Shura Cherkassky, Piano

Track Listings

1. Glinka: Tarantella in A minor

2. Rebikov: The Christmas Tree

3. Shostakovich: Prelude In C sharp minor, Op. 34 no. 10

4. Shostakovich: Prelude In D, Op. 34 no. 5

5. Tchaikovsky: Autumn Song

6. Khachaturian: Toccata

7. Liadov: Musical Snuff Box, Op. 32

8. Prokofiev: Suggestion diabolique, Op. 4 no. 4

9. Scriabin: Prelude for Left Hand Alone, Op. 9 no. 1

10. Medtner: Fairy Tale in E minor, Op. 34 no. 2

11. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, no. 5 in E minor

12. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, no. 6 in D flat

13. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, no. 11 in A minor

14. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, no. 15 in A minor

15. Gould: Prelude and Toccata

16. Gould: Prelude and Toccata

17. Gould: Boogie-Woogie Etude

18. Poulenc: Toccata

19. Liszt: Gnomenreigen

20. Rachmaninov: Polka de W.R.

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Tracks:

Pno Son in C, K.545: I. Allegro - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in C, K.545: II. Andante - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in C, K.545: III. Rondo: Allegretto - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in A, K.331/300j: I. Andante Grazioso - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in A, K.331/300j: II. Menuetto & Trio - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in A, K.331/300j: III. Alla Turca: Allegretto - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in F, K.332/300k: I. Allegro - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in F, K.332/300k: II. Adagio - Marta Deyanova
Pno Son in F, K.332/300k: III. Allegro Assai - Marta Deyanova
Fant in c, K.475: Adagio - Allegro - Andantino - Marta Deyanova

Tracks:

Son No.8 in C, Op.13 'Pathetique': Grave - Allegro Di Molto Con Brio - Bernard Roberts
Son No.8 in C, Op.13 'Pathetique': Adagio Cantabile - Bernard Roberts
Son No.8 in C, Op.13 'Pathetique': Rondo - Allegro - Bernard Roberts
Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Adagio Sostenuto - Bernard Roberts
Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Allegretto - Bernard Roberts
Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Presto Agitato - Bernard Roberts
Son No.21 in C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Allegro Con Brio - Bernard Roberts
Son No.21 in C, Op.53 'Waldstein': Intro: Adagio Molto - Rondo: Allegretto Moderato - Bernard Roberts
Son No.26 in E flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Das Lebewohl: Adagio - Bernard Roberts
Son No.26 in E flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Abwesenheit: Andante Espressivo - Bernard Roberts
Son No.26 in E flat, Op.81a 'Les Adieux': Das Widersehen: Vivacissimamente - Bernard Roberts

Tracks:

Impromptus, Op.142 D.935: No.1 in f: Allegro Moderato - Marta Deyanova
Impromptus, Op.142 D.935: No.2 in A flat: Allegretto - Marta Deyanova
Impromptus, Op.142 D.935: No.3 in B flat: Andante (Theme And Vars) - Marta Deyanova
Impromptus, Op.142 D.935: No.4 in f: Allegro Scherzando - Marta Deyanova
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94 D.780: No.1 in C: Moderato - Marta Deyanova
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94 D.780: No.2 in a flat: Andantino - Marta Deyanova
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94 D.780: No.3 in f: Allegretto Moderato - Marta Deyanova
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94 D.780: No.4 in c#: Moderato - Marta Deyanova
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94 D.780: No.5 in f: Allegro Vivace - Marta Deyanova
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.94 D.780: No.6 in A flat: Allegretto - Marta Deyanova
Impromptu, Op.90 D.899: No.3 in G flat: Andante - Marta Deyanova

Tracks:

Caprice in a, Op.33 No.1 - Martin Jones
Andante And Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14 - Martin Jones
Prld and Fugue in e, Op.35 No.1: Allegro Con Fuoco - Martin Jones
Prld and Fugue in e, Op.35 No.1: Andante Espressivo - Martin Jones
Study No.2 in F: Allegro Con Moto - Martin Jones
Prld And Fugue in f, Op.35 No.5: Andante Lento - Martin Jones
Prld And Fugue in f, Op.35 No.5: Allegro Con Fuoco - Martin Jones
Fant in e, Op.16 No.2: II. Scherzo-Presto - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book I, Op.19: No.1 in E: Andante Con Moto - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book I, Op.19: No.3 in A: Molto Allegro E Vivace (Hunting Song) - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book I, Op.19: No.6 in g: Andante Sostenuto (Venetian Gondola Song) - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book II, Op.30: No.4 in b: Agitato E Con Fuoco - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book IV, Op.53: No.4 in F: Adagio - Martin Jones
Vars Serieuses in d, Op.54 - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book V, Op.62: No.5 in a: Andante Con Moto - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book V, Op.62: No.6 in A: Allegretto Grazioso (Spring Song) - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book VI, Op.67: No.4 in C: Presto (Spinning Song) - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book VII, Op.85: No.1 in F: Andante Espressivo - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book VIII, Op.102: No.3 in C: Presto - Martin Jones
Songs Without Words: Book VIII, Op.102: No.4 in g: Un Poco Agitato, Ma Andante - Martin Jones
Seven Characteristic Pieces, Op.7: No.7 in E: Presto - Martin Jones
Klavierstucke: No.2 in g - Martin Jones

Tracks:

Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Theme - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude I - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude II - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude III - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude IV - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude V - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude VI - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude VII - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude VIII - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude IX - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude X - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude XI - Shura Cherkassky
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13: Etude XII - Shura Cherkassky
Carnaval, Op.9: Preamble (Quasi Maestoso) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Pierrot (Moderato) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Arlequin (Vivo) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Valse Noble (Un Poco Maestoso) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Eusebius (Adagio) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Florestan (Passionato) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Coquette (Vivo) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Replique (L'istesso Tempo) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Papillons (Prestissimo) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: A.S.C.H.-S.C.H.A. Lettres Dansantes (Presto) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Chiarina (Passionato) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Chopin (Agitato) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Estrella (Con Affetto) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Reconnaissance (Animato) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Pantalon Et Colombine (Presto) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Valse Allemande (Molto Vivace)/Paganini: Intermezzo (Presto) - Tempo I - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Aveu (Passionato) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Promenade (Comodo) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: Pause (Vivo) - Marta Deyanova
Carnaval, Op.9: March Des Davidbundler Contre Les Philistins (Non Allegro) - Marta Deyanova
Toccata in C, Op.7: Allegro - Mark Anderson

Tracks:

Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35: Book I - Martin Jones
Vars On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.35: Book II - Martin Jones
Hungarian Dances: No.1 Allegro - Martin Jones
Hungarian Dances: No.3 Allegretto - Martin Jones
Hungarian Dances: No.5 Allegro - Martin Jones
Hungarian Dances: No.10 Presto - Martin Jones
Gavotte - Martin Jones
Rhap in B, Op.79 No.1 - Martin Jones
Ballade in D, Op.79 No.1 - Martin Jones
Intermezzo in E flat, Op.117 No.1 - Martin Jones
Romanze in F, Op.118 No.5 - Martin Jones
Intermezzo in e flat, Op.118 No.6 - Martin Jones
Intermezzo in b, Op.119 No.1 - Martin Jones
Rhap in E flat, Op.119 No.4 - Martin Jones

Tracks:

Scherzo No.3 in c#, Op.39 - Vlado Perlemuter
Berceuse in D flat, Op.57 - Vlado Perlemuter
Ballade No.2 in F, Op.38 - Vlado Perlemuter
Etude in E, Op.10, No.3 'Tristesse' - Vlado Perlemuter
Etude in G flat, Op.10, No.5 'Black Key' - Vlado Perlemuter
Etude in c, Op.10, No.12 'Revolutionary' - Vlado Perlemuter
Etude in G flat, Op.25, No.9 'Butterfly' - Vlado Perlemuter
Etude in a, Op.25, No.11 'Winter Wind' - Vlado Perlemuter
Nocturne in c, Op.48 No.1 - Vlado Perlemuter
Nocturne in D flat, Op.27 No.2 - Vlado Perlemuter
Son No.2 in b flat, Op.35: Marche Funebre - Vlado Perlemuter
Prld in D flat, Op.29 No.15 'Raindrop' - Vlado Perlemuter
Prld in c, Op.28 No.20 - Vlado Perlemuter
Prld in A, Op.28 No.7 - Vlado Perlemuter
Prld in c#, Op.45 - Vlado Perlemuter
Barcarolle in F#, Op.60 - Vlado Perlemuter

Tracks:

Rhap Espagnole (Folies D'Espagne Et Jota Aragonesa) - Mark Anderson
Zwei Konzertetuden: Walderauschen - Mark Anderson
Zwei Konzertetuden: Gnomenreigen - Mark Anderson
Annees De Pelerinage - Troisieme Annee: Les Jeux D'eau A La Villa D'Este - Mark Anderson
Legendes: St. Francois D'Assise 'La Predication Aus Oiseau' - Mark Anderson
Legendes: St. Francois De Paule Marchant Sur Les Flots - Mark Anderson
3. Mephisto - Waltzer - Mark Anderson
Vier Kleine Klavierstucke: I. Sehr Langsam (Adagio) - Mark Anderson
Vier Kleine Klavierstucke: II. Moderato - Mark Anderson
Vier Kleine Klavierstucke: III. Sehr Langsam (Adagio) - Mark Anderson
Vier Kleine Klavierstucke: IV. Andantino - Mark Anderson
Annees De Pelerinage - Deuxieme Annee: Sonetto 104 Del Petrarca - Mark Anderson

Customer Reviews:

Big Music-Little Money.......2001-05-28

Most amount of songs for the least amount of money...its great...i still haven't listened to all of them because there is so much music on these cd's...its great...get this!! its a must have for the collector of classical music...

Average customer rating:

Overall A Great Selection of Music

For My Love
Various Artists
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

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Dinner for Two
For When You're Alone (Dig)
For Your Dreams (Dig)
For Your Soul (Dig)
For a Lazy Afternoon (Dig)

ASIN: B00005UWL0
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

Beethoven: Fur Elise
Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E flat, Op. 9
Bach: Siciliano
Liszt: My Darling
Rubinstein: Melody In F
Chopin: Prelude No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 28
Satie: Gnossienne No. 1
Chopin: Berceuse in D Flat Op. 57
Chopin: Etude No. 3 in E, Op. 10
Debussy: The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Debussy: Arabesque No. 1
Chopin: Nocturne No. 1 in B Flat Minor, Op. 9
Liszt: Liebestraum
Liszt: Un Sospiro
Grieg: Nocturne No. 4 in C
Rachmaninoff: Prelude No. 6 in E Flat, Op. 23

Customer Reviews:

Overall A Great Selection of Music.......2006-06-02

These "set-your-mood" genre of CD's is by no means an introduction to classical music. I myself have complete works of several composers, but I still enjoy listening to these kinds of CD's. The selection of music is excellent and adheres closely to what the title suggests. Both the composers and the artists are able to fully bring out the dream-like quality in the music. I particularly like Arrau's interpretations of the pieces, especially Liebstraum. Personally I think Ashkenazy's interpretations are a little too fast-paced and harsh, (i.e. try listening to Earl Wild's version of Etude No. 3 "Tristesse"). Overall I think it's totally worth it.

Average customer rating:

Nice Liszt Collection With One True Gem

Liszt: Orchestral Works / Karajan
Franz Liszt , Herbert von Karajan , Berlin Philharmonic , and Shura Cherkassky
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Mozart: Symphonies No.25, No.28 & No.29
Schumann: The 4 Symphonies
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Berlioz: Overtures

ASIN: B000009CMQ
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

'Two Episodes From Lenau's Faust': Mephisto Waltz
Les Preludes: Symphonic Poem No. 3
Fantasia On Hungarian Folk Melodies
Hungarian Rhapsody No.5

Tracks:

Symphonic Poem No. 6: Mazeppa
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Symphonic Poem No. 2: Tasso. Lamento e Trionfo
Hungarian Rhapsody No.4

Customer Reviews:

Nice Liszt Collection With One True Gem.......2003-12-19

This "2CD" DG collection of the Orchestral Works of Franz Liszt is quite enjoyable, if not essential. I personally prefer larger, more comprehensive sets of Liszt's Tone Poems, and other pieces for Orchestra, by conductors Haitink and Masur (see my review of the new EMI boxed-set of the latter). However, Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic offer the best selection of the pianist/composer's works aside from his Concertos on this set. Three of these exact same performances ("Les Preludes," "Mazeppa" and "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 4") also appear on a mid-line DG "Originals" title, but this is the set to get if you want Karajan performing Liszt. On this two-fer you get eight selections to only three on the aforementioned mid-priced single disc. And if you were thinking about his later digital remakes instead, these glorious stereo accounts from the 1960s and 70s exceed them by far (earlier is generally better with Karajan in my opinion). But for me the star of this set is not Herbie but pianist Shura Cherkassky, one of the last great "romantic" pianists. An enormously popular figure at the dawn of the LP era, Cherkassky has slipped into obscurity half a century later. To the best of my knowledge, his only other vintage title currently available is a DG "Originals" disc coupling his late mono performances of the 1st & 2nd Tchaikovsky Piano Concertos (see my review). His 1961 stereo performance of "Fantasia on Hungarian Folk Melodies" captured here is worth the price of this set alone.

