Previously Unissued Live Performances From 1946

On this CD:

1. Leonore Overture No. 2 in C major, Op. 72a
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra

2. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra

3. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 Prelude to Act 1
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra

4. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 Prelude to Act 3
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra

5. Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 24
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra

Tracks:

Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: I. Sinfonia - Grave Adagio
Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: Andante
Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: II. Allemande
Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: III. Courante
Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: IV. Sarabonde
Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: V. Rondeau
Nocturne No. 13 In C Minor, Op. 48, No. 1
Scherzo No. 3 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 39
Sonata, Sz. 80: I. Allegro moderato
Sonata, Sz. 80: II. Sostenuto e pesante
Sonata, Sz. 80: III. Allegro molto
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2: I. Danza del viejo boyero (Dance Of The Old Cowherd)
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2: II. Danza de la moza donoso (Dance Of The Delightful Young Girl)
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2: III. Danza del gaucho matrero (Dance Of The Artful Herdsman)
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat, Op. 83: I. Allegro inquieto - Andantino
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat, Op. 83: II. Andante caloroso
Piano Sonata No. 7 In B Flat, Op. 83: III. Precipitato
Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata In D Minor
Bourree - English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, BWV 807

Amazon.com

Throughout her lengthy artistic career, pianist Martha Argerich has experienced many heights and depths: moments of "crisis" in which she hasn't always seemed prepared to offer the full extent of her artistic insights, but also many, many times when she has managed simultaneously to come into her own and to completely lose herself in music-making. Fortunately it's the latter snapshot of Argerich's career that this CD captures, drawing from two live recitals Argerich gave at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw in 1978 and 1979. They document the pianist's overwhelming gifts, with all the artistic characteristics that have made her so revered. The program is quite eclectic, with music from Prokofiev and Chopin--all familiar territory for Argerich, which she masters with arresting brilliance, extraordinary technical facility, and grandly sweeping gestures. A bit further afield on the program are such composers as Domenico Scarlatti and J.S. Bach. The latter might give one pause: Bach and Argerich? But in the slower movements of the C Minor Partita, it's astonishing to hear such uncommonly tender, feathery tones. In short, the music breathes. It's only too bad that in the faster movements of the Bach pieces Argerich resorts to her typically fiery, stormy attacks. --Teresa Pieschacón Raphael

Customer Reviews:

If you only get one Martha Argerich disc..........2007-04-30

If you only get one Martha Argerich disc, or if you're just begining to collect her music, this would be an excellent choice. She is in superb form here, playing to a large, very appreciative audience. Also she plays a huge variety here, ranging from Bach & Scarlatti, through Chopin, to semi-modern composers including Bartok, Prokofiev, and Ginastera.

This recording illustrates why Argerich is considered by many to be the greatest living pianist, (I also love Pollini). Her power, passion, full colored tone, and technical agility are unparalleled. While everything on this album is superb, my favorite is the Chopin Nocturne in C minor. It starts off very calm, but with just a hint of the turbulence to come. It becomes even more serine when suddenly the serenity is invaded by waves of dark turbulence. I've heard a few other versions of this work, but I've never heard the simultaneous range of emotions that Argerich achieves here, it's magical.

DON'T YOU WISH YOU'D BEEN THERE?.......2006-08-31

Thrilling, exciting, sexy, passionate, fiery, volatile, demanding, challenging, surprising, charismatic, exquisitely beautiful. Are we talking about the pianist or the playing? Well, both, of course. This recital from the Concertgebouw in the late 70's (actually put together from two recitals) amply demonstrates why Martha Argerich is one of the great pianists of our time.

For a start, there is the breathtaking range of repertoire here - from Bach to Bartok and Prokofiev and on to her fellow-countryman, Ginastera. All of them played with an innate sense of the different styles and character demanded. But all of them challenging stale preconceptions, shedding new light on the composers and their music. Even the most familiar pieces come up as fresh as though newly minted. The Chopin items are just as fresh and exciting as anything here: the C Minor Nocturne is a wonder of colour and tints, the darkness of its central section starkly contrasted with the elegance and smoothness of its outer parts. Equally the motoric rhythms of the first movement of the Bartok Sonata and the last of the Prokofiev display enormous power and energy.

With her reluctance to play/record solo recitals any more, live documents such as these Concertgebouw programmes are invaluable. If you've a taste for invigorating, refreshing piano playing of the highest standards (both of technique and interpretation), don't hesitate.

