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Alexander Melnikov claims, both in his booklet notes and in the short film by Christian Leblé that forms the DVD portion of this three-disc set, that Shostakovich s 24 Preludes and Fugues have been so closely associated with the classic interpretation of their first exponent, Tatiana Nikolayeva, that other players have been deterred from re-imagining them in different terms. I suspect that Roger Woodward, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Keith Jarrett, Olli Mustonen, Jenny Lin, among those who have recorded complete cycles, might want to demur. But Melnikov unquestionably gives an impression of freshness and daring, as if he s discovering the music for the first time. His tempos tend to be on the fast side, his range of touch from the massive to the feathery light, and every movement is incisively, vividly characterised. None more so than No. 15, whose Prelude Melnikov sees as full of mockery, [relying] on the street music of (largely criminal) post-revolutionary Russia and the near-dodecaphonic fugue whose contrapuntal technique reminds us of the Second Viennese School . He is surely right that the contrast between the fifteenth Fugue and desolate, neo-baroque then quasi-oriental No. 16 is one of the cardinal mysteries of the cycle. The withdrawn and mystical atmosphere that he creates in Prelude 22 is the obverse to the magnificently granite-like ending to the culminating Fugue 24. Melnikov argues powerfully in his words and his playing that this is a cycle, not a work to be thumbed-through for extracts. Yet it emerges in his account as much less monolithic than usual: Shostakovich uses the severe discipline of the fugue and the miniature forms of the Prelude to create a kaleidoscopic range of musical characters. Certainly one s bound to feel, listening to such superb playing, that this is indeed one of the greatest contrapuntal cycles since Bach. Overall, then, a magnificent achievement. Calum MacDonald --http://www.classical-music.com/review/shostakovich-24-preludes
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is rare to come across what sounds like the perfect performance. I have loved these works since I first heard them many years ago. However until now no one complete performance has ever done them justice. For many ears the field was dominated by Tatiana Nikolayeva to whom the works were originally dedicated. Hearing Melnikov shows just how dry and limited her performances were. Ashkenazy provided an alternative some years ago but these surpass those too. There are too many delights to detail. These are wonderful discs. Enjoy.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
These marvelous, enigmatic works have been looking for a modern champion on record for some time now, and in this recording they have found one. Melnikov gets under the skin of this work, and is able to encompass the multifaceted moods of the piece, at times sarcastic, ethereal, solemn, all the shades of light and dark are here in a performance that to my mind is truly special. Fabulous.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is my seventh set of the Op. 87 Preludes and Fugues by Shostakovich -- Tatiana Nikolayevna, Keith Jarrett, Jenny Lin, David Jalbert, Konstantin Scherbakov, Vladimir Ashkenazy and now this one -- and although all of them are marvelous in their own way, this traversal seems to be altogether at a higher level of poetry and expressiveness. His playing is brilliantly etched without being shrill or feverish. His dynamic range is enormous; his pianissimo playing in particular is the kind that makes you lean forward in your seat to catch every nuance. I'd never heard of Alexander Melnikov before until a friend sent me this set. But I can guarantee that I'll be looking for anything else he records. I, like one of of the earlier reviewers, would love to hear his take on Shostakovich's piano concertos as well as the Op. 34 Preludes.
Strongly recommended.
Scott Morrison
Strongly recommended.
Scott Morrison
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Masterpiece to the power of masterpiece
This is beautiful. The fusion of performance and composition is nothing short of masterpiece to the power of masterpiece. It is a CD to live with. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ged
Shostakovich: Complete Prelides & Fugues. Alexander Melnikov
This is an excellent recording of Shostakovich: Complete Preludes & Fugues, BUT - all the track information appearing on my Windows Media Player are in Japanese characters. Read more
Published 6 months ago by bennetwood
A very enlightening interpretation
There are passages with which Melnokov connects with so perfectly that it seems he has really understood the core of this prelude & fugue cycle. Read more
Published 10 months ago by maximus
Magnificent playing of a magnificent work
This magnificent work is given a magnificent performance by Alexander Melnikov. Every shade of emotion is delivered in each prelude and each fugue. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Chuck Mallett
Marvellous music making, but infuriating technical problems
Quite marvellous music-making, here. I wouldn't say that the classic Nikolayeva set is superceded, but this is definitely a different and altogether valid take on this protean... Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. S. Bower
Unmatched depth and sensitivity
If you think you know these works well, then the genius of Melnikov's interpretation is to surprise you utterly. Read more
Published 16 months ago by J N McMahon
Very fine indeed, but you may have problems playing the last Prelude...
I would echo the positive points made in earlier reviews. The one point I would wish to add is a technical one, and it means a drop of one star. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Scratcher
The Best Recording Ever
It's too bad Shostakovitch isn't alive to hear this young man's interpretation of his Preludes and Fugues. His mastery of the music is outstanding. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Leon B. Albert
Stunning 48!
The sheer musicality, flexibility and subtlety of this performance put it right at the top of the list for recordings of Shostakovich's Preludes and Fugues. Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. Lamede
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