Preludes 1-24 / Piano Sonata 2

On this CD:

1. Sonata for piano No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT 202
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Howard Shelley

2. Preludes (24) for piano, Op. 28, CT 166-189
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Howard Shelley

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Piano Concerto In A Major, K 488: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Flute Concerto In D Major, K 314: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 40 in G minor: Molto allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Clarinet Concerto KV 622: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Serenade, K 375: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Turkish March - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Violin Concerto, K 216: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Divertimento, K 334: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Horn Concerto, K 447: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Cassation, K 99: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Tracks:

Overture No. 4 In Major: Rejouissance - J.S.Bach
Overture No. 3 In D Major: Air - J.S.Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 In F Major: I. Allegro - J.S.Bach
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S.Bach
Overture No. 2 In B Minor: Menuet & Badinerie - J.S.Bach
Prelude In C Major - J.S.Bach
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - J.S.Bach
Prelude In C Minor - J.S.Bach
Overture No. 1 In C Major: Passepied - J.S.Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 In F Major: II. Adagio - J.S.Bach
Kommst du nun, Jesu vom Himmel herunter, Chorale - J.S.Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major: II. Allegro - J.S.Bach
Violin Concerto In E Major: I. Adagio - J.S.Bach
St. Matthew Passion: Finale Chorus: 'Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder' - J.S.Bach

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5: Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Fur Elise - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Violin Romance No. 2 - Ludwig Van Beethoven
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Minuet - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No. 8 In F Major: Allegretto scherzando - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Coriolan: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor: Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Egmont: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Die Fledermaus: Die Fledermaus (Excerpts) - Johann Strauss
Wine, Woman And Song - Johann Strauss
Tritsch Tratsch Polka - Johann Strauss
The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss
The Gypsy Baron: Introduction - Johann Strauss
Annen Polka - Johann Strauss
Vienna Blood - Johann Strauss
The Gypsy Baron: Einzugsmarsch - Johann Strauss

Tracks:

Tannhauser: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Dance Of The Prentices - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude Act 3 - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Aufzug der Meistersinger - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Der fliegende Hollander: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Lohengrin: Prelude - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude And Liebestod - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Tannhauser: Arrival Of The Guests At Wartburg - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1: Allegro non troppo - Peter Tchaikovsky
String Serenade: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto: Andante - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty: Introduction - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas d'action - Adagio - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
Capriccio italien Op. 45 - Peter Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Scene No. 10 - Peter Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
Eugene Onegin: Polonaise - Peter Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major: Spring - VIVALDI, Antonio
Siciliano - VIVALDI, Antonio
Concerto In D Minor:: (Allegro Assai) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 2 In G Minor: Summer - VIVALDI, Antonio
Oboe Sonata In B Flat Major, RV 34: Adagio - Allegro - Largo - Allegro - VIVALDI, Antonio
The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 3 In F Major: Autumn - VIVALDI, Antonio
Oboe Concerto: Allegro non tasto - Largo - Allegro non molto - VIVALDI, Antonio
Concerto In D Minor: (Largo e spiccato) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 4 In F Minor: Winter - VIVALDI, Antonio

Tracks:

Scherzo No 1 In B Minor, Op. 20 - Frederic Chopin_
Three Nocturnes, Op. 9: No 3 In B Major - Frederic Chopin_
Twelve Etudes, Op. 10: No 5 In G Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
Twelve Etudes, Op. 25: No 10 In B Minor - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 13 In F Sharp Major - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 14 In E Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 In D Flat Major 'Raindrops' - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 16 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 17 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 18 In F Minor - Frederic Chopin_
Scherzo No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 31 - Frederic Chopin_
Waltz In E Flat Major, Op. 18 - Frederic Chopin_
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth. - Frederic Chopin_
Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 3 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 4 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_

Tracks:

Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
Impromptu In E Flat Major - Franz Schubert
Standchen - Franz Schubert
Trout Quintet: Tema con variazioni - Franz Schubert
'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 1 - Franz Schubert
Moment Musical In A Flat Major - Franz Schubert
'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 2 - Franz Schubert
Moment Musical No. 3 In F Minor - Franz Schubert
'Rosamunde': Ballet Music No.2 - Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato - Franz Schubert

Tracks:

Nabucco: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
Nabucco: Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate - Verdi, Giuseppe
Aida: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
II Trovatore: Verdi! le fosche notturne (Gypsies' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
II Trovatore: Or co' daddi, ma fra poco (Soldiers' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
Aroldo: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata: Noi siamo zingarelle - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata:: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata: Di Madride noi siam mattadori - Verdi, Giuseppe
La forza del destino: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe

Customer Reviews:

masters of classical music.......2007-03-26

A nice collection for the classical listener. Great variety of composers and the music quality of the cds are very good.

A good basic collection.......2006-11-10

With selections from numerous composers, it is an easy way to familiarize oneself with some of the most popular classical works and excerpts. A pleasant listen for the initiated too.

An excellent introduction to classical music.......2006-10-18

This is an excellent introduction to classical music. Well performed and presented.

Very Beautiful!!!!!1.......2006-10-05

If you are a fan of classical music then you better get this set. Not only is it very cheap, 10 Discs for about 2$ per disk. Now where are you gonna find a deal like this. I actually found mine chaper, $20.00 even and the music is outstanding. If you had a very bad day and very stressed out, just put in one of these cds, lay down, dim down the lights and just relax. It really helped me out.

Still Stuck on Beethoven.......2006-08-22

I just recently started listening to classical music so I'm certainly not one to compare or critique the quality of this set. However, I do have a few comments...

My interest started in this genre of music because I'm researching my ancestry in Prussia and this is the music of those times. Never mind my ancestors were poor peasants who probably never got the chance to hear such wonderful music... when listening to these CDs, I'm taken back in time... to a royal court in Europe... to another place in time. The music is inspiring, relaxing, invigorating.

I have yet to listen to all the CD's in the set. I'm stuck on Beethoven! Wasn't he AWESOME!?!

I think this set is a wonderful introduction to classical music!!!!!

Average customer rating:

My experience of this CD
Beautiful!
Well worth the money. Wonderful! Wonderful!
Best investment to make
A great pianist interpreting the most inspired composer ever !