Average customer rating:

SHURA CHERKASSKY - more 1940s delights resurrected!

The Historic Recordings

Manufacturer: Ivory Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Horowitz Plays Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Prokofiev, and others
Horowitz in Moscow

ASIN: B00005B196
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Amazon.com

Few, if any, historic releases are as charming as Ivory Classics' Shura Cherkassky--The Historic 1940s Recordings. For Cherkassky--as for his teacher, Josef Hofmann--music was a vehicle for self-expression. Stories about Cherkassky's personal eccentricities are the stuff of legend, but he was not so much an eccentric pianist as an individualistic one. Unlike individualists of our own day, who seem to play "differently" simply to provoke and who merely sound quirky, the miracle about Cherkassky is that he usually sounded natural. You'll surely never hear a Brahms F Minor Sonata more original than the one reissued here. In the finale, the pianist discovers inner voices whose existence would have astonished Brahms himself. But despite the pianist's interest in luscious tone, polyphonic texture, and details within individual phrases, he never loses grasp of the overall shape of the work. Much of the rest of what's contained in these two discs is simply magical. In short, familiar pieces by Chopin and Liszt and, particularly, in lesser-known works by Medtner, Rebikov, Chaminade, and Scriabin, Cherkassky's pianism evokes the elegance and melancholy of a vanished era. --Stephen Wigler

Customer Reviews:

SHURA CHERKASSKY - more 1940s delights resurrected!.......2001-05-19

This excellent duo of CDs contains the same collection of early Vox and Swedish Cupol label recordings as on Pearl's `Piano Masters' series that Cherkassky made in 1946 and 1949. {see my review}. In addition to these rare and wonderful bonbons by Khachaturian, Shostakovitch, Liadov, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Rebikov, Glinka,Scriabin and Medtner etc., Ivory Classics also gives us the HMV historic 1940s recordings. Disc 1 begins with Saints-Saëns `Prelude and Fugue in F minor' in which the repeated chords of the Prelude shimmer delightfully at all dynamic levels from pianissimo through to fortissimo and the following Fugue sweeps along energetically with some brilliant octave playing. Cherkassky's Brahm's Sonata in F minor {a Vox recording} is also full of youthful passion, exuberance and grandeur. The Liszt `Liebesträume'{Electrola } is played with Cherkassky's full-throated cantabile and the HMV Chopin selection consists of: two Mazurkas, performed with a delightful feeling for their rhythmical dance origins - the second Impromptu in F sharp major played with Cherkassky's ravishing singing tone; the right hand scale passages fairly sparkle, as do those in the famous `Fantasie - Impromptu; Chopin's great Fantasie in F minor and two Etudes Op.10 {No: 12 & 4} which end disc 2 are brilliantly executed. Some critics have found Cherkassky's playing to be either `wilful' or `mannered'. On the contrary, these 1940s recordings are full of character and imagination - a quality that is in short supply these days! So do you purchase this Ivory Classics two CD set or the Pearl single CD? If you can afford it - buy both. The Pearl has a `live' recording of the second and third movts of Tchaikovsky's second piano concerto with Stokowski and the Hollywood Bowl SO . The Ivory Classics transfers are very good and their booklet is exemplary. Not only does it give detailed biographical notes of Cherkassky and all the composers featured but it also includes a fascinating selection of very rare photos of the great pianist as a boy and also at the time these recordings were made. I particularly like the photos taken of Cherkassky seated at the keyboard in his Hollywood home and one taken of him as a 13 year old wearing knee length boots and a large flat cap! An absolutely delightful tribute to a unique artist.