Argerich's strengths and weaknesses.......2005-11-11

This CD, with live recordings from 1978 and 1979, is a showcase of Martha Argerich's astounding gifts but also of some of her evident shortcomings. The former are a technique as brilliant as any to be found anywhere in the world today, a real interpretative temperament and a natural musical instinct which is amongst the most unique in the annals of piano playing. The latter, a tendency towards senselessly fast and forced playing which often leads to distorted renditions reminiscent of the worst moments of Simon Barere and Gyorgy Cziffra.

The Partita n. 2 is good, reasonably spacious and even luminous in places. It's non-authoritative Bach playing but all the better for it. The Bartok sonata is the highlight of the disc: its motoric drive is relentless, its percussiveness notable without being unpleasant, and the overall technical vigour quite remarkable. Prokofiev's Sonata n. 7, op. 83 - probably the most popular of the Russian master's nine - is also impressive, with some brilliant fingerwork in spite of some minor slips and exciting throughout, though the final allegro precipitato sounds hurried rather than potent. Argerich also shows the expected understanding of her compatriot Alberto Ginastera's Danzas Argentinas, which she dispatches with flair and elan.

The Chopin, however, is a totally different story, and a sad one at that. This Scherzo n. 3 is much inferior to Argerich's previous recordings of the piece - made in 1961 and 1965 - and easily her worst attempt. She entirely sacrifices the narrative aspect of the work to speed and feverishness. The result is a shapeless, amorphous performance, with many blurred and technically inaccurate moments, and a tone with is at times hard-edged and banged. I can't imagine Chopin wanting that (ironically enough, the notoriously fast-fingered Barere recorded this same scherzo in the 30's with restraint, good taste and a luminous quality of tone).

All in all, a valuable CD, not only for the instances of great piano playing but also for revealing Argerich's highs and lows as a performer.

Great Chopin Nocturne.......2005-02-03

Sometimes, listening to Argerich can give one the impression that you are hearing THE way of playing a piece.
In this case, it happened with Chopin's beautiful nocturne, which i had already heard in various performances by other pianists (Rubinstein, Barenboim, etc)

I can't believe it's the same piece. In this recording, Argerich has managed to make this one explode like an atomic bomb, and leave me trembling.... Even in the slower parts the notes seem to flow like water... Simply wonderful.

The other works recorded are good, but the partita sounds better on DG's Studio recording, the Scherzo also sounds better on DG's Debut Recital... The Prokofiev sonata is included in this disc only, so if you want it, there you go...

Anyway, good cd, gret Nocturne, very good permormances all around.

The sound is a little crappy though, so it gets 4 stars instead of five. I really don't like EMI's live sound...

Not Martha's Best.......2001-07-30

Being a Marth Argerich fan, i was disapointed with this CD. In the last movement of the Prokofiev, which is one of my favorite pieces of music, she loses control and the Great Finaly of the sonata is very sloppy. through out the CD backround noise is heard and for the encores i was amazed at how much whishpereing there was , even during her playing. i know thats something that she cannot help. overall her playing is much cleaner and neater on otherr CD's. i recommened her two Great Pianists of hte Twentieth Century CD's much more than this one. the First one has a much nicer recording of the Bach Partita.

Martha Argerich: Live from the Concertgebouw 1978 & 1979 - Schumann, Ravel / Argerich

Average customer rating:

Argerich radiates spontaneity and freedom--mesmerizing
An evening with a legend
A free spirit.
Simply wonderful
Amazing and beautiful

Martha Argerich: Live from the Concertgebouw 1978 & 1979 - Schumann, Ravel / Argerich

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000055WFF
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Des Abends
Aufschwung
Warum?
Grillen
In Der Nacht
Fabel
Traumes Wirren
Ende Vom Lied
Modere
Movt De Menuet
Anime
Ondine
Le Gibet
Scarbo

Amazon.com

While the keyboardist herself continues to limit her public performances, great reissues featuring Martha Argerich's riveting live displays of solo piano virtuosity just keep coming out. Someone at the record label clearly knows what she's doing. Argerich's two previous recital discs from Amsterdam's Concertgebouw chronicled her performing the unusual (Bach, believe it or not) and the predictable (Mozart and Beethoven). On this disc (recorded in 1978 and 1979 but still boasting superb sonics), Argerich is again in her element with electrifying readings of Schumann's Fantasiestücke and Ravel's Sonatine and Gaspard de la nuit. While Gaspard offers the clearest portrait of her prodigious technical skills, Argerich's Schumann is simply stunning. She throws caution to the wind and probes the work's emotional depths with all the intensity she can muster. Intense and lovely, this is incredible music-making and a must-have for piano lovers. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Argerich radiates spontaneity and freedom--mesmerizing.......2006-07-27