Chopin: The Piano Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bourees | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Galops | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Liszt: Piano Works
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Works for Solo Piano
Mozart: The Piano Concertos

ASIN: B0000041KB
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

24 Preludes, Op.28: I - C Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: II - A Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: III - G Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: IV - E Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: V - D Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: VI - B Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: VII - A Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: VIII - F Sharp Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: IX - E Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: X - C Sharp Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XI - B Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: XII - G Sharp Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XIII - F Sharp Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: XIV - E Flat Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XV - D Flat Major 'Raindrop'
24 Preludes, Op.28: XVI - B Flat Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XVII - A Flat Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: XVIII - F Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XIX - E Flat Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: XX - C Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XXI - B Flat Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: XXII - G Minor
24 Preludes, Op.28: XXIII - F Major
24 Preludes, Op.28: XXIV - D Minor
Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op.45
Prelude In A Flat Major
Impromptu In A Flat Major, Op.29
Impromptu In F Sharp Major, Op.36
Impromptu In G Flat Major, Op.51
Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor, Op.66

Tracks:

Ballade No.1 In G Minor, Op.23
Ballade No.2 In F Major, Op.38
Ballade No.3 In A Flat Major, Op.47
Ballade No.4 In F Minor, Op.52
Scherzo No.1 In B Minor, Op.20
Scherzo No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.31
Scherzo No.3 In C Sharp Minor, Op.39
Scherzo No.4 In E Minor, Op.54

Tracks:

3 Nocturnes, Op.9: I - B Flat Minor
3 Nocturnes, Op.9: II - E Flat Major
3 Nocturnes, Op.9: III - B Major
3 Nocturnes, Op.15: I - F Major
3 Nocturnes, Op.15: II - F Sharp Major
3 Nocturnes, Op.15: III - G Minor
2 Nocturnes, Op.27: I - C Sharp Minor
2 Nocturnes, Op.27: II - D Flat Major
2 Nocturnes, Op.32: I - B Major
2 Nocturnes, Op.32: II - A Flat Major
2 Nocturnes, Op.37: I - G Minor
2 Nocturnes, Op.37: II - G Major

Tracks:

2 Nocturnes, Op.48: I - C Minor
2 Nocturnes, Op.48: II - F Sharp Minor
2 Nocturnes, Op.55: I - F Minor
2 Nocturnes, Op.55: II - E Flat Major
2 Nocturnes, Op.62: I - B Major
2 Nocturnes, Op.62: II - E Major
Nocturne In E Minor, Op.72 No.1
Nocutrne In C Sharp Minor
Nocturne In C Minor

Tracks:

12 Etudes, Op.10: I - C Major
12 Etudes, Op.10: II - A Minor
12 Etudes, Op.10: III - E Major
12 Etudes, Op.10: IV - C Sharp Minor
12 Etudes, Op.10: V - G Flat Major 'Black Key'
12 Etudes, Op.10: VI - E Flat Minor
12 Etudes, Op.10: VII - C Major
12 Etudes, Op.10: VIII - F Major
12 Etudes, Op.10: IX - F Minor
12 Etudes, Op.10: X - A Flat Major
12 Etudes, Op.10: XI - E Flat Major
12 Etudes, Op.10: XII - C Minor 'Revolutionary'
12 Etudes, Op.25: I - A Flat Major
12 Etudes, Op.25: II - F Minor
12 Etudes, Op.25: III - F Major
12 Etudes, Op.25: IV - A Minor
12 Etudes, Op.25: V - E Minor
12 Etudes, Op.25: VI - G Sharp Minor
12 Etudes, Op.25: VII - C Sharp Minor
12 Etudes, Op.25: VIII - D Flat Major
12 Etudes, Op.25: IX - G Flat Major
12 Etudes, Op.25: X - B Minor
12 Etudes, Op.25: XI - A Minor 'Winter Wind'
12 Etudes, Op.25: XII - C Minor

Tracks:

2 Polonaises, Op.26: I - C Sharp Minor
2 Polonaises, Op.26: II - E Flat Minor
2 Polonaises, Op.40: I - A Major
2 Polonaises, Op.40: II - C Minor
Polonaise In F Sharp Minor, Op.44
Polonaise In A Flat Major, Op.53
Polonaise-fantaisie In A Flat Major, Op.61

Tracks:

3 Polonaises, Op.71: I - D Minor
3 Polonaises, Op.71: II - B Flat Major
3 Polonaises, Op.71: III - F Minor
Polonaise In B Flat Minor
Polonaise In G Flat Major
Polonaise In G Minor
Polonaise In B Flat Major
Polonaise In A Flat Major
Polonaise In G Sharp Minor

Tracks:

Waltz In E Flat Major, Op.18
3 Waltzes, Op.34: I - A Flat Major
3 Waltzes, Op.34: II - A Minor
3 Waltzes, Op.34: III - F Major
Waltz In A Flat Major, Op.42
3 Waltzes, Op.64: I - D Flat Major
3 Waltzes, Op.64: II - C Sharp Minor
3 Waltzes, Op.64: III - A Flat Major
2 Waltzes, Op.69: I - A Flat Major
2 Waltzes, Op.69: II - B Minor
3 Waltzes, Op.70: I - G Flat Major
3 Waltzes, Op.70: II - F Minor
3 Waltzes, Op.70: III - D Flat Major
Waltz In E Minor (1830)
Waltz In E Major (1829)
Waltz In A Minor (?1843)
Waltz In A Flat Major (1827)
Waltz In E Flat Major ('Sostenuto', 1840)
Waltz In E Flat Major (1829 - 1830)

Tracks:

4 Mazurkas, Op.6: I - F Sharp Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.6: II - C Sharp Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.6: III - E Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.6: IV - E Flat Minor
5 Mazurkas, Op.7: I - B Flat Major
5 Mazurkas, Op.7: II - A Minor
5 Mazurkas, Op.7: III - F Minor
5 Mazurkas, Op.7: IV - A Flat Major
5 Mazurkas, Op.7: V - C Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.17: I - B Flat Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.17: II - E Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.17: III - A Flat Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.17: IV - A Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.24: I - G Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.24: II - C Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.24: III - A Flat Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.24: IV - B Flat Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.30: I - C Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.30: II - B Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.30: III - D Flat Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.30: IV - C Sharp Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.33: I - G Sharp Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.33: II - D Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.33: III - C Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.33: IV - B Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.41: I - C Sharp Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.41: II - E Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.41: III - B Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.41: IV - A Flat Major

Tracks:

3 Mazurkas, Op.50: I - G Major
3 Mazurkas, Op.50: II - A Flat Major
3 Mazurkas, Op.50: III - C Sharp Minor
3 Mazurkas, Op.56: I - B Major
3 Mazurkas, Op.56: II - C Major
3 Mazurkas, Op.56: III - C Minor
3 Mazurkas, Op.59: I - A Minor
3 Mazurkas, Op.59: II - A Flat Major
3 Mazurkas, Op.59: III - F Sharp Minor
3 Mazurkas, Op.63: I - B Major
3 Mazurkas, Op.63: II - F Minor
3 Mazurkas, Op.63: III - C Sharp Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.67: I - G Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.67: II - G Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.67: III - C Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.67: IV - A Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.68: I - C Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.68: II - A Minor
4 Mazurkas, Op.68: III - F Major
4 Mazurkas, Op.68: IV - F Minor
Mazurka In A Minor ('a Emile Gaillard', 1840)
Mazurka In A Minor ('Notre temps', 1840)
Mazurka In B Flat Major (1826)
Mazurka In G Major (1826)
Mazurka In A Flat Major (1834)
Mazurka In C Major (1833)
Mazurka In B Flat Major (For Alexandra Wolowska, 1832)
Mazurka In D Major (1832)
Mazurka In D Major (?1820)
Mazurka In F Minor, Op.68 No. 4 - Vladimir Ashkenazy

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: I - Grave - Doppio movimento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: II - Scherzo
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: III - Marche funebre
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: IV - Finale: Presto
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: I - Allegro maestoso
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: II - Scherzo: Molto vivace
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: III - Largo
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: IV - Finale: Presto, non tanto
Fantaisie In F Minor, Op. 49

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: I - Allegro maestoso
Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: II - Minuetto - Trio
Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: III - Larghetto
Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: IV - Finale: Presto
Variations sur un air national allemand - E Major (1826)
Rondo In C Minor, Op.1
3 Ecossaises, Op.72 No.3: I - D Major; II - G Major; III - D Flat Major
Rondo 'a la Mazur' In F Major, Op.5
Marche funebre In C Minor, Op.72 No.2
Contredanse In G Flat Major (?1827) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Rondo In C Major, Op.73 - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Variations In D Major For Piano Duet (1826) - Vladimir Ashkenazy

Tracks:

Variations In A Major ('Souvenir de Paganini', 1829)
Variations brillantes In B Flat Major, Op.12
Rondo In E Flat Major, Op.16
Bolero In A Minor, Op.19
Cantabile In B Flat Major
Variation In E Major
Largo In E Flat Major
Allegro de concert In A Major, Op.46
3 Nouvelles Etudes (1837): I - F Minor
3 Nouvelles Etudes (1837): II - A Flat Major
3 Nouvelles Etudes (1837): III - D Flat Major
Tarentelle In A Flat Major, Op.43
Fugue In A Minor (1841 - 42)
Albumblatt in E Major (1843)
Op.74 No.2: Wiosna - Spring
2 Bourrees (1846): I - G Minor; II - A Major
Galop Marquis
Berceuse In D Flat Major, Op.57
Barcarolle In F Sharp Major, Op.60

Customer Reviews:

My experience of this CD.......2007-04-04

My hats off to this CD collection! It was worth it!!! Chopin is a true genius for the piano, on this collection.

Beautiful!.......2006-08-18

This is a beautifully played collection of Chopin's work. It was a birthday gift,
and I listen to bits of it every day. I have yet to find a favorite
CD, as each is so lovely. It is well worth the price.

Well worth the money. Wonderful! Wonderful!.......2006-06-10

I am not a classical music expert but I am an expert when it comes to a great product. I have listened to the works of rubenstein and Horowitz, but nothing is comparable to this great collection of polands favorite son. The nocturnes are dreamy and romantic. The other pieces though not as mesmerizing have plenty of depth and feeling. This is a collection that you will listen to over and over again. Although this music is great anytime, it's especially meaningful during a light rainfall. Go ahead and make this investment. It's only $100.00. For the next 100 days save a dollar and you will have it paid for. I promise you won't be sorry. Excellent! Excellent!

Best investment to make.......2006-05-21

In my opinion, this is the apex of classical music. You will not find a better CD for Chopin or any piano recordings. There may be plenty of comparable CDs, but nothing can claim to surpass this.

Although some pieces are not as good as those by other artists, Ashkenazy's interpretations of Chopin are the best I've ever heard. Add in his amazing technical performance and you've got some sublime music.

Listening to these pieces have immensely helped my own Chopin reportoire. I don't play to mimic Ashkenazy, but I use his insights and apply my own style over that and end up with something exponentially better than what I could produce on my own.

The price is something you have to seriously consider. A hundred bucks. Yeah, that's a lot of money, but that's 48 cents per song. And you'll listen to these songs dozens of times, at least, I guarantee. Plus it's a great deal... if you were to get all the Ashkenazy-Chopin CDs available on Amazon, overlapping pieces as little as possible, you'd pay $30 more and still not have everything.

This is an investment for life and will definitely remain one of my favorite CD sets for decades. Decades. A hundred bucks for decades of amazing music. This stuff is larger than today, larger than life.. music this good is something you can't afford to pass up because of temporary financial difficulties.

A great pianist interpreting the most inspired composer ever !.......2005-09-15

Lets imagine that Chopin himself has recorded his own compositions in a perfectly clear CD. I am sure that some classical music reviewers would say "This is not the way Chopin is meant to be played". These classical music "pundits" are very intolerant.

Interpretation and emotion feeling is also a matter of taste, so that the only one who can give a final answer is Franois (Frederic).

Ashkenazy is gifted with a phenomenal technique, a great pianist. So that this collection is for sure 5 stars. Enjoy it.

Ah, if you like to see piano technique in action, listen to Georgy Cziffra's interpretation of Etude op. 10 no. 4. (Search the album in my reviews.)

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Masters of Classical Music (Box Set)
Rhapsody in Blue - Ultimate Piano Collection [20 CD Set]
Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set]
Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]
Rendezvous of Angels - Concert Collection [20 CD Set]

ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

what a recording!
From Byronic to Orgiastic
Horowitz - the best or real close to it
One original approach
No other pianist quite does Scriabin justice

Horowitz Plays Scriabin

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | 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
Similar Items:

Horowitz Plays Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Prokofiev, and others
Horowitz Plays Scarlatti
Horowitz: The Last Recording
Horowitz Plays Rachmaninoff/Concerto for Piano in Dm; Sonata for Piano No2/Vladimir Horowitz, Pianist
The Complete Preludes and Etudes for Pianoforte Solo

ASIN: B000003EOZ
Release Date: 1989-08-10

Tracks:

Sonata No. 5, Op. 53
Preludes: Op. 11, No. 1 In C- C-dur, ut majeur, do maggiore
Preludes: Op. 11 No. 10 in C-Sharp, cis-moll, do diese mineur, do diesis minore
Preludes: Op. 11, No. 9 In E, E-dur, mi majeur, mi maggiore
Preludes: Op. 11, No. 3 In G, G-dur, sol majeur, sol maggiore
Preludes: Op. 11, No. 16 In B-Flat Minor, b-moll, si bemol majeur, si bemolle minore
Preludes: Op. 11, No. 13 In G-Flat, ges-moll, sol bemol majeur, sol bemolle maggiore
Preludes: Op. 11, No. 14 In E-Flat Minor, es-moll, mi bemol mineur, mi bemolle minore
Preludes: Op. 15, No. 2 In F-Sharp Minor, fis-moll, fa diese mineur, fa diesis minore
Preludes: Op. 16, No. 1 In B, H-dur, si majeur, si maggiore
Preludes: Op. 13, No. 6 In B Minor, h-moll, si mineur, si minore
Preludes: Op. 16, No. 4 In E-Flat Minor, es-moll, mi bemol mineur, mi bemolle minore
Preludes: Op. 27, No. 1 In G Minor, g-moll, sol minore
Preludes: Op. 51, No. 2 In A Minor, a-moll, la mineur, la minore
Preludes: Op. 48, No. 3 In D-Flat, Des-dur, re bemol majeur, re bemolle maggiore
Preludes: Op. 67, No. 1
Preludes: Op. 59, No. 2
Sonata No. 3, Op. 23.: Dramatico
Sonata No. 3, Op. 23.: Allegretto
Sonata No. 3, Op. 23.: Andante
Sonata No. 3, Op. 23.: Presto con fuoco; Meno mosso
Etudes: Op. 8, No. 7 In B-Flat Minor, b-moll, si bemol mineur, si bemolle minore
Etudes: Op. 42, No. 5 In C-Sharp Minor, cis-moll, do diese mineur, do diesis minore
Etudes: Op. 8, No.12 In D-Sharp Minor, dis moll, re diese mineur, re diesis minore

Customer Reviews:

what a recording!.......2007-03-04

It's impossible not to love this recording! I have for years, and it stands the test of time. I met Scriabin's music through this classic recording, played many of these pieces across the years, and return to it again and again as to a fountainhead. Say what you will about the art of Horowitz over the years, his handling of these Preludes and Etudes is inerrant. I've not heard another pianist play Scriabin with such intimacy and understanding, Richter included. The alchemy that was Horowitz's alone is in unpartitioned play from beginning to end. His inscrutable ear lets him choose one miniature masterpiece after another, each one vital to his master plan, in the end not only revealing Scriabin's mastery of musical thought, but giving us an indelible guide to Horowitz's own genius. If you want to understand the contribution of Horowitz, walk past his others straight to THIS Scriabin disc, AND the Horowitz Plays Scarlatti disc. For me, these two recordings provide unique evidence of this pianist's most revealing gifts. The B-major Prelude is beautiful enough to melt stone. This recording reminds me of Gould's recording of Byrd and Gibbons - unexpected and perfect, and impossible to live without. In a world on overload, the music made here is witness of a great art. Don't delay the indisputable experience.

From Byronic to Orgiastic.......2005-11-06

Vladimir Horowitz was a champion of Scriabin's music long before it became fashionable, or even semi-fashionable. Scriabin's music appeared on Horowitz's programs as early as the 1920s.

Horowitz's first issued Scriabin recordings were made at his 25th Anniversary Concert in 1953 (also his last public recital until his famous comeback in 1965). The B-flat minor, and C-sharp minor Etudes are given more turbulent performances than usual. There is a great deal brewing beneath the surface. At times, it seems like Horowitz is trying to burst past his own flesh. The desperate passion of his performance lends credence to the notion that he was approaching a nervous breakdown.

The sixteen Preludes were recorded in 1956. (Actually, eighteen Preludes were recorded at these sessions, but two were placed on another album.) Horowitz chose to program the Preludes in a canny sequence of contrasts and surprises building to a climax, rather than sequentially. The Preludes start in the Chopinesque mode, becoming Wagnerian and epic, before dissolving into atonality - - revealing the scope of Scriabin's development.

The Sonata No. 3, also from 1956, is given a broadly phrased, brooding, Byronic performance. The relaxed pacing of the first movement allows Horowitz to move through the various "soul states" without splintering the structure. Contrast the way Horowitz plays the second movement, using the pedal to skillfully blend harmonies, to the way Askhenazy unimaginatively plunks the piece out. (In this movement, Horowitz makes a small cut in the score which actually improves structural clarity.) The transition between the third movement (truly an example of a musical "calm before the storm") is handled with exceptional skill, and Horowitz makes the last movement exciting without over stressing compositional points. Througout the Preludes and Sonata, the balance and poise of the playing speak volumes about Horowitz's post-1953 recovery.

Horowitz played Scriabin's Fifth Sonata during the 1975-1976 season. In his 70s, the pianist sacrifices nothing to age in the most orgiastic performance of this sensual piece ever committed to disc. Scriabin was synesthetic (meaning that he could hear colors) and the musical colors in this piece border on the lurid. This is easily one of the finest recordings from the pianist's late period.

The popular Etude in D-sharp minor, Op. 8, No. 12, played as an encore at Horowitz's 1982 London concert, is given a performance which seduces before building to an explosive climax.

The sound varies, from a bit confined in the 1956 recordings (made in Horowitz's living room) to spacious in the stereo items.

Horowitz - the best or real close to it.......2005-10-05

Listening to this cd put me on a higher plane regarding beauty.
There is no doubt that I will purchase more of "Horowitz plays...". And these preformances are relatively inexpensive. And for such quality, that is a rarity.

One original approach.......2004-05-23

Vladimir Horowitz is not in my ten top keyboard giants from the past. But, in this case it's fair to make a sincere rendition to this album.
Horowitz was a cosmpolitan citizen. That's is an very important detail and I 'll tell you why.
The Scriabin's school pianists Sofronitzky, Nehaus among others saw in him a russian Chopin. And I disagree with that opinion.
Scriabin was a sensitive artist , but also a major colorist than Chopin was and ever a convinced man opened to experience new sounds.
The musical influences received by Scriabin were in multiple directins. Wagner , Mahler, Bruckner opened new musical spaces in the new composers.
Besides Scriabin and its sense he links with Rachmaninov; he didn't get so far from the romantic tradition; and he dindn't join to the avant garde composers as Stravinsky, for instance.
He liked to experience but without his roots.
So that view in the school russian pianistic permeated this conception in pupils as Richter.
It's fair to establish a hidden neuroses in Scriabin's music and that's not a critical judgement.
The point to remark is that Horowitz, never considered this opinion, precisely to his countless exchange ideas with the world outside the provincial Russia.
And that's why his Scriabin sounds less ecletic and more multidimensional than the re3st of his coleagues, including Richter and Gilels; his Scriabin is in many ways out of control and less influenced of the chopinian view. It sounds you less romantic and more universal.
Only Richter in the seventies could escape from that view and pianist as MichAel Ponti , Mijail Rudy or Ivo Porgorelch have understood so.
Listen to Lazar Berman and you'll feel the Nehaus approach.
This is the great virtue of this recording.
But a warning; be carefully with a performance given for Horowitz in Carnegie Hall May 9 1965; because in many ways he seems to return to the chopinisque atmosphere when he played Scriabin in that recital.
A must in your collection. Don't miss it.

