Bach-Busoni Piano Transcriptions

On this CD:

1. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "Prelude and Fugue in D major, BWV532", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

2. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

3. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

4. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

5. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

6. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

7. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

8. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

9. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

10. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

11. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "10 Chorale Preludes", from Bach-Busoni gesammelte Ausgabe, Vol.3
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

12. Arrangement for piano: Bach: "Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, BWV552"
Composed by Ferruccio Busoni
Performed by Akos Hernadi

Tracks:

Organ Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564 I. - J.S. Bach
Organ Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564 II. - J.S. Bach
Organ Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564 III. - J.S. Bach
Fantasy In C Major, Op.17 (I)
Fantasy In C Major, Op.17 (II)
Fantasy In C Major, Op.17 (III)
Piano Sonata No. 9 In F Major, Op. 68 'Black Mass' - Scriabin
Poeme In F-Sharp Major, Op. 32, No. 1 - Scriabin

Tracks:

Mazurka In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 30, No.4 - Chopin
Etude No. 8 In F Major, Op. 10 - Chopin
Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23, No.1 - Chopin
Serenade For The Doll No.3 - DeBussy
Etude In C-Sharp Minor, Op.2, No.1 - Scriabin
Etude No. 11 In A-Flat Major, Op.72 - Moszkowski
Traumerei
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (1)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (2)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (3)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (4)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (5)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (6)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (7)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (8)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (9)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (10)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (11)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (12)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (13)

Customer Reviews:

A historical legacy!.......2006-03-28

Despite I am not a Horowitz admirer, it 's worthy to underline and emphasize the colossal pianism and thunderous fingering around every one of its different performances.

The special distinction around this album is the fresh inspiration and notable musicality emanated in this Recital, that deserves to be catalogued as a cult recording among the impressive and even excellent live recordings in the Sixties.

A bravura performance and a genuine expression make of this album a very special recommendation.

Masterpieces played by the great Horowitz.......2004-12-12

This Carnegie Hall return recital is one of the greatest recordings by Horowitz. With a huge audience, Horowitz did not disappoint. He plays the Bach/Busoni as only he can play; it is eternally beautiful. Schumann has some mistakes, but those mistakes make the playing even more fascinating. The Scriabin is also excellent.

I am confident in saying that Horowitz's mazurka here is the best recording of op. 30 no. 4. Horowitz takes his time and does not rush the tempo, which is soooo easy to do with this piece. The etude is played awesomely, but the real treat is the Ballade no. 1. Horowitz played this piece all his life and played it very different many times, but this ballade is the best, most musical he ever played, mistakes and all.

The encores are also a treat, and the complete Kinderszenen bonus is another reason to buy this cd. The bonus dvd contains Liszt's Au Bord D'une Source, Chopin's Black key etude, and Moszkowski's etude in f major, op. 72, no.6.

This cd is my favorite, and I have a lot...

Insert Here Any Superlative You Can Think Of.......2004-06-10

For those of you who don't enjoy reading long drawn-out reviews: This is the best CD set I could possibly imagine buying before I bought it. After I bought it, I wept twice in the first listening of just the second disc. The Chopin recordings on this disc are simply legendary, definitive, and indescribably beautiful.

Horowitz out-did even himself at this concert. Sure, wow, wrong notes, even in the first couple measures. Who cares. You had better not. I noticed two exposed wrong notes in my first listen of this disc. It is by far the best CD set I own.

Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major: Sure, wrong note. Grand. I'm not too large a fan of this piece, but, regardless, if you like Bach, you like Horowitz for this recording.

Fantasy in C Major: True to its title, this performance was indeed fantastic. Horowitz is acclaimed most for his different tones on the piano. Let me tell you, that is for a reason.

Scriaban: I, personally, do not like Scriaban. An acquired taste. If you do like him, however, you will by all means enjoy these two recordings of the Black Mass Sonata and the Poeme in F-sharp Major.

The Chopin: The Mazurka is the greatest mazurka recording I have ever heard, period. The Etude is technically flawless and musically flawless. The Ballade. One of my favorite pieces of all time. This is my favorite recording, simply. It is quite, quite unbelievable. I wept. Every theme Chopin includes, Horowitz includes with care. This piece is one that takes a long long long time to figure out. Musically, it is one of the hardest. Horowitz seems to finally understand it after having played it for almost forty years undoubtedly. I have heard roughly 10 or 12 recordings of this piece, and Horowitz's trumps all.

The encores: Debussy, Scriaban, Moszkowski are all wonderful in their own right, but Traumerei is practically Horowitz's child. People in the audience were weeping when they heard this piece. I went in with the intention of not weeping, and failed miserably. It is the singly most beautiful performance I have ever heard.

Buy this set. You will absolutely not regret it.