I'm not always a fan of Argerich when she gets into crash-and-bang mode, but when she manages to hold herself (slightly) reined in, she deserves every accolade thorwn her way. She plays Schumann with great imaginative freedom, and since he, among all composers, should be played with spontaneity, there have been few to match Argerich. These eight Fantasiestucke are supberb. (A reviewer above was at a 1979 concert that preceded this one, and Argerich's tight black T-shirt seems to have convinced him that she was 18 at the time--she was 38.)

But we shouldn't spill all the superlatives before getting to her Ravel. The Sonatine may be short and slight, but it displays some of Ravel's most exquisite tuoches. ARgerich elevates the score to the heights of a Debussy Prelude with her amazingly sensitive imagination. Gaspard de la Nuit was a showpiece for her teacher, Michelangeli. If his version didn't exist, we would consider ARgerich's matchless for touch and control, yet she is far less cool than Michelangeli, whose tone was glassy where hers is emotionally more yielding. The repeated midnight bell in Le Gibet is almost gentle, while Scarbo is all brilliance and nerves.

In sum, a great recital, even if 51 min. is stingy

An evening with a legend.......2005-11-10

Those who had the priviledge to attend any of Martha Argerich's solo recitals will usually say her concerts were major events in the classical-music world and were attended by the best and brightest. When people heard of Argerich playing in town, calanders were cleared and buzz began. People came with a tantalizing sense of expectancy to witness something unique, awesome and, sadly, something all too rare (she largely stopped solo recitals in the 80's). And while many in attendance were devoted purists, for one night this "purity" was often set aside to be freely engulfed by the sheer magnetism and pure drama of Argerich's playing and alluring Argentinian mystique - albeit much of her playing being heavy on individualism.

The live recordings of Schmumann and Ravel on this CD capture the electricity of such long-talked about concerts and are a special piece of history for Martha's fans. Of course, much of the tempos will be fast and overdriven, but perhaps the question is to what extent such tempos and rhythms adds to (or detracts from) the resulting music. I think a main thing that attracts people to Miss Argerich's music is her ability to create "a true event" from the music - music filled with a sense of an unfolding drama and an animated life that she breathes into the music - all combining to create an event that is a memorable moment in time that moves you and leaves you even tingling with excitment, awe or musical inspiration. True, with this artist much of this excitement and sheer drama will be from the performer and less perhaps from the composer. But, is that a bad thing? I guess it depends on many things and your perspective at the time.

No piece better represents Argerich's ability to create this unfolding sense of drama better than her electrifying performance of Ravel's rather strange and seethingly-virtuostic work, "le Gaspard de la Nuit." This is the star of the CD and a performance often noted in the music critic world as most fascinating. Right from the cascading opening bars of the mesmerizing "water-effects" of Ondine, Argerich creates an charged atmosphere of expectancy and excitement. Her dramatic rolling build up in the middle and later "outburst" from the so-called water nymph is sheer mastery of pianism for its tingling effects. The middle movement le Gibet (the gallows) like the others is based on a scene from a imaginative literary work. Here, Martha exudes a most convincing stillness of death and desolation (in spite of a brisk pace even) as she continues her (Ravel's) build-up of the drama. Strangely in this movement, an audience member's creaking chair eerily adds to the chilling scene (like the corpse swinging on the wooden gallows). A rather creepy coincidence! In the last movement, she introduces the audience to the menacing figure Scarbo in the first few bars climaxing with a stunning, two-note "flutter" possessing a piercing electricity unlike any other. Its enough to send chills down your spine especially if you know the story behind this work. So, especially in this most frenzied-by-design movement, Argerich's blazing pianism finds its perfect home and definately adds - or even creates its own category of performance - by its uniqueness and ability to powerfully move the listener. The Gaspard is one of her most notable concert performances to be experienced, and she delivers the imagery and effect that Ravel probably intended in this piece of program music.