No other pianist quite does Scriabin justice.......2004-04-19

The recording of piano has that slightly annoying echoing sound, the pianist makes quite a few slips, but oh, if you want to hear how Scriabin should sound, this is probably the only pianist to listen to on CD's. Horowitz had the right sensibility to fully bring out the meditative, Chopin-like quality of this Russian composer and he plays the music like no other. If you want to hear Scriabin, this is a must-CD.

Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes/Piano Sonata No.2

Average customer rating:

What's up with the bashing!?
Good set with some duds
Ashkenazy sucks
Fantastic!
The best Couple....Rach and Ash

Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes/Piano Sonata No.2

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 - 4
Rachmaninov: Moments musicaux
Rachmaninov: Music for 2 Pianos
Rachmaninov: The Symphonies
Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 33 & 39; Vladimir Ovchinnikov

ASIN: B00000425L
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

Prelude, Op.3 No.2 In C Sharp Minor
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.1 In F Sharp Minor
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.2 In B Flat Major
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.3 In D Minor
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.4 In D Major
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.5 In G Minor - Mel Torme
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.6 In E Flat Major
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.7 In C Minor
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.8 In A Flat Major
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.9 In E Flat Minor
10 Preludes, Op.23: No.10 In G Flat Major
13 Preludes, Op.32: No.1 In C Major
13 Preludes, Op.32: No.2 In B Flat Minor
13 Preludes, Op.32: No.3 In E Major
13 Preludes, Op.32: No.4 In E Minor

Tracks:

Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 5 In G Major
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 6 In F Minor
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 7 In F Major
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 8 In A Minor
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 9 In A Major
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 10 In B Minor
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 11 In B Major
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 12 In G Sharp Minor
Preludes, Op. 32 Nos. 5 - 13: No. 13 In D Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 2: I Allegro agitato
Piano Sonata No. 2: II Non allegro
Piano Sonata No. 2: III Allegro molto

Customer Reviews:

What's up with the bashing!?.......2005-10-23

Some previous reviewer's bashing of the prolific Ashkenazy is misguided. Just because a great artist records and sells many records doesn't mean he is from Disneyland. He's not even close to being a product of the "capitalism system" this reviewer was referring to. I own 4 other versions of these "Preludes," including those by the great Shelly, Dame Lampany and the composer himself. This set surpasses them all in terms of pure poeticism. A machine? A "cardboard piano robot"? What are you talking about?

Good set with some duds.......2004-12-15

It's a delight to hear Rachmaninov's Second Sonata performed by Ashkenazy, without any showmanship or bombast that characterises many other versions. This may be the finest version of the sonata on record. In the 24 Preludes, he follows the same path, emphasizing the poetic side of Rachmaninov's compositions.

Ashkenazy's approach comes with some disappointments, especially in Rachmaninov's more virtuosic writings. In the C sharp minor prelude, he totally misses the point of the piece to my ears - the mid-section is laboured and the conclusion all but shattering. For this prelude, Idil Biret (on Naxos, yes) is unsurpassable: her recording ravishes of anger and emotion, as it should do. Similarly, the G minor and C minor preludes sound stiff and rushed, totally lacking in excitement. On the other hand, Ashkenazy's `nocturnal' style of pianism, combined with a perfect technique and a Russian spirit, works extraordinarily well in the more meditative Preludes. The B minor prelude may be the best of all, with its naïve beginning melody leading to a shattering climax. The A major is also full of tension. The melody of the F# minor prelude sounds utterly fair and convincing. And so do other melodic preludes: the E flat major gives hardly space to discuss. But truly exceptional are two well-known op.32 preludes: the G major and G# minor, both of which Ashkenazy goes through with disarming ease.

In sum, not a perfect collection but one well worth considering, especially since there are few complete sets of Preludes currently available. Weissenberg's is another good choice.

Ashkenazy sucks.......2004-06-02

Oh yes the perfect modern pianist, fantastic technique, giant reportorie, well practiced and all his playing sounds just like the music is written. Yep, sounds just like a machine pounding out "perfect" notes on a keyboard. No wonder Classical piano is a dying art form, because with the likes of a "cardboard piano robot" like Ashkenazy, the real feel of the music is completely lost. Why is this supreme typist so excessively recorded? fits well into the Disneyland mentality of our capitalist system I suppose. May as well listen to a wind up toy.

Fantastic!.......2004-05-28

Rachmaninov is a great composer, Ashkenazy a great pianist. These 2 combined into 1 CD -> superb combination! I fell in love with the CD, Rach's preludes are absolutely fantastic and Ashkenazy plays it véry well, I recommend this CD to everyone who's interested.
Too bad I could only give it 5 stars, because this CD deserves a lot more!

The best Couple....Rach and Ash.......2004-02-28

Hi,

Rachmaninov's complete preludes haven't been recorded so often...Ashkenazy's were the first to appear on Cd, with the excellent recording further enhanced...this is superb flair and panache about this playing..As a bonus, the compact disc offer the second piano sonata...with Ashkenazy generally following the 1913 original score but with some variants. He plays with great vituosity and feeling, and the result is a beautiful recording...Buy this one without thinking for a second...

