Bazzini: Works for violin and piano Vol. 2

On this CD:

1. Pieces (3) in the Form of a sonata for violin & piano, Op 44 Allegro giusto
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

2. Pieces (3) in the Form of a sonata for violin & piano, Op 44 Romanza (Larghetto)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

3. Pieces (3) in the Form of a sonata for violin & piano, Op 44 Finale (Allegro vivace)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

4. Morceaux Caractéristiques (3) for violin & piano, Op. 45: No. 1, Heure d'amour
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

5. Morceaux Caractéristiques (3) for violin & piano, Op. 45: No. 2, Regrets
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

6. Morceaux Caractéristiques (3) for violin & piano, Op. 45: No. 3, Séguidille
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

7. Morceaux lyriques (3) for piano, Op. 41: No. 1, Nocturne (Moderato)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

8. Morceaux lyriques (3) for piano, Op. 41: No. 2, Scherzo (Allegretto)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

9. Morceaux lyriques (3) for piano, Op. 41: No. 3, Bercreuse (Andantino affettuoso)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

10. Menus propos! Causieres musicales. Première suite op. 47 Les recrues (Vivace)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

11. Menus propos! Causieres musicales. Première suite op. 47 Brin d'amour (Andantino con moto)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

12. Menus propos! Causieres musicales. Première suite op. 47 Après le bal (Allegro molto)
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

13. Rêverie
Composed by Antonio Bazzini
Performed by Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Aldo Orvieto

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

Average customer rating:

wonderful piano end-of-the-world solos, all in one place

Xenakis: Works for Piano, Vol. 4

Manufacturer: Mode
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Xenakis: Music for Strings
Xenakis: Large Orchestra Works, Vol. 1
Xenakis: Échange/Okho/Xas/Akrata/A La M±moire De Witold Lutoslawski
Xenakis: Metastasis; Pithoprakta; Eonta
Iannis Xenakis: Percussion Works

ASIN: B00001W094
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

Evryali (1973) for piano solo (9:51)
Herma (1960-61) for piano solo (7:43)
Mists (1980) for piano solo (12:51)
A.r. (1987) for piano solo (2:31)
Piano and instruments:
Dikthas (1979) for violin and piano (14:37)
Jane Peters, violin
Palimpsest (1979) for piano, six drums, winds and strings (12:41)
The Society for New Music conducted by Charles Peltz

Album Description

This is the first time Xenakis' complete works for solo piano have been collected on a single disc. They are brilliant, virtuoso masterworks of the 20th century piano literature. Despite that most of these works are derived from Xenakis' use mathematical models in their composition, he is always concerned with the overall sound and esthetic result. Diabolically difficult to play, Xenakis himself considered Evryali "Éa kind of athletics for hands, body and brain". The score indeed appears complex, notes proliferate and spread over one to five staves. One is stunned by the sheer virtuosity, the chains of continuously chattering sixteenth notes, and the brilliance and fullness of the overall sound which embraces the extreme registers of the keyboard. Mists indeed invokes its title. It is a work of full of voluminous, opaque clouds interspersed with transparent, pointillistic nebulae; a sonic haze of subtle textures. Herma, Greek for "embryo" or "bond," refers to its use of musical cells which divide and multiply. It is a marvel of contrasting linear courses with clouds of sound varying in instensity and timbre. And the dazzling virtuosity; increasing in speed and intensity, culminating toward the end in an outburst of sound requiring the performer to produce an eveness of touch in the piano's extreme registers while playing up to 20 notes a second. Dikhthas takes advantage of the nature of its two instruments. Xenakis provides a piano part full of clusters and dense polyphonic textures and assigns the violin portamento, glissandi, harmonics and quarter-tones. A highly expressive work, it explores a colorful sonic environment with virtuoso runs for both instruments. The title Palimpsest stands for a reusable piece of parchment on which the writing has been rubbed out and something new has been written in its place. Palimpsest consists of superimposed musical layers, with layers of percussion, string and wind textures alternatively and later simultaneously added to the opening sound layer of the piano. A sort-of concerto for piano and chamber orchestra, the piano as the lead instrument pits itself against the energetic sounds of the ensemble. A.r. (Hommage ^ Ravel) was commissioned by Radio France to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ravel's death. The conciseness and virtuosity of A.r. make it an ideal encore piece, and it closes the disc here.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful piano end-of-the-world solos, all in one place.......2000-11-05