If there is one movement that Argerich's rushed tempos starts to detract, it is the opening movement of the Sonatine (Modere). Here, Argerich speeds by the more subtle beauty inherent in this work and creates more inner tension and nervousness than ideal for its more subtle intentions. Critics often cite her missing the inner beauty and soul of some music in the quest for virtuosity and this is one example of that I think. Some movements in the Schumann work also fall in this category too in an otherwise passionate performance (Schumann's music takes well to her style for sure). Yet, she turns right around in the second Sonatine movement (menuet) to reveal a work of delicate artisty and nuance with a wonderfully flowing and most natural tempo.

So, while other artists (Angela Hewitt for one) consistently represent more accurately the composer's musical intent and tempo indications, the final measure to many will be the overall effect on the music and listener - does it just seem rushed or does it seem to match the spirit of the music and add to its powers of peruasion? I would say in this CD, the "Gaspard" is the piece that Argerich does best in this manner, the Fantasiestuck also, but less in parts of the Sonatine. Gramophone gave this CD high marks and was not able to resist the allure of her mesmerizing performance of 'le Gaspard.' As far as sound quality, it is bright and full, fairly closely miked. There is some analog "hiss" (heard mostly in headphones) and some audience coughing, but nothing bad enough to detract from its magical moments and sense of being witness to a musical legend and magical moment in time.

A free spirit........2002-10-23

This live recording demonstrates that Argerich is one of the very few pianists who can actually breathe soul into the music she plays. While other pianists have no problem playing all the notes and giving a musically correct presentation of the works they play, Argerich actually makes the music come alive. When she plays, the music speaks directly and effectively to the audience. She's not an academic pianist who strives for political correctness or one who modifies her speech in order to offend the least. No, what she wants to say she says it with the utmost conviction and confidence. Her honesty and boldness is in her personality as well as in her playing. That is why her playing always provokes the strongest reactions - either love or hate. No matter what, she claims all the freedom that all true artists deserve and never permits herself to be imprisoned between bar lines. Hers is a free spirit, and to listen to Argerich is to embark on a journey that is fantastic and unforgettable.

Simply wonderful.......2002-06-22

I bought this disc as a sad reminder that she probably won't be giving many more recitals, or recording much new repertoire, let alone ever tour the African continent, and becuase she is a great pianist I never heard live. I was completely bowled over. Most live recitals one listens to every now and again, but her unique Argerich combination of energy, craftsmanship and mercurial insight that reveals new splendours even in well-known works, is simply addicting. I LOVE this disc.

Amazing and beautiful.......2002-04-19

My daughter and I just heard Martha Argerich play in Philadelphia in April, 2002. Instead of the listed Chopin, she chose to play Schumann. In the twenty years since this album was recorded, she has lost none of her technical ability or delicacy of feeling. What a range. What a musician..... I found myself wishing the patron would have either had the foresight to bring lozenges or the decency to leave the auditorium. Aside from that, this is a wonderful disc. Miss Argerich demonstrates that playing with speed and power are *not* the same as "banging on the keys". Buy it.

Wof Trap Chamber Group - Live from Carnegie Hall 1979

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Wof Trap Chamber Group - Live from Carnegie Hall 1979

Manufacturer: Ivory Classics CD-73003
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ASIN: B0000AQO0B
Release Date: 2003-06-30

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Live from the Vaults: Retford 1979
The Fall
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ASIN: B0007ULN18
Release Date: 2005-04-11

Tracks:

Psykick Dancehall
Rowche Rumble
Flat of Angles
2nd Dark Age
Rebellious Jukebox
Muzorewi's Daughter
In My Area
Choc Stock
Printhead
Figure Walks
Fiery Jack
No Xmas for John Quays
Psycho Mafia

Product Description

Tracks:

Psykick Dancehall
Rouche Rumble
Flat Of Angels
Rebellious Jukebox
Various Times
Stepping Out
Your Heart Out
Dice Man
Spectre Vs. Rector
Choc Stock
Muzorewi's Daughter

Product Description

1. Psykick Dancehall
2. Rouche Rumble
3. Flat of Angles
4. Rebellious Jukebox
5. Various Times
6. Stepping Out
7. Your Heart Out
8. Dice Man
9. Spectre vs Rector
10. Choc Stock
11. Muzorewi’s Daughter

Format: CD

Hell Tonite!
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Hell Tonite!

Manufacturer: Gulcher Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA4A7C
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Apres Le Plie
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Apres Le Plie
Lisa Harris
Manufacturer: The Orchard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006AAUX
Release Date: 2002-07-02