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CD 4: Chopin: 24 Préludes, Op. 28

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

Ashkenazy - one of the best musicians of our time
Illustrious Dark
Ashkenazy's fluidity: a very good fit with Rachmaninov
My Favorite Rachmaninov Interpreter
Superb set of Rachmaninov's complete Piano works

Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rachmaninov: The Symphonies
Liszt: Piano Works
Chopin: The Piano Works
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Mozart: The Piano Concertos

ASIN: B0000041ML
Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 1: I. Vivace - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 1: II. Andante - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 1: III. Allegro vivace - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: I. Moderato - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: III. Allegro scherzando - S. Rachmaninoff

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: Allegro ma non tanto - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: Intermezzo: Adagio - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: Finale (Alla breve) - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: Allegro vivace (Alla breve) - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: Largo - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: Allegro vivace - S. Rachmaninoff

Tracks:

Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini: Op. 43 - Rachmaninov
Piano Sonato No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 36: I. Allegro agitato - Rachmaninov
Piano Sonato No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 36: II. Non allegro - Rachmaninov
Piano Sonato No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 36: III. Allegro molto - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 1 in F minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 2 in C major - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 3 in C minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 4 in D minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 5 in E flat minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 6 in E flat major - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 7 in G minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 8 in C sharp minor - Rachmaninov
Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 - Rachmaninov

Tracks:

10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 1 In F Sharp Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 2 In B Flat Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 3 in D minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 4 In D Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 In G Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 6 In E Flat Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 7 In C Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 8 In A Flat Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 9 In E Flat Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 10 In G Flat Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 1 In C Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 2 In B Flat Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 3 In E Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 4 In E Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5 In G Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 6 In F Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 7 In F Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 8 In A Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 9 In A Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 10 In B Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 11 In B Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 12 In G Sharp Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 13 In D Flat Major - Rachmaninov

Tracks:

Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: I. Barcarolle: Allegretto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: II. La Nuit, l'Amour: Adagio sostenuto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: III. Les Larmes: Largo di molto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: IV. Paques: Allegro maestoso - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: I. Introduction: Alla marcia - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: II. Valse: Presto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: III. Romance: Andantino - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: IV. Tarantelle - Rachmaninov
Russian Rhapsody for 2 pianos in E minor: Moderato - Vivace - Andante - Rachmaninov
Variations on a theme by Corelli, Op. 42 - Rachmaninov

Tracks:

9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 1 In C minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 2 In A minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 3 In F Sharp Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 4 In B Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 5 In E Flat Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 6 In A Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 7 In C Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 8 In D Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 9 In D Major - S. Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances for 2 pianos, Op. 45: I. Non allegro - Lento - Tempo I - S. Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances for 2 pianos, Op. 45: II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) - S. Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances for 2 pianos, Op. 45: III. Lento assai - Allegro vivace - S. Rachmaninoff

Customer Reviews:

Ashkenazy - one of the best musicians of our time.......2005-11-21

I consider Ashkenazy to be one of the most underrated pianists. Since he has this unmarketable father figure image in the piano world many people put him in the backburner of their recollections. First of all, anyone with such a prolific repertoire as Ashkenazy falls under the category of "genius" (Richter was also strong in this area). A pianist, in general, has much more credibility if he/she can tackle a variety of different pieces and styles. Many people assume by default that because he splits his time conducting and plays so much different music... that he is a jack of all trades but master of none.
One of the distinct attributes that Ashkenazy has is his amazing intelligence (this links him to Richter). Unlike Gould and Poglerelich who seem eccentric in a childish way at times, Ashkenazy has a very deep understanding of music and its foundations. He understand the composers styles and dynamics. This really sets him aside from many other pianists. I was pleasantly surprised by this Rachmaninoff. It is very flowing and the orchestra is great (better than in the Richter CD in my opinion). There is a feeling that this music is always going in the right direction. Ashkenazy also doesn't fall in the trap of playing Rach Chopin-style. I like the Richter CD better because I like Richter's temperament... but this is an excellent set for those that might find Richter overwhelming.

Illustrious Dark.......2005-03-19

The pianistic genius of Rachmaninov and his spirit incarnate: Vladimir Ashkenazy. If you have ever heard Rachmaninov play his own music, you probably pondered the impressive talent. But where his personal strengths lay in composition, his performances were a little too eccentric for me. For example, his renditions of militaristic Prelude No. 5 in G minor is a soft, cautious approach; his piano concerto no. 2 played so quickly, there is no time to enjoy each note.

Enter Ashkenazy. He plays that prelude with solid force and quick, snapping fingers, and thunderous chords, climaxing into those beautiful rolling hills...it is played beautifully. And of course, the piano concerto is slowed down to the proper tempo. (Incidentally, I find this concerto has some parts that are played too quickly, thereby losing a sense of largeness to some themes. In later recordings, Jean-Yves Thibaudet performed the concerto exactly to my tastes, and the orchestra was conducted, impressively, by Mr. Ashkenazy himself!)

For the piano enthusiast, this collection is nearly complete. The first three piano concertos are amazing. I grew up with Nos. 3 and then 2, and after a decade of waiting, finally listened to No. 1, which I hold in as high esteem as the later concertos. No. 4 is extremely modern, and I listen to it to let it grow on me, but I will always have a difficult time with this one. It's simply too influenced by his short Hollywood career, I feel. While it stands on its own, compared to the previous three, I tend to skip it.

I've heard Ashkenazy's recordings of the preludes before, but it was nice to finally own them. What can one say? Rachmaninov's forte was the prelude. Nowhere else can you hear chimes and bells with dark Russian themes underlying complex chord structures that scintillate or thunder.

New to me were the two Suites for 2 pianos. While much of it is a bit modern and avant-garde for my tastes, I enjoy them all the same.

For the price, you're getting quite a bargain, though. And if you don't care about the solo piano tracks, London has another release with only the four piano concertos.

Ashkenazy's fluidity: a very good fit with Rachmaninov.......2004-12-09

This boxed set contains the four piano concertos, along with the entire library of pieces for two pianos, and a good selection of Rachmaninov's major works for solo piano.

Packaged in an elegant Decca slimbox, the 6 CDs are simply a pure joy to listen to. Ashkenazy does not delivery the wildest version of the concertos, or the most passionate or energetic. What he delivers is an incredible legato and incomparable touch, with just the right amount of power when necessary. Previn's conducting is a very good fit with Ashkenazy's sobre and elegant interpretation.

Listen to "Les Larmes" - French for "The Tears" - and appreciate Ashkenazy and Previn's rendering of one of Rachmaninov's most emotional pieces.

This boxed set is, in my opinion, the best Rachmaninov package currently available. The sound quality is very good, and it contains a large selection of piano works by one of the world's finest interpreters.

My Favorite Rachmaninov Interpreter.......2003-04-06

while i dont have this particular set, i have most of ashkanazy's recordings via other the sets hes made, im assuming these are the same recordings. these are some of my favorite piano works ive ever heard in large part due to his interpretations of this music. i beleive there isnt an interpretation that i was unhappy with, so if you want all of ashkanasy's piano recordings and piano concertos in one set this is a great buy especially for the price and ammount of music.

Superb set of Rachmaninov's complete Piano works.......2001-02-04

Ashkenazy shows that he is as much at home here as he is playing Beethoven, Chopin, or Mozart. Although these performances may lack the drama of Argerich's tempestuous playing, they are very credible interpretations of the Russian composer's piano music. His performances of the concerti with Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra are regarded as among the finest of the entire Rachmaninov cycle. And his performances with Previn on the piano are fine, even if Previn's technique takes a back seat to Ashkenazy's. Aside from the concerti, the real gems have to be Ashkenazy's brilliant performances of the etudes. They are just as refined and as soulful as his excellent recordings of the entire Beethoven piano sonata cycle. This cheap set not only is a splendid introduction to Rachmaninov, but shows Ashkenazy at his finest, playing with technical elegance and lyricism.