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Kaleidoscope: Piano Encores

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Tangos | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Shura Cherkassky, Piano

ASIN: B000FIHMG2
Release Date: 2006-05-08

Tracks:

Wein, Weib Und Gesang
The Swan (Carnival Of The Animals)
Tambourin
Waltz-Poem Iv For Left Hand Alone
Moment Musical In F Minor, D. 870 No. 3
Tango, Op. 165 No. 2
Alt. Wien
Kaleidoscope, Op. 40 No. 4
Melody In F, Op. 3 No. 1
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. 19 No. 4
Waltz In D, Op. 42 No. 3
Autrefois, Op. 87
Capriccio Espagnole, Op. 37
Prelude In D Major, Op. 11 No. 5
Polka De W.R. (After Behr: Lachtauben)
Nocturne No. 15 In F Minor, Op 55 No. 1
Ballade No. 3 In A Flat, Op. 47

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2

Average customer rating:

They really shouldn't have!
Spontaneity in the Rachmaninoff 3rd
A Spoiled Rachmaninov but Great Prokofiev

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2

Manufacturer: BBC Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: II. Intermezzo. Adagio
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: III. Finale. Alla Breve
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.2 In G Minor, Op.16: I. Andantino
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.2 In G Minor, Op.16: II. Scherzo. Vivace
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.2 In G Minor, Op.16: III. Intermezzo. Allegro Moderato
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.2 In G Minor, Op.16: IV. Finale. Allegro Tempestoso

Customer Reviews:

They really shouldn't have!.......2007-02-14

Cherkassky and Schwarz lose track of each other at the end of the Rachmaninov. It is stated that the producer decided to issue the recording anyway, due to the high caliber of the performance prior to the final snafu. Questionable decision, considering the number and quality of recorded performances there are to choose from. The performances of soloist and orchestra are underpowered and the interpretation stodgy, and the vintage recorded sound does nothing to enhance the overall impression.

I would have given the recording 3 stars, but for the unfortunate coupling of the Prokofiev Second. This is one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in the modern repertoire, and it takes a player of formidable technique and interpretive skills to pull it off. It is obvious from Cherkassky's labored performance that he was no longer up to the task. The opening movement's long, difficult cadenza mercilessly exposes his lack of digital dexterity. In most of the bravura passages, he simply stomps down on the sustain pedal and takes a stab at the keys, hitting a very low percentage of the correct ones. Sometimes he speeds up to gloss it over, and other times he slows down to labor over a passage. As one who has sight read the entire score many times over and owns 22 versions on CD or LP, the end result is truly excruciating. Prior reviewers who liked the performance likely have never experienced how truly searing, sarcastic, virtuostic and brilliant this concerto can sound in the proper hands, say Ashkenazy, Gutierrez, Frager, Krainev or Toradze, to name just a few.

In fairness to Cherkassky, he was in his 80's when the Prokofiev was recorded, and would die 4 years later. His long, distinguished career should not be judged on this atypically poor performance, that should never have been preserved in the first place.

Spontaneity in the Rachmaninoff 3rd.......2007-02-07

When Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto interpretations become predictable, this one will be enjoyed. My favorite recording of this concerto is Horowitz and Barbirolli's breathtakingly focused and violent account in 1941. This is the exact opposite.

In this live performance, creativity and confusion ensues, especially at the very end (where it gets downright embarrasing). This is probably not for first time listeners of this great concerto. The sound is a bit dated (recorded in 1957) and the structure of the work is the last thing Cherkassky was trying to emphasize.

Overall, a recommended recording for those who already know this work. Classic recordings of the Rachmaninoff 3rd include: Horowitz and Reiner in 1951, Cliburn and Kondrashin in 1958. More recent (good) recordings include Nakamatsu and Seaman in 2000, and Volodos and Levine in 2000.

A Spoiled Rachmaninov but Great Prokofiev.......2002-09-24

I am a fan of Shura Cherkassky, and so it was with great anticipation that I bought this recording. I think Mr. Cherkassky plays the Rachmaninov Third beautifully (my wife thinks otherwise) and he is supported well enough by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Rudolf Schwartz. This recording is from the 1950's and the sound is good. However, the last bars of the third movement are spoiled when Mr. Cherkassky gets ahead of the orchestra so the finish of the concerto is hardly clean. At the time critics were not very impressed with Mr. Cherkassky's performance and blamed him for the poor mistake. In spite of this, this disc was issued because Mr. Cherkassy's playing, up to that point, is quite beautiful.

The Prokofiev Second is the redeeming factor for this disc. It is well played by both Mr. Cherkassky and the orchestra under Kent Nagano. Comparing this recording to the one made by Valery Gergiev and the Kirov, it is a bit slower. However, Shura Cherkassky was in his 80's and is surprisingly nibble-fingered for such a difficult piece. For the Rachmaninov, this not a recording I would listen to on a regular basis but the Prokofiev is magnificent and a recording for which Mr. Cherkassky can be proud.

Average customer rating:

The New Golden Era

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000037LK
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

Dumka, Op. 59 - Vladmir Horowitz
Liebestotschaft - Vladmir Horowitz
Carmen Vars - Vladmir Horowitz
Etude in e flat, Op. 10, No. 6 - Vladmir Horowitz
Etude in c, Op. 25, No. 12 - Vladmir Horowitz
Danse Macabre, Op. 40 - Vladmir Horowitz
Flirtation in A Chinese Garden - Abram Chasins
Rush-Hour In Hong Kong - Abram Chasins
A Shanghai Tragedy - Abram Chasins
Liebeswalzer, Op. 57, No. 5 - Shura Cherkassky
Rigoletto Paraphrase - Shura Cherkassky
Prld Pathetique - Shura Cherkassky
Polka De W.R. - Shura Cherkassky
Var On La Ci Darem La Mano, Op. 2 - Robert Goldsand

Liszt: 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies Played by 19 Great Pianists

Average customer rating:

The way to really hear these peices
Piano magnificence
Rhapsodic performances
Classical pieces played throughout the century
A rip off at $28.77 because of atrociously poor fidelity

Liszt: 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies Played by 19 Great Pianists

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Liszt: Transcendental Studies; Mephisto Waltz No. 1

ASIN: B000003LJZ
Release Date: 1994-10-24

Tracks:

No. 1, C Sharp Minor
No. 2, C Sharp Minor
No. 3, B Flat
No. 4, E Flat
No. 5, E Minor, Heroide Elegiaque
No. 6, D Flat
No. 7, D Minor
No. 8, F Sharp Minor
No. 9, E Flat 'Pester Karneval'

Tracks:

No. 10, E Major
No. 11, A Minor
No. 12, C Sharp Minor
No. 13, A Minor
No. 14, F Minor
No. 15, A Minor ' Rakoczy March'
No. 16, A Minor
No. 17, D Minor
No. 18, F Sharp
No. 19, D Minor, 'Nach Abranyi'

Customer Reviews:

The way to really hear these peices.......2004-10-17

After hearing Moiseiwitsch play the repeated notes in the first section faster and cleared than any performance I have ever heard, including Horowitz's own arrangement, I knew I was in for a treat. What followed is worth the price of the disc alone, Nzirehagzy playing the third making it sound as revered as late Beethoven. Another unexpected surprise was Joseph Villa's performance of the Carnval at Pest, easily the most difficult of the set, pulled off with apparent simplicity. The only unfortunate thing about this disc is the lack of Horowitz, though not the fault of the Producers. I also wondered, beyond Friedman, which is mentioned in the notes, how they could choose Levitsky over Gilels, which made me think that in some cases they were choosing antiquity over actual performance merits. But overall, this compilation finally serves these misunderstood pieces(which I was also quilty of writing off)

Piano magnificence.......2002-03-16

It is sad to think that in this sterile, technologically advanced world of music we live in that people will so readily write off great performances because of less-than-modern recording capabilities. As for myself, I will take all the Cortot, Moiseiwitsch, Rosenthal, Rachmaninoff, Richter and Brailowsky (not all perform on this CD, but all can be found performing Rhapsodies) in a heartbeat before settling with some more recent "technologically sound" performances. I believe the liner notes are correct in saying that "Liszt never intended for any one performer to present all his Rhapsodies." This compilation is the perfect solution. Moiseiwitsch's performance of the Second makes me regret that the piece has become so hackneyed. His cadenza to it is wonderful! Cziffra's playing of the 16th Rhapsody is indicative of his own Gypsy connection and has some great improvisatory material. Nyiregyhazi, Wild, Frager, and Cortot all add to the outstanding quality of the performances here.

Rhapsodic performances.......1999-12-02

[Minor editing of review originally written in December 1999. And I must remind readers that Amazon unfortunately omits paragraphing.] Gregor Benko and Ward Marston, two mavens of the rare and beautiful in piano (and other)music, have produced a gem. They offerwhat is in their view the best performance of each of Liszt's 19 Rhapsodies, with two constraints: (i) only one Rhapsody allowed per performer -- so 19 great pianists play 19 rhapsodies, and (ii) copyrights are honored (so that Horowitz's 6th is not available - but see below for why that's no problem.) Many of us love the Rhapsodies and don't need special pleading on their behalf, but for those who do, Benko and Marston urge a listen. They have made it a point to choose performances that avoid the easy or histrionic effect and stress the subtleties of the piece. Rhapsody No. 2 is thus played with the most delicate and subtle of touches and sensitivity by Moiseiwitsch. And Levitzki's 6th is incredibly gentle and beautiful. Also: meet Nyiregyhazi, he of the awesome sonority, in the dark No. 3 and a hundred others -- well 16 others from Bolet to Cherkassky to Cortot to Solomon to Cziffra, Novaes, Kentner, Richter, and Earl Wild, to lesser but powerful lights. Someone once said 'The key to life is attention to detail.' (Actually, that was I.) The attention to detail in this production -- not only in the performance of each piece, but also and especially in the way this 2 CD issue has been put together -- makes it a special listening experience. (The remastering is fine for 1994 - if you can't listen through the occasional hiss and inadequately recorded original, then you're doomed to miss out on much of the world's greatest pianism from 1899 through the 1940s, available these days on a torrent of CDs on an abundance of labels.) And you thought that was the good news. Well, it is, but even better is that Ward Marston, now with his own label -- Marston Records, intends to meet the promise in the liner notes of a follow-up issue --of close seconds -- e.g., Ignaz Friedman's 2nd Rhapsody. At least one listener can't wait.

Classical pieces played throughout the century.......1998-12-24

This CD does contain recordings which were recorded as far back as the 1920's, so expect some of them to be rather poor in quality by todays standards. The performing artist's renditions of these difficult pieces are outstanding. A brief history of the Rhapsodies and the recordings are included.

A rip off at $28.77 because of atrociously poor fidelity.......1998-10-21

Some of the rhapsodies sounded as if someone put a microphone in front of an old LP player and transferred them to a CD - scratches, hisses, blips, etc. The tones of many of the rhapsodies sounded muffled.

Average customer rating:

A wonderful sampler of famous piano music

Träumerei: Romantic Piano Music

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

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Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Piano Pieces, Opp. 117-119

ASIN: B00004Z32F
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Kinderszenen, Op.15: Traumerai - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Nocturne in E flat, Op.9 No.2 - Jorge Bolet
Song Without Words in C, Op.67 No.4 'Spinning Song' - Shura Cherkassky
Impromptu No.4 in A flat, D.899 - Shura Cherkassky
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin - Jorge Bolet
Prld in D flat, Op.28 No.15 'Raindrop' - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Intermezzo in A, Op.118 No.2 - Alicia De Larrocha
Bagatelle in a, WoO 59 'Fur Elise' - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Moment Musical No.3 in f, D.780 - Alicia De Larrocha
Liebestraum No.3 - Jorge Bolet
Ste No.5 in E - Allemande - Radu Lupu
Clair De Lune - Pascal Roge
Melody in F, Op.3 No.1 - Andras Schiff
Gymnopedie No.1 - Pascal Roge
Pno Son No.14 in c#, Op.27 No.2 'Moonlight': Adagio Sostenuto - Vladimir Ashkenazy

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful sampler of famous piano music.......2002-12-12

This wonderful CD features excellent playing by world-class pianists (V. Ashkenazy, P. Roge, A. De Larrochia) of famous short piano pieces from Schumann, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Liszt, etc., such as "Traumerei," "Fur Elise," "Spring Song," and "Liebestraum." This is one of my favorite CDs and I have bought it for many friends. This is a great CD to give to a piano student or someone who is getting introduced to classical piano music. Classical musical fans will also love it. Simply outstanding and highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Very interesting and original

Shura Cherkassky Plays Chopin
Chopin , and Cherkassky
Manufacturer: Classica D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Ivan Moravec Plays Debussy & Chopin

ASIN: B00006JKIW
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Customer Reviews:

Very interesting and original.......2004-03-02

This set is really notable because it is performed with much fantasy and originality. Shura Cherkassky is one of the greatest pianist of the past century. He had his personal fairy-tale style and an extraordinary technique.The only thing "wrong" here is the quality which is low because it was recorded in 1955 though the work to improve the sound is appreciable. Anyway I recommed this lovable set to all legendary-record collectors.

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1. Glinka: Tarantella in A minor
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11. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody, no. 5 in E minor
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15. Gould: Prelude and Toccata
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