Martha Argerich: The Collection 2 - The Concerto Recordings [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Imitating the format of DG's earlier collection of Argerich's complete solo albums, here in crhonological order from 1967 to 2004 we get her concerto recordings. All are self-recommending to her legion of fans and highly recommended by critics, which poses a problem for many collectors. I already own all but a handful, so even DG's bargain price isn't all that tempting. The duplications consist of the Ravel Concerto in G (both versions are about eqaul, the later one iwth the London Sym. has more vivid, forward sound), the Beethoven Concerto no. 2 (I prefer the earlier one with Sinopoli over the chamber-sized, quasi-period version with Abbado), and the Tchaikovsky First (Abbado and Berlin hands down for orchestral execution and more fire from Argerich).

But the tale isn't that simple, either, since Argerich has also duplicated some of these pieces on other labels. There's a recent Shostakovich First on EMI that is heavier and almost grave compared to the earlier one. Both of her other Schumann concertos, on EMI and Teldec, seem more energized and sympathetic than the one here, where Rostropovich's accompaniment is a bit clumsy. The third vesion of the Tchaikovsky First with Chailly on Philips, coupled with the Rachmaninov Third, is a barn buner of a live performance. Among the commerical rcordings I also wouldn't be without her Prokofiev First on EMI, or both Chopin concertos with Dutoit on the same label, and then one can delve into pirate labels, who offer extensive additions.

I may have muddied the waters more than cleared them, so here's a lineup of what this box set contains:

Beethoven:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15

Philharmonia Orchestra, Giuseppe Sinopoli

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19

Philharmonia Orchestra & Philharmonia Hungarica, Giuseppe Sinopoli

Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Claudio Abbado

Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19

Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Claudio Abbado

Chopin:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11

London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

National Symphony Orchestra Washington, Mstislav Rostropovich

Haydn:
Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major, HobXVIII:11

Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, Jörg Faerber

Liszt:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, S124

London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado

Mendelssohn:
Concerto in D minor for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra

Gidon Kremer (violin)

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Prokofiev:
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26

Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado

Ravel:
Piano Concerto in G major

Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado

Piano Concerto in G major

London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado

Schumann:
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

National Symphony Orchestra Washington, Mstislav Rostropovich

Shostakovich:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor for piano, trumpet & strings, Op. 35

Guy Touvron

Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, Jörg Faerber

Tchaikovsky:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Dutoit

Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado

As you can see, nothing is off the beaten path except for the Mendelssohn with Gidon Kremer, not exactly a masterpiece. I've seen quibles about Argerich's Haydn concerto, which I thought was sparkling and brilliant. I wish she was as imaginative and charming in her early Beethoven concertos, but others will disagree. In any event, this second catch-all contains first-rate pianism from first to last, so the only question is how much of it you already own.

I complained DGG printing quality with Collection 1 - now I am very satisfied with photo quality of Collection 2. In leaflet there are quite interesting photos: starting with fine pct with young Abbado, with Rubinstein etc. It seems to me that there are not new remasterings in the set, for me old ones are just fine. Mini LP covers are nice: there are two first-time CD covers: Schumann/Chopin with Rostropovich and orginal LP cover for Dutoit/Tchaikovsky concerto. It is a bluish photo of flying pigeons and the only cover in the set without Martha's face. The orginal CD had a nice color photo (Tschaikowsky and Prokofiev:Klavierkonzerte) which is not listed in leaflet but I guess it is familiar to all her fans.

I think Martha's numerous fans know most recordings of the set, they have been very nicely available and well-known. However, I like to recommend Mendelssohn Double Concerto with Kremer, which is very entertaining work and given quaranteed Argerichian touch. It is very enjoyable concerto, full of fire and poetry. I usually do not listen Mendelssohn much but this is really worth hearing and warmly recommended.

In the set there are 2 versions of Ravel G, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven 2nd concerto. Of course it is nice thing, but it would had been better to add some concertos to her repertoire, say Prokofiev 2 or 5, perhaps... The fact remains that with Emi recordings we have also other versions...more Chopin, Shostakovich, Haydn and once more Beet 2! I am not complaining, because I like this concerto very much and version with Sinopoli is one of my favorites.

Summary: 5 stars - great concerto recordings - in beautiful box - warmly recommended! Hopefully we will have possibility to enjoy her Chamber music treasures with Collection 3 soon!

There are other recordings of Prokofiev's work for piano that are worthy of hearing, especially those of Sviatoslav Richter Prokofiev: Complete Piano Sonatas. This one by Argerich is deserving of special mention, for the soloist is such a giant in her field. To hear Argerich's attack is to feel the power and energy she projects through this great instrument. I still listen to my recordings of Richter and that of Byron Janis, and I would not wish to say which I prefer Byron Janis: Prokofiev; Rachmaninov...(Recorded By Mercury On Location In Moscow)