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Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music, Fifth Edition, Volume 1: Ancient to Baroque (6 CDs)
Release Date: 2006-01-01
Sales rank: 16248
The Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music includes professional recordings (many brand new) of all works in the anthology on two six-CD sets, of which this is volume 1. |
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Bach Edition: Complete Works (155 CD Box Set)
Release Date: 2006-10-17
Sales rank: 4717
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Bach & Beyond - Gabriela Montero
Release Date: 2006-09-12
Sales rank: 16966
Taking as her base 12 works of Bach, Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero proceeds to play variations on each. The works are familiar and most Classical fans will recognize their melodies instantly. But Montero, who is closer to a jazz improvisationalist than a classical pianist merely embellishing, alters rhythm as well as melody, and the results are invariably both surprising and delightful. The Presto from the Italian Concerto is positively wacky, but "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" sticks to the piece's mood with truth and originality. Montero plays "beyond" Bach with good taste and respect, and always with intense musicality. The results may seem improvised, but I doubt they are---they seem to well worked through---but that is more of a plus than a minus. You'll revel in hearing old favorites "interpreted" and find some unexpected pleasures here. --Robert Levine |
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Horowitz Live and Unedited [includes Bonus DVD]
Release Date: 2003-09-30
Sales rank: 19168
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Debut Recital / Martha Argerich
Release Date: 1996-01-23
Sales rank: 11966
Classical music people, critics in particular, have a reputation for being grumpy, and this disc illustrates why. It's called Martha Argerich Debut Recital. Now, what does this tell you about it? Nothing, that's what. And the title isn't even correct! Actually, there's more material here than appeared on her debut recital, not the least of which is a stunning Liszt Sonata in B minor, which is the major work on the disc. When one of the two or three greatest living pianists turns in a performance of a major work like the Liszt Sonata that has been generally acclaimed, you would think that her record company would somehow get that piece of news into the title of the recording. --David Hurwitz |
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Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ
Release Date: 1993-04-27
Sales rank: 42294
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Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter
Release Date: 1996-04-09
Sales rank: 76262
If you want to judge a pianist's versatility, listen to his or her recording of the Schumann Piano Concerto. It requires virtually everything a pianist should have to offer: poetry, virtuosity, expansive expression alternating with poised restraint. What a glorious test piece this is. Richter, who was famous for his Schumann playing, passes every test here. His meltingly beautiful delivery of Schumann's melodies touches the heart, and his execution of the most difficult passages is so smooth and effortless that it never calls a bit of attention to itself. In this piece and the Introduction and Allegro, the excellent orchestra also covers itself with glory. The solo pieces are no less wonderful. The way Richter plays the difficult Toccata is almost scary in its combination of power and velocity. The Forest Scenes is a slightly older recording (1956) than the others (1958), but it still sounds lovely. Catch Richter's whirlwind playing of "Traumes-Wirren" and you'll understand right away why other pianists had such respect for his technique. Listen to his "Prophet Bird" and he'll touch your heart. --Leslie Gerber |
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Stories Of Schumann And Grieg
Release Date: 1995-04-16
Sales rank: 96695
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J.S. Bach: Toccata, Partita, English Suite 2/ Martha Argerich
Release Date: 2000-06-13
Sales rank: 7584
A lot of pianophiles have been waiting for the reissue of this 1980 LP, Argerich's only Bach recording. She played the same Partita at her Carnegie Hall recital in the Spring of 2000, suggesting that she just doesn't play much Bach. These performances have the pianist's typical intensity of approach. Her fingers do the talking, with some dazzling clear articulation reminiscent of Glenn Gould on a good day, and she seldom blurs any of the textures. She also has a very good feeling for Bach's dance rhythms; the closing Gigue of the Partita makes you want to jump up and put on your dancing shoes. Argerich uses an unusually wide dynamic range for Bach, and some of the dreamy slow movements won't be to the taste of all listeners. Nobody, though, will be able to ignore these performances; while they are playing, they seem like the only way to do it. The 1980 sound is still fine, and although the disc is LP length (50 minutes), the price is right. --Leslie Gerber |
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Youri Egorov - The Master Pianist
Release Date: 2008-06-10
Sales rank: 102603
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