Harp Adagios: Over Two Hours of the World's Most Relaxing Music

Average customer rating:

just ok

Harp Adagios: Over Two Hours of the World's Most Relaxing Music
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bedroom Adagios
Guitar Adagios
Heavenly Adagios
Cello Adagios
Evening Adagios

ASIN: B000A87K0K
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Adagio - Marisa Robles
Andantino - Werner Tripp
Andante Allegro - I Musici
Larghetto - I Musici
Andante - Annie Challan
Andante Lento - Catherine Michel
Tema Con Variazioni: Andante - Osian Ellis
Larghetto - Marisa Robles
Andante - Catherine Michel
Theme, Variations And Rondo Pastorale - Marisa Robles

Tracks:

Prelude No.1 In C Major, BWV 846 - Marisa Robles
Adagio - Heinz Holliger
Prelude In D Flat, Op.28 No.15 'Raindrop' - Marisa Robles
Mazurka In B Flat Major, Op.7 No.1 - Marisa Robles
Clair De Lune - Naoko Yoshino
Lullaby, Op.49 No.4 - Marisa Robles
Danza Del Corregidor - Marisa Robles
Impromptu-Caprice, Op.9 - Marisa Robles
Romance: Adagio - Naoko Yoshino
Sicilienne Variee - Naoko Yoshino
Contemplation - Naoko Yoshino
The Nightingale - Deborah Henson-Conant
Interlude - Marisa Robles
Il Padrino - Naoko Yoshino
Spiegel Im Spiegel - Gidon Kremer

Customer Reviews:

just ok.......2006-12-05

This is good at times but mostly it's just ok. First, the sound quality ranges from awfull to good but never excellent. There are quite a bit of analog recordings on here and most of the stuff on here was recorded in the 60s. There isn't a lot new to anyone that has been collecting music featuring the harp. In fact, there seem to be very few classical recordings available featuring the harp as there is. the performances are ok but are old fashioned in the way they play as expected from old recordings.

Average customer rating:

AND THOSE IN FRONT CRIED 'BACK!'
Hough At The Peak of his Powers
Excellent Performance of A Rarely Heard Master
Little known music but a piano "must"
Opulent and impassioned music

York Bowen: Piano Music

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Stephen Hough's English Piano Album
Stephen Hough's New Piano Album
Stephen Hough Piano Collection
New York Variations
The Piano Album

ASIN: B000002ZX4
Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 1 In C major
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 2 In C minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 10 In E minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 7 In E flat major
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 8 In E flat minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 22 In B flat minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 21 In B flat major
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 15 In G major
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 16 In G minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 6 In D minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 19 In A major
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 20 In A minor
24 Preludes In All Major And Minor Keys Op 102: No 18 In G sharp minor
Ballade No 2 Op 87
Sonata No 5 In F minor Op 72: Moderato
Sonata No 5 In F minor Op 72: Andate semplice
Sonata No 5 In F minor Op 72: Allegro con fuoco - Pito - Piso e con fuoco
Berceuse Op 83
Moto perpetuo from Op 39
Toccata Op 155
Romance No 1 Op 35 No 1
Romance No 2 Op 45

Customer Reviews:

AND THOSE IN FRONT CRIED 'BACK!'.......2005-10-30

York Bowen's name has been familiar to me since I was a child. It used to appear on the cover of books of pieces set for piano examinations. I just assumed that he must be someone frightfully famous, and I have never known the first thing about him until now. The liner-note with this outstanding disc goes about promoting him in exactly the right way so far as I'm concerned. Firstly the long essay by Francis Pott is knowledgeable, thoughtful and informative. In the second place there are individual paragraphs on each of the pieces making up the recital. Best of all, there is a combative contribution by Hough himself, laying about certain fashions and trends in music during the 20th century and in effect saying `good riddance'. I read very little musical journalism these days, but it's not the first time recently that I've seen this tone adopted, and there seems to be a new mood. I never myself thought it was unduly conservative or reactionary to think that a fair amount of avant-garde composition was really pretentious nonsense. However to call it a load of rubbish was just not done in enlightened circles. What seems to be happening now is that the enlightened circles have themselves come full circle and that once-sacrosanct essays in musical modernity now have an official and certified status as, well, a load of rubbish.

Time to dust off York Bowen in that case. Not all of his music even got into print, but what we have here is not only of good quality, it is of consistently good quality. I suppose the idiom could fairly be called early 20th century romantic. The harmonic style is tonal, and any flirting with whole-tone scales is minimal. The music is approachable and even slightly melodious, not in any sense forbidding although I readily believe Hough when he says that it takes time to reveal itself properly. Some of the titles - preludes in all keys, ballade, berceuse - are obviously borrowed from Chopin, but I don't hear much direct influence of Chopin's style. What I do hear is the Russians, who of course trace their descent more to Chopin than to Schumann or to Brahms, and I think I hear not only Rachmaninov and Medtner as Mr Pott does but also Scriabin in his less mystical phase. It is however `absolute' music, not autobiographical, descriptive or representational music, and to that extent it could be said to hark back to Chopin himself, who kept his distance from the literary influences that so strongly imbued the music of his contemporaries and musical descendents. In fact in the Ballade that Hough gives us here there is a clear and explicit reference to Chopin's own second Ballade, but that is a gesture of deference, a musical doffing of the cap, rather than any sign of direct stylistic influence.

By all accounts Bowen himself was a pretty formidable virtuoso of the piano, which is exactly what one would infer from the difficulty and obvious professionalism of his piano writing, which strikes me as far more skilful and adept than that of, say, his friend and contemporary Arnold Bax. It takes someone who is more than just the next virtuoso to handle it, and it presumably needs no saying by now that Stephen Hough is exceptional even by today's formidable virtuoso standards. He is the complete professional, meaning that in the right sense, namely that he is sternly self-disciplined in everything he does. His technique is prodigious, but one could say that too of our late beloved Ogdon, who rivalled Hough in musical insight too but projected a very different persona and took a more autoschediastic approach. A lot of Ogdon's charm was that we never exactly knew where we were with him. With Hough we have a much better idea of that. He is not precisely calculated to the nth degree as Michelangeli was, but n minus 1 might describe the effect - intellectual, calculated certainly, but calculated very accurately and with emotion and belief behind it.

This is music that I find it difficult to imagine anyone disliking or being bored by now that it is back in official favour. To me it is highly attractive stuff and quality stuff too. I could not help noticing that it seems to have attracted much more comment than other British music of the period that has interested me personally, music by Bax, Bliss and Rawsthorne for instance. A great bonus and relief for me is that it is entirely innocent of contamination from what Constant Lambert well termed `the cowpat school' of British music, and while it avoids modernism even to the modest extent that Walton went in for that it is music with integrity and consistency. It has been a pleasure to me to make its acquaintance and the pleasure is one that I recommend in general.

Hough At The Peak of his Powers.......2004-02-06

Stephen Hough has done it again - found a relatively unknown artist from the Romantic era and given us a recording for all time. The CD notes state that York Bowen was called the Rachmaninoff of his country (England) at the time. Every single track on this CD is a gem, shiny and perfect. The sonata comes off sounding like a time-machine transport back to the late 19th century, a lush piece.

My only complaint is that only some of the Preludes are present. I tend toward complete sets for one reason: They usually contain works that would not be heard outside of such a recording. In this case, it will be a while before the "missing" Preludes can be found in an acceptable format. They are hyper-Romantic, a perfect blend of technique, melody and bravura.

Excellent Performance of A Rarely Heard Master.......2002-01-24

I doubt if many people knew of York Bowen before the appearance of this recording. It is difficult to definitively describe his music: perhaps a bit of Rachmaninov and Debussy, a dash of Ravel and a hit of Chopin and Beethoven. At any rate, these are the composers that came to mind as I listened. But there also is the missing ingredient of York Bowen himself, for although his music may recall other composers his own way of writing is present.

Bowen was a fabulous pianist and it shows in these pieces covering various periods in his career and forms. The disc holds a selection of Preludes, a Ballade, a Toccata, a Moto Perpetuo and a Sonata. Stephan Hough plays beautifully and the recorded is balanced and clear. The notes are excellent in providing a look at the life of York Bowen and the background of the pieces on this disc. I knew about this CD but had not gotten around to buying it until recently. My advice is not to wait.

Little known music but a piano "must".......2000-07-24

Before buying this CD my only knowledge of York Bowen's piano music was struggling with an "Albumleaf" as a youngster. I bought this record on the strength of "Gramophone's" recommendation, and was delighted with it. Hough's playing is absolute magic - a spectacular technique but always employed to serve the music, not his ego. The music itself is a revelation, "modern" for its time but not oppressively so. Listen to the excerpts from the 24 preludes to be astounded by Hough's piano mastery, but hear the two Romances which end this disk to get to the real heart of York Bowen's music. If they don't persuade you to part with your money, you have no soul!

Opulent and impassioned music.......2000-05-10

This is wonderfully compelling piano music, Bowen has an original voice which he locates admirably within the Romantic language.Bowen lived when Listz was still a contemporary still harboring an air of pianistic innovation and conceptual challenge to locate a voice within this transitional period to modernity. Great Britain in many respects was insolated from the the dual revolutionary threats on the continent with the Stravinsky ballets score for the Diagaliev troup and the dodecaphonic innovations suggested with Schoenbergs chamber Pierrot Lunaire. Bowen's Preludes although written with a Bach scheme of Major to Minor Keys is indebted to the brilliance of Chopin. Yet Bowen's sense of lyricism is incredibly different,with less adventurous affinity than Chopin. Bowen's music always constitutes itself with a classical shaped length. There are no mere mists of textures, as Chopin's E-flat minor prelude. Bowen's music can grow and set up tremendous impassioned fury, with continuous momentum, yet Bowen knows the mysteries of his durational time. His music never extends itself beyond the structural frames his music implies or suggests. It is forever more powerful because of it. At more ambitious forms however as the Sonata in F minor, the movements work extremely well, the Exposition, the Moderato admirably proclaiming itself containing the second movement the beautifully introspective Andante semplice. The Berceuse as well finds an original lyrical scheme with fine nuanced pianisitic colours. Bowen's modernity constitutes itself with the delight in pure textural excursions, indeed within breathtaking virtuosic gestures, fast spellbinding arpeggios, surfacing the upper sonoric realms here. Bowen was also an accomplished horn and viola player. He played horn during the War in a Wind Band. Stephen Hough is brilliant with this music with a fine sense of architecture and control,yet reading Bowen's lyrical lines with sensitivity.

Spanish Piano Music: Falla, Turina, Mompou

Average customer rating:

Spanish Piano Music: Falla, Turina, Mompou

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Granados: The Complete Piano Music
Spanish Piano Music, Vol. 1: Granados, Albéniz

ASIN: B00001X523
Release Date: 1999-10-12

Tracks:

Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.55: Zambra
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.55: Danza De La Seduccion
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.55: Danza Ritual
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.55: Generalife
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.55: Sacro-Monte
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.84: Fiesta De Las Calderas
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.84: Circulos Ritmicos
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.84: Invocacion
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.84: Danza Ritmica
Cinco Danzas Gitanas, Op.84: Sequiriya
El Castillo De Almodovar-Poema Para Pno, Op.65: Silueta Nocturna
El Castillo De Almodovar-Poema Para Pno, Op.65: Evocacion Medieval
El Castillo De Almodovar-Poema Para Pno, Op.65: A Plena Luz
Sevilla, Op.2: Sous Les Orangers
Sevilla, Op.2: Le Jeudi Saint A Minuit
Sevilla, Op.2: La Feria
Tres Danzas Andaluzas, Op.8: Petenera
Tres Danzas Andaluzas, Op.8: Tango
Tres Danzas Andaluzas, Op.8: Zapateado

Tracks:

Mujeres Espanolas, Op.17: La Madrilena Clasica
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.17: La Andaluza Sentimental
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.17: La Morena Coqueta
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.73: La Gitana Enamorada
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.73: La Florista
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.73: La Senorita Que Baila
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.73: La Murciana Guapa
Mujeres Espanolas, Op.73: La Algere Sevillana
Sanlucar De Barrameda-Son Pintoresca, Op.24: En La Torre Del Castillo
Sanlucar De Barrameda-Son Pintoresca, Op.24: Siluetas De La Calzada
Sanlucar De Barrameda-Son Pintoresca, Op.24: La Playa-Los Pascadores En Bajo De Guia
Album De Viaje, Op.15: Retrato
Album De Viaje, Op.15: El Casino De Algeciras
Album De Viaje, Op.15: Gibraltar
Album De Viaje, Op.15: Paseo Nocturno
Album De Viaje, Op.15: Fiesta Mora En Tanger