WHAT IS GOING ON?.......2003-12-27

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? WHY CANT YOU JUST LEAVE THE POOR MAN ALONE? I AM A PIANO STUDENT WHO JUST FINISHED A CONCERT SERIES OUTSIDE OF MY OWN COUNTRY AND I HAVE JUST READ SOME OF THE OTHER REIEWS ABOUT HOROWITZ HERE AND I AM FRANKLY DIGUSTED.
ARE WRONG NOTES ALL YOU PEOPLE LISTEN TO?
HOROWITZ WAS BRILLIANT, YES, BUT HE WAS ALSO HUMAN LIKE ALL OF US. I MAKE MY FAIR SHARE OF WRONG NOTES AND WOULD HATE TO THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY THING THAT AN AUDIENCE WOULD REMEMBER AFTER A CONCERT. WRONG NOTES ARE A PART OF LIFE AND SOMETIMES ITS MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE RISKS, EVEN IF IT RESULTS IN FAILIURE. ITS WHAT BREATHES LIFE INTO A PERSONS PLAYING, KNOWING THAT ONE SPLIT NOTE OR TWO IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING MORE MUSICAL OR MORE TECHNICAL, I WOULD RATHER BE A MUSICIAN AND NOT A ROBOT.
IN HOROWITZ'S PLAYING, THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO LISTEN TO. SO NEXT TIME YOU SWITCH ON ONE OF HIS RECORDINGS, WHY NOT TRY TO FORGET EVERYTHING YOU HAVE HAD BRAINWASHED INTO YOU ABOUT PERFECTION AND JUST LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART INSTEAD OF YOUR HEAD.

HOROWITZ WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST PERSON TO TELL YOU THAT A PERFECT TECHNIQUE IS A COMPLETE MYTH. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, WE CANT BE PERFECT FOR YOU ALL THE TIME, SO JUST GIVE US A BREAK.

Just the Facts..........2003-11-29

This is not a review per se. My review is elsewhere on this page. But I wanted to follow-up and correct a few errors, which have been circulated in regard to this recording.

First, the corrections used on the original version of Horowitz at Carnegie Hall were not made at a "patch session at Carnegie a few days" after the concert. Columbia's engineers had already recorded Horowitz's rehearsals and used that material for the editing.

Second, the editing in the album was neither as extensive as some have suggested, nor as insignificant as the anonymous reviewer from Baltimore states.

Here is a (mostly) complete list of the patches on the original album, which have been removed from this new edition:

Bach-Busoni: Preludio: Measures 2-12 and parts of the coda (Horowitz, by the way, does not play the ossias at bars 8, 10, and 12); Intermezzo: Small patches at bars 7 and 11; Fugue: Several edits between bars 97 and 110, and again in the coda.

Schumann Fantasy: 1st Movement: patches at 7:32 and 10:21; 2nd Movement: small patches at 2:44 and 4:32, and a series of patches in the coda 6:58-7:39; 3rd Movement: No edits.

Scriabin: Sonata No 9: No Edits. Poem in F-sharp: Patch from 2:16-2:26

Chopin: Mazurka: Small edit at 2:02; Etude: Patched sections from 1:27-1:33 and 2:15-2:20; Ballade: Small edits at 2:04 and 4:52, at least four patches in the coda.

None of the encores were edited.

Tracks:

Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564: I. Preludio, quasi improvvisando. Tempo moderato
Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564: II. Intermezzo. Adagio
Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564: III. Fuga. Moderamente sherzando, un poco umoristico
Fantasie In C Major, Op.17: I. Durchaus phantastisch und ....
Fantasie In C Major, Op.17: II. Mag. Durchaus energisch
Fantasie In C Major, Op.17: III Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten
Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 68 'Black Mass': Moderato quasi andante - Molto meno vivo - A llegro - Piu vivo - Allegro...
Poeme In F Sharp Major, Op. 32 No. 1: Andante cantibile

Tracks:

Mazurka In C Sharp Minor, Op. 30. No. 4: Allegretto
Etude In F major, Op. 10 No. 8: Allegro
Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23: Largo - Moderato - Menno mosso - Presto con fuoco
Serenade For The Doll: Andante
Etude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: Andante
Etude In A Flat Major, Op. 72 No. 11: Presto e con leggierezza
Traumerei
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: I. Tema. Andante grazioso e variazioni
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: II. Menuetto - Trio
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: III. (Rondo) alla Turca. Allegretto
Polonaise - Fantaisie In A Flat Major, Op. 61: Allegro maestoso

Tracks:

Mazurka In B minor, Op. 33 No. 4: Mesto
Nocturne In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1: Andante
Sonata No. 10, Op. 70: Moderato - Allegro - Puissant, radieux - Allegro - Piu vivo - Presto - Moderato
Sonata In F Major, Hob. XVI : 23: I. Allegro
Sonata In F Major, Hob. XVI : 23: II. Adagio
Sonata In F Major, Hob. XVI : 23: III. Finale
Blumenstuck In D Flat Major, Op. 19: Leise bewegt
L'ISLE JOYEUSE: Quasi una cadenza - Tempo. Modere et tres souple
Vallee d'Obermann: Lento assai - Piu lento - Un poco piu di moto ma sempre lento - Presto - Lento

Amazon.com essential recording

Sony's series documenting Horowitz's mature career offers many indispensable items, including "live" (with studio touchups) recordings of his mid-1960s return to the concert stage after a prolonged hiatus. The Bach-Busoni is a dazzling opener, followed by a titanic Schumann Fantasy in C amply illustrating Horowitz's total identification with the composer. The performance abounds with tightly controlled nervous energy, precise articulation, and gorgeously shaded timbres. A crisp Haydn Sonata, a marvelously shaded Scriabin, a poetic Schumann Traumerei, and more are all indispensable. Not to be missed: the pregnant pauses and crackling tension of the Chopin G-minor Ballade. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

How Live is Live?.......2003-11-29

This is not a review per se. My review is posted under the "Live and Unedited" version of the 1965 concert. But I wanted to correct a few errors which have been circulated in regard to this recording.

First, the corrections used on the original version of "Horowitz at Carnegie Hall" were not made at a "patch session at Carnegie a few days" after the concert. Columbia's engineers had already recorded Horowitz's rehearsals and used that material for the editing.

Second, the editing in the album was neither as extensive as some have suggested, nor as insignificant as others state.

Here is a (mostly) complete list of the patches on the original album, which have been removed from "Live and Unedited":

Schumann Fantasy: 1st Movement: patches at 7:32 and 10:21; 2nd Movement: small patches at 2:44 and 4:32, and a series of patches in the coda 6:58-7:39; 3rd Movement: No edits.

Scriabin: Sonata No 9: No Edits. Poem in F-sharp: Patch from 2:16-2:26

Chopin: Mazurka: Small edit at 2:02; Etude: Patched sections from 1:27-1:33 and 2:15-2:20; Ballade: Small edits at 2:04 and 4:52, at least four patches in the coda.

None of the encores were edited.

It should be pointed out that the editing of supposedly "live" recordings is more commonplace than the recording industry will admit. Although not generally aknowledged, Arthur Rubinstein's 1961 Carnegie Hall Highlights album was patched, and most live recordings today are actually compilations from several performances.

Whether you choose this patched version, or "Live and Unedited" the 1965 return concert contains some stunning piano playing. Can anyone imagine the pressure Horowitz was under on that day? To prove you have not just retained your original greatness, but have deepened and become even greater cannot have been easy. The new, unedited version of the concert is not a revelation, but serves as a reminder of Horowitz's all too human frailty.

A gigantic recording.......2001-02-21

There's an interesting debate going on in the reviews below about Horowitz's technical and musical ability in general. Do yourself a favor and read through these reviews. It'll show you that Horowitz's ability to engender strong positions and fairly heated exchanges continues undiminished, more than eleven years after his death. What this proves, of course, is his uniquely important position in 20th century piano playing. No other classical pianist was as influential, no one's style was copied as much, no one was as frequently and thoroughly misunderstood (mere technician, mere dazzler, mere showman). What you have to understand in listening to these recordings is that he was a complete professional, totally devoted to his craft to the exclusion of just about any other interests in his life - a tremendously one-sided person. But within the art of piano playing he reigned supreme. His oddly introverted, unmoveable, purely efficiency-oriented appearance during performance (he never moved anythying but his hands - no facial contortions, no head shakes, no swaying body, and even his hands were super-efficient) contrasted oddly with the extreme extrovertedness of his playing. He knew so much more about the sound possibilities of the instrument than anyone else that listening to him was downright frightening for other pianists. I remember a well-known pianist during intermission at a Horowitz recital in Hamburg in 1986 laughing and crying at the same time, shaking his head and saying over and over again, "it's impossible. That was impossible. That can't be done" (he was talking about Horowitz's rendition of a Schubert-Liszt transacription).

Anyway, his mastery of the instrument far beyond all other humans' capacity has persistently clouded people's perception of Horowitz and made an assessment of his artistic merits much more difficult. Undoubtedly he had clear limitations as an artist (Beethoven, for example, was just not part of his artistc world). But we have to keep in mind that, unlike practically all classical musicians today, who are trained to be universalists and to assemble a vast variety of styles, Horowitz came out of a strong and idiosyncratic musical tradition - that of Scriabin and Rachmaninov. That tradition was his world, his artistic home, and he always explored other musical traditions from the vantage point of his particular musical identity. In all of this he proved extremely flexible (playing, for example, Scarlatti, Clementi and Czerny to great critical acclaim), but since he never aspired to neutrality and objectivity (like, for example, Pollini or Arrau), it always was obvious when he played music that didn't fit with who he was.

So the debate about Horowitz's musical merits that goes on in the reviews below is as old as his career. What's curious, though, is that a couple of reviewers believe to have found TECHNICAL shortcomings in his playing. That is new in Horowitz criticism. All his career he reigned as the supreme master of piano technique, acknowledged as such first and foremost by most famous pianists (Rubinstein, Argerich, Pollini, Perahia, and many others have rhapsodized - or expressed their jealousy - about Horowitz's technique publicly and at length). When speed and power decreased due to old age, he transferred his technical accomplishments to polyphony, to shadings, colors, multi-layered pianissimi unimagined before or after. In the present recordings from the mid-60s, there was no noticeable decrease in speed and power yet, but his development toward more sophisticated sound effects was well underway. In other words, the questioning of Horowitz's technical abilities in some of the reviews below is utter and complete nonsense. I can only surmise that the authors of these reviews are people raised on the bland, impersonal mechanical functioning displayed by so many contemporary pianists that Horowitz's edginess, his constantly going to extremes (of speed, of clarity, of softness, of bel canto, etc.) irritates them somehow. One thing Horowitz was never after was a polished surface. If you want pleasant, comforting stuff that you can play happily in the background while doing the dishes, Horowitz is not the artist for you. He demands total concentration. But he'll reward that concentration tenfold. Even if you don't agree or don't like what he does in a particular piece, you'll learn a ton about music listening to him. He's a very musically opinionated guy, and some of his work may irritate you a great deal, but he will never, ever bore you.

Beautiful piano playing.......2000-11-17

I am writing in to disagree a bit with the previous reviewer who dismissed this recording and Horowitz's playing in general. I would agree that this is not Horowitz's greatest recital. It may be better remembered for its historical significance than as a representative sampling of Horowitz's art. For me, much of the repertoire in this recital could be called "ill-chosen." The pieces such as the Schumann Fantasie, the opening Bach piece, and Chopin's g minor Ballade do not really show Horowitz at his best -- and not just because they're "big" pieces that "require interpretation." Aside from the Chopin Ballade, these are not pieces that one would typically hear at a Horowitz recital, and I do wish that he had not insisted on repeatedly performing and recording the g minor Ballade. I agree that his bombastic, episodic approach never worked with that piece. I tend to favor the pieces on this album that were recorded in the 1966 recitals, including the Chopin Polonaise-Fantasie dismissed by the previous reviewer. Yes, the ending is too bombastic, but there is so much beautiful, gorgeous piano playing in this performance. The way Horowitz could layer the sound and produce such a beautiful, expressive, vocal melodic line can perhaps be fully appreciated only by real connoisseurs of piano playing. Horowitz was not just a pianist for the "masses." He was also a pianist for connoisseurs.

Is it possible to acknowledge the shortcomings in Horowitz's technique and interpretive ability pointed out by the previous reviewer and to still be a great fan and admirer of his playing? Yes, it is. I know that many listeners who hear the shortcomings in Horowitz's playing feel that Horowitz's admirers must lack discrimination, and I think that in some cases this is true. In fact, I sometimes think that critical reaction to Horowitz can be roughly divided into three categories:

The first category would be for unconditional admirers of Horowitz who feel that he could do no wrong. I would say that this represents the least perceptive evaluation of Horowitz's playing.

The second category would be for people who are aware of the shortcomings in Horowitz's technique and musicality and who feel justified in dismissing Horowitz because of these shortcomings. I think that this view represents a somewhat more perceptive evaluation of Horowitz, and I think that the previoius reviewer would fall into this category.

The third category would be for people who are aware of the shortcomings in Horowitz's technique and musicality and who still feel that he was one of the greatest pianists in history. In my opinion, this is the most perceptive evaluation of Horowitz's playing.

I, too have listened to all of Horowitz's recordings, and have come to a different conclusion about his playing than the previous reviewer. For me, this recording is certainly worth having, mostly for the 1966 recordings.

A MONUMENT.......2000-05-19

One of the best recordings to discover the Horowitz legend. As far as technique is concerned, the Carnegie Hall performances don't reflect all the artist's talents, but Horowitz's magic sonority and the unique atmosphere make it exceptional. My favourite pieces: Bach-Busoni's intermezzo and Chopin's G major ballade.

One of the great piano recordings of all time.......1999-12-09

In May 1965, Vladimir Horowitz, the greatest pianist of all time, ended a 13-year retirement and returned to Carnegie Hall. The audience contained many of the world's most famous musicians, and playing up to its frenzied expectations seemed impossible. Horowitz begins, tense to the breaking point. For a few seconds, his hands are out of control, and he hits more wrong notes than right ones. Then things settle a bit, and he starts to translate his tension into pure musical energy. In that first piece, the Bach-Busoni, Horowitz seems almost superhuman with his orchestral sound, his sharp rhythm, his alternatingly hard-edged attack and meltingly lyrical lines, his supreme intelligence. It must have been immensely frustrating for the pianists in the audience to be so rudely confronted with such hopeless pianistic superiority. The Bach is followed by a highly idiosyncratic Schumann Fantasy, where Horowitz shows a grasp of the work's structure and an analytic penetration of Schumann's neo-Bachian polyphony undreamt of by any interpreter before or after. The recital continues with musical and pianistic jaw-droppers. I single out the Chopin and Moszkovski Etudes, where the audience's incredulity at Horowitz's feats dissolves in laughter at the end of the pieces, the tenderness and intimacy of Debussy's Serenade for a Doll, and the truly moving Schumann Traeumerei. The remainder of this CD collection contains 1966 live recordings, many of which are as fascinating as the '65 concert. Particularly noteworthy are the Haydn Sonata for its dry wit, Chopin's Polonaise-Fantasie for the almost infinite range of expressions and emotions Horowitz creates, and Liszt's Vallee D'Obermann, which inspires Horowitz to the most atmospheric, most evocative music-making I have ever heard on a recording. In sum, if I knew I would lose my hearing in a few hours, I would spend them listening to these recordings.

Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Excellent Busoni
Wonderful Playing

Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005Y0N7
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Amazon.com

Busoni's transcriptions of Bach organ works are among the glories of modern piano music, and all but doctrinaire followers of authentic period practice will enjoy them. Bach's music works well on the modern piano and Busoni's transcriptions add elements of color and fantasy that, however anachronistic, are fascinating to hear. Demidenko is a Russian-trained virtuoso with a monster technique who makes child's play of these often difficult pieces. He tears into the opening Fantasie (BWV 906) with abandon, produces an affecting Adagio (BWV 968) and a firmly articulated Fugue (BWV 906), which was seamlessly completed by Busoni. The big Prelude and Fugue (BWV 532) is thrilling, and the six Choral Preludes are lovingly done. The great violin Chaconne gets a big performance, too, fitting for a piece that Busoni metamorphosed into a cornerstone of Romantic piano literature. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Busoni.......2007-01-15

I agree with the previous reviewer about the chaconne, some might find it too slow. Especially if you are used to Kissin's performance. I personally think Demidenko's more unified treatment of the variatons is refreshing. He creates contrast through deep colorful poetry, and sheer power as opposed to using many parametric changes. In my opinion this interpretation is the perfect balance of romantic power and depth with Baroque form and character. On top of the performance alone, the Fazioli piano chosen has absolutely stunning soud quality and is perfect for Busoni.

Wonderful Playing.......2002-05-22

The real gems of this disk are the Chorale Prelude transcriptions. Demidenko plays these pieces beautifully, especially Durch Adams fall ist ganz verdebt and Jesus Christus Unser Heiland. One can really appreciate the beautiful sound of the Fazioli piano in these pieces in particular. My one reservation about the chorale preludes is 'Watchet Auf'. The only recording I know of that does this justice is Angela Hewitt's recording of Bach Arrangements(Kempff also doesn't do a bad job of this). The playing doesn't quite convey the spirit of this piece.

Demidenko also does a particularly good job of the Fantasia and the Chacconne, although some might find the Chaconne a little too slow for their liking. However don't get the wrong impression, Demidenko can break into great moments of power and speed. This is Demidenko's late romantic playing at its best.

He also gives a good account of the Prelude and Fugue BWV 532, although its not up to Gilels account of the same piece. Gilels manages to create a beutiful organ like sonority from the piano, and gets the tempo just right in each part. However Demidenko's faster fugue makes for a barnstorming interpretation.

Tracks:

Partita in d: Chaconne
Sleepers Awake
Come Now, Saviour Of The Gentiles
Now Be Joyful All Ye Christians
Lord, Hear The Voice
Prld And Fugue in a: Prld
Prld And Fugue in a: Fugue
In Dolce Jubilo
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Siciliano
Sheep May Safely Graze
Ste From Partita in E: Prld
Ste From Partita in E: Gavotte
Ste From Partita in E: Gigue
Toccata And Fugue in d

Customer Reviews:

Fergus-Thompson plays Bach Transcriptions.......2000-02-07

This CD shows a great aspect of the playing of Mr. Fergus-Thompson. Although the pianist tends to over-romanticize some passages he does show an often-neglected aspect of Bach's music: it humanity. The interpretations are less virtuosic than a virtually similar recording by Alexis Weissenberg in the 1970's (which EMI ought to release as CD). The approach is reminiscent of Edwin Fischer. One problem with this release is the horrible, clunky sound of the instrument used. Steinway could certainly do better. Mr. Fergus-Thompson would have been better served by a Bosendorfer.

A fresh feeling!.......2000-02-03

I decide to buy this CD is because of i need to learn the "chaconne", but after i hear all songs on the CD. i find it is very good! Many other bach's work are trancribed by many other composers ,are very good to listen. It give me a fresh feeling of bach's work! because some people may think bach's work is boring (include me) but you can try this CD and can sure you would like it very much!

Average customer rating:

A Brillant pianist and beautiful music

Baroque Reflections for Piano

Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002Z7KJ2
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

I. Toccata
II. Fugue
I. Andante
II. Adagio
III. Presto
Prelude In B Minor
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Melodie
Sarabande
Chaconne
Prelude
Gavotte
Gigue
I. Theme & Variation 1
II. Variations 2-6
III. Variations 7-9
IV. Variations 10-13
V. Intermezzo
VI. Variations 14-17
VII. Variaiotns 18-20, Coda

Customer Reviews:

A Brillant pianist and beautiful music.......2007-01-22

Before Warner Bros relegants this incredible debut recital to the recycle bin, snap it up. Bax's plays (especially the Bach pieces) is nothing short of stunning. Where Gould can be harsh, Bax caresses the music. These are amazing transcriptions (especially Gluck). Bax is the 'real thing' and this album will provide hours and hours of pleasurable listening.

Average customer rating:

A Portrait

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Percussion | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004Y6RG
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

Italian Con, BWV 971: I. Allegro - Columbia Conc Orch/Howard Barlow
Pno Con No.20 in d, K 466: I. Allegro - Columbia Conc Orch/Howard Barlow
Pno Con No.20 in d, K 466: II. Romanze - Columbia Conc Orch/Howard Barlow
Pno Con No.20 in d, K 466: III. Allegro Assai - Columbia Conc Orch/Howard Barlow
Hungarian Rhap No.13 - New York Phil/Efrem Kurtz
Pno Con No.2 in c, Op.18: II. Adagio Sostenuto - New York Phil/Efrem Kurtz
Pno Son: I. Allegro Con Moto - Teresa Sterne
Pno Son: II. Adagietto - Teresa Sterne
Pno Son: III. Allegro Vivo - Teresa Sterne
Pno Son: IV. Allegro - Teresa Sterne

Tracks:

Ov To An English Opr, Hob 1A-3 - The Little Orch Of London/Leslie Jones
Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen - Paul Jacobs
Herzlich Thut Mich Verlangen - Paul Jacobs
Etude, Book II - Paul Jacobs
Five Pno Pieces, Op.23: II Sehr Rasch - Paul Jacobs
Ionisation - The New Jersey Perc Ens/Raymond DesRoches
The Ragtime Dance - Joshua Rifkin
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair - Jan DeGaetani/Gilbert Kalish
Blondel Zu Marien, D 626 - Jan DeGaetani/Gilbert Kalish
Double Con: Intro - Paul Jacobs/Gilbert Kalish
Pno Son No.2, 'Concord, Mass': III. The Alcotts - Gilbert Kalish
Wait 'Till The Sun Shines, Nellie - Joan Morris/William Bolcom
Graceful Ghost - William Bolcom
Ancient Voices Of Children: III. De Donde Vienes, Amor, Mi Nino?/IV. Todas Las Tardes En Granada... - Jan DeGaetani/Michael Dash
Nyamamusango (Meat In The Forest) - Hakurotwi Mude/Cosmas Magaya/Ephat Mujuri
Vetar Vee - Vasilka Andonova/Kremena Stancheva
Ta Shto Mi E Miloj, Mamo - Nadezhda Georgieva Klicherova/Gena Ivanova Bodenova/Nadezhda Georgieva Paleastova
Ketjak Dance - Teresa Sterne
I Big You Goodnight - Edith Pinder/Geneva Pinder/Raymond Pinder/Joseph Spence
Oyun Havasi - Teresa Sterne
Ketawang Puspawarna - Teresa Sterne

Amazon.com

The life of Teresa Sterne is as noteworthy as the label she once presided over (Nonesuch). As a child prodigy, she successfully filled world-class auditoriums in the 1940s with audiences eager to hear her piano playing. Then, inexplicably, Sterne abandoned her concert career only to resurface as the leader behind Nonesuch Records in the late 1960s, turning the budget classical label into one of the more adventurous and consistently rewarding labels around (and generally keeping quiet about her earlier fame). Half of this double-CD tribute collects recordings of a teenage Sterne at the keyboard; the second disc is devoted to some of the finest recordings from her Nonesuch tenure (1965-1979)--both are engrossing.

Tracks:

Serenade
By The Sea
Faith In Spring
Sea's Tranquillity
Eulogy Of Tears
Angel Of Beauty
The Wayside Inn
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Sleepers, Wake
Now Comes The Gentiles' Saviour
I Call On Thee, Lord
Sheep May Safely Graze
Romance Without Words, Op.17, No.3
Thais: Meditation
Lilacs, Op.21, No.5
Vocalise
Hopak

Customer Reviews:

best since beethoven!!! ..........2001-06-18

I don't like classical music so when I saw this product I was a little skeptical. But now that I have his CD I love it!! I listen to it 24/7.My friend actually met this guy and so now I know him. he cracks me up. so all you people who think this guy is "just another dumb blonde" he's not. In fact, he's not blonde at all. buy this CD!!!...

Average customer rating:

A great pianist
FULL OF MUSICAL RICHES
The greatest pianist I've ever heard
Longing for Schumann
Alexis Weissenberg , Piano : Logic, Passions and Poesy

Les Introuvables de Alexis Weissenberg

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Piano Concerto #2
Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete)
Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays Mozart, Chopin, Brahms, etc. (Box) [Germany]
Chopin: Nocturnes; Mazurkas; Waltzes

ASIN: B00014EJ66
Release Date: 2004-05-05

Tracks:

Sonetto 123 Del Petrarca
Sonetto 104 Del Petrarca
Sonate In B Minor
I Grave - Doppio Movimento
II Scherzo
Marche Funebre: Lento
IV Finale: Presto

Tracks:

I Maestoso
II Adagio
III Rondo (Allegro Non Troppo)
Intermezzo In A Major, Op.118 No.2
Prelude
Fugue
Variation
Choral Nun Komm' Der Heiden Heiland (Viens, Sauveur Des Paiens), BWV 659
Variations La Ricordanza, Sur Un Theme De Pierre Rode

Tracks:

I Allegramente
II Andante
III Prestissimo
Prelude
Fugue
Forlane
Rigaudon
Menuet
Toccata
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales
Danse Russe
Chez Petrouchka
La Semaine Grasse

Tracks:

I Allegro Ma Non Tanto
II Intermezzo (Adagio)
III Finale (Alla Breve)
I Andante - Allegro - Andante
II Tema Con Variazioni
III Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

A great pianist.......2007-03-10

The Rachmaninoff and the Prokofiev Piano Concertos have no equal. It's a great collection.

FULL OF MUSICAL RICHES.......2007-02-26

This compilation of recordings by Alexis Weissenberg consists of some of his recordings dating from 1950 through 2004 which, I don't believe, were ever issued in the USA. (At least, I've never heard them!) What musical riches are contained in this 4 disc set which consists of some of the greatest works composed for the piano by great composers such as Liszt, Chopin, Brahms, Czerny, Ravel, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev (plus others) played by (in my opinion) one of the greatest pianist ever. I loved this compilation. Of course, I had favorites on the discs; I will now list some of highlights for me from this compilation.

The two "Sonettos" by Franz Liszt are gorgeous! Alexis plays them beautifully with much feeling. Surprising for me, (I usually don't) I even enjoyed the BIG "Mephistophelian" Liszt sonata in B minor--my god, Weissenberg plays the hell out of that work (no pun intended). One of my favorites, the Chopin Sonata #2 is given a splendid reading--the first two movements are played at a ferociously fast tempo; however, the "Marche funebre" is the most moving account of that movement that I've ever heard! Weissenberg's account of the last movement is most impressive--he never allows the tone to get any louder until the very last profound chord--wow! The Rachmaninov concerto #3 with Georges Pretre and the Chicago Symphony is wonderfully mysterious and very melodic. I also loved his recordings of the Ravel Concerto in G major plus Ravel's "Le tombeau de Couperin suite" and "Valses nobles" hearing Weissenberg play Ravel reminded me of a good glass of Champagne filled with many bubbles and with a great bouquet. The Prokofiev concerto recorded with the Orchestra of Paris and Ozawa is thrilling with its intensity--what virtuosity Alexis Weissenberg has! Weissenberg along with Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra give a wonderfully "full bodied" reading of Brahms 1st Piano Concerto--I've never heard the Philadelphia sounding any better--it is a great recording of a work that I adore!

I truly loved this 4 disc set (each running over 70 minutes) of some very GREAT piano playing. NO, I did not listen with score(s) in hand nor did I seek out other recordings of these works from my collection to compare Alexis' interpretations with. Instead, I allowed myself the luxury of sitting back in my favorite "arm chair" and simply enjoying these great works for the piano that are played by a Master of the piano! What really impresses me is that Weissenberg plays with very beautiful tone no matter how demanding the work may be--that is certainly the main reason I, for once, enjoyed the Liszt B minor sonata!

By the way, EMI has done a superlative job--the sound of ALL the works is great. Not once, was I aware that I was listening to an older recording. The sound is great!!

The greatest pianist I've ever heard.......2006-12-21

Personally, I regard Alexis Weissenberg as the greatest pianist I've ever heard. Although superb technically, Weisenberg is most outstanding for his incredible artistry. This set of recordings contains some of his greatest recordings -- indeed some of the greatest performances ever recorded by anyone. Very highly recommended.

Longing for Schumann.......2005-12-16

I saw Maestro Weissenberg in concert several times throughout the 70s in New York. Once he played the Rachmanninoff preludes. Another time an all-Schumann program. I once went to hear him with friends at Alice Tully Hall, a small room in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. After the concert we went backstage. He approached me, took my hand and said 'so nice of you to come.' It remains one of my favorite moments in my life. Having moved around a great deal in the last 30 years, I lost track of my recording of Carnaval and Sonata in B Minor. Sometimes if I lay quite still I can hear the pieces playing in my head. Won't EMI take pity on us mere mortals and release the recording soon? I think of it almost daily.

Alexis Weissenberg , Piano : Logic, Passions and Poesy.......2004-12-17

By: Frank Georg B e c h y n a,M.D.--General Practitioner--
D - 40235 Düsseldorf ( Germany / Allemagne )
Decembre 17 , 2004 -- FB/3

Who could listen to Maestro Weissenberg's many recitals during his career and has his recordings knows, that he belongs for all time to the Greatest Pianists . This compiliation was selectet by Mr. Weissenberg himself. CD 1 continues two of the most important piano sonatas . Liszt's b minor sonata 8 the second recording by Weissenberg ) ist tremendous. I have never heard the work from the lento - beginning , the phaenomenal played Grandioso to the Lento end. It is only comparable by the interpretation by Argerich, Barere and the young Horowitz. The 2nd sonata by Chopin is the Olymp of all of the 100 different intertretaions! The concertos of Rachmaninov ( d-minor ), Ravel and Prokoviec find a similar great interpretation in all cases also by the faboulos Martha Argerich . Pretere and Ozawa are on their highest levels . Also the superb Orchestras, especially the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Weissenberg's J S Bach "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland" is a gem !Never before - including Katchen and Arrau - i have heard the Intermezzo 0ßus 118 No 2 by Brahms in this analysis of what Brahms meant in his late piano works- a summary of his life .The 1st concerto of Brahms is a summary of the history of this singular work. The interpretation by Alexis Weissenberg is like a psychoanlysis of the soul in this monument ! When he plays Maurice Ravel I can compare these recordings only with the young Vlado Perlemuter, who had studied the works with the composer . And to all who say Mr Weissenberg's play is too intellectual, too
perfect in every technical detail should listen to the wonderful tone in Carl Czerny's "La Ricordanza" .when this record was made Alexis Weissenberg was just a liitle more than 20 years old. Who could play all these works today ???
Personally , I miss Robert Schumann's master works for piano solo, like the C majoe Fanatsy, opus 17, the"Humoreske" , the incomparable interpretation of his "Carnaval"-an interpretation Glenn Gould had admired so much -,the "Scenes of Childhood" . But : As far I have heard next year will follow the Schumann recordings reissued by EMI . Arur Rubinstein , Artur Schnabel, Mr. Horowitz , Gould, Madame Argerich admired Maestro Weissenberg's Art and personality as well as Harold C Schonberg, Norman Lebrecht or Bryce Morrison .
These 4 CDs are on a high technical level and - I must repeat it - all interpretations are outstanding . With a playing like this , full of passion , logic , poesy and tecnical perfectness Mr. Weissenberg will stay forever under the most impertant Artist and Pianists of all time . And he is a great personality ! Sometimes equally important !
Frank G. B e c h y n a

Tracks:

Toccata and Fugue in D minor - BWV 565 1 (2'47)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor - BWV 565 2 (7'01)
Chorale Prelude in F minor 'Ich ruf' su dir - Herr Jesu Christ' BWV 639 (4'14) - Capricco in B flat major 'on the departure of a beloved brother' BWV992
Arioso (3'22)
Fugato (2'36)
Adagissimo (4'40)
Marschmaessig (0'28)
Aria di Postiglione (0'54)
Fuga (1'46)
Chorale Prelude in G minor 'Nun komm der heiden Heiland' BWV 659 (6'41)
Organ Prelude and Fugue in E flat major - BWV 552 ('St Anne') (10'00)
Organ Prelude and Fugue in E flat major - BWV 552 ('St Anne') (7'29)
Chorale Prelude in G major 'Nun freut euch - lieben Christen amein' - BWV734 (2'31)
Toccata - Adagio and Fugue in C major - BWV 564 - 1 (9'14)
Toccata - Adagio and Fugue in C major - BWV 564 - 2 (7'12)
Toccata - Adagio and Fugue in C major - BWV 564 - 3 (5'27)

Customer Reviews:

Pure Pleasure.......2001-04-24

Michael Wincop does a superb job reviewing this disc. Rather than repeat his words, I just want to add that the music is beautiful and a pure joy to listen to. I had the good fortune to listen to hear Mr. Demidenko when he gave his New York City debut last month at the Frick Museum. Our culture setter, the New York Times, did not bother to send a reviewer. Needless to say, he played wonderfully after getting used to the rented Steinway, which was harsh. He played several Bach-Busoni transcriptions as encores which led me to this disc. Hyperion does a wonderful job in capturing the dynamic range. Bravo to all.

Impressive but slow.......2000-06-10

Weight is the keynote of this CD. There are few performances of these wonderful transcriptions that I know of which are as solemnly broad as these.

Demidenko is a great pianist. He is obviously inside Busoni's idiom and he has good recorded sound. His program is excellent, not only for giving us the more recorded pieces like the d minor Toccata and the preludes, but for much less recorded pieces, such as the St Anne Prelude & Fugue, the Capriccio, and the C major Toccata.

Comparisons in works like Nun komm are revealing. Demidenko weighs in at just under 7 minutes; Lipatti's famous recording is one second over 4! Undoubtedly, this captures the gravitas of these works, but there are times, as in the Prelude of BWV552 that one could wish for a bit more thrust. Likewise, the opening of the striding C major Toccata sounds unnecessarily portentous, especially by the side of a good performance on the organ.

I don't wish to give the impression that this is universally so. Demidenko turns in a dazzling Nun freut euch, the best ever recorded, and his octave uproar at the end of the prelude of the St Anne fugue and the thundering close of the Fugue in the C major Toccata makes you forgive the earlier indulgences. Likewise, you will never hear these works offered with so much colour or tonal variety.

It's certainly a disk to avoid if you are a purist, but I frankly doubt purists would have picked it up in the first place.

So, if you like this repertoire, you're should like this disk. I have played it countless times. There's also frankly little competition: Rösel on Berlin and Fergus Thompson on ASV are worth listening to, but neither is in Demidenko's class. Madge on Dante is very disappointing. So until we get a release of Fiorentino's droolingly fantastic program, Demidenko sweeps the board.