Herma was first performed in Toyko by Yuji Takahashi in February 1962, and represented the stochastic methods Xenakis had pioneered utilizing the ancient-like computers of that day. It is subtitled "musique symbolique pour piano". Herma means "bond" or it can mean "embryo". The extreme pointillism is forever a fascinating maze for the listener to enter,but the process here is that this piece attempts to cohere and doesn't, so we have an endless tension,irresolvable. The Xenakis aesthetic equates sound to nature,to process,clouds,arborecences,geometric metaphors,all of which has worked quite well in his hands.Sound as a metaphor like a fixed gaze at sound, at timbre as a stationary object, yet it motions itself internally.In Xenakis we cannot say the work has an internal process from tradition,he had never worked along those lines.

Herma was an early masterwork and a well thought departure from the serial tyranny of the times. When you listen to Herma, it is still linearly, there is no real texture to contemplate. Texture for Xeankis came later with Evyrali. The title means something uncontrollable, also dangerous, and here the work portrays an anger, but subjectivity doesn't quite work in Xeankis since his creations have a somewhat anoymous dimension to them. The continuous repetitions in Evyrali is spellbinding, it has that end-of-the-world feel to it, some irrational part of nature is being explored,not quite like Hitchcock's "The Birds" where the cinema screen can be thought of as a texture when you see the flocks and mobs, and gatherings of the Birds. Like wise Mists seems to be cut from the same cloth as evyrali,repetition,mindless it seems, texture bound which does maintain our interest. Texture has been a point of interest and repulsion within modernist expressions. Elliott Carter never found texture an interesting route for modernist expression,Carter has argued that texture in an of itself doesn't hold our interest,nor has it a structural potential,as linear musical thinking. I think it does if handled with some vision, as Xenakis so does with all these works.

Tracks:

Madrigal For Flute And Piano
Par Un Clair Matin
Soir D'Autonne
Serenade
Divertissement Grec For Two Flutes And Harp
Soir Paien For Voice, Flute And Piano
Tarentelle For Flute, Oboe And Piano
Piece Romantique For Flute, Cello And Piano
Nymphes A La Fontaine
Danses
Invocation (Danse Des Pretresses)
Berceuse Orientale
Barcarolle
Scherzo-Valse

Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 14: Misc. Chamber Works

Average customer rating:

The "Unknown" Beethoven...
Simply Delightful!
Brilliant if sometimes odd rhythm and tempo

Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 14: Misc. Chamber Works

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Complete Beethoven Edition Vol. 6 - Piano Works / Demus, Alder, Gilels, Mustonen, Kempff, Barenboim
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 7: Violin Sonatas
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 2: Concertos
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 9: Piano Trios
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 10: String Trios

ASIN: B000001GZH
Release Date: 1997-12-09

Tracks:

No. 1 In E Flat Major: 1. Adagio assai - attacca - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 1 In E Flat Major: 2. Allegro con spirito - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 1 In E Flat Major: 3. Tema. Cantabile - Variazioni I-VI - Tema. Allegretto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 2 In D Major: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 2 In D Major: 2. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 2 In D Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 3 In C Major: 1. Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 3 In C Major: 2. Adagio con expressione - Ludwig Van Beethoven
No. 3 In C Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Trio For Piano, Flute, And Bassoon In G Major: 1. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Trio For Piano, Flute, And Bassoon In G Major: 2. Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Trio For Piano, Flute, And Bassoon In G Major: 3. Tema andante con Variazioni - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sonata For Piano And Horn In F Major: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sonata For Piano And Horn In F Major: 2. Poco Adagio, quasi Andante - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sonata For Piano And Horn In F Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sextet For 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: 1. Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sextet For 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: 2. Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sextet For 2 Horns, 2 Violins, Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Quintet For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon In E Flat Major: 1. Grave - Allegro, ma non troppo
Quintet For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon In E Flat Major: 2. Andante cantabile
Quintet For Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn And Bassoon In E Flat Major: 3. Rondo. Allegro, ma non troppo
Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 1. Entrada. Allegro
Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 2. Tempo ordinario d'un Minuetto
Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 3. Allegro molto
Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 4. Andante con Variazioni
Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 5. Allegro scherzando e vivace
Serenade For Flute, Violin And Viola In D Major, Op. 25: 6. Adagio - Allegro vivace e disinvolto
Sonatina In C Minor: Adagio
Adagio In E Flat Major: Adagio (ma non troppo)
Sonatine In C Major: Allegro
Variations In D Major

