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Customer Reviews
The chopin scherzo is one of a few recorded by Argerich. I have many recordings of this, one of my favourite pieces, and this is certainly not just another recording. Don't look for run of the mill chopin here. Just look at the timing - 30 seconds faster than her already speedy recording for DG's debut recital disc. Yet this remains entirely convincing chopin playing. Perhaps this wouldn't be a first choice for those looking for a traditional benchmark of this piece, but the fact is that listening to this scherzo is a hair-raising experience
This was the first I've heard of the Ginastera, in which the virtuosity Argerich demonstrates is phenomenal. The prokofiev (of which Argerich must surely be the living master of), is as expected - played in a way which leaves you convinced that the pianist has a supernatural connection with this composer. Bach is perhpas the most "controversial" of the pieces here. If I had to choose (God forbid i'd ever be forced to), I would end up going for Tureck, and maybe Gould or Perahia, for deeper insights into bach, but argerich is by no means lacking in intensity here.
For me, the greatness of Argerich is her ability to show you new aspects to pieces you thought you knew back to front.. and this recital disc is yet other example of this. Some criticise her seeming exaggerations of colour and speed, but I find the difference between herself and those similarly criticised (pogolerich etc), is that she always remains within - occasionally on - the lines of acceptable authenticity. This, of course, is personal subjective opinion, but one could not accuse her of unacceptably distorting a composer's intention. Instead her interpretation continually challenges you. Every time, she wins me over with her playing. This is a real legend - certainly among living pianists, she has no competition in the same league.
Also think of acquiring her DG debut recital disc, her EMI debut disc, her recent recording of Beethoven concertos with Abbado which was largely overlooked at release, her older beethoven recordings with sinopoli, of course her universally acclaimed rach 3 with chailly, definitely her tchaikovsky with Abbado, her schumann concerto with harnoncourt, her chopin preludes, her chopin concertos with dutoit and her shostakovich and prokofiev concertos on DG. Like my fellow reviewer, I'll be praying for her to return to the recital scene... and a recording of the beethoven 4th and 5th - and sonatas.
For a start, there is the breathtaking range of repertoire here - from Bach to Bartok and Prokofiev and on to her fellow-countryman, Ginastera. All of them played with an innate sense of the different styles and character demanded. But all of them challenging stale preconceptions, shedding new light on the composers and their music. Even the most familiar pieces come up as fresh as though newly minted. The Chopin items are just as fresh and exciting as anything here: the C Minor Nocturne is a wonder of colour and tints, the darkness of its central section starkly contrasted with the elegance and smoothness of its outer parts. Equally the motoric rhythms of the first movement of the Bartok Sonata and the last of the Prokofiev display enormous power and energy.
With her reluctance to play/record solo recitals any more, live documents such as these Concertgebouw programmes are invaluable. If you've a taste for invigorating, refreshing piano playing of the highest standards (both of technique and interpretation), don't hesitate.
But then, an artist who clutters us every section of the record store soon begins to vex the browser, so amybe we and all the other pianists with record contracts should be grateful the name Argerich isn't in place for every conceivable solo piano masterpiece, ready to knock them into obscurity. Think of the loathing Karajan attracted for recording so much music so often and so well.
As things stand, you shouldn't hesitate to grab anything solo that Martha did during her '60s/'70s heyday as a hothouse virtuoso, including this fabulously mixed collection that ranges far and wide, from introspective Bach to devil's dance Prokofiev, from seventeenth to twentieth century.
Hot stuff.
The playing is utterly wonderful from bach to ginastera and scarlatti to prokofiev. Read more
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