live in the 1960s. Sokolov, like Michelangeli (to whom he has been compared), does not play many of the Beethoven sonatas, but the ones he plays are his utterly.

The Chopin is the glory of this set. It sings, whispers and roars as need be. It is ultraromantic and yet is not maudlin or sickly sentimental. This is masculine Chopin.

At this bargain price this set is a must-have, I should think, for those who enjoy masterful playing and are willing to become acquainted with a heretofore unknown pianist sometimes called 'the new Sviatoslav Richter.'

Scott Morrison

Brahms: Ballades Op. 10, Sonata Op. 5 / Grigory Sokolov

Average customer rating:

Brahms from the master

Brahms: Ballades Op. 10, Sonata Op. 5 / Grigory Sokolov

Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005W3I
Release Date: 1994-12-15

Tracks:

Vier Balladen, Op. 10: Andante
Vier Balladen, Op. 10: Andante
Vier Balladen, Op. 10: Intermezzo: Allegro
Vier Balladen, Op. 10: Andante con moto
Sonata In F Minor, No. 3, Op. 5: I. Allegro maestoso
Sonata In F Minor, No. 3, Op. 5: II. Andante espressivo
Sonata In F Minor, No. 3, Op. 5: III. Scherzo: Allegro energico - Trio
Sonata In F Minor, No. 3, Op. 5: IV. Intermezzo (Ruckblick): Andante molto
Sonata In F Minor, No. 3, Op. 5: V. Finale: Allegro moderato ma rubato - Piu mosso

Customer Reviews:

Brahms from the master.......1999-05-06

There are very few Brahms discs in the catalogue which can equal this. Sokolov plays the Sonata with masterly authority, fiery passion when called for and melting tenderness in the slow movement. Sokolov's performance was recorded live which perhaps explains the arching concentration of his interpretation and the tremendous energy he generates in the scherzo in particular.

The Ballades find Sokolov on top form too, typically probing, challenging and fresh. Recording quality is good - Sokolov's enormous tonal range is clearly caught.

Piano Sonata Op 5/Ballades Op 10
Average customer rating:
Piano Sonata Op 5/Ballades Op 10
Johannes Brahms , and Grigory Sokolov
Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004ZBKK
Release Date: 2000-12-12