Tracks:

Trio For Piano Clarinet And Cello In B Flat Major: 1. Allegro con brio
Trio For Piano Clarinet And Cello In B Flat Major: 2. Adagio
Trio For Piano Clarinet And Cello In B Flat Major: 3.Tema. 'Pria ch'io l'impegno'. Allegretto - Allegro
Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 1. Adagio - Allegro con brio
Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major:: 2. Adagio cantabile
Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major:: 3. Tempo di Menuetto
Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 4. Tema. Andante con Variazioni
Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 5. Scherzo. Allegro molto e vivace
Septet For Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello And Double Bass In E Flat Major: 6. Andante con moto alla Marcia - Presto
Fugue For String Quintet In D Major: Allegretto

Tracks:

Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: I. Allegro
Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: II. Adagio molto espressivo
Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: III. Scherzo. Allegro
Quintet For 2 Violins, 2 Violas And Cello In C Major: IV. Presto
Prelude And Fugue For 2 Violins And Cello In E Minor: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue For 2 Violins And Cello In E Minor: Fuge
Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 1 In E Flat Major
Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 2 In G Major
Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 3 In C Major
Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 4 In F Major
Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 5 In D Major
Six Minuets For Two Violins And Bass: No. 6 In G Major
Duet For Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: Allegro
Duet For Viola And Cello In E Flat Major: Allegretto
Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 1 In D Major
Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 2 In D Major
Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 3 In D Major
Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 4 In D Minor
Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 5 In D Major
Six Landler For Two Violins And Bass: No. 6 In D Major
Duet For Two Violins In A Major
Canon In A Major (Probably For Two Violins)

Tracks:

Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 1. Air ecossais: 'The Cottage Maid'. Tema. Andantino quasi Allegretto - Var. I-II - Var. III. Allegro - Tempo I
Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 2. Air ecossais: 'Von edlem Geschlect war Shinkin'. Tema. Allegretto scherzoso - Var. I-II - Var. III. Allegretto-Allegro
Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 3. Air autrichien: 'A Schusserl und a Reindl'. Tema. Andantino - Var. I-IV - Var. V. Adagio sostenuto, ma non troppo - Var. VI. Andante con moto
Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 4. Air ecossais: 'The Last Rose Of Summer'. Tema. Andante expressivo assai - Var. I-III
Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 5. Air ecossais: 'Chiling O'Guiry'. Tema. Allegretto spiritoso - Var. I-II - Var. III. Allegro assai
Six Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 6. Air ecossais: 'Paddy Whack'. Tema. Allegretto piu tosto vivace - Var. I-IV
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 1. Air tirolien: 'I bin a Tiroler Bua'. Tema. Moderato - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Allegro
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 2. Air ecossais: 'Bonnie Laddie, Highland Laddie'. Tema. Allegretto, quasi vivace - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Andante mosso, alla Siciliano - Allegro
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 3. Volkslied aus Kleinrussland. Tema. Vivace - Var. I-IV - Var. V. Adagio sostenuto - Tempo I
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: Air ecossais: 'St .Patrick's Day'. Tema. Allegretto scherzoso - Var. I - Var. II. Poco adagio - Vivace - Moderato - Tempo I
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 5. Air tirolien: 'A Madel, ja a Madel'. Tema. Moderato - Var. I-II - Var. III. Maestoso - Allegro
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 6. Air ecossais: 'Peggy's Daughter'. Tema. Andante comodo - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Vivace
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 7. Air russe: 'Schone Minka'. Tema. Andante - Var. I-IV - Var. V. Andante moderato - Var. VI. Allegro - Adagio - Andante commodo - Poco vivace
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 8. Air ecossais: 'O Mary At Thy Window Be'. Tema. Andantino quasi Allegretto - Var. I-III - Var. IV. Un poco piu mosso - Allegro assai
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 9. Air ecossais: 'Oh, Thou Art The Lad Of My Heart'. Tema. Allegretto piu tosto vivace - Var. I - Var. II. Cantabile e legato - Var. III - Var. IV. Andante espressivo - Var. V. Vivace
Ten Themes With Variations For Piano And Flute: 10. Air ecossais: 'The Highland Watch'. Tema. Spiritoso e marziale - Var. I-II - Var. III. Piu moto - Var. IV. Adagio espressivo - Var. V. Allegro
Duo For Two Flute In G Major: Allegro con brio
Duo For Two Flute In G Major: Minuetto quasi Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

The "Unknown" Beethoven..........2005-01-03

I think it would not be wrong to say that most casual listeners of classical music know Beethoven mostly by his orchestral works--the symphonies, piano concertos, violin concerto, and overtures. Those who go a little deeper might know him by the piano sonatas, violin sonatas, and string quartets; however, this misses a significant portion of his oeuvre--and a major facet of his ethos and art: specifically, the chamber works and lieder: this is the "unknown" Beethoven.

This collection is absolutely the best, finest, and most excellent presentation of Beethoven's chamber works: the Horn Sonata; the Piano-Wind Quintet; the Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola; the Clarinet Trio; the Septet for mixed strings & winds; and the String Quintet.

Plus, some really nice esoterica: the early piano quartets; trio for piano, flute & bassoon; pieces for mandolin & piano; and pieces for flute & piano.

All of these works fall into Beethoven's First Period; yet, they must not be considered "juvenalia": Beethoven was the greatest artist/poet who ever lived, and his genius was manifest from his teenage years.

Simply Delightful!.......2004-12-23

This is a wonderful collection of Beethoven chamber music. The recordings are intimate, the musicianship is superb...the music is timeless. The piano concerti are the real highlights here; I don't think they can be any better, and the other selections are very pleasant. If you like Beethoven chamber music (and I can't imagine NOT liking it), then this set is highly recommended. Every now and then you come across a boxed set of recordings that you can listen to over and over. This is one such set.

Brilliant if sometimes odd rhythm and tempo.......2001-01-10

This CD, part of the magnus opus of Beethoven's works committed to CD is wonderfully brilliant and evocative of the renditions of the early 1950's.

Although there are the rare rhythmic, and very rare tempo peculiarities this must remain as one of the finest renditions of Beethoven's Chamber Works. This is of course to be expected from works produced by DDG.

Tracks:

Dumka, Op.59 - Andantino cantabile
Romance in F Minor, Op.5 - Andante cantabile
Deux Morceaux, (Two Pieces) Op. 10 - I. Norturne in F Major: Andante cantabile
II. Humoresque in G Major: Allegretto scherzando
Six Morceaux, (Six Pieces) Op. 19 - I. Reverie du soir in G minor: Andante espressivo
II. Scherzo humorisque in D Major: Allegro vivacissimo
III. Feuillet d'album in D Major: allegretto simplice
IV. Nocturne in C sharp minor: Andante sentimentale
V. Capriccioso in B flat major: Allegretto simplice
VI. Theme originale et variations in F major
Three Song Transcriptions, OP. 16 - I. Cradle song: Andantino
II. O sing that Song: Allegro moderato
III. Thy Radiant Image: Allegretto
Marche Slave, Op. 31 (trans. Tchaikovsky) - Moderato

Amazon.com

There are no hidden masterpieces here; Tchaikovsky's piano music was usually lightweight stuff for the salon rather than the concert hall. But the Dumka and the Six Pieces, Op. 19, are fine examples of Tchaikovsky's piano writing. Yablonskaya, a Russian American who teaches at the Juilliard School, has an excellent feel for this music. She takes it seriously without overinflating it, and she plays with color, sensitivity, and impulse. Not even she can make the composer's own transcription of his Marche Slave for piano solo convincing, but that still leaves more than an hour of worthwhile music on a disc that's a also fine bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

3.5 stars - Sedate Tchaikovsky with a few enticements.......2007-03-29

Tchaikovsky wrote solo piano music? Don't feel bad if you ask yourself this. I never thought he did until I came across Leslie Howard's Tchaikovsky: Piano Sonatas recording. My reaction to these sonatas was overwhelmingly positive. Tchaikovsky's two piano sonatas and the unfinished first are meritorious contributions to the genre, and quite a showcase for Tchaikovsky's above-average piano writing. Eager to discover his other piano works, I decided to try his miniatures on this disc. Unfortunately, most of these pieces are inferior to his great piano sonatas. Nevertheless, Tchaikovsky's own transcription of the Marche Slave, his Dumka, Romance, and a couple other miniatures here give the recording some backbone. In fact, these pieces are substantial enough that I think the disc deserves a generous 4 stars, even though I wish it could be given 3.5.

Tchaikovsky's popular Marche Slave Op. 31 has endured in the hearts of many classical fans. While it does not have the prestige of his greater works like the "Pathetique" or Romeo and Juliet overture, it's ten minutes of pure melodic pleasure. I've only heard a few orchestral recordings, but upon hearing the piano transcription, I feel inclined to give it approbation. Does it measure up to the orchestral timbres? No. Does it emulate orchestral sonorities? Not exactly. But it's not a wholly bad transcription. Yablonskaya's meticulous attention to lyrical expression and her muscular thrusts in the March theme create an august and stimulating effect in the tones of the piano. Tchaikovsky's one true successful original piano composition is the passionate Dumka Op. 59. Employing virtuosity and lilting melody, Tchaikovsky generates a serious but wonderful piece of music, brimming with melancholy and fiery impulses.

The other works chosen for this recording are homogenous, quiet and at times boring. The strangely schizophrenic Romance Op. 5 is slightly above average, though. I just found the severe melancholy and frivolous (but tuneful) march a disagreeable pair. Of the Deux Morceaux Op. 10, the Nocturne in F major is the most effective. There are moments in the Nocturne theme that sound sweetly beautiful in Yablonskaya's hands. However, the Six Morceaux Op. 19 do not fair as well. I mean, one can certainly find enjoyable sections of the Theme and Variations in F major, but the Scherzo humoristique, the Album leaf in D major and the Capriccioso in B flat major are generic and uninspired. I will concede, though, that the Nocturne in C sharp minor definitely sustains the weight of this set of miniatures; the Nocturne is a gem. Lastly, we get Tchaikovsky's own transcriptions of three Romances, or the "Three Song Transcriptions." With the exception of the haunting Cradle Song, these tend to remain sedate, even bordering on being unremarkable.

Bottom line: There are some decent gems here like the Dumka, Romance, and the Nocturne in C sharp minor. The Marche Slave is also an engaging work for piano. But the rest falter, or at least cannot stand up to Tchaikovsky's excellent sonatas. I don't fault Yablonskaya's pianism for the mediocre pieces here and she is indeed a fine interpreter. But ultimately, I must advise any newcomer to Tchaikovsky's piano music to get Leslie Howard's triumphant Tchaikovsky: Piano Sonatas recording instead.

Grainger Edition Vol 13 - Works for Chamber Ensemble

Average customer rating:

Absolutely, Percy at his best.....
A delight!
More music of Percy Grainger

Grainger Edition Vol 13 - Works for Chamber Ensemble

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Grainger: Works for Wind Orchestra 2
Percy Grainger Edition, Vol. 1: Orchestral Works
Grainger Edition, Vol.6: Orchestral Works
The Grainger Edition Vol. 18: Works For Unaccompanied Chorus
Grainger: Works for Chamber Ensemble 2

ASIN: B00000K2FE
Release Date: 1999-09-21

Tracks:

Molly On The Shore
My Robin Is To The Greenwood Gone
Shepherd's Hey!
Harvest Hymn
Arrival Platform Humlet
Handel In The Strand
I. Swedish Air And Dance
II. Song Of Varmeland
III. Norwegian Polska
IV. Danish Melody
V. Air And Finale On Norwegian Dances
The Nightingale And The Two Sisters
The Maiden And The Frog
The Shoemaker From Jerusalem
Mock Morris
The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol
Themes And Variations
Youthful Rapture
Colonial Song

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely, Percy at his best............2006-07-15

For anyone who loves Merchant-Ivory films and recalls the background music for Howard's End (my favorite), Mock Morris has to keep playing over and over in one's head; but for me it's never annoying, only happy.

This ensemble enhances every composition - marvelous!

A delight!.......2000-08-12

This is one of the most delightful recordings of Grainger's works I have heard. If you're looking for Grainger or just enjoyable music, this is for you. It lifts my spirits and inspires me with the great performance as well as the wonderful, lyrical melodies.

More music of Percy Grainger.......1999-09-29

Chandos is certainly to be lauded for their wonderful Grainger project. This volume which features Grainger's chamber music is wonderful. The members of the Academy of St. Martin's in the Fields deliver a wonderful performance.

Tracks:

Six Melodies For Violin And Keyboard
Six Melodies For Violin And Keyboard
Six Melodies For Violin And Keyboard
Six Melodies For Violin And Keyboard
Six Melodies For Violin And Keyboard
Six Melodies For Violin And Keyboard
Nocturne For Violin And Piano
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Eight Whiskus For Violin
Two6 For Violin And Piano
One10 For Violin

Customer Reviews:

Cage for the already converted.......2003-11-17

This disc contains two performances of Two^4, one of John Cage's late "number pieces". One is for violin and sho--a Japanese instrument somewhat similar to the mouth-organ, the other for violin and piano (Cage allows both in the score).

This might seem a very negative idea--and indeed it does pretty much make this a disc only for those who are already Cage fans--but because of the alternative instrumentations, there is some merit in having two performances. (In addition, in this work, as in many late Cage pieces, while the notes to be played in each part--and their order--is fixed, there is quite a bit of flexibility regarding when to play them, and for how long. Naturally, this means that the harmony and counterpoint created by the two instrumental lines can vary quite dramatically from one performance to the next.)

Much of the music involves very slow-moving, long-held single notes on the violin--microtonally notated at 84 notes to the octave--counterpointed against faster-moving, normally-tempered chordal material in the piano or sho part. (It should be noted that the sho version sounds significantly different from the piano version, as the sho builds up chords one note at a time, holding them for a long time while the piano strikes the chord once and then fades away.)

Tracks:

1. Preludio
Piezas Infantiles: 2. Osito bailando
Piezas Infantiles: 3. Arrullo
Piezas Infantiles: 4. Soldaditos
Piezas Infantiles: 5. Anton Pirulero
Piezas Infantiles: 6. Arroro
Piezas Infantiles: 7. Chacarerita
Piezas Infantiles: 8. Arroz con lech
Dos Canciones, op. 3: Milonga
Tres Piezas, Op. 6: 1. Cuyana
Tres Piezas, Op. 6: 2. Nortena
Tres Piezas, Op. 6: 3. Criolla
Malambo, Op. 7
Suite De Danzas Criollas, Op. 15: 1. Adagietto pianissimo
Suite De Danzas Criollas, Op. 15: 2. Allegro rustico
Suite De Danzas Criollas, Op. 15: 3. Allegretto cantabile
Suite De Danzas Criollas, Op. 15: 4. Calmo e poetico
Suite De Danzas Criollas, Op. 15: 5. Scherzando - Coda: presto ed energico
Rondo Sobre Temas Infantiles Argentinos, Op. 19
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 53: I. Allegramente
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 53: II. Adagio sereno - Scorrevole - Ripresa dell'Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 53: III. Ostinato aymara
Toccata
Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 55 in one movement (Impetuosamente)

Customer Reviews:

Poor interpretation.......2000-01-12

I purchased this CD because I was working on the Suite de Danzas Criollas. Unfortunately, the playing here lacks any kind of energy, especially rhythmic vitality. Also, the movements are marked "attacca," but there are HUGE gaps between tracks.

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Artur Rubinstein Collection, Vol 